Saturday, May 5, 2018

$749,900 home includes 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (one with group shower)


Source:  Next Door

Related posts:
Yours for $369,900: Beautiful on the inside, in dire need of a paint job on the outside.  (5/5/2018)
1940s house to get promised revamp, asks $415K.  (4/30/2018)

Trump tariffs, possible trade war could help flip Washington's 8th congressional district


Rep. Dave Reichert was first elected to Congress in November 2004.  He is not running for re-election this fall.

Tariff Impact Colors a Key House Race in Boeing Country.  (The New York Times, 5/3/2018)
“I’m concerned a potential trade war could affect work for our members and work for me,” Mr. Cesmat said. “Thousands of people’s jobs rely on a working relationship with China.” 
Nowhere is that truer than in Washington, which sent $18 billion in goods to China last year, more than any other state. A congressional race here has become a crucial test of whether Mr. Trump’s upending of the norms of international trade will come at the expense of Republican candidates.

Source:  Ballotpedia

Trump received 44.7% of the vote in 2016 compared to 49.7% for Romney in 2012 and 46.8% for McCain in 2008.

Clinton received 47.7% of the vote in 2016 compared to 48.1% for Obama in 2012 and 51.8% for Obama in 2008. 

Source:  govtrack

Other retirements/resignations:
Martha McSally, Arizona 2nd.  (10/8/2017)

Jeff Denham, California 10th.  (10/9/2017)
David Valadao, California 21st.   (10/10/2017)
Steve Knight, California 25th.  (10/11/2017)
Ed Royce, California 29th.  (10/12/2017)
Mimi Walters, California 45th.  (2/12/2018)

Dennis Ross, Florida 15th.  (4/12/2018)
Brian Mast, Florida 18th.  (10/13/2017)
Carlos Curbelo, Florida 26th.  (10/14/2017)

Mike Bost, Illinois 12th. (10/15/2017)

Rod Blum, Iowa 1st CD.  (2/12/2018)

Kevin Yoder, Kansas 3rd.  (10/16/2017)

Andy Barr, Kentucky 6th CD.  (2/12/2018)

Mike Bishop, Michigan 8th CD.  (2/12/2018)

Erik Paulsen, Minnesota 3rd.  (10/17/2017)

Don Bacon, Nebraska 2nd.  (10/18/2017)

Tom MacArthur, New Jersey 3rd.  (10/19/2017)
Leonard Lance, New Jersey 7th.  (2/14/2018)

Lee Zeldin, New York 1st CD.  (2/12/2018)
John Faso, New York 19th CD.  (2/12/2018)
Claudia Tenney, New York 22nd.  (10/21/2017)
John Katko, New York 24th CD.  (2/12/2018)

Steve Chabot, Ohio 1st CD. (2/12/2018)

Ryan Costello, Pennsylvania 6th.  (10/23/2017)

Will Hurd, Texas 23rd.  (4/15/2018)
Pete Sessions, Texas 32nd.  (4/15/2018)

Greetings from Trump's America: Nowata County, Oklahoma, still without a Walmart since 1995


Wal-Mart has outraged and hobbled this struggling city of barbed wire, comatose oil fields and 3,900 people since shutting its store here a year ago. Public services have been cut, taxes have risen, and jobs are scarcer. Wal-Mart bank deposits and wages that helped sustain the economy have shrunk. People now have to take to the highways to shop for clothes and household goods.


Source:  Wikipedia




Source: Wikipedia
Third party (mostly Ross Perot) candidates:  23.9% in 1992, 15.8% in 1996.

Other Trump's America posts:
Alabama
Autauga County.  (6/29/2017)
Bibb County.  (11/10/2017)
Covington County. (11/11/2017)
Dale County.  (12/12/2017)
Geneva County.  (11/11/2017)
Marion County.  (11/11/2017)

Arizona
8th congressional district.  (4/25/2018)

Arkansas
Faulkner County.  (3/20/2018)
Mississippi County.  (3/19/2018)
Woodruff County.  (3/26/2018)

California
Mesa County.  (7/20/2017)
Shasta County.  (7/4/2017

Colorado
Morgan County.  (4/25/2017)

Florida
Citrus County.  (3/5/2017)
DeSoto County,.  (9/9/2017)

Idaho
Kootenai County.  (9/25/2017)

Illinois
Effingham County.  (2/15/2018)
Franklin County.  (2/27/2017)
McHenry County.  (2/5/2017)
Perry County.  (5/8/2017)
16th Congressional District.  (3/26/2017)

Indiana
Granger.  (3/26/2017)
Hendricks County.  (10/1/2017)
Huntington County.  (4/27/2017)
Jefferson County.  (3/10/2018)
Posey County.  (10/21/2017)
Scott County,.  (10/21/2017)

Iowa
Boone County.  (1/15/2017)
Cass County.  (4/3/2018)
Clinton County.   (10/15/2017)
Franklin County, (8/14/2017)
Hamilton County.  (4/2/2018)
Hardin County.  (4/2/2018)
Lyon County.  (4/2/2018)
Marion County.  (5/23/2017)
Monticello.  (1/13/2017)
Poweshiek and Webster counties.  (2/7/2017)
Sioux County.  (2/22/2018)
Union County.  (9/10/2017)
Washington County.  (4/2/2018)
Winnebago County. (12/17/2017)
Wright County.  (8/8/2017)

Kansas
Clark County.  (3/21/2017)
Mitchell County.  (1/29/2017)
Sumner County.  (10/1/2017)

Kentucky
Hancock County,.  (10/21/2017)
Jackson County.  (12/9/2017)
Knox and Whitley counties.  (2/17/2017)
Lee County.  (12/9/2017)
Letcher County.  (6/29/2017)
Martin County.  (3/22/2018)
Perry County.  (10/10/2017)

Louisiana
Calcasieu Parish,.  (5/22/2017)
St. Martin Parish.  (4/26/2017)

Maine
Piscataquis County.  (7/3/2017)

Michigan
Macomb County.  (11/29/2017)
St. Joseph County.  (6/5/2017)

Minnesota
Lac qui Parle County.  (7/2/2017)
Nobles County.  (1/26/2018)

Mississippi
Pontotoc County.  (7/19/2017)

New Jersey
7th Congressional District.  (4/14/2017)

New York
UPDATE:  Essex County.  (11/29/2017)
Putnam County.  (2/27/2018)
19th Congressional District.  (3/26/2017)

North Carolina
Robeson County.  (12/1/2017)
Union County.  (3/9/2017)

North Dakota
Sargent County.  (10/22/2017)

Ohio
Adams County.  (12/9/2017)
Columbiana County,  (12/11/2017)
Defiance County.  (3/21/2017)
Highland County.   (3/19/2017)
Huron County.  (6/19/2017)
Jackson County.  (6/6/2017)
Lawrence County.  (2/25/2018)
Morgan County.  (10/10/2017)
Shelby County.  (3/2/2018)
Trumbull County.  (4/3/2017)
Van Wert County.  (4/12/2017)
Williams County.  (3/21/2017)
Wyandot County.  (5/4/2018)

Oklahoma
Bryan County.  (5/5/2017)

Oregon
Douglas County.  (5/17/2017)

Pennsylvania
Dauphin County. (4/22/2017)
Erie County.  (9/2/2017)
Greene County.  (5/3/2017)
UPDATE. Luzerne County.  (1/14/2017)
Northampton County.  (7/20/2017)
Wayne County.  (3/1/2018)
Williamsport.  (1/24/2017)

South Carolina
Spartanburg County.  (6/5/2017)

South Dakota
Lawrence County,.  (4/27/2017)

Tennessee
Campbell County.  (12/10/2017)
Marion County.  (4/1/2017)
Maury County.  (10/31/2017)
Roane County.  (5/1/2018)
Union County.  (5/30/2017)

Texas
Gaines County.  (4/26/2017)
Shackelford County.  (2/26/2018)

Washington
Grays Harbor County.  (8/20/2017)

West Virginia
Berkeley County.  (3/25/2018)
Boone County.  (3/23/2018)
Cabell County.  (8/4/2017)
Fayette County.  (1/24/2017)
Jackson County.  (6/18/2017)
Marshall County.  (2/7/2018)
Mason County.  (12/16/2017)
McDowell County.  (7/10/2017)
Mingo County.  (3/25/2018)
Summers County.  (3/25/2018)
Wayne County.  (3/24/2018)

Wisconsin
6th congressional district.  (1/27/2018)
Adams County.  (2/6/2017)
Buffalo County.  (3/19/2017)
Burnett County.  (2/24/2018)
Clark County,.  (3/19/2017)
Fond du Lac County.  (3/7/2018)
Green Lake County.  (1/26/2018)
Jackson County.  (3/8/2018)
Johnson Creek.  (1/21/2017)
Juneau County.  (2/23/2017)
Manitowoc County.  (8/10/2017)
Monroe County.  (3/8/2018)
Oneida County.  (4/24/2017)
Pepin County.  (12/21/2017)
Price County.  (10/21/2017)
Richland County.  (11/10/2017)
Sawyer County.  (3/20/2017)
Taylor County.  (3/19/2017)
Waushara County.  (2/6/2017)
Winnebago County.  (11/27/2017)
Wood County.  (3/8/2018)

Yours for $369,900: Beautiful on the inside, in dire need of a paint job on the outside


Source:  Nextdoor

This is curious.  How do you 'retire' a parcel that was recently remodeled and is currently occupied?

Source:  Access Dane

 Photo and close-ups by Retiring Guy



Related post:
1940s house to get promised revamp, asks $415K.  (4/30/2018)

Friday, May 4, 2018

The shameless Scott Walker bonus round: Election-year transportation funding for mostly red counties


Friday afternoon press release


Governor Walker Announces Additional $25 Million in Savings for 12 Highway Projects.  (Office of the Governor, 5/4/2018)

Dane County sales tax revenue increases 44% since 2009



The sales tax comprises 11.3% of total budget revenues.


Record heat: Broken records all over New Jersey




Reported in More N.J. heat records smashed as temps soar into 90s.  (nj.com, 5/3/2018)

Broken record announcements courtesy of Len Melisurgo, weather reporter NJ Advance Media.

Related posts:
It eventually reached 90 degrees in Washington DC, setting a new record.  (5/3/2018)
Nawabshah, Pakistan, sets April 30 record for highest global temperature ever: 122.4 degrees Fahrenheit.  (5/3/2018)
Record-breaking heat at 16 locations in British Columbia.  (4/28/2018)
UPDATE: Twin-spin, record-setting heat in Adelaide.  (4/25/2018)
Across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, Croatia is broiling in the April heat.  (4/24/2018)
Record April heat in northern Italy.  (4/24/2018)
Arizona sets record for warmest 'cold season'.  (4/18/2018)
It's shaping up to be a broiling hot April in the Indian state of Odisha.  (4/17/2018)

The compensation chronicles UPDATE: Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate spotted in Madison



Desperate measures for desperate times


AJC poll: Cagle leads GOP race for governor, tight race for No. 2 spot.  (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 4/29/2018)


Original 5/3/2018 post, "The compensation chronicles: I suspect that Brian Kemp has always had to sit down when he pees", starts here.

Breaking an NRA safety rule would seem to disqualify a person from running for ANY elected office.


Georgia governor candidate aims gun at teen in campaign ad. ‘Get over it,’ he tells critics.  (Washington Post, 5/2/2018)

Related link:
NRA Gun Safety Rules.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Jack Jablonksi was Sheila Harsdorf's chief of staff for 10 years


Source:  LinkedIn

Source:  LinkedIn


Reported in From up high:  Documents show Walker’s office recommended young, inexperienced lawyer for top state post.  (Isthmus, 5/8/2018)

Dear Scott Walker, If ever there was a time to pray for Wisconsin, it is from now until November 6


Center portion from @ScottWalker

Then and Now: Beltline and University Avenue in Middleton WI


Then  (Aerial photo from the 9/6/1951 Wisconsin State Journal)

Source:  Madison Public Library clippings files

NOW.  The following 3 videos demonstrate just how much has changed in 67 years.









Source:  Wikipedia

Foxconn's rising stock? I guess WisPolitics staff don't get around much anymore



Wisconsin Political Stock Report by the editors of WisPolitics.com.   (Reprinted in Kenosha News, 5/1/2018)


Reported in Foxconn town hall draws crowd in Chippewa Falls.  (Chippewa Herald, 5/2/2018)

Dion's back-up group The Belmonts recorded a forgetable version of this 1940s American standard in 1961.  The song debuted at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending September 4, 1961.   It spent 9 weeks on the chart, peaking at #57 on two separate occasions.



Other Foxconn posts:
May 2018
Foxconn present, "Listen to Louis".  (5/2/2018)
Foxconn and self-driving trucks:  Wishing won't make it so.  (5/1/2018)

April 2018
Did Louis Woo just let the cat out of the bag?  (4/30/2018)
UPDATE: So, basically, Louis Woo, what's really going on in that rental building?  (4/30/2018)
Foxconn and robots:  Joined at the hip.  (4/26/2018)
UPDATE. Woo sez Foxconn wowed by 4 billion dollars' worth of Walker wooing.  (4/26/2018)
State Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) conducts a Foxconn storytime at the Greenwood Cafe.  (4/26/2018)
Question of the day: Do you take Foxconn's pledge at face value? (4/25/2018)
Foxconn decision: The $4.7 billions in assistance, of course, has nothing to do with it.  (4/19/2018)
In deep red Ozaukee County, disparagement of Scott Walker's Foxconn giveaways.  (4/19/2018)
City of Milwaukee publishes Foxconn company profile.  (4/18/2018)
That Foxconn sucking sound: Up to $40 million for a single county highway project vs. a $47 million funding distribution for the entire North Central region of Wisconsin. / (4/8/2018)

March 2018
The fantasy life of our sloganeering governor Scott Walker.  (3/21/2018)
Racine County air quality alert: Foxconn emissions of ozone precursors.  (3/16/2018)
Here's a proposal that's chock full of nuts.  (3/9/2018)
The toxic possibilities of Foxconn's wastewater discharge.  (3/8/2018)
Marquette Law School poll: Most folks aren't buying Scott Walker BS about statewide benefits of Foxconn deal.  (3/5/2018)
Wisconsin Department of Administration policy analyst: Walker pretty much shot his wad with Foxconn deal.  (3/5/2018)
UPDATE. John and Kim Mahoney take issue with that 'generous offers' happy talk.  (3/3/2018)

February 2018
Make way for robots.  (2/25/2018)
Foxconn now classified as public works project.  (2/21/2018)
Two peas in a pod: Scott Walker in top 10 of least popular governors, Terry Gou's Foxconn in top 10 of America's most hated tech companies.  (2/13/2018
Scott Walker pins his hopes on an old-fashioned manufacturing kind of guy.  (2/13/2018)
Con artists reap benefits of Scott Walker's Foxconn deal.  (2/10/2018)
Get me rewrite: Foxconn CEO Terry Gou interested in UW-Madison AI expertise to automate his factories.  (2/9/2018)
Foxconn puff piece: Will the real Naoki Hosoya please stand up.  (2/8/2018)
Wisconsin taxpayers carry the burden for job creators.  (2/6/2018)

January 2018
Not to mention Grantsburg, Hayward, Bayfield, Ashland, Hurley, Eagle River, Crandon, and Florence.  (1/26/2018)
Wisconsin cities with highest unemployment rates could use some of that Chicago millennials Foxconn love that Scott Walker is dishing out.  (1/27/2018)
GOP bastion in Racine County sez 'no' to Foxconn-related development.  (1/21/2018)
UPDATE. Here comes that specious Foxconn-Boeing comparison again.  (1/18/.2018)
The Foxconn ka-ching ka-ching ka-ching.  (1/17/2018)
FierceWireless's buzzkill on the Foxconn deal.  (`/16/2018)
Official press agency of People's Republic of China: 'Villagers' in Racine County rebel against Foxconn land grab.  (1/12/2018)
Owner of company that wins Foxconn road construction contract serves up heaping helping of hyperbole, as well campaign contributions to GOP incumbents.  (1/5/2018)

December 2017
Historic giveaways: Most expensive taxpayer-funded jobs in history is Scott Walker's top accomplishment in 2017.  (12/26/2017)
Gateway Technical College cutting-edge Foxconn curriculum does not include workforce development, employee relations, and management concepts.  (12/25/2017)
Let's put this Foxconn deposit in perspective.  (12/23/2017)
UPDATE. Scott Walker Monday tweet storm attempts to distract us from his highway funding mess.  (12/19/2017)
GOP legislative aide and letter writer Keith Best needs to brush up on his Foxconn analogies.  (12/16/2017)
UPDATE: The Wisconn Valley Way to Wisconsin's fiscal and moral bankruptcy.  (12/15/2017)
Scott Walker, meet Andrew Ng, who wants to help Foxconn bring intelligence displayed by machines to Racine County.  (12/14/2017)
Billions for Foxconn but a raw deal for Mount Pleasant residents John and Kim Mahoney.  (12/13/2017)
Some residents of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois will help to foot the bill for a $140,000,000 Foxconn campus electrical substation.  (12/12/2017)
A deafening silence: What role will robotics play at Foxconn's Mount Pleasant manufacturing plant?  (12/12/2017)
Inquiring minds want to know why driverless technology wasn't discussed during Foxconn contract negoatiations, Scott Walker.  (12/12/2017)
Donald Trump and Terry Gou: Scott Walker loves these two peas in a pod.  (12/9/2017)
Reggie White:Green Bay Packers:: Foxconn:Wisconsin (Scott Walker analogy reveals his crazed desperation).  (8/10/2017)

It eventually reached 90 degrees in Washington DC, setting a new record


iPhone screenshot from Weather Channel

Update: We had record heat today, and we’ll try for more records Thursday.  (Washingotn POst, 5/2/2018)

Related article:
NYC's simmering temps tie record for hottest May 2 ever.  (New York City Patch, 5/2/2018)

Related posts:
Nawabshah, Pakistan, sets April 30 record for highest global temperature ever: 122.4 degrees Fahrenheit.  (5/3/2018)
Record-breaking heat at 16 locations in British Columbia.  (4/28/2018)
UPDATE: Twin-spin, record-setting heat in Adelaide.  (4/25/2018)
Across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, Croatia is broiling in the April heat.  (4/24/2018)
Record April heat in northern Italy.  (4/24/2018)
Arizona sets record for warmest 'cold season'.  (4/18/2018)
It's shaping up to be a broiling hot April in the Indian state of Odisha.  (4/17/2018)

Nawabshah, Pakistan, sets April 30 record for highest global temperature ever: 122.4 degrees Fahrenheit


Map source:  Washington Post

Pakistan’s Searing April Temperatures Set New Global Record.  (Smithsonian, 5/3/2018)
On Monday, the city of Nawabshah reached 122.4 degrees Fahrenheit, causing heatstroke, power outages and general misery. 

Related posts:
Record-breaking heat at 16 locations in British Columbia.  (4/28/2018)
UPDATE: Twin-spin, record-setting heat in Adelaide.  (4/25/2018)
Across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, Croatia is broiling in the April heat.  (4/24/2018)
Record April heat in northern Italy.  (4/24/2018)
Arizona sets record for warmest 'cold season'.  (4/18/2018)
It's shaping up to be a broiling hot April in the Indian state of Odisha.  (4/17/2018)

UPDATE: Instead of fiddling around, Scott Walker should have listened to George Meyer 3 years ago



Reported in Scott Walker seeks tougher rules on deer chronic wasting disease.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 5/3/2018)

Related reading:
As new CWD cases emerge, endemic apathy remains in Capitol.  (Green Bay Press Gazette, 4/27/2018)
Despite those findings, the DNR’s communications office acted as if the news was a footnote to renewing baiting and feeding bans. Those restrictions are in effect for at least three years in Oneida and Eau Claire counties, and two years in Langlade, Buffalo, Dunn, Pepin, Chippewa and Trempealeau counties. 
Then again, downplaying CWD has been the DNR’s game plan since Gov. Scott Walker took office in January 2011. Gov. Walker quickly entrusted Wisconsin’s deer management to Greg Kazmierski by appointing him to the Natural Resources Board, which sets DNR policy.


Original 11/11/2015 post, "Walker administration fiddles while chronic wasting disease spreads", starts here.


As quoted in New deer hunt practice may further weaken state tracking of deadly CWD.  (Madison.com, 11/16/2015)

Well, at least those biologists who are still employed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.


Outdoor News (highlight added)

CWD prevalence and surveillance.

Here's a 3rd-term campaign slogan for you.

Scott Walker 2018.  Limited government?  We're tearing it down brick by brick.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Oh, please, Morning Consult. It's has nothing to do with love or admiration. It's all about name recognition.




West Lakeside Street business district, Madison WI


Photo and video by Retiring Guy


Source:  1950 Madison City Directory

Wisconsin State Historical Society photos



Red bar marks the spot

Based on geography, I'd take a pass on that California grown romaine lettuce


Either the display was just stocked or shoppers are avoiding romaine lettuce as a matter of course.

Photo by Retiring Guy


Reported in E. coli outbreak tied to romaine lettuce is largest since 2006.  (CBS News, 4/17/2018)

Get me rewrite. Rolling Stone reports on the perils of self-diagnosis




Original 2/26/2018 post, "Dear Bishop Wayne Jackson, It's called dyspepsia, and there's something you can do about it", starts here.

Here's an overview.

Photo credit:  LinkedIn

Reported in In Donald Trump, Evangelicals Have Found Their President.  (The New York Times, 2/24/2018)