State seeks applicants for conservation warden training program

Story
MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is looking for a few good men and women.

The DNR is once again (proof that it never ends) recruiting conservation wardens. The current recruiting period will run through June 16 (I guess on June 17 it must self-destruct).

The DNR is planning to hire 10 new conservation wardens in the effort to fill existing and anticipated (another term for wants ) vacancies in the state's warden force.

"Many of our veteran wardens are at or nearing retirement," (that means many more that we can not afford and who are living off of our backs with plush retirement benefits) says Darrel Waldera, training director for the DNR Bureau of Law Enforcement (another word for communist, dictatorship). "By the end of 2007 there will be approximately 31 warden vacancies (Good, Finally!) throughout the state. Within the next two years we'll be working hard to fill as many of those vacancies as possible (That's too bad)."

With the department's budget finalized for this year (that's another way of stating they packed it full of pork), Chief DNR Warden Randy Stark says he is "pleased we'll be able to continue filling our vacant warden positions."

"It's important to start the hiring process now (because on June 17 they self-destruct) so we have new wardens ready to place in communities (fog horn) around the state at the end of 2007 when the recruits complete their first year of training," Stark says.

"We have a lot of important work to do in the next couple of years recruiting, hiring and training quality candidates (quality candidates must mean thugs who will not need a court system to do what ever they want to). They'll be the next generation of wardens charged with providing public safety (making up their own rules as they go along) and protecting Wisconsin's natural resources (fining anything that moves, actually even fining things that don't move)."

Well qualifed candidates must meet high DNR and state standards (Thugs without a court system who make up their own laws), pass physical and psychological testing (can you ruthlessly harrass someone for absolutely no reason at all?) and undergo a thorough background investigation (do you treat your friends and family like crap?; if you do we want you).

"We need dedicated (willing to turn an average citizen into a felon because you said so), caring (enough to make sure no kid will want to hunt, fish, or own land when your through with them)and intelligent (Is your IQ over 5?)men and women," according to DNR regional warden Barbara Wolf.

At a minimum, applicants must have an Associates degree or at least 60 academic credits (Freshman Year Inititiative will also count) and be at least 21 years old by their date of hire, which will be January 2, 2007 for this new recruit warden class.

Besides the educational requirements, an interest in protecting people (turning them into criminals by invading their very own private property and telling them what is good for them) and natural resources (everything is governed by mother earth!), and clearing a background check, candidates must also have personal and communication skills (Use a billy club to communicate) needed to work with a wide variety of people from various cultures who use natural resources in a changing (another code word for someone who wants to be left alone on their own property) society.

"Much of a warden's day-to-day work," says Wolf, puts him or her in contact with people (there's the billy club again).

"We need people who are forward-thinking (can you walk onto someone's property with binoculars and sit all day to see if they will break one of your hundred thousand worthless rules?), who can resolve conflict (arrest them and turn them into criminals), solve problems (save a walnut tree from someone putting tree steps in it) and build community (fog horn) relationships to carry out this mission (speechless on this one)," she added.

More information about the Wisconsin Conservation Warden service can be found on the DNR law enforcement Web pages.

Application and examination materials will be available online from May 22 through June 16, 2006 on the employment section of the DNR Web site, www.dnr.state.wi.us

For people without computers the DNR suggests they visit local public libraries (new one coming soon near you!) or Job Service offices (another government facility paid for by the public) to access the examination through computers. The examination must be completed by June 16, 2006.

Individuals with questions about the hiring process should contact Marilyn Howell at the DNR Bureau of Law Enforcement by email at marilyn.howell@dnr.state.wi.us or call 608-266-2174.

Citizen Joe @ OnTheBorderLine

English has become “lingua franca”

Tom Still raises an interesting point in his latest column:

English has become a second language for much of the world, without anyone in Washington, Madison or elsewhere decreeing it must happen. There are somewhere between 380 million and 400 million native speakers of English – and at least as many others who speak it as a second language. Within a decade, according to a 2004 report to the British Council, 2 billion people will be studying English and half of the world (about 3 billion people by then) will speak it to one degree or another.

English has become “lingua franca,” or universal language, for reasons that speak to the influence of Western culture, economics and politics. The rise of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries spread English beyond the mother islands, and the dominance of the United States since World War II has continued the spread of the language. Today, only Chinese and Hindi are spoken by more people as their native tongue. English is already the world’s most widely learned second language, and millions more are clamoring to learn.

English is the language of the Internet, motion pictures, science and sports. It is the “cash” language spoken in the corridors of trade, and the diplomatic language spoken in the corridors of power. People want to learn English because they need to. It’s necessary for them to function in today’s world.

Why, then, Tom asks, should we legislatively give English a more prominent place in the US by passing a law?

Here's another question: the Left is always complaining that the rest of the world doesn't like us, and that we don't do things like everybody else. Well, here's their chance to be consistent. Everybody should learn English!

Keep it in your pants

Great point, Elliot.

AIDS is once again on the rise.

If we could cure cancer by not having sex with anyone other than our spouses, don’t you think cancer would go back to being nothing but the least popular sign of the Zodiac?

What!

Edmonton hockey fans create beer emergency

As the Oilers battle their way to the Stanley Cup finals, bar owners in Edmonton are scrambling to keep beer on ice for thirsty hockey fans.

A report in the Edmonton Sun says managers of bars on Whyte Avenue, known as the Blue Mile during the hockey playoffs, have had to place emergency orders for beer.

And:

Oh beer! Oilers running taps dry

Whyte Avenue watering holes aren't the only Edmonton establishments tapping out on beer.

Bars throughout the city have been running low on suds during recent Oilers games because of beer-drinking fans knocking down brews.

"It would be directly related to the games," said James Bennett, promotions manager for the Overtime Broiler and Taproom. "I don't think a lot of people anticipated that many sales."

Bennett said he does a few emergency runs to the liquor store a week for more bottles of beer.

I've never been a big hockey fan, but I've gotta respect a sport that can run their bars dry.

Is anybody else sensing a huge opportunity for an advertising blitz? I'm visualizing horrified bartenders, followed by frantic phone calls: distributors calling the brewery, brewery workers leaping into action (a man in front of a huge beer vat, fists clenched, urging: "Brew, baby! Brew!"), trucks being loaded at breakneck speed, truck drivers yelling "Hang on! We're coming!" Maybe some airlifts. Whaddayathink?

Slogan: if Canada can't keep their bars stocked, we'll do it for them!

Re: Milwaukee Mayor suffering from heat stroke

Jib points out what a commenter also tried to say at my place: that the Mayor was talking about a correlation that some frou-frou sociologist with a huge grant from the government and not much to do with it came up with between heat and violence.

It's not about how hot it got--it is about a complete disrespect for the laws in that city.

And who can blame them?

Three words: Mike McGee Jackson.

With "city leaders" like that, I'm not that surprised that Milwaukee is a mecca for violence.

Non-causational correlations mean absolutely nothing. It's disgusting that the mayor is going to use that kind of BC to try to explain away the violence.

And until something changes, I'm going to stay far, far away from Milwaukee.

Scott Fitzgerald listening sessions on Friday

If you live in State Senator Scott Fitzgerald's district, he will be holding listening sessions on Friday, June 2nd. Here is the schedule:

9 am-10 am, Randloph Village Hall
11 am- noon, Columbus Senior Center
1:30 pm- 2:30 pm, Fort Atkinson City Hall

I plan on attending the 1:30 session, myself.

Milwaukee Mayor suffering from heat stroke

The Memorial Day weekend was quite violent in Milwaukee. Check out this piece of justification from Mayor Barrett (from Jenna):

In response to a string of shootings in the city over the Memorial Day weekend, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett today called the level of violence "unacceptable" and announced increased police patrols to help stem the tide of violence.

"I am outraged at the level of violence we have seen in the city in the last 96 hours," Barrett said, adding that hot temperatures over the weekend contributed to the violence. "Violence and fatalities rise as the temperatures rise," Barrett said. "There are many hot days ahead."

Yes, sociologists have found what they believe to be links between hot weather and increases in violent crime. But folks, the hottest it got in Milwaukee over the weekend was 90 degrees. If the Mayor wants to stick to that piece of reasoning for the violence, I recommend full body armor to anyone who visits Milwaukee when summer really gets here.

In the spirit of Mayor Barrett's heat rationale, I have a few new slogans for Milwaukee tourism.

This summer, visit beautiful Milwaukee, the:
A) Kirkuk on the KK
B) Mosul on the Menomonie
C) Fallujah on the lake

And the Band Played on

The RMS Milwaukee as seen from Waukesha County.

Led by the Usual Subjects at the MJS the rearranging of the deck chairs has begun done to the tune of "Guns are the only Problem in Milwaukee"

Anyone want to lay odds that anything constructive will get done to make Milwaukee safer this summer. Don't bet your kids college fund on that one its a sucker bet.

Don't blame Arthur Jones for wrecking the MPD and getting rid of the gang unit. Don't Blame the DA E M McCann for being Milwaukees original empty suit his motto was "In Plea Bargains We Trust". Don't blame any level government in Milwaukee.
Why do I picture Mayor Tom Barrett fetal under his desk muttering over and over again "In congress we never had to actually fix anything".

Nope lets move some deck chairs over there and what ever you do keep playing the only song they know how to play.

Regards,
Chris

RE: Above the Law?

Jenna,

I'd be in agreement with you, if it weren't for the fact that Kind's November opponent Paul Nelson complained about the DC GOP leadership first.

Once again, Ron Kind showcases he's tops at taking other people's ideas and claiming them as his own.

Above the Law?

I can't believe it...I agree with Ron Kind.

Rep. Ron Kind, a former prosecutor, has no problem with the FBI seizing materials from the Congressional office of a Democratic colleague, William Jefferson of Louisiana, as part of a bribery investigation.

"Members of Congress are not above the law," the La Crosse lawmaker said, and serving there should not mean immunity "from lawful searches conducted with a court-approved search warrant."

What is this world coming to when Hastert is on the opposite side of myself and Ron Kind?

28 shootings this weekend.

I am starting to think the Zombie filled Milwaukee shown in Dawn of the Dead would be safer then the real Milwaukee.

Is it me or is Milwaukee starting to take on a "Little Detroit" feel Oconomowoc is starting to feel like Royal Oak


Anyone know when Mayor Barrett will be making his "Guns kill people, People don't kill people" speech that always follow one of these outburst of violence?

I call on Mini McGee to organize another of his so successful gun buy backs. Or maybe hand out another batch of "Stop Snitching" T-shirts. Or can we get Eugene Kane to write another of his its everyone else's fault columns because we are all racist bastards.

Come on Milwaukee's leaders the RMS Milwaukee has hit the iceberg,it's time to do what you do best, rearrange the deck chairs while the ship sinks.

Regards,
Chris

More proof the economy is booming

I have proof that the economy is booming, but you are going to have to stay with me on this one. Here's the story that gives us the evidence:

A Wausau group whose members believe a Bigfoot-like creature lives in the northern Wisconsin forests is organizing expeditions to search for it.

The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization plans to hold two three-day searches next month. The team hopes to collect evidence of the elusive creature and possibly spot it.

Participants pay a $400 fee to tag along and camp with organization members.

That's right, $400 bones to look for Bigfoot in the Northwoods. The economy is apparently so good that people have $400 bones burning such holes in their pockets that they are willing to go on wild goose chases in the Northwoods. They could essentially do the same thing for free, but they wouldn't have the camaraderie of other fools.

My dad is now retired and looking for retirement work. I'm going to suggest that he charge people $300 (plus a fuel surcharge) to go out on Marshmiller Lake to look for the Loch Ness monster. It's a stumpy lake, so he should be quite successful in quickly parting fools from their extra funds.

Memorial Day Weekend reading assignment

Take the the time this Memorial Day to read about Wisconsin's "boy colonel," Medal of Honor recipient Arthur MacArthur. MacArthur, father of MOH recipient Douglas MacArthur, has a story that I'd bet most Wisconsinites either do not know or have forgotten. Here's a sample of his story:

Among the units advancing on the entrenched Confederate soldiers that day was the 24th Wisconsin Infantry. The unit detailed to advance the colors was led by an 18-year old First Lieutenant named Arthur MacArthur. When the soldier assigned to carry the battle flag of the 24th Wisconsin fell to an enemy bayonet, another soldier rushed forward to hoist the flag. The roar of cannon fire filled the ridge and the second color bearer fell, decapitated by a cannon ball. Bloody and wounded, Arthur MacArthur retrieved the colors himself. Raising the already battle-scared flag high he turned to his troops with the shout "On Wisconsin!" and proceeded up the ridge. As MacArthur reached the summit he firmly planted the staff of the flag in the ground. Below him the advancing soldiers saw their flag, battered and scarred, waving in the breeze at the top of the precipice. Their hearts filled with inspiration they surged forward, doing the improbable, achieving victory at Missionary Ridge.

Read the rest of MacArthur's story here, and look up Medal of Honor recipients from your neck of the woods here.

Some Gave All

Heard this song today and it is appropriate for the sacrifices our armed services have made for the cause of freedom throughout our nation's history, including the Supreme Sacrifice:

Some Gave All

I knew a man called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free

I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man

Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died America can't you see

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all

Some gave all

Thank you to all who made that Sacrifice for freedom.

The Distinguished Weatherman

If you are familiar with the Eddie Murphy movie "The Distinguished Gentleman," then you know how beneficial name recognition can be for a politician. Well, former WTMJ weatherman Jim Ott has that name recognition advantage in the race for the 23rd Assembly District seat. "The Distinguished Weatherman" will certainly pick up votes because of his many years on Milwaukee television, but what about that old job of his? There are few television personalities so reviled as the weatherman. Will he be haunted by ghosts of rainy Memorial Day weekends past? Will the surprise snowstorms and unpredicted rainouts of previous years have a wind chill effect on his poll numbers?

I say there is a 30% chance, but stay tuned for further updates.

McJackson defender needed a Fisking

So I gave it to him.

Time for everyone to update their blogrolls.

Lois Moore thinks she is the smartest person in the room

Lois Moore of the MJS thinks we on the right are dumb, ignorant, mean and we use bad words and hurt her feelings. Now we know no one on the left ever uses a bad word dont we.

My reply which is not BBA Safe so here is the link Adult Language warning

Oh the smartest person in the room cant even keep Moonbat and Wingnut straight.

Regards,
Chris SH2

HT to Rick at Shark and Shephard.

A Little [Un]Common Sense

Got an e-mail from my good buddy Mark Green (nice name), who's running for Gov of this fair state. Seems he's had to mount an ANWR defense for his campaign because of some awful things the Dems are saying about him.

It comes on the heels of Green's vote in favor of “The American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act,” which would open up ANWR.

People, please. Are we so argued out on our "hot" issues - right to life, government spending and control, evolution, Kerry's/Bush's service record, etc. ad nauseum - that ANWR is something you can whisper in the halls that someone supports and they're instantly the devil in Karl Lagerfeld?

From the press release, with my comments:

With gas prices hovering around $3 a gallon, it is time for this country to have an honest discussion about energy exploration in ANWR.

Claim: Opening ANWR does nothing to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It only represents a mere six-month U.S. supply of oil.

Fact: ANWR could increase America’s total proven oil reserves by 50 percent. It could produce nearly 1.5 million barrels a day or more, everyday for roughly 30 years. This would replace roughly 30 years of Saudi Arabian oil imports – significantly reducing America’s dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

Claim: Opening ANWR has no benefit to the United States.

Fact: ANWR is critical to America’s energy security, and an important step toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil. ANWR is also projected to create 250,000 to 1,000,000 jobs and generate $111 billion to $173 billion in royalties.

Let's look at both sides: Facts are funny things, meaning you won't know how much we'll get from ANWR until you tap that thing. Nonetheless, common sense says that if you get enough to fill the trucks you hauled up there and a little to spare, it's still worth it. Because We Must Get Off Foreign Oil. Now. Which means we have to find it in our own back yards. Now. Because only an idiot would let a case of NIMBYism stop oil drilling while we remain dependent on the stuff.

Claim: Energy exploration and production would devastate the environment.

According to the Clinton Administration’s 1999 report, “Environmental Benefits of Advanced Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Technology,” we can produce oil in the arctic safely. Since this report, Congress has further limited the scope of domestic energy production in ANWR to 2,000 of ANWR’s 19.6 million total acres – or 0.01 percent of ANWR’s land base. For comparison, if the front page of the New York Times were to represent the size of ANWR, the area designated for exploration and production would be equivalent to the size of the letter “A.”

Production in ANWR would also require the most stringent environmental controls available – significantly reducing any environmental impact.

You know what? Spare me the catchy "comparisons."

Common sense might note that while people campaign to save this glorious paradise thousands of miles away, old people in the Gulf Coast, Chicago, New York and other places that get above 90 degrees in the summer die every year because they can't afford air conditioning. But hey, they're old and they apparently didn't plan well enough, so what do you care?

Common sense might also note that the reason we're having this conversation is because you do care. Just not about people.

Do not get me started on the soft bigotry of allowing oil production to continue in that vast not-so-empty stretch of sand called the Middle East. If living with oil derricks is okay for them, it had better be okay for you. I don't like the prospect either, and I've spent time in places where there's an oil pump in people's yards. But I set the thermostat to cool or heat the house at a lower temp while I'm gone, get in my minivan every day and go about my business like everyone else.

So, if you oppose exploration and drilling in ANWR, stop kvetching and realize what it means to you directly and personally:

Stop using gas right now. Never fill up your car again, or your lawn mower, or your weed whacker, or your minibike or your snowmobile or your - fill in the blank.

And turn off everything in your house at the main breaker until you confirm that your electricity is generated by coal, geothermal, solar, wind, or happy thoughts. Be sure to confirm that your provider doesn't buy any energy from secondary sources that use petroleum products.

Then come back, and we'll talk about every other product in your life that uses petroleum.

I'll share a teaser on that last one: Step away from your keyboard until you can get one made from hemp. You'll want to step far enough away to be off your carpet or linoleum.

CP @ GMC.

Social Security and Medicare are still headed for financial disaster...

Social Security and Medicare are still headed for financial disaster, and Democrats still have no plan to fix them. How surprising.

Liberal Governor equals liberal policies

Democrat Governor Doyle has stacked the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents with far-left liberals. Regents are appointed by the governor to serve a 7 year term subject to Senate confirmation. The Democrat controlled state Senate refused to vote on several appointees of Republican Governors Thompson and McCallum. This meant that at the time of Doyle's election he had the right to appoint nine new members to the seventeen member Board. Doyle has stacked the Board with radical liberals. The recent changes in admission policy are one result.

The Board of Regents sets admission policies and appoints the Chancellors, and has general oversight of the System:

The Board appoints the President of the UW System, the chancellors of the 13 universities, the chancellor of UW-Extension and UW Colleges, and the deans of the 13 colleges. All appointees serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board also sets admission standards, reviews and approves university budgets, and establishes the regulatory framework within which the individual units operate.

The UW System announced this week that race and ethnicity will be given more consideration and academic performance less weight. The Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel reported that "The University of Wisconsin System is changing its admissions policies to consider race, income and other non-academic qualities of applicants with the explicit goal of boosting student diversity. Until now, all campuses with the exception of UW-Madison have used set academic requirements such as grade point averages and test scores to make the majority of admissions decisions. The change means no student will be guaranteed admission to the system no matter how good his or her grade point average, test scores or class rank..." Parents and taxpayers around the state are justifiably outraged. But they may not know where that anger should be directed. The buck stops with liberal Governor Doyle and his handpicked cronies on the Board of Regents.

The state Senate should have the guts to hold hearings and vote up-or-down on these left-wing appointees. That balance of power holds the Governor accountable for appointing Regents that could actually be confirmed by a Republican controlled Senate. But unfortunately the Wisconsin State Senate is controlled by a small group of "Republican" moderates. I use the term "Republican" loosely here. Instead of voting, the appointees are allowed to serve with full voting priveleges until replaced by a new appointee.

It didn't take long for every politician with their finger in the wind to get out a press release condemning this policy. The political class can sense an 80:20 issue pretty quickly. Senator Hardsdorf objected in a press release, "The attitude that students can be rejected because of race or perceived lack of social involvement, and should de-emphasize academic achievement, sends the wrong message. There are different approaches to achieving diversity without expanding discretion at the hands of a few that would be empowered to close out opportunities for many. Initiatives can include outreach, early intervention, and enrichment programs that help bolster achievement and expand opportunity. The goal of all levels of our education system should be to stress the value of academic achievement, and we shouldn't expect less of any child in Wisconsin.”

Hard to argue with that. But Harsdorf misses the chance to illustrate the principle at stake here. The Senator's conservative colleague Glenn Grothman swings at this pitch and hits it out of the park. Grothman sees the inherent racism involved here and goes right to the principle. Grothman called for an end to admission based on race and background. Seems pretty commonsense to most conservatives.

I have a dream. I have a dream that my children will one day live in a state where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Grothman's position is that of mainstream America. It is the official position of the Republican Party, national and Wisconsin. The Republican Party platform adopted last week calls for a constitutional amendment for "Equal Opportunity for Everyone":

"The Republican Party of Wisconsin believes that all human beings are created equal in the eyes of God, that all human beings have inherent civil rights and that government should promote equal opportunity for all. We believe that individuals should be allowed to succeed or fail based upon their own merits, not because they are members of particular subgroups. We therefore support an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution that would prohibit the state or any of its political subdivisions or agents, from using race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or religion as criterion for discriminating against or granting preferential treatment including the lowering of standards to any individual or group with regard to public education, government employment, or government contracting."

Maybe this is a good place to find out who the real Republicans are, and who the RINOs are. Ask your "Republican" officials if they support this proposed constitutional amendment. If they do, why hasn't it been brought to a vote when Republicans control both the state Assembly and Senate?

This issue may have caught the general public by surprise. And you can bet Democrats will be trying their best to get on the side of the 80% that oppose lowering standards in the name of diversity. They may try to deny it, but this is a partisan issue. It has been a partisan issue in the past. It will continue to be a partisan issue in the future. The 2004 Democrat National Committee official platform embraced affirmative action:

We support affirmative action to redress discrimination and to achieve the diversity from which all Americans benefit.

Liberal Democrats cannot be trusted with the reins of power. Dump the RINOs. Dump the Regents. And most important - DUMP DOYLE.

keenan @ OnTheBorderLine

Inside the Iraqi Army

I was doing some link updating, and came across this:

JS Online:Inside the Iraqi army

Marine Corps Capt. B.J. Grass is embedded with an Iraqi army unit, helping its men become better soldiers. Grass, 29, a graduate of Waukesha West High School, will share his experiences in occasional dispatches from Iraq.

Thought it was worth mentioning.

Alderman Michael.... something

I have a bit of a roundup of the latest in the Michael McGee/Jackson saga, from the "thriller" of the name change to what looks to me like an admission of perjury, and even a little udate of Michael Jackson Sr.'s radio show.

The Spice Boys wonder if it is my mission in life to track the Jackson/McGee radio show, but if a pitcher keeps lobbing them over the plate, you can't blame the hitter for knocking them out of the park.

9 Days

I am starting to get Emails from people so it will be more than Meet Chris in the Park for those of you who are coming.

I just want to clarify you need to bring your own stuff plates food munchies etc. I know I am harping on that fact but I would hate for someone to show up and think there was going to be a spread. Now if people want to share their stuff have at it. But its NOT a pot luck you don't have to bring anything to pass just take care of your own family.

Now if you have something you want to bring and put out I am not going to stop you. But you don't have to.

Does anyone have a volley ball they can bring? That would be a great help if someone could bring a one.

Tomorrow I am going to take pictures of the site so you will all know what your getting into.

Regards,
Chris SH2

Hey bloggers in Milwaukee hang on here comes the rain

8pm in Oconomowoc and we are in the middle of a nasty storm and its heading your way Milwaukee and Racine Bloggers batten down the hatches. Heavy Heavy Rain and lots of lighting. No hail yet but lots of water.

Regards,
Chris

Oh no!

Not Barry!

JS Online: Barry will have surgery

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Kevin Barry has suffered a tear in his left quadriceps that will require surgery and might cost him the entire 2006 season, coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday morning.

Way back in 1997, I was an intern at the Racine Journal Times. My very first assignment was to cover the Racine Shriner's 21st annual football banquet, where they were honoring two local football players who had been selected to play in the North-South Shrine Bowl.

Kevin Barry was one of them.

I remember him being big, quiet, and shy. The other guy (Cory Ellis was his name) talked a lot more.

Barry was on his way to Hutchinson Community College, in Kansas. We all know now he ended up at Arizona (or was it Arizona State?), and then with the Packers.

Anyway, that's why I've been rooting for him to earn a starting place, and then a Pro-Bowl selection. My little claim to fame.

I wonder if he remembers that? He wouldn't remember me, specifically, but he may remember the event, and the reporter.

Speedy recovery, I hope, and a long career.

Who's Buying This Anymore?

Even MSM Journalists are calling Doyle's "Capital for a Day" program for what it really is: Taxpayer-funded campaign stops!

Greg Borowoski, the BBA's favorite JS Reporter, has the details.

Last week, Gov. Jim Doyle took his “Capital for a Day” program to Shawano and Waupaca counties, where he lost in 2002. The two counties are the congressional district of Republican challenger Mark Green.

On June 6, Doyle will be on slightly more secure ground when he heads to Racine County as part of the same program. In 2002, Doyle topped then-Gov. Scott McCallum by 1,205 votes in the county, drawing 47% of the vote to McCallum’s 45%.

Libertarian Ed Thompson got most of the rest.

Gee, who might all those Ed Thompson voters now go to I wonder?

10 Days

10 days till the BBA Spring Fling. Please take a moment and drop me an email at gbfan001-@-gmail.com and let me know if your coming and how many people your bringing. (I am looking at most of fellow BBA members.) ;)

Come on down even if you are only read blogs remember you meet the nicest people blogging.

You don't need to RSVP but I am trying to get an rough Idea. If you have already emailed me your good.

I am going to Promise it will be Sunny and Dry even if I have to resort to human sacrifices again.

So start making plans and also feel free to email me with any questions.

Remember this a Bring your own Everything party ;) BYOE only thing provide is land to stand on and fire to cook on.

Click Sidebar for details.

Regards,
Chris

Re: #2000

Milestone scavenger.

Voces de la Frontera again.

I heard on the news today that Voces de la Frontera is calling again for a huge voter registration drive.

They also want complete free amnesty for people not here legally, a completely open border and everyone coming here to have immediate access to all social services in this country including social security.

AM I THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS STATE WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT HAVING A GROUP WITH SUCH A COMPLETE LACK OF RESPECT FOR OUR LAWS SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE?

# 2000!

This is the BBA's 2000th post! In your face Jib! And you, too, Mary Eileen!

11 days to the BBA Spring Fling

The Countdown to the Badger Blog Alliance Spring get together starts today. Counting today you have to only wait 11 more days to meet your favorite bloggers ;)

Once again let cover who is invited YOU and You and YOU and Yes even You . If your a carbon based lifeform you are invited to attend.

So fill up your cooler with meat/tofu to burn on the grill and something to drink and head to Wonderful Waukesha on June 3rd.

Picnic Area #3 at Naga Waukee park right off of Hwy 94 on State Hwy 83 $5 per car paid at the gate not to the BBA.

I will try to get some pictures of the site so you have an idea of what your getting into.

This is NOT a Conservative Blogger get together it is a BLOGGER get together. So if you have anything to do with blogs your welcome. And we are defining Anything pretty loosely see the carbon based life form rule

Its starts at Noon and we have the site till 10pm we have no idea of how many people are coming it could be 20 it could be 200 so come on down and help pump the number up.

If you have any question click on the button in the BBA side bar or email me at gbfan001-@-gmail.com.

So start making plans the kick off to the summer festival season is almost upon us ;)


Even Aaron and his Date will be there ;)

Regards,
Chris

Politics is Personal Part Dalawa.

I.e. part II.

This also strikes to the whole Richard Cohen Steven Colbert President Bush thing.

Angry cussing e-mail is not the way to win friends and influence people. When given a choice people choose sunshine and not "vinegar and piss" and this is what the Krazy Kos Kiddies (and leftists in general) are all to eager to show off, mistaking vulgarity and unpleasantness for earnestness.

Politics is Personal.

Jim Geraghty at TKS recently visited the little thing about grassroots unhappiness with the GOP. As regular readers know there is a fair amount of that being expressed here.

A few things to think about. How does Speaker Pelosi sound? Yeah, Speaker Hastert is not quite what we want but we surely don't want Speaker Pelosi, do we? How about, on the local level, speaker Pocan?

Now, I know the RPW and the GOP have given conservatives a fair amount to get worked up over. But, will blogging about it change that? I think not. Even if you blog with your real name you are still an anonymous figure.

Politics is personal. This is a lesson I am learning first hand in one of my political (but unrelated to governance of our nation) projects. Sure you have great ideas, you write well, you have a great website, but unless you get out and meet people face-to-face you are some yahoo in pjs.

My "project" has substantial opposition (an opposed group with a membership of about 70 or so paid members, trying to bury mine, their effort is resisted but not reciprocated), my project has a great website and a great mission. However, we languished in relative obscurity and money losing events. Now that is starting to change.

Why? Because me and my co-conspirators are getting out and meeting our constituency face to face. We talk to them, we LISTEN to them, and we offer sunshine as opposed to "vinegar and piss". Guess what? We are peeling off members from the other group (there is no requirement on our part that our volunteers pledge exclusivity) and people are beginning to trust us and become enthusiastic about what we are doing.

Now, with the politics of governance things are the same. Politics is personal and leaders and movements that are personable are going to win the day. So sorry, the grumbling I often hear is not personable and turns people off.

So, what is the PO'ed conservative to do? They should not withdraw from party politics (hehehe, my reasons are different, my estimation is I have about 2,000 other priorities in my involvement with my "group' ;-) ) that is surrender and will only yield victory to the squishy middle and the left. Instead find those with whom you have common cause with. Note, the grassroots techniques we used in 2004 to propel W to victory have their use at the party level as well. Go to meetings and listen for those with similar frustrations and work with them, unite and start changing the situation.

What 'd I Miss?

Hehehehe,

Even though I live in Appleton and am a member of the OCRP I did not even try to participate in the convention. Why? Too darned busy with my weeks away from home I have to accomplish things when home and as it turns out party politics has dropped on my priority list since '04.

So. Did all who were there get to meet Barb Bieber? Char Stevenson? Carrie Schneider? Tim Higgins? Brian Murray? How about Evie Peterson? I see a few of you met Angenette and I am guessing after that the others paled.

I drove by a couple of times and saw the unmistakable signs of the Lorge clan from way down College Avenue. Were the MOOOOOOOONBatt lefties out?

RE: Tommy @ Convention

"However, I will have to disagree with Owen on one thing though. I for one, was glad Thompson bailed on the press conference. Sadly, what was supposed to be an event about Mark Green would have become an event about "Tommy.""

Indeed, you are correct. It is probably for the best that he got out of Dodge.

Angenette Levy

Kevin's link to Angenette Levy's WFRV bio doesn't do her justice. She looked much better standing three feet away from me. She was the reason I couldn't get through all of Mark Green's embargoed speech before he started speaking.

The cons of ethanol

The Salt Lake Tribune takes a look at the cons of ethanol. There are a lot more than many people think. They include a couple of things that I hadn't even thought about, and I've been reading way too much about ethanol over the last 6 months.

Wisconsin is a corn state, and as such, ethanol will never be a dead topic here. It is best if we all know as much about it as possible, because it will come up again.

LA Times opposes ethanol subsidies

The LA Times editorial board has come out against ethanol subsidies:

But there is talk, amazingly enough, about ending the tariff on imported ethanol. President Bush has proposed dropping it, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has joined with two Republicans to introduce legislation to do so. Opening the U.S. market to imports would increase supply and also give domestic ethanol producers a taste of free-market price competition.

With politicians from both the left and right supporting such a sane policy, the problem is the people in the middle — the middle of the country, that is. Representatives of corn-growing states, and the formidable corn lobby, are putting up a fight. And there are signs that the pressure of politics is overcoming the logic of economics. House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), who initially supported dropping the tariff, switched positions last week. Other Farm Belt representatives need to decide which is more important: the free market or the corn lobby.

Surely this is a sign of the end times...I agree with the LA Times.

Givernment, The GOP and the Velocity of Light (squared)

There is a profound difference between the primary role, the moral role, of a legitimate government and what now passes for effective governance as so well stated recently by Spiritofpublicus, what I would call givernment. Moreover, the engine that drives givernment is the redistribution of the wealth of those who earn it out to those who have the givernmental representation and clout necessary to receive it – whether they “need” it or not.

The engine is the thing, and we currently have a political party occupying the White House as well as both houses of the federal legislature whose representatives state time and again that lower tax rates are good because, primarily, they increase revenues. Colloquially known as supply side economics, “conservatives” argue that lowering taxes is a good thing because it increases revenues. That a conservative economic principle actually funds government better than a higher taxing regime. The idea being that whenever you tax something less, you end up getting more of it - in this case more income and more profits, which beget higher tax revenues. Read more »

Welfare Reform, Community Charity and Immigration

There are strong voices, though few, in the immigration reform debate who posit that until we get realistic welfare reforms in place - the kind that get people who can work back on the work rolls - we can't begin to address the unique problem of illegal immigration by Mexicans.

But what about charity organizations? L and I have been on the board of a local charity, ECHO, which manages a great deal of money for the Janesville-Beloit area needy. Do such programs draw people to areas, even if they work the way ECHO does, counseling people toward financial independence and productive work and spending habits?

Many of the responses to the needy and homeless in San Francisco, our old stomping grounds, backfired because they drew many more needy people in search of hope, along with many in search of a hand out.

Are our social safety nets perpetuating acute social problems?

CP @ GMC.

Tommy @ Convention

Without a doubt, I concur repeatedly with Owen about Tommy's on-stage performance.

I admit, I was either looking at Green speak, or my laptop, (or CBS 5 WFRV's Angenette Levy) to see the full Tommy reaction, so my take may have been more snapshots than the full picture.

However, I will have to disagree with Owen on one thing though. I for one, was glad Thompson bailed on the press conference. Sadly, what was supposed to be an event about Mark Green would have become an event about "Tommy." A fact multiplied with people like JR Ross of WisPolitics and Ryan Foley of the AP in the room.
Tommy bailing, probably meant he knew that too on some extent. I'm not going to be too hard on Thompson. In talks with Green's campaign staff later on about it, I was told Thompson after the speech told them all, Green had a 'great speech' and had his full support.

Than he caught his plane at Outagamie Co. Airport.

If Tommy's having problems realizing that he's no longer top dog in the current State GOP settling, that's his problem - it shouldn't be Mark Green's.

McCain is one of us!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but John McCain is a good guy and worth a serious second look by disenchanted conservatives.

Need proof? He was heckled on Friday by New York City liberals at a commencement address!! They held signs that said "McCain doesn't speak for me" and booed during his speech. How great is that!

More Mexican double standards?

Oh for crying out loud.

Mexico Works to Bar Non-Natives From Jobs

MEXICO CITY - If Arnold Schwarzenegger had migrated to Mexico instead of the United States, he couldn't be a governor. If Argentina native Sergio Villanueva, firefighter hero of the Sept. 11 attacks, had moved to Tecate instead of New York, he wouldn't have been allowed on the force.

Even as Mexico presses the United States to grant unrestricted citizenship to millions of undocumented Mexican migrants, its officials at times calling U.S. policies 'xenophobic,' Mexico places daunting limitations on anyone born outside its territory.

In the United States, only two posts - the presidency and vice presidency - are reserved for the native born.

In Mexico, non-natives are banned from those and thousands of other jobs, even if they are legal, naturalized citizens.

Foreign-born Mexicans can't hold seats in either house of the congress. They're also banned from state legislatures, the Supreme Court and all governorships. Many states ban foreign-born Mexicans from spots on town councils. And Mexico's Constitution reserves almost all federal posts, and any position in the military and merchant marine, for 'native-born Mexicans.'

Recently the Mexican government has gone even further. Since at least 2003, it has encouraged cities to ban non-natives from such local jobs as firefighters, police and judges.

We are such racists here in the US.

For more on this subject: Mexican mistreatment of undocumented workers, and Charlie's April post on Mexican double standards on immigrants.

GOP Convention Coverage

What do you think? Are Owen, Kevin, and myself getting the job done?

Michels & the Senate Race

I've been watching Owen, Kevin, Sean, and Jenna's coverage from the Republican Convention, and a lot of the talk from last night was about a possible Tim Michels run for Senate against Herb Kohl. I grew to like Michels a lot during his run against Feingold in 2004, and I'd really hate to see the state GOP use him as cannon fodder again, only against Kohl this time. Seriously running against Kohl is going to be a very expensive venture, and I just don't think there is the time to get enough money into a Michels campaign to give him a shot. Herb doesn't dump money into the Bucks in the two years before a campaign for nothing, folks. He wants to hold that seat, and he'll spend the money to do it.

The only person in the party that I think could announce a run right now and be able to give Kohl a tough fight is Thompson. That's why I'd much rather see Michels run for the House at some point down the road. I think he'd make an excellent Representative, and a tough future Senate candidate from that footing. I don't know what district he lives in, but if I had to venture a guess, I'd say that he probably lives in Sensenbrenner's or Ryan's district, which complicates that more than just a little. Michels is someone who I think could have a long and strong political career if he and the party just manages his future right. My fear is that they are just going to squander him in races he can't win, though.

Liberal Heart, Conservative Brain

If there's any wisdom in the apocryphal Churchillian aphorism, ""If you're not a liberal when you're 25, you have no heart. If you're not a conservative by the time you're 35, you have no brain," then this kid is about to be bumped ahead of schedule by about two decades.

Young Danny asks Gail Buckner for advice on where to tuck away college money for the next few years. Gail responds quite thoroughly.

In no fewer than 30 paragraphs, give or take a sentence or graph, Buckner provides insight into the newly changed tax laws for minors.

Either Danny will learn to hate the burdensome and cryptic tax system, becoming a died-in-the-wool conservative, or he'll opt for communism - mark my words.

His only other choice would be to become an accountant.

CP @ GMC.

Friday Night Buzz

The only serious buzz floating around the convention hospitality suites was Tim Michels' plan to run a short, four-month campaign to unseat Sen. Herb Kohl. He didn't announce anything when he spoke at last night's banquet despite what Owen thought he heard.

I did get a piece of gossip.

A source told me they heard from two sources that a big reason Tommy Thompson didn't run for governor was his political guru James Klauser wouldn't back him. That's supported by a recent Spivak & Bice column. (Yes, they are useful occasionally.) Klauser backs Mark Green. There might have even been a falling out between them. It's just a third-hand rumor so take it for what it's worth. Or build on it and make it completely unbelievable.

What say you, Republicans?

Lately, a day does not go by without more evidence of an all out revolt within the Republican Party. The ideologue base of the party is not only enraged by a President who sees no boundaries to the reach of government [except this country’s southern boundary], but to all levels of government where the elected members of the Republican Party have morphed into followers of big government. Many are planning on taking out their anger in this November’s elections either by not voting or in some cases by holding their noses and voting for the Democrat. Though the elections are certainly a method of getting your point across, the delivery is misplaced.

There should be no surprise that those in office should wish to remain. Why should we be surprised that politicians operate any differently than any other individual when it comes to self-interest? Elected power is intoxicating and in today’s world of big government it is also financially rewarding. Even the most ardent of ideologues is not immune from the instinct to survive. Survival is not seen as being true to a philosophical belief; but perversely political survival is seen to be dependent upon the discarding or compromise of one’s philosophical foundations. Principles have been traded for political favors; the virgin of philosophical enlightenment has been replaced by the political whore.

The evolution of all political movements begins from ideology. Like-minded ideologues are the creators of political parties. This is no different than individuals with common bonds forming clubs or organizations based on a specific purpose. The “Party” is the tool by which ideologues promote their philosophy. The “Party” is the means by which philosophy is catapulted in to political activism. If ideologues are the creator’s of political parties, then it must be reasoned that the absence of ideologues is the destroyer of political parties. This is where the Republican Party finds itself today.

Ideology does not need to be true as evidenced by history in order to be a political force. All that is required are unwavering leaders whose principles, no matter the error of logic, are not for sale. This is the current state of the Democratic Party whose belief that the collective is superior to the individual holds firm; government decree is preferable to the free markets. Rights are created by government, not God; therefore, rights are subject to political will. Genius is found in community and bureaucracy, not in the individual.

The rejuvenation of the Republican Party did not begin with compromise; it started with ideology. The rejuvenation was not marked by widespread wins at the polls; but instead it was a landslide loss. At the time of the 1964 elections, the press had all but written the epitaph of the Republican Party. Little could anyone have imagined that the elections of 1964 were not the death of the party, but like the Phoenix who rises from the ashes, it was the rebirth of an ideology which called for limited government. The leader of this movement was Ronald Wilson Reagan. And it would take sixteen years, which included a failed run for the Presidency, before the Ronald Reagan’s philosophy would ascend to the ultimate political victory. It would be an additional fourteen years after the Reagan landslide in 1980 until the Republican Party finally controlled Congress.

The ideologues led by Newt Gingrinch were now in control. They were elected based on their beliefs in the individual spirit and the corruptness of government. It should have come as no surprise that when push came to shove, these leaders would have no reservation about grinding the cogs of government to a halt. And they did. It was a chance to truly exhibit how non-essential most government bureaucrats were in the lives of the citizenry. Unfortunately, those whose arteries are not filled with ideology surrendered and called for a gentler and kinder party. As if the foundations of liberty and limited government were akin to the demeanor of Ebenezer Scrooge prior to the tolling of the clock. Government, with its coercion, brute force, and the ability to create dependency greater than any narcotic known to man, would be presented as being compassionate. The party decided that inclusion of various viewpoints, despite their historical falseness, was the key to survival. It would be known as the “big tent”. No longer would the Republican Party be the tamers of big government, but would instead become the jugglers of big government and individual liberty. How ironic is it that the “big tent” [big top] was once allegoric for the circus coming to town has now become the philosophical position of today’s Republican Party.

So, what direction do we head from here. I do not use the term “we” in reference to the Republican Party, but as in reference to those whose ideologies hold firm in the beliefs bestowed on this great land by our Founders. No doubt it is time for a spiritual cleansing of the party’s soul. One thing I am certain of: professional politicians and bureaucrats beget big government. The number one goal of those who believe in limited government is limited terms for all political offices. You do not need experience to spend other people’s wealth; any thief is capable of such antics. If the current core of Republican officeholders or candidates do not espouse and call for the immediate legislation to enact term limits then their days of support from the party leadership should be terminated. Secondly, the goal of legislation is not to limit the growth of government; but to chop it at its knees. The compassion of government has bankrupted the future and has resulted in a failed education system, failed Medicare system, failed Social Security system, and a failed protection of our borders. This has not been caused by the ogres of liberty, but by the compassion of the professional politician.

Republican party officials at the national, state, and local level have been adequately forewarned of impending revolt. The question before them at this moment is: Do you believe in the virtues of individual liberty and limited government or not? And are you willing to end the support of those in the party who believe otherwise? The clock is beginning to toll and the ghost of parties past is about to appear; to the Republican leadership, what say you?

See AlsoRead my lips: No new amnesty Ann Coulter
and Slippery Slope Mark Pribonic

spiritofpublicus @ OnTheBorderLineRead more »

Offshore Drilling Roll Call

What to know how the Wisconsin delegation voting on offshore drilling? Here's the roll call. A vote "no" means they wanted offshore drilling.

Your Attention Please.

I have an announcement to make.

I have a proposal that will solve every problem in the entire world.

Put Russ in charge.

Voter ID requirement for Federal elections?

This is a topic that is near and dear to the hearts of many Wisconsin Republicans. The Senate immigration bill may or may not include a requirement for voter ID in Federal elections:

An amendment to the immigration bill being debated in the U.S. Senate would make it mandatory for all voters to present photo identification before casting ballots in a federal election by Jan. 1, 2008.

Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., introduced the amendment (S.A. 4021) to The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (S.B. 2611).

Calls to McConnell's press secretary were not immediately returned, however, a staffer in his office said the vote on the amendment had not yet been scheduled.

This is not what I would consider an ideal solution to Wisconsin's dangerously loose voting laws, especially if it is an amendment to a bad immigration bill. It should be interesting to watch this as it develops, though.

The McGee's are at it again

Michael McGee Sr. is blaming everyone but his sons own actions, for the legal trouble he is in, and McGee Sr. is getting mad and is ready to "come down there and mess up a bunch of them."

Details and audio posted at BadgerBlogger.com

Re: Re: Revolt...

So Chris...

I'll put you down as another vote for term limits then huh?

I understand what you mean out in your neck of the woods. I witnessed it a lot during my college days in Eau Claire. Sadly, both sides play the primary game, and with Wisconsin's system of an Open Primary, the other side will always load up in the crossover vote on the one they think "best can be beaten."

[Another fine gift you can blame on the Progressive Era.]

My thinking on this fall was that since the Dems also are going to have a statewide primary (The AG's race between Peg and Falk.), an organized effort on the right could be more achievable.

2008 will be nearly impossilbe to repeat it. The only statewide race that year will be for the White House.

I never said one side's better than the other. The key is to win the battles you can, when you can. That's all I'm saying.

RE: Revolt in September, Not November

I moved this from a buried comment to here.

One simple point here. Where there is no Democrat primary, the Dems group together and vote for the RINOs in the Republican primarys. I can't tell you how many times over the years I see the RINO signs right next to the Dem signs every November here is western Wisconsin.

My sentiment is that the Republicans are going to have their ass handed to them. Call the RNC and WRP and let them know there is no difference between the parties and if no candidates represent your conservative ideas you will withhold any contributions as well.

Another main problem I see is that without some type of term limit, being a politician becomes a career. The dichotomy of spending and bringing home the pork along with having to get elected again is too much for a career politician to resist. That includes both sides of the isle. The time is ripe for a 3rd party.

Chris @ OTBL

So much for small victories

JS Online: Elections Board reverses ID decision
People who register to vote at the polls on Election Day won't be prohibited from casting ballots if they fail to produce their driver licenses as long as they provide the last four digits of their Social Security number, the State Elections Board decided today.

The move reverses the board's January decision that said people registering to vote on the day of an election must show their licenses or provide the license numbers. Under the rule, if people were issued a license but forgot to bring it, they would not have been allowed to vote until they showed it or provided the numbers.

Nuts he says

Kevin did I say anywhere in that post that I wasn't voting in Nov? What I stated that almost everything said at the RPW convention will be a waste of time because they will not follow through on any of the promises made.

How am I supposed to revolt in September? I have two of the rock solid conservative as my reps Joel Kleefisch in the state assembly and congressman Sensenbrenner in the house. See that is my problem its not my reps who are selling me out its other peoples reps. I have a problem with my State Senator Fitzgerald and I do not intend to vote for him in the primary if there is one or in November general election.

I am a big propnate of "vote the person not the party", I no longer belong to or give money to the GOP at any level. The RPW sees people like me as one thing and one thing only, check writers all they want is our money but they don't share the same beliefs. They think they have us trapped because they know we will not vote for the Rats. They feel free to mock us and belittle our political beliefs(not that a lot of the people in Madison would know what a political belief was if it bit them in the ass) but expect us to work to help keep them in power. Why so I can continue to have to fight the state GOP when they are in Session?

At this moment I intend to vote Mark Green for Governor because I believe on most issues he is a good Conservative. But will I work for or support the RPW a party that has given me Dale Schultz as one of its leaders "Hell No"

I am done being suckered by the if you don't vote for us the Rats will get back in power. I am done voting against people I am only going to vote for people I believe deserve my support not because they have an R next to their name.

So enjoy your time this weekend in the beautiful Fox Valley listen to them tell you all the stuff that is never going to happen. Let them tell you if you believe in lower taxes and spending your a mindnumbed "Stormtrooper" who is too dumb to think for himself. I intend to go to San Francisco and sip really good coffee at Ghiradellis look at the Bay and not give a second thought to the RPW and their convention.

Now which one of us is being Nuts? ;)

Chris of SH2

Revolt in September, Not November

I know the 'cool kids' are all saying sit out in November. I personally think you just had a lobotomy if you back that idea.

(Sorry Chris, love ya, but this is nuts. Same with you Bob Dohnal.)

Captain Ed points out that Fiscal Conservatives can get their point across in a much more effective way. And they bagged big prizes in Pennsylvania in the primaries, the time to show the RINOs who's boss!

Angry taxpayers on Tuesday tossed out the two Republican Senate leaders who helped engineer last year's legislative pay raise, an issue that apparently cost 13 House members their jobs, too.

Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer of Altoona, and Senate Majority Leader David Brightbill of Lebanon County conceded to their challengers, becoming the first lawmakers in major leadership posts to lose a primary election in 42 years. The House defeats would be the most since 1980.

"We have had a dramatic earthquake in Pennsylvania," said Jubelirer, a 32-year legislator.

The defeats of Jubelirer and Brightbill "will send shock waves throughout he political establishment for years to come," said Mike Young, a retired Penn State University political science professor.

These were last night in the Pennsylvania primary. Politicians who had lost their way got their comeuppance when the base is suppose to have their say.

As I wrote late on Friday night, the idea of staging a mass conservative walk-out in November here in Wisconsin only hurts conservative causes. Especially when you figure that many of those who some of you want to exact 'sweet revenge on' aren't even going to be on the ballot this year.

How are you going to get Concealed Carry, a TPA, or anything else without a majority in both Houses of the Legislature?

Remember, we were inches away from getting concealed carry in 2001. It had passed the Assembly, Zien had the numbers in the Senate, and then-Governor McCallum was going to sign it.

Know what happened. By mere Parliamentary Procedure, then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala (D-Madison), killed it by bottling it up in committee.

Who's to say Judy Robson (D-Beloit) won't do the same in a similar position?

As Ed puts it, fiscal conservatives can win and have their times to flex their muscles.

Without a doubt, the Pennsylvania Republican Party got the message, along with the incumbents who now find themselves out of a job after the general election. It is entirely possible to turn the rascals out if conservatives remain committed to the cause. This can be replicated on a Congressional level with enough effort and organization. In fact, thanks to the reapportionment process, it actually carries less risk than one might fear. Solidly Republican districts will likely elect whichever GOP candidate wins the primary, so the argument that the incumbent somehow protects against the loss of a seat holds little water. That gives Republicans the ability to offer true choices in the primary elections, a strategy deftly employed by Pennsylvania conservatives.

And look how the press reacted! They have given fiscal conservatives a huge victory in the recognition they received for holding the line on spending. No one expected the conservatives to organize this well or this effectively, and it gives them momentum heading into the general election. The political story of this year in Pennsylvania will be the housecleaning performed on the state legislature, and it puts candidates of both parties on notice that conservatives have grabbed the momentum. Don't be surprised if that changes the entire tenor of the debate on Pennsylvania public policy.

Conservatives can achieve these victories across the nation, especially in Congress, by working within the GOP to effect change. It requires engagement and organization, which may be less immediately satisfactory than boycotts and protests, but carries much greater potential for actual gain.

Remember Primaries matter. Remember the State Senate 20^th in 2004.

They matter more than some of us seem to think.

Potty Mouth from Racine Schools Superintendent

Last Thursday this was in the You Know Moore column in the Racine Journal Times.

Which sets the Racine area up for another thrilling round of mutual distrust. Step right up and take your shot in the Referendum Game. Eric Marcus, this year’s apparent poster boy for the “no” vote, clearly hasn’t been swayed. He grilled Hicks about the union deal during the comment period, then walked out of Monday’s meeting in a huff after a one-on-one talk with the superintendent.

An enquiring mind might like to know what went on in that one on one conversation...

Marcus asked the Spuerintendent why he would not allow an independant legal review of the new teachers contract. (you heard about it I'm sure it is the one that was done in super-duper secret nehind the scenes fashion)

Hicks responded by calling Marcus an asshole and walking away.

That is why Marcus left in a huff.

As if it was not bad enough that Hicks was stooping to that level, I have confirmed that Hicks went and bragged to a school board member about calling Marcus an asshole after the fact.

So this is the leader of the Racine schools, obviously not concerned in the least about the opinion of the citizen.

I do understand that Marcus has called for Hicks to be replaced, but that should not allow him to stoop to the potty mouth level. In fact Hick's behavior, in my opinion, shows Marcus was 100% correct in making that claim.

RE GOP Convention

2 Cases of Lenies and a bottle of what ever you chose if you can get me the name of the still nameless Chicken GOP Rep who made the "Stormtrooper" Comment.

Now if that doesn't inspire you I don't know what will. ;)


Other than that name nothing else said at that convention will matter. Since you will hear the same old promises that they have no intention of every following up on.


Shame you have to waste a weekend being lied too. Have a good time oh one last thing ask Senator Fitzgerald what he thinks about that days weather I bet you he wont be able to tell you ;)

Regards,
Chris SH2

Where does Wisconsin fit in?

Not only is there an economic boom nationwide, but for states that chose to institute 'Free Market' friendly policies, the boom has been magnified.

Voters will elect governors in 36 states this year. And as they decide who to send to the governor's mansion, they will also be shaping the economic future of their state. On taxes, the gubernatorial candidates fall into one of two camps. Either they believe that the best way to close a budget gap is to raise taxes. Or, like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush have done from the Oval Office, they believe in raising revenue by growing the state's economy with tax cuts.

The Pacific Research Institute who publishes the "U.S. Economic Freedom Index", an index tied to the friendliness toward free enterprise and consumer choice; has as it's latest report shows, shown that the states that advocate for 'Free Markets' are heads and tails better than the rest.

In 2005, per capita personal income grew 31% faster in the 15 most economically free states than it did in the 15 states at the bottom of the list. And employment growth was a staggering 216% higher in the most free states. It hasn't been a "jobless recovery" in states that have adopted pro-growth tax and regulatory policies.

Were does Wisconsin fit in?

See 'Live Free or Move'

Chris @ OnTheBorderLine

GOP State Convention

Owen, Kevin, and myself are the only ones I know who are going. Anyone else? Any requests for what you want us to cover while we're there?

A Little Sniff for USAT

USA Today's NSA phone database story is looking more and more like something Dan Rather and Mary Maples worked on.

Owen's a putz, and Sean's out of his mind

Okay, if that didn't get everyone's attention, I don't know what will. I don't really believe the headline to this post, but I thought I'd stir the pot a little. Wiggy gives us a lot of credit for running a good group blog here, and I agree with him, although he gives me more credit than I deserve. All of the bloggers here at the BBA are pretty good about working together, even when in disagreement, which makes moderating a breeze-most of the time. If there is one thing that we could all stand to work on, though, it would be to be regularly active here. I know I've had my lulls, but the one thing about this group blog is it should act like a hub to the rest of Wisconsin's conservative blogosphere, and when several of us are in our lulls, it gets way too slow around these parts for it to succesfully be one. So chop chop, everyone. It shouldn't take a scolding from Charlie Sykes to get us going-myself included.

Wisconsin's Crumbling Schools

Wisconsin's biggest teacher's union posted this story on their website:

Magazine gives high grades to state public school districts

Wisconsin public schools again came out on top in a new national ranking that emphasizes the importance of quality public education for companies seeking to expand their business.

Seven Wisconsin metropolitan areas are included in Expansion Management magazine's list of the top 25 locations with quality public schools. No other state has more than three metropolitan areas included in the list.

The magazine ranked the nation's largest 362 metropolitan areas in terms of the quality of public education. The seven Wisconsin areas to make the top 25 are Sheboygan at 5, Eau Claire at 7, Madison at 8, Wausau at 11, Appleton at 16, Oshkosh-Neenah at 20, and Fond du Lac at 24.

Here's a link to the report.

Our education bureaucracy, teacher's union included, wants us to believe two things: one, that our system of school funding is destroying our schools; and two, that our schools continue to be among the best in the nation.

Evidence very strongly supports the second of these statements - our public schools perform excellently compared to those in other states.

What to make of the first statement, then? I know, one common explanation is: revenue caps haven't destroyed our schools yet, but it's only a matter of time.

And still: that system was enacted in 1993. It took effect in 1995. Over a decade ago.

Perhaps there's something to the argument that more money is not the same thing as better education.

RE: Tommy's entrance part II

I was out of town over the weekend.

He made his choice, my opinion matters not.

Let us reframe the debate.

Should Tommy run against Herbie?

Predicting the Democratic Response.

So tomorrow night George W Bush will make us wait an extra 1/2 an hour for 24 to tell us something we already know.

We need troops on the border.

So this got me to thinking; what will the Democratic Response be?

• Too early.
• What took you so long.
• Too many troops.
• Not enough troops.
• The wrong kind of troops.
• Medicare Part D.
• Will the President be listening to the phone calls of the troops?
• If only the troops were not in Iraq.
• Can we recount Florida again?

One thing I am sure of, whatever the man does, they will hate it.

Tommy's Not Running

Tommy Thompson didn't crush Mark Green's dream of being governor. He announced he isn't running.

Happy Mothers day to all the Moms who read the BBA

Have a Happy Mothers day to all of our readers, who just happen to anwser to one of the following titles,

Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, 母親, Moeder, Mère, Mutter, μητέρα, Madre, 母, Mãe, Мать,

Once again happy Mothers Day from the BBA

Regards,
Chris

I'm sure they mean well.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opines about Tommy's possible comeback bid today.

Their take: we shouldn't be so concerned about it.

The entry of a pragmatic GOP candidate who governed mostly from the middle and instituted some grand concepts by working with others invigorates the political debate, particularly on the GOP side.

I'm sure we're all very grateful for their objective consideration of what Tommy's entrance into the race would mean for the GOP.

They also mention the potential Senate bid (WARNING: Beverage Alert):

...it looks as if no big-name Republican is challenging Kohl this year. Does this serve the GOP's or the state's interests? We have no early favorites in such a matchup...

What a bunch of cutups they are over at the MJS.

Norway's richest man no longer Norwegian

Heh.

OSLO, Norway, May 11 (UPI) -- Norway's richest man has become a citizen of Cyprus, allowing him to avoid income tax for himself and inheritance tax for his daughters.

John Frederiksen made billions of kronor in shipping and aquaculture.

Herbjorn Hansson, like Frederiksen a shipping tycoon, told Aftenposten that his friend was 'hunted' out of his native country by new tax regulations.

'If we want people and capital out of Norway, this is the way to do it,' Hansson said. 'The 90-day rule was made to threaten Fredriksen back to Norway.'

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg was unmoved, saying that Frederiksen's new citizenship recognizes his real situation.

'There are many who want to become Norwegian citizens,' the prime minister said. 'If John Fredriksen doesn't, it is not a problem. It doesn't bother me. He hasn't lived in Norway for several decades. He hasn't paid tax to Norway in several decades either.'

But what do the Tarot cards say?

I've always thought Wall Street was a little bit flighty, but this is ridiculous:

Wall Street fall written in the stars

LONDON, May 12 (Reuters) - A financial astrologer warned earlier this week to be on red alert over the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> on Friday and recommended investors add to cash, step up short-selling and buy sell options.

That's right folks, an astrologer.

In an uncannily prescient move, Wall Street astrologer Henry Weingarten wrote a note to clients on Monday May 8 saying he believed the market had started its end game.

'We may or may not have already heard the 'high' note! Either way, time is getting very short. What is there to look forward to?' Weingarten said in the note, subtitled 'The Fat Lady Has Started To Sing'.

He added that the combination of a weak labour market, weak dollar and housing bubble were not good news.

Wait for it, now...here it comes...

The astrological outlook may be even more unsettling.

'May 17 is the New York Stock Exchange's birthday. It features Pluto (and Mars) prominently," Weingarten wrote in his note.

"While this is not necessarily 'bad', it does indicate crisis (and more violence) ahead. You tell me if that is bullish or bearish for the market."

Here's the thing: if this guy is a "Wall Street Astrologer," with actual "clients," and he's telling his clients that the market has "started its end game," then what do his clients need him for?

Sounds like the guy is out of business.

Re: Tommy's Entrance

No, I don't think Tommy should run for Governor... But I sure with Green would take a little of Tommy's infectious enthusiasm and make me want to vote for him. You feel good when you listen to Tommy talk about Wisconsin, I wish I felt the same way when Green speaks.

Yeah, I know I'll be ripped for speaking ill of Mark Green, but I'm trying, I just wish he would help me out a little.

I have posted much more about this and have also added a poll, asking what should be Tommy's next move. I would like to see him go against Kohl, Tommy's personal appeal is the only thing I can see that will trump Kohl's ca$h, but I don't think Tommy can be one of a hundred, he has to be in charge.

RE: Tommy's Entrance

In case there is any misunderstanding ....

Hell No!

Re: Tommy's Entrance

"No" from me too.

When Tommy kicked Tony Earl out of office he made the state a better place for business, but after all those years Wisconsin is still a tax hell. Tommy doesn't have the reputation. What's interesting is he isn't even mentioning any issues. He just wants to beat Doyle and save Wisconsin. Tommy had some great, big ideas (school choice, welfare reform) that worked, but there are things like public school funding that are a mess.

Re: Tommy's Entrance

NO.

Nice enough guy, but I never liked him that much when he was Governor the first time around. His entrance would also negate what was a race strengthening move for Republicans by Walker to pull out and let Green run uncontested in the primary.

RE: Tommy's Entrance

No.

No.

No.

Need I say it again?

No.

No offense to the Tommy-lover's out there, because he's a real nice guy and all, but he is not what the state of Wisconsin needs right now.

We need a governor that will be tough on taxes and spending. Tommy isn't it.

His speculation is probably ego-stroking, which at the urging of some politically brain-dead Republicans, has turned into real speculation.

All this will serve to do is continue the Wisconsin GOP's image (this year) as a bunch of bumbling idiots. We will look like fools if he tries to jump into the ring.

At a time like this, we need solid leadership more than anything. Tommy's "big announcement" at convention serves only as a detriment to that leadership.

That being said, I'd love for him to run for Senate. Any Republican would be better than Kohl.

(Side note: what a moronic column on this issue.)

BBA Member Poll: Tommy's Entrance

Alright, that time of the...well, these things are actually rather sporadic when you think about it.

But anyway, Hot Topic is "Tommy & the Governor's Race: Will He or Won't He Get in?" That's fine and all, so I ask you, fellow BBA members...

Do you want him in?

Me: I've long been on the record as a "Strong Hell No!" and nothing's going to change that.

Alternative Energy: Hybrid Cars

Interested? Consider:

There are four types of hybrid systems:

Stop-start: Shuts engine off when the car comes to a full stop, when it would otherwise idle.

Integrated Starter Alternator With Damping (ISAD): Has the stop-start feature and an electric motor.

Integrated Motor Assist: The functions are identical to the ISAD, but it has a larger electric motor for better performance.

Full hybrid system: Cars generally run on electric power at low speeds with the gas engine kicking in at higher speeds.

What'll it cost you? Depends:

Here is an example of how one choice might work out:

The average American drives 15,000 miles each year, with 45 percent of that on highways. The traditional Honda Civic costs about $17,110, and it gets about 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 highway. At $2.92 a gallon, this subcompact car costs $1,296 in gasoline in one year.

At $22,900, the Honda Civic Hybrid will initially cost a bit more, but with an average of 50 miles per gallon, a year of gas will cost $878.

In 10 years, taking into account inflation at 3 percent but not factoring in any possible changes in gas prices, the gas savings of a hybrid reaches almost $5,000.

Finally, a new federal incentive program allows you to receive a one-time $2,100 tax credit for buying a hybrid.

Denial.

Over at Blogger Beer I am engaged in an exchange with some leftist outraged that Richard Cohen thinks profanity and vitriol is going to lose elections for the left.

My commentator is flummoxed when I call him a lefty, after all, he is a veteran, a small business man, and a family man. The fact he is outraged at Richard Cohen's stand on Stephen Colbert's disgraceful performance at the Whitehouse Correspondents Dinner or the fact he can fairly considered to be a Daily Kos charter member. I am surprised he isn't claiming to be a card carrying Republican who voted for President Bush but is now PO'ed at the President and has gone over.

This is an interesting contrast between those on the left and us on the right. Most of us here (at least among posting members) consider ourselves conservative and none of us are ashamed that we may be considered far right. Whereas many on the left work very hard to deny they are lefty or try to hide behind euphemisms such as progressive or liberal. When progressive becomes associated with leftism they will undoubtedly come up with another euphemism.

This indicates to me, the modern right is closer to the heart of the American body politic than the modern left. I believe as the baby boomers fade from the scene the body politic will shift further to the right. The death-shrieks from the leftist movement will be mistaken by many as being reason but in reality they are panic.