Bullied by the State's Extremely Conservative Legislature

In Kansas, Professors Must Now Watch What They Tweet.  (Wisconsin Public Radio, 5/14/2014)

Casting a wide net.   The new policy says that faculty and staff of the state's six universities, 19 community colleges and six technical colleges may not say anything on social media that would incite violence, disclose confidential student information or release protected data. But it also says staffers are barred from saying anything "contrary to the best interests of the university."

And there's a Facebook page against it.

The Cat's Got Scott Fitzgerald's Tongue

Bill Lueders: Bills to restrict voting in Wisconsin get little support from lobbyists. (Capital Times, 5/14/2014)

There's a problem because the Koch Brothers say there's a problem.   In fact, no group with a paid lobbyist registered in favor of this bill, which passed the Assembly on a 54-38 party-line vote. This and other voting-related bills seem to defy the popular belief that lobbying drives legislation. 

Related posts:
I can see how these pie graphs from a 2005 report might have informed the discussion for voter ID proponents.  (5/11/2014)
Rand Paul wants to have it both ways on voter ID....and does a sloppy tap dance in the process.   (5/10/2014)
I can see how one of these facts might inform the discussion for voter ID proponents.  (5/6/2014)
When it comes to diversity, all they want to do is talk.  (5/4/2014)
We're still awaiting a statement from Governor Walker.  (4/29/2014)
Voter suppression: Rep. Tom Larson uses the City of Milwaukee as the bogeyman.  (3/31/2014)
Sen. Mary Lazich shows her true colors.  (3/18/2014)
Wisconsin headline? No, the Ohio legislature also approved model voter suppression legislation from ALEC.  (3/14/2014) 
And the hypocrisy just keeps on coming: Republicans can't even give lip service to their "principles".  (2/14/2014)
Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald sez "no" to 40 of his Assembly colleagues.  (12/30/2013)
Your Wisconsin Republican Assembly hard at work promoting Governor Walker's jobs agenda (and GOP principles).  (11/15/2013)
Mary Lazich: Caught in the act of undermining confidence in the voting process.  (11/4/2013) 
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement asks a question about voter ID laws.  (11/28/2012)
Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) still drinking the Kool-Aid.  (11/12/2012)
Tennessee Supreme Court gives Memphis Public Library cards a thumbs up for voter ID.  (11/4/2012)
Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling pisses off Republicans.  (10/27/2012)
Early voting begins today (Monday, October 22) in Wisconsin.  (10/22/2012)
Judge finds at least one aspect of Tennessee voter ID law "nonsensical".  (8/1/2012)
Judge to weigh in on library cards in Memphis voter ID skirmish.  (7/30/2012)
Library card/voter ID fray in Memphis.  (7/10/2012)
I'd be careful making any long-term Voter ID assessments based on the February 21 primary election turnout.  (2/26/2012)
Hope you signed at least one recall petition, Ruthelle.  (12/5/2011)
True, but why not share a couple of examples with us, Deborah.  (11/11/2011)
Hoping that other state newspapers have similar local news to share.  (10/29/2011)
Walker sez "We're broke" but GAB could spend $600,000 on voter ID public education plan.  (10/12/2011)
ACLU of Wisconsin denounces photo ID policy reversal.  (10/7/2011)
Voter ID:  "A solution without a problem".  (9/25/2011)
Wisconsin State Bar's Civil Rights Section requests AG Holder to monitor Voter ID Bill.  (9/1/2011)

League of Wisconsin Voters challenge voter ID laws as unconstitutional.  (8/22/2011)

What's the matter with Wisconsin?  (7/27/2011)
Wisconsin Legislative Council information memorandum.  (7/15/2011)
Appleton Alderman Wants Pushback on State Voter ID Bill.  (2/7/2011)

Voter ID in Wisconsin:  A bill and a constitution amendment.  (1/13/2011)

Related reading:
New G.O.P. Bid to Limit Voting in Swing States. (The New York Times, 3/29/2014)
ALEC Exposed:  Democracy, Voter Rights, and Federal Power.  (Center for Media and Democracy, 9/28/2012)
Right-Wing Operatives Take Up ALEC's Voter Suppression Agenda.  (Center for Media and Democracy's PR Watch, 4/19/2012)
Voter Suppression 101.  (Center for American Progress. 4/4/2012)

Preceded by 3 Years of Some Construction Nightmares

Construction started in 1936 and was completed in 1939.

Frank Lloyd Wright and the John Building: A Case Study.

Word search: problem.  Macaulay then describes the building of the structure. Problems developed, such as

1. Would the structure serve its business needs? 
2. Discovery of two major structural problems 
3. Greater than expected delay 
4. “The building cost far more than Mr. Wright’s various estimates.” 

A Library Card Promotion at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library: Less (0:51) is More

Topeka Shawnee County Public Library: Download It

Stephen Chung on Public Library Architecture

About the video. Architect Stephen Chung talks about one episode of his PBS series, Cool Spaces!, that explores innovative public library buildings and the collaborative processes behind those designs. He spoke with KET's Bill Goodman for a forthcoming edition of One to One.

Stephen Chung Architect

Cool Spaces

In This Case, You'll Find the Crazy, a Hidebound Ideologue, in Room 205 of the Russell Senate Office Building

Climate Change Deemed Growing Security Threat By Military Researchers.  (The New York Times, 5/13/2014)

Source:  Official U.S. Senate photo

Sen. Inhofe is an unregenerate climate changer denier.

The Senator turns 80 this year.   And yes, he no longer looks quite as hale and hearty as he does in his holdin'-onto-yesterday official photo.  Take a look for yourself.

Other climate change posts:
Sunny-day flooding in Miami Beach: The everyday reality and the political denial.  (5/9/2014)
The rising sea levels of Bangladesh.  (3/30/2014)
Cold enough for you?  (3/9/2014)
Meteors, glaciers, and climate change.  (1/14/2014)
Climate change spurs northward growth of mangroves.  (1/1/2014)
Dear Skeptics, Climate change is already driving informed business decisions.  (12/15/2013)
Florida's vulnerable coastline.  (11/12/2013)
Promoting the need for regionalism among nations along the Bay of Bengal coast.  (10/14/2013)
Climate change not taking a back seat everywhere in Wisconsin.  (9/27/2013)
Climate change deniers continue to jump on the Daily Mail crazy train (or Oops! they did it again).  (9/25/2013) 
Cal Thomas: This climate change bulletin just in from the Daily Mail.  (9/24/2013) 
Cal Thomas needs a research assistant.  (9/23/2013)
Climate change, as a matter of fact.  (8/31/2013)
Outagamie County residents will be better served with a more proactive approach.  (8/20/2013)
Here's what got Ron Johnson's undies in a bundle (NoRoJo in 2016, chapter 12).  (8/15/2013)
Georgia's anti-science climate denier caucus.  (7/31/2013)
Here's a comforting headline.  (3/8/2013)
Making Fox News-Inspired Jokes About Climate Change? Consider Australia.  (3/5/2013)
The New Normal: Living With Extreme Weather (Northeastern U.S. Edition).  (2/10/2013)
1975: "There's a new ice age coming, but I wouldn't want to predict when.".  (1/27/2013)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Embargoes Use of Phrase "Climate Change"?  (12/31/2012)
Can you say 'climate change'?  (11/28/2012)
As you already know, Fox News is shameless.  (9/29/2012)
Dear George, It will take more than denial to get over climate change in Greenland.  (9/27/2012)
Climate change results in Coast Guard's "unprecedented" deployment to North Shore of Alaska.  (7/23/2013)
Weather history is made in the Northeast.  (10/30/2011)
Climate change in the American mind.  (6/8/2011)
Stuff you won't see on Fox News.  (1/8/2010)

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

Headline from the Ripon Press, 5/7/2014

Related NoRoJo 2016 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)

Hat tip to Mark Arend

Stuffed Animal Sleepover, Naperville-Style

Description: Children dropped their favorite furry friends off for a sleepover at 95th Street Library May 2. The stuffed animals played, ate snacks and listened to a story during their visit. The next Stuffed Animal Sleepover is May 30. Children can drop off their stuffed animals from 4 to 5 p.m. May 30 at Nichols Library and pick them up from 10:30 to 11 a.m. May 31.

Library Programs:  Stuffed Animal Sleepover.  (GreenBeanTeenQueen, 7/11/2011)

How often do they read for fun? Daily? Never/hardly at all?

From the Sheboygan Daily, 5/12/2014

From the video description. A large group of juveniles have been loitering outside the Mead Public Library in Downtown Sheboygan, often seen smoking, yelling at visitors and creating disturbances. Police have been called to the library a number of times for misbehaving juveniles.

Are the Koch Brothers Going All Touchy-Feeling on Us?

Hardly!

The Koch brothers have a new message. (Capital Times, 5/12/2014)

"Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it."  --George Santayana

Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin propaganda from 2012.



Related posts:
The tentacles of Charles and David Koch.  (3/21/2014)
Shocker: Wall Street willful ignorance on editorial page.  (3/9/2014)
People like us, sez Charles and David Koch.  (2/22/2014)
Americans for Prosperity (of Koch Brothers) already pumping big bucks into 2014 election attack ads.  (1/15/2014)
They pledge allegiance to the Koch Brothers.  (7/3/2013)
Scott Walker does his masters' bidding.  (2/14/2013)

Not to mention his support of me, Walker could have added

Scott Walker Tours Logistics Health, Inc., Honors CEO Don Weber.  (Office of the Governor press release, 5/12/2014)

The lede.   Governor Scott Walker today visited Logistics Health Inc. (LHI) in La Crosse to talk with officials and employees about the health care management company’s ongoing success and also to recognize company CEO Don Weber for his philanthropic work, leadership, and support of veterans and Reserve members.

Source:  Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Follow the Money

Logistics Health Inc. employees contributed $5,050 to Tommy Thompson from 2008 to 2011.

A little traveling music, Maestro.

To 2008.

Thompson and a 9/11 contract deal involves La Crosse firm, and treatment of some patients is criticized.  (Madison.com, 11/16/2008)

A Week in the Life of Some Ferns

Monday, May 5.

Tuesday, May 6.

Wednesday, May 7.

Thursday, May 8.

Friday, May 9.

Saturday, May 10.

Sunday, May 11.

This Hardly Qualifies as Library Collection Development on a Shoestring

‘We’re all hitting the same wall’: Maine’s community libraries seek funds to stay open. (Bangor Daily News, 5/12/2014)

About the Cherryfield Free Public Library

• Founded in 1837
• Organized as private, nonprofit library
• Number of patrons:  475 (not including those using computer, wifi)
• Weekly visits:  100 (double in the summer)
• Weekly circulations:  50

11 new books in 2014.  The operating budget [of the Cherryfield Free Public Library] does not include spending for adding new materials or equipment. In fact, the library usually adds to its collection annually but made no plans to do so this year for the first time. However, the board of trustees took a special vote to authorize a $250 order of 11 books recently.

Source:  Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS),

Public Libraries in the United States Survey, Fiscal Year 2011

Maine's public libraries fall into 2 of the 8 IMLS legal-basis categories.  The other 6 are:

1. County
2. City/county
3. Multijurisdictional
4. School district
5. Library district
6. Other (tribal, combined public/school)

Other states with a significant percentage of association libraries, which are defined by the IMLS as "a public library that is privately controlled but meets the statutory definition of a public library in a given state."

• Pennsylvania (85.5%)
• Rhode Island (50.0%)
• New York (47.0%)
• Connecticut 45.4%)
• Vermont (35.8%)

Overall, 13.9% of U.S. public libraries fall into this category.

Hudson Area Library

Heavy rain, high winds, but no details about the impact on the library.

Judge Rudolph Randa has grown accustomed to the style that we taxpayers afford him

Federal Judges Lynn Adelman, Rudolph Randa are polar opposites. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/11/2014)

Help yourself, Randa. A little more than a decade ago, Randa spent $1.85 million in taxpayer dollars to upgrade his courtroom, chambers and library, even adding a 400-pound, hand-carved wooden U.S. District Court seal to the wall and moving the six courtroom chandeliers so they aligned with his bench, not the windows.

Related post:
The Rudolph Randa resume, abbreviated.  (5/6/2014)

A Chevy Commecial to Keep Our Minds Off That Pesky Ignition Problem

Cute kid.   Shooting star.  Quarter moon.  Pastel sunrise.   Breakfast in bed.



About the video. We asked filmmakers from around the world to create a film for Chevrolet for the chance to have their work air. Chevrolet is proud to present "The Extra Mile" by Jake Viramontez. In the film, a dad and his daughter let mom sleep in while they chase the dawn in the Equinox.

GM knew about fatal Chevy ignition problem decade before recall.  (autoblog, 2/21/2014)

The Next Installment of Luxury Goods and Services

Piling on the Luxury. (The New York Times, 5/7/2014)

Looking forward to my coach flight to Rome on May 31st.  For most travelers, flying in style may be a thing of the past, but airlines are determined to bring back some glamour to air travel, at least for those sitting in the front of the plane. 

• Flat beds and fluffy pillows, 
• fancy wines and four-course meals, 
• designer-brand pajamas and luxurious vanity kits — 

these options have become the staple of business-class travel these days.

Related posts:
For some (think the 1%), times are very good,  (1/2/2014)
Cars for the 1%.  (3/30/2013)
On tiptoes to define the limits of acceptable luxury.  (8/30/2011)
Paying full price for luxury goods in a Dollar General economy.  (8/4/2011)

RV behemoths? Please, call us motor coaches!

Manufacturer's suggested retail price:  $445,942.
Motor Home Specialist sale price:  $299,912.
Length:  40 feet 5 inches
Number of slide-outs:  3
Number of air-conditioners: 2
Gas mileage:  Not provided.

Supersize Motor Homes Can Be a Good Wayt to Go, or Stay. (The New York Times, 5/9/2014)

Not for your average road warrior.   The big motor homes like the Kuehns’ start at 35 feet. Called motor coaches, they go up to 45 feet and weigh up to 25 tons — 14 times the weight of the average car. Most have two, three or four slide-outs — wall sections that are pushed out once the vehicle is parked, nearly doubling the living space. New, these big rigs sell for $200,000 to $2 million.

You need to make money -- big bucks -- save money. Retirees from high-tax states in the Northeast and Midwest can come out ahead if they go south. In Connecticut, the Andersons paid a 6 percent state income tax and a $13,000 real estate tax on their 18th-century nine-bedroom home. In Florida, they pay no state income tax and they pay $1,000 a year on their $56,000 lot. “We’re saving $20,000 a year right off the top,” Ms. Anderson said.

I Can See How These Pie Graphs from a 2005 Report Might Have Informed the Discussion for Voter ID Proponents

Source:  "The Driver License Status of the Voting Age Population in Wisconsin", by John Pawasarat, Employment and Training Institute, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, June 2005.

The first 2 paragraphs.     Because one of the most important employment issues facing central city Milwaukee residents is access to a valid drivers license, the UWM Employment and Training Institute has conducted considerable research on drivers license suspension and revocation issues for Milwaukee adults and teenagers and explored the impacts of past and current state policies suspending licenses for failure to pay fines and forfeitures on residents of central city neighborhood. This research report provides a first-time analysis of drivers license issues based on the racial/ethnicity of drivers and unlicensed adults in Wisconsin.  (The 2nd sentence appears in bold in the report.)

Related posts:
Rand Paul wants to have it both ways on voter ID....and does a sloppy tap dance in the process.   (5/10/2014)
I can see how one of these facts might inform the discussion for voter ID proponents.  (5/6/2014)
When it comes to diversity, all they want to do is talk.  (5/4/2014)
We're still awaiting a statement from Governor Walker.  (4/29/2014)
Voter suppression: Rep. Tom Larson uses the City of Milwaukee as the bogeyman.  (3/31/2014)
Sen. Mary Lazich shows her true colors.  (3/18/2014)
Wisconsin headline? No, the Ohio legislature also approved model voter suppression legislation from ALEC.  (3/14/2014) 
And the hypocrisy just keeps on coming: Republicans can't even give lip service to their "principles".  (2/14/2014)
Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald sez "no" to 40 of his Assembly colleagues.  (12/30/2013)
Your Wisconsin Republican Assembly hard at work promoting Governor Walker's jobs agenda (and GOP principles).  (11/15/2013)
Mary Lazich: Caught in the act of undermining confidence in the voting process.  (11/4/2013) 
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement asks a question about voter ID laws.  (11/28/2012)
Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) still drinking the Kool-Aid.  (11/12/2012)
Tennessee Supreme Court gives Memphis Public Library cards a thumbs up for voter ID.  (11/4/2012)
Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling pisses off Republicans.  (10/27/2012)
Early voting begins today (Monday, October 22) in Wisconsin.  (10/22/2012)
Judge finds at least one aspect of Tennessee voter ID law "nonsensical".  (8/1/2012)
Judge to weigh in on library cards in Memphis voter ID skirmish.  (7/30/2012)
Library card/voter ID fray in Memphis.  (7/10/2012)
I'd be careful making any long-term Voter ID assessments based on the February 21 primary election turnout.  (2/26/2012)
Hope you signed at least one recall petition, Ruthelle.  (12/5/2011)
True, but why not share a couple of examples with us, Deborah.  (11/11/2011)
Hoping that other state newspapers have similar local news to share.  (10/29/2011)
Walker sez "We're broke" but GAB could spend $600,000 on voter ID public education plan.  (10/12/2011)
ACLU of Wisconsin denounces photo ID policy reversal.  (10/7/2011)
Voter ID:  "A solution without a problem".  (9/25/2011)
Wisconsin State Bar's Civil Rights Section requests AG Holder to monitor Voter ID Bill.  (9/1/2011)

League of Wisconsin Voters challenge voter ID laws as unconstitutional.  (8/22/2011)

What's the matter with Wisconsin?  (7/27/2011)
Wisconsin Legislative Council information memorandum.  (7/15/2011)
Appleton Alderman Wants Pushback on State Voter ID Bill.  (2/7/2011)

Voter ID in Wisconsin:  A bill and a constitution amendment.  (1/13/2011)

Related reading:
New G.O.P. Bid to Limit Voting in Swing States. (The New York Times, 3/29/2014)
ALEC Exposed:  Democracy, Voter Rights, and Federal Power.  (Center for Media and Democracy, 9/28/2012)
Right-Wing Operatives Take Up ALEC's Voter Suppression Agenda.  (Center for Media and Democracy's PR Watch, 4/19/2012)
Voter Suppression 101.  (Center for American Progress. 4/4/2012)

How Does Your State Rate as the Best Possible Place to Live?

Better than Rhode Island!

Rhode Island, a State Sized Just Right to Contain Its Pride. (The New York Times, 5/10/2014)

Reasons given for the state's poor showing:

• Lack of jobs
• Reputation for corruption

Any state where residents of its largest city elect a crook and bully like Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci to the Mayor's office for a third time deserve all the misery they can handle.   

Cianci served as mayor of Providence from January 1974 to April 1984, when he was forced to resign from office after pleading guilty to a felony assault charge.  

He served again as mayor from January 1991 until September 2002, when he resigned after being sentenced to serve 5 years in federal prison for racketeering, conspiracy, extortion, witness tampering, and mail fraud.

Now he's considered a potential candidate for this year's race for Providence mayor.

Ay yi yi!

Montanans, Alaskans Say States Among Top Places to Live. (Gallup Politics, 4/24/2014)

49% of Wisconsin residents say we're the best or one of best possible states to live.

Number of Librarians in Wisconsin's Public Schools Declines by 21.4% since 2008-09

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction:  
2012-13 staff report update

Librarian and CTE positions down.   In selected staffing areas, one-year percentage losses were highest among school librarians and career and technical education teachers (CTE), down 3.7 percent or 32.7 FTE and 1.6 percent or 45.6 FTE respectively. These positions also had large percentage decreases between 2008-09 and 2012-13. During that span, there were 233.2 FTE fewer librarians (down 21.4 percent) and 523.2 FTE fewer CTE teachers (down 16.0 percent).

The national picture.

School Librarian Numbers Decline from 2004-2005 to 2010-2011.  (Fast Facts:  Recent statistics from the Library Research Service)
   
From 2010.  "A Nation Without School Librarians".