October 2009
FightingBob.com readers talk back
Letter on: Be careful! His bite is worse than his bark
“The Black robes must be indicative of the Jesuits word of God infabillity.”
-John Smith | Hubertus, WI | October 30, 2009
Letter on: Be careful! His bite is worse than his bark
“We can see that selected members of the court are just as dirty and corrupt as politicians.
Their behavior speaks for itself. By the way, I am not intimidated by them.”
-Santini | Little Chicago, WI | October 30, 2009
Letter on: Be careful! His bite is worse than his bark
“I've always wondered why we have so many lawyers and why so many good people wish to be one.
I'm not convinced lawyers contribute much to congress or government.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 30, 2009
Letter on: Bias? Heavens no!
“If teacher pay is to be tied to performance, perhaps all pay should be tied to performance; Justices, captains of industry and pols. How about we give 700 billion to schools and allow them to give bonuses to all the teachers for past performance good or bad.”
-George Parrino | Oconmowoc, WI | October 29, 2009
Letter on: Bias? Heavens no!
“Isn't justice supposed to be blind or is that blindfold one made of see-through gauze?
Thankfully, perhaps, the justices are not lifetime appointments and can be effectively removed or replaced at the end of their term.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 29, 2009
Letter on: Now what?
“I am disappointed that Barb Lawton dropped out of the Wisconsin's governor's race. Barb Lawton would make an excellent Governor. Tom Barrett would also make an excellent Governor. I pray that there isn't a medical problem in Barb's family, as that has also been part of the natural speculation. She will make an excellent US Senator when Senator Kohl retires. We need top quality candidates who are bold enough to do the right thing after they reach office. I believe that Barb Lawton carries that honest potential.”
-Susan Michetti | Mt. Horeb, WI | October 28, 2009
Letter on: The agony of victory and the thrill of defeat
“The truly disturbing thing is the belief by the "conservatives" that in a democracy total victory by one political bend is desireable. Concensus from a number of perspectives often comes up with a better policy, something the "conservatives" hate. What I sense from the Republican side is something even more disturbing: besides not liking Democrats, there's an African-American in the White House. Some emails forwarded my way are nauseatingly racist, something I thought was long gone. These emails come from people I know who I thought knew better. I never received comparable emails when Bush was in office.
They want government out of their wallets, except, apparently, to fund wars began on lies and funded to the tune of half of the U.S. budget.
The evil U.S. govenment(they say) is out to take their guns, kill babies and send everyone off their property and put them in bankruptcy. I wish I had made this up. The latest batch shows Obama to be a wimp, apparently because he isn't falsely using the U.S. military might enough.
Sad commentary on our "conservative" friends who want Ward and June Cleaver to return to their "White" House.”
-Harry Hodag | Rhinelander, WI | October 28, 2009
Letter on: Where were you when the revolution began?
“"He would combine DPI, the Tech System and the UW System. Why? Corporate control of this gigantic profit center."
Where do you find this in the legislation?”
-Peter | Madison, WI | October 28, 2009
Letter on: Where were you when the revolution began?
“Legislating puppy mills is harmless legislation because it doesn't ruffle any feathers nor does it offend the majority. We all can relate to a warm puppy in our arms and we don't even mind the little messes made on our carpets.
Now, legislate something serious that affects the lives of people and it's another issue. What politician wishes to ruffle feathers or stir up the masses? If they wish to get reelected, none.
Good legislation is not so much about the common good and the people served but rather the politician and what can be gained.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 28, 2009
Letter on: Where were you when the revolution began?
“It seems you are making light of the "puppy mill legislation". You should not.
Granted there other pressing issues that may be as important and have not been acted on. They should be acted on as well.
We should praise the legislature for any legislation that makes the lives of animals and people better.”
-Sonny | Little Chicago, WI | October 28, 2009
Letter on: Now what?
“Barbara Lawton is eminently responsible, and I trust her judgment when she said it was a personal decision. I too am sorry. I looked forward to working on her campaign.
But I also have no doubt whatsoever that she will continue to work on Wisconsin's issues, whether in or out of office, and I intend to work side-by-side with her. To begin, I am proposing that she lend her considerable support to our campaign to reform the way we fund our schools.
And thank you, Barbara, for bringing such class to Wisconsin politics...”
-John Smart | Park Falls, WI | October 28, 2009
Letter on: Now what?
“I'm sickened by the rumors going around about Barb, and I'd like to know who's behind them.”
-Jim Schroeder | Jefferson, WI | October 27, 2009
Letter on: We miss Jerry Bracey already
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a tireless champion for our country's children. Here are some of my favorite Bracey quotes:
"The exact science of ideological politics always trumps the inexact science of research."
"The nostalgics forget that the inscription on the base of the Statue of Liberty does not read 'Send me your college grads, your 1200 SAT's yearning to learn.'"
"Research can inform, but not decide"
On Aug 16, 2009, Gerald Bracey wrote: "How long will it take for people to realize that the education "reform" proposed by Obama-Duncan is no different from the Weapons of Mass Destruction from Bush. I say this as a depressed person who canvassed for Obama, campaigned for him, donated to him, and voted for him with my entire family in Virginia before moving to the blue-secure state of Washington. I am deeply pissed."
We should all feel so deeply. We should be aware of what Mr. Duncan had done to the public schools while in the appointed position of 'chief executive officer' of Chicago's schools.
People who share Dr. Bracey's concern about corporate designs on our schools should peruse back-issues of the "Substance News" prior to January 2009, and do a find on the word "Duncan". The back-issues are available on the web.
A concise review of what one would find in Chicago's "Substance News" can be seen online at Milwaukee's "Rethinking Schools" website's Spring 2009 article "Arne Duncan and the Chicago Success Story: Myth or Reality?" by Jitu Brown, Eric (Rico) Gutstein, and Pauline Lipman.
"What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must the community want for all of its children. Any other ideal for our schools is narrow and unlovely; acted upon, it destroys our democracy." - John Dewey, School and Society”
-Johnny | Mount Horeb, WI | October 27, 2009
Letter on: Now what?
“Very disappointed. I wouldn't blame her if it is because of all the bull that goes on and how you get dumped on. She had two press conferences on campaign finance reform and no coverage. She was at brainstorming on Saturday but opted out of the Dem. Party District meeting on Sat. night. I hope she is OK. I would call but I don't want to bother her when everyone else will be. I told her on Saturday that Milwaukee was ready to go on the campaign.”
-Kathleen Hart | Greendale, WI | October 27, 2009
Letter on: Now what?
“I'm a long-time fan of Barbara, and am a little bothered to hear that she won't be running for governor. Who knows--maybe this could turn out okay after all--perhaps she will run for Herb Kohl's seat when he retires?”
-John Ertl | Ithaca, NY | October 27, 2009
Letter on: The agony of victory and the thrill of defeat
“It wasn't too many years ago the same folks were abusing the word "patriot" and substituting "freedom" for "French".
Terms conservative and liberal are overused and their meaning perhaps lost. Maybe we ought to substitute "intolerant" for conservative and "tolerant" for liberal. Makes more sense to me.
Those Republicans had the chance and they blew it.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 25, 2009
Letter on: Tainted Justice
“If we cannot expect candidates for the Supreme Court to run honest, honorable and dignified races why should we expect any better from any candidate for any office. Supreme Court candidates should be expected to aschew negative and dishonest campaigning, even at the risk of an honorable defeat. Michael Gableman is a big disappointment to this Hamline Law graduate.”
-Tim Henney | Portage, WI | October 22, 2009
Letter on: What next?
“Is it time to form a Progressive Party? It is long past time!”
-Mike Ryan | West Bend, WI | October 21, 2009
Letter on: I must be dreaming
“We sometimes wonder if the church isn't more about crowd control and financial stability than it is about leadership and once-in-a-lifetime spiritual adventures.
For whatever excuse, Catholic priests must forego marriage and remain celibate. There are many "converted" priests from other religions, e.g., Lutherans, who are married and have kids sitting right in the front pew as daddy preaches. There are also many Catholic priests who are gay as well as those who have that special male/female companion on the side. Even bishops have their secrets.
The church is full of inconsistencies and hypocrisies. This makes one question the rules all the more. The church isn't bad, it's that old boys' club running and dictating the show.
As for those Anglicans, Henry VIII didn't have an issue with church. Heck, he started his own. He did have an issue with the papacy and the boys in red behaving badly and bringing the Anglicans back into the fold isn't going to change things one bit.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 21, 2009
Letter on: Something for something
“The problem is really the antiqueness of our education system that gives "credit for time" rather than "credit for education" I.e. 180 days = 3rd. gd. , 4th gd. etc. History shows that this should have changed in 1970 when cable TV became a reality in our culture, and we were told we would have the "school without walls". We could start at that time to do an "information feed" into the homes. The problem being that we can't get credit for education. This is a "labor intensive" system that only gives credit for "time in the school building". It is a bad system of making robot soldiers out of people.
I have a book draft on the web at www.chieffinc.org or I have a blog at the Post Crescent as janvan. In fact this military indoctrination was set in place in 1906, as compulsory schooling, and patterned after the Prussian (German) military, to create passive, masses, who obey and can not think. That is from the writings of John Taylor Gatto, a 30 year New York city teacher. DUMBING US DOWN, & THE UNDERGROUND HISTORY OF AMERICAN EDUCATION.
I advocate for two theories. We need as a culture to develop more "social capital"/people to people relationships, mentoring, cooperating, etc. to offset the out of BALANCE use of money/ capital in our culture, and the setting up of programs of CHARTER STUDENT STATUS, as an upgrade from home schooling, for those parents who wish more involvement, but do not wish to homeschool.
I do have grandchildren who have been homeschooled, with one now in college and doing well. They went into the public schools for high school. I do not advocate for homeschooling, but something has to change the LABOR INTENSIVE, damaging system that is forming the culture of consumption that we now have. ”
-Janet Van Asten | Appleton, WI | October 20, 2009
Letter on: What next?
“As one from Eau Claire who looks forward to Fighting Bob Fest each year, it would be even more enjoyable to have perhaps a satellite event prior to the "main event!"
We may well have more media involvement, more active participants from our rural communities, and could bring to Baraboo "action plans."
They may well include development of a true progressive party concept and even a list of candidates who want to change the present culture of party power, greed, vile partisanship and special interest money dictating legislative results!
There is so much energy created at the main event that is lost as we scatter across the state - but having the "pre-event" and then a follow-up process of moving forward will not only provide a way to use that energy - it may also be a real wake up call to our present political parties and those who act as politicians rather than representatives that we want change and we aren't going away until we get it.
We have so many good people ready, willing and able to do the work necessary. They just need to be asked.”
-Steve Anderson | Eau Claire, WI | October 20, 2009
Letter on: What next?
“Can Fighting Bob Fest go on the road?
One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.
Plato Greek Philosopher 427-347 BC
In 2008 after reading about the Fighting Bob Fest event in the Nation magazine my wife asked that I go on-line and find out what it was all about. We knew, after reading about past Fighting Bob Fests, we had to attend.
Since that first Fighting Bob Fest I am unaware of any press coverage regarding this event, even though the speakers are significant national figures. I must presume this lack of press coverage is by design.
The national press no longer finds protests such as at the recent G20 conference important enough for coverage. Code Pink presenting a petition against the escalation of war in Afghanistan to President Obama is not covered. If there is no coverage of issues like this, happening on the world stage, then the only solution is to take the Fighting Bob message on the road.
There can only be one Fighting Bob Fest, but possibly there should be multiple chautauquas, particularly since this is what Bob would have done, take the message to the people.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, IL | October 19, 2009
Letter on: What next?
“Perhaps Fighting Bob would benefit using the chautauqua approach. The events would not have to be as large, but anything to get people out and motivated would be an appropriate venue.
One comment I heard from the last Bob Fest is how many younger people were not there.
What can the cause do to attract younger folk and all that youthful imagination and energy?
Fighting Bob is not just for the oldtimers who remember.
Unfortunately added events and venues does mean more organization, time, energy, funds, etc.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 19, 2009
Letter on: What next?
“As someone who lives up in the beautiful [but remote] Wisconsin Northwoods, and who has famously never been able to make it to BobFest, I'd like to cast a vote for regional festivals. Those of us north of Highway 29 frequently feel left out!
Thanks for the consideration...”
-John Smart | Park Falls, WI | October 19, 2009
Letter on: Don't I know it
“Speech may be free but having your voice heard is expensive.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, IL | October 19, 2009
Letter on: Something for something
“In reply to Curt, number one, private schools don't need to accept all students as public schools do. Secondly, the issue IS funding and has been since the state agreed to fund 2/3 of school costs in the early 90s, put in place cost controls AND limited teacher salaries via the Qualified Economic Offer. Today, all that remains of that system are costs controls, so funding is indeed the issue! A penny increase in the sales tax would help to remedy the funding problem.”
-Bob | Waukesha, WI | October 18, 2009
Letter on: Too much--the system is broken
“Of course the CIA is fighting the release of Lee Harvey Oswalt information. No one in their right mind believes LHO was the sole participant in that 1963 "COUP".”
-Sonny | Little Chicago, WI | October 17, 2009
Letter on: Wow! WPRI is breaking news
“We already have term limits. They're called "elections."”
-Alan Gesler | Lake Geneva, WI | October 16, 2009
Letter on: O for two
“I second the motion. Wisconsin's national representatives lack the leadership to do what needs to be done, and occasionally, more often than not lose the respect of their peers. We have senior people on powerful committees and yet we fail to balance the federal tax dollars returning to our state. RF & HK are clueless on the healthcare issue completely and its starting to show loud and clear.”
-Non-Partisan | Belleville,WI | October 15, 2009
Letter on: All the good he could
“Harvey did more good deeds by accident than most of us do on purpose. If anyone could bring Dave Obey to tears it would have been Harvey. No one had more medical challenges than Harvey and his family.
Harvey will not rest in peace until we pass health care for all with a public option.
Until then. Rest in peace Harvey.”
-Joe Gruber | Campbellsport, WI | October 15, 2009
Letter on: All the good he could
“Thank you for the very accurate story. Harvey also lived with tremendous health challenges of his own, but somehow kept hard at work making life better for everyone. Wisconsin really lost out by not having him as Congressman. The U.S. really lost out by not having him a Congressman.”
-Tim | Maple Grove, MN | October 15, 2009
Letter on: Something for something
“Amen to the Pennies for Kids concept! I've taught for over three decades and this is an idea whose time has come. No one would really notice the additional penny(especially compared to property tax increases) and the revenue generated would help schools tremendously!”
-Bob Franze | Waukesha, WI | October 14, 2009
Letter on: O for two
“I seem to recall there was a "People's Legislature" someplace originally convened by Ed Garvey. I went to that first gathering of 1100 plus. Surely Kohl has a Madison office and the "People's Legislature" could pay Herb and Russ a visit as they did at the dollar bill and broom event on the subject of finance reform.
The problem here of course is the local Democrats not the local Republicans. I recently read a remark (paraphrasing) that 'Republican grass roots action is fake, but Democratic elitism is real.' The remark was in the context of lapsed populism and the way that term has come into ill repute.”
-Lon C. Ponscock | Appleton, WI | October 14, 2009
Letter on: O for two
“I take issue with the comment about listening sessions being a campaign at public expense. Everything public an elected official does could be classified as "campaigning." A vote for something popular in his/her district would qualify. I just don't think that was necessarily a good choice of words. Isn't it better to have a Senator familiar with the entire state than the alternative?”
-Jim | Black River Falls, WI | October 14, 2009
Letter on: Something for something
“What Mr. Kanak is suggesting is federalizing K-12 education, and I doubt that he'd find much support for that. We're having enough trouble with healthcare! But his point is a good one that our spending priorities are skewed.”
-John Smart | Park Falls, WI | October 13, 2009
Letter on: Something for something
“Are you aware of what just happened in Dodgeville? The current state budget has reduced state aid so that they are now funding only 49% of the cost. That is not even close to the 2/3 obligation that the state has. To make up for that they just voted to increase property taxes by 9.35% for the next year.
This is an unacceptable development and we have solely the Democrats to blame. In fact our representative Mr. Hilgenberg voted for this abomination, and it might very well cost him his job. This is not standing up for education or for the little people like the Democrats claim to represent.
Further sales tax increases on top of what they have just done will not be tolerated.”
-Mike | Dodgeville, WI | October 13, 2009
Letter on: Something for something
“Why is it always more money that the schools need? What they really need is to break the monopoly that the teachers union has on education. Attach the funding to the student and let them choose their school. At what we pay for most public school students, they could afford to attend the most expensive private schools, and have dollars left over. It isn't the funding that is broken, it is the spending.”
-Curt | Mequon, WI | October 13, 2009
Letter on: Something for something
“The major revenue source leaving any state is federal income tax. It is time to take funding from our bloated Defense/War Department and fund the future of our nation.
$1.9 million a minute for our War Department and our schools go begging.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, IL | October 13, 2009
Letter on: Let's pretend
“What would happen if there were no insurance companies? If pharmaceuticals could not advertise on radio or TV? If doctors, hospitals and clinics could not advertise there as well?
If doctors dealt directly with patients instead of an insurance company, would prices skyrocket? If patients were responsible for paying, would those extra tests be ordered?
I have a feeling that if we removed the insurance industry from the equation and put medical care back into the hands of patients and doctors, we'd see a change in attitude, costs and charges.
The current system is a fraud. Doctors don't work for patients but for the insurance companies. Hospitals are no more than facilities supported by insurance. If they were for patients, we wouldn't have patients hobbling home the day after bypass surgery. It's not about care but rather of cost and profit.
We need to get the consumer back into the driver seat to make health care affordable and effective.
Congress isn't going to do it otherwise reform would have happened decades ago. Forcing employers to insure workers isn't the answer either. Looks like the stumbling block is insurance and all those with power and money who presently reap profits at the expense of those needing care.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 13, 2009
Letter on: 'Unpopular fixes required to cut Milwaukee County budget deficit, report says'
“I wonder if this is the report sponsored by the Bradley Foundation. If so, they were grievously robbed.
I certainly hope that is the case, anyway.”
-Capper | Milwaukee, WI | October 13, 2009
Letter on: 'Unpopular fixes required to cut Milwaukee County budget deficit, report says'
“Why is it always the employees who are expected to take the hit?”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 11, 2009
Letter on: News from Afghanistan
“Once again "The Liberal Media" who is afraid to touch any politician keeps citizens in the dark about the world we live in. Why is it that PBS is the only news organization that weekly informs America of the soldiers killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan, with a picture (putting a face to those killed in action), and their hometown, all under a moment of silence. One would think the pro war likes of Hannity and Beck would have the courage to do this.”
-George Parrino | Oconomowoc, WI | October 11, 2009
Letter on: Jobs? Is that it?
“I think I liked Joel Kleefisch better 31 years ago when he was a tyke on a Waukesha t-ball team I coached! I thought the the purpose of government was to promote the common good!”
-Bob Franze | Waukesha, WI | October 8, 2009
Letter on: Jobs? Is that it?
“Why not go after the banks and there 25 buck NSF fee which is charged on both ends? That is for any amount a check is made out for. Ask the folks who use check and go and that is the reason.”
-Joe Polski | Plover, WI | October 8, 2009
Letter on: Jobs? Is that it?
“So, if I read correctly, a cap of 36% will put the sharks out of business. Good! Anyone ripping off the public ought to be out of business, politicians included.
If the sharks can't be happy with a 10% over the fed rate for interest, then too bad for them.
Of course one solution would be to pay workers wages that don't let them get into debt in the first place. As long as we have substandard wages, we're going to have struggling workers, debts and those who do the preying.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 8, 2009
Letter on: Nice try, Mr. President
“This is not the first forum (more like the third or fourth) where I've wondered...isn't celebrating the US not getting the Olympics pretty un-American?
The first thing thing I thought when I heard the announcement was "Rush is going to have a field day with this," and he did. If I have to hear one more story about how this is a failing of the Obama administration... Four countries were in the running, one from a continent which had never hosted the games, and there are a lot of countries with a vote on the commission down there. My main point: Chicago didn't get it, not Obama's fault, no big deal.”
-Jim | Black River Falls, WI | October 3, 2009
Letter on: Nice try, Mr. President
“Let's worry not so much about jobs, but let's create and insist upon jobs paying livable wages and those which do not hold workers hostage to their debts. Any job which does not pay fairly is not a job. It is servitude.”
-Franz Frippfrappl | Stoughton, WI | October 3, 2009
Letter on: McCoy on torture
“According to Sensenbrenner's reasoning, Butler lost an election, so he shouldn't serve as an appointed judge. If you follow that same line of reasoning, William Howard Taft should never have become Chief Justice in the 1920s because he lost an election(1912 presidential); ironically, Taft was a member of Jim's own party, the Republicans! So much for logical reasoning!”
-Bob Franze | Waukesha, WI | October 2, 2009
Letter on: McCoy on torture
“I'm sure that we could carve out a cozy little district in Luxembourg; perhaps near the royal castle.”
-Blurondo | Wauwatosa, WI | October 2, 2009
Letter on: McCoy on torture
“Sensenbrenner is full of crap, plain and simple. His reasoning for his opposition is ridiculous.
”
-Jim | Black River Falls, WI | October 2, 2009
current
--------
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008