Retiring Guy's Digest: 2015-10-25

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

Photo credit: Baird Private Wealth Management

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

Photo credit: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

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

Source: Real Clear Politics

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

Friday, October 30, 2015

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

Photo credit: Wisconsin State Legislature

(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

Dane County Parks

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

Madison.com, 10/30/2015

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.

Source: Real Clear Politics

Rick Santorum: Yesteryear's news.

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.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

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

Source: Real Clear Politics

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

Warren Times Observer

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

Eckland Harold (Clara M) mech Sylvania h201 Dartmouth
Freeburg Richd E (Rickia J) physiotherapist Warren Genl Hosp h104 Lansing

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.

Source: Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names

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

Source: Real Clear Politics

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

Photo credit: Wisconsin State Legislature

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]

Storytime at the Wisconsin Department of Administration

Salary database

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!!

Photo credit: Wisconsin State Legislature

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?

Photo credit: Wisconsin State Legislature

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.

Photo credit: Wisconsin State Legislature

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!"

Source: Real Clear Politics

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

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.

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

Photo credit: Wisconsin State Legislature

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

Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin

(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:

Source: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

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

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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.

@realDonaldTrump

Other climate change posts:

Picture this: The hottest August on record globally. (10/6/2015)

Globally, 2015 continues its record-breaking warm ways. (8/24/2015)

Worldwide in April 2015, temperatures were above average. (5/28/2015)

Record global heat continues. (5/8/2015)

Is it any surprise that the education-bashing Scott Walker appears to be the favorite among Iowa climate change deniers. (5/7/2015)

No Longer Mighty, the Rio Grande is Disappearing. (4/15/2015)

NOAA global temperature analysis: 2 months into 2015, we're experiencing the 2nd warmest year on record. (3/18/2015)

It's a big (and warming) world out there: January 2015 is 2nd warmest since 1880. (2/20/2015)

Republicans need to generate a new climate change meme. (1/21/2015)

2014 is the warmest year. (1/18/2015)
As the world warms: NOAA global analysis for October 2014. (11/26/2014)

The Global Window: Worldwide it was a record warm September. (10/27/2014)

‘I’m Not A Scientist’: A Complete Guide To Politicians Who Plead Ignorance On Climate Change. (Think Progress, 10/3/2014)

35,000 walruses with nowhere to go tell us that climate change is real. (10/7/2014)

In the news: Argo floats. (8/13/2014)

Climate change/ocean acidification: Washington's conservative legislators fiddle while the state's baby oysters die by the billions. (8/4/2014)

Climate change: Somebody can't see the forest for the trees. (7/29/2014)

Worldwide it was a very warm June. (7/23/2014)

Extreme weather, climate change: The Pacific Northwest edition. (7/22/2014)

This isn't what Gene McDaniels had in mind (Unh, unh, unh, unh, unh, unh). (5/21/2014)

In this case, you'll find the Crazy, a hidebound ideologue, in room 205 of the Russell Senate Office Building. (5/14/2014)

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)

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)

WisDOT