Rockford has come a long way since Money Magazine named it the worst city in America in which to live (the same year it rated Madison as #1). Now it has a hip new cache as a place of refuge for politicians on the lam. Their convention & visitors bureau put together this video, which puts a positive spin on the city's attractions (although Mrs. Rick Nielsen probably didn't appreciate the disparaging comments about her cooking).
The Daily Show sent John Oliver to Rockford for a bit that aired last night (it appears that no camels were harmed in the making of this video):
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
North By Midwest
The annual South By Southwest film and music festival gets underway in Austin, Texas next weekend. As always, they have an interesting lineup of musical acts.
It occurred to me, though, that we have had a pretty remarkable music festival of our own here in Madison over the past few weeks. Tom Morello, Wayne Kramer, the Street Dogs, Peter Yarrow, Michelle Shocked, and Ryan Bingham, among others, have played to huge crowds (outdoors in February and March, no less). We have also had well-known speakers like Jesse Jackson (who could practically qualify as a Madison resident by now, he's spent so much time here), Michael Moore, Jim Hightower (who will speak at the Barrymore this Saturday night) and, on the other side of the aisle, Joe the Plumber (who has been in town on two separate weekends).
I wonder what it would take to get Muse here. Because that would be really cool.
It occurred to me, though, that we have had a pretty remarkable music festival of our own here in Madison over the past few weeks. Tom Morello, Wayne Kramer, the Street Dogs, Peter Yarrow, Michelle Shocked, and Ryan Bingham, among others, have played to huge crowds (outdoors in February and March, no less). We have also had well-known speakers like Jesse Jackson (who could practically qualify as a Madison resident by now, he's spent so much time here), Michael Moore, Jim Hightower (who will speak at the Barrymore this Saturday night) and, on the other side of the aisle, Joe the Plumber (who has been in town on two separate weekends).
I wonder what it would take to get Muse here. Because that would be really cool.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Maybe It's Time to Bring in the FBI
For crying out loud. Multiple rounds of .22-caliber hollow-point bullets have been found scattered around the Capitol.
Before you jump on a conspiracy bandwagon, consider that many people were wearing their deer hunting outerwear on Saturday to keep warm. It's possible that someone still had bullets in a coat pocket that had a small tear in it. Please, people, check your coat pockets for bullets before you go downtown; there are children around, and we don't want them to pick up dangerous found toys.
Also, keep in mind that a couple thousand open-carry advocates were on the square a couple weeks ago. Who knows how many of them forgot they still had bullets in their coat pockets?
Finally, there were a lot of extra law enforcement officers from many agencies around the state at the scene on Monday and Tuesday. It's entirely possible that one or more of them was leaking bullets. That explanation would make the most sense, considering that bullets were also found inside the City County building, which has not been occupied by protesters.
Given that local and state law enforcement agencies are stretched pretty thin, and that they may be emotionally too close to the situation to conduct an efficient and objective investigation, it might be a good idea to request FBI assistance. Any investigation headed up by the DCI or the State Patrol is unlikely to instill confidence, given that the security sweep that found the bullets was used as an argument in court to keep citizens from having their constitutionally-guaranteed access to the Capitol during normal business hours.
Before you jump on a conspiracy bandwagon, consider that many people were wearing their deer hunting outerwear on Saturday to keep warm. It's possible that someone still had bullets in a coat pocket that had a small tear in it. Please, people, check your coat pockets for bullets before you go downtown; there are children around, and we don't want them to pick up dangerous found toys.
Also, keep in mind that a couple thousand open-carry advocates were on the square a couple weeks ago. Who knows how many of them forgot they still had bullets in their coat pockets?
Finally, there were a lot of extra law enforcement officers from many agencies around the state at the scene on Monday and Tuesday. It's entirely possible that one or more of them was leaking bullets. That explanation would make the most sense, considering that bullets were also found inside the City County building, which has not been occupied by protesters.
Given that local and state law enforcement agencies are stretched pretty thin, and that they may be emotionally too close to the situation to conduct an efficient and objective investigation, it might be a good idea to request FBI assistance. Any investigation headed up by the DCI or the State Patrol is unlikely to instill confidence, given that the security sweep that found the bullets was used as an argument in court to keep citizens from having their constitutionally-guaranteed access to the Capitol during normal business hours.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
No Wonder O'Reilly Thought Palm Trees Grow in Madison
He must have heard that the city's official bird is the pink flamingo. Where there are flamingoes, there surely must be palm trees, right?
Oh, and there is a rum distillery in town, which also evokes images of warm beaches and palm fronds swaying in the breeze.
Anyone could make that mistake, right? As Stephen Colbert mentioned last night, "Video goes in; video goes out; never a miscommunication."
Anyone could make that mistake, right? As Stephen Colbert mentioned last night, "Video goes in; video goes out; never a miscommunication."
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Wisconsin Prank Call Bill | ||||
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Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Fitzgerald Hands the High Road Card to Missing Democrats
Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald drafted a resolution to fine the chamber's 14 Democrats $100 a day if they remain absent, as well as force them to reimburse the state for any costs the state incurs trying to force them to return.
Brilliant. I suspect it is illegal to force anyone to pay for a government stake-out of their house, so Fitzgerald just looks like an overreaching idiot here.
More importantly, Fitzgerald's impatience is undermining his party's attempts to paint the missing Senators as lazy and cowardly. They had been harping on the talking points that is "time to come back and do the job they are paid to do."
Well, they are not being paid, since the State Senate previously passed a rule to hold their paychecks until they pick them up on the Senate floor. Now they are also facing mounting fines. Rather than seeming lazy and greedy, even constituents who are on the fence about whether the 14 should continue their hold-out must see that they are now making significant personal sacrifices for their cause.
Every day, Walker and the Fitzgeralds look more and more like Eric Cartman in his trooper uniform, shouting: "You will respect my authoritay!"
Brilliant. I suspect it is illegal to force anyone to pay for a government stake-out of their house, so Fitzgerald just looks like an overreaching idiot here.
More importantly, Fitzgerald's impatience is undermining his party's attempts to paint the missing Senators as lazy and cowardly. They had been harping on the talking points that is "time to come back and do the job they are paid to do."
Well, they are not being paid, since the State Senate previously passed a rule to hold their paychecks until they pick them up on the Senate floor. Now they are also facing mounting fines. Rather than seeming lazy and greedy, even constituents who are on the fence about whether the 14 should continue their hold-out must see that they are now making significant personal sacrifices for their cause.
Every day, Walker and the Fitzgeralds look more and more like Eric Cartman in his trooper uniform, shouting: "You will respect my authoritay!"
Sunday, February 27, 2011
A Tale of Two Saturdays
February 19 was a mild winter Saturday in Wisconsin. The sun was out, and the temperature rose above freezing. There was an organized rally of Scott Walker supporters, which drew a couple thousand extra people to the Capitol square. Police estimated the total crowd at 68,000.
February 26 was cold (the high was 19 degrees) and snowy. There were only a few Scott Walker supporters' signs visible, and the total crowd was at least as large (possibly larger) than the Saturday before. Once again, everyone was peaceful and well-behaved. There were many children and dogs in attendance, well bundled against the cold (even many of the dogs were wearing coats). I am glad to see people bringing their kids, not because I think it is necessarily educational for them, but because it reminds everyone to behave like responsible adults. That and the lack of alcohol has made these the most family-friendly festivals the Capitol Square has ever seen. The snow yesterday made it look like a winter carnival.
The "Imperial Walker" imagery has really taken off. It continues to be used in new and creative ways.
February 26 was cold (the high was 19 degrees) and snowy. There were only a few Scott Walker supporters' signs visible, and the total crowd was at least as large (possibly larger) than the Saturday before. Once again, everyone was peaceful and well-behaved. There were many children and dogs in attendance, well bundled against the cold (even many of the dogs were wearing coats). I am glad to see people bringing their kids, not because I think it is necessarily educational for them, but because it reminds everyone to behave like responsible adults. That and the lack of alcohol has made these the most family-friendly festivals the Capitol Square has ever seen. The snow yesterday made it look like a winter carnival.
The "Imperial Walker" imagery has really taken off. It continues to be used in new and creative ways.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Scott Walker, Reality Television Star
MTV will be in Madison tomorrow holding an open casting call for The Real World. Maybe Scott Walker should audition. After all, he loves to be on television, and a stint as a Real World cast member didn't hurt Sean Duffy's political career.
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