Saturday, December 8, 2018

Middleton Center Phase 3: Demolition of remaining 2 buildings at the former Old Middleton Centre is likely to start in spring 2019


The building at the corner of Parmenter and Terrace appears to be empty now.
Photos by Retiring Guy

At least this part of it is.


A second building is seen in the distance along the sidewalk.

Side view of building with dumpster.

As originally proposed, 3 buildings will be constructed on the site.

Related series of posts:
Middleton Center phase 1.
Middleton Center phase 2.

Newt Gingrich's "use by" date is as old as this box of Kodak Ektachrome duplicating film




Source:  Wikipedia

Better than Jerry Brown's 60% in 2014.

Related posts:
To be fair, wishful thinking is the primary job responsibility of the Chairman of the California Republican Party.  (12/8/2018)
California 45th congressional district UPDATE: Mimi Walters no longer feeling her oats.  (12/8/2018)

Wisconsin lame duck news: How low can you go, GOP?


It's a journey to the center of the earth by a party that will do anything to preserve Scott Walker's inept Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.


WEDC would use audit spot checks, business owners' word to verify job creation under lame-duck bill.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/7/2018)

WEDC was created in 2011.  Six years later, the board of director and staff still hadn't implemented a method to track job creation for businesses receiving loans and grants.

Related lame-duck, extraordinary session posts:
Scott Walker appoints GOP contributor to UW Board of Regents. (12/4/2018)
Scott Walker gives campaign contributor her old job back at the PSC.  (12/4/2018)
All of a sudden, Scott Walker is in a big hurry to fill nontraditional student regent position that was vacant for nearly a year.  (12/5/2018)
UPDATE: Robin Vos continues to show signs of severe delirium.  (12/5/2018)
From library champion to "hot mess" chump.  (12/6/2018)
Rick Gundrum between a rock and a hard place. (12/6/2018)
The Dave Murphy, "Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away" edition.  (12/6/2018)
Rep. John Macco begs  to differ with the dictionary.  (12/6/2018)
Howard Marklein's Freudian slip.  (12/7/2018)
The 'divided government', unrepentant Robin Vos, GOP meme edition.  (12/7/2018)
The final blow-off (The Scott Walker edition).  (12/7/2018)
Two -- count 'em, 2 -- Scott Walker allies urge him to veto extraordinary session bills.  (12/8/2018)

Wisconsin lame duck GET ME REWRITE. Two -- count 'em, 2 -- Scott Walker allies urge him to veto extraordinary session bills


No outpouring of conservative outrage here.


As Scott Walker reviews lame-duck bills, past and current allies urge veto.  (Capital Times, 12/8/2018)

Of his $92,525 in campaign donations, Lubar gave Walker $7,275.  Playing both sides of the aisle, he also gave $5,400 to Tom Barrett in 2009 and 2010, and $13,000 to Jim Doyle from 2004 to 2008.  

You can be sure that Walker will not heed any warnings offered by Lubar, who didn't support Walker in his latest re-election effort.

Related lame-duck, extraordinary session posts:
Scott Walker appoints GOP contributor to UW Board of Regents. (12/4/2018)
Scott Walker gives campaign contributor her old job back at the PSC.  (12/4/2018)
All of a sudden, Scott Walker is in a big hurry to fill nontraditional student regent position that was vacant for nearly a year.  (12/5/2018)
UPDATE: Robin Vos continues to show signs of severe delirium.  (12/5/2018)
From library champion to "hot mess" chump.  (12/6/2018)
Rick Gundrum between a rock and a hard place. (12/6/2018)
The Dave Murphy, "Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away" edition.  (12/6/2018)
Rep. John Macco begs  to differ with the dictionary.  (12/6/2018)
Howard Marklein's Freudian slip.  (12/7/2018)
The 'divided government', unrepentant Robin Vos, GOP meme edition.  (12/7/2018)
The final blow-off (The Scott Walker edition).  (12/7/2018)

You'll want to take news of this award with a big grain of salt


Source:  Wisconn Valley News email 12/7/2018

Well, guess that folks?  WEDC, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, is one of 11 platinum sponsors of the Mid-America Economic Development Council.


The long and troubling history of WEDC goes back to when Austin started college:
2018
Paul Jadin gets under the skin of Friends of Scott Walker press secretary.  (10/19/2018)
Mark Hogan secretary and CEO of WEDC, dons his cheerleading outfit.  (6/27/2018)

2017
Please catalog as fiction: WEDC is Scott Walker's baby, so take these in-house Foxconn job projections with a big grain of salt.  (12/1/2017)
WEDC:  Life in Wisconsin is a fantasy.  (12/1/2017)
From the start, WEDC was never about regulation and record-keeping, according to Scott Walker himself.  (10/25/2017)
UPDATE. Kestrel Aircraft: Is this a variation of Scott Walker's Foxconn strategy? (10/22/2017)
UPDATE. In light of WEDC's abysmal track record in getting it right, it's best they take no action.  (9/29/2017)
Dynamic Recycling CEO Miles Harter donates $3,075 to GOP candidates, company will get up to $535,000 in state income tax credits.  (8/14/2017)
 All told, the Kerns have donated nearly $400,000 to Republican and conservative candidates.  (8/14/2017)
WEDC at the ready to verify Foxconn job numbers.  (8/12/2017)
VF Corp. in Wisconsin: That was then, this is now.  (4/4/2017)

2016
Scott Walker: Wisconsin is open for business 'for the people who truly need it'.  (8/31/2016)
Scott Walker and WEDC: The Hillises giveth, and the Hillises taketh.  (8/29/2016)
UPDATE: Apparently, WEDC CEO Mark Hogan is willing to do Scott Walker's bidding til heat is on.  (7/14/2016)
Does this sound like openness and transparency in government? (7/14/2016)
The best and the brightest: Scott Walker-appointed WEDC CEO Mark Hogan.  (5/9/2016)
Welcome to North Mendota Energy and Technology Park (Brought to you by WEDC).  (5/3/2016)
Samantha Kerkman's "good night for Wisconsin" doesn't see the light of day.  (2/17/2016)
Dear Scott Walker, WEDC is the agency that received the scathing, damning, critical audit.  (1/14/2016)

2015
Robin Vos sez, "They don't want rebranding because they think WEDC's brand is OK."  (12/30/2015)
WEDC board members say, "Gee, maybe we should start vetting requests for financial assistance." (12/14/2015)
Scott Walker's growing list of things worth considering: U.S.-Canada border wall, wreaking havoc in Washington, tougher penalties for WEDC fraud   (9/8/2015)
Todd Jensen, former WEDC underwriter, provides the recipe for the current agency disaster.  (8/9/2015)
We know Scott Walker didn't graduate from college, but apparently he hasn't been paying attention to anyone but himself since kindergarten.  (6/25/2015)
4:24 p.m. Friday WEDC news dump.  (6/20/2015)
The stink of WEDC follows Brenda Hicks-Sorensen to Nebraska.  (6/16/2015)
Scott Walker tries to run, but there's no place to hide.  (5/26/2015)
No matter how you slice it, Alberta, it's still stinky cheese.  (5/23/2015)
Joint Finance Republicans to Scott Walker:  "You're Fired!".  (5/21/2015)
Chairman of the Board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation -- Nice work if you can get it.  (5/20/2015)
It's story time.  (5/18/2015)
From the pay-to-play archives: The William Minihan-Scott Walker connection.  (5/17/2015)
What's wrong with this Scott Walker headline?  (5/16/2015)
Chairman of the Board Scott Walker's BIG, BOLD idea.  (5/8/2015)
Based on WEDC's previous track record, this is what came to mind when I saw first saw this headline.  (4/2/2015)
Apparently, being the CFO of WEDC is not much of a resume-builder.  (3/13/2015)

2014
WEDC's revolving door.  (9/12/2014)
Here's how the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is "Reinventing Economic Development".  (8/24/2014)
Company looks to expand its business geographic focus?  (8/14/2014)
Scott Walker and the horrible, terrible, no good, very transparent day.  (7/28/2014)
Kestrel Aircraft: All these incentives, but no construction, no jobs.  (7/13/2014)
The Eaton Corporation/WEDC timeline of shame.  (7/10/2014)

2013
Wisconsin featured in report on privatized state economic development agencies.  (10/25/2013)
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation pledge: Following the money.  (7/23/2013)
Incompetence rewarded.  (5/9/2013)
And while we're at it, let's take a look at WEDC 's core values. (5/9/2013)
WEDC Public Information Officer Resigns After 1 Month on the Job.  (5/9/2013)
Plenty of time for messaging but none for fixing what ails WEDC.  (5/9/2013)
Previous WEDC audits?  What previous audits?  (5/8/2013)
Are you seeing a trend yet?  (5/8/2013)
Echoes.  (5/7/2013)
Get me rewrite.  (5/4/2013)
Legislative Audit Bureau Report on Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: The "Cliff Notes" Version.  (5/3/2013
"Tales of woe never end at WEDC."  (4/25/2013)

California 45th congressional district UPDATE: Mimi Walters no longer feeling her oats


(emphasis added)

A GOP surprise: House midterm hope in California.  (Politico, 5/14/2018)

And here's a sampling of what Mimi believes in.


New California House Candidate Funded By Advocate For ‘Total Integration Of Biblical Law’.  (Think Progress, 7/3/2013)

Related post:
To be fair, wishful thinking is the primary job responsibility of the Chairman of the California Republican Party.  (12/8/2018)


12/1/2018 update, "Flip or no flip.  California 45th congressional district UPDATE", starts here.

Flip.  And quite the flip, considering that Katie Porter is the first-ever Democrat to represent the 45th CD.

Source:  Ballotpedia

The polls and the election went Katie's way.



Original 2/12/2018 post, "California's 45th congressional district is flippable, and Mimi Walters knows it", starts here.

Rep. Mimi Walters was first elected to Congress in November 2014.   

Source:  Ballotpedia 

G.O.P. Squirms as Trump Veers Off Script With Abuse Remarks.  (The New York Times, 2/10/2018)
Far less visible are Republican lawmakers such as Representative Mimi Walters of California, who is facing a difficult campaign in an Orange County district where lobbing rhetorical bombs at the F.B.I. will do little with her centrist constituents but drawing attention to Disney’s bonuses could bear fruit. 

Trump received 44.4% of the vote in 2016 compared to 54.8 for Romney in 2012 and 51.0% for McCain in 2008.

Clinton received 49.8% of the vote in 2016 compared to 43.0% for Obama in 2012 and 46.0% for Obama in 2008. 

Source:  govtrack

Other Williams posts:
Meet the members of the Republican study committee.  (7/3/2015)

Other U.S. House 2018 election outlooks:
Martha McSally, Arizona 2nd.  (10/8/2017)

Jeff Denham, California 10th.  (11/30/2018 election update)
David Valadao, California 21st.   (10/10/2017)
Steve Knight, California 25th.  (11/7/2018 update)
Ed Royce, California 39th.  (11/30/2018 election update)
Mimi Walters, California 45th.  (12/1/2018 election update)

Scott Tipton, Colorado 3rd.  (11/7/2018 update)
Mike Coffman, Colorado 6th.  (11/8/2018 update)

Dennis Ross, Florida 15th.  (11/9/2018 update)
Brian Mast, Florida 18th.  (11/9/2018 update)
Carlos Curbelo, Florida 26th.  (11/9/2018 update)
Florida 27th.  (8/31/2018)

Peter Roskam, Illinois 6th.  (11/10/2018 update)
Mike Bost, Illinois 12th. (11/10/2018 update)

Rod Blum, Iowa 1st.  (11/11/2018 update)
David Young, Iowa 3rd.  (11/11/2018 update)

Kevin Yoder, Kansas 3rd.  (11/12/2018 update)

Andy Barr, Kentucky 6th.  (11/12/2018 update)

Mike Bishop, Michigan 8th.  (11/13/2018 update)

Jason Lewis, Minnesota 2nd.  (11/15/2018 update)
Erik Paulsen, Minnesota 3rd.  (11/15/2018 update)

Don Bacon, Nebraska 2nd.  (11/16/2018 update)

Open seat.  New Jersey 2nd.  (11/16/2018 update)
Tom MacArthur, New Jersey 3rd.  (11/19/2018 update)
Leonard Lance, New Jersey 7th.  (11/19/2018 update)

Lee Zeldin, New York 1st.  (11/21/2018 update)
John Faso, New York 19th.  (11/21/2018 update)
Claudia Tenney, New York 22nd.  (11/23/2018 update)
John Katko, New York 24th.  (11/23/2018 update)

Steve Chabot, Ohio 1st. (11/25/2018 election update)

Ryan Costello, Pennsylvania 6th.  (10/23/2017)
Pennsylvania 7th.  (8/29/2018)

Will Hurd, Texas 23rd.  (11/25/2018 election update)
Pete Sessions, Texas 32nd.  (11/25/2018 election update)

Scott Taylor, Virginia 2nd.  (11/28/2018 election update)
Disgraced Tom Garrett.  Virginia 5th.  (11/28/2018 election update)
David Brat, Virginia 7th.  (11/28/2018 election update)

To be fair, wishful thinking is the primary job responsibility of the Chairman of the California Republican Party


First problem:  A white guy leading the GOP in California.


Reported in California Republicans are looking for a comeback in 2018.  Here's the chairman's game plan for getting there.  (Los Angeles Times, 2 /24/2017)

And how game plan work?

The Democratic sweep of Orange County congressional seats drew national attention on Election Day. But the Republican losses there were a symptom of the broader collapse of a storied political organization. Republicans now hold just seven seats in the state’s 53-member congressional delegation after what shaped up to be a devastating midterm for the party.

Related reading:
“An Obituary for the Old Orange County” – GOP Extremism, Engagement of Diverse Electorate Transform Traditional Republican Bastion.  (America's Voice, 11/16/2018)
Orange County,” the California collection of 34 cities and 3.2 million residents once described by President Reagan as where “all the good Republicans go to die,” died Tuesday. It was 129 years old.

To his credit, Brulte has changed his tune.
\

Friday, December 7, 2018

Nearly 4 months after the storm in Middleton, washout damage to Voss Parkway repaired


Friday, December.  Color me wrong.  The City of Middleton Public Works Department checks another flood recovery project off its list well before the spring of 2019.

The view from both sides now.
Photos by Retiring Guy


Wednesday, October 17.  (Likely a project that for next spring.)


October 8 (tree trunk removed)




After the storm in Middleton (and Madison) posts:
August 2018
Pheasant Branch Trail at Park Street (part 2).  (8/21/2018)
Powerwashing between the Beltline and Parmenter Street.  (8/22/2018)
Along Pheasant Branch Creek east of Parmenter Street.  (8/23/2018)
Costco and environs.  (8/23/2018 update)
Entrance to Esser Place parking lot, then and now.  (8/24/2018)
Longmeadow Drive and Stricker's Pond, then and now.  (8/24/2018)
Greenway Station is open for business.  (8/24/2018 update)
Views of Pheasant Branch Creek from Parmenter Street bridge.  (8/25/2018 update)
Intersection of U.S. highway 14 and Deming Way.  (8/27/2018 update)
Century Avenue and entrances to Pheasant Branch Conservancy trails.  (8/27/2018)
UW Health administration office building.  (8/27/2018)
Longmeadow Gulch.  (8/28/2018)

September 1-15, 2018
Stricker's Park.  (9/4/2018 update)
Flooding in East Washington/East Mifflin area of Madison.  (9/7/2018)
The dual dead ends of Middleton Street.  (9/10/2018 update)
Stricker's Pond footpath.  (9/11/2018 update)
Confluence Pond expands to become Confluence Lake (and back again).  (9/12/2018 update)
Stricker's Pond.  (9/12/2018 update)
Pheasant Branch Creek algae bloom.  (9/15/2018)
Tiedeman Pond access at Pond View Road.  (9/15/2018 update)

September 16-30, 2018
Pheasant Branch Trail at Park Street (part 1).  (9/17/2018 update)
Pheasant Branch Conservancy trail and bridge.  (9/17/2018)
Pheasant Branch Conservancy just north of Century and Branch.  (9/17/2018)
Voss Parkway.  (9/18/2018 update)
Tiedeman Pond pumping.  (9/19/2018 update)
Boardwalk access ramp to Tiedeman Pond.  (9/19/2018 update)
Woodside Heights Park.  (9/21/2018 update)
Moving into the 6th week after the storm in Middleton (The Tiedeman Pond doubleheader edition).  (9/24/2018)
Moving into the 6th week after the storm in Middleton (The Stricker's Pond doubleheader edition).  (9/24/2018)
Moving into the 6th week after the storm in Middleton and Madison: Stricker's Pond discharge helps to lower water level.  (9/28/2018)

October 1-15, 2018
Seven weeks after the storm in Middleton (The Park Street/Tiedeman Pond edition).  (10/10/2018)
Seven weeks after the storm (The Woodside Heights Park/Tiedeman Pond edition).  (10/10/2018)
Seven weeks after the storm in Middleton and Madison (The Stricker's Pond edition).  (10/10/2018)

October 16-31, 2018
Two months after the storm in Middleton (Stricker's Pond edition).  (10/18/2018)
Two months after the storm in Middleton (Pond View Road/Tiedeman Pond edition).  (10/18/2018)
Two months after the storm in Middleton (Stricker's Park edition).  (10/18/2018)
Two months after the storm in Middleton: Woodside Heights Park access to Tiedeman Pond trail.  (10/22/2018)
Two months after the storm in Middleton: Woodside Heights Park benchmark.  (10/22/2018)
10 weeks after the storm in Middleton: Wooden stairs access to Tiedeman Pond from Voss Parkway.  (10/31/2018)
Two months after the storm in Middleton: Woodside Heights Park benchmark.  (10/22/2018)
Two months after the storm in Middleton:  Tiedeman Pond benchmarks.  (10/22/2018)
10 weeks after the storm in Middleton (Park Street/Tiedeman Pond edition).  (10/31/2018)
10 weeks after the storm in Middleton (Woodside Heights Park/Tiedeman Pond edition).  (10/31/2018)
10 weeks after the storm in Middleton (Pond View Road/Tiedeman Pond edition).  (10/31/2018)
10 weeks after the storm in Middleton (Park Street/Tiedeman Pond edition).  (10/31/2018)
10 weeks after the storm in Middleton (Woodside Heights Park/Tiedeman Pond edition). (10/31/2018)

November 2018
10 weeks after the storm in Middleton: More of the Tiedeman Pond boardwalk reappears.  (11/1/2018)
10 weeks after the storm in Middleton: Access path from Woodside Heights Park to South Avenue now fully open.  (11/4/2018)
Nearly 3 months after the storm in Middleton: Park Street/Tiedeman Pond edition.  (11/11/2018)
Nearly 3 months after the storm in Middleton: Tiedeman Pond benchmarks.  (11/11/2018)
Nearly 3 months after the storm in Middleton: Wooden stairs access to Tiedeman Pond from Voss Parkway.  (11/13/2018)
Nearly 3 months after the storm in Middleton: Woodside Heights Park access to Tiedeman Pond trail.  (11/13/2018)
Nearly 3 months after the storm in Middleton (Woodside Heights Park/Tiedeman Pond edition).  (11/13/2018)
Three months later, the Pheasant Branch Corridor trail has reopened (Parmenter to Park edition).  (11/20/2018)
Three months later, the Pheasant Branch Corridor trail has reopened (Park to Century edition).  (11/26/2018)

December 2018
Nearly 4 months after the storm in Middleton: You still can't get there from here.  (12/7/2018) 

Bonnie Tremblay Trawick (1941-2018) Warren High School class of 1958



1958 Dragon yearbook
eddy

1967 Warren City Directory
  • Tremblay Leo J whsemn Warren Grocery r2580 Pennsylvania av W (also listed with Marie in county section)
1983 Warren City Directory
  • Trawick Kim A home health aide Home Health Care h1290r Griff Hill Rd
  • Trawick Ronald D barber 211 1/2 East 5th Ave r2240 Pennsylvania Ave W
  • Tremblay Leo J r 2580 Pennsylvania Ave W Ext (also listed with Marie in county section)

The popularity of Bonnie as a baby name is graphed here.  Let's take a look at daughter Rhonda.  
Rhonda rocketed from #839 to #157 during the 1940s, no doubt boosted by the popularity of one of the so-ocalled Queens of Technicolor, Rhonda Fleming.  Rhonda spent 59 years (1935, 1937-1994)  among the top 1000 names, 24 of them (1952-1975) in the top 100, peaking at #37 in 1965.

Other class of 1958 members.
2018
Edward Lindsey.  (8/1/2018)
Elisabeth Lucia Hewitt.  (3/8/2018)

2017
Susan Schmader Warner . (12.16.2017)
Mary Ann Campagna Cross.  (9/19/2017)
Sally Jones Darling.  (9/7/2017)

2016
Jack Colvin.  (12/14/2016)

2015
Thomas Gerarde.  (11/11/2015)
John "Jack" Suppa.  (10/10/2015)
Susan Mead Mastrangiola.  (8/6/2015)
Barbara Baldensperger.  (6/21/2015)
Dennis Morell (3/8/2015)

2014
Joyce Black Wohlers.  (3/16/2014)
Susan Leonard Anderson.  (3/15/2014)
Doris Musante . (1/9/2014)

"Going Up The Country" by Canned Heat debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending December 7, 1968


The bigger music news story, of course, was Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations teaming up on "I've Gonna Make You Love Me".

For Canned Heat, still making music, it was their 2nd of five singles to chart, "Going Up the Country" being their best performer. 

Related links:
Misheard lyrics:  Canned Heat.  (AM Right)



Related posts:
Aretha Franklin's two-sided hit single among the newcomers on Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending August 17, 1968.

Iron Butterfly makes its first appearance on Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending August 24, 1968.

Big Brother and the Holding Company makes its first two appearances on Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending August 31, 1968.

Fire! The Crazy World of Arthur Brown debuts with its only single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. ( For the week ending September 7, 1968)

The Beatles "Hey Jude" debuts in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending September 14, 1968

Jimi Hendrix Experience: "All Along the Watchtower" debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending September 21, 1968

Run for your lives, here come the Archies: Bang-shang-a-lang debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending September 28, 1968

"White Room" by Cream debuts as a national breakout on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending October 5, 1968

"Ride My See-Saw" by the Moody Blues debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending October 12, 1968.

"Love Child" by Diana Ross and the Supremes lead the pack of debut singles on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending October 19, 1968

Abraham, Martin & John, the last big hit by Dion, debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending October 26, 1968

Stevie Wonder outperforms Jackie Wilson: Two versions of 'For Once in my Life' debut on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending November 2, 1968

Booker T. and the MG's "Hang 'em High" debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending November 9, 1968

"Hooked on a Feeling" by B. J. Thomas debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending November 16, 1968

Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending November 23, 1968

'Everyday People' by Sly and the Family Stone debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending November 30, 1968

Wisconsin lame duck news: The final blow off (The Scott Walker edition)



Lame-duck session focus turns to what Scott Walker will do.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 12/7/2018)
Evenson said Walker’s office had received phone calls at a volume “a little higher than normal” over the last few days.

Related lame-duck, extraordinary session posts:
Scott Walker appoints GOP contributor to UW Board of Regents. (12/4/2018)
Scott Walker gives campaign contributor her old job back at the PSC.  (12/4/2018)
All of a sudden, Scott Walker is in a big hurry to fill nontraditional student regent position that was vacant for nearly a year.  (12/5/2018)
UPDATE: Robin Vos continues to show signs of severe delirium.  (12/5/2018)
From library champion to "hot mess" chump.  (12/6/2018)
Rick Gundrum between a rock and a hard place. (12/6/2018)
The Dave Murphy, "Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away" edition.  (12/6/2018)
Rep. John Macco begs  to differ with the dictionary.  (12/6/2018)
Howard Marklein's Freudian slip.  (12/7/2018)
The 'divided government', unrepentant Robin Vos, GOP meme edition.  (12/7/2018)

CES 2010: FADES auto-darkening eyewear




From the boastful press release found at Cision PR Newsletter
  • Novel Electrochromic Technology Blows Competition out of the Water"
  • The company is very sure of their patented dual polymer technology and how it will fare against competitors in the segment, and seems eager to let consumers and potential investors get their hands on them at CES.
  • FADES eyewear will be different because it switches faster, turns darker, and works longer than any other auto-darkening eyewear on the market

Other 2019 CES post:
AVidea Group Safe Zone Gunfire Detector.  (12/5/2018)

Wisconsin lame duck news: The 'divided government', unrepentant Robin Vos, GOP meme edition


USA Today gives space to Robin Vos for a bristling defense of his power grab.


Wisconsin legislature speaker: Skip the outrage. We’re doing our job.  (USA Today, 12/6/2018)

Right now, nearly 70% of readers aren't buying your spin, Robin.

Related lame-duck, extraordinary session posts:
Scott Walker appoints GOP contributor to UW Board of Regents. (12/4/2018)
Scott Walker gives campaign contributor her old job back at the PSC.  (12/4/2018)
All of a sudden, Scott Walker is in a big hurry to fill nontraditional student regent position that was vacant for nearly a year.  (12/5/2018)
UPDATE: Robin Vos continues to show signs of severe delirium.  (12/5/2018)
From library champion to "hot mess" chump.  (12/6/2018)
Rick Gundrum between a rock and a hard place. (12/6/2018)
The Dave Murphy, "Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away" edition.  (12/6/2018)
Rep. John Macco begs  to differ with the dictionary.  (12/6/2018)
Howard Marklein's Freudian slip.  (12/7/2018)

Wisconsin lame duck news: Howard Marklein's Freudian slip



Related lame-duck, extraordinary session posts:
Scott Walker appoints GOP contributor to UW Board of Regents. (12/4/2018)
Scott Walker gives campaign contributor her old job back at the PSC.  (12/4/2018)
All of a sudden, Scott Walker is in a big hurry to fill nontraditional student regent position that was vacant for nearly a year.  (12/5/2018)
UPDATE: Robin Vos continues to show signs of severe delirium.  (12/5/2018)
From library champion to "hot mess" chump.  (12/6/2018)
Rick Gundrum between a rock and a hard place. (12/6/2018)
The Dave Murphy, "Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away" edition.  (12/6/2018)
Rep. John Macco begs  to differ with the dictionary.  (12/6/2018)

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Wisconsin lame duck news: The Dave Murphy, "Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away" edition



Murphy's press release found at The Wheeler Report

Well, Dave, it appears to me that you and your GOP colleagues had plenty of opportunities to make government more accountable during the second half of May as well as all of June, July, August, September, and October of this year.

Related lame-duck, extraordinary sessions posts:
Scott Walker appoints GOP contributor to UW Board of Regents. (12/4/2018)
Scott Walker gives campaign contributor her old job back at the PSC.  (12/4/2018)
All of a sudden, Scott Walker is in a big hurry to fill nontraditional student regent position that was vacant for nearly a year.  (12/5/2018)
UPDATE: Robin Vos continues to show signs of severe delirium.  (12/5/2018)
From library champion to "hot mess" chump.  (12/6/2018)
Rick Gundrum between a rock and a hard place. (12/6/2018)

Wisconsin lame duck news: Rick Gundrum between a rock and a hard place



Rick Gundrum represents one of the most conservative Assembly district in the state, a seat former,y held that by that gasket-blowin' Bob Gannon, who was also from Slinger. 

From the very careful construction of this press release, Gundrum clearly received an earful (sense 2) from his constituents.  The only time he uses the word 'support' is in referenece to the 'legislative majority', i.e. the Republican party, which has controlled both the Assembly and Senate "over the last several years".

Make that 8, Rick, going on 9.


Related lame-duck, extraordinary sessions posts:
Scott Walker appoints GOP contributor to UW Board of Regents. (12/4/2018)
Scott Walker gives campaign contributor her old job back at the PSC.  (12/4/2018)
All of a sudden, Scott Walker is in a big hurry to fill nontraditional student regent position that was vacant for nearly a year.  (12/5/2018)
UPDATE: Robin Vos continues to show signs of severe delirium.  (12/5/2018)
From library champion to "hot mess" chump.  (12/6/2018)

The fundamentals of the mobile device marketplace taint Scott Walker's Foxconn legacy



Reported in Foxconn or Foxgone?  (TechCrunch, 12/5/2018)

Other FoxCon posts:
Yet another example of how poorly Foxconn treats its employees.  (6/11/2018)
Wisconsin cities with highest unemployment rates could use some of that Chicago millennials Foxconn love that Scott Walker is dishing out.  (1/27/2018)

2017
Historic giveaways: Most expensive taxpayer-funded jobs in history is Scott Walker's top accomplishment in 2017.  (12/26/2017)
Gateway Technical College cutting-edge Foxconn curriculum does not include workforce development, employee relations, and management concepts.  (12/25/2017)
Foxconn job projections: Reality bites a hole in Scott Walker's bubble world.  (9/10/2017)
UPDATE. Funny how there's all this talk about Foxconn jobs that pay well below the alleged average salary.  (8/12/2017)
Of which just 3,000 of these 'new' jobs are permanent.  (7/31/2017)
While Wisconsin and Michigan duke it out for low-paying jobs, Foxconn announces $5 billion investment in India.  (7/8/2017)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Lame Duck news. All of a sudden, Scott Walker is in a big hurry to fill nontraditional student regent position that was vacant for nearly a year


December 14, 2017.  The day that Lisa Erickson, nontradition student regent, resigned her position on the UW System Board of Regents.


The position remained open for 355 days

Scott Walker appointments become early flash point in Senate lame-duck session.  (La Crosse Tribune, 12/5/2018)
Walker spokeswoman Amy Hasenberg offered no explanation for why the position has been open for so long when asked after the election.

How about pettiness?  Spite?  Pique?  Vindictiveness?  Ill will?

In other lame duck news:

Scott Walker appoints GOP contributor to UW Board of Regents. (12/4/2018)
Scott Walker gives campaign contributor her old job back at the PSC.  (12/4/2018)
Lame Duck News UPDATE: Robin Vos continues to show signs of severe delirium.  (12/5/2018)

Lame Duck News UPDATE: Robin Vos continues to show signs of severe delirium



Reported in Wisconsin lawmakers reject bill to protect pre-existing conditions, scale back Democrats' power.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/5/2018)


Original 12/4/2018 post, "  Robin Vos shows off his new hat", starts here.

I can't imagine that everyone in the room kept a straight face.  It's the Wisconsin GOP power grab laugh line of the year!  (Beautiful fit, by the way, Robin.)

(emphasis added)

Wisconsin Republicans set to pass lame-duck bills late Tuesday. (Capital Times, 12/4/2018)

In other lame duck news:
Scott Walker appoints GOP contributor to UW Board of Regents. (12/4/2018)
Scott Walker gives campaign contributor her old job back at the PSC.  (12/4/2018)


Trump's America Trumbull County Ohio UPDATE: Lordstown workers learn the hard lesson of Trump's empty promises and impotent magic wand





Trump takes on General Motors (guess who wins?) by Robert Reich.  (The Guardian, 12/3/2018)

Related reading:
Americans continued ugly breakup with passenger cars in November as auto sales decline.  (USA Today, 12/3/2018) 

Lordstown builts the Chevrolet Cruze, which GM will stop producing.  One consistent trend is fading demand for cars. Sales of compacts fell 18.4 percent in November and sales of midsize cars declined 15 percent, according to Cox Automotive. But sales of compact SUVs and crossovers rose 11.6 percent and sales of midsize SUVs and crossovers increased 11.7 percent.


Original 4/3/2017 Trump's America post starts here.

The population Warren, the county seat of Trumbull County, peaked at 63,494 in 1970.  Its estimated 2015 population is 40,245, a 37% decline.


Source:  CNN

In Ohio County That Backed Trump, Word of Housing Cuts Stirs Fear.  (The New York Times, 4/2/2017)
By 2015, Ms. Pavlic was supporting her husband and their three children on an annual salary of $9,000, earned at a restaurant. That year, they tapped a county program funded by Congress, called the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, to help repair their house. The next year, they voted for Donald J. Trump, who has moved to eliminate the HOME program. 

Other Trump's America posts:
Marion County, Tennesssee.  (4/1/2017)
Illinois 16th Congressional District.  (3/26/2017)
New York 19th Congressional District.  (3/26/2017)
Granger, Indiana, bad hombre.  (3/26/2017)
Clark County, Kansas.  (3/21/2017)
Defiance County, Ohio .  (3/21/2017)
Williams County, Ohio.  (3/21/2017)
Sawyer County, Wisconsin.  (3/20/2017)
Clark County, Wisconsin.  (3/19/2017)
Taylor County, Wisconsin.  (3/19/2017)
Highland County, Ohio.   (3/19/2017)
Buffalo County, Wisconsin.  (3/19/2017)
Pepin County, Wisconsin. (3/19/2017)
Union County, North Carolina.  (3/9/2017)
Buffalo County:  The Wisconsin Dairyland dilemma.  (3/7/2017)
Franklin County, Illinois.  (2/27/2017)
Knox and Whitley counties, Kentucky.  (2/17/2017)
Cabell County, West Virginia.  (2/9/2017)
Where voters abandoned the Democratic Party in droves.   (2/7/2017)
Poweshiek and Webster counties, Iowa.  (2/7/2017)
Adams and Waushara counties, Wisconsin.  (2/6/2017)
McHenry County, Illinois.  (2/5/2017)
Essex County, New York.  (1/29/2017)
Mitchell County, Kansas.  (1/29/2017)
Fayette County, West Virginia.  (1/24/2017)
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, home of the Little League World Series.  (1/24/2017)
Johnson Creek, Wisconsin.  (1/21/2017)
Get me rewrite: Buncha white people in Boone County, Iowa, talk about Trump.  (1/15/2017)
UPDATE. Luzerne County, Pennsylvania is a Trump election success story.  (1/14/2017)
Monticello, Iowa. New York Times joins the search for Trump's America, a very white place.  (1/13/2017)
UPDATE. Boston Globe reporter continues to explore Trump's America, where mostly white people live.  (1/13/2017)