Saturday, March 19, 2016

The 5 step federal budget process needs The Beatles


Taking it all literally, of course.  (For a deep dive, click here.)


Let's replay one of Reince Priebus's greatest hits: Pimp My Governor (2013)



After Walker's debacle of a presidential campaign, Reince has moved on to promote other members of his stable.

TIME, 1/10/2016

Related post:
Flaks say the darndest things at state GOP conventions.   (5/6/2013)
Reince Priebus explains it all for us.  (1/21/2012)

Cuba City Wisconsin native wants to "Bring Our Dairy Air to the White House"


Billboard spotted on the Beltline recently while driving along East Rusk Avenue.  (I stopped, of course, to take the photo)

Learn more at TMac4Prez.

For those of you who don't live in Wisconsin or Illinois
(altho you'll want to skip raytown's just-quite-doesn't-get-it definition)

Just in case you think I'm making this up, the billboard is located 1/4 mile east of the U.S. Highway 14 exit on the Beltline.

Photos by Retiring Guy

Donna Mack Schuler (1930-2016) Warren High School Class of 1946



1948 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory
1983 Warren City Directory
  • Corcoran Bonnie M Mrs ofc sec Garrison & Simonsen h617 S State St (NW)
  • Mack Durward B & Vera C; retd h2 Timothy Av (NW) 

'Donna' was a very popular name during the mid-20th century, peaking at #5 in 1959 and 1960.


Other class of '48 graduates:
Carol Jean Niver Hampson.  (10/22/2015)
Frank Marlett.  (9/13/2015)
John Giltinan.  (7/76/2015)
Lela Nichols Akeley.  (6/24/2015)
Ella Atwell Blum.  (12/24/2014)
Betty Carlson Johnson.  (10/26/2014)
H. Kent Peterson.  (10/1/2014)
Kenneth Lundahl.  (9/21/2014)
Carl Leave.  (12/26/2013)

Duey Stroebel gives full-throated support to GOP special interests



As quoted in 3/18/2016 column for publication, "Resisting the call for a higher gas tax".

As you might already be aware, road builders are major donors to Scott Walker.  To the tune of nearly $1,000,000.

Source of partial screenshot:  Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (red highlights added)

Related posts:
Meet Wisconsin's version of the Freedom Caucus crazies.  (3/17/2016)
Somebody must have told Duey Stroebel that a spoonful of sugar helps the conservative message go down.  (2/16 /2016)
Neanderthals in Wisconsin state legislature support Ted Cruz.  (2/16/2016)
Dear Duey, Your next election is in the future.  (1/21/2016)
School referenda: Wisconsin legislators Schraa and Stroebel are being disingenuous at best, lying at worst.  (12/18/2015)
A special moment in the Wisconsin State Senate: Scott Fitzgerald gets Duey-eyed.  (4/21/2015)
3 Republicans, 0 Democrats in the running for Glenn Grothman's state senate seat.  (2/12/2015)
Who's running for office in Wisconsin's 20th Senate district wow that Mr. Grothman is going to Washington.  (12/17/2014)
To the tune of $692,000.  (8/14/2014)
Duey Stroebel can't be bothered with fundraising, looks to buy seat instead.  (8/1/2014)
Duey Stroebel bashes his fellow Republican opponents while wearing a hardhat.  (7/27/2014)


Trump apologist Chris Christie gets himself back in the news with the lamest of excuses



As quoted in Christie: Trump Meant ‘Political Riots’ Not ‘Literal Riots’.  (Mediaite, 3/18/2016)

Which begs the question, absentee governor Christie, what do you mean by 'real upset'?

Related post:
Donald Trump:  Ever the voice of moderation and rationality.  (3/16/2016)

Friday, March 18, 2016

Trump treads water while Cruz, Kasich gain in national polls




And in related Rasmussen news:

24% of GOP Voters Are Very Likely to Vote for Trump If He Runs as a Third-Party Candidate.

Not a winning formula.

Recent related posts:
Dear Cameron, About Cruz closing the poll gap, it's a happening thing.  (3/8/3016)
So much for #NeverTrump if CNN has its way.  (2/29/2016)
How often do Republicans wake up in the night screaming, "Is this the best we can do?"  (2/23/2016)
Who's the outlier? In one day, Trump goes from +20 to -2, behind Cruz, in national polls.  (2/17/2016)
Rubio can't maintain momentum in latest national Presidential primary poll.  (2/5/2016)
If I were Donald Trump, I'd be shittin' my britches right about now.  (2/4/2016) 
Once Trump inches above the 40% level, his poll numbers start to recede.  (1/29/2016)
On the other hand, Trump continues to fly high in national Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/26/2016)
No intersecting lines yet among top 4 candidates in January national Republican Presidential primary polls.  (1/23/2016)
Latest Monmouth Republican Presidential primary poll gives Trump a 19-point lead over Cruz.  (1/20/2016)
Recent Republican polls show candidates still drifting along.  (1/15/2016)
When you get right down to it, nothing has changed in Republican national polls in last month.  (1/12/2016)
Nationally, none of the top 4 Republican Presidential candidates is peaking at this time.  (1/11/2016)
Latest FOX News poll has subgroup margins of error that would embarrass the 1962 New York Mets.  (1/8/2016)

February 1966 book reviews published in Newsweek magazine





Related reading:
Gordon Parks, a Master of the Camera, Dies at 93.  (The New York Times, 3/8/2006)
Elie Abel, Newsman and Teacher, Dies at 83.  (The New York Times, 7/24/2004)

Related post:

Feel older now, feel like making a musical line graph


I've picked my 3 favorite songs out of the 23 that debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending March 19, 1966.



"Kicks", written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, was the first of 4 songs by Paul Revere and the Raiders to reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.




The Yardbirds scored their 4th top 20 hit in a row with "Shapes of Things".




"I Can't Let Go" is the Hollies' follow-up to "Look Through Any Window", neither of which, curiously, make a big impact chart-wise.  Their next single, however, reached the top 10 and put them in the spotlight, center-stage.




Other "Feel Older Now" posts:
These Boots are Made for Walkin',  by Nancy Sinatra.  (1/22/2016)
Elusive Butterfly, by Bob Lind.  (1/23/2016)
I Fought the Law, by the Bobby Fuller Four.  (1/30/2016)
The Cheater, by Bob Kuban & the In-Men.  (2/5/2016)
"You Baby" by the Turtles.  (2/10/2016)

Delaware, state with lowest mean elevation, knows that climate change is happening now


Source:  Netstate



Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control


Flat and sinking, Delaware’s coast battered by rising seas.  (Al Jazeera America, 10/15/2015)
Delaware, like other states on the mid-Atlantic coast, is on the front line of climate change in the U.S. Low-lying, flat and, since the loss of the last ice sheets, sinking, Delaware is vulnerable; its residents face a potent combination of rising seas, higher tides and more frequent storms that will erode and inundate the coastline.
Source:  Wikipedia

Related posts:
Norfolk, Virginia: Call it nuisance flooding or high-tide flooding or sunny day flooding, but most of all call it more likely to happen.  (2/23/2016)
Cherry Grove, South Carolina: Call it nuisance flooding or high-tide flooding or sunny day flooding, but most of all call it more likely to happen.  (2/23/2016)
Sunny-day flooding in Miami Beach: The everyday reality and the political denial.  (5/9/2014)

William Irwin (1942-2016) Warren High School Class of 1960



1960 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory
  • Irwin Claude A (Rachel E) blender UR [United Refinery] h415 4th av
1983 Warren City Directory
  • Irwin Claude A & Rachel E; retd h969 Pleasant Dr (or somewhere hereabouts)
  • [county section] Irwin Cheryl L rRt 3 Box 3020 Russell
  • Irwin William N rRt3 Box 3020 Russell

The popularity of William as a baby name is graphed here.

Let's take a look at how Bill's dad's name has fared through the years.

'Claude' peaked in 1901, after which he entered a long, slow decline.


Other members of the class of 1960
Patricia O'Neill.  (12/27/2015)
David Hollingshead.  (11/18/2015)
Marlene LeTrent Peterson.  (7/15/2015)
John Marymount.  (3/24/2015)
Kraig Werlin.  (2/1/2015)
Mary Kays Frederick.  (12/9/2014)
Nancy Goodwill Bonavita.  (3/9/2014)
Mary Madeleine Graham Helmbrecht Haslett.  (1/6/2014)

If latest CA GOP poll can be believed, some folks just got a whiff of Trump and like what they smell



Once upon a time.  Just over a year ago, Scott Walker briefly enjoyed a 2-percentage-point lead in a CA Field Poll.

What they're saying in California:
Duncan Hunter:  He's in with Trump.  (Retiring Guy's Digest, 3/5/2016)
Trump inspires hope, energy, anxiety in California GOP.  (San Francisco Chronicle, 3/2/2016)
California Republicans in 'chaos' over Trump's rise.  (KCRA, 2/26/2016)

Recent state polls:
Based on latest GOP Arizona primary poll, the thrill is gone.  (3/18/2016)
Increasingly fewer Wisconsin GOP voters heed what Scott Walker sez.  (1/31/2016)
Ted Cruz leaps ahead of Donald Trump in latest California poll.  (1/6/2016)
Chris Christie no favorite son in New Jersey; Donald Trump rules for now.  (11/18/2015)

Based on latest GOP Arizona primary poll, the thrill is gone



2015 polls leaders:
  • Ted Cruz (+2, Public Policy Polling, Feb. 28-Mar. 2)
  • Scott Walker (+2, Public Policy Polling, May 1-3)
  • Ben Carson (+2, Behavior Research Center, Oct. 24-Nov. 5)

Recent state polls:
Increasingly fewer Wisconsin GOP voters heed what Scott Walker sez.  (1/31/2016)
Ted Cruz leaps ahead of Donald Trump in latest California poll.  (1/6/2016)
Chris Christie no favorite son in New Jersey; Donald Trump rules for now.  (11/18/2015)
As the polls churn in Arizona: Trump and Fiorina = big losers; Carson and Rubio = big winners.  (11/11/2015)

Global and sea surface temperatures continue to set all-time records


Global heat wave pushes planet into uncharted territory.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/17/2016)
Not 1998 as hottest, as many Republicans want you to believe.To be sure, some of this is the result of a monster El Nino weather pattern lingering in the Pacific Ocean. But the broader trend is clear: We live on a planet that is warming rapidly, with no end in sight.Since 1980, the world has set a new annual temperature record roughly every three years, and 15 of the hottest 16 years ever measured are in the 21st century.





On land and sea, November 2015 was warmest November globally since recordkeeping began.  (12/24/2015)
Monthly global temperature record broken for 6th month in a row.  (11/18/2015)
The world continues to set a record pace in its warm ways.  (10/28/2015)

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Meet Wisconsin's version of the Freedom Caucus crazies



Late maneuvering in Senate blocks cannabidiol measure.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/16/2016)
Three top pearl-clutching GOP senators blocked the bill [AB288, which had 5 GOP and 5 Dem sponsoros in the State Senate], which would have made it easier to get a drug that is derived from marijuana and used to treat children who suffer from severe seizures and have few other medical options.

And I'm sure I don't have to show you what districts they represent, but I will anyway.

Good news for bloggers: Glenn Grothman starting to feel his oats again



As qutoed in Drink in This Republican Hypocrisy From the Flint Water Hearings Today.  (Esquire, 3/17/2016)


Other Grothman posts:
This just in from Glenn Grothman: Ted Cruz 'not for anchor babies'. (3/16/2016)
Recommended reading from Glenn Grothman.  (3/3/2016)
Once again, Grothman does the blah blah blah.  (1/13/2016)
Tea Party alert: Glenn Grothman supports increase in federal gas tax.  (12/29/2015)
Glenn Grothman's moving service.  (11/16/2015)
Glenn Grothman: Still trying to get to 'yes' with Paul Ryan.  (10/18/2015) 
Dear Glenn Grothman, Breaking up is hard to do.  (10/17/2015) 
He's a guy, and has access to 'all machines that one would need'.  (9/29/2015) 
Meet the Members of the Republican Study Committee: Glenn Grothman (R-WI, 6th District).  (8/18/2015)
What about seeing the light, Representative Grothman?  (8/11/2015)
Glenn Grothman's gibberish in full flower.  (7/1/2015)
Rep. Glenn Grothman puts corporate personhood first.  (6/23/2015)
Glenn Grothman Finds His Voice in Washington, D.C. (6/19/2015)
Glenn Grothman goes seriously bland on us.  (5/12/2015)
Glenn Grothman's lips are zipped.  (4/9/2015)
Glenn Grothman Speaks the Language of the Godfather of states' rights.  (1/13/2015)
Glenn Grothman, Quiet Man.  (10/12/2014)
Tom Petri returns the favor to Glenn Grothman.  (9/5/2014)
Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District primary: Less than 12% of voters paid attention.  (8/24/2014)
Hey guys and gals, Scott Walker is not 100% convinced that Glenn Grothman can win the 6th CD. (8/23/2014)
Career politician Glenn Grothman moves one step closer to Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District general election.  (8/22/2014)
To the tune of $692,000.   (8/14/2014)
Glenn Grothman:  A man without a mandate.  (8/14/2014)
Glenn Grothman to Tom Petri: Thank you for your 35 years of service.  (8/1/2014) 
Duey Stroebel can't be bothered with fundraising, looks to buy seat instead.  (8/1/2014)
Clearly, "common-sense bills" and "Grothman" should never be used in the same sentence. (7/9/2014)
Two career politicians pledge limited service in the U.S. House of Representatives.  (7/8/2014)
Glenn Grothman, Affirmative Action, and the demographics of Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District.  (4/28/2014)

Dear Ron Johnson, We have a great candidate running for the Supreme Court. Her name is Joanne Kloppenburg.



As quoted in Sen. Ron Johnson: Smear job on Rebecca Bradley part of ‘nasty, vicious’ time in politics.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/17/2016)

In your last year of service in the U.S. Senate, the big question making the rounds is....

...how the hell did you ever get elected in the first place?

The 'goodness' of Rebecca Bradley.
Angry then, angry now.  (3/12/2016)
Dear Chris, All of us lose if Rebecca Bradley is elected to a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  (3/11/2016)
Dear Rebecca Bradley, First of all, you are not serving the people of Wisconsin; you are serving your corporate masters.  (3/11/2016)
When Rebecca Bradley wasn't having very healthy heterosexual sex in a loving marital relationship.  (3/11/2016)
Dear Rebecca Bradley, What are your current thoughts on the feminist movement?  (3/9/2016)
Dear Christian Schneider, I hope you can read lips.  (3/8/2016)
Dear Scott Walker, Rebecca Bradley, your 3-time appointee, wrote at least 3 columns.  (3/7/2016)
Dear Rebecca Bradley, Please tell us how these comments faded from your worldview.  (3/7/2016)

A fuller list of related posts is found here.

Dear Ron Johnson, Let me speak frankly; you don't have a prayer!




As quoted in Wisconsin Republicans aren't showing signs of backing Donald Trump.  (Madison.com, 3/17/2016)


Other NoRoJo2016 posts:
Chapter 1.  (1/2/2013)
Chapter 2.  (1/10/2013)
Chapter 3.  (2/12/2013)
Chapter 4.  (2/13/2013)
Chapter 5   (3/11/2013)
Chapter 6.  (3/25/2013)
Chapter 7.  (4/8/2013)
Chapter 8.  (4/9/2013)
Chapter 9.  (4/12/2013)
Chapter 10. (4/14/2013)
Chapter 11.  (5/2/2013)  
Chapter 12.  (8/15/2013)
Chapter 13: One-trick pony?  (10/17/2013)
Chapter 14.  (10/24/2013)
Chapter 15.  (2/19/2014)
Chapter 16.  (3/15/2014)
Ron Johnson for President? Well, he might as well give it a go since he's not going to be re-elected U.S. Senator.  (5/14/2014)

Ron Johnson:  The sunshine of their love.  (6/18/2014) 
Chapter 19.  If only:  The early arrival of NoRoJo16.  (7/21/2014) 
Chapter 20:  As if we need more evidence.  (8/3/2014) 
Chapter 21.  Time to "ween off" RoJo.  (8/8/2014) 
Chapter 22.  The empty head addresses Cuba.  (12/22/2014)
Chapter 23.  We Really Don't Need Another 6 Years of Deep-Red Embarrassment.  (1/9/2015) 
Chapter 24.  Retiring Guy's illustrated dictionary:  'meaningless'.  (4/19/2015) 
Chapter 25.  Ron Johnson talks out of both sides of his mouth regarding 'career politicians'.  (5/17/2015)
Chapter 26.  The company he keeps.  (12/15/2015)
Chapter 27.  Dear Ron Johnson, Some of your best buds in the U.S. Senate are career politicians.  (2/4/2016)
Chapter 28.  Ron Johnson misreads the Constitution and misinterprets originalism.  (2/15/2016)
Chapter 29:  Dear Ron Johnson, How do you possibly expect to get reelected with these numbers?  (2/25/2016)
Chapter 30.  Two guys with low favorable ratings visit La Crosse.  (2/29/2016)
Chapter 31.  Ron Johnson:  Not our senator.  (3/15/2016)

The 2008 restaurant jinx, continued


During a visit to Hilldale earlier this week, I spotted another area restaurant that recently went out of business. 


Flat Top Grill, located across from Sundance Cinemas, is part of a Chicago-based chain whose parent company filed for bankruptcy in January 2013.  I assume the reorganization plan did not go well.  


I wasn't a big fan of the select-your-own-ingredients-and-take-them-to-the-grill operation.

As a dinner option, specifically.

"If we're out to eat. I don't want to have to serve myself," I grumbled whenever a family member suggested a return visit.  

Needless to say, my wife and I never visited the now-defunct Prime Quarter Steak House, where you grilled your own meat.

But, hey, you can't blame that one on me!

Related post:
Middleton Abuelo's restaurant abruptly closed. (3/14/2016)

A lifetime of road trips, mapped


My fascination with maps -- road maps, in particular -- began when I was in grade school.  During the course of a summer, I biked to most of the gas stations in Warren PA and helped myself to 1 or 2 free maps at a time.  I amassed quite a collection by the time school started.

I learned to enjoy traveling from an early age.  During the summer of 1950, when I was all of 9 months old, my parents and I traveled from Auburn, Washington, to Rockford, Illinois, to visit my dad's family.  (I have no memory of this trip, of course, except through what is supplied by photos.)

The orange dots on the color-coded map indicate the roads taken during the 1950s.  Unfortunately, it is an incomplete accounting.  By the time I started to work on this project, Dad was well into Parkinson's, and Mom, who didn't get her driver's license until 1960, could offer no suggestions.



This more detailed look at the map tells you where I have spent most of my 66 years.  

s

The yellow dots represent 1960s road trips, which were almost exclusively family vacations to the Midwest to visit Dad's family and to New England to visit Mom's family, usually on an alternating summer schedule.

Most of my long-distance travel during the 1970s -- indeed all of my cross-country travel during the first few years of the decade -- was done by thumb, which accounts for the proliferation of light blue dots.



Green dots represent 1980s road trips.  The Oregon gap is puzzling.  Individual dots lost their adhesiveness are time went on, but I don't recall a whole stretch of road giving it up.  Maybe I just ran out of green dots.


The red dots the bring us into the 1990s, when we sometimes reached our travel destinations by plane.

I never bothered to update the map to include the 21st century, which would have allowed me to expand into Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.  And once falling dots become a daily occurrence, I decided it was time to take the map down, roll it up, and toss it in the recycling bin.  

All that remains are these photos.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

UPDATE: Journal Sentinel publishes 804-word article on AB730 without using 'American', 'legislative', and 'exchange'


"Council"  is used to refer to the City of Eau Claire.



Original 1/25/2016 post, "While Scott Walker blathers about his jobs focus, Wisconsin Republicans continue to push an ALEC agenda", starts here.

The smokescreen



The latest ALEC legislation to be taken up by Wisconsin state legislature





ALEC goes to Wisconsin:
Dear Charles and David Koch, Mission accomplished! Love, Scott Fitzgerald.  (3/16/2016)
The 17 white GOP legislators who "inspired" today's Day Without Latinos rally in Madison (and where they live).  (2/18/2016)
Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) on the issues and working together. (2/11/2016)
 GOP State Sen. Frank Lasee's ALEC bill promotes private water companies' workforce issues.  (1/27/2016)
While Scott Walker blathers about his jobs focus, Wisconsin Republicans continue to push an ALEC agenda.  (1/25/2016)
The big, the bold Scott Walker promises more ALEC model policy plagiarism for Wisconsin.  (11/7/2015)
Time for another Republican hypocrisy alert! (10/23/2015)
Get me rewrite: Wisconsin lawmakers eye ALEC model legislation to end state's prevailing wage laws.  (4/5/2015) 
Why do Republicans call it 'worker freedom'? Because the Koch Brothers say so.  (3/7/2015) 
Scott Walker: Putting the power of government into the hands of the Koch Brothers.  (2/23/2015)
Since 2008 Scott Walker pledges his allegiance to the Koch Brothers.  (2/21/2015) 
Why drug tests for recipients of public aid in Wisconsin?  Because the Koch Brothers say so.  (2/10/2015)
Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby) Does ALEC's "Ag-Gag" Bidding.  (2/9/2015)
Van Wanggaard toes the ALEC line.  (2/7/2015)
Meet Scott Walker's "ideas" men.  (1/29/2015)
The Koch Brothers bring you "The Big and the Bold".  (1/24/2015)
Chris Kapenga, ALEC waterboy, is at it again. (12/11/2014)
UPDATED:  They pledge allegiance to the Koch Brothers.  (11/19/2014)
Of course, Kapenga hasn't drafted a bill; it's already been done for him.  (12/4/2014)
Here's an example of what happens when people don't pay attention.  (10/8/2014)
Speaking of plagiarism: The Kapenga Chronicles   (9/27/2014)
ALEC tools Leah Vukmir and Alberta Darling go off the deep end.  (9/22/2014)
Speaking of plagiarism.  (9/20/2014)
Just what the Wisconsin legislature needs:  Another ALEC disciple.  (8/7/2014)
Meet Chris Kapenga, R-Waterboy, representing the grate state of ALEC.  (2/18/2014)
Sen. Paul Farrow throws a hissy fit (which is transcribed in this news release).  (2/7/2014)
Robin Vos believes in selective transparency of the kind advanced by the American Legislative Exchange Council.  (12/24/2013)
Background on the National Conference of State Legislatures for Leah.  (12/12/2013)
From ALEC to Andre to us: Rep. Jacque (R-DePere) whittles model bill down to the basics.  (9/1/2013)
NRA/ALEC "Docs and Glocks" law finally makes its way to Wisconsin.  (6/18/2013)
Robin Vos, "an ALEC Wisconsin Foot Soldier" (SourceWatch).  (6/13/2013)
ALEC'd to Death: Wisconsin Republicans Continues to Depend on the Koch Brothers' Playbook. (6/7/2013)
ALEC's State Budget Reform Toolkit: "Asset Sale and Lease Opportunities".  (6/6/2013)
Selling State Properties? It's in the ALEC Playbook.  (5/22/2013)
More cookie-cutter legislation from ALEC.  (4/7/2013)
What the Koch Brothers left under Scott Walker's 2010 Christmas tree.  (6/19/2012)

Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old has a very important, major engagement



As quoted in Fox’s GOP debate canceled after Trump and Kasich back out. (Washington Post, 3/16/2016)

Other emo posts:
Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old still makes case for his beautiful, powerful, large penis.  (3/6/2016)
Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old brags he's the only one who can beat Clinton.  (3/3/2016)
Presidential candidate with the emotional development of a 12 year old disavows.  (3/1/2016)
Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old wings it.  (2/29/2016)
Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old weighs in on Rubio and last night's debate.  (2/26/2016)
Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old tells us how he really feels.  (2/23/2016)
Yes, Donny, get angry, cuz we want a brave man, a cave man.  (2/22/2016)
Thin-skinned Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old fires volley at Pope.  (2/18/2016)
Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old should go ahead and put it in the want ads.  (1/29/2016)
Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old plans to skip debate.  (1/27/2016)
Presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old reacts to SOTU.  (1/13/2016)

Donald Trump: Ever the voice of moderation and rationality



As quoted in Donald Trump on brokered convention: 'I think you'd have riots'.  (CNN, 3/16/2016)

Related post:
Donald Trump flips off the world and sends a clear message to his supporters.  (3/13/2016)

It's a windy day, but the ducks are doing just fine, thanks





Is this a penis joke?


Mediaite, 3/16/2016
This morning, Donald Trump announced he would not be participating in the debate. Shortly afterward, John Kasich’s campaign announced that without Trump at the debate, Kasich would not participate. Ted Cruz has expressed a willingness to debate Trump or Kasich — or both. But obviously, there needs to be more than one participant. So the Salt Lake City debate is cancelled.

Sorry, no solo performers.

Dear Charles and David Koch, Mission accomplished! Love, Scott Fitzgerald



As quoted in State Senate adjourns for 2016; declines to act on high-profile bills.  (Madison.com, 3/16/2016)

And what are these "four major reforms"?
  1.  Making Wisconsin a rignt-to-work state.  See American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) model policy for details.
  2. Partially eliminating Wisconsin's prevailing wage.  See American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) model policy for details.
  3. Scrapping Wisconsin's 100-year-old system of civil service.  See American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) model legislation for details.
  4. Making changes to Wisconsin's workers' compensation program.  See American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) model legislation for details.


WIGOP promotes ALEC agenda.
The 17 white GOP legislators who "inspired" today's Day Without Latinos rally in Madison (and where they live).  (2/18/2016)
Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) on the issues and working together. (2/11/2016)
 GOP State Sen. Frank Lasee's ALEC bill promotes private water companies' workforce issues.  (1/27/2016)
While Scott Walker blathers about his jobs focus, Wisconsin Republicans continue to push an ALEC agenda.  (1/25/2016)
The big, the bold Scott Walker promises more ALEC model policy plagiarism for Wisconsin.  (11/7/2015)(
Time for another Republican hypocrisy alert! (10/23/2015)
Get me rewrite: Wisconsin lawmakers eye ALEC model legislation to end state's prevailing wage laws.  (4/5/2015) 
Why do Republicans call it 'worker freedom'? Because the Koch Brothers say so.  (3/7/2015) 
Scott Walker: Putting the power of government into the hands of the Koch Brothers.  (2/23/2015)
Since 2008 Scott Walker pledges his allegiance to the Koch Brothers.  (2/21/2015) 
Why drug tests for recipients of public aid in Wisconsin?  Because the Koch Brothers say so.  (2/10/2015)
Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby) Does ALEC's "Ag-Gag" Bidding.  (2/9/2015)
Van Wanggaard toes the ALEC line.  (2/7/2015)
Meet Scott Walker's "ideas" men.  (1/29/2015)
The Koch Brothers bring you "The Big and the Bold".  (1/24/2015)
Chris Kapenga, ALEC waterboy, is at it again. (12/11/2014)
UPDATED:  They pledge allegiance to the Koch Brothers.  (11/19/2014)
Of course, Kapenga hasn't drafted a bill; it's already been done for him.  (12/4/2014)
Here's an example of what happens when people don't pay attention.  (10/8/2014)
Speaking of plagiarism: The Kapenga Chronicles   (9/27/2014)
ALEC tools Leah Vukmir and Alberta Darling go off the deep end.  (9/22/2014)
Speaking of plagiarism.  (9/20/2014)
Just what the Wisconsin legislature needs:  Another ALEC disciple.  (8/7/2014)
Meet Chris Kapenga, R-Waterboy, representing the grate state of ALEC.  (2/18/2014)
Sen. Paul Farrow throws a hissy fit (which is transcribed in this news release).  (2/7/2014)
Robin Vos believes in selective transparency of the kind advanced by the American Legislative Exchange Council.  (12/24/2013)
Background on the National Conference of State Legislatures for Leah.  (12/12/2013)
From ALEC to Andre to us: Rep. Jacque (R-DePere) whittles model bill down to the basics.  (9/1/2013)
NRA/ALEC "Docs and Glocks" law finally makes its way to Wisconsin.  (6/18/2013)
Robin Vos, "an ALEC Wisconsin Foot Soldier" (SourceWatch).  (6/13/2013)
ALEC'd to Death: Wisconsin Republicans Continues to Depend on the Koch Brothers' Playbook. (6/7/2013)
ALEC's State Budget Reform Toolkit: "Asset Sale and Lease Opportunities".  (6/6/2013)
Selling State Properties? It's in the ALEC Playbook.  (5/22/2013)
More cookie-cutter legislation from ALEC.  (4/7/2013)
What the Koch Brothers left under Scott Walker's 2010 Christmas tree.  (6/19/2012)

Dear Rep. Sanford, Why don't you have someone embroider this on a hanky for you?



As quoted in Conservatives snub Paul Ryan, block budget.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/16/2016)

Other Sanford posts:
Freedom Caucus 'crazy' Mark Sanford joins his Republican colleagues in a chorus of "I Pledge Allegiance to the NRA".  (1/8/2016)
Meet 'the crazies' in the U.S. House of Representatives.  (10/12/2015)
Meet the members of the U.S. House of Representatives Freedom Caucus.  (9/28/2015)
Meet the members of the Republican Study Committee.  (7/31/2015)
No friend to the environment.  (4/18/2015)
Second chances in politics, a Scorecard: Mark Sanford (yes), Anthony Weiner (TBD).  (6/2/2013)
This is what passes for political insight in South Carolina.  (5/7/2013)

Meet the newest member of the 30-percenters: Freedom Caucus anointed Warren Davidson


Photo credit:  Ballotpedia

2 state representatives, Timothy Derickson and Bill Beagle, opened the door for Warren, who vote total represents approximately 8% of the OH8 CD's voting-age population.  

So far, I haven't heard anyone use the word 'mandate'. 

As always, Ballotpedia is quick to publish the results.


Former House Speaker John Boehner used to represent Ohio's 8th Congressional district.

Can you spell gerrymander?

Source:  Wikipedia

Related reading:
Ohio Voters Choose House Freedom Caucus Candidate To Replace John Boehner.  (Huffington Post, 3/15/2016)
Political outsider wins confounding Boehner race.  (Cincinnati Enquirer, 3/16/2016)