Uppity Wisconsin
Making Wisconsin Progressive Again
Terrorists in Fitchburg Says Mayoral Candidate
Wed, 03/25/2009 - 11:05am | mal contends
Update: Bill Lueders of Isthmus broke this story at 9:58 this morning.
Mayoral candidate Jay Allen supports policies facilitating terrorists living in Fitchburg, says Allen’s opponent, former Fitchburg mayor Mark Vivian.
Mark Vivian is a hard worker; I respect him.
But Vivian has reportedly teamed up with GOP political operative (and occasional radio personality) Brian A. Schimming of the Midwest Strategy Group, a lobbying and consulting group in Wisconsin, in Vivian’s bid to defeat Allen on April 7 in this non-partisan mayoral race.
And the results are deplorable.
In a fundraising letter dated March 9, Vivian writes:
Mayoral candidate Jay Allen supports policies facilitating terrorists living in Fitchburg, says Allen’s opponent, former Fitchburg mayor Mark Vivian.
Mark Vivian is a hard worker; I respect him.
But Vivian has reportedly teamed up with GOP political operative (and occasional radio personality) Brian A. Schimming of the Midwest Strategy Group, a lobbying and consulting group in Wisconsin, in Vivian’s bid to defeat Allen on April 7 in this non-partisan mayoral race.
And the results are deplorable.
In a fundraising letter dated March 9, Vivian writes:
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 Shameless Now
Fri, 01/23/2009 - 9:21pm | 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 - 10:46am | 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.
Dane County Exec Kathleen Falk’s Tenure Should End
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 9:30am | 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?
Feedback for Dane County Dems
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 10:16am | mal contends
Update: Writes an alert reader, "Yep, that's what we called 'Potomac Fever,'" referring to the late political writer, Fletcher Knebel, and his nationally syndicated column (1951-1964).
Judge Hearing DOJ Voter Suppression Case Is No GOP Tool, Was SC Judge Butler Backer
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 3:38pm | mal contends
The GOP is trying to throw the election into confusion by ensuring that massive provisional ballots be cast, as well as massive delays. Van Hollen ignores this reality and raises the specter of voting fraud.
Now, come word about missleading absentee ballots sent by the McCain campaign and voter caging.
We have a corrupt Attorney General Van Hollen fronting for the national GOP against Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board (GAB) that is sticking up for Wisconsin voters.
Van Hollen's DOJ Complaint was filed with Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi's office.
So who is Maryann Sumi?
Van Hollen's DOJ Complaint was filed with Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi's office.
So who is Maryann Sumi?
US Secret Service and Dane County's 911 Center
Sun, 08/10/2008 - 2:12pm | GlobalGirl
by globalgirl and mal contends
Madison, WI - We have heard numerous comments in conversation from friends and family fearful that there are just too many bigoted idiots in America to let Barack Obama live to be president.
Our common response is that: Though I do not know it for a fact, the United States Secret Service, created after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, is surely a dynamic, continuously improving organization. A would-be assassin's shot like that taken at Ronald Reagan in 1981 is undoubtedly nearly impossible today. It would take a military assault to get to Obama, I bet, I hope.
Dane County 911 Center
Our common response is that: Though I do not know it for a fact, the United States Secret Service, created after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, is surely a dynamic, continuously improving organization. A would-be assassin's shot like that taken at Ronald Reagan in 1981 is undoubtedly nearly impossible today. It would take a military assault to get to Obama, I bet, I hope.
Dane County 911 Center
Constitutional Incompetence
Tue, 07/15/2008 - 8:22am | mal contends
Dane County's response to the lawsuit filed by the parents of the murdered UW-Madison student, Brittany Zimmermann, is mystifying: the U.S. Constitution "does not require municipalities to rescue persons in distress."
The suit will likely get tossed, but so what?
A young woman was killed, and Dane County failed her.
Settle the suit, and help put this tragedy behind the grieving family. There may not be a constitutional right mandating that our community protects our citizens, but there is an uncontroversial public policy imperative.
A young woman was killed, and Dane County failed her.
Settle the suit, and help put this tragedy behind the grieving family. There may not be a constitutional right mandating that our community protects our citizens, but there is an uncontroversial public policy imperative.
Citizens' Committee Needed on 911 Center
Thu, 05/08/2008 - 8:41pm | mal contends
Two committees of the Dane County Board of Supervisors are meeting tonight to gather information on the performance of the Dane County 911 Communications Center in the wake of the murder of Brittany Zimmermann.
Board Chair Scott McDonell and others have called for an audit of the Center focusing on its procedures and whether its procedures are being followed.
It is suggested that such an audit be conducted by an outside firm, free of political considerations.
Good idea.
To complement this reasonable course of action, Dane County needs the establishment of a paid citizens' committee composed of broad communities of interests, devoid of elected officials, and certainly free of civil servants in Dane County, including those serving in the County Executive's office.
Such a committee ought to have as its deliverables:
- The establishment of specific directives to improve the performance of the 911 Communications Center
Board Chair Scott McDonell and others have called for an audit of the Center focusing on its procedures and whether its procedures are being followed.
It is suggested that such an audit be conducted by an outside firm, free of political considerations.
Good idea.
To complement this reasonable course of action, Dane County needs the establishment of a paid citizens' committee composed of broad communities of interests, devoid of elected officials, and certainly free of civil servants in Dane County, including those serving in the County Executive's office.
Such a committee ought to have as its deliverables:
- The establishment of specific directives to improve the performance of the 911 Communications Center
Misplaced Police Priorities
Thu, 05/08/2008 - 9:40am | mal contends
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.
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.
Falk Facing Election Next Spring, Offers Assurance on 911 Call and Few Facts
Wed, 05/07/2008 - 8:53am | 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.
Capital Times' Coverage Lagging in UW-Madison Woman's Murder
Sun, 05/04/2008 - 9:51am | mal contends
via MAL Contends - Update: Cap Times back on it: See - Falk apologizes to Zimmermann's family, fiance (Capital Times, May 6) and County Board chair wants answers on 911 problems (Cap Times, May 6).
Expert calls Dane County 911 staffing inadequate (WSJ, May 6)
I was sorry to see the Capital Times hard copy newspaper go, but I told a friend its online iteration was an innovation that would see it stay on the bleeding edge of technology in bringing Dane County residents the news.
I was sorry to see the Capital Times hard copy newspaper go, but I told a friend its online iteration was an innovation that would see it stay on the bleeding edge of technology in bringing Dane County residents the news.
Dane County 911 Center Looks to Save Itself in Wake of Murder of 21-year-old Woman
Thu, 05/01/2008 - 6:56pm | mal contends
Updated: WI State Journal Edit (May 2, 2008), No apology? You better find one. WI State Journal (p.1) (May 4, 2008) 2004 report warned of 911 Center problems; Co officials warned to increase staffing, change procedures
The first rule in crisis management for public servants is not Save your ass.
It's serve the public.
So when the public clamors for answers about why a 21-year-old UW-Madison student was murdered in early April, and asks what could have been done to prevent her death, the response ought to be openness, transparency and honesty.
Jason Shepard writing for the Madison weekly, Isthmus, has run into a brickwall in his reporting on the death of Brittany Zimmermann.
Dane County Leader Raises Alcohol Abuse Awareness
Fri, 03/14/2008 - 12:19pm | 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