Retiring Guy's Digest: 2016-05-15

Saturday, May 21, 2016

GOP presidential candidate with emotional development of 12 year old continues to tweet nonsense

Law school graduate Tommy Thompson begs to differ with high school grad Scott Walker

As reported in On Campus: Tommy Thompson lauds 'great professors,' while Scott Walker criticizes faculty. (Madison.com, 5/17/2016)

Related Tommy is not so fond of Scotty posts:
Tommy Thompson in so many words: Scott Walker is toast if he runs for a third term. (2/7/2016)
In related news, of Tommy Thompson's $15,850 to Wisconsin political candidates, $0 went to Scott Walker. (10/5/2015)
Tommy Thompson to Scott Walker: Be like Russ Feingold. (9/28/2015)
In Touch with Tommy Thompson: Scott Walker's Presidential campaign song. (2/9/2015)

Like the Isley Brothers, Paul Nehlen is going to pop that thang

As quoted in At 14 percent in poll, Paul Nehlen says name recognition is climbing in race against Paul Ryan. (Madison.com, 5/16/2016)

His doom is assured with this kind of support. The poll was conducted with automated phone calls last Monday and Tuesday, after Sarah Palin told CNN last weekend that she would work to defeat Ryan. Nehlen has also received support from national conservative pundit Michelle (Mau-Mau) Malkin. (Note the sharp implement between her first and last name.)

Related post:
Wealthy businessman Paul Nehlen has had it with House Speaker Paul Ryan. (3/31/2016)

Dear Washington Post, It's 'suddenly' only for those not paying attention. Best, Retiring Guy

Washington Post, 5/21/2016

According to Real Clear Politics tracking of the President's approval/disapproval ratings, Obama reached his lowest point during the past 365 days on November 23, 2015, with an average approval rating of 42.9%. On March 9, 2016, his average approval rating moved into the black for the first time since May 23, 2013. His current average approval rating is 6 percentage points higher than it was 5 months ago.

Best to look at the overall trend, Philip, rather than to get all swung around with the results of individual polls.

Text boxes and arrows added.

Little Free Plant Stand meets Little Free Library

Photo by Retiring Guy

taken on Elmwood Avenue

in Middleton WI

Climate change: A matter of fact in Peru

The Sacred Glacier Is Melting But The Festival Goes On. (National Public Radio, 5/21/2016)

These days, the festival is an example of how climate change is affecting far more than daily life and agriculture. The mountains here are considered sacred by the worshippers and known as "apus," or mountain spirits, gods. The tradition is for each province represented at the festival to carve out heavy chunks of ice from the glacier — symbolic of water and life — to bring back to their communities.

But things have changed.

"We can't take snow down from the glacier anymore," says Walter Mamami, a participant from the Canchis province. "The glacier is getting smaller. We now stop at the foot of the glacier."

Related reading:
Climate change is affecting Peru right now. (OXFAM America, 8/17/2009)
Impact on Glacial Melt & Access to Water. (Peru Support Group)
Peru, where evidence of climate change is abundant, hope for a solution is, too. (UN and Climate Change, 11/28/20014)

Related posts:
Dear Climate Hustle nutburgers 2. (5/11/2016)
Dear Climate Hustle nutburgers, Please watch this short video. Love, Retiring Guy. (5/9/2016)
Climate Change and dying coral reefs: World sticks collective head in sand. (4/10/2016)
Climate change, rising sea level threaten Kennedy Space Center launch site. (4/6/2016)

The new normal: Iditarod adapts to climate change by importing snow. (3/8/2016)

The Marshall Islands and climate change: "We're talking about something that's happening NOW" . (12/2/2015)

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

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

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

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

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)

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, as a matter of fact. (8/31/2013)

Wisconsin Supreme Court justice applicants and their campaign contributions to Scott Walker

A stingy group when it comes to pay to play.

Source: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

11 apply for state Supreme Court vacancy. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/20/2016)
One of the applicants wishes her name to remain confidential.

Inside track? Jim and Karen Troupis have donated $33,865,81 -- a total of 72 contributions -- to mostly Republicans candidates.

Not a chance. Paul Scoptur has donated $25,230 -- a total of 78 contributions -- to mostly Democratic candidates.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Mr. Ed did little to halt Wilbur's decline

Although he did give him a 6-point bump in the year after the series premiered.

Source: Social Security Administration

Jay Livingston sings the theme song.

Voter ID hokey pokey: You put the right hand in, you keep the right hand in, and that's what it's all about

It's GOP child's play

Testimony: Minorities bear brunt of voter ID law. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/20/2016)

Minority voters represent a big share of those seeking free photo IDs under the state's new voter ID law and may also make up the great majority of those who experience the most problems getting one, under figures that emerged in a federal trial this week.

Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo highlights GOP cartoon conservative principle

As described at the Republican Party of Wisconsin's website....

These commonsense conservative beliefs are the glue that bonds Republicans nationwide.

Memo: GOP lawmakers passed 128 measures limiting local control since 2011. (Wisconsin State Journal, 5/20/2016)

Still giving those values lip service. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said in February that Republicans — typically champions of less government and autonomy of local governments — still hold those values as priorities but that “once in a while a statewide standard makes more sense.”

Page 1 of 8 of 5/16/2016 LFB memo

Sidebar: I have to admit that this current photo on the RPW GOP Principles webpage is creepy.

Related posts:
A recent history lesson in Republican hypocrisy. (4/2/2016)
Time for another Republican hypocrisy alert! 10/23/2015)
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)
Another lesson in hypocrisy: Wisconsin Republicans disparage Mary Burke for her wealth. (1/31/2014)
A lesson in hypocrisy, Waukesha County edition. (1/29/2014)
Your Wisconsin Republican Assembly hard at work promoting Governor Walker's jobs agenda (and GOP principles). (11/15/2013)

GalleyCat sets low bar with reference to Tim Tebow as NFL star

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Stats source: NFL

GalleyCat's dubious lede: NFL star Tim Tebow has inked a deal with WaterBrook, a Christian division of Crown Publishing Group.

On the go therapy: Get a massage while you walk

Wearable massage devices. (Wearable Technologies, 5/19/2016)

Pulsing massage patch is “stickable” option for you. It is a product from Home Wahl. The massage patch has 4 powerful massage area and offers customization with programmed pulsing sequences alongside various intensity levels. The pulsing massage patch is ideal for concentrating pain relief. It is also great for lower and upper back pain. The patch uses battery power instead of wires or controllers.

Not yet reviewed on Amazon.

Wahl's electric massager appears to be one of the company's most popular items on Amazon. It has earned an average custsomer review of 3.7 out of 5.0 stars. Not designed for 'on the go'.

Grace Tigani (1936-2016) Warren High School Class of 1953

Source: Warren Times Observer

1953 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory

Tigani Carmine (Rosaria) retd h1500 Madison av

The popularity of 'Grace' as a baby name is graphed here.

As for Grace's parents, 'Carmine' started out strong in the 20th century, topping out at #377 in 1912. The peak years of Italian immigration to the U.S. were from 1903 to 1914. He attempted an unsuccessful comeback in the previous decade.

'Rosaria', on the other hand, cracked the top 1000 just once.

Source: Social Security Administration

Other members of the class of 1953:

Nan Perry Fischer. (6/18/2015)

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Dear Mark, You need one of these. Best, Retiring Guy

Start digging.

As 'reported' in Majority leader: Senate may reject pick of new election chief. (Wisconsin State Journal, 5/19/2016)

But, ay-yi-yi, Mark can name a GOP supporter. Some conservatives panned the Haas pick immediately after it was announced last week. Others, including the Assembly sponsor of the bill creating the commissions, Rep. Dean Knudson, R-Hudson, praised it.

The obvious question: Who are "some Republicans senators"?

How elementary: Meet exhibits A, B, and C.

Isle of Dubious View, Madison Wisconsin

6210 Mineral Point Road, just west of Island Drive

Photo and video by Retiring Guy

And here's the view.

Well, there is a fountain, such as it is, across the way.

Myra Wilson Babcock (1934-2016) Warren High School Class of 1952

Source: Warren Times Observer

1952 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory

Babcock Chas P (Myra I) auo mech Warren State Hosp h609 S State (NW/North Warren)
Wilson Theo T (Goldie P) retd h107 Willow la

1983 Warren City Directory

Babcock Bryan K & Barbara L; lab West Penn Oil h609 S State St (NW)
Babcock James lab Blackstone's (Sheffield) r609 S State St (NW)

'Myra' was a steady performer in the 200-300+ range during the first 60 years of the 20th century. Since 2010, she has been making a concerted effort at a comeback.

Source: Social Security Administration

Other class of '52 grads:
Norma Pierce Nielsen. (4/6/2016)
Santo 'Sam' Pascuzzi. (2/14/2016)
Glenn Culbertson. (10/23/2015)
Elizabeth Eggleston Hoffman. (10/17/2014)

Continuing population loss in rural Iowa results in many fewer school districts

Lost Schools: Another Iowa school gone. (Des Moines Register, 5/18/2016)

The Corwith-Wesley School, which officially shuttered last year, is the 4,316th Iowa district to close since 1950. Some predict more to come among the state's remaining 336 districts.

Source: Wikipedia

Related post:
Road trip to Iowa's 99 counties. (2/1/2015)

Of which 84 of 99 are losing population.

13 of them more than 50% since their peak.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources takes an environmental violations holiday

Source: Environmental Violation Penalties Plummet in Wisconsin. (Wisconsin Wildlife Federations. (5/17/2016 news release)

“Effective investigation and prosecution of environmental violations is critically important to protect our land and water resources that comprise the fish and wildlife habitat that is very important to the hunters, anglers and trappers that the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation represents,” stated Jim Swanson, Chair of the Federation’s Environmental Committee. “The decline in the total environmental violation penalties is alarming and warrants a thorough investigation,” continued Swanson.

Wisconsin is open for business!

Paraphrasing Chief Justice Patience Roggensack, I long ago concluded that there are simply too many incidents in which Ms. Stepp considered the truth optional when it was not to her advantage."

Leon's owner Ron Schneider and his $700 in contributions to GOP candidates

Source: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (highlight added)

Custard stand's language practice prompts call for federal probe. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/18/2016)

Leon's owner Ron Schneider told the Journal Sentinel Wednesday night that employees and customers of the business are not prohibited from speaking Spanish, but that for about a year he's been telling staff to communicate in English as much as possible.

Not the first time, a related article:
Palm Springs restaurant cooks up English-only rule for employees. (KESQ, 1/15/2015)

UPDATE: UW-Madison fraternity fails to live up to its creed

UW-Madison suspends Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity over racial slurs. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/18/2016)

This is the latest in a series of racial incidents addressed by the state's flagship university during an academic year punctuated by student protests over campus climate.

Original 3/11/2015 post starts here.

Source: Sigma Alpha Epsilon

University of Oklahoma in unwelcome spotlight after racist video airs. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/10/2015)

Boren, a former Oklahoma governor and U.S. senator, acted swiftly. He immediately severed ties with the fraternity and ordered members to vacate their house. On Tuesday, he expelled the two students who appeared to be leading the chant for creating a hostile educational environment and promised others involved would face discipline.

"I have emphasized that there is zero tolerance for this kind of threatening racist behavior at the University of Oklahoma," Boren said in a statement. Since taking the helm of the state's flagship university more than 20 years ago, Boren has made ambitious efforts to recruit top students and faculty.

Watch these 'true gentlemen' in action.

Wondering if one person on the bus has a conscience or just a total lack of understanding how social media works.

Related post:
The Vision, Spirit, Motto, and Values of Greek-Letter Organizations. (1/29/2015)

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Irony alert: Indianapolis, a.k.a. amateur sports capital of the world, is least fit U.S. big city

D.C. leads, Indianapolis lags in fitness among top 50 U.S. cities. (USA Today, 5/18/2016)

The rankings, based on outdoor exercise options and rates of smoking, obesity and diabetes, are designed to be a "call to action" for areas to improve their infrastructures so they promote healthy lifestyles, says Walter Thompson, chair of the AFI advisory board and a professor of kinesiology at Georgia State University.

Screenshot from Super Service homepage

Dear Patience, You realize you could just as easily be talking about Scott Walker. Best, Retiring Guy

Black to red courtesy of Retiring Guy

As reported in Supreme Court admits law school grad to bar despite 'character and fitness' questions. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/18/2016)

Related post:
Scott Walker earns his 11th Politifact Wisconsin "pants on fire" rating. (5/15/2016)

Heroin epidemic 'seeps into public view' in Cincinnati

Two Cincinnati locations are mentioned in a 3/6/2016 New York Times article: the Children's Hospital Medical Centers and a McDonald's restaurant.

Then there's this incident that took place in the parking lot of an Auto Zone.

Add the downtown facility of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County to the list.

Overdoses increase at Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. (WCPO, 5/18/2016)

So far in 2016, there have been as many runs for heroin overdoses at the Downtown branch as the prior two years combined. In fact, if the trend continues, the Downtown library is on pace to see 18 overdoses this year.

I don't find any mentions of this problem in the library board minutes going back to February 2015. (The minutes from the April 12, 2016, meeting have not yet been posted.)

Opposing viewpoints: Rentberry

Diversity in the picture, but the white folks are in the foreground.

New start-up promises to exacerbate housing crisis in unprecedented ways. (Death and Taxes, 5/18/2016)

The San Francisco Chronicle reports this dubiously named start-up — which launched Tuesday in the Bay Area and New York, and hopes to expand to Dallas and Houston — plans to compete with “stone age” platforms like Craigslist by helping the rentier class squeeze every last penny out of those seeking the luxury commodity we call “shelter.” The way it works is simple: Simply post a listing, let folks place their bids, and watch all remaining livability drain from your city.

Related reading:
May 2016 National Apartment List Rent Report.
San Francisco Has America’s Most Expensive Rents. (24/7 Wall St, 3/1/2016)

As of now, Scott Walker likely to skip David Prosser's retirement party

Prosser's last day as a Supreme Court justice is July 31, 2016.

As reported in State Supreme Court Overturns Part Of Law Increasing Governor's Rulemaking Power. (Wisconsin Public Radio, 5/17/2016)

We obviously haven't heard the last of it. During oral arguments before the state Supreme Court, Justice Michael Gableman sounded skeptical of that reasoning, saying it's the Legislature that gives the superintendent rulemaking power and it's the Legislature that can take it away.

Ross Morell (1921-2016) Warren High School Class of 1939

Source: Warren Times Observer

1939 Dragon yearbook

Ross's high school activities:
Football (1, 2); Hi-Y Club (1, 2, 3, 4); French Club (4); Science Club (4).

1967 Warren City Directory

Morell Ross J (Anne M) mach Sylvania h10 Weld Dr

1983 Warren City Directory

Morell Frances retd h108 Oak St Apt 410
Morell Gregory J & Jennifer I; techn N F (National Forge) h11W 5th Av
Morell Jennifer I Mrs purch agt Penco (Clarendon) h11 W 5th Av
Morell Ross J & Anne M; photo engr Warren Times Observer h10 Weld Dr

'Ross' was a steady presence throughout most of the 20th century, peaking at #147 in 1985. He began a rapid descent in the mid-1990s and fell off the chart after 2012.

Source: Social Security Administration

Other members of the WHS class of 1939:
Anna Mae Seder Bleech. (3/22/2016)
Helen Huck Mead. (12/7/2015)
John Shanshala. 2/28/2015)

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

This is what a 14-foot aluminum boat looks like

Photo credit: Molnar Outdoor

4 people rescued after boat flips in Milwaukee's harbor. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/15/2016)

The Coast Guard station in Milwaukee received a mayday call around 7:45 a.m. about a 14-foot aluminum boat capsizing with t~~wo adults and two children~~ 4 numbskulls in rough seas and strong wind.

The boat weighs about 150 pounds.

This Easy Street is probably not what or where you think it is

Photo by Retiring Guy

This particular Easy Street is located at the northern edge of The Only Waunakee in the World.

Gertrude Crocker Maines (1922-2016) Warren High School Class of 1940

Source: Warren Times Observer

1940 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory

Crocker Floyd jr driver Warren County Dairy rSheffield Pa
Maines Philip D (Gertrude L) carp Beyer Const r212 S Main (Clarendon)

1983 Warren City Directory

[county section] Maines Gertrude L r212 S Main St (CL)
[county section] Maines Phillip D r212 S Main St (CL)

'Gertrude' was a very popular name, once upon a time, but like Muriel, she quickly fell out of fashion by the mid-20th century.

Source: Social Security Administsration

Other class of 1940 members:
Virginia Wooster Bielawski. (5/8/2016)
John Notoro Sr. (11/7/2014)
Harry Segal. (10/15/2014)
Mary Wolstencroft Lampela. (10/2/2014)

Giddy over voter ID, Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield) is also a big fan of redistricting

Photo credit: Wisconsin State Legislature

As reported in Former aide: GOP lawmakers privately touted voter ID as helping them win elections. (Madison.com, 5/17/2016)

Source: Documents cast new light on redistricting process; reveal partisan motivations. (Wisconsin State Journal, 8/1/2012.)

Related redistricting post:
UPDATE. Redistricting: What It's All About in Wisconsin. (12/17/2015)

Related voter ID posts:
The fact is, Scott Walker, Wisconsin spent a lot of time and money on a solution in search of a problem. (4/28/2016)
Ted Perry, GOP hypocrisy, voter ID, and anger. (4/8/2016)
Voter ID controversy: Glenn Grothman just makes it worse. (4/6/2016)
The hyper-hypocritical Scott Walker: Hunters are ethical, voters are not. (3/10/2016)
It's not an oversight; just part of the Republican plan to disenfranchise voters. (2/1/2016)
Republican candidates for President want voting to be a privilege, not a right. (8/6/2015)
Apparently, it's OK to plagiarize a Voter ID law. (10/17/2014)
The Republicans' voter ID, "common sense" echo chamber. (10/13/2014)
GOP reaches out to Blacks and Hispanics while making it harder for them to vote. (10/3/2014)
What are the odds? Joint Finance provides funding for Voter ID campaign. (10/1/2014)
In the news: Wisconsin Voter ID law and absentee ballots. (9/18/2014)
Wisconsin Republican legislative leaders cry like a baby. (9/17/2014)
Reality sandwiched between two slices of Leah Vukmir white bread. (9/15/2014)
Scott Walker on Voter ID: It's going just according to plan. (8/2/2014)
Meet Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack, who authored majority opinions in voter ID cases. (8/1/2014)
So as a result, you want your government to make it harder for you to vote? (5/22/2014)
The cat's got Fitzgerald's tongue. (5/14/2014)
I can see how these pie graphs from a 2005 report might have informed the discussion for voter ID proponents. (5/11/2014)
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)
And the hypocrisy just keeps on coming: Republicans can't even give lip service to their "principles". (2/14/2014)

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)

Monday, May 16, 2016

Dear Donald Trump, Obama is talkin' to you (part 3). Best, Retiring Guy

The best zinger of the trio.

President Obama as quoted in Obama Swipes at Trump, but Doesn’t Name Him, in Speech at Rutgers. (The New York Times, 5/15/2016)

As Elizabeth Warren notes, it's over.

Related post:
Talkin' to you, part 1. (5/16/2016)
Talkin' to you, part 2. (5/16/2016

Dear Donald Trump, Obama is talkin' to you (part 2). Best, Retiring Guy

President Obama as quoted in Obama Swipes at Trump, but Doesn’t Name Him, in Speech at Rutgers. (The New York Times, 5/15/2016)

Actually, he might be thinking it's time for a haircut -- or trimming whatever foreign matter is resting on his head.

Related post:
Talkin' to you, part 1. (5.16/2016)

Dear Donald Trump, Obama is talkin' to you (part 1). Best, Retiring Guy

President Obama as quoted in Obama Swipes at Trump, but Doesn’t Name Him, in Speech at Rutgers. (The New York Times, 5/15/2016)

Trump is too busy tweeting about this recent New York Times evisceration to worry about what Obama has to say about him.

Marquette University economist provides an antidote to Scott Walker of Sunnybrook Farm

Photo credit: Marquette University

As quoted in Marquette Economist Weighs In On Walker's Economic Optimism. (Wisconsin Public Radio, 5/13/2016)

In response to The Wisconsin Comeback Continues. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/8/2016)

Related post:
Scott Walker toots his own horn -- only because he can. (5/9/2016)

Donald Trump still gets no love from Scott Walker

As quoted in Divisions over Donald Trump surface at Wisconsin GOP convention. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/14/2016)

Related posts:
UPDATE: Donald Trump invites Rick Wiley back from Mexico. (4/14/2016)
Donald Trump, 6th grade carnival barker, pleads with Wisconsin voters for their support. (4/1/2016)

William Carlino (1925-2016) Warren High School

Source: Warren Times Observer

1943 Dragon yearbook

(Carlino does not appear in subsequent editions)

1967 Warren City Directory

Carlino V Zeff (Muriel C) retd h206 Lexington av

1983 Warren City Directory

Carlino Z Wm & Barbara; paper hanger 202 East h202 East St

The popularity of 'William' as a baby name is graphed here, so let's take a look at the parents.

'Victor' has been a steady, if unspectacular, performer throughout the years, peaking at #63 in 1918 and, until recently, staying right around the #100 line.

Muriel, on the other hand, peaked at #112 in 1922 and faded from view after 1964.

Source: Social Security Administration