Uppity Wisconsin - Progressive Webmasters

Eau Claire Transit Survey

bschmock — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:28:09 +0000

I found this survey by following Volume One online. If applicable, please take the time to fill it out. :)

Also, if you have not yet had a chance to, remember to fill out the Eau Claire County Budget Survey.

World's Oldest Blogger Dies

bschmock — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:22:02 +0000

The BBC reports that Olive Riley passed away at the age of 108 in New South Wales, Australia. Olive had posted more than 70 entries on her blog (which may not be working at this time) since 2007. On June 18th, he was moved into a nursing home with a bad cough. Regardless, she was still able to post her 73rd and 74th entries before she left this world Saturday, July 12, 2008.

For Olive's last posts, see a temporary blog that was created for Olive by a retired journalist and friend from Sydney: World's Oldest Blogger.

UW Engineering Students Build GREEN Snowmobile

bschmock — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:36:45 +0000

See Original Post

Last Thursday, the University of Wisconsin-Madison published this story:

An electric snowmobile built by student members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering Clean Snowmobile Team is now in Greenland, on loan to the National Science Foundation . . . at the Greenland Environmental Observatory (GEO Summit Camp).

Dubbed the Bucky EV, the snowmobile won the zero-emissions category of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Clean Snowmobile Challenge (CSC) in Houghton, Michigan, earlier this spring. The goal of this event is to promote the development of clean vehicles that can be used in environmentally sensitive areas where a gas-powered vehicle would contaminate air or snow samples . . .

Summit Camp is a remote scientific research station situated at the top of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The highest point north of the Arctic Circle, Summit sits atop nearly two miles of ice and is 250 miles from the nearest land . . . Summit Camp is a permanently occupied science facility, maintained by a small crew of five to 10 people in the winter and inhabited by up to 50 staff and researchers in the summer.

The camp is only accessible via aircraft. To avoid polluting the site and tainting measurements, staff have designated certain areas around the camp, "clean snow zones," where engine-powered vehicles are prohibited. In the past, inhabitants have transported personnel and equipment via cross-country skis and sleds . . .

The New York Air National Guard flew the UW-Madison snowmobile up to Greenland on a ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules cargo plane . . .

The sled went into service at Summit Camp on June 3 and immediately took up the task of transporting personnel and equipment to some of the remote facilities surrounding the camp. Early experiences in Greenland show that Bucky EV can tow a 1,500-pound payload 5 to 10 miles before needing to recharge. In its first four weeks at Summit, the vehicle has driven 140 miles and transported many tons of cargo, often going through several charging cycles per day . . .

The BuckyEV is powered by Milwaukee Tool lithium-ion batteries coupled to a GM EV1 motor. The system is integrated into a Polaris snowmobile chassis, giving the appearance and feel of a conventional engine-powered snow machine. The vehicle has an unloaded range of almost 20 miles, top speed of 75 mph, and can fully recharge in approximately three hours.

. . .

I imagine that this snowmobile will not yet be on the market next winter. Nonetheless, it is promising to see that our state universities are continuing to commit Research & Development dollars to extremely important areas.

A battery-powered-snowmobile that can tow 1,500 pounds for 10 miles! Now our student engineers should begin working on a car battery. :)

Senator Feingold Enjoys Culver's Too

bschmock — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:19:35 +0000

See Original Post

Yesterday, I went up to Bloomer, WI with my parents to talk about Thailand at a retirement home. On the way, we decided to stop at Culver's along Highway 53 to have some lunch. I saw a man sitting in a booth that looked fimiliar--I had to do a double-take, but I was certain it was Senator Feingold. My mom and dad concurred when they joined me at our table. I almost approached him and let him know that I appreciate his stance on FISA, but he seemed to be enjoying his ButterBurger a LOT. I am not sure if anyone else in the restaurant recognized the Senator--if they did, they allowed him to enjoy his 4th of July weekend "off the job".

It is always cool to see national figures in the Chippewa Valley; it is doubly cool to see them at such an everyday spot. Keep up the good work Senator Feingold!--I'll treat you to some custard next time I see you.

A Sad Day for Wisconsin--Miller and Coors Become MillerCoors LLC

bschmock — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:24:49 +0000

See Original Post

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has let us know that it is offical:

As of today, Miller Brewing Co. no longer exists — other than in the hearts and minds of those who worked there, and those who drank its beer.

The company once known as Miller Brewing is now MillerCoors LLC, a joint venture of Miller Brewing and Coors Brewing Co. The new company officially begins business today, following Monday’s signing of the closing documents by executives from SABMiller Plc and Molson Coors Brewing Co., corporate parents of Miller Brewing and Coors Brewing.

I'm not sure how the rest of Wisconsin feels, but I was saddened to hear this news. Maybe I am overreacting and need to understand that buyouts and consolidations are a part of the modern global world. Maybe I am naive to think that Miller and Wisconsin are somehow synonymous and, therefore, immune to outside influence--its kind of like the Packers, no?

Check out the new MillerCoors website--if you really want. :(

Chippewa Valley Man Running for President

bschmock — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:30:45 +0000

See Original Post

Yes, that title is correct. At first I didn't believe it either--but then both WEAU AND WQOW reported on it, so I knew it must be true. :P

His name is Bill Ingram, and he is considering running for the House of Representatives to unseat Representative Ron Kind--just in case the "President-thing" doesn't work out.

I did a little more searching and was able to find this article by The Dunn County News and this article posted by the Newsroom at UWEC.

I'll be honest, I will still be voting for Senator Obama in November. However, I am impressed by Mr. Ingram's committment to solving problems and providing alternatives.

Also, be sure to see Bill Ingram's campaign website.

Bob Barr's Opinion of President Bush

bschmock — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:08:17 +0000

See Original Post

Matthew Yglesias pointed out this video from bloggingheads.tv:

Bob Barr is running for President on the Libertarian ticket. What makes this video interesting is that Bob Barr initially attained national prominence as one of the leaders of the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Now, he saying that what President Bush has done to our constitution is much worse.

Senator Kreitlow--a Freshman Fighting for Wisconsinites

bschmock — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:53:30 +0000

See Original Post

On May 21, I had a chance to attend Wisconsin State Senator Kreitlow's listening session at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire. A number of topics were brought up by constituents--gas prices, railway transportation, higher education, healthcare, the Iraq War, farming, etc. But the topic of most importance to me--as a UW-Madison student--was NOT sky-rocketing tuition or universal healthcare; instead, I was most interested in bipartisanship. We will only see effective policies implemented if our elected officials commit to working across party lines.

As a first term Senator, I hope Senator Kreitlow is committed to finding real solutions during this partisan age. Admittedly, his positions are often along party lines. Nonetheless, throughout the listening session, Kreitlow talked about the need for compromise and respecting the views of people you may not agree with.

As I listened to Senator Kreitlow, I couldn't help but think about State Representative Musser--a Republican of Black River Falls--who will not be seeking re-election because he is "fed up" with the partisan ways that have come to dominate politics.

The Capital Times reported:

After 24 years in the Assembly State Rep. Terry M. Musser, R-Black River Falls, will not seek re-election this fall, saying he is "fed up" with how "nasty" politics have become in the state.

"The last straw was the personal attacks I received in (Assembly Republican) caucus on the compassionate care bill. Before then I was thinking I may be giving it one more term, but not after that," Musser said from his Capitol office Wednesday.

. . .

The senior ranking Republican in the Assembly said he has had enough of the political battleground where adherence to ideology makes collegiality nearly impossible. Instead, he will retire to his Jackson County farm where his cows give him fewer problems, he said.

"I think the people of Wisconsin appreciate bipartisanship; that's what was needed in the last two budget bills, but too many people in this puzzle palace think that's a sign of weakness. I've never understood that, so it's time to go back to my cows who are much more reasonable," he said.

As retired members of the Legislature have said, Musser said he remembers when legislators could debate a bill on the Assembly floor and then go out have a drink with them. But now that friendship doesn't even carry over from his own Republican caucus when he on the other side of a debate.

"I was shocked at the venom in our closed caucuses I knew it would be rough, but the personal attacks in the caucuses just blows my mind," he said.

. . .

"For years I've tried 'working across the aisle' but it seems like there are too many now that only talk about it but don't do it. Now, it's 'my way or the highway,'" he said.

It is interesting that the extreme attacks that Assembly Representative felt were from within his own party. At a time when Wisconsinites are demanding solutions from their leaders, political parties are continuing to entrench themselves in ideologies.

Old timers, like Representative Musser, seem to always remember the good ol' days of politics--when ideological and political differences existed, but when compromises where still made. Where have these good ol' days gone? I'm far to young--at 23 years old--to remember an era that existed without 24-hour-news-shows and talk-radio-line-ups that epitomize partisan bickering. Today, compromises are more often portrayed as signs of weakness or acts of betrayal.

In his book The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama also addresses the idea of vehement partisanship. Americans--and Wisconsinites--have the right to demand solutions from their leaders. They have a right to demand that compromises be made to find those solutions. I firmly believe that we need more Freshman Senators who are committed to a new kind of politics that produces results.

As a side note, I will be trying my hardest in this blog to keep talks of politics away from personal attacks. I understand that my views and opinions may, at times, appear partisan. However, this does not mean that I am not willing to listen to the other side; it does not mean that I am not willing to concede my position to a better one; and, it does not mean that I would not seek compromise. Instead of attacking the opposite party, I will use this blog as a way to combat something more important--Mainstream Media (See Post: "I LOVE/HATE the Mainstream Media").

Compassionate Badger

bschmock — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:55:52 +0000

Location

Eau Claire, WI, 54703

United States

See map: Google MapsREGIONALLY, this blog concentrates on Northern Thailand and Wisconsin.

TOPICS blogged about include: ~ media ~ environmental awareness ~ community empowerment ~ sustainability & sufficiency ~ agriculture ~ globalization ~ economics ~ government & politics ~ history ~ education ~ religion ~ AND peace

Uppity Wisconsin at the Big Ed Festival

Steve Hanson — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 19:54:06 +0000

Come visit us at the Big Ed Progressive Festival in Baldwin on Sunday the 8th. We'll be there with the Progressive Webmasters of Wisconsin booth.