Saturday, August 20, 2016

UPDATE. Once again Trump reaches out to black voters where few of them live


A key point that Real Clear Politics either misses or ignores.


Trump to Black Voters: "What Do You Have To Lose By Trying Something New?" Reject Hillary's "Bigotry".  (Real Clear Politics, 8/19/2016)
Donald Trump makes a plea for the black and poor vote at a campaign rally Friday night in Dimondale, Michigan [lcoated in Windsor Charter Township] following a tour of the devastation of flood-ravaged Louisiana earlier in the day.

Original 8/17/2016 post, "Donald Trump chooses to speak in Wisconsin county with 0.9% African-American residents", starts here.

Source:  U.S. Census QuickFacts (2010 census data)

Donald Trump seeks black support, says 'war on our police must end' at suburban Milwaukee rally.  (Madison.com, 8/16/2016)
Declaring "the war on our police must end and it must end now," Trump blamed decades of Democratic leadership for crime and poverty in major cities. He called Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton anti-police and held up as a model the tough-on-crime approach of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was one of the speakers who introduced Trump.

Related reading:
Editorial:  Rudy Guiliani's Racial Myths.  (The New York Times, 7/11/2016)
Rudy Giuliani: Black fathers need to teach kids ‘the real danger to them is not the police’.  (Washingotn Post, 7/11/2016)
Rudy Giuliani says black children have a ‘99% chance’ of killing each other, calls Black Lives Matter ‘inherently racist’.  (NewYork Daily News, 7/10/2016)

Friday, August 19, 2016

Trivia time in the cookie and cracker aisle


What is the 2nd variety of Oreo to be marketed?  (Discounting the lemon cream-filled bust of the 1920s.)

When was it introduced?   (Although I did find a couple of sources that pinpoint the previous year.)


Oreo cookies have been with us since 1912.

SnackWorks lists 59 Oreo products.

That gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon urges GOP to unite behind 'Sassy Trump'



Transcription of first 23 second of video at Morning Minute: Rep. Bob Gannon (R) Speakes at Trump Rally.  (WiscNews, 8/18/2016)

You can make a beer-drinking game based on the number of times Bob checks his notes.  (click on link above)



'Sassy Trump' can't resist lying to you people. Fresh mockery from Peter Serafinowicz.  (boingboing, 8/18/2016)
In this episode, Sassy Trump just can’t help admitting to the crowd that he lies to them.

Related reading:
Few stand in Trump’s way as he piles up the Four-Pinocchio whoppers.  (Washington Post, 5/7/2016)
Here's the Proof That Donald Trump's a Pathological Liar You've Been Asking for, Trolls.  (The New Civil Rights Movement, 5/29/2016)

Other gasket-blowin' posts:
3 GOP Wisconsin State Assembly frosh running unopposed for re-election.  (7/27/2016)
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)

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial board lobbies for Frank Lloyd Wright inclusion on UNESCO list


Having visited this landmark twice, I heartily offer a 2nd.

Photos by Retiring Guy (September 1980)

Wright’s right: Keep pushing for Fallingwater on UNESCO World Heritage List.  (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 7/26/2016)
The conservancy is spearheading efforts to get 10 of Wright’s masterpieces in seven states added to the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Best known to Pittsburghers is Fallingwater, built in 1936 for department store owner Edgar Kauffman Sr. The others represent other high points in Wright’s career and breakthroughs in design.


Related post: 
Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater placed on UNESCO's World Heritage waiting list.  (8/18/2016)

Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater placed on UNESCO World Heritage waiting list


Photo by Retiring Guy (September 1980)

Wright’s Fallingwater, other works placed on landmarks waiting list. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 7/23/2016)
The World Heritage site listing was initiated in 1972 under an international treaty for natural site conservation and cultural site preservation. The list now includes more than 1,000 sites in 161 countries, including Stonehenge in England, the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and, in the U.S., Yellowstone National Park, the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall, the only listing in Pennsylvania.

Allison Maass can't figure out that undercover thing


First of all, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel runs the story, excerpted below, with this misleading headline.


Photo credit:  Campus Reform

It appears that most other news sources emphasized the "try to".

Beneath CES 2016: Swearballs




Holy f***balls! (NSFW).  (boingboing, 8/18/2016)

Available for $19.99 here -- or buy the Odd Ball pack of 3 for $39.99.

I'm gonna take a pass.

The Swearball Facebook page -- 1st post:  February 10, 2016 -- has 22 likes.  That tells us all we need to know.

Too much testosterone in the room allows Liz Cheney to squeeze through the door to victory


Source:  Ballotpedia

Pundits: Several factors contributed to Cheney's victory.  (Wyoming Tribune Eagle, 8/18/2016)
Former U.S. Senator Al Simpson makes a huge leap in logic.  “This time she had eight opponents. She took them head-on. They threw some heavy artillery against her, and she handled it. Which is why she’ll be good.”

Dear Al,

Add up the vote totals for Leland, Tim, and Darin.  What do you get?

Best, 

Retiring Guy

Related post:
Would you vote for this man for Congress?  (8/18/2016)

Clinton, Trump neck-and-neck in Iowa



Related posts:
UPDATE. Hillary continues to move ahead in Florida presidential polls.  (8/16/2016)
UPDATE. Everyone continues to bounce along in Virginia presidential polls.  (8/16/2016)
UPDATE. Hillary continues to expand her her lead against Trump during 1st 2 weeks of August.  (8/16/2016)
UPDATE: Trump can't crack 40% in 4-way New Hampshire presidential polls.  (8/15/2016)
Trump seriously tanking in Colorado.  (8/12/2016)
Clinton extends lead in North Carolina polls.  (8/12/2016)
Clinton leads in Pennsylvania.  (8/9/2016)
Another day, another big win for Clinton in the polls.  (8/8/2016)
Trump keeps up his inane, disparaging, name-calling tweets as his poll numbers erode.  (8/7/2016)
Clinton takes big lead over Trump in Virginia.  (8/7/2016)
Clinton takes it to Trump every time in Michigan.  (8/6/2016)
UPDATE: Now pinch-hitting for Rasmussen, the Los Angeles Times.  (8/6/2016)
Trump pisses away his advantage in Georgia, of all places!  (8/5/2016)
Dem. challenger Katie McGinty tightens race against GOP incumbent Sen. Pat Toomey in PA.  (8/5/2016)
New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte can't run away from Donald Trump fast enough.  (8/5/2016)
Hillary gets a big convention bump in New Hampshire.  (8/5/2016)
Latest national Presidential polls has GOP worried.  (8/5/2016)
Clinton starting to put room between herself and Trump in national polls.  (8/4/2016)

UPDATE. With no Dem in fall election, Chuck Wichgers wins 83rd Wisconsin Assembly seat in GOP primary



Related article:
Wichgers wins State Assembly District 83 primary by 15-point margin.  (8/15/2016)


Original 6/30/2016 post, "Who's running for state office in Wisconsin 2016 (The primary edition: 83rd Assembly District)", starts here.

The current representative of the 83rd District, David Craig (R-Big Bend), is running unopposed in the 28th State Senate District.  He will replace the retiring Mary Lazich, who was first elected to the Assembly in November 1992 and to the Senate, in a special election, in April 1998.

The 4 Republican candidates

The winner will run unopposed in the November 8th general election.

Campaign websites
83rd Assembly District

Public libraries in the 83rd Assembly District
Big Bend Public Library
Hales Corners Public Library
Muskego Public Library
Waterford Public Library

Related article:
Candidates seesk open Waterford state Assembly seat.  (Racine Journal-Times, 3/24/2016)
Karen Schuh to run for state assembly.  (Lake Country Now, 4/25/2016)

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)
UPDATE: Nonresident Ron Tusler wins Wisconsin State Assembly 3rd District GOP primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Zamarripa beats Manriquez for 4th time in Wisconsin State Assembly 8th District Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Incumbent Zepnick survives challenge in Wisconsin State Assembly 9th District Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Self-proclaimed "I'm not perfect" candidate wins Wisconsin State Assembly 11th District Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: With 16th District primary win, Leon Young will serve 13th term in Wisconsin State Assembly.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: David Crowley wins open-seat 17th District Wisconsin State Assembly Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Sinicki easily survives challenge in Wisconsin State Assembly 20th District Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Wisconsin State Assembly 21st Assembly District Dem primary winner to face Jessie Rodriguez in November.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Rebecca Clarke easily wins Democratic primary in 26th Wisconsin State Assembly district.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: 1 blowout, 1 close race in Wisconsin State Assembly 29th District partisan primaries.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: Shannon Zimmerman wins Wisconsin Assembly District 30 GOP primary, promises to move there.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: College student wins Wisconsin Assembly 31st District Democratic primary.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: Bernie backer gets shellacked in Wisconsin Northwoods Assembly Democratic primary.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: Renea Frederick wins Wisconsin Assembly 35th District Democratic primary.  (8/12/2016)
UPDATE: Candidate who dropped out of Wisconsin Assembly 38th District Dem primary still receives 30% of vote.  (8/12/2016)
UPDATE: Don Vruwink wins Wisconsin Assembly 43th District Democratic primary election.  (8/12/2016)
UPDATE. Jimmy Anderson wins 3-way primary in 47th Wisconsin Assembly District.  (8/13/2016)
UPDATE: Art Shrader easily wins 50th Wisconsin Assembly District Democratic primary.  (8/13/2016)
UPDATE. It's Dennis Hunt vs. Rob Summerfield in Wisconsin's 67th Assembly District fall general election.  (8/14/2016)
UPDATE.  David Gorski beats Russ Brown in Wisconsin's 72nd Assembly District Democratic primary.  (8/14/2016)
UPDATE. Feel the Bern: Wischmeier gets singed in challenge to Hillary supporter and 78AD incumbent Lisa Subeck.  (8/15/2016)

UPDATE. Sondy Pope easily dispatches faux Democrat in 80th Wisconsin Assembly District primary



Related article:
AP projects Pope will win Dem primary.  (WisPolitics, 8/9/2016)
Joseph, a 35-year-old materials handler from Oregon making his first political bid, seemed like an odd fit for a Dem primary from the start. He was endorsed by Wisconsin Right to Life's PAC, supports letting people carry concealed weapons without the requirement of a government permit or training, and said he would not back Hillary Clinton for president this fall.


Original 6/29/2016 post, "Who's running for state office in Wisconsin 2016 (The primary edition: 80th Assembly District)", starts here.

Democrat Luke Joseph is challenging the seven-term Democratic incumbent Sondy Pope


The winner will run unopposed in the November 8th general election.

Campaign websites

80th Assembly District



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)
UPDATE: Nonresident Ron Tusler wins Wisconsin State Assembly 3rd District GOP primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Zamarripa beats Manriquez for 4th time in Wisconsin State Assembly 8th District Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Incumbent Zepnick survives challenge in Wisconsin State Assembly 9th District Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Self-proclaimed "I'm not perfect" candidate wins Wisconsin State Assembly 11th District Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: With 16th District primary win, Leon Young will serve 13th term in Wisconsin State Assembly.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: David Crowley wins open-seat 17th District Wisconsin State Assembly Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Sinicki easily survives challenge in Wisconsin State Assembly 20th District Dem primary.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Wisconsin State Assembly 21st Assembly District Dem primary winner to face Jessie Rodriguez in November.  (8/10/2016)
UPDATE: Rebecca Clarke easily wins Democratic primary in 26th Wisconsin State Assembly district.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: 1 blowout, 1 close race in Wisconsin State Assembly 29th District partisan primaries.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: Shannon Zimmerman wins Wisconsin Assembly District 30 GOP primary, promises to move there.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: College student wins Wisconsin Assembly 31st District Democratic primary.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: Bernie backer gets shellacked in Wisconsin Northwoods Assembly Democratic primary.  (8/11/2016)
UPDATE: Renea Frederick wins Wisconsin Assembly 35th District Democratic primary.  (8/12/2016)
UPDATE: Candidate who dropped out of Wisconsin Assembly 38th District Dem primary still receives 30% of vote.  (8/12/2016)
UPDATE: Don Vruwink wins Wisconsin Assembly 43th District Democratic primary election.  (8/12/2016)
UPDATE. Jimmy Anderson wins 3-way primary in 47th Wisconsin Assembly District.  (8/13/2016)
UPDATE: Art Shrader easily wins 50th Wisconsin Assembly District Democratic primary.  (8/13/2016)
UPDATE. It's Dennis Hunt vs. Rob Summerfield in Wisconsin's 67th Assembly District fall general election.  (8/14/2016)
UPDATE.  David Gorski beats Russ Brown in Wisconsin's 72nd Assembly District Democratic primary.  (8/14/2016)
UPDATE. Feel the Bern: Wischmeier gets singed in challenge to Hillary supporter and 78AD incumbent Lisa Subeck.  (8/15/2016)

Not a STAR performer



Reported in Delayed state payments for vendors increase.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/16/2016)

Related articles:
After troubled launch, state revives massive computer overhaul.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/5/2014)
Wisconsin suspends shutdown of aging computer system.  (Government Technology, 6/11/2015)
Wisconsin computer problems create election headaches.  (Star-Tribune, 4/1/2016)
State Computer Systems Have Major Problems.  Audit Bureau finds “significant deficiencies.” Result could be loss of federal funds, other problems.  (Urban Milwaukee, 4/13/2016)
UPDATE: Walker administration says $138m computer project on track.  (NBC15, 6/16/2016)

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Latest Texas presidential poll shows why GOP is in deep shit


Source:  Real Clear Politics (2012 and 2016)

Let the hand-wringing begin:
Republicans Facing Catastrophe As Trump Leads Clinton By Single Digits In Texas.  (Politicus USA, 6/27/2016)
This poll is not included at RCP.  Donald Trump only has a 53% favorable rating with Republicans in Texas. A majority of Republicans in the state who claimed to be supporting Trump (55%) said that their vote was really a vote against Hillary. Only 45% of Texas Republicans are voting in support of Trump.

Related posts:
UPDATE.  Hillary continues to move ahead in Florida presidential polls.  (8/16/2016)
UPDATE. Everyone continues to bounce along in Virginia presidential polls.  (8/16/2016)
UPDATE. Hillary continues to expand her her lead against Trump during 1st 2 weeks of August.  (8/16/2016)
UPDATE: Trump can't crack 40% in 4-way New Hampshire presidential polls.  (8/15/2016)
Trump seriously tanking in Colorado.  (8/12/2016)
Clinton extends lead in North Carolina polls.  (8/12/2016)
Clinton leads in Pennsylvania.  (8/9/2016)
Another day, another big win for Clinton in the polls.  (8/8/2016)
Trump keeps up his inane, disparaging, name-calling tweets as his poll numbers erode.  (8/7/2016)
Clinton takes big lead over Trump in Virginia.  (8/7/2016)
Clinton takes it to Trump every time in Michigan.  (8/6/2016)
UPDATE: Now pinch-hitting for Rasmussen, the Los Angeles Times.  (8/6/2016)
Trump pisses away his advantage in Georgia, of all places!  (8/5/2016)
Dem. challenger Katie McGinty tightens race against GOP incumbent Sen. Pat Toomey in PA.  (8/5/2016)
New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte can't run away from Donald Trump fast enough.  (8/5/2016)
Hillary gets a big convention bump in New Hampshire.  (8/5/2016)
Latest national Presidential polls has GOP worried.  (8/5/2016)
Clinton starting to put room between herself and Trump in national polls.  (8/4/2016)

UPDATE. Everyone continues to bounce along in Virginia presidential polls





Related posts:
UPDATE. Hillary continues to expand her her lead against Trump during 1st 2 weeks of August.  (8/16/2016)
UPDATE: Trump can't crack 40% in 4-way New Hampshire presidential polls.  (8/15/2016)
Trump seriously tanking in Colorado.  (8/12/2016)
Clinton extends lead in North Carolina polls.  (8/12/2016)
Clinton holds slight advantage in Florida presidential polls.  (8/12/2016)
Clinton leads in Pennsylvania.  (8/9/2016)
Another day, another big win for Clinton in the polls.  (8/8/2016)
Trump keeps up his inane, disparaging, name-calling tweets as his poll numbers erode.  (8/7/2016)
Clinton takes big lead over Trump in Virginia.  (8/7/2016)
Clinton takes it to Trump every time in Michigan.  (8/6/2016)
UPDATE: Now pinch-hitting for Rasmussen, the Los Angeles Times.  (8/6/2016)
Trump pisses away his advantage in Georgia, of all places!  (8/5/2016)
Dem. challenger Katie McGinty tightens race against GOP incumbent Sen. Pat Toomey in PA.  (8/5/2016)
New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte can't run away from Donald Trump fast enough.  (8/5/2016)
Hillary gets a big convention bump in New Hampshire.  (8/5/2016)
Latest national Presidential polls has GOP worried.  (8/5/2016)
Clinton starting to put room between herself and Trump in national polls.  (8/4/2016)


Original 8/12/2016 post, "Apparently, Trump's military blather has badly damaged his chances in Virginia", starts here.

 Source:  Real Clear Politics


Get me rewrite: Brad Schimel 'misspeaks' again



Reported in Wisconsin attorney general asks US Supreme Court not to hear John Doe appeal.  (Madison.com, 8/16/2016)

In the  Assembly, all the 'yes' votes were made by Republicans.  Assembly Bill 68 passed on October 20, 2015, on a 60-38 party-line vote.


In the Senate, all the 'yes' votes were made by Republicans.  Senate Bill 43 passed on October 21, 2015, on a 18-14 party line vote.



Governor Walker signed the bill on October 23, 2015.

In Scott Walker's 6th year as Governor, some folks in Town of Berry still without high-speed Internet service



Grants will boost Internet service.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/15/2016)
Some of those communities, including parts of the Town of Berry, in northwest Dane County, are still stuck on dial-up-modem internet service, considered very slow by today’s standards.

In the 2014 gubernatorial election, 29.2% of Dane County voters cast their ballot for Scott Walker.  47.3% did so in the Town of Berry.

Related posts:
Fail: Scott Walker all talk, no action on rural broadband in 6th year as Governor.  (7/13/2016)
Transportation funding: In his 6th year in office, Scott Walker sez he'll try to figure it out.  (6/3/2016)

'Swingy' Green Bay region falls for Donald Trump


But no WOW factor for Trump.


Reported in The Wisconsin Voter: Trump lags in southeast, a 'disaster' for GOP candidate.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/15/2016)

As for the WOW counties of Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington, Trump lead Clinton by just 5 percenrage points in the latest Marquette Law School poll.  Romney beat Obama here by 18 points but still lost Wisconsin.

Monday, August 15, 2016

"Extreme vetting" obviously wasn't in place when Paul Manafort was hired as Trump's campaign chairman



Trump Proposes New, Ideological Test For Some Visitors And Immigrants, (NPR, 8/15/2016)
Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump said Monday it's time to "chart a new course" in the battle against "radical Islamic terrorism," though much of what he proposed is similar to the course already set by President Obama.

In WalkerWorld, this is known as minimal vetting.


In TrumpWorld, it's probably just what he was looking for.

UPDATE: Trump continues to reinforce Liz Mair characterization as loudmouthed dick


The loudmouthed dick
At this point in time, 25 of 37 statements fact-checked by WaPo were awarded 4 Pinocchios.  But, astonishingly, television hosts rarely challenge Trump when he makes a claim that already has been found to be false. For instance, Trump says he was against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but research by BuzzFeed found that he did express support for an attack. He said the White House even sent a delegation to tell him to tone down his statements —and we found that also to be false.
33 of 52 by July 15.

The airing of grievances


8/5/2016 update, "Liz Mair, briefly employed strategist for Scott Walker's presidential campaign, calls Trump 'loudmouthed dick'" starts here.

Photo credit:  Twitter

Quoted in GOP strategist calls Donald Trump a 'loudmouthed dick' on live TV.  (Death and Taxes, 8/5/2016)


The original 9/22/2015 post, The tweeting life of Liz Mair", starts here.

Immediately after the announcement, Liz Mair, a digital strategist for Walker's bid who was fired for tweeting negatively about Iowa, began spouting her thoughts about why Walker's campaign failed to attract enough money and momentum to keep it afloat.










Related posts:
'Veteran Republican Strategist' sez goodbye to Scott Walker the day after 'hello'.  (3/18/2015)