Uppity Wisconsin
Making Wisconsin Progressive Again
Setting Standards, Achieving Excellence
Mon, 12/14/2009 - 3:36pm | Sen. Kathleen V...
Last week the Governor brought together concerned Legislators to discuss the struggling Milwaukee Public Schools. Invited to the meeting were officials with experience turning around failing school districts in Boston and Chicago. The discussion centered on proposals to significantly overhaul the Milwaukee Public Schools system.
Many of our schools are struggling to provide a quality education, but the problems Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) face make our troubles pale in comparison. Milwaukee’s public schools have failed. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in the last three years, MPS students have not met Adequate Yearly Progress in math and reading. And a review of statistics for the last five years clearly demonstrates this is not an uncommon result.
Just last week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that more than 6 out of 10 MSP eighth graders scored at or below the most basic level of math proficiency in a national study comparing achievement levels of public school students in the nation’s largest cities. Only students in Detroit scored worse than Milwaukee students.
Tags: MPS Take-Over
Wed, 09/09/2009 - 12:55pm | Steve Hanson
From our friends at On The Earth Productions:
Bring Cell Phones to Fight DOJ Asst AGs and Special Agents
Thu, 10/30/2008 - 11:36am | mal contends
Sheboygan County District Attorney Joe DeCocco, a Democrat, called Van Hollen's plan to use state agents and lawyers to monitor polls Tuesday a dog and pony’ show. DeCocco said his search of state law ‘did not locate any mandates of providing prosecutor coverage at polling sites, or any authority to do so.’ ‘The attorney general has no authority in this state to supervise elections,’ Doyle told reporters. He again said the move by Van Hollen is part of a national effort by Republican Party leaders to ‘try and raise questions’ about the voting process - questions that they hope keep some voters from casting ballots.
Laverne and Shirley-style, IAM and UAW will make all your worksite leaflet dreams come true
Fri, 10/10/2008 - 5:10pm | casetheplace
In this loving video tribute to the Laverne and Shirley opening credits, IAM and UAW work to get the word out about McCain's abysmal record for working families by worksite leafleting members of IAM Local Lodge 66 and UAW Local 9 at the Miller Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Esquire Endorses Obama for President
Fri, 10/10/2008 - 5:34am | mal contends
From the Esquire endorsement of Obama:
It was a day in February and the sun was little more than a gaudy accessory. The man stood on a bridge along Eleventh Street in Milwaukee. He was holding a sign. His breath rose in clouds. There was ice on his eyebrows. Beneath him, along Interstate 43, the traffic ran north and south in a great rattle. The cold made everything seem fragile, as though the cars would shatter if they collided. It was ten o'clock in the morning and it was 8 degrees, and the man held his sign while the ice formed on the edges of his face, trying to get the cars below him to honk their horns in support of Barack Obama.
It was a day in February and the sun was little more than a gaudy accessory. The man stood on a bridge along Eleventh Street in Milwaukee. He was holding a sign. His breath rose in clouds. There was ice on his eyebrows. Beneath him, along Interstate 43, the traffic ran north and south in a great rattle. The cold made everything seem fragile, as though the cars would shatter if they collided. It was ten o'clock in the morning and it was 8 degrees, and the man held his sign while the ice formed on the edges of his face, trying to get the cars below him to honk their horns in support of Barack Obama.
Pedro Colón Wins in Rout
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 9:01am | GlobalGirl
Preying “upon children," bringing "ruin," "out of touch with the community (because) … he's a parent."
Such was the screeching heard from candidates Jose Guzman and Laura Manriquez in one Democratic primary in Milwaukee, a smearing of Wisconsin’s sole Latino member of the state legislature, Pedro Colón (D-Milwaukee), representing the Eighth Assembly District.
The campaigns were one part trash bash and one part outlandish political theater with the satisfying conclusion that Guzman and Manriquez will go the way of Tom Reynolds and Clean Sweep Wisconsin.
I mean the levels of deceit employed would make Karl Rove blush.
Following Guzman and Manriquez in the primary, I expected them to accuse Colón of concocting the Ebola virus and being the manifestation of Satan alive and not well in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Such was the screeching heard from candidates Jose Guzman and Laura Manriquez in one Democratic primary in Milwaukee, a smearing of Wisconsin’s sole Latino member of the state legislature, Pedro Colón (D-Milwaukee), representing the Eighth Assembly District.
The campaigns were one part trash bash and one part outlandish political theater with the satisfying conclusion that Guzman and Manriquez will go the way of Tom Reynolds and Clean Sweep Wisconsin.
I mean the levels of deceit employed would make Karl Rove blush.
Following Guzman and Manriquez in the primary, I expected them to accuse Colón of concocting the Ebola virus and being the manifestation of Satan alive and not well in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Journal-Sentinel Endorses Colón, Clean Sweep WI Looks to Go 0-6
Thu, 09/04/2008 - 4:19am | GlobalGirl
Pedro Colón received the endorsements of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and the Milwaukee Shepherd Express.
The Journal-Sentineleditorial describes Colón as “engaged with the district,” “attentive” to his constituents, employing an “effective voice for Milwaukee,” and with Colón’s position on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee having achieved "respect in the Legislature to be in a position to deliver for Milwaukee.”
The Journal-Sentineleditorial describes Colón as “engaged with the district,” “attentive” to his constituents, employing an “effective voice for Milwaukee,” and with Colón’s position on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee having achieved "respect in the Legislature to be in a position to deliver for Milwaukee.”
The endorsement flatly contradicts the willy-nilly discourse of Robert Miranda, executive director of Esperanza Unida, and Laura Manriquez, president of Esperanza Unida, who tried to knock both of their opponents off the ballot in an unsuccessful effort to circumvent the ballot box, saying that only they were in touch with the district.
Say what you want about Clean Sweep Wisconsin, but at least they try to get elected by dedicating their energies to running in electoral campaigns, and not avoiding them.
Milwaukee Candidate Speaks Up, Hits Rep. for Law Defending Rape Victims
Tue, 09/02/2008 - 5:54am | mal contends
The phantom southside Milwaukee candidate for state assembly, José Guzmán, is at last revealing himself contending with his recruitment by the political operative, Tom Reynolds, the notorious former state senator known for his anti-Catholic views and often bizarre political behavior.
After weeks of silence, Guzmán is meeting criticism of his campaign by finally speaking to the press, and accusing one of his opponents, incumbent Democratic State Rep. Pedro Colón (Eighth Assembly District, Milwaukee), of being "anti-catholic" for his vote for the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims bill, signed into law by Gov. Doyle in March.
Guzmán criticized Colón for his vote, saying Colón voted for "anti-Catholic legislation ... against the people of the 8th Assembly District." [See Guzmán literature below.]
After weeks of silence, Guzmán is meeting criticism of his campaign by finally speaking to the press, and accusing one of his opponents, incumbent Democratic State Rep. Pedro Colón (Eighth Assembly District, Milwaukee), of being "anti-catholic" for his vote for the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims bill, signed into law by Gov. Doyle in March.
Guzmán criticized Colón for his vote, saying Colón voted for "anti-Catholic legislation ... against the people of the 8th Assembly District." [See Guzmán literature below.]
Progressive Dems Unifying, but Not in Milwaukee
Sat, 08/23/2008 - 3:26pm | GlobalGirl
Update: Robert Miranda, executive director of Esperanza Unida, reportedly is leaving soon for his sixth visit to Turkey. No word on how Laura Manriquez, president of Esperanza Unida, feels about the junkets.
This weekend sees the launching of the beginning of the end of the Bush-Cheney-Rove-McCain administration.
But those seeking unity in Wisconsin have to wait two more weeks: Until Sept. 9, Wisconsin primary day.
The most heavily covered Wisconsin Democratic primary race in on Milwaukee’s south side, in which a rightwing Jose Guzman and in-some-wing Laura Manriquez are challenging five-term progressive incumbent, Rep. Pedro Colón.
Manriquez (the board chair of Robert Miranda’s Esperanza Unida, a non-profit taken over by Miranda’s coup a few years back) is echoing the campaign message of Miranda, executive director of Esperanza Unida and editor of the Spanish Journal.
Now, in an unusual campaign charge: (that Colón doesn’t charge enough per diem), Manriquez is looking desperate.
But those seeking unity in Wisconsin have to wait two more weeks: Until Sept. 9, Wisconsin primary day.
The most heavily covered Wisconsin Democratic primary race in on Milwaukee’s south side, in which a rightwing Jose Guzman and in-some-wing Laura Manriquez are challenging five-term progressive incumbent, Rep. Pedro Colón.
Manriquez (the board chair of Robert Miranda’s Esperanza Unida, a non-profit taken over by Miranda’s coup a few years back) is echoing the campaign message of Miranda, executive director of Esperanza Unida and editor of the Spanish Journal.
Now, in an unusual campaign charge: (that Colón doesn’t charge enough per diem), Manriquez is looking desperate.
BusStop by Bill Sell. Getting it. Getting there. Getting the bus. Getting the vote.
Wed, 08/20/2008 - 7:56am | SocratesChildren
Governor James Doyle to announce the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources agreement to clean the Kinnickinnic River. Today. 2000 S. 4th St, Milwaukee.
I need to grouse this morning. I have a complaint about the Democratic party (surprise, everyone). They do not like politics as usual.
If the purpose of today's event (August 20, 2008) were to get people, voters, environmental friends to the event, they could have done the usual and boring thing: invite them.
Getting It
Now, I'm not saying I'm a heavy contributor to river politics, but I've put my personhood into some public forums recently, and I am on a committee in Bay View that has the word "Environmental" [and Transportation] in it. I am easier to find than a bus. And I am beside the point. Just whom did the Party think would show up for this event? Press and political consultants? Why not voters?
Bullying Milwaukee Police Fine 70-Year-Old Widow for Defending Dog
Tue, 08/12/2008 - 8:15am | mal contends
BusStop. Paul Weyrich on the Milwaukee's singular pride
Sat, 08/09/2008 - 8:35am | SocratesChildren
This week I turn my blog over to a visitor. There are a couple of conservatives who know how to conserve. Paul gets it right here.
Free Congress Foundation Commentary
Political Cards, Joker and Otherwise
http://www.freecongress.org/
By Paul M. Weyrich
August 7, 2008
This past week we have heard non-stop about the race card. This is one of the most long-running uses of it in the political process. I first heard the term used when President Lyndon B. Johnson tried to force a reluctant Congress to pass a Great Society-type program in 1964 by invoking the memory of his predecessor, President John F. Kennedy. "He is using the JFK card," we were told. Then there was President Richard M. Nixon's China card. And when President Ronald W. Reagan walked away from an arms deal with Mikhail Gorbachev, pundits said Reagan was playing the Star Wars card. And so on.
I began to think of what card I could play if I were running for or had been elected President. I am not into cards myself so this is a difficult assignment. If I were running against Congress I would invoke the joker card.
Milwaukee Concerns
Sun, 08/03/2008 - 7:23pm | mal contends
Milwaukee - Spent this weekend listening to numerous people in Milwaukee in one of Wisconsin's most diverse and densely-populated areas.
Asking residents (living in expensive homes, modest homes, and rentals) their concerns in open-ended questions, I expected answers on Iraq, the national debt, the price of a college education, downsizing and outsourcing to be the most frequent complaints.
And downsizing and outsourcing were mentioned, but by far the biggest complaint was the lack of respect for a person's home, a quality-of-life issue for which residents seek redress from all levels of government.
Complaints ranged from jerks littering on front yards, vandalism, loud music, trespassing, with burglaries rounding out the list.
The consistency is striking, residents in a $500,000 home two blocks down from a $100,000 home share the same anger at toward trespassers, vandals, and people screaming in front of their homes like they're at a Brewer game.
In so many words, people just do not like anyone messing with their homes in which they have carved out their familiar, calming refuge in an increasingly isolated, inequitable society.
Asking residents (living in expensive homes, modest homes, and rentals) their concerns in open-ended questions, I expected answers on Iraq, the national debt, the price of a college education, downsizing and outsourcing to be the most frequent complaints.
And downsizing and outsourcing were mentioned, but by far the biggest complaint was the lack of respect for a person's home, a quality-of-life issue for which residents seek redress from all levels of government.
Complaints ranged from jerks littering on front yards, vandalism, loud music, trespassing, with burglaries rounding out the list.
The consistency is striking, residents in a $500,000 home two blocks down from a $100,000 home share the same anger at toward trespassers, vandals, and people screaming in front of their homes like they're at a Brewer game.
In so many words, people just do not like anyone messing with their homes in which they have carved out their familiar, calming refuge in an increasingly isolated, inequitable society.
Pro-Life Wisconsin Endorses Tom Reynolds' Candidates
Sat, 08/02/2008 - 8:18am | mal contends
via mal contends - Pro-Life Wisconsin announced their candidate endorsements via its Pro-Life Wisconsin Victory Fund political action committee this week.
Five of the six candidates being run by Tom Reynolds' Clean Sweep Wisconsin (CSW) in the Milwaukee-area Democratic primaries are recipients of the "Pro-Life" endorsements, even though the five candidates themselves have not voiced the extreme anti-abortion and other controversial views of CSW's treasurer and mastermind.
The Pro-Life Wisconsin endorsement corroborates the conventional political wisdom that Tom Reynolds' Clean Sweep Wisconsin is running rightwingers in the Democratic primaries, further eroding his already nearly nonexistent credibility.
Five of the six candidates being run by Tom Reynolds' Clean Sweep Wisconsin (CSW) in the Milwaukee-area Democratic primaries are recipients of the "Pro-Life" endorsements, even though the five candidates themselves have not voiced the extreme anti-abortion and other controversial views of CSW's treasurer and mastermind.
The Pro-Life Wisconsin endorsement corroborates the conventional political wisdom that Tom Reynolds' Clean Sweep Wisconsin is running rightwingers in the Democratic primaries, further eroding his already nearly nonexistent credibility.
Call for a Retraction
Sat, 07/26/2008 - 5:14pm | GlobalGirl
I just want to say that I am truly disappointed in the Capital Times. It is supposed to stand up for the truth and be thorough in its investigations. When the format of the Capital Times was changing, I took Dave Zweifel and John Nichols at their words that the quality of the journalism would not suffer as they changed media.
Why then did they print an editorial that was so shabbily researched? I am referring to the editorial column “Van Hollen should act fast on petition fraud case” (July 25).