Uppity Wisconsin
Making Wisconsin Progressive Again
Information regarding civili rights issues.
Jailed Wisconsin Veteran Case Gets More Bizarre
Sat, 01/02/2010 - 3:02pm | mal contends
What does the U.S. government do with a veteran who blows the whistle on the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (DVA) shreddergate scandal and who badgers the DVA as he “tenaciously pursues his claim for disability benefits," telling DVA staff that they are a bunch of "bureaucratic assholes?" The Bush-Cheney DVA and the U.S. Dept. of Justice targeted, convicted, and impoverished this Wisconsin Navy veteran on trumped-up charges of wire fraud.
Specifics, say the U.S. government, are that Navy Airman Keith Roberts and Gary Holland (who was crushed to death by a C-54 aircraft at an airbase in Naples, Italy, back in 1969) were not friends [despite their parallel service histories] and Roberts exaggerated his efforts to rescue his fellow airman, [despite the fact that he was on line duty, and subsequently at least one veteran present has corroborated Roberts' actions]. Yeah, that's right, those are the specifics of the prosecution's criminal case hatched back in 2005-2006 to shut up and retaliate against a veteran who had become, according to a Milwaukee DVA regional hospital source, a "belligerent ass." [A background source at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee e-mailed the Lee Rayburn radio show in Madison in early June 2007 after a program about the Roberts case and asked to remain anonymous out of fear of losing his job. "I'd have to say that you guys are TOTALLY (uppercase in the original) right about Roberts' conviction being bullshit. ..." Disability claim denied and off to jail.
In the latest developments, Roberts, a political prisoner of the Republican Party, now reportedly embittered and feeling hopeless, is expected to be released from federal prison in March after serving almost four years behind bars.
Specifics, say the U.S. government, are that Navy Airman Keith Roberts and Gary Holland (who was crushed to death by a C-54 aircraft at an airbase in Naples, Italy, back in 1969) were not friends [despite their parallel service histories] and Roberts exaggerated his efforts to rescue his fellow airman, [despite the fact that he was on line duty, and subsequently at least one veteran present has corroborated Roberts' actions]. Yeah, that's right, those are the specifics of the prosecution's criminal case hatched back in 2005-2006 to shut up and retaliate against a veteran who had become, according to a Milwaukee DVA regional hospital source, a "belligerent ass." [A background source at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee e-mailed the Lee Rayburn radio show in Madison in early June 2007 after a program about the Roberts case and asked to remain anonymous out of fear of losing his job. "I'd have to say that you guys are TOTALLY (uppercase in the original) right about Roberts' conviction being bullshit. ..." Disability claim denied and off to jail.
In the latest developments, Roberts, a political prisoner of the Republican Party, now reportedly embittered and feeling hopeless, is expected to be released from federal prison in March after serving almost four years behind bars.
Onward Christian Athletes Scores
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 11:21am | mal contends
Growing up in Wisconsin during the Bart Starr-coached years (1975-1983), I used to grimace as Bart announced that a new draft pick is a "good Christian."
'Chriiiiist Bart, who cares? Just get some players.'
But like everyone else I felt Bart is Bart, a winner from the glory years.
Over the last 15 years roughly as right wing Christians have taken aim at America's military, an authoritarian and evangelical strain of Christianity has taken aim at professional sports, in its own exclusionary and often wacky dogmatic way.
Muslim? They're spiritually dead. Jewish? Dead. Free-thinking agnostics? Dead. Oakland Raiders who played during the 1970s-80s? Beyond dead and not even Christ can save those guys.
'Chriiiiist Bart, who cares? Just get some players.'
But like everyone else I felt Bart is Bart, a winner from the glory years.
Over the last 15 years roughly as right wing Christians have taken aim at America's military, an authoritarian and evangelical strain of Christianity has taken aim at professional sports, in its own exclusionary and often wacky dogmatic way.
Muslim? They're spiritually dead. Jewish? Dead. Free-thinking agnostics? Dead. Oakland Raiders who played during the 1970s-80s? Beyond dead and not even Christ can save those guys.
At 50th Birthday Party, Geov Parrish Announces New Lobbying Career
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 2:24am | fake consultant
SEATTLE (FNS)--Longtime activist Geov Parrish unexpectedly revealed to the crowd gathered to celebrate his 50th birthday Friday evening his impending plans to end his decades-long career as a public issues advocate in exchange for new opportunities in the field of corporate communications management and image development.
The announcement appeared to be even more shocking to the glitterati gathered for Parrish’s 50th birthday extravaganza at Seattle’s tony Rainier Club than the fact that the event was sponsored by longtime Parrish nemesis Frank Blethen, publisher of the “Seattle Times” and a frequent target of Parrish’s acerbic criticism regarding the state of corporatocracy and its negative impact upon the state of the Nation.
A new commercial venture and three new business relationships were unveiled: a corporate communications consultancy, tentatively to be named “I Am The State!”, is to be opened in the next few weeks, after suitable office space is located, with the United States Chamber of Commerce and The Seattle Times Company as the first two business associates; additionally, Parrish will be joining the Board of Directors of the Strangelove Foundation, an organization devoted to maintaining the purity and essence of our precious bodily fluids.
A book deal was also announced.
fake consultant's blog | 
1 comment | 
Tags: Civil Rights, activism, Comedy, Eat The State!, Frank Blethen, Geov Parrish, humor, media, Politics, Satire, Snark
30 Republican Senators for Rape
Mon, 11/02/2009 - 10:52am | mal contends
Unfair, outrageous hyperbole? No. This is the effect of the vote on an amendment offered last month on a vile story not told widely enough.
by Gordon Duff
Is it this plain? Are the facts this clear? Did 30 Republicans vote to allow defense contractors protection if their employees are raped, drugged and imprisoned?
Haliburton/KBR, the Dick Cheney company did exactly this, locked a rape victim in a box, drugged her and kept her prisoner.
68 Senators, every single Democrat and some Republicans, voted to allow defense contractors whose employees are sexually assaulted be taken to court. Robert Kennedy Jr. and Mike Papantonio describe their take on opposition to the Rape Protection bill.
Read the story here.
mal contends's blog | 1 comment | View | Tags: Civil Rights, Haliburton, KBR, sexual assault victims
On Being A Government DJ, Or, “Torture? You Call That Torture?”
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 2:24am | fake consultant
It's become more or less common knowledge that US forces have been using music as an operational tool for some time now, and I've begun seeing lists of the songs that are being used either to inflict pain, to demoralize, or to just generally disorient various people in various sorts of situations.
There are others, wiser than I, who will opine as to the questions of efficacy and the moral issues surrounding these kinds of operations; I will opine, instead, as to the quality of the songs used.
Frankly, had anyone asked, I could have put the torturers onto much better musical choices, just by selecting from my own "My Music" folder--which left me thinking: "hey, it's the weekend...why not do exactly that?"
Got any psychological warfare missions planned for the weekend? Expecting to have to direct amplified sound at an angry mob in a defensive maneuver Saturday night? Planning a Halloween haunted house that goes a bit...fuurther?
Come along with me then, soldier, and I'll provide you a playlist that should do the trick in almost any foreseeable emergency.
fake consultant's blog | 1 comment | Tags: Civil Rights, Guantanamo, Haunted House, humor, music, Satire, Snark, torture
Madison Free Thought Org Hits Anti-Semitism in Air Force
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 7:56am | mal contends
The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation is among a group of notable signatories to a September letter demanding a new "investigation into charges of religious coercion and proselytizing at the United States Air Force Academy."
Foundation co-presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker join notables signing the letter, including Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, and Bobby Muller, Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The demand stems from Mikey Weinstein, president and founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, and a range of other activists objecting to what is typical conduct at the Colorado Springs-based Air Force Academy that includes Holocaust jokes and coercion of cadets to practice Christianity and display signs of fidelity to the Christian faith, "practices that discriminate against non-Christians in the military."
Incredibly, one Colonel Donald P. Higgins, Jr.
Foundation co-presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker join notables signing the letter, including Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, and Bobby Muller, Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The demand stems from Mikey Weinstein, president and founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, and a range of other activists objecting to what is typical conduct at the Colorado Springs-based Air Force Academy that includes Holocaust jokes and coercion of cadets to practice Christianity and display signs of fidelity to the Christian faith, "practices that discriminate against non-Christians in the military."
Incredibly, one Colonel Donald P. Higgins, Jr.
GOP Goes Off the Rails
Sat, 09/12/2009 - 12:22am | mal contends
Update: See Media Matters - Fox News openly advocates against Democratic Congress, White House and watch Beck's Witch Hunt: The New McCarthyism.
Democratic strategists are enthralled by the 9-12 project, Rep Joe Wilson (R-SC), deathers, birthers and the GOP as the hatred of our black president becomes apparent, branding not President Obama but rather the Republican Party.
The last time the GOP went this crazy, actually impeaching a president after the GOP was trashed in the November 1998 election, President Bill Clinton’s approval ratings spiked upward. Look for more of the same.
Democratic strategists, if they were inclined, do not need to craft a straw man.
The GOP is building its own: Themselves, and apparently are not aware of this development as they scream how much they love America and want America back from the black man who took it a short eight months ago.
Democratic strategists are enthralled by the 9-12 project, Rep Joe Wilson (R-SC), deathers, birthers and the GOP as the hatred of our black president becomes apparent, branding not President Obama but rather the Republican Party.
The last time the GOP went this crazy, actually impeaching a president after the GOP was trashed in the November 1998 election, President Bill Clinton’s approval ratings spiked upward. Look for more of the same.
Democratic strategists, if they were inclined, do not need to craft a straw man.
The GOP is building its own: Themselves, and apparently are not aware of this development as they scream how much they love America and want America back from the black man who took it a short eight months ago.
mal contends's blog | Add new comment | Tags: Civil Rights, 9-12 project, 9/11, 9/11 Anniversary, Barack Obama, Chaney, civil rights movement, David Paine, Ed Kilgore, fox news, Glenn Beck, Goodman, GOP racism, hate and racism, National Day Of Service, Politics News, racism against Barack Obama, Rep Joe Wilson, Rush Limbaugh, Schwerner, Tim Pawlenty
Doyle’s Gone, Good Riddance
Wed, 08/19/2009 - 9:51am | mal contends
People all over Wisconsin were happy Monday to see Gov. Jim Doyle announce his intention to not seek reelection.
One thing that progressive Democrats and rightwing Republicans agree on is that Jim Doyle is a liar, a vindictive and corrupt politician.
That’s who he is as governor. A lot of Democrats cannot stand the guy on a personal level. And Republicans are sad to see him go as Doyle would have given them a clear shot at the governor’s office.
That’s not really news and it’s not entirely clear how this reality fits into Doyle’ decision to not seek reelection.
According to Doyle, he reached his decision some seven to 10 days ago [WisPolitics], coming around to his belief that he claims to have held since being first elected governor in 2002: He will only serve two terms, the “norm” for governors.
"I think this national norm serves good purpose. It keeps the political world from becoming stagnant. It allows new leaders to develop. It gives the voters more choices,” said Doyle Monday.
Why then did Doyle raise more than $2 million for reelection?
Republicans are demanding that Doyle return the campaign money, but he’ll likely give it to a worthy cause to polish his legacy.
One thing that progressive Democrats and rightwing Republicans agree on is that Jim Doyle is a liar, a vindictive and corrupt politician.
That’s who he is as governor. A lot of Democrats cannot stand the guy on a personal level. And Republicans are sad to see him go as Doyle would have given them a clear shot at the governor’s office.
That’s not really news and it’s not entirely clear how this reality fits into Doyle’ decision to not seek reelection.
According to Doyle, he reached his decision some seven to 10 days ago [WisPolitics], coming around to his belief that he claims to have held since being first elected governor in 2002: He will only serve two terms, the “norm” for governors.
"I think this national norm serves good purpose. It keeps the political world from becoming stagnant. It allows new leaders to develop. It gives the voters more choices,” said Doyle Monday.
Why then did Doyle raise more than $2 million for reelection?
Republicans are demanding that Doyle return the campaign money, but he’ll likely give it to a worthy cause to polish his legacy.
DOJ Files Anti-Gay Marriage Brief
Fri, 08/14/2009 - 8:27am | mal contends
The Wisconsin Dept of Justice (DOJ) filed its response brief yesterday to a constitutional challenge to Wisconsin’s same-sex marriage ban approved in a 2006 statewide referendum composed of two questions being considered by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a legal challenge posed by civil rights advocates.
The case, William C. McConkey v. J. B. Van Hollen, challenges the anti-gay marriage referendum on several constitutional grounds, arguing that the state’s resulting constitutional amendment should be overturned.
Constitutional Amendment Referendum
The language of the 2006 referendum reads:
The case, William C. McConkey v. J. B. Van Hollen, challenges the anti-gay marriage referendum on several constitutional grounds, arguing that the state’s resulting constitutional amendment should be overturned.
Constitutional Amendment Referendum
The language of the 2006 referendum reads:
Shall section 13 of article XIII of the constitution be created to provide that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state and that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state?
Too Many Sheep or Worse, Says Marine Vet
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 8:16am | mal contends
Gordon Duff is hostile to war and committed to advocacy for America’s 23-million veterans.
The truth of the matter is that Duff, a Scottish-American Maine combat veteran of the obscene lie known as the Vietnam War, is scarred for life and he keeps up the fight for fellow veterans’ wellbeing.
Duff has spoken up on numerous occasions for jailed Wisconsin veteran Keith Roberts, for example.
Now, as Duff notes a contemporary American military that is ever more brown, black and female, he points to an increasingly vocal number of veterans who are "white, male and aggressively 'Aryan' in orientation,"
As a whole Duff sees veterans under-performing at best as a potential lobby against an imperial American foreign policy sustained by systemic lying. And out-and-out racism is just the worst of it.
Write Duff in Veterans Today, The Decline of the American Veteran:
The truth of the matter is that Duff, a Scottish-American Maine combat veteran of the obscene lie known as the Vietnam War, is scarred for life and he keeps up the fight for fellow veterans’ wellbeing.
Duff has spoken up on numerous occasions for jailed Wisconsin veteran Keith Roberts, for example.
Now, as Duff notes a contemporary American military that is ever more brown, black and female, he points to an increasingly vocal number of veterans who are "white, male and aggressively 'Aryan' in orientation,"
As a whole Duff sees veterans under-performing at best as a potential lobby against an imperial American foreign policy sustained by systemic lying. And out-and-out racism is just the worst of it.
Write Duff in Veterans Today, The Decline of the American Veteran:
As it is now, if 'leaders,' anyone who can wave a flag and lie, tell the sheep to follow, no matter where or why, we ask nothing.
Veterans Court Orders VA Info in Jailed Vet Case
Mon, 08/10/2009 - 6:31am | mal contends
As Wisconsin Navy veteran Keith Roberts fights for his innocence in veterans’ court, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), a development in the case may signal a heightened scrutiny on allegations that the Dept of Veterans Affairs (DVA) bypassed laws and regulations to target Roberts in a coordinated hostile act.
Last week, the Court in Keith A. Roberts v. Eric K. Shinseki (05-2425) announced that it:
Last week, the Court in Keith A. Roberts v. Eric K. Shinseki (05-2425) announced that it:
has determined that additional information from the [DVA] Secretary would be helpful to the Court's resolution of this appeal. The Secretary will describe the procedures, practices and polices used for severing service connection of protected ratings due to fraud in effect at the time of the August 2005 Board decision and the date those procedures, policies and practices were implemented.
Defend Innocent Prof and You Are an Anti-Semite?
Mon, 08/03/2009 - 6:27am | mal contends
So says one Publius after my comments defending an innocent black Harvard professor and hitting the lack of liberal condemnation, too many abiding by the dictum that we don't want to challenge racism too much, lest we offend racists and their enablers. Bad politics.
"[T]hat anti-Semite MAL ... ," writes Publius.
The charge came out of nowhere, no context in my defending Henry Louis Gates, ignoring a lifetime of work against bigotry. And not surprisingly Publius hiding behind anonymity supplies not one piece of evidence for the foolish charge.
Such is the virtual country we live in where the forces against racism have been lulled into complacency, and an anonymous coward feels free to make up perhaps the most vile charge one can imagine in modern history. For more information on the use of the fake anti-Semitism charge, see:
- Ira Chernus
- Politics of Anti-Semitism, w/ essays by Uri Avnery and Bill, Kathy Christison
- MuzzleWatch (Jewish Voice for Peace) Sydney Levy
"[T]hat anti-Semite MAL ... ," writes Publius.
The charge came out of nowhere, no context in my defending Henry Louis Gates, ignoring a lifetime of work against bigotry. And not surprisingly Publius hiding behind anonymity supplies not one piece of evidence for the foolish charge.
Such is the virtual country we live in where the forces against racism have been lulled into complacency, and an anonymous coward feels free to make up perhaps the most vile charge one can imagine in modern history. For more information on the use of the fake anti-Semitism charge, see:
- Ira Chernus
- Politics of Anti-Semitism, w/ essays by Uri Avnery and Bill, Kathy Christison
- MuzzleWatch (Jewish Voice for Peace) Sydney Levy
Anti-drug Crusader Takes a Hit
Fri, 07/31/2009 - 9:26am | mal contends
Amy Smith, the last-minute finalist for Dane County Judge rejected by a selection committee and then added by Gov. Jim Doyle is the focus of a piece today by John Nichols in the Cap Times.
Truly, the nicest thing I have heard from practicing members of the Wisconsin Bar is that prosecutor Amy Smith is lying and overzealous.
Writes Nichols:
Truly, the nicest thing I have heard from practicing members of the Wisconsin Bar is that prosecutor Amy Smith is lying and overzealous.
Writes Nichols:
Members of the selection committee ... would neither confirm nor deny that Smith's name was left off the list because she had on two separate occasions been rebuke by appellate court judges for dishonesty, including one instance where an entire three-judge panel on a drug case chastised the prosecutor for lying about a potential trial witness.
Smith refused repeated requests for her side of the story, even as her name was associated with the most controversial judicial appointment the county has seen in some years.
Nichols see Smith as an example of what is wrong with the proposed so-called merit selection process that would replace the the election of judges, in favor of other judicial election reform.