GarveyBlog by Ed Garvey

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May 23, 2010
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Fighting Bob Fest-North is off to a great start. Yesterday in Chippewa Falls, progressives of all parties (well, almost all) gathered for good conversation, inspiration, libation and planning for Bob Fest North to be held next May. The organizers were delighted to be in on the ground floor as we take the spirit of Fighting Bob Fest on the road. Lots of music, beer and laughter. As Hightower says, Fighting Bob Fest puts the fun back in politics.

Issues that drew the most applause: the U.S. should get out of Afghanistan; the Legislature should be ashamed that payday loans go largely unregulated; and the need for a constitutional amendment to keep corporations out of campaigns. Public financing of campaigns without an "opt out" escape. Justice David Prosser seems to heading toward an opt out of Supreme Court election reform. "Don't let him get away with it if he tries," said one speaker.

It was a great start. Now, on to Fighting Bob Fest in Baraboo September 11.

Walker gets 91.3 per cent in the state GOP Convention "straw poll." Really? What was the vote? If the GOP figured out the .3, presumably they kept track of the total actual vote. One is reminded of Alan Cranston busing in supporters to guarantee a victory in a straw poll many moons ago. It worked for one day.

All BP needs is a "happy face." A full-page ad in the Sunday papers is entitled "Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Response." They must think we are all stupid. Corporations want to be treated like human beings so they can buy and sell politicians, but they want corporate protection from criminal liability for 11 deaths that can be traced to BP's gross negligence. Now comes the "good news": "We have been committed to doing everything possible," the ad says. Read on.

We are a nation of laws! In the news, a guy in Montello used a county tractor to cut his mother-in-law's grass. "Felony" cries the sheriff, and the poor guy faces more than a year in prison! The CEO of BP? No one is locking him up on criminal charges. Not even the sheriff. Quickly. Grab him before he leaves in his comfortable jet.




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