Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos
Scott Walker Still Runs the PSC
He’s been out of office for almost three years, but former Gov. Scott Walker is still making decisions about utilities in Wisconsin. He’s able to do that because Gov. Tony Evers has made sure of it. Last week the state’s Public Service Commission denied funding to the Village of Cambridge, in eastern Dane County, toContinue reading “Scott Walker Still Runs the PSC”
Pic of the Day/ High Lake
The south shore of High Lake in the Sylvania Wilderness, Upper Peninsula. Yes, recreational marijuana is now legal in Michigan.
Dems Will Get It Done
Yesterday I sought to comfort panicky Brewers’ fans by reassuring them that their losing streak would end and they’d easily win their division. And last night the Crew beat the Mets, 5-1, and reduced their magic number to two. See? So, today, let me bring comfort and joy to nervous Democrats. While talks between moderateContinue reading “Dems Will Get It Done”
Chin Up, Brewers Fans
Imagine you have a powerful hankerin’ for a piece of chocolate cake. You walk into your favorite bakery and there it is. Dark chocolate with fudge icing. It’s five bucks. You reach for your wallet only to find that you have just four dollars. Now you notice the sign that says the bakery only takesContinue reading “Chin Up, Brewers Fans”
Pic of the Day/One of those days
R E L A X, Brewers fans. The Crew was due for a slump and we sure got it. But would you rather have it now or in October? Everything will be just fine. Does this man look worried?
UW and Blank Look Silly
My alma mater is looking foolish. In the last few years the UW administration, led by Chancellor Rebecca Blank, has made three decisions that are now coming back to haunt them. They sifted and winnowed and somehow still managed to miss the truth. Or, more accurately, they knew the truth and chose to ignore itContinue reading “UW and Blank Look Silly”
What If It’s Not All About Race?
The racial achievement gap in the Madison school district, like most others across the country, has long been a topic of discussion, a flurry of programs and lots of public and private investment, all with a notable lack of success. But what if we’re trying to solve the wrong problem? It is a matter ofContinue reading “What If It’s Not All About Race?”
Pic of the Day/ Baseball v. Football
Last night I went between the Packers and Brewers games. Made me think about George Carlin’s routine comparing baseball and football. Enjoy.
Biden is Right on the Border
Pres. Joe Biden is making the hard, but correct, call on Haitian refugees and others camped near Del Rio, Texas. What is the greatest threat to liberal democracy in the world? Far-right populism. And what is driving far-right populism more than anything else? Immigration. More accurately, not so much the normal, regularized immigration between nations,Continue reading “Biden is Right on the Border”
Pic of the Day/Cider Press
The Cider Press is ready to go at the Jordahl farm. I was at the annual deer hunters’ work weekend on Saturday. First visit since turkey hunting in April, 2020. The guys got a lot done. I’m transitioning to a senior management role. I mostly managed to stay out of the way.
Beware the Culture Wars
Once sleepy school board meetings are erupting in shouting matches. Republican legislators are introducing bills that would ban teaching Critical Race Theory and prevent adding discussions of LGBTQ+ issues to human growth and development classes. There is a roiling debate over what public schools should teach kids, and the answers aren’t as easy as eitherContinue reading “Beware the Culture Wars”
Bad Signs For Evers
Opponents of the massive power line between Iowa and Middleton, known as the Cardinal-Hickory Creek Line, have just passed the 50,000 signature mark on a petition against the project’s path through a sensitive wildlife refuge. All those signers are a bad sign for Gov. Tony Evers, who appears to support the line. Driftless Defenders is organizingContinue reading “Bad Signs For Evers”
Men of Color Move Away From the Dems
I used to like reading New York Times columnist Charles Blow. Then Donald Trump got elected and Blow became one of those liberals who just totally lost it. He decided that he would not let his righteous anger ever abate. He became preachy, insufferable and, for me at least, pretty much unreadable. But I readContinue reading “Men of Color Move Away From the Dems”
‘Deserve’ v. ‘Earn’
Every morning, God help me, I read the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. If I wandered into the Times news room I would feel as if I should apologize for my very being as a privileged member of the patriarchy and offer to pick up coffee for everyone — fair trade, shadeContinue reading “‘Deserve’ v. ‘Earn’”
Pic of the Day/13th Tee
The 13th and 14th holes at House on the Rock are my favorite holes on my favorite course. Nestled in a narrow valley, this is just a beautiful, quiet place to be, but I mess it up with golf. I’ve never parred the 13th, though I have pulled off a couple of birdies on #14.
Re-list the Gray Wolf
I am a hunter. This is my favorite time of year. I look forward to spending hours in my tree stand with a bow at my side waiting for a buck to walk by and, in November, still hunting the fields and wood lots of the Driftless. But I just can’t abide wolf hunting. AtContinue reading “Re-list the Gray Wolf”
Pic of the Day/Last Ride
On the Badger State Trail at the Adams Road crossing. My last ride on my favorite trail for this season. Hope to get more miles in before the snow flies when we’re back in the U.P.
Wisconsin Election Quiz
Here’s a fun exercise. Match the four numbers below to the correct descriptions for that number. The Numbers A. 3,241,1050 B. 2 C. 680,000 D. 0 The Descriptions The number of people accused of voter fraud in Wisconsin. 2. The number of Wisconsin voters in the 2020 election. 3. The amount of money being spentContinue reading “Wisconsin Election Quiz”
Just Let Joe & Joe Do It
Progressive Democrats need to acquire a better understanding of where they stand. They are in no position to call the shots. Let’s take a trip back to last December. It was clear to anybody who was not delusional that Joe Biden was the next President. But the Democrats had barely hung on to their HouseContinue reading “Just Let Joe & Joe Do It”
Pic of the Day/ Wilson’s
Finished the Door County Century yesterday and rewarded myself at Wilson’s with a scoop of mint chip. Would have had Sneakers, but they were out.
Evers Best Bet in 2022
You would have to be a fool to predict the outcome of elections that will take place almost 14 months from now. Yeah. So, what’s your point? I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that Gov. Tony Evers will win a second four-year term in November, 2022. Here are a handful ofContinue reading “Evers Best Bet in 2022”
Keep the U.P. Wild
I love Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where my wife and I own a cabin. While I also love the north woods of Wisconsin, the U.P. is very different. While Vilas County feels light and fun and even somewhat prosperous, Gogebic County just across the border was much more a working landscape. The legacy of lumbering andContinue reading “Keep the U.P. Wild”
America is Still Okay
I’ve spent the morning watching the coverage of the 9/11 remembrance ceremonies and much of the last week or two reading various reflections on the course of the last 20 years. The dominant narrative (as far as I can tell, the unanimous narrative) is that things are worse, that nothing good has happened in twoContinue reading “America is Still Okay”
Pic of the Day/Outboard in Rearview
Won’t be too many more opportunities for spins around the lake with the Johnson outboard.
Is McCoshen Crazy Enough?
Yesterday, as expected, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch formally announced her run for governor. She went right for the red meat, praising Donald Trump and promising to hire more cops, ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory in public schools and — in a creative and bizarre touch — vowing to send the Wisconsin NationalContinue reading “Is McCoshen Crazy Enough?”
Embracing “Inconsistency”
In today’s tribal culture it has become much harder to be an individual. That’s especially true in politics. If you identify as a Republican you need to profess (if not actually believe) that climate change is an overblown hoax, that mask mandates are a blow to fundamental freedoms, that there was widespread fraud in theContinue reading “Embracing “Inconsistency””
Evers Does Right Thing at Wrong Time
Yesterday Gov. Tony Evers announced that he would pardon 71 more people. It was absolutely the right thing to do and absolutely the wrong time to do it. Evers is now on track to pardon more people than any other governor in Wisconsin history. That makes sense since his predecessor, Scott Walker, issued no pardonsContinue reading “Evers Does Right Thing at Wrong Time”
Remembering Megan McGrorty
Running for reelection is no fun. When you run the first time you have no record to attack and there’s the excitement of being new and representing change and the future. But when you run for reelection it’s all about you — and not in a good way. Your opponent spends every minute of everyContinue reading “Remembering Megan McGrorty”
Pic of the Day/ Labor Day Sunset
This evening’s sunset over Duck Lake. Already feels a little like autumn.
What Liberals Don’t Get About Workers
Let’s start by blaming Thomas Frank. In 2004, before John Kerry lost to George W. Bush, Frank published What’s the Matter With Kansas? What was the matter with Frank’s home state? Voters there were just too dense to understand that the liberals in the Democratic Party had all their answers. Frank’s thesis was that, evenContinue reading “What Liberals Don’t Get About Workers”
The College Athlete Pay Wall Collapses
It’s Labor Day weekend, so let’s celebrate some victories for one of the most obviously exploited groups of workers in America: college athletes. You could see the face of college football changing right there in the Wisconsin starting backfield yesterday when the Badgers played Penn State. Quarterback Graham Mertz had his own product logo designedContinue reading “The College Athlete Pay Wall Collapses”
The Dems Have to Wake Up
Yesterday I wrote about which of the candidates in the crowded Democratic field competing to go up against Sen. Ron Johnson might have the best chance. But, truth is, if the party doesn’t wake up to what’s going on around it, it won’t matter. Any one of them will lose, even to the likes ofContinue reading “The Dems Have to Wake Up”
The Take on Those Who Would Take on Ron Johnson
If you’re one of those Wisconsinites not running for the U.S. Senate you’ll have a keen interest in who is. Of course, at this rate, non-candidates will be in the minority soon. The Democrats have no less than a dozen or so hopefuls (we can only work with rough estimates at this point) for theContinue reading “The Take on Those Who Would Take on Ron Johnson”
Overturning Roe Will Only Cause Misery
As he did on many things, Bill Clinton had the best take on abortion. He said it should be “safe, legal and rare.” And, in fact, it has become more rare in the decades since Clinton was president. In the six years between 2011 and 2017, abortion declined in any way you want to measureContinue reading “Overturning Roe Will Only Cause Misery”
Pic of the Day/Outboard Ale
Milwaukee Brewing Company’s Outboard Cream Ale is one of my summer favorites. Pictured here only steps from my actual outboard.
Time to Require the Vax at the UW
Earlier this summer, despite the fact that over 600 colleges and universities had already announced that they would mandate vaccinations when students returned this fall, UW System President Tommy Thompson refused. His fig leaf of an excuse was that none of the vaccines had received final, formal approval from the Food and Drug Administration. NeverContinue reading “Time to Require the Vax at the UW”
Tough Compassion on Homelessness
The City of Madison is chasing its tail on its homeless problem, but don’t blame the current mayor. No past mayor has been able to solve this puzzle either, and one of them was me. The city has been struggling with homeless encampments. The strategy has been to designate official sites in city parks whereContinue reading “Tough Compassion on Homelessness”
Pic of the Day/Scotch with Lighthouse
Here’s one from the archives, specifically August of 2013. This is the Sand Island Light in the Apostle Islands. I used to spend a couple of weeks in August volunteering for the Park Service as a light house keeper. I was a tour guide; the lighthouse was automated and needed no keeping. You had toContinue reading “Pic of the Day/Scotch with Lighthouse”
In Defense of Nation Building
If there’s anything that Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, MAGA hat-wearers and BLM tee shirt wearers agree on it’s that America should not be in the business of nation building. I think they’re all wrong. A common trope is that the quick collapse of the Afghan military and government is proof positive that tryingContinue reading “In Defense of Nation Building”
Afghanistan Mess Was Not Inevitable
The Biden-apologist company line on his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan goes like this. It was inevitable. This is what an exit from a war we didn’t win looks like. But that’s simply not true. Leaving aside the argument that we should not have left in the first place (which is my position), the fundamental problemContinue reading “Afghanistan Mess Was Not Inevitable”
Reality Comes to the West Side
Sometimes theory runs head on into the real world. That happened recently in the shadow of Camp Randall Stadium. Let’s say you’re an affluent, white liberal living in University Heights. (This, of course, is redundant. If you live in the Heights you are, pretty much by definition, affluent, white and liberal.) As such, you areContinue reading “Reality Comes to the West Side”
I’m Still With Biden
I believe that Pres. Joe Biden was wrong to pull U.S. troops from Afghanistan and that his administration’s handling of the withdrawal was disastrous. I still support Biden and it’s not because I’m a partisan Democrat. Yesterday was the darkest day of Biden’s administration and among the worst for America in recent years. The 13Continue reading “I’m Still With Biden”
Progressives Can’t Deliver Majority
For the hard-left in the Democratic Party, it’s all about them. It’s about their romantic visions of rushing to the barricades, of being outsiders standing against The Man (and they do really mean The Man), about being so very, absolutely and unquestionably right about everything. What it is not about is winning elections, establishing aContinue reading “Progressives Can’t Deliver Majority”
Pic of the Day/Forest HQ
Wisconsin Forest headquarters at Trout Lake. Modern forestry was born near this spot in 1911, when Wisconsin’s first State Forester, E.M. Griffith, began a program to plant seedlings on cut over land.
Thompson v. Nass
Is there any trace of decency and common sense left in the Republican Party? We’ll find out in the coming days. Tommy Thompson represents the pre-Trump party. Steve Nass reflects the ugly populist hot mess it has become, though in truth, Nass was a jerk before Trump ever dreamed of running for president. Here’s theContinue reading “Thompson v. Nass”
The Trifecta of Idiocy
My patience — to the extent I’ve ever had any — with the unvaccinated officially runs out today. Yesterday, the FDA gave final approval to the Pfizer vaccine. Look, it was always a weak excuse to say that you wouldn’t get vaccinated because the vaccines had only emergency approval. And it was an especially richContinue reading “The Trifecta of Idiocy”
Pic of the Day/Sculpture
A windswept sculpture at the University of Minnesota Arboretum west of Minneapolis. The Minnesota Arboretum is a much different facility than ours here in Madison. There’s less emphasis on native plant communities and natural settings and more on a variety of plants and manicured gardens.
Vos Expected Home Friday
Speaker Robin Vos (R-Burlington) talked with reporters today from a truck stop in Georgia promising he’d be back home, “on Friday. Saturday at the latest. Maybe Sunday.” Vos was invited to fly with former Pres. Donald Trump on Trump’s private jet to a rally in Alabama on Saturday. But Vos first had to drive toContinue reading “Vos Expected Home Friday”
Moderates Need to be Careful
Let me start by stipulating that I believe Congressional moderate Democrats are right. They just need to be cautious about how far they press their case. Some House centrists are saying they want to vote to approve the $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the Senate as soon as possible, leaving the $3.5 trillion packageContinue reading “Moderates Need to be Careful”
It Could Be Worse
For those you who lament the antics of the Madison City Council, it could be worse. You might live in Minneapolis. I’m up here this weekend to attend a wedding and, so, I got a chance to read the Minneapolis Star-Tribune this morning. (Yeah, I know, I could read it online anytime, but why wouldContinue reading “It Could Be Worse”
In Defense of Guys
I commit the four grave sins of the Democratic Party. I am a middle-aged, straight, white man. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Now, of course, you may have caught on that I’m being sarcastic there, but I’m constantly surprised at how many liberal men really are self-loathing. Here’s a comment I gotContinue reading “In Defense of Guys”
Prehn Gets It Now
Fred Prehn gets it. Yesterday, the chair of Wisconsin’s Natural Resources Board was able to explain clearly why he should step aside. It’s all about politics. Prehn’s term expired on May 1st, but he has ungraciously held on to his seat anyway, claiming that state law allows him to remain until his successor is confirmedContinue reading “Prehn Gets It Now”
Peace Activist: We Should Have Stayed
Today I’m just going to quote at length from an excellent story in this morning’s Wisconsin State Journal about the reactions of Afghan war veterans to the disastrous U.S. pullout. The story was reported by Riley Vetterkind and Mitchel Schmidt. In fairness, their story did quote the father of one soldier who died in AfghanistanContinue reading “Peace Activist: We Should Have Stayed”
Crime is Hurting the Dems
In Dane County inmates are now residents. This kind of thing is a big part of the reason that Democrats lose more elections than they need to. Yesterday, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, who was recently appointed to the job by Gov. Tony Evers, announced that people in his jail would no longer be calledContinue reading “Crime is Hurting the Dems”
The Trifecta of Idiocy
My patience — to the extent I’ve ever had any — with the unvaccinated officially runs out today. Yesterday, the FDA gave final approval to the Pfizer vaccine. Look, it was always a weak excuse to say that you wouldn’t get vaccinated because the vaccines had only emergency approval. And it was an especially richContinue reading “The Trifecta of Idiocy”
Biden’s Burden
Chaos has engulfed Kabul. The nation’s government has fled while U.S. and other embassies burn documents and hurry to the airport. Those Afghans who fear for their lives under Taliban rule are literally waiting at the gates, desperately trying to get out. It’s Saigon all over again. I like and respect Joe Biden. He’s doingContinue reading “Biden’s Burden”
Wondering About the Wonder Bar
Madison’s historic preservation movement has gone off track. Recently, a welcome new development just off John Nolen Drive that would provide much needed housing was laid on the table while neighbors fight to save the “historic” Wonder Bar building. The alleged reason? It was frequented by Chicago mobsters in the 1930s. Seriously, folks? The building,Continue reading “Wondering About the Wonder Bar”
Gableman Reports Excellent Night’s Sleep
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman told reporters that he had the best night’s sleep of his life this week while attending a conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The perfect rest came, Gableman claims, as the result of the MyPillow he received in his trinket bag upon registering at MyPillow company founder MikeContinue reading “Gableman Reports Excellent Night’s Sleep”
Dems Can’t Be the Dane County Party
The census data came out yesterday. Now that the state has the numbers necessary to redraw Legislative and Congressional districts, we can start down a road of predictable moves and an uncertain, though unpromising, outcome. Here’s what is almost certain to happen. Republicans will once again draw heavily gerrymandered maps designed to lock in theirContinue reading “Dems Can’t Be the Dane County Party”
Apply for a Wolf License, Then Tear It Up
Note: An alert reader points out that the deadline for applying for a license was August 1st, something I should have confirmed before I posted this. I’ll leave the post as it is, since the fundamental point — the insanity of the quota selected by the NR Board — remains. I’m going to apply forContinue reading “Apply for a Wolf License, Then Tear It Up”
Less Kind-ness
Congressman Ron Kind isn’t running again. That’s bad news for Democrats and democracy. “We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those type of people willing to serve who don’t believe that politics should just be a constant combat sport where the goal is just to destroy people on the other side,” Kind said at a pressContinue reading “Less Kind-ness”
Don’t Cancel Student Debt
Last week, the Biden Administration, nonsensically, extended college loan repayment forbearance until the end of the year. Never mind that the unemployment rate for college grads is barely 3%. And this may signal that Biden is moving to placate the hard-left by forgiving some amount of student debt outright. This is a terrible idea. IContinue reading “Don’t Cancel Student Debt”
I’m Loyal to My Dog
Yesterday I was reading a book review in the New York Times. It was David French’s review of Andrew Sullivan’s collection of essays, “Out on a Limb.” I like both French and Sullivan. They’re good and honest writers, though each is more conservative than I am. Anyway, I came across this in French’s review: “First,Continue reading “I’m Loyal to My Dog”
Take Some Responsibility
On the heels of yesterday’s column about identity politics and the increased tendency to blame others for problems of our own making, comes this polling result. A new Axios/Ipsos poll asked the unvaccinated who was to blame for the upsurge in COVID cases caused by the delta variant. Public health officials have told us thatContinue reading “Take Some Responsibility”
The Trouble With Identity Politics
Critical Race Theory has become a political football. The right is using it as a culture wars wedge issue while the left wants to dismiss it as just an obscure grad school discussion topic. So, let’s give CRT a rest for now and avoid all that. Instead, let’s consider identity politics, a concept that bothContinue reading “The Trouble With Identity Politics”
Black Brains Matter
Well, the rock is away. As of this morning the Chamberlin Rock has been hauled off the UW campus to a disclosed location that nobody will be able to find. So, can we get on to something serious now? For those of you who have had better things to do, the quick story goes likeContinue reading “Black Brains Matter”
Justice Trips Over Justice
The Madison City Council wants more affordable housing. That’s a laudable goal, but it can’t be accomplished without compromise. This week the council voted to reject, at least for now, two large projects that could add hundreds of units to the city’s housing stock. On Tuesday night the council voted down an 18-story mixed-use projectContinue reading “Justice Trips Over Justice”
Why 100?
In the midst of a good season it has been a great couple of weeks for the Milwaukee Brewers. Going into last night they had gone eight and two in their last 10 games, own a comfortable 7.5 game lead in their division, and they’ve added at least one big bat in Eduardo Escobar. AndContinue reading “Why 100?”
Max and Me
The other day, my good friend Denny Burke, who has been sending his friends a musical selection a day since March, 2020, sent us the lyrics to “We Can Be Together” from Jefferson Airplane’s “Volunteers” album. Here’s most of it: We can be togetherAh, you and meWe should be together We are all outlaws inContinue reading “Max and Me”
Block Nass
The first thing you have to understand about Steve Nass is that he wants to get under your skin. So, don’t let him. Just cooly turn him aside. Sen. Nass is a Republican from Whitewater who has been practicing “owning the libs” since before Donald Trump gave it a name. He routinely does stuff (andContinue reading “Block Nass”
Train Needs to Come Downtown
At the risk of rekindling my PTSD, let me offer an opinion on a high speed rail station in Madison. It has to be downtown. President Joe Biden’s proposed infrastructure bill, now being negotiated in the U.S. Senate, includes $66 billion for Amtrak improvements. The plan puts Madison on the map (literally) as part ofContinue reading “Train Needs to Come Downtown”
Happy Trails
By Spencer Black Whether its commuters pedaling to work in Madison, families enjoying the trails through the forests of Vilas County or tourists from around the world exploring the tunnels of the Elroy Sparta Trail, Wisconsin is the state for bikers. And this coming Sunday, Aug. 1, there will be celebration of someone who hasContinue reading “Happy Trails”
Forensic Audit of Brandtjen’s Brain Requested
Medical researchers are asking for permission to do a forensic audit of the brain of Republican Rep. Janel Brandtjen of Menomonee Falls. “Of course, we wish Rep. Brandtjen a long and happy life,” said Dr. Dan Broca. “But when that’s over we would love to get in there and try to understand what went wrong.”Continue reading “Forensic Audit of Brandtjen’s Brain Requested”
Bennett’s Bigoted Comment
Robert Lamp is dead. And, to make matters worse, he was rich and white. Unlucky for him, none of those things qualifies as a protected class in the City of Madison. I agree with Madison Ald. Juliana Bennett on the substance of her vote, but I very much disagree with her reasoning. Last week sheContinue reading “Bennett’s Bigoted Comment”
Our Dysfunctional State Government
Republicans wanted something. Democrats wanted something. Everybody was in Madison under the same dome. Why didn’t anybody try to work something out? Yesterday encapsulated what’s wrong with Wisconsin state government. Republican Speaker Robin Vos called an extraordinary session in an attempt to override a veto of a GOP bill to end extra Federal unemployment benefitsContinue reading “Our Dysfunctional State Government”
Please Get Vaxed
My guess is that the readership here at YSDA is pretty diverse. Of course, if you found your way here you are an intelligent, thoughtful and discerning person by definition. But, since I’m a center-left moderate (and still a liberal in many ways) who isn’t shy about taking on the hard-left and Democrats when IContinue reading “Please Get Vaxed”
What a Prehn
It has become a clear Republican strategy: burn down the house. So, I suppose we shouldn’t have been surprised when Fred Prehn refused to do the honorable — and usual — thing and step down. Prehn is the chair of the state’s Natural Resources Board. He’s been there since 2015 when he was appointed byContinue reading “What a Prehn”
UW Should Require the Vax
Over 600 colleges and universities are now requiring that their students and/or their faculty and staff be vaccinated against COVID 19 when they show up this fall. But not the UW. That’s just wrong. When I wrote about this earlier in the summer I speculated that UW System President and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy ThompsonContinue reading “UW Should Require the Vax”
Reconsidering Breyer
When presented with the opportunity to make a sophomoric point and a serious one, I alway like to begin with the juvenile. Have you ever noticed the resemblance between Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and Mr. Burns? Uncanny. Ok, now that that’s out of the way, let’s take up this issue of Breyer’s retirement —Continue reading “Reconsidering Breyer”
Moderate Doesn’t Mean Weak
I have been getting leaned on a bit by some of the Democratic Party elders. Their subtle, nuanced message amounts to: lay the hell off Tony Evers, you asshole. This has caused me to reflect on what it means to be a moderate. First, a quick recap. I was so unhappy with Gov. Evers’ decisionContinue reading “Moderate Doesn’t Mean Weak”
BRT Gets Madisoned
Do we really have to be all “Madison” about this, people? The city is on the verge of doing something historic. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will be the biggest improvement in urban mobility in these parts in at least a couple of generations. The high comfort, high frequency, limited-stop system will compete well versus carContinue reading “BRT Gets Madisoned”
Barnes’ Gets Third Degree Over His Degree
What do Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglas, Winston Churchill, Brad Pitt, Ellen DeGeneres and George Clooney all have in common? None of them completed a four year college degree. And, ya know what, they turned out alright anyway. I mention this now becauseContinue reading “Barnes’ Gets Third Degree Over His Degree”
Vos Misreads Me
Well, I suppose I should at least thank Speaker Robin Vos for reading my stuff. But if the Speaker thinks that my criticisms of Gov. Tony Evers are going to help him defeat Evers in the November, 2022 general election, he’s wrong. Here’s what Vos said according to a story yesterday in the Milwaukee JournalContinue reading “Vos Misreads Me”
The Practical Idealist
In my youth I was an idealist. To use a baseball analogy, I wanted to swing for the fences. Now, I’ll take a walk, a single, a bunt and a sacrifice fly. One method is more dramatic than the other, but it’s still one run. Last week I wrote a column on crime, cleverly titled,Continue reading “The Practical Idealist”
Make Wright House Part of Museum Campus
The City of Madison is on the verge of doing something dumb with an historic Frank Lloyd Wright house in the middle of downtown. The building’s owner has a better idea. I’ve got still another thought. In an excellent Sunday story, veteran Wisconsin State Journal city hall reporter Dean Mosiman laid out the dilemma. TheContinue reading “Make Wright House Part of Museum Campus”
No DH, Not Now, Not Ever
Let’s take a break from beating up on Tony Evers and Robin Vos, to lob some high hard ones at Rob Manfred. The Commissioner of Baseball (also known as The Lackey of the Owners) opined the other day on some rule changes that might come or go. The issue is an important one for theContinue reading “No DH, Not Now, Not Ever”
A Week of Evers Bashing Reviewed
We are nothing here at YSDA if not honest. Sometimes brutally so and even when the brutal honesty reflects poorly on our founder and editor (i.e., me). This past week I’ve posted three pieces in which I heavily criticize Gov. Tony Evers for signing what is, inarguably, a thoroughly Republican budget. The responses are in,Continue reading “A Week of Evers Bashing Reviewed”
The Need to Take on Vos
We can’t let Robin Vos lock in Republican majorities for another decade. That’s why Gov. Tony Evers needed to veto the budget and insist on a fair maps commission. On Monday I wrote a letter to the editor in the Wisconsin State Journal, in which I made the case that Evers should have vetoed theContinue reading “The Need to Take on Vos”
This Budget Wasn’t Bipartisan
Gov. Tony Evers called the budget he signed last week “bipartisan.” No, it wasn’t. Look, this budget was written by Speaker Robin Vos and the Republicans after they tossed Evers’ proposal out in its entirety. Not a single one of Evers’ major initiatives was included. Funding for K-12 education, the UW system, special ed andContinue reading “This Budget Wasn’t Bipartisan”
Make It Permanent
If Pres. Joe Biden and the Democrats accomplish nothing else, they should be proud of this: they cut child poverty in half. Temporarily. They need to cement their accomplishment by making the expanded child tax credit program permanent. According to a story in this morning’s Wisconsin State Journal, payments should start showing up in people’sContinue reading “Make It Permanent”
Introducing the Pic of the Day
I was introduced to a new website this week, called Jabberwocking.com. It’s written and edited by Kevin Drum, a journalist who used to work for Mother Jones. While Drum takes a mostly progressive view, he’s also not shy about calling ’em as he sees ’em, like this blog about the culture wars. But another thingContinue reading “Introducing the Pic of the Day”
Let’s Be Against Crime
Democrats need to come out forcefully against the bad guys. A few weeks ago I had a conversation with new Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes. I was impressed by him overall, but I was especially taken by one of the first things he told me. “I hate crime,” he said with conviction. “I just hateContinue reading “Let’s Be Against Crime”
Dems Need Alternative to Evers
Democrats deserve a choice. Do they want to nominate Tony Evers again and, at best, get four more years of wishy-washy or do they want to take a chance on actually making a difference? Tony Evers is the Stockholm Syndrome Democrat. For the second time in two chances he signed a Republican budget that bearsContinue reading “Dems Need Alternative to Evers”
No Wolf Hunt This Fall
It would be irresponsible for Wisconsin to move forward with a wolf hunt this November or at any time this year or next. February’s ill-advised hunt plus poaching, car hits, and legal kills made by farmers may have reduced the population by as much as a third. That’s according to UW environmental studies professor AdrianContinue reading “No Wolf Hunt This Fall”
The Challenges and Possibilities for Progressive Cities
In June primaries Buffalo, New York selected the country’s first openly socialist mayor of a major American city since Frank Zeidler was mayor of Milwaukee in the 1950s, and New York City’s city council moved decidedly to the left (these are Democratic cities where a primary victory largely assures election in November). In this columnContinue reading “The Challenges and Possibilities for Progressive Cities”
The Moderate Case for HR-1
Let me try to make a moderate’s case for two progressive goals: the elimination of the Senate filibuster and the Democrats’ voting rights bill, HR-1. The moderate case goes like this. When 75 million people vote for an autocrat, American democracy, and the liberal Enlightenment values that it is based on, are in serious trouble.Continue reading “The Moderate Case for HR-1”
Pretty Sure it’s Corrupt
It looks like PSC now stands for Pretty Sure it’s Corrupt. Attorney General Josh Kaul needs to start an investigation into former Public Service Commissioner Mike Huebsch for possible misconduct in public office. And at least two other commissioners have conflicts that, while not criminal, should have prevented them from being appointed to the PSC inContinue reading “Pretty Sure it’s Corrupt”
America’s Promises
America makes some outlandish promises. The story of the country is all about the struggle to keep them. When I was a young county supervisor I sat on the zoning committee. My city of Madison colleagues and I on that committee were often the target of heated comments about how much we disrespected freedom. Why?Continue reading “America’s Promises”
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