Uppity Wisconsin
Making Wisconsin Progressive Again
Mr. Wall and Reality
Wed, 02/10/2010 - 2:35pm | Steve Hanson
T. Wall has started his campaign for real, releasing his first attack ad on Russ Feingold. See Below.. The ad implies that Feingold is not listening to the fact that everyone in Wisconsin is against health care reform, and is shoving it down their throats, using carefully selected video from one of his listening sesisons. One angry tea party person is not the entire state.
I happens I attended one of Feingold's listening sesisons on Saturday. I was amused to see that the local media seem to have had a completely different impression of what happened at his local listening sessions than I did, again fortified by a couple of sound bites.
So - since I happened to record most of Feingold's sesison in Boyceville, I though I'd put up the first half of it here so you could judge for yourselves. Please try to ignore the lousy video and audio quality - it wasn't exactly studio conditions.
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 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.
Halt Grab of Veterans' Land
Mon, 07/27/2009 - 7:16am | mal contends
I love Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA).
For a period during the Bush administration, it felt like the only compelling loyal Democratic opposition was from Waxman, Feingold and Kucinich.
But Waxman has earned the wrath of veterans the nation-over for his bizarre commitment to overseeing appropriating veterans' land in West Los Angeles
Writes Robert L. Rosebrock, director of The Veterans Revolution:
Veteran land is land that has been deeded to the Veterans to take care of their physical and emotional wounds. One of these lands the West Los Angeles Veterans' Home (WL VHA) the largest parcel on land for Veterans in the USA, was donated by Arcadia de Baker and John P. Jones in 1888 to the Government for the sole purpose of providing permanent care to our Veterans.
Selected Video from the Democratic Convention #DPW09
Fri, 06/12/2009 - 11:57pm | Steve Hanson
A few quick videos from the convention this evening (in famous Uppity Wisconsin Shakey-Vision):
Steve Hanson's Blog | 
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Tags: Barbara Lawton, DPW09, Jim Doyle, russ feingold
Mark Neumann for Gov. - Please Jesus, Yes!
Mon, 04/20/2009 - 1:45pm | mal contends
Jim Klauser is a very smart GOP operative advocating that Mark Neumann throw his hat into the ring against Jim Doyle in 2010.
Writes Klauser in his open letter in WisPolitics:
Writes Klauser in his open letter in WisPolitics:
Mark Neumann, a former Congressman who nearly defeated Russ Feingold [in 1998), is a potential candidate. Mark is a successful business man from Waukesha County (a growing county). He and his family are involved in choice and charter school reforms. He is involved in his community and church. While a Congressman, Mark worked with Speaker Newt Gingrich to develop a no tax increase alternative to Bill Clinton’s spend, spend, and spend. ... I have concluded that of the prospective candidates, Mark Neumann is best able to win and govern well. I encourage you to consider Mark Neumann for Governor.
Earmarks No Good? Tell That to Janesville
Fri, 03/13/2009 - 9:12am | mal contends
Update: Mike Madden in Salon - "President Obama urges pork reform and signs a bill with earmarks in it on the same day. Republicans make an unconvincing show of outrage."
From today's State Journal: "U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl D-Wis., added $951,000 to the federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Black hawk Technical College to provide job training and placement services for former employees of General Motors in Janesville and it supplier companies."
The horror ... because the job training and placement services are an earmark, according to Wisconsin's Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Middleton) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) and of-course the ever-foolish John McCain.
Reads Feingold's statement:
From today's State Journal: "U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl D-Wis., added $951,000 to the federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Black hawk Technical College to provide job training and placement services for former employees of General Motors in Janesville and it supplier companies."
The horror ... because the job training and placement services are an earmark, according to Wisconsin's Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Middleton) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) and of-course the ever-foolish John McCain.
Reads Feingold's statement:
McCain's Nuts, Feingold and Ryan Following
Fri, 03/06/2009 - 2:50pm | mal contends
Update: Herbert: "Freaking out over earmarks is like watching a neighborhood that is being consumed by flames and complaining that there is crabgrass on some of the lawns."
Sen. John McCain is like a man on the Titanic complaining to the bartender that there’s not enough vodka in his drink as outside the iceberg approaches.
Reads a fundraising e-mail from McCain complaining about “pork” in a big spending bill (now blocked by Republicans threatening a filibuster in the U.S. Senate) as McCain seeks reelection in 2010:
Sen. John McCain is like a man on the Titanic complaining to the bartender that there’s not enough vodka in his drink as outside the iceberg approaches.
Reads a fundraising e-mail from McCain complaining about “pork” in a big spending bill (now blocked by Republicans threatening a filibuster in the U.S. Senate) as McCain seeks reelection in 2010:
My Friend, … I have called on the President to take a principled stand and veto the bill if it is sent to him, but unfortunately, he appears ready to sign it into law, which is nothing more than politics as usual.
Kathleen Falk, Democrats and Louis Brandeis
Sun, 02/15/2009 - 6:02pm | mal contends
Update: Related piece by Adam Cohen warns that the Supreme Court May Be About to Kill Off the Exclusionary Rule (NYT)
"They conferred, as against the Government, the right to be let alone - the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by civilized men. To protect that right, every unjustifiable intrusion by the Government upon the privacy of the individual, whatever the means employed, must be deemed a violation of the Fourth Amendment."
- Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis, (the "People's Attorney") dissenting opinion in Olmstead v. United States (1928)
The American electorate is regularly treated to examples of Democrats and liberals going along to get along with the powers that be.
Too often this going along involves complicity in appalling violations of our liberties at home, and inhumanity abroad as we loose our killing machine upon innocents.
"They conferred, as against the Government, the right to be let alone - the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by civilized men. To protect that right, every unjustifiable intrusion by the Government upon the privacy of the individual, whatever the means employed, must be deemed a violation of the Fourth Amendment."
- Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis, (the "People's Attorney") dissenting opinion in Olmstead v. United States (1928)
The American electorate is regularly treated to examples of Democrats and liberals going along to get along with the powers that be.
Too often this going along involves complicity in appalling violations of our liberties at home, and inhumanity abroad as we loose our killing machine upon innocents.
Falk Is Hostile to Privacy and Liberty
Thu, 01/29/2009 - 2:30pm | mal contends
In 1989-90, I covered an area controversy for the Capital Times about a bunch of farmers and landowners in Dane and Green counties who took exception to the plans of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Houston-based Enron Corporation [now infamous for its iconic lies and fraud].
Enron’s Northern Natural Gas Co. wanted to build a natural gas pipeline through peoples’ private properties but didn’t bother to consult with the people.
The landowners’ reaction was swift and furious.
Enlisting politicians of all stripes from Denise Solie and the late Lyman F. Anderson, to Chuck Chvala, Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl, the landowners successfully waged a fight to change the route of the pipeline with the legal assistance of attorneys Mike Bauer and Ed Garvey.
The message was clear: Don’t tread on us and get your hands off of our private property. In person, some of the angry landowners were more colorful in their suggestions of where Enron’s pipeline could be sited.
In Dane County, there is an innate sentiment that neither government, nor large corporations nor anyone else should take a heavy hand in intruding on citizens’ privacy; not in their homes and not in their persons.
Enron’s Northern Natural Gas Co. wanted to build a natural gas pipeline through peoples’ private properties but didn’t bother to consult with the people.
The landowners’ reaction was swift and furious.
Enlisting politicians of all stripes from Denise Solie and the late Lyman F. Anderson, to Chuck Chvala, Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl, the landowners successfully waged a fight to change the route of the pipeline with the legal assistance of attorneys Mike Bauer and Ed Garvey.
The message was clear: Don’t tread on us and get your hands off of our private property. In person, some of the angry landowners were more colorful in their suggestions of where Enron’s pipeline could be sited.
In Dane County, there is an innate sentiment that neither government, nor large corporations nor anyone else should take a heavy hand in intruding on citizens’ privacy; not in their homes and not in their persons.
Commending Wisconsin Citizens in 2008
Wed, 12/31/2008 - 7:42am | mal contends
Wisconsin is home to a multitude of outstanding citizens who have fought for the very fabric of our democratic government against a radicalized Republican Party that has become home to a faction of corrupt, militaristic reactionaries. Here are a few who have fought for freedom and the rule of law:
Russ Feingold – Feingold’s dedicated work for the preservation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights have won him the respect of citizens the world over.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin – In the face of the war on women’s reproductive rights, Planned Parenthood has stood fast in their service to women, and won a landmark legislative achievement for women protecting their right to health care.
Attorney Lester Pines and every organization who successfully fought our corrupt Attorney General in the Van Hollen v. WI GAB Voter Suppression Case.
Navy veteran Keith Roberts — An innocent victim of the U.S. Dept of Justice and U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA), Roberts continues his court battles that have made it greatly more difficult for the VA to actually jail our veterans for receiving benefits to which they are entitled.
Russ Feingold – Feingold’s dedicated work for the preservation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights have won him the respect of citizens the world over.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin – In the face of the war on women’s reproductive rights, Planned Parenthood has stood fast in their service to women, and won a landmark legislative achievement for women protecting their right to health care.
Attorney Lester Pines and every organization who successfully fought our corrupt Attorney General in the Van Hollen v. WI GAB Voter Suppression Case.
Navy veteran Keith Roberts — An innocent victim of the U.S. Dept of Justice and U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA), Roberts continues his court battles that have made it greatly more difficult for the VA to actually jail our veterans for receiving benefits to which they are entitled.
Wisconsin Representatives Should Demand Auto Industry Change
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 2:38pm | warmmidwest
To borrow a line from Art Kumbalek of the Milwaukee Shepherd Express, "Man, oh Manishevitz, what a world we live in, ain' it?"
We the taxpayers are being called upon to socialize recapitalize, not only the financial markets, but now the auto industry, too. Who's next, the retailers?
Something has to be done to save the more than 3 million workers serving this domestic industry, something we sadly could not accomplish to keep the Janesville, Wis., plant alive.
Feingold Hits Van Hollen
Fri, 10/31/2008 - 1:57pm | mal contends
Feingold Fights for Fourth Amendment This Week
Tue, 07/08/2008 - 10:33am | mal contends
Update: Contact Barack Obama.Not nearly as compelling a visual as the Christie Brinkley divorce proceedings (at left), the votes in the U.S. Senate tomorrow on using the Nixon crimes-inspired FISA law to immunize unlawful presidential abuses that FISA was crafted to prevent ought draw the attention of every news organization and blog in the country.
But do not bet on saturation coverage of the FISA votes this week, no matter the advocacy of Russ Feingold, Chris Dodd and others. The Fourth Amendment is just not as sexy as Christie Brinkley, nor as powerful as the fear gripping too many supine Democratic U.S. Senators.
“... I hope that over the July 4th holiday, Senators will take a closer look at this deeply flawed legislation and understand how it threatens the civil liberties of the American people. It is possible to defend this country from terrorists while also protecting the rights and freedoms that define our nation,” said Feingold in late June, as he and others pursue a quest that we hope is not quixotic.
Dems OK expanded spying on Americans
Mon, 06/23/2008 - 12:09pm | warmmidwest
Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold’s efforts to persuade his colleagues to reject expanded surveillance powers on Americans have gone down in defeat. Fellow Dems Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer didn't compromise, as noted by Feingold, they capitulated.
The corporations that went along with the president’s illegal spying on Americans were granted amnesty from prosecution for breaking federal wiretapping laws, too.
Imagine if, under the next president, new allegations of corruption surface regarding this program and suddenly become impeachable offenses. And not just this program, but all the other ones that have expanded presidential powers under the Bush White House. The list is long.
That’ll be really funny, won’t it? <snark>