October 2011
FightingBob.com readers talk back
Letter on: It did not snow!
“Those barricades on the interstate are to control protesters trying to get to Madison. They will also prove invaluable on election day in preventing voter fraud.
Learn your backroads now and help us defeat the system.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 31, 2011
Letter on: Making a bad thing worse
“He's ba-a-ack. Even Republicans were eager to get Tommy Thompson out of office in the Bush administration. Thompson was generally viewed as utterly incompetent, or at best, numbingly mediocre. Is he good enough for WI? Maybe.
The national news media was not as "cooperative" with Thompson as WI news media has been, and they consistently pointed out that Thompson was unsuited for public office. I read that Thompson now intends to replace Rep. Tammy Baldwin -- and he has a disturbing record of getting whatever he wants in this state, regardless of public opinion, etc. He already has his foot soldiers (so to speak) standing by, from Walker to Fitzgerald to Ron Johnson, and our election system has never been more prone to "errors."
Tommy Thompson has already vowed to "reform" Social Security the way he reformed our (former) welfare programs. As gov, he had already started by attacking Social Security Disability, the first step to ending Social Security entirely. This puts lives at very serious risk, and this issue must be raised LOUDLY in the public forum. Unless you are very rich, Thompson's agenda would have a direct (bad) impact on you and your family. Families would have to be required to find a way to support their elderly and disabled relatives during a time when so many people are struggling just to provide for their children.
Thompson's record speaks for itself, showing that he is entirely comfortable with taking our taxpayer dollars out of public needs, from poverty relief to education to infrastructure, to give it to the the richest. He has a consistent record of putting his ambitions ahead of the best interests of WI. He has now decided to use WI to get into Congress, and has made his intent to end... er, "reform" .. Social Security quite clear. This is unquestionably NOT what the people of WI want -- so what will we do about it?”
-DHFabian | Fort Atkinson, WI | October 31, 2011
Letter on: Bucks to the Bucks!
“It's in today's news that Germany has "found" a roughly $70 billion "accounting error" to their favor. Makes me wonder how many "accounting errors" there are in this "Wisconsin is broke" state of ours. Governmental accounting consists of moving numbers from column to column until the totals say what they want us to see. It would not surprise me to find errors in our own statehouse.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisconsin | October 31, 2011
Letter on: Targeting teachers
“There are too many stupid, foolish, misled people now here, it has tipped the scale. And many of thiem are teachers. I am the ONLY one in the teachers' parking lot with a Recall Walker sticker, or any other sticker not sports or hunting related. I walked through the lot and looked. That says it all. They are ready-made pawns and victims. Maybe they are intimidated--that is the stupid part.”
-Bruce Powell | Antigo WI | October 31, 2011
Letter on: Targeting teachers
“My wife is a teacher in Wisconsin, she is one of the 24 teachers in the entire US in her subject field who is National Board Certified (she is also one of the 2 readers/assessors in the country for this certification). My wife is ready to leave the teaching field, because she is not willing to continue to be abused by the school board, the administration and the general public. This year, she decided to be part time, to help her current students to finish high school. During the other time of her working day, she works for a private, large and well known company, who provides better and cheaper health care (part time workers get it, too for the same cost as do full time employees) than the school district. Next year she will decide whether to quit the teaching profession at all and work full time for this private companies who treats their employees way better than the school administration does. This means, our school district will loose one of their highly educated teachers, who is a national leader in her teaching area! All this because a mean spirited school board together with a superintendent on an ego power trip felt empowered by the means spirited new regulations in Wisconsin to mistreat their teachers. We know several other very experienced and educated teachers who plan to leave the teaching profession. I am pretty sure that similar trends can be seen in other high schools. This means there will be a lot of knowledge and experience drain from the public school system in Wisconsin!
Pro Walker people argue that there are many teachers who are just done with their education will come and fill these positions with newer and better knowledge. Well I can tell them, dream on. My wife is also part of the adjunct faculty of a school of education (she teaches Methods), and is one of the people, who teach those young students how to teach, and she is also the mentor for new teachers at the high school. all the students and new teachers, she deals with, have the academic knowledge they need in their teaching subject, but the few weeks they d practice teaching in a school will not enable them to tech a school class on a day to day continuous level. That is why they need mentors in their school. But the Walker fund cutting eliminated the mentor positions, too! The ones who have to suffer because of the Walker regulations are the kids, they get a lesser level of education by teachers without experience! However, if one looks at the election numbers, their parents seem to be OK with this, as long as teachers don't earn the money they deserve!
This new "thinking" does not really bother the teachers too much, because good teachers can find good jobs in private industry (as my wife shows). The kids are the ones that suffer!”
-What's up | Wisconsin | October 31, 2011
Letter on: Can we stop the train?
“Linda, please look up "hinterland" in a reliable dictionary and then decide whether it degrades. It does not. The term is quite common when referring to any rural area that is not in proximity to urban economic and cultural centers.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | October 31, 2011
Letter on: Reasons to run
“I would love to run but I have no experience in politics. I have no connections to power and money. I have no concealed carry to take to the floor of the assembly or senate. I like to listen. I also like to bring people together and get something done for the benefit of all. I'd make a poor legislator.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisconsin | October 31, 2011
Letter on: Targeting teachers
“Teachers continue to be an easy mark no matter where I travel within Wisconsin. I'm sure it is this way elsewhere, too. I keep meeting people who have me convinced now that all teachers are overpaid and that they all make $100,000 a year with benefits AND a pension plan. Wow!
The complainers would rather tear apart the teaching profession than work for better wages and benefits for all workers, especially those on the bottom.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisconsin | October 31, 2011
Letter on: It did not snow!
“Linda,
If I were to guess, the "gates" are to close off the Interstate in the event of impassable conditions whether due to snow, accidents, flooding, etc. A few years ago there was a miles long backup between Stoughton and Edgerton due to snow and slick highways.
Then there is the issue of recent flooding. I39 was closed near Portage because of the Baraboo River wanting to take over the state.
Have never figured out for myself why anyone wants to be out in snow, but some people, especially semi drivers, think it's a necessity. Instead of waiting an hour or so for roads to be cleared, they'd rather get stuck on a desolate stretch of highway and sit for half a day.
I'd worry less about "gates" along the Interstate and more so about those who want to block our access to the capitol as well as those who deny ordinary citizens access to legislators. We might as well include those who wish to deny our constitutional right to assemble and petition government.
As for those roadside cameras, they do give visual highway conditions. You can access many through the Internet. Great entertainment for Tea Partiers who enjoy concocting conpiracy theories about Big Government. Think of the cameras as unpaid state workers without benefits. This will keep half the complainers in Wisconsin happy.
There's a camera on USH 51 near Lake Kegonsa and I've seen another in Dodge county. According to DOT these are to catch semis that try to evade weigh scales along the Interstate. There's sensors in the pavement to help. Overweight semis do damage highways and thus cost us dollars.
The above are not conspiratorial mechanisms to control others by Big Government. These are not the reasons why we are trying to recall Walker either and take back control of state government. I would hope you decide to work for the recall.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisconsin | October 31, 2011
Letter on: It did not snow!
“I too have noticed the ubiquitous gates appearing on our Interstate highway ramps over the past several years. These have been around for decades in the prairie states where blizzard condidtion often mandate restricting access. Probably those are legitimate, and probably if you asked anyone in "authority," you would be told that this is the purpose of the gates that are now appearing all over the place - even where blizzard conditions are not so prevalent. However, as a thinking individual, I am forced to believe they are being installed as a tool to restrict movement of the population in a potential anarchy/martial law situation. Far from conspiracy theory, I believe this is the real deal beginning to come out of the closet, so to speak.”
-Charles Kuehn | Fall Creek, WI | October 31, 2011
Letter on: It did not snow!
“I hope this has no connection with Ed's concern about the right to assembly. It may have some connection with the right to assemble with people who do not live near you.
My husband and I have been noticing gates being constructed at the entrances to the interstate highways. At first we only noticed gates at the entrances near airports, but lately we have noticed an increase in the rate of construction, and gates are appearing everywhere along the interstate.
Is there anyone out there who knows the purpose of these gates? I hate to be suspicious, but what reason would the government have to limit access to the interstate?
We have also noticed several recently erected sensors along the interstate and other state highways. These are probably cameras as it would be too expensive to bother with simple counting devices.
I know, I sound like a conspiracy theorist, even to me. Still, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that no one is out to get you.
Again, if anyone knows what's going on, please respond. I could use a better night's sleep
Thank you kindly.”
-Linda | Wisconsin Rapids,WI | October 30, 2011
Letter on: Targeting teachers
“You've said it all, education is about to crumble. And I agree that teachers should speak up and tell the country what is going on, but the attitude from so many is "so what" you teachers have it so good even with the deductions to your pay and the increase of class size. But more importantly, I'm afraid teachers will not speak up for fear of the consequences they may suffer by doing so. The very item you mention, rewriting of teacher handbooks, all but threatens a teacher with the possibility of dismissal for speaking up in a negative way about the school district, its board or its policies. We no longer feel safe talking on school property about issues of politics, unions, etc. and in the new handbooks are forbidden to do so. We are seeing our first amendment rights challenged but no one feels safe to speak up. I know this note will probably not be accepted for use because I won't sign my name, I'm too afraid I could lose my job.”
- regretfully anonymous | wisconsin | October 30, 2011
Letter on: Targeting teachers
“Thank you, Bill for this timely message. As a California high school teacher for 24 years, I am sad to report we have the same issues here. America is turning its back on the very educational system that built this country. I worry about my grandchildren. I've always liked Wisconsin, and this trend in your state troubles me deeply - it will not stop at your borders, I'm afraid.
EdwardMooneyATliveDOTcom”
-Edward Mooney, Jr. | California | October 30, 2011
Letter on: Targeting teachers
“In reality this targeting has been going on since the Hortonville strike. That was the root cause of the QEO.
Part of the problem is that teachers were often their own worst enemy. My wife was a teacher for over 30 yrs. Year after year they ended up bargaining for the least worst contract. It was a slow steady slide downward and the rank and file obediantly followed the WEAC lead. WEAC itself was more concerned about their own political power than anything else and leadership was in bed with politicos who loved to "trim" their positions but do just barely enough to keep the union mollified.
Add to that the fact that most teachers are female, and sorry for the stereotype, who were conflict averse. After a life time of trying to be fair and maintain order in a class room it is hard for those same people to willingly engage in any conflict type job action.
Like I say, this has been building for years. I know it seems unfair to blame the victim but honestly, what did you expect. You should have known that bullies do not respond to reason. 9 times out of 10 you have to give them a zot right back in the nose to get them to listen to reason. The teachers never learned how to do that.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 30, 2011
Letter on: Targeting teachers
“I will begin by saying I'm a teacher and due to lack of any job security, I am choosing to not post my name.
I have always spent much of my own money in my room; this year I'm making less and spending more. I teach special ed. I have 14 students in a class and 10 copies of 6 novels. You do the math. I will be purchasing 24 books on my own. I am prepping for more classes than in the past, as a result I'm working 11-12 hour days most days. Today is Sunday. I will put in 8 hours by the time the day is through.
I have a large number of students taking the WKCE this year. They're in high school but academically are 5-7 years behind due to significant learning disabilities. It is expected that they will be "proficient" on the test because that is what the government tells me they must be. This will not happen (please tell me how a student reading at a 2nd grade level is to be proficient on a 10th grade reading test or a student unable to solve a basic word problem is to perform well on a test that covers algebra, geometry and advanced algebra?). In all honesty I know that their lack of proficiency may very well cost me my job (of course this can't be the ONLY criteria per the GOP's new law on teacher renewal, but it can be the main reason). I LOVE my students and it kills me to know that I may not be there for them in the future if they don't "perform" like the government says they should. I worry what will happen to them if I'm not there. I work with the kids that even most other special ed teachers are hesitant to work with because they have severe learning difficulties and many have emotional difficulties too (they are smart enough to know that they are different and hate it - resulting in low self-esteem which can lead to aoda issues etc... they are also smart enough to get themselves into a world of trouble, but don't know how to get out. Translation: They take a lot of man hours both in and out of school. Lots of hard talks. Lots of working through problems). My students have a lot of needs and I can no longer fight for these needs for fear of angering an administrator - which could also result in my no longer having a job. With union protection and collective bargaining I could FIGHT for what my kids NEED without fear of retribution from administration etc.... now I am left without a safety net and must rely on parents to fight. It makes me very sad.
If I didn't love my students as much as I do, I would leave.... the constant belittling of me and my profession is heartbreaking.”
-A teacher | suburb, WI | October 30, 2011
Letter on: Targeting teachers
“"That may not have been the intent of some lawmakers who supported this assault on public education, but it's happening, and they need to know it.
It's time to educate these folks."
Sorry, but there is no way to "educate" these folks. They know exactly what they are doing and why they are doing it. Some of them are doing this because they believe that "government schools" (their new pejorative name for public schools, are filling children's minds with "liberal" idea. Others are doing it because they want to shut down the public schools and replace them with private schools funded with vouchers. Others are doing it because they believe that the Rapture is coming shortly and there is no need to plan for the future.
Make no mistake: The Rightwing is out to cripple the educational system in this country and they are doing a good job of it. As usual, as you write in this article, Liberals think that the Rightwing Nuts can be "reasoned with" and "educated".
This starving of education is every bit as much of the TEAPublican agenda as Grover Norquist's "No New Taxes pledge to starve the government. It is war, people and time that we understand it for what it is.
The TEAPublicans are out to turn the United States into a Bible-based Theocracy with all of the rules written by the wealthiest, greediest sociopaths among them. The Koch's, the Walton's, the DeVos's and their ilk are supplying the money to drive this agenda and the Religious Right is providing the foot soldiers, who in the end will get screwed also. The social issues are the contrived "debt crisis" are the diversions from the planned takeover of every level of government by the Right.
The plans and the results are all in plain sight. ALEC, union bashing, the demonization of teachers and public sector workers are all in play.
These people represent the ideology of only about 22% of the population but they are rapidly gaining control over the rest of us.”
-Jim Kubiak | Hudson, WI | October 30, 2011
Letter on: Can we stop the train?
“Please, Maria, stop using words like hinterland to describe any part of the state not Madison or Milwaukee. That kind of arrogance will not win you any friends even among people who would agree with your opinion of Walker. You don't have to choose to live in a city to be informed, concerned citizens. People come in all kinds no matter where they live. Most people love their families, their communities and the great state of Wisconsin. Respect for people and their opinions, even if they don't match yours, would be a good starting point.
I'm sorry if this comes across as disrespectful, but any stereotyping can be harmful in forming ideas or arguments.”
-Linda | Wisconsin Rapids,WI | October 29, 2011
Letter on: Can we stop the train?
“Hey, Grieb:
There already are 3 parties in Wisconsin: Democrats, Republicans and Tailgaters. As you have opined, none of them are worth much, and I might add not even worthy of a good beer fart.
We need a party that will awaken Wisconsin and one that can actually win seats in our state legislature. Forget about national offices for the moment. Let's get our statehouse in order first. We need fresh ideas and energized creators of public policies. Our problem with Walker is a GOP/Koch legislature that gives him what he wants. Our statehouse is filled with GOP cowards who simply will not stand up to Walker and say "no".”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | October 29, 2011
Letter on: That pesky First Amendment
“SW,
Your post degrades those who were arrested in the night, taken to foreign countries to be repeatedly and viciously tortured, whose bodies were never found,others still imprisoned 10 years later with no hope of a fair trial, by your reference to the less-suffering of your aunt.
Just getting picked up in the night and put in a concentration camp for a couple years is nothing when compared to entire villages being executed, now THAT is a police state, not some knock in the night, short term incarceration. Get the point, SW?
There, how does it feel? Anyone want to tell me that I have no right to talk about the suffering of extraordinary rendition victims when the tortures of the Inquisition or about Stalins gulag or the genocide of the Native Americans was worse? Good, let's compete to find the ultimate "police state" so we don't "degrade" anyone's suffering.
I don't even get your point-- is it "since what we are going through isn't is bad as the worst thing that has ever happened, just shut up until it is worse than the worst thing that ever happened?" Where is the shiny line of a "police state", SW? Can you define it for all of us , so we'll know when we can say it is? Would a police state mean the end of habeus corpus? Would a police state mean that the President can have a citizen picked off the street without any charge and with no public notice of the arrest forever? Would a police state make laws that outlaw the photographing of police? Would a police state use violent means to end protests they don't like? Would a police state create "free speech zones" which are actually wire cages that contain those who are peacefully assembling? No, I suppose you think everyone should just shut up if THEY aren't getting hauled off in the night. Well, SW, that IS happening and you don't hear about it thanks to the Patriot act. But ok, everyone whould just shut up because you think aunt had it worse.”
-Tim | Barron, WI | October 29, 2011
Letter on: Can we stop the train?
“It wasn't like the GOP ever tried to hide their agenda. This should come as no surprise. The Dems are worse than useless. They never lived up to their promises. When they had a majority they governed like GOP light and in the minority they are so kafoozled that they do not know what to do or what to say.
Recall Walker? Might work, but who is the purported replacement? Another of the feckless Dems? The same old same old?
The saddest part about the whole business last winter in Madison is that no third party formed. Fighting? HAH! The Dems had folks bamboozled into thinking because some of them scarpered out of town they would be the peoples' salvation if they could just get back in power.
Blame big money, blame people, blame anything or anybody but themselves for peoples lack of enthusiasm for a weak party that does not speak to, or follow though on, what is claims to stand for.
You have said it before Ed and I agree. We need third parties, especially for legislatives seats. Where are they? Remember, much of the progress in Wisconsin was gained by third party work. The Dems and GOP had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the modern world. It was only after Roosevelt and Truman that Wisconsin Dems actually did some good.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 29, 2011
Letter on: Can we stop the train?
“Wasn't it Walker who clearly stated last spring, "Wisconsin is open for destruction"?
The tough challenge for a successful recall will be convincing those outside Dane and Milwaukee counties that we are in trouble and that Walker-Kochs-Fitzgeralds are leading the charge with whimpering Repbulicans in tow. I keep hearing what Doyle did or didn't do. Was he so bad? And, why do people think Walker to be better?
Please, people, start listing reasoned strategies on this blog on how to present ourselves to win over those in the hinterland who think Walker is the best thing to happen to Wisconsin since aged cheddar.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisconsin | October 29, 2011
Letter on: That pesky First Amendment
“That 1 percent wannabe Paul Ryan is sure a world class boot licker.”
-nonheroicvet | Disgusted, WI | October 28, 2011
Letter on: That pesky First Amendment
“Maria is right.It all started like this in Nazi Germany.
"First they came for the Socialists,and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Socialist."
"Then they came for the Trade Unionists,and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Trade Unionist."
"Then they came for the Jews,and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Jew."
"Then they came for me-and there was no one left to speak for me."
These words were spoken from the Pulpit in 1945 by
Martin Niemoller,a prominent Protestant pastor
who had just been releasted after spending 7 years in Nazi concentration camps.”
-Joe Gruber | Campbellsport,WI | October 28, 2011
Letter on: They are getting crazy
“Every time I see a squad car with "To Protect and to Serve" on its side, I can't help but wonder about the ones cops are protecting and serving. In view of recent police actions throughout the country, the unnecessary use of mace, tear gas and force, police in combat mode, etc, we now know they do not protect us nor do they serve us. Like the US military, cops are working for those in power.
Even during our peaceful protests of last spring, I saw (Milwaukee) cops ready for a rumble. While other cops remained vigilant, the handful I saw from Milwaukee had their gloves on and were ready to cause their own trouble.
I have often wondered what type of individual would want to become a cop and how much our system corrupts those who enter the profession naively.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisconsin | October 28, 2011
Letter on: That pesky First Amendment
“Maria you have no idea about livng in a police state. Perhaps you would like to ask my wifes aunt about being taken from her house by nazi ss troops in the middle of the night with only your clothes on your back. Living in concentration camps during the last days of WWII. Being arrested in the US is hardly comparable to that. You degrade those that actually live and parished in police states.”
-SW | waukesha wi | October 28, 2011
Letter on: They are getting crazy
“Has it dawned on any of the Obamapologists that if Obungle had at least tried to be the president he SAID he was going to be these Occupy demonstrations would not be taking place.
Putting his re-election in jeapordy? I guess that is up to him.
Strike on Novemeber 2nd! If you can't strike at least you can turn your empty pockets out of your pants for a day and buy nothing and refuse to participate in the economy in any way. Show those empty pocket flaps in solidarity.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 28, 2011
Letter on: That pesky First Amendment
“The police state is upon us. All our worse nightmares are here. The Wisconsin GOP has made it easier to carry concealed weapons than to exercise! our right to vote. Obviously our votes are more dangerous than their damn guns. Use your vote wisely.”
-maria caliente | middleton wisconsin | October 27, 2011
Letter on: That pesky First Amendment
“Solidarity Statement From Cairo
Posted Oct. 25, 2011, 2:39 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
(excerpts)
"To all those in the United States currently occupying parks, squares and other spaces, your comrades in Cairo are watching you in solidarity. Having received so much advice from you about transitioning to democracy, we thought it's our turn to pass on some advice....
...So we stand with you not just in your attempts to bring down the old but to experiment with the new. We are not protesting. Who is there to protest to? What could we ask them for that they could grant? We are occupying. We are reclaiming those same spaces of public practice that have been commodified, privatized and locked into the hands of faceless bureaucracy , real estate portfolios, and police 'protection'. Hold on to these spaces, nurture them, and let the boundaries of your occupations grow. After all, who built these parks, these plazas, these buildings? Whose labor made them real and livable? Why should it seem so natural that they should be withheld from us, policed and disciplined? Reclaiming these spaces and managing them justly and collectively is proof enough of our legitimacy."
http://www.occupywallst.org/article/solidarity-statement-cairo/”
-John E Davey | Kendall, WI | October 27, 2011
Letter on: That pesky First Amendment
“Your mention of the Kent State massacre reminds me that dissent by the people is little defended by those in authority and in many cases as in past social unrest demonstrations the legal authorities attack the dissenters. In past times, hired for profit thugs, were also utilized to quell the social unrest.
One must assume that the next logical step for government is to hire Blackwater to quell the unrest. This would allow the disassociation of our elected officials from the inevitable outcome of violence.
Strange how those elected officials so easily ignore the protestors. They apparently know that a small committed band of individuals who go to the polls decide elections, not those who demonstrate on the street but fail to go to the polls.
I would suggest those shown on the news making the arrests ponder the following quote:
"If the machine of government is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law."
Henry David Thoreau”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | October 27, 2011
Letter on: That pesky First Amendment
“Police training has gone paramilitary. Police are trained that intimidation and immediate force are appropriate responses to citizens. I protested peacefully at the Republican Convention in St. Paul, and was appalled at seeing the Darth Vader outfits and the police itching for a chance to use all the cool weapons they got from Homeland Security. All these threatening Darth Vaders watching the families, grandparents, and middle-aged people walk down the street between barricades in case the grandmothers got violent.
There may be only a few bad apples in the force, but rest assured most of them are near the top of the barrel. And they are rotting the force all the way down.”
-Tim | Barron, WI | October 27, 2011
Letter on: Just when you thought...
“The conservative spin is starting already:
http://itsworkingwisconsin.com/
Almost sounds convincing.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisc. | October 26, 2011
Letter on: Bye bye, Harrisburg
“The Repubs will run a fake Democrat and force a primary.”
-Dave | Milwaukee | October 25, 2011
Letter on: Bye bye, Harrisburg
“Two things:
1) I agree with Dole O'Mite. Towns and cities should be governed by their own citizens. Outside governments (even state governments) should be resisted.
2) I think it is very likely that Duffy followed Obey because there was no primary (I have heard at Obey's suggestion). I agree with Ed a primary is a good thing for the party.”
-Linda | Wisconsin Rapids,WI | October 25, 2011
Letter on: Bye bye, Harrisburg
“Check out: http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/10/scott-walker-recall-wisconsin-unlimited-money
Are we really up to the task of unseating Walker so we can get our state back? What a wonderful moment it will be when Walker spends tens of millions of dollars and loses.
Dane County is a given. The rest of Wisconsin will be a challenge to convince that the correct thing to do is to oust Walker. There are too many uninformed rednecks scattered throughout the state who already have their minds shut to truth and will cast their precious votes for Walker. These are the ones we must convince Walker has to go.
Is it too early to book the capitol rotunda for our victory ball? I'm coming and my dance card still has a few spots left.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 25, 2011
Letter on: Bye bye, Harrisburg
“If an outside force occupies my seat of government don't I have a basic right to resist that force by any means necessary?”
-Dole O'Mite | Waukesha County | October 25, 2011
Letter on: Bye bye, Harrisburg
“What also intrigues me is that if you asked the people to raise the sales tax for needed government services, you would get a big HELL NO!! But yet they agreed to tax themselves for the Brewers and Packers. Such sheeple.”
-WisconsinLiberal | Fox Valley, WI | October 25, 2011
Letter on: Bye bye, Harrisburg
“Obey will run for Governor but only if everyone else stands down?
Obey is becoming the Brett Favre of the DPW. He retired a year and half ago and now he wants back on the field. Maybe we should trade him to Minnesota for Mark Dayton?”
-Steve Carlson | Trego, WI. | October 25, 2011
Letter on: Making a bad thing worse
“The only means to do an end run around a gerrymander is to transform the present single-member winner-take-all legislative district to a multi-member proportional district. This could be done by collapsing present single-member districts into larger districts. From each of these larger districts, the voter would rank candidates by choice, thereby practically ensuring representation in one choice, if not the first, in contrast to the present system whereby half of the voters in a competitive district will end up disinfranchised.
Finally a candidate could speak forthrightly without aid of a forked tongue if there was a significant constituency that was receptive. Voters, in turn, could vote knowing that they would not be throwing away their vote on a loser or voting for the lesser of two evils, such as one of the two wings of the Demopublicans, also known as Republicrats.”
-Ernest Martinson | Hayward Wisconsin | October 25, 2011
Letter on: Bye bye, Harrisburg
“I'm not so sure the ordinary Wisconsin citizen understands the full impact when rich people make the laws and pull the strings of those in office. Whatever changes to our lives, these are subtle ones. The casual citizen can still hop in the car and go to the store and never be hassled. Ah, freedom! Gas prices are higher and so are groceries and other consumer goods. There's not much cash in the wallet but there is plastic to save the day. For those with jobs, wages are stagnant with very little left at the end of the month. How can one blame the rich guys for all this? So, let's pick on something else, government and taxes. Damn taxes, they're too high and we haven't enough money at the end of the month to pay all the bills or to have some fun.
The problem isn't government or taxes, it's those who control our lives and shove their agenda down our throats. It's those who use and abuse, repress and oppress. The ability to dissolve duly elected officials and then proceed to eviscerate government and public services is wrong and it is something we need to recognize and stop. The rich have money, power and control. Those in control have the police and military on their side. It's no longer just enough to merely write about this. It's time to act.
How can a handful of wealthy people have so much power and control over the millions of us who outnumber them? We certainly didn't give them the power. We let them take it when we chose living lives of acceptance and complacency.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisconsin | October 25, 2011
Letter on: Making a bad thing worse
“What is the fairest way to map districts? Is there one? Is it possible to be totally objective and impartial? Do we do so based on economic and social interests? Are these maps creating classes and thus dividing us even more? How can we draw maps that bring us together as a people instead of tearing us apart?”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | October 25, 2011
Letter on: Tardy!
“When the prisons are full, simply build more prisons. Isn't this the GOP's answer to those who are in its way?”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisconsin | October 24, 2011
Letter on: Make him do it
“"The suggestion that a loss for Obama would signal a return to the Bush era has some merit"
this would assume, of course, that there's a nickels worth of difference between Obama and Shrub.
On *any* important point he's at least as bad as, and in many ways worse than, W. So I reject this assertion and opine that we, in fact, never left Bush era.”
-Randy Lee | Ridgeland, WI | October 24, 2011
Letter on: Pizza man
“Have you ever had a state senator or rep send you an email or letter to inform you of impending legislation and to ask for input? Have you ever sent a comment or inquiry and received not even an acknowledgement? The attitude of many in the capitol seems to be "I'm in office and you are not. Leave me alone."
Time to send the bastards and bozos packing.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | October 24, 2011
Letter on: Pizza man
“You ask: "Can people focus on recall when they face staggering unemployment?"
I think this in fact stands as a primary reason FOR this recall. Walker has been so deeply committed to his prearranged agenda (most of which was kept "secret" during the campaign) that he has been an absolute tin ear in Madison. He and the Fitzgeralds have not responded at all to the growing and pressing needs of the people. There's been no real attention paid, for example, to the Wisconsin family's need to find meaningful jobs and other economic security in the face of this recession.
The two "Special Legislative Sessions on Jobs" are most remarkable for the way they have focused attention on just about anything BUT jobs! It shows just how cynical and insensitive are these guys. In declaring need for such sessions, the FitzWalkers make it apparent they understand the pain that affects our households in a period of such deep unemployment. But then they just can't quite abandon the need to serve an ALEC agenda long enough to actually do the people's work as promised. I think THIS is what stands as the greatest recommendation for Walker's recall: The sumbitch ain't interested in working for us, so why keep him in Madison?”
-Jeff Pieterick | Waterloo, WI | October 23, 2011
Letter on: Hey! How about a celebration?
“Our troops may be out of Iraq come December, but there will still be contractors in place at our expense. Halliburton and other suppliers to humanity's destruction and suffering will continue to rip off US taxpayers and remain unaccountable. Ah, so nice to have no-bid contracts, isn't it?
The Cheney/Bush Iraq fiasco was a pretty high price to pay for 3,000+ lives lost on 9/11. Those lives are gone and we have accomplished nothing with the invasion of Iraq.
Watch now how US corporations will get into Iraq, buy out Iraq resources and services and privatize. Are the Iraqis better off now than they were? Have we made friends? Any you would like to take home to mom?”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisconsin | October 22, 2011
Letter on: Hey! How about a celebration?
“How over is this presence in Iraq? Will they turn the US bases over to Iraq? Will they bring home the 5000.....”
-Sue Nelson | Janesville Wis | October 22, 2011
Letter on: Hey! How about a celebration?
“How smart are these guys running for office? Something as easy to dig into and find out is not a good thing to embellish. But I'm sure False news will not report this, since all of their "reporters" are actually fiction writers.”
-WisconsinLiberal | Fox Valley, WI | October 22, 2011
Letter on: Now you have done it!
“I would love to "Stand With Scott Walker" that is, in his UNEMPLOYMENT LINE!!!!!!!!”
-Jeffrey P. Erbs | Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin | October 21, 2011
Letter on: How old am I, Grandma?
“Your bringing up Cuba reminds me. Why does the US continue to hold an ineffective embargo against the Cuban people? 40+ years and it just didn't work nor will it ever. Kennedy was wrong to start it and every single president and congress since has done irreparable harm by maintaining it. A handful of expat Cuban votes in southern Florida is not a good enough reason. I wonder how many US corporations are surreptitiously benefiting from the embargo. If a US corporation is doing business overseas, you can bet they are also in Cuba as well.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisconsin | October 21, 2011
Letter on: How old am I, Grandma?
“Why are men still controlling women's bodies and health issues? Are they hearing voices again and having visions from their gods? Why are campaigns filled with so much stuff relating to sex and reproduction? These are hardly related to deficits. A good man would tend to his own bedroom and keep his nose and prurient interests out of others.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisc. | October 21, 2011
Letter on: Asked to emcee banquet
“Our schools - from the early grades through undergraduate college - are recruiting fronts for professional sports of all stripes. Driving this are several things:
At the grade school level, kids can be expected to learn a mindset of competition rather than one of cooperation. Winning (at the team level) is everything. Good for business at the executive level, as there will be a pool of highly competitive executive candidates.
It teaches kids to follow the leader of the moment unquestioningly. Good for business at the rank and file level. Go team!
Good for the wealthy owners of professional sports teams because it provides a recruiting pool of the best talent in each sport. Good for business, as it helps build winning (and profitable) ball clubs.
Good for the Powers That Be because a well-supplied, exciting, highly competetive professional sports industry keeps the rabble entertained and distracted from the pocketbook issues that might otherwise be nagging at them. Bread and circuses.
God forbid anybody should think for himself anymore. Not good for business.”
-Charles Kuehn | Fall Creek, WI | October 20, 2011
Letter on: Make him do it
“Heard a clip of Obungle on TV yesterday. He was nattering on how he wasn't a Democratic President, he wasn't a Republican President. Of course this was a pathetic appeal to the chronically undecided muddle in the middle independent voter. Well screw them, and screw him.
If he isn't THE Democratic (Party) President then maybe the Dems should kick his sad butt out and run a candidate of their own.
It seems the Dems will take almost any abuse and put up with it. If Obungle wants to be an Independent then let him run as one and see what comes of disavowing his own party.
The saddest thing about all these protests is that no third party ever formed and had as its main goal to run progressive candidates for legislative seats at the state and federal level. Apparently there may be plans to do that AFTER 2012. Too late !! What? Do they honestly think Obungle and Dems he so actively disavows will see the light and finally be on their side? Forget it.
Remember. It was the remnants of the Progressive Party, the Socialists, and yes, the Communists, who pushed the Left agenda and made FDR "do it".”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped. | October 20, 2011
Letter on: Make him do it
“As a young man I perceived all politicians as the same. As I aged I began to sense there might be a difference and those around me who I trusted were in support of the peoples' party, the Democratic party, so I tended to support Democratic candidates.
The Vietnam War illustrated to me that many politicians regardless of party were the same and many of the decisions they made were contrary to my views.
I have come full circle. With few exceptions, Kucinich and Sanders to name two, regardless party affiliation, politicians are all the same.
I recall Roseanne Barr saying that the only time politicians say the truth is when they call each other liars.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | October 20, 2011
Letter on: Even in Minnesota
“How about it Ed? Who might be the US attorney whom we should start hammering for an investigation of Walker's possible criminal misdoing in the Koch prank?”
-Charles Kuehn | Fall Creek WI | October 19, 2011
Letter on: Eminent domain
“Eminent domain by private company -- classic definition of fascism (at least according to Mussolini who aught to know a thing or two about it).”
-Randy Lee | Ridgeland, WI | October 19, 2011
Letter on: Now you have done it!
“250,000 is just a number pulled out of a hat. It's an impressive number at that. Had Walker said 2,500 or 25,000 jobs, no one would have taken him seriously. 2,500,000 jobs would be an impossibility. So, 250,000 it was, a number to fool those looking for work.
I'm not so sure people understand that connection between having a job and earning enough to support a family. Most workers seem to give in to corporate slavery.
The other day a fellow in Marquette county asked me why I wanted to stop Scott Walker, as my bumper sticker declared. I started to explain only to be interrupted with his query whether I was a union person. I said no. He then went on to say how teachers were making $100,000 a year with benefits and there is no reason why we taxpayers have to pay our state workers wages, benefits and pensions. I tried to make the case it is better to raise wages of the lowly paid than to trash what some workers already have achieved. Naturally, as you would expect, I was called a socialist. Funny, as he turned away to leave, he patted his back pocket and remarked how the government is taking his money from him.
This, I am afraid, is what we have working against us in the Walker recall effort: ignorance and the inability to listen and see how things really are, inquisitive minds seeking the truth. The Tea Party is out there and has already convinced too many that government is evil, taxes are evil, regulations are evil, etc. Strip these away and leave us alone seems to be what the TP thinks it wants.
What we need in addition to jobs and wages is a workers' bill of rights. I have yet to hear any candidate in any party ever propose such a goal. Without workers, economies fail and corporations are useless. Without workers, financial statements are numbers without meaning and value.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 19, 2011
Letter on: Now you have done it!
“As Ray Charles once sang, "We're Alabamie bound."”
-Santini | Little Chicago, WI | October 19, 2011
Letter on: Mobs, slobs and jobs
“For me the bottom line is tht the Social Contract has been shredded by the rich and powerful and the politicians they buy. We need to re-draft it. That has many facets and you can't get it on a sign.
Wealth has power but that power should be personal in that it allows a person more choices and freedom of action. But, your wealth should not be allowed to used as a weapon against others. And it should not grant you special status in law. We now have two sets of rules. One set for the 1% and another for the 99%. That cannot continue.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 18, 2011
Letter on: Breaking the cursive
“I am a 73 year old who attended a very progressive public school. We were not taught cursive because it was considered out of date way back then. Ours was one of the top schools in the country and many of the graduates went on to amazing careers, so I see no reason to worry about the demise of cursive and it has little to do with technology.”
-Peggy Anderson | Madison, Wisconsin | October 18, 2011
Letter on: Mobs, slobs and jobs
“I'm right there with you on this one, Ed!”
-John E. Davey | Kendall, WI | October 17, 2011
Letter on: Protests and recalls
“Bill--
Your post sounds very "reasonable" if this was politics as usual. I believe there is a very real difference in gut feeling between those who feel "upset" and those who are suffering deeply from what is going on, those who are trying to just survive. A person who has lost they're job and can't find another, a person or family in poverty, the homeless and those losing their homes, students and recent graduates knowing little opportunity awaits them and carrying huge loans and people going further and further into debt just trying to pay their bills and feed their family have a sense of immediacy that may not be viscerally felt the same as someone who is "not doing great but getting by."
For those who are hurting and are awakening to the facts of the systemic political/economic injustices that are within this crisis and those who have friends/family in the same boat, the sense of outrage and immediacy is in another realm altogether than "politics as usual."
Your analysis and reasoning are being superseded by a new, seemingly international zeitgeist. This is a time for righteous outrage. A time to say "no more." A time to start to engage the battle for justice in no uncertain terms. I believe it won't be one battle, one recall, one occupation, etc. that will determine the outcome but a constant, determined pressure from the grass roots, that grows steadily, whether or not we succeed in any one given effort. The worse thing we can do is nothing but wait and worry about the timidity or fanaticism of our political "leaders." We'll be stuck in the muck forever doing that. This is a time for action and the building of a movement that will bring real change. Movements don't become Movements overnight, they have to be built by steady engagement and resistance. They have to not disappear while we wait.
So I say recall Walker. And if we don't win, we do it, or something else, again...and again.
This is not only about Wisconsin, not only about the United States. This is a global response to growing global plutocracy.”
-John E. Davey | Kendall, WI | October 17, 2011
Letter on: Running out of water, food, shelter and ideas!
“Yes, it all seems pretty scary ”
-Gary Glonek | Montreal, Wi | October 17, 2011
Letter on: Protests and recalls
“Boy, you sure got that timid part right.”
-nonheroicvet | Disgusted, WI | October 16, 2011
Letter on: Better get dental insurance!
“Although I have disagreed with Richard Kanak on the issue of human influence on global warming I believe he is right on the issue of fluoride.
I checked his sources on the National Academy of Sciences website and he appears to be right.
The issue largely revolves around the fluoride level the "natural" groundwater contains; enough, too much, or too little subsequent to "treatment." I know where I live and get my water from a well, the fluoride levels are too low and when our children were born we were given fluoride drops to give our children in their early childhood.
Why this is an issue here at all is, as Ed has said, the with connection the the hysterically minded John Birch Society who felt that all fluoridation of water was an attempt to turn us into "communists." So anyone old enough to remember the John Birch Society and HUAC and those dark days has a tendency to react to this issue instinctively.
The real task is to measure naturally occurring levels of fluoride and then for communities to decide if they need to "de-fluoridate", fluoridate or do nothing at all.
Hopefully the federal, state and municipal governments will have the economic resources to do what needs to be done in any given community.”
-John E Davey | Kendall, WI | October 16, 2011
Letter on: Running out of water, food, shelter and ideas!
“The conservatives have the right idea: Control borders, question immigration, get rid of Medicaid and Medicare so sick people die instead of being burdens, cut aid for food, build more prisons and incarcerate those who are different, deny rights, etc. How clever are the ways to control who is part of our population. Left out the best for last: Heavily restrict or deny reproductive rights. This assures us generations of conservatives. Seven billion earthlings registers as dollar signs in the eyes and hearts of the wealthy ones.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisc. | October 16, 2011
Letter on: Better get dental insurance!
“Hey Davey, I have already said what to do. A general, citizens strike. Start with one week of buy nothing and let them know why. Let the government jerks figure out how much revenue they are losing in taxes on sales of liquor, tobacco, gas, etc. etc. etc. All from folks who supposedly pay no taxes.
I have tried to change the system from the inside by running twice on the Democratic ticket for State Assembly and was a County Party Chair for a while. With the Dummycraps it is a lost cause. Remember "mow down the grass roots" Joe Wineke and when he became Chair of the WisBums?
I also contributed to FightingBob many times on issues that you and others are finally waking up to.
I also agitated constantly in my local press and went to many local and several state hearings etc in regard to environmental matters. I was ahead of your curve then too.
I am glad people have finally wised up enough to do something but if you think things will change without busting some skulls or doing more than carrying signs you are deluded. You aren't occupying anything. When you did, and had a chance to actually toss the bastards out of YOUR OWN capital building you all crapped out. Instead of doing that and marching down the street to take over WPR and announce your demands over YOUR RADIO SYSTEM you crapped out. So, whatever you call yourselves please don't call yourselves revolutionaries of anything but the mouth.
We will see what this all brings. I have seen it before. I predict another crapout and falling out of factions on the left. But lets be positive. Only right wing emperors can have no cloths. We all know that.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 15, 2011
Letter on: Better get dental insurance!
“For Grievous Doerkpfester. You must be a professional nay-saying cynic. We've had this discussion before. And before you tell me you "know all about me" and "liberals like me", let me assure you you know nothing about me. So spare me and everyone here from your Wizard of Oz, man behind the curtain, pronouncements of your omniscience. Sometimes I have even had a good laugh at your comments but your never ending criticism of every and any attempt to do *anything* to bring about change is sheer hypocrisy issued from the land that time forgot.
I don't know what the hell you actually want. Bloody revolution? I know you have already explained your secret-agent status but it is just a little too easy, isn't it, to flee the fight and then attack every and any attempt of people to do *anything*. Nothing is good enough for Grievous Doerkpfester, yet you have never offered *any* alternatives. Never!
To you and every one else, the battle going on today--Oct. 15 is a real battle. Massive demonstrations are occurring all over the world and in New York, arrests are occurring, banks are being occupied and hundreds of other places are being are seeing direct action.
Me thinks it is perhaps you, Grievous, who are all thunder and no rain. An old farmer once told me "some days you just get up and aren't sure of just what to do, so you just do *something*."
I hear nothing but bitterness and condemnation from you.
To everyone else I ask you to join this resistance.
Occupy Wall Street! Occupy Madison! Occupy every corrupt, dream-breaking piece of the stinking trans-national machine you can find. The time is ripe, the grass roots too "dry" and the fire for justice is happening now.
OK Grievous, your turn. Then I'm outta here to do something while you tell us all how stupid we are for trying.”
-John E. Davey | Kendall, WI | October 15, 2011
Letter on: Better get dental insurance!
“FYI . Maybe a blessing.
Chicago Tribune, Julie Deardorff
Published April 2, 2006
Fluoride is considered an essential weapon against rotting teeth, but it also can make bones brittle. In addition, researchers suspect that the controversial substance can cause a rare bone and joint disease called skeletal fluorosis and even lower a person's IQ. So why have Chicago and many other communities been adding fluoride to tap water since the 1950s? As with most chemicals, the dose makes the poison, according to a recent report by the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. After studying the hotly debated issue for three years, the panel of scientists found that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standard for the maximum amount of naturally occurring fluoride allowed in drinking water--4 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water--is too high. About 200,000 people in the U.S., including the western Illinois town of Bushnell and parts of Indiana, Colorado and New Mexico, consume water with naturally occurring fluoride levels of 4 milligrams per liter or higher. To view the full article visit ChicagoTribune.com”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | October 15, 2011
Letter on: Better get dental insurance!
“Bloomberg may be a jerk but he isn't stupid. He quickly figured out it was better to keep the animals IN the zoo (park) than to kick them out and have them actually occupy the real Wall St. or City Hall.
Who is kidding who here? There is no spark of revolution, just leftie skylarking, pronunciamentos, and the usual hyperbolic talk. This is just heat lightening. All thunder and no rain and the rich and powerful are enjoying the show as they drink their martinis.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 14, 2011
Letter on: Uneasy answers
“Ed
Your words are well reasoned. To take on Walker will anger some people with a lot more money and power than many folks realize. With that ire awakened may come real consequences. To attempt to remove a sitting Governor is not a childrens' crusade or a stroll in the park. There will be some serious people in opposition who are deeply vested and involved. I learned an awful lesson in 1968 with the murders of MLK and Robert Kennedy. I think it is worth the risks to attempt to remove Walker but remember, there may be a great price tag to stand up for what you believe.”
-Jim Lauver | Clear Lake WI | October 14, 2011
Letter on: Hurry-up! Hear?
“Having spent many a summer of my youth on the Iron Range of MN I think we could all enjoy deep, steep, drops of open pit mining. We could put up signs and advertise it like I-90 around the Dells. Get more Chicago people to clog the roads and spend some tourist dollars and cents. Maybe even a rock shop or two.”
-Jim Lauver | New Haven Township, WI | October 14, 2011
Letter on: Better get dental insurance!
“I was afraid from the title you were talking about what was going on in the Occupy Wall St. Protests.
Last night was an emergency situation as Bloomberg had threatened eviction of all the protesters in Zuccotti Park for "cleaning."
After "leaving" protestors would not be allowed to re-enter the park with sleeping bags, blankets, etc.
Bravely, 3000 people gathered in the early morning hours to meet the expected Police State assault and its usual beatings. This is where the dental insurance might be needed.
However,do to a massive petition and solidarity of the people,Bloomberg backed down and told the police to stand down. You can see the announcement to the people in Zuccotti Park here:
http://front.moveon.org/breaking-occupy-wins-bloomberg-backs-down/
Join the Resistance!”
-John E.Davey | Kendall, WI | October 14, 2011
Letter on: Better get dental insurance!
“As one checks out this link (http://news.yahoo.com/bachmann-calls-reagan-tax-cuts-031336682.html) - maybe, along with the truth you speak to Ed as to her educational background, it will not only help end any reason for the media to even consider her as a viable candidate for President and it is not worth reporting her ignorant and misinformed rants - but even more importantly, for Minnesota voters to also reject her as their representative. We have enough disfunction in D. C. now - this is one employee termination we all would enjoy seeing.
Of course, there are several more firings needed, but that is for another writing.”
-Steve Anderson | Eau Claire, WI | October 14, 2011
Letter on: Better get dental insurance!
“Yep, a Christian country we are: Capital punishment. Poverty. Hunger. Lack of affordable medical care. Bulging prisons. Minimum wages. Disintegrating job benefits. Foreclosures. Assassinations. Wars. Weapons exports. Currency manipulation. Usury. Human rights abuses here and abroad. Secrecy at every level of government. Lies. Dishonesty. Greed.
Got to hand it to those God-fearing Christians high on Koch. Their only lament is probably that a little faith doesn't go as far as it used to.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 14, 2011
Letter on: Even in Minnesota
“I couldn't agree more with Charles Kuehn. And according to Lisa Graves, Executive Director of the Center for Media and Democracy, Walker may well have committed a crime during that telephone conversation.
http://www.progressive.org/wx0301b11.html
I think we should start sending emails and making telephone calls to the US Attorney who would have jurisdiction and ask for an investigation.
Ed, who would that attorney be and how do we get in touch with her/him?”
-Steve Carlson | Trego, WI. | October 13, 2011
Letter on: Even in Minnesota
“I think the most amazing and unsettling thing about the whole Scott Walker fiasco is how the fake phone call from David Koch got so quickly and summarily swept under the rug and forgotten. For crying out loud people - if it can't be proven in a court of law that Walker broke several laws, it should at least be apparent to all of Wisconsin, whose interests the bumbling fool serves. This stuff is on tape! We need to keep hammering on that day and incident until we get the attention of someone who can act on it.”
-Charles Kuehn | Fall Creek WI | October 13, 2011
Letter on: Even in Minnesota
“I'm sorry, but any state that gives us Tim Pawlenty as a governor and sends a Michelle Bachmann to Congress should really just sit down and shut up.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 13, 2011
Letter on: Need food stamps? Bring a cup and go to Room 7!
“Actually, Maria, the food pantry in Three Lakes, WI received 500 pounds of fresh organic vegetables from the community garden this year....a bright spot in our troubled world.”
-Pat Nelson | Three Lakes, WIsconsin | October 11, 2011
Letter on: Need food stamps? Bring a cup and go to Room 7!
“People are getting the sh*T kicked out of them in NYC, Boston, Minneapolis and who knows where else in the growing Occupy Wall St--Occupy America. In Madison they are being chased from park to park.
"the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
As far as drug testing, I consider that illegal search and seizure. They'll take my blood when I say they can and not before. My body and my nervous system are my OWN. We are falling into fascism and fast. Business as usual is over, friends. Join the Resistance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2xyC4hb04Q&feature=player_embedded”
-John E Davey | Kendall, WI | October 11, 2011
Letter on: Need food stamps? Bring a cup and go to Room 7!
“If the GOP is going to give us a "you're on you're own" society then the least they can do is leave us alone.
Leave us alone to plant our yards in food gardens instead of hitting us with zoning and "community standards" fines and suits.
Leave us alone to grow crops that people might want, like pot or tobacco. Or make things people might want like wine or beer.
Leave us organize community gardens. Leave us alone to raise chickens. Leave us alone to harvest firewood on the public land we own. Etc.
Face it, all they want is a peon class. It fits their world view where they are superior. And the comfortably concerned liberals in their zoned burbs are little better.
Damn them all. And if you are worried about drugs start by hanging the doctors who flog opiates as a nice side business. I hear Florida is full of those types.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 11, 2011
Letter on: Need food stamps? Bring a cup and go to Room 7!
“Let's simply dismantle the war on drugs and make marijuana available to the sick. The war has been ongoing for decades and with no results. This inane war has cost us billions in dollars and human lives.
Would it not be better to allow drugs such as MJ, regulate and tax? We'd be farther ahead.
Forgot. The right wing nuts and GOP don't like regulations and taxes. I bet they do like their fix once in a while.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisconsin | October 11, 2011
Letter on: Need food stamps? Bring a cup and go to Room 7!
“Drug testing is a reprehensible, disgusting, and degrading practice. This is yet another way that those in power seek to exert control over the lives of others.”
-Ron | SoCal | October 11, 2011
Letter on: Need food stamps? Bring a cup and go to Room 7!
“I'm almost starting to feel sorry for the Koch brothers: http://www.alternet.org/environment/152682/new_film_exposes_connection_betw
People are picking on them again. Watch the vid. When will it stop?
Drug testing is a great idea, but let's have it for those with money and for the politicians they have bought and own.
On the other hand, if the poor and unemployed can afford drugs, they can afford to go to the grocery store for their food, right?
Have you ever been in a food pantry? Go sometime and see what leftovers are being handed out as food. Read the labels. There's lots of processed food and other goodies laced with high fructose corn syrup being freely distributed to the poor. Ingredients often include those big college words that only a chemist can decipher or understand. Sometimes there is even "fresh" produce, product that stores and restaurants can't sell or use, items past their prime and expired. Gotta love the way we treat our fellow humans.”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisc. | October 11, 2011
Letter on: Need food stamps? Bring a cup and go to Room 7!
“I also believe that the politicians should also be forced to take the same drug tests.
I must assume the next step is that those on Medicare and Social Security will have to pass the same test.
One additional test specifically to be given to politicians in addition to the drug test would be a test to assure us they are mentally competent.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | October 11, 2011
Letter on: Hurry-up! Hear?
“Why can't we demand 50 percent of the profits? Because we do not own the mining company. At least I don't. But I do own, in common with you and others on this earth, the surplus value inherent in the land, water, and the taconite ore. You might say that is our common stock in the earth. So we can make a claim for a dividend on this common stock, part of the commons that we all inherit and none but the Creator has created.
But you must give the Devil his due. He has a right to his profits. They give him the incentive to mine and process the iron. Taking his earnings by legal force is theft according to the Commandments that can't be nullified by the Sixteenth Amendment that established the income tax on a day in 1913, a day that will live in infamy, a day that preceded World War 1&2 and the current reign of terror.
As for the time needed to develop regulations to protect the water, there will never be time enough to develop strict enough regulations to do the job, only to stop the job. If we truly value the water, we will put a price on it that the Devil may not be able to pay. From my vantage point in northern Wisconsin, I do not think we value water that much. I have more than once argued at a Public Service Commission hearing in Hayward that the water and sewer rates be raised. I wanted them raised much more than they were. As Ben Franklin said, we will not know the value of water until the well runs dry.”
-Ernest Martinson | Hayward Wisconsin | October 11, 2011
Letter on: Hurry-up! Hear?
“As a young child growing up in the North Woods of Wisconsin I recall asking my uncle about the large rotting stumps which were everywhere in the woods. I was told that they were a part of the large pine forests which were logged and then burned.
The large timber companies and all the jobs were by then long gone. The good jobs were gone and with the loss of jobs came the resultant loss of population.
After the miners strip the wealth they too will lose their jobs and leave a scared landscape. Future generations will ask their family members what happened to the good jobs and the land.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | October 10, 2011
Letter on: Hurry-up! Hear?
“Let's get real. $60,000 a year for work in Ashland county? Hardly! Why would a company pay that much when they can get people working for half the price? If that's the average wage, you can bet managers will be paid generously while the blokes doing the work get squat.
Lumber barons raped and plundered our northwoods. All they left in their wake were stumps of once glorious Pinus strobus.
Now, what do you think the mining company will do once they have done the same? Why, they will leave and all we will have will be a destroyed landscape and contaminated environment. Our northwoods will never be the same.
The way folks around here trip over themselves to get a piece of the pie makes me wonder if they aren't displaced Wall Street bankers. Greed is not a natural resource.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | October 10, 2011
Letter on: Hurry-up! Hear?
“For generations, both public and public lands have been exploited for private profit leading to boom and bust job cycles and long-term degradation of the local economies and the environment.
Interestingly, Alaska has attempted to more equitably distribute the common assets among those who owned them and those who are obliged to protect them. According to the Seattle Times, August 10, 2008; ”
-North Woods | Woodruff, WI | October 10, 2011
Letter on: Hurry-up! Hear?
“Where is that taconite going to end up? Where are our steel mills?
My bet is that it ends up in China and Korea making cars and refrigerators.
We are back to our status ala 1770, serving as a resource exporting colony for those who run the world.
And if anyone thinks a resource exploitation economy is sustainable just look around. In Northern Wisconsin, the UP, and down here in New Mexico there are tons of used to be towns that went bust when the resource ran out or the commodity price dropped.
This is development based on the merchantile model, it predates capitalism.
Get a grip eveyone. Get real. Send thise jackwagons packing.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 10, 2011
Letter on: Talk about a misnomer: Values Voter Summit
“Romney wants to be president so he sucks up to the religious nut jobs. Oddly enough these are the same folks who often want to be "strict constructionists" when it comes to the Constitution. Maybe a person who wants to be president would want to read them chapter and verse of Article VI, which deals with not having to pass a religious test to hold public office.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 9, 2011
Letter on: Talk about a misnomer: Values Voter Summit
“The best liar usually wins elections. Looking at the GOP choices, I need another beer so I can see and think more clearly. One of these clowns could be the next one. If you think the country is in trouble now, the future looks even bleaker with a Romney or Perry in office.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | October 9, 2011
Letter on: Beware of that 4 letter word!
“Bernie Sanders said it best at Fighting Bob Fest in September: We need universal coverage on healthcare--medicare for all--or some version of that. We need to stop giving corporate tax breaks for "overseas" mailbox companies. We need to decrease tax breaks for the top 2% of income--all types of income, wages and investments; and we cannot weaken environmental protection laws.
Until we do all of the things Senator Sanders listed, the JOBS are going be created too slowly. In our mixed-capitalist system, the game it titled in favor of the top 2%. Our economic system is not mixed enough.
Unfortunately, Secretary Clinton and President Obama probably will approve the XL Keystone Oil Pipeline--because it will create JOBS. And, it probably will for a time. But as Ed pointed out in his post, the danger of damaging a water aquifer is real. And, right now, parts of the Ogallala Aquifer are running dry. Check out the Scientific American magazine article of March 2009 :The Ogallala Aquifer: Saving a Vital Water Source "The massive underground water source feeds the middle third of the country but is disappearing fast. Can it be conserved?"
Do a search on the web and you'll see more than a little concern about the lack of water on the Great Plains. The recharge rate to refill the huge underground reservoir is 6,000 years, compared to the recharge rate for Lake Superior: 195 years, according to Lake Superior Magazine.
I spent last weekend at my sister's cottage on English Lake west of Mellen. The Penokee range across of the lake is part of the 22 miles that Gogebic Taconite company wants to mine for the iron ore. I thought: what if they drilled the wrong way and hit an open space and the lake disappeared like water going down the drain of a bathtub? Would Gogebic Taconite reimburse the property owners on that lake? Do you think they would care? No, and No are the answers if a "sweetheart" mining bill is passed by the legislature--no doubt, it would be signed by Governor Walker.
The fact that the last "sweetheart" mining bill that Gogebic Taconite wanted "died" during the last legislative session--
due to all chaos and controversy of destroying 60 years of public sector collective bargaining--doesn't mean the mining forces are giving up. Seven members of the legislature were appointed to the mining committee by Senator Fitzgerald including Dale Schultz, Jon Erpenbach and Bob Jauch. There is NO reason for a "sweetheart" mining bill. Wisconsin has mining laws on the books. Environmental protection must be paramount.
The Bad River Tribe in Ashland area met with Walker and the tribal president told them the Bad River Tribe is against the mine. My guess is the Bad River Tribe will be key to stopping bad mining practices in the Penokee range.
You can live without oil; you can live without iron; you can't live without water.”
-Steven Arvid Anderson | Appleton, Wisconsin | October 8, 2011
Letter on: Beware of that 4 letter word!
“At least the iron mining company offers jobs. The hypocritical government talks about jobs but what does it do? Believe it or not, the blasted government, utilizing the implied threat of the lawman with the big iron, proceeds to undermine the iron miner by hoisting some of his hard dug paydirt through income and payroll taxes. Not only that, but the government is hell bent on eliminating the economic viability of the mining company itself through punitive taxes on profit.
To be fair, it must be said of the government that it is an equal opportunity destroyer. That is, the government also means to eliminate the ecological viability of land and water near the mining operation by not charging the mining company a tax for the recovery of the rent of the earth it is monopolizing.
This rent recovery should be for occupation of the proposed taconite mine lands up here not far from Hayward, Hurly and Hell, as well as for the tonnage of iron ore removed and potential pollution of the ground and surface waters, including Lake Superior. This rent recovery could well be high enough that the mining company might decide to rent someplace else. Lacking punitive taxes on profits, the company would then have incentive to operate in a sustainable way, both economically and environmentally.
How to bring this about? Perhaps the government could begin to educate itself through the teaching of environmental economics in its monopolistic government schools. It would only require one more little mandate to do that. Government already has so many laws and mandates that no one can really say for sure what one is doing or should be doing.”
-Ernest Martinson | Hayward Wisconsin | October 8, 2011
Letter on: Krugman joins occupation?
“We ARE in post-democratic America. The GOP learned their lessons in Florida in 2000. Election laws vary from state to state and are up TO the state so various moves to disenfranchise people will probably stand when it comes to any federal action.
As for Wall St. and the supposed occupation. As inspiring as it may be to some it still seems like little more than skylarking. City buses used to haul off those arrested and the Transportation workers go to court to stop it? C'mon, get real! In just about any other country the union would have called a strike in support of the demonstators. In order to be effective some level of hurt has to come down on those responsible for this mess. Glad that people are finally on the street but if this keeps up it will be like Madison. Despite all the hype for that nothing really came of it and the malefactors are still in power and doing quite nicely, thank you.
Time to ramp it up.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 8, 2011
Letter on: Beware of that 4 letter word!
“We can exist without fossil fuels. We cannot exist within a toxic environment. We cannot live without clean air and water. We cannot live without food.
The pipeline will affect all those items which sustain us physically and will do so as long as we continue to be fossil fools.
Those jobs which are deemed so important can only be created by destroying the environment for all, forever.
I am unaware of any major city or industrial site ever being converted back to a pristine environment capable of producing clean air, water and nourishment for body and soul.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | October 8, 2011
Letter on: Beware of that 4 letter word!
“Ever notice how the cry of jobs jobs jobs is shouted out by the same crowd that shipped so many of them overseas or that cannot use their enormous capital to anything creative except when it comes to screwing us?
Skip the Legislative Lobbying Day enviros. Go talk to them with baseball bats and pick axe handles! That they will understand.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 8, 2011
Letter on: Krugman joins occupation?
“I also was surprised by the tone of the Ed Schultz radio show in regards to the wall street protestors. He suggested that the protestors did not have a clear message as to what they were protesting. This may be true, but with so many issues negatively affecting their lives it might be difficult to focus on a single item.
In viewing some of the videos shown on Democracy Now it is quite possible the protestors may not have all the answers but it must be remembered that those currently in charge politically also do not. What is more frustrating those currently in charge have created the toxic environment the protestors are protesting against and seem to accept little input from outside their sphere of political friends and funders.
With so many issues confronting the public today I also find it difficult to focus on a single issue and I am certain Mr Schultz would find this very disconcerting. War, poverty, environmental degradation, famine, human rights abuses, and racism are all issues which I feel compelled to address. And yes I must also feed my family and pay my bills, but on these issues I am in far better financial position than the protestors. My school loan is paid for, my home is paid for and I collect Social Security. Those protesting can only hope to achieve what I now have thanks to my parents and grandparents.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | October 8, 2011
Letter on: Krugman joins occupation?
“The tirade about demonstrators was their calling MSNBC corporate media, isn't it?. NBC is owned by whom, MSNBC carries ads for the XL-Pipeline and all the jobs(false) it will create. No mention of the imported workers or Korean built parts.”
-Dole O'Mite | Waukesha County | October 7, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“Tomorrow, the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be more than $1.259 trillion.
Tomorrow, almost 14 million Americans will still be unemployed.
The above information is from Jim Wallis at Sojourners.
There are additional items in his list equally depressing.
Obama's campaign offered hope, his actions as President have destroyed both dreams and hope.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | October 6, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“It's CONGRESS. It's LOBBYISTS. It was Wall Street's outrageous predatory loans designed to scam the entire US taxpayer. Rather than actually producing a product or actually working, sit-on-your duff investors also rush out to scam the world, outsource or relocate overseas, support the military industrial gun sellers, ....It's economic treason. It's suspected that unending war for some Wall Street businesses' is to prep, clean-up or expand their business domination overseas. It's suspected that some Congressmen may be "purchased" to pursue and support these goals. It's Boehner's phoney tears, his constant media promoted tantrums ("No!")and corporates' BS. It IS Congress and Wall Street. It's an unethical, unpatriotic, immoral greedy bunch. Speak up. Stand tough and do NOT give up future generations' priority social programs while they die in unending war to support the top 3% 's insane indifferent greed. BOYCOTT. Investigate and educate all. VOTE. GET TOUGHER.”
-mjh | madison | October 6, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“Yea right the 1% that have it all are going to change and decide to share with the rest of us.
At times the "Tree of Liberty needs to be nourished by the blood of tyrants".”
-Dole O'Mite | Waukesha, County | October 6, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“A 3- or 5- day nationwide strike seems in order. Shut down the whole damn works! Great idea, but workers haven't the guts to stand up for themselves. They'd rather remain enslaved by banksters and corporatists.
Strike! Strike! Strike! We can do it...”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | October 6, 2011
Letter on: Party lessons
“The fundamental truth about our democracy is that it depends on wealth; or in other words the presence or lack of wealth. American democracy opened the door to persons without wealth still gaining political power. But it has also shown that those with wealth will fight like hell to suppress and remove the power from the other and restore it all to themselves.
This summary draws off history that shows even at the beginning of the republic, the franchise was expanded to small property owners and not just the wealth aristocracy. Over time, we dropped property ownership and then race and sex as a block to voting. However, each time the wealthy power base looked for ways to limit the effect of new and poorer voters. We got poll taxes, Jim Crow laws, early registration, and limited voting sites. Recent efforts to remove these barriers have now produced a reaction to repeal same day registration and recreate poll taxes through voter ID laws. The radical right is talking about reimposing property ownership requirements as a criteria for voting. (Won't happen but why do some Americans even think this is right)
The franchise is broader than it was at the beginning of the republic, but one must ask why do we retreat from the ideal of 100% of adults over age 18 actually voting. Why do we even think that it is appropriate not to vote in a democracy. The answer must be in part that it would diminish the power of wealth. And if wealth is the problem, then the solution is to get money out of the electoral process. The hurdles to accomplish this are growing, but the voting majority would support this. Go for it.”
-Karl Sonneman | Winona, MN | October 6, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“Here is hoping for that change, but from what I can gather so far, I must be in that one percent, certainly not a member of that democratic mob. Not that I am not for revolution. Both Thomas Jefferson and I agree that it is long overdue. But so far the agitation seems to be limited to rearranging the chairs on the deck of the ship of state.
It seems to boil down to what is the role of government. The tea partiers, as incoherent as the Wall Street occupiers, have a problem with sharing the fruits of the earth and want to kill Abel by issuing a blank check to Commander in Chief Cain and the greatest killing machine the world has ever known.
The Wall Street occupiers are also against sharing the fruits of the earth and agree, by not strongly disagreeing, that Cain must be killed through a general occupation of the world, or at least 130 nations, though we might, pretty please, bring some more troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan so as to be able to eternally afford health insurance and retirement in our little Garden of Eden. On the other hand, Wall Street occupiers do wish to share the fruits of someone else's labor, whether through taxation of the efforts of the rich or the not so rich.”
-Ernest Martinson | Hayward Wisconsin | October 6, 2011
Letter on: Now what?
“As far as what they did in Wisconsin you all need to quit dreaming. As far as I can see Walker and the GOP still hold the reins and not one piece of legislation passed by those jerks has been overturned. What fantasy land do you all live in? There were thousands in Madison and all it turned out to be was big venting session with clever signs. Sorry, just how I see it.
As to Wall St. A park is occupied. The crooks still sit in their offices shafting us daily and able to do their business uninteruppted.
One thing for sure. It is still the economy - stupid! Does anyone think an erstwhile progressive president who is busy running around to high end fundraisers and sucking up to the money bag crowd is listening? Not yet. Will he? We will see.
Despite my cynical tone here I am glad to see the people out there. Next time the cops, who collect wages paid by you, get rough give it back to them in spades.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 6, 2011
Letter on: Special for whom?
“I figured calling a special session with the focus on jobs was no more than a smoke screen, a diversion, a strategy in fighting the upcoming recall of Walker and all he represents. Am I right (I mean, "correct") yet?
Also, don't special sessions have special rules allowing legislators to circumvent more defining rules of a regular session? Less rules and more to hide, I suppose.
It's unfortunate we no longer have a system of legislation wherein citizens and voters can weigh in. We elect people into office and then let them be until the next election. We can write but rarely do our notes go beyond the party lackeys reading them. On occasion we do get responses from the policymakers themselves, but too often these are canned replies in line with party ideology and agenda.
Is it time to take to the streets again and fill the capitol? Probably so, but Walker and crew have learned so much since the last protests. Now that the NYPD has mastered the art of corral and arrest, we can expect similar clever tactics for our next protest. The challenge for Walker is Madison has no bridge to cordon off. Maybe Walker will find the funds to build his bridge to nowhere. Nowhere is where Walker is heading.
Take to the streets! Take our state back!”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 6, 2011
Letter on: Big Bang
“What is this Bloomberg news release that I read on Nation of Change re. Koch bros and Iran, and gov. bribery? Any news on this?”
-mjh | madison,wi | October 5, 2011
Letter on: Big Bang
“I can't figure out why Tommy Thompson wants to associate himself with today's Republican't party. Anyone who just doesn't get it ought not be one of our Wisconsin senators. He was a fair one term governor but he stayed for almost 3 more.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 5, 2011
Letter on: What will our country look like?
“My congreesman, the ineffectual and irrelevant F. James Sensenbrenner replied to me that NPR and PBS don't need any government support because other broadcast venues provide the service without federal government support. So why is it that PBS is the only network that honors the fallen soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan with a moment of silence when they show their names and faces. My guess is that PBS is the only patriotic network and the republicans and their main-stream media minions care little for real Americans and America”
-Dole O'Mite | Waukesha County | October 4, 2011
Letter on: Who's tooling who?
“SW, is your family insurance taken out of her check? The $45.00 is money you don't have to spend in your community every 2 weeks, I'm sure the small decrease in pay won't affect you, but the decrease in teacher pay in your community will lead to an increase in unemployment resulting in lower tax collections by the state and a higher liability due to unemployment compensation. What is the cost to our childrens education, I'm glad your wife is a good teacher, will she be able to maintain her excellence with a larger classroom size? That is what this article is about, we really don't care about you.”
-Dole O'Mite | Waukesha County | October 4, 2011
Letter on: What will our country look like?
“Instead of toll roads, why not bring back rail service that would slice through the state and make commutes better, quicker and safer? Can't believe no one has thought of rail before. I wonder if it is at the top of Walker's to-do list.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 4, 2011
Letter on: What will our country look like?
“I believe community radio gets federal monies as well. Support your local community radio station. In Madison, it's WORT. There are others throughout the state and country. These are the stations that do the very best to bring us the news.
WORT did absolutely splendid work during the protests last spring. Why do people listen to windbags like Limbaugh and Sykes when stations like WORT provide us with so much more?”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wisconsin | October 4, 2011
Letter on: Who's tooling who?
“More blah blah blah from know nothing Joel. My wife is a public school teacher the effect to my wifes take home pay after all was said and done $45 a pay check. Not exactly sky is falling sell the house cut in pay you claim Joel. Some how my wife still manages to teach kids to the point parents fight to get their kids in her room. Where joel is the huge out rage from teachers? They got their pay checks a month ago with walkers changes and no screaming, no marches and no houses for sale in the wake.”
-SW | waukesha wi | October 4, 2011
Letter on: What will our country look like?
“"Hello, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin State Journal. Could you pause, for say one hour, from bragging that Wisconsin sports teams won big this weekend, to editorialize about NPR?"
Has anybody else noticed that there is some professional sport going on at all times of the year? The Mainstream Media natter on and on, day in and day out, about scores, stats, etc., while ignoring the bread and butter issues of the day. Our own local rag, the Leader Telegram, features a sports story on the front page almose every day - in addition to the usual, one third to one half of the entire paper that is the regular sports section. Bread and circuses. Keep the rabble entertained and misdirected.”
-Charles Kuehn | Fall Creek, WI | October 4, 2011
Letter on: The real dirt on the future of the human race
“Thanks to Bill Berry for highlighting this grave problem. Thomas Chamberlin (no relation to yours truly), geologist and former president of the University of Wisconsin, was the first to warn us of the dire implications of depleting of our topsoil - about a century and a half ago. Aldo Leopold built on his work in the first half of the last century. Although government programs are important, Leopold wrote, they are a poor substitute for an ethic of conservation rooted in the heads and hearts of every landowner. This is why the Wisconsin Idea is more important than ever. We forget that Wisconsin saw dust storms and widespread soil erosion in the 1930s, too; it wasn't just a problem in the Southwest. We're only one drought year away from this kind of thing today.”
-Rick Chamberlin | Sauk City, WI | October 4, 2011
Letter on: Where are we?
“I would argue that it's the blacks AND the poor of all colors who are profiled by the law, generally mistreated, etc. One example (I'm white):
Years ago when my kids were small, we had two cars - a new station wagon for family use and a "beater" that I drove to work. Oddly, I never got stopped by the heat with the new wagon - just with the beater - disproportinately often. One of those stops was by an Eau Claire County deputy with whom I was acquainted (and who was effusively apologetic for having stopped me). I asked him why he had done so. His reply: "Your vehicle meets the profile of a suspended, revoked or intoxicated driver. I would not have stopped you had I known you were the driver." For the profiling part he was not apologetic. So much for probable cause. And so much for a fair society in general. Seems if you appear to "have money" you will be mostly above suspicion.”
-Charles Kuehn | Fall Creek, WI | October 4, 2011
Letter on: What will our country look like?
“Seriously off topic here. The fight is finally on and it's the one going on out in the streets and threatens to spread like a spark in drought ridden grass. I'm talking about the "Occupy Wall Street" movement that is going to be "occupy fill-in-the-blank" Movement.
Finally people are moving this battle between the corrupt economic and political machine and the people of this country to the streets and engaging in civil disobedience. This is where the battle will rage, and until it does, most of what we have all been doing is just preparing the kindling. What happened in Madison this winter was the one of its first outbreaks and already more demonstrations are planned in Madison, Appleton and Milwaukee. This list will grow and the numbers of people who are ready to move to direct action will grow.
Damn, it does a heart good to see this! Only when the grass roots rise up, decentralized and barely organized, and make this an unavoidable and uncontrollable reality will the Machine begin to todder and fall. Its been 40 years since this kind of direct action on such a scale has happened. Its been a long time coming.
You asked earlier "Where are We?" I guess you can see the answer...we are moving it to the streets in direct action. I haven't felt hope in so long and now I finally see signs of hope.
Occupy Wall Street! Occupy Madison! Occupy every corrupt, dream-breaking piece of the stinking trans-national machine you can find. The time is ripe, the grass roots to "dry" and the fire for justice is happening now.”
-John E Davey | Kendall, WI | October 4, 2011
Letter on: What will our country look like?
“Two comments. In many regards, our country is starting to look like the Third World. Also, I wonder if Scott Walker and his minions are trying to figure out a way to take credit for the sports teams' successes.”
-CL | Hudson, Wi | October 4, 2011
Letter on: Where are we?
“Yes, DHF, you're exactly right. My additional take on this is that too many middle-class US voters in the late '70s started thinking that they were 'upper-middle-class' and that the thing-to-do was to vote Republican/conservative. They felt like they had become part of the 'us' in 'us vs them' and it was time to politically move away from all those 'thems' (blue-collar/union workers, poor people, etc), so they started voting for conservative/right-wing people. Well, now the proverbial chickens are coming home to roost and these ersatz rich-folks are finding out (after losing their jobs and/or homes, etc) that they're now the 'thems' and the conservatives that they voted for (and often STILL vote-for) are not only NOT concerned about their plight, but are actually exacerbating it - - - in fact the Democratic Party has been pushed by these voting patterns into virtually the same policies with only nominal differences.
I still believe that unfortunately it's going to take prolonged hard-times (ie; another 10 or so years of 'recession' / depression, whatever you want to term it) before people start MAYBE looking intelligently at politics again... recall that too many voters in the late 19th century/early 20th were content to let millions of people / children work horrible hours for little or no pay, and to get shot-a/beat-up when they were striking, without very many people getting excited enough to do something about it at the polls. And there's no need to explain the problems with the treatment of native Americans and African slaves, etc. There's a dark legacy in this country of desperate materialism at virtually any cost, which is virtually immune to logical discourse and only really gets changed (albeit temporarily) by hard-times, good ideas, and random chance...”
-Big Em | Milwaukee, WI | October 3, 2011
Letter on: Pants on fire
“For the last couple of years I have sent downloaded posters and info about "Fighting Bob Fest" to both the Waukesha Freeman and MJS. This year I sent a note asking why neither has ever written a word about the event. I pointed out that they "never missed a beat" when it came to a tea party group of a few hundred and noted that both papers had write-ups about the recent gathering of Neo-Nazis that visited Milwaukee. It is obvious that for some reason the "Fest" has become anathema to southeast Wisconsin's mainstream media; most probably because it presents too much of the truth!”
-Patricia Mitchell | Waukesha, Wisconsin | October 3, 2011
Letter on: Party lessons
“Bill, might not one strategy to weaken the power of the well-organized wedge groups be the abolition of the party primaries? That is, have one non-partisan primary in which the top two finishers advance to the general election? Wouldn't this weaken the ability of the wedge groups--and their deep-pocketed funders--to monopolize the party primaries?
Instead of pitching their campaigns to the True Believers and the special interests who control the party primaries, the candidates could run more mainstream campaigns in the primary. Does anyone doubt, for example, that Tommy Thompson would draw a surprising number of voters who normally vote Democratic?
So, instead of trying to prove his bona fides to the skeptical hard right in the GOP primary, Tommy could just be Tommy -- a solution-oriented conservative who wasn't afraid to work with Democrats or use government to address societal problems.
I'm thinking that sort of dynamic might emerge in all primaries. What do you think?”
-Marc Eisen | Madison WI | October 3, 2011
Letter on: Where are we?
“The right wing has mostly won, and we knew this not only when Clinton tore out the essential social safety net, but when the very issues of poverty and social justice disappeared from the progressive media. Once middle class America turned its back on the poor, the "masses" were split in half and greatly weakened. We finally learned to accept that one's human worth is determined by his bank account.”
-DHFabian | Fort Atkinson, WI | October 3, 2011
Letter on: Where are we?
“Do you think white people really understand what racism is? When is the last time a white person in this country has been shut out of a job because of being Caucasian? Or mistreated in a checkout lane? Or profiled by a cop?
Whites just don't get it yet.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 3, 2011
Letter on: Where are we?
“Face it, we have a bunch of sociopaths in charge of this country. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 3, 2011
Letter on: Pants on fire
“So what's wrong with some left leaning groups? Keeps the tea party (what a disgusting MISuse of tea), and those who pipedream that they'll grow into the top 3%, (or at least grab some of their crumbs,) and the rest of the apathetic uneducated voters in the nation, from falling off the planet or tipping it into one of the universe's dark matter whirlpools.”
-mjh | madison wi | October 3, 2011
Letter on: Now do you believe in climate change?
“There was a lengthy article denying climate change in the rag that passes for a newspaper in Minocqua last week by the same so called investigative reporter who was also fearmongering childhood immunizations a year or so ago.
http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=13931
Expecting several pages defying gravity next.”
-Gone Fishing | McNaughton, WI | October 2, 2011
Letter on: Pants on fire
“If we served tea and scones at Bob Fest, would your Milwaukee Journal Sentinel think it is a Tea Party event and come?”
-Maria Caliente | Middleton, Wis. | October 2, 2011
Letter on: Pants on fire
“A good reporter will cover an event with an open mind. S/he will be objective as one can possibly be. The story will lay out the facts and it will be up to the reader to decide.
The typical reporter today will come with minds made up, write gibberish and expect a Pulitzer.
What we are seeing and hearing in the media these days is so far removed from journalism schools of yore. With today's tech savvy mentality, I wonder if it is possible to explain anything to 20-second attention spans.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 2, 2011
Letter on: The real dirt on the future of the human race
“I think the difficulty people have with the issue of climate change and all of its ramifications is that it produces a shock to one's conciousness and sense of priorities that is so sudden, and so disturbing, that most people simply can't face it.
We've all taken things for granted for far too long, and we've all had a load of sunshine pumped up our behinds by those who profit mightily from how we currently do things, for so long, that we can barely begin to comprehend what we're facing.
While I abhor a cliche', something about Nero, Rome, fiddles and fire comes quickly to mind.”
-Steve Carlson | Trego, WI. | October 2, 2011
Letter on: Come on!
“When Walker gets through tinkering with and destroying the Wisconsin way of life, how soon can we expect him to reinstate the death penalty? Impossible, you say? Wait and see. It's probably in the works waiting for the right moment to legislate into another incredibly inane Republican control mechanism to keep us in line and therefore make us better citizens.”
-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | October 2, 2011
Letter on: Come on!
“What will they think of next, gps microchip implants capable of logging our use of sidewalks, bike lanes, canoe trails, use of public loos? I can see all sorts of future "adjustments" to our meager incomes based on our daily activities and how we use public space.
After toll roads will come privatization of the roadways because the Republican'ts will finally figure that roadways are expensive and not profitable.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 2, 2011
Letter on: The real dirt on the future of the human race
“The weak link to no till is the extensive use of destructive chemicals utilized in no till farming. The value to a farmer utilizing no till is less passes through his fields consuming fuel for his equipment therefore reducing expenses.”
-Richard Kanak | Cherry Valley, Illinois | October 2, 2011
Letter on: The real dirt on the future of the human race
“There's a soil issue no one cares to deal with. When developers make new subdivisions, they typically strip off ALL topsoil, build and then put back just enough of the soil to support driveways, parking lots and lawns. The rest they sell. When buyers move in and want to garden, whatever soil is left is unsuitable for growing anything. Lack of topsoil also affects drainage especially in areas of high clay content. It's conceivable that soil born disease is easily moved to new areas.
Why aren't we questioning this practice more? What has taken thousands of years for nature to produce, a single developer can undo within hours or days. Once again, profits are put before needs.”
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | October 2, 2011
Letter on: Now do you believe in climate change?
“There is no revolution, no occupation of anything except a park and some streets, and, as you rightly state, no leadership or agenda.
Sure, the "powers that be" will call the shots but that is because there is no there there on the protesting side. Just another revolution of the mouth from the left with all the professionally discontented like Sarandon, Moore, etc.
When people who would be in sympathy see this wing nut loosy goosey left wing skylarking they decide to stay out of it and just shrug their shoulders and shake their heads.
Sorry, but don't expect any more out this than all the grousing about Walker and Kashich this past winter. The powers that be know it will disappear and just end up as more ranting in the blogoshere. A piece of legislation here, or an elected represenative there may be dumped but the numbers and time are on their side. How do they know that? Because there is no real threat and the left does not like threats. Threats aren't nice, not cool, so heavy, like ya know dude?
To the left. Do something real or shut up. As of now you are just sucking air and taking up space. The ones you are ranting against know you better than you know yourself.”
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | October 1, 2011
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