Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos
A Middle Ground on Abortion
The last thing our country needs is to fan the flames of another already hot issue. But that’s what’s likely to happen when the Supreme Court issues its ruling — probably next June — on the latest challenge to Roe v. Wade. Most legal tea leave readers that I’ve come across seem to think thatContinue reading “A Middle Ground on Abortion”
Dems Need to Get Out More
Good Sunday morning. For your Sunday jazz selection, and in keeping with the season, let’s try John Coltrane’s version of “My Favorite Things.” Today we’re going to hear from former Montana Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock. Bullock ran for president in 2020 and then U.S. Senate. He lost both races, but I was impressed with himContinue reading “Dems Need to Get Out More”
Now Pay All the Players
This evening is the Big Ten Football Championship game. We’re still smarting over the Badger’s inexcusable loss to the Gophers last week, robbing us of a rematch against Michigan. But I own a place in the U.P., and paying property taxes there entitles me to conveniently switch my allegiances. I’ll be up there today, arrivingContinue reading “Now Pay All the Players”
Run For School Board
Three of the seven seats on the Madison School Board are up this April. It’s important that voters get the chance to choose a new direction. As of Wednesday candidates could start circulating nomination papers. The minimal number of signatures can be picked up easily in a few days, so there’s plenty of time beforeContinue reading “Run For School Board”
Dine at Quivey’s, Drink at Genna’s
It’s a free country. Freer then it should be, in my opinion, when it come to vaccinations against COVID 19. I support a universal vaccination requirement. But since that isn’t going to happen, we need to look at other ways that the majority of us, who have done the responsible thing, can protect ourselves againstContinue reading “Dine at Quivey’s, Drink at Genna’s”
Maps: Evers Didn’t Do Enough
Yesterday the Wisconsin Supreme Court dealt a serious blow to any hope of fair legislative and Congressional district maps for the next decade. On a 4-3 decision the court said that it would base its ultimate ruling on the principle of least change to the heavily Republican gerrymandered maps that have been in place forContinue reading “Maps: Evers Didn’t Do Enough”
Dems Should Support Parents
As a rule, I’m no fan of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty. But they’re right about a couple of things. Founded a decade ago with a big gift from the conservative Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation, WILL is pretty much just a front for the Republican Party. They’ve shilled for the party most notably —Continue reading “Dems Should Support Parents”
Is All Sanity Local?
In recent years the old saying that ‘all politics is local’ has been turned around. It seems like we’re so polarized now that all politics is national. It feels like it all just comes down to which side of the divide you claim to be on. Or maybe not. There are encouraging signs in localContinue reading “Is All Sanity Local?”
Thankful for Biden
Good Sunday morning. For your Sunday easy-going music selection and to honor Stephen Sondheim let’s try “Somewhere” as sung by Lucy Thomas. It’s routine among columnists to write about what they’re grateful for at Thanksgiving. I have some sympathy for that — you don’t have to come up with an actual idea for a topic.Continue reading “Thankful for Biden”
Why Does ATC Exist?
So, here’s a question for you. Two judges have ruled that opponents of the American Transmission Company’s massive power line from Iowa to Middleton have a case that’s likely to prevail. So, why does ATC keep building it anyway? Here’s an answer that may not surprise you. Because they’ll make money even if the lineContinue reading “Why Does ATC Exist?”
Bail Reform and Darrell Brooks
Let’s face it. Republicans are going to use Darrell Brooks like a hammer. Brooks is charged with killing six people and injuring scores of others at the Waukesha holiday parade on Sunday. He has a long, violent criminal history and was currently out on cash bail of only $1,000. The juxtaposition of a violent felonContinue reading “Bail Reform and Darrell Brooks”
Because It’s All About Family
For the last decade or so Dianne and I have had the tradition of watching “The Godfather” on Thanksgiving Day. After all, the holiday is all about family. And, in fact, if you’re getting together with your loved ones this year, it may be time to settle all family business. As for the airing ofContinue reading “Because It’s All About Family”
Pic of the Day/View From the Hunting Room
The view from the hunting room at the Jordahl Farm deer camp on Monday. Deer season is always the highlight of my year, and it was great to be back this year after missing 2020 because of the pandemic.
Rittenhouse Verdict: Troubling But Correct
I am not celebrating Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal on five charges last week. Rittenhouse should not have been in Kenosha in the first place and he most definitely should not have been carrying an AR-15. In my view, nobody should be carrying an assault rifle. Their sale and possession should be banned outside of the military.Continue reading “Rittenhouse Verdict: Troubling But Correct”
Pic of the Day/Deer Camp
Saturday night at the Jordahl deer camp in Richland County. Ten hunters, three deer. We’d add another buck on Sunday. I did not shoot. Left to right, Mark Jordahl, John Rhude, me, Karl Bryan, Brad Feltz, Cooper Feltz, Westin Feltz, Peter McKeever, Trygve Jordahl, Jordy Jordahl and Jordy’s neighbor and new addition this year, RussContinue reading “Pic of the Day/Deer Camp”
The Real Issues
Here’s a problem for Joe Biden and his (and my) Democrats. Almost 60% of Americans don’t think they’re focussed on issues that they think are important. That’s according to a recent CNN poll. And CNN, you may note, is hardly a conservative mouthpiece. Here’s the way it breaks down according to the three top issuesContinue reading “The Real Issues”
November 22, 1963
John Kennedy’s assassination is one of my earliest memories. I was four-years old in November of 1963. I remember my mother washing the basement stairs on that afternoon as she was crying. I remember coming home from Sunday mass that weekend, my father switching on the Motorola TV set in the kitchen, and witnessing LeeContinue reading “November 22, 1963”
McWhorter: Woke is Broke
Good Sunday morning. It’s the second day of deer camp, and so, by the time you read this I will have been out in the woods for about three hours, at least. Since I’m not home to write, I’ve cut and pasted (cutting and pasting is becoming a Sunday tradition for me anyway) another pieceContinue reading “McWhorter: Woke is Broke”
Stability
It is 9AM on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and I know exactly where I am. I know this even though I’m writing about it several days beforehand. I’m confident of where I’ll be because I’ve been there before. Exactly here. At exactly this hour. Exactly here is four feet off the ground in a boxContinue reading “Stability”
What Am I Doing Here?
A few weeks ago I got a thoughtful email from a reader who said he liked the site, but had some suggestions for improvement. He’s a self-described “marketing guy” and I thought his ideas were more than worth considering. So, of course, I rejected them all. Anyway, his observations were perceptive and you, good reader,Continue reading “What Am I Doing Here?”
Dems Can Pull Out of Their Plummet
Today we’ve got a guest column from my old boss and good friend former Rep. Spencer Black. This column originally appeared in the Capital Times. By Spencer Black There are two positives for Democrats coming out of the otherwise dismal recent elections. First, November 2021 is not November 2022. Second, Democrats, especially congressional Democrats, gotContinue reading “Dems Can Pull Out of Their Plummet”
Madison Needs You, Michael Johnson
Over and over again, Michael Johnson has stepped up for Madison. Now, it’s time for him to step even higher. Johnson, is the long-time CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. He’s done remarkable work growing that organization, adding a new facility on Allied Drive, and embedding the Clubs as a forceContinue reading “Madison Needs You, Michael Johnson”
The Paul R. Soglin Madison Municipal Building
Ok, so here’s a man-bites-dog story for you. Capital Times Emeritus Editor Dave Zweifel has started a campaign to rename the Madison Municipal Building after the city’s longest serving mayor, Paul Soglin. And I agree. That might surprise you because Paul and I went head-to-head for the mayor’s job twice. In 2003, I beat himContinue reading “The Paul R. Soglin Madison Municipal Building”
Pic of the Day/Does
It’s opening day of gun deer season in Michigan. These does greeted me this morning on my way into my stand. They’re old friends who hang around our cabin all year, so they will definitely not be on my meat pole.
The Sacred Week
I’m not a religious guy. I’m not even a spiritual guy. I distrust passion. I like calm, rational people. To all ultimate questions my answer is, how the hell should I know? Is there a god? Is there life after death? I don’t think so, but on the other hand, how the hell should IContinue reading “The Sacred Week”
CRT (Lite) Is Taught in Schools
Good Sunday morning from the snowy north woods. This is a special week; the week leading up to the opening of Wisconsin gun deer season at dawn on Saturday. Denny Burke’s Sunday jazz pick is “Mumbles” by Clark Terry. This week we’re going to highlight a column from another YSDA favorite, New York Times columnistContinue reading “CRT (Lite) Is Taught in Schools”
Homeless Need Responsibility
The city of Madison has done the right thing to shut down a homeless tent encampment and to provide a humane alternative. But it can’t just be a giveaway. For too long, city leaders tolerated an unsightly and unsanitary mess of a tent encampment at Reindahl Park. Finally, they acted to shut down the encampmentContinue reading “Homeless Need Responsibility”
Build Back Smaller
It’s the issue that has rocketed to the top of the charts: inflation is back. I would not have written this even a week ago, but I now think that Pres. Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan should be scaled way back from its current $1.75 trillion iteration. Inflation is now the biggest issue threateningContinue reading “Build Back Smaller”
Veterans Day
I was going to write something else today, but when I saw this moving piece in this morning’s Wisconsin State Journal, I wanted to share it with you. It’s written by Rick Larson, a 75-year old Vietnam veteran who now lives in Monona. Here it is. Every year around Veterans Day, I recall my timeContinue reading “Veterans Day”
Just Play the Game
I know. I know. You’ve been wondering what to think about the whole Aaron Rodgers vaxgate thing, waiting for the sage wisdom of YSDA to kick in. Wait no more, sports fans. We haven’t had much to say about this deal because we haven’t been able to come up with anything original. Yes, Rodgers isContinue reading “Just Play the Game”
Will McCoshen Reconsider?
Gov. Tony Evers is in trouble. In a new Marquette Law School poll fully 53% of respondents said they would vote for somebody else next November. Only 40% said they planned to vote for Evers. That, along with the drubbing Democrats took last week, amounts to grim news for the first term governor. But aContinue reading “Will McCoshen Reconsider?”
If Not Woke, Then What?
You may have noticed my subtle criticism of woke policy and politics. I’ve referred to woke as “garbage.” Some could regard this as a gentle signal that I may disapprove of it. I’m also a believer in David Shor’s theory of popularism. That is the complex political strategy of finding out what voters want andContinue reading “If Not Woke, Then What?”
If You Don’t Vote For Dems Are You a Racist?
Good Sunday morning and welcome back to Central Standard Time. Denny Burke’s Sunday jazz selection is Why Don’t You Do Right? by Peggy Lee. May the Packers win today behind an amazing performance by Jordan Love, a man who is both vaccinated and not under the impression that he is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Continue reading “If You Don’t Vote For Dems Are You a Racist?”
Time For Moderates to Step Up
Well, that was easy. Last night the House finally passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill that they should have passed in August. It was the right thing to do from a policy perspective, but how much good it will do the Democrats politically is very much an open question. Three months of wrangling squandered the party’sContinue reading “Time For Moderates to Step Up”
If You’re Sick of Woke Just Say So
One thing I’ve noticed since I began YSDA at the first of the year is how much quiet cheering I get, as in, “You’re saying exactly what I’m thinking. Keep saying it!” But then when I suggest that the person might want to submit a comment or even write a guest column, they demur. MostContinue reading “If You’re Sick of Woke Just Say So”
“Stupid Wokeness”
As a rule, I don’t like to burden you with more than one post per day. But yesterday evening I watched James Carville being interviewed on the PBS News Hour and I found myself cheering. Thankfully, CNN commentator Chris Cillizza saw the same thing, was also impressed by it, and summarized it just now inContinue reading ““Stupid Wokeness””
Pic of the Day/Brigham Park
Yesterday was a great day for a hike. Friend Spencer Black introduced me to the rugged trails between Brigham County Park and Blue Mound State Park.
It’s Not Too Late for Dems
Let’s face it people. Tuesday was a disaster for Democrats. They lost the Virginia governor’s office in a state that Pres. Joe Biden won by 10 points just a year ago. They nearly lost the New Jersey governor’s office in a state Biden won by 13 points. And none of it had that much toContinue reading “It’s Not Too Late for Dems”
A Hard Night for the Hard Left
As if we needed more evidence that the Democrats’ move to the left is going to destroy their chances in the mid-terms, we got more of it this morning. The biggest message came in New Jersey where Gov. Phil Murphy was expected to cruise to victory. Last week, NPR touted Murphy as a Bernie SandersContinue reading “A Hard Night for the Hard Left”
Manchin’s Gotta Get With the Program
Sen. Joe Manchin has succeeded in getting on even my nerves. I have defended Manchin for his recalcitrance on getting on board with Pres. Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan. While I like Biden’s plan, my point has been that the whole thing would have been DOA if Manchin didn’t win a state that wentContinue reading “Manchin’s Gotta Get With the Program”
Eighty Percent of Us Aren’t Nuts
A 2018 study for the nonprofit group More in Common found that about 86% of Americans are not bat-shit crazy. To quote the study, The Hidden Tribes of America: A majority of Americans, whom we’ve called the “Exhausted Majority,” are fed up by America’s polarization. They know we have more in common than that whichContinue reading “Eighty Percent of Us Aren’t Nuts”
The Merits of Merit
Good Sunday morning and happy Halloween. Denny Burke’s Sunday jazz selection is Swanee River Boogie performed by pianist Albert Ammons. Today we’re going to turn over the YSDA podium to Michael Mandelbaum. He is the Christian A. Herter Professor Emeritus of American Foreign Policy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, a memberContinue reading “The Merits of Merit”
Leopold Gives Way to Nugent
For me this is the most wonderful time of the year. This is the build-up to the Wisconsin gun deer season, which runs from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the end of the Thanksgiving weekend. And, in fact, bow hunting is already in progress. Most late afternoons when I’m at our place in the NorthContinue reading “Leopold Gives Way to Nugent”
Is Nelson ’22 Like Feingold ’92?
Tom Nelson is a long-shot to win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. So was Russ Feingold back in 1992. Nelson is running for Feingold’s old seat, which has been sullied (that’s a kind word) by Ron Johnson. There are something like a dozen people running for the nomination, but right now there are fourContinue reading “Is Nelson ’22 Like Feingold ’92?”
We Need More Melting Pot
At the University of California the phrase “melting pot” has been banned. It’s said to be culturally insensitive. But we’re nothing here at YSDA if not culturally insensitive. Mix up the cheeses, put ’em on the stove, turn up the heat and get ready for some tasty fondue. It’s time to make cultural assimilation popularContinue reading “We Need More Melting Pot”
It’s Too Late for McAuliff
Whatever happens now it’ll be too late for Terry McAuliff. McAuliff is in an unexpected dead heat to reclaim the Virginia governorship in a state that Joe Biden won by 10 points a year ago. He blames at least some of his woes on DC Democrats’ endless dithering on infrastructure, social safety net and climateContinue reading “It’s Too Late for McAuliff”
Madison School Board Needs Changes
Over and over again this Madison school board sends a clear message to parents who have raised well-behaved students: we don’t care about you. Instead, the board and the school administration are laser focussed on kids who are disrupting classes and harming the educations of the majority of good kids who just want to learn.Continue reading “Madison School Board Needs Changes”
The Trouble With “Looks Like Me”
Amid all the horrible language of the woke left, probably the most damaging single phrase is “looks like me.” You hear and read it often, especially on left leaning sites, like NPR, the New York Times and PBS. What the speaker usually means is simply that he or she likes to see people in positionsContinue reading “The Trouble With “Looks Like Me””
The Contradictions of Thomas Jefferson
Good Sunday morning. My friend Denny Burke’s Sunday morning jazz selection this week is “Time After Time” by Miles Davis. A few blogs ago, I tried to make sense of the move at James Madison Memorial High School to change the school’s name because Madison owned slaves. Here’s a far more eloquent discussion on theContinue reading “The Contradictions of Thomas Jefferson”
So, Who’s Really “Pro-Life”?
One of our favorite columnists here at YSDA is Sara Elizabeth Cupp. She’s a Never Trump Republican who takes a right-center point of view, which is more conservative then our left-center take on most things, but that just gives her more credibility when she points out the hypocricies of the hard-right. She did that beautifullyContinue reading “So, Who’s Really “Pro-Life”?”
Get Cops Back in Schools
Removing police from Madison’s public high schools never made any sense. It was destined for disaster. Today’s news brings evidence that the disaster is upon us. On Wednesday afternoon about 100 people brought an altercation that began inside East High School onto a street that borders the school. Ten Madison cops and a supervisor hadContinue reading “Get Cops Back in Schools”
We Should All Get Along at Blue Mound
I’m a silent sports guy. I ride a bike, I kayak, I hike, I fly fish, I hunt. And I cross country ski. A lot. It’s probably my favorite sport. So, you would think that I’d be with those fighting a snowmobile trail in Blue Mound State Park, my favorite place to ski anywhere. Well,Continue reading “We Should All Get Along at Blue Mound”
The Happy Liberal
Conservatives are generally more happy than liberals because they are at once more accepting of things as they are and yet more willing to take personal responsibility for their own fate. But are those traits exclusive to conservatives? That pretty well sums up the research paper, “Conservatives are happier than liberals, but why?” by Barry R.Continue reading “The Happy Liberal”
Why Are White Liberals So Obsessed With Race?
White liberals with college degrees care more about race and have a more dim view of race relations than African Americans. What’s going on here? In his influential 2019 piece in Vox, Matthew Yglesias wrote: “In the past five years, white liberals have moved so far to the left on questions of race and racismContinue reading “Why Are White Liberals So Obsessed With Race?”
Half a Good Idea on Homelessness
The city of Madison has half the right idea on dealing with the homeless tent encampment that has sprung up during COVID. But its success will be hampered if it doesn’t follow through on the second part of what needs to be done. First off, let’s give Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, the City Council and cityContinue reading “Half a Good Idea on Homelessness”
The Art of Alienation
Pretty much every week brings at least a couple of fresh examples of things that push me further away from the left and from the Democratic Party that it dominates. Now, let me hasten to add right here that these things do not shove me into the Republican Party. I find the party of TrumpContinue reading “The Art of Alienation”
Why I Love Amazon
Why did they want to break up the old New York Yankees? Because they were too good. Same goes for mega-retailer Amazon. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is now calling for breaking up one of the most successful companies in the world. I don’t know. I can’t think of a single thing I’ve ever gotten out ofContinue reading “Why I Love Amazon”
The Chicago Principles
From time to time, I come across a document that is so good that I want to share it with you in its entirety. That’s the case with the Chicago Principles, a stirring statement in defense of free expression and academic freedom from the University of Chicago. Here it is, unabridged. Report of the CommitteeContinue reading “The Chicago Principles”
Pic of the Day/Mural
The new mural on the side of the Neuhauser pharmacy on the corner of Monroe and Harrison streets. I have mixed feelings about it.
Pic of the Day/Willow River
The Willow River near Loyd, Richland County. My last day on a trout stream this season.
Options For Democrats
There is reason for pessimism about the future of the Democratic Party. That’s unfortunate because the alternative right now is a Republican Party that has abandoned any shred of loyalty to liberal democracy. It might be overstating the case, but it’s not entirely implausible that the future of American democracy depends on the Democrats gettingContinue reading “Options For Democrats”
In Defense of Joe Manchin
Can we get a little perspective here, people? Sen. Joe Manchin is taking a lot of flak from the left for not being onboard with their $3.5 trillion social safety net and climate change program. “Two people do not have the right to sabotage what 48 want, and what the President of the United StatesContinue reading “In Defense of Joe Manchin”
Blank Slate
Rebecca Blank has been a good administrator, but she has not defended classical liberal values. The UW Madison chancellor is heading to Northwestern at the end of this school year after almost a decade here. Let’s start by giving her the credit she deserves for what she has accomplished. This is how the Wisconsin StateContinue reading “Blank Slate”
Reading the Maps
Let’s start by giving Gov. Tony Evers’ People’s Maps Commission its due. It fulfilled its assignment. The commission produced new legislative maps that were fair in the sense that they were drawn in compliance with current legal standards, and more or less blindly to partisan advantage. And while the products themselves (three sets of mapsContinue reading “Reading the Maps”
Pic of the Day/Joe Hesse
Went to my sheepshead friend Joe Hesse’s memorial service today. Joe was a beloved German and French teacher at Stoughton High School. After our last game, shortly before he died, Joe’s lasts words to us were, “See you on the other side, boys.” See you there, Joe. You buy the first pitcher.
Evers Doubles Down on His Pardon Peril
Last night, for the first time in 20 years, a Madison police officer was shot. We’re lucky that the officer’s injuries are not life-threatening, but it’s yet another indication of the dramatic rise in shootings here and nationwide. And the Democrats sleep. Here’s more evidence that Democrats just aren’t getting how dangerous crime is —Continue reading “Evers Doubles Down on His Pardon Peril”
Pic of the Day/Dave’s Supper Club
I’ve always wanted to have my own Northwoods supper club (but only in high concept; I wouldn’t want to do all that actual work.) Now, I’ve got my theme down. It would be “Dave’s Supper Peninsula Club: Where the Elite Retreat to Eat Meat.”
Kloster Muck
We now have a better understanding of why Speaker Robin Vos won’t release the names of people working with Michael Gableman on his “investigation” into last November’s election. He’s embarrassed — and he has every right to be. Vos hired the former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, who was never considered the sharpest member of theContinue reading “Kloster Muck”
Pic of the Day/Empty Dock
The fishing boat and kayaks went into the garage yesterday. Fall’s coming… and so are the guys who take in the dock.
The Gableman Follies
Let us review. Joe Biden won the November election in Wisconsin by about 20,000 votes. That has been confirmed through the normal, rigorous and demonstrably accurate canvass process and reconfirmed through extraordinary recounts and in court challenges from former Pres. Donald Trump and his pals. It’s fair to say that this has been the mostContinue reading “The Gableman Follies”
The Complications of James Madison
James Madison was a complicated man. He was perhaps the primary inventor of what most people in all the American generations since his time have thought of as “freedom.” But now the narratives about both James Madison and freedom are changing. A new generation no longer accepts the idea that Madison and many of theContinue reading “The Complications of James Madison”
Let the People Decide
The Madison City Council has identified affordable housing as a key city goal and, to its credit, it seems to understand that the best way to restrain the growth in housing costs is to simply build more of it. It’s a refreshing acknowledgement that the free market can work. But there’s a catch. In 2023Continue reading “Let the People Decide”
Mural Makes Good Trouble on Monroe St.
Sometimes art should sooth us and sometimes it needs to challenge us. The new mural on Monroe Street does the latter. The mural on the side of Neuhauser Pharmacy, on the corner of Monroe and Harrison streets, depicts a line of children of color standing in front of a vending machine. Bad stuff is beingContinue reading “Mural Makes Good Trouble on Monroe St.”
Oh, For Cryin’ Out Loud
I’m pro-choice. This weekend’s antics didn’t help the cause. If you wonder why the Democratic brand is so tarnished look no further than this paragraph from a story in yesterday’s Wisconsin State Journal: The day before the Bans Off Our Bodies march, UW-Madison’s BIPOC Coalition, originally a co-sponsor of the event, published a statement rescindingContinue reading “Oh, For Cryin’ Out Loud”
Pic of the Day/Courthouse
The Marquette County Courthouse, Marquette, Michigan, where “Anatomy of a Murder” was filmed. It was a classic 1959 Otto Preminger film often cited as the most realistic courthouse drama ever made. Starred Jimmy Stewart and Lee Remick with a score by Duke Ellington. Visited it yesterday on a warm October afternoon.
Senate Race Update
About once a month I’ll be checking in on the U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin. Here’s this month’s take on who’s up and who’s down. It’s going to be hard for any Democrat to win the U.S. Senate seat now held by Ron Johnson. I know. You cannot believe I’m saying this. Isn’t Ron JohnsonContinue reading “Senate Race Update”
The NAACP Letter
Last month, 40 organizations and distinguished individuals, led by the NAACP, sent a letter to the UW Madison and the UW Oshkosh, asking that Frederic March’s name be restored to places of honor on those campuses. Their letter was so important in pushing back against knee-jerk campus politics everywhere that I am including the fullContinue reading “The NAACP Letter”
The Middle Disappears
I’ve got friends visiting at Duck Lake, so this will be a cut-and-paste weekend. Here’s a topical piece from “The Point,” a newsletter from CNN’s Chris Cillizza. On Thursday afternoon, barraged by reporters asking about criticism from the left for his opposition to a $3.5 trillion budget package, West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin offeredContinue reading “The Middle Disappears”
Devin Williams Looking for Dry Waller
Milwaukee Brewers pitching sensation Devin Williams is in the market for a dry waller. Williams was at his Milwaukee area home after celebrating the Brewers’ clinching the Central Division on Sunday evening when, after a few drinks and in response to some unspecified frustration, he punched a hole in a wall. “The whole organization feelsContinue reading “Devin Williams Looking for Dry Waller”
Don’t Count Joe Out
Even loyal Democrats are down on Joe Biden right now. Better to take the long view. The President is taking heavy criticism for the Afghan pull out debacle and for the treatment of Haitians at the Texas border. His approval ratings are taking a hit, especially with some of his most loyal supporters, but IContinue reading “Don’t Count Joe Out”
Moderates Are Not Dumb
When I die, if it turns out I’m wrong about an afterlife, my version of hell will be to be stuck in an endless Paul Krugman lecture. The sanctimonious hard-left economist is also a regular opinion writer for the New York Times. In my noble effort to read writers I can’t stand, just to seeContinue reading “Moderates Are Not Dumb”
Pic of the Day/Mason Crosby
It was a great weekend in Wisconsin sports. The Brewers swept the Mets and clinched the Central, the Packers beat the Niners in a thriller and the Team USA won the Ryder Cup at beautiful Whistling Straights. Also, the Badgers… wasn’t that last second Packers comeback great?!
Rein In Historic Preservation
As a society we hold many values. We all want good jobs and affordable housing. Many of us want to see our cities thrive and we think that greater urban densities help restrain sprawl on the edges of cities and make urban areas more vibrant. We also want to preserve buildings and sites that areContinue reading “Rein In Historic Preservation”
Pic of the Day/ Lily Pads
Lily pads on a pristine lake in the Sylvania Wilderness… unless, of course, somebody is going to tell me these aren’t lily pads. Lots of naturalists in my circles. I stand corrected.. a lot.
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”
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Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos 