Wigderson Library & Pub

new website

2009-09-14T19:47:00.000-05:00

Come visit www.wigderson.com and the new blog page.

Thriller a reminder of evils of abortion

2009-09-03T16:59:00.000-05:00

Note: this will be the last blog post at this site. By Monday, September 13th I should be moved into a new website home at www.wigderson.com. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you there.

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Sep 3, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:8A

Thriller a reminder of evils of abortion

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

Tick, tick, tick ... The time for your summer reading just ran out. Those books you didn’t read will just have to wait until next year.

Local author Michael Caughill completed my summer reading list this year with, “The Abortionist.” It’s the story of a serial killer who simulates different abortion methods on his adult victims. Dr. Hannibal Lecter meets Planned Parenthood. It is definitely not a story for the squeamish.

Aside from being a great thriller, what makes “The Abortionist” an interesting read is the deft way Caughill handles the abortion topic. Caughill avoids a heavy-handed, lecturing approach to the topic. Instead, his characters discuss both sides of the abortion issue in much the conversational way so many of us discuss it with friends and family.

Caughill does not distract us with long Ayn Rand-like diatribes, and the action proceeds at a crisp pace throughout the book. Where Caughill makes his point is in the gruesome way the murders are conducted, reminding us that abortion is a bloody business.

The methods of abortion vary. The most common method in the first trimester is called suction aspiration. It involves a powerful suction tube with a sharp cutting edge which is inserted into the womb. The blade is used to cut the fetus into pieces and the tube then sucks the parts out.

Caughill’s challenge as a writer is to bring that reality of abortion to the audience without succumbing to writing political pornography. It’s a tightrope that he manages to navigate.

Nobody should be under the illusion that the decision behind most abortions is easy. Caughill reminds us of the social and economic pressures that drive women to consider such a step, and he does so in a sympathetic way. The women are victims twice in the novel, first of the culture that compels them to have abortions, and then at the hands of a serial killer.

But as the declining numbers of abortions would seem to indicate, the culture is changing. More women are choosing life for their baby.

The number of abortions annually in the United States peaked in 1990 at 1.6 million, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute – an abortion-friendly organization. The number has dropped since to 1.2 million in 2005. Since Roe v. Wade in 1973 legalized abortion in all 50 states, over 49 million children have been aborted.

For the first time this year, a Gallup poll indicated that more people consider themselves prolife than pro-choice when it comes to abortion.

Pro-abortion politicians, largely in the Democratic Party, find themselves on the defensive. Following the lead of former President Clinton, they’ve adopted the formula of “safe, legal and rare.” But wishing abortion is “rare” is a recognition that there is something intrinsically wrong with the act of abortion.

President Obama, perhaps the most radically pro-abortion president this country has had, also had to concede that there was a moral argument against abortion when he told the audience at Notre Dame the decision whether to have an abortion, “has both moral and spiritual dimensions.” He said he wanted to reduce the number of abortions, too.

These concessions to the public’s growing prolife sentiment come with very little change to the abortion laws themselves. Fortunately, that is a sign that we can reduce the number of abortions through education and a change in the culture. Unfortunately, it looks like the law is about to lurch the other way.

The president is demonizing abortion opponents by claiming that they are lying about how “health care reform” will lead to publicly funded abortions. Among the “liars” are many of the U.S. Catholic bishops, including New York’s (and formerly Milwaukee’s) Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

Health care reform will include abortion coverage as part of “the public option” and Democrats have stopped any amendments in Congress to prevent it. Worse, private insurers will probably be forced to provide abortion services to have their policies approved by the government.

Despite President Obama’s rhetoric, his actions speak to a different agenda than reducing the number of abortions. Perhaps the president would have been better off adding Caughill’s book to his summer reading at Martha’s Vineyard to remind him what it is that he is defending.

JAMES WIGDERSON

Probably not as much as Mary Jo Kopechne

2009-08-30T12:34:00.000-05:00

"Kennedy's dogs will be missed on Hill"

But Kennedy's dogs weren’t saints either. Like a parent of spoiled children, the senator was loving but a poor disciplinarian.

Splash has been known to bark impatiently during long meetings. The dog once sent White House staffers into a frenzy when the pooch began barking in the Oval Office. Kennedy and his pets were at the White House waiting for the start of a religious freedom bill signing ceremony with President Clinton.

“Kennedy was working the room, and Splash starts barking incessantly. The president was off in a side room having a meeting and the White House staffers start freaking out,” said Sutphen, a former staffer who attended the ceremony with Kennedy.

After Splash was excused, Clinton walked in, asking why he’d heard barking.

“No one fessed up,” said Sutphen. “But it showed the light-hearted, jovial, jokester side of [Kennedy].”
The dogs’ antics could turn Capitol Hill into a dysfunctional family scene.

While interning on Capitol Hill, then-Maryland University student Scott Shewfelt met Kennedy as he stumbled upon the Porties, unleashed and fresh from a haircut, digging in the shrubs outside the Russell Senate federal building where Kennedy kept his office.

“Teddy was yelling at them, but they weren’t listening at all,” Shewfelt said. “It was absolute chaos.”

Could be worse for the dogs. The ancient pharoahs used to take their pets with them.

Calls for decorum ring hollow

2009-08-27T18:10:00.001-05:00

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Aug 27, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:10A

Calls for decorum ring hollow
Folks right to be upset

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

I’m somewhat amused by all of the sudden concern about the lack of decorum in politics. Suddenly, the political left and their followers in the mainstream media are shocked that people are showing up by the hundreds and the thousands to town hall meetings to protest the proposed changes in health care.

It’s perhaps easier to understand the frustration when a famous quip attributed to Sen. Everett M. Dirksen, “A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking about real money,” needs to be updated to, “A trillion here, a trillion there, and pretty soon you can’t print enough money.”

We are now looking at trillion-dollar deficits for each of the next 10 years. Nobody believes that is sustainable, yet President Obama wants to spend nearly another trillion on health care.

When Americans express their concerns, they’re told to shut up and take it. At the first rally in Madison by taxpayers in October 2007 led by Americans for Prosperity, state union employees counterdemonstrated by attempting to drown out the speakers with their shouting and intimidated the participants as they headed to their vehicles.

When concerned taxpayers showed up during the spring and summer to “tea parties” to rally against the massive expansion of government spending, suddenly an insulting sexual reference went mainstream, from the liberal blogs to cable news pundits, to belittle the rallies.

Deciding that wasn’t sufficient, tea party rally participants were accused of being part of a paid conspiracy, “AstroTurf,” rather than being part of an authentic grass-roots movement. Depending on the liberal villain of the week, ordinary citizens were accused of being agents of Big Oil, Big Pharmaceutical and Big Insurance.

Yet when the liberal special interests show up in any small number to protest anything, those are the authentic grass roots.

When it was clear that the taxpayer protests were genuine, the focus shifted. Now they’re radicals, unpatriotic, and even Nazis, according to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Even as the president was asking everyone to tone down the rhetoric, he accused his critics of lying while he spreads deliberate falsehoods of his own. As he encouraged “dialogue,” his administration’s Department of Homeland Security labeled his critics potential terrorists. And while we remember the president’s promise to improve the tone in Washington, his aides are promising to “hit back twice as hard.”

Nothing new, really. From the ’60s (for which the left has so much nostalgia) to today, the left in this country has had a policy of “taking it to the streets.” At times, it boiled over into bombings and targeted violent personal attacks.

From Chicago in 1968 to Seattle in 1999 there was some improvement. Instead of chanting “Off the pigs!” the slogan changed to, “No justice, no peace!” The threat of violence remained.

Then the Bush era, and for the last eight years one of the mantras on the left was, “If you aren’t outraged, you’re not paying attention.” We saw their outrage manifest itself in violent demonstrations, attacks on military recruitment offices, disrupted congressional hearings, and planned riots at the national conventions.

Now I will concede that some of the people at these town hall meetings are a little rude. They’re paying attention now, and it’s their turn to be outraged. Some of them let their emotions overcome their judgment of good behavior. Most of them are not as articulate as a Harvardeducated lawyer with a teleprompter. Many of them have never been involved in a political movement before.

I strongly urge them to temper their words and to be more respectful at these town hall meetings. However, a few shouts at a few congressmen is not some sort of crisis in democracy, and the concerned taxpayers are certainly not deserving of being labeled “brownshirts.”

We now hear the calls for civility from those who thought the president’s association with Weather Underground bomber Bill Ayers was no big deal, and they had no problems when Obama’s mentor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, screamed “God damn America” during his sermons.

Yes, I agree we should have more decorum at the town hall meetings, and more decorum in politics generally. My challenge to the political left is two words: You first.

JAMES WIGDERSON

The death of a dynast in Massachusetts

2009-08-26T19:16:00.004-05:00

Of the demise of Senator Edward M “Ted” Kennedy, we are told that the “Lion of the Senate” has passed. We are told of his effectiveness as a senator, and his bipartisan spirit. We are even reminded of the promise of the Kennedy name, a branding effort unlike any seen before or since.

Yet we are compelled to look at the complete record. As the surviving son of the odious Ambassador Joe Kennedy, Edward Kennedy had a promise and a plan to fulfill. His eldest brother had been a war hero who died in service of his country in World War II. The next oldest would become president, but was cut down in assassination by “some silly little Communist.” The next brother was an attorney general and a senator from New York. He, too, seemed destined to become president (even as he threw away his anti-Communist credentials to appeal to the Democratic Party’s left), before he, too, was assassinated.

By this time, Edward Kennedy had succeeded to his brother Jack’s senate seat in Massachusetts. A family ally was kind enough to hold it for him until Kennedy came of age. Kennedy seemed destined to return his family to the White House until he drove off the Chappaquiddick Bridge.

According to Kennedy, he made repeated attempts to rescue his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. When his efforts failed, Kennedy fled the scene of the accident and did not report it for ten hours. It is believed by the diver that found her, Kopechne survived the crash and an air bubble in car was able to keep her alive for at least two hours. Kennedy only reported the accident after it was discovered, and after his aides convinced him to do so. Kennedy was charged with the minimum, fleeing the scene of an accident, and was given the minimum sentence, two years suspended. His name and reputation saved him personally, but he would be unable to run for president as planned in 1972.

In the late 1970s, Kennedy was considered as a candidate for president again, openly rebelling against the incumbent Democrat, Jimmy Carter. Like his brother Bobby, Kennedy attacked the president on the left. However, Kennedy’s campaign fell short of unseating Carter as the party’s nominee. The turning point was when Kennedy was asked why he wanted to be president and he could not give a coherent answer. How does one say that it was the family business, and his by right? So he continued in the senate, pursuing a liberal agenda even as America turned to the right.

The low mark of his senate career was during the nomination of Judge Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. Shortly after Bork’s nomination, Kennedy slandered Bork in remarks that could only be forgivable if they were uttered by a Kennedy:

"Robert Bork's America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens' doors in midnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of the Government, and the doors of the Federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens for whom the judiciary is -- and is often the only -- protector of the individual rights that are the heart of our democracy... President Reagan is still our president. But he should not be able to reach out from the muck of Irangate, reach into the muck of Watergate and impose his reactionary vision of the Constitution on the Supreme Court and the next generation of Americans. No justice would be better than this injustice."

Just as his initial election to the senate was carefully managed, Kennedy attempted to manage the choice of his successor. In 2004, Kennedy supported a law that required a special election in the case of a senate vacancy. However, that was under a Republican governor, and the possible vacancy was the seat held by Senator John Kerry. As Kennedy’s health deteriorated, he changed his position to support temporary appointment to senate vacancies by the governor. Perhaps his best legacy was the reminder that dynasties ill serve republican virtue.

His life was one of unlimited potential, much of it wasted. In his public life, he does not leave much of a track record of bettering his country. In his private life, he offered little worth emulating, and much to be shunned.

If there are positives, it must be said he believed in public service for those that were able, and that many of his colleagues liked and respected him. In the last years of his life he seemed to find happiness in marriage to his second wife, Vicky. To her and the Kennedy family, a nation offers its condolences.

Will Feingold call out Senator Kennedy?

2009-08-21T17:23:00.000-05:00

Will Senator Russ Feingold criticize fellow Democrat Senator Ted Kennedy for wanting his possible replacement to be appointed by the governor rather than elected by the people of Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law currently requires a special election to fill senate vacancies, a law pushed through in 2004 when Senator John Kerry was running for president and Republican Mitt Romney was governor. Kennedy was in favor of change in 2004, but now claims to fear Massachusetts will not have adequate representation if the state stays with the special election process. Ed Morrissey has the story. The Wall Street Journal weighs in, too:

Beacon Hill has long sported heavy Democratic majorities, so the state legislature has the votes to grant Mr. Kennedy's wish. But does it have the chutzpah? An election is the more democratic option. After witnessing recent attempts by incompetent Governors in Illinois and New York to fill Senate vacancies, Massachusetts voters may have soured on such appointments. Especially when Mr. Kennedy's motivation for changing the law is so obviously born of partisan interest, not principle.

Earlier this year Senator Feingold announced support for a constitutional amendment that would require the states to hold special elections. The amendment passed on a 5-3 vote in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Consitution and has gained the bipartisan support of Senator John McCain and Senator Dick Durbin. Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner is also a supporter.

Kevin Binversie addresses the issue at his blog, Lakeshore Laments:

Kennedy is no doubt creating another scenario in which the Massachusetts Senate seat will have another "Seat-Warmer" until the Kennedy-family approved candidate -- likely Ted's own wife Victoria -- can win the seat in the 2010 or 2012 election.

The reason why I raise this question is that Feingold is notorious for not letting his pet-projects die, let alone get railroaded in the process. Is Russ Feingold -- a notorious caucus bickerer -- going to just let Ted Kennedy's own personal demands that his Senate seat become some sort of "family heirloom" only he can pick and choose should fill it?

Who knows, but this was one heck of a floor speech by Feingold in February. Hate to see it go to waste.

On January 29th of this year I wrote a column for the Waukesha Freeman in support of Feingold's amendment and explained some of the issues behind it:

Let's vote
In keeping with Democratic principles,voters should choose who fills Senate vacancies

By JAMES WIGDERSON January 29, 2009

Sen. Russ Feingold took a moment from his usual preening before the cameras to actually address a serious issue in a thoughtful way. Feingold has proposed amending the Constitution to require special elections to fill Senate vacancies.
Feingold’s proposed amendment is not without precedent. Wisconsin’s Robert La Follette led the fight for direct election of senators. Prior to 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. The 17th Amendment changed that but, unfortunately, left the process for filling midterm vacancies to the states.

Feingold’s amendment is in seeming response to the recent controversies over Senate appointments.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is facing impeachment for allegedly attempting to sell the Senate seat formerly held by President Obama. Had Feingold’s fellow Democrats been less desperate to hold the seat, the Illinois legislature could have passed a law to elect Obama’s replacement. Instead the Democrats received a lesson in Chicago politics when Roland Burris was appointed and swept aside any opposition in Washington, D.C.

In New York, Caroline Kennedy made a shambles of the appointment process by pursuing the seat without any qualifications other than her family money and name. Eventually Gov. David Paterson made a purely political appointment by selecting another relatively inexperienced candidate from a strategically important part of the state, Kirsten Gillibrand. In a special election it would have been very unlikely Gillibrand would have survived her party’s primary.

They are not the only unelected senators to serve in this congress. In Delaware, Ted Kaufman was appointed to fill Vice President Joe Biden’s seat for two years until Beau Biden, the vice president’s son, can run for the seat. In Colorado, the Democratic governor appointed Denver School Superintendent Michael Bennet despite never holding elective office.

The Senate may survive having four unelected members, but do we really want four senators the voters would never have chosen in the first place?

The Senate has had interesting appointments before. In Missouri in 2000, Mel Carnahan died in a plane crash during a campaign against incumbent John Ashcroft. When his name could not be taken off the ballot, the Democratic governor played on the public grief and promised to appoint Carnahan’s wife Jean. Ashcroft lost, and then Jean Carnahan lost in a special election two years later.

Alaskan politics were dramatic before Sarah Palin became governor. When Frank Murkowski left the Senate to become Alaska’s governor in 2002, he appointed his daughter, Lisa Murkowski, to replace him. While she earned re-election two years later, her father lost in the Republican primary to Palin. This is not to say the voters are incapable of making mistakes. Right now in Minnesota, unfunny comedian Al Franken is slightly ahead over incumbent Norm Coleman in a recount battle. No governor would ever have appointed someone like Franken.

But letting voters choose replacement senators in a special election rather than letting the governors decide is consistent with our principles and our experience.

With special elections we need not fear whether someone has paid a price to obtain a seat in the Senate. Whether that price is gold or political support or even political cover, the real cost is the public’s confidence.

Special elections also leave it to the public to decide whether the name of their next representative in the Senate is sufficient recommendation. Whether the name is Kennedy, Biden, Murkowski or Carnahan, surely it would be better for the public to choose whether dynastic succession is appropriate.

The federal Constitution is unlike the state constitution. As a founding document we should be loath to alter it. But this is not a substantial change and it is consistent with the previous amendment requiring the popular election of senators.

Some will cite the long process as a reason to abandon the effort, and others will cite the worst disaster scenarios. Neither are sufficient excuses to prevent this necessary reform. If we cannot trust the public to fill vacancies as they occur, why are we entrusting them with the election of senators at all?

Now if we could only get Senator Feingold as enthusiastic about the First Amendment to the Constitution as he is about the 17th.

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

Doyle retirement presents opportunity for GOP

2009-08-20T17:08:00.001-05:00

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Aug 20, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:10A

Doyle seemed to be gearing up for re-election bid

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

I am surrounded by people who tell me, “Of course. I knew Gov. Doyle would never run for reelection.” They reasoned (or so they claim) that by proposing the most radical state budget of his tenure, Doyle must have known he could never seek re-election.

By that logic, every Democratic state senator on the ballot last November would not have sought re-election after their even more radical “Healthy Wisconsin” proposal. And we can all look forward to President Obama only seeking one term.

Until recently, there was every indication that Doyle was intent on seeking re-election, despite his “two terms” claim in Monday’s address. (Someone should have asked him: If two terms is such a reasonable limit, why did you serve three terms as the state’s attorney general?)

Doyle has spent the last couple of years raising campaign money – campaign money that could have gone to Democratic candidates. His current war chest is approximately $2 million.

Meanwhile, the Greater Wisconsin Committee, a Democratic special interest group often supportive of the governor, ran television advertising in July in an attempt to boost the governor’s poll numbers after the state budget was passed. These things don’t happen unless the governor was planning on running for re-election.

Unfortunately for Doyle, his numbers never improved; he was out-fundraised by one of the Republican candidates and his consecutive election winning streak was in serious danger.

Democratic candidates are already lining up.

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton is already in the race. As a member of the Democratic Party’s “progressive” wing, if Lawton gets the nomination, the Republican candidate can coast to victory. There will be some weak attempts to portray her as a formidable candidate, but even if she is not a lightweight, as is generally believed, she will still have the problem of being blamed for everything that went wrong during Doyle’s tenure without receiving any of the credit.

The same holds true for State Sen. Jon Erpenback who will be stuck with the state budget as his albatross. The only one who really thinks Erpenbach has a chance is Erpenbach.

Congressman Ron Kind is likely to take a run and would be the front-runner in fundraising, except that the Democrats were successful in 2006 in stopping Congressman Mark Green from using his federal campaign funds for his race for governor. However, Kind will have plenty of time to fundraise. What will hurt Kind is the unpopularity of Congress. Kind will be forced to explain his support for cap and trade legislation, the stimulus bill and whatever health care reform comes out. He will have to shore up his relations with the party’s liberal wing during the primaries, but that will hurt him in the general election.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is also talked about as a candidate. However, his recent injuries may make him reluctant to take on a state campaign. Besides, as the mayor of Milwaukee, Barrett would have a hard time appealing to out-state voters. Barrett may have a problem, too, with African-Americans in his own city unhappy with the amount of development in their community and Barrett’s meddling with the local school district. The latter also hurts him with the teachers unions, the strongest voice in the Democratic Party.

There is a misperception that not having Doyle as an opponent will hurt the eventual Republican candidate, whether it is former Congressman Mark Neumann or Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. Nonsense.

Democrats are still complaining about President Bush. They ran against him last year even though he was not on the ballot and his intraparty rival was. They are going to try to run against Bush again next year.

Does anyone seriously think not having Doyle to kick around anymore will prevent the Republicans from tying the Democratic nominee to Doyle’s record?

Besides, it’s almost always easier to win an open seat than to defeat an incumbent. This time the open seat means easier fundraising for the Republican challengers and the same amount of organizational time after next year’s primary election as the Democrats.

Doyle’s departure creates a huge opportunity for the state Republican party to turn around its fortunes. Now if the Republicans could only find a candidate to take on Sen. Feingold.

JAMES WIGDERSON

Strike down domestic partnerships

2009-08-18T05:52:00.003-05:00

(Note: I am behind on posting my newspaper column here. Here is my column from August 6th, the week that Doyle's domestic partner registry went into effect.)

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Aug 6, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:10A

Strike down domestic partnerships

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

This week, Wisconsin’s 72 counties began the process of registering same-sex couples as part of a new domestic partnership registry. Wisconsin Family Action is suing to stop the registry, stating that the registry is prohibited by a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

They have a point. The amendment states, “Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state.”

At issue is whether the domestic partner registry is “substantially similar” to marriage. Looking at the criteria used to qualify for the new registry, it would be hard to argue otherwise. After all, the criteria are taken directly from those used for marriage.

Each of them must be 18 years or older, no closer in family relations than second cousins, share or intend to share the same residence, and not be married or in another domestic partnership. Even the prohibitions on too-close family relations and bigamy are preserved.

We can debate the benefits that are granted to same-sex couples under this new law. We can argue whether they are achievable through private contracts or separate enabling legislation. We can even question the wisdom of granting some of the benefits during an economic recession, when the granting of those benefits may result in additional costs on the state and private employers.

That is not what this debate is really about. It is about an attempt to force the state’s, and thereby society’s, recognition and approval of same-sex relationships.

This has been the goal since author and gay activist Andrew Sullivan suggested legalizing gay marriage in 1989 in an essay in The New Republic. He wrote, “Legalizing gay marriage would offer homosexuals the same deal society now offers heterosexuals: general social approval and specific legal advantages in exchange for a deeper and harder-to-extractyourself-from commitment to another human being.”

Fine, but what of the cost to society when a pillar of the social structure is rendered meaningless? While blogger Zach Wisniewski is surely correct in noting that the “institution of traditional marriage as we know it (defined as being between a man and a woman) didn’t come to an end” since the registry began Monday, marriage as an institution has been weakened and there will be a long-term cost.

Defenders of gay marriage and civil unions like to point out the high rates of adultery and divorce as evidence that marriage is already losing its special significance. To them I would ask, if a tree is being cut down, would you save it by setting it on fire? Of course not, nor should we continue to enact the means of diminishing the meaning of marriage.

We should also point out that, until recently, divorce carried with it a substantial social stigma, and adultery still carries some social penalty. There is a visceral response that broken marriages are not in our culture’s best interests. This is reinforced by our knowledge of the actuarial tables regarding the relative impoverishment of women and children involved in divorce. While there are individual cases of success, the breakdown of the family is a leading cause of social ruin.

Proponents of the civil unions are crying foul at Wisconsin Family Action’s lawsuit claiming supporters of the amendment to ban gay marriage claimed it would not ban civil unions. True, provided those unions are not set up to be substantially similar to marriage, as the new law clearly is.

Despite some recent setbacks, support for the definition of traditional marriage continues to have broad support in our society. President Obama’s opposition to gay marriage has been often stated. African-Americans and Hispanics joined with traditional conservative constituencies to support a ban in California. And here in Wisconsin, nearly 60 percent of the voters supported the amendment even as the Democratic Party made gains across the state that year.

We should continue in the spirit of that bipartisan, cross-racial consensus to defend and even strengthen the institution of marriage.

And in the interest of defending our state constitution, the courts should strike down this domestic partner registry.

JAMES WIGDERSON

Good weather for skiing on October 9th

2009-08-17T18:32:00.001-05:00

Former Vice President Al Gore will be flying into Madison on October 9th to lecture us all how our over-consumption and our excess carbon emissions will doom the planet like Krypton. Given the history of these events, we can expect anyone who disagrees with Gore's apocalyptic vision to be branded as the moral equivalent of NAZI death camp commandants. We can also expect Madison to be unseasonably cold that day.

My suggestion to the residents of Madison is prepare to dress warmly that day. You might even want to check your snowblowers the day before to make sure they're running properly. I find that using non-reformulated gas is essential for the first use of the snowblower each season.

Wigderson goes to Washington

2009-08-17T18:00:00.001-05:00

(Note: I'm behind on posting my newspaper column here, so I am catching up this week. Here is the Waukesha Freeman column from August 13th.)

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Aug 13, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:10A

What I learned on summer vacation
Government’s failings evident in capital city

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

My wife and I have just returned from a trip to Washington D.C., or what I happily refer to as the “crab cakes and monuments tour.” It’s been a few years since I’ve made the trip, and this was the first purely as a tourist.

Since school children all over Wisconsin are about to be asked to write on what they did on their summer vacations, I thought I would pass along a few lessons from my own. I would just suggest that those kids should not copy any of my ideas. Your teachers will be able to tell.

Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., we quickly learned a lesson in government-run mass transit. Our nation’s capital has one of the best mass transit systems in the world, but you can’t get to where you want to go when you want to get there.

The hotel was not far from the Metro train stop at Union Station, but really too far to drag our bags. This means we had to take a taxi from the airport.

On our first day there, we had tickets on a boat from National Harbor to Mount Vernon. That involved a taxi to the boat launch. Then another taxi back to the hotel afterward.

Dinner that night was in Georgetown at one of the city’s best restaurants. Apparently, the planners for the Metro system never conceived that anyone would want to go to the oldest part of the city. Another taxi ride back and forth.

Stranded by the Vietnam War memorial on the opposite end of the mall away from the nearest metro stop, we took another taxi. You can see a pattern, and it was expensive. We finally caught a break going from the hotel to the airport. The hotel called a car service for us.

Washington, D.C., has a government like any the city. However, for much of its history the city was governed directly by Congress. Even now, Congress still controls much of what happens in the federal territory.

Despite the presence and the control of the federal government, the city still has an obvious problem with poverty. The homeless are ubiquitous, and sections of the city resemble many of the poorer urban areas around the country.

Obviously federal spending is not the issue. The really big buildings occupied by federal agencies quickly dispel that notion. Clearly more government jobs are not the answer.

Higher taxation is not the answer. We paid a shocking 10 percent sales tax on our restaurant meals. Sales taxes in Washington range from the already-high 5.75 percent to the obnoxious 14.5 percent hotel room tax.

Nonetheless, poverty remains an issue directly under the noses of those who promise so much more from the federal government (if we only allow them to spend more money).

If government has trouble with the big things, perhaps a small thing will shed some light on why.

The grass on the federal mall in front of most of the Smithsonian museums is in a really poor state. Most residents of Waukesha would be ashamed to have lawns in that condition.

One of the buildings facing the lawn belongs to the Department of Agriculture. It is a rather impressive building, visible all the way from atop Arlington Cemetery.

Most of us would assume the Department of Agriculture would be filled with experts on growing things. We would be wrong. The Department is responsible for spending large amounts of money for purposes related to agriculture, even if only tangentially.

The national park system, including the mall in front of the Smithsonian, is run by the Department of Interior. Unlike the television show “Trading Spaces,” they do not think they can accomplish a miracle growth of new grass for $100. A source working on Capitol Hill told me the department wants close to $400 million.

I immediately offered the services of my father-in-law. Just give him a new tractor, a home improvement store credit card, and bullhorn to keep the kids off the grass, and by the end of summer the mall will look like a fairway at Augusta.

He could do it on his next summer vacation.

JAMES WIGDERSON

Ed Garvey for governor

2009-08-17T17:38:00.000-05:00

Doesn't it sound like Ed Garvey will not be happy with any of the other Democratic candidates? While his candidacy would be former Democratic consultant Bill Christofferson's worst nightmare, just think how fun a Garvey campaign would be.

May I suggest a campaign slogan? Ed Garvey, a candidate the Cap Times can be proud of!

Recall backers' claim not serious

2009-08-16T23:21:00.002-05:00

I was cc'ed on the following announcement by Vince Schmuki from WIN, the group behind the failed effort to recall Governor Doyle:

TO THE W.I.N. MEMBERSHIP/ RECALL DOYLE TEAM and Media:

If the news as reported in today's Journal Sentinel turns out to be true, give all of yourselves a collective pat on the back. You, through all of your tireless efforts, helped to bring down one of the most well entrenched governors in history!

I always new that it was a possiblity that we could intimidate Jim Doyle into retiring from WI politics and we may never know how large or small a role we played in his final decision but I guarantee you that our latest P.I.E. strategy was the cherry on the sundae. This guy had skeletons in his closet that he didn't want anyone to ever see and we were about to bring them out for the whole world to see.

My heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you, including those no longer active with us, for your citizen activist role in making this happen. Ordinary people, such as the 6000 of you from our Recall Doyle effort, do make the difference! TODAY YOU SHINE!

Sincerely,
Vince
Vince Schmuki/ Representing WIN-Wisconsinites Interest Now For the Recall Doyle Team

Let's be serious for a moment here. Unless I hear differently from the governor himself, there is no reason to believe that the failed recall effort that did not even get to the signature-gathering stage had any impact on Governor Doyle's decision to not seek re-election. If anything, their failure to capture the attention of the state would have been a thumb on the scale in favor of running again. It would be as if Churchill claimed the attack on Gallipoli forced the Turks to surrender.

The recall was a mistaken effort with nothing to show for it except for some frustrated volunteers and lost productive time. Perhaps before someone listens to CRG and considers recalling a public official, they should consider this debacle - and the Sullivan debacle - first. Or they could just read my columns and blog posts on when a recall is appropriate.

Silly political scorekeeping

2009-08-16T22:52:00.005-05:00

Liberal bloggers are upset, even apoplectic, that a conservative blogger would dare to suggest that if Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett had a concealed gun, he might not have suffered the injuries he did. Wow, conservatives are just rotten people.

Except when a more-prominent liberal blog runs a blog post by uber-liberal Keith Schmitz making the exact opposite point while using the lead pipe attack against the mayor.

Of course, it didn't occur to the liberal bloggers that their faux indignation is also just using the attack for more political points.

Wow, liberals are just rotten people.

As for the attack itself, if such a poll were conducted I truly believe Mayor Barrett would be voted the least-likely politician to ever be physically assaulted. C'mon, the biggest scandal of the guy's career was getting pulled over for speeding while delivering his daughter's girl scout cookies. It's terrible that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time trying to do the right thing and getting brutally attacked for it. The Wigderson family wishes him a speedy recovery.

We interrupt this summer vacation

2009-08-16T00:11:00.001-05:00

Politico is reporting Governor Jim Doyle is expected to announce Monday he is not seeking re-election. Kevin at Lakeshore Laments is following the details. Jed at Boots and Sabers is taking additional guesses in case Monday's announcement is something else, like Doyle's dentist isn't licensed in Wisconsin, too. The Spring City Chronicle says the news is better than a State Fair cream puff. Former State Senator Cathy Stepp predicts the Democratic nominee will be Congressman Ron Kind. RPW Chairman Reince Preibus will be doing his victory dance on Up Front with Mike Gousha Sunday morning.

Just some quick additional thoughts:

Is Mike Tate the least-qualified state chairman of any party you have ever seen asked to defend a now-open seat?

I know some liberal bloggers are going to try to claim Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton will be a formidable candidate. No, really, they will. Even assuming that she's more competent than generally perceived, they should keep in mind that lieutenant governors get all of the blame and none of the credit for the administrations they serve. Since none of the other likely Democratic candidates for governor are going to show any love for the Doyle administration, look for Lawton to be an easy punching bag.

Obama the god

2009-08-05T17:23:00.000-05:00

“Narcissus, what was the sense of that Colchester joke of Vettius Valens’s? Something about the Britons worshipping me as a God.”

Narcissus said: “It was not altogether a joke, Caesar. In fact. You may as well know that a temple at Colchester has been dedicated to the God Claudius Augustus. They have been worshipping you there since the early summer. But I’ve only just heard about it.”

“So that’s why I feel so queer. I’ve been turning into a God!”

- “Claudius the God and His Wife Messalina.” By Robert Graves

ST JOHN'S, Antigua – Antigua's highest mountain officially became "Mount Obama" on Tuesday as the small Caribbean nation celebrated the American president on his birthday and saluted him as a symbol of black achievement.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer presided over the re-christening ceremony at the base of the mountain, unveiling a stone sculpture and plaque honoring the president as an inspiration in the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda and throughout the Caribbean.

"This great political achievement by Barack Obama resonated with me in a way that I felt compelled to do something symbolic and inspiring," Spencer told the crowd of about 300, including several U.S. officials, at the base of the mountain near the island's southern coast.

- From the Associated Press “Antigua's highest peak renamed 'Mount Obama'”

Town Hall battles

2009-08-04T21:57:00.002-05:00

Vicki McKenna just posted the following on her Facebook page:

Vicki McKenna just heard moveon.org is sabotaging Americans for Prosperity efforts to get taxpayers to townhall meetings by hijacking their phones lines. also heard that SEIU is paying members to harrass buses loaded w/taxpayers on their way to meetings. AND an appleton taxpayer just confirmed that there was a busload of paid pro-Kagen union members trying to hijack the last town hall. BUT IT'S NOT WORKING. So keep it up!

Welcome Sonic to Waukesha

2009-08-02T23:34:00.000-05:00

This weekend the Wigderson family tried Sonic for the first time. I know, I know, we live a sheltered life. Anyway, I was impressed. Anytime I can get meals on wheels without qualifying for state aid is pretty good.

I tried the SuperSonic Cheeseburger with the works, tater tots on the side. Pretty good hamburger for fast food delivered on roller skates. The tater tots were definitely a pleasant substitute for fries. I can't wait to try the chili tater tots on the next visit.

The lovely Doreen from Waukesha tried the Bacon Cheeseburger Toaster with onion rings on the side. The Toaster's bread actually had taste, and she really liked the hickory sauce. The onion rings were definitely different than standard bread, grease and sauce. They had a sweet flavor. Vanilla?

But while I had a Lake Michigan-sized Coca-Cola, Doreen had a strawberry Lime-aid Chiller. Definitely the best part of the meal.

The kids each had the chicken tender kids meals. The tenders were pretty good, too. The french fries were okay. Does anyone make a great french fry anymore?

The good news is that the breakfast and lunch options are available open-to-close. That's good for my family as I like cheeseburgers for breakfast while my wife likes breakfast food for dinner.

Sonic opens in Waukesha, 2208 E. Moreland Blvd, tomorrow at 6:00 AM. If the West Milwaukee Sonic is any indication of the amount of business they can expect, the service road in front of Steins is going to be packed.

Maybe they should run shuttles from Frame Park?

Blog update

2009-08-02T19:41:00.000-05:00

I'm still looking at a September 8th return to regular blogging. The blog will be at a new website. The change in the look of the website will be substantial, and I can't wait for all of you to see it. Of course, I can't wait to see it myself. My thanks for the advice that I have been given so far, as well as your good wishes.

If you're interested at advertising at the new website, please let me know.

And, sorry Quietman, I don't plan to have any page 3 girls. Well, maybe I'll change my mind. :)

For Democrats the policy is not honesty

2009-07-30T21:35:00.000-05:00

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Jul 30, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:8A

Dems’ tax claims dishonest
Taxes supposedly not going up, yet we pay more

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

Can we find an honest man? I like politicians, but I’m not sure I would want my daughter to ever date one. It’s too bad when politicians go out of their way to confirm our low opinions of them.

On the television program “Up Front with Mike Gousha” that aired last Sunday, Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate claimed that 99 percent of Wisconsin’s taxpayers would not see a tax increase as a result of the state budget.

Neither host Mike Gousha nor Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus corrected Tate’s statement.

We might forgive Priebus for not flat-out calling Tate a liar. After all, he has a message to sell that Governor Doyle is extremely vulnerable to a challenge by either former congressman Mark Neumann or Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. Doyle’s approval rating, according to Priebus, is in the “low 30s” and Tate’s defense of the state budget was with that in mind.

Tate messed up his talking points. The correct line is, “Assembly Democrats approved a plan that protects 99 percent of Wisconsinites from an income tax increase, holds the line on property taxes, and contains no across-theboard sales tax or payroll tax hike.”

That is from an op-ed piece in the Capital Times written by Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Nelson. The Democrat from Kaukauna also wrote, “we spared our working and middle-class families from burdensome tax increases.”

Nelson neglects to define for his readers what “holds the line on property taxes” really means. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis of the budget says property taxes on the median home in Wisconsin will go up $93 this year and $123 next year. As I pointed out in this column two weeks ago, Waukesha residents are possibly looking at a 13 percent increase in just their school property tax.

This is on top of all of the other taxes and fees raised in the state budget, including the capital gains tax increase, the phone tax increase, the hospital bed tax increase, and the nursing home bed tax increase.

Let us be blunt: Nelson is not telling the truth when he claims Democrats “spared our working and middle-class families from burdensome tax increases.”

Tate has a history of not being honest. During the campaign on amending the state constitution to ban gay marriage, Tate’s Fair Wisconsin Committee made deceptive phone calls to voters that were condemned by both sides.

Nelson recently made the news by not answering questions first posed by Jerry Bader of WTAQ on how a special favor for the Oneida tribe made it into the state budget. The tribe can now avoid local authorities and go directly to the state for their liquor license.

This is the leadership of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin as we head into next year’s elections. If this is the kind of conduct they are going to continue to engage in, the imperative to remove them from power no longer remains an economic issue. It becomes a moral issue.

* * *

If you’ll indulge me, I have a couple of updates on items discussed in previous columns.

Last week, I wrote about the enrollment cap placed by Governor Doyle and Democrats in the Legislature on the state’s virtual schools. As the column went to print, news came from the Department of Public Instruction that any students remaining on the waiting list made it into a virtual school for the upcoming academic year.

Normally this would be very good news except when you consider we have no way of knowing how many parents could not wait until the end of July to find out where their child is attending school this fall.

Worse, many parents were confronted with having one child enrolled in a virtual school but another child stuck on the waiting list. They were confronted with the choice: risk splitting the kids up or pull the child that made it.

Speaking of up in the air, Brett Favre decided Tuesday not to play for the Minnesota Vikings, even after I urged Packer fans to accept his playing for another team.

OK, but does Deanna know yet?

JAMES WIGDERSON

The cost of politically correct policing

2009-07-25T17:10:00.002-05:00

From Time Magazine, "Crimes of the Century":

His surname is now synonymous with "monster." Yet at least 17 times, Jeffrey Dahmer was able to get young men and boys to come home with him. In one incident, on the night of May 27, 1991 in Milwaukee, a 14-year-old managed to escape and wandered into the streets with Dahmer in pursuit. When the cops started asking questions, Dahmer was able to convince the police that it was merely a lovers' quarrel. The police conclusion: "Intoxicated Asian, naked male. Was returned to his sober boyfriend."

The next time a cop answers a 911 call, will he remember Konerak Sinthasomphone or will he remember Henry Louis "Skip" Gates?

Virtual Schools dispatch for Wisconsin Interest

2009-07-20T19:06:00.006-05:00

I have a small "dispatch" regarding the virtual schools enrollment cap online at the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute's website. The article is about two families who are hoping their children can attend Waukesha's IQ Academy this fall but are currently on the waiting list. An excerpt:

For parents like Deana Sheppard and Kathleen Seipel, the uncertainty is excruciating as they try to plan for school this fall. They have children on the waiting list for the state’s 14 virtual schools. Will they get in...or not?

That waiting list is the product of the new enrollment cap of 5,250 online students, insisted upon by Gov. Jim Doyle, as part of the political compromise engineered by the Legislature last year. The compromise kept the publicly run online schools open after the state’s largest teachers union won a lawsuit challenging state funding of the virtual schools.

Passing a budget on time does not make a better budget

2009-07-16T17:57:00.000-05:00

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Jul 16, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:8A

Democrats’ math fuzzy on school aid
Districts can do better at cutting, too

State Democrats are congratulating themselves on two points. They made the trains run on time; they passed the state budget just before the deadline.

They also claim that 99 percent of us will not see a tax increase.

If they had taken just a little more time with the budget they would have recognized they did not even come close to their 99 percent threshold. Even their own budget document lists so many tax and fee increases you would have to be a contortionist to get around them.

But their budget also plays a cruel game of peek-a-boo with taxpayers. The Democrats hide tax increases by pushing them to the local level. Taxpayers in the Waukesha School District are discovering the first of these hidden taxes.

The Waukesha School District is getting hit with a $6 million reduction in state aid. Never fear, we’re told. This does not mean an actual cut in school spending. It means the district will raise local property taxes to make up for the shortfall, a 10.51 percent increase in the tax levy.

This is where the math gets tricky. To figure out how much your taxes are going up, you need to account for the rate increase and the increase in the value of your home.

Freeman columnist Pete Kennedy reported back in April the average increase in value for a residential property was 2.4 percent. A home previously valued at $175,000 taxed at $8.09 per $1,000 would have paid $1,415.75. The same home with the increase in value and the increased tax rate of $8.94 per $1,000 will now see a tax bill of $1,602.05, a 13.2 percent property tax increase. A home previously valued at $200,000 will see an increase in taxes from $1,618 to $1,830.92.

Remember, that is just the school property tax increase.

School board member William Baumgart wished “the media” would report that the expected tax increase is the result of the Legislature’s budget and not action taken by the board. That is not quite true.

The school board could have done a better job of cutting expenses in the past, reducing the total amount needed to run the school district. It could still find economies in the operation, reducing the need for raised property taxes.

Already the New Berlin School District is taking action to reduce the amount of increased burden on their taxpayers. Waukesha should follow suit.

But Democrats in Madison shoulder most of the blame for this fiasco. In their haste to pass a budget “on time” they used old data for their education numbers. Worse, whatever tinkering they did to the state’s equalization formula to accommodate an “across the board” cut in state aid seems to have resulted in unequal results. For example, the Madison and Hartland school districts both saw an increase in state aid.

No wonder the school district and Superintendent Todd Gray have sent a letter to the Department of Public Instruction suggesting the cut in aid may not meet the state’s constitutional requirements. State Rep. Bill Kramer’s office is also looking into whether the aid cuts meets constitutional standards.

Perhaps if the Madison Democrats had taken a little more time to do the state budget properly, and had actually created the budget in the public eye rather than behind closed doors, there would not be so many questions about how the cuts in aid were distributed among the state’s school districts.

Gov. Jim Doyle wants to completely open up the whole school funding formula this fall. Some Democratic legislators who have school districts disproportionately affected by the aid cuts may be sympathetic to Doyle’s effort.

But before we trust the Democrats to rewrite state law regarding the school funding formula, we should have a complete understanding of how they so badly screwed up the current situation. Their competency to handle such a complex question is at issue.

Waukesha residents should be wary, too, for the Democrats do not have our best interests at heart. This time the cuts may be the result of error. In order to give more to districts like Milwaukee and Madison, Democrats are likely to give Waukesha even less in aid. On purpose, next time.

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

JAMES WIGDERSON

Out on the streets and into the voting booth

2009-07-14T18:17:00.000-05:00

My column from last Thursday's Waukesha Freeman was on giving the vote to those with felony convictions still under state sanction but no longer behind bars:

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Jul 9, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:10A

People released from prison should be able to vote

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

There are very few restrictions on the ability to vote in Wisconsin. You must be a citizen. You must have been a resident of Wisconsin for 10 days. You must not be a felon who is currently on parole, on probation or under extended supervision.

No problem for me. My involvement with state and local law enforcement is limited to explaining to them that having a lead foot is probably covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For approximately 42,000 Wisconsin residents it is a problem, according to the Wisconsin chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. They are not in prison. They have been convicted of a felony and have been released from prison back into the community, but remain under the state’s supervision.

Unlike what you might expect, these are not just African-Americans in Milwaukee. The majority of the disenfranchised live outside Milwaukee County, and the majority of the disenfranchised are white.

It is true that the impact falls disproportionately on African-Americans. The ACLU points out that one in nine of African-Americans in this state are disenfranchised. A law that has that much of a disproportionate impact on the voting rights on one segment of a society should be at least questioned.

It is not as if we have a general principle against felons voting. Once someone has been released from the state’s watchful eye, the law allows them to vote.

To further complicate matters, Wisconsin’s neighbors, Illinois and Michigan, already allow their citizens to vote if they have been convicted of a felony but are not in prison, along with 18 other states. There is no hard rule consistently enforced, leading to confusion and potential problems at the polls.

Wisconsin spends a great deal of effort and money to determine who is eligible to vote. Unfortunately, the list-keeping is done by the state’s Government Accountability Board, the successor to the state elections board.

The GAB spent $22.7 million to create a statewide voter database as required by federal law. Attempts to match the list with a list of ineligible voters provided by the state Department of Corrections have not been successful, and the state has resorted to providing paper lists to municipalities at election time. Those paper lists have proven to be inaccurate in some cases.

So we have an inadequate method of controlling who votes in a situation where the rules are inconsistently applied. To what end?

There is certainly the argument of punishment, that felons by the nature of their crimes have rendered themselves unfit to fully participate in society. However, by releasing them from prison our society is already making the statement that these felons should be re-integrated into society, and that there is some social good in doing so.

That re-integration process should include voting. Again, according to the ACLU, felons who vote are half as likely to re-offend as felons who do not vote. We may argue which is the cause and which is the effect, but the relationship is there, and it’s not hard to understand why.

When this country was founded, the right to vote was largely restricted to propertied white males. The argument was that these men had the greatest stake in the country and therefore should have the greatest amount of say at the ballot box.

But voting itself is a claim of a stake in the community. By encouraging those we release from prison to vote, we encourage them to have a stake in their community. This makes it less likely for them to return to the crimes against their community.

A bill will soon be introduced in the Legislature to allow those who have been released into society to regain their right to vote. The bill does not give the vote to those who remain incarcerated, only those that society has seen fit to release. We should encourage those that have been released to take a responsible role in society, and granting them the vote is an important part of that.

JAMES WIGDERSON

Honor the flag by not amending the constitution

2009-07-02T16:45:00.000-05:00

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Jul 2, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:8A

Celebrate flag, freedom it represents
Liberties taken for granted shouldn’t be given up easily

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

I had the honor recently of attending a flag retirement ceremony.

Before the flags were destroyed, the Scout master reminded us that what was about to occur was not a protest but a dignified end to flags too worn to be flown. As taps played, a group of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts presented flag after flag for burning.

The next day, my son and a few of the younger Scouts accompanied the Scout master into the woods to find a suitable place to bury the remains. The lesson in patriotism he learned that weekend was well worth the extra mosquito bites.

As we approach our Independence Day it’s a good time to remember the reasons our flag is so important. It’s the symbol of our country, a country founded for freedom. In honoring our flag we honor our country and we honor its freedoms.

Too often, we take those freedoms for granted, especially the freedom of speech. How often have you heard someone say, “I’m for freedom of speech, but...?” And then they offer some rationale why someone else’s freedom of speech should be curtailed.

The excuses offered often sound reasonable, pragmatic, even patriotic. Then laws get passed curtailing free speech rights in political campaigns, in peaceful protests, and even in criticizing our government.

Some would even put the American flag above the freedoms it represents. They would ban any desecration of the flag, including burning the flag in protest. When the Supreme Court ruled that laws protecting the flag from this abuse were unconstitutional, efforts began to amend the constitution. In 2006, the effort fell short in the U.S. Senate by only one vote.

Unfortunately, for many senators it was an “easy” vote. After all, who wants to be against the American flag?

But what would constitute flag desecration? Local radio personality Vicki McKenna caught some flak when her radio program first began airing on WISN. As part of the promotion for the show, she put on the Internet a picture of herself draped in the flag. Get it? She was draping herself in the flag.

The humor of the photo was lost on many who began citing chapter and verse of the U.S. Flag Code.

As we drive around town this weekend, I wonder how many giant inflatable flags will be decorating lawns. How many improperly displayed flags without the proper 24-hour lighting will there be? How many people will be unfolding flags that were not properly folded when they were put away last year?

These are not people who are intentionally disrespecting the flag, any more than McKenna. Instead they are celebrating the importance of the flag and the feelings of patriotism it inspires.

I would hardly want them locked up and the key thrown away.

In protecting the flag, the symbol of our freedoms, too many of us would give freedom away in the name of patriotism. Part of free speech is to allow others to do and say things that are really unpopular, even unpopular to the point of discrediting their cause.

I can think of no more swift refutation of someone’s argument than their own action of taking a match to the American flag. Once that occurs, it’s likely their speech will fall upon deaf ears.

But it’s their right to make such a statement about themselves, their cause and our country. In the name of patriotism we should not try to suppress their speech.

In a recent op-ed piece for The Freeman supporting the proposed constitutional amendment, state Sen. Mary Lazich wrote, “Reflect upon the enormous significance of the Stars and Stripes and the many heroic Americans that gave so much defending its honor so that we may live in the greatest, freest country in the world.”

This weekend would be a great opportunity to do so, even as we respectfully reject Lazich’s and others’ calls to amend the constitution. For if we ever reach the day that a law or a constitutional amendment is really required to compel our respect for the flag and the country it stands for, we will have much bigger problems than a protester with a match.

JAMES WIGDERSON

Time to let Brett Favre go

2009-06-25T16:56:00.000-05:00

Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Jun 25, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:10A

4give Favre for turning purple
Fans need to move on as QB does

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

Not since pro wrestling’s Hulk Hogan turned “heel” and disappointed all the little Hulkamaniacs has a sports-entertainment figure so disappointed his fan base. Green Bay Packers fans are just not accepting the likely event of Brett Favre becoming the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.

Yes, it’s increasingly likely Brett Favre will be trading in his green No. 4 from last year, which was a different shade of green than the previous year, for the color purple. Who knew he was such a fan of Alice Walker?

Brett Favre will be joining legendary Viking quarterbacks like Fran Tarkenton and ... Fran Tarkenton.

Funny I should mention Tarkenton, because he is not looking forward to Brett Favre becoming a Minnesota Viking, either. On his blog, Tarkenton explained why:

“See, it’s about TEAM in football. It’s not about Brett Favre or Fran Tarkenton or John Elway. It’s about TEAM. Teams win – individuals lose. And so I express the opinion that Brett Favre is wrong, and I believe that right now. I think it is wrong for the Vikings and I think it is wrong for Green Bay. I think it is just wrong. But I kind of want him to go because if he goes there to Minnesota I believe he will burn every bridge he has in Green Bay. The disloyalty! Can you imagine if Ray Nitschke would have retired then gone to play for the Minnesota Vikings? Don’t we feel strongly about our teams?”

The sarcastic among you might wonder if Tarkenton is worried Favre will do something with the Vikings’ Tarkenton could not accomplish: win a Super Bowl. But, ironically, I think former Viking Tarkenton sums up what many Green Bay Packers fans are feeling.

I think they need to let it go.

I know it’s easy for me to say. After all, I’m loyal to a different NFL team, the one with the big star on the helmet and the big egos. I’m used to the drama and the tantrums, and that’s just in the front office.

But Packers fans are living a fantasy if they think that the legends will always remain with one team.

When Deion Sanders became a Dallas Cowboy, one of my friends told me he could not imagine Sanders in a Cowboy uniform after the way he helped crush the Cowboys the year before as a San Francisco 49er. Today, most Cowboys fans remember Deion Sanders as one of the best things about the Barry Switzer era.

Terrell Owens with the 49ers danced on the star in the center of Texas Stadium and was decked by former Packer George Teague. The last two seasons, he’s been a drama queen as a Dallas Cowboy.

Dallas isn’t the only team to go get hired guns. When Marcus Allen left the Raiders, he joined their division rivals the Kansas City Chiefs. That rivalry is probably more intense than the Packers-Vikings rivalry.

Closer to home, Chicago Bears great Jim McMahon finished his career as a Green Bay Packer. How many Bears fans stopped singing the “Super Bowl Shuffle” as a result?

Do you remember tight end Keith Jackson, who held out half the season because he didn’t want to play in Green Bay? Yet, the fans still cheered when he scored touchdowns.

How about Don Beebe? Do you think Buffalo Bills fans were upset that he finally played for a team that won the Super Bowl?

Why were those players brought in? Because they could help the team win. Not because they were nice. Not because they always dreamed of playing in Green Bay. Because they could win.

Why did Packers fans love Brett Favre? Because he could win. He wasn’t a loyal Wisconsinite. He even had a drug problem, and we still don’t know where he got the extra prescription drugs. But Packers fans forgave him because he was a winner.

We will never know if Brett Favre had stayed with the Packers last year how well he would have played, or if the team would have done better. I thought it was a mistake for the team to let him go.

But that was last year. Favre moved on. Time for the fans to move on, too.

JAMES WIGDERSON

Closed for the summer

2009-06-18T19:54:00.001-05:00

Today is this blog’s fifth anniversary. Five years ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to launch this experiment. I had no idea what I was doing when I started. I had no idea where this blog would take me.

Five years is a long time for a blog. Most blogs end after a matter of days. One ex-Waukesha blogger told me, “Blogging sucks.” Well, it depends.

If you are getting into blogging because you want to change the world, yes, it sucks. Blogging is pretty limited and requires a great deal of time and energy.

If you are getting into blogging because you love to write, that’s a different story. Blogging allows you to write what you want to write when you want to write. I still love blogging, and I have no complaints. Okay, a few, but not many.

I have never run out of things to write about. I’m lucky that way. I have avoided the burnout which is so common to bloggers. If I wasn't re-writing this post, I would be writing on any of a hundred different other topics.

I’m lucky to have built up an audience. Some blogs never gain that traction. Other blogs get huge audiences but don’t have anything meaningful to say. I have a modest audience, but I hope that I have kept you entertained and informed for these five years.

I have certainly enjoyed hearing from my readers. Not just the comments but the e-mails, phone calls and letters.

But all good things must come to an end. I’m taking some time off from blog writing to pursue other challenges. I’m also going to take some time to build a new website which will launch in September.

That means, sadly, the Wigderson Library & Pub is closing.

This weekend will be the first weekend in a long time I won’t be thinking about what I want to write next week in the blog. I’ll be camping with my son, far away from a computer. I’ll be reading the news with the rest of you instead of chasing it.

It will be weird.

I am still going to write my column for the Waukesha Freeman. I have not planned on taking any time away from that. For those of you that don't subscribe to the Waukesha Freeman, I still be posting my column here.

I will also continue on Twitter and Facebook, so please do feel free to follow me there. If and when other things pop up I promise to announce them here, as well.

I can't wait for my new website in September. I hope you can't wait either.

Thank you again for all of your support and encouragement. We will be together again soon. I promise.

Yo Babsie!

2009-06-18T19:49:00.000-05:00

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) is just a little bit full of herself.

"Ma'am" is not only a polite and respectful manner of address but it also happens to be the way female superior officers are addressed in the military. Heck, upon meeting the queen would someone say "ma'am" or would they say "queen?"

Maybe he should have pulled a Letterman and said, "Yes, Senator, and by the way that is a nice slutty stewardess look you have going today."

Is that smell of garbage or hypocrisy?

2009-06-18T17:45:00.001-05:00

D'oh! To quote the philosopher Colonel Potter, "Some men are born to garbage, some men have it thrust upon them." Here's a case where one state representative voted for the new garbage tipping fee increase (255%) forgetting he was opposed to it.

Always rough when your next opponent can just run your commercials against you.

Update! It looks like Hintz removed the video. Coward.

State budget won't be good for Democrats regardless if Doyle is running

2009-06-18T17:12:00.001-05:00

Is the state budget a suicide pact between the governor and the legislature? That's the question I asked in this week's column for the Waukesha Freeman.

Despite claims, state budget hurts middle class, increases spending

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

Is the state budget a suicide pact? This last weekend found Democrats in the Green Bay area holding their state convention and defending their state budget from Republican criticism. The Democrats are telling two lies about the budget. They claim it will not affect the middle class. The MacIver Institute and blogger Steve Eggleston concede that’s true if:

None of your earnings will be from capital gains. You will not drive. You will not smoke (unless you shop at an Indian reservation tobacco store). You will not drink. You will not get sick enough to enter a hospital or urgent care center. You will not purchase over-the-counter drugs. You will not buy downloaded software, songs or videos. You will not shop in Milwaukee County, Calumet County, Winnebago County, Outagamie County, Eau Claire County, Chippewa County or the urbanized portion of Dane County. You will not shop at a business or buy from a business that has operations both within and outside of Wisconsin. You will not own a business. You will not rent a vehicle in Milwaukee County, Racine County or Kenosha County. You will not own any real estate. You will not own a phone. You will not rent any real estate. You will not operate a power boat. You will not operate any small engines requiring gas for operation.

The second lie is that the budget spends less money. It does not. It only spends less in general purpose revenue but actually spends more total money thanks to misspending the stimulus funds and raiding segregated fees. When that money is gone, Democrats will be forced again to either raise taxes or make spending cuts.

Since they had no problem with raising taxes during a recession, what do you think the likely outcome will be in the next budget cycle? The Democrats control the budget process, and the Republicans will bear zero responsibility for the final product.

Not by choice, of course. The Republicans in the state Assembly offered over 100 amendments to the budget only to see them rejected. Democrats, on the other hand, wrote changes into the budget in their caucus sessions and then presented them to the legislative chambers fait accompli.

We might forgive Republicans then for washing their hands of the most radical budget in state history, as it was certainly not of their making.

No, the fault lies with the Democrats, and the burden is heavy upon them. Most heavily does the burden fall upon Governor Doyle, who proposed most of what remains in the state budget and who will shape the final version with his veto power.

A new poll by a Democratic pollster, Public Policy Polling, shows the governor now trailing his two possible Republican rivals in popularity. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker now leads Governor Doyle 48 percent to 40 percent, and former Congressman Mark Neumann leads Doyle 42 percent to 41 percent.

The pollster is careful to point out that it’s not Walker’s or Neumann’s popularity driving the poll numbers, but rather the governor’s unpopularity. Governor Doyle has an unfavorable rating of 60 percent. Among independents the number is 69 percent.

There is speculation that the governor will not seek another term next year. This budget is too radical and the governor will be too unpopular to stand for re-election.

However, the governor was thought to be vulnerable in the last election cycle. That is when Doyle’s supporters muddied then-Congressman Mark Green’s reputation so badly Doyle coasted to an easy victory.

The other problem with believing the governor will not seek re-election is that it does not explain why so many of his fellow Democrats are willing to go along with this budget. They, too, will have to stand for election after this debacle.

Sometimes Democrats just have to be Democrats. When the opportunity came to write the budget without any Republican interference, the Democrats took full advantage. Now it’s just a matter of whether their political fortunes will survive the coming fallout.

JAMES WIGDERSON

Hint

2009-06-18T05:15:00.000-05:00

West Bend library board goes completely 'round the bend

2009-06-17T23:27:00.003-05:00

The West Bend library board is meeting tomorrow night to decide whether to hire their own attorney to fight open records requests.

The extremely short notice is troubling. On the agenda is to hire an outside attorney - someone other than the city attorney - to represent the Library Board. The reason is because some of the Library Board members were not happy with Mary Schanning’s advice (West Bend’s City Attorney) that they must disclose their emails regarding the public library’s business.

Owen Robinson has the details on why this will just lead to an ugly mess.

All this because the board wouldn't agree to merely move some books from the youth section of the library to the adult section, even though they were clearly inappropriate for children. Now the library board finally found something they don't want people to read - their e-mails.

Some possible Sullivan irony

2009-06-17T23:01:00.004-05:00

State Senator Jim Sullivan was the lone State Senate Democrat to vote against the state budget. The budget passed anyway. If there wasn't already pressure on him because of the recall effort, would he have voted for the budget? And would that have made him easier to defeat next year?

We may never know.

I want to take a moment to respond to Bill Savage's complaints about my blog post and my newspaper column opposing the Sullivan recall.

I have no idea whether Savage “insisted” on getting a rebuttal published in the Waukesha Freeman as he said he would. Usually easier to just ask nicely.

I have since learned from Chris Kliesmet the reason given on the petitions is “Failing to protect Freedom, Liberties and Property Rights”. The phrase surely lacks both any sense of perspective as well as any specificity. I’m sure similar charges were used to send men to the guillotine during The Terror. The next time I’m in Savage’s drinking establishment I shall remember to raise a glass in a toast, “To liberty and totality!”

As I said before, too bad the recall petitioner is not required to state an actual reason for recall. It would be interesting to see with what Savage and CRG come up.

But let’s deal with his other criticisms. Savage says the smoking ban in Wauwatosa does not apply to taverns. The smoking ban does not exclude drinking establishments that earn more than 50% of their income from food purchases. That is why Hector’s, Biggs Roadhouse and Open Hearth had to apply for exemptions from the policy.

That said, was Savage only upset when his ox got gored? Because to most rational observers the difference of above and below the exemption line was hardly a matter of principle. The time for this lesson in freedom was when the aldermen (including Sullivan) passed this law locally if it is meant sincerely.

As for not listening to his constituents, since Sullivan was in favor of the ban as an alderman, and in favor of the ban when he was elected to the state senate, it hardly follows that he was not listening to his constituents since they knowingly voted for him anyway, both in spite of and because of his stand on smoking in public establishments. If Savage has a reasonable complaint it’s with his fellow citizens who elected Sullivan in the first place, not with the elected official that followed through on his stated beliefs.

(Note: Savage can correct me on this point but I do not believe he is actually a resident of the district, which means only that his representation failed to persuade Sullivan. If that is the case, the “failure to defend” would surely mean that representative or state senator’s recall.)

Whether or not so many of his constituents see this as a matter of freedom is debateable, and certainly the electoral evidence so far would convince even “deep thinkers” such as myself otherwise.

I would also doubt that there are truly “thousands” within his district that do not care about Sullivan’s party identification that have an opinion on the recall, either for or against. Savage’s assertion is either disingenuous or delusional.

My suggestion to Savage is to drop the recall. If he insists on going forward, I would suggest he manage his legislative time card well. He might be careful, too, not to issue his rebuttal on the legislative clock. After all, he’s already under one investigation.

Quote of the day

2009-06-17T17:03:00.000-05:00

"In other eras, a disgraced Benedictine monk would disappear into obscure days of prayer and penitential labor; these days he publishes a tribute to homosexuality and anxiously awaits a booking to appear on Charlie Rose and Oprah."

George Neumayr, The Catholic World Report, "Pilgrim's Regress"

Bill Kramer claims Democrats are hostile to taxpayers

2009-06-16T22:36:00.000-05:00

This is an excerpt from the latest e-newsletter from State Representative Bill Kramer. I'm reprinting it here because I think it of interest to my readers, especially those from Waukesha.

Biennial State Budget Update

During the early morning hours on Saturday (just as most people had begun brewing their coffee), the Wisconsin State Assembly had just finished a long night of debate and passed its version of the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

This budget, that was crafted beyond the prying eyes of the press and public by just a handful of key, Madison-area legislators, was simply an irresponsible document that pitted taxpayers against state government. You lost.

Despite the rhetoric of shared sacrifice coming from the budget's authors, the fact is that this budget -- despite the current recession -- will increase state government spending by 6.3% and increase taxes by $2.25 billion. In just five short months, the liberal majority in the State Assembly has proposed raising taxes by nearly $5 billion. Sacrifice is voluntary -- this budget was downright extortion.

The budget that passed the Assembly will increase property taxes on average by over $300 and still cuts aid to our local schools and repeals a key mechanism for controlling local school costs, the Qualified Economic Offer, or QEO.

Moreover, despite claims from supporters of this budget, the state is still left with a $2.3 billion structural deficit because of accounting gimmicks and the irresponsible use of one-time money.

Dick Butkus, the famed Chicago Bear, once said, "If I was smart enough to be a doctor, I'd be a doctor. I ain't, so I'm a football player."

Similarly situated, that seems to explain the downright hostility the Democrat majority has exhibited towards Wisconsin taxpayers and job creators. Their intellectual vacuity and failure to understand economic relationships has undermined job creators, working families, budget stability and the overall competitiveness of the state.

If you own a home, use a phone, buy gas, have a child at the UW, download music, have car insurance, or even take your garbage to the curb, you will end up paying more in taxes and fees and just the cost of eveyday living for your family will increase. And this certainly says nothing of the increase in taxes on job creators which will reduce Wisconsin's global competitiveness and hurt our working families with the prospect of yet even more job losses.

The process now moves to the State Senate where they are expected to act as soon as today, more likely tomorrow, on their version of the biennial budget.

When the going gets tough, the tough go golfing

2009-06-15T23:07:00.003-05:00

Well, yeah, when it starts costing them money...

2009-06-15T22:10:00.003-05:00

Late night talk show host David Letterman apologized again on Monday to the Palin family for his "joke" regarding Willow Palin:

On Monday's edition of "Late Show," Letterman explained that the risque joke thought by some to have targeted Palin's underage daughter, Willow, was actually referring to 18-year-old daughter Bristol. The name of the daughter wasn't mentioned in the joke, which was part of Letterman's monologue on last Monday's show.

It was "a coarse joke," "a bad joke," Letterman told viewers. "But I never thought it was (about) anybody other than the older daughter, and before the show, I checked to make sure, in fact, that she is of legal age, 18."

"The joke, really, in and of itself, can't be defended," he declared.

The apology follows news that CBS has lost an advertiser on its website:

Embassy Suites, part of the Hilton Hotels Corp., pulled advertising on CBS' site because of complaints, company spokeswoman Kendra Walker told TVGuide.com. The company was not an advertiser on Late Night with David Letterman.

"We received lots of e-mails from concerned guests and we assessed that the statement that he made was offensive enough to our guests and prospective guests that we elected to take the ads down," Walker said.

CBS did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Letterman's apology was less defensive than his previous "apology" and seemed to understand the uproar:

On Monday's show, Letterman said, "I'm wondering, 'Well, what can I do to help people understand that I would never make a joke like this?' I've never made jokes like this, as long as we've been on the air, 30 long years."

If that's the misconception — that the joke was aimed at a 14-year-old — he understands why people are upset, he said. "I would be upset myself." Letterman has said from the beginning that he thought the Palin daughter who attended the Yankee game was Bristol.

"I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke," he said. "It's not your fault that it was misunderstood, it's my fault that it was misunderstood."

He apologized to both daughters, "and also to the Governor and her family and everybody else who was outraged by the joke," he said as the studio audience applauded. "I'm sorry about it, and I'll try to do better in the future."

He's still not funny. However, I'm hoping the Palins at this point consider the matter closed since the apology is probably the most they can reasonably expect.

Walker's Point fundraiser for two wounded police officers

2009-06-15T17:40:00.000-05:00

Members of the Walker's Point business community are hosting a fundraiser event this Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM to benefit police officers officers Bryan Norberg and Graham Kunisch who were shot multiple times on June 9th in the Walker's Point area.

Members of the Walker's Point businesses community are organizing TYMPD (Thank You, Milwaukee Police Department), a one-day block party on Saturday, June 20 outside of Steny's Tavern, 800 S. 2nd St.

The family-friendly event is free to attend an features live music from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be food and drinks available for purchase, with all proceeds going to the police officers and their families.

Vukmir statement on the state budget

2009-06-15T00:01:00.001-05:00

State Representative Leah Vukmir reacted to the Assembly's passage of the state budget in her e-mail newsletter. Here is an excerpt:

The Spin vs. Reality
Some of the early budget spin coming out of the capitol in defense of the budget includes claims that this budget has real spending cuts. That's simply not true. The budget increases overall spending by 6.3%, which is $3.7 billion more than the previous budget. Reducing the amount of a spending increase is not the same as a spending cut!

They are also claiming they are cutting the state payroll by over 1,300 government positions. The fact is that these are vacant positions and they have agreed to leave them unfilled during the two-year budget cycle.

The Democrats are also critical of Republicans for not offering an alternative. We did offer suggestions and our members on the Joint Finance Committee were outspoken in their criticism of a budget they knew would take our state in the wrong direction.

Further, we pushed for building our state budget on a process called "zero-based budgeting." The process requires every agency to justify each expense, including employees, and how it relates to their statutory mission or to the effective delivery of a particular service. Instead, they chose to go with the existing "cost-to-continue" budgeting, which simply builds the new budget from the existing base.

In addition to all of the new taxes and fees, this budget also backfills spending for ongoing programs like education and Medicaid with one-time federal stimulus money. This decision will create an even bigger shortfall in the next budget.

In the end, this budget is well beyond repair. The State Senate should go back to the drawing board and start from scratch! That is the only responsible thing to do.

Open the school house doors

2009-06-14T18:33:00.003-05:00

Milwaukee State Representative Fred Kessler's attack on school choice has not gone unnoticed. Ricky on State of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opines:

Milwaukee State Representative Fred Kessler's Kessler would take it back to 19,500, down from the 22,500 negotiated three years ago by choice advocates and the governor. The problem: Choice schools have acted as if the governor's commitment meant something. As of November 2008, choice students numbered 20,244. And a couple of schools, again counting on that raised cap, have expansion plans that have already involved enrolling students. So, it's plain, that some students will have to be kicked out and others denied their choices. This is simply unfair.

To be fair, this is a matter of Assembly Democrats messing with the governor's commitment. But, if this amendment survives floor debate today or if the state Senate doesn't excise it in deliberations next week, the governor should stand by his commitment and veto the measure.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker isn't happy either:

Fred Kessler and anyone in the State Assembly who votes for his motion to cut 3,000 students out of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program should be ashamed of themselves. This is an all out assault on kids and their families. It is pathetic when someone uses these young people purely as political pawns.

Maybe now people will see that white liberals like Rep. Kessler care more about flexing their political power than about the kids in these schools.

Will the legislature and the governor live up to the commitment made to school choice parents in 2006? Or will they tell (mostly minority) families that the path to a quality education is barred to them?

Will Democrats, once again, stand in the school house doors?

Jeff Wood, man of principle

2009-06-14T00:13:00.004-05:00

The Democrats managed to find 50 votes in the Assembly to pass their budget at 5:20 AM yesterday morning. Among the 50, State Representative Jeff Wood (I-Bloomer).

Wood is a former libertarian. Later, as a Republican member of the legislature, Wood was co-author of TABOR, the proposed Taxpayer Bill of Rights. He quit the Republican Party after a clash with party leadership and became an independent.

He also became a three-time drunk driver caught with marijuana in his car and has lied to his constituents ever since.

His constituents might want to ask the former libertarian how he could vote for the most radical, anti-business, tax-raising budget in state history. They might want to ask what deal was cut in the dark night behind closed doors.

Then they might remember Wood's statement that he culd not resign from the Assembly because he needed to represent them during the budget process. Some representation they received.

Wood, of course, could prove to his constituents he did not cut a deal with the Democrats just to protect his own seat. He could promise to resign after the budget passes.

It's not going to happen.

Update! Just reading through the Budget Blog by Greg Bump at WisPolitics. If you want a measure of Jeff Wood's quality representation, his changed votes are a good start. How convenient to change his vote on Amendment 4 after the roll call so it would not be decisive, but if he had voted correctly at the time of the roll call it would have made the difference.

We know now which prevailing wage concerns Scot Ross

2009-06-13T13:02:00.004-05:00

The organization with the wonderfully fascist-sounding name, One Wisconsin Now, a self-admitted partisan organization, sent out this "urgent appeal" from Scot Ross this morning:

james:
I wasn't going to email you today, but last night during the budget debate Assembly Republicans tried to kill the state budget's prevailing wage plan -- and we need your help more than ever.

You and I know how important the stakes are. And so do our brothers and sisters who have suffered from wage rate violations. Just last year, the state found wage violations at over 35 percent of its on-site investigations. That's money out of the pockets of working men and women and out of our local economies.

Help us keep up the fight for prevailing wage, by clicking here and making a one-time, online contribution to One Wisconsin Now for $20, $45, $75, $100 -- whatever you can afford today. We've got powerful forces against us, but we can win.

I don't know why he didn't want to e-mail me today. Everyone else is e-mailing me.

But at least we know which prevailing wage Ross is fighting for - his.

Kessler leads his governor back into school choice fight

2009-06-12T00:19:00.000-05:00

State Representative Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) is no friend of the Milwaukee school choice program and proved it again with a purely gratuitous move to reduce the enrollment cap for school choice students from 22,500 to 19,500. Readers will remember the fight to set the cap at 22,500, and how much heat Governor Doyle took. Now the question is, will Doyle be willing to take the heat again to throw 3,000 students out of the choice program?

Besides putting Doyle on the spot, if the provision passes the Assembly it will put State Senator Jeff Plale and State Senator Jim Sullivan on record, too. Especially with Sullivan, this is not the fight the Democrats want.

Even liberal blogger and MPS teacher Jay Bullock recognizes this was a bad political move by Kessler. I suspect that if it makes to Governor Doyle's desk, he'll veto the cap reduction.

Republicans can win on education issues, and moves like Kessler's are just more ammunition for an education reform agenda.

Chastity Bono getting sex change

2009-06-11T21:36:00.002-05:00

I suppose it's a less extreme career move than the Kurt Cobain route.

Is No-Doze an official sponsor?

2009-06-11T21:02:00.003-05:00

I just saw the schedule for the state Democratic convention. My advice to the delegates? Bring a pillow:

6:00 p.m. Call for Contributions
Presentation of Colors (white flag)
Pledge of Allegiance to Obama
Invocation (Our Obama)
The Internationale

6:30 p.m. Welcome – Tom Sieber, Brown Co. Dems Chair
Kathy Hughes, Oneida Tribe Vice Chairwoman (thank you, we own your party)
State Chair’s Report -- Joe Wineke (1st No-Doze)
1st Vice Chair’s Report – Lena Taylor (on campaigning hard)
6:50 p.m. State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass (delegates are asked not to giggle)
Sen. Russ Decker (announces bar is open)
Speaker Mike Sheridan (second No-Doze)
U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen (will introduce the prominent Injuns)
Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton (slideshow from Hollywood vacation)

7:30 p.m. U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (symbolic burning of First Amendment)
Keynote Speaker Gov. Jim Doyle (Passing of collection plate)

Saturday, June 13
8:30 a.m. Platform and Resolutions Debate (Mao vs. Lenin)
10:00 a.m. U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (address from Planet Madison)
U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (State Fair Milk Stand menu announcement)
10:45 a.m. Mike Tate (on a clear telecommunications strategy)
12:30 p.m. Voting for Officers (winners get to test drive new state cars)

Sullivan doesn't merit a recall

2009-06-11T20:09:00.003-05:00

My column in today's Waukesha Freeman:

Sullivan recall not best option

Ousting official over smoking ban misuses voters’ choice

Belly up to the bar and sign a petition. At least that’s what some bar owners and the Citizens for Responsible Government Network are hoping. On Tuesday, they launched an effort to recall state Sen. Jim Sullivan, D-Wauwatosa. They only need 18,000 signatures, a number well within reach.

I wish the law had been changed in Wisconsin to require recall organizers to state the reason for the recall when they’re collecting petition signatures. The reason given on these petitions would be really interesting.

The press release from CRG states, “We will not tolerate one more tax, one more anti-business policy and most of all; we will not lose one more freedom to special interest groups with a hidden agenda.” The freedom, unmentioned in the press release, is the ability to smoke tobacco products in restaurants and bars.

I’m sympathetic to the argument. I don’t like the idea of a statewide smoking ban, either. It is one more needless intrusion of government into the lives of the citizens of our state, kind of like Waukesha’s ban on outdoor fire pits after midnight.

Sullivan voted for the statewide smoking ban that finally passed this year. Sullivan’s vote is hardly a surprise to his district. He is a supporter of the smoking ban, of which his constituents were aware when they voted him into office.

The municipality that takes up the largest portion of Sullivan’s district, Wauwatosa, has had a smoking ban already in place for nearly three years. No elected officials in city government faced a recall for their support of the smoking ban. Hardly a surprise when their representative in Madison also supports a smoking ban.

Much of the opposition to the smoking ban this year dissipated when it appeared likely the ban would be included in the state budget. Lawmakers moved to pass separate legislation instead, allowing for the exemptions for places like Nice Ash in Waukesha, and to delay implementation until July 5, 2010.

The law was inevitable, and Sullivan’s vote was hardly decisive. It passed the Senate 25-8.

Unfortunately for Sullivan, at least one tavern owner, Bill Savage, didn’t like Sullivan’s vote, and that tavern owner happens to be staff for a Republican Assembly member, Don Pridemore.

Sullivan also has the misfortune of being at the top of the list of Democrats targeted by the state Republican Party. The Democrats hold an 18-15 majority in the state senate. A two-seat switch would give Republicans a majority in that chamber, putting an end to oneparty rule in Madison. Sullivan’s district is considered to be Republican-leaning, and Sullivan is a vulnerable rookie.

As you can see, if the recall organizers had to give a real reason for the recall, it would be a little harder to explain than “voted for the smoking ban.”

If the recall petition drive is successful in the next 58 days, a special election would be called and Sullivan would have to defend his seat.

Among the possible Republican candidates is State Rep. Leah Vukmir. Vukmir is a conservative and an energetic politician. She’s a reformer who started in politics because of education issues, and takes a hard line on taxes. She would make a great state senator.

In a normal election Vukmir would give Sullivan a tough fight. In a special election, with the attention of the entire state on the race, she would be the odds-on favorite to win. It would also be a “free shot” for her because she would not have to give up her Assembly seat to run, unlike in the general election in 2010.

But as much as I love the idea of “state Sen. Leah Vukmir” I loathe recalling a politician just because of one vote on one issue. Recalls should be when there is demonstrable misconduct in office. In this case, Sullivan has not committed any misconduct, nor can his opponents point to any.

This is a policy difference, not an incident that puts into doubt our trust of our public representatives. The recall effort should make us uncomfortable with its partisan origins and opportunism. Sullivan’s constituents can wait until 2010 to vote him out of office, an effort I will wholeheartedly support.

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

If we lived in a more civilized time

2009-06-11T19:05:00.001-05:00

I haven't thought David Letterman was funny for a years, but I would stay up late to watch this.

That said, I wonder how Letterman would react if one of his guests asked him, "So how's your bastard daughter, Dave? Are you sure it's yours, or did A-Rod bang your ugly wife in the Yankees locker room?"

I'm sure there would be laughs and yuks all around.

Shirley MacLaine was right.

Vinehout praised for candor in Leader-Telegram editorial

2009-06-11T17:12:00.000-05:00

State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) gets praise from her hometown newspaper for speaking out against the Democratic Party's leadership attempting to force her to accept a bad budget:

Most news releases and columns from state lawmakers repeat the party line so carefully that you know what they say before you even read them ... if you read them at all.

But along came state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, this week with a column, "Change the Culture in the Capitol," that is jaw-dropping in its candor and criticism of the way things work in Madison.

"This week members of the Assembly are scheduled to vote on the budget," Vinehout wrote. "Behind the scenes members are told, 'This budget is bad. We need to pass it as quick as possible and get out of town.'

"In the Capitol, the culture is one of a few making the decisions and the many having their arms twisted to go along with the deal," she added.

Anyone paying attention knows Vinehout's analysis is pretty much right on. What's highly unusual is for someone on the inside to admit the hypocrisy her colleagues try so hard to gloss over. It's doubly refreshing coming from someone in the majority party.

We discussed the Vinehout statement against her party's leadership as well as the unusually strong statement to the contrary from Majority Leader Russ Decker's legislative aide Carrie Lynch.

We'll see if the independence of mind for which she is being praised translates into a rejection of the proposed state budget.

Will Reverend Wright sue the Holocaust Museum shooter for plagiarism?

2009-06-11T17:04:00.001-05:00

Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo has the content of the note found in Holocaust Memorial Shooter James von Brunn's car:

"You want my weapons -- this is how you'll get them. The Holocaust is a lie. Obama was created by Jews. Obama does what his Jew owners tell him to do. Jews captured America's money. Jews control the mass media."

This is the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, President Obama's former pastor and mentor, quoted yesterday:

Asked if he had spoken to the president, Wright said: "Them Jews aren't going to let him talk to me. I told my baby daughter, that he'll talk to me in five years when he's a lame duck, or in eight years when he's out of office. ...

"They will not let him to talk to somebody who calls a spade what it is. ... I said from the beginning: He's a politician; I'm a pastor. He's got to do what politicians do."

Wright also said Obama should have sent a U.S. delegation to the World Conference on Racism held recently in Geneva, Switzerland, but that the president did not do so for fear of offending Jews and Israel.

"Ethnic cleansing is going on in Gaza. Ethnic cleansing (by) the Zionist is a sin and a crime against humanity, and they don't want Barack talking like that because that's anti-Israel," Wright said.

I think the Reverend has a good case for plagiarism, don't you?

Tax on "big oil" is just passing gas

2009-06-11T05:23:00.000-05:00

The following is from the Wisconsin Club for Growth Wednesday newsletter. I thought it a timely reminder of the stakes regarding the proposed tax on "big oil", a tax even Democrats now concede will be passed along to the consumer.

Passing Gas

For the second straight budget, Governor Jim Doyle included a 2.5% tax on oil companies which he claims won't be passed on to drivers at the pump. But studies have shown that one way or another, the increased cost to oil companies will be paid by consumers.

Of course, every company passes along tax increases to consumers, making their goods more expensive. Doyle's proposal would add between five and eight cents to a gallon of gas at the same time prices are nearing $3.00 per gallon.

Representative Robin Vos, a member of the Legislative Joint Finance Committee, pointed out that if the new tax is applied on a percentage basis, the tax will increase as the price of gas goes up. The current gas tax is a flat per gallon fee. In this regard, the oil franchise fee approximates the old gas tax indexing system, where gas taxes increased automatically every year without legislative action. The legislature repealed the indexing system in 2005 after Governor Doyle repeatedly raided the transportation fund to pay for other programs, at the same time he increased debt to pay for transportation projects.

At Vos’ request the Legislative Fiscal Bureau prepared a memo detailing the cost of the new tax to consumers. At $2.50 per gallon, the gas tax is expected to increase the per gallon cost by 4.9 cents. But if gas prices reach their 2008 summer levels of $4.00 per gallon, the state will tack on 8.7 cents to every gallon of gas.

Of course, legislative liberals still claim that their budget doesn't raise taxes on people in the middle class, like those wealthy people who fill up their cars to drive their kids to school and swimming lessons.

The Assembly will have an opportunity to remove the new tax when they vote on the budget Thursday, so be sure to contact your legislators today.

Watching the grass grow

2009-06-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

Our good friend StB has run afoul of the city of Milwaukee. Some "inspector" is going to come out to his house and measure the length of the blades of grass in his lawn. Oh yeah, StB gets to pay for the privilege.

Looks like I may go to battle with the city after the notice I received yesterday. In the mail was a notice telling me I owed the City of Milwaukee $25.00 for an inspection. I didn't ask for any inspection. What could this be for? Weed inspection. It was for the notice I had saying I had weeds that were too tall.

Ok, I did need to cut the grass but it was kind of tough considering it had rained that week (Monday was Memorial Day) and I was camping that weekend. Some time on either that Friday or Saturday I got a notice taped to my door informing me I needed to take care of it.

And I did. Case closed.

Or so I thought. This notice does not specify what the inspection is for. Is it to inspect my property to make sure I took care of everything? Was it for the initial inspection? I am not paying anything until I have answers. Better yet, they say you can appeal this but only after you fill out a form and pay the $25.

StB attempted to call the office to find out what exactly was the issue, but of course everybody left for the day. The person answering the phones told StB he was not alone with his complaint.

I suspect the $25 doesn't even cover the inspector's time. Maybe Milwaukee should have a few less weed inspectors and a few more minimum wage employees cutting the grass on the boulevards this summer.

"Them Jews"

2009-06-10T22:56:00.004-05:00

Why is it always the Jews? The Reverend Jeremiah Wright, President Obama's former pastor, once again shows he's nothing more than a garden-variety bigot, hardly a man of God. This time he lets his anti-Semitism show:

Asked if he had spoken to the president, Wright said: "Them Jews aren't going to let him talk to me. I told my baby daughter, that he'll talk to me in five years when he's a lame duck, or in eight years when he's out of office. ...

"They will not let him to talk to somebody who calls a spade what it is. ... I said from the beginning: He's a politician; I'm a pastor. He's got to do what politicians do."

Wright also said Obama should have sent a U.S. delegation to the World Conference on Racism held recently in Geneva, Switzerland, but that the president did not do so for fear of offending Jews and Israel.

"Ethnic cleansing is going on in Gaza. Ethnic cleansing (by) the Zionist is a sin and a crime against humanity, and they don't want Barack talking like that because that's anti-Israel," Wright said.

Pastor and mentor to the future president of the United States. President Obama recently said his turn towards a stronger Christian faith came when he saw the good work of Christians in Chicago. What was it exactly that he saw in the Reverend Wright's preaching that he found good or worth following?

Ht: Althouse

Budgeting on the Dark Side

2009-06-10T19:43:00.002-05:00

So much of the state budget process is being conducted by the Democrats behind closed doors, it's a wonder some of the members haven't revolted just to gasp for fresh air. The Democrats have moved the process from a smoke-filled room to a smoke-free room, so I guess that's some progress.

Will they send up puffs of white smoke when they have a budget that can get fifty votes?

Over at the MacIver Institute, they've discovered two Democrats who have an expressed preference for legislating in the light:

"Now that Democrats are in the majority we have the opportunity to lead in a different and better way--I hope we rise to the challenge. We face the toughest economic climate since the Great Depression, the largest deficit in state history, and the task of sorting out billions of dollars in federal stimulus support. The very least we can do is open all of our debate to public view."

-State Representative Cory Mason.

and

[Rep. Louis] Molepske explained that granting selective access to bill drafts not only denies the public its right to open government, but gives special interests a distinct advantage in passing their legislative proposals, as committee hearings can be held within 24 hours of a bill's introduction, well before the public even has the opportunity to read, understand and submit testimony on the effects of a bill.

If Molepske and Mason won't force open the doors so the public can watch the budget deliberations, could they at least promise not vote for any budget that passes in the dark?

Van Hollen gets some budget money back

2009-06-10T19:34:00.002-05:00

State Attorney General JB Van Hollen got his wish today when Assembly Democrats gave his office $5.4 million. From the state GOP blog:

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen will get $5.4 million back for public safety funding after Democrats tried cutting his budget for partisan reasons. The Assembly reinstated the funds after the AG launched a campaign to get the much-needed funds. The Senate and Governor Doyle still have a go at the budget however so stay tuned to WISGOP.org throughout the budget process.

I think I'll be out of the room looking for a Snickers bar next year when Van Hollen brags about how much of this money he's giving back to the state.

Official confirmation of who rates where at the Obama White House

2009-06-10T19:09:00.003-05:00

Well, it's official. Jake Tapper of ABC News questioned President Obama's Press Secretary Robert Gibbs today:

TAPPER: This is really just out of curiosity more than anything. How do you guys decide which acts of violence will prompt a White House response and which ones won't? There was a statement that went out about Dr. Tiller. How is the decision made that that would get a presidential statement, whereas the military recruiter in the Arkansas shooting would not?

GIBBS: Well, I believe a statement did go to many stations in Arkansas regarding that.

Now you know. Abortionist murdered in Kansas, statement by the president to the nation. Soldier assassinated in Arkansas by Islamic jihadist, statement to the local media. Fortunately for Obama, today's murder of a guard at the Holocaust Museum occurred in Washington D.C. so they won't have to decide what type of statement it merits.

Is Kathleen Vinehout lying?

2009-06-10T16:59:00.002-05:00

State Senator Kathleen Vinehout blogged at Uppity Wisconsin that she was told she could, "ask for only one change to the budget deal." This made her unhappy enough to complain publicly,

In the Capitol, the culture is one of a few making the decisions and the many having their arms twisted to go along with the deal.

The culture of the Capitol has to change. Our job as elected officials is to take what’s happening in our districts to Madison. Once in Madison, we all have to be involved in making decisions. If we agree to deals we are not party to making, we not only give up our own power, we give up the power of the voters in our district.

In response to a blog post by me referencing Vinehout's complaint, State Senator Russ Decker's aide Carrie Lynch denied Vinehout was told she could only make one change to the budget. Under further questioning, Decker's aide clarified to say neither Decker nor (Joint Finance co-chair) Senator Mark Miller told Vinehout that she could only make one change to the budget.

Wanting official confirmation that this is Senator Decker's position, I contacted his office directly and received the following response from Carrie Lynch on behalf of Senator Decker:

Hello. Senator Decker did not tell Senator Vinehout, nor any other senator, that they may submit only one change to the budget. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks.

Carrie

Carrie Lynch
Office of Senator Russ Decker

I have sent an inquiry to Senator Vinehout but have not yet received a reply. However, Vinehout has repeated her assertion in an interview with the Leader-Telegram.

Vinehout said not only can't she get everything she wants, but she was told last week she could ask for only one change to the budget proposal.

"There's a lot more than one thing that needs to be changed before I can vote yes," she said. "I need to be able to honestly go back to my people and say, given that we have very difficult times, this is the best we can do. I'm not there now. Absolutely not."

Democrats only hold a two-seat majority in the state senate. Two defections on the budget vote will require Democrats to go searching for Republican votes. One has to question the wisdom of the Democratic leadership in so publicly challenging a key vote's honesty.

Update! Apparently I missed State Senator Vinehout's phone call. My apology to the senator and I'll attempt to get an update for my readers on Thursday.

Update 2! 6/11 Correction: the call was from Carrie Lynch of Senator Decker's office. Still no contact from Senator Vinehout in response to my inquiry.

CRG files to start recall of Jim Sullivan

2009-06-10T00:03:00.004-05:00

State Senator Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa) is facing a recall effort in his district because he was one vote in the 25-8 majority that passed a state-wide smoking ban. Unfortunately for Sullivan, he's at the top of the GOP target list and one of the tavern owners in his district happens to be a staff member for Republican State Representative Don Pridemore.

Ironically, the city he represents has had a smoking ban for three years, so it's hardly shocking that their State Senator might support a smoking ban, too. (I believe the number of recalls in Wauwatosa because of the ban is still zero.)

I hate the idea of a smoking ban. I hate the idea of a recall of a state legislator over one vote on one issue even more.

Look for more on this topic in my Waukesha Freeman column this Thursday. Just a couple of the big shiny coins in your pocket is all it costs.

What Democrats are being told behind the scenes about the state budget

2009-06-09T17:15:00.000-05:00

State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) is not happy being told she can only suggest one change to the budget:

Putting together the state budget is always a difficult process. But it is made more so by the deep budget deficit. A few weeks ago, legislative leaders and the Governor hammered out a deal. Later the deal was pushed through the legislature’s budget committee.

This week members of the Assembly are scheduled to vote on the budget. Behind the scenes members are told, “This budget is bad. We need to pass it as quick as possible and get out of town.”

In the Capitol, the culture is one of a few making the decisions and the many having their arms twisted to go along with the deal.

Perhaps everyone would be better off if the legislature took it's time instead and passed a good budget.

Kramer calls it the "Worst. Budget. Ever."

2009-06-09T05:38:00.000-05:00

State Representative Bill Kramer summed up his feelings on the state budget in a statement released Monday night:

Worst. Budget. Ever.

The biennial state budget that the State Assembly is going to begin debating - and likely pass - this week is a clear example that elections have consequences.

Whether it was the manner in which it was created (in private, away from prying eyes, and with the special interests hovering) or the policy that it creates, the state budget is an orgy of excess.

The foxes appear to be running the hen house.

Crafted by some of the state's most liberal and extreme politicians (State Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and State Sen. Mark Miller (D-Madison)), the budget increases state spending by almost 7 percent and increases taxes by NO LESS than $2.9 billion (which includes the $1.2 billion already tacked on earlier this spring).

This budget declares war on job creators, investors, and our working families. If you buy gas, have health insurance, have car insurance, download music, have investments, have a cell phone, produce garbage, have a child at the UW, or have a teenager who works, you will pay more tribute to your benevolent state government.

I cannot believe that when the voters gave Democrats full control of state government that they anticipated the special interest-driven agenda that is about to become law.

The Democrats have abused the authority given to them, have shunned scrutiny, and even broken their own rules and promises in their zealous drive to rewrite our social contract.

Unleash the talking points!

2009-06-08T22:44:00.003-05:00

Wisconsin democrats are desperate to take back the debate on their budget that raises taxes on nearly everyone, diminishes public safety, increases spending, and does nothing to alter the state's long-term budget problems. They've distributed 3 1/2 pages of talking points. Unfortunately for them, the MacIver Institute managed to get a copy and has answered many of them.

The first thing that strikes us is the defensive nature of the document. It begins by pointing out that some other states are raising more taxes and cutting spending. Then it concludes by attempting to refute what they call GOP Myths about the secret deal.

So, 1) It's not as bad as it could have been and 2) It's not as bad as the opposition party says it is. One would think it would be rather hard to get 50 votes on Wednesday if those are your top two themes.

It is clear the Assembly Democrats had no idea their late night hijinks would be so thoroughly disdained by the public and the press, thus making caucus unity more elusive. Perhaps it is because they never thought the public would get an advance look at their proposal???

Whatever the case, these talking points are worth a read.

We did. Here are some of our thoughts.

"From the beginning of the budget process, state legislative leaders pledged to craft a budget that makes necessary cuts while minimizing negative impacts on working families and protecting key priorities in health care, education and public safety."

Will the new gas tax negatively impact working families? Even the JFC co-Chair thinks it might...

Will the Rube Goldberg RTA compromise that will cost Milwaukee families $228 a year negatively impact working families? One would think so...

Whether they admit it or not, there is a lot in here that negatively impacts working families.

Protecting education? Tell that to the more than 20,000 students in the School Choice program in Milwaukee. Clearly the secret budget deal will hurt that program and those families.

And...public safety? Are they serious? A cut of more than $17 million from the Department of Justice that jeopardizes the recent successful reduction in the crime lab backlog and will limit the Department of Criminal Investigation's ability to partner with resource-scrapped local law enforcement...

Funny the whole "Let's no longer monitor all these sexual predators with GPS devices" item didn't make their talking points...

Oh, and then there is that whole opening the prisons to let felons out early thing...

You should examine these talking points for yourself, but be forewarned, you may simultaneously be outraged, baffled and laugh hysterically.

Did we mention the Democrats are still looking for fifty votes? Oh yes, we did.

Van Hollen's inconstant budget mood

2009-06-08T21:39:00.002-05:00

I understand that Republicans have an issue they can use when it comes to the Democrats' willingness to sacrifice public safety. From reducing the number of sex offenders monitored with GPS to scrapping the state's truth in sentencing laws which will let drunk drivers and arsonists out of jail early, the Republicans have a winning issue.

However, putting Attorney General JB Van Hollen out there to complain about cuts to his department will only invite muddying of the issue. Van Hollen is complaining that cuts to his budget are politically motivated. He may have a case.

But Democrats are right to complain that Van Hollen has tried to have it both ways with the state Department of Justice's budget. When Van Hollen ran for election, he said asking for more money would not be the "conservative thing to do." Shortly after taking office Van Hollen asked for - and received - an immediate $7.7 million boost to his budget to tackle the backlog at the state crime lab. At the recent Defending the American Dream meeting of conservatives, Van Hollen bragged about giving back $1.2 million to the state.

Now the Democrats are cutting his budget again and Van Hollen is accused of making his staff lobby the legislature against the cuts. When the wind blows again, will Van Hollen suddenly find more money to give back to the state?

Digging a hole with Other People's Money

2009-06-08T21:23:00.004-05:00

The state legislature is poised again to pass another budget repair bill for the current fiscal year. For those of you counting, this is attempt number three. Like the proposed state budget for next year, SB232 raids federal stimulus dollars to pay the state's operational costs:

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law lapses $291,000,000 in the 2008−09 fiscal year from the state school aid appropriation to the general fund and directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to use $291,000,000 in federal funds received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to make payments to school districts in June 2009.

This bill lapses an additional $261,278,000 in school aid to the general fund in the 2008−09 fiscal year and directs DPI to use an additional $261,278,000 in federal funds received under ARRA to make payments to school districts in June 2009. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

Somebody really needs to ask President Obama on Thursday if this is what his administration meant by "shovel ready." The legislature is shovelling something all right.

Assembly still looking for 50 votes

2009-06-08T21:09:00.003-05:00

Sources at the state capitol tell me Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan still has not found the fifty Democratic votes needed to pass the budget through the Assembly. Will they be able to get their act together to vote on Wednesday, ahead of President Obama's visit to Green Bay on Thursday?

Here's a fun question. Will anyone ask President Obama how he feels about Wisconsin misusing the stimulus funds to plug state budget holes rather than on job creation?

The real reason Toyota is beating GM

2009-06-08T17:03:00.003-05:00

Mickey Kaus pokes a hole in the theory that "green" is the future of Detroit. The cars that people want are reliable, not necessarily "green."

Today the Washington Post paraphrases Lutz on the importance of the Prius to Toyota:

Lutz sees several reasons for Toyota's ascendancy, none more important than becoming the darling of media analysts and environmentalists in the wake of its seminal hybrid, the Prius ...
In early 2006 -- "much too late," he acknowledges now -- a troubled Lutz saw that driving a Prius constituted nothing less than a values statement for many of its owners, a means to bask in the perception of their own enlightenment. Even more alarming, thought Lutz, was that some consumers not enamored of the Prius itself nonetheless saw its existence as proof of Toyota's wisdom. The Prius's presence alone was drawing people to Toyota lots, where the curious bought everything from bigger sedans to sport-utility vehicles and trucks with about the same gas mileage as their GM counterparts, groused Lutz. Part of what he called the "halo effect."

One sporadically selling hybrid, he realized, had greened an entire company and catapulted nearly every vehicle in its product line. It was a disturbing sea change for GM executives. ... Meanwhile, American automakers, including GM, suffered under the perception that they were stuck in yesteryear and saddled with cars of inferior quality. [E.A.]

Lutz can't possibly be enough of a moron to believe that the Prius and its "halo effect" are a primary reason for Toyota's ascendancy. Toyota has been ascendant for at least three decades, and GM declining, for a simple reason: Toyota built cars that worked ("bulletproof," as they say) at a time when GM built cars that didn't work. That's what was "drawing people to Toyota lots" a generation before the Prius was conceived. Even today, when GM suffers "under the perception that they [are] saddled with cars of inferior quality," you only have to look at the Consumer Reports reliability ratings to see that the reason GM is saddled with this perception is that the perception is accurate. (The Cadillac CTS that Lutz boasts about, for example, may be a great performer. But it's still so unreliable that Consumer Reports can't recommend it. The beautiful Pontiac Solstice, which Lutz championed, has a true crap record. The Prius, meanwhile, is spectacularly reliable.)

For those three decades of Japanese market surge, much of the talk of Detroit executives has been an attempt to dance around the central issue of reliability and 'build quality,' and the inability of Detroit to provide it. For most of Lutz's career, he played down the importance of Japanese reliability by talking up the "romance" of the Euro-style sports cars and American muscle cars he (rightly) liked. Now he plays down the importance of Japanese reliability by talking up the "halo effect" that a cutting-edge "green" car can create with bicoastal elites (whom he doesn't like) and the media.

Environmentalism has become the latest distraction and delusion for Detroit. Chrysler admits that small, fuel efficient FIAT models aren't going to sell in large numbers--but hey, they're going to have a "halo effect" that will "burnish" the entire Chrysler line! Chevrolet will only sell a few thousand Volts--but the bicoastal elite appeal of green will suck media-addled buyers into the "reinvented" GM.

No. Detroit cars will sell when they're bulletproof, not when they're green (or, in Lutz's new spin, when they're made by a company that also sells something "green"). But only one of the Big Three U.S. car manufacturers has made dramatic progress
catching up to Japan on the bulletproof front--and it's not Chrysler or GM. It's the one that hasn't gone broke. ... 2:32 P.M.

Adams or Jefferson in the Islamic world

2009-06-08T16:24:00.004-05:00

You don't want to miss Christopher Hitchens today. He connects the dots between the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo to Obama's speech at Cairo and finds where Western assumptions are only helping the enemy:

Yet if we think it probable or possible that a man would only mutate into such a monster after undergoing the Guantanamo experience, then I can suggest one reason why that might be. Nothing prepared me for the way in which the authorities at the camp have allowed the most extreme religious cultists among the inmates to be the organizers of the prisoners' daily routine. Suppose that you were a secular or unfanatical person caught in the net by mistake; you would still find yourself being compelled to pray five times a day (the guards are not permitted to interrupt), to have a Quran in your cell, and to eat food prepared to halal (or Sharia) standards. I suppose you could ask to abstain, but, in such a case, I wouldn't much fancy your chances. The officers in charge were so pleased by this ability to show off their extreme broad-mindedness in respect of Islam that they looked almost hurt when I asked how they justified the use of taxpayers' money to create an institution dedicated to the fervent practice of the most extreme version of just one religion. To the huge list of reasons to close down Guantanamo, add this: It's a state-sponsored madrassa.

The same near-masochistic insistence on taking the extreme as the norm was also present in Obama's smoothly delivered speech in the Egyptian capital. Some of what he said was well-intentioned if ill-informed. The United States should not have overthrown the elected government of Iran in 1953, but when it did so, it used bribed mullahs and ayatollahs to whip up anti-Communist sentiment against a secular regime. The John Adams administration in the 1796 Treaty of Tripoli did indeed proclaim that the United States had no quarrel with Islam as such (and, even more important, that the United States itself was in no sense a Christian nation), but the treaty failed to stop the Barbary states from invoking the Quran as permission to kidnap and enslave travelers on the high seas, and thus Thomas Jefferson was later compelled to send a fleet and the Marines to put down the trade. One hopes that Obama does not prefer Adams to Jefferson in this regard.

Any person with the smallest pretense to cultural literacy knows that there is no such place or thing as "the Muslim world," or, rather, that it consists of many places and many things. (It is precisely the aim of the jihadists to bring it all under one rulership preparatory to making Islam the world's only religion.) But Obama said nothing about the schism between Sunni and Shiites, or about the argument over Sufism, or about Ahmadi and Ismaili forms of worship and practice. All this was conceded to the umma: the highly ideological notion that a person is first and foremost defined by their adherence to a religion and that all concepts of citizenship and rights take second place to this theocratic diktat. Nothing could be more reactionary.

Delaware's gift to comedy

2009-06-06T10:48:00.001-05:00

Tax street musicians

2009-06-05T17:23:00.000-05:00

There really is no limit to the government's desire to tax and regulate. In Madison you are never too old to rock n’ roll but don't pass the hat for a little spare change while you perform on the street. (Ht: The Lost Albatross)

State Street musicians and others performing for donations have not been subject to fees or official rules despite calls for regulation from the city’s street vending coordinator. Attempts in past decades to regulate musicians under the city’s noise ordinances have been roundly rejected by the courts.

But during this year’s Dane County Farmers’ Markets on the Capitol Square, a glut of street performers — including balloon hat artists and a masseuse — has made even Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, change his position on the issue.
“I really thought it was a solution in search of a problem,” Verveer said. “Now staff is bringing this to our attention again, and in a more adamant way.”

Verveer had been reluctant to regulate street musicians because he said they contribute to the “funky, eclectic” nature of State Street. But he now says he is willing to sponsor an ordinance that would regulate the time, place and manner of street performers, similar to how the city has regulated panhandling.

At a Vending Oversight Committee meeting last week, Warren Hansen, Madison’s street vending coordinator, suggested charging performers $50 for an annual permit, or $10 a day and setting standards for things like how close they could operate to a business and one another.

Really? Isn’t this somewhat self-regulating? I would assume most street musicians would not want to play to close to the others. I can’t believe that this is too much of an issue.

But then we learn something about human nature, although it’s really an old, old lesson:

Food and art vendors have complained in the past that they have to pay hundreds of dollars in fees and insurance for their booths, but musicians don’t pay anything.

I confess to not knowing the rules in Waukesha but surely this is as much a part of Madison as leftover hippies, stupid protests, drunk college kids and Democratic legislators thinking of new taxes.

Fat Tire nothing special

2009-06-05T16:55:00.000-05:00

Jeff at EatWisconsin does not understand the hype of another microbrew, Fat Tire.

I don’t have anything against Fat Tire or New Belgium brewing I just don’t get the hype. It seems like these beer drinkers feel that they have been deprived of the best beer ever brewed. Fat Tire isn’t a bad beer but it sure isn’t an outstanding one either. It’s a gateway beer. A microbrew that is mild enough that your typical Miller or Budweiser drinker would like it, kind of like Spotted Cow or Leinenkugel’s Red. In this instance I believe the mere fact that it wasn’t available here is a large reason (if not the only reason) people are clamoring for it. I predict that in a year or so the Fort Collins beers will be just like every other beer that finally makes its way to Wisconsin, just another good beer choice among hundreds of other good beers available to us.

Its not like the fans of Fat Tire don’t have options. Why haven’t they been enjoying some of the great Amber/Red style beers already being brewed in Wisconsin. Sprecher Amber, Capitol’s Wisconsin Amber, Tyranena’s The Headless Man Amber Alt, Ale Asylum’s Ambergeddon, and Central Water’s Ouisconsing Red are just a sampling of the killer red/amber style ales brewed here in Wisconsin.

Suprised by the state budget?

2009-06-05T06:52:00.000-05:00

I can remember when Governor Doyle was surprised by the state budget. It all seems so... quaint.

Let's see, Republicans and Democrats worked together to cut spending and not raise taxes then. Democrats working alone are raising taxing and spending now, and the structural deficit just keeps going up.

Surprise!

Sing along with "Save me, Obama"

2009-06-04T22:40:00.002-05:00

The Funny Music Project presents "Save Me Obama" to the tune of Lady Madonna by the Beatles.

My favorite part:

Save me, Obama
Find a cure for gas
Leave your carbon footprint on OPEC's ass

Hug North Korea
Shoot hoops with Iran
Can we ask for everything? Yes we can!

Democrats Gone Wild, the Madison edition

2009-06-04T18:25:00.001-05:00

Starting this week the Waukesha Freeman will no longer be posting my column online at GMToday.com. Some changes are being made to the website and the opinion columnists are moving behind the subscription wall. Think of it as Conley Select. Or you can still read it on the dead tree version for just 50 cents. Paper, ink, it's all so retro and fun.

I'll also be posting the column here (instead of just excerpts), but not until Thursday evenings.

This week's column tackles the state budget again as the whole process has just become so much tax-and-spend Democratic porn.
Publication:Waukesha Freeman (Conley); Date:Jun 4, 2009; Section:Opinion; Page Number:10A

Democrats gone wild

Proposed budget most radical in state history

(James Wigderson is a blogger publishing at http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com and a Waukesha resident. His column runs Thursdays in The Freeman.)

We’re in the home stretch now on the state budget process. The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee finished with the budget (with much of the work being done late at night and behind closed doors). Now the budget goes to the Assembly, then the Senate, then finally to the governor for his final rewrite with his veto pen.

How much of the current budget proposal is going to survive is still an open question. Democrats may have the majority in both chambers, but the proposed budget certainly qualifies as one of the most radical in state history. Different Democrats may defect on different votes as the Republicans offer amendment after amendment this week. Look for more closed-door meetings, more late-night sessions, and more dealmaking as the Democrats line up the votes to make sure the budget passes.

Some of the provisions in the current budget proposal are just shocking.

Hostility to “Big Oil” has always been standard fare for the Democrats, but even Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairman Rep. Marc Pocan admits the new tax on oil company profits with the provision that the tax not get passed on to consumers might be unconstitutional. Still, he hopes to somehow fix it, according to WisPolitics.com, in order to protect $270 million for the transportation fund.

Somebody needs to ask Pocan the obvious question: If Democrats are so concerned about the transportation fund, wouldn’t it be wiser to stop raiding it, so far $1.1 billion, to fund other items in the state budget?

Then there’s the Democrats’ continued hostility to any child receiving an education outside a Wisconsin Education Association Council-approved institution. Rep. Pedro Colon, D-Milwaukee, inserted at the last minute a requirement for any school in the choice program where over 10 percent of the students had limited English proficiency to have bilingual education.

The Democrats also cut funding for choice program students by $165 each. Brett Healy of the MacIver Institute points out choice schools receive $6,607 per pupil compared to more than $13,000 for students in Milwaukee Public Schools.

Meanwhile, as a favor for the teachers unions, Democrats are repealing the Qualified Economic Offer that helps keep public education costs in check.

Republicans can seize the education issue and make it a winner in the next election cycle. Clearly they are the party of reform, while the Democrats are the party of continuing to subsidize failure.

It’s hard to pick the most brazen grab for tax money, but surely the tax on cell phones has to be near the top of the list.

In 2003 the state imposed a tax on cell phones to upgrade the 911 system to be able to pinpoint 911 cell phone calls. When the upgrades were done, the state under Governor Doyle kept the $20 million in “leftover” money. (Nothing says “home cooking” the books like “leftovers.”)

The Democrats are not only going to keep the tax in place, they are going to raise it by 75 cents per month and impose it on every phone, including the land lines. The total tax increase on cell phone users is $100 million, but it gets worse.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that using a tax on cell phones for something other than the 911 system may make the state ineligible for federal funds. This means local communities will have to raise taxes more to pay for the costs of supporting the 911 system.

Perhaps the most absurd provision in the state budget is the idea of creating a special driver’s license for illegal aliens. Did nobody in Madison say to themselves that if we can identify the illegal aliens to give them the special driver’s licenses, we ought to just deport them?

I once described the state budget process as a horror picture. We’re now in the genre of tax-and-spend porn, “The Democrats Gone Wild.” No wonder they’re busy making decisions late at night with the curtains drawn.

If you’re tempted to smoke a cigarette afterward, they’re raising the tax on that, too.

Bikers invading Waukesha

2009-06-04T17:06:00.000-05:00

...and they ain't driving Harleys, either. The Waukesha Business Improvement District is looking for people to host bike riders in their homes for the Carl Zach Cycling Classic. Guess they won't all be staying at the Clarke Hotel.

From the Waukesha BID newsletter:

Host a Biker for the Carl Zach Cycling Classic
Bike racers from aroud the world will be in town for the Carl Zach Cycling Classic presented by Couri Insurance on Sunday, June 28 in historic Downtown Waukesha. If you'd like to host a racer in your home, get all the details here.

No word yet if Paul Soglin is coming.

What is Pelosi's malfunction?

2009-06-03T21:32:00.003-05:00

Aside from being unable to tell a humorous story (she trampled her punchline), Pelosi has no concept of what remarks are appropriate at a tribute. She had to drag "stem cell research"* into her remarks, no matter how completely inappropriate the occasion.

What a no-class act. The mind of a low-rent totalitarian at work.

* None dare call it "embryonic stem cell research." Do they?

Stand back! I've got a pen, and I know how to use it!

2009-06-03T17:23:00.000-05:00

It looks like the feds are expanding the ATF to the ATFBP: Alcohol, tobacco, firearms and ballpoint pens. Bob McCarty suggests we should begin the hoarding now:

With the Consumer Products Safety Commission expected to make an important decision tomorrow about the future of the lowly ink pen, Americans might want to consider hoarding ink pens.

The CPSC is expected to decide whether or not 95 percent of all ink pens sold for use in schools or by children under the age of 12 should be yanked from store shelves because their lead content exceeds levels allowed by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

I suggest stashing them with your incandescent light bulbs, your lawn darts, and your old books with lead in the binding.

Coming to a showroom near you

2009-06-03T05:16:00.001-05:00

Well, at least in a Democratic-owned showroom:

A more realistic picture would show people dodging foul balls and looking for parking

2009-06-02T20:57:00.000-05:00

Frame Park Stadium website, under construction. Must be still looking for financing.

I normally just nap on the plane

2009-06-02T19:25:00.001-05:00

I don't like it when the flight attendant wakes me to offer me a drink, let alone two talkative high school kids.

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcwashington.com/video.

Schwarzenegger stars in Day of Reckoning

2009-06-02T18:06:00.000-05:00

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared that a "Day of Reckoning" has come for California in it's fiscal crisis:

Declaring that "California's day of reckoning is here," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said today the state should turn its dire budget straits into an opportunity to make government more efficient.

Speaking to a relatively unusual joint session of the Legislature and other constitutional officers, Schwarzenegger acknowledged the billions of dollars in spending cuts he has proposed to close a $24.3 billion hole in the budget will be devastating to millions of Californians.

"People come up to me all the time, pleading 'governor, please don't cut my program,'" he said. "They tell me how the cuts will affect them and their loved ones. I see the pain in their eyes and hear the fear in their voice. It's an awful feeling. But we have no choice.

"Our wallet is empty. Our bank is closed. Our credit is dried up."

I would have thought that the "day of reckoning" was when Schwarzenegger defeated Gray Davis in a recall election during a fiscal crisis.

I keep waiting for one of these "socially moderate, fiscally conservative" Republicans to actually be "fiscally conservative."

Arkansas shootings at recuiting station likely political

2009-06-02T17:36:00.000-05:00

Two soldiers were shot yesterday outside a military recruiting office in Little Rock, AR, yesterday. One of the soldiers died in the attack. The suspect, Abdulhakim Muhammad, is a Muslim convert and the act was likely political.

A Muslim convert who already was under federal investigation pleaded not guilty Tuesday in what police called a likely "political and religious" attack that killed a young soldier at a military recruiting center.

Abdulhakim Muhammad, 23, of Little Rock, was charged in Monday's death of Pvt. William Long, 23, of Conway outside an Army-Navy Career Center in a west Little Rock shopping center. He pleaded not guilty to a capital murder charge and was ordered held without bail.

A prosecutor said Muhammad admitted shooting Long and another soldier "because of what they had done to Muslims in the past."

An FBI-led joint terrorism task force based in the southern United States has been investigating Muhammad since he returned to the United States from Yemen, a law enforcement official said. The suspect had been arrested and jailed in Yemen at some point for using a Somali passport, the official said. The time of that arrest was not immediately clear.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was not authorized to discuss the investigation.

An FBI spokesman in Little Rock did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment.

Comments and trends

2009-06-02T17:30:00.000-05:00

Liberal blogger Cory Liebmann is trying to read the comments of conservative blogs to see if there is a trend of hostility towards Mark Neumann's candidacy for governor.

As I have continued to write and speculate about the prospects of a primary I have noticed a very clear theme. Walker supporters are joining in on the "in your face" activity against Neumann. In fact they are also taking shots at his biggest supporter, one-time GOP big-wig Jim Klauser. I was a little surprised at some of the right wing comments on my blog postings. I didn't realize that the Walker supporters were going to be so insulting and dismissive of their fellow Republican. Recently I wondered if this was just an anomaly on my blog, so I started looking around. After looking at the comments sections on a few news sites and a couple of popular right wing blogs, I found that there really is a rather nasty reaction to Mark Neumann from Walker supporters.

Liebmann then lists a few examples.

I think reading comments for trends is about as accurate as phrenology. All you can tell from the tone and number of comments is the tone and interest level of those commenters.

I think you can learn useful information from commenters. For example, if commenters keep repeating the same points over and over again that might be the sign of a trend or just a really good message-making operation.

My caution to Walker supporters is that you don't want to be as obnoxious as some Mark Green suppporters were during the last primary cycle. I believe your candidate certainly has a strong base of support right now (including the Lovely Doreen from Waukesha). However, you're going to need every conservative voter to win against Doyle.

As far as the usefulness of blog comments in general, I certainly do think they're important. Commenters provide instant feedback, useful information, entertaining remarks, additional arguments, and even a place for those who feel unfairly treated in a blog post to respond. For that reason I try to keep the comments as wide-open as possible. But I don't think you can see the bigger picture just from the comments, any more than yu can learn about someone by counting the bumps on their head.

Quote of the day

2009-06-02T17:11:00.000-05:00

As an aside, I was just thinking the on my walks the last couple of days that I was a lot happier before I started seeing a doctor regularly again.

- Huckleberry Dumbell, Spring City Chronicle

Wisconsin pro-life groups issue statements on on Tiller murder

2009-06-01T21:52:00.004-05:00

Pro-Life Wisconsin Deplores Killing of Dr. George Tiller

Yesterday morning late-term abortionist George Tiller was shot and killed in Wichita, Kansas. Pro-Life Wisconsin State Director Peggy Hamill made the following statement:

Pro-Life Wisconsin is appalled by the slaying of Dr. George Tiller Sunday morning. As a peaceful, prayerful pro-life organization, working through educational and legislative means to end abortion, we deplore this act of violence – just as we deplore the killing of preborn children in the womb.

Pro-Life Wisconsin prays for the conversion of abortionists and those involved in the abortion movement. Tragically, George Tiller was denied the opportunity to have a conversion of heart and mind unlike many former doctors and nurses who have left the abortion industry and now work to promote life. We pray for the repose of the soul of George Tiller.

Wisconsin Right to Life Strongly Condemns the taking of George Tiller's Life
Monday, June 1, 2009

Yesterday, Dr. George Tiller was shot to death. In reaction to this tragic act of violence, Wisconsin Right to Life Executive Director Barbara Lyons has issued the following statement:

"Wisconsin Right to Life was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Dr. George Tiller, who was shot yesterday. We condemn this terrible act of violence and we extend our prayers to the Tiller family. Wisconsin Right to Life has consistently and publicly condemned such acts of violence and those who carry out those acts. Our organization is dedicated to using only peaceful, legal means in building a culture of life our nation."

Kilkenny alone

2009-06-01T00:21:00.000-05:00

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Jacqui Seibel confirmed for me earlier this evening blogger and former Brookfield Alderman Cindy Kilkenny alone was named in the defamation lawsuit by Joseph C. Niebler Sr. Kilkenny confirms on her blog that she has been served finally (in her fuzzy blue bathrobe). Cindy is backing off her promise to post the public documents in her case.

At first I said I’d put the public documents up, but a couple of bloggers have become oddly preoccupied with working as referee from the anti-cheering section, so I’m having second thoughts.

In the comments at her blog, Kilkenny reminds readers that during her campaign for mayor she went public about a rumor she is bipolar. She had trouble with her lawyers when she attempted to sue:

Eventually, I dropped the suit because it gets really ugly. In my case, I had to switch attorneys because my first one suddenly decided he had a conflict of interest. My second attorney started golfing with a few buds that had an interest in the lawsuit. The more he golfed, the less reliable he became in managing my case. I’d picked up a hefty bill by that time and couldn’t see an end for months, so I dropped it all. (Also, time does heal. I’ve been able to laugh about it more lately. That guy is still not on my list of favorite people, but I’m getting closer to admitting he’s just stupid. Sadly, I’m certain that lie will keep me from ever successfully running for office again.)

Nonetheless, she is confident of victory in this lawsuit.

I wrote with some humor about the bipolar rumor and the alleged shoe-throwing incident (before it was trendy) at the time.

This was a tax protest that got some attention

2009-05-31T14:21:00.004-05:00

On this date in 1043, Lady Godiva made her famous ride to protest her husband's oppressive taxation.

According to the popular story, Lady Godiva took pity on the people of Coventry, who were suffering grievously under her husband's oppressive taxation. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband, who obstinately refused to remit the tolls. At last, weary of her entreaties, he said he would grant her request if she would strip naked and ride through the streets of the town. Lady Godiva took him at his word and, after issuing a proclamation that all persons should keep within doors and shut their windows, she rode through the town, clothed only in her long hair. Only one person in the town, a tailor ever afterwards known as Peeping Tom, disobeyed her proclamation in one of the most famous instances of voyeurism. In the story, Tom bores a hole in his shutters so that he might see Godiva pass, and is struck blind. In the end, Godiva's husband keeps his word and abolishes the onerous taxes.

The oldest form of the legend has Godiva passing through Coventry market from one end to the other while the people were assembled, attended only by two knights. This version is given in Flores Historiarum by Roger of Wendover (died 1236), a somewhat gullible collector of anecdotes, who quoted from an earlier writer. The later story, with its episode of "Peeping Tom," appeared first among 17th century chroniclers.

At the time, it was customary for penitents to make a public procession in only their shift, a sleeveless white garment similar to a slip today and one which was certainly considered "underwear." Thus, some scholars speculate, Godiva may have actually travelled through town as a penitent, in her shift. Godiva's story may have passed into folk history to be recorded in a romanticised version. Another theory has it that Lady Godiva's "nakedness" may refer to her riding through the streets stripped of her jewellery, the trademark of her upper class rank. However, both these attempts to reconcile known facts with legend are weak; there is no known use of the word "naked" in the era of the earliest accounts to mean anything other than "without any clothing whatsoever." (from Wikipedia)

Is Doyle running?

2009-05-31T13:12:00.003-05:00

As the most radical, anti-business, anti-taxpayer state budget in history moves from the JFC to the Assembly, some political watchers are wondering if Governor Doyle is running for re-election. They figure after this budget Doyle will be un-electable, that Doyle knows this, and that's why he won't run.

What they don't account for is how Doyle's minions are already working over Doyle's likeliest opponent, Scott Walker. Between the County Board, the state legislature, and almost every member of the media (paid and unpaid), Walker is going to get dragged through the mud. The orchestrated smear of Ambassador Green is going to look like an ice cream social compared with what Walker is going to experience.

Meanwhile, Democrats are counting on the cyclical nature of the economy to turn around in time for them to point to an improving job situation and economic growth, regardless of the long-term economic damage. If the economy recovers, they figure, the voters will forgive them all of the higher taxes and fees.

There is another factor, too, why this budget is the way it is. Sometimes jaded political observers forget that the Democrats actually believe in what they are passing. That's right. They believe people should pay more for everything, consume less, and become little state-funding, state-controlled ascetics having abortions paid for by state-run health care.

Sometimes you gotta let Democrats behave like Democrats to see what they really believe. It's like watching a National Geographic Special, only instead of the wildebeest getting mauled by the lions, it's Wisconsin's taxpayers.

Late-term abortionist shot and killed on way into church

2009-05-31T13:03:00.003-05:00

George Tiller, a doctor who performs late-term abortions in Kansas, was shot and killed as he walked into church this morning.

George Tiller, the Wichita doctor who became a national lightning rod in the debate over abortion, was shot to death this morning as he walked into church services.

Tiller, 67, was shot just after 10 a.m. at Reformation Lutheran Church at 7601 E. 13th, where he was a member of the congregation. Witnesses and a police source confirmed Tiller was the victim.

No information has been released about whether a suspect is in custody. Police said they are looking for white male who was driving a 1990s powder blue Ford Taurus with Kansas license plate 225 BAB.

This is a horrible crime and if the person who did it thought that he was aiding the pro-life movement, he was horribly wrong and deserves to be punished for his crime.

The Wichita Eagle reported this appropriate statement from Operation Rescue:

"We are shocked at this morning's disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down," anti-abortion group Operation Rescue said in a statement on its Web site. "Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller's family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ."

Update! 4:41 PM The suspect is now in custody.

Statements from the Pro-Life movement condemning the murder:
Kansans for Life

"Kansans for Life deplores the murder of Dr. George Tiller, and we wish to express our deep and sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

Our organization has a board of directors, and a 35 year history of bringing citizens together to achieve thoughtful education and legislation on the life issues here in Kansas.

We value life, completely deplore violence, and are shocked and very upset by what happened in Wichita today."

--Mary Kay Culp, state executive director, Kansans for Life

Priests for Life

"I am saddened to hear of the killing of George Tiller this morning. At this point, we do not know the motives of this act, or who is behind it, whether an angry post-abortive man or woman, or a misguided activist, or an enemy within the abortion industry, or a political enemy frustrated with the way Tiller has escaped prosecution. We should not jump to conclusions or rush to judgment.

"But whatever the motives, we at Priests for Life continue to insist on a culture in which violence is never seen as the solution to any problem. Every life has to be protected, without regard to their age or views or actions."

--Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life

Operation Rescue

"We are shocked at this morning's disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down. Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller's family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ."

Bishop Michael O. Jackels

"The Catholic community extends sympathy to the family of Dr. George Tiller, a victim of violent crime made even more heinous, if that is possible, by being committed in a church as he was preparing for worship.

"Many Catholics have over the years engaged in peaceful protest outside of Dr. Tiller's clinic, praying for an end to abortion, and especially late-term abortions; I have on occasion joined them for this purpose. This position and hope cannot however serve as a justification for committing other sins and crimes, like the willful destruction of property and, even worse, murder.

"It is my prayer that the Tiller family find consolation, that Dr. George Tiller find mercy and the fulfillment of the great hope of Christians, and that all will find peaceful and legal means to resolve differences."

New Voice of Wisconsin Rapids wants you to break it

2009-05-31T12:04:00.003-05:00

A new non-profit newspaper in Wisconsin Rapids, Voice of Wisconsin Rapids, is testing their website which is officially launching June 4. In the meantime, they ask if you will please "browse and try to break things."

Q & A with Cindy Kilkenny regarding getting sued

2009-05-30T08:06:00.004-05:00

Blogger Cindy Kilkenny declined to be interviewed regarding a lawsuit filed by Joseph C. Niebler Sr., President of NFI Properties LLC. (See correspondence at bottom.) However, she took the time to answer my questions on her blog, even if she didn't mention that I asked them. Apparently I'm a typical conservative filled with schadenfreude and she will not link to me to avoid promoting "potential" innaccuracies. Below are my questions and her answers:

JW: According to the Freeman article, you still haven't seen the complaint. Have you had a chance to read it?

CK: Have I seen the complaint? No, as of 1:45 p.m. Central time on May 29, 2009, I have not received service. I have had two calls from two reporters. They have both written stories. It appears from their stories they have read the complaint.

JW: Have you hired an attorney?

CK: Have I hired an attorney? No, I have not. While I take this issue very seriously, I haven’t read the complaint and so I’m not sure exactly what type of attorney I will need to hire. Someone with print media experience? Someone with defamation experience? Someone with SLAPP experience? These are big unknowns, and so I must be patient. (I heard some of you laugh just now. No, it’s not one of my more redeeming qualities, but I am trying.)

JW: Have you contacted any organizations that help defend blogs from lawsuits?

CK: Have I contacted any organizations that help defend blogs from lawsuits? No. I have done some internet research on these organizations, but do not feel they would be of particular use.

JW: Also, do you know if Journal Communications was named in the lawsuit?

CK: Was anyone else named in the lawsuit? Not that I can tell. While the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article indicated the complaint talked about BrookfieldNOW.com and my term as an alderman, that’s not been confirmed. The WCCA information lists only me as the defendant.

Correspondence with Ms. Kilkenny (E-mail address and my signature info removed):
On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 10:22 AM, James Wigderson wrote:

Hi Cindy,

Since I have a moment this morning, I wanted to ask a few questions about the law suit.

According to the Freeman article, you still haven't seen the complaint. Have you had a chance to read it? Have you hired an attorney? Have you contacted any organizations that help defend blogs from lawsuits?

Also, do you know if Journal Communications was named in the lawsuit?

Despite what you think, I do have a sincere interest in these issues.

Sincerely,

James Wigderson

From: Cindy Kilkenny
To: James Wigderson
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 11:42:22 AM
Subject: Re: have you been served yet?

James,

I'll be glad to answer your questions if they are a private conversation. I'm not inclined to have you cover this case using my information as an interview.

Should you agree, let me know, and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

Cindy

From: James Wigderson
To: cindy.kilkenny
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 12:40:58 PM
Subject: Re: have you been served yet?

No.

James Wigderson

On this date in history, Andrew Jackson killed a lawyer in a duel.

2009-05-30T08:05:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, it was only one of them.

Outrageous bias at WISN-TV

2009-05-29T18:23:00.000-05:00

I'm used to media bias but this report by Brendan Conway is one of the dumbest and most blatant hatchet jobs I have ever seen. The report is about the Walker for Governor campaign using an Ohio company to build their campaign website, a story first reported by Michael Horne who goes uncredited in the piece. Conway spends most of the report asking a local web developer how he feels about Walker using an out-of-state vendor. He then turns to a local critic of Walker from the County Board for reaction.

In the report, Conway does not ask the vendor how he feels about Governor Jim Doyle also using an out-of-state vendor (based in Washington DC) for his campaign website, nor does he ask any of Doyle's critics. He only devotes 14 seconds to mentioning that Doyle will not commit to using an in-state vendor for the upcoming campaign.

Conway has not responded to my e-mail asking about the strong bias of his report and whether he even mentioned to the local web vendors that Doyle has used an out-of-state vendor, too. Conway has also not responded to why he did not credit Horne with breaking the story.

Bill Kramer looking for the 2003 version of Governor Doyle

2009-05-29T00:53:00.000-05:00

State Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) asks in his latest Capitol Correspondence what happened to the Governor Doyle we knew in 2003?

Where's the Governor Jim Doyle from 2003?

In 2003, Governor Jim Doyle had just started his first term as Governor and had delivered his first State of the State speech.

In 2009, he has proposed two budgets that raised taxes by $2.9 billion and base state spending since that first State of the State speech has increased 100%.

Below are some of the sentiments that Governor Jim Doyle shared with Wisconsin from his 2003 speech... and I ask: Where is THAT Governor Doyle?

"And I can summarize that condition simply. The state of our government is profoundly troubled. The State of Wisconsin is as vibrant as ever."

I agree, but your budgeting since has not reflected that sentiment, Governor Doyle. You have systematically raided segregated funds, borrowed too much from future taxpayers, and increased taxes on our job creators and families that have made Wisconsin vibrant.

"But here in Madison, we face a crisis -- a budgetary deficit that imperils state government -- one so severe it will, if we do not address it, imperil our people too."

I agree, but why does this seem to be a recurring problem? The more things change, the more they stay the same, huh?

"Our challenge -- here in this room -- is to prove Wisconsin's government worthy of Wisconsin's people. Let that challenge begin today. And let it begin with me."

We should begin to address this challenge, unfortunately, you've taken six years to take your clarion call seriously. Your solution: Raise taxes. Increase spending. Raid segregated funds. The problem? It's still there and every passing day the news gets worse.

"But this is a moment for protecting what's most important rather than launching a host of new undertakings. I wish that wasn't the case. This isn't the kind of speech I wanted to give, nor, I'm sure, is it the kind you wanted to hear."

I'll take this speech over any you've given since -- especially any where you've proposed new spending initiatives, expanded the size and scope of government, and raised taxes. This was good advice... you should have heeded it. Instead of blaming the current economic recession on national circumstances brought forth by previous presidential administrations, perhaps you should instead say "thank you" for allowing you to live off the prosperity that many Wisconsinites enjoyed and which enabled you to increase state spending by 100%. Your most recent budget proposal calls for a 10 percent spending increase.

"There's a lot I'd like to do that we can't -- and a lot we'll have to do that I'd rather not -- and both of those circumstances trouble me greatly."

It didn't stop you, did it, Governor Doyle?

"The simple fact is this: We're spending too much -- and we have been for a long, long time."

And it never slowed, stopped, or retreated under your watch, did it?

"We can no longer rely on the economic boom to mask spending growth. More than 166,000 of our people are out of work. Revenues to the state are down by more $900 million. All the while, government has continued to spend more and promise more."

Compared to 2009, those are halcyon days. We continue to hemorrhage jobs and the budget deficit keeps getting worse and worse.

"Meanwhile, the combination of soaring spending and dubious bookkeeping resulted in our bonds being downgraded. Only two states' ratings are worse. I wish we weren't in this mess. I believe firmly that we shouldn't be. But we are. We must get out of it. And we can."

What's that you say about soaring spending, Governor Doyle?

For years, many of us, myself included, have tried to reform the fiscal mismanagement of state government and have proposed legislation that would have required the state to prepare budgets using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and zero-based budgeting so that we could better manage and understand the state's fiscal position. Both Republicans and Democrats have shown tremendous reluctance to embrace these ideas. If we are to abide the admonition given by Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's Chief of Staff, that we ought not waste a good crisis, then now is the best time for a complete restructuring of government bookkeeping procedures.

"Going forward, my mind will be open to every solution -- except one. We should not -- we must not -- and I will not -- raise taxes.
Wisconsin's problem is not that we tax too little. It is that we spend too much.
If common sense doesn't lead us to that conclusion, simple arithmetic will.

Wisconsin is already one of the nation's most heavily taxed states. Adding to the burden would make it virtually impossible to attract new jobs while destroying more than 50,000 of the ones we already have.

By costing us jobs, raising taxes would trigger an economic spiral that would cost us revenue too. In the long run -- and perhaps in the short term too -- raising taxes will make the deficit worse, not better."

If it was true then, why is it not true now, Governor Doyle? In February you signed more than $1.2 billion in tax increases into law, and then immediately proposed another $1.7 billion in tax increases within days of that. When all is said and done, taxes in Wisconsin will have increased by no less than $2.9 billlion.

"Working families are already stretched to the limit. They're paying more for groceries -- housing -- utilities -- gasoline -- and other basic needs. It would be unfair -- and it would be wrong -- to raise their taxes too."

Where is that $2.9 billion going to come from, then? You are proposing more in garbage fees, cell phone fees, hospital taxes, and investment taxes. That turnip has no blood left to give, Governor.

"Finally, let's solve this problem once -- and let's solve it right."

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

"For too long, Wisconsin has budgeted for today without thinking about tomorrow. We've allowed structural problems to accumulate that make each budget more difficult than the one before. In the past, government resorted to easy, cosmetic fixes rather than making the tough calls."

Like that time you raided the Transportation Fund? Or the Injured Families and Patients Compensation Fund? Or the Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund?

"You know, the budget shortfall is serious, and we'll have to make painful cuts to overcome it. But let's not lose our perspective. We're still going to spend more than $22 billion over the next two years -- and that's enough money to make a real difference in a lot of people's lives."

If $22 billion is enough money to make a real difference in a lot of people's lives, Governor Doyle, then what is the justification for a 100 percent increase in state expenditures since you gave this speech, and a nearly 10 percent increase in the upcoming budget alone? What was it you said before about spending too much? And cosmetic fixes?

I ask again, where is the Governor Jim Doyle from 2003?

Tax the sick

2009-05-28T19:40:00.003-05:00

The following is from the Wisconsin Club For Growth newsletter. I thought it timely as another reminder how the governor's actions do not live up to his words.

Tax the Sick - Feed the State

On April 15th, hundreds of thousands of taxpayers turned out at Tea Party rallies across the country to protest higher taxes and to tell government officials that they've had enough.

Governor Jim Doyle, intent on spending ever increasing amounts of our money, ridiculed Wisconsin’s tax watchdogs during a Capitol rally.
Doyle said that those at the Madison rally were "protesting against the biggest middle-class tax breaks that we have seen in decades in this country.

And at the state level, despite the horrendous economy and the situation we're in, (under) the budget I proposed, if you make less than $300,000 a year, you're not going to face any kind of tax increase."

Of course Doyle's assertion is contradicted by the facts. His budget would raise taxes on everyone who drives a car, owns a home, smokes, pays tuition to the University of Wisconsin, lives in a nursing home, or talks on cell phone, just for starters.

Earlier this year, the Governor signed a new $400 million sick tax into law. Doyle claimed the tax would help lower health care costs for consumers by increasing the state Medicaid reimbursement rate to hospitals. Yet before the ink is dry on his new sick tax, the Governor is raising the tax again in order to keep state spending high.

Following is a summary of the new budget plan prepared by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce:

The new budget agreement will increase the recently-enacted hospital assessment by 20 percent and use some of the money to support other government spending. The $165 million in hospital assessment changes the administration cites appears to be a combination of more diversions of assessment revenues and other, unspecified Medical Assistance changes. Earlier this year, Governor Doyle signed into law a new hospital assessment. For 2009, the assessment was to be nearly 1.3 percent of gross patient revenues. The assessment was projected to generate, over the 2009-2011 biennium, $650 million from Wisconsin hospitals and attract, over the 2009-2011 biennium, $635 million in new federal Medicaid dollars to Wisconsin in order to increase hospital Medicaid reimbursement rates. The state was planning on diverting $225 million of the assessment revenues and using these dollars to pay for other government spending.

Full details on the new hospital assessment have not been released. It appears, under the new agreement, the assessment will be in the range of 1.5 percent and 1.6 percent of gross patient revenues. WMC has been told the proportion of the assessment dollars going to increase hospital Medicaid reimbursement rates and the proportion of the dollars going to support other spending will not change. By this calculation, the assessment is now projected to generate, over the 2009-2011 biennium, $780 million from Wisconsin hospitals and attract, over the 2009-2011 biennium, $760 million in new federal Medicaid dollars to Wisconsin. Under the new agreement, it appears the state will divert $270 million in assessment revenues and use these dollars to pay for other government spending. When actual figures from the administration are released, WMC will report them to you.

While final details of the plan are not yet available, one thing is clear: the Governor’s new sick tax will mean higher health care costs for Wisconsin families when they can least afford it.

Hey kids! Look what Santa Budget brought! Recycling bins!

2009-05-28T18:35:00.003-05:00

It's a small item. But then, so many items are. Then we wonder where did all that money go?

The town of Wrightstown is getting $46,000 in brand new recycling bins. The only explanation anyone has for this budget item involves elves and reindeer. From a press release from state representatives Rich Zipperer and Leah Vukmir:

Madison - Today Representative Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee) and
Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) blasted a provision added to the state budget by the Democrat-controlled Joint Committee on Finance earlier this week. The provision provided $46,000 for new recycling bins in the town of Wrightstown at a time when Legislators are trying to solve Governor Doyle's $6.6 billion state deficit. The $46,000 represents a 735% increase over what the town received for recycling aid in the last budget.

"This provision is preposterous," said Vukmir. "This is exactly the kind of nickel-and-diming that has put Wisconsin in such a mess over the years. Wasteful earmarks for things like recycling bins for only one town should not be a priority of the state, but to the Democrats on the Joint Finance Committee, it apparently is."

According to a recent news article in the Green Bay Press Gazette, the Wrightstown Clerk didn't know about the spending provision, and the Democrat co-chairs of the Finance Committee claimed that they didn't know who brought the provision forward. Wrightstown's representative in the Assembly, Democrat Ted Zigmunt, did not return a press call seeking answers.

"The fact that the Democrat co-chairs of the Finance Committee, who control every motion and vote brought forward to the committee, can claim they don't know how the provision was included is ridiculous," said Zipperer. "Taxpayers deserve transparency in the state budget, and they deserve to know who thought recycling bins in Wrightstown are important enough to have priority at a time when we are trying to fix Governor Doyle's $6.6 billion state deficit."

Zipperer and Vukmir are the authors of the Earmark Transparency Act, which is before the Joint Committee on Finance but has not yet been given a public hearing. The Earmark Transparency Act would require complete disclosure of the state budget, including disclosing who brought motions and earmarks forward during the Finance Committee proceedings.

"This is just one example of multiple spending provisions that should not be in the state budget. Once the budget reaches the full Assembly, we will watch out for the taxpayers and work to remove these wasteful earmarks," Zipperer concluded.

State budget tragic opera

2009-05-28T17:37:00.004-05:00

If they didn't have a golf tournament to attend tomorrow with their campaign donors (ht: Charlie Sykes), the Democrats probably would have waited until tomorrow afternoon before letting loose with this budget bomb. As it is, they're probably hoping that the 65 page single budget motion will keep us all too busy to figure out what's in it. Fortunately the MacIver Institute is on the case and is updating some of the more outrageous budget items on Twitter.

My favorite so far: "Fat Lady Sings. No, the JFC isn't done. They haven't started yet. But the Oshkosh Opera House to get $500k bonding in new #wibudget."

As I wrote in this week's column for the Waukesha Freeman:

For three months the public debated the governor’s original budget proposal. Now the Democrats are trying to cram through a new state budget in 11 days, making the choices behind closed doors. The state budget is turning into a train wreck of bad social policy, increased spending, increased taxes, new taxes, and a neglect of the public safety.

For all of the complaints about how a state Legislature divided between the Republicans and the Democrats turned the last budget debate into a 10-month marathon, the public was better served.

Where in the World Wide Web is your website?

2009-05-27T23:50:00.004-05:00

Michael Horne had a little fun tracking down the location of the company that built Scott Walker's campaign website.

The website, Scott Walker for Wisconsin Governor was created by Midnet Media, a company that, like many Wisconsin-based firms, provides "web development, video production, advertising, digital media, graphic design," and other services.

Deep cyberspace travelers will recognize Midnet Media as the creator of such sites as Dayton Bag & Burlap Company, Buds Chevrolet of St. Mary's Ohio, and NewBremen.com, (slogan: "One of Ohio's Best Kept Secrets").

Unfortunately, Midnet Media is an Ohio company with no apparent Wisconsin connection. (Although there is always a chance it might be linked to a political supporter of Walker.)

Okey dokey. But the Wigderson Library & Pub has learned Walker isn't the only candidate for governor looking outside Wisconsin for a little website help. One candidate, Governor Jim Doyle, reached all the way to his friends in Washington D.C. for a little help. Then again, why not? After all, he's been out there begging for money to fix the budgetary mess he's created. He might as well ask for a little website help, too.

More on the Kilkenny lawsuit

2009-05-27T23:46:00.000-05:00

Blogger and former Brookfield Alderman Cindy Kilkenny announced on her site the lawsuit by Joseph C. Niebler Sr., president of NFI Properties LLC, over remarks she made about the Shire development:

Lucky me! I’m being sued.

May 27, 2009 at 3:10 pm --by Cindy Kilkenny

Hello bloggers. Pay attention. The next few weeks will be interesting to the future of blogs.

I won’t leave specifics right now. MJS just called, they’re running the story tomorrow. They were the first word I had of the action.

I guess I better call and tell the spouse.

This was followed by another blog post, "I Was Wrong About the Shire," where she made a correction and apologized to Mayor Jeff Speaker, Alderman Steve Ponto, and Common Council President Alderman Mark Nelson.

Here is the blog post in question that prompted the lawsuit from the developer and the correction/apology regarding the city officials. Here's another post by her on the subject.

Hey! You sued Kilkenny!

2009-05-27T21:43:00.000-05:00

Brookfield blogger and ex-alderman Cindy Kilkenny is getting sued by a developer for remarks she made on her blog and on the blog she wrote on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel website, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Joseph C. Niebler Sr., as president of NFI Properties LLC, contends that Cynthia Kilkenny continually made untrue and malicious statements about the Shire development, a name drawn from J.R.R. Tolkien's' "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Kilkenny, Niebler says, called him "the Dark Lord," and described the development as "icky," "a flop" and contaminated by an adjacent, closed landfill, the lawsuit says.

Kilkenny, who is no longer a Brookfield alderman, said Wednesday that she had not yet seen the lawsuit.

"I'm not terribly worried about it," she said.

Niebler contends that Kilkenny made statements about him and the development that she knew were untrue and with malice while she was an alderman, during her tenure as a blogger for BrookfieldNow.com, and in her most recent blog, fairlyconservative.com, the lawsuit says. BrookfieldNow is produced by Journal Interactive, a division of Journal Communications.

Here's a tip for those of you considering a career in blogging: if you're going to accuse a development of contaminated soil, make sure you have the soil tests in hand. The article does not mention whether or not Journal Communications, Inc., is named in the lawsuit. As developments (yes, pun intended) arise, we'll keep you posted.

Why I loves me some serious Biden (Quote of the Day)

2009-05-27T20:47:00.003-05:00

Can we get please Vice President Biden more speaking engagements? I vote for as many commencement speeches as possible:

When Biden's teleprompter failed, he poked fun at Obama, who's known for relying on teleprompters for his speeches.

"What am I going to tell the president? Tell him his teleprompter is broken? What will he do then?" Biden joked.

Former Archbishop Weakland gets to stay among his victims

2009-05-26T23:17:00.002-05:00

WISN's Mark Belling and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel are reporting that former Milwaukee Archbishop Weakland will not be moving to the abbey in New Jersey as he hoped. (Ht: Dad29.)

Weakland said he rescinded his plans to move to St. Mary's Abbey in Morristown, N.J., on May 18 after Abbot Giles Hayes expressed concerns about his presence in the wake of a New York Times story recounting revelations in his forthcoming memoir.

"It seemed evident to me that they thought my presence there might be a negative element for the school and monastery," said Weakland, who discusses his homosexuality and his handling of clergy sex abuse in the book, "A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church," which is due out this month.

St. Mary's is home to Delbarton School, a prestigious boys college preparatory school operated by the Benedictine monks of St. Mary's, about 35 miles from Manhattan.

Giles, who is the former headmaster of the school, said Weakland changed his plans without explanation a week earlier, and that he had no reason to believe controversy surrounding the book played a role.

Weakland said that the day he sent the e-mail offering his withdrawal, the Benedictine community was scheduled to meet to discuss concerns about his move.

"I put in the option that I would withdraw if it was a problem," he said.

Weakland, 82, said he would remain in Milwaukee.

As the Lovely Doreen from Waukesha pointed out to me, this means that when Weakland's book does come out he gets to live among the people he wrote about and victimized.

I can well imagine that St. Mary's might have legitimate concerns about having someone who excused and covered-up for pedophiles living close to "a prestigious boys college preparatory school." He certainly would not be considered a positive influence.

Reach out and tax someone

2009-05-26T18:37:00.004-05:00

Old taxes never die, they just get bigger. In 2003 the state imposed a tax on cell phones to upgrade the 911 system to be able to pinpoint 911 cell phone calls. When the upgrades were done, the state under Governor Doyle kept the $20,000,000 in "leftover" money. (Nothing says home cookin' the books like "leftovers.")

Now Governor Doyle wants to increase the tax. According to Americans for Tax Reform:

...Gov. Doyle has now proposed extending the cell phone tax, raising it by 75-cents, and then making it applicable to all landlines as well. Oh, then he would then add another 56-cent tax to cell phones for the state's Universal Service Fund, which has nothing to do with cell phone usage. All told, the proposal amounts to a $100 million per year tax increase on cell phone users.

Maybe on the two-hundredth anniversary of the Spanish-American War we'll be able to get rid of this phone tax, too.

Update! Just caught this from the MacIver Institute:

Doyle's proposal to divert 911 surcharge would make Wisconsin ineligible for federal 911 grants

By Matthew DeFour Wisconsin State Journal May 22, 2009

Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to divert $100 million from a 911 surcharge to funding for local governments would make the state ineligible for federal 911 grants and remove an existing surcharge that saves 911 centers $7 million a year.

Remember the hospital tax (also going up) was to get more money from the feds but a tax on phone calls will result in less money from the feds. Heckuva job, Jimmy.

You gotta Ma-Ma-Ma Belle, or I will get you
You know you gotta Ma-Ma-Ma Belle, before I get you

Parks win award. I blame Scott Walker

2009-05-26T17:25:00.001-05:00

This will upset critics of Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker:

Milwaukee County Parks Director Sue Black has won a national award for her work advancing parks and recreation locally.

The award will be presented by the American Academy for Parks and Recreation and the National Recreation and Parks Association at their annual conference in October. Black's selection for the organization's ROSE award - it stands for Recognition of Significant Efforts - was confirmed Tuesday by Jackie Wallenstein, of the parks association.

This comes on top of an earlier announcement:

The county parks system also is a finalist this year for the association's gold medal award, for best managed park system in the U.S. That pick will be announced at the October conference.

Hard to complain about a crumbling park system when it's running up awards. Guess Doyle's surrogates will have to cancel those commercials.