Saturday, December 26, 2015

Call me old-fashioned, but I think a print copy of the Wisconsin Blue Book should still be distributed to libraries


Even though the content is available online.

S
Take my Blue Book and map, please: Proposal allows legislators to turn down freebies.  (Madison.com, 12/26/2015)
The proposal would eliminate the requirement to supply copies to state agencies, libraries, educational institutions and constitutional offices. Newspapers would still get one copy.
Co-sponsors of the proposal (2015 Senate Bill 343) are Devin LeMahieu (R-Ooostburg) and Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield).


If the polls are any indication, Ben Carson's grassroots are turning brown, his people are bored



As TV Ad Rates Soar, ‘Super PACs’ Pivot to Core Campaign Work. (The New York Times, 12/22/2015)
Another super PAC, the 2016 Committee, which grew out of a group that promoted Ben Carson before he announced his candidacy, is raising money in small amounts, with an average donation of $67, and has assembled a volunteer network of about 36,000 people, said John Philip Sousa IV, the group’s chairman. He said it was pouring money “into feet-on-the-ground operations and get-out-the-vote operations as opposed to television commercials that once people see twice, they’re bored.”

I'm beginning to think that Chris Cillizza is onto something in "The 5 big lessons I learned in 2015".
3.  Super PACS are way overrated.

Related posts:
If the polls are any indication, Jeb Bush is throwing away a ton of money.  (12/25/2015)
If the polls are any indication, the John Kasich ground game needs some tweaking.  (12/25/2015)
If the polls are any indication, the Carly Fiorina SuperPAC is wasting its money.  (12/25/2015)

On the farm: Longtime big donor to Republicans has ongoing manure management issues


Brian Knox, chief executive officer of W.D. Hoard & Sons Company, has made 64 contributions totaling $31,625 since 1993.

I didn't find a Democratic connection on his Wisconsin Democracy Campaign list.


Pioneering Hoard's Dairyman Farm's problems resurface.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/25/2015)
The lagoon normally takes in the manure from the farm's 400 or so Guernsey and Jersey cows until it can be spread on cropland. But as part of an existing agreement with Jefferson County officials due to past manure problems, the farm started emptying the lagoon this month after tests from a pipeline connected to groundwater under the manure pit showed excessive levels of water pollution — in this case, a measure of nitrogen. [emphasis added]

Ted Cruz is like this bouncing ball in 3 most recent Iowa polls






The behinders in the 12/18-21 Gravis Marketing poll:
  • 4% - Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee
  • 3% - Carly Fiorina
  • 2% - Chris Christie, John Kasich
  • 1% - George Pataki, Lindsey Graham
  • 0% - Rick Santorum

Recent Iowa caucus posts: 
Donald Trump, Ted Cruz remain in seesaw battle for 1st in Iowa; Jeb Bush quietly re-emerges.  (12/15/2015)
Trump and Cruz duke it out for 1st in latest Iowa caucus poll.  (12/14/2015)
Ted Cruz surges to 10-point lead.  (12/13/2015)
Snatchin' it back: In one day, Cruz goes from 5-point lead to 13-point deficit in Iowa.  (12/7/2015)
Ted Cruz snatches the lead from Trump in Iowa; Carson tanking.  (12/7/2015)
Cruz makes a move to overtake Trump in Iowa; Carson continues to fade.  (11/24/2015)
Based on latest Iowa poll, Trump can say anything he wants, Carson not so much.  (11/22/2015)
It's presently a 4-way contest in Iowa.  (11/8/2015)
In latest Iowa poll, Carson falls off a cliff, Cruz continues steady climb.  (11/3/2015)
This just in: Marco Rubio does NOT have 'all the magic fairy dust'.  (11/1/2015)

American Research Group poll in New Hampshire scrambles the picture


Possible "grain of salt" alert


The behinders in the 12/20 American Research Group poll:
  • 7% - Jeb Bush
  • 6% - Ben Carson
  • 5% - Carly Fiorina
  • 4% - Rand Paul
  • 0% - Mike Huckabee, George Pataki, Rick Santorum
Other stuff:  ARG earns a C- on FiveThirtyEight’s Pollster Ratings


Recent New Hampshire primary posts: 
No one threatening Trump's lead in New Hampshire.  (12/20/2015)
New Hampshire: 5 months, 28 polls, 28 1st place finishes for Donald Trump.  (12/19/2015)
Trump continues to reign supreme in New Hampshire polls; Christie moves into 2nd (12/11/2015)
Chris Christie puts all of his eggs in one basket.  (12/3/2015)
Trump remains solidly in 1st place in New Hampshire; Chris Christie on the rise.  (12/3/2015)
Donald Trump has won 24 New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary polls in a row.  (11/22/2015)
Carson drops to 4th in New Hamphire, tied with Bush; Trump still in 1st.  (11/19/2015)
Donald Trump maintains comfortable lead in New Hampshire; Rubio 2nd; Bush still struggling.  (11/18/2015)
Outlier? Carson falls to 6th place, behind Cruz, Rubio, Bush, and Christie, in latest NH poll.  (11/15/2015)
New Hampshire Republicans seem to be tiring of the Donald Trump Show.  (11/4/2015)
"Oh, wow!": Four Republican candidates peaking in New Hampshire. (11/2/2015)

A to Z through the Wisconsin Public Library Service Data: Collections (Community Library: Salem, Twin Lakes)


This series takes a look at the numerical changes in Wisconsin public library collections in 9-year increments:  1996, 2005, and 2014.




All statistical information from the Wisconsin Public Library Service Data.

Community Library

  • Shared online catalog:  Kenosha Katalog (Kenosha County Library System)
  • Collection development policy:  Not available online

Related posts:
Adams County Public Library.  (10/7/2015)
Albertson Memorial Library, Albany.  (10/8/2015)
Algoma Public Library.  (10/9/2015)
Alma Public Library.  (10/10/2015)
Altoona Public Library.  (10/11/2015)
Amery Area Public Library.  (10/13/2015)
Lettie W. Jensen Library, Amherst.  (10/14/2015)
Antigo Public Library.  (10/15/2015)
Appleton Public Library.  (10/16/2015)
Arcadia Public Library.  (10/18/2015)
Argyle Public Library.  (10/19/2015)
Lester Public Library of Arpin.  (10/20/2015)
Vaughn Public Library, Ashland.  (10/22/2015)
Augusta Memorial Public Library.  (10/23/2015)
Baldwin Public Library.  (10/24/2015)
Balsam Lake Public Library. (10/26/2015)
Baraboo Public Library.  (10/27/2015)
Barneveld Public Library.  (10/28/2015)
Barron Public Library.  (10/29/2015)
Bayfield Carnegie Library.  (10/30/2015)
Beaver Dam Community Library.  (10/31/2015)
Belleville Public Library.  (11/1/2015)
John Turgeson Public Library, Belmont.  (11/2/2015)
Beloit Public Library.  (11/3/2015)
Benton Public Library.  (11/4/2015)
Berlin Public Library.  (11/5/2015)
Big Bend Village Library.  (11/6/2015)
Black Creek Village Library.  (11/8/2015)
Black Earth Public Library.  (11/9/2015)
Black River Falls Public Library.  (11/10/2015)
Blair-Preston Public Library.  (11/11/2015)
Blanchardville Public Library.  (11/12/2015)
G. E. Bleskacek Memorial Family Library, Bloomer.  (11/13/2015)
Bloomington Public Library.  (11/14/2015)
Hildebrand memorial Library, Boscobel.  (11/15/2015)
Boulder Junction Public Library.  (11/16/2015)
Boyceville Public Library.  (11/17/2015)
Brandon Public Library.  (11/18/2015)
Brillion Public Library.  (11/19/2015)
Brodhead Memorial Public Library.  (11/20/2015)
Brookfield Public Library.  (11/21/2015)
Brown Deer Public Library.  (11/22/2015)
Brownsville Public Library.  (11/23/2015)
Bruce Area Library.  (11/24/2015)
Burlington Public Library.  (11/25/2015)
Butler Public Library.  (11/26/2015)
Forest Lodge Public Library, Cable.  (11/28/2015)
Cadott Community Library.  (11/29/2015)
Jane Morgan Memorial Library, Cambria.  (11/30/2015)
Cambridge Community Library.  (12/1/2015)
Cameron Public Library.  (12/2/2015)
Campbellsport Public Library.  (12/3/2015)
Cashton Memorial Library.  (12/4/2015)
Eckstein Memorial Library, Cassville.  (12/5/2015)
Cedar Grove Public Library.  (12/6/2015)
Cedarburg Public Library.  (12/7/2015)
Centuria Public Library.  (12/8/2015)
Calhoun Memorial Library, Chetek.  (12/9/2015)
Chippewa Falls Public Library.  (12/11/2015)
Clear Lake Public Library.  (12/12/2015)
Clinton Public Library.  (12/13/2015)
Clintonville Public Library.  (12/14/2015)
Cobb Public Library.  (12/15/2015)
Colby Public Library.  (12/16/2015)
Colfax Public Library.  (12/19.2015)
Coloma Public Library.  (12/21/2015)
Columbus Public Library.  (12/22/2015)

Friday, December 25, 2015

Just as Laura Nyro predicted nearly 50 years ago: "Baking out in December's heat"




December Heat Tricks Flowers Into Putting On Spring Display.  (The New York Times, 12/24/2015)
Across the region, this uncharacteristically warm winter has flower beds springing to life. Daffodil bulbs in suburban gardens are sending up tender green periscopes. And in city parks, roses are showing their plumage against Christmas tree backdrops.  
It is not normal.

If the polls are any indication, Jeb Bush is throwing away a ton of money



As TV Ad Rates Soar, ‘Super PACs’ Pivot to Core Campaign Work. (The New York Times, 12/22/2015)
Right to Rise, the super PAC supporting Mr. Bush, is also starting to pour more money into online messaging, where — unlike on television — its dollars go just as far as the candidate’s. All advertisers — campaigns, super PACs, even Frito-Lay — pay the same rates for digital ads. 
“With TV getting a bit more crowded, we’re looking at frequency,” said Sheena Arora, a digital strategist at Revolution Agency who works with Right to Rise — meaning “how many times we’re hitting individuals across devices.” The group has been creating a wide range of ads aimed at smartphones, tablets and even Xbox gaming systems.
I'm beginning to think that Chris Cillizza is onto something in "The 5 big lessons I learned in 2015".
3.  Super PACS are way overrated.

Related posts:
If the polls are any indication, the John Kasich ground game needs some tweaking.  (12/25/2015)
If the polls are any indication, the Carly Fiorina SuperPAC is wasting its money.  (12/25/2015)

If the polls are any indication, the John Kasich ground game needs some tweaking



As TV Ad Rates Soar, ‘Super PACs’ Pivot to Core Campaign Work. (The New York Times, 12/22/2015)
Time to upset the applecart?  New Day for America, the super PAC supporting Mr. Kasich, is pursuing a highly advanced ground game in partnership with a data-analytics firm, Applecart: The firm says it mines data sources like yearbooks and local news reports to decipher which people have personally influential relationships with sought-after voters. Rather than giving phone-bank callers or canvassers lists of random people to contact, for example, the organizers are assigning each of those volunteers to reach 10 to 20 New Hampshire voters they know personally and convert them into Kasich supporters.

I'm beginning to think that Chris Cillizza is onto something in "The 5 big lessons I learned in 2015".
3.  Super PACS are way overrated.

Related post:
If the polls are any indication, the Carly Fiorina SuperPAC is wasting its money.  (12/25/2015)

If the polls are any indication, the Carly Fiorina SuperPAC is wasting its money



As TV Ad Rates Soar, ‘Super PACs’ Pivot to Core Campaign Work. (The New York Times, 12/22/2015)
The super PAC supporting Carly Fiorina’s presidential run, Carly for America, perhaps most wholly replicates a modern presidential campaign. It handles advance work, ground operations, merchandise sales and volunteer lists.  [emphasis added] 
Source (both graphs):  Real Clear Politics

Related posts:
Super PACs engage in 'a massive increase in spending'.  (8/23/2015)
4 members of the Wilks family have contributed $15,000,000 to Ted Cruz.  (8/5/2015)
Toby Neugebauer: #2 on the list of a 'small pool of rich donors'.  (8/2/2015)
Robert Mercer: At the top of the list of a 'small pool of rich donors'
.  (8/2/2015) 
How to avoid creating the appearance of undue influence with your Super PAC donation: Keep it at $1,000,000 or less! (7/12/2015)
Billionaire boys and their political toys.  (7/12/2015)
How to avoid creating the appearance of undue influence with your Super PAC donation: Keep it at $1,000,000 or less! (7/12/2015)

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Woman compares North Carolina mall shooting to Black Friday


Photo credit:  Facebook

Bob's a 'center mass' kinda guy.



As quoted in Hole Shot into Gun Free Zone Theory. (Press release, 12/21/2015)

Perhaps it's instructive that these "law abiding CCW holders" are never around when you need 'em.


Have yourself a Mary little Christmas, with a side of Jackie DeShannon, sez Wisconsin State Rep. Scott Allen




A corrected YouTube transcription [with hand gestures noted]

Merry Christmas.   

To me and my fellow christians,  celebrating the birth of our Savior,  our Emmanuelle [pregnant pause] well, it is one of the most important celebrations of the year.

For those who may watch this who are not Christians, I invite you to consider the hope offered by the Prince of Peace.   For all [of the 364 to date] who watch this, I hope that [hands gesture] you are filled with joy and high spirits,  and that your life is full of festivity and rejoicing.

If like me, you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I ask you this holiday season to consider the words found in Hebrews chapter 10 0:42versus 24 and 25.
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.   Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another." 
My friends, we attain peace through love.   This season, think of how you can love the people in your life -- family, friends, neighbors -- [right hand gesture] just a little bit more.  Encourage them, fellowship with them.



Our world needs more love and more peace.  [Hands gesture]  We do our part to make this world a more peaceful place by being more loving in our relationships.   We gain strength through love.

Hebrews chapter 10 concludes 
"We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. 
Merry Christmas.

Other Scott Allen posts:
Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) remains silent on WEDC's betrayal of the public trust.  (11/4/2015) 

Wisconsin Assembly Representative wants your money -- ALL of it! (10/22/2015)

Welcome to Augusta County, Virginia



Source:  Wikipedia


Sources: 20082012

John McCain received 69% of the vote in 2008

Mitt Romney received 70.3% of the vote in 2012.

Lesson on Islam Shuts Down Virginia School District.  (The New York Times, 12/18/2015)


WTF, Santa! Why are you taking a dump in my back yard?


Photo by Retiring Guy

2015 Republican Presidential primary polls in review: ABC News/Washington Post


The leaders of the first ABC/WaPo poll of 2015 were Jeb Bush (21%) and Scott Walker (13%).

The leaders at the end of the year are Donald Trump (38%), who wasn't on March's candidate list, and Ted Cruz (15%), showing an improvement of a mere 3 percentage points since March.

Meanwhile, Bush's campaign tanked, and Walker's wooden performance and lavish spending forced him to "suspend" his campaign.


Source of graph and table:  Real Clear Politics


On land and sea, November 2015 was warmest November globally since recordkeeping began



Once again, a lot of red in the picture.


Other NOAA posts: 
Monthly global temperature record broken for 6th month in a row.  (11/18/2015)
The world continues to set a record pace in its warm ways.  (10/28/2015)

Selective Republican logic inoperative when applied to Wisconsin juvenile corrections program



As quoted in Statement on Alderman Zielinski’s Ethan Allen Press Release.  (Press release, 12/23/2015)

The Lincoln Hills School for Boys is located in Irma, Wisconsin, between Merrill and Rhinelander, 215 miles northwest of Milwaukee.  The majority population comprises African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American youth from southeastern Wisconsin.

Why doesn't placement in or near the county of origin apply here?




Ethan Allen, the facility closed when the Walker administration decided to consolidate its juvenile corrections operations, is located in Waukesha County, just west of Milwaukee. 

It makes me wonder why the Waukesha County delegation didn't use its considerable clout to save the jobs at the Ethan Allen facility. I'll leave it to you to speculate on the reason why.

(includes those who districts are, geographically, 
completely or mostly within Waukesha County)

Related WIDOC posts: 
The dysfunction of Scott Walker's executive branch of government in 1 defensive quote.  (12/20/2015)
Scott Walker and Lincoln Hills School for Boys: Too busy thinking about his (presidential) baby.  (12/19/2015)
Still in the news: Lincoln Hills School for Boys.  (12/13/2015)
Scott Walker shows us how to deflect (Taking no responsibility, chapter 2).  (12/12/2015) 
As usual, Scott Walker takes no responsibility.  (12/11/2015)
In the news: Lincoln Hills School for Boys, Wisconsin Department of Corrections.  (12/11/2015)

Related Ethan Allen post:
State property for sale: Ethan Allen School (Shuttered in 2011).  (7/7/2014)

Personalized books for children without the audiovisual bells and whistles




Bedtime Reading, Written by a Robot Just for You.  (The New York Times, 12/22/2015)
With its software-generated stories, Lost My Name has carved out an unusual niche within children’s publishing. Instead of relying on audio and visual bells and whistles to engage children, like three-dimensional pop-ups or buttons that play music, Lost My Name aims to make the narrative itself more captivating, by using computer codes to weave personal details into the storyline. Despite all the technology driving it, the resulting product looks and feels oddly, and charmingly, traditional.

There's also a book for boys.


Amber.  Lucas.  Just wondering if the names have to be 5 and only 5 letter long.  What about Alexadner, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Evangeline?  

There's no difference between a book about 'Alex' and a book about 'Alexander'.  Both are priced at $29.99.


Company website

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Tea Party CEO Steve Eichler sends his 'loyalists' a 2362-word rant


Does he really think that anyone will read it straight through to the end?

Photo credit:  TeaParty.org

Actual text, not my translation, is found here.  

Word count:

  • 34 - Obama
  • 28 - Tea Party
  • 11 - Congressional Warning
  •   7 - war dhest
  •   4 - fighting
  •   4 - lose
  •   0 - Ryan
  •   0 - Speaker

Here's a musical version, without the h's.

Dear Metcalfe's, Much better, thank you!


Photo by Retiring Guy

Mental Floss poses the question, "Just How Dirty Are Public Restrooms?"  (12/18/2014)

Related post:
Dear Metcalfe's, The flowers are a nice touch, but it's still a good idea to clean under the toilet seat.  (12/21/2015)

Dear National Enquirer 'readers', Amal Alamuddin Clooney is a distinguished attorney and activist, not some temperamental child bride


Photo by Retiring Guy
(taken at the Metcalfe's Hilldale checkout)

Because the self-checkout lanes (1-4) weren't opened during my morning visit, I had a chance to view the latest emphatic headlines from National Enquirer, whose editors think that if they keep announcing the Clooney's break-up, they'll eventually get it right.



Biography

Donald Trump's hair back in place with results of latest national poll


Looks like the 12/16-20 Quinnipiac poll is the outlier at this point.


The behinders in the 12/17-21 CNN/ORC poll:
  • 5% - Chris Christie
  • 4% - Rand Paul
  • 3% - Jeb Bush
  • 2% - John Kasich, Mike Huckabee
  • 1% - Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham
  • 0% - Rick Santorum, George Pataki
Other stuff:
  • Big gap between 'extremely enthusiastic' voters
    • Republicans (36%)
    • Democrats (19%)
  • Jeb Bush and Donald Trump have the highest unfavorable ratings among all voters (57%)

Recent related posts:
Trump's hair gets mussed by Ted Cruz in latest national poll.  (12/22/2015)
Donald Trump solidifies lead in 2 latest national polls.  (12/19/2015)
Trump keeps a-rollin' goin' into 5th debate.  (12/15/2015)
Likely outlier, Monmouth poll has Trump with huge lead over 2nd place Cruz.  (12/14/2015)
With poll results like this, expect lots more noise from Trump.  (12/10/2015)
Trump holds steady in 1st, Cruz regains 2nd, and Carson resumes his slide in latest Republican poll.  (12/8/2015)
Trump still in 1st in latest national poll; Carson, Rubio, Cruz duke it out for 2nd place.  (12/7/2015)
Trump maintains lead, Carson continues to fade, Bush a real nowhere man in latest national poll.  (12/2/2015)
It's a 4-way contest for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2 latest polls; Trump comfortably in 1st.  (11/22/2015)
Republican Presidential candidates tread water in national polls.  (11/19/2015)
A passel of polls lately, all of em' touting Trump's tenacity.  (10/20/2015)
Republican Presidential primary race is turning into a snoozefest.  (10/20/2015)
More of the same, pretty much, in latest Republican Presidential primary poll.  (10/19/2015)
Clearly, the manufactured glow of Carly Fiorina's September 16th performance is fading.  (10/12/2015)
For now, Investors' Business Daily poll looks to be an outlier as Trump is back in 1st place.  (10/7/2015)
 Blathering his way to oblivion, Donald Trump falls out of first place in latest poll.  (10/4/2015)
Nothing to write home about in latest Republican Presidential primary poll.  (10/3/2015)
Another ho-hum Republican Presidential primary poll.  (10/1/2015)

Donald Trump goes to battle against Merriam-Webster, Oxford dictionaries






Related reading:
A gentile's guide to 'schlong' and why the fuss over Trump's use is misdirected.  (The Lid, 12/23/2015)
It's called 'distraction' and today's media practitioners all have shown themselves to be consistently easy targets.  Folks, in the wide expanse of crude things Donald Trump has said during this campaign (and should rightly be criticized for) schlong is amongst the tamest. The issue really shouldn’t be this word, the issue should be wide expanse of stupid and nasty things Trump has said. More than just schlong, Trump’s total lack of verbal boundaries just one more reason he shouldn’t sit in the oval office.

Cartoon conservative principles, the Christmas edition: Rep. Kremer accuses fire officials of 'relieving themselves'



Bill would ensure churches could use real Christmas trees.  (Madison.com, 12/22/2015)
Under the bill, the state Department of Public Safety and Professional Standards as well as municipal governments would be forbidden from passing any rules or ordinances prohibiting the seasonal placement of Christmas trees in the state Capitol rotunda or in a church. Trees in the rotunda and churches would be presumed to be safe during fire inspections, stripping inspectors of their ability to remove the trees.

The legislation is co-sponsored by this busy guy .  (Quote is from the Madison.com article)



Coming to the rescue of a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church in his district.

Other Jesse Kremer posts:
Bathroom bill update: Julaine Appling must have inadvertently loosened her grip on Jesse Kremer's leash.  (12/16/2015)
Out of (local) control: When it comes to anything resembling a train, Republicans just can't help themselves.  (12/1/2015)  
The 'bathroom bill' marriage of Jesse Kremer and Julaine Appling.  (11/21/2015)
ALEC/NRA waterboy Jesse Kremer blames the media.  (10/23/2015)
Waterboys for the NRA and ALEC: Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) and Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg)  (10/13/2015)
Wisconsin Republicans continue their laser-like focus on jobs and the economy.  (10/7/2015)
Wisconsin Assembly candidate denounces tax breaks for wind energy but conveniently overlooks what big oil receives.  (8/7/2014)
Just what the Wisconsin legislature needs: Another ALEC disciple.  (8/7/2014)

Other cartoon conservative pcinciples posts:
Cartoon conservative principles on full display this week at the Wisconsin State Capitol.  (12/18/2015)
Once again, Wisconsin Republicans assert their cartoon conservative principle (2015 Assembly Bill 568).  (12/16/2015)
Out of (local) control: When it comes to anything resembling a train, Republicans just can't help themselves.  (12/1/2015) 
Scott Walker pays lip service to local control as he continues to sign bills to limit it.  (10/26/2015)
UPDATE: Let's follow the Shea money from Wingra Stone to Scott Walker.  (10/20/2015)
UPDATE.  Sorry, Tim Geoghegan, a total of $11,750 in donations is not a "bunch of bull".  (10/20/2015) 
Once again, Wisconsin Republicans violate their most precious principle.  (7/4/2015)
Cartoon conservative principles.  (5/6/2015)
The Usual Hypocrisy: What Scott Walker sez on his campaign website and what he does in the Governor's office are two different things.  (5/2/2015)
The "hits" to local control just keep on coming.  (2/28/2015)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board calls out Republican hypocrisy.  (2/17/2014)
And the hypocrisy just keeps on coming: Republicans can't even give lip service to their "Principles". (2/14/2014)
Yet another lesson in Republican hypocrisy.  (2/13/2014)
Your Wisconsin Republican Assembly hard at work promoting Governor Walker's jobs agenda (and GOP principles).  (11/15/2013)


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Good clean fun at a listed 800 rounds per minute*




As quoted in Where Support for Assault Rifles Is All in ‘Good, Clean Fun’.  (The New York Times, 12/19/2015)
Mr. Pereira, 45, is a regular at the target range here at Markham Park, a county-run recreation area outside Fort Lauderdale that offers family camping, boating, biking, a dog park, a nature trail and, at the far end, a 100-yard shooting range.

Mike Tyson and Don King stand by their man


Tyson photo credit:  Brian Birzer (http://www.brianbirzer.com)
King photo credit:  Wikipedia

I assume reporters Maggie Haberman and Steve Eder attempted to find other black celebrity friends of The Donald of a similar mind.

Rise of Donald Trump Divides Black Celebrities He Calls His Friends.  (The New York Times, 12/21/2015)
“Hey, that’s my man. That’s who he is,” said Don King, the boxing promoter, discussing what he called Mr. Trump’s “outlandish” remarks. “To me, Donald is Donald. That’s not a presidential endorsement, but it is a humanistic endorsement.” 
Mr. Tyson, who is Muslim, recently defended Mr. Trump, telling the website TMZ, “Hey, listen, anybody that was ever president of the United States offended some group of people.”

Not sure what Donald Trump is blathering about here, but Hillary Clinton is 10-0 in latest head-to-head polls


@realDonaldTrump (posted 12/2/2015)

Most recent FOX News national polls:

10-0 over the past month
(19-2-2 since beginning of Sept.)

Scott Walker's jobs focus: Twice bitten in Jefferson County



Scott Walker wins 60.8% of the vote over Tom Barrett in 2010.

Scott Walker wins 60.0% of the vote over Mary Burke in 2014.

County declared ‘in distress’. (Daily Union, 12/21/2015)
'During the past year', when Walker's primary focus was running for President.  Jefferson County has been declared “distressed” in the wake of [1] Tyson Foods Inc.’s recent announcement that it will be closing its century-old Jefferson plant next year. 
Tyson’s pending closure, planned for mid-2016, was one of the area’s many business shutdowns during the past year. Other area companies experiencing layoffs include [2] McCain Foods, [3] Multicolor Eaton in Watertown and [4] Littelfuse in Lake Mills. Together, roughly 1,000 jobs will be lost, Gen­evieve Coady, director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium, told Jefferson County officials on Thursday.  (numbering and bold red added)

Related posts:
Scott Walker silent on latest job growth numbers.  (12/20/2014)
Yes, Governor Walker, we know.  (7/3/2014)
For Scott Walker and his jobs promotion message, it's deja vu all over again.  (3/20/2014)
I Suppose This isn't on Scott Walker's radar either: Wisconsin ranks 35th in private-sector job creation.  (3/20/2014)
Wisconsin jobs deficit.  (9/27/2013)
Putting Wisconsin's jobs creation picture in perspective.  (9/27/2013)
The Walker way:  Whatever.  (9/24/2013)
The Blue and the Gold: Wisconsin's Jobs Deficit.  (9/3/2013)
Scott Walker's mantra.  (8/2/2013)
Less than zero.  (6/17/2013)
Wisconsin ranks 49th in Federal Reserve Bank's "imperfect" index.  (6/6/2013)
Wishful thinking at WEDC.  (5/23/2013)
And what alternative universe do these employers inhabit?  (5/21/2013)
Wisconsin added 19,000 jobs in 2012.  (5/18/2013)
Scott Walker all a-tingle over yesterday's news.  (5/18/2013)
From the looks of it, Wisconsin's jobs loss is in free fall.  (5/18/2013)
Spin Cycle: The Walker Administration Diverts Our Attention from the Latest (Disturbing) Jobs Numbers. (5/17/2013)
Bringing up the rear in job growth.  (3/8/2013)
Wisconsin ranks 43rd in job growth during the past year.  (11/23/2012)

Lindsey Graham drops out of Presidential race, handful of supporters move on


His support stood at 1% in late October.


Lindsey Graham drops out of Presidential race.  (Des Moines Register, 12/21/2015)
Probably a kiss of death in this political season of outsideritis.  U.S. Sen. John McCain has also been a vocal supporter of Graham's candidacy and has appeared at numerous campaign stops with him in New Hampshire.

Trump's hair gets mussed by Ted Cruz in latest national poll


And lookee there!  Chris Christie is re-emerging.


The behinders in the 12/16-20 Quinnipiac poll:
  • 4% - Jeb Bush
  • 2% - Rand Paul, Carly Fiorina
  • 1% - John Kasich, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum
  • 0% - George Pataki, Lindsey Graham
Other stuff:
  • Cruz leads among those respondents who self-identify as "Tea Party", "born-again evangelicals", and "very conservative".
  • 28% of respondents say they cannot support Jeb Bush, 24% Donald Trump

Recent related posts:
Donald Trump solidifies lead in 2 latest national polls.  (12/19/2015)
Trump keeps a-rollin' goin' into 5th debate.  (12/15/2015)
Likely outlier, Monmouth poll has Trump with huge lead over 2nd place Cruz.  (12/14/2015)
With poll results like this, expect lots more noise from Trump.  (12/10/2015)
Trump holds steady in 1st, Cruz regains 2nd, and Carson resumes his slide in latest Republican poll.  (12/8/2015)
Trump still in 1st in latest national poll; Carson, Rubio, Cruz duke it out for 2nd place.  (12/7/2015)
Trump maintains lead, Carson continues to fade, Bush a real nowhere man in latest national poll.  (12/2/2015)
It's a 4-way contest for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2 latest polls; Trump comfortably in 1st.  (11/22/2015)
Republican Presidential candidates tread water in national polls.  (11/19/2015)
A passel of polls lately, all of em' touting Trump's tenacity.  (10/20/2015)
Republican Presidential primary race is turning into a snoozefest.  (10/20/2015)
More of the same, pretty much, in latest Republican Presidential primary poll.  (10/19/2015)
Clearly, the manufactured glow of Carly Fiorina's September 16th performance is fading.  (10/12/2015)
For now, Investors' Business Daily poll looks to be an outlier as Trump is back in 1st place.  (10/7/2015)
 Blathering his way to oblivion, Donald Trump falls out of first place in latest poll.  (10/4/2015)
Nothing to write home about in latest Republican Presidential primary poll.  (10/3/2015)
Another ho-hum Republican Presidential primary poll.  (10/1/2015)

14 Republican legislators want to mess with Dane County's zoning authority


None of them live in Dane County, of course. 

But thanks to redistricting, some of the sponsors of AB563 represent teensy portions of the county.


Officials differ on county zoning opt-out bill.  (Sun Prairie Star, 12/21/2015)
Yet another laser focus on job creation.  Assembly Bill 563 would allow towns to opt-out of county zoning ordinance and county development planning, a system that’s been in place since the 1930s. The Republican-sponsored bill would only apply to the state’s largest counties with populations over 485,000 (Dane and Milwaukee), but Milwaukee County doesn’t have any towns within its borders.

I'd especially like to hear Tom Larson (Colfax) and Adam Jarchow (Balsam Lake) explain themselves.  They both represent northwestern Wisconsin Assembly districts. 

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and well pollution are in the news again




One-third of wells in Kewaunee County unsafe for drinking water.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/21/2015)
Researchers say it's too early to blame cattle as the source of pollution.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a single dairy cow produces approximately 120 pounds of wet manure per day. The waste produced per day by one dairy cow is equal to that of 20-40 people.  

Kewaunee County's cattle population is 95,000, of which approximately 80,000 are dairy cows.  

I'll let you do the math.

According to the same source, another 45,000 or so dairy cows are expected to be added to the county's population.  

Kewaunee County's 2014 estimated people population is 20,444 -- down 130 from its 2010 census figure.

Make way for Bossy!



Related posts: 
September 2015 UPDATE: On June 6, 2014, employees of Michael, Best & Friedrich donated $28,046.81 to Scott Walker and $500 to Mary Burke.  (9/17/2015)
Kewaunee County's CAFO concentration.  (10/23/2014)
In the news:  Concentrated animal feeding operations.  (9/17/2014)
Missouri voters enshrine ALEC's "Right to Farm" idea within its state constitution.  (8/6/2014)

Monday, December 21, 2015

No 13th floor elevator/13th floor elevators


Photo by Retiring Guy
(taken in an elevator at 125 N. Hamilton, Madison WI)



This enduring psychedelic nugget spent 8 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in the late summer and fall of 1966.  It reached its peak position (#55) in its final week.  It is deservedly in regular rotation on Little Steven's Underground Garage.  (SiriusXM channel 21)

Seeing double; double doors


Photo by Retiring Guy
(taken at the main entrance to GEF1, Madison WI)