Saturday, December 19, 2015

The Freedom Caucus, Congress' crybabies (part 3): Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Alabama)


Photo credit:  U. S. House of Representatives

As quoted, and shown in bold print, in Brooks Opposes $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill That Betrays America's Future.  (Press release, 12/18/2015)

Mo uses the word 'spending' 6 times, 'debt' 5 times.

Sorta reminds me of.....



Related Mo stuff:
Planned Parenthood videos altered? Makes no never mind to Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL).  (11/29/2015)
Meet "Slo" Mo Brooks, perennial Republican obstructionist.  (10/23/2015)
Meet 'the crazies' in the U.S. House of Representatives: Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL).  (9/28/2015)
Meet the members of the U.S. House of Representatives Freedom Caucus.  (9/28/2015)
Meet the members of the Republican Study Committee.  (6/30/2015)
No friend to the environment.  (11/14/2014)

Related crybaby post:
Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho.  (12/19/2015)
Rep. Tim Huelskamp.  (12/19/2015)

The Freedom Caucus, Congress' crybabies (part 2): Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas)


Photo credit:  U.S. House of Representatives

As quoted in Republicans Hand Another Victory to Obama.  (Press release, 12/18/2015)

Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) also threw a wah-wah-wah fit over WOTUS.   These Freedom Caucus guys are troglodytes when it comes to environmental issues.



Other Huelskamp 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.  (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)

Related crybaby post:
Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho.  (12/19/2015)


Donald Quiggle (1933-2015) Warren High School Class of 1951



1950 Dragon yearbook
(Donald is in the back row, 5th from the right)


1967 Warren City Directory
  • Quiggle Donald R (Virginia L) carrier PO h109 McPherson
  • Quiggle Raymond G furnace opr PB&T [Pennsylvania Bank & Trust] h51 Locust
1983 Warren City Directory
  • Quiggle Donald R & Virginia L; carrier PO H109 McPherson St
  • Quiggle Raymond G & Lucretia M retd H51 Locust St

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

There were a lot of Berthas in Donald's mom's generation.


Other members of the WHS class of 1951:
Genevieve Larson McKown.  (12/16/2015)
Franklin Reiff.  (7/14/2015)
Mary Ann Font Schafer.  (6/29/2015)

The Freedom Caucus, Congress' crybabies (part 1): Rep Raul Labrador (R-Idaho)


Photo credit:

As quoted in Labrador on Spending Deal:  Bad for Idaho and the West.  (Press release, 12/18/2015)

Based on the second paragraph in the above slide, Labrador has a death with for the environment.


Documents related to the Clean Water Rule.

Other Raul Labrador posts:
One of the House 'crazies', Raul Labrador, thinks Paul Ryan is a good man, Charlie Brown.  (10/22/2015)
Meet 'the crazies' in the U.S. House of Representatives.  (10/2/2015)
Rep. Raul Labrador's "First Amendment Defense Act" has 145 Republican co-sponsors (0 Democrats).  (7/30/2015)
Meet the members of the Republican Study Committee.  (7/8/2015)
No friend to the environment.  (12/17/2014)


Scott Walker and Lincoln Hills School for Boys: Too busy thinking about his (presidential) baby


Just a fella with a one-track mind.


As quoted in Records show Scott Walker's office notified about concerns at youth prison a year ago.  (Madison.com, 12/18/2015)



Related WIDOC posts: 
Still in the news: Lincoln Hills School for Boys.  (12/13/2015)
Scott Walker shows us how to deflect (Taking no responsibility, chapter 2).  (12/12/2015) 
As usual, Scott Walker takes no responsibility.  (12/11/2015)
In the news: Lincoln Hills School for Boys, Wisconsin Department of Corrections.  (12/11/2015)

Related Ethan Allen post:
State property for sale: Ethan Allen School (Shuttered in 2011).  (7/7/2014)

Say goodbye to Wisconsin's 72 fire towers




End of an era: State to end use of its 72 forest fire towers.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/17/2015)
Like so much else, the towers and the people inside them are being replaced by technology. 
Traditionally, spotters would use their binoculars, maps and a table-sized 360-degree compass to identify the location of smoke and then radio the coordinates to headquarters. Other spotters might see the same smoke and help to pinpoint the fire. 
Marty said that the $100,000 saved from ending the program will be redeployed for more aerial surveillance.

Want a fire tower of your very own?   Visit the Forest Fire Lookout Association website.

Trump continues to dominate in Georgia; Cruz in 2nd



The behinders in the 12/16 FOX 5 Atlanta poll:
  • 5% - Carly Fiorina
  • 2% - John Kasich, Rand Paul
  • 1% - Mike Huckabee, Lindsey Graham, George Pataki
Other stuff:  FOX 5 Political Analyst and InsiderAdvantage CEO Matt Towery said, “In my years of polling these presidential races for the GOP nomination I have never seen one candidate so dominate the contest for so many months in a row.

Carson jilted, Trump bouncy-bouncy, many respondents just plain loony in latest North Carolina Republican primary poll.  (12/8/2015)
Chris Christie no favorite son in New Jersey; Donald Trump rules for now.  (11/18/2015)
Carson continues ascent in Virginia, Bush going the way of Scott Walker; Rubio bobs.  (11/18/2015)
Trump, Cruz on upswing; Carson, Bush on downslide in latest Texas Republican primary poll.  (11/12/2015)
As the polls churn in Arizona: Trump and Fiorina = big losers; Carson and Rubio = big winners.  (11/11/2015)

Trump in 1st, Cruz surges into 2nd, Rubio treads water in Florida



The behinders in the 12/16 Florida Times-Union poll:
  • 6% - Chris Christie
  • 3% - Rand Paul, Carly Fiorina
  • 1% - John Kasich
  • 0% - Mike Huckabee, Lindsey Graham, Rick Santorum, George Pataki
Other stuff:  The poll suggests Trump’s momentum has not stalled in the Sunshine State since Tuesday’s debate, during which Bush struck an aggressive tone against the businessman, while Rubio and Cruz repeatedly butted heads.

Carson jilted, Trump bouncy-bouncy, many respondents just plain loony in latest North Carolina Republican primary poll.  (12/8/2015)
Chris Christie no favorite son in New Jersey; Donald Trump rules for now.  (11/18/2015)
Trump's poll numbers continue to seesaw in Florida; Rubio slips by Carson into 2nd.  (11/18/2015)
Carson continues ascent in Virginia, Bush going the way of Scott Walker; Rubio bobs.  (11/18/2015)
Trump, Cruz on upswing; Carson, Bush on downslide in latest Texas Republican primary poll.  (11/12/2015)
As the polls churn in Arizona: Trump and Fiorina = big losers; Carson and Rubio = big winners.  (11/11/2015)

New Hampshire: 5 months, 28 polls, 28 1st place finishes for Donald Trump



The behinders in the 12/13-17 Franklin Pierce University/Boston Herald poll:
  • 6% - Carly Fiorina
  • 5% - Ben Carson
  • 3% - Rand Paul
  • 0% - Mike Huckabee, Lindsey Graham, Rick Santorum, Lindsey Graham
Other stuff:  The results indicate that while outsider Trump still has a solid lead, more voters are turning to established and experienced GOP figures.

Recent New Hampshire primary posts: 
Trump continues to reign supreme in New Hampshire polls; Christie moves into 2nd (12/11/2015)
Chris Christie puts all of his eggs in one basket.  (12/3/2015)
Trump remains solidly in 1st place in New Hampshire; Chris Christie on the rise.  (12/3/2015)
Donald Trump has won 24 New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary polls in a row.  (11/22/2015)
Carson drops to 4th in New Hamphire, tied with Bush; Trump still in 1st.  (11/19/2015)
Donald Trump maintains comfortable lead in New Hampshire; Rubio 2nd; Bush still struggling.  (11/18/2015)
Outlier? Carson falls to 6th place, behind Cruz, Rubio, Bush, and Christie, in latest NH poll.  (11/15/2015)
New Hampshire Republicans seem to be tiring of the Donald Trump Show.  (11/4/2015)
"Oh, wow!": Four Republican candidates peaking in New Hampshire. (11/2/2015)
New Hampshire Republicans not warming up to Ben Carson. (10/26/2015)
The two most recent New Hampshire Republican polls do little to change the picture out there.  (10/20/2015)
Donald Trump takes a commanding lead in New Hampshire -- but then it's a Gravis Marketing poll.  (10/10/2015)
It certainly looks as though the thrill is gone for Donald Trump in New Hampshire.  (10/4/2015)

Donald Trump solidifies lead in 2 latest national polls



The behinders in the 12/16-17 FOX News poll:
  • 3% - Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, Rand Paul
  • 2% - John Kasich
  • 1% - Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum
  • 0% - Lindsey Graham, George Pataki
Other stuff:
  • Most important issues:
    •  terrorism:  27% - Dec 16-17 vs. 11% - Jul 30-Aug 2
    • economy and jobs: 21% - Dec 16-17 vs. 30% - Jul 30-Aug 2
Fanning the flames.

Recent related posts:
Trump keeps a-rollin' goin' into 5th debate.  (12/15/2015)
Likely outlier, Monmouth poll has Trump with huge lead over 2nd place Cruz.  (12/14/2015)
With poll results like this, expect lots more noise from Trump.  (12/10/2015)
Trump holds steady in 1st, Cruz regains 2nd, and Carson resumes his slide in latest Republican poll.  (12/8/2015)
Trump still in 1st in latest national poll; Carson, Rubio, Cruz duke it out for 2nd place.  (12/7/2015)
Trump maintains lead, Carson continues to fade, Bush a real nowhere man in latest national poll.  (12/2/2015)
It's a 4-way contest for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2 latest polls; Trump comfortably in 1st.  (11/22/2015)
Republican Presidential candidates tread water in national polls.  (11/19/2015)
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)

Friday, December 18, 2015

Scott Walker's world of secrecy and deception summarized in a 42-word quote


In his world, every record is transitory, as there's so much to hide.

Photo credit:  Public Service Commission

As quoted in Former cabinet members say Scott Walker aide ordered them to avoid state email, phones.  (Madison.com, 12/18/2015)

And you know message came from the....



Related posts:
The words 'text', 'message', and 'transitory' do not appear in the August 28 minutes of the Wisconsin Public Records Board.  (12/18/2015)
A look at the recent agendas and minutes of the Wisconsin Public Records Board.  (12/15/2015)
Meet the members of the Wisconsin Public Records Board.  (12/11/2015)
Dear Beth, Journalists have a sacred oath to respond to this betrayal of the public trust by Scott Walker.  (12/11/2015)
Danger, Will Robinson! Scott Walker talks about openness, access, and transparency.  (12/8/2015)
Open records and Scott Walker's concerns with constituents' privacy.  (7/5/2015)
Scott Walker does David Bowie.  (7/4/2015)
Open records and Scott Walker's irresolute response.  (7/4/2015) 
When it comes to transparency, ALEC wants to have it both ways.  (7/4/2015)
You have to wonder what dictionary Joint Finance co-chair John Nygren is working from.  (7/3/2015) 
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos's definition of transparency: All the self-serving Republican news releases I see fit to print
Good question, Albert Darling. So why the lack of transparency in Wisconsin? (7/3/2015)

The words 'text', 'message', and 'transitory' do not appear in the August 28 minutes of the Wisconsin Public Records Board


State board to revisit policy that allowed text messages to be treated as 'transitory'.  (Madison.com, 12/17/2015)
It started when the State Journal made a records request for text messages from Walker administration officials related to a failed $500,000 loan by the state’s jobs agency, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., to a struggling Milwaukee construction company owned by a top Walker donor.  

In August, the Public Records Board voted to change the state’s definition of transitory records. A day after that vote, Walker’s Department of Administration cited the revised policy in saying it had no records “responsive” to the request. It noted that texts are transitory records and thus aren’t retained. [emphases added]

8/25/2015 agenda (with 2 action items highlighted)

Wherein the following words do not appear.

And the word 'definition' appears in a summary of a different discussion.


There is no other choice but to revisit the issue.

Photo credit:  LinkedIn

Related posts:
A look at the recent agendas and minutes of the Wisconsin Public Records Board.  (12/15/2015)
Meet the members of the Wisconsin Public Records Board.  (12/11/2015)
Dear Beth, Journalists have a sacred oath to respond to this betrayal of the public trust by Scott Walker.  (12/11/2015)
Danger, Will Robinson! Scott Walker talks about openness, access, and transparency.  (12/8/2015)
Open records and Scott Walker's concerns with constituents' privacy.  (7/5/2015)
Scott Walker does David Bowie.  (7/4/2015)
Open records and Scott Walker's irresolute response.  (7/4/2015) 
When it comes to transparency, ALEC wants to have it both ways.  (7/4/2015)
You have to wonder what dictionary Joint Finance co-chair John Nygren is working from.  (7/3/2015) 
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos's definition of transparency: All the self-serving Republican news releases I see fit to print
Good question, Albert Darling. So why the lack of transparency in Wisconsin? (7/3/2015)

The megamansions of Bel Air


A series of sometimes jerky views from a helicopter.



A Mansion, a Shell Company, and Resentment in Bel Air.  (The New York Times, 12/15/2015)
Fueled largely by the vast streams of wealth crossing the globe as never before, a new generation of hyper-luxury homes with stratospheric price tags is colonizing the most gilded hillsides and canyons of Los Angeles. In some areas, every third or fourth home has been torn down, leaving gashes of dirt and debris where new mansions will rise.   
And more often than not, the people behind the purchases are hidden by shell companies. 

The "Starship"



On the other hand, there's also a tiny house movement.

School referenda: Wisconsin legislators Schraa and Stroebel are being disingenuous at best, lying at worst



Twenty-one of the referenda asked to borrow money to construct new or to remodel existing buildings. Fifteen (71%) passed. That percentage was well above the 1994-2013 average of 54% and matched the 2012 percentage as the highest since 1994.  [emphasis added]

The results of 2015 school referenda as posted by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction:  (Hmm, my filtered search doesn't transfer here.)
  • 156 passed
  •   39 failed

List of 2016 Wisconsin public school referenda.  (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction)   19 so far.

All of the above is why this justification of the bill is so much nonsense.
The bill’s chief sponsors, Rep. Michael Schraa, R-Oshkosh, and Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Saukville, insisted the bill is about protecting taxpayers from districts’ repeated attempts to pass failed referendums.

Actually, guys, the rate of passage is pretty impressive.  

Why won't you tell us what you really think?

Related posts:
Cartoon conservative principles on full display this week at the Wisconsin State Capitol.  (12/18/2015)
Once again, Wisconsin Republicans assert their cartoon conservative principle (2015 Assembly Bill 568).  (12/16/2015)
Out of (local) control: When it comes to anything resembling a train, Republicans just can't help themselves.  (12/1/2015) 
Scott Walker pays lip service to local control as he continues to sign bills to limit it.  (10/26/2015)
UPDATE: Let's follow the Shea money from Wingra Stone to Scott Walker.  (10/20/2015)
UPDATE.  Sorry, Tim Geoghegan, a total of $11,750 in donations is not a "bunch of bull".  (10/20/2015) 
Once again, Wisconsin Republicans violate their most precious principle.  (7/4/2015)
Cartoon conservative principles.  (5/6/2015)
The Usual Hypocrisy: What Scott Walker sez on his campaign website and what he does in the Governor's office are two different things.  (5/2/2015)
The "hits" to local control just keep on coming.  (2/28/2015)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board calls out Republican hypocrisy.  (2/17/2014)
And the hypocrisy just keeps on coming: Republicans can't even give lip service to their "Principles". (2/14/2014)
Yet another lesson in Republican hypocrisy.  (2/13/2014)
Your Wisconsin Republican Assembly hard at work promoting Governor Walker's jobs agenda (and GOP principles).  (11/15/2013)

Wait a minute! Did Laurel Patrick just blame Jim Doyle?


Photo credit:  LinkedIn

As quoted in State officials backtrack on open records changes.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/17/2015)

It has been a favorite pastime of the Walker administration throughout the Governor's first term  and into his second term of office.

Related posts:
Headline News: Dishing out blame is a Scott Walker specialty.  (5/6/2015)
Alberta Darling and John Nygren, co-chairs of the 'powerful' Joint Finance Committee, join Scott Walker in a chorus of 'Blame Jim Doyle'.  (4/30/2015)
The Blame Game: With nothing to show in his 5th year as Governor, Scott Walker continues to claim, "It's Jim Doyle's fault!" (4/24/2015)
After taking the advice of Iowa conservatives, Scott Walker blames Jim Doyle for casino decision.  (1/24/2015)
Scott Walker in so many words: Jim Doyle responsible for 1.5% of U.S. job loss during Great Recession.  (9/2/2014) 
Can't helping himself, Scott Walker thinks running against Jim Doyle is the best strategy. (8/31/2014)
The Facts Are: Scott Walker has nothing to run on.  (8/24/2014) 
What a whiner! With no accomplishments of his own to trumpet, Scott Walker runs against Jim Doyle ...again.  (6/20/2014)
Four years later and Scott Walker is still running against Jim Doyle.  (3/4/2014)
Another John Doe Shocker: Scott Walker doesn't blame Jim Doyle  (2/21/2014)
Blame Doyle: Republican Governors Association pimp for Scott Walker like it's 2010.  (2/13/2014)
After taking the advice of Iowa conservatives, Scott Walker blames Jim Doyle for casino decision.  (1/24/2015)
Scott Walker in so many words: Jim Doyle responsible for 1.5% of U.S. job loss during Great Recession.  (9/2/2014) 
Can't helping himself, Scott Walker thinks running against Jim Doyle is the best strategy. (8/31/2014)
The Facts Are: Scott Walker has nothing to run on.  (8/24/2014) 
What a whiner! With no accomplishments of his own to trumpet, Scott Walker runs against Jim Doyle ...again.  (6/20/2014)
Four years later and Scott Walker is still running against Jim Doyle.  (3/4/2014)
Another John Doe Shocker: Scott Walker doesn't blame Jim Doyle  (2/21/2014)
Blame Doyle: Republican Governors Association pimp for Scott Walker like it's 2010.  (2/13/2014)

Cartoon conservative principles on full display this week at the Wisconsin State Capitol


(highlight added)


Photo credit:  Pepin Area School District

As quoted in School officials ask GOP lawmakers to scrap referendum bill.  (Madison.com, 12/19/2015)

Photo  credit:  LinkedIn

As quoted in Critics blast bill to limit school budgets through referendums.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/17/2015)

AB481 is sponsored by some of the most conservative members of the state legislature

Related posts:
Once again, Wisconsin Republicans assert their cartoon conservative principle (2015 Assembly Bill 568).  (12/16/2015)
Out of (local) control: When it comes to anything resembling a train, Republicans just can't help themselves.  (12/1/2015) 
Scott Walker pays lip service to local control as he continues to sign bills to limit it.  (10/26/2015)
UPDATE: Let's follow the Shea money from Wingra Stone to Scott Walker.  (10/20/2015)
UPDATE.  Sorry, Tim Geoghegan, a total of $11,750 in donations is not a "bunch of bull".  (10/20/2015) 
Once again, Wisconsin Republicans violate their most precious principle.  (7/4/2015)
Cartoon conservative principles.  (5/6/2015)
The Usual Hypocrisy: What Scott Walker sez on his campaign website and what he does in the Governor's office are two different things.  (5/2/2015)
The "hits" to local control just keep on coming.  (2/28/2015)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board calls out Republican hypocrisy.  (2/17/2014)
And the hypocrisy just keeps on coming: Republicans can't even give lip service to their "Principles". (2/14/2014)
Yet another lesson in Republican hypocrisy.  (2/13/2014)
Your Wisconsin Republican Assembly hard at work promoting Governor Walker's jobs agenda (and GOP principles).  (11/15/2013)

Thursday, December 17, 2015

UPDATE. Redistricting: What It's All About in Wisconsin


Dear Barbara, If there are 'significant challenges', as you say, that can only mean the deck is stacked against we, the people.  


As quoted in Federal judges allow gerrymandering lawsuit to proceed.  (Madison.com, 12/17/2015)

Consider a small sample of the evidence.

Original post from 8/1/2012 begins here.

Documents cast new light on redistricting process; reveal partisan motivations.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 7/31/2012, with bold added.)


Let's take a look at some of these compact districts.

We'll start with the district in which I now reside.


forcing Sondy Pope-Roberts (D- Town of Middleton) to reconsider her options. 

Here's my favorite.

More than half of Jefferson County,
3 townships in Dane County

which left Andy Jorgenson (D-Fort Atkinson) out in the cold.
57 miles from east to west.

Here's a view of the district from a statewide perspective......


Did Leah Vukmir get her wish?


Let's use the 15th Assembly District, part of her 5th Senate District, as the prime example.


Hello, Waukesha County!  (Lots more GOP.)  Goodbye, City of Milwaukee.
And, as a result, Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis) decides to retire after serving 16 years in the State Assembly.

West Allis gets split four ways in redistricting. Legislative decision rankles various city and state officials. (West Allis Now, 8/10/2011)

And in two districts, federal judges took issue with the alleged goal of "maximum minority representation".

Related articles:
Voces applauds redistricting ruling. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/22/2012)
Federal judges slam GOP lawmakers over redistricting secrecy.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/16/2012)

Picture Chris Christie wearing an apron


Photo credit:  State of New Jersey

As quoted in Fear, Loathing and Republican Debates.  (Op-ed by Gail Collins in the New York Times, 12/17/2015)
This is probably not the time to point out that the governor of New Jersey seems to have a rather retro view of the roles of mothers, who are likely to be heading off to work themselves.

I guess they do things differently in California, Governor Christie.

At Gardner Street Elementary School in Hollywood, many parents remained rattled by the chaos of the previous day. Ronald Alba, 46, said that his morning routine with his 10-year-old daughter would change for good: No longer would she take a school bus. From now on, he said, “I’m going to pick her up and drop her off.”

As reported in Los Angeles Response to Threat Finds Support in Uneasy Times (print headline).  (The New York Times, 12/16/2015)

Next stop, the Yale University Library


Yale students sign petition to repeal the first amendment.  (Mediaite, 12/17/2015)



After all, libraries have something to offend everyone.

Yale University Library.

Wingra Stone looks for a return on its capitol investment



New bill would allow excavation of Native American burial mounds.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 12/14/2015)
The bill from Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, would force the Wisconsin Historical Society to allow property owners to excavate in order to prove whether human remains exist in effigy mounds on their land, but opponents of the legislation contend that allowing excavation defeats the purpose of mound preservation entirely.  
The proposed legislation has implications in Dane County, where Wingra Stone and Redi-Mix, a producer of stone and concrete, has for more than two decades mined around a 3-acre plot containing effigy mounds inside its Kampmeier Quarry, just north of McFarland. 

We need more light on the subject.

Postcard view of the Wisconsin State Capitol

From the pay to play archives:
For sale: 1 state senator, 1 state representative.  (12/8/2015)
UPDATE. Sorry, Tim Geoghegan, a total of $11,750 in donations is not a "bunch of bull".  (10/25/2015) 
CAFOnated pay to play adds $84,000 to Scott Walker's campaign fund in 2011.  (10/7/2015)
Pay to play the payday way.  (7/5/2015)
From the pay-to-play archives: Grebe Pere, Grebe Fils.  (5/23/2015)
Appleton Post-Crescent Editorial Board All But Puts a Dunce Cap on the Head of Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc).  (1/24/2014)

The bubble world of the Iowa Board of Regents



As opined in U of I's lack of transparency continues.  (THonline, 12/16/2015)

Related post:
What  happens when you run your university like a business?   (12/17/2015)

What happens when you run your university like a business? (Iowa edition)


Photo credit:  University of Iowa

Harreld tries to clarify 'should be shot' comment. (Des Moines Register, 12/16/2015)

Some may say "Oh, for crying out loud, it's just an expression", but tell that to the students, faculty, and administration at these campuses.

From the start, the Iowa Board of Regents' choice to lead their university has not been a crowd-pleaser.




Related post:
UPDATE: What happens when you run your university like a business? (The Missouri edition).  (11/13/2015)

Screwing the voters is a private matter for Scott Walker



As quoted in ....

See also:
Scott Walker signs bills on splitting GAB, campaign finance.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/16/2015)

How did they screw us?  Patrick Marley and Jason Stein count the ways.
  • Doubles amount donors can give candidates 
  • Allows corporations, tribes and unions to give up to $12,000 a year to political parties and campaign committees controlled by legislative leaders, e.g., Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, State Senate Democratic Committee
  • Allows individual donors to give unlimited donations to parties and committees, money which can then be passed along to individual candidates, subverting the 1st bullet point
  • Makes it legal for candidates to work with issue advocacy groups.  (We can thank the Wisconsin Supreme Court for opening this door.) 
  • Ends requirement that donors disclose where they work.  (Which will make it hard to follow the money.)

Related posts:
Preserving clean government in Wisconsin: Call these State Senators!  (11/2/2015)
Dear Alberta Darling, Nobody at the Wall Street Journal uncovered anything; it's just a case of an editorial writer making wild, unsubstantiated allegations.  (9/17/2015)
Government Accountability Board audit: Republicans trot out press statements they've had in the can for months.  (12/16/2014)


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

And I imagine Carly Fiorina stubbornly stands by claim that her campaign is going gangbusters




Think Progress, 9/27/2015)

Genevieve Larson McKown (1933-2015) Warren High School Class of 1951



1950 Dragon yearbook
(Genevieve is standing on top row, far right)

1967 Warren City Directory

1983 Warren City Directory
  • Larson Bert A retd 4 Maple St
  • McKown Daryl & Jill; emp Whirley Ind h442 Hammond St Ext
  • McKown Derek B admn asst Warren Cnty Historical Society r4 Nesmith Pl 
  • McKown Genevieve A Mrs adv sec Warren Times Observer h4 Nesmith Pl
  • McKown Brenton W & Genevieve A; slsmn G T E Sylvania h4 Nesmith Pl

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

What about dad's name?


The #1 song when the class of '51 graduated.



Other members of the WHS class of 1951:
Franklin Reiff.  (7/14/2015)
Mary Ann Font Schafer.  (6/29/2015)