Saturday, October 31, 2015

Then and Now: Frac sand mining (Ethan Bellamy serves Rich Budinger a plate of crow)


Then:  2013

Photo credit:  LinkedIn

As quoted in Report: ‘Little impact’ on Wisconsin from frac sand mining jobs.  (Wisconsin Watch, 5/16/2013)


Now


As quoted in Midwest's frac sand industry falters as oil prices drop.  (Pioneer Press, 10/31/2015)


The view from Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association's homepage


The reality


Related posts:
Trempealeau County: Wisconsin's sandbox.  (1/16/2015)
A new day's dawning for Wisconsin's frac sand operators.  (1/10/2015)
Trempealeau County officials hope for greatly expanded use of sand bunkers.  (1/3/2015)
What Do Chieftain Sand and Source Energy Have in Common? (12/24/2014)
Tom "Terrific-for-the-Frac-Sand-Mining-Industry" Tiffany.  (12/19/2014)
Trempealeau County Residents Wonder If Their Drinking Water is Contaminated.  (10/16/2014
2010: Scott Walker pledges to get government out of the way.  (9/30/2014) 
More hills posed to go away.  (9/27/2014)
A personal account of the impact of frac sand mining.  (9/26/2014) 
Report: Communities At Risk: Frac Sand Mining in the Upper Midwest.  (9/26/2014) 
Makes you wonder: Do campaign contributions pay for a license to pollute?  (9/15/2014)
Maybe it has something to do with the hardhat.  (8/9/2014)
In other words, Kevin, people don't want to live near a frac sand mining operation.  (8/7/2014) 
UPDATED: Scott Walker continues his "Thank You for Your Contributions" tour.  (8/3/2014)
What a mere $8,000 will buy you in the Scott Walker House of Favors,  (3/30/2014)
Frac sand mining and property values: Homeowners vs. landowners.  (3/30/2014)
Nevertheless, transparency would have been in the general pubic's best interest.  (3/15/2014)
Wisconsin Towns Association has second thoughts about that "gentler" frac sand mining regulation bill. (3/4/014)
Scott Walker likely to support Tom Tiffany's new mining bill.  (2/27/2014)
The vision of Trempealeau County as one big mining operation -- nipped in the bud.  (2/20/2014)
Glenwood City Council members defeat their recall challengers by a hair.  (12/18/2013)
Wyoming's Republican Governor has a message for Wisconsin mining industry's "Tom Terrific".  (11/24/2013)
The mining industry's "Tom Terrific" gets pushback from his Republican colleagues.  (11/18/2013)
In so many words: Dear Sen. Tiffany, Your bill sucks, Sincerely, Pepin County Board.  (11/13/2013)
Follow the Gogebic money.  (11/7/2013)
Sand mine industry leaders put our minds at ease.  (11/5/2013)
Scott Walker donor promises jobs, permanence for Independence and Whitehall residents.  (10/29/2013)
Sen. Tom Tiffany's sand mine bill a hot potato.  (10/28/2013)
Another Walker campaign donor for SB349.  (10/25/2013)

Expensive to the Tune of $430,505.49 (as of June 30, 2013).  (10/25/2013)
The Nipper Chronicles: The frac sand mining masters speak.  (10/18/2013)

Things aren't so tranquil in Glenwood City Wisconsin lately  (10/10/2013)

Trump reverses direction, regains 1st place in latest national Republican poll



The behinders in the 10/24-29 IBB/TIPP poll:
  • 3% - Carly Fiorina
  • 2% - Rand Paul, Bobby Jindal
  • 1% - Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, Chris Christie, Rick Santorum
  • 0% - Lindsey Graham, George Pataki

Related posts:
Donald Trump goes south in latest national Republican poll.  (10/27/2015)
The latest Republican Presidential primary poll results accompanied by a most appropriate Frank Bruni quote.  (10/21/2015)
A passel of polls lately, all of em' touting Trump's tenacity.  (10/20/2015)
Republican Presidential primary race is turning into a snoozefest.  (10/20/2015)
More of the same, pretty much, in latest Republican Presidential primary poll.  (10/19/2015)
Clearly, the manufactured glow of Carly Fiorina's September 16th performance is fading.  (10/12/2015)
For now, Investors' Business Daily poll looks to be an outlier as Trump is back in 1st place.  (10/7/2015)
 Blathering his way to oblivion, Donald Trump falls out of first place in latest poll.  (10/4/2015)
Nothing to write home about in latest Republican Presidential primary poll.  (10/3/2015)
Another ho-hum Republican Presidential primary poll.  (10/1/2015)
The September polls have not been kind to Donald Trump.  (9/27/2015)
Scott Walker down to zero in latest Republican primary poll -- behind Rick Santorum, no less.  (9/20/2015)
Ben Carson closes the gap with Donald Trump in latest Republican primary poll.  (9/15/2015)
Scott Walker joins the bottom feeders in latest national Republican primary poll.  (9/14/2015)
CNN/ORC poll gives Scott Walker a pity-pat, lifts him out of behinder bin.  (9/10/2015)
Scott Walker slides to 3% in latest national poll; has 8th place all to himself.  (9/3/2015)
Scott Walker is likely to BLAME CANADA for his latest poll showing.  (9/1/2015)
Donald Trump maintains his lead, Scott Walker continues to slide in national Republican Presidential primary polls.  (8/27/2015)
Donald Trump maintains a sizable lead in latest national Republican Presidential primary poll.  (8/18/2015)
Donald Trump maintains his lead in national polls; Scott Walker is yesterday's news.  (8/16/2015) 
Trump continues to ebb, Fiorina surges in latest national Republican Presidential primary poll.  (8/12/2015)
Running up to Thursday's FOX News GOP debate, Donald Trump continues to run the poll table.  (8/4/2015)
A hot bat: Donald Trump goes 10 for 11 in July.  (8/3/2015) 
Another day, another 1st place poll finish for Donald Trump (9 and counting).  (8/3/2015)
Donald Trump continues to run the poll table: 8 in a row.  (8/2/2015)
Trump wins 6th national poll in a row.  (7/30/2015)
In his last 5 'starts', Donald Trump is 5-0 in national Republican presidential polling.  (7/27/2015)
Trump wins 4th national poll in a row; Walker closes gap.  (7/23/2015) 
Trump takes his 3rd national poll in a row.  (7/20/2015)
Donald Trump takes 1st place in consecutive national polls.  (7/17/2015)
On day 2 of Scott Walker's presidential campaign, a just-released Suffolk University/USA Today poll has Donald Trump in 1st place.  (7/14/2015)
Monmouth University poll casts a pall over Scott Walker's presidential candidacy announcement.  (7/13/2015)
Scott Walker leads in Iowa Republican presidential polling, but nationally it's a different story.  (7/1/2015)
Republicans' 2016 Presidential primary preferences look like a bunch of scribbles when graphed.  (6/22/2015)
Has anyone else noticed that Scott Walker peaked 2 months ago in New Hampshire? (6/14/2015)
Same as it ever was, pretty much, in latest Fox News poll.  (6/3/2015)
The latest CNN/ORC Republican presidential primary poll likes the Florida boys.  (6/2/2015) 
5-way tie in latest Quinnipiac Republican presidential primary poll.  (5/28/2015)
Republican presidential candidates find little elbow room in latest Fox News poll.  (5/16/2015)
Latest Public Policy Polling (PPP) numbers keep Republican candidates in a jumble.  (5/14/2015)
The Florida Boys leave Scott Walker in "show" position in latest Republican presidential horse race poll.  (5/5/2015)
Tracking the national Republican presidential primary polls.  (4/3/2015)
Scott Walker tied for 2nd with 'Dunno' in latest CNN/ORC poll. (3/19/2015)
Don't know/no answer/somebody else/won't vote leads latest Quinnipiac Republican Presidential primary poll.  (3/6/2015)
Someone else/no one, Ben Carson have best 1-2 punch in Public Policy poll.  (2/24/2015)
On the merry-go-round: Mike Huckabee takes the lead in the latest Republican Presidential preference poll.  (2/18/2015)

Friday, October 30, 2015

Rep. Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh): Pistol-packin' papa


(note the short list of authored proposal while you're at it)

As reported in Lawmaker, couple disagree on whether he showed pistol during visit.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/29/2015)
Jeri Bonavia, executive director of WAVE, said that two volunteers for her group from the Milwaukee area told her that Schraa had taken out his wallet and concealed carry permit from his left pants pocket and a small holstered pistol from his right pants pocket, with the retirees describing the holster as black. He showed the gun and permit while making a point about his support for gun rights, she said.

Meet Michael "I Am Constant" Schraa

No walk in the park for Sun Prairie man and friend



Woman lured men to ambush in Mazomanie, sheriff's office says.  (Madison.com, 10/30/2015)
The assault happened in a hiking area near Hudson and Beckman roads in the town of Mazomanie, but the incident started earlier in the day at a Walgreens in Sun Prairie. 
A 25-year-old Sun Prairie man became acquainted with a 25-year-old Mazomanie woman on Facebook and arranged to meet her, the man bringing along his 24-year-old friend from Windsor. 
"The two men met the woman at Walgreens, and she invited them to ride with her and her female friend to Sauk City to hang out," said sheriff's office spokeswoman Elise Schaffer.

The next time they're in the area, I'd suggest the guys taking up kayaking as opposed to hooking up.

I suspect, Joel, that the headline tells us all we need to know



As quoted in



Coulda be worse if her friend had lived on the third floor.


Fairway Market, "Like No Other Market" -- until Whole Foods opened a store in the neighborhood




Fairway Slumps as Epicure Options Grow.  (The New York Times, 10/29/2015)

As Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services analyst Diya Iyer notes. “Fairway has had some expectations issues.” 
The New York supermarket wars are just one of Fairway’s problems. A leveraged buyout of the chain by a private equity firm has contributed to a heavy debt load of $250 million. An overambitious store-opening strategy — it vowed to open 300 stores across the country — drained its cash flow and has caused ratings agencies to downgrade its debt. Its stock has plummeted, declining 86 percent since it went public in 2013.
Fairway currently operates 15 stores in the New York City metro area.

Other grocery store posts:
The A & P: Yesterday and today.  (8/13/2015)
Plains, Kansas, in search of a grocery store. (12/31/2014)
"The Future of Grocery is" Accelerated Checkout: What could possibly go wrong????!!!!  (12/23/2014)
Full-service grocery store to open in Florence County.  (5/28/2014)
Battle of the evaporated and condensed milks.  (10/29/2013)
The Shape of the 21st Century Library, by Howard Besser (1996): Notes, Quotes & What-Not, Part 1 (Other Insitutions Are Changing: The Rise of Large Stores and Chains).  (11/20/2012)

Would you buy a car "with a wheelbase stretched nearly eight inches to aid pampering in the rear"?


If so, prepare to shell out more than $200,000.



With the S600, Mercedes Revives the Maybach.  (The New York Times, 10/29/2015)
The back of my test vehicle had massaging seats that were warmed and chilled. Infinitely adjustable down to power leg rests, Maybach is the fastest and most luxurious La-Z-Boy on the planet.

Retiring Guy will have to settle for this Maibock.


Related post:
Ach du Lieber: Mercedes-Benz dishes up a big serving of self-driving car porn.  (1/9/2015)

'What will I write about today?' wonders William Petroski. 'How about Rick Santorum?!'


And this is the topic he comes up with in a 879-word essay!


As quoted in Santorum + sweater vest = Poll surge? Maybe not.  (Des Moines Register, 10/29/2015)

Santorum has been a bottom feeder all year long.


Rick Santorum:  Yesteryear's news.

Related posts:
The uncompassionate Rick Santorum.  (9/25/2015)
Dear Bobby Jindal and Rick Santorum. To stay strong, you first have to be strong.  (9/23/2015)
Rick Santorum's quixotic quest for an Iowa caucus victory.  (9/2/2015)
Rick Santorum: You ain't goin' nowhere in this presidential race.  (5/28/2015)
Walt Rogers hitches his star to a political flameout.  (5/17/2015)

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Headline News: CNBC's plans go awry


Print headline from The New York Times

The online headline hedges CNBC's bet.


Paul Ryan: A man with a plan in the wings?




So far, nobody else has been able to do it.


Rickia "Joanna" Eckland Freeburg (1928-2015) Warren High School Class of 1946



1946 Dragon yearbook

Joanna's high school activities:
Band (2, 3, 4); Girls' Club (2, 3, 4); Latin Club (2); Nunc et Tunc (2).

1967 Warren City Directory
1983 Warren City Directory
  • Eckland Harold retd h201 Dartmouth St
  • Freeburg R Joanna field rep Am Heart Assn r104 Lansing St
  • Freeburg Richd E & R Joanna; physical therapist Warren Genl Hosp h104 Lansing St

'Joanna' took the scenic route to achieve her peak of popularity in 1984.


Other members of the class of 1946:
Donald Champion.  (7/9/2015)
Paul McGarry.  (2/3/2015)
Caroline Tradico.  (1/25/2015)
Florence Miller Pring.  (10/3/2014)
Joan Dickerson Nosel.  (9/14/2014)
Raymond Berdine.  (8/1/2014)
Theresa Crull Gleason.  (7/22/2014)

Donald Trump and Ben Carson remain neck-and-neck in Pennsylvania



A lotta behinders in this 10/19-25 Franklin & Marshall poll:
  • 4% - Ted Cruz
  • 3% - Carly Fiorina, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie
  • 1% - Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Rand Paul, Bobby Jindal,
  • 0% - George Pataki

Recent state polls:
Clemson poll sez Donald Trump is no longer hot stuff in South Carolina.  (10/27/2015)
New Hampshire Republicans not warming up to Ben Carson.  (10/26/2015)
Trump, Carson tied in latest Iowa Republican caucus poll.  (10/26/2015)
Carly Fiorina not catching fire in Texas.  (10/1/2015)
Wisconsin voters don't necessarily heed Scott Walker's advice to dump Trump.  (10/1/2015)
On the other hand, Donald Trump can still say "I'm peaking! I'm peaking!" in North Carolina.  (9/29/2015)
At best, Donald Trump is treading water in Georgia.  (9/29/2015)
Scott Walker quickly flames out in Michigan.  (9/17/2015)
Pennsylvania: What was once Christie's, by a wide margin, is now Walker's.  (5/28/2015)

After taking in the view, Jeb Bush makes the descent to Walkerville


 Source:  Real Clear Politics

Down considerably from his mid-July peak.


As reported in Analysis: Bush comeback strategy backfires in GOP debate.  (Iowa Politics Now, 10/29/2015)

Looks to me like all Jeb Bush's $100,000,000 'in the bank' will buy him is plenty of nothing.

Sounds like we got ourselves a new campaign theme.



Only the title applies, of course.  For one thing, Jeb Bush has plenty of misery!

Related Jeb Bush descending posts:
Jeb Bush attempts to 'cow the field' only to fertilize it.  (10/27/2015)
Stuck at 6% for nearly 2 months, Jeb Bush remains confident of his chances in South Carolina.  (10/26/2015)
In related news, of Tommy Thompson's $15,850 to Wisconsin political candidates, $0 went to Scott Walker.  (10/5/2015)

Problem is....Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) thinks the Freedom Caucus is the future



As quoted in Paul Ryan elected House Speaker.  (Chicago Tribune, 10/29/2015)

Huelskamp's full statement:  Huelskamp Supports Paul Ryan for Speaker.  (Press release, 10/29/2015)
\
Related posts:
Tim Huelskamp's staff takes the pulse of Kansas State Fair attendees.  (10/4/2015)
Meet 'the crazies' in the U.S. House of Representatives: Tim Huelskamp (R-KS).  (10/4/2015)
Meet the members of the U.S. House of Representatives Freedom Caucus.  (9/28/2015)
Meet the members of the Republican Study Committee.  (7/12/2015)
No friend to the environment.  (1/7/2015)

Sad Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) enters the Republican, civil service echo chamber



As quoted in State Democrats Vote Against Pay Increases for State Workers.  (Press release, 10/28/2015))

Will the real Dan Knodl please stand up?

Photo (l) credit:  Wisconsin State Legislature

Related posts:
Storytime at the Wisconsin Department of Administration.  (10/29/2015)
Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg): Have I got a speedy hiring process for you!! (10/28/2015)
Wisconsin Republicans gut civil service: Are you starting to see a pattern here?  (10/28/2015)
Dear Mike Rohrkaste, Perhaps you weren't paying attention in 2011. Two words: Act 10.  (10/28/2015)
Newspeak just where you'd expect it -- in an Americans for Prosperity news release.  (10/28/2015)
Just think. Once the legislature guts civil service, Scott Walker's former aides can be appointed to all levels of state government.  (10/6/2015)

Scott Walker blows "rule of law" dog whistle in judicial appointment press release



As quoted in Governor Scott Walker Appoints District I Court of Appeals Judge.  (Press release, 10/28/2015)

Here's what Walker had to say when he appointed Jim Troupis to the Dane County Circuit Court last May.
Jim Troupis brings an incredible breadth of experience and talent to the Dane County bench.  More than that, he is committed to the rule of law and to public service, and I am confident he will do an excellent job.  [emphasis added]

Related posts:
Rebecca Bradley talks in code at her christening ceremony.  (10/9/2015)
Friday news dump 2: Big Republican donor appointed to Dane County Circuit Court.  (5/25/2015)
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate James Daley has a bridge for sale.  (4/6/2015)

Storytime at the Wisconsin Department of Administration



As quoted in DOA: No resume on file for short-order cook cited in civil service debate.  (Madison.com, 10/28/2015)

Perhaps the applicant worked as a short-order cook in high school or college, as Retiring Guy did on-and-off from 1966 to 1972.

Related posts:
Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg): Have I got a speedy hiring process for you!! (10/28/2015)
Wisconsin Republicans gut civil service: Are you starting to see a pattern here?  (10/28/2015)
Dear Mike Rohrkaste, Perhaps you weren't paying attention in 2011. Two words: Act 10.  (10/28/2015)
Newspeak just where you'd expect it -- in an Americans for Prosperity news release.  (10/28/2015)
Just think. Once the legislature guts civil service, Scott Walker's former aides can be appointed to all levels of state government.  (10/6/2015)

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg): Have I got a speedy hiring process for you!!



As quoted in Modernizing State Hiring Procedures.  (Press release, 10/28/2015)

Will the real Terry Katsma please stand up?

Photo (l) credit:  Sheboygan Press

Related posts:
Wisconsin Republicans gut civil service: Are you starting to see a pattern here?  (10/28/2015)
Dear Mike Rohrkaste, Perhaps you weren't paying attention in 2011. Two words: Act 10.  (10/28/2015)
Newspeak just where you'd expect it -- in an Americans for Prosperity news release.  (10/28/2015)
Just think. Once the legislature guts civil service, Scott Walker's former aides can be appointed to all levels of state government.  (10/6/2015)

Wisconsin Republicans gut civil service: Are you starting to see a pattern here?



As quoted in Rep. Edming works to improve state's hiring laws.  (Press release, 10/28/2015)

Just misbehavin'
No, James wasn't there at the creation.  He just looks as though he was.

Related posts:
Dear Mike Rohrkaste, Perhaps you weren't paying attention in 2011. Two words: Act 10.  (10/28/2015)
Newspeak just where you'd expect it -- in an Americans for Prosperity news release.  (10/28/2015)
Just think. Once the legislature guts civil service, Scott Walker's former aides can be appointed to all levels of state government.  (10/6/2015)

Dear Mike Rohrkaste, Perhaps you weren't paying attention in 2011. Two words: Act 10.


Back when you were Executive Vice President, Chief Administration and HR Officer Oshkosh Corporation.


As quoted in Rep. Rohrkaste Supports Reform of Wisconsin's Civil Service Law.  (Press release, 10/28/2015)

Related posts:
Newspeak just where you'd expect it -- in an Americans for Prosperity news release.  (10/28/2015)
Just think. Once the legislature guts civil service, Scott Walker's former aides can be appointed to all levels of state government.  (10/6/2015)

Ted Cruz for President: Texas Republicans are increasingly sayin', "I don't think so!"



The behinders in the 10/23-24 KTVT/CBS-11 poll:
  • 5% - Carly Fiorina
  • 3% - Mike Huckabee
  • 2% - Chris Christie
  • 1% - Rand Paul
  • 0% - John Kasich, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, George Pataki

Recent state polls:
Clemson poll sez Donald Trump is no longer hot stuff in South Carolina.  (10/27/2015)
New Hampshire Republicans not warming up to Ben Carson.  (10/26/2015)
Trump, Carson tied in latest Iowa Republican caucus poll.  (10/26/2015)
Carly Fiorina not catching fire in Texas.  (10/1/2015)
Wisconsin voters don't necessarily heed Scott Walker's advice to dump Trump.  (10/1/2015)
On the other hand, Donald Trump can still say "I'm peaking! I'm peaking!" in North Carolina.  (9/29/2015)
At best, Donald Trump is treading water in Georgia.  (9/29/2015)
Scott Walker quickly flames out in Michigan.  (9/17/2015)

Will the real Rob Brooks please stand up?


Photo (l) credit:  Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Photo (r) credit:  Wisconsin State Legislature

Looks like he's going for a Keith Olbermann look.

Related post:

The Wisconsin State Legislature: Is there a new photographer in the house?


Based on this triptych, I'd say most definitely yes.


The trend to a more glamorous look is not limited to party affiliation or gender.

Clearly, I spend too much time on the Wisconsin State Legislature website.

Dear Kathy Bernier, A county sheriff in your district sez you're wasting your time (and by extension, taxpayer's money)


Point/counterpoint:  Legalizing switchblades


As quoted in Assembly votes to update Wisconsin's switchblade law.  (News release, 10/27/2015)


Photo credit:  Eau Claire County

As reported in Eau Claire County Sheriff reacts to bill legalizing switchblades, says its a waste of time.  (WQOW, 10/27/2015)


Newspeak just where you'd expect it -- in an Americans for Prosperity news release



(highlight added)

A very curious 12-word conclusion:  ....and look forward to passage by the Senate in the coming months.

After the legislation was fast-tracked in the Assembly, you'd think AFP would want the State Senate to be equally as quick about it.

That's because Senate Republicans have yet to..... 

Photo by Retiring Guy

Eric Bott has contributed to the following members of the Wisconsin State Assembly:


Other Newspeak posts:
Going forward, Scott Walker shows off his fluency in Newspeak out there.  (10/27/2015)
Newspeak II: Under Robin Vos's bill, contributions from Enbridge Energy would fall under the category of "Natural Resources".  (10/21/2015)
The Newspeak Chronicles: Robin Vos ties himself up into the tightest little pretzel you've ever seen.  (10/19/2015)

The world continues to set a record pace in its warm ways



Global Analysis - September 2015
.... the highest departure from average for any month among all 1629 months in the record that began in January 1880. The September temperature is currently increasing at an average rate of 0.06°C (0.11°F) per decade.
It bears repeating.


Other climate change posts: 
Cold enough for you?  (3/9/2014)

No word yet, apparently, from Sen. Tom Tiffany


His name is not mentioned in the article.  (Although the word 'tiff' does.)

Photo credits:  Wisconsin State Legislature (Tiffany, Swearingen)

Lights out in Lincoln: DOT removes streetlights in dispute.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/27/2015)

Looks as though the town is still going to have to pay a price.
Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) said he sided with the town but didn't think local officials had always handled the issue the well, such as when they threatened to call law enforcement. He is now turning his attention to trying to limit what the town might have to pay for removing the lights, he said.

Sen. Tiffany has likely received a letter by now.

Town of Lincoln (highlights added)