Uppity Wisconsin

The Progressive Magazine turns 100 today.

And the journal continues to be a voice of the progressive movement: An unrelenting voice for social justice and political autonomy.

From Joe McCarthy, the US-financed Guatemalan death squads, the danger and fraud of American nuclear arms policy to America gone crazy under the Bush administration, the Progressive Magazine has never strayed from its mission as a journal dedicated to fact-based journalism and a voice for sanity and truth in public affairs.

For me growing up in Wisconsin reading the Progressive Magazine was and is an integral part of the political culture, like hating Joe McCarthy, opposing the Vietnam War, and the death squads in Central America.

And so the magazine retains a place in my heart right next my education at UW-Madison and the many people whom I have met who spend their lives dedicated to social justice.

Amid the discordant political backdrop, recriminations abound about whether the murder of a 21-year-old UW-Madison woman could have been prevented.

Aside from proposed audits and spirited defenses of the Dane County 911 Communications Center and other Dane County officials, it's worth noting the priorities and policies of local law enforcement agencies here. [I hope not to read the word 'leadership' again; it doesn't exist on this matter.]

As the routine break-up of house parties and the pursuit by police of other frequent illegal college recreational pastimes continues apace here, one wonders if police officers foot-patrolling neighborhoods at night with the objective of protecting property and persons might be a better use of limited police resources vis-a-vis busting a 19-year-old for having a beer or smoking a joint on campus.

And one less parking meter boy (like that pathetic guy who wears the floppy safari hat), and one more officer walking on the street looking out for a female student walking home at night from the library would certainly do.

via MAL Contends

The campaign reactions tell the story.

You can see the difference in the integrity of the two campaigns by their reactions to this inane, imbecilic forum last night by two manifestly unqualified debate moderators.

There was a serious debate last night and Hillary won, says Hillary's campaign.

Obama’s site offers Americans the opportunity to comment on this travesty, "Post Debate: Any thoughts? If you're tired of a slash and burn politics that trades distraction for real debate, you don't have to sit idly and watch anymore."

Clinton’s site pretends that this was a real, substantive debate, "Hillary's Reviews Are In: 'The Winner,' 'Strong Presence,' 'In Her Element'" [Just like Hillary is pretending there was a primary in Michigan and Fla.]

Hillary is still the same, old, lying politician to which more and more Americans are taking a dislike.