Uppity Wisconsin
Making Wisconsin Progressive Again
Kathleen Falk, Democrats and Louis Brandeis
Sun, 02/15/2009 - 5:02pm | 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.
Civil Liberties, Yes
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 6:15am | mal contends
It's about time someone spoke up against Kathleen Falk's bone-headed approach to addressing the issue of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) and the non-issue of Wisconsin's alleged drinking "culture" problem.
Falk's criminalization and anti-civil liberties OWI agenda drew reproach from her opponent, Nancy Mistele, at the first debate (January) between the two likely candidates for Dane County Executive in the general election in April.
Mistele hit the statist, heavy-handed Falk program by pointing out that personal responsibility and private action were critical vis a vis government's involvement of changing the "culture," to a round of groans from Falk supporters.
Yesterday's Captial Times hits Falk's approach, though not naming Falk as a leading advocate; [wish they had].
Falk's criminalization and anti-civil liberties OWI agenda drew reproach from her opponent, Nancy Mistele, at the first debate (January) between the two likely candidates for Dane County Executive in the general election in April.
Mistele hit the statist, heavy-handed Falk program by pointing out that personal responsibility and private action were critical vis a vis government's involvement of changing the "culture," to a round of groans from Falk supporters.
Yesterday's Captial Times hits Falk's approach, though not naming Falk as a leading advocate; [wish they had].
Falk Is Hostile to Privacy and Liberty
Thu, 01/29/2009 - 1:30pm | 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.
Nancy Mistele's Challenge to Falk
Thu, 01/29/2009 - 6:25am | mal contends
Update: Mills: "(Q)uite frankly, I have been unimpressed with Falk's leadership, and am deeply concerned by the glaring holes left in her record by the massive fuck-ups with the 911 center."
Rath: Falk dodges as Mistele fires
The Dane County Executive race is off and running with the first debate between Nancy Mistele and Kathleen Falk sponsored by the Dane County Public Affairs Council.
Though the political winds of Dane County blow left, this may prove to be a very interesting race in the face of a host of endorsements of Falk and Falk's 911 Center scandal.
Rath: Falk dodges as Mistele fires
The Dane County Executive race is off and running with the first debate between Nancy Mistele and Kathleen Falk sponsored by the Dane County Public Affairs Council.
Though the political winds of Dane County blow left, this may prove to be a very interesting race in the face of a host of endorsements of Falk and Falk's 911 Center scandal.
Falk Is Shameless Now
Fri, 01/23/2009 - 8:21pm | mal contends
Dane County dispatcher Nathan Waite is a hero.
In the Capital Times we read that Waite is being recognized for some superlative work.
From Mike Miller:
In the Capital Times we read that Waite is being recognized for some superlative work.
From Mike Miller:
Dane County officials were happy Friday for something positive to celebrate at the 911 Center when they honored dispatcher Nathan Waite for the key role he played in the safe premature birth of a girl on Jan. 12.
Waite was on duty in the 911 Center when Brent and Kimberly Lodewyk of McFarland were rushing to a Madison hospital because Kimberly was facing the imminent birth of their child.
The Lodewyks were forced to pull off the road when the birth was about to occur. A call to the 911 Center was taken by Waite, who calmly instructed Brent Lodewyk on how to help with the birth and baby Katarina before medical help would arrive.
Nice work, Mr. Waite.
But don't forget what's really important here: Kathleen Falk's political career.
Falk jumped right into the picture of-course.
"This is just one of the countless stories of the heroic work our well-trained and dedicated dispatchers do everyday," Falk said.
But don't forget what's really important here: Kathleen Falk's political career.
Falk jumped right into the picture of-course.
"This is just one of the countless stories of the heroic work our well-trained and dedicated dispatchers do everyday," Falk said.
Does Wisconsin Still Like the Fourth Amendment?
Thu, 01/22/2009 - 9:46am | mal contends
Update: On the federal level, US SC dilutes the 4th
One repulsive feature in the liberal arguments for routine police roadblocks [advocates call them “sobriety checkpoints”] is one of omission: The absolute refusal to address why roadblocks are offensive to liberty and specifically Fourth Amendment concerns.
One repulsive feature in the liberal arguments for routine police roadblocks [advocates call them “sobriety checkpoints”] is one of omission: The absolute refusal to address why roadblocks are offensive to liberty and specifically Fourth Amendment concerns.
Instead, we are treated to 38 other states do it; the Supreme Court’s doctrine of the Roberts Court says it’s okay, and so on.
Whatever happened to the libertarian ethos that we must be suspicious of claims demanding that we hand over our liberty for safety and security?
And when did we start taking our cues on liberty from Chief Justice John Roberts?
From Kathleen Falk, Jim Rowan, and other liberals, there is not so much as lip service paid to Fourth Amendment concerns.
Today Is a Good Day for Freedom
Tue, 01/20/2009 - 8:18am | mal contends
Update: MAL's crazy, young nieces are great sports as the hours-long, snaking lines funnel towards the capitol. And a thank you to Rep. Tom Petri's office (R-Fond du Lac) whom my sister reports as the most gracious, welcoming presence that she has encountered during this truly beautiful experience.
Today is a victory for the terrorists. Wait a minute, that's the GOP's SOP McCarthyite lies.
Today, Americans are reinvested with hope that our government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Liberty, privacy, the Bill of Rights: we now have a president who actually believes in these demands and rights of the people.
How strongly Obama acts, and how intently he repudiates through action the ideology of America's worst presidency is the measure of our success for the next four years.
Today, Americans are reinvested with hope that our government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Liberty, privacy, the Bill of Rights: we now have a president who actually believes in these demands and rights of the people.
How strongly Obama acts, and how intently he repudiates through action the ideology of America's worst presidency is the measure of our success for the next four years.
And speaking of demands for liberty, I read that our Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen opposes the proposed police roadblocks that are all the rage: Good for you Van Hollen, don't let the liberty-hating, don't-go-anywhere-without-the-cops-checking-on-you liberals prevent a stand for privacy and freedom that ought to exist when one walks, drives, works or stays home and reads a book.
Dane County Exec Kathleen Falk’s Tenure Should End
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 8:30am | mal contends
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk has joined the let’s-set-up-police-roadblocks-(sobriety checkpoints) bandwagon.
See, Falk—she of the let’s-cover-our-asses-fast reaction to the Dane County 911 Center’s widely reported screw-ups leading to the murder of Brittany Zimmermann—says she wants to change the attitudes towards and culture of Wisconsin drinking.
Gee, changing the culture, that's an interesting if unenlightened, proposed role for politicians and elected officeholders.
Anyway, let’s set up “checkpoints,” she advises our governor.
After thinking you see, Falk “… quickly realized that steps must be taken on the level of state policy to help curb the tide of alcohol abuse," Falk writes to Gov. Doyle, it is reported in the State Journal (Matthew DeFour) this morning.
A “tide” in the culture that we must address by draconian measures like "checkpoints" and criminalization?
How to recall Wisconsin Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen
Wed, 09/17/2008 - 3:28pm | warmmidwest
The first thing you'd have to do to recall Wisconsin Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen is file a campaign registration statement with intent to recall with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Elections Division.
Next, you need signatures from 25% of the people who voted in the 2006 gubernatorial election in Wisconsin. That number was around 2,159,251, so 25% of that is 539,813 signatures.
You'd need a fracking boatload of well-organized volunteers to meet the 60-day deadline requirement from the time you filed the intent to recall.
Then the filing officer at GAB has 31 days to determine if the signatures collected are sufficient to meet all the legal requirements.
After those 31 days, Van Hollen has 10 days to challenge those signatures. You'd actually want the boatload of volunteers to collect at least 600,000 to make the entire effort bulletproof.
Next, you need signatures from 25% of the people who voted in the 2006 gubernatorial election in Wisconsin. That number was around 2,159,251, so 25% of that is 539,813 signatures.
You'd need a fracking boatload of well-organized volunteers to meet the 60-day deadline requirement from the time you filed the intent to recall.
Then the filing officer at GAB has 31 days to determine if the signatures collected are sufficient to meet all the legal requirements.
After those 31 days, Van Hollen has 10 days to challenge those signatures. You'd actually want the boatload of volunteers to collect at least 600,000 to make the entire effort bulletproof.
Falk's political payback?
Thu, 05/08/2008 - 8:10am | warmmidwest
The Dane County Sheriff's Department endorsed Kathleen Falk when she ran for Attorney General in 2006.
Now, former Dane County Sheriff's Deputy and current Dane County 911 Center Director Joe Norwick has been loudly, and justifiably criticized for the handling of Brittany Zimmermann's call for help.
It doesn't help that Norwick had no public safety management experience on the level his current position requires. That stands in sharp contrast to this:
“We searched far and wide, and found the best candidate here at home,” Falk said of Norwick.
Is Falk's support of him payback for a past political endorsement?
Falk Facing Election Next Spring, Offers Assurance on 911 Call and Few Facts
Wed, 05/07/2008 - 7:53am | mal contends
Progressives are holding Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk’s feet to the fire on the Brittany Zimmerman tragedy.
If Falk decides to run for reelection as Dane County executive in the spring of 2009, she will surely face opponents in a politically charged race, and one gets the impression Falk is abundantly aware of this fact.
From the Capital Times (aggressively on the Zimmerman story now and catching up to the first-rate reporting and insights by Isthmus, the Wisconsin State Journal and the Madison blogosphere):
A former dispatcher that answered a 911 call from Brittany Zimmermann's cell phone before she was allegedly stabbed to death in her West Doty Street apartment committed two different procedural errors in handling the call, according to Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
Falk’s statement on the 911 call, "I do not believe, had the (911) errors not occurred, that her murder could've been prevented," amounts to a Bushian I-can’t-tell-you-anything-but-trust-me assurance.
If Falk decides to run for reelection as Dane County executive in the spring of 2009, she will surely face opponents in a politically charged race, and one gets the impression Falk is abundantly aware of this fact.
From the Capital Times (aggressively on the Zimmerman story now and catching up to the first-rate reporting and insights by Isthmus, the Wisconsin State Journal and the Madison blogosphere):
A former dispatcher that answered a 911 call from Brittany Zimmermann's cell phone before she was allegedly stabbed to death in her West Doty Street apartment committed two different procedural errors in handling the call, according to Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
Falk’s statement on the 911 call, "I do not believe, had the (911) errors not occurred, that her murder could've been prevented," amounts to a Bushian I-can’t-tell-you-anything-but-trust-me assurance.
Dane Co. Executive Falk stands by 911 Call Center Director Norwick
Tue, 05/06/2008 - 8:23am | warmmidwest
It's nice that Executrix Falk is apologizing to the Zimmermann family a month after it was revealed their daughter called 911 and got no help.
And now, Dane County Executrix Falk could restore some citizen faith in the 911 Call Center operations, you know, show some political backbone that she presumably had enough of to run for the governor's seat, and throw the State Attorney General's race to J.B. Van Hollen. But, here's what we get instead:
"Falk plans to instruct Dane County 911 director Joe Norwick on Tuesday as to what steps need to be taken to assure that a similar situation does not occur in the future, and has also told Norwick that she expects to be updated regularly on events in the 911 center ..."
They'll discipline someone when the 911 call center finishes its now month-plus long internal investigation of what they did wrong ... ah yes, a report by the same foxes guarding hen houses that never revealed Zimmermann's call for help in the first place.
Dane Co. 911 Call Center problems and needed fixes were known in 2004
Mon, 05/05/2008 - 11:45am | warmmidwest
Did you miss this story in Sunday's WSJ?
"County officials were warned in 2004 to increase staffing, change procedures and put in place a stronger oversight board.
"At worst Dane County faces possible liability and the potential for a catastrophic event," according to the 145-page "strategic plan" from MTG Management Consultants of Seattle."
And here's the money quote from a republican who's advocating more support for important social services!
Mark Hazelbaker, a Republican lawyer who represents the Dane County Towns Association, said solving the issues in the 911 center boils down to a matter of political will.
"I don't know if I blame Kathy Falk so much as I blame a climate in which people are afraid to spend money on vital services," Hazelbaker said.""
warmmidwest's blog | 
Add new comment | View | 
Tags: Dane, Brittany Zimmermann, Joe Norwick, Kathleen Falk, Madison, safety
911 Call Center Director Joe Norwick must resign or be fired
Sun, 05/04/2008 - 12:38pm | warmmidwest
A Wisconsin State Journal online op-ed gets it right in noting that secrecy threatens safety.
Here's another secret that demands explanation:
The dispatcher claims she heard nothing on the line.
Madison Police Chief Noble Wray has said "there's evidence in the call that should've prompted the dispatch of a police officer ... County and city officials refuse to describe the content ..."
There's content in the call, or there's nothing. Which is it?
Dane County Leader Raises Alcohol Abuse Awareness
Fri, 03/14/2008 - 11:19am | James Rowen
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk talked sense to Madison's Downtown Rotary on the subject of alcohol abuse.
Details here.
James Rowen's blog | 2 comments | View | Tags: Politics, alcohol abuse, Dane County, Drunk Driving, Kathleen Falk, Wisconsin