Wisconsin
updated
11:43 a.m.
The Mark Neumann for Governor committee filed its GAB-1 Campaign Registration Statement with the Government Accountability Board last week. But a modern campaign is a campaign only when it gets its website up. Mark Neumann's site is up and it is not too shabby , though it's still in development. Good colors, not text-heavy, and easy-to-find information. Constructive suggestions, Mr....
MAL Contends - 11:28 a.m.
I know nothing about basketball . "Batshit spin" is right. Evidently this was not meant as a reference to the role of the entodermal cloaca in evolutionary biology, although it could be. ...
illusory tenant - 10:24 a.m.
What the heck does this have to do with State politics ? Law prof. Rick Esenberg's latest love letter to Sarah Palin : When your problem is gravitas and lack of experience, bailing on the a principle way to get those things seems like throwing in the towel. Er, what? Earlier: " A masterwork ." ...
illusory tenant - 10:08 a.m.
As it should be. Thanks to Wisconsin Democrats for placing this in the state budget, and getting this job completed. The whole idea of some pharmacists thinking they could only sell those items they deem ‘appropriate’ was one of the lamest ideas I had heard of in some time. If pharmacists do not want to fulfill their [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - 10:07 a.m.
Stories about conservative public figures disseminating racist " jokes " have grown in the past six months. And thanks to a story in the MJS we can now add the conservative MacIver Institute’s resident blogger Fred Dooley to the list....
One Wisconsin Now - 9:01 a.m. - 2 clicks 
Because I can't: "As the only statewide Republican candidate in the entire nation to defeat an incumbent Democrat in 2006, we know what has to be done," Van Hollen wrote. "We know what it takes to win and we'll do it again, but I need your continued support to get there." In reality, Van Hollen's predecessor, Peg Lautenschlager, lost in the Democratic primary to Dane County Executive Kathleen...
illusory tenant - 9:00 a.m.
At least one Republican Congressman, Peter King, is disappointed at failing to secure a ticket to Michael Jackson 's memorial service. The low-life pervert was a child molester and a pedophile . Apparently acquittals count for nothing to this lawmaker. Isn't it unusual to keep a corpse above ground for nearly two weeks? ...
illusory tenant - 9:00 a.m.
This month's topic is Social Networking Tools and Tricks - How to be recognized in the Social Network World! Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn, Facebook? Do you know what these can do for your business? How do your clients find you? Can Social Networking pay off in the client development / marketing world? Tim Puyleart, Business Development Manager for IEA, Inc. in Minneapolis will discuss how he has used...
KickTime - 8:27 a.m.
Update : See TNR's Inexcusable , When will Obama get real on gay civil rights? Summer is typically a comparatively down time for politics. Not this summer and not for President Obama. E.J. Dionne posits that this summer —the 6th through 9th month of Obama's presidency—is a critical period. But Dionne, generally a fine analyst, gets it wrong by suggesting that Obama's problem is maintain...
MAL Contends - 5:41 a.m.
The activists in Waukesha and Washington Counties known as the Highway J Coalition have a federal court hearing Wednesday where grievances against the way highway expansion in our area has been allowed to play out. Highway J runs north for about 15 miles from I-94, right past the front door, appropriately, of the offices of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission - - where about a...
The Political Environment - 3:24 a.m.
Last Thursday, Owen Robinson reported that bombastic radio host Mark Belling " broke " a story showing that the state's takeover of Milwaukee County's Income Maintenance program was purely political, and that the state and the local newspaper were in cahoots to make Walker look as bad as possible. The basis for their argument was a series of emails between the state's Department of Human Servic...
Cognitive Dissidence - 1:21 a.m. - 11 clicks
Best of luck to Scotty Gomez, AK’s greatest hockey player, as he joins up w/ Montreal Canadians . Dear God . It's Canadiens . For the last 100 years. Of course, Mark Steyn is the representative Canadian around here . Just look . That would be calumnist Patrick McIlheran , who just learned recently that there are entire communities of Francophones in Ontario. Amazing! This makes him a...
illusory tenant - 12:29 a.m. - 2 clicks
Friday’s July 3rd edition (a July 4th edition was not published) of the Janesville Gazette contained a full page religio-political ad titled "In God We Trust" on what normally is the second page of the newspaper's Op-Ed section. The ad was basically a compilation of cherry-picked quotes from our country's founding fathers, Presidents, Supreme Court rulings and a few lesser known people. The ad h...
Rock Netroots - Sun 10:28 p.m. - 4 clicks
Another good reason to buy from organic suppliers you know and trust, which also means local. And by the way: people cheating on organics and fraudulently claiming the label should be punished. Severely. ...
The Political Environment - Sun 5:25 p.m.
About herself . And, threatening legal action against the New York Times for something the paper had never even mentioned. Okaay. A viable candidate for leader of the free world, we are told. ...
illusory tenant - Sun 5:23 p.m. - 3 clicks
This weekend there has been a flurry of news stories about the truly weird timing and ’substance’ of soon-to-be ex-Governor Sarah Palin’s press conference where she announced her failure at being able to finish her term in office. Since the press conference raised far more questions than it answered, there has been a series of [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Sun 5:23 p.m. - 4 clicks
It's hard to imagine that Milwaukee-area transit could be placed on shakier or more disrespected ground than the Tommy Thompson/Scott Jensen/Daniel Finley engineered regional crack-up of about a decade ago, when these GOP leaders blew up Milwaukee's light rail planning . It was the "Stick-it-to-Milwaukee" era, and Republicans from Waukesha to the state house kicked Milwaukee around, racking up o...
The Political Environment - Sun 3:26 p.m. - 6 clicks
When one huge national political joke (Sarah Palin) meets bottom feeders(law firm) what do you get? In this case an attempt at suppression of free speech. This is most remarkable. I post in large part the link above. First however, it need not be said that the blogging world will not be silent on the white [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Sun 10:47 a.m. - 4 clicks
At some point American Democrats will realize the injustice and outrage perpetrated by Israel. That Israel has deteriorated into a fascist state is axiomatic in discussing events in Gaza. The letter below was originally broadcast on WBAIX on July 3rd. See also Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mairead Maguire, speaking from inside Tel Aviv's Ramla Givon high security prison. Letter from an I...
MAL Contends - Sun 9:27 a.m.
Update II : Tana Ganeva: Sarah Palin Resigns: Is She Fleeing Scandal? Update : Robert Perry - ' Sarah Palin’s abrupt decision to resign as governor – and her rambling explanation – underscores how the GOP over the past 12 years has put up candidates for top national offices who are unqualified and ill-suited .' Let's pray for her. Here's a video of Sarah announcing that she is quitting ...
MAL Contends - Sun 9:27 a.m. - 2 clicks
It is early, and I am scanning the online newspapers where I found this nugget, and need to share. Finally we meet the man behind the hair (as opposed to under the hair) of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. A great Sunday newspaper read! Once every three weeks, former Gov. Rod Blagojevichrides a tiny elevator to the sixth floor [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Sun 9:26 a.m.
July 5th- - a day after Independence Day, should also be Day One of a campaign by Milwaukee officials and activists to really get busy on removing Milwaukee from the budgetary and policy-making taxation-without-representation relationship the city has with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Milwaukee has more than 600,000 residents, and contributes about 18% of the commissio...
The Political Environment - Sun 5:29 a.m. - 3 clicks
When fireworks folks compete, it is pretty amazing. Here's a video of a competition in Japan complete with music. But first an amazing street performance ala Phillip Glass--"Glissendo" at a French art festival: "Lightning" by Philip Glass. Concept and technical design by Ulik (the mechanical clown).......
KickTime - Sun 12:28 a.m.
WisPolitics has an online poll up asking if Gov. Jim Doyle is running for reelection. The GOP primary field looks set as Mark Neumann declared his intention to run. “While he'll file with the state, he plans to hold off on any formal announcements on his campaign until later this fall,” says WisPolitics . Maybe that’s because the gubernatorial candidates can’t even begin to collect no...
Uppity Wisconsin - Sat 7:23 p.m. - 8 clicks
Hi everyone, And now for some hilariously ironic karma embodied in a screw up by the Daily News . This week's column was attributed to Owen Robinson -- who notes the mix up in his blog, but whose byline and picture accompanied the column in both the print and electronic versions. The editor assured me they'd reprint it on Tuesday with the correct attribution. I'll include the link then. I...
The Motley Cow - Sat 8:28 a.m.
UPDATED SARAH PALIN LEGAL TEAM TRYING TO LIMIT FREE SPEECH! No sitting governor with White House dreams resigns 18 months before the statehouse term ends, and three years before a presidential election. There are too many unanswered questions when something like this happens. This morning there are many linking yesterday’s resignation by Sarah Palin with a possible looming [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Sat 7:59 a.m. - 6 clicks
There is a very nice new website about our area karst topography and surface features--sinkholes etc. called KarstReport. It is a place to report karst features you know about, and a place that will report on the progress of the karst study happening in the area near Viroqua. Latest is a report on the karst field day that happened in June and was quite enjoyable. Note: &nbs...
KickTime - Sat 12:37 a.m.
This story disgusts me. What could the bar be thinking? What universe are they living in where this would seem like a good idea, no matter how close to this guy they were. http://www.jsonline.com/... Read this story and tell me if you think what they are doing is appropriate. ...
DailyKos (Wisconsin) - Fri 9:42 p.m. - 4 clicks
This went without a lot of notice, in part due to the much more positive and profound development this year in neighboring Iowa. But Wisconsin, which to its great shame approved a referendum amending the constitution to ban gay marriage and unions in 2006, has taken a step back toward civil rights by becoming the first state with a constitutional ban to recognize same-sex domestic partnerships. ...
DailyKos (Wisconsin) - Fri 9:42 p.m. - 6 clicks
One thing I find amusing in light of the announcement that Sarah Palin is quitting her elected position as Governor of Alaska, is the search engine terms that people are using tonight. I have the ability on this blog to see how people looked for a topic on a search engine, and then land here on my blog. [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Fri 9:38 p.m.
James’ long-time friend of 20 years, Kathie, came to visit Friday evening on the way to a cabin in Wisconsin’s Northwoods for the coming week. Pictured are the kids Myra, Lydia, and Phillip. The reason they made this blog is how impressed I was with the well-rounded and polite young people that walked around the neighborhood [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Fri 9:38 p.m. - 3 clicks
President Palin to resign Blames the media elites, Persecution of Christians Vice President Wurzelbacher will be sworn in tomorrow by Associate Justice Hannity Word Salad, Baked Alaskan . ...
illusory tenant - Fri 5:03 p.m. - 3 clicks
I did not know this fact (below) until today, though it makes perfect sense. While reading this nicely written article, I thought how ironic it is that the black community, and especially the black churches, have so many problems with gay marriage. First and foremost, marital breakdown is not rampant across the land. It is concentrated among [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Fri 3:39 p.m. - 2 clicks
This just deserves a post. Ole Time Fiddler’s Slide Show And Music. “First contest, first first-place,” said Brennen Ernst, a 15-year-old banjo player from Leesburg, Va., minutes after picking up a blue ribbon at the 85th annual Ole Time Fiddler’s and Bluegrass Festival in Union Grove, N.C. It was afternoon on the festival’s second day, and Brennen, [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Fri 3:39 p.m.
Swamp Excerpt : Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is stepping down, announcing suddenly today that she will pursue other means of having an impact in the public arena, fueling speculation about her intentions for another bid for national office. ...
Rock Netroots - Fri 2:29 p.m. - 2 clicks
v1.0: The Hillel cam. v2.0: My link from last night. v3.0: Seeing Ann Althouse at Espresso Royale today. gets giddy like school girl ...
The Critical Badger - Fri 12:17 p.m. - 2 clicks
NYT: MADISON, a liberal college town that doubles as the capital of a politically complicated state, pulls its disparate elements together into a spirited reality all its own, a funky amalgam of hard-partying students, socially conscious activists, sports fans, outdoor warriors, politicos from both sides of the aisle, artists, foodies and more. Long pigeonholed as a [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Fri 10:56 a.m. - 9 clicks
I just finished reading again the much loved book, “Founding Brothers” by Joseph Ellis. I keep returning to this book as it is a never ending source of inspiration. There was such assuredness in the those men who founded the nation. (Also in women such as Abigail Adams) From the way they posed for portraits, [...] ...
Caffeinated Politics - Fri 9:33 a.m.
Art Fair & Chocolate Soiree Sunday, July 5th Skumsrud Heritage Farm 1/2 mile west of Coon Valley on Hwy. 14/61 We've got a special event coming up and we want you to be part of it. Please join us on Sunday, July 5th at Norskedalen's Skumsrud Heritage Farm for an Art Fair & Chocolate Soiree. We will have a host of artisans displaying and selling their work in addition to ...
KickTime - Fri 8:40 a.m. - 2 clicks
Posted by Gary Storck Friday, July 3, 2009 Here is an interesting case headed toward the Wisconsin Supreme Court. A prohibitionist Fond du Lac County judge rejected a plea bargain in a cannabis case, and the county DA is fighting the judge's decision. ...
Madison NORML - Fri 8:11 a.m. - 6 clicks
Perhaps something to consider in Franklin, where farmland is still fairly abundant: From NYTimes.com: The bewildered Iowan who converted his farm into a ballpark in “Field of Dreams” in 1989 might reverse the move today. From Vermont to central California,......
Sprawled Out - Fri 7:49 a.m.
"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy. ... They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made." - F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby (1925), condemning hubris and disrespect - Were he alive today, Fitzgerald could be describing the ...
MAL Contends - Fri 4:39 a.m.
Look inside Madison bars in almost real time. This should be lulzy late at night. So uh, what’s the deal with me finding so many webcams… ...
The Critical Badger - Thu 7:44 p.m. - 11 clicks
It was two years ago today that I wrote my first post and officially entered the Cheddarsphere. (Please send all complaints to Jay Bullock , since he is the one that let me in.) Then one year ago today, I started this here site. I have written just under 1,000 posts here (this one is #959 to be exact). And no, 900 of them haven't been about Scott Walker, only 889. From the time that I h...
Cognitive Dissidence - Thu 6:00 p.m. - 3 clicks
Just a few quick notes and observations: Jay Bullock is going to lay the smackdown on Owen Robinson Sunday. If you, like me, won't me near a local TV on Sunday morning, he tells us it will be available on the Intertubes. Mark Sanford, the Carolina Governor that took the Appalachian Trail all the way to Argentina, still doesn't get it. Zach explains . Illy-T says that some are blaming bio...
Cognitive Dissidence - Thu 4:38 p.m. - 2 clicks
I recently advised the gentle reader that once again the Monarch Trail was in peril, this time from the state's Department of Transportation . Gretchen Schuldt has now advised us that the DOT is still taking feedback, now until August 10. More information can be found at her site, CASH . ...
Cognitive Dissidence - Thu 4:15 p.m.
After justice was thwarted , at least temporarily, in Waupaca County, Republican State Representative Dean Kaufert calls for a change. From his press release : Rep. Dean Kaufert [R – Neenah] announced today that he will be working with colleagues in the Legislature on an initiative to clarify Wisconsin law relating to animal cruelty regulations. A potential problem with current law was brough...
Cognitive Dissidence - Thu 4:15 p.m. - 4 clicks
Update: Noticed this quote from Junger in the WSJ. Sounds better than what was printed in the Herald. Tyler Junger, chairman of Associated Students of Madison, UW-Madison student government, said he hopes to avoid a large increase in student fees, also known as segregated fees. “I think we’re going to do what we can to make sure [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Thu 4:15 p.m. - 3 clicks
Susan Hardwicke, a licensed social worker who runs a clinical practice in Columbia, said SC Gov. Mark " King David " Sanford could be under the influence of brain chemicals that fire when a person falls in love. "People do crazy things for love," Hardwicke said. "That's what all the songs are about." I would do anything for love , but I won't resign , as one song put it. People are talk...
illusory tenant - Thu 4:14 p.m. - 2 clicks
Heard some 20-something bimbo ask the clerk in the Summerfest Store the price of a sweatshirt, "Thirty-five dollars each? How much for two?" That is our future. Pretty scary. — Bob in West Allis Bob's the bimbo, now that she got two for 60 bucks. ...
illusory tenant - Thu 4:14 p.m. - 7 clicks
And it's a president (for a change): Obama said the city of New Haven, CT might have prevailed if it "had thought through how it was going to approach the issue ahead of time and said, 'We think merit and highly qualified firefighters are absolutely important. That doesn't contradict our desire to make sure that there is diversity in a city that's 60 percent black and Hispanic. Let's design pr...
illusory tenant - Thu 4:14 p.m. - 4 clicks
Hi everyone, The Daily News reports that, following the Red Alert: Library Board Meets Legally! warning from our colleague Owen Robinson over at Boots and Sabers, and the remarkably quick -- and adolescent -- diatribe from from Mark Belling .... -- nothing happened. The library board checked the city attorney's legal ruling with a second attorney at no cost to anyone, and now it's back to...
The Motley Cow - Thu 2:53 p.m.
Wisconsin just can't decide: Are we a state serious about addressing our national lead in drunk driving and binge drinking, or are we the celebratory boozers who just set the world's record for the biggest happy hour, with dollar beers at Summerfest? ...
The Political Environment - Thu 10:42 a.m. - 9 clicks
One of my bugaboos with fundamentalist, Old Testament, Christianity. Unprotected Sex: Abstinence Education's Main Accomplishment For more data and less preaching, check The Guttmacher Institute . hiho Mp ...
The Motley Cow - Thu 9:06 a.m. - 3 clicks
"If we don't change and change soon, I may bump into my lawyer friend again, but it just might be in Texas." -- Senator Ted Kanavas's threat to move to Texas, 6/30/09 What do you think of when you think of Texas? The Dallas Cowboys (shudder)? How about Enron? George W. Bush (double-shudder)? Despite those horrible inhabitants, State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) thinks the ...
One Wisconsin Now - Thu 9:05 a.m. - 7 clicks
Sendik's brief occupancy in the suburbs' southern edges falls flat. More commentary and reporting, here . Reminds me of the winding down of Pabst Farms and its commercial center out Western Waukesha way, as Franklin's Sendik's, despite the hoopla, is to become a Pick 'n Save, and the upscale Pabst Farm mall, still not built, is looking to morph into part Big Box Heaven, part strip mall. Whoo...
The Political Environment - Thu 2:41 a.m. - 7 clicks
A first: When conservative critics look at the field of history, one much repeated charge is that departments have obliterated fields like military history in favor of multiculturalism. And for those who have questioned the academy’s commitment to military history in recent years, no institution has been more of a target than the University of Wisconsin [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Thu 1:20 a.m. - 9 clicks
The arbitrator that decided AFSCME's grievance against Scott Walker and his plan to put almost 2,000 county workers on an indefinite furlough issued his written decision on Wednesday. Frankly, it was better than I had hoped it could be. The arbitrator ruled that Walker took a number of missteps in issuing this edict. The biggest issue is that Walker again exceeded his authority: Milwauk...
Cognitive Dissidence - Thu 1:00 a.m. - 7 clicks
WisPolitics has an online poll up asking if Gov. Jim Doyle is running for reelection. The GOP primary field looks set as Mark Neumann declared his intention to run. “While he'll file with the state, he plans to hold off on any formal announcements on his campaign until later this fall,” says WisPolitics . Maybe that’s because the gubernatorial candidates can’t even begin to collect nomina...
MAL Contends - Wed 11:27 p.m. - 15 clicks
From the desk of County Board Chairman Lee Holloway: Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway is congratulating the Director of Milwaukee County’s Department of Audit for being selected as a recipient of a David M. Walker Excellence in Government Performance and Accountability Award, which was recently presented in Arlington, Virginia . The Department of Audit reports directly to the C...
Cognitive Dissidence - Wed 11:27 p.m. - 11 clicks
The Journal Sentinel Thursday printed a letter from activist Jeff Gonyo, whom Wisconsin Transportation Department officials prevented from distributing materials at a hearing last week about the $2.3 billion Zoo Interchange project. His letter is on this Journal Sentinel page , at the abbreviation DOT, for Department of Transportation. ...
The Political Environment - Wed 11:27 p.m. - 6 clicks
This is a good news from a moderate Democrat with a business background, and a sign that a public option in US health care reform has a good chance of inclusion in a final bill. Text below from statement emailed Wednesday: President Barack Obama recently paid a visit to our state to talk about the urgent need for comprehensive health care reform. He continued to make his case, and as your senato...
The Political Environment - Wed 5:53 p.m. - 3 clicks
Posted by Gary Storck Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Summer is here and that means that fall is not far behind, and fall brings Harveat Fest! Here is a chance to immortalize your design as the official design of the 39th Annual Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Festival this October 1-4 at various Madison downtown locations! ...
Madison NORML - Wed 5:53 p.m. - 5 clicks
Way back in October, officials from the Federal Highway Administration came to Milwaukee and held a court-reporter-equipped open meeting/hearing so that the public could tell the feds whether the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission should get another four-year permission slip to approve federal highway and transit spending in SEWRPC's seven-county region. Federal officials have s...
The Political Environment - Wed 11:42 a.m. - 4 clicks
WSJ: Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz drew a shout-out from President Barack Obama while attending a speech the president delivered to non-profit group leaders Tuesday afternoon in the East Room of the White House. “I also want to thank Dave Cieslewicz — I want to make sure I say that properly — of Madison, Wisconsin, and Mayor Sara [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Wed 11:42 a.m. - 5 clicks
A reader emailed to ask when I would be writing an "I told you so" blog entry regarding the recent closing of Sendik's at Shoppes at Wyndham Village. While my apprehensions were public and frequent (and early), I certainly take......
Sprawled Out - Wed 11:42 a.m. - 5 clicks
Not surprisingly . Piltdown Man, sheesh, get some new material already. Who debunked that, a creationist? Not bloody likely. ...
illusory tenant - Wed 11:41 a.m. - 2 clicks
I just telephoned the Milwaukee County Transit System to find out about Freeway Flyer bus schedules to Summerfest, and the on-hold music was some dude howling about Jesus. What's up with that. I'm a captive and highly impressionable audience over here. And no, it wasn't a Doobie Brother. ...
illusory tenant - Wed 11:41 a.m. - 6 clicks
Census officials say Milwaukee has added 7,500 residents since the 2000 count, and having been involved in that count as the city's liaison to the federal effort, I can tell you that the true increment will be even higher when the 2010 count is completed. Even in recessionary times, cities expand because that is where the greatest concentration of options and choices and opportunities are prese...
The Political Environment - Wed 10:30 a.m. - 3 clicks
With news out the other day the number of abortions being performed in Wisconsin has fallen to 30-year lows, the anti-choicers did everything they could to credit themselves as opposed to the person most responsible: Governor Jim Doyle. Gov. Doyle has made increasing access to health care among his top priorities since his election in 2002. He has made good on that promise, despite opposition fro...
One Wisconsin Now - Wed 10:29 a.m. - 4 clicks
Girl From Ipanema — Jobim w/João Gilberto "He has lost his ability to function as a man." — Harvey Peeler A peeler might know that, but not Harvey Peeler. "Peeler was joined by Hugh Leatherman." What a circus . U.S. politics is still the best. Even on Canada Day. ...
illusory tenant - Wed 10:29 a.m.
Sure sounds like it. Who among us is a bio-chemist specializing in cancer pathology to explain what this means? Dr Jennifer MacDiarmid and Dr Himanshu Brahmbhatt may have added their names to history. From Scientists kill cancer cells with 'trojan horse' Australian scientists have developed a 'trojan horse' therapy to combat cancer, using a bacterially-derived nano cell to penetrate and disa...
MAL Contends - Wed 9:02 a.m.
Chicago Tribune Excerpt : Under a government-backed deal, GM will sell most of its assets to a newly created company, 60 percent owned by the U.S. government. The Canadian government will get a 12.5 percent stake while the United Auto Workers union will take a 17.5 percent share to fund its health care obligations. Unsecured bondholders receive the remaining 10 percent. Existing GM shareholde...
Rock Netroots - Wed 9:01 a.m. - 13 clicks
A follow-up. Glenn makes US News & World Report for blowing up a paperwork bungle into ideological persecution. Conservative Group Threatens to Sue University of Wisconsin - The Paper Trail (usnews.com) The best line, however, isn't Glenn's here. It's this: "It takes time and money to organize a lot of these things," CFACT National Director Bill Gilles said. "There's absolutely no way w...
Glenn Grothman Watch - Wed 9:00 a.m. - 13 clicks
" Newt was pumped up afterwards ." Maybe if they'd pumped him up beforehand, he'd have actually endorsed Scott Walker instead of his Republican rival . ...
illusory tenant - Wed 8:12 a.m. - 10 clicks
Hi everyone, At the end of the day, I'm afraid that what the Maziarkas really want is a theocracy. But, in the meantime: Paleontology and Creationism Meet but Don’t Mesh - NYTimes.com hiho Mp ...
The Motley Cow - Wed 7:51 a.m.
Watching Democrats destroy each other is bad for Milwaukee. Big day for the GOP and the road-builders. Foolish day for politicians governing through pique. Ugly day for transit riders and everyday people. ...
The Political Environment - Wed 7:07 a.m. - 7 clicks
Republican "Family Values" proponent Mark Sanford , at times crying and unabashedly emotional, acknowledged that he had casual encounters with other women while he was married but before he met Chapur. They took place during trips outside the country to "blow off steam" with male friends. SC Governor sounding an awful lot like a sex tourist (At least Rush Limbaugh was single.) It's tempt...
illusory tenant - Wed 6:27 a.m. - 4 clicks
Blogging Blue , the fine establishment of my good friend Zach Wisniewski (don't you just love his work?!), turns two years old today. Here's hoping many more years of some mighty good writing. ...
Cognitive Dissidence - Wed 6:26 a.m.
The July Media Rants column looks at what we can expect from Barack Obama's administration as regards the environment. Here it is: On June 16th, the Obama Administration released a report announcing that the effects of global warming are real, occurring in the present, and require immediate action. The report assesses regional impacts of climate change, and concludes that the Midwest will e...
Talk To Tony - Wed 6:26 a.m.
Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann announces today that he is running for the Republican nomination for governor. Neumann will face Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker in a contentious and likely divisive GOP primary campaign. Though Neumann will run on a saccharin high taxes and wasteful spending platform, Neumann in his own words and deeds is a hard-right ideologue packing the same anti-g...
MAL Contends - Wed 5:19 a.m. - 9 clicks
What you're missing on the Faux News Channel . And "self-taught genius" Glenn Beck spends his weekends thinking about what it would be like to be bin Laden. Interesting people. ...
illusory tenant - Wed 5:18 a.m.
See the broadcast of "Gridlock: Public Transit in Southeastern Wisconsin" Thursday July 2nd, at 6 PM, on Milwaukee Public Television, Channel 10.1 (MPTV). "Gridlock" provides an intimate look at our transit dilemma and accomplishments -- and a snapshot of what is happening in some other cities. Local leaders and grassroots advocates are featured in this documentary. TransitNow, leading the pus...
The Political Environment - Wed 3:18 a.m. - 3 clicks
Governor wannabe Scott Walker is sure having a hard time of it. Just this week alone, he got slapped down by an arbitrator that pointed out that he is not the King of Milwaukee County. He then had a nationally known neocon figurehead come and disrespect him at his own fundraiser. He then got busted flip-flopping yet again on stimulus funds. Now he finds himself trying desperately, and fa...
Cognitive Dissidence - Tue 11:27 p.m. - 9 clicks
From this morning's story on how Doyle vetoed the sales tax that was designed to help preserve Milwaukee County's transit system: Walker said the county can get through 2011 without a major crisis in transit funding, thanks to an infusion of federal stimulus funds to be used to purchase new buses. He'll continue to advocate for privatizing the operation of Mitchell International Airport as a wa...
Cognitive Dissidence - Tue 9:51 p.m. - 7 clicks
Because God won't let him: Last week I had thought I would resign [but] a long list of close friends have suggested otherwise — that for God to really work in my life I shouldn't be getting off so lightly. Amazing. This is a guy who took a "spiritual adviser" along on one of his extramarital trysts in Manhattan. All very Godly, don't you know. ...
illusory tenant - Tue 9:50 p.m.
Scott Walker loves to say how he would be the best candidate for governor because he knows how to attract businesses and keep economies humming by refusing to raise taxes ( except for toddlers ). It seems that businesses might have more than just taxes on their minds. Stuff like services, etc. You know, the things that Walker has proven himself incapable of handling . From JSOnline : Com...
Cognitive Dissidence - Tue 9:27 p.m. - 12 clicks
In the Year of our Lord Christ Two Thousand and Nine . "It is a bit harder to explain the cause and effect between the Giuliani divorces, which appear to occur regularly in good or bad economic times." Not to mention the Newt Gingrich ones. ...
illusory tenant - Tue 4:59 p.m. - 2 clicks
Milwaukee's bout with cryptosporidium will be featured on Animal Planet on July 8th. The "Monsters Inside Me" series takes a look at parasites and other critters within, and will include interviews with Milwaukeeans. ...
The Political Environment - Tue 2:23 p.m. - 2 clicks
Jeopardy! contestant and assistant to the Wis. Chief Justice . We caught Ms. Nelson's final night as a contestant at my vacation hideaway in Sheboygan. Our feeling was that she drew a lot of the tougher categories and answers we've seen in some time. (A little birdie told me several months ago that Ms. Nelson is a follower of this blog, or at least was, during the spring election.) h/t J...
illusory tenant - Tue 2:23 p.m. - 4 clicks
Here are a few notes from today's meeting of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission's advisory water study committee. [Regrettably, SEWRPC does not transcribe, videotape, audiotape or stream these meetings; hand-taken notes by a staffer are eventually posted online - - sometimes delayed by months - - so if you are not there, you miss the details, nuances, and asides. I'm putting ...
The Political Environment - Tue 1:45 p.m. - 4 clicks
You do have to have an understanding of how some rule you make will apply to people in the real world. I think that there should be an awareness of the real-world consequences of the principles of the law you apply. — Sandra Day O'Connor a.k.a. "policy." ...
illusory tenant - Tue 12:42 p.m.
Capital Times Excerpt : (Ed Garvey) Where do you suppose Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce was while the governor fought to keep the Janesville plant open? We hear from WMC on just about every issue from taxes to elections, but heard nothing on this one. Why not, Jim Haney? Don't you care about Wisconsin and the 1,200 families in Janesville? Like a coward soldier going AWOL during wartime, th...
Rock Netroots - Tue 11:37 a.m. - 3 clicks
...by proposing the same failed Bush policies that ran our economy into the ground in the first place. The MacIver Institute of Public Policy's criticism of the recently passed budget reads like a loving tribute to the past 8 years of failed Bush fiscal policy. Their only solution to the record $6.6 billion budget deficit: tax cuts for the rich. Followed by more tax cuts to the rich, followed ...
One Wisconsin Now - Tue 11:37 a.m. - 2 clicks
Update VI : See Paul Craig Roberts' Pirates of the Mediterranean . Update V : From the Free Gaza Movement: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1 July 2009 We are NOT the 'Story' It’s Not Just Our 21 Kidnapped Passengers On June 30th 2009 Israeli Occupation Forces forcibly boarded the Free Gaza boat, SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, and kidnapped 21 human rights workers and journalists who were on their way to del...
MAL Contends - Tue 10:27 a.m.
One would think that with the County winning a $45 million settlement from their lawsuit against the Mercer actuaries, there would at least be a little apology squeaking out from the editors down at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Don’t hold your breath. The Journal-Sentinel shares some damning guilt in what happened back in 2001. No one in the printed [...]...
Watchdog Milwaukee - Tue 10:27 a.m. - 5 clicks
And the latest update on Glenn's standing with different statewide groups . Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Wisconsin National Federation of Independent Business 's position, Sen. Glenn Grothman received a rating of 100 . Sen. Glenn Grothman supported the interests of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce 92 percent in 2007...
Glenn Grothman Watch - Tue 10:26 a.m. - 4 clicks
Hi everyone, CFACT, a campus group at UW Madison that claims global warming isn't an issue and urges free market solutions to... well, apparently everything... lost it's funding because they failed to file the proper paperwork. Stuff like that happens on college campuses, especially when you have politically active groups with a fairly regular changeover in membership -- as college groups do. T...
Glenn Grothman Watch - Tue 10:26 a.m. - 5 clicks
Update V : From the Free Gaza Movement: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1 July 2009 We are NOT the 'Story' It’s Not Just Our 21 Kidnapped Passengers On June 30th 2009 Israeli Occupation Forces forcibly boarded the Free Gaza boat, SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, and kidnapped 21 human rights workers and journalists who were on their way to deliver much needed humanitarian and reconstruction supplies to besieg...
Uppity Wisconsin - Tue 7:36 a.m.
Gov. Doyle vetoed Milwaukee County's sales tax aimed to save Milwaukee's failing bus system. He says he wants a regional approach. Well, what region? Waukesha County opposed even the Milwaukee Transit Authority - - see The Freeman's blunt anti-Milwaukee position here - - and killed Milwaukee's light rail plans ten years ago, so if Waukesha continues to have a regional veto, nothing will happe...
The Political Environment - Tue 7:36 a.m. - 3 clicks
Sounds neat: The most prominent part of the project is an 11-story hotel addition, built in a neo-classical style, on the north end of the property. The project would have 228 rooms, 364 parking spaces, fine dining, casual restaurants and a bar — including a revival of the memorable Rigadoon Room — a spa, fitness center, pool [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Tue 7:36 a.m.
Making national legal blogs (ht- Brad V) The Wisconsin law gives domestic partners about 40 rights (out of the more than 1,000 rights given to married couples), including the rights to visit a partner in the hospital, to take leave to care for a sick/dying partner, and to inherit a partner’s property intestate. Thus begins a [...] ...
The Critical Badger - Tue 2:55 a.m. - 2 clicks
The big news around Milwaukee County Monday morning was that the arbitrator ruled in favor of the union in its grievance against Scott Walker's illegal plan for a furlough. The ruling in itself may or may not have deep significance, depending on what the arbitrator based his ruling on. If the decision was based only on the fact that Walker left the furlough open-ended, then all Walker would ha...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 11:57 p.m. - 5 clicks
Those who support Progressive causes are in an odd position these days: we’re often in the majority on issues that matter; and we’re seriously talking about how to turn what, just a few years ago, was a wish list...into a “reality list”. Staying in the majority, however, requires the assistance of centrist voters--and that means, from time to time, finding philosophical compromise with voters ...
Uppity Wisconsin - Mon 10:51 p.m.
Highway officials say roads will be snow-covered longer than typical this winter and layoffs in the summer are imminent if a provision in the state Senate's version of the budget is adopted,” reported the Wausau Daily Herald. The article continued, “The provision requires that local governments allow outside contractors to do all road projects that cost more than $25,000, rather tha...
Uppity Wisconsin - Mon 10:51 p.m. - 5 clicks
Posted in the Janesville Gazette's “Latest News” Web Page newsbox on Monday was this link - Gingrich to appear at Wis. fundraiser for Walker 5:43 a.m. This "news story" was published under "BRIEFS" in the hard copy on page 5A. Posted on page 3 of Monday's Gazette hard copy was a story mistitled, "Health Care Debate Comes to Janesville." Obviously, health care is a hugely debated topic this ver...
Rock Netroots - Mon 10:51 p.m. - 4 clicks
Well, belated congratulations anyway. Dan was elected as the President of the Park People of Milwaukee County . Dan is a good man for the job, especially with the challenges that the parks face and the harder challenges coming in the next year. Good luck, Dan. We are behind you all the way. ...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 9:40 p.m. - 7 clicks
After weeks of Team Walker hyping the thrice-married adulterer and corrupt Newt Gingrich was coming to Milwaukee to speak at a fund raiser for Walker, we find out that Gingrich isn't even supporting the guy. From JSOnline : In response to a reporter's question, Gingrich said he wasn't endorsing Walker, and Gingrich's presence did not mean he preferred the county executive over former Republi...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 9:40 p.m. - 5 clicks
Governor Jim Doyle signed off on the budget this morning, but not before taking his veto pen to it. Unfortunately in doing so, he took a page out of Walker's playbook and starting using Milwaukee County's poor, and its taxpayers, as pawns in his political game against Walker. Unfortunately, one of the things that he vetoed was the .65% sales tax for Milwaukee County that would have gone to r...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 9:40 p.m. - 6 clicks
From the office of Chairman Holloway: “County Executive Walker’s irresponsible decision to close the County Courthouse during the early morning and late afternoon demonstrates his failure to understand the importance of providing public access to the County seat . This unilateral, single-handed decision is creating a major inconvenience for thousands of residents trying to conduct government ...
Cognitive Dissidence - Mon 8:38 p.m.
The advisory committee that has been working on a draft regional water supply plan for the seven-county Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission meets again Tuesday morning, at SEWRPC's Pewaukee headquarters, at 9:30 a.m. Here is SEWRPC's website, with driving directions , as this is the committee's first meeting since September, 2008 - - and the meeting will be well worth your time. ...
The Political Environment - Mon 7:21 p.m. - 3 clicks
The contract was upheld. A contract is a contract, and Walker had to know this would be the ruling. Walker will still use his 'executive leadership' as campaign fodder, with labor as the foil. ...
The Political Environment - Mon 4:40 p.m. - 2 clicks
Letter to the city of Franklin as received yesterday at city hall is below: June 29, 2009 VIA HAND DELIVERY AND REGULAR U.S. MAIL Mayor Tom Taylor City of Franklin 9229 W. Loomis Road Franklin, WI 53132 Re: Notice of......
Sprawled Out - Mon 2:59 p.m. - 3 clicks
A West Allis blogger recently weighed in regarding roundabouts. His opinions, unfortunately, are derived from nothing more substantial than a "gut feeling"; he lashes out against those darn "knowitalls" who are going to "screw up your businesses." Read his blog......
Sprawled Out - Jun 29 - 3 clicks
To dig us out of the historic economic crisis in Wisconsin, caused by disastrous policies of the Bush administration, our state legislators needed to come together. The massive $6.6 billion deficit we face, much like 47 other states, requires not only sacrifice, but also common sense and fairness. Democrats, who control both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office for the fir...
One Wisconsin Now - Jun 29 - 6 clicks
Since Scott Walker is proudly bringing serial hypocrite and philandering staff seducer Newt Gingrich to Wisconsin to hold a fundraiser tonight for his gubernatorial campaign, one can reasonably assume Walker doesn’t have a problem with the controversies, scandals , darkness and downright evil in Newt’s muppet-thoated past. There was the whole thing where “family values”...
One Wisconsin Now - Jun 29 - 7 clicks
Update : From the NAACP : "Today's decision in Ricci v. DeStefano is a step backward from the goal of equal employment opportunity. A narrow majority of the Court created a new legal standard that places additional hurdles in front of employers seeking to fulfill their obligations under this nation's core antidiscrimination law. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is disap...
MAL Contends - Jun 29 - 4 clicks
Bigotry has no supporting arguments. Bigotry is the lack of argument and rational thinking. It's ignorance directed by hate. The sense of entitlement that a bigot possesses to impose his hate onto society is an infantile characteristic, a projection of hate often accompanied by seeking a society-wide entitlement for their self loathing. Civil rights workers are typically concerned about the rig...
MAL Contends - Jun 29 - 3 clicks
Kevin Binversie again takes umbrage with my doing what the local media won't do by pointing out the lies and follies from Scott Walker. Since he has so much information in his post, I thought it would be better to answer them here. And since I now have the extra time, I might as well use it. After complaining about my focus, he comes out with this: Chris, why the long face for your potential...
Cognitive Dissidence - Jun 29 - 8 clicks
A cult following for the bar. A cult following for the movie. Somewhere on the Upper East Side they are celebrating. ...
The Critical Badger - Jun 29
Are politicians willing to cut ties with special interests? By Jack E. Lohman This is absolutely absurd. We Americans cannot manage our own affairs without corruption, yet we ask others to follow our lead. We are all jockeying for position in life. More personal cash makes life easier, so some are willing to work harder to get there, [...] ...
Moneyed Politicians - Jun 29
Oh, boy, Newt Gingrich is coming to town to stump for Walker. Yippee. I've made by feelings known already over here : We all know that Charlie Sykes has been carrying water for Scott Walker for a long, long time. Now, Newt Gingrich is coming to town next week to show support for Walker. How much longer before Team Walker can announce endorsements from Governor Mark Sanford , Senator Jo...
Cognitive Dissidence - Jun 29 - 4 clicks
As I was catching up on my reading, I saw the final edition of the article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Unsurprisingly, it was chock full of errata and lies. The most telling was this passage: Walker has said that he may be forced to resort to layoffs if the arbitrator in the current case limits the furloughs. ...
Cognitive Dissidence - Jun 29 - 7 clicks
If Walker gets his way, and there is a furlough, and then there is a surplus at the end of the year, do the workers get a refund of their lost wages which were wrongfully taken? Or does Walker get to keep the money and claim it as an in-kind contribution on his campaign financial statement? ...
Cognitive Dissidence - Jun 29
That was beautifully said. There is an ignorance about Michael Jackson in contemporary America that bears no relationship to the impact that this human being had upon the world. Watching MSNBC's liberal newscasters simply categorize Jackson as a weird demented icon was heart wrenching. They destroyed my image of a passionate and empathetic news station and cruelly reminded me of FOX's dis...
Uppity Wisconsin - Jun 29
Hi everyone, The budget remains in process, so who knows. In the meantime, Saturday's column. Tuning into the budget follies Budgets, like sausage, are easier to swallow when you don’t have to watch them being made. Here are some reflections on the nutritional content of the state budget. The remaining Republicans in Madison, apparently all children of Reagan’s Just Say No era anti...
The Motley Cow - Jun 29 - 3 clicks
Over at a WestAllisNOW community blog, "StubbornOldMan" asks me the following: I have no personal axe to grind with you John, but you haven't answered either of the two questions I asked you. 1) What specific conditions would lend a......
Sprawled Out - Jun 29
JG Editorial Excerpt : (June 26, 2009) Here’s another way of looking at news that Orion will get the plant. Even if Janesville had been chosen, GM wouldn’t have rehired all those laid off; workers probably wouldn’t have earned the same pay, and there is no guarantee that the cars will sell well and the plant would stay open. After spending the last decade never offering any sort of genuine ed...
Rock Netroots - Jun 29 - 6 clicks
Just took the picture above of my work site for the next couple of weeks. It's the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on the summit of Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii. The telescope is at 13,800 feet/4,200 meters, although the dorms where we eat and sleep are at 9,500 feet, which is much more comfortable. If we're lucky, and nothing goes wrong or breaks, I should have some time to work o...
Reform Dem - Jun 29
It was 144 years ago tomorrow, July 29, 1865 that a tornado hit Viroqua in Vernon County Wisconsin and tore the community apart physically as well as one can imagine to the core of the village's social family. The details of the storm are contained in the news article from that time in the copy below (via Scribd.) At the end is an open letter calling for contributions, and describing the...
KickTime - Jun 29 - 6 clicks
Miscellany 2: a mixture of various things so here we go... BBC covered a European discovery of a flute from 35,000 years ago...Vulture wing bone was the material that lasted...and they not only tell of this remarkable find, but posted a sound file of a similarly constructed flute playing a simple song. Have a quick listen to this early instrument by clicking here. And a couple small things off Twi...
KickTime - Jun 29
