Scott Walker: Clueless, Incompetent Manager

An official statement from Scott Walker's campaign organization claims: “The Milwaukee County Executive's Office expressed policy was that county employees were not permitted to use county time or resources to conduct any political activity. Scott Walker expected everyone to follow the law and made that clear publicly and privately.”  (h/t, Capper)

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and believe his claim. That means that several employees completely ignored their boss' clearly-expressed expectations and willfully violated his policies (and the law), while the boss remained blissfully ignorant.

It makes me wonder how well his current staff are following the laws and policies that are supposed to govern their conduct on the job. He seems to attract corrupt employees who take advantage of his easygoing, laissez-faire employment practices.

Gingrich Book Tour to Continue

Newt Gingrich's victory in the South Carolina primary means that he will continue his book tour (disguised as a presidential campaign) for at least another month.

Last year, most of his campaign staff resigned due to the candidate's refusal to actually attend campaign events (instead going on a cruise with his wife). He was unable to gather 10,000 valid signatures in the state of Virginia (where he resides) in order to get on that state's primary ballot, despite having paid canvassers to do so. In Wisconsin, half a dozen enthusiastic volunteers could get that many signatures in a single weekend. Clearly, this is not a serious campaign. However, it has helped Gingrich sell a lot of books, and it has ensured a few years of lucrative speaking fees, as well as a probable show on Fox News next year. That should pay his Tiffany's bills.

I wonder if Gingrich's major donors realize they are being suckered.

Batwoman Returns

Police broke up another parking lot fight overnight at the New Town Pub. Once again, there was a woman on the scene wielding a baseball bat. No word whether it was a pink, Barbie-themed bat.

Remembering Etta James

The great American vocalist, who straddled several genres, passed away at the age of 73.

Her voice was like hot chocolate with marshmallows on a cold winter night.

Equal Opportunity Violence on the West Side

Police were called to the New Town Pub overnight after a parking lot melee involving up to 20 women who had been bounced from the bar earlier. Once suspect was found in possession of two knives and a pink Barbie baseball bat.

Two victims received non-life-threatening stab wounds. Bats and sticks were also used, which seems to be a pattern among female bar hooligans in Madison.

On the New Season of The Kiln Hillbillies

Outgoing Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour handed out pardons like candy at a parade, and Brett's brother Earnest was among the lucky recipients. He'd already served his time for killing his best friend by drunkenly driving into a train, but now he can go hunting again. That is, assuming he published his pardon request on time.

Congratulations, Matt Flynn

...on being named the NFC's Offensive Player of the Week.

What a difference a year (and better blocking) can do.

Sending a Message Without Lyrics

Back in the 1980s, there was a brief period when the UW administration decided it was inappropriate for the UW Marching Band to play "You've Said It All" (originally a country song, but far better known as a Budweiser jingle) at Badger games.

I attended a hockey game during that brief ban. During either pre-game or an intermission, the band played a brief concert. The announcer said something about how they would not be playing "You've Said It All" and instead would present the Oak Ridge Boys' classic "American Made."

The band launched into the tune, which was immediately recognizable to the crowd as the commercial jingle "Miller's Made the American Way." Everyone laughed and applauded, and the university lifted its stupid ban on You've Said It All, since Mike Leckrone made fools of them.

Much ado was made over the Pulaski High School Marching Band's performance at the Tournament of Roses Parade on Monday. The band played the old "Red Wing Polka," which happened to be the tune Woody Guthrie used for his song "Union Maid." Many assumed it was an intentional pro-union message. Everyone affiliated with the school denied it.

I do not believe the high school band members knew anything about the "Union Maid" connections. I do not know the band director's intentions, however. If "Red Wing Polka" was in the band's repertoire a year ago, then I believe the school's claim that they were just playing a polka. If the song was only introduced to the band after the protests began in February, then I wonder why they didn't pick a better-known polka. Though I suppose it's tough to find one that isn't directly associated with beer.