September 2010
FightingBob.com readers talk back
Letter on: No kidding!
“I think the sentiment from people that follow politics is that the democrats are pathetic. How about Dodd waging a war against Elizabeth Warren during the long interlude that Obama took to appoint her. Nassim Taleb recently contradicted everything Geitner said in a recent speech. The dems are owned by the banks and many other corporations.
Meanwhile the dems in progressive old Wisconsin couldn't even pass a decent law taking on payday lenders resulting in their elimination. Of course the head of the Assembly was getting head from a lobbyist for the payday lenders. The democratic party is circling the drain. Their only salvation may be that the GOP is worse. there is still a choice among the whores. Should I say what I really think?”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | September 30, 2010
Letter on: No kidding!
“The wealthiest got wealthier under the Dems bailout. The middle class lost shares of the wealth.
These Dems are unbelievable. They used up all their political capital to protect the wealthiest people's wealth -- and they got nothing left. That's why Soros stopped funding them.”
-RMJ | Hudson, WI | September 30, 2010
Letter on: Wrong mongers
“"Growth is good" is the motto of the cancer cell. Simple as that.
We have the brains to do right but lack the will. Any damned fool can look around and see how we live and say to himself "this is nuts" but it is so much easier to play dead fish and go with the flow.
If you don't think you still have enough "stuff' try thinning things out so you can live in a one bedroom apartment. That will put things in perspective.
While private property and private ownership of production may not be at a dead end capitalism, as now practiced, has to go. And the idea that individuals doing a few good things on their own can save us nuts. We need a systemic, and dare I say, enforced, change.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor,WI. | September 30, 2010
Letter on: No kidding!
“With Democrats like Obama, who needs Republicans?”
-Sarah Jane | Mauston, WI | September 30, 2010
Letter on: Self-thrilling prophecy
“MATC is a joke and everybody knows it. It's a place for people to stupid to get into a real college. While its profs average $90,000/year, over 50,000 people in Milwaukee County lost their jobs. So cry all you want about "public service," on one hand we have fat cats at MATC, on the other people who have lost everything.
MATC and it's supporters just don't get it. If half of them lost their jobs, as happens in the private sector, that would be fair. I say let the people vote on funding MATC and it would be shut down after the next election. That is what Mr. Dee fears most, allowing the people to have a choice. So why do you fear the public Charlie? Why are you afraid of a public vote?”
-Charles | Watertown, WI | September 30, 2010
Letter on: Wrong mongers
“Fear and terror against American citizens has been the order of the day since 9/11. Our country continues to spin out of control as we disintegrate from within. Obama is just more of the same; in many ways he is worse than Bush. The media loves it, keeping people scared is what drives the media, not rational thought.
There is no hope for this country. By 2025 it will be gone. RIP American Dream.”
-Billy Sherman | Madison, WI | September 30, 2010
Letter on: No kidding!
“Imagine, Ed, that Meg Whitman may buy her way into office by outspending Jerry Brown 100 to one. Surveys show its still close, but in the face of 100 million e-bay bucks I am not holding my breath. Meanwhile, in the WI 74th Assembly District Sean Duffy's got a million dollars to spend to turn NW Wisconsin from green to red --- and unless the Dems get out the vote for Lassa and people fail to vote their true best (or at least better)interests, he will.
Wisconsin Public Television and President Obama?: Don't they know that it's all political and that trying to draw lines between what is and what is not reveals either stupidity or cowardice, or both, while dis-serving the people? Might as well take the Public out of Wisconsin Public TV.”
-Eric Schubring | Drummond WI | September 30, 2010
Letter on: No kidding!
“Thanks for calling "bullshit" on the so-called leaders of the Democratic social club.
To the list of the future leaders of this country we can add John "Orangeman" Boehner as Speaker of the House and Jim "Deranged Theocrat" DeMint as Senate Majority Leader.
In August of 2009 I was at a fundraising meet & greet with Sen. Russ Feingold. He gave the usual rah-rah about supporting the President and his agenda, which was already headed down the path of pseudo bipartisanship.
I was able to get a few moments alone with Russ and I said, "You ask us (good Democrats in attendance) to support what the President and his administration are doing", then I added "When are they going to start doing anything for us?" Russ's reply was, "That's a good thought, I will try and pass it on to the President".
I'm still waiting for my answer and I know now that I will wait, as Adlai Stevenson once told the Russian Ambassador to the UN, "until Hell freezes over".
The Democratic powers-that-be are obviously too obtuse to listen to the messaging gurus like Drew Westin and George Lakeoff. They continue to listen to the economic numbskulls from Wall Street like Larry Summers instead of listening to Paul Krugman and James Carvill'es sage economic advice: "It's the economy stupid". I'm pretty sure who the "stupid" are in this case. It's the entire Administration and its approach to being in power.
Harry Reid is breathlessly running neck and neck in Nevada against a completely bat-shit crazy Theocratic lunatic. I'm just so impressed I could spit.
Everytime I see or hear Obama and his crew speak of "bipartisanship" I run for the porcelin bowl for a session of vomit and wretch. The Repukes definition of bipartisanship is "Screw you, you dumbass". These Administration is incompetent to the point of giving shame to the word.
If I can figure this out sitting here in the sleepy river town of Hudson across the St. Croix River from the Twin Cities, why can't the geniuses in the Democratic Party come up with the answers? Perhaps they are too busy attending "Backyard Meetings" which are as stage managed as any town hall type meeting held by Bush the Lesser.
Then Obama and Biden refer to us as whiners. Axlerod, Valerie Jarret and Rahm can all go back to Chicago as they don't seem to be capable of running anthing larger than a big city which has no real political opposition.
I'm not whining, I'm just plain disgusted. Obama has turned out to be nothing more than another self-impressed Ivy League/University of Chicago type who think they ae smarter than the average bear.
What difference will it make if Senator Johnson doesn't believe in global warming or Medicare?
Will Rogers was right when he said, "I don't belong to an organized party, I'm a Democrat".”
-Jim Kubiak | Hudson, WI | September 30, 2010
Letter on: Politics on campus? Heaven forbid!
“Ain't it just grand how the poor, pitiful, picked upon big bidness guys use their dough to co-opt our commons?
It isn't just the UW. Look how they have used their bucks to get into schools to sell junk food, use the soda machines as fund raisers (after taking their cut, of course) and taken over the naming of athletic fields. Joe Schmudley Memorial Field? Not anymore. Now even a high school can have Sprint Field.
Who the hell is making the decisions to hand over the commons to these jerks who won't pay their sufficient share of taxes to support the commons?
Maybe THAT is an issue for the governors race huh? Don't hold your breath. It is above the level of the mudhead public and can't be put into a sound bite and is therefore not on the table.
Good bye democracy, Hello plutocracy and ain't it all just a hoot?
Beam me up Scotty. I want outa here!”
-Konstance Kaffeschlucker | Sturgeon Bay, WI. | September 30, 2010
Letter on: No kidding!
“Hey Ed, seems like you finally figured out that the Dems are essentially a bunch of co-opted, spineless, gutless jellyfish.
We are the(Borg) GOP, resistance is futile.
Again, back to Ayn Rand. Remember what John Galt's strike was? It was a strike of the mind. Still sound like a goofy idea?
Why do liberals insist on thinking the Dems are the only choice they have? It truly is time for a third party. No, they may never gain a majority but imagine what even 4 or 5 third party Senators could do on a cloture vote.
You gotta admit. The Dems are political wife beaters. They lie to get back in your arms and then when they feel it is safe they mess you up again, and again, and again, and again. Time for an intervention, BIG TIME.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor,WI. | September 30, 2010
Letter on: enformingenlighteningengagingempowering
“WORT-FM covered everything. Thank goodness for community radio!”
-janeofdane | Madison | September 29, 2010
Letter on: enformingenlighteningengagingempowering
“WPT and WPR are run by the same type of suck ups who knew how to get grants etc in college so they could live for free while doing useless crud the brain dead profs thought was "meaningfull". I know the type.
These two organizations are little more than a mutual admiration society with pay that is way too high for a product that is way too inferior. I have come to the conclusion that you could get college and grad students to run both of them and get a better product.
Of course any criticism is automatically seen as calling for destruction. Not true. But face it folks. Are some of these people REALLY worth the nearly 90K they are pulling down as full profs given the lackluster product they produce? I don't think so.
And on the music service just what the hell gives with the constant interruptions of symphonic music? If you really like that stuff it must be truly annoying.
Both organizations need a good dose of salts and I am glad Ed is bringing up the subject. It has been bugging me for a long long time and I for am glad to here somebody else has a beef with these over paid drones.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 29, 2010
Letter on: enformingenlighteningengagingempowering
“Sometimes I think Wisconsin Public Television is not all that public.
Of course, when they want money, they disrupt regular programming so the talking heads can beg in real time.
One would think that a campus production facility that is 2 blocks from the rally would have been present to let the people of Wisconsin see for themselves. The best we can hope for now is carefully edited snippets from the Obama visit that neatly fit a faux news/commentary program content and time slot.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | September 29, 2010
Letter on: Self-thrilling prophecy
“It would be interesting to see the percentage of MATC graduates who get hired within one year of graduation and the percentage of those graduates who stay in Wisconsin. If Milwaukee is similar to Madison the percentage would be fairly high. Madison MATC recently showed that 89% of their graduates are hired within one year and 93% of them stay in Wisconsin. It appears to me that whatever the teachers are getting paid is a darn good deal for taxpayers and employers who get well trained employees who keep their talents at home to benefit the taxpayers whose taxes helped educate the MATC students.
I've gone to MATC Madison twice. First time in 1964-65. Our entire class was able to land summer jobs in the program we were enrolled in and I believe each of us got fulltime job offers at the end of the first summer of a two year program.
Went back in 84-85 for something entirely different and am still using those skills today.
Our Wisconsin tech school system works very well because of the quality of the teachers who are doing an excellent job and certainly are not overpaid.”
-Kim Tschudy | New Glarus, WI | September 28, 2010
Letter on: Self-thrilling prophecy
“MATC graduates find good paying jobs in SE Wisconsin. These graduates stay in SE Wisconsin and become tax paying citizens. This should be the goal of State and Local government. Without new tax paying citizens State and Local governments go out of business.
The number one reason businesses start and stay in a community is the access to a highly trained workforce. MATC is the economic engine that drives productivity in SE Wisconsin. As corporations have held this community hostage by threating to leave if they don't get union concessions and tax breaks. MATC quietly and effective pickups the pieces and re-trains the workers left in the wake of the economic downturn and outsourcing tidal waves.
State Senator Glenn Grothman doesn't live in MATC's district, isn't a graduate of MATC, doesn't sit on MATC's board, doesn't sit on an advisory council, doesn't employee MATC graduates and yet feels he should be able to negotiate contracts for MATC. In fact Attorney Grothman's area of expertise is estate planning. Attorney Grothman is not an economist, labor specialist, labor negotiator, teacher, dean, administrator or college president. In fact he has no experience in education outside of graduating from law school.
I am calling out Senator Grothman and everyone in state government including the present and past governors for creating the mess that is K-12 education funding. Stop crying over how much money an Instructor is making, at least they are providing something of value. You and the rest of state government have abandoned your responsibility to lead on the most important issue facing the future of the state, K-12 funding, isn't that estate planning?”
-Kurt Kaesermann | Big Bend, WI | September 28, 2010
Letter on: Water
“Took a trip to Tucson last winter, one those Elderhostel type deals. Learned a bit about water use down there. Those folks are deluded.
Just a quick fact. 70% of the water used in Tucson and Phoenix areas of the state is for agriculture. We passed areas near Florence where flood irrigation is used to grow sweet corn in the desert. One of the biggest job growth areas is for surveyors who can lay out flat fields that are used for flood irrigation.
Industry is also a big user. A lot of that is for a coal slurry to move crushed coal to power plants through a pipeline type system. Instead of rail or truck they use water based piping systems. I have to wonder how much energy is expended drying the coal again. Sheesh.
So, while green lawns, golf courses, and swimming pools may be absurd to us it might be good to know who the really heavy users are. I have to wonder what role their particular contributions play in the water politics of the desert states.
Wanna bet it is pretty large? Yup, me too!”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 28, 2010
Letter on: Wrong mongers
“Excellent post! (Though, as you say, it is depressing).
I have been wondering for quite some time whether *any* sustainable system can be based on "Constant Growth." Nothing in the natural world does this, and one wonders if all the human structures including capitalism itself can function in a "steady state" environment. Whenever the economy is "graded" it is always graded in terms of "growth." But this notion has to be challenged.
This is why it is so hard to imagine us getting from "here" to "there." The world has a finite capacity in resources in a world headed toward serious overpopulation.
From my own blog these excerpts:
"Instance: Economy. Our economy, and in fact the global economy, predicates it's determination of "good" or "bad" by economic growth. My question: What does this imply? I am not an economist but looking at the issue with a broad brush I question where does this growth come from? Can an economy grow forever without running into limitations in both natural resources and human population. Does a "healthy economy" mean we have to have more and more people buying more and more "stuff?" Has anyone ever considered such a
thing as a "steady state" economy? Would such a thing be antithesis to so-called
free-market capitalism?"
and again:
"Does any of this remind you of Cancer? Where cells lose their ability to know when to stop growing."
I am not trying to "link whore" here but anyone who wants to read the whole article (Constant Growth: The Philosophy of Cancer) can copy and paste this url: http://sixa.no-ip.info/sixa/blog/weblog.pl?trackback=34 into their browser.”
-John Davey | Kendall, WI | September 28, 2010
Letter on: Self-thrilling prophecy
“As you all know, this is about attacking:
- Public institutions that underpin a democratic society
- Public sector workers who make things work
- Public employee unions that fight for the above
This is isn't about some heartfelt concern for "the taxpayer." The Alberta Darlings are about as concerned for taxpayers, and more importantly, citizens, as they are for protecting workers: not much. If they were so concerned about successful fiscal policy, they wouldn't back the tax breaks for the rich and for corporations that shift the tax burden onto working families.
So when we have highly successful public institutions that serve working folks, like MATC, these right-wingers need to attack -- after all, technical colleges demonstrate the falseness of the conservative worldview.
Don't let anyone fool you: right-wingers and Big Business, working their hatchet lady of Alberta Darling (and willing accomplice MJS), just want to go after critical resources in the struggles of working folks -- technical colleges, public sector workers, and our unions. This is as much an attack on working people as it is on one solitary technical college faculty. It's the latest front in the one-sided class war fought by the right-wingers.
I hope other folks join in fighting back with Charlie, Michael Rosen, and the good people of Local 212.”
-Peter Rickman | Madison, WI | September 28, 2010
Letter on: More on 'debates'
“I've never been a debate fan, so you can dismiss my comments if you wish, because I've never thought that snappy/witty comebacks & retorts really say anything about a candidate's qualifications. It used to tell you a little something about a candidate's verbal skills, on a very basic level (ie; how well he/she could think on their feet - - for what little that ever meant in a president/politician), but nowadays even that is rehearsed/role-played out of existence. Now it's just a game of being as bland/defensive as possible, while trying to score hits against your opponent. A good example of the fruitlessness of debates is demonstrated in the British Q&A period where the Prime Minister is grilled (and produced such phenoms as Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and even Tony Blair)- - it's no more productive of good politics than debates here in the US. For instance, Tony Blair (the best of the lot, arguably) was always a quick-wit/ready responder in that forum who never seemed to be bested. On the other hand, here in the US we had a dolt like GW Bush who cheated his way through the debates with a ill-concealed wire, but he STILL gets 'elected' and pulls Blair along with him as a semi-willing participant in a war of aggression.
As we always learned in civics class in high school, the best way to judge a candidate is from his/her historical voting record. It's NOT foolproof - - people change occasionally - - but relying on a politician's words (especially the righties) is as reliable as listening to a huckster on an infomercial.”
-Big Em | Milwaukee, WI | September 27, 2010
Letter on: More on 'debates'
“All one has to do is stay and listen to the list of sponsors instead of running to the bathroom before programs and the news to understand the changes taking place at WPTV. It must be hard for some people who have been there for a long time.”
-Kris Abelmann | Janesville, WI | September 27, 2010
Letter on: More on 'debates'
“Sorry Ed, but even the would be professionals you mention are pathetic. I have given up on WPT and WPR for any kind of really hard questioning.
The last person on WPR who had the temerity to actually stop a response to a question in mid stream was Tom Clark and he is now doing a show with Dr.Giggles.
Forget it. WPR is staffed with people who get professors pay, at our expense, who can't handle the job and have no guts. WPR, at least the staffing of it, is one of the biggest rip-offs in the state and the audience takes it and nods their heads at WPR's own claims at how wonderful they are at doing their jobs. That whole organization needs a dose of salts.
Bulls--t!”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor,WI. | September 27, 2010
Letter on: Keep hope alive!
“Griebnotz is telling it exactly as it is.”
-Oliver Steinberg | St.Paul, MN | September 26, 2010
Letter on: Are you pulling my leg?
“Much as I hate it, the fact is that the Right has come up with a plausible mythology - a vision of America that speaks to people on some level.
They have stayed on message in spite of the inconsistency between their mythology and identifiable reality, and the results are clear.
What is the Dem vision of America? Anybody? Bueller? Yeah. That's kinda what I thought. We blast away like a sawed-off shotgun where the Republican message is a rifle shot.
That's why we only win elections after the Righties have driven the nation into a ditch and why when we finally do manage to win, our message can be so badly distorted and derailed.”
-Jeff | Madison | September 26, 2010
Letter on: Too tough?
“It matters not the group or cause, someone is always being used to the benefit of that group or cause.
What matters is whether we are abused. When it comes to campaigning, there are plenty of abuses and people who are being abused by the candidates and their special interest groups.
We have support groups for abused kids and spouses. We had one for voters, it was called "democracy". We need a new support group for ourselves. Hmmmm, let's call it something revolutionary... Hey! That's it, let's call our support group "revolution". The problem is some think "revolution" involves turning in circles.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton | September 26, 2010
Letter on: Are you pulling my leg?
“The fact that the GOP continues to get away with this stuff, and has a good chance at winning, says a lot about the Dems. And none of it good. In any other rational society this mix of nitwits would be laughed at.
If the Dems need a narrative on these GOP idiots and the Teagaggers who have been co-opted by the bazzilionaires it should be this;
The GOP hates the middle class and wants to bury, and make them pay for the shovel to boot.
They have no new ideas or any real solutions. This is the party of the boss. The party of the guy who hates the worker who can afford a new Chevy because they feel it makes their new Cadillac look cheap.
Got it Dems? Oh s--t, why bother? The Dems are out to their (quiche) lunch.”
-Konstance Kaffeschlucker | Sturgeon Bay, WI. | September 26, 2010
Letter on: Are you pulling my leg?
“You have to assume the the Republican candidates are going to have three major positions:
1)Extending the Bush tax cits for the rich.
2)Fighting any possible inheritance tax.Another form of welfare for the rich.
3)Eliminating any form of social programs.Social Security privatization is another perk for Wall Street.Also on the chopping block are Medicare and Medicaid. When they kicked those that are down-the unemployed, they made it blatantly obvious that you have to have a lot of money to buy their concern.Otherwise,you are a mild inconsequential,inconvenience.A bother.
The height of hypocrisy for these corporate prostitutes is the faux concern over the Bush-instigated deficit. If they care,where's the sacrifice on their part? How about taking a pay cut?
You must assume or take an educated guess about the position of the Party of NO because they intend on avoiding disclosure of anything concrete as long as possible.Preferably until after the election.
There's one safe bet in this election cycle.Vote against the Right Wing parties and the working class and poor will be much better off.”
-J.P. Populist | Bruce,WI | September 26, 2010
Letter on: Where did they come from?
“Couldn't agree with you more. If this had been the first televised "debate" I'd ever tuned into, I'd have switched to another channel about a third of the way through. I'd probably decide to avoid debates from then on.
The questions were adequate but so boring, except for that one from Mike Jacobs about the NYC community center and the Florida Koran hater. What was up with that? Jacobs didn't even try to put a Wisconsin spin on it. He could have asked what the candidates might do to protect minority religions from majority bullying tactics. He could have asked how they would address Wisconsin's increasingly diverse neighborhoods and the occasional clashes between cultures. Instead he asked their opinion about events in Florida and NYC. What does that have to do with how these men would lead this state?
When I heard this question, that's when I knew that the sponsors of this forum were not credible.”
-Nanette | Elkhart Lake, WI | September 25, 2010
Letter on: Keep hope alive!
“Most of the common folk who would have to be the backbone of a vibrant political left are still living a little too fat and happy here in our consumer paradise.
Don't fret. With our home values flat, wages stagnant, the remnants of organized labor being destroyed and consumer credit finally maxed out, I figure the forty year frog boil is just about over.”
-Jeff | Madison | September 25, 2010
Letter on: Keep hope alive!
“Ed--
You are a hero to me even when I don't totally agree with everything you say because you fight every day to try and help. Despair is easy, especially now. The political world is a carnival of the absurd. And storms are brewing that even we don't see yet.
As a clinically depressed person talking to a rather down person, I will tell you this. In the end Light (knowledge, wisdom) will triumph over the darkness (ignorance). The desire for human freedom from tyranny will never die! These shadows that hold sway over our people WILL be undone...someday, somehow...because the imperative within what is best and brightest in human beings will never die.
If, in the short run, we see the the dream and it's hope shrouded by the power of unrestrained money and greed it will lead to a break-down of our country. And maybe then, in the darkest hours, will come some kind of awakening from the people to reclaim freedom, democracy and reason.
So we keep on fighting. We keep on dreaming the "El Bueno Mundo" (the Good Reality/World). We keep on hoping.
The enemies of freedom and justice will be overcome when their lies and deception are seen for what they are. It is just sad to see that this battle has to be fought again and again in our country's history. Rust never sleeps.
Keep fighting Ed. What alternative do we have?”
-John Davey | Kendall, WI | September 25, 2010
Letter on: Where did they come from?
“I refuse to watch any of these fake debates. For one thing, they are not debates.
Still, I have to wonder why Dummycrats play along with this crap. Or, when they do why they don't call the sponsors out and identify the real game being played here. After all, they are on the air. What are the sponsors going to do about it without looking like they are suppressing poltical speech?
Even a cornered mouse will fight back but this seems to be beyond the Dems.
Pathetic. Nothing more than a political Stockholm Syndrome.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 25, 2010
Letter on: Where did they come from?
“Ed, You are right on target with your analysis of the "Guv pablum session." Public TV and Public radio are just as infected with the corporate control virus. We have no where to go considering that newspapers(Cap times an exception)have been taken over by the body snatchers. The only hope is the internet and blogs. But the body snatchers will figure out some way to de-fang them. Given this sorry condition I'm still optimistic. We must all continue to persevere!”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | September 25, 2010
Letter on: Witch craft
“The witchcraft thing is a silly and dangerous diversion from very real problems associated with Christine O'Donnell. While we're blathering on about witchcraft and masturbation, the lady is getting a serious load of free press, and with the Tea Party money coming in, she doesn't need any more help.
You want to talk about Deleware, talk about the Democrat and what a swell guy he is. Talk about the fact some serious irregularities in O'Donnell's use of campaign funds have been alleged. Talk about the fact that she's nothing but Republican boilerplate with a sweet disposition. Talk about the fact that she can't seem to hold a steady job and got fired from her last one for trying to run another business on company time. Talk about the fact that she can't seem to maintain her own personal residence and had to have it saved from foreclosure by a pal.
There are lots of hard, cold reasons to oppose Christine O'Donnell; this sort of discussion just steals the thunder.
I have also been wondering why so few have challenged her on her blending of wicca and satanism. Good to see somebody take her to task.”
-Jeff | Madison | September 24, 2010
Letter on: Keep hope alive!
“Yeah sure Ed, organize and fight.
When, where, and how? Do you have any idea how sick and tired we all are of the phrases like "hold their feet to the fire", "organize and fight", etc.
For one thing organizing a two car funeral is beyond the abilities of most liberals. And they have no fight. They want peacelovedove.
I will know we are on the road to some progress and towards getting some respect from the right wing when the Democrats organize a shooting society and go out for weekly target practice. I am only half kidding.
Just note that those in power never take you seriously until you are a threat. Find a way to threaten them and you will be taken seriously. Just be ready for the fight. If anyone can find an exception to that please let me know. And please, shove the Ghandi example where the sun don't shine. Same MLK. I for one will not take a beating over the head and not fight back. It just takes too damned long for the MSM to really pay attention.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor,WI | September 24, 2010
Letter on: Keep hope alive!
“We need a reliable way to get reliable news to unreliable voters.
Yesterday I met a woman who gets hers from Fox News and her email. She votes Republican't and doesn't have much to say about Obama, whom she still believes is Muslim and not a US citizen.
The latest "news" from both of her sources is an apparent proposal to a sales tax 1% on all banking transactions, including deposits to savings, checking and ATM withdrawals.
So, how does one convince someone with their mind already set on "this is the way it is"? Websites can be hacked, why can't Fox News? Figure out this one and perhaps we can also get the religious nutcases off the air so their radio rants'n'raves no longer interfere with community radio and NPR at the lower end of the radio dial.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton | September 24, 2010
Letter on: Classified? Secret? Top Secret?
“There are no secrets. There are only deluded people who think there are. There are those who get paid for being deluded. And then there are those who aren't getting paid at all because times are tough and there ain't no good jobs paying good wages.
Joblessness and poor wages is a secret. Please do not spread the word. We don't need to be delusional, too.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton | September 23, 2010
Letter on: Targets of opportunity
“Some people just need someone to hate. People like Jack. Before the Muslims, it was the Communist threat from the Soviet Union. Those horrible Ruskies are now our friends. Before that it was the yellow men from Indochina, who were going to topple the world through dominoes. Now they make our shirts. About that time, it was also the Latin revolutionaries who inexplicably wanted to let the poor people have some land so they could feed themselves. We had to fund death squads and overthrow democratically elected governments. Oh, how we hated and feared the RED CHINESE. Now they own us because people like Jack just can't get enough of that patriotic giant named Walmart.
Jack likes to hate. Jack doesn't feel good unless he is conjuring up some imaginary threat. And when the Muslim is no longer the whipping boy, Jack will find the next group to hate and fear. Probably will be the Europeans, you know that socialist thing.”
-Tim | Almena, WI | September 23, 2010
Letter on: Classified? Secret? Top Secret?
“As with so many other issues it appears as though the President listened to his advisers rather than using commonsense.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | September 23, 2010
Letter on: Classified? Secret? Top Secret?
“Why Woodward you ask, because he writes books that make big money and everything has to have money made off of it. Isn't that the American way?”
-WisconsinLiberal | Fox Valley, WI | September 23, 2010
Letter on: Are you kidding?
“Again, Ms (miserable?) Forward. I am NOT against anything that will protect the environment. I never have been,never will be, and have done my share to protect the environment. If I wanted to give away my identity I could point you to a place where I essentially single handedly stopped an unwise development three miles from my home. That wasn't the point. Learn to read. Sheesh, no wonder people on the left don't get anywhere. They cannot direct their attention.
I just think the task right now is to stop the nut jobs who will do the most harm. That includes harm to the environment. I just fail to see the point in Ed's mixing and matching these litle tidbits in his posts. Right now people are nervous as hell and frankly, they don't give a damn about a coral reef 8,000 miles away. They are wondering why the truck plant on the edge of town is no longer operating and how that happened.
Learn how to read and understand what content actually says. I suspect you didn't do that well on reading comprehension on the old Iowa Test of Basic Skills.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 23, 2010
Letter on: We lost a good one
“Ed, I appreciate your blog. Today I thank you for reminding me of Dismas. Yes, we lost a "good one."”
-Pat Nelson | Three Lakes, WI | September 23, 2010
Letter on: Are you kidding?
“Griebnotz Doerkpfester, that's about the most short-sighted thing I have heard in quite some time. Your inability to connect how our lack of legislative action to protect our natural resources is frightening. Unless Congress enacts legislation that regulates pollutants and protects our reefs, corporate America will continue to ruin, and eventually destroy, our natural resources. I'd suggest taking a step back and opening your mind to broader ideas.”
-Forward WI | Madison, WI | September 23, 2010
Letter on: Targets of opportunity
“This is just plain silly, Jack - and evilly prejudiced, to boot. I could quote at length from the Bible, the Torah and many other "holy books" with equally lurid and violent episodes, where I so inclined - which I am not.
There is nothing negative in the Qur'an about whites and blacks; as a matter of fact, whites and blacks make up the vast majority of Muslims. [Arabs account for only about 20% of the one and a half billion Muslims in the world.]
The main beheadings making the news these days are being accomplished by Roman Catholic Mexican drug lords, not Muslims.
I sincerely doubt that anywhere near 80% of Americans are anti-Islam, but so what if they are? Does that make it right? At one time, in these United States, the majority thought that black people were property, to be bought and sold!
You quite clearly don't have a clue what you are talking about, Jack, and I would strongly advise you to just stay quiet.”
-John Smart | Park Falls WI | September 22, 2010
Letter on: So, you want to be Pope?
“So, it's a crime against faith to ordain women and the crime is subject to excommunication.
Too bad the church isn't as firm when it comes to dealing with clergy and children.
Let's not confuse church with hierarchy. Church is the people. The hierarchy is one small part of the organization and, as with most small parts of any organization, it seems to do the most damage.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton | September 22, 2010
Letter on: Eating their own
“Richard, you are so right about the lack of coverage from the supported media. This past week listening to All Things Considered at the end of one of the stories they named United Health Care as one of, All Things Considered, sponsors. That sponsorship alone should tell us a lot if we're paying attention.”
-Kim Tschudy | New Glarus, WI | September 21, 2010
Letter on: Are you kidding?
“An unrelated bit of info.
The Oregon Water Resources Department is considering a water transfer application for a water exchange that would effectively allow Nestle to access water coming out of Mt. Hood National Forest and bottle it.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | September 21, 2010
Letter on: Witch craft
“While I completely catch the drift of your commenting on Sharron Angle and her supposed involvement with "witchcraft" it is necessary to clarify something important about the use of the word "witchcraft" in a pejorative context.
Here statement that "One of my first dates with a witch was on a satanic alter" is completely erroneous. Witchcraft or Wicca is a recognized religion in the United States and Wicca has nothing to do at all with Satanism. I am not a Wiccan myself but have intimate friends who are and have I have attended many "neo-pagan" events throughout the years. Wicca is an earth based spirituality that honors deity in both the feminine and masculine aspects. They have been involved with a long struggle to have the pentacle (or pentagram) accepted by the U.S. military as a "approved" grave marker for Wiccan military soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq. And they have finally won!
So putting aside whatever sh*ts and giggles Sharron Angle was involved with, it is offensive and a violation of freedom of religion to use the word witchcraft in a pejorative way. Anyone who wants to learn what is really involved in modern Wicca should google "Circle Sanctuary" before using defamatory assumptions against and important earth-based spiritual path.
This had to be said.”
-Ethan Nox | Tomah, WI | September 21, 2010
Letter on: Are you kidding?
“Yada yada yada. Why is it that progressives, liberals, whatever it is that they call themselves today constantly mix things like politics and coral reefs? Can anyone show some directed thinking here?
I am all for coral reefs and view with dismay all the goofy arguments going on over the environment. It has dismayed me for quite some time that we even need an economic reason to not pollute ourselves out of existence. But....
The task at hand is to make sure that nitwits who worry about masturbation, peepers in the hedges, the poor pitifull state of the put upon filthy rich, etc. etc.etc. get absolutely no reward for this kind of electioneering and issue identification.
Unfortunately the "Current Resident" is no help. When told on live TV by voters that he has essentially blown it he looks like a deer in the headlights. He didn't even have the brains to lay out the fact that he had tried his best but was sandbagged by Copperhead Democrats and nitwit Repulicants at every step.
I guess that leaves it up to us to pick the least worst yet one more time.
I can see why everyone except the Teabaggers is in the dumps.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor,WI. | September 21, 2010
Letter on: Are you kidding?
“The Yes We Can spirit has left many of those who rose in support of the current President and it is the President's fault. Maybe he raised the expectations of many of his new supporters beyond that which he could reasonably achieve but I for one don't believe he ever tried to fulfill the promises.
Some might blame those who surround him for furnishing him poor advice but he does make the ultimate decision.
During the campaign season at a speech given in Baraboo which had Ralph Nader predicting the election of Obama, Mr. Nader suggested that we had to make certain that Obama fulfilled his promises, we did not.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | September 21, 2010
Letter on: Are you kidding?
“Then there is today's news item how leading Republican'ts are already scheming an election platform to undo healthcare reform. Instead of making the Obama start better and something all of us could use, they want to unravel and obstruct thus leaving us confused and with less coverage than before.
We need men and women in office who will do all they can for the common good so we can survive, not politicans who want to dismantle leaving us with a pile of rubble, meaningless paychecks and no representation.
It used to be a $20 bill was worth $20. It also used to be a good politican was indeed a good politican. Now we have candidates and campaigns being bought with worthless money to keep the system worthless. Guess what, it's working.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | September 21, 2010
Letter on: Witch craft
“That a boy RMJ, get mad at Obungle and vote for the clowns who are in league with the real bosses of the world. Just like all the idiot Repubicans who hated the best Rockefeller Republican to ever inhabit the White House - Clinton.
I have heard that there are sensible and fair Repubicans. I have also heard that the Yeti exists too. But I just don't believe it.
Yeah, the Dems are stumble bums and have been co opted by the likes of Wall Street. But if they were more interested in really putting a boot in the butt of the GOP they wouldn't be in this trouble.
Seems neither party ever really learns. I think I will write in myself. The rest of you have my permission to do the same. Just try to spell the name right.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 20, 2010
Letter on: Targets of opportunity
“Read the Koran and see it calls for the destruction of whites, Jews and Blacks. It is full of hatred. People don't need a Koran to see beheadings, whipping and people jailed for simply having a cross. That one insignificant country has "nice" Muslims means nothing. Remember 9/11? It was those "peaceful" Muslims from Saudi Arabia who attacked us. Take a poll. I'll bet 80% of all Americans want them out and out now. Those who want them in are asking to have innocent people killed and our government toppled. Hope you enjoy Sharia law; when it's in place you won't be writting any articles at all.”
-Jack | Jefferson, WI | September 20, 2010
Letter on: Witch craft
“Let's not forget that Reagan planned his entire schedule according to the dictates of his "astrologer." Most churchs see Astrology as witchcraft and so it makes sense. She's against masturbation but for war and looting poor people's pocketbooks to feed the rich.
We lost control of our governemnt in Bush v. Gore. Five "conservatives" stole the election and handed it to a lunatic who set the world on fire and declared war on all who oppossed him. It's the "Dred Scott" of our generation; Citizens United (corporations are people) is the Korematsu. And these are the best legal minds? Mental midgets is more like it.”
-John Marshall | Madison, WI | September 20, 2010
Letter on: Witch craft
“Witchcraft is in line with Republican't administrations ever since Reagan: Voodoo economics, fuzzy math, witches' brew of lies and tongue of Newt. We've seen it all except for the broomsticks, and we can only guess what happened to them. Ouch!”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | September 20, 2010
Letter on: Witch craft
“Keep trying, Ed. You can pull up all the "crazy" stuff you want. I wish Obama and Russ would talk crazy rather than give away my children's birthright to Wall Street and the HMOs.
Fool me once with all that Obama "smart" talk
I'm voting a straight Republican ticket till these Obama clowns are out of office.
And since your looking up old "stuff been said", why don't you take a look at Al Frankin's tapes . . .”
-RMJ | Hudson, WI | September 20, 2010
Letter on: Hidden hands
“People want change. They are obviously willing to cast votes for non-prototypical candidates. Sadly, the only option they hear (loud and clear) comes from the far right.
Yes, we are overspending (on the military).
No, the majority of us cannot bear the cost of this overspending (the wealthy minority can).
Yet, what alternatives have the people been given? Do progressives really try? Or are we simply too cowardly to stand on a corner and shout "Tax the rich! Feed the poor!"
Progressives are in a popularity contest acting like the school nerd against the tea party's starting quarterback. The conservatives have a cult of personality going with many strong voices saturating our lives. What we need is a Fighting Bob, or better yet a thousand Granny D's.
You know who you are.”
-Lex Tinker-Sackett | Eau Claire, WI | September 20, 2010
Letter on: Norm Coleman? That guy?
“In the 42 years since I've turned 21, there is but one election that I have failed to vote. It was an uncontested primary. Today, there is little motivation to go to the polling station to cast my ballot. Now, my vote has been over ridden by the cash of those who can buy the minds of the elected representatives and the media.
With regard to being an elector, even non-persons (corporations) have essentially the same status as I.
Without public financing of elections, as an alternative, I have, on this forum, suggested that all political TV and radio advertising should be banned for the 60 days prior to primary and final election day.
I believe that there is genuine good reason to investigate residence in another country.”
-blurondo | Milwaukee, WI | September 19, 2010
Letter on: Talk about sacrifice!
“The point Ed makes about the DREAM Act is the largest source of criticism from the left, and indeed it is a good one to raise.
However, that alone doesn't outweigh the good that the law would do. Currently, undocumented students have no access to federal funds for college. None whatsoever. To put that into perspective, a non-Wisconsinite student pays about three times as much to go to UW-Madison as does a Dairy State native. That difference is substantial, and I have met many students who would love to have the opportunity to get in-state tuition benefits.
Is it perfect? Of course not. But it will make a big difference in the lives of a lot of good people, and that's why the measure deserves our support. Now only if we could get the Dem leadership to act on something for reasons other than pure political self-preservation...”
-John Ertl | Park Falls, WI | September 19, 2010
Letter on: Hidden hands
“There's a sense of hopelessness in today's politics. This is why we vote the way we sometimes do. We think we are voting for something but in reality we vote because we don't like the way things are getting done. Sadly, the ones put into office spend their time bickering and trying to get re-elected. Instead of change, we get more of the same.
How do we break this system and start anew? Solve this one and perhaps we can go forward. Until we do, I am afraid we are in a rut that only gets deeper the more mired we become.
I think we have lost the art of compromise and working together. Everyone wants the credit, no one wishes to share or give it. We blame others to often in order to cover for our own inadequacies and failures.
The wheels seem to be spinning but we ain't gettin' nowhere and fast.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton | September 19, 2010
Letter on: Eating their own
“Christine O'Donnell's primary victory will seal the deal for a Democrat win in November.
The wealth of nutty, extremist quotes on this nutcase have already affected her to cancel Sunday tv appearances. Stick a fork in her.
The Tea Baggers should have vetted their candidates.
You have to be a loser for Karl Rove to claim that Delaware is a race that isn't winnable.”
-J.P.Populist | Bruce,WI | September 19, 2010
Letter on: Eating their own
“Your celebration is premature. Remember, nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people. I would not count the Teabaggers out just yet. After all, who would have thought that a former actor who was upstaged by a chimp could be president, even through a second Alzheimers rattled term? Or, a Texas idiot who couldn't read, or win Florida? Betting against stupid in politics is a good way to lose money.
Better that sensible people give the dope in the White House a smack upside the head and tell him to get busy and define the issues more clearly. If he had governed half as well as he campaigned we would not be in this mess.
Or, maybe he just wanted the job to prove something and now that he has it he just can't muster the fight and the guts to actually get what he claims he wanted.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 18, 2010
Letter on: Eating their own
“C-Span like NPR which in theory are documenters not editors of topical stories obviously utilize their editing process to deliver to the public what they deem newsworthy.
The total lack of news coverage of Fighting Bob Fest by these supposed news stations is proof enough for me that neither of these news providers are not filtering the news. How else might you explain the ongoing "news" coverage, which they both provide, which has little which is deemed newsworthy.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | September 18, 2010
Letter on: In the earmarks of the beholder
“When I joined the Army in 1948 I signed up for 3 years. The Korean war started in 1950 and President Truman needed all the help he could get and extended my enlistment to 4 years of service and many who were able were drafted into service for 2 years. A war was on and the country needed help.
Today we have a crisis because of a war that has no draft of ablebodied persons and an under taxed and over funded war effort.
The solution is start a draft immediately and tax everyone on their ability to pay for the war effort. This would pay off our war debt with everyone involved in the effort.
Next pass an ammendment to our constitution to cover the above solution. The President could still get us involved in a war but everyone would be involved in the effort.
And this is the way to make government work
for us.
When do we start this effort?”
-Joe Gruber | Campbellsport,Wi | September 18, 2010
Letter on: In the earmarks of the beholder
“I can only speak for myself in this, but I want our representatives to spend our money wisely. Let wisdom rather than rhetoric guide our purchases.
Start with what you actually have. Spend it wisely. Borrow money when it is prudent to do so. Pay it off quickly.
Why is this so blasted hard?”
-Jeff | Madison | September 17, 2010
Letter on: How did I miss that?
“It's great to be alive and American, isn't it?
1 of 7 of us lives in poverty. We have a warmongering mentality that is bankrupting our way of life. Politicians bicker instead of solve. The wealthy pull the strings. Corporations tell us what to eat, buy and do.
Wouldn't it be great to set up a tent city of homeless right on the White House lawn? It's time to bring the plight of the country to Washington and our statehouses. Talk is cheap and misspoken politicians such as Newt and Tea Partyers would serve the nation better if they were to set aside idle chatter and untruths and do something positive to make this a better place to be.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stougjhton | September 16, 2010
Letter on: Primary night and the morning after
“The current resident was also brought to office by money. Sure, he had lots of "small contributors" but the bulk of the dough still came from some kind of monied elite. He got more, and spent more, than the McCain crowd and he and his crew manufactured an image that played well. Especially with white moderates and liberals suffering from racial guilt because they live in nice white suburbs. Such a nice clean and articulate young man.
Face it. We are debased. Long ago the Russians called us decadent. Now we know what they meant. They were on to something then but it just took this long for it to catch up to us.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor,WI. | September 16, 2010
Letter on: How did I miss that?
“Ed: Congratulations on another terrific BobFest. You always graciously spread the praise around, but no one doubts the fertile mind from which the idea sprang, the rolodex with the contacts, or the commitment to progressive populism in Wisconsin that keeps everyone engaged and fighting.”
-Tim Henney | Portage, WI | September 16, 2010
Letter on: In the earmarks of the beholder
“I find it very difficult to understand the rational behind people accepting the spending of earmarks in Afghanistan and Iraq and yet demonizing those same funds spent within their own district.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | September 16, 2010
Letter on: In the earmarks of the beholder
“Cheers to Bill Berry for pointing out some of the benefits we've all enjoyed from Dave Obey's lengthy tenure in the congress.
Here in Park Falls, we all know about how Dave helped our volunteer fire department acquire a ladder truck, which gets used in many neighboring communities.
And we got a dental clinic as well, which is a very welcome addition.
I am also reminded of the ambulance sled that Dave helped people in the Chequamegon Bay area put to work rescuing people on the winter ice. The Republicans put a photo of that sled on the cover of an anti-earmark pamphlet they published - but they failed to point out how many lives had been saved by that sled.
Thank you, Dave. You will be sorely missed...”
-John Smart | Park Falls WI | September 16, 2010
Letter on: Primary night and the morning after
“Anyone who might question the power of money in controlling our elections must have forgotten that the previous President was brought to power by wealth, buying image.
Rational lucid campaigns or a chautauqua apparently hold little interest for the press and also fail to arouse people to action.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | September 16, 2010
Letter on: Primary night and the morning after
“Money rules the United States, any talk of this being a "christian country" is a lie, Amerikans worship MONEY! The fact that the White House will not nominate Elizibeth Warren to head up the new Consumer/finance protection office because of Wall St. resistance to her nomination illustrates this worship of money. Our politicians, be they republicans or democrats are nothing but a bunch of whores providing favors for MONEY! If only the fox had MONEY, he could stop the farmer from having a dog outside the hen house. Amerikans kill for money, Amerikans lie for money, Hell Amerikans will even destroy Amerika for money.”
-Dol O'mite | Oconomowoc | September 15, 2010
Letter on: Primary night and the morning after
“Corporations and extreme right-wing fanatics already own Wisconsin government lock, stock and barrel. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel specializes in manipulating the news by not reporting it!
Last week they had three articles on Marquette's new law school and none on the Fest.
Nothing scares the paper and the elite of this state more than the truth. If the truth were known, people like Scott Jensen would be serving life sentences. Toss in a goofball like Mike Gableman, a complete puppet of the elite, and Annette Ziegler, to whom the word "ethics" is in a foreign language and there you have it. A court bought and paid for.”
-Henry Clay | Iola, WI | September 15, 2010
Letter on: The Milwaukee problem
“The fact that this is a strictly Milwaukee election says a lot about the pathetic state of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin.
For far too long both Madison and Milwaukee have dominated the internal politics of the Dems. The only other real stronghold or "machine" the Dems have is Portage County.
I think a lot of voters, and a lot of Dems, are fed up with the Madison-Milwaukee nexus. Barrett had a lot of support when he ran against Doyle but that was then. This is now. We will see how it goes. I will vote for the guy but only because he is the least worst and as mayor of Milwaukee he probably deserves some slack in not curing problems that nobody else has seemed to be able to either.
The Dems need to get the hell out of town once in a while and just listen to folks out state. They are holed up in those two bastions of unreality and it shows.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 15, 2010
Letter on: The Milwaukee problem
“All three candidates mentioned are status quo big spenders and opportunists. As the economic crises continues, not one of the three offers anything more than more government, regulations that harm the average person and more taxes. Whoever wins the people will lose.”
-John Doaks | Watertown, WI | September 14, 2010
Letter on: Wrong number
“In 2000, Gore won the election by half a million votes. AND he carried Florida . . . if you doubt it, read Nichols' book: "Jews for Buchanan." But spineless Democrats scapegoated Nader rather than face the truth of that election being stolen. That's one point. Everything else is well stated by comrade Doerkpfester. The Republicans, unlike the sad-sack Democrats, know enough not to trash their own base. Yes, this is going to be a massacre at the polls in 2010--universal and desolating defeat for the Democrats from coast to coast. A 50-state strategy for the GOP! By the way, do you remember what was the first thing that happened after the 2008 election? The defenestration of Howard Dean. With that vile deed, the handwriting was on the wall. The Obama clique has fumbled away an historic chance which won't come again--a Democratic President and BIG majorities in both houses of Congress. We needed an FDR who would say "Our first priority is to put people to work." We got instead: "Our first priority is to prop up and bail out Wall Street . . . and our second priority is to let the Republicans keep framing the issues and defining the terms of debate." Oh well, all this electoral stuff is just shadow boxing. The real government--the perpetual national security state, governing in the service of what Ike called the "military-industrial complex"--is unaffected by superficial things like elections. America's Congress, like the Roman Senate under the emperors, is an impotent institution wearing a farcical facade--browbeating beefed-up baseball players.”
-Oliver Steinberg | St. Paul, MN | September 13, 2010
Letter on: You did it again!
“On the Sunday following BobFest,the Janesville Gazette on-line edition contained an article about the Tea Party meeting in Racine, but nothing about BobFest. I immediately e-mailed them questioning their bias. They said they took it from the AP wire and there was nothing on the wire about Bob Fest. In response, I said that they were then a part of the larger problem. Their last e-mail referred me to their marketing department to find out about how to purchase an ad.
We need to flood our local media outlets across the state about their failure to consider BobFest to be newsworthy. And the sponsors of BobFest need to do whatever needs to be done to inform the public about events that feature progressive ideas. If enough of us kick up enough dust through letters to the editors, contacts with radio and tv outlets, calls to talk shows, we may get enough attention. Those of us who think of ourselves as Progressives have a responsibility to do this in their local communities. We cannot expect the sponsors of BobFest do all the heavy lifting on this.
If we do nothing, eventually progressive ideas will sound so radical we may become the new version of the Tea Party.”
-Ed Timmer | Janesville, Wi | September 13, 2010
Letter on: Wrong number
“Ah, I knew it was coming but didn't think it would be in advance of the coming election. Blaming the Left Flank of the Democrats. Wow.
Has it occured to any of the Obamapologists that maybe Obama is the problem? He caved on public option, had the lobbyists he wanted out of the system into the White House in regard to the drug benefit, put the banksters in charge of the bankster failures, etc. etc.etc.
No, the Left Flank isn't the Dems problem. It is the triangulating, pragmatic, do any compromise Dems of the DLC that are killing the party. It is no longer a "brown shoe" party and that is where Kansas went to hell. When has Obama given any kind of speech like Roosevelt did in 1936 when he welcomed the hatred of the monied interests? He hasn't. He can't because he owes them and acts like he is one of them.
To paraphrase Truman. If you give people a choice between a Republican and a real Republican they will vote for the real Republican every time. They may be stupid for doing so but when the Dems don't even know what the hell they stand for, or who, then that unease among the voters makes the other side look at least competent.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 13, 2010
Letter on: Could not have been better!
“Ed, Thanks for all you do to make Fighting Bob happen each year as well as the great things you do all year long to get out the progressive message. I spent a couple of hours there and enjoyed a good cold Lake Louie Coon Rock cream ale and some excellent food. One big disappointment though. I searched the entire grounds several times and was unable to find even one mizspelt sign. We'll never gain the adoration of the alleged liberal press if we keep spelling those troublesome signs correctly. It just has to be the fault of that socialist public education system.”
-Kim Tschudy | New Glarus | September 12, 2010
Letter on: Wrong number
“I'm bemused by the Republicans when they try to pull this 'anti-incumbent' tactic (as Ron Johnson is doing), touting their inexperience in politics as a positive qualification. After all, when you hire a plumber/electrician/etc, do you go with the individual who's got 10 or 20 yrs of experience IN THE TRADE, or do you call the guy who's NEVER picked up a pipe-wrench or piece of conduit, but was a pretty good carpenter (or at least claims to have been)?
And while you could argue that politics is different than a skilled-tradesman, ultimately it gets down to WHAT a politician does when he's in office that is important. IF today's Republicans were truly interested in GOOD government -- instead of atrophied government -- I'm sure that they'd agree that a good politician (however you define that, left/right/middle) who is effective should keep being re-elected as long as he/she IS effective, is performing well.
But of course all of this is just a transparent ruse anyway - - the Republicans like THEIR incumbents (James Sensenbrenner comes immediately to mind), want THEM re-elected, and never suggest that THEY'RE part of 'the Washington political establishment' (or whatever phrasing they like to use to criticize the Dems). Recall -- at the national level -- back in 1987/88 how some of those yahoos were even seriously proposing a constitutional amendment to let Ronald Reagan run for a third term as president because he was 'so great'.”
-Big Em | Milwaukee, WI | September 12, 2010
Letter on: Could not have been better!
“Ed,
This was my second BobFest, and bringing my college freshman daughter (her second year at the Fest also) gave me tremendous hope for the future. One speaker I missed, though, was Stan Gruzinski. He was listed late in the program, and I know there was shuffling of speakers, but did he get to take the stage at another time or elsewhere?
Anyhow, Jim Hightower emphasized, and I concur, that gathering once a year is uplifting, but actually meeting and organizing throughout the year is even more important. As you have the chance in the coming months, I would like to see suggestions for ways to take the spirit of BobFest into our communities (especially here in the heart of Paul Ryan Land). The lies told with impunity by those so-called conservatives (what are they trying to conserve, taking their fire-axes to all that we hold dear?) need to be beaten back, and all by my lonesome I don't know how to do that. I want things to change, yet I don't want to become a politician.
You give a lot of us hope, Ed. Thanks for all you're doing. I'll be watching the blog for practical ideas between now and the next Fest.”
-Paul Marren | East Troy, WI | September 12, 2010
Letter on: Wrong number
“1: Mr. Doaks, I'm afraid that you are missing the point of my article. Sorry if you are unhappy with President Obama, but that's not what this was really about.
2: Bob, I understand your point and I actually will admit to having some skepticism about the president's record too. But, in an election year, it is critical that we united behind him and not appear to be dividing the party's effort.
And I think we should leave Ralph Nader for another discussion...
3: Mr. or Ms O'Mite: Boy that's a good question, why would these Republicans continue to support Senselessbrenner? Because he's a loyal Republican, I guess.”
-John Smart | Park Falls WI | September 12, 2010
Letter on: Wrong number
“It seems lately that all the Republican party does is tell lies, trickle down, weapons of mass destruction, tax cuts create jobs, etc. If the republican party is so against Washington insiders and career politicians, why do they continue to support the most ineffectual congressman, Jim Sensenbrenner”
-Dol O'mite | Oconomowoc | September 12, 2010
Letter on: Wrong number
“John, I disagree with your comment,"Part of the problem comes from the left flank of the Democratic Party, which attacks the president and finds too many of these candidates to be too moderate for their taste." You mistake critiqing the President with attacking him. He has made a number of mistakes that need a valid critique, for instance special treatmnet given to criminal bankers. There are other areas such as jobs, the economy, "don't ask don't tell" and torture that need to be more effectively addressed. If the DOJ would have prosecuted some of the obvious criminal acts of the Bush Administration it would have educated all voters to see and realize what a plateful of problems Obama was handed. Your comments about the "left flank" remind me of how Democrats threw Ralph Nader under the bus because they thought he was solely responsible for Al Gore losing an election. Gore didn't even carry his home state or Clinton's home state.
We need to pull all Democrats and progressives together for November rather than sermonize about a Democrat ideal of purity that exists in your mind. Let's be smart about winning in the fall.”
-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | September 12, 2010
Letter on: Could not have been better!
“Bob Fest was indeed a wonderful moment. This was my first. Thank you for the thought and planning that went into the event. Speakers were top notch. The music, food and brews even better.
I missed Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, but I see they were in Alaska spreading untruths and telling moose hunters and grizzled moms what they want to hear. Oh, well...”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton | September 12, 2010
Letter on: Wrong number
“Rhetoric aside, what is the real difference between Obama and Bush? None. Obama's term has focused on (1) bailing out wall street millionaires; and (2) creating a "health care" plan that forces people to buy insurance from the same companies that ruined our health care system.
Obama talks a lot but could care less about the average person. Let us not forget that Obama voted to immunize telecom companies for spying on Americans for Bush and then gave the entire Bush administration a free pass on the many criminal acts it engaged in. Wake up fellow Democrats, Obama does not care about you. Look at what he does, not what he says.”
-John Doaks | Watertown | September 12, 2010
Letter on: Bob Fest
“Fighting Bob Fest, a celebration of freedom and democracy, seems like a good and appropriate way to mark the ninth anniversary of the terrible terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. No doubt, C-SPAN will be covering the official memorial ceremonies. But I have to wonder: has C-SPAN ever covered or carried Fighting Bob Fest. Have they ever been informed about or invited to Bob Fest?”
-Paul Theis | Cedarburg, WI | September 11, 2010
Letter on: Fighting Bob Fest IX begins
“Tonight was my first Bob Fest preview and it was quite a baptism! Thank you, Mr. Garvey, for putting together such an amazing slate of speakers.
Flanders, Hightower, Hartmann, Gruszynski, Palast ... all were outstanding. Mr. Kunene's poems (about the oil spill, Obama's detractors and peace, respectively) took my breath away. John Nichols (with animated help from his sidekick) was an energetic M.C.
As for Sen. Russ ... he was truly on fire tonight. I don't know how anyone could not be persuaded about the need to overturn Citizens United after his speech (Hartmann's comments, too).
Sorry I can't make Saturday's event, but tonight will stay with me for a long time.
"Tag ... you're it," said Hartmann, challenging the 900+ in the room to join the fight. You won't need to tell me twice.”
-Nanette B. | Elkhart Lake, WI | September 11, 2010
Letter on: Fighting Bob Fest IX begins
“Dave Obey is a right-wing conservative pretending to be a liberal. He had peaceful anti-war protesters arrested and have never seen a tax he didn't like.
Decades in Congress and Obey has yet to uncover a single dollar of waste and fraud in the federal government. Obey is a big spender who has done nothing to help the people of Wisconsin. Good riddance to bad rubbish. He's Gwen Moore in pants. It's people like Obey that make all people hate government.”
-John Doaks | Watertown | September 10, 2010
Letter on: Fighting Bob Fest IX begins
“I remain puzzled about how Dave Obey, one of the most powerful and presumably savvy congress-persons, could have been "instrumental" in choosing the political lightweight Julie Lassa to run to succeed him. How is it that his hoped-for successor could say that she would have voted for more money for the war in Afghanistan, which Obey opposed?”
-Eric Schubring | Drummond WI | September 10, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“Thanks Mr Limbach & 'Dohnal' for proving my point about old white Republicans who are loud, insistent, and WRONG. As usual, you guys can't present any credible evidence - - just name-calling and incorrect 'facts' (probably gleaned from 'scholars' like Rush Limbaugh - - enough said).”
-Anonymous | Milwaukee, WI | September 9, 2010
Letter on: A couple days and a new forecast
“So an attention starved zealot in Florida has people pissing their pants all over the world. Why? He's burning a book or two, or five or fifty. So what?! There are other copies and more can be made.
Yes, I know it's not about reducing the number of copies of a particular book, but really, why the fuss? It's just a book people!
The principal argument is that it will provoke a reaction in the "Muslim world." Oh no! Are those of you calling for him to desist the same ones who defended the publishing of the Danish cartoons a few years back? Can you tell me what the difference is?
Yes it will provoke a reaction but so will about 10,000 other things. Here's a chance for people not in the U.S. to demonstrate that they can differentiate between the actions of one small group and an entire culture. You know, the way we're supposed to do with 9/11 (and the intelligent ones among us do).
A "teachable moment" for the "Muslim world." Think they're capable of seeing it as that? Better than us, maybe?”
-Kevin J Mack | Madison, WI | September 9, 2010
Letter on: A couple days and a new forecast
“Immediately after 9/11 I went out and bought an English translation of the Koran and read it. As near as I can tell it is like a lot of religious texts, including the Old and New Testaments. A lot of goobeldygook mixed in with a few fairly sensible ideas of a Supreme Being and mans relation to same.
I am not one of those who thinks that Islam is as begign as some wish it to be nor is it as violent as others claim.
Still, we have religious freedom in this country. We have ultra Orthodox Jews, Eastern and Russian Orthodox, Catholic, Mormon,Buddhist, and all kinds of other houses of worship and congregations, including some pretty nutty Xtian fundamentalists.
It is really time to get over it folks. If nothing else building a large Muslim community center in New York will allow the security state paranoids to better moniter them for any possible seditious activity.
In the meantime the city may gain something and people of that faith will have a pretty public venue to practice the pillars of their faith. You know, things like professing the faith in one god and his prophet, making the pilgrimage to a holy site, prayer five times a day, fasting during a holy season, and charity to the poor. Little things like that.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 8, 2010
Letter on: Finding that union label
“Excellent article I am privileged to have met John through the UFCW and proud to see he is developing into quite a young man.”
-Paul Whiteside | Pleasant Prairie WI | September 8, 2010
Letter on: A couple days and a new forecast
“I was listening to WORT FM earlier today. There were several stories about the nutcase minister in Florida who promises to burn a few Korans. Then the late morning on WORT was filled with some twangy cowboy gospel music.
Christians!
Made me wonder what other religion has radio and TV stations, newspapers, pop music, pithy sayings on church marquees, bumper stickers, gimmicks and gadgets all promoting a boxed up faith they mistakenly label as Christian. Can't recall anyone but Christians with all these trappings. Actually, it seems Christians have more difficulty living their faith than most believers.
Obvious to me that Christians have trivialized their own beliefs with all this. No wonder the Florida minister has no tolerance for others who believe in the same god he calls his. No wonder he passes judgment on others and what they believe.
The Florida group is less than 50 strong yet their poor judgment has brought out the wrath of many. Just wait, this fellow will now compare himself to the story of David and Goliath.
Is St. Pete laughing at the Pearly Gates or waiting for his turn to send this nut packing?”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton | September 8, 2010
Letter on: Our week
“Square head? Must have touched a nerve.
I like lefsa, Grieby. Buttered and sugared.
See you at BobFest.”
-Steve Carlson | Trego, WI. | September 8, 2010
Letter on: Finding that union label
“I want to echo John Smart's sentiments about John Ertl. John is indeed a fine young man. I've had the opportunity to work with him over the last several months and have found him to be a dedicated, intelligent and thoughtful person.
Here's hoping that workers around Park Falls and the rest of the state take inspiration from the workers at Weatherschield and decide to take matters into their own hands in the workplace.”
-Steve Carlson | Trego, WI | September 8, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“Baloney, just like DDT. A million people, mostly children die every year in Africa cause DDT is banned. Some victory.
The Global Warming baloney has fallen apart. Europe knows it, now we need to find out in wisconsin.
The hockey stick graph is dead. When you factor in the warming of the planet in the Middle Ages and during the Viking expansion you realize that warming up the planet a little is good and no one will drown.”
-Dohnal | Wauwatosa, wi. | September 8, 2010
Letter on: Finding that union label
“Thanks for the fine story of workers standing up together in solidarity to reach for a better life for themselves and others. Stories like this, even while we working folks are buffeted by a broken economy, and even while corporations and their politician allies keep stacking the deck against workers and our unions, stories like this exist. And they need to be told.
One thing that you mentioned, if not so explicitly, is an idea that I think must take hold: When labor acts as a social movement for working people, everyone does better (except for the plutocrats). We in organized labor are at our best when we fight for everyone, and when see our role as more than just collective bargaining on wages, benefits, and working conditions. Good wages, good benefits, and good working conditions will come -- along with more prevalence of collective bargaining -- when the collectivity of the labor movement is collective action amongst workers.”
-Peter Rickman | Madison, WI | September 8, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“Ooh, a nerve has been touched and the false prophets of the "What, Me Worry' Alfred E. Newman Science School have jumped like flies on turds. I hope you are being paid well for your disinformation services because we are not buying. As far back as the mid 90s the US population was alone in the world questioning the human role in climate change. Abe was right on, 'You can't fool all the people all the time."
Shut up. Sit down. You get F- in Science!”
-Jim Limbach | Stevens Point Wisconsin | September 7, 2010
Letter on: Getting warm?
“I'll be hittin' the road on my bicycle on the anniversary of BIG Petro's April Death Event and riding to the Gulf Coast to try and help folks restore their damaged lives. I've made contact with the good women of The Coastal Heritage Society of Louisiana http://chsl.webs.com/ and they think there will be work for me come May.
I never did think of retirement years as the time to sit in front of the tube enjoying some microbrew. I think I'll do what I would have done if not required to punch a clock twice each day: raise some hell, spread the word and dance to Cajun music.
Anyone interested in joining our group of oil free troubadours ...... look for me and my bicycle & trailor at Bobfest Saturday.”
-Jim Limbach | Stevens Point Wisconsin | September 7, 2010
Letter on: 'A theft from those who hunger'
“Robbing from the labors of the poor is an ages old tradition. Think Middle Ages old. Ronald Reagan began the push back to those bad old times as most Democrats began to believe the b.s. pouring out of the right wing owned media and hid from their traditional responsibilities to the working class.
Now that the middle class and the once working class are bunched up(?) near the bottom of the economic pile with the long term unemployed it is time to follow the lead of, dare I say, Bolivian Peasants and throw the bums out. We will do just that one way or another. We still have a Constitution, shaky as it may seem, and elections are one way to wage class war.
If greedy corporate EXecs want to put offices in the Caymans and avoid paying their taxes that's OK as long as they are not allowed to do business inside our borders. There is a tradition of worker owned and operated means of production. (just thought I'd toss in a little Marxist lingo though I never read the gentleman. Might scare a palin type infiltrator a bit)
See you at The Fest!”
-Jim Limbach | Stevens Point Wisconsin | September 7, 2010
Letter on: Finding that union label
“A union job at a County-State Institution in Kenosha got me through UW w/o the need to take out a loan. Of course that was before the golden age of ronny raygun. Golden of course was only for those with gold to begin with.
I also led a successful unionizing effort at the Waunakee site of Oconomowoc Canning in 1971-2. We still didn't make a good living wage but one day that the boss wanted to harass me for the outrage of saying 'bullshit' in his outer office he sent our steward off to the scrapyard before calling me on his sacred carpet. I was able to tell him, "I have work to do. I'll come up after lunch when Skip gets back.' He couldn't do one damn thing about it. A Union = Dignity!”
-Jim Limbach | Stevens Point Wisconsin | September 7, 2010
Letter on: Bob Fest luck
“I'm more concerned with Friday and Sunday weather as I'll be 'bi-pedaling' down from Stevens Point and home again. Only gas will be from Taco John's fare.
Take THAT bp!”
-Jim Limbach | Stevens Point Wisconsin | September 7, 2010
Letter on: Finding that union label
“As a fellow citizen of Park Falls, I must express how proud I am of John Ertl. There are far too few young people who are willing to take on such issues as organized labor and progressive politics, and John is a treasure!
John's great-grandfather was my high school civics teacher, and one of those who directed me to a life of social activism. John Ertl's activities would make John MacDonald proud indeed!”
-John Smart | Park Falls WI | September 7, 2010
Letter on: Finding that union label
“Good for the workers in Park Falls! It seems that things have to get pretty bad for folks to fight for a union and that just reinforces the old point that any employer who has to face a union fight probably has it coming to him.
Back in the bad old days at Kohler company they had a company doctor. The line among the workers was that the cemetary was full of guys who were healthy enough to work at Kohler. They finally unionized but it was a hard fight and there have been several bitter, and deadly, strikes.
Once workers in this country realize that the owners still adhere to the old adversarial system of them and us they may wake up. One would wish it could be different but if management won't treat those who labor to make them profitable with respect then the workers just have to take matters in the own hands.
One little wrench in the larger economic issue is this. Even if consumers start spending again just who will that benefit? We make so little in this country that most of the spending will go the Chinese. We need a new base of manufacturing making things needed in a new economy. Big job and I am not sure our politicians are up to the job or even want to take it on.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 7, 2010
Letter on: The ascendance of irrelevance
“It is silly season and no doubt about it.
I suspect that what is really in play here is a whole bunch of people running for office who actually want to decrease the turn out and let the election be decided by the true believers who will vote on the wedge issues yet one more time.
It leaves the rest of us feeling that if have a couple of graham crackers and a glass of milk and go to bed it will all be better when we wake up.
Pathetic. Especially when you consider what is at stake here.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor,WI. | September 7, 2010
Letter on: Finding that union label
“Congratulations to the workers at Weather Sheald!
Having gone to many meetings in Park Falls Wisconsin over a 20 year period as Exec. VP of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO (retired since 1994) this is good news for the Park Falls area and all of Wisconsin.
Many times workers do not know where to turn to when they want and need good union representation.All you have to do is call the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO at 1-414-771-0700 and you will be given a list of unions that are best suited for your workplace and management will never know you called.
Workers of Wisconsin unite!”
-Joe Gruber | Campbellsport,Wisconsin | September 7, 2010
Letter on: The ascendance of irrelevance
“Irrelevance is what most news reports have become. In I assume an effort to appear neutral and retain advertisers most of what passes for reporting are sound bites and sensationalization of mundane issues.
I am concerned that most individuals get their news in 30 second sound bites which interrupt 60 second commercials. It is troubling to me that many candidates ascribe to the sound bite philosophy in their campaigns.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | September 6, 2010
Letter on: Our week
“Nice snarky comment there square head but it still doesn't refute any of what I said.
I can see why lefties and liberals have chapped butts right now but they have nobody to blame but themselves.
By the way. I am not against the liberal cause, just the dumbass way it is never carried out in any real way. HE may have been "Fighting Bob" but there is no fight in today's left and the Dems are too busy sucking up to their disparate factions and Wall Street to do the guy on Main Street any damned good.
I prefer to use my pen name for my own reasons having to do with political past. I will let it go at that.
If you want to argue make a point. If you can't do that then relax and eat some lefsa. The carbs are calming. Something the modern left likes, comfort food.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 6, 2010
Letter on: Our week
“Grieby,
Let me get this straight.
Your grandfather took shotgun pellets and tear gas for the right to join a union, but you don't have the stones to sign your real name to your letters on FightingBob.
I'm sure your grandpa would be very proud.”
-Steve Carlson | Trego, WI. | September 5, 2010
Letter on: Our week
“With all due respect Ed, is anybody really paying attention?
Seems that the people who go to your little love fest are the same guitar twanging liberals who have been around since the first Earth Day. And the same stupid tactics are in play and they are just as ineffective.
Liberals never learned that in politics it is the perception and not the facts that matter. How is it that Beck can stage a stooges show and get press but nobody is marching in Washington on Labor Day?
The Dems have essentially abandoned the working preson and don't even want to take credit for any program successes as being Democratic successes, but the people who are truly hurting in this economy have no voice or any kind of organizational leadership.
People don't give up on the Dems or the left because they think they are wrong, but because they are weak and ineffectual.
Skip the mutual admiration society love (bitch) fests and get your feet on the street. My grandfather took shotgun pellets and tear gas for the right to have a union. Given the issues of repealing or dismantling Social Security, the income disparities, job losses, etc. etc. it just seems to me that it is time for people to hit the polticians upside the head and quit singing Kumbaya to each other. You ain't gonna overcome anything if nobody knows you are out there and united.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 5, 2010
Letter on: Too big to fail?
“Just a quick tangential comment about 'too-big-to-fail-banks', since it seems to be in the news (heard a NPR blurb about it last week also). While I like the idea of NOT having finanacial executives rewarded for poor management/malfeasance, I think we have to watch out for letting the libertarian 'free-marketeers' have their way and return to the days of just letting these large financial institutions collapse (and MAYBE get bought-out by other institutions, as is presently happening, but with NO guarantee that it would/could continue like that forever). This could lead to a situation like we had in the late 1800's where there was a cycle of bank failures approximately every 20 yrs - - and WITHOUT things like FDIC, that meant that in many/most cases, all your savings in a bank were GONE, even though they were just simple passbook accounts back then! This is NOT the kind of government-backed financial structure most of us want to see in this country. You can perhaps argue whether corporations like Chrysler/GM etc should get bailout loans and/or how much government control there should be of their actions, but I strongly believe that banks should be a very conservative, SAFE institution IF they're going to be backed by the US government (which I believe they should). There's plenty of other high-risk financial institutions that people can risk their money in -- we need at least ONE that is rock-solid/stable.
I for one favor the stronger regulatory approach (ie; reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall Act and similar, even tougher measures) that would PREVENT banks from ever getting to the point where 'failure' is even talked about.”
-Big Em | Milwaukee, WI | September 5, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“Mr. Schuster makes this declarative statement:
One more or less volcano does more to the atmosphere than man has done since the dawn of history!
Mr. Schuster, please post your scientific data showing:
The estimated amount of CO2 released during the Mt. St. Helens eruption.
The estimated amount of CO2 released by human use of fossil fuels since 1950 (you don't have to go back to the dawn of time).
I'm sure you have these numbers handy, otherwise a credible person like yourself wouldn't post a declarative statement for which they have no supporting data.
I look forward to seeing the evidence that supports your position.”
-Tim | Almena, WI | September 4, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“To any of you readers who might consider taking Hyland, Carlstedt, Schuster, (see above) or their ilk seriously, first read some of the OVERWHELMING (as in 97% consensus) agreement among SERIOUS climate scientists in links such as these:
www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/306/5702/1686) or www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090119210532.htm
Besides the scientific community, note the corporate and military believers in this listing:
www.logicalscience.com/consensus/consensus.htm
And as even Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger remarked: "Well, as I said, that I believe the scientists. It is like when my child is sick and has a huge fever, and I go to 100 doctors, and 98 doctors says this child needs immediate medical care, and 2 say no, forget it, go home and just relax, I go with the 98. It's as simple as that." ( logicalscience.blogspot.com/2007/05/arnold-challenge-arnold-schwarzenegger.html)
You can also read scientific debunkings of these 'skeptics' / deniers in MANY places, such as
http://greenfyre.wordpress.com/denier-vs-skeptic/denier-myths-debunked/
or www.logicalscience.com to name just a couple.
Note that the scientists who first began publishing doubts on climate change in the popular press were the very same scientists who also published similar reports to cast doubt on the link between cancer and tobacco, CFC's and the ozone, and sulfur and nitrogen emissions to acid rain. They have, in internal communications, admitted their reports are only intended to give the impression a debate exists to delay action. They have never been "correct" in their findings because that is not their intention. (see www.commondreams.org/view/2010/02/21-6 )
To debunk the above specific claims about sunspot or even cosmic ray activity as being a causal factor of global warming, all one has to do is see the graphs of those activities contrasted against temperature change in the following link to realize that there is NO causal relationship:
www.logicalscience.com/skeptic_arguments/the-sun-is-the-problem.html
Just as these old white Republican cranks were wrong about the WMDs in Iraq, they're wrong about this! Because they're loud, obstreperous, and insistent doesn't make them right - - we've seen that over and over again!”
-Anonymous | Milwaukee, WI | September 4, 2010
Letter on: Too big to fail?
“I didn't know that Karzai was educated at an elite Ivy League school. His talk sure makes it sound like he was in the same class as Geithner, Bernanke, Obungle, etc.
I guess it just shows that people of all stripes can try to put lipstick on a pig. Look at our administration's contiuing efforts to tell us the economy is actually starting to recover. Trouble is that people aren't buying it. Figuratively and literally.
Guess it just proves the old saying that the elevator smells different when you're a midget.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor,WI. | September 3, 2010
Letter on: Bob Fest is just 10 days from now
“You have an excellent cast of characters for both events. Thanks for organizing and keeping the spirit going.
I am disappointed that Sarah Palin can't be there for the Bimbo in Running Togs contest. I'm startled to learn that NSA will have all its spy satellites focused on the Sauk County Fairgrounds. Everyone in attendance will be photographed. Fortunately from the sky, we all look bald or gray or white. Where are the young kids?”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton | September 2, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“Recent scientific studies have shown that the latest sunspot cycle minimum has been 23 years long. So why have the hottest years on record(average) been in the last ten years? Obviously you need a new addition to your book.”
-Dol O'mite | Oconomowoc | September 2, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“I think the Dems are gonna get creamed in November. And it is their own damned fault. The fact that a guy like Johnson could even be a threat shows how low the Dems have sunk.
Good ones, along with the bad ones, will pay for the botch up job the Obungle administration made of the bail outs and health care. Add their slip shod attitude about unemployment numbers and it is no wonder that the willfully ignorant masses would follow the lines of a damned fool Republican like Johnson.
Really pathetic. We have the working class voting for the boss class while the so-called "Party of the People" lets Wall Street and big Pharma call the shots in the White House.
If the damned Russians could have a revolution, or two, why the hell can't we? Pathetic!”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor,WI. | September 2, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“Climate change is true. It is going on right now. It always has gone on, and it will continue to change. Don't blame humans. One more or less volcano does more to the atmosphere than man has done since the dawn of history! Al Gore is a fraud. He has made over $100 million by hyping climate change and gullible polititions and reporters have signed on.”
-Robert Schuster | Naples, FL | September 2, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“So you had Science in School !
Are you familiar with the "Scientific method"
I doubt it, as the GW crowd continues to scream about man's impact on the world, and yet will not debate it, which is what the scientific method is all about. You advocate a scientific theory without debate..that is not Science !
The mere fact that you discard the Sun's effect shows your complete lack of physical influences on any study, except those that "fit" your concepts.
The Sun is the single biggest impact/source of heat on our planet and yet, you discard it like many incompetent scientists in the GW crowd.
Open your mind...Please !”
-Rich Carlstedt | Green Bay, Wisconsin | September 2, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“I came out with a book in 2007 that showed there was no GLOBAL WARMING and that it was a myth. And it's still true today. Most real scientists have found this to be correct. Thousands have signed a paper to that effect. It 's simply Sunspots and it's cycle of near 11 years. Proven by looking at graphs showing it very dramatically. You liberals hut have to get over it. Gore flunked out of two Universities and bvarely made it out of hight school. He is a fraud. Plain and simple!”
-John C. Hyland | Appleton, WI | September 2, 2010
Letter on: Sisterly advice
“Like many conservatives, Ron Johnson is speaking in terms his voters understand and what they want to hear, He probably still believes that the earth is the center of the universe and the sun rotates around it. I suspect he is saving this information until the home stretch.
If we had an informed and educated electorate, we wouldn't have uninformed candidates or those running one can short of a six-pack.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | September 2, 2010
Letter on: THE WAR IS OVER
“Well what do you expect? WW2 is not over yet in case you don't know.We still have a large number of our troops on Okinawa and we have been there since we invaded their island in 1945.
They are not very happy with us and want us to leave too.”
-Joe Gruber | Campbellsport,WI | September 2, 2010
Letter on: THE WAR IS OVER
“If the war is over, bring home all the troops from all the bases worldwide.
A $53 billion dollar economic stimulus for Iraq which failed, paid for by the American taxpayers, with money borrowed from China.
A recent New York Times article describes just how miserably we have failed in our nation building in Iraq. We broke it and have no plans for fixing it.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | September 1, 2010
Letter on: THE WAR IS OVER
“I honestly don't know where everybody was during the election. Obungle was clear that we would stay in Afghanistan. A build-up there is no surprise to me.
As for Iraq the talk is for a continued and long term presence. So much for the war being over.
The lesson is to not go into these dust holes unless you have just cause and are willing to wage a total war, and all that this implies. If it ain't worth that it ain't worth going. I don't think that applied to either Iraq or Afghanistan. Face it, we have those characters over there right where they want us.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | September 1, 2010
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