March 2012

FightingBob.com readers talk back

Letter on: Saddle-up folks, the rodeo is ready to begin.

“Of the choices, Barrett probably has the best chance against Walker. Let's get someone elected who can bring the state together and make it work.”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | March 31, 2012

Letter on: A letter to Wisconsin snow birds and expatriates

“I agree. You know what you get when you cross LSD (Lee-Sherman Dreyfus) with Bill Kraus? A free trip to GOP LaLaLand.”

-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | March 31, 2012

Letter on: Saddle-up folks, the rodeo is ready to begin.

“I do believe it's the republicans that drove states into the toilet. Where once the federal government provided aid for schools, funds for infrastructure development and repair. This aid in the form or taxes returned to states is now used to provide tax breaks for oorporations and the rich. Under Reagan, tax funds were used to bail out the S&Ls from their fraudulant loans to their rich friends, the largest shift in wealth in our nations history up until the Wall St looting of the economy under Bush. Under Bush the criminal war in Iraq was not funded, it drove the US into debt which required the end of the federal aid to states. The Bush unfunded tax cuts for the rich, yield no jobs(as promised)just less taxes returned to the states.

As for Wisconsin, our republican governor Thompson left us over 1 Billion in debt during the expanding economy period. Our next republican governor McCallum sold of the tobacco settelment for pennies on the dollar.

Us real Americans always thought Californians are far removed from reality.”

-Dole O'Mite | Waukesha, WI | March 31, 2012

Letter on: Saddle-up folks, the rodeo is ready to begin.

“(Insert old Irish saying here..) many of us around the country are watching WI because many of our cities and states have been run into the ground by liberal democrats and their financially ruinous association with Unions. I see you don't like losing. We got that. But, can you defend the indefensible positions you hold? Your state was going broke before Walker, so what would YOU do to reverse the course of your own design? You'd better think about your answers. They're being asked all over the country.”

-Mark Sochor | Antioch, California | March 31, 2012

Letter on: Saddle-up folks, the rodeo is ready to begin.

“Fake candidates? We've seen many fake candidates. We call them "Republican'ts". We voters see through their dishonest ruse. If I commit fraud, I get put in jail. A Republican't commits fraud and they call it fair play.

Are we mixed up yet?”

-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | March 31, 2012

Letter on: Saddle-up folks, the rodeo is ready to begin.

“Barrett. Left over milquetoast is no better than the "fresh" stuff.”

-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | March 31, 2012

Letter on: Living history

“Semantics, Gary. Reduce and exempt. The bill exempted taconite mining from regulation under the current restrictions. And as I saw & heard 2 geologists testify the tailing piles would produce sulfuric acid in the millions of gallons which would pollute the Bad & Tyler Forks Rivers and thus Lake Superior which does not regenerate/renew itself for decades. Also destroyed would be The Kakagon slew which is a uniquely important wetland to the wild rice which sustains the Bad River Ojibwe people both as a food source, a cash crop and their very reason for living on Lake Superior in Ashland county. Partisan politics? No genocide!”

- Jim Limbach | Stevens Point | March 31, 2012

Letter on: How low can he go?

“To SW. Trillions are transferred from poor to the rich all the time. It is called capitalism and it happens a nickel and dime at a time. Hidden fees for transactions, fees for this, fees for that, and none of it for any real service or out in the open. That is why they hate Elizabeth Warren.

Be a smart ass all you want but don't play stupid. We aren't as think as you dumb we are.”

-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | March 30, 2012

Letter on: What happened to the Irish?

“Yes, Franz is right, the conservatives are not about others only theirselves. The real problem is these conservatives who never had to work for their wealth, Rommney, Ryan, Bush, Sensenbrenner all heirs to a fortune. I often wonder why these "bright" born with a silver spoon in their mouth people never joined the family business, perhaps it's because the family wanted the best and the brightest in the family business. Where better for a child of luxury with little business or people skills to go than politics.”

-Dole O'Mite (not really Irish, silurian) | Waukesha, WI | March 29, 2012

Letter on: What happened to the Irish?

“In his Sunday, March 25 2012 interview with Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday", Paul Ryan said "we believe in government by consent of the governed". Really? It seems that Mr. Ryan has somehow missed the fact that a majority of "the governed" are opposed to eliminating Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, educational grants, etc.”

-CM | Brookfield, WI | March 29, 2012

Letter on: What happened to the Irish?

“Conservatives are not about others. They are all about themselves. The Irish are good people. Make one into a conservative and the goodness is gone.

We are doomed unless we can turn this nonsense around.”

-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | March 29, 2012

Letter on: How low can he go?

“Lol! How can you transfer $10 trillion from the POOR to the rich? Only in liberal world $10 trillion in the hands of the private sector instead of Washington politicians is a transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich. Please show me the enumerated power that says the governments job is to transfer wealth from the rich to the poor any way?”

-SW | Waulesha WI | March 29, 2012

Letter on: Resolution of The People’s Legislature

“Excellent! Time for everyone reading this to mail a copy of the resolutions to candidates in their districts and then to follow up with a phone call.

For fun, show up at one of there "talk" sessions and publicly challenge the candidates on this and other issues.

How nice it would be to get the Republican'ts in particular to admit to out of state funding traceable to Kochs and ALEC backers.

Can't be done? We did get over a million signatures, didn't we? Nothing is impossible.”

-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | March 28, 2012

Letter on: A letter to Wisconsin snow birds and expatriates

“Ed Garvey - why do you continue to carry Bill Kraus' columns? Did you lose a big bet to him? Does he have pictures of you in a compromising position with some underage entity? He's continually pushing the NON-progressive positions that we've heard WAY too much of anyway... the MSM is full of that POV, so why waste space in a supposedly progressive website with a rehashing of the Republican positions and thinly veiled apoligistics for the same?”

-Big Em | Milwaukee, WI | March 27, 2012

Letter on: True Blue

“Your Mother would have had it right.”

-Don Greenwood | Spring Green WI | March 27, 2012

Letter on: The People's Legislature (TPL)

“Bob La Follette put the Recall provision into the Constitution 100 years ago. It is finally being used by the people to counteract the power and the success of the special interests.

However, there is a good chance that Walker will not be removed from office. Even if he is, the special interests will be back unless we make some big changes.

John Nichols talks about Wisconsin being the Laboratory of Democracy. But where is the bold new idea that will actually change the game and not just the players in the game?

I have suggested that the new idea is to actually implement representative democracy of people, not of districts. Our present winner-takes-all system of electing representation by districts should be eliminated. That system limits choices and gives the special interests an unfair advantage.

We need to create a system that gives everyone the representation of their choice, that doesn't waste any votes and that decimates the power of special interest money.

Under such a system Candidates for the legislature would run in one or more counties (get rid of the artificial partisanly gerrymandered districts) and they would have a vote in the legislature equal to the number of votes that they received. The Legislature would then have independents and members of the Green, Progressive, Constitutional and Libertarian Parties, etc.

Candidates for Governor would serve on an Executive Counsel and each would have a vote equal to the number of votes that they received in the election. The Executive Council would meet in Open Sessions and decisions would be made by open votes. Our watch dogs and whistle blowers would be on the inside of the government making sure that the people and not the special interests were being served.

More information and discussion can be obtained by joining CoRe-Choice of Representation on Face book.”

-Jim Mueller | Cross Plains, WI | March 27, 2012

Letter on: Being Dale Schultz

“Good job summarizing Schultz's failure to stop the takeover of MATC. I'll add a couple of things. His aid's claim that nobody from MATC contacted him is an unmitigated lie. He was contacted by college board members, faculty, administrators and even citizens from his district about this.

Sccond, this all about power and race. MATC has more minority students than all the other colleges and universities in Wisconsin, public and private, put together. So it's Grothman-like logic to want to put white business people from all-white counties on the college's board and remove from the board people of color who represent employees and non-profits.

Local 212, the union representing faculty and academic staff that I'm VP of, is very politically active and has been a target of Tim Sheehy, the GOP operative running the Chamber of Commerce, the Journal-Sentinel and Republicans like Grothman and Alberta Darling for years.

This was their chance for payback, and they apparently had no hesitation to throw our students under the same truck they were trying to drive over us.

Thanks for writing about this, David.”

-Charlie Dee | Milwaukee, WI | March 27, 2012

Letter on: People's Legislature (TPL)

“And what were the results of the straw poll? The count wasn't in when we left, but you said you would post it on the web site. Inquiring minds, or at least my mind, want to know...

And yes, Kathleen Vinehout was very good. Her first statement was, "I am in favor of a Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United." Good for her!”

-Linda Wyeth | Curtiss, WI | March 26, 2012

Letter on: People's Legislature (TPL)

“Dear Ed: "Vinehout seemed to gain the most from TPL." Does that mean she was the crowd favorite? I wasn't in attendance Saturday, but I've heard her speak a couple of times and my guess is she was clearly the favorite. Besides, she's the only one of our gutsy senators to declare. How can all but one other candidate avoid a confab of 300 party activists? Were they afraid to be on the same stage with Vinehout? What other explanation is there? As for Obey, he's retired and until he explains why he quit at the eleventh hour, giving his seat to Duffy, he can just go away as far as I'm concerned. If he's had health problems let him say it and not force his supporters to explain his actions on that basis. So I'm not surprised he and Rahm Emanual (as you, thank you, pointed out) are on the same page for our gubernatorial election.”

-Dan DeMaio | Hudson, Wi. | March 26, 2012

Letter on: Living history

“"The assembly bill did not reduce any environmental standards, and this is simply false."

It also did not add any environmental standards or provide adequate oversight to a mining activity that is unprecedented in our state. I agree with the tribes when they say to the mining companies, "show me a clean mine...and they never can."

Also, "You simply cannot have the distribution of wealth until you have the creation of wealth.."

Our problem is not one of "wealth" being non-existent. It is that it is in the hands of a tiny fraction of the now cliched 1% who *do* seem to have the magical ability to make money from money without producing what you call "real" wealth or anything else useful to life.

Raping the Earth is not a good solution to our problems nor the path to a better life. When will people realize that humans are only one "nation" among many nations of being that we share this living planet with and that all life is a interdependent wholeness?”

-John Davey | Kendall, WI | March 25, 2012

Letter on: Two sets of books for school reform

“@Bob Menamin--Respectfully: you write that "In WI, the state has a responsibility to insure that its students are getting a minimally adequate education." I would add that parents also have a responsibility to insure adequate education. When a parent decides to home school, they have decided that either they are not getting it in public schools or that they (parents) can do a better job.

Anecdotal evidence from from social service agencies seems very "fishy." Where and how did they come up with this "not being educated at all" line. There is a very important difference between public, charter, voucher and home schooling. The first three get money from the government for funding. As a home schooler, you get none while still paying taxes for the public schools.

But you really scare me when you start talking about the "greater good" as a contrast to those choosing to home school. It is filled with the assumption that the "greater good" is not served by home schoolers. I'll tell you this, the home school alternative helps keeps public schools honest because they would rather have your children in public schools where they would receive funding for every students enrolled.

Bottom line is, if you have the means, ability and desire to opt out of the system (and I mean "system" to be understood in it's widest sense) then you have a individual right to do so. Anything else is totalitarianism. The "greater good" is a slippery slope and a means to justify nearly anything and everything.”

-John Davey | Kendall, WI | March 25, 2012

Letter on: Living history

“The assembly bill did not reduce any environmental standards, and this is simply false. The defeat of the bill was due entirely to partisan politics which included one Republican who didn't get his majority leader position and was kept from offering an amendment to Walkers budget repair bill. The county of Iron is now busily collecting recall signatures for our own senator, Bob Jauch, who failed to represent the interests of the area.

All economy is ultimately based on taking resources from the earth and transforming them into products useful to people. This is the only way that physical wealth is created and a wealthy society is better able to care for the environment than a poor one. If the mine was run entirely by robots, it would still be a major asset to the area and the state. You simply cannot have the distribution of wealth until you have the creation of wealth, and our society is suffering as a whole due to the lack of this basic realization.”

-Gary Glonek | Montreal, Wi | March 25, 2012

Letter on: Two sets of books for school reform

“To- Linda Wyeth: In WI, the state has a responsibility to insure that its students are getting a minimally adequate education. Do you believe the state should have this responsibility or is this the responsibility of the parents exclusively? You and others cite examples where you have home schooled with exceptional results(congratulations). Others have cited instances where parents that say they are homeschooling, when in fact they are not and are merely evading the responsibility. There are many other cases where parents are not adequately prepared to home school. The question is what measures should the state take to insure some minimal standards are met. What would you suggest? This is a growing problem since more people are choosing the homeschooling option. This appears to be part of a trend to privatize most everything. Has the concept of protecting the "greater good" become pas-se?

As an aside, private schools have a similiar problems with accountability.”

-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | March 24, 2012

Letter on: Strength vs. strength

“Defeat Walker, but realize that democrats are just sightly less evil. My back is full of knives from these people, and if you think about it, you've been stabbed in the back repeatly by them over the years as well.

Take a slap at Walker, but put not your faith in political parties-- they are just glorified criminal gangs.”

-Karl Lemay | Madison, WI | March 24, 2012

Letter on: Two sets of books for school reform

“My husband and I made the choice to try homeschooling in the early 1980s. We had many reasons, including but not limited to our unhappiness with our local district to give lots of access to military recruiters and no access to people opposed to war. Another reason was that we felt that we could give more and better individualized instruction to our children than an overworked teacher with a large number of students would be able to do.

We also found that the so-called social benefit of kids spending most of their time with "peers" was questionable at best, and that it would be better for our children to be out and about in the real world, interacting with people of all ages and in all stages of life, instead of in an artificial environment.

As far as so-called standardized tests are concerned -- well, that wouldn't exactly be fair to home-schooled students whose parents do not "teach to the test," would it? Sometimes we gave diagnostic learning tests to our kids so they would have some experience with testing and also just for fun. But no high pressure, high-stakes tests.

My husband is a highly skilled and well-educated special education teacher, now retired. I am a writer-editor. Between us, we had what we needed to meet our children's educational needs, and we worked very hard to provide them with a rich and varied social life including being in 4-H, Youth in Government, and church youth groups and activities.

Leave homeschoolers alone. We are not to blame for your schools' problems!

Looking back, our kids do not regret our choices on their behalf. They say that when they got out into the work a day world, they were astounded to find how many of their colleagues from "normal" families and schools have messed up values and priorities and how hard it was to meet and find girls (we have only sons) who were not shallow "airheads" interested only in how fancy their car was and how expensive their date was.

Our youngest son requested to go to high school (in Madison). He started with Driver Education. After that, he changed his mind, saying, "No, I don't want to waste my time, because the other kids don't take anything seriously."

All of our children have grown up to be fine young men, hard-working, some with college degrees and some not. All scored very high on the HSED exams. All are smart life-long learners who love reading and learning and sharing interesting information with family and friends. None of them is a social misfit.

Over the years we have met many other home-schooling families. I admit most of them do not share our progressive, humanistic approach to education and raising children. But that is not a reason to judge us all and deny us the right to raise our children as we think best.”

-Linda Wyeth | Curtiss, WI | March 23, 2012

Letter on: Two sets of books for school reform

“Though I previously posted a comment on this subject, I would like to add this in defense of Progressive Homeschooler's reply. My wife and I home schooled two of our three children for several years. It was an incredible experience to "parent" in this way. Our motivation, at the time...and this was a while ago, was being unhappy with some of the things going on at that time in our local schools and our own unhappy experiences in public schools in our own lives. But to skip to the point at hand, each of the two children we home schooled until they reached an age *they* decided they would like to attend public school (Elementary level) were well above the academic level of the peers they found themselves in class with. They are both exceedingly bright and one of these two children was moved ahead a grade because the teacher feared that he was becoming "bored" because he already knew what was being taught in his own grade level.

A lot has changed since then, but I still believe that parents have the right (and then assume the responsibility) to home school. They will end up being evaluated anyway if/when they join public schools or universities.”

-John E Davey | Kendall, WI | March 22, 2012

Letter on: Keeping up with the Walkers

“Wonder how much of the Recall Election Fund will migrate to the Legal "Cooperation" Legal Fund?

If there is paid advertising it should feature Wisconsin citizens; it should be designed by Wisconsin PR firms and end with the phrase "made and paid in Wisconsin for Wisconsin",

The circular redistribution of Republican companies is sinister and amounts to bribery & pay to play.”

-Palli | Wakeman OH | March 22, 2012

Letter on: Keeping up with the Walkers

“Rumor has it that Barrett is running and Barca is not. If it's Barrett, the Dems will foolishly try to outspend the GOP.

I like your way better. Enough with the corrupt pay-to-play system!”

-janeofdane | Madison, WI | March 22, 2012

Letter on: Don't worry

“I take her on her literal word..."he won't do anything about birth control". They have a large family and Mrs. Santorum's life has been at risk in at least one of pregnancy before this final daughter, I believe.

In other words, his understanding of the medical and social issues of women is absent or over-ridden by an insensitive masculine nature.”

-Palli Davis Holubar | Wakeman OH | March 22, 2012

Letter on: Keeping up with the Walkers

“If Walker does win in June, a great deal of effort will have been in vain. That is why the opinions and view points of rural Wisconsin and areas outside of Milwaukee and Madison, must be measured, their pulse taken.

How will casual followers of politics feel? Will
they feel strongly enough to vote?”

-bush league | Fitchburg | March 22, 2012

Letter on: Keeping up with the Walkers

“Does that include the out of stste unions 30 million, the teachers 1 million, from the last recall, media matters, etc. Wasn't the rebubs outspent 2 or 3 to one?”

-Tom | Madison, WI | March 22, 2012

Letter on: Two sets of books for school reform

“I have been teaching for 26 years, have graduate degrees in education and physics and I could do pretty good job teaching home schooled students physics, chemistry and math. I'm pretty well versed in geography and history, but I do not consider myself capable of teaching any foreign language, biology, writing, composition or any other subject at the high school level. I am not capable of teaching every subject and many of those who are home schooling are not qualified to teach any subject beyond the 5th or 6th grade level. Occasionally home schooled students attend my high school but go back to being home schooled before the year is out. Most are not performing at the high school level and are socially immature. If we want more of our population to be scientifically and mathematically incompetent and replace science with theological dogma then giving money to people so that they can home school their children is the way to go. Sure there are parents who may be qualified, but it's a small minority.”

-Craig Koch | Appleton, WI | March 21, 2012

Letter on: Two sets of books for school reform

“In these parts, there are a whole lot of homeschooled kids and I've met a lot of parents who do homeschooling. I'm sure there are people capable of doing this but I can't say that any of those I've met are.

The problem comes down to this (from an educational viewpoint): It isn't too hard to homeschool kids to about 8th grade or a little less (if you have the time). To teach anyone anything, however, you have to be a lot smarter (or at least a lot more educated) than the level you school to. For a full HS diploma level, a person would need to have at least a collage grad level of education and over a very wide swath of disciplines.

That and you need to have the time -- it's a full time job to school teach to this level and there aren't too many people who have that kind of unpaid time.

The combination is rare in my experience. Very rare. Generally people who homeschool do a very serious disservice to their children. Not all of them but I haven't run into one of those so far.

If we value education (and that is one of the corner stones of democracy) then we need to explicitly put that concept on the front burner.

Oh, and education is a lot more than tests and books. A lot more.”

-rjl | Ridgeland, Wi | March 21, 2012

Letter on: Two sets of books for school reform

“To Progressive homechooler from Madison, Why don't we start this discussion by agreeing that all homeschoolers should take the same standardized test as public school students. This would give us some data and begin a process of providing some accountability rather than zero. Anecdotal evidence(from social service agencies) suggests that significant numbers of home schoolers are not being schooled at all.”

-Bob Menamin | Verona, WI | March 21, 2012

Letter on: Two sets of books for school reform

“*sigh* Same old story, new day. Problems in the public schools? Blame the homeschoolers. Also, all homeschoolers are anti-public school, anti-DPI, libertarians....oh, and Christians who believe in Creationism. Because all homeschoolers love Santorum and Ayn Rand. Lessons in sensationalism and generalizations abound.

If you're going to complain about homeschoolers then I'd first suggest you meet a few and then suggest that you express these same concerns about private schools - because the same regulations apply to private schools.”

-Progressive Homeschooler | Madison, Wisconsin | March 21, 2012

Letter on: Two sets of books for school reform

“You are dead on right when you say, "The irony is that as we demand more accountability and standardized testing for public schools, these same measures are much less emphasized or even non-existent when it comes to vouchers, charters and home-schoolers."

That is exactly what is happening...and of course public schools are not just being subjected to "over-seeing" madness but are not being supported financially to accomplish their own and government mandated goals.”

-John E. Davey | Kendall, WI | March 20, 2012

Letter on: 'War is no picnic'

“Let's be sure that Newt, Rommney, Santorum, Bauer, all the Christian church AND military brass who have past or future jobs or interest money coming from military or oil investments,or industries, plus Iraeli and US presidents, leaders, all of Congress also, are out there in their boots in the dirt, suited up, and on the front line leading, if they want to hop to war so enthusiastically. Let's be sure they demonstrate that they personally, will take the first hit. The use of the word, "Israel" suits the oil/military execs..... and it suits Israel that it suits them....it gives them our military protection. Winston set it up beautifully....for oil and gun sales. And the Christians? The "pro-lifers" must forget its meaning...for cannon fodder?”

-hmj | madison | March 20, 2012

Letter on: 'War is no picnic'

“Ed, any advice to those poor allies of ours in Israel that will have their body temperatures raised to 10,000 F if Iran gets the bomb? Will the local left be sending them tubes tanning lotion greater than SPF 1,000,000 (Directions: apply liberally to face, hands and house)?”

-Nemo | Crandon, WI | March 20, 2012

Letter on: MJS catching up on PCB Fox River story

“Of course they want delays, how many years has it taken Madison Kipp Corp. to address the extent and magnitude of their assault on the environment and people's lives. With a new anti-EPA congress and a State government more prone to destruction than ever before any delay may yield big changes in cost and who bears the cost. It's just like business to plead for socialism with taxpayer help in clean-up costs. MBF is notorious for shifting the burden of environmental clean-up from the responsible party to the taxpayer.”

-Dole O'Mite | Waukesha County | March 19, 2012

Letter on: I am innocent

“Gotta respond to SW once again - Rush and Glenn Beck aren't instigators (once again correcting SW spelling error)? Liberals are haters? I believe most historians would characterize the Civil Rights Movement as liberally led and it would be hard to define Rosa Parks, MLK, the Freedom Riders, etc. as haters.”

-Alexander Randall | Waukesha | March 18, 2012

Letter on: I am innocent

“If you have time, can you elucidate on the disciplinary process?

I would like to know what that entails.”

-Susan | Madison, WI | March 18, 2012

Letter on: Don't worry, we will leave the mine area as we found it.

“I wondered why GTAC did not talk with the Bad River Tribe - after all, one has to be pretty dumb not to know that the tribe has a lot of say in the matter and I dont think GTAC is very dumb. Makes me think there was another agenda. Dont know what it is though.

When Burke sent that letter to Dave Obey and it became public, I wondered if a Bishop can make a threat to my elected representative with the intent to coerce his vote with the threat of the loss of his soul. After all financial supporters are easy to find but souls are in short supply. Puts me in a position of voting against someone because he is Catholic - not a good thing.”

-nonheroicvet | Disgusted, WI | March 18, 2012

Letter on: Climate change? Pass a law!

“Not sure what is being referred to by statement in your blog that Wisconsin produced John Muir. From Wisconsin Historical Society: John Muir was born in Dunbar, Scotland, on April 21, 1838. The Muir family immigrated to U.S., settling near Portage Wis in 1849. John entered UW Madison in 1860, but left after 3 years. After an industrial job and subsequent industrial accident in Indianapolis, Muir spent the next few years indulging his wanderlust in northern U.S., Canada, Mexico, Panama. He landed in San Francisco in March 1868 at the age of 30. Entranced by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and what would become Yosemite National Park, CA was his home until his death in Los Angeles in 1914. In 1880 he married Louie Wanda Strentzel and moved to Martinez, California, where they raised two daughters and managed a family fruit farm. He lived in CA 36 years. Probably technically correct to say his parents produced him in Scotland where he spent 11 years and that he lived in Wisconsin until he was about 25 years old. Whatever?!!?”

-Bonnita | Spring Texas; hometown Burlington, Wis | March 18, 2012

Letter on: All tied--bottom of the 8th.

“Thank you for mentioning the comment of Walker's wife. Have not seen or heard any mention of that
on any other news channel or outlet.

b. Battle fatigue? Let's hope so.”

-bush league | fitchburg | March 17, 2012

Letter on: All tied--bottom of the 8th.

“It's interesting how the family values Republicans, Pam Galloway and Michelle Litjen, when they leave the legislature always use the excuse that their families come first.

First we had Michelle Litjen announce that she was leaving to spend more time with her family--elected in 2010 and actually served less than 14 months before announcing she was leaving at the end of her first term.

Was her family not the most important thing to her when Litjen ran? Yet when you read Litjen's announcement if you didn't know better, she almost single-handed cured all the problems facing Wisconsin. My God, it probably took her the first six months to find the women's can in the capitol.

Obviously like Rush, Pam Galloway and Michelle Litjen were only on loan to us from God. That being the case, one can come to the conclusion that if this is the best material God has to send us, God is a real prankster!”

-Kim Tschudy | New Glarus,WI | March 17, 2012

Letter on: I am innocent

“I agree Ed the liberals need to go. Just like every where else in life all they are is haters and instigaters of trouble and violence.”

-SW | Waukesha WI | March 17, 2012

Letter on: I am innocent

“Prosser really needs to be removed. This will never happen as long as his 3 buds vote to tie and obstruct any disciplinary action. Heck, they need him to say voter photo ID and disenfranchisement have nothing to do with the state's constitution.”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | March 17, 2012

Letter on: I am innocent

“There's the issue of punishment for any misconduct that occurred in the choking incident of the language directed at the Chief Justice. But there's also a big red flag of warning that suggests the female justices with whom Prosser disagrees are at risk for future violence. That has to be prevented. The timeline shows that Prosser's behavior is escalating and I wonder if he's entirely in control of his temper.”

-Janeofdane | Madison, WI | March 17, 2012

Letter on: Climate change? Pass a law!

“Marriage is a helluva price to pay just to have sex.

Does anyone really believe teens who discover the joy will abstain from it or get married so they can fool around in the family minivan? How do all the philandering legislators explain their own behavior? I'm surprised these bozos haven't made divorce a felony.

When politicians fail to govern, they restrict the rights and lives of the rest of us because that's all they know how to do.”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | March 16, 2012

Letter on: Climate change? Pass a law!

“Gee ED, didn't I read here "a lie has traveled around the world while truth is pulling on her boots". At least there's hope for Rebecca, maybe she'll start caring for all the yet to be born people and their right to a good education, clean water and clean air, and their right to live without fear of being considered collateral damage in a war for resources.”

-Dole O'Mite | Oconomowoc, WI | March 15, 2012

Letter on: Climate change? Pass a law!

“Do you know why they have idle minds? They only have to do what the Koch brothers pay them to do and dare not to think on their own.”

-WisconsinLiberal | Fox Valley, WI | March 15, 2012

Letter on: Climate change? Pass a law!

“Wisconsin and Mississippi. Two states seperated by Illinois and Tennessee. And it is showing! Well, they do say that Global Warming will make it easier for pests and infection to spread.”

-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped! WI. | March 15, 2012

Letter on: Two judges get the point

“SW makes a good point.

Did you know that you are required to get a medical exam to buy life insurance? That you are required to undergo psychological evaluation in order to get top government security clearance? Did you know that to operate the largest open-pit mine equipment you have to have training?

Therefore, it is only reasonable that before anyone can vote, they should have to have a medical exam, undergo psychological evaluation and pass a test for driving heavy equipment. Because analogies always make perfect sense.

See you at the doctor/psychiatrist/truck driving school, folks.

By the way, is Waukesha still trying to get Lake Michigan water? Because SW makes me think there is something bad in the water there in Waukesha County. Maybe there's lead or arsenic in that water, but then only liberals think lead lead or arsenic are a problem. Ask the plants, they grow in soil with lead and arsenic, and I hear they like CO2.”

-Tim | Barron, WI | March 15, 2012

Letter on: Flat earth advocates advance

“You titled this thing exactly right, Ed: "Flat Earth..."

Damn.

To think we've come from "The Wisconsin Idea" to THIS.

Pitiful.

And now Tommy Thompson's resurrected conservative corpse is running for the U.S. Senate?

Oh ... why not? We already have a zombie Senator; why not another? Let's double-down, Wisconsin!

I've got a "Wisconsin Idea": Let's collectively, somehow, apologize to Russ Feingold for chucking him out of an office he served so honorably. Let's elect people to the positions of Governor of Wisconsin and Senator from Wisconsin who are decent and honorable.”

-Ralph | Hillsboro, Wisconsin | March 14, 2012

Letter on: Two judges get the point

“ah waukesha ... you've said it all”

-gl | madison, wi | March 14, 2012

Letter on: Flat earth advocates advance

“The other day I read that too many people are working 2 or more jobs just to make ends meet. What if we paid meaningful wages with good benefits and then limited workers to just one job? All those extra job openings could easily help those who are now unemployed. The result would be increased employment and something Walker can crow about.

The longer a person stays out of work, the more difficult it will be to get back into the swing of things and do well.

Maybe this is part of the Republican final solution.

Yes, I read the wonderful sex ed legislation. What is the Republican obsession with sex and reproduction? These are hardly affairs of state nor should they be a part of any political agenda.

The choices seem clear to me: informative and accurate discussions about sex and sexuality in the classroom or learn by doing from all the misinformation gotten in high school locker rooms.

Did the Walker legislature set aside extra funds to handle increased teenage pregnancies and STD's? Oh, I forgot, all kids will now abstain per decree from Walker.”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | March 14, 2012

Letter on: Two judges get the point

“Another false equivilancy from right winger SW. Voting doesn't kill people, or rather ballots don't. Guns are made for killing, either game animals or humans. For society to at least keep track of who owns and uses lethal firearms is a reasonable part of maintaining public safety. How am I am a potential danger as a voter? Oh, I know, because I vote in a manner you might not like for people you can't stand. I get it now.”

-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | March 14, 2012

Letter on: Flat earth advocates advance

“Don't know about anyone else but to me life is getting more and more like an episode of the Simpsons. Or the Handmaids Tale.”

-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI | March 14, 2012

Letter on: Two judges get the point

“Kind of funny you mention gun rights. I have to show a photo ID and submit to a back ground check to purchase one. To exercise my right to carry one for hunting or personal protection I have to take training. I also have to purchase a hunting license or a ccw license. You consider that reasonable and would like even more restrictions to that right. Yet voter ID is just to much of a burden. You still wonder why the public isn't buying your pile of steaming BS on this?”

-SW | Waukesha WI | March 14, 2012

Letter on: A mine is a wonderful thing to waste

“Who is calling the shots here??? The governor..Who calls the president of Gogebic and asked what he should do next? I would guess not.. Sorry, if the iron ore in those hill were that valuable, the story would be reversed. Just think about it legislators, are you following a governor or a corporate head?”

-steve r | Arlington, WI. | March 13, 2012

Letter on: Two judges get the point

“Damn those activist judges! Sure wasn't any activist judge who took the second amendment, skewed it and then gave gun rights where they don't belong.”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | March 13, 2012

Letter on: Real people for real democracy

“It may be truth that this has been a bipartisan effort, however, the political parties, at least the Democratic Party Committee that I have been associated with, failed to support my efforts to get endorsement for the resolution on town ballots in my county. In my opinion, both political parties are absolutely criminal syndicated organizations that participate in 9/11 coverups, fail to expose the Federal Reserve scam of debt-based monetary system that is moving all the wealth to the 1%, etc.. The Occupy people are reluctant to join the "corrupt" parties, yet if they did, individually, join their town party committee, they could occupy the parties and a more pure, representative democracy would immediately be effected. Come-on people, get off your butts and adapt existing systems to our cause for a free society. Occupy the parties.”

-timothy price | Fairlee, Vermont | March 13, 2012

Letter on: Real people for real democracy

“Does anyone have a copy of a resolution that has passed?”

-Mark Laustrup | Hayward, WI | March 13, 2012

Letter on: Alienable rights

“Over 200,000 people losing their constitutional right to vote. That is roughly 10% of the total votes in the last election for governor. If all those people voted for Tom Barrett that could be about 20% of the votes against Walker in the last election.

Wow. That number of voters could turn an election.

That seems like a good reason why you would want to restrict peoples right to vote. That is, if you were a corrupt politician with little or no ethics and wanted to keep the power that you stumbled into and felt that the State Constitution was just an inconvenience standing in the way of trampling over the rights of the citizens that you are supposed to represent, or maybe you were getting huge amounts of money from corporations or wealthy citizens in order to shift taxes away from the wealthy and corporations onto the poor and middle class to make sure the rich people got richer and the poor got poorer, or maybe it is just that you just hate people who get dirty in the course of doing their jobs every day, you know, the people that can't afford to contribute large amounts of money to political campaigns to keep some politicians living with great benefits at taxpayer expense like good wages, pensions and the health insurance that so many of the people in Wisconsin just can't afford to pay for on their own for themselves, or it could be that you just feel some need to put your foot in the faces of hard working middle class and poor people just for a good laugh and then go on the television and radio and call them "a bunch of slobs."

Actually I don't know how any of these people can sleep at night. I don't know how they fight off any conscience that they have and don't resign their Senate or Assembly seats. If they claim to represent the people of Wisconsin why do they do everything that out of state business interests want over and against the best interrest of the actual tax paying citizens that they are elected to represent?

And they call working class citizens thugs and slobs.

May God have mercy on their souls.”

-Had enough | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | March 12, 2012

Letter on: Myths, phobias and fantasies

“Ed - This doesn't sound like the usual Bill Kraus - - - you better check the authenticity of the poster! I actually agree with most all of the things he wrote here! (Although I've got to admit his statement about 'government creating jobs' being a myth seemed to be ambiguous because he then seemed to speak against it?? I personally believe government DOES and SHOULD create jobs.... I'm not exactly sure what BK was saying). I would only add to his correctly stated 'government should not be run like a business' that one of the additional reasons is that when businesses fail it's unfortunate for the people directly involved, especially the workers, but society in general isn't especially affected. But when a state or ESPECIALLY a national government fails, it's BIG-TIME problems for a LOT of people, and it CAN lead to anarchy like we see in other parts of the world - - - and I know I sure as hell don't want that, nor does BK, nor do 99% of the people.”

-Big Em | Milwaukee, WI | March 12, 2012

Letter on: Now you tell us!

“So true, Ed. The "science" of the fake distinction between "ferrous" mining and other kinds of mining was purposely ignored in the mining bill. We now know, as Sen. Fitzgerald has admitted, that the mining company wrote the bill. It was left to citizen geologists and those "nutty" UW and Lawrence U. professors to enlighten the Legislature about the sulfides in the rock over the taconite. But their testimony was (to quote one of the geologists) "too sciency" for the jobs and joint finance committees. They were intent on delivering the goods to Gogebic Taconite. These are the same folks who believe global warming is caused by sunspots. Or maybe that was US Senator Ron Johnson. GTac has made it clear from their hasty retreat that they had no interest in "responsible" mining, just a quick buck--thank you.”

-Patricia K Hammel | Madison WI | March 12, 2012

Letter on: Sure Scott

“A point of correction for Tom in Racine. The 700 jobs were not guaranteed to be union jobs. At the final mining hearing in Madison mine officials under questioning about whether the jobs would be union or not stated they operate four (4) mines all of which are NOT unionized. They stated workers at all four mines voted not to unionize. So what do you think will happen in this mine that would be any different from the other four? No officials spoke in favor of unionization. I would bet management won't be promoting the union prior to the vote.
No Madison liberals involved here, just corporations ruling people. Something that doesn't happen when workers have strength through union representation.”

-Codyworks | Rhinelander, WI | March 12, 2012

Letter on: Now you tell us!

“Grieb---
Just cleaning up our ravines and fields of scrapped implements and appliances would provide jobs and resources for smelters.”

-pietr haikuu | hurley | March 11, 2012

Letter on: Now you tell us!

“That incredible expense could have practically eliminated a net proceeds tax. This is one of many reasons not to tax profits. Rather than tax the back end of the process, taxes should be on the front end where economic effort meets the earth. There at the very beginning the opportunity cost of the mine can be opined.

The low grade iron ore in the earth is better than money in the bank since fiat money only decreases in value as the Fed prints on. Conversely, the taconite will only increase in value being that Mother Earth is not making any more. Future opportunity costs will have to consider the compromising of the unique water wealth of the area that will only increase in value and perhaps in basin quantity in a warming world.

A series of severance and pollution taxes might be considered. First a severance tax on the total rock removed, in this case 83 million cubic meters. Then a severance tax on the actual paydirt. Any sulfides meeting the acid test would be the occasion for a toxic drainage pollution tax. Wetland loss would probably be mitigated at this point with the flight of the mining company to points where profits are taxed and natural resource inputs are gratis.”

-Ernest Martinson | Hayward Wisconsin | March 11, 2012

Letter on: Now you tell us!

“All that work and destruction to get to the ore body. Hmmm. Wouldn't it be easier to hire junkmen to go around the state and clean up auto junkyards? I know a dandy just outside of Sturgeon Bay where they could start.”

-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | March 11, 2012

Letter on: $82,000?

“Who would be naive enough to believe a company that wants to build a volume-sized Lake Winnebago of pollution (and who has virtually tried to buy their way past careful environmental consideration of their proposed project) would somehow care about their employees' salaries or health enough to give them good pay (even if it was just for the 5 or 10 yrs that the mine would last) and a meaningful union?!? They're undoubtedly slightly worse than most companies (mining is not an undertaking that's known to attract ethical, humanitarian type of management) and consider employees a necessary evil, an expense to be minimized as best they can. If you believe that corporate fluff-stuff, don't let the telemarketers get your phone number because you'll soon be bankrupt!”

-Big Em | Milwaukee, WI | March 9, 2012

Letter on: $82,000?

“Employers tend to pay no more than they have to. When there is an abundance of people begging for work, pay tends to be lower. Wasn't it in the 80's when McDonalds in Madison was forced to pay $10 an hour because there just weren't enough workers to fill jobs?

Workers really need to take their talents and negotiate for the best pay possible. If all employees did this, employers would pay better wages. Wait! This sounds like a union to me, and we certainly can't have that, or can we?”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | March 9, 2012

Letter on: Yellow dollars of Texas

“As time goes on indignation over Walker's actions
will tend to dissipate. The flames will start to
cool.”

-bushleague | fitchburg, wis. | March 9, 2012

Letter on: $82,000?

“I've noticed a trend where employers are giving loaded cost of the employee rather than pay cost of the employee. Loaded cost is all the direct expenses related to the employee including health insurance, the normal taxes that the employer pays (that's ~10% of paid, give or take) and other things like workmans comp.

Walmart does it too when it reports all the taxes paid, even when it's being taken out of the employee pay (state, federal and city taxes) -- i.e. it isn't Walmart paying it.

Basically, accounting, if you're not asking what exactly are the details, can say pretty much anything.”

-Randy Lee | Ridgeland, WI | March 9, 2012

Letter on: $82,000?

“Is that $82,000 total or each? ;-)”

-CJ McD | Oshkosh, WI | March 9, 2012

Letter on: Representing

“We the people, understand equality, understand what "secure right to life" means, understand what "secure right to liberty" means. This is a time of necessary correction. For the last 40 years the 1% have been after a more prefect crime spree. It is a more perfect Union we are after. It is imperative that law makers address the common concerns instead of the cash cows. If they won't or can't, yes they must get out of the way. The worst representatives are, unfortunately, the least inclined to voluntary resignation.

Courage, wisdom, and integrity are still available paths to job security.”

-Tom Larsen | Ojibwa, Wi | March 8, 2012

Letter on: Sure Scott

“In response to the two previously posted letters, Bill Maher (correct spelling) has actually said Limbaugh has the right to spout off, which the more he does, probably the better for Obama's reelection chances in the fall. Secondly, as Ed Garvey points out, the 700 mining jobs are a tiny percentage of the quarter million the Guv promised to create during his term.”

-Alexander Randall | Waukesha | March 8, 2012

Letter on: Sure Scott

“Only a liberal from Madison wouldn't think that 700 jobs (union ones at that!) is not a big deal! Like "The Kathleen" will do any better! LOL”

-Tom Lewis | Racine, WI | March 8, 2012

Letter on: Sure Scott

“I guess I'll give a crap about what Rommney thinks about Rush when someone asks your President what he thinks about his pal Bill Mahr. He has no problem accepting a cool million for a super pac from him. He has called conservative woman way worse things than slut. Maybe Axel Rod will give back the money when he is on Mahr's show this week. I won't hold my breath.”

-SW | Waukesha,WI | March 8, 2012

Letter on: Almost too much good news!

“Is it true that Senator Bob Jauch is trying to replace the miner on the state flag with a Lorax? If so, don't you think that we could get into some sort of copyright trouble? He should instead push for some sort of generic hippie to occupy the right side of the state flag.”

-Nemo | Crandon, WI | March 8, 2012

Letter on: Almost too much good news!

“Ed, I'd say that I'm a bit confused as to why you always insist on emphasizing that PAC money comes from both unions and corporations, as if they're on a level playing field. Such a framing of the issue implies that the two sources of campaign money are comparable, when clearly nothing else can even begin to compete with corporations or the rich tycoons who run them.

It is a truism to say that PAC money is bad for democracy. But to make it seem as if us on the left are able to keep up at all--which is in fact one of the justifications provided by those in favor of the current campaign finance setup--is doing a disservice to our cause.”

-John Ertl | Hartford, CT | March 7, 2012

Letter on: Almost too much good news!

“Reading response letters from writers like SW, it seems we so often sense anger in the tone of the writings and also, a need to feel it necessary to belittle others through various labels. It does make one wonder if a response will be of any value or not when we see such bias and rigidity as to thoughts - but let me try.

When one considers "mining" through the lens of "it's all about jobs, period" it is obvious that the individual lives in an urban setting far removed from the area where the mine will be dug. And dug is a key word - they don't do it with a rented trencher from the local hardware store.

I was born in Duluth, and my wife in Chisholm - and were involved with the mining industry with family members working jobs dependent upon the iron mining. Simplistic thoughts do not do justice as to all that one needs to consider when changing state laws through legislation that is written by and for the one industry involved so that they can gain profits as a payback for their campaign investments.

Infrastructure costs, environmental issues, Native American rights, pollution and health issues, housing, fire and police needs, impact upon recreation and tourism business, and so many more long and short term issues to list. All should require reasoned and intellectual and respectful discussions with all the stakeholders - especially more so than those who may never come within 300 miles of the activity.

Understanding that when the ore is gone, so is the company! It was not year around work - my family worked on the D M & I R (railroad) during part of the year and then when the lake no longer allowed shipping of the ore - worked inside those ships welding steel plates under far less than desirable conditions.

There is so much to tell - but to SW - do some research please. Look up the history of Silver Bay, Minnesota - a small town that prospered for a while with taconite. Then came the realization that beautiful Lake Superior was being used as a dump for tailings. Yes, it isn't all simply fill up a dump truck with pure ore and off it goes - nice and neat.

Taconite ran out and was no longer profitable and homes were sold for a tenth of their value - and hundreds of displaced workers had no choice but to lose everything. Drive up and look at what a "pit" looks like - you will be amazed. And then drive around Chisholm and you will have the feeling you are in a time warp.

The end will come up north as well - then what?

History will tell you stories that will help educate you as to just what mining is. Then, after taking off your blinders - look at facts that are presented - then ask yourself if "quick fix jobs" for political gain are really in the best interests of Wisconsin citizens.”

-Steve Anderson | Eau Claire, WI | March 7, 2012

Letter on: Almost too much good news!

“To SW. Rank and file union folks left the Dems during the Nixon years so your gloating and whining is old news. They have been selling their sad little butts down the creek for years but now, over a very bad mine idea, you want to raise some hell? What a joke.

I remember the boys at Bay Ship in Sturgeon Bay. They hated Carter because he caved in the Iran hostage issue and looked weak. They all went for tough guy Reagan. Not long after he got elected Reagan signed a bill that American flagged ocean vessels did not have to be built in the USA. Bay Ship had just completed such a ship and was hoping for another contract but South Korea got the job. Good bye union jobs thanks to the tough guy schmuck the rank and file voted for.

So, don't bitch or gloat too much. Rank and file workers have been their own biggest enemy for quite a while now.”

-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | March 7, 2012

Letter on: Almost too much good news!

“Another piece of legislation that is in a holding pattern is "The Special Needs Scholarship Act" (Vouchers on Steroids). This legislation has the potential of harming students with special needs who use the vouchers as well as those who don't. The redirection of state and local tax dollars could do real damage to local schools. The only winners would be private schools, especially those who would be unethical enough to use some of the less measured aspects of the bill.

This legislative session cannot end soon enough. The Republicans are acting like two-year olds, "Do it quick, before they stop me."”

-Linda | Wisconsin Rapids, WI | March 7, 2012

Letter on: Almost too much good news!

“Good mews Ed? Not for those of us that would have built that minning equipment. It is good news for conservitives though. Democrates just killed private employee union jobs. They just destroyed thier looking out for the middle class BS. Its nice this morning seeing the union guys flgure out that the democrates have sold them out. Walker in a land slide.”

-SW | Waukesha WI | March 7, 2012

Letter on: Almost too much good news!

“I have to laugh at all the right-wingers who say that because the judge signed a recall petition, he shouldn't rule on the voter ID issue. Then, by inference, any judge who didn't sign it, must be in support of Walker, so they shouldn't be involved, either.”

-Happy Liberal | Monona, WI | March 7, 2012

Letter on: Almost too much good news!

“Thanks for those who are standing up to some of the nonsense. Searching to understand details of Grothmans' (sp?) bill regarding children and single parents. Does he advocate that kids should live with which parent?

Also, what are details regarding the bill just submitted by House and Senate restricting protests across US?”

-hmj | Madison | March 7, 2012

Letter on: Shame in their game

“SW-

If you are from Waukesha kindly come back and re-state your point, as I would like to hear it.

If are not from Wisconsin and still have a relevant point to make, please make it in that light.

If you are trying to agitate here I would advise against it.”

-Dave | Madison, WI | March 7, 2012

Letter on: Technically speaking, this is nuts

“It's not nuts. It's part of the plan.

MATC holds the FCC licenses for all public television stations in southeastern Wisconsin. If the Republicans get control of this huge public asset, it will be a horrible defeat of all values associated with the public interest in public television.

Thanks to the wisdom and foresight of Frank Ziedler in the 1950's, MATC acquired two FCC licenses for public television and with that has come significant digital band width that has huge commercial and communicational value. In 1998, the Bradley Foundation made a concerted effort to privatize public television. After a brutal fight, the MATC Board was able to turn back their effort. One has to suspect that one of the first orders of business of an GOP/MMAC-controlled Board of Directors will be to cede control of the two FCC licenses. And, given the power to award public assets on no-bid (read: no review)contracts, they will go to whoever Walker wants to give them to -- the 'non-profit' Bradley Foundation, for instance.

The Bradley Foundation is headed by Walker's former campaign chair, Michael Grebe. Bradley does some good work (grant funding to truly non-political non-profits), but the biggest part of their allocations go to right-wing think tanks and 'issue advocacy' groups like the MacIver Institute.

The Bradley Foundation would become an editorial gatekeeper deciding - themselves or through a surrogate - what NPR programming to air. And, they'll control the editorial content and slant of locally-produced news shows carried on public television. IOW, the MacIver Institute (or similar) will have a TV broadcast venue to Southeast Wisconsin.

Nuts? I don't think so.

http://www.mptv.org/about/”

-Darcy G. | Brookfield, WI | March 6, 2012

Letter on: Democracy in action!

“From Dictionary.com:
tyranny [tir-uh-nee] ?
noun, plural -nies.
1. arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.
2. the government or rule of a tyrant or absolute ruler.
3. a state ruled by a tyrant or absolute ruler.
4. oppressive or unjustly severe government on the part of any ruler.
5. undue severity or harshness.”

-blurondo | Wauwatosa, WI | March 6, 2012

Letter on: Shame in their game

“This was far more reaching than hurting the middle class SW...

It negatively effected the poor, Wisconsin's children and young adults - all levels of education, including the workforce of teachers, child care workers, professors...it also negatively impacted the elderly, our environment, our health care programs, our state assets, policy making...the state has such a bad reputation for the ruthless legislative policy created under SW that all business has stalled -private business and their workers are suffering because of it too (except for the Walker campaign donors who are given lucrative jobs, tax breaks, veterans funds to raid, unfair grants...). Wisconsin ranks the worst overall in terms of economic recovery under Scott Walker.

Start calling walker what he is: a Corporate politician (not tea party) that stole the Republican party and is trying to steal our state. Most traditional republicans don't like him and he needs to be kicked out.

SW : finish school -or at least learn how to spell democrats and Waukesha”

-Oma | Madison WI | March 6, 2012

Letter on: Representing

“How about immediate elections called on any "representative" that doesn't abide by his oath of office to represent his constituents?”

-DairyQueen | Madison, WI | March 5, 2012

Letter on: Representing

“We vote people into office to represent us and our needs. Elected representatives have the obligation to listen to all constituents even to those who did not support them. Getting into office is not a done deal. It does not end the duty to remain accountable to all citizens.

Recall is a valid tool we have to oust those who do not represent us and who refuse to be accountable.”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wis. | March 4, 2012

Letter on: OMG

“SW is just plain wrong.

Ms. Fluke did not issue a statement that she was entitled to free contraceptives.

Ms. Fluke told about a friend of hers who had ovarian cysts which are often treated with drugs that are also used for contraception. I know, because both my wife and teenage daughter received the treatment for endometriosis and ovarian cysts.

What Ms. Fluke was saying is that if you ban contraceptives from an insurance plan, women are not covered for these drugs when used to treat serious conditions. And they are used extensively for a wide range of maladies.

I just cannot fathom any man saying his wife, his daughter, or his mother can get coverage of hundreds of medical treatments BUT NOT CONDITIONS TREATED BY HORMONE DRUGS. This is the definition of misogyny (in the dictionary the word misogyny appears with SW's picture next to it).

SW is completely misinformed. When you get your facts so wrong, SW, you really aren't entitled to an "opinion". You have a habit of doing this, I used to think you were just stupid, I'm now thinking you are malevolent.”

-Tim | Barron WI | March 4, 2012

Letter on: Representing

“Kraus babbles:

"Wisconsin has joined the list of doubters by using its loose recall process to threaten its representatives with as little as one-year terms of office if they should happen to vote in ways that ignite a movement large enough to make them run for the office they had already won again, and again, and again."

Perhaps if Walker and Fitzgeralds had actually run their campaigns saying exactly the type of extremist actions they had in mind, perhaps they would not face recall, perhaps because the election would have turned differently if the truth had been presented.

As long as there is no "truth in campaigning," there is no justice without recall. No, Kraus, I'm all for the "Lemon Law." They sell you a "lemon" you get to take it back. Now THAT is good government.”

-Tim | Barron WI | March 4, 2012

Letter on: Awaken Wisconsin

“The semi-literate letter from SW on the previous blog entry, and the boiler plate rightist talking point letter from Mark on this one, are consistent with the pattern of compensated commentary paid for by ultra-right sources. This was discussed and exposed on a couple of radio programs a year or two ago. Although I don't recall the details, the gist of it was that people who were willing to call talk shows, or post comments to blogs, could be well paid for it if they agreed to repeat the active ultra-right talking points of the moment.

I suggest that FightingBob.com is under no obligation to help such depraved trolls enrich themselves. You have discretion not to publish letters. I suggest that when letters come in from the likes of "SW" and "Mark," especially when they are the very first to be received, and you post them on the blog, you are indirectly subsidizing these wankers.

While I don't advocate refusing to print their opinions, I think it would be a sensible policy to strip them of the comfort of internet anonymity. Let's see who these wingnuts are. I could never understand why the internet is a place where all kinds of abuse and invective and slander can can be spouted with utter impunity.

When I send a comment or a letter on-line, I sign it with my real name, just as I used to do when writing to the newspapers. And those who are old enough may recall that the Capital Times used to print not just the names of newspaper letter writers, but also their complete street addresses.

Or, just to show who's in charge, you could require disclosure of real names from the hecklers and trolls, while still continuing to let "friendlies" use nicknames or pseudonyms. That would be fine with me, as a concession to the not-unfounded paranoia of the times.

Yet I can't shake the thought that using one's own name is one of the best--and easily the simplest--of the ways to show the strength and sincerity of one's beliefs. It can also help others to gain the courage to stand up and speak out. Does anyone recall "the only thing we have to fear?"”

-Oliver Steinberg | St. Paul, MN | March 4, 2012

Letter on: Awaken Wisconsin

“It is about time WEAC, AFSCME and SEIU have been controling elections for 40 years and screwing over the tax payer. Now it is time for the tax payers.”

-Mark | Slinger WI | March 4, 2012

Letter on: OMG

“SW writes that "No one has a right to any thing that obligates others." Isn't this how insurance works? Everyone chips in to help others when the needs arise. Most folks are quite healthy and rarely reap any reward from a health insurance policy. There are those who are always sick and need the help.

I guess, SW, your argument just doesn't fly with more reasonable people. Just a guess, I bet you are one of those rare people who never takes a handout come tax time. I bet you pay sales tax with every online purchase, too.

There is something to be said about "free". I would worry more about "hypocrisy".”

-Maria Caliente | Middleton, WI | March 4, 2012

Letter on: Art from the ashes

“Have you ever wandered through an art museum and admired works that are centuries old? The magic of art is that it persists through time. Good art outlasts bad political regimes and crumbling empires. Long after today's Republicans are only bad memories, the protest art will still be there.

Support a local artist.”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | March 4, 2012

Letter on: OMG

“SW:

Do you think health insurance should pay for a vasectomy? What irritates you and others is that contraceptives relates to sex and many feel sex is wrong. Women's health issues are perhaps more complex than men's. Contraceptives have other uses than simply affecting fertilization. The pill is a prescribed drug and should be covered by any insurance plan. If you are worried about costs to everyone else in the insurance pool, a prevented pregnancy costs us less than the same pool paying for neonatal care. What if that newborn is a preemie or needs to be in an ICU for 6 months. That costs us a heckuva lot more than preventative care.

By the way, have you actually read the second amendment? It is ambiguous at best and does not necessarily cover all the gun rights people enjoy today. Talk about legislating from the bench. Well, here we have a fine example.

I'd keep your "bare arms" covered at least until the weather warms a bit.”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | March 4, 2012

Letter on: OMG

“Never realized the 2nd Amendment was really about fashion. As for me, I prefer a little sleeve.”

-Pooroldlady | Mondovi, WI | March 3, 2012

Letter on: OMG

“Here's a suggestion: let's nuke Waukesha county instead if Iran.

It's too bad about Feingold's retreat. Fighting Bob would have gone down fighting as long as he had a breath in his body, because his loyalty was to the people more than anything. Mr. Feingold is made of different stuff, I guess.

So, the Wis. Democratic Party leadership remain as clueless as they've been for a decade or more . . . no wonder the neo-fascists found an opening and blasted through.

As for President Obama, he's quite correct when he says "I don't bluff." He doesn't "bluff." He just caves in. Capitulates. Appeases. Surrenders. Backs down. Sells out.

President Obama's never going to mention the uprising in Wisconsin or Ohio, though looking at his record, that isn't as surprising as ex-Senator Feingold's silence about it. You who have re-inspired the whole country won't even get a nod of appreciation from the President.

His pusillanimous leadership so demoralized his strongest supporters, and so disappointed the muddled middle of the electorate, that he forfeited control of Congress in his first mid-terms. Where's the spirit of Harry Truman when it's really needed?

Yet Mr. Obama seems to expect every voter who has been ignored and too often betrayed by his administration, to hustle out to the hustings and re-install him in office for another four years of kow-towing to Wall Street and the military-industrial-police power structure.

After all, the prospect of Romney or Santorum or a similar zombie making the next Supreme Court appointment ought to propel us into the arms of the "lesser evil" choice. But there is no reason to be enthusiastic . . . and no excuse for allowing one's self to be deluded any longer.

It may be that the uprising in Wisconsin isn't what "democracy looks like." Maybe it's what "the last gasp of democracy" looks like. But if the rank-and-file citizens persevere, in spite of every sell-out from the discredited Democratic leadership, you can be sure that millions of other Americans are rooting for you. And if you manage in spite of the colossal odds against you to throw Walker out, then you won't owe anything to Obama or any other poseurs and fakers from the sorry old, bought-and-sold Democratic Party.”

-Oliver Steinberg | St. Paul, MN | March 3, 2012

Letter on: OMG

“SW, not sure how you feel obligated to pay for a student's private health plan at Georgetown or which part of the transactional nature of paying for health insurance in order to receive coverage you don't understand.

As for the right to bare arms, you're going to want a holster - or at least a sweater.”

-SMinor | Franklin, WI | March 3, 2012

Letter on: A mine is a wonderful thing to waste

“There is a truckstop in Abbotsford owned by none other than Mary Williams. I never stop there. I heard they have cooties.”

-nonheroicvet | Disgusted, WI | March 3, 2012

Letter on: OMG

“No Ed she wants us to pay for her contraceptives so they are free. No one has a right to any thing that obligates others. For instance you have a right to free speech like this blog. No one has a obligation to pay for you to have this blog to exercise that free speech. Ms. Fluke has not been denied access to any health care or contraceptives. She doesn't want to pay for it. She thinks you, me and everyone else should be obligated to pay for it. Why? The 2nd Amendment says i have a right to bare arms. When can i expect my check for a brand new Glock”

-SW | Waukesha, WI | March 3, 2012

Letter on: Is there an end to racism?

“Too bad our schools don't do a better job of teaching tolerance and understanding among people of every race and culture. But this would be indoctrination and give people like Santorum the grist they need to fuel their nomination bids.”

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wisc. | March 3, 2012

Letter on: Talk about ambivalence!

“I couldn't agree more. I was not at the People's Legislature on February 1st when Mike McCabe gave his speech advocating a William Proxmire style campaign but when I stumbled upon a video of it a week or so later, I thought the idea was pure genius. Since then, I have been talking about it to anyone who will listen and trying to find out if the idea is gaining any traction. I am so glad to know the idea is not dead. I hope to make it to the March 25th People's Legislature to learn more but will continue to spread the word regardless. Thank you.”

-Mary Zenker | Sauk City, WI | March 2, 2012

Letter on: A mine is a wonderful thing to waste

“Gary: I grew up on a small farm east of Hayward so I have firsthand knowledge that the ultimate base of our economy is the land, water, and natural resources in the earth. This earth has freely been given to us all, so no one has the right to take from it without paying the rent. The mining bill aims to do just that in not containing severance and pollution taxes. Likewise, no government has the moral right to take from any private party the value that party has added to a rented piece of our commons. The mining bill aims to do just that with the net proceeds tax on profits, which will not be paid, of course, if there are no profits due to skulduggery, production expenses, or market mishaps.

So I believe agriculture will be even bigger here in this water rich oasis when the cows come home from California . The West will be drying out from climate warming aided and abetted by fossil fuels stolen from the commons even before the drying up of federal water subsidies stolen from taxpayers. And although there will be more mining in the Badger State, it is highly questionable that the compromising of the Lake Superior basin would pass a cost-benefit test in the market place.

But I cannot tell you what a sustainable economy within a sustainable ecology would do. Nor can government with its coercive command-and-control enlightened only by collective ignorance, fear, and greed. Only a free economy that freely taps the energy and initiative in each of us can lead the way. But I emphasize a free economy, not our present freebie economy.”

-Ernest Martinson | Hayward Wisconson | March 2, 2012

Letter on: A mine is a wonderful thing to waste

“If the ultimate base of our economy is not dependant on agriculture and mining, by someone, somewhere, then I am wondering what its foundation could be. It would seem self-destructive to prohibit the production of those things which we depend on to survive.”

-Gary Glonek | Montreal, Wi. | March 2, 2012

Letter on: No challenge?

“In response to "North Woods's" comment about hoping this is Wisconsin's time: I think it is OUR job to MAKE it Wisconsin's time.”

-Linda Wyeth | Curtiss, WI 54422 | March 2, 2012

Letter on: A mine is a wonderful thing to waste

“It is premature to celebrate the death of this bill!

I actually bought today's MJS at a truck stop in Abbotsford this morning as we were leaving the frozen tundra of north central Wisconsin for a drive down to Madison.

As a few words of warning, here is the final passage of the article in the MHS:

"The session is nearing its end, and many lawmakers privately conceded Wednesday that mining legislation has little chance of passing. But Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) noted deals are sometimes reached in the final moments of a legislative session.

"'It's not done until the hammer comes down,' Olsen said, referring to the gavel used to close out the session."

So, I think we might as well resign ourselves to more secret meetings and late-night sessions. Heck, they might call a last-minute vote and "forget" to let Dale Schultz in on it!”

-Linda Wyeth | Curtiss, WI 54422 | March 2, 2012

Letter on: A mine is a wonderful thing to waste

“I suppose the proposal for the low-grade iron ore mine in the Penokee Hills draining into Lake Superior is a wonderful bill to waste. Then the taconite in them there hills may not see the light of day. Especially since the day is coming when people will see the light. Then the real gold rush will commence, down into the basin of Lake Superior shining with reflected blue gold. What a splash that will make.

However, should Gogebic Taconite be permitted to mine, not everything will be wasted. The Mining Program is conveniently located within the Waste and Materials Management Program in the DNR, encouraging an efficient bureaucratic shuffle as the mine churns out the waste of land and water mixed in with some low-grade ore.

And the mining company's estimate of 2834 jobs is probably dead-on The company would be attempting to mine in the Smart Growth State of Wisconsin where Comprehensive Planning would rule out the reckless risk of there being only 2832 or 2833 jobs.”

-Ernest Martinson | Hayward Wisconsin | March 1, 2012

Letter on: Shame in their game

“Please Mr Pocan tell us more about how your for the middle class while your party works to kill middle class union jobs today. Oh! thats right the middle class for democrates is only state union workers.”

-SW | Waikesha WI | March 1, 2012

Letter on: A mine is a wonderful thing to waste

“Sent today:

Senator Schultz,

I feel compelled to thank you for taking a principled stand against the Senate Mining Bill. These are unusual times and it is rare to witness such individual integrity.

It does not take an environmentalist to know that it is important to balance development and ecology. It does not take a statesman to know we must respect our treaties, our neighbors, and their right to live without threats to their health. It does not take an economist to know that some forms of resource exploitation lead to boom and bust cycles. Billionaires can take the money and run. This legislature's legacy will remain right here.

Northern Wisconsin has natural, mineral, human, and esthetic assets that can be used to fuel its future economic engine. A proposal is on the table for improving the economy of the region. It comes with severe risks to a pristine environment and to the long-term health of a much larger area. Perhaps it is time to conduct a long range planning exercise for the region that would put the risks and rewards of other options on the table. Perhaps we should allow both scientific method and open public hearings to inform our decisions.

Corporate interests hold disproportionate power in the current political environment. The billionaires of the old economy should not be allowed to hold the new economy hostage. The notion of 'job creation' as the penultimate measure of economic leadership is myopic at best. Principled leaders ask, ”

-North Woods | Woodruff, WI | March 1, 2012

"Is this a private fight, or can anyone join?"
-Old Irish saying

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