Robin Vos, Jim Steineke defend GOP right to suppress the vote

For Vos, it's all about the power he wields.

Source:  7/29/2016 press release

Source:  7/29/2016 press release

Sorry, guys, you've already been outed.

Related voter ID posts:
Voter ID Hokey Pokey.  (5/20/2016)
Giddy over voter ID, Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield) is also a big fan of redistricting.  (5/17/2016)
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)

Trump on his Putin relationship: I know him, I know him not

Trump and Putin Tried to Meet in Moscow Three Years Ago: Source.  (NBC News, 7/28/2016)

Mama's boy Paul Farrow, Waukesha County executive, compares WaPo reporter to wedding crasher

Photo credit:  Waukesha County

Quoted at Waukesha sheriff seeks to clarify department's role in barring reporter from Mike Pence rally.  (Madison.com, 7/29/2016)

Related post:
You can see Russia from Pence campaign rally in Waukesha.  (7/28/2016)

Donald Trump and the GOP are the big losers this week

Night 1

Compared to 23,000,000 viewers for the GOP.


Night 2

24,700,000 viewers for the Dems compared to 19,800,000 for the GOP.


Night 3

24,000,000 viewers for the Dems vs. 23,400,000 for GOP.

Apparently, night 4 is still being tabulated.

Year-to-date book sales comparison

February AAP’s StatShot Data shows eBook sales by big member publishers continues to tank.  (Talking New Media, 7/26/2016)

The standard caveat.  Every month these reports come out and the basic story is the same: print books are fine, but digital sucks. Of course, the same follow-up story is the same, too: the AAP report only says what is happening with one part of the market.

Related posts:
Snapshot of 2014/2015 comparable book sales by general format.  (4/28/2016)
Overall, sales of print books are up for 2nd year in a row.  (2/22/2016)
The fact of the matter is that net sales of hardback and paperback books have held relatively steady for the past 5 years.  (1/28/2016)
Print continues to hold its own.  (1/21/2015)
Is this the future of e-books?  (8/27/2014)
Who's reading ebooks (by household income). (7/20/2014)
Ebook digital subscription services: Is it a bjargain? (7/20/2014)
Which is what you would have predicted after reading "In So Many Words" in March 1997.  (5/28/2014)
Amazon delivers the "Lesley Gore" ultimatum.  (4/25/2014)
The boom is over for ebooks.  (4/2/2014)
Ebooks and the hype of emerging technology: Have we finally reached the slope of enlightenment?  (3/11/2014) 
Pew Research report on e-reading.  (1/16/2014)
Book sales update as of October 2013.  (1/10/2014)
The 24-hour news recycle: Mein Kampf edition.  (1/7/2014) 

FOX News racist? They omit, you decide

Reported at Guess which network refused to air the DNC speeches by mothers of children killed by police.  (DeadState, 7/27/2016)

Source:  imdb

Raymond Smith (1920-2016) Warren High School Class of 1938

Source:  Warren Times Observer

1938 Dragon yearbook

Raymond's high-school activities:

Football (3); German Club (3); A Capella Choir (4); Boys' Glee Club (4); Noon Hi-Y (2, 3); Basketball (3); Mixed Chorus (4).


1967 Warren City Directory

• Smith Cecelia (wid Frank J) h1919 Pennsylvania av W
• Smith Raymond (Phyllis) emp Bell Tel h904 Hillcrest dr (NW/North Warren)

1983 Warren City Directory

• Smith Raymond E & Phyllis E; retd h55 Highland Dr

'Raymond' is graphed here, but we have yet to look at 'Phyllis'.

Source:  Social Security Administration

'Phyllis' enjoyed an impressive run of popularity from the 1920s into the 1950s, but after 1960 she quickly went out of fashion.

Other class of '38 grads:
Elsie Larson Johnson.  (7/23/2016)
Joseph Suppa.  (2/28/2016)
Doris Knapp Gnage.  (10/14/2014)
Harry Kershaw.  (9/1/2014)
Frank Flood.  (6/30/2014)
Wayne Mahaffy.  (2/22/2014)

You can see Russia from Pence campaign rally in Waukesha

Reported at Post reporter barred, patted down by police, at rally for Trump running mate.  (Washington Post, 7/28/2016)

The Pence campaign's alleged embarrassment notwithstanding, the most telling element of this story is that local police complied with the request.

On the environment, you'll find a stark difference between Republicans and Democrats in Wisconsin State Assembly

The other 4 Democratic Assembly reps all scored in the 90% range.  (A total of 13 pieces of legislation was used to determine the ratings.)

Clearly, Wisconsin's GOP legislators have no interest in protecting our air, water, and wild places.

Sierra Club

Sierra Club finds a lot of zeros in the Wisconsin State Senate

Source of legislator list:  The Sierra Club

Duey Stroebel admits he has no answers to funding Wisconsin's transportation needs

So what the hell is this pinhead doing in the Wisconsin legislature?

New Revenue is not the Answer on Transportation.  (Press release, 7/27/2016)

Related posts:
Sounds like Duey's in bed with Scottie on transportation funding.  (6/28/2016)
Dear Scott Walker, You'd be hard-pressed to find more than 2 road projects in northwest Wisconsin. (6/26/2016)
Duey Stroebel, the most dangerous man in the Wisconsin state senate, has his pants on fire.  (6/26/2016)  
Duey Stroebel, one of the wackiest ships in Wisconsin politics, meets Lauren Bacall.  (6/15/2016)
The best and the brightest: Wisconsin DOT Secretary sez, Fuck it, I'm not doin' my job!  (6/2/2016)

Automaton Scott Walker keeps his eyes on the White House

Reported at Memo: State transportation fund $939M short.  (Madison.com, 7/27/2016)

As reported in the Journal Sentinel, Walker offered a similar statement  last month.

"I'm not going to add to the overall tax burden of the hardworking people of this state, so that's a position I made very clear when I ran and I've reiterated it time and time again, so we're not going to add a gas tax or vehicle registration fee in this next budget,"

Silly man.

Source:  Real Clear Politics

Related post:
UPDATE: Scott Walker continues to fiddle while Wisconsin infrastructure crumbles.  (7/25/2016)

Art from your vacuum cleaner

Photo by Retiring Guy

Quoted at What You Collect: The Ordinary and the Odd.  (The New York Times, 7/24/2016)

Constance Thalken

Housing at Rio Olympics leaves something to be desired

In Athletes’ Housing at Rio Olympics: Blocked Toilets, Leaking Pipes and Exposed Wiring.  (The New York Times, /7/25/2016)

Sunday was supposed to be move-in day for many athletes, but the leader of the Australian Olympic delegation said its athletes would not be checking in because of problems with the gas, electricity and plumbing. The opening ceremony for the Rio Games is scheduled for Aug. 5.

Bird's-eye view.

3 GOP Wisconsin State Assembly frosh running unopposed for re-election

Including that gasket-blowin'....

 Photo credit:  Wisconsin State Assembly

Gannon easily dispatched his 2 primary opponents during his first run for an Assembly seat.

Source: Ballotpedia

Other gasket-blowin' posts:
For gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon, more guns = greater safety.  (6/23/2016)
UPDATE: Gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon brings his own stir stick to cauldron of fear.  (6/9/2016)
Al Ott retires after serving 30 years in Wisconsin Assembly; No word yet from that gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon.  (4/1/2016)
Dear gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon, You know this constitutional amendment means the end of Fearless Leader Vos.  (2/25/2016)
Turning the gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon's sneering, small-d democrat slur on its head.  (1/17/2016)
Dear Alan, the gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon lives in Washington County.  (1/13/2016)
When it comes to that gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon, the bird is the word.  (1/12/2016)
That gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon is back on the scene with more words of wisdom.  (12/21/2015)
The way I see it, Bob Gannon's bill doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell in the Wisconsin State Senate.  (11/24/2015)
'Real gun control' as described by the volatile, gasket-blowing Bob Gannon.  (10/3/2015)
Bob Gannon boldly blows another gasket.  (9/15/2015)
Bob Gannon blows a gasket.  (7/6/2015)

Photo credit:  Wisconsin State Assembly

No mandate for Jesse in his 2014 primary election.

Source:  Ballotpedia

Other Jesse Kremer posts:
Abortion pill politics: Jesse Kremer likes what he sees in Arizona and Arkansas.  (7/2/2016)
Kremer offers his words of healing in aftermath of Orlando massacre.  (6/15/2016)
NC-17 (at least): Inside the bizarre, twisted mind of Jesse Kremer.  (4/27/2016)
UPDATE: GOP Assembly leaders bail on "guns in school" bill, to disappointment of cluster of usual suspects.  (2/21/2016)
In so many words, Rep. Jesse Kremer sez he'll sleep better with more guns in Wisconsin schools.  (1/14/2016) 
Cartoon conservative principles, the Christmas edition: Rep. Kremer accuses fire officials of 'relieving themselves'.  (12/23/2015)
Bathroom bill update: Julaine Appling must have inadvertently loosened her grip on Jesse Kremer's leash.  (12/16/2015)
Out of (local) control: When it comes to anything resembling a train, Republicans just can't help themselves.  (12/1/2015)  
The 'bathroom bill' marriage of Jesse Kremer and Julaine Appling.  (11/21/2015)
ALEC/NRA waterboy Jesse Kremer blames the media.  (10/23/2015)
Waterboys for the NRA and ALEC: Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) and Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg)  (10/13/2015)
Wisconsin Republicans continue their laser-like focus on jobs and the economy.  (10/7/2015)
Wisconsin Assembly candidate denounces tax breaks for wind energy but conveniently overlooks what big oil receives.  (8/7/2014)
Just what the Wisconsin legislature needs: Another ALEC disciple.  (8/7/2014)

Photo credit:  Wisconsin State Assembly

Brooks won his 2014 GOP primary against Jean Opitz with 58.1% of the vote (4,791-3,457).

Other 2016 Wisconsin election posts:

Who's running for state office in Wisconsin 2016 (The unopposed edition).  (6/12/2016)

3rd Assembly District.  (6/12/2016)

8th Assembly District.  (6/14/2016)

9th Assembly District.  (6/14/2016)

11th Assembly District.  (6/15/2016)

16th Assembly District.  (6/16/2016)

17th Assembly District.  (6/17/2016)

20th Assembly District.  (6/18/2016)

21st Assembly District.  (6/18/2016)

26th Assembly District.  (6/19/2016)

29th Assembly District.  (6/19/2016)

30th Assembly District.  (6/20/2016)

31st Assembly District.  (6/20/2016)
34th Assembly District.  (6/21/2016)
35th Assembly District.  (6/21/2016)
38th Assembly District.  (6/22/2016)
43rd Assembly District.  (6/23/2016)
47th Assembly District.  (6/24/2016)
50th Assembly District.  (6/24/2016)
67th Assembly District.  (6/27/2016)
72nd Assembly District.  (6/28/2016)
78th Assembly District.  (6/28/2016)
80th Assembly District.  (6/29/2016)
83rd Assembly District.  (6/30/2016)
86th Assembly District.  (7/1/2016)
92nd Assembly District.  (7/1/2016)
4th Senate District.  (7/4/2016)
18th Senate District.  (7/5/2016)
32nd Senate District.  (7/6/2016)

UPDATE: 6 years later, Andre Jacque comfortably ensconced in Wisconsin State Assembly.  (7/11/2016)
Three State Assembly representatives from Milwaukee running for re-election unopposed in 2016.  (7/12/2016)
State Assembly races: 3 suburban Milwaukee Republicans running unopposed.  (7/19/2016)
Wisconsin State Assembly incumbents Mursau, Ballweg, Schraa running unopposed this fall.  (7/25/2016)
Rock County Wisconsin Assembly incumbents Kolste, Spreitzer running unopposed in fall election.  (7/26/2016)

Lorraine Bevevino Bengston (1923-2016) Warren High School Class of 1940

Source:  Warren Times Observer

1940 Dragon yearbook

Lorraine's high-school activities:

Stenographers' Club (4); Junior Shorthand Club (3), Executive Board (3); Science Club (4); Latin Club (1, 2); Girls' Athletic Association (3, 4); Girls' Club (4); Junior Play (3); Senior Play (4); Dramatic Club (3). 

Also in the picture.
Both Elmer Bloom and Bill Brader were long-time, very active members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.  Elmer sang in thr choir, and Bill served on the church council.

1967 Warren City Directory

• Bengston Wm S (A Lorraine) slsmn Cornwell Tool h108 1/2 Cayuga av
• Bevevino Ross retd r811 W 5th av

1983 Warren City Directory

• Bengston A Lorraine Mrs nurse Warren State Hosp h34 Kamp St
• Bengston Scott W & Patrivce A; emp Interroyal Deluxe h218 Canton St

'Lorraine' enjoyed a short stretch of popularity during the 1920s and '30s, peaking at #39 in 1928.  She went into decline during the 2nd half of the 20th century and disappeared from view after 1995.

 Source: Social Security Administration

Other class of 1940 members:
Harold Gilson.  (6/21/2016)
Gertrude Crocker Maines.  (5/17/2016)
Virginia Wooster Bielawski.  (5/8/2016)
John Notoro Sr.  (11/7/2014)
Harry Segal.  (10/15/2014)
Mary Wolstencroft Lampela.  (10/2/2014)

Fox News talks the GOP language. Much. More. Degraded. Base.

Photo of some outstanding yard kitsch on Madison's near-east side by Retiring Guy

It's ad language, of course, but it has a nice ring to my ears.

Reported at Democratic National Convention Kickoff Is a Bigger Draw Than GOP Confab.  (Advertising Age, 7/26/2016)

The numbers:

• Dems | 25,800,000 viewers
• Reps  | 22,500,00 viewers

Poisoned Water: The Hoosick Falls edition

Photo credit:  Wikipedia (also population; see below)

Reported at Tainted Water Near Colorado Bases Hints at Wider Worries.  (The New York Times, 7/25/2016)

Information found at the Hoosick Falls website.

Hoosick Falls is located 33 miles northeast of Albany.

A late 19th-century boom and bust appears to have set the tone.

Trump claims Michelle Obama plagiarized Melania's diary

Wishful thinking, of course.

Quotes from Michelle Obama's convention speech shared by James Hohmann in The Daily 202: Michelle Obama is the Democrats’ best weapon against Donald Trump.  (Washington Post, 7/26/2016)

Trump prefers not to tweet about the First Lady's speech.

Hey DJ, I'd like to dedicate this song to the driver of a black Porsche 911

Madison.com, 7/26/2016

The pilot radioed information to a trooper in a ground cruiser, who was able to stop the vehicle without incident," said Lt. Chris Jushka.The unidentified driver told the trooper he was speeding because he had to go. The pilot calculated the Porsche was going 118 mph.

The driver submitted a plea for help to Reddit an hour later.

Rock County Wisconsin Assembly incumbents Kolste, Spreitzer running unopposed in fall election

 Source;  Ballotpedia (bar graph also)

Photo credit:  Wisconsin State Assembly

Source:  Ballotpedia

Photo credit:  Wisconsin State Assembly

Spreitzer defeated Sheila De Forest, also from Beloit, in the August 12, 2014, Democratic primary.

• Spreitzer | 1,993 votes (54.1%)
• De Forest | 1,691 votes (45.9%)

Other 2016 Wisconsin election posts:

Who's running for state office in Wisconsin 2016 (The unopposed edition).  (6/12/2016)

3rd Assembly District.  (6/12/2016)

8th Assembly District.  (6/14/2016)

9th Assembly District.  (6/14/2016)

11th Assembly District.  (6/15/2016)

16th Assembly District.  (6/16/2016)

17th Assembly District.  (6/17/2016)

20th Assembly District.  (6/18/2016)

21st Assembly District.  (6/18/2016)

26th Assembly District.  (6/19/2016)

29th Assembly District.  (6/19/2016)

30th Assembly District.  (6/20/2016)

31st Assembly District.  (6/20/2016)
34th Assembly District.  (6/21/2016)
35th Assembly District.  (6/21/2016)
38th Assembly District.  (6/22/2016)
43rd Assembly District.  (6/23/2016)
47th Assembly District.  (6/24/2016)
50th Assembly District.  (6/24/2016)
67th Assembly District.  (6/27/2016)
72nd Assembly District.  (6/28/2016)
78th Assembly District.  (6/28/2016)
80th Assembly District.  (6/29/2016)
83rd Assembly District.  (6/30/2016)
86th Assembly District.  (7/1/2016)
92nd Assembly District.  (7/1/2016)
4th Senate District.  (7/4/2016)
18th Senate District.  (7/5/2016)
32nd Senate District.  (7/6/2016)

UPDATE: 6 years later, Andre Jacque comfortably ensconced in Wisconsin State Assembly.  (7/11/2016)
Three State Assembly representatives from Milwaukee running for re-election unopposed in 2016.  (7/12/2016)
State Assembly races: 3 suburban Milwaukee Republicans running unopposed.  (7/19/2016)
Wisconsin State Assembly incumbents Mursau, Ballweg, Schraa running unopposed this fall.  (7/25/2016)

Raymond Elsholz (1925-2016) Warren High School Class of 1944

Source:  Warren Times Observer

1944 Dragon yearbook

Raymond's high-school activites:

None listed.

1967 Warren City Directory

• Elsholz Margt (wid Reinhold E) h230 Pennsyulvania av W
• Elsholz Walter G (Jean A) atndt W State Hospital h27 Franklin

1983 Warren City Directory

• Elsholz Jean A Mrs nurse Warren State Hosp h27 Franklin St
• Elsholz Walter G & Jean A; retd h27 Franklin St
• [county section] Elsholz Edith rChapman Dam Rd Clarendon
• [county section] Elsholz Ray rChapman Dam Rd Clarendon

The popularity of 'Raymond' as a baby name is graphed here, which provides me with an opportunity to graph 'Edith'.

Source:  Social Security Administration

'Edith' was among the most popular names for girls during the early 20th century.  Since the mid-1970s, she has been fighting to remain relevant.  Successfully, it appears.

Other members of the class of '44:
Barbara Berdine Graham.  (6/16/2016)
Grace Youug Strand.  (2/13/2016)
Mary Davis Christensen Spencer.  (9/27/2015)
Leonard Lucia.  (7/4/2015)
Mary Blackwell Bancroft.   (6/22/2015)
Kenneth Klenck.  (1/31/2015)
Dolores Nuhfer Anthony.  (9/21/2014)
Marjorie Christensen Anderson.  (10/6/2013)

A hunger strike and population growth

Quoted in Wisconsin delegate goes on hunger strike for Bernie Sanders.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/25/2016)

Related reading:
John Stanley – Challenger – Running for President – Village of DeForest Board of Trustees.   (DeForest Times Tribune, 3/20/2013)

Stanley said one of his greatest strengths as a candidate is his willingness and ability to listen to diverse constituencies. “I am a listener,” he said. “I will hear what people have to say. I will listen regardless of what my wants are.”

Also of interest:
“My father was Dane County Coroner at the time and we moved to DeForest to regain that small town feel that McFarland was beginning to lose being so close to Madison,” he said.

As you can see from the line graph below, DeForest leapfrogged over McFarland during the 1990s.  DeForest's population increased 50% during this decade while McFarland experienced a 23% gain.

Source:  U.S. Census vis Wikipedia

Trail of Tires, Great Smoky Mountains (1982)

Photo by Retiring Guy

It's been a long time since this hiking trip -- my third -- to the Great Smoky Mountains.  All I can remember is this pile of tires was a shocking sight.  It remains a mystery as to how and why they were transported here.

Two possible explanations based on more recent events

1. Recycled Tires Improve Trail at Dora Kelley.  (West End Alexandria Patch, 9/28/2012)  For trails in a suburban D.C. park, yes, but the Appalachian Trail? 
2. More than 100 tires illegally dumped on Appalachian Trail.  (The Sentinel, 4/28/2015)

And here you thought they had already stopped manufacturing VCRs

Priced to move for Esquire readers:  $1039.95 at Ritz Camera.   (About $2,500 in today's dollars.)

Esquire, June 1983

The Long, Final Goodbye of the VCR.  (The New York Times, 7/21/2016)

I admit it; I would have guessed that production stopped years ago.  The last-known company still manufacturing the technology, the Funai Corporation of Japan, said in a statement Thursday that it would stop making VCRs at the end of this month, mainly because of “difficulty acquiring parts.”

No, I didn't watch all 54 minutes.



The opening:  
The RCA Selectavision Video Cassette Recorder you are about to see represents one of the most innovative and exciting developments in the history of home VCR's.  The design concept and electronics engineering it employs place is firmly in the vanguard of consumer video technology  This instrument is so advanced, so outstanding it could very well establish an entirely new benchmark for VCR/s of its class.

Most American consumers, as it turned out, wanted cheap and easy to use. 

Related article:
VCR Sales Up 62% in First Half of Year.  (Los Angeles Times, 7/15/1985)

Americans continue to flock to the store to buy video cassette recorders, 4.7 million of them so far in 1985, the Electronic Industries Assn. said Sunday.

UPDATE: Scott Walker continues to fiddle while Wisconsin infrastructure crumbles

Map:  Town of Burns WI

Reported in Looming crisis: Stagnant state transportation funding leaves municipal roads in trouble.  (La Crosse Tribune, 7242016)


Original 6/14/2016 post, "Scott Walker fiddles on Stradivarius, paid for by the taxpayers', starts here.

Highway project delays rack up $700 million cost overruns.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/13/2016)




Related post:
Walker fiddles on expensive violin paid for by the taxpayers.  (6/6/2016)