Uppity Wisconsin
Making Wisconsin Progressive Again
Israel Threatens “Sabotage” and “Attack” on Global Peace/Justice Groups
Sat, 02/20/2010 - 11:21am | mal contends
I told a friend recently that I miss the days when working for peace made one a "pinko-commie-queer," intended as insults. Now, to work for peace is to be anti-Semitic.
Tags: US Senate and Feingold Defend Doing Nothing
Sat, 02/06/2010 - 9:25am | mal contends
In the United States Senate, doing nothing is protected as a point of historical pride. It is the privilege of a U.S. Senator to do nothing and the do-nothing gang does not want this august legislative body to lose its harrowed privilege.
As Gail Collins puts it this morning: "There is a stupendous lack of real enthusiasm in the Senate for doing anything as dramatic as eliminating the senators’ right to stop things."
“It’s beyond the breaking point,” said Senator Tom Harkin, referring to the U.S. Senate's obstruction-as-usual, holds on nominations, filibusters, the whole paralysis of a sick legislative body. Harkin will introduce a bill to eliminate the Senate filibuster next week.
Even reformers like Sen. Russ Feingold defend the filibuster. Maybe Feingold and the Senate will have a change a heart, feeling that the problems facing Americans are so serious that a decaying institution's relics and undemocratic rules must change for the good of the citizens of our republic.
As Gail Collins puts it this morning: "There is a stupendous lack of real enthusiasm in the Senate for doing anything as dramatic as eliminating the senators’ right to stop things."
“It’s beyond the breaking point,” said Senator Tom Harkin, referring to the U.S. Senate's obstruction-as-usual, holds on nominations, filibusters, the whole paralysis of a sick legislative body. Harkin will introduce a bill to eliminate the Senate filibuster next week.
Even reformers like Sen. Russ Feingold defend the filibuster. Maybe Feingold and the Senate will have a change a heart, feeling that the problems facing Americans are so serious that a decaying institution's relics and undemocratic rules must change for the good of the citizens of our republic.
Tommy Thompson Joins Capital Fund as Adviser, Office Run Unlikely
Wed, 02/03/2010 - 5:44pm | mal contends
Situation clarifies that a Tommy Thompson run is unlikely.
Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson was announced as the newest advisor to a Peak Ridge Capital Group venture capital fund.
Thompson will be relied upon at Peak Ridge for his expertise in agriculture and agribusiness. The firm is currently investing its agricultural technology fund, having announced its first investment from the vehicle. Rapid Diagnostek is a Wisconsin-based company developing a hand-held device to test for illness or disease in 60 seconds. The fund is designed to invest in agricultural technology companies providing solutions for food supply, lowering the cost of production and improving efficiencies in the supply chain. The fund also invests in clean technologies, as well as chemicals, systems and biofuels processes.
Iowa Senate Candidate Bob Krause Bashes Anti-Veteran Flag Wavers
Tue, 02/02/2010 - 7:40am | mal contends
Bob Krause is a Democratic candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in Iowa, and his aim at knocking off incumbent Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) tells you much about the man who says he is sickened by corrupt, partisan insiders.
Krause was raised on a family farm and has dedicated most of his adult life to public service, and it looks like we are going need him as an ally of Sens. Kohl and Feingold's.
In a press release from Feb. 1, 2010, Krause tells the story of Republicans flag-wavers who turn around and shaft our veterans in a corrupt display of hypocrisy and disrespect blasted by Krause, demonstrating again that another "Fighting Bob" lives to Wisconsin's Southwest.
Krause was raised on a family farm and has dedicated most of his adult life to public service, and it looks like we are going need him as an ally of Sens. Kohl and Feingold's.
In a press release from Feb. 1, 2010, Krause tells the story of Republicans flag-wavers who turn around and shaft our veterans in a corrupt display of hypocrisy and disrespect blasted by Krause, demonstrating again that another "Fighting Bob" lives to Wisconsin's Southwest.
Obama Slams Court, Hails Russ Feingold's Work
Thu, 01/28/2010 - 8:51am | mal contends
Reflecting the anger of the American people towards huge-moneyed special interests, President Obama assumed a populist tone in his State of the Union Address last night, using a derivation of the word "bank" and "lobbyist" in a negative fashion some 20 times, and defending Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold's signature legislative achievement against the recent Republican-led Court decision widely blasted as ultra-activist and intellectually dishonest.
Obama singled out the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (08-205) that eviscerated the effect and policy rationale of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA)) by allowing unlimited general treasury funds of for-profit corporations to be directed to corporations' chosen candidates for political office in political ads.
Obama singled out the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (08-205) that eviscerated the effect and policy rationale of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA)) by allowing unlimited general treasury funds of for-profit corporations to be directed to corporations' chosen candidates for political office in political ads.
Desperate Wisc GOP Ineptly Reprises 1986 Gov Race
Sun, 01/24/2010 - 10:30am | mal contends
With Tommy Thompson likely out of the race for governor, a desperate Wisconsin GOP is attempting an old trick.
Back in 1986 it was the dump "Tony the Taxer (Earl)" campaign [and the Thompson-pushed image of black welfare recipients in Milwaukee] that launched Tommy Thompson's entry into the governor's mansion and national prominence.
Now, a Wisconsin GOP Google ad reads:
Back in 1986 it was the dump "Tony the Taxer (Earl)" campaign [and the Thompson-pushed image of black welfare recipients in Milwaukee] that launched Tommy Thompson's entry into the governor's mansion and national prominence.
Now, a Wisconsin GOP Google ad reads:
Tom "the Taxer" Barret (sic)Sure, the GOP misspelled Barrett's name and the word "Cant", but that's not the only mistake the GOP will make this campaign season.
Higher Taxes, Fewer Jobs
Wisconsin Cant (sic) Afford
Tom the Taxer
www.wisgop.org
Tommy Thompson Run Unlikely
Sat, 01/23/2010 - 12:10pm | mal contends
A Tommy Thompson run for governor now appears unlikely.
And Thompson won't run for U.S. Senate—forget Jonathan Martin's Politico story that he's weighing it; the eventual GOP Senate nominee is toast and I want what David Blaska, Owen Robinson, and Chuck Todd are smoking.
Thompson is on a trip to the Far East for at least a week, and it's-my-turn-to-run Scott Walker and here's-a-$1 million Mark Neumann aren't dropping out.
A Thompson run for governor announced in February or March would cause catastrophic unpredictability in what the GOP already fears will be a divisive primary in this volatile environment, and in a state known for bucking the establishments of both major political parties.
Sure, Sen. Herb Kohl can parachute in the primary like he did in June 1988, refuse to debate other candidates, and win by air war.
That won't work for Thompson now as too many Republicans are vested in their chosen champion who will face a strong Democratic opponent in Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett.
Thompson is a great cultural fit for Wisconsin; but running now would just make too many enemies and confuse the already blurred political lines.
And Thompson won't run for U.S. Senate—forget Jonathan Martin's Politico story that he's weighing it; the eventual GOP Senate nominee is toast and I want what David Blaska, Owen Robinson, and Chuck Todd are smoking.
Thompson is on a trip to the Far East for at least a week, and it's-my-turn-to-run Scott Walker and here's-a-$1 million Mark Neumann aren't dropping out.
A Thompson run for governor announced in February or March would cause catastrophic unpredictability in what the GOP already fears will be a divisive primary in this volatile environment, and in a state known for bucking the establishments of both major political parties.
Sure, Sen. Herb Kohl can parachute in the primary like he did in June 1988, refuse to debate other candidates, and win by air war.
That won't work for Thompson now as too many Republicans are vested in their chosen champion who will face a strong Democratic opponent in Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett.
Thompson is a great cultural fit for Wisconsin; but running now would just make too many enemies and confuse the already blurred political lines.
Republican High Hypocrisy on the Supreme Court
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 9:42am | mal contends
Putting aside the truism that the contemporary Democratic Party and President Obama rival the Republican Party in feeding at the trough of Big Business, the GOP-composed opinion in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (08-205) is revealed as an exercise in hypocrisy and partisan favoritism by examining another landmark election law case animated by First Amendment claims used in the fight against colossal wealth dominating the political process, Timmons v. Twin Cities Area New Party (95-1608) (1997).
In Timmons, a political party, the now-defunct New Party, sought to fuse its nominated candidates with other political parties' nominated candidates [that is nominating the same people] in an effort to expand the New Party under the protection of the First Amendment's guarantees of free expression and association.
For instance, progressive Democratic Party nominees like Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin), Rep.
In Timmons, a political party, the now-defunct New Party, sought to fuse its nominated candidates with other political parties' nominated candidates [that is nominating the same people] in an effort to expand the New Party under the protection of the First Amendment's guarantees of free expression and association.
For instance, progressive Democratic Party nominees like Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin), Rep.
Jailed Wisconsin Veteran Case Gets More Bizarre
Sat, 01/02/2010 - 3:02pm | mal contends
What does the U.S. government do with a veteran who blows the whistle on the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (DVA) shreddergate scandal and who badgers the DVA as he “tenaciously pursues his claim for disability benefits," telling DVA staff that they are a bunch of "bureaucratic assholes?" The Bush-Cheney DVA and the U.S. Dept. of Justice targeted, convicted, and impoverished this Wisconsin Navy veteran on trumped-up charges of wire fraud.
Specifics, say the U.S. government, are that Navy Airman Keith Roberts and Gary Holland (who was crushed to death by a C-54 aircraft at an airbase in Naples, Italy, back in 1969) were not friends [despite their parallel service histories] and Roberts exaggerated his efforts to rescue his fellow airman, [despite the fact that he was on line duty, and subsequently at least one veteran present has corroborated Roberts' actions]. Yeah, that's right, those are the specifics of the prosecution's criminal case hatched back in 2005-2006 to shut up and retaliate against a veteran who had become, according to a Milwaukee DVA regional hospital source, a "belligerent ass." [A background source at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee e-mailed the Lee Rayburn radio show in Madison in early June 2007 after a program about the Roberts case and asked to remain anonymous out of fear of losing his job. "I'd have to say that you guys are TOTALLY (uppercase in the original) right about Roberts' conviction being bullshit. ..." Disability claim denied and off to jail.
In the latest developments, Roberts, a political prisoner of the Republican Party, now reportedly embittered and feeling hopeless, is expected to be released from federal prison in March after serving almost four years behind bars.
Specifics, say the U.S. government, are that Navy Airman Keith Roberts and Gary Holland (who was crushed to death by a C-54 aircraft at an airbase in Naples, Italy, back in 1969) were not friends [despite their parallel service histories] and Roberts exaggerated his efforts to rescue his fellow airman, [despite the fact that he was on line duty, and subsequently at least one veteran present has corroborated Roberts' actions]. Yeah, that's right, those are the specifics of the prosecution's criminal case hatched back in 2005-2006 to shut up and retaliate against a veteran who had become, according to a Milwaukee DVA regional hospital source, a "belligerent ass." [A background source at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee e-mailed the Lee Rayburn radio show in Madison in early June 2007 after a program about the Roberts case and asked to remain anonymous out of fear of losing his job. "I'd have to say that you guys are TOTALLY (uppercase in the original) right about Roberts' conviction being bullshit. ..." Disability claim denied and off to jail.
In the latest developments, Roberts, a political prisoner of the Republican Party, now reportedly embittered and feeling hopeless, is expected to be released from federal prison in March after serving almost four years behind bars.
Obama Appears Serious Attacking Mental Health Crisis
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 5:10pm | mal contends
Funny how peace advocates like Sen. Russ Feingold and Rep. Tammy Baldwin become leading champions for veterans, and chickenhawks like Dick Cheney and the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) take direct aim at our veterans.
This difference of opinion and commitment is the one reason veterans' advocates maintain hope for a change in direction at the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) that Obama needs to cleanse of embedded neocon-minded civil servants. To sum up the attitude among veteran advocates toward the Bush-Cheney-neocon DVA, I cite the words of one veterans' attorney: "Fuck [the AEI's] Sally Satel and fuck Dick Cheney." Linked is a piece in Veterans Today with text from Jason Leopold and Mary Susan Littlepage's report on the Obama administration and its project on changing the DVA.
It's no great surprise to learn that training young adults to kill and put themselves in the line of fire tends to lead to psychological complications later in life.
Under Bush-Cheney, the DVA went from indifferent to hostile in the face of 25-million American veterans and many Americans for whom supporting veterans means slapping a flag on their car.
Obama's Cowardly Betrayal
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 11:10am | mal contends
Some forty-five years after the passage of the first civil rights legislation guided into law by JFK and LBJ, the civil rights and peace movements tower as monuments to American progress.
Through the work of ordinary citizens, today's America stands in stark contrast to the contemporary Republican Party earning itself the moniker, the White Party and its retrograde agenda bearing an unseemly resemblance to 1960s institutional racism and endless war.
The GOP conducted massive voter suppression campaigns against Obama who captured the imagination of the country, earning an earnest belief in the possibility of change, peace, and justice. Not just in words but in real-life deeds, and not just in the United States but throughout the world.
Through the work of ordinary citizens, today's America stands in stark contrast to the contemporary Republican Party earning itself the moniker, the White Party and its retrograde agenda bearing an unseemly resemblance to 1960s institutional racism and endless war.
The GOP conducted massive voter suppression campaigns against Obama who captured the imagination of the country, earning an earnest belief in the possibility of change, peace, and justice. Not just in words but in real-life deeds, and not just in the United States but throughout the world.
Iowa Senate Candidate Bob Krause Demands Afghan Pull-out
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 9:18am | mal contends
McClatchy Newspapers reports President Obama to go the LBJ route, 34,000 more troops. If true, perhaps Obama can run in 2012 on a platform of 'not as many dead.'
From Iowa comes sanity and courage. United States candidate for the Iowa Democratic nomination for Senate, Bob Krause, became the first candidate for the U.S. Senate to call for a draw down of troops in Afghanistan at the Iowa Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner this year. Krause looks to knock down incumbent Republican Senator Sen. Chuck Grassley next year.
Posted from Veterans Today, The Fire Flamed by Bush Must be Extinguished by Obama Before It's Too Late, Bob Krause is Leading!
By Raja G Mujtaba, Pakistan
I find it heartening, indeed, when so many voices in America are clamoring for a troop "surge" to bring about that "big win" in Afghanistan, a win so many us know will only end is destabilization and disaster, that there are still voices of reason.
Onward Christian Athletes Scores
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 11:21am | mal contends
Growing up in Wisconsin during the Bart Starr-coached years (1975-1983), I used to grimace as Bart announced that a new draft pick is a "good Christian."
'Chriiiiist Bart, who cares? Just get some players.'
But like everyone else I felt Bart is Bart, a winner from the glory years.
Over the last 15 years roughly as right wing Christians have taken aim at America's military, an authoritarian and evangelical strain of Christianity has taken aim at professional sports, in its own exclusionary and often wacky dogmatic way.
Muslim? They're spiritually dead. Jewish? Dead. Free-thinking agnostics? Dead. Oakland Raiders who played during the 1970s-80s? Beyond dead and not even Christ can save those guys.
'Chriiiiist Bart, who cares? Just get some players.'
But like everyone else I felt Bart is Bart, a winner from the glory years.
Over the last 15 years roughly as right wing Christians have taken aim at America's military, an authoritarian and evangelical strain of Christianity has taken aim at professional sports, in its own exclusionary and often wacky dogmatic way.
Muslim? They're spiritually dead. Jewish? Dead. Free-thinking agnostics? Dead. Oakland Raiders who played during the 1970s-80s? Beyond dead and not even Christ can save those guys.
President Obama, Read RE Afghanistan
Sun, 11/08/2009 - 12:52pm | mal contends
On the matter of the pending Afghanistan escalation, a Vietnam War elite Marine combat veteran shoots down this foolish idea of sending in more troops and delaying withdrawal, and proposes direct negotiations with the Taliban in Scotland [Robbie the Pict of Scotland, below-left].
---
The Scottish Taliban Talks
by Gordon Duff [below-right]
Forty years ago, 3 of us at Veterans Today, Bill Eckard, Eddie Harris and I were in South Vietnam, serving with an elite Marine Special Landing Team, looking for "terrorists."
Decades later, our memories are less than clear. It was 4 AM, 0400H, and we were searching a village. Bill remembers finding an AK47 in one hut, I think it was a Garand.
---
The Scottish Taliban Talks
by Gordon Duff [below-right]
Forty years ago, 3 of us at Veterans Today, Bill Eckard, Eddie Harris and I were in South Vietnam, serving with an elite Marine Special Landing Team, looking for "terrorists."
Decades later, our memories are less than clear. It was 4 AM, 0400H, and we were searching a village. Bill remembers finding an AK47 in one hut, I think it was a Garand.
Open Letter to President Obama on Afghanistan
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 7:31am | mal contends
President Obama,
Welcome to Madison, Wisconsin.
Saw you that below-zero night in February at the Kohl Center last year, the night the D.C.-area primaries put you on track to win the nomination. Never seen an event like that night; one of the guys I was with looked over at me and said "Bobby," a clear reference to the idea that we were electing someone to stop war and serve people and everyone believed it.
I have to say, not crazy about reading the newest DoD news that Combat Advisors See Afghan Troops in Action. Sounds like a lot of crap to me. Or the latest DoD release, DoD Identifies Marine Casualty. That's a waste of another good man.
Welcome to Madison, Wisconsin.
Saw you that below-zero night in February at the Kohl Center last year, the night the D.C.-area primaries put you on track to win the nomination. Never seen an event like that night; one of the guys I was with looked over at me and said "Bobby," a clear reference to the idea that we were electing someone to stop war and serve people and everyone believed it.
I have to say, not crazy about reading the newest DoD news that Combat Advisors See Afghan Troops in Action. Sounds like a lot of crap to me. Or the latest DoD release, DoD Identifies Marine Casualty. That's a waste of another good man.
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- while this stuff might be helping at the fringes...
23 hours 41 min ago - Neumann
1 day 8 hours ago - yes
1 day 16 hours ago - The history helps
2 days 5 hours ago - The ineptitude I worry about
2 days 10 hours ago - You do know that's not
3 days 7 hours ago - Custom Designed Polls
5 days 3 hours ago - Both kinds...
5 days 15 hours ago - i'm hearing...
1 week 1 day ago - Not exactly
1 week 1 day ago
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