Chip and Dale's Eyes on Wisconsin

Diamond Jim's Casino Compacts Expand Gambling

2006-05-21T09:49:00.000-05:00

Ho-Chunk close to announcing location of 1 of 6 new casinos.

That’s right… the sweetheart deal that Diamond Jim gave the tribe in 2003 is starting to move forward. According to this article in the Baraboo News Republic the tribe is close to announcing the location of their fourth of 9 casinos authorized in the 2003 amendment with Governor Jim Doyle to their original gaming compact.

In their original compact with the state of Wisconsin, the Ho-Chunk were allowed to have three casinos; one in Jackson, Sauk and Wood counties. A fourth casino was agreed to in concept but the state and the tribe could not come to terms.The Compact was amended in 1998 to allow for a process for the fourth casino to be approved, namely a resolution by the county or city where the casino would be located and agreement to terms with the state on suitability of the site, the fees paid to the state and the number of machines at the site.In 2003 the amendment Diamond Jim approved the biggest expansion of gaming in the state since the compacts were first signed by giving the Ho-Chunk five new sites and outlining the process for the approval for the Dane County casino, including a “loop hole” process for how to get the casino even if a referendum in Dane County fails, which it did. The only limitation these five new sites have is that 50% of the lot has to be used for purposes other than gaming. There are no limits on size or number of games allowed. And there is absolutely no approval process or local input required.

So is this new casino the new location for the Dane County casino? Since the compact requires it to be in Dane which community is getting it? If not Dane, is this one of the five other casinos approved for Sauk, Jackson (two there), Wood or Shawano? When will the plans for those other five be announced?

More to come…

Citizenship comes with responsibilities

2006-04-18T17:47:00.000-05:00

Citizenship comes with responsibilities. That, at a minimum should be something those in favor of, and in opposition to recent immigration reform should agree on.

Which is why this is so frustrating.

Employees that left work to participate in a rally to limit reform were fired by their employers, people that presumably expected that their employees would be at work that day.

In the case of Applebees, the two individuals told their employer they were leaving during the middle of a shift. It doesn't specify but it has been implied in other media accounts that there was no notice in advance of that day/shift.

I don't blame Applebees. You hire servers and cooks to be there when your customers are there. This was not the case of a family or medical emergency so the employees leaving the restaurant with little to no notice in the middle of a shift not only violates the company's policy but defies common sense. Not to mention, while they may not have liked what they heard, the employees were told when they made their intentions clear that they would be in violation of their work rules.

The politically correct folks have tried to demonize the use of common sense to the point where people can get away with just about anything. I hope these people don't get away with this.

Jude trial fallout

2006-04-17T18:59:00.000-05:00

This is a little late so I'll keep it short. The Jude trial verdicts are puzzling, to be sure. It appeared to the casual observer that at least one conviction was to be handed down. The US Attorney (Steve Biskupic) announced today that he will conduct an investigation into the whole sorrid affair.

Good.

I was afraid he would merely look at the three officers for federal charges. What is clearer than anything else is that our lose District Attorney Edward Mike McCann wasn't up to the task. He

don't touch that dial.....

2006-04-17T18:58:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the unannounced hiatus. Wonders of busy work lives had suddenly put us all on the ice. But we're coming back, hopefully better than ever.

Bush was right

2006-04-04T22:36:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Pat at Badger Blogger here is a link to the Bush Was Right video. Fun stuff. You can see more on the band at their web site.

There MUST be something in the water in Hollywood

2006-04-04T22:16:00.000-05:00

Busy week, so thanks to the many bloggers that have been my source of news and my limited posts. Thankfully Pluto has been picking up the slack.

Jessica McBride has a great post on the never-ending foolishness coming out of Hollywood. Move over Jane Fonda, you couldn't be half as nuts as Charlie Sheen and now, Ed Asner.

Ed Asner is "suspect" of 9/11. Interesting. Apparently he doesn't think it happened?!?!?! Was it all one big war game with actors? For crying out loud, how does this jackass get any ink whatsoever for his ignorant blovation.

Man this just sends my blood pressure through the roof.

The arrogance and ignorance of these morons is astounding. Honestly, it is bad enough a yocal like myself can spew whatever I'm thinking on this blog, but these people have the mainstream media at their feet waiting for their next pontification.

We've made mistakes, Secretary Rice is right. But one thing that was not a mistake was to liberate a country and prevent terrorists sects from congregating there to plot their next attack on us.

Lou Grant - YOU SUCK.

Another RINO bites the dust

2006-04-04T22:02:00.000-05:00

Another RINO bites the dust, this time in the State Assembly. Curt Gielow, a RINO from Mequon, announced today that he is not going to run again this fall. Finally, we can get a real conservative in that seat.

Gielow, for those of you that may have forgotten, thinks Hillary-style health care is the way to go in Wisconsin.

Support the troops? Well here is your chance

2006-04-04T22:00:00.000-05:00

Dan from the Morning Spin on WISN blogs about a Milwaukee based unit that needs some help. Here is a perfect opportunity for all of you that support our troops but oppose the war to help our troops.

So? What are you waiting for?????

Welcome to.....

2006-04-04T18:45:00.000-05:00

...The Blame Game, with your host: Judy "Who needs facts when you can skate by with ignorance" Robson.

Today, State Senate Democratic leader Judy Robson called for the evil big oil companies to stop taking advantage of Wisconsin Residents.

"While Exxon Mobil rose to the top of the Fortune 500 list, household budgets were squeezed by high gas prices," Robson said today. "Families and businesses are paying eye-popping prices for gas while oil executives are rolling in record profits."

Robson did not comment on why her concern for Wisconsin residents did not include protecting them from the automatic gas tax increase. She was one of 11 of the 14 Democrats that voting against the repeal.

It's nice to see that she's worried about the affect of rising gas prices. I wonder if she realizes that she passed up a real opportunity to make a difference. According to the United States Department of Energy, 20% of the pump price is from federal, state, and local taxes.

Look, no one likes high gas prices. In fact, I was bitching about having to pay $2.70 per gallon at lunch today. The truth though is that the oil industry's profit margin is about average, if not a little below average. According to Business Week Magazine, oil and natural gas companies made a profit of 5.8 cents for every dollar of sales over the last two years.

Check out the graphic below to see how they stack up with other industries:

I somehow doubt Senator Robson will be taking on pharmaceuticals, banks, software and telecommunication firms, and the food and beverage industry in the coming days…

It continues...

2006-04-03T18:51:00.000-05:00

This is from the "You've gotta be shitting me" pile...

The Cynthia "The Fist" McKinney story took another hop and skip into the realm of bullshit today.

Here are some snippets from various articles and my response.

McKinney said she would be exonerated and that "this whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female, black congresswoman."

Response: Actually, Ms. McKinney, the whole thing was instigated by you, a female, black congresswoman when you did not show an ID, wear your congressional pin, or stop when the officer repeatedly asked you to. (AP Story: Several police sources said the officer, who was not identified, asked her three times to stop. When she kept going, he placed a hand somewhere on her and she hit him, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.)

civil rights attorney James Myart said his client was "assaulted" by a Capitol Police officer

Response: As I'm sure Mr. Myart knows, the legal definition of assault is the threat or attempt to strike another. I'm sorry Mr. Myart, your client was the one doing the assaulting, NOT the one being assaulted.

"Because she was assaulted and placed in impending fear of her safety, she responded," he said. "This case has just begun and we're going to fight, and we're going to use the U.S. Constitution."

Response: A few things here: 1.) She was not the victim, the cop was. 2.) "we're going to fight"...isn't this what got her in this mess in the first place? 3.) Where in the constitution does it allow people to hit cops and face no consequences? I checked and didn't find a Minority privileges clause in there anywhere.

Myart said McKinney would seek a criminal investigation against the officer, and a civil lawsuit against both the officer and the Capitol Police is being explored.

Response: Well, here's a good idea...I mean it's not like you're wasting enough taxpayer dollars by using office supply funds to purchase a plane ticket and hotel room for Isaac Hayes.

Myart further called the incident racial profiling and said there was "no excuse" for Capitol Police not recognizing his client, and Raffauf said she was stopped solely because of her race, gender and politics.

Response: First of all, there are 535 members of congress. Perhaps she was stopped because she just changed her hair style (from cornrows to an afro) and wasn't doing anything or wearing anything that would identify her as a member of congress.

Also, with respect to racial profiling...I'm not sure a 51 year old woman, dressed professionally would pop up if you were doing profiling. It doesn't quite fit with the 18-35 year old Arab men. I know Democrats are harmful to our national security, but I can't believe she would have been stopped solely for that either...not to mention she was stopped repeatedly when Clinton was president as well.

Representatives of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and National Organization for Women also spoke on McKinney's behalf.

Response: Wow. The NAACP got involved. I am SHOCKED...are you?

At first I just thought this whole thing was kind of being blown out of proportion (and it probably still is), but after reading some of the comments of hers (she still has not apologized) and her "play the race card" lawyers, I have to admit that I'm hoping she gets charged with something...ANYTHING. Of course, now that the NAACP is involved anyone who says anything about Rep. McKinney will be branded a racist, so this will probably not go anywhere. It will actually probably help her raise money...it has certainly raised her national profile. Who before this incident even knew she existed?

If she was smart she'd do the Sunday talk show circuit and she'd utilize her 15mins for more than just this topic. Talk about something that means something and hope that if/when the Dems take back the house that you'll get a chairmanship or some other perk.

Hmm...

2006-04-01T08:12:00.000-06:00

I took a different way in to work yesterday, and at one of the stop lights I happened to look up and see a billboard for "Sailor Jerry: Spiced Navy Rum."

What exactly makes a rum "Spiced Navy"? Is it full of Seamen?

When Congresswomen Strike Back...

2006-03-31T18:11:00.000-06:00

Want another reason to despise lawyers and/or democrats? Apparently Congresswoman McKinney (Dem from Georgia) is the victim in the whole ordeal (Check Drudge for story developments), even though she punched a police officer, and stormed past security without showing her badge or wearing her pin.

Do I think this whole thing is being blown way out of proportion? YES. Should she get arrested? NO. Should there be some sort of penalty for hitting a cop? OH YES.

Her lawyer, though took it to a whole new level...because when in doubt, place the race card. Does this piss anyone else off?

A lawyer for Rep. Cynthia McKinney, the Georgia congresswoman who had an altercation with a Capitol Police officer, says she was "just a victim of being in Congress while black."

and this:

Her lawyer, James W. Myart Jr., said, "Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, like thousands of average Americans across this country, is, too, a victim of the excessive use of force by law enforcement officials because of how she looks and the color of her skin."

"Ms. McKinney is just a victim of being in Congress while black," Myart said. "Congresswoman McKinney will be exonerated."

Excessive force??? HE GRABBED HER ARM. Exonerated??? THEY HAVE HER ON TAPE, PUNCHING A POLICE OFFICER.

Oh, and this:

"Congresswoman McKinney, in a hurry, was essentially chased and grabbed by the officer," Myart said. "She reacted instinctively in an effort to defend herself."

Why would Rep. McKinney need to worry about defending herself...I mean, how often are congressmen or congresswomen (sorry to be PC) attacked in the Capitol? It would probably be a lot more often if it weren't for Capitol Police.

The Dems, The War, and Political Opportunism

2006-03-30T19:34:00.000-06:00

There are 9 Iraq War veterans running for the United States Congress this year...8 of them are Democrats, one is a Republican. There is little doubt the Democratic party is recruiting veterans to run for office. While there is nothing wrong with this, it smacks of political opportunism when in concert with certain other Dem actions (See Dems Congressional Recess Plan)

State Senator Leibham finds himself in a race with 26 year old Iraq War veteran Jamie Aulik.

Let me preface this by saying those that serve our country in any fashion (military, police force, etc) have my utmost respect and admiration. HOWEVER, simply being a veteran does not mean you should be an elected official as Mr. Aulik so obviously demonstrates. Not only does he have no idea what the issues are, he doesn't even know where he stands on them.

However, Aulik avoided indicating how he would have voted on a few contentious matters resolved in the current legislative session or currently under debate.

He wasn't prepared to say how he would have voted on the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, the right of citizens to carry concealed weapons, or reviving the death penalty.

"Those issues are divisive. They make people turn against each other," said Aulik

Hmmm, so are you just going to vote on the issues that make everyone feel warm and fuzzy on the inside? Being a leader is about making tough decisions.

So Jamie, what do you think about ____? "It is an issue I should study further ..."

To his credit though, he has been studying the Democratic talking points:

"I will work hard to ensure that the jobs that currently exist in the 9th District stay in the area, and not move overseas"
"The effect would be the degradation of our public education system"
Aulik declined to take a position. He said state legislators should be more concerned about creating an affordable health care system.

And what kind of candidate would you be if you weren't incredibly lame and cheesy: "Please be my brothers and sisters in my campaign."

Jamie, thank you for your service to our country, now please go back to school and finish your education.

Interesting Quote on Immigration

2006-03-30T19:21:00.000-06:00

Who said this?

"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin.

But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

That quote is from President Theodore Roosevelt...makes you wonder what he would think about the picture below and the actions of the people that do things like this.

Waukesha County - wow, they just don't get it.

2006-03-29T22:10:00.000-06:00

This post from Taxh8r about Dan Vrakas losing his conservative way once he was elected seems appropriate to review. It seems that the condition is catchy and they all have it out in Waukesha County.

One word folks: revolt.

Someone tell Cate we're moving again.....

2006-03-29T22:06:00.000-06:00

John Gard found his way back up North.

Should Green get a pass?

2006-03-29T00:48:00.000-06:00

Charlie Sykes and Owen over at Boots and Sabers are making the case that Mark Green is an otherwise good conservative (other than that little issue of ethanol) and that now that Scott Walker is out of the race we shouldn't be leery of Green.

I have to be honest, they have a point but I think what has been lacking is a discussion about Green's passion for this race and the position. Green has a tendancy to be a get along, go along guy. As one of a majority of Republicans in the State Legislature and now in Congress it has been fairly easy to get him to vote conservative. It wasn't so easy for him to go along, however, when the idea of ending automatic gas tax increases was floated. This, ethanol and some other, what seem small now, issues have to make you at least ponder Green's credentials to execute his conservative agenda.

Owen is right, even if you get him to sign one conservative bill he is better than Doyle. Settling, however, isn't something we conservatives are good at.

Green has been a fairly consistent conservative voter; being governor is something completely different. We want a conservative that will lead on issues, not get dragged into them. We want a conservative that understands compromise but doesn't start in the middle. And we want a conservative that is able to take a step back from the Party leaders and big donors and, if necessary, ignore them and do what is right.

Is Mark Green that guy?

I don't know. For reasons both Charlie and Owen point out, I am, for now, voting for Mark Green. I think it is a shame, however, that Green has done very little to inspire conservatives. It could be the difference in this tight election.

Loftus must now pay the price

2006-03-29T00:42:00.000-06:00

I am the Force strikes again with this post about Tom Loftus. Before taking off for the big leagues in Washington, Loftus was the State Assembly Speaker. The former Democrat legislator speaks of his own illegal campaign activities as a legislative leader in his book.

Loftus is up for a University of Wisconsin Board of Regents position, appointed by Doyle.

Ragnar asks the right question - will Dale Schultz and his RINO crew pass Loftus with flying colors or will those in that caucus with a backbone stand up and make Loftus pay (he would still be getting off quite easy compared to Scott Jensen).

Don't count on Dale Schultz, but there are others in the Senate that are conservative and that can be talked to in order to make sure this happens.

Thanks Ragnar for a brilliant post.

And why shouldn't they?

2006-03-28T23:31:00.000-06:00

Why shouldn't local groups, that make money by "volunteering" to sell food and beverages, have to assume the liability if someone in their group sells to someone already too intoxicated?

When will people learn, the only way you will have corporate contributions to charitable enterprises is when there are corporate profits. The insane cost of liability for these situations makes it unaffordable. So should the ABC soccer team have to sell more cookies or should the vendors be able to protect their company and the jobs of the people that work for them?

I pick the latter (and that is not an invitation to send your kids to my door selling something).

Andy Card: a trusted Presidential friend

2006-03-28T22:30:00.000-06:00

The news about Andy Card resigning as Chief of Staff to President Bush this morning was probably not the topic of much discussion at most dinner tables. And that is a shame.

Whether you like President Bush or not, whether you agree with his politics or not, recognize Andy Card for what he has been and accomplished. Andy Card has been a tremendous Chief of Staff.

In his role as Chief of Staff, Card has not only been a trusted friend and advisor of the President, but has also served our nation quite well. He has helped the President and administration navigate some very difficult waters the last over four years.

Part of me wants to be mad about Card's departure. There has been a tremendous rush to judgement lately by Republicans and the media that the White House staff has been lackluster and not as strong as they were early on in the first term. I disagree. In the end, I don't think President Bush threw Card overboard, mostly just because he hasn't been a politician to do that sort of thing (he has held on to some people when he shouldn't out of loyalty).

Card's departure is a loss to the President, to the administration and to the nation. He is a tireless, intelligent and dedicated public servant.

Thank you Mr. Card for making America better.

The "Me-Too" Governor?

2006-03-27T18:48:00.000-06:00

Mark "Me Too" Green is now the Republican candidate for governor. It will be interesting to see how his campaign fares now that Walker isn't in the race to drive the issues. Consider the big issues in the campaign so far, such as the automatic gas tax increase and the ethanol mandate...Walker was the one that pushed these issues. He came out with a policy and a few days later Rep. Green was saying "Me too."

This afternoon, Belling talked about how he was nervous about Green drifting to the left...he wasn't exactly wearing his Conservative badge on his sleeve to begin with. It will be interesting to see if it gets any more buried in his pocket now that Walker isn't around to push him.

While primaries may sap candidates of money and open them up to internal criticism, they also serve the public, which is why as anti-conservative as it is, this blogger thinks that there ought to be some sort of campaign spending limits. Too many good candidates and ideas are pushed out of the debate...it's not about what you can do, what you have done, or the merit of your ideas, but rather how much money you can raise...and the big losers in this whole circus are the people of Wisconsin.

Another day, more protests...

2006-03-27T18:13:00.000-06:00

Ok, I think the youth these days are just a bunch of whiny punks that will look for anything to complain about (hence jumping at the opportunity to protest anything)...that being said I have to admit I'm a little surprised with all of these protests on the immigration thing.

As with every situation, let's try to look at it from different perspectives. So in this case, we have the general American public, we have legal immigrants, and illegal immigrants.

The only ones that should be upset with these laws are the illegal immigrants, and that's only because they're being held accountable for immigration laws and for breaking the law.

If you're a legal immigrant, you've already jumped through all the hoops, and taken the tests. You've put in the effort to become an American. Why would you want someone to be able to skip all of those steps that you had to go through? You stood in line and paid your dues, why would you want someone else to be able to skip all of that?

If you're the general American public, why would you be comfortable with a group of people who's first action in this country is to break the law? I'm not saying illegal aliens are all criminals and evil. Immigration is great, I wouldn't be here if not for it...but you have to do it right. We're talking about a group of people that want into this country, but do not think enough of it to abide by its laws. What kind of example are they setting for their children?

Immigrants are one of the things that make this country great. In so many cases they are what has been lost in many "American" generations: hard working, honest, family oriented, etc. They're after the American Dream. Unlike many Americans, they do NOT expect it to be handed to them.

They have a lot to offer, but they need to do it by playing by the rules.

Just some things to think about.

Au revoir Mr. Walker

2006-03-26T23:01:00.000-06:00

Au revoir Mr. Walker.

I use the French term grudgingly, but it seems most appropriate. Walker's decision to exit the race for governor is clearly only a farewell for now and not a final goodbye to his political career. And while I'll try to say more on this in the next week or so, here are some initial thoughts.....

First, I agree with everyone, Walker's act was very classy. It was in stark contrast to how the "Greenies" have treated people at events when they found out they were supporting Walker. Mark Green is known to be a classy man himself, hopefully some of it will now rub off on his supporters.

Second, I hope someone put a depends on Doyle and his team. I supported Walker but I can't argue that Republicans have their best chance now with no primary to kick Doyle's butt. I'll explore more (hopefully) on the no primary issue in the future. One thing that drives me nuts about Republicans is that they can't seem to let go of the dying breeds. You know who I mean, the heavy breathers, the establishment types that think they run things, and not the people that cast the votes. They are the ones that are making big bucks sitting behind a nice marble or granite desk making decisions in their big world and in politics. Anyway, more later, as you can see, that stuff works me up.

Finally, I supported Walker and a part of me could see me contemplating voting for none of the above, Ed Thompson or righting in someone. But I don't think I will. I just watched Sunday Insight with Charlies Sykes (recorded) and it is clear to me that Walker thinks Green would make a good governor.

P.S. It would be harder if those darn Green folks weren't so giddy.

Sunday Inisght with Charlie Sykes Orange Sunburst Awards

2006-03-26T10:18:00.000-06:00

This was a unique and much needed show, especially for Scott Walker. Here are my initial thoughts:

TIRED: He looked really tired. I haven't seen Scott in a while, but he looks like running the County and running for governor has taken its toll. You could also see him coughing and losing his voice.

HONEST: It was a tough decision for him, but he laid it on the table, that it was an issue of money. He has positioned himself as a honest voice as well as a selfless politician.

LEE HOLLOWAY: He took a "watch out I'm back" shot.

HAIR: Time for a new 'do.

FUTURE: "Whatever God's will leads me to." The need for leadership. You do not look 28 right now. 38 is still very young. He has a lot of time ahead of him. Odd response to the county executive question. I don't know if I see him running again. I think it would be twice as hard this time around because of his mid term governor run. But we'll see.

All in all, except the fact that he looks like he hasn't slept in two weeks and the NEED for a new hair style, it was a great show. I give him kudos to standing up and answering the tough questions.

And who in Wisconsin is looking at this as a bad move for Scott Walker?

When baseball and politics merge

2006-03-24T09:59:00.000-06:00

I don't think we have seen the end of the steroids issue in baseball, or Congressional action to curb it's use. I don't understand why everyone is acting like the latest book, Shadows, that talks about Barry Bonds using steroids, is so controversial. Look at the guy. He gained 30-40 pounds in muscle in what seemed like an overnight transformation. Looks at the pictures above. A totally different person.

I grew up loving the game of baseball, and I still do. But I love the guys who hit seeing eye singles, or the pitchers that get strike outs on curve balls.

I don't know what the answer is. Barry Bonds has, in my mind, tarnished things that many great players did in the past. As did Mark McGwire.

I think that for the best interest of the game, Bud Selig needs to step in somehow. Come on Bud. You are as big a fan as any of us. You know what this is doing to the game. Not only the present, but also the future and the past. Especially the future. Do we want our next Barry Bonds to multiply? We don't need every kid dreaming of being the next Barry and realizing the only way to become him is by juicing like him.

Come on Bud, let's get something done to get this guy out of the game and off the record books. Same for McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiro, Giambi and everyone else we KNOW has been juicing.

Biased media? no way.....

2006-03-23T20:53:00.000-06:00

The Drudge Report catches ABC News with their pants down, again.

Hypocrites abound

2006-03-23T20:50:00.000-06:00

Charlies Sykes hits this one right on the head. City leaders in St. Paul (I'll point out the Christian reference in case you missed it) have decided to put an end to the Easter Bunny because it might be too closely associated with Christianity.

Thanks Charlie, folks up there sure are in one helluva pickle now.

Sickening

2006-03-23T20:04:00.000-06:00

The Journal Sentinel Day Watch is reporting that 4 to 5 young men beat up a 15 year old boy waiting at a bus stop. The boy later died.

I can't tell you how sick this makes me.

THURSDAY, March 23, 2006, 5:28 p.m.
Teen beaten to death near bus stop
A 15-year-old boy was severely beaten by four to five males about 1:50 p.m. near a bus stop at 1st and Center Sts., according to Milwaukee police.The youth died about 3 p.m., police said. The victim was a seventh-grader at Malcolm X Academy, according to Phil Harris, a Milwaukee Public Schools spokesman.The boy had been given an early release to go to a doctor's appointment and was attacked while waiting at a nearby bus stop, Harris said.Harris said MPS officials are preparing a letter that will go to all families in the school. It will be available later tonight.Asked what the incident might say about school safety, Harris responded, "It's a question of neighborhood safety. ... We consider the building safe."Police are seeking four to five suspects.If you have any information about the victim or the circumstances of the crime, contact Bob Purvis tonight at 223-5385.

DA William Lennon gets the support of convicted Drunk Drivers

2006-03-23T09:16:00.000-06:00

This to me is a disturbing story.

Winnebago County Ddistrict Attorney William Lennon offered a plea bargain of only 12 years in prison for Justin Butler after his FOURTH drunk driving conviction that lead to a crash which killed Joe Mostofi last March.

The judge, in a moment of clarity, exceeded the sentencing recomendation and sent Butler to jail for 25 years.

William Lennon is running for Winnebago County 4th Circuit Court judge. It appears, based on this case, that he is more interested in saving himself some time (although the case took a year to prosecute) than seek justice for the victim's family. Here he had a chance to tell his constituents that he is tough on crime, especially for repeat offenders. However, instead, he only offered a sentence of 12 years. After Butler's fourth conviction that lead to the death of a talented young man bound for law school, 12 years is a disgrace.

Good luck Mr. Lennon. Hopefully all of the convicted drunk drivers who want another chance at committing at an early morning binge will make it to the polls in your support. (If they aren't too sober to drive)

Some perspective on the war in Iraq

2006-03-22T20:54:00.000-06:00

Ragnar at I Am The Force has a great post talking about some perspective in regards to our fallen heroes in Iraq. This guy is really an excellent blogger.

Now the left will call me a Chickhawk because I have never served. And if you read some of the comments from the anonymous a-hole at Jenna's web site you'll also see that the left would prefer if those of us that didn't serve would refrain from talking about even supporting our troops. Good thing I don't care what the left thinks.

This sort of thinking and attacks have become increasingly more frustrating to me. It defies logic to suggest that I cannot support our troops because I haven't served and/or don't plan on enlisting. It is foolish to think that everyone that supports the troops blindly supports the manner in which the administration is waging this war.

But the left won't let the facts get in their way.

Race for Jensen's seat begins

2006-03-22T18:20:00.000-06:00

At least two Republicans have announced they are going to run for Scott Jensen's Assembly seat. One is a younger gentleman that has run Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner's district office and the other a local activist and businessman from Waukesha.

Rich Zipperer

Bob Collison

My early favorite is with Zipperer but there is a lot to learn about both of them. I like the fact that they both come from conservative backgrounds, not just Republican. I hope we don't get a much larger field that could water it down and let a moderate get elected.

Viagra for stallion who wouldn't horse around...

2006-03-21T19:30:00.000-06:00

Ok, this really doesn't have much (actually nothing) to do with politics, but man is it funny. So many questions come to mind...For example: After such an intimate "exam" did the vet at least leave the horse a tip?

BERLIN (Reuters) - A German court ordered viagra to be given to a stallion after his new owner claimed he was impotent and refused to pay the full asking price.

The buyer of the horse called Vedor paid just a tenth of the price of over 4,000 euros ($4,900), claiming it had only one testicle and failed to get frisky with a female pony.

A vet found the testicle after an examination, said Egbert Simons, a spokesman for the court in the eastern town of Neuruppin. And when the stallion was given the potency drug, it emerged he was fully functional, he added.

The court ordered the buyer to pay the full price.

Walker/Feingold double-standard

2006-03-21T18:23:00.000-06:00

Fraley at Fraley's Dailytakes has a great post about the absolute hypocrisy of the mainstream media when it comes to the line between campaigning and doing your job as an elected official. Nicely done. The hypocrites in the MSM need to be called out every time.

Somehow I'm sure they'll still be all up in arms if Walker answers a political question or does his tour again this year.

The hits just keep coming

2006-03-21T18:13:00.000-06:00

Diamond Jim Doyle sure can't seem to help himself. Deb over at Above the Belt outlines some more contract issues for the Doyle administration (which is like a code phrase for pay for play).

I also thought this story was interesting. The reporter notes that no contributions were reported to Doyle (or his GOP opponents). That, of course, wouldn't county any money they have given since January 1 of this year, OR, any money they sent to the Democratic soft groups to help Doyle.

More to come on this (and others) I'm sure.

NOTE: Above the Belt also has a nice post on how to search Doyle's contributors. Should make for some interesting fun. If only the MSM would care.

Final Jensen thoughts

2006-03-21T18:10:00.000-06:00

No surprise, it is official, Scott Jensen has resigned from the State Assembly.

So much has been said that I don't think much new could be spilled here, at least not much of any value. Jensen, as always, goes out like a true gentleman and statesman. Say a little prayer tonite for he and his family.

Enough with the ethanol already

2006-03-20T18:34:00.000-06:00

After a spurt of good fortune, the fledgling U.S. ethanol industry is anticipating some growing pains that could bring it unwanted attention this summer. Continue…

There are two words that keep popping in my head every time I hear about ethanol: BETA-MAX. (Remember back to when Beta-Max and VHS were duking it out for home video supremacy)

Look, it's great that we're starting to look for new forms of energy, and right now ethanol seems to be a decent alternative, but before we go putting our eggs in one basket let's remember that no one buys Beta-Max or even VHS anymore…and in a few years no one will be buying DVD's.

The thing to remember about technology is that it's outdated by the time it reaches the shelf.

Who knows what new breakthroughs will happen tomorrow…the government's role in this should not be as the moderator or endorser of any form of energy, rather they should just be the janitor and create a pleasant and productive environment for the debate to take place in.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

2006-03-17T18:39:00.000-06:00

Enjoy the green beer, corned beef and cabbage, etc....but whatever you do, do NOT do cut off your penis and throw it at the cops like this guy did. YOUR PROBLEMS ARE NOT THAT BAD!!!

War is hell

2006-03-17T17:22:00.000-06:00

War is hell. I don't know where that comes from but how appropriate. Joe Wineke and the Democrats are going wild today, the 3rd anniversary of the Iraq war. There isn't enough hours in a day for them to spew all their hatred for President Bush, his administration and this war.

I hate these people. I really do.

It took a lot longer than 3 years for Americans to become Americans. We fought tyrants, foreign powers, and even ourselves at times. Iraq was ruled by a terrible human being for a long time. In 3 years we have done the unthinkable by beginning to implement democracy.

It all comes at a cost, as it did here, too, for Americans. In addition to the two thousand plus American soldiers that have lost their lives, thousands upon thousands of Iraq citizens and military personnel have sacrificed their lives as well. None of them wanted to die but they have fought knowing that freedom was worth the risk.

I don't expect, or even want, everyone to agree with our government all the time. Even on the war there is legitimate criticism to be had on some aspects of the plan and implementation. But please, can't Joe Wineke and the Democrats notch down the rhetoric a little and stop using soldiers, dead and alive, as political pawns?

A big "Chip & Dale (and Pluto too)" thanks to the men and women serving our nation and their families. Your sacrifices are the cornerstone of our freedoms and we are eternally grateful.

Chicken Hawk

2006-03-16T21:17:00.000-06:00

Disturbing news about our neighbors to the south. The Chinese are training militaries in Latin America.

The Junior Senator from New York, Hillary Clinton, putting her rented 'hawk" feathers on:

Said Sen. Hillary Clinton, "I think this is one of the most serious problems we face," alluding to the Chinese actions. The committee has a duty to "sound the alarm," she added.

When the Chinese stole nuclear secrets under her husband's watch, the Clinton's were so upset that they set up fundraisers with Chinese nationals.

I wonder what the Clinton response will be this time?

More proof that CRG has lost its way

2006-03-16T04:00:00.000-06:00

A note to Citizens for Responsible Government:

PICK A SIDE!

The Waukesha County Board should be reduced from its current state of 35 members. What are 35 people supervising? It's an obvious one to call. Your fear of the Board becoming a full time board is well founded based on the precedent set by Milwaukee County, however I think that is where you come in. Fight for language in the downsizing that would require a referendum or prohibition on a full time status for the board.

Pick a side and stick with it. Small government is good.

Dale-out

2006-03-16T00:11:00.000-06:00

It is time to Dale-out the State Capitol. Credit to Ragnar.

Oily Facts

2006-03-15T21:36:00.000-06:00

Maybe this article will finally help our "leaders" to stop OVER-emphasizing how much petroleum we import from the Middle East.

Here are the ACTUAL Top 5 countries that we get our petroleum from with their percentage (Note: the percentage is based solely on their share of the top 15 imports):

1.) Canada 20.08%
2.) Mexico 15.63%
3.) Venezuela 13.32%
4.) Saudi Arabia 11.86%
5.) Nigeria 10.32%

Note: Iraq 4.63%...what blood for oil??? Looks like we should have invaded Canada instead. Perhaps we WERE there to make the region safer after all.

We should really start weening ourselves off of that damned Canadian oil...damned evil country anyway if you ask me...I mean who puts mayo on a burger? What's that all abooot? It's just disgusting.

What to do with sex offenders

2006-03-15T09:16:00.000-06:00

There is a GREAT article in the NY Times today about a problem with placing sex offenders in Iowa. There is a free registration required, but it is well worth the read.

First, I think that there are two grades of sex offenders. The first is the minor who has sex with a fellow minor consensually. While I don't want to get into the morality of such acts (because I don't know many people who can enter into such a conversation without being hypocritical), I do want to point out the distinction between my other class of sex offender: EVERYONE ELSE.

I make the choice to lump all sex offenders (other than the group above) into the same class because to me, it doesn't matter what the actual sexual act was. Rape, sexual assualt, minor, non-minor, etc, doesn't matter. They are all deplorable acts and should be treated as such. A simple groping will lead to additional acts if not sanctioned appropriately.

Getting to the article, there is a problem in Iowa. The article points out that Iowa officials are seeing sex offenders congregate in pockets in places such as roadside motels or trailer parks. They are also having a problem keeping track of them, in some instances actually losing them as they either move to other states or simply disappear.

The jist of the article is where do we put them? My answer, although unreasonable is jail. Put them back in jail. Or a sex offender walled off community. I think these people have lost their right to freedom. Obviously, that is not a plausible solution. Here in Wisconsin, we see the same issue, where do we put these people when the law says they have served their time? In Milwaukee this really hits home because of an archaic law that says you have to place the offender back in the same county in which they committed the crime. Most of the sex crimes in the state happen in Milwaukee County, so naturally you see a number of offenders end up back here.

In Wisconsin, I would propose a three tier approach to monitoring these people. First, I think we should develop a system to permanently tag these people. Either with an ankle bracelet or even some sort of a chip embedded in the person's skin like what is seen in some animals (and movies!!!). Second, I would like to see the local police department screen the offenders weekly for the first year after their release and then monthly following that time. This could be done by the County Sheriff or the local police. Third, I would like to state to step in to do an annual accounting of all sex offenders, including location, occupation, proximity to young people, any additional crimes they may have committed, drug and alcohol screening, etc.

I know that this comes with a price tag, and if the cost is an issue, then just keep them in jail. However, if we can keep one person from being assaulted by a convicted sex offender, then it is worth the cost.

Oshkosh Northwestern Supports TPA

2006-03-15T09:04:00.000-06:00

I am starting to like the Northwestern more and more every day!!!

"...our state is tired of politicians who promise accountability and don't deliver it. A lot of people may be expected to join the TPA bill cause because they see it restoring a sense of responsibility that our politicians now aren't delivering very well."

School Choice Accountability

2006-03-15T08:43:00.000-06:00

I read an article on JSONLINE (because I refuse to subscribe) because the headline read "2 schools will be dropped from voucher program." I thought it would be a good article to highlight to shut down the choice critics who say that there is no accountability in the program. If I may ask, when was the last time that a bad teacher was dropped from the school payrolls? Usually it takes some act of extreme unconscionability for that to happen. In the Choice schools, there are 160 applicant schools vying for fewer than 40 openings for new choice schools. Accountability in the private sector is competition, something that teachers and schools are not accustomed to, nor do they welcome. Competition is a threat to the unending supply of tax dollars that are poured not into the school system and the classrooms, but into the pockets of the administrators and unions. Do teachers ever wonder how much their salaries could improve is WEAC would stop their lobbying and advertising efforts and instead gave the dues back to the teachers?

So, the next time you hear someone say that there is no accountability in the choice program, ask them where the accountability in the public schools resides. Standards with no sanctions is NOT accountability.

Friends don't let friends...

2006-03-14T21:13:00.000-06:00

...drive drunk on St. Patrick's day according to a press release by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

hmmm....I wonder if they ran this release by resident lush and drunk driving veteran, Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager before lecturing the general public.

Also, just to clarify something that the Department of Transportation left out: it is unacceptable to leave a bar on St Patrick's Day with the ability to stand up and/or walk...let alone drive.

South Park character takes a pass

2006-03-14T05:41:00.000-06:00

Hat tip to Brad at Letters in Bottle for this post about Chef in the television show South Park (one of my favorites). Chef is leaving for religious reasons.

I love the fact that one of the creators of the show calls the guy that does Chef's voice out - he had no problem ripping on other religions and getting paid for it, but when it came to his own, that is where he drew the line.

Girls gone wild

2006-03-13T20:52:00.000-06:00

If you ask me, there are two things wrong with this. First, they didn't. Second, no jail time. Apparently Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard wasn't prosecuting the case.

In his own words...

2006-03-13T20:47:00.000-06:00

Today, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Joe Wineke released a statement on the Gard/Cheney fundraiser. Of note in the statement was the last paragraph.

Here is what Wineke said:
"How can the people of Wisconsin trust John Gard to help clean up Congress if he relies on Dick Cheney's special brand of special interest money to get there in the first place,” Wineke said. "Wisconsin voters expect and deserve better from their elected officials. Instead of cozying up to a Vice President who has his hand in so many of the scandals swirling around the most corrupt Administration since Richard Nixon, John Gard should join Democrats in fighting to provide Wisconsin voters the honest leadership and open government they deserve."

How the GOP should respond:
"How can the people of Wisconsin trust Jim Doyle to help clean up government if he relied on special interest money to get there in the first place,” Graber said. "Wisconsin voters expect and deserve better from their elected officials. Instead of cozying up to a governor who has his hand in so many of the scandals swirling around the most corrupt Administration since Bill Clinton, Jim Doyle should join Republicans in fighting to provide Wisconsin voters the honest leadership and open government they deserve."

Like Doc Holliday (from Tombstone movie), Joe Wineke's "hypocrisy knows no bounds"

PS: Thank you so much to Chip and Dale for the invitation to blog with them. I'm very excited and looking forward to contributing.

We've added another nut

2006-03-13T19:33:00.000-06:00

We've had some pretty good comments and constructive criticism on the blog so far. Thank you to everyone that has commented, provides some tips and/or blogrolled us. We feel like we've had a great introduction into the Wisconsin blogosphere.

In order to keep up regular blogging and to add another perspective, we are pleased to announce the addition of yet another nut to our site: Private Pluto.

The Private is a smart ass (oops, was that out loud), with an emphasis on smart. So it'll be fun to see what he comes up with. He has equal reign and we both expect to be as surprised as you.

So keep stopping by to see what the three of us come up with.

don't change that dial......

Feingold can't wait to sink his teeth into Bush

2006-03-13T17:34:00.000-06:00

This was an interesting quote from the Washington Post's article about Russ Feingold's ousuit of the censure:

Throughout the day, Feingold's fellow Democrats said they understood his frustration but they held back overt support for the resolution.

Several said they wanted first to see the Senate Intelligence Committee finish an investigation of the warrantless wiretapping program that Bush authorized as part of his war on terrorism.

Now Russ, why wouldn't you want to wait for such investigations to conclude? First because you know it is going to be bad news for Democrats who oppose the terrorist surveilance, and second, because you don't care. All you want is your name on a bill bashing the President so you can stand tall among Democrats as the most liberal in the Senate.

Well, congrats. Not even your fellow Democrats and Bush-haters will stand wiht you at this point. Even they respect the system that you love to thwart!

When a do good organization goes over the top

2006-03-13T17:26:00.000-06:00

Here's my problem with the hunger task force. They have a good mission, but they go over the top, and they don't know where to draw the line.

For example, there was an article in the paper about a rally outside of the Greenfield City Hall that attracted a whopping 100 people!!! The rally was in support of a food benefit for the poor that is being slashed in President Bush's latest budget.

Apparently, this program, THe Commodity Supplemental Food Program, is vital to our citizens' well being.

I support this program, and every other program that gives food, tangible food, not money, to people who need it, not people driving Cadillacs. And Congresswoman Gwen Moore decided to add some of her many words of infinite wisdom:

"You don't have to have a 'D' after your name to understand that people have to eat," she said.

Apparently, the other programs that are designed to feed the poor do not actually do so. How about this:

Let's eliminate all programs and start from scratch! ALL OF THEM. Then let's help our poor pay for necessities, including food, shelter and clothing and everything that goes with those things such as electricity, etc. Let's also train them to improve their skills so they can become independent earners.

Why won't that work? Because instead of trying to give food to the community, the Hunger Task Force spent resources yesterday rallying against government efficiency. And thus the problem with the Hunger Task Force. A good organization with a quality mission that cares more about telling government how to operate than actually letting government help the people.

Honestly, this is so funny it might make you wet your pants

2006-03-13T00:03:00.000-06:00

Daschle for President in 2008

Loose Nut of the Week Award

2006-03-12T23:56:00.000-06:00

Loose Nut of the Week Award: John Weishan, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor

Usually Dale covers Milwaukee County - he is a sucker for punishment. But talk about a loose nut. This Supervisor is complaining because Milwaukee County is no longer going to have a big dinner and give away gold watches for employees that stay 25 years. As if a big fat pension and other big time benefits aren't enough.

Apparently enough is never enough for these folks.

P.S. Dale will post his too. We were on different schedules today.

Some Jensen wrap-up

2006-03-12T23:47:00.000-06:00

I was having a hard time determining what I was going to say about the guilty verdict. On paper it appears that he did commit the crimes. But I agree with a lot of folks that call BS on the trial and the hypocrite sitting at the "state's" table.

Owen at Boots and Sabers does a great job explaining how I feel about the situation. The one difference that I don't think is being talked about, however, is that Jensen, unlike Gary George and Chuck Chvala, didn't do this for personal financial gain, or was he accused of connecting money with the passage of legislation.

I can sleep at night seeing the difference in the cases. Something tells me that if justice was truly done then there would have been an auditorium full of people being tried for the same crimes.

Somehow I'm guessing that didn't fit into the DA's political scheming.....

Mike Ellis - Sanctimonious Ass

2006-03-12T19:54:00.000-06:00

Mike Ellis is a sanctimonious ass. If Scott Jensen belongs in jail then Mike Ellis belongs on death row (I'm not threatening him, making an analysis).

Ellis ruled in Madison for years, and he did plenty of his share of shaking the money tree for campaigns. Yet now he seems to have found the "light" of campaign finance reform.

I guess when you lose power the best thing to do is to fight those that are in charge.

Ellis reminds me of John McCain. They think that by acting holier than thou now we'll forget their pasts.

Nice try Mike.

Sunday Insight with Charlie Sykes Orangee Sunburst Awards

2006-03-12T10:33:00.000-06:00

Best Performance: Mikel Holt - he is the king of straddling the line, and he knows which topics to stay away from (ethanol mandate) while he can hammer the Democrats next week talking about something that is important to the black community.

Worst Performance/Ma'am your 5 minutes are over: Jessica McBride - she tried to jump in on every topic to make her point or if she heard something she didn't agree with, you heard her. She has a lot of good things to say, I just don't think that today was her day. She got too passsionate about the topics.

He's got it right: Mikel Holt - if Barry Bonds is being scrutinized like this, so should Mark McGwire.

Worst Dressed: Jessica McBride - go shopping. That suit was worse than Margaret Farrow's.

Blog of the Day: Letters in Bottles

2006-03-11T12:19:00.000-06:00

There are some great conservative bloggers in Madison, as we have discussed before. Many of them come right off the campus, where being conservative may actually get you injured.

Letters in Bottles is a cool blog. The guys talk about a ton of different stuff which is why I like checking back in on them just about every day. They have a great set-up and the whole island pundit theme is pretty ingenius. Give them a try.

Jensen verdict in

2006-03-11T12:11:00.000-06:00

The verdict is in: guilty.

Country singers can kiss my ass

2006-03-10T19:19:00.000-06:00

Well isn't this sweet. The country music dynamic duo has come out swinging at President Bush and the administration for how they handled Hurricane Katrina.

Please. What a bunch of sanctimonious a-holes. I'm sure this has nothing to do with McGraw's interest in running for Governor of Tennessee at some point.

I guess he wasn't kidding when he said he looked up to ole blubber in chief himself, Bill Clinton. What a role model. I wonder how McGraw talks to his young girls about his political role model's love for blue dresses......

My cd collection just got smaller.

Gold watches might not be a bad idea after all

2006-03-10T06:38:00.000-06:00

From the - "wow, they really don't have a clue do they?" department:

At least one Supervisor is fired up mad about the fact that Milwaukee County can't afford to have a big party and give out gold watches for folks that work there for 25 years. Geez, I wonder if the reason there is no money is because the folks working there that long get the big time pension payouts?!?!

This line is particularly amusing: "If we can't afford the dinner, let's at least buy the watch," said Supervisor John Weishan Jr., who called the move "petty" and a morale buster.

You want to talk about morale buster? How about all of us paying taxes you knucklehead. Geez, between this and a proposal from a Southside Supervisor (highly likely to win himself a Loose Nut Award) to raise taxes by $30 million, you have to wonder if it isn't time to just give all the supervisors a gold watch and send them on their way.

I'm beginning to agree with Dale - Holloway's issues aren't the real problem at the County Board. The real problem is that these supervisors just don't get it.

UPDATE: I was reminded in an email that Supervisor Weishan is noneother than the little brother of Karen Ordinans, who was the County Board Chair at the time she and Tom Ament railroaded the pension benefits through the system. She lost in a recall election. Apparently greed and ignorance run in the family.

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down....

2006-03-09T20:11:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone, long day, so here are some links to more noble and talented bloggers bringing you the news of the day. Perhaps some other posts later. Don't forget to check ou the Carnival of the Badger, Brent did a great job.

Boots and Sabers discusses the ethanol vote/non-vote today. Man, I would have loved to have heard some of the behind the scene conversations with this.

Fraley's Dailytakes talks about Ben Sheets and the Brewers. This could make for a LONG year at Miller Park.

Mr. Sykes at WTMJ has two columns up. As always they are well put together and, I think, they will spark some heated conversation (ok, at least this one. Xoff thinks so).

Patrick updates everyone on the sexual predator bills up in the Legislature.

And just for fun, Chris asks a question outside of politics.

So what's next for the Lee Holloway case?

2006-03-09T10:15:00.000-06:00

The chairman's case was denied by the Court of Appeals:

State court denies Holloway's appeal
A state appeals court has denied Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway's bid to strike down the ethics case he is fighting.The court said the appeal was premature because a county-appointed hearing examiner has not yet decided key issues in the matter. Holloway has contended the county Ethics Board didn't follow its own rules in issuing a 90-count complaint against him last June. The civil complaint alleges that Holloway used his office for personal gain and failed to disclose ownership of various rental properties.The District 1 Appeals Court also agreed with Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Richard Sankovitz that any harm to Holloway's reputation while the case proceeds is slight in comparison to the public's interest in seeing the case promptly concluded at the county level.The court denied a request by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to enter the case in support of Holloway, declaring that request moot because of its denial of Holloway's appeal. The NAACP has criticized the ethics prosecution as racially biased. Holloway is the first African-American chairman of the County Board.A majority of the County Board has sought unsuccessfully to force Holloway to step down while the ethics case is pending.

So, what are the chances that he actually takes this to the Wisconsin Supreme Court?

The Mary Panzer Award

2006-03-08T18:57:00.000-06:00

And the award goes to........Dale "cornholio" Schultz

You have to hand it to the Senate GOP leader. Schultz, by scheduling the ethanol mandate bill in the State Senate, is ignoring his colleagues wishes, the wishes of the public and what should be his core principles. He is, after all, supposed to be a Republican.

The bill is a mandate, plain and simple. Unless Dale and company have some new-found logic they would like to explain, conventional wisdom holds that mandates are bad for businesses, jobs and the economy.

Way to go Dale. For this you win our first Mary Panzer Award. The MPA will be a regular on Chip and Dale for Republican elected officials in leadership positions that just don't get it.

Schultz has said that he needs to have a vote on the mandate or he will face serious election problems back home in his district. Perhaps he should face election problems for putting the bill on the schedule.

This is going to be a growing problem. Republicans in power just can't come up with their own playbook so they resort to using the Democrats', which results in giving the special interests what they want so they have enough campaign money to get re-electd so they can do more of what the special interests want.

Conservative first, Republican second. Perhaps there is more room for the Libertarian Party in Wisconsin than I had thought.

A blind chipmunk can find a nut when riding a spotted horse

2006-03-06T20:14:00.000-06:00

How about that for a title?

Anyway, I haven't been doing the Blog of the Day lately. So here is a submission. It has been on my "watch" list for a while now and his comment on one of our posts reminded me that I'm behind in my duty.

Alas - here is an excellent blog. It is a great read and I think his set-up makes it even more user friendly than most.

And oh by the way, he is definitely not someone that beats around the bush. If you've read us our blog you know we appreciate that.

Check out the Spotted Horse. I think you'll like it just fine.

Xoff strikes again

2006-03-06T19:54:00.000-06:00

Did you miss it? You probably did.

Today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - page 7A - a full page ad paid for by the Greater Wisconsin Committee run by Jim Doyle's chief political guy, Xoff.

The ad itself was pretty lame. It attacks mostly Mark Green for being a Republican in the Legislature during the time when the "scandalous" work was being done. Frankly, I think Mark Green's crime is being stupid for saying something so absurd as that he didn't know anything was going on. From the stories coming out it sounds like everyone knew what was going on.

I wonder what someone would find if they went back into the records when Xoff was on John Norquist's staff. Did he know about the Mayor's extracurricular activities with another staffer? Was he campaigning on City time?

What did Xoff know and when?

UPDATE: Anonymous thinks I'm going after Mark Green. For the record, not true. I don't think he did anything illegal. Just wish he hadn't gone with the I knew nothing defense. The point is that Xoff is wasting no time in going after these guys trying to rip them down before they get to bite off a piece of Doyle. Don't worry, I'll be pulling either Mark or Scott's lever in November, regardless of which one is on the general election ballot.

Tommy, Part Deux

2006-03-06T19:49:00.000-06:00

Tommy Thompson is still talking about running for office in this Journal Sentinel story. Which office? No one knows, including Tommy

Thompson shaped politics in Wisconsin for over 14 years as Governor and served in the State Assembly for another 20 years. He has made an incredible impact on our state, our economy and life here. Most of it has been very positive and, frankly, he is befitting of a great deal of credit in the history books.

I’m not convinced that him coming back to run for Senate or against Jim Doyle is a good idea, however. We have, so to speak, moved on and the work that Tommy did is the foundation that everyone in Madison now works off of. I don’t want to be critical but I think if Mr. Thompson has another campaign left in him he should announce for President now and get to work. After all, who thought we’d elect a governor from Arkansas?

David Clarke - please tell me his 15 minutes of fame are almost up

2006-03-06T19:46:00.000-06:00

I caught a part of Charlie Sykes’ radio show this morning. Great as always. But I couldn’t agree completely with Mr. Sykes on the issue of Sheriff David Clarke.

Clarke called into his department and received an emergency operator who answered with less than an enthusiastic and professional demeanor (agreed). But what happened next was nearly a two minute lesson in why it is time to give up on David Clarke.

Clarke asked the operator what it was going to take to get her and her colleagues to answer the phone more professionally. He also asked if his attempts were futile. What was particularly odd, however, was that Clarke – ON WITH AN EMERGENCY OPERATOR – was literally waiting for a response at that moment.

He is right. The operator answered in a tone that was not fitting of her position, the department or the respect citizens deserve when contacting their government.

He is wrong. Having a mini discipline hearing on the situation while on the phone was completely inappropriate. As a manager, Clarke should have known and acted better. He wasn’t badgering or harassing the operator but he was wasting her time. The next work day was the time, with this lady’s superior, was the time and place to handle the inappropriate behavior she displayed.

Unfortunately Clarke just can’t seem to help himself. He has had some great ideas and seems like a very principled man. But for some reason he continues to take one step forward and two steps back.

You can catch Charlie Sykes on WTMJ 620 AM or at his blog.

Milwaukee County Board Member admits Sales Tax is a TAX INCREASE

2006-03-06T12:55:00.000-06:00

This is probably not what the parks sales tax increase proponents on the Milwaukee County Board wanted to see. From what I have read and heard, the sales tax is being touted as an alternative to funding the parks from the property tax levy. However, in his letter to the editor, Gerry Broderick states, in no uncertain terms that there would be a balance of $30 million dollars after paying for the parks budget and cultural facilities:

The $30 million balance then could be apportioned between additional property tax relief and enhanced parks funding for long-deferred maintenance.

Although the measure probably was doomed from the beginning, I think Supervisor Broderick has given its opponents ample ammo to refute the measure.

Loose Nut Awards (cont)

2006-03-06T12:52:00.000-06:00

Wow, really behind! Watch for Starburst awards tonight (had to DVR Sunday Insight).

My loose nut award: Whoever out together the Wispolitics.com blog summit.

This is a GREAT idea and a great event, but I (and most others in the WI blogosphere) really would like to see representaiton from the "averge blogger." I think it is key for them to get the people who are making waves with their blogs and also attach some big blog names to the agenda, but I also think that blogging is not a mainstream big name phenomenon.

I think to make this a truly great event, you need the big name attractions, like a Sykes or Fraley, people who are connected and are able to give good insight into the political spectrum. However, 2005 was the year of the blogger and you know what, that year was made by people who are relatively unknown - except for their blog. The summit could have talked about the impact of the averge blogger on politics, or about the average blogger getting a message our or stimulating a discussion that would never have happened in the past.

I think as an average guy, I look to someone like Charlie Sykes to see who the new and upcoming bloggers are. But if you look at his blogroll, he is looking to people like us to see what the sense of the community is. Average means power in blogging - because average means that most people share the same views and values as I do in the big picture.

Full time legislators?

2006-03-06T11:15:00.000-06:00

Pedro Colon is one busy guy... How does he find the time with his busy schedule making (bad) laws?

Rick Graber on Early Spin today

2006-03-06T09:31:00.000-06:00

Here are my thoughts from Rick Graber's performance on the Early Spin this morning. My first thought was, boy, this guy just doesn't get it. I think Republicans are becoming disenfranchised because the leadership is leaving the grasroots members just literally shaking their heads and wondering WTF. All the way from President Bush's administration's handling of issues like the port deal, the Cheney shooting, and even going back to Harriet Miers, to the State level with some of the votes coming from the Legislature and on down to the local level, can anyone say Vrkas Taxing Company? People just don't get it right now.

Upon listening further, he did make a good point that the Republicans are coming out with the ideas in the state now, driving the debate. And on a State level, the liklihood is that Republicans could take over as AG and Governor and maintain the majority in both houses. So, he has reason to be confident.

But finally, I came back to my thought, this guy just doesn't get it. Here's what happens when the grassroots and the party brass diverge: Walker v Green. You have party candidates and people candidates. And that's what we have in the Governor's race. I think to get where the party needs to be, there needs to be a wake up call, and answer the questions that most Republicans have when reading the news on a daily basis: WTF?

Virtual School Families - interesting story and typical doublestandard from WEAC

2006-03-05T20:54:00.000-06:00

Here is an interesting story about parents who have their kid(s) enrolled in virtual school(s) here in Wisconsin.

Although their kid(s) attends school at home, they (the parents) are not doing the teaching. They are involved but the kid is actually taught by a PUBLIC school teacher that is in contact with the kid via phone and email regularly.

Pretty cool hey?

Well here is the dirty little secret. WEAC opposes these PUBLIC schools and is fighting to put these PUBLIC school teachers out of work.

Here is a web site link to a group of parents that have banded together to fight WEAC. I'm afraid I don't have any other information other than what they provide.

Doesn't it suck that parents in Wisconsin have to spend so much time fighting to get good educational opportunities for their kids?

Loose Nut of the Week Award

2006-03-05T18:05:00.000-06:00

State Representative Steve Freese

This guy is a member of the Assembly GOP leadership (his title is Speaker Pro Tempore) and this past week he voted against the Milwaukee School Choice deal brokered by Jim Doyle and John Gard.

He was of only two Republicans to vote against it, Representative Petrowski was the other. (Scott Jensen did not vote - I think because of a conflict of interest with some outside employment he has).

The part that makes me mad is this guy is a member of the Republican leadership team - the same team that comes down here and asks us all to contribute to campaigns for people all over the state to help them keep their majority but he couldn't vote for something that is extremely important to us.

John Gard should be held accountable too for not keeping this lunkhead in line. Clearly this "gig" that these guys have going is just a joke to them - they don't seem to think they need to be held accountable or responsible. And I don't want to hear that he couldn't vote for it because his district would be mad, they need money too, blah, blah, blah. He is obviously in a safe seat and he could afford to do the right thing (as if it should have to come second in priority anyway).

Sickening. I plan on spending some time looking into this guy. This kind of stuff makes me think there is more slime waiting to be uncovered.

Missing something?

2006-03-05T17:41:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the light blogging, we will pick up the pace tonite or tomorrow (including Loose Nut Awards, etc.). On tap for this week will be the ongoing battle in the GOP Guv primary, my own take on anonymous blogs and comments and a sarcastic look at all the loose ends of the day.

So don't change that dial.....

Companies looking to Blogs for new trends and marketplace information

2006-03-03T09:08:00.000-06:00

It becomes more and more clear on a daily basis that our marketplace is changing, especially when we talk about the distribution of information. Blogs have quickly become a major player in the world, along the likes of what was once the great print media or national news anchors. Bloggers get information out quickly, we have our own takes that come from real people and not corporate news perspectives, and we admit bias.

Now, according to this article in the Washington Post, companies have formed to track activity on blogs to make market decisions:

The comments are particularly valuable for measuring customer sentiment because they're gut-level and spontaneous. "Internet word of mouth is extremely important," said Steve Rubel, a marketing expert and senior vice president at Edelman public relations. "You see what the most vocal consumers have to say about you and about your competitors -- and they're saying it without necessarily knowing you're watching them."

To capture the chatter, Nielsen BuzzMetrics, a giant in the industry, uses software that collects hundreds of thousands of comments a day. The technology can scan for specific companies, products, brands, people -- anything searchable. It can slice data into a range of categories to quantify the number of times a subject was discussed online, the individuals who mentioned it and the communities where it appeared.

So, what this is telling me is that companies are beginning to look at blogs and other message boards to shape their message because they know that the true consumer and public sentiment is coming from us, not the MSM. This would be a great tool to market to political or other issue campaigns as a way to float a message and gauge the reaction.

Walker takes the first (kind of) shot in the Governor's race

2006-03-02T15:07:00.000-06:00

Let the games begin!!!

Scott Walker took his first real shot at Mark Green on the issue of 2/3 state funding for education, taking the burden off of the local tax levy.

Here is why I think this was a great move. First, everyone is picking up on this and talking about it in the blogoshpere, and it has also made it to the MSM. It was a small ad buy that has legs, even if no one really understands the issue, other than that Green is flip flopping or raising taxes.

Second, not only is it a good move to distinguish himself from Green, but also he puts Green in the same light as Jim Doyle. In the press release Walker sent out, he lists Green and Doyle together as his opponents, grouping their agendas while distancing himself from both. Brilliant.

The only line that shocked me was the line about Federal Spending being less during the Clinton years. Was this a shot at the Bush Administration? Or just a shot at the Republican controlled Congress?

The County Board wants to raise taxes AGAIN

2006-03-02T14:57:00.000-06:00

Now it's the sales tax. The Board has been pushing this one around for quite some time from what I remember. It never happens. BUt they are going to try again. I don't mind referendums. However, an advisory referendum is a waste of tax payer dollars in this case. The referendum is in September, on the primary ballot. Now tell me, who would vote for a tax increase this year? Seriously.

And second, there was a ling in the J/S daywatch story that is about as predictable as you can get:

"Affordable-housing advocates pleaded with supervisors that a portion of any new sales tax collections be set aside for housing for low-income persons, including housing that serves the disabled and the mentally ill."

I think another sales tax will set yet another precedent of being able to create a tax for a specific use which could open the taxpayers up to a tremendous tax burden in addition to what we have now. Don't get me wrong, all good causes. I love the parks. However first it's the parks, next the bus, then housing for mentally ill, then GAMP, and on and on. Deal with the fiscal issues that are in front of you and don't take the easy way out by putting the burden on the taxpayers. We want retail stores here in Milwaukee County. We don't need more moving out to the lower cost regions.

The Oshkosh Northwestern - standing up for Felons

2006-03-02T09:46:00.000-06:00

I read this editorial today, and I actually thought it was a joke. The Oshkosh Northwestern sees no problems with the UW system hiring convicted felons. Apparently, other than the UW system and the felons themselves, they are all alone on this one. You can't tell me that every parent of a UW system student didn't gasp when they heard the news that their children were in the presence of convicted felons. These people are hanging out around our students, near unattended articles such as computers and back packs. Possibly even within reach of confidential financial information.

However, the Oshkosh Northwestern says that

"What we need to avoid is creating unnecessary hardships for people whom our judicial system has decided have paid their debt to society."

Nor do I think we should create unnecessary risk, hardship, or fear to those who enroll anticipating that they will be in a safe environment. I think we should stop looking at what the hardships are for the felons who are working at UW, but rahter the hardships for the students and taxpayers that are attending our schools.

Can the State discriminate against felons? I don't know the law to answer that question. However, do the students in our school deserve a guarantee from the system that they will not come into contact with any convicted felon? Yes. Do they also deserve a guarantee that convicted felons will never have the opportunity to come into contact with any personal or confidential information? Yes.

So a directive to the UW System: Make a guarantee to your students that in the normal course of their studies, including in the classroom and daily activities within school facilities, that they will not come in contact with any convicted felons.

Charlie (Sykes) stores a few nuts on his new blogroll

2006-03-02T00:25:00.000-06:00

Hey, what an honor. Charlie Sykes included us on his newly updated blogroll.

Thank you Mr. Sykes. We hope we are able to keep you entertained and/or informed.

P.S. Love the radio and television show.

Carnival of the Badger is up

2006-03-02T00:20:00.000-06:00

Check it out at No Runny Eggs.

Great job Steveegg!

Trial of the Century

2006-03-01T23:26:00.000-06:00

Flipping through some of the trial updates in the case of representative and former Speaker Scott Jensen, a Republican from Waukesha County, I am sort of sickened by all of it.

One on hand, what was (maybe is) going on in Madison is wrong. While I think it is ridiculous that the law prohibits politicians from (gasp) doing politics, it would appear that it does. Having an army of state-paid staffers working on campaigns and doing campaign work in their official state office crosses the line.

On the other hand, the antics of the Dane County District Attorney, Brian Blanchard, are so laughable that they not only embarrass himself, but everyone one of us that lives in Wisconsin. We should be ashamed of ourselves that we elect a government that considers it justice to selectively prosecute at random.

Blanchard, who has admitted to seeking political advice for his own campaign from staffers in one of the Democratic Caucuses, has paraded a plethora of GOP staffers up to the witness stand and made them confess their sins; they committed the ultimate crime against humanity in spending time that they should have been doing their work engaging in the fundamental principle our country was founded on - democracy.

Now ask yourself, have you ever done something at work that wasn't a sanctioned action? Checked out E-Bay? Made an online bill payment? Maybe you sent an email to your sister or your Aunt Rosa down in Santa Fe. Or maybe, for just a few moments so you could collect your thoughts and jump back into the thick of it, you went to the Internet and looked at a joke, or a car you can't afford, or a vacation spot you'll likely never get to take your wife to.

Now ask yourself, did you do anything different than the staffer that spent a few hours a week working on stuff envelopes?

They are all wrong but why is it that their sins are worse than yours/ours? Sure, they are paid with tax dollars but your salary is paid through my buying your company's product or service.

If only it were an hour here or there, unfortunately there seems to be a far more organized and involved process. Nonetheless, the trial is about one man's political reputation and his mission to tear down politicians greater than him.

If not, then why have only a select few been prosecuted. Why were so many former and current staff members treated in interviews and interrogations worse than the prisoners at GITMO? Why? Because Blanchard is looking for a political victory, a conviction to sustain his political career and/or vault him to something greater.

That has to be the reason. Because if the law breaking was really as rampant as Blanchard would have us believe then damn them all. Why then did Blanchard not show up at the State Capitol with a couple of prison buses and load them all up.

If you want to kill a weed you have to uproot it, not merely clip a few of the trimmings.

But Blanchard didn't do that. In doing so he has validated the illegal work of so many while unfairly dragging Scott Jensen through the public square in an attempt to embarrass him.

I hate to venture a guess on the outcome. Certainly the prosecution is mounting a reasonably good appearing case. They have, after all, all those felons that seemed to have slipped through the long of the law coming forward and testifying.

Thankfully the defense still gets to present their case. Good luck Mr. Jensen.

For a more thorough analysis of the trial check out Wispolitics, I Am The Force and Charlie Sykes.

Calling all cars. Can you hear me?

2006-03-01T18:41:00.000-06:00

I don't think of bloggers as journalists but I feel compelled to be intellectually honest (or as best I can) when expressing my views in a forum others can see. If I want to lie to myself, that is one thing - I can do it in the comfort of my own home with a few beers and not have to worry about the computer or you, the reader.

So here I am, faced with this story about cops that get paid after being fired. Shit.

You see, I like cops. I like firefighters, military personnel and anyone else that is willing to take on the tough jobs that are essential for all our health and well-being. It seems like this to me - if I'm not willing or able to do these jobs, which are important in mind, then I need to support the people that do.

But as two bloggers from completely opposite perspectives point out, here and here, this goes a little too far. The public, rightly so, is sick of people taking them for a ride, at our expense.

I want to take the Union's word for it, they are lobbying both sides and have every intention of coming up with a reasonable proposal of their own. They know that their image is tarnished by a few bad eggs and this story helps promote the corruption to the public.

Unfortunately for them, Speaker Gard's reputation does not help them sell their story.

My apologies to the men and women in blue. On this one I must simply disagree with you. Please prove me wrong with a good proposal and a strong effort to pass it a.s.a.p.

P.S. God bless you!

No Runny Eggs (great blog) and the Carnival of the Bloggers

2006-03-01T18:33:00.000-06:00

The Carnival of the Bloggers is coming out (sans a submittal from us this week - sorry guys). But Steveegg at No Runny Eggs is hosting it this week. We love his blog. You want someone that doesn't hold back? He is your man

Check it out and bookmark him.

Reynolds and Barrett.....WHAT?

2006-02-28T18:22:00.000-06:00

The liklihood of Senator Tom Reynolds running to the defense of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in his last minute attempt to scrub the School Choice compromise over "inequities" the Mayor feels hurt Milwaukee is as likely as Reynolds leading the charge for gay marriage. Or so I thought.

Bloggers and even the MSM are reporting that Reynolds is holding out his vote on the compromise. In addition to the concerns raised by Barrett and the crowd that can't tax enough at the City, Reynolds also apparently opposes the proposal as he believes it might raise the private tuition for his children.

Is this the guy that Mark Belling is defending all the time?

Reynolds is a nut, we all know that. But somehow, even after the Spice Boys did multiple columns pointing out this guy's whackyness, the guy he seemed to hang on to some sort of clout in the conservative fields. Many said that he may be a nut but he is our nut and votes right.

Until now.

Certainly lends credability to the term limits and part-time Legislature being proposed. Do you really think Reynolds could find another job that pays this well?

Either way, I sure hope the so-called conservatives in this town come out and point out when Tom Reynolds is wrong as strongly as they defend him. He is wrong this time

Carnival of the Badger and Big Thanks to our fellow Bloggers

2006-02-27T19:07:00.000-06:00

Thanks to everyone in the Badger Blog Alliance and beyond that allowed us to be included in last week’s Carnival . It is a really cool thing that they do and all the time they put into it is much appreciated. I also want to thank all the bloggers that have put us in their blogrolls, talked about our blog on their site and/or left comments here.

What we figured out right away was that even though a blog is a great outlet to vent your thoughts at any random time, it is also nice to incorporate that into a community-like setting. I try not to use other blogs as my sole source of information for my own posts but the Wisconsin blogosphere is incredibly active, intelligent and provocative.

Thanks everyone. We don’t intend on being the best or posting the most but we do appreciate being included in the gang.

Loose Nut of the Week Award

2006-02-27T19:05:00.000-06:00

Last week was amazing but my award goes to our Attorney General, Peg drinkinschlager (or whatever her name is).

First she issues a letter to the Milwaukee County folks saying she thinks the County Board can replace it’s chairman but she’ll get back to them with a final answer.

Her final answer: Sorry Charlie, no answer coming.

Honest, this is hilarious. Like Dale, I fail to see the big deal about replacing Holloway. Who are you going to replace him with? I would love for folks to leave their nominee in comments section. Trust me, it’s not easy.

Peg – you are my Loose Nut of the Week.

Blog of the Day

2006-02-27T14:35:00.000-06:00

For me, it's TAXH8R. He has had an interesting point of view on a lot of issues, and you know it comes from the mouth of an average guy. He says he is leaving for another job, but I hope we get him back in the blogosphere some day. Good luck on the new job Taxh8r.

Loose Nut Awards

2006-02-27T14:04:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately, Chip has been MIA most of the weekend. I hope he resurfaces soon. IN his absence, I am running a little late on my loose nut award, but hopefully we will be back on schedule next week.

My loose nut award goes to the Democratic Ticket for WIsconsin Atorney General. Peg Lautenschlager and Kathy Falk battled it out on the Sykes show this past week to no benefit to either one. Both candidates have their skeletons and lack of a tough on crime stance. Four years ago, this was a major race for the Republicans, but they got too confident going into the election, and they are in danger of doing the same this year. However, my award goes to this ticket because I don't see either candidate coming forward with anything of substance. Peg is apologizing for her past indiscretions and Falk is trying to didge the catch and release image. Neither one has told a single voter why she should be AG other than because they have experience. The other problem they have is that there is no clear front runner in the race when there should be. ONe candidate, arrested for drunk driving in a state car, and the other, the candidate in the race who will be the MOST sympathetic to criminals. Why can't either take the lead?

Late Edition of the Sunday Insight with Charlie Sykes Sunburst Awards

2006-02-27T13:46:00.000-06:00

Best Performance: Barbara Boxer - short and to the point. She had her answers ready, stayed out of the Lee Holloway argument, and offered some harsh words toward the County Board.

Worst Performance: Lynne Debruin - She seemed like she was on the defensive, like most members of the Board, when talking about the size of the board as well as the additional sales tax proposed in Milwaukee.

Sir, your five minutes are over, please stop talking: Lynne Debruin - How much did Humana donate to your campaign for that plug?

She's got it right: Barbara Boxer - County Boards (are) should be part time positions, and we need to shrink the boards in Wisconsin.

Worst Dressed: Mikel Holt - I don't know what color the shirt was, but I would say that the tie he was wearing looked like the cheap wallpaper you see in old hotels. Was that a blue shirt?

Whistleblower....or blow whatever you want

2006-02-23T19:46:00.000-06:00

The Jensen trial continues tomorrow. The former Caucus directors and the woman that blew the whistle on the whole sorred deal are expected to take the stand.

The irony, of course, is that the so-called do-gooder, Lyndee Wall, didn't blow the whistle because she felt some sort of remorse or because she was pained by the "horrible" actions she was witnessing - she blew the whistle because there were a couple of Republicans that she was dating (at the same time) that broke up with her and she was jilted.

Yes, I said it.

This woman is a human resource department's worst nightmare. Her relationships were inappropriate and with people she worked for. Scott Jensen is on trial because some guys couldn't keep it in their pants and she couldn't stand being dumped.

Don't forget that when she is on the stand, eyes filled with tears and sobbing about horrible it was to be forced to do campaign work.

She blew something alright.

Sykes School Choice Debate

2006-02-23T17:28:00.000-06:00

I thought it was funny today on the replay of the school choice debate that an opponent (pro-WEAC) would make a claim about the tax burden created by school choice. If there was one side of the issue that I don't think they should go after, it would be how much the choice program costs the taxpayers. Like Dr. Fuller said, give us $11,000 per child.

Does Lee Holloway matter as Chairman?

2006-02-23T17:12:00.000-06:00

I know the problem with having Lee Holloway as Chairman of the Milwaukee County Board. He is a corrupt politician and we can't have that. However, there are going to be a number of court hearings if the Midterm Vote is attempted. The ethics board is spending a significant amount of taxpayer money. And the desired end result - he is removed as Chairman and is forced to face the consequences of the ethics violations. (Most likely fines that will not even come close to the amount that it is costing) I want to see this guy punished as much as the next guy. However, I must ask, what does he really matter? And, what does this ethics investigation change from the rest of his reign?

Here's what we know of Lee Holloway. This was the guy who flashed a badge at a high school basketball game. He is a slum lord. He bullies Supervisors into changing their votes. He appoints and demotes committee chairs because of votes. He makes the argument a racial argument. Now, what has changed over the past couple of months? He was elected chairman in 2003 I think and then re-elected in 2004. Not to mention he has been elected to the Board since 1988, regardless of the person he is.

So again, what's the difference. Well, I think that the Supervisors who voted for him in 2004 are a little nervous that it will be obvious that they only voted for their committee assignments. If I remember, in a recent article it said that 14 members of the current board voted for him for chairman. That means that five of them have defected. Here's how it's playing out. The original group of Holloway opponents have not changed. The other five realize that supporting him now is even more suicidal than ever. While elections are not coming up, this issue has legs. Even the MSM is starting to pay more attention. The members of the board who are not part of the Holloway circle of trust (the black caucus) need separation. That's what they are striving for now. The more they come out against him, the fewer questions they will have to handle later when it comes out they actually voted for the guy for political purposes.

I don't think that Holloway is going to back down. I also don't think that the Board will have a midterm election for chairman. If I were the members of the board who want him out, I would continue to put pressure on him at every point possible. A resolution of no confidence. A daily public statement. A statement at each county board meeting if necessary. Keep the issue out there, and make sure that you are at the front of the line. If you start to back down, and the mysteriously end up on a big time (as big as they get in county government) committee, there will be some serious questions. No matter what, do not become a Holloway backer regardless of what he promises - EH HEM RYAN MCCUE!!!

Attorney General Debate on Sykes

2006-02-22T20:53:00.000-06:00

I had the chance to hear the AG candidates on Sykes this morning. While I don't have a good feel yet for the Republican candidate (my fault), I can tell you that the Democrats are not in a good spot. The Republicans have too much ammo against both candidates, and the Democrats, Peg and Kathy are two warring factions at the moment. The Democrats are going to have to align themselves behind a candidate. Is Peg unelectable? I don't know. I would have to say that she is more electable than Kathy Falk. At this time in our State, we are going to elect an AG who is tough on crime. I think the Republicans have enough against Kathy Falk to show that she is not tough, but rather the catch and release candidate.

On the other hand, I would be careful if I where the Republicans from being too confident. If they throw too much mud at either Peg or Kathy, they will run into problems with the moderates.

Scott Walker or Mark Green

2006-02-22T20:47:00.000-06:00

Personally, I thought that Scott Walker sounded much more like a Governor than Mark Green on the Sykes show this morning. I think that he took stronger stands on the issues, he had the right view of the issues as an executive, and he was better prepared. I htink he is going to have to continue to push his message to the grassroots. Green has the party institution locked up. He also has the money. Walker needs to take the people.

I will say that Green has the advantage on the quick sound bite. In a head to head match up for air time, I think that Green will get the press, not Walker. Walker likes to explain the issue and then his position, and then why he has a position. Green was good at the "School choice provides opportunity for children" lines. He is used to a larger campaign with more issues than taxes.

Blog of the day

2006-02-21T23:45:00.000-06:00

Sorry, I have missed a day or two here lately. Nonetheless I scour the blogosphere for good sites to share. Given the amount of time I've had and he focus I try to put on Wisconsin sites I'm guessing a lot of readers will be familiar with most of the sites I recommend.

Right off the Shore is my blog of the day, today. I only recently found it and, like I have been doing with most, tuned in for a few days before putting it in my favorites.

This young woman is sharp, writes well and has a great conservative mind. It is a great read and worth checking back daily.

A sad state of affairs

2006-02-21T23:38:00.000-06:00

Normally a fight over toilet paper would make me laugh. But unfortunately in this case it is a sick and twisted, and very disturbing, situation.

A Florida man beat his roommate with a sledgehammer over a dispute surrounding their lack of toilet paper.

Get a grip people. Wow.

I suppose, in sticking with liberal principles, we will need to try to outlaw sledgehammers. Perhaps you should have to file for a permit and go through a 24 hour waiting period. Afterall, can't your sledging wait a day to protect an innocent victim?

Or I know, what we will do is put highly technical instrumentation on the sledgehammer so that only the real owner of it can use it to sledge anything. And just to make sure we don't have any drinking and sledging accidents we should put a breathing tube on it. If you blow .08 or higher you're sledging is done for the day.

Or maybe loose nuts like this should be locked up for breaking laws already on the books. But I guess that would make too much sense.

What a sad state of affairs. And all of this over toilet paper.

Stupid Criminals

2006-02-21T23:19:00.000-06:00

This is too funny - one of the snobbiest elites in town is busted for a down right stupid criminal trick.

Good thing I don't swing in these posh social circles. I wonder if my dogs playing poker really is on consignment to a dealer from someone else????

It's only Tuesday and already a good candidate for the Loose Nut of the Week award.

Priceless.

Bode: your 15 minutes are up. Go home.

2006-02-20T22:30:00.000-06:00

I don't want to disrespect any Olympic athlete. Regardless of their performance at the games to get there is truly an incredible accomplishment.

But you'll forgive me if I bask in the "glory" of this knucklehead for just a moment.

It is bad enough that his pre-games antics were an embarrassment to his teammates and our country but now his performance, and his excuses, are the final straw. The U.S. should box this moron up and ship him to a nice padded room somewhere.

Bode confident despite missing medal again
‘I could be sitting on 4 medals,’ Miller says after taking 6th in giant slalom

“If things went well,” he told The Associated Press, “I could be sitting on four medals, maybe all of them gold.”

They didn't go well and you're not sitting on 4 medals. Start acting like an Olympian, one that represents our great country and stop acting like a spoiled little brat. Your antics, your attitude and your performance are truly embarrassing to us all.

County Antics and the AG that couldn't rip her way out of a wet paper bag

2006-02-20T21:33:00.000-06:00

The ongoing saga of Lee Holloway continued today. I don't care if this guy is or isn't the County Board Chairman, frankly. Considering the other 18 knuckleheads on that Board what is the difference. But watching these keystone cops try to get anything done is downright hilarious.

10 of the Supervisors, lead by Karen Ordinans little brother, Johnny Wieshan, and Lynne "I'm on Charlie Sykes' show to pretend I'm a conservative" Debruin, were all set to elect a new chairman today. Once again Holloway out-smarted them. But I dont' think that is the real story here.

I think the real story is the absurdity of the State Attorney General, Peg "about a glass of wine and let's drive 50 miles home in a state car" Lautenschlager issued a letter on Friday saying the 10's call for a special meeting to have an election for chair was legit. Regardless of her legal reasons for doing this, it seemed to give Peg some room to stand on the good government and reform platform, a place she has been wanting to get to since her antics last year. But then came the fun part.

On Saturday, through an aid, Lautenschlager said that her ruling was being misinterpreted and that an official opinion wasn't complete yet. Oh, this is beautiful.

You see, in politics there are two sides; your side and the other side. Peg managed to actually put herself in the middle here and to have BOTH sides mad at her.

Now, those that are pushing for reform and the ouster of Mr. Holloway are completely ticked off at Peg's 180 that left them jilted at the alter today. Meanwhile, African American leaders on the Board and in the community are furious that Peg put Holloway up to face the election in the first place.

Sounds like a recipe for disaster if you are a Democrat running in a state-wide primary.

It wouldn't surprise me if Katie Falk, Peg's primary opponent, was reaching out to Holloway and the Board's African American members, as well as community leaders tonite and in the days to come.

They say that the only two things in the middle of the road are yellow lines and dead skunks. Once again, Peg being in the middle of the road got her in trouble. This time she won't have to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test but the cost may be equally devastating or worse to her political career.