Governor Walker will not give his budget address at the State Capitol, where the people's business is conducted. Instead, he will use the turf of a Madison agribusiness manufacturing firm. That pretty much tells us whose budget we'll be getting.
As any political operative can tell you, the backdrop of a speech sends as much of a message as the words of that speech. Mission accomplished, W. All hail Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, our new oligarchs.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
I'm a Member of an Elite Group
I'm among the 10% of Wisconsin voters who will participate in Tuesday's Wisconsin Supreme Court primary. (h/t Illy-T).
It's strange that more Wisconsinites aren't eager to be among the illuminati who shape our highest court. The low turn-out in these elections has made it easy for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce to buy seats on the court. They know how to turn out their base.
I bet if the cool night spots in Madison and Milwaukee held special VIP parties for those who vote in February and April elections, we'd see a lot more young people getting off their asses and doing their civic duty. After all, they're not averse to standing in line to get into a bar on Saturday night.
If you have "liked" a Facebook page having to do with recalling Scott Walker, you might want to try to defeat Justice Prosser (who has promised to "complement" the acts of the Republicans in the Executive and Legislative branches) or you might find yourself spouting on your blog about a Wisconsin equivalent to a "Bush v. Gore" decision next year. Of course, it's far easier to spend hours spouting online than to actually leave the house and spend ten minutes voting. Especially if you're more interested in getting attention and virtual *hugs* from your friends than actually contributing to change.
It's strange that more Wisconsinites aren't eager to be among the illuminati who shape our highest court. The low turn-out in these elections has made it easy for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce to buy seats on the court. They know how to turn out their base.
I bet if the cool night spots in Madison and Milwaukee held special VIP parties for those who vote in February and April elections, we'd see a lot more young people getting off their asses and doing their civic duty. After all, they're not averse to standing in line to get into a bar on Saturday night.
If you have "liked" a Facebook page having to do with recalling Scott Walker, you might want to try to defeat Justice Prosser (who has promised to "complement" the acts of the Republicans in the Executive and Legislative branches) or you might find yourself spouting on your blog about a Wisconsin equivalent to a "Bush v. Gore" decision next year. Of course, it's far easier to spend hours spouting online than to actually leave the house and spend ten minutes voting. Especially if you're more interested in getting attention and virtual *hugs* from your friends than actually contributing to change.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wisconsin's Cronyocracy Continues
Governor Scott Walker appointed Stephen Fitzgerald, the 68-year-old father of Wisconsin's top Republican legislators, to head the State Patrol. Even the Wisconsin State Journal thinks it doesn't pass the smell test. The elder Fitzgerald can now pad his pension and retire on his own schedule. One would think that Scott Walker would know that insider deals to boost public pensions can come back to bite an executive in the ass. He must be counting on the anger-diffusing power of a Green Bay Packer Superbowl victory.
In other State Patrol news, the security detail assigned to the Governor's family will be increased from four to six. The reasons cited involved the family's two teen-age sons, who are still living and attending school in Wauwatosa. Their mother splits time between Madison and 'Tosa, and their grandparents will soon be moving in to help out.
In the meantime, it must be a tremendous relief to the concerned parents that a couple of dedicated State Patrol officers will be keeping an eye on the boys and chauffeuring them around.
In other State Patrol news, the security detail assigned to the Governor's family will be increased from four to six. The reasons cited involved the family's two teen-age sons, who are still living and attending school in Wauwatosa. Their mother splits time between Madison and 'Tosa, and their grandparents will soon be moving in to help out.
In the meantime, it must be a tremendous relief to the concerned parents that a couple of dedicated State Patrol officers will be keeping an eye on the boys and chauffeuring them around.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Rooster's Revenge
Apparently, illegal cockfights are insufficiently bloody for some people, so they actually strap knives to the combatants' legs.
What could possibly go wrong?
There may be a Darwin Award nomination here.
What could possibly go wrong?
There may be a Darwin Award nomination here.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Let the Tailgating Begin
Hotels in Green Bay are full of Packer fans who couldn't afford the trip to Dallas. All over Wisconsin, pre-game parties will be starting long before the game. Since it's the weekend, we may has well start the celebration now. To get you in the mood, here is Higher Education's Feelin' So Fly Like a Cheesehead:
For those of you who aren't into hip-hop music, here is Pat McCurdy's We Love the Green and Gold. It's a fun video full of Wisconsin cultural touchstones (and, inexplicably, Larry the Cable Guy).
For those of you who aren't into hip-hop music, here is Pat McCurdy's We Love the Green and Gold. It's a fun video full of Wisconsin cultural touchstones (and, inexplicably, Larry the Cable Guy).
Friday, February 4, 2011
Will Trek Really Lose Money on B-Cycle?
Madison's Mayor claims that it's OK to give Trek a no-bid contract with money out of the city's contingency reserve for a bike-sharing program because their subsidiary B-Cycle will make no profit on the deal.
In 1997, Elton John remade his hit song "Candle in the Wind" to honor the late Diana, Princess of Wales. He donated all of his royalties from "Candle in the Wind 1997" to the Princess Diana Memorial Fund. However, sales of the song also boosted sales of Elton John's back catalog, which made quite a bit of money for the singer, as well as introducing him to a whole new audience.
The McDonald's Corporation sponsors the very worthy Ronald McDonald House charity. However, it spends more money on ads promoting its link to the charity than it does on the charity itself.
My point is that charitable endeavors by corporations often have a hidden marketing motive. I have no doubt that the B-Cycle balance sheet will show the program losing money for Trek. However, that balance sheet will not show increased sales of Trek bicycles resulting from increased bicycle ridership in general and exposure to Trek bikes in particular.
Trek is not eager to do this because they want to give back to the community. Corporations have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders to make a profit. If Trek could not justify the program to its shareholders, it would not exist. Nor are they the only bike company capable or interested in such programs.
I agree with Paul Soglin on this one.
In 1997, Elton John remade his hit song "Candle in the Wind" to honor the late Diana, Princess of Wales. He donated all of his royalties from "Candle in the Wind 1997" to the Princess Diana Memorial Fund. However, sales of the song also boosted sales of Elton John's back catalog, which made quite a bit of money for the singer, as well as introducing him to a whole new audience.
The McDonald's Corporation sponsors the very worthy Ronald McDonald House charity. However, it spends more money on ads promoting its link to the charity than it does on the charity itself.
My point is that charitable endeavors by corporations often have a hidden marketing motive. I have no doubt that the B-Cycle balance sheet will show the program losing money for Trek. However, that balance sheet will not show increased sales of Trek bicycles resulting from increased bicycle ridership in general and exposure to Trek bikes in particular.
Trek is not eager to do this because they want to give back to the community. Corporations have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders to make a profit. If Trek could not justify the program to its shareholders, it would not exist. Nor are they the only bike company capable or interested in such programs.
I agree with Paul Soglin on this one.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Who Really Wants to Build on the Wetlands Surrounding Lambeau Field?
Wealthy businessman (and Green Bay Packers Executive Committee Member) John Bergstrom called in a favor with new Governor Scott Walker in order to get legislation allowing the team to build on protected wetlands near Lambeau Field for a proposed retail-entertainment center called Titletown Sports District. It was hoped that Bass Pro Shops would anchor the retail component.
However, the environmentally-conscious company has distanced itself from the project, stating that it does not build on wetlands.
Governor Walker persists in saying he can change their mind (just as he insisted he could get the federal government to allow Wisconsin to use those rail project funds for roads). I expect the outcome to be the same.
But what I find interesting about the coverage of this issue is that the Wisconsin media (and bloggers critical of the special treatment for Bergstrom and destruction of wetlands in general) have downplayed or ignored the role of the Green Bay Packers organization in this project. Bergstrom was acting on behalf of the Packers in seeking special treatment. Why ignore that fact? Do we want to avoid criticizing our beloved Packers? Or do we fear that voters won't care as much about the wetlands as long as it's the Packers who want to pave them over?
However, the environmentally-conscious company has distanced itself from the project, stating that it does not build on wetlands.
Governor Walker persists in saying he can change their mind (just as he insisted he could get the federal government to allow Wisconsin to use those rail project funds for roads). I expect the outcome to be the same.
But what I find interesting about the coverage of this issue is that the Wisconsin media (and bloggers critical of the special treatment for Bergstrom and destruction of wetlands in general) have downplayed or ignored the role of the Green Bay Packers organization in this project. Bergstrom was acting on behalf of the Packers in seeking special treatment. Why ignore that fact? Do we want to avoid criticizing our beloved Packers? Or do we fear that voters won't care as much about the wetlands as long as it's the Packers who want to pave them over?
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