Keep Those Pencils Sharp

For rebuttal, that is. Not for stabbing.

Senate Democrats passed their universal health-care plan, which was widely attacked for its $15 billion price tag. It got dropped during budget talks, and Democrats are now trying to figure out how to retool it. Top Democrats say it remains a priority and will be debated this year.

I repeat: only for rebuttal. NOT FOR STABBING. Halloween or no Halloween.

And make sure you hold them correctly while walking and DON'T RUN, because we don't run with sharp objects. Somebody might decide there oughta be a law.

You don't suppose... Nah..

I wonder if the Select Committee to Examine Link Between Changing Climate, Frequency and Intensity of Wildfires today in the Senate bothered to read Fires of the Feds: How the Government Has Destroyed Forests?

Oh, that's right. A Boy With Matches Started Fire along with some 5 arsonists. Also a "Select Committee" can never deter from it's agenda.

What was I thinking?

OTBL

Takedown: 2 Points!

I've been probably harsher to the Giuliani Campaign than most GOP candidates. It's not that I don't like the guy, I'm just resentful I didn't get hired for it.

Seeing this reply from Giuliani Communications Director Katie Levinson to last night's Democratic Debate -- in particularly Joe Biden's remark that all Rudy does is "Noun, Verb, 9/11" -- shows how not ready for primetime in the political comms game many bloggers are. (HT - K-Lo at the Corner)

New York City – The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee released the following statement from Communications Director Katie Levinson:

“As the pundits work to figure out who won the debate tonight, it’s pretty clear Rudy Giuliani was the real winner. It is increasingly apparent Rudy is the one the Democrats are most worried about running against in the general election.

“Senator Biden’s comments were of particular interest. The good Senator is quite correct that there are many differences between Rudy and him. For starters, Rudy rarely reads prepared speeches and when he does he isn’t prone to ripping off the text from others. And, Senator Biden certainly falls in to the bucket of those on the stage tonight who have never had executive experience and have never run anything. Wait, I take that back, Senator Biden has never run anything but his mouth.

“Such a desperate attack from Senator Biden is to be expected considering I – Katie Levinson – have a better chance of becoming President than he does.”

I'm with Kate O'Beirne, if this is what she has in store for Biden, Lord only knows what's in the pot shot folder on Hillary Clinton.

Truth be told, I'm sort of liking the pandering Rudy's doing on traditional social Republican issues. Not liking the pandering to Red Sox Nation. (What's up with that!)

Tonight Show

Hey the Sex Pistols are on the Tonight Show. When their done, Ron Paul will be on as well. Nothing like Hollywood.

OTBL

Ziegelbauer on health savings accounts:

Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer, writing in the Journal Sentinel about his county's work to lower health insurance costs (emphasis added):

We asked our insurers for quotes on a health savings account-based, high-deductible program...

The quotes blew our minds: cost savings of more than $7,000 per year on a family plan and better coverage than the current plan. We were able to offer our employees $3,000 in a fully funded health savings account. This account became their personal property, and with the money the county saved, we also eliminated more than $4,000 in employee costs for co-pays or premiums.

All that, and we were still able to save taxpayers nearly $2,600 per family plan.

I'd say it sounds just crazy enough to work, except it doesn't sound crazy.

This Better be a One-Time Thing Senator Hansen

Jerry Bader, local radio talk show host up in Green Bay at 1360 AM WTAQ, posted something on his own blog this morning that downright sickened my stomach.

Hopefully, it does yours.

Take it whatever way you want, but it seems State Senator Dave Hansen invoked the memory of his two year-old granddaughter as fodder for a fund raising letter.

Dear friends:
The past few months have been a trying time for my family as we mourn the loss of our little angel. We appreciate the kind words we have received from people across the state. From the friends and family who were with us in those first days to the thousands who have called and written to offer their support, we were touched by all. And in a sign that the human experience transcends the sometimes bitter partisanship in this country, my family and I have received condolences and prayers from the Republican Party and many Republican legislators-and we greatly appreciate their kindness.

Since that time many people have asked me if I intend to continue in my role as state Senator. And that is my reason for writing today. The loss we have experienced has caused a great deal of soul searching. I have been thinking hard lately about my life and public service. After much thought and contemplation and discussion with my family I feel stronger than ever that God has blessed me with the chance to serve the people for a reason.

There is still much work to be done. I want to continue working to make sure that every child in my district and in Wisconsin has the opportunity to pursue their American Dream.

My family and I have decided that now, more than ever, the best way to say thank you to a state and community which has given us so much is to continue the efforts we started. When I first ran I wanted to help make Wisconsin an even better place for everyone to live and raise a family.

I've rededicated myself to the re-election campaign for State Senate. Certainly family comes first. But I am also staying busy knocking on doors, talking to constituents and yes, raising money, toward the election next fall.

Before entering politics, I worked as a football coach, teacher and truck driver. I never thought I would be where I am today. I've been blessed with the opportunity to bring the values of the average Wisconsin resident into the capital. I'm not fancy. I still live in the same small home that my wife and I raised our family in and bought when we were first married. I know what it's like to punch a clock and to struggle to provide healthcare and security for our families. Every single day I walk into the State Capitol as a Senator, I vow to never forget where I came from.

For someone like me who was raised to be self-reliant, running for office is a strange process. I've never been particularly fond of asking people for money. But raising money is necessary and I have been very fortunate to have the support of thousands of people across Wisconsin. From lifelong friends in Green Bay to complete strangers in Milwaukee who know how important it is to keep the Senate in good hands, I have appreciated it all.

I am writing today to tell you that I have every intention of running for re-election and I am committed to winning. But I will need your help. Please consider making a contribution today via credit card HERE or by sending a check to "Friends of Dave Hansen" at 920 Coppens Road Green Bay, WI 54303. $100, $60, $35 or whatever you can afford will help us build the campaign needed to win.

Thank you all for your kindness and generosity.

State Senator Dave Hansen

(Who says there's not real blog work or Conservative watchdogs up in Green Bay?)

Hansen accidentally ran over his granddaughter in July backing out of his driveway on the way to a meeting, he never saw her until it was too late. We here at the BBA sent our condolences.

I'm sure we all concur, that if Hansen is using that tragedy for fund raising gain, it's fitting it's Halloween. He's a ghoul.

UPDATE: Fraley has more.

Nick is Right!

In commentary on my last post about Ron Paul supporters unfurling banners on HWY 41/HWY 441 overpasses Nick says:

I know... are those guys nuts? What are they thinking trying to advertise a candidate they believe in, and trying to get his name out. It's crazy I tell you.

Source: BBA Commentary by Nick Schweitzer

Sure, but I wasn't asking why but asking others if the Ron Paul supporters were doing the same around them.

Here is the latest way they are trying to advertise a candidate they believe in, and trying to get his name out.

UAB Spam Team Spots First Presidential Campaign Spam

Anti-spam researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) noted a disturbing new trend following Sunday's Republican Candidates Presidential debate. One of the candidates has a new spam campaign dedicated to proclaiming him victorious in the debate and extolling his virtues as the future president.

Source: UAB Media Relations – "Ron Paul Spammers" Targeted by UAB Spam Team Now, I agree with the article I do not believe for a second there is any official Ron Paul sanction to this activity, but again I wonder if those folks have been drinking too much fluoridated water?

Badger Bites from the West

Can you believe it? What a beautiful day. If you didn't find a reason to get out of work today you should have! For a nominal fee, I will call your boss for you. I digress. Let's take a peek around the Badger state blogosphere.

Since I hail from the west side of the state, (notice I didn't say left!), I'm going to have a little slant leaning this way. One of the things we don't always get over here is Wisconsin based conservative talk. Sure we get the national shows but nothing locally, except that of Jason Lewis. Jason has been on the scene over in Minneapolis for the greater part of the last 15 years. Joey, over at Pheisty Blog (hailing out of Clayton Wisconsin) is studying the concept of "Crosscut", an experiment trying to get the left and right to congenially try to communicate. The topic of round 1, Jason Lewis. See Crosscut I: Jason Lewis, Welfare, and Jesus.

If any of you know who the King Dude is (Sirius Radio), flash over at OnTheBorderline has a story about an OTBL contributor who talked to the King last Friday. The topic was the failing GOP party.

Real Debate discusses some of the other freebies the Dems want to give away, Free College.

Dad29 explores the Electorial College.

Owen points out the latest on a topic near and dear to most of us, Free Markets at work!

Delilah says hi!

Liar Liar Pants on Fire.

DOYLE-OPOLY is a game that is no fun.

Hot and Misguided.

Who needs sensitivity training?

and

Folkbum says.... Who cares!

Now go enjoy the last few hours of daylight.

OTBL

Ron Paul

It seems every weekend the Ron Paul supporters gather on some overpass around Appleton (HWYs 41 & 441) and hold Ron Paul banners for the traffic passing underneath to see. Last weekend it was near Fox Cities Stadium (Home of the Timber Rattlers and this weekend it was on a HWY 441 overpass.

How about near you? Or is it the fluoride in the water up here?

Give Me a Break

Apparently, being the winner Politico.com's "Pander of the Week" in back-to-back weeks has only encouraged the little press-seeker.

This is just pathetic and if the Gannett Wisconsin papers in the Fox Valley run with this, then they really are rooting for the little jerk.

(APPLETON) Tensions are high on Capitol Hill - and it has nothing to do with politics.

Monday’s Packers game against the Broncos is pitting roommate against roommate, imperiling domestic tranquility for Green Bay’s Congressional representative.

Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. shares his Washington rental with Congressman Ed Perlmutter – the representative from suburban Denver, and a devoted Broncos fan.

The two have a gentleman’s wager riding on the outcome of Sunday’s game.

“When the Packers win, my esteemed colleague from Colorado, the Honorable Ed Perlmutter, will deliver a case of Coors beer. In the unlikely event the Broncos prevail, he will receive a case of Miller. My staff is looking forward to enjoying the Coors,” Congressman Kagen said.

I'm gonna take a guess here and say the amount of Americans and 8th Congressional District constituents helped by this news is a big fat zero. Because, I don't think it's the type of Miller-Coors joint venture news they've been looking for.

Makes you wonder if we'll get pictures too. Or a press conference to boot? That'd be fun, also show the folks back home that "Steve Kagen's working for YOU...to get beer for a bunch of underpaid Congressional staffers in their 20s and 30s."

UPDATE: The Appleton Post-Crescent bit on the news, or at least an AP writer did since they don't give a byline. You can read the online article here and please check out the message board beneath the article. My favorite thread is the Appleton-based moonbat who wants Kagen to dump the Coors beer in the toilet because the Coors family helped provide the seed money that helped start the Heritage Foundation, is "anti-labor," and had the audacity to help fund anti-communist freedom fighters (That would be the "Contras" to you and me.) in Nicaragua.

These are Steve Kagen's people folks!

Geez, I'd hate to think what this person would do if they found out the Miller family provided tons of cash for social conservative and Roman Catholic causes before they sold the brewery to Mister Philip and Mister Morris.

Government Funding at Its Finest

Did you set your clock back last night?

If you did, you must've forgotten that congress changed Daylight Saving Time. Don't feel bad, though. PBS might have forgot, too. My VCR gets its time from Channel 10 and it looks they've already turned back the clock.

It's also possible that my VCR tried to outsmart congress, by applying the old DST settings on its own. I've now disabled auto DST to see if it makes a difference.

If you're using an automatic clock, what do you see today?

Note: I couldn't think of an appropriate tag for this post, so I chose "cow farting."

We Need a Global Consensus!

"We need a global consensus! We have to go through the United Nations!"

Sounds familiar? Well, this time the issue is biofuels. The UN has warned:

“The economic, environmental and social impacts of bioenergy development must be assessed carefully before deciding if and how rapidly to develop the industry and what technologies, policies and investment strategies to pursue,” the report warned.

What's a liberal to do?

Will they join the rest of us in proclaiming the UN useless, or will they abandon the reckless pursuit of instant energy alternatives? More than likely, they'll want to have their cake and eat it, too. If only I could get inside the head of a liberal to see how they can reconcile their love of the UN and their hatred of gasoline.

A Sense of Temporal Dyslexia

Woke up in a bit of a "Whoa, huh?" mood today.

Seems that a year ago, this was the weekend of "Daylight Savings," that was before the signing of the "Energy Policy Act of 2005."

What this means is you're supposed to move your clocks back one hour next week. The thinking being, it should save energy with the extra month of daylight (it's been studied, it hasn't).

The problem now is that all of my network connected items (Cell Phone, Computer) were at one time, and my clock, my BlackBerry, and DVD/VHS player - which are on a program based on the the Pre-Act Schedule - were at another.

My wristwatch, for all I know, is lying to me right now.

It is 10:30 EDT in the morning, right?

If it's his last time...

...Governor Doyle's gonna make the most of it.

Governor Doyle used his Frankenstein Veto again this morning, to increase the property tax limit from 2% to 3.86%.

Why 3.86%, you ask? Because those are the numbers he could find.

In this case, he's used numbers that reference a state statute to set a different limit for levies than what was passed by the Legislature.

Look at the picture from the Journal Sentinel:



The darkened parts are what he vetoed. The lighter parts are what he left.

Clever.

Has that been done before? I'm not sure.

Here's the real tricky part: Doyle didn't include any kind of property tax limits in his version of the budget. So why didn't he just veto the whole thing, instead of getting cute with his Frankenstein Veto?

Afraid of reviving the taxpayer revolt, maybe? Part of an agreement with Assembly leadership?

Poor Judy!

From WisPolitics:

Former Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson said today following the budget signing that her gender likely was a reason she was deposed by now-majority leader Sen. Russ Decker.

"I was told I was 'too nice' to be a leader. I think that's a gender issue. I think it's sexist, and I told the person who said that it's a sexist comment," she said.

"All women leaders in the Legislature have had coups against them. It's the nature of being a woman leader - or I should say the fallout of being a woman leader."

Badger Bites Howls at the Moon

If you haven't looked out your window tonight, then you may not know that there is a big, bright, full moon this evening. As many a emergency services professional will tell you, things get a little weird during these full moons. So tonight, Badger Bites gives you the best with a few quirky twists.

*Before we mix in the frivolity, head on over to Real Debate Wisconsin for a great piece by Cathy Stepp.

*That change in the state senate leadership? Ed Garvey hints at a c-o-n-spiracy.

*On a, um, slightly saner topic, Elliot is accepting applications for his mortal enemy.

*Dad29 gets at a point you're unlikely to hear discussed in polite company.

*The Critical Badger asks a multiple choice question on Freakfest. I choose 'B'.

*Lance's latest column makes a good point about last week's taxpayer rally.

*J.B. Van Hollen: The con, the pro, and a thanks.

*Mixter has the answer to Iran: Diplomacy.

*The Headless Blogger compares a Romney photo to another familiar pic. Frankly, the Romney pic creeps me out.

*Illusory Tenant learns the hard way that one word just ain't cool, even if you aim it at a conservative.

*No new taxes? Berry Laker outlines some of the new ones.

*Nick makes a good argument about the price of an education.

*The Game makes a point about the fires in California that I've previously made about forests in Florida.

Okay, I'm out of here. It's a great night to go hunting for the Bray Road Beast, and the night isn't getting any younger.

Dishwashers for Clinton

Listed on page A22 in the Washington Post. Hum? I cannot imagine why the media has barely given this a second thought. Oh that's right- it is Hillary and she always gets a pass.

DONORS WHOSE addresses turn out to be tenements. Dishwashers and waiters who write $1,000 checks. Immigrants who ante up because they have been instructed to by powerful neighborhood associations, or, as one said, "They informed us to go, so I went." Others who say they never made the contributions listed in their names or who were not eligible to give because they are not legal residents of the United States. This is the disturbingly familiar picture of Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign presented last week in a report by the Los Angeles Times about questionable fundraising by the New York senator in New York City's Chinese community. Out of 150 donors examined, one-third "could not be found using property, telephone or business records," the Times reported. "Most have not registered to vote, according to public records."


This appears to be another instance in which a Clinton campaign's zeal for campaign cash overwhelms its judgment. After the fundraising scandals of President Bill Clinton's 1996 reelection campaign, the dangers of vacuuming cash from a politically inexperienced immigrant community should have been obvious. But Ms. Clinton's money machine seized on a new source of cash in Chinatown and environs. As the Times reported, a single Chinatown fundraiser in April brought in $380,000. By contrast, 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kerry raised $24,000 from Chinatown in the course of his entire campaign.


As with the warnings it dismissed about the mega-bundles being brought in by fundraiser Norman Hsu, the Clinton campaign saw the red flags here. After the April fundraiser, when some of the donors' stated occupations seemed out of line with the amounts they were giving, the Clinton campaign wrote to contributors asking them to confirm that the money was their own. In the case of seven $1,000 contributions, donors did not respond and their checks were returned, according to the campaign. The campaign says that the others, including one who told the Times that he did not give the money, reaffirmed the legitimacy of their contributions.


It's certainly true, as campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson says, that "Asian-Americans in Chinatown and Flushing have the same right to contribute as every other American." The campaign argues that it did what it could to ensure that contributions were legal. The alternative, the campaign says, would be to prevent those with foreign-sounding names from participating in the political process. But there's another alternative: to strengthen a vetting process that seems geared more toward justifying the acceptance of checks than toward uncovering problems.

This is awesome.

College students across the country have been strapping empty holsters around their waists this week to protest laws that prohibit concealed weapons on campus, citing concerns over campus shootings.

Via Instapundit.

I was walking on the UW campus today, and saw a kid handing out pro-concealed carry-on-campus literature. He had a table and, yes, he was wearing a holster.

Would've made more sense if he were in a state that allowed concealed carry, but still. Good to see.

Decker would have "held out longer" on budget

From the WisPolitics Budget Blog (emphasis added):

Decker also said that he would "hopefully" have gotten a better deal for Democrats had he been leader, as well, adding he would have held out longer for the hospital assessment, oil assessment and combined reporting.

A curmudgeonly friend of mine wondered out loud today where the angry editorials denouncing that statement are. After all, Wisconsin needed a budget!

Ladies and Gentlemen...

...Ed Garvey:

The fires in California are part of global warming.

Whather you agree or disagree...

...with Cathy Stepp's latest post, it's a fun read.

My favorite part:

Men want to win. They don't pride themselves on being "bridge-builders", unless they're literally building a bridge.

Every Cause Needs a Catchy Name

Let's call this one "The War on Children," and make sure to credit Mark Steyn:

So what is the best thing America could do "for the children"? Well, it could try not to make the same mistake as most of the rest of the Western world and avoid bequeathing the next generation a system of unsustainable entitlements that turns the entire nation into a giant Ponzi scheme...

But...

...in a democratic system today's electors vote to keep the government gravy coming and leave it to tomorrow for "the children" to worry about. That's the real "war on children" – and every time you add a new entitlement to the budget you make it less and less likely they'll win it.

RE: Shamnesty

Well at 11:53 CST the Nays prevailed 52 Votes to 44 votes.

Just what we were looking for.

When will Reid try to stop pulling the wool over our eyes? Well, with that, SCHIP is to be introduced later this week. Keep those numbers handy.

Call your Senator NOW!

Majority Leader Reid is trying to ram through the DREAM Act amnesty (S. 2205), which is a PERMANENT (not one-time) amnesty for more than just teenagers, by invoking Rule 14 and bypassing debate because the pro-amnesty lobby knows that the bill would not pass if the American people had time renew their opposition to bills that reward illegal immigration.

Proponents of the DREAM Act amnesty say that every child in America should get an education. But the DREAM Act amnesty is about a secondary education - not a primary one; and it would involve millions of illegal aliens over the age of 21 - not children. Furthermore, it gives an unfair advantage to illegal aliens over less-fortunate American students. The DREAM Act is yet another example of the U.S. Senate's misplaced priorities.

S. 2205 provides for no extra enforcement to help ensure that families around the world don't risk their teenagers' lives by forcing them to enter the U.S. illegally across the deserts. Passage of this amnesty likely would increase deaths of illegal aliens in the desert as more and more people attempt to get into the country in preparation for the next amnesty.

S. 2205 would do what all amnesties do -- entice millions more people to become illegal aliens here. The word across the world would be that immigration crime pays.

Proponents of the DREAM Act say that children shouldn't be punished for the crimes of their parents, but this amnesty would allow these amnestied "children" (anyone up to age 29 can apply) to sponsor their parents for green cards - thus REWARDING their parents for their crimes.

You need to call your Senator now, and then again, and then again, and then again...you should be noticing a trend here. There will be two cloture votes. First cloture vote is to bring the bill to the floor. Once it's on the floor, there will be a chance for Senators to pile even worse amendments. Then there will be a second cloture vote to end "debate" and vote on the bill. The cloture votes are were it is, forty votes blocks the bill. Essentially you can stop when they turn the switchboards off.

Feingold 202-224-5323
Kohl 202-224-5653

Chris - OTBL

Sanity Finally Prevails

Now, if the NFL could just make sure more of the insane fans from New York area teams are under less control at the event.

(Dammit, we need more streakers at the NFL Draft!)

But this is a good start.

When the first round of the NFL Draft ended last April, Commissioner Roger Goodell ruefully announced that it had been the longest in league history. At 6 hours, 8 minutes, Goodell called the record undesirable.

On the first day of NFL owners meetings at a local hotel, the league announced that that shouldn't be a problem next year.

The NFL announced that it is shortening the first round, decreasing the amount of time allowed for selections from 15 minutes to 10 minutes per team. The time allotment for second-round choices also is being reduced, from 10 minutes to seven per team.

The starting time of the first day of the draft is being moved back as well; it will start three hours later, at 3 p.m. Saturday. The third round will move to Sunday, with that days starting time moving up one hour, to 10 a.m.

"We believe these changes will make for a more streamlined and efficient draft," Goodell said in a written statement released by the league. Next year's draft is scheduled for April 26-27.

Shortening the first round is viewed as a possible precursor to moving it to prime time Friday night one day.

I'm not gonna missed those fourth location shots from the set of "ESPN's First Take" or "Cold Pizza" at all.

The Assembly passes the pork laden budget

Once again thanks for nothing Wisconsin GOP

When this deal was first announced I thought I could live with it I took idea of the perfect is the enemy of the good. But then all the rocks were turned over and all the pork and fee increases and stupid little laws like the attack on brew pubs came to light. Sorry this budget does not even qualify as good. We would have been better off as tax payers if they had just stuck to last years budget and not passed anything.

As usual the State GutlessOP wilted in the end, why did they even bother.

Its days like today that reaffirm my decision to turn my back on the state GOP.


With Friends like these right.

Seriously why do we even bother with these people they do not listen to us they go to Madison and do their own thing. Think of that the next time you are asked for money or to man a phone bank. Think of all the hard fights we have had in the last 2 years not with the Libs but with the people controlling the "our" political party.

Every time you turn around it is US vs the State GOP automatic gas tax increase or Ethanol mandates or a myriad of other issues. Hell it is hard enough fighting the left in this state when they are bank rolled by WEAC and all the other unions and the Casinos but we always have to wage war in our own house before we can go fight them. No wonder we seem to be losing a lot lately.

Every year the Budget in Wisconsin grows and along with it our taxes they are making impossible for our seniors to stay here and any CEO worth his salt would have to be crazy to move any business to Wisconsin with our Tax Hell and Anti Business climate

Sorry to sound so defeatist but I have not seen much happening in Wisconsin's political arena to give a conservative/libertarian much hope.

You get to do with less so the bastards in Madison do not have to.

Chris

Heading for Washington, D.C. in the morning. Anybody able to get together to chat over coffee or drinks, say Thursday or Friday evening? Sorry for the short notice.

PS Wouldn't you know it! Rain until we head home!

The Australian "Macaca Moment"

Could this image from six years ago effect the Australian Parliamentary Elections?

Who knows?

Yes, Kevin Rudd, Candidate for Prime Minister and leader of the Australian Labor Party leader, Australia's center-left party, ATE his own ear wax!

Cartoon of the Day

Today's "The Duplex" by Glenn McCoy. (Click to enlarge.)

Badger Bites, the Budget Buster Edition

Well, there is a budget deal. But what to make of it? Tonight we'll offer up some notable posts on the budget, and just like our budget, we'll try to cram a little extra in, too.

*How can we not cover the budget? Was it good? Was it bad? Maybe a little of both? What was raided? What's was alive and then dead? And the priorities? Who was a winner? What about that veto pen? Might as well discuss it.

*There are 7 reasons Bubba doesn't sell gas that contains ethanol.

*Shark and Shepard ruminates on health care.

*Forward our Motto calls for less incarceration and at best no additional funds for the Madison police department as a means of controlling Madison's growing crime rate.

*Grumps supports firefighters that counter protest.

*The 'harmony' of the Tony Earl years.

He's Gone

Max McGee, former Packer, former Packer broadcaster and the man who scored the first Super Bowl touchdown is dead.

We'll get to hear him today with the WTMJ rebroadcast of Brett Favre's first game. Not just a tribute to a great quarterback, but a tribute to Max McGee as well.

Bobby!!!

For once, the State of Louisiana does something right.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal became the nation's youngest governor and the first nonwhite to hold post in Louisiana since Reconstruction when he carried more than half the vote to defeat 11 opponents.

Jindal, the Republican 36-year-old son of Indian immigrants, had 53 percent with 625,036 votes with about 92 percent of the vote tallied. It was more than enough to win Saturday's election outright and avoid a Nov. 17 runoff.

"My mom and dad came to this country in pursuit of the American dream. And guess what happened. They found the American Dream to be alive and well right here in Louisiana," he said to cheers and applause at his victory party.

His nearest competitors: Democrat Walter Boasso with 208,690 votes or 18 percent; Independent John Georges had 167,477 votes or 14 percent; Democrat Foster Campbell had 151,101 or 13 percent. Eight candidates divided the rest.

Jindal is one of the brightest young minds in conservative politics. He is part of the future of the Republican Party.

I had the pleasure of running into Rep. Jindal while walking around the House Office Buildings in late January / early February. I shook his hand and wished him well later this year.

I was meaning last night, and he knew it too.

Mark it down, he's your GOP Presidential nominee down the road!

About Time!

The AP via Yahoo News:

Students in America's schools are groped. They're raped. They're pursued, seduced and think they're in love.

An Associated Press investigation found more than 2,500 cases over five years in which educators were punished for actions from bizarre to sadistic.

AP: Sexual misconduct plagues US schools ( By MARTHA IRVINE and ROBERT TANNER, AP National Writers) 500 cases per year! However, what do we hear more about? Yeap, clerical sexual misconduct, I wonder how many instances of clerical sexual misconduct with minors occurs? I bet even at its height it did not come to 500 per year.

Do not get me wrong I am not trying to excuse it or equivocate but its about time sexual misconduct in our school system be more thoroughly exposed. Up here the story we are hearing a fair amount about is a teacher from Hortonville who is being tried for sexually abusing girls in school.

I wonder if the schools will get sued? The article I refer to above starts off describing the case of one teacher who shuffled from school to school and over his career had six accusations of sexual misconduct lodged against him.

Recall in Manitowoc Fails

Well, that was a fun witch hunt, wasn't it?

At the deadline for a show of signatures, the group seeking to recall County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer had too few names on its petitions Thursday.

Ziegelbauer described the group's campaign of "attacks and untruths" as "unpleasant," but said the support generated on his behalf in the past eight weeks made the recall battle worthwhile.

The "kind and generous support I've received from the public has been humbling and beyond my imagination," Ziegelbauer said in a prepared statement.

The Committee to Recall Bob Z. announced its campaign in August to remove Ziegelbauer from office because of his proposal to sell the county's 150-bed nursing home and his management of the county's veterans service office, among other issues.

The group said its campaign had been successful at educating the public despite failing to collect a minimum of 8,115 valid signatures needed for a recall election.

Citizens realize that selling the Health Care Center is a big issue worthy of research and open debate, the group wrote Thursday in announcing the petition results.

Rumors I'm hearing from back home is that the groups had an embarrassingly low amount of signatures on their petitions.

They never announced how close (or far) they came in any of their press releases yesterday. But I have to ask, since the masterminds behind this are some big "Truth to Power" liberals (Matt Kadow and Jef Hall) of the Russ Feingold's a living Saint variety.

So I have to ask: You're both bloggers gentlemen, how about some truth on your little act of futility?

The WisPolitics Budget Blog is reporting...

...that a budget deal has, in fact, been struck.

Obviously, this throws some cold water on my column, posted moments ago. I blame legislative leadership for not checking more closely with my schedule.

Anyway, not much out there yet other than the Governor's statements, so I won't be counting up any eggs just yet.

State Budget Impasse thoughts

I have to say I am amazed that the Republican members in the Assembly have not folded like a freshly laundered shirt.

With the GutlessOP track record over the last 7 years did anyone see them actually making as stand like this?

But here are my thoughts on this.

Maybe if they had acted like this when they controlled both houses they would still be in power.

I would tell the representatives in the Assembly,to hold your ground if the people of Wisconsin vote you out because you would not raise their taxes by over a Billion dollars then your cause is lost here.

Do the right thing and let the chips fall where they may. You are winning you can see the panic in the other side just by their tactics. Bringing in the Union Thugs to shout down taxpayers who were holding a peaceful rally, the empty threats to shut down the UW lets see Diamond Jim actually do it.

Hey how long have we been running on the old budget and the state has not collapsed into riots and anarchy yet.

To steal a line from one of my favorite movies at the moment "The 300"

"The world will know that few stood against many here."

Trust the taxpayers of Wisconsin they will not vote you out for not raising their taxes. No matter what the papers and the Union Thugs say.

Well done for a change
WSB Chris

A Boots and Sabers Instalanche!

Heh!

Of course, the way you know Owen has hit the big time: he was quoted in the Baraboo News Republic today.

Not online, unfortunately. That's only for the really big hitters.

HBO Special Commemorates Favre's INTs

It must be true. I read it in The Onion.

NEW YORK — Dan Marino, the former Dolphins quarterback, former multiple NFL all-time record holder, and current co-host of HBO's Inside The NFL, was the host, producer, and head writer of the hour-long HBO special Mr. 278, which aired Monday and commemorates Brett Favre breaking the all-time record for interceptions.

"I once held all the major records, but I never came close on interceptions," Marino added. "Also, I want to make it clear that I still have the records for passing yards in a season and in a career, but I have to hand it to Brett: He is now the interception record holder. Congratulations there, buddy."

Torre Quits as Yankee Manager

Who knew after all the hype, it'd be Torre who told "The Boss" to take a hike?

NEW YORK -- Joe Torre is out as manager of the New York Yankees, rejecting a substantial pay cut after the team failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year.

Torre turned down a $5 million, one-year contract Thursday - $2.5 million less than he made last season.

Rather than put up with the indignity of a salary slap coupled with a performance-based contract, the man who led the Yankees to playoff appearances in all 12 years he managed walked.

"A difficult day," general manager Brian Cashman said.

Bench coach Don Mattingly is the leading contender to replace Torre, who won four World Series championships with the Yanks but none since 2000. Yankees broadcaster Joe Girardi, the NL Manager of the Year with Florida in 2006, is another top contender. Tony La Russa and Bobby Valentine also could be considered.

What will be interesting to see is what happens with the rest of the dominoes in the Yankee roster. Will Mariano Rivera test the waters? Is Jorge Posada gone as well? What about Andy Pettite and Roger Clemens?

A-Rod...well he was leaving anyway.

But let's forget about that, and ask the question we all want to know: Has the Giuliani Campaign issued a statement on this news yet?

Badger Bites: Sittin' in for Jib edition.

I didn't see anyone step up, Jib I got your back!

Little Nickie says potty mouth good.

Triticale makes a convincing point about concealed carry.

Tom McMahon carries a different weapon.

I have an idea where Kevin Fisher is going for Trick or Treat.

Grumps tackles the most important issue of the day... Ellen's pooch.

Phelony haz da skilz und makeses mees lukz gawood.

Sean knows blegs.

Peter waxes nostalgic.

Kathy ran the gauntlet with a simple message, don't I pay your salary?

What the hell is going on in Sheboygan?

Hey everybody, JENNA SIGHTING, JENNA SIGHTING!

Racine Post, everybody, everybody, Racine Post.

A few noise makers... Thanks Steve. Owen, run for something would you?

"mooching off other people's traffic." Mmmmm traffic.

The hate left is renting out hallowed ground for a pro hemp rally.... I kid you not.

Mike thinks size does matter.

Jib went under cover... WAY undercover.

Fraley sticks the blame squarely where it belongs.

Caffeinated Politics hits a milestone. Congratulations. NEXT!

Owen suggests a new gig for Jim Doyle. Can I interest you in the extended warranty?

Bruce highlights yet another reason our state needs money. Any reason this has been so hush hush?

He may not be Dennis York anymore, but Christian still has it.

Where does Kate get those wonderful emoticons?

Sykes hands out multiple spikes.

As for me, I've launched my support of Al Gore for '08. It is all about the drama.

Don't let the badger bite.

So I went to this taxpayer rally today...

The crowd of anti-taxers was smaller than I'd hoped, and way outnumbered by the public employee unions. AFSCME, SEIU, AFT, and TAA were all there. Probably others. They crowded around the entrance to the rally, yelling things at people on their way in. "Let the rich white women in," "step on a state employee on your way in, why doncha," and "you should be ashamed!"

Stuff like that. I went in and out three times, the last time just for fun. Exchanged a few pleasant words.

They tried but failed to drown out the speakers with chants like "Forward, not backward," which was clever; "do your job!" which was a little ironic; and the always-classy "Bull-s---! Bull-s---!" Wish the cameras had caught that one.

They really didn't like it when the event's organizers played a clip of Governor Doyle saying "I will not raise taxes." They even booed. Their own governor.

Anyway, I may have hoped for a bigger crowd, but the people who were there were as enthusiastic as I could have asked. There was no sense of intimidation - quite the opposite. People were standing on the low concrete walls to make sure the union thugs could see their signs.

I got to meet Fred Dooley, who, unexpectedly to me, has a mustache, and Steve Eggleston. Fred gave a great speech, which he'd had to cut from 5-10 minutes to 2 minutes at the very last second.

Didn't get to say hi to Owen, who also gave a great speech. Geez, bloggers are supposed to be pasty-pale nerds hiding in their parents' basements. How come so many of them can talk out in front of people so good?

UPDATE - Fraley has some details, and pictures. Turns out there were a bunch of bloggers there I didn't get to meet.

Badger Bites Bleg

It is looking like I'll be away from internet access on Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening. Is there a BBA member who can fill in for me? Send me an email or let me know in the comments. Thanks.

Former Badgers Changing Teams

Badger One:

Chambers headed to Chargers in trade with Dolphins

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers acquired wide receiver Chris Chambers from the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday in exchange for a 2008 second-round draft pick.

That's a fine move on the Chargers' part, if you ask me.

Badger Two:

Help on the Way: (Buccaneers) Swing Deal for RB Bennett

Bennett, the former Wisconsin football and track star, first entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick (27th overall) of the Vikings in 2001. He got off to a prolific start in his first two seasons, playing in and starting 29 games and racking up 1,978 rushing yards, 66 receptions and nine total touchdowns. Bennett’s career-best campaign came in 2002, when he gained 1,296 yards on 255 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per tote and scoring five touchdowns. Included in that was an 85-yard touchdown run against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium...

At Wisconsin, Bennett rushed for 1,979 yards in just 23 games, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and scoring 15 touchdowns. Most of that came during an extremely prolific junior season, his last with the Badgers, in which he gained 1,681 yards in 11 games. Bennett was also a force on Wisconsin’s track team, winning the Big Ten’s indoor 60-meter and 200-meter and outdoor 100-meter and 200-meter titles in 2000.

The English Dental Hygeine Crisis

English 'pull own teeth' as dental service decays

LONDON (AFP) - Falling numbers of state dentists in England has led to some people taking extreme measures, including extracting their own teeth, according to a new study released Monday.

Falling numbers of state dentists in England has led to some people taking extreme measures, including extracting their own teeth, according to a new study released Monday.

Others have used superglue to stick crowns back on, rather than stumping up for private treatment, said the study. One person spoke of carrying out 14 separate extractions on himself with pliers.

More typically, a lack of publicly-funded dentists means that growing numbers go private: 78 percent of private patients said they were there because they could not find a National Health Service (NHS) dentist, and only 15 percent because of better treatment.

First of all, since when do they have dentists in England?

Second of all, how come a country with nationalized health care isn't providing universal care to its citizens?

Super Germs: I Welcome the Sweet Release!

This is what happens when you prescribe antibiotics for everything from a hang nail, to hay fever, to everything in between.

We were warned, and now the weak amongst us are all going to die. Best part, socialized medicine won't save us one bit!

A dangerous germ that has been spreading around the country causes more life-threatening infections than public health authorities had thought and is killing more people in the United States each year than the AIDS virus, federal health officials reported today.

The microbe, a strain of a once innocuous staph bacterium that has become invulnerable to first-line antibiotics, is responsible for more than 94,000 serious infections and nearly 19,000 deaths each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculated.

Although evidence has been mounting that the infection is becoming more common, the estimate published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association marks the first national assessment of the toll from the insidious pathogen, officials said.

"This is the first study that's been able to capture the data in a comprehensive fashion," said Scott K. Fridkin, a medical epidemiologist at the CDC. "This is a significant public health problem. We should be very worried."

Other researchers noted that the estimate includes only the most serious infections caused by the bug, known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

"It's really just the tip of the iceberg," said Elizabeth A. Bancroft, a medical epidemiologist at the Los Angeles Department of Public Health who wrote an editorial accompanying the new research. "It is astounding."

The estimate is being published with a report that a strain of another bacterium, which causes common ear infections in children, has become impervious to every antibiotic approved for youngsters.

"Taken together, what these two papers show is that we're increasingly facing antibiotic resistant forms of these very common organisms," Bancroft said. "We really need to be on guard against these emerging organisms."

Penicillin was indeed wonder mold. Too bad it didn't evolve faster than the germs it was over-prescribed to stop.

(Was that too alarmist? I feel like I'm trying to sell the next Dateline NBC.)

This Come with Free Angioplasty on the Side?

Oh my...

The people who brought you the Monster Thickburger and the 1,100-calorie salad are at it again — this time for breakfast.

Hardee's on Monday rolled out its new Country Breakfast Burrito — two egg omelets filled with bacon, sausage, diced ham, cheddar cheese, hash browns and sausage gravy, all wrapped inside a flour tortilla. The burrito contains 920 calories and 60 grams of fat.

Brad Haley, marketing chief for the St. Louis-based fast-food chain, said the burrito offers the sort of big breakfast item normally found in sit-down restaurants with an added advantage.

"It makes this big country breakfast portable," he said.

[...]

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington-based advocate for nutrition and health, has called the Hardee's line of Thickburgers "food porn."

The group's senior nutritionist, Jayne Hurley, said Monday the burrito was "another lousy invention by a fast-food company."

The "country breakfast bomb," as she called it, represents half a day's calories and a full day's worth of saturated fat and salt, to say nothing of cholesterol.

"That's all before 10 o'clock in the morning," she said.

Haley makes no apologies.

"We don't try to hide what these are," he said. "When consumers go to other fast-food places they feel like they've got to buy two of their breakfast sandwiches or burritos to fill up. This is really designed to fill you up."

The government's Center for Nutritional Policy and Promotion recommends a daily caloric intake ranging from 1,600 calories for sedentary women and older adults to 2,800 calories for teenage boys and active adults. Hardee's sees its core customers as young men ages 18 to 34, Haley said, though it expects a wider range for breakfast items.

The Country Breakfast Burrito is generally available for $2.69 by itself or $4.09 for a combo that includes hash rounds and coffee.

I haven't even seen a Hardee's since I drove through Pennslyvania on the way here. (Haven't seen a BK either...been craving a Whopper too.)

Lack of Posts Explained

In a private BBA discussion I noted something very exciting going on in our lives (our - including The Empress and myself). We are in the process of building a house. The basement walls have been poured and the forms are just about all stripped and exterior insulation being applied.

However, this means instead of writing interesting blogs I am swinging a maul, running a trencher, etc. I am the general on the job and am developing all sorts of interesting blog-fodder. However, I hold them until I have 1.45 acres to mow.

I will post photos from time to time.

Anyway my participation in this forum is going to be limited and when I The Empress and I are in the new place my usual volume of writing will return.

Gore Gets Cold Shoulder

Well, everybody and their brother has posted this already today, but dangit, a meteorologist friend sent me this, and I took the time to get a post ready, and you're gonna read it whether you like it or not.

ONE of the world's foremost meteorologists has called the theory that helped Al Gore share the Nobel Peace Prize "ridiculous" and the product of "people who don't understand how the atmosphere works".

Dr William Gray, a pioneer in the science of seasonal hurricane forecasts, told a packed lecture hall at the University of North Carolina that humans were not responsible for the warming of the earth.

Read the whole thing.

They said we had to elect the Democrats...

...to regain our place of respect in the world.

But:

Turkey’s top general warned that ties with the U.S., already strained by attacks from rebels hiding in Iraq, will be irreversibly damaged if Congress passes a resolution that labels the World War I-era killings of Armenians a genocide.

“If this resolution passed in the committee passes the House as well, our military ties with the U.S. will never be the same again,” Gen. Yasar Buyukanit told the daily Milliyet newspaper.

Huh. Guess you can't please everybody.

Hat tip to Dean.

Good Move

Since I pointed out the earlier story, it's only fair I point out this as well.

The third quarter disclosure reports out today indicate that Rudy Giuliani’s campaign is actively returning checks in denominations that are tied to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, with eight returned checks to individual donors for $9.11, and one returned contribution of $911.

Giuliani, who was New York mayor at the time of the attacks, took some heat last month when reports surfaced that a group of California supporters were hosting a “$9.11 for Rudy” fund-raiser. Critics and presidential opponents said the former mayor was capitalizing off the terrorist attacks, but his campaign stressed that there was no direct connection between the individual donors and the campaign’s fund-raising operation.

Patricia Arcaro, a retired Philadelphia-area attorney, said she sent a $9.11 check to Giuliani after hearing about the fund-raiser on the news. “I am a strong supporter of Rudy Giuliani and I immediately sat down and wrote a check to the campaign,” she said in an interview today. “I think it would have been a great grass-roots campaign effort.”

Arcaro said afterward she received a letter with a return check from the campaign that stated, “Unfortunately we must return your contribution. We do not solicit or collect financial support that is indicative of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.” It was signed by Giuliani campaign treasurer John Gross.

Arcaro was undeterred. “I turned around and sent a substantially larger check for $910,” she said. “I said, ‘Ok, fine I’ll do it that way.’”

Denny Gilbert of Ohio offered a similar take, noting that he heard about the $9.11 fund-raiser on the news. “That’s what prompted me to send it,” Gilbert said today. “I didn’t ask for it back.” Gilbert said he was aware of the criticisms about using 9/11 as a fund-raising tool. “I know there was some objecting to it, and I thought ‘Well, that’s b—s—.” Gilbert had not contributed to Giuliani’s campaign before, but he said he will likely send him another check for a sum that isn’t $9.11.

Yes, please stick to the figures given by the campaign next time. They're such lovely pre-set denominations and are easier to enter into a calculator.

Badger Bites, Vol. 1, #4

The weekend is over and a fresh, dreary work week has begun. It is time to take a few bites of the Badgersphere from the past several days.

*Dean asks, "Could Huckabee be Mr. Right?" Read his answer.

*Jessica McBride illustrates why the State Supreme Court race matters.

*Seriously, is there anyone Ed Garvey does get along with?

*Watchdog Milwaukee equates Al Gore with Martin Luther King Jr. And Jimmy Carter.

*Meanwhile, Paul Soglin would like to see Charlie Sykes move to Colorado.

*While Soglin looks for his relocation, Sykes looks at logrolling and the budget.

*Badger Blogger looks back fondly...on the Lautenschlager era. And the comments are worth a read, too.

*A fee for fire calls? Elliot is taking the 'con' side.

*The Appletonian is looking for Fred's substance.

*Ethanol may be all the rage, but Randon10 brings "Biofuel Dependence Dangers."

*Finally for this Monday, Wendy makes the west a generous offer of Lake Michigan water.

Brendan Dassey Transferred

Something to remember this Halloween.

Brendan Dassey, the 17-year-old convicted this spring in the murder of Teresa Halbach, has been moved to the Columbia Correctional Institution.

Dassey had been at the Dodge Correctional Institution since his sentencing in August in charges he — with his uncle Steven Avery — murdered Halbach and mutilated her body.

Halbach, a 25-year-old freelance photographer from Calumet County, was last seen photographing a van Avery was selling for Dassey’s mother Oct. 31, 2005, at the Avery family auto salvage yard west of Mishicot, and on land adjacent to where the families lived in mobile homes.

John Dipko, spokesman for the state Department of Corrections, said Dassey has been moved to the Columbia facility at Portage.

He did not say when he had been transferred.

The Department of Corrections Web site says Columbia is an 840-bed maximum-security institution.

Avery has been at the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility at Boscobel since summer.

Re: Another Record Bites the Dust

This comment from Grandpa Steve of Grandpa John's was too good to leave in the comments:

They would have stopped the game to show a short congratulatory video by Blanda, but it was apparently intercepted en route.

And, Kevin, I'm all for Congress spending ALL their time passing pro-Favre resolutions. Every last second of it.

Re: Another Record Bites the Dust

Lance, are you trying to urge Congress to pass more Favre-related Resolutions on these records?

I mean, I'm just grateful the Packers won frankly. You have no idea how much hazing I was going to be on the receiving end of at the office tomorrow had it gone the other way...

UPDATE: The crew at the Post is taking this loss well. On the link that say "Redskins Fall to Packers," you get instead of the beat report, an AP story on Favre breaking the career Interception record.

Now this is Just a Flat-Out Lie

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), was on "This Week with George "Former Clinton Press Secretary" Stephanopoulis" on ABC this morning.

She was asked about the lack of passage on any of the Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriation (Budget) Bills.

Here's the transcript:

STEPHANOPOULOS: "Last year you criticized the Republican Congress as a do-nothing Congress, and one of the points you cited was they hadn't passed any of their appropriations bills by the fall. Democrats haven't passed any either."

PELOSI: "Oh, well we've – in the House we've passed every one of our bills."

STEPHANOPOULOS: "None are law yet, though."

PELOSI: "Well, they will be. And we're on schedule."

On Schedule? Who's schedule, this the same clock that worked on the Democrats' "100 Working Hours?"

First the facts; the Federal Government's fiscal year begins every year on October 1st. It's October 14th, and in order to avoid a total governmental shutdown, the House and Senate passed a 45-day Continuing Resolution on September 28th to keep the government running and Democrats from facing the same PR fate as Newt Gingrich did in 1995.

Secondly, the House has NOT passed every one of its bills. There is one they haven't even touched: The Pentagon's. Seems John Murtha (D-PA) and Wisconsin's own Dave Obey want to play games while the country's at war.

No bill has yet to be sent to the White House for the President's signature or veto.

Finally, no matter how many bills are passed by each house of Congress, all will have to be worked out by a conference committee. Pelosi hasn't appointed a soul to these committees.

Pelosi once pledged to get the budget passed by the Fourth of July. (No idea which Fourth of July of course.)

This isn't just a do-nothing Congress, it's a do nothing but b!+ch Congress.

Another Record Bites the Dust

Brett Favre is now the all-time NFL leader in interceptions thrown, with 278. That breaks George Blanda's record, which stood for 32 years.

And it took Blanda 26 seasons to do it. Favre only needed 18! Take that!

So: of all the major quarterback records, the only one remaining is yardage, and he's looking pretty good there.

Favre started out the season needing 3,862 yards to break Dan Marino's record of 61,361. After today's game, Favre needs 2,147, or an average of 215 yards per game.

Over the first 6 games, he's averaged 285 yards per game. His lifetime average is a smidgen under 240.

He also needs 22 fumbles to break that all-time record, but I think in this case we can all agree that winning games is more important than individual achievements.

RE: A BBA Member's Only Poll

I'd have to pick C. Tommy doesn't sway me, but I have considered that Rudy may be my candidate.

As you may know, I tend to lean Libertarian. I mentioned on the podcast a few times that the Republican party has been driving me up a wall. They seem perfectly willing and able to fight the good fight on social issues like abortion, birth control, and gay marriage. But, they're not stepping up to the plate on the things I actually care about, like taxes and spending. On those issues, they've passed a couple bills and then said "oh well, at least we tried. How about a gay marriage ban instead?"

My opinions on abortion and gay marriage are not strong, regardless of what you may have heard me say on the podcast. I care about the way the government spends my money! I'm looking for a candidate whose priorities are more in line with mine, and Rudy's soft stance on abortion probably makes him that guy.

A BBA Member's Only Poll

Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson endorsed former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani today.

How does this effect you and your vote for Election 2008?

Are you:

A) More likely to back Rudy

B) Less likely to back Rudy

C) Couldn't care less, I see these TGT ego-strokes coming miles in advance.

Answer accordingly in the comments. Hackbarth is banned for voting for well, obvious reasons.

As the Campaign Spot's "Wisconsin politics guy," I'll be abstaining, but may pass the link on to Jim Geraghty none the less.

Nobel Peace Farce

I was right! I knew he wasn't a real boy. Damn you Al Gore, damn you.

Sidebar Updates In Progress

Since beginning Badger Bites, it has come to my attention that our sidebar was in terrible disarray. Tonight I sat down and began the process of getting it back to right. I've corrected addresses that I knew were wrong and I will be adding new blogs to the blog roll. I knew that we had some cleaning up to do, but I had thought that some of it had already been done, so my apologies for our very much user unfriendly blog roll. It really was a mess.

In going through the blog roll, I was amazed at how many blogs we've seen go by the wayside over the past couple of years. I thought it would be fun to show everyone how many blogs have shut down, merged, or just quietly disappeared by listing all of the blogs I removed tonight. So a moment of silence for the following:

Madness in Madison, Lord Ben's Meandering Diatribes, Removing Doyle, Timmyscape, TaxH8R, Blogs 4 Firefox, Chip and Dale, Cooler Near the Lake, CRG, Dennis York, Daily Perspective, Free Thinking Teachers, Free Will, Gibbsville Unincorporated, Lakeshore Laments, Michael J. Cheaney, Milwaukee Id1ot, Sanity in Madison, Scott Mehring, Spotted Horse 2, Standards & Grudges, Teeth of the Constitution, The Kringlesphere, The Madison Freedom Fighter, Waukesha Blogger, Leaning Blue, From Behind the Cheddar Curtain, Sanna Central, 1832, Brewtown Politico, Dyskeptic, Sadie Says, The Vast Dairy State Conspiracy, What's Left, XOff, and Stand Up and Walk.

Now please bow your heads for a 7 meme salute.

Badger Bites Vol. 1, #3

Due to my technical difficulties and resulting frustration on Monday, tonight will be a jumbo sized bite. Enjoy.

*Standing in the Trenches has quietly come back to life. M.E. was amongst the first Wisconsin bloggers I became aware of 'back in the day'.

*Peter asks some of the lingering questions in the wake of the Crandon homicides, and one of his commenters adds some background.

*Jay is in a taxing mood.

*Fraley makes a prediction that will probably be more accurate than his football picks.

*The Daily RAG takes the RINO tag and makes it more specific.

*Dad29 points out the news of another potential airline terrorism dry run.

*Paul Soglin exposes his passion...for Chicago Dogs in Madison.

*Asian Badger gives kudos to-hold onto your hats-Senators Kohl and Feingold.

*Caffeinated Politics gives us a round up of newspaper editorials on the Wisconsin budget.

*Meanwhile, Owen has a couple of thoughts of his own on the budget.

*A link goes to 'Ol Broad because any post containing the line, "MOM! GET YOUR GUN!" is worth reading.

*Dean has a long post on the religious right and 2008, as partially inspired by Playground Politics and Grumps.

*Sometimes it is fun to read a rant. Forward our Motto lays out a wide-ranging baker's dozen.

*I was somewhat cool to the Miller & Coors merger until Plaisted Writes informed us that it meant that Miller "...has jumped in bed with right-wing, anti-union Coors Brewing in Colorado." Seeing that the Miller-owned Leinenkugel's is the adopted beer of the BBA, I can get on board with that.

*Kitties and Khan, a very funny combination at 7 Deadly Sins.

*View from the Cheap Seats closes shop. Good luck and thanks for your views the past couple of years, Billiam.

*Shark and Shepherd has some thoughts on the AMT.

If you're going to be in Baraboo on Saturday...

...be sure to walk through the Fall Faire on the Square. An artsy-fartsy kinda thing, mostly, but the Baraboo chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew runs a sandwich booth. Oak-grilled sirloin on a french roll, with grilled onions and jus and jalapenos if you want them.

Seriously, this is the best sandwich you have ever had. And if you've never had one, you're missing the best sandwich you've ever had. And we give all the money to local charities.

So stop by.