Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos
Midwest: Cervid habeas corpus
The last time I shot a deer it was 2018. That was the first year we lived in a condo. So when I headed to deer camp I had to walk two blocks on the near west side to my car while carrying my deer rifle. A young woman was coming the other way onContinue reading “Midwest: Cervid habeas corpus”
The World Cup! Eh.
I thought about watching the U.S. play England yesterday in a World Cup game. Then I forgot. Then, while watching Iowa play Nebraska in a surprisingly fun game of real football, I saw the score roll across the bottom of the screen. U.S. 0, England 0. Perfect. All that running around for an hour orContinue reading “The World Cup! Eh.”
The Next Crucial Election
I know. You wish you lived in Georgia so that you could be enjoying another three weeks of nonstop political ads. But don’t despair. Another election is just around the corner and you can be sure that you will receive breathless emails and mailers telling you that this will be the most consequential election ofContinue reading “The Next Crucial Election”
Grateful For Fossil Fuels
We’re nothing here at YSDA if not iconoclastic. So, today, as writers across the land go on and on about what they’re grateful for –family, friends, football (though not so much in Wisconsin this year) — let us stop and give thanks for coal, oil and natural gas. I’m mostly serious. Virtually all of theContinue reading “Grateful For Fossil Fuels”
Alternatives to Loan Forgiveness
Student loan forgiveness may very well be dead. That would be a good thing because it was always a terrible idea. Two Federal courts have tossed a monkey wrench into Pres. Joe Biden’s plan to unilaterally cancel up to $20,000 in student debt. The Administration is appealing and it seems likely that the issue willContinue reading “Alternatives to Loan Forgiveness”
Hispanics Could Save the GOP
It wasn’t so long ago that Democrats saw America’s growing Hispanic population as their ticket to long-term majorities. But a funny thing has happened on the way to inevitability. The national Hispanic vote has moved ten points toward Republicans just since 2018, accelerating a trend that had begun earlier. This month Republicans won all ofContinue reading “Hispanics Could Save the GOP”
Eulogy And The Hunt
I’m writing this on Monday, but I know exactly where I’ll be when this posts at 6AM on Saturday. I am in a deer stand on the far side of what we call the “front hill” at the Jordahl farm in Richland County. It is dark and cold, but it was a long, hilly walkContinue reading “Eulogy And The Hunt”
The Best Day of the Year
Today is the most wonderful day of the year. It’s the Friday before opening day of gun deer season in Wisconsin. If you stop by Farm and Fleet (or is it Fleet Farm?) you’ll find it to be “Orange Friday.” And it’s not about fruit or Protestants in Ireland. About a half million hunters willContinue reading “The Best Day of the Year”
The Wrong Building
Dane County and the City of Madison passed their 2023 budgets this week. The net result is that local government is moving ahead with one flawed and unnecessary building project while it continues to dither about a necessary one. Last night the Madison City Council did what I expected they’d do. To make up forContinue reading “The Wrong Building”
Thank You, Donald Trump
Rumors that the Democratic Party is paying Donald Trump to run for the presidency yet again cannot be confirmed. But a person can understand the suspicions (that I just made up). Democrats pour tons of resources into efforts to get out their vote, but nothing works quite like The Donald. There are many intertwined reasonsContinue reading “Thank You, Donald Trump”
Mod Dems: A New Party Within a Party
Going into the midterms Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson was thought to be the most vulnerable Republican incumbent in the nation. His approval ratings had long been under 40%, he had promised not to seek a third term and his public statements revealed an unhinged extremism that should have turned off Wisconsin’s independent voters. He evenContinue reading “Mod Dems: A New Party Within a Party”
On the Reyes
It looks like we’re going to have a spirited Madison Mayor’s race. On Thursday Gloria Reyes formally announced that she’ll take on Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, who is likely to announce her bid for reelection later this week or next. Rhodes-Conway has served in the oddest of times, so it’s hard to judge her tenure. First,Continue reading “On the Reyes”
Give ‘Em a Raise
This week the Madison City Council will take up a budget amendment to give themselves a raise. They should nudge their pay up a bit, but not as much as proposed. The proposal before the council would more than double their pay from about $15,000 a year to around $32,000. That’s too much for thisContinue reading “Give ‘Em a Raise”
He Got Fired For That?
In response to open records requests by the Wisconsin State Journal, the Madison School District finally gave the public its own information. Or at least some of it. In September the District fired new Sennett Middle School Principal Jeffrey Copeland only a few weeks into his job. The backlash from parents and staff was strong.Continue reading “He Got Fired For That?”
Trump Loses Big Time
The biggest loser in Tuesday’s election was Donald Trump and his style of politics. Not only did his endorsed candidates get trounced overall, but it’s entirely possible that his aggressive campaigning in the closing weeks tipped the balance away from his party. Don’t forget that Trump isn’t just a polarizing figure; he’s a polarizing figureContinue reading “Trump Loses Big Time”
Why the Dems Aren’t Blue Today
Yesterday I tacked on a paragraph to the end of my blog offering some hope to my fellow Democrats. I suggested four reasons that the expected Republican wave might not occur. I wasn’t serious. I was just trying to be nice. But it turned out to be prescient in the way that blind squirrels sometimesContinue reading “Why the Dems Aren’t Blue Today”
Three Races to Watch
I’ll have snacks and beer ready to go by 7PM (8 eastern) tonight and I’ll be mentally prepared for a drubbing. Kind of like settling in for a Packer game, now that I think about it. Here’s what we know for sure. Democrats will lose the House and it’ll probably be by somewhere in theContinue reading “Three Races to Watch”
Let’s Have Lower Turnout
It’s an article of faith among Democrats that high turnout is good for both democracy and them. There’s no evidence to support either claim. This year 40 million votes have already been cast before election day and we’ll likely set a modern day record for midterm turnout. And the result of all that democracy onContinue reading “Let’s Have Lower Turnout”
Alien Parade: Installment 11
Here’s the final installment. For those of you who have stuck with this, thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to let me know how you liked it… or didn’t. 39. Alien Parade While three dogged reporters grilled L. Grayson Charlie, the Sunday morning sun rose over Narvik and burnedContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 11”
Alien Parade: Installment 10
We’re going to wrap up this little clambake this weekend. Here’s the penultimate installment of our story. 35. The evidence Sheriff Harold Rhude did not drive Mayor Claire Kornstedt home from the Alien Dance. Instead, after dropping off his wife at their house, they drove up to the county courthouse in the dead of night.Continue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 10”
The Uphill Road For Moderates
Occasionally, a reader will suggest I run for something, usually governor. That happened again last week. I gently suggest they find a quiet place or maybe a twelve step program so that they can reintroduce themselves to reality. I’m not running for anything. But when somebody suggests that, the old pol in me starts twitchingContinue reading “The Uphill Road For Moderates”
Alien Parade: Installment 9
32. Party prep Sam arrived at the school cafeteria at noon to assemble her volunteers and get them decorating for that night’s alien ball. The turnout of volunteers was more than she expected. Everyone who signed up showed up and some brought kids or curious friends. A good sign, thought Sam. Throughout the afternoon theContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 9”
No More Victim Statements
I’m pretty much a law and order guy. Last week I wrote, not for the first time, that we should Lock Up the Bad Guys. But one thing I’ve never liked is the unseemly spectacle of victim statements near the end of murder trials. Under these made-for-television events the family and friends of murder victimsContinue reading “No More Victim Statements”
Alien Parade: Installment 8
30. Lemonade The post lecture party at the Flying Saucer was going nicely. Martin Boyd was holding court with a group of locals near the billiard tables. Pauline was pouring the special one-dollar “alien taps” right and left. Even Sheriff Harold Rhude was having one now that he was off duty. He glanced over atContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 8”
Why Dems Should Hope for the End of Affirmative Action
The Supreme Court will hear arguments today in two cases that could end affirmative action. While not a single Democrat will say it out loud, this is what they should be hoping for. Like abortion, affirmative action has been a millstone around the party’s neck for over half a century. And, like abortion, this conservativeContinue reading “Why Dems Should Hope for the End of Affirmative Action”
Alien Parade: Installment 7
27. Belief Sam sipped Darla’s strong coffee as she waited in her kitchen for Martin Boyd to finish his afternoon’s meditation upstairs in his room. Darla couldn’t suppress a smirk at the expense of her friend. “Wipe that off your face, Darla,” snapped Sam while she sipped and stared at the old linoleum on theContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 7”
Lock Up the Bad Guys
In a week and a half Democrats will lose a bunch of elections. The only question is whether all that red will come in the form of a tsunami or a breaker. They’ll lose primarily because of inflation (which they didn’t have much to do with), but also because of crime (which is a moreContinue reading “Lock Up the Bad Guys”
Alien Parade: Installment 6
Here’s the sixth installment in my short novel, Alien Parade, wherein we meet Dr. Martin Boyd, UFO investigator. 22. Arrival Now it was inside of two weeks to Alien Days. The weather had turned “ducky,” which is to say cloudy, cold and windy. And Larry Mercer was nowhere to be found. The Mercer Flying SaucerContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 6”
The Higher Principle
It has become fashionable for extremists on both right and left to argue that broad principles and time-honored institutions should be shoved aside when they get in the way of some policy goal of the moment. So the hard-right would trash our system of free and fair elections anytime their candidate loses. The hard-left wouldContinue reading “The Higher Principle”
Alien Parade: Installment 5
This is the next installment of my short novel Alien Parade. Previous installments can be found at https://yellowstripsdeadarmadillos.org. In this episode, Narvik Mayor Claire Kornstedt explains politicians. 20. Grand Marshal The news from Joe about progress on the Larry Mercer Flying Saucer Chevy buoyed Sam’s spirits to the point that she got up the courageContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 5”
Can We Throw In For Schneider?
As a Packer fan and a Democrat I have a question. Can we just throw in for Schneider? For those of you who don’t play the game (and if you’re a Wisconsinite you really have no excuse) Schneider is a term from Sheepshead. It means losing but not losing that badly. In Sheepshead, there areContinue reading “Can We Throw In For Schneider?”
Midwest: October Snow
There’s the Midwest and then there’s the Midwest. Most people would define the region, south to north, as extending from southern Illinois to Marquette, Michigan. But it was still summer in Carbondale last week while we got a heavy, wet snowstorm up here in the U.P. In Watersmeet, which is on the edge of theContinue reading “Midwest: October Snow”
Alien Parade: Installment 4
17. Just as good Harrison Boyd was dead. It only took a few clicks on Google to learn all about it. He had died in a plane crash about a decade after his appearance in Narvik. The good news was that he had a son, Martin Boyd, who had taken up the cause. He ranContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 4”
The Odds on November
Things are trending the wrong way for Democrats in every respect. Polls show generic Republicans with an advantage, Ron Johnson has a comfortable lead over Mandela Barnes while Tony Evers is in a dead heat with Tim Michels. It seems like the Democrats are likely to lose in the La Crosse area Congressional seat heldContinue reading “The Odds on November”
Alien Parade: Installment 3
This is the third installment of my brief novel, Alien Parade. Previous installments can be found at Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos.com 11. Big time Harriet Sobelman and Samantha Tucker grew up as close childhood friends on the Upper Westside of Manhattan. When it came time for college Sam Tucker chose to follow previous generationsContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 3”
Dems’ Problem in Two Charts
A New York Times/Sienna poll released Monday had bad news for Democrats, as if more were needed. The poll found that voters chose generic Republicans over generic Democrats by four points. Democrats held a one point lead a month ago. The poll is more evidence that Democrats peaked too soon and that stubborn inflation isContinue reading “Dems’ Problem in Two Charts”
Alien Parade: Installment 2
This is the second installment of my short novel, Alien Parade. See the Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos website for the previous installment. 6. Opportunity The Ottawa County courthouse was a beautiful old building in the center of the town square of Bosshardt, the county seat. Statues of young Union soldiers kept guard over eachContinue reading “Alien Parade: Installment 2”
Abolish the NCAA
Paul Chryst was fired as the Badgers’ head football coach only a handful of games into the season after being surprised by Washington State, destroyed by Ohio State, and embarrassed by Illinois. The Athletic Department paid him $11 million to clear out of his office. Meanwhile, Shanel Bramschreiber had to sit out half of theContinue reading “Abolish the NCAA”
Midwest: Last Day on the Trout Stream
Yesterday marked the end of trout season in Wisconsin. So, on Thursday, amid scattered snow showers, I drove out to Gordon Creek in western Dane County to throw flies into cold water and see if anybody was home and interested in lunch. I walked a ways downstream, found some gravel creek bed and an easyContinue reading “Midwest: Last Day on the Trout Stream”
Alien Parade, Installment One
When I left my last job (I refuse to use the word “retired”, but that’s pretty much what I did), I decided I was going to write a book. I had all kinds of ideas, but I settled on two, a collection of essays on deer hunting and a book about how the Midwest wasContinue reading “Alien Parade, Installment One”
New MU Poll: That Sinking Feeling
We’re out of the prediction business here at YSDA, but the latest Marquette University Law School poll is filled with bad news for Democrats. Rather than trying to predict how things will actually turn out in November, let’s just raise some interesting questions. Is it possible to have a split result? Democrat Mandela Barnes isContinue reading “New MU Poll: That Sinking Feeling”
He Loved the Law
If you live in Madison you almost can’t help but know a lot of lawyers. But how many of them seem to really enjoy their work? Michael May often said, “I love the law.” It was said with a trademark overzealousness that suggested self-mockery. But it also became clear over the seven years that IContinue reading “He Loved the Law”
Lunch Pail Joe Has Part of the Answer
It’s not surprising that a guy who grew up in Scranton would see the revival of manufacturing jobs as the key to saving democracy. But that guy is only partially right. I’m in the 40% of Americans who approve of the job Joe Biden is doing. The most important thing about the guy is thatContinue reading “Lunch Pail Joe Has Part of the Answer”
Midwest: The Summer Ends
This was the week I put summer away. I took my boat out of the water. For instructions on how to do this (actually it’s about how to put a boat in the water, but taking it out is just doing this in reverse) there’s none better than (who else?) Charlie Berens right here. AsContinue reading “Midwest: The Summer Ends”
Go After GOP on Crime
Yesterday I offered a somewhat sobering take on the mid-term elections from a Democratic perspective. My analysis basically went like this: Everything is going to hell. The Democrats want to make the election all about abortion while the Republicans want to make it about crime. Crime is trumping abortion. It has occurred to me sinceContinue reading “Go After GOP on Crime”
In Crime v. Abortion, Crime Wins
Things are looking bleak for Democrats in the mid-terms. Inflation remains stubbornly high. Gas prices were heading back up even before OPEC announced a production cut yesterday. Mortgage rates have gone through the roof. Talk of a recession is getting louder. There’s little of that that Democrats could control, but they’ll take it on theContinue reading “In Crime v. Abortion, Crime Wins”
Madison’s Freakfest Served Its Purpose
The city recently announced that the Freakfest Halloween celebration on State Street has been canceled for a third year in a row. The last two cancellations were due to COVID, but this one could spell the end of the event. As the mayor who started Freakfest you might think I’d have some personal investment inContinue reading “Madison’s Freakfest Served Its Purpose”
Midwest: NYT Insults the Old Fashioned
I read the New York Times every morning the same way I used to dutifully say five Our Fathers and five Hail Marys after going to confession. Penance cleanses the soul. Reading the Times isn’t quite wearing a hair shirt, but most days it feels close. What the Times lacks is any understanding of anybodyContinue reading “Midwest: NYT Insults the Old Fashioned”
Is the Red Wave Back On?
With a little more than a month to go before the mid-terms, many analysts have decided that the Republican wave election expected just a few weeks ago has now been called off. CNN commentator Chris Cillizza posted this late yesterday: Republican groups are increasingly hyper-focusing their resources on the several dozen races that hold theContinue reading “Is the Red Wave Back On?”
Where is Jeffrey Copeland?
There is a story in this morning’s Wisconsin State Journal that highlights three things that are wrong with the Madison School District. The story was about new Sennett Middle School principal Jeffrey Copeland, who lasted there only a few weeks. Copeland was placed on administrative leave on September 13th and he left the district altogetherContinue reading “Where is Jeffrey Copeland?”
Student Debt Cancellation Challenged
In what was an inevitable move, Pres. Joe Biden’s plan to unilaterally cancel up to $20,000 in student debt, costing taxpayers around a half-trillion dollars overall, is being challenged in federal court. The conservative Pacific Legal Foundation is bringing a suit in the federal district court for southern Indiana, arguing that Biden’s use of theContinue reading “Student Debt Cancellation Challenged”
Keep Line 5 Where It Is
There’s no better example of intractable sides stubbornly ignoring an obvious solution than the Line 5 debate in northern Wisconsin. Here’s the background. Line 5 is a petroleum pipeline owned by Enbridge, a Canadien company. The line runs from Superior across northern Wisconsin into the UP, through the Straits of Mackinac and down to theContinue reading “Keep Line 5 Where It Is”
Three Reasons For Dem Caution
I’m a Democrat. So, I look at positive news for my party and I ask myself, how are we going to mess that up? Or sometimes I ask, what are we missing here and why will we be disappointed this time? So don’t be surprised if I’m skeptical about all the excitement I’m hearing andContinue reading “Three Reasons For Dem Caution”
Midwest: The Tightening of the Stands
First off, my closing words on Friday were advice on how to enjoy your weekend: don’t watch the Badgers play football on Saturday. Was I right or was I right? Now, throat cleared, I want to write about something more cheerful and profound: the annual tightening of the stands. This is the literal opposite ofContinue reading “Midwest: The Tightening of the Stands”
Where’s Carlton Jenkins?
A grab bag of issues this Friday. Still lots of unanswered questions. Back in February a small army of law enforcement personnel from a half dozen agencies, including the DNR, descended on one man. They were on the far east side of Madison to arrest Quadren Wilson on a drug charge. They ended up shootingContinue reading “Where’s Carlton Jenkins?”
$1k For City Workers is a Terrible Idea
In Madison no bad idea ever really dies. Earlier this year Dane County Executive Joe Parisi proposed a one time $1,000 payment to every county employee to soften the blow of inflation. That proposal went down in flames before a very liberal County Board. I like Parisi. I think he’s a good guy and goodContinue reading “$1k For City Workers is a Terrible Idea”
What if it Comes Down to Independents?
Independent voters could decide the November elections. So, why is Tim Michels moving hard right? Wisconsin is pretty much equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, so a common strategy for both parties is to turn out their base voters. Earlier this summer Democrats were despondent and Republicans were energized. Polls showed a big enthusiasm gapContinue reading “What if it Comes Down to Independents?”
Using People As Pawns
People aren’t pawns. At least they shouldn’t be, but they are right now. I’m referring to the immigrants being shipped like parcels from Arizona, Texas and Florida to Manhattan, Martha’s Vineyard and Washington, DC. Hard-right Republican governors in those states are using human beings to score political points. The immigrants are unwilling foot soldiers inContinue reading “Using People As Pawns”
Latest MU Poll: Not So Good for Dems
The latest Marquette Law School Poll is out and it has some cautionary tales to tell Democrats. It’s not a tragic story just yet, but I found it pretty disappointing overall. Let’s dig in. Confusing numbers on Barnes-Johnson. As a Democrat I was disappointed in these numbers, which had U.S. Senate candidates Mandela Barnes andContinue reading “Latest MU Poll: Not So Good for Dems”
For a Materialistic Society
I am for materialism. Let’s be comfortable. Let’s get more stuff. Let’s focus on acquisition. Searching for meaning in life? It’s about a better sofa and a bigger flat screen. When I see one of those bumper stickers on a Prius that says, “Live simply so that others may simply live,” I drive very, veryContinue reading “For a Materialistic Society”
The Unforgiving Hard-Left
Madison Ald. Gary Halverson resigned last night. He probably made the right decision for his family, but the whole awful episode says worse things about the hard-left than it does about Halverson. Here’s the story. In 2020, before he was on the Council and before the January 6, 2021 Insurrection, Halverson joined the Oath Keepers,Continue reading “The Unforgiving Hard-Left”
Madison’s Public Market Might Have Checked Out
Madison is building or will soon begin construction on a lot of stuff: major projects at the public high schools, bus rapid transit, a new men’s shelter, a jail consolidation, and more. And all that building is happening at a time when construction costs are increasing rapidly. It’s probably time to make some hard choicesContinue reading “Madison’s Public Market Might Have Checked Out”
Wait ’til Wednesday
In a couple of days the new Marquette poll comes out. That will be the biggest day in this election cycle, perhaps until election day itself. For me, these are the big questions to be answered: Has RoJo made any headway? Mandela Barnes took a significant seven point lead over Ron Johnson in the lastContinue reading “Wait ’til Wednesday”
None Of It Matters Much
To hear Republicans tell it, we need ever-increasing hurdles to cast a ballot to prevent rampant voter fraud (which apparently only hurts Republican candidates.) To hear the Democrats tell it, the Republicans have imposed the equivalent of poll taxes and literacy tests. None of that is true. In fact, all this sound and fury overContinue reading “None Of It Matters Much”
The Cynicism of the “Varsity Collective”
Nobody can top the UW Athletic Department for sanctimony. But now they’ve reached a new level with the Varsity Collective. To understand what this thing is and why it’s so galling you need some background. Last year, at the point of legal gun, the NCAA finally allowed college athletes to benefit from their own name,Continue reading “The Cynicism of the “Varsity Collective””
Not So Sweet
UW Madison history professor James Sweet should have known what was coming. Sweet, who is also the current President of the American History Association, wrote a much needed essay in the AHA publication about the dangers of “presentism”, that is the tendency to apply present day perspectives and values to historic events. Predictably, the academyContinue reading “Not So Sweet”
Catching Up on a Few Things
A grab bag today. Biden misses the point. Yesterday Pres. Joe Biden attended union rallies in Milwaukee and Pittsburgh to celebrate Labor Day. But only one out of 10 American workers belongs to a union. If Biden really wanted to connect with labor he would have visited the loading dock at a Wal-Mart or theContinue reading “Catching Up on a Few Things”
On the Merits
On Labor Day, when we should be celebrating the fruits of diligence, hard work and just showing up on time, I had the good fortune of stumbling across a piece on the merits of merit in, of all places, the New York Times. The guest essay is by Asra Nomani, a woman who came toContinue reading “On the Merits”
The Invisible Workforce
On Labor Day weekend, here’s a question that hard-left Democrats need to ask themselves: If they’re so pro-worker how come workers have been abandoning them in droves? Once the blue collar party, Democrats are fast becoming the party of college-educated, relatively affluent, white collar workers who live in big cities and college towns. And yet,Continue reading “The Invisible Workforce”
RoJo Misfires Again
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson shouldn’t be desperate for issues on which to attack his Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. But he sure looks desperate now. Johnson is going after Barnes for using a lot of security in his first three years in office. And, in fact, Barnes has rung up over $600,000 in securityContinue reading “RoJo Misfires Again”
The Land of Misfit Toys
The other day David Blaska’s lawsuit was settled, but Blaska won his war back in May. Blaska and the conservative nonprofit law firm WILL went after the Madison City Council for requiring that its new Police Oversight Board be made up of various racial and gender identity groups most definitely not including straight white guys,Continue reading “The Land of Misfit Toys”
Begging the Big Beglinger Question
The latest Marquette University Law School poll came out earlier this month. It’s the first new MU poll since June and it was taken right after the Aug. 9 primaries. Here’s what I think I learned. Is it just a bump? In this latest poll both Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels and Democratic Senate candidateContinue reading “Begging the Big Beglinger Question”
Will Loan Forgiveness Survive?
I’m betting that Pres. Joe Biden’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt won’t happen. Here’s why. For starters it will take awhile for the bureaucratic machinery to be put in place. All kinds of detailed questions need to be worked out and processes, decision-making standards and appeal mechanisms need to beContinue reading “Will Loan Forgiveness Survive?”
MKE, Nuremberg & the GOP
In normal times I’d welcome Republicans to Wisconsin for their national convention in 2024. But this isn’t my father’s Republican Party. It isn’t even my older brother-in-law’s GOP. The Republican National Committee has now officially chosen Milwaukee for its next confab, which had been a foregone conclusion since its rival, Nashville, balked at approving aContinue reading “MKE, Nuremberg & the GOP”
Biden’s Loan Forgiveness is Unforgivable
Credit Joe Biden with taking a horrible idea and making it better. But the very idea of forgiving any amount of student loan debt is so fundamentally flawed that no amount of lipstick is going to make that pig any prettier. This is pretty clearly something that Biden didn’t want to do. Why else wouldContinue reading “Biden’s Loan Forgiveness is Unforgivable”
Public-Market Accelerated Incrementalism
On Monday I wrote about (and, I hope, destroyed) the arguments of two Ivy League law professors who would undermine our Constitution and, for all intents and purposes, eliminate one branch of government in the service of enacting legislation that is wildly popular in places like Cambridge and New Haven. What professors Doerfler and Moyn,Continue reading “Public-Market Accelerated Incrementalism”
The Constitution Endures
It’s fair to say that if a person becomes an Ivy League law professor that person is certifiably intelligent. It is not a fair conclusion that they live in the real world. Case in point is the recent oped in the New York Times from Ryan Doerfler and Samuel Moyn, law professors at Harvard andContinue reading “The Constitution Endures”
They Blew It Again
I used to think that the most dysfunctional local public body in Madison was its School Board. But now the Dane County Board is challenging them for the title. Last night the Board, yet again, couldn’t show any leadership. They couldn’t rally enough support to figure out what to do about the county’s jail facilities.Continue reading “They Blew It Again”
Cheney’s Choices
I wish I could imagine a scenario under which defeated Congresswoman Liz Cheney might lead a movement that defeats both Donald Trump and Trumpism. But I think that’s unlikely and, worse, there’s a scenario where she helps him win again. Now that the inevitable has happened and Cheney has been crushed in the Wyoming RepublicanContinue reading “Cheney’s Choices”
The Way to Talk About Climate: Don’t
In the last three years the impacts of climate change have accelerated and worsened. More and stronger hurricanes. Massive wildfires and a wildfire season that is almost year-round. Flooding in some places and water shortages in others. Intense summer heat waves. You’d think people would be more concerned than ever. You’d be wrong. An AssociatedContinue reading “The Way to Talk About Climate: Don’t”
Will Vos Become a National Figure?
Here’s the rule among Democratic pols and liberal commentators. When a Republican finally gets around to doing something you’ve urged him to do for years, you continue to beat the bejesus out of him anyway. That’s what’s happening now that Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has fired Michael Gableman and ended his needless, bogus “investigation” intoContinue reading “Will Vos Become a National Figure?”
Just a Quick Note
I get multiple emails a day from Democratic candidates Tony Evers and Mandela Barnes. The great thing about being post-primary is that I no longer get them from Tom Nelson, Sarah Godlewski or Alex Lasry. I also get them from Mark Kelly who’s running for reelection to the Senate from Arizona. Somebody must have tradedContinue reading “Just a Quick Note”
Hard-Left Keeps Inhumane Jail In Business
Dane County needs a new jail. Everyone agrees that the old jail on the top floors of the City County Building is a mess, unsafe and inhumane. Everyone also agrees that the aged Huber Center on the fringes of the Alliant Energy Center parking lot has also long outlived its time. But the Dane CountyContinue reading “Hard-Left Keeps Inhumane Jail In Business”
Good Vibes for Evers
Now that the smoke is clearing from the divisive Republican gubernatorial primary, the path to reelection for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is becoming somewhat clearer. I have five takeaways from the day after the election that bode well for Evers. First, the divisions in the Republican Party seem to be hardening. I was pleasantly surprisedContinue reading “Good Vibes for Evers”
What I Got Right & Wrong About Last Night
I am notoriously bad at making election predictions. Researchers tell me that a chimp making random choices on a key board would have a better record than mine. Last night didn’t help much. In the marquee race I thought Rebecca Kleefisch would beat Tim Michels in the Milwaukee suburbs and gadfly candidate Tim Ramthun wouldContinue reading “What I Got Right & Wrong About Last Night”
Put Cops in High School Neighborhoods
In the last school year police were called 640 times to Madison’s four high schools. That’s an average of about 3.5 times a day or almost once per day to each school. According to a story in this morning’s Wisconsin State Journal the breakdown is 220 calls to East, 158 to La Follette, 170 toContinue reading “Put Cops in High School Neighborhoods”
My Picks for Tuesday
I know. I know. You’ve been clamoring for this. You want to know my recommendations in Tuesday’s Democratic primaries and you want to know my predictions for the Republicans. What’s that? You couldn’t care less what I think about either? And anyway, you’ve already voted? Okay. Fine. But I’m going to tell you what IContinue reading “My Picks for Tuesday”
Enforce Every Law? Really?
All three Republican candidates for Wisconsin governor have said they will fire local district attorneys who refuse to enforce Wisconsin’s 1849 law against abortion. So, to be consistent, I assume they will also fire prosecutors and remove county sheriffs who refuse to enforce gun control laws or won’t go after voters who actually commit voterContinue reading “Enforce Every Law? Really?”
Let’s Try Going Forward
By nature, I’m a skeptical guy. So, when a few retired or defeated pols offered up a new centrist political party recently I wasn’t as quick to embrace it as you might think I would be. The new Forward Party is the project of Andrew Yang, a wealthy tech entrepreneur and failed Democratic candidate forContinue reading “Let’s Try Going Forward”
Kansas
Democrats and pro-choice activists are giddy over the overwhelming pro-choice vote that came out of Kansas on Tuesday. They have every right to be, but a note of caution is in order as well. The top of the line numbers were surprisingly good. A constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Kansas Legislature to banContinue reading “Kansas”
Pictures of Chairman Mao
Dakota Hall is the head of something called the Alliance For Youth Action. As far as I can tell, the organization’s top priority is for taxpayers to pick up what college grads owe on their student debt. You know, the amount they owe on the educations that opened the door to their making twice asContinue reading “Pictures of Chairman Mao”
It’s Not About Grass Roots
In a New York Times oped well worth reading, a professor and a writer (okay, grain of salt administered right here) criticize Democratic pols and progressive groups for their fundraising and grass roots strategies. I think they’re right on the mark. In their August 1st article, Lisa Putnam and Micah Sifry argue that: “National DemocraticContinue reading “It’s Not About Grass Roots”
What’s Pelosi Thinking?
This morning it was confirmed that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is going to Taiwan. It has not been explained why she’s going to Taiwan. Pelosi has been all but told not to go by her own President. The U.S. military has said they think it’s a bad idea. Her trip is not sanctioned by the StateContinue reading “What’s Pelosi Thinking?”
Midwest: The Virtues of Stability
“Disruption” is all the rage. The word seems to have gained popularity first in the tech world, but now it gets used for virtually everything. New adult absorbent pad entrepreneurs are “disrupting the incontinence space.” I made that up, but you get the point. But me, well, I’m tired of all this disruption. I don’tContinue reading “Midwest: The Virtues of Stability”
Will Robin Vos Save Democracy?
Here’s my take on Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. He’s not an ideologue, but a survivor. He stays in power by finding the center of gravity in his Republican caucus and putting himself there. And he’s been phenomenally successful. He is the longest-serving speaker in Wisconsin history and he is easily the second — some mightContinue reading “Will Robin Vos Save Democracy?”
Leah Hunt-Hendrix Embodies the Dem’s Problem
Leah Hunt-Hendrix knows what blue collar Americans need. Of course she does. After all, Hunt-Hendrix went to Duke and Princeton. She’s the trust-funded granddaughter of Texas oil billionaire H.L. Hunt. She has lived in diverse places like New York, the Middle East and San Francisco. She has flown over the Midwest on multiple occasions. SheContinue reading “Leah Hunt-Hendrix Embodies the Dem’s Problem”
And Then There Was One
And the winner is Mandela Barnes. Yesterday’s surprise announcement from Alex Lasry that he was dropping out of the race for the Democratic senate nomination and endorsing Barnes all but assures that the Lieutenant Governor will be the nominee. Tom Nelson dropped out last week and also endorsed Barnes. State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski has vowedContinue reading “And Then There Was One”
“Abortion Care” Is More Bad Language From the Left
One of the hard-left’s most obnoxious — and most counter-productive — practices is to keep trying to push new words and phrases into popular culture. Conservatives know this and they take advantage of it at every turn. A couple of weeks ago, at a committee hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) just destroyed a hard-left UC-BerkeleyContinue reading ““Abortion Care” Is More Bad Language From the Left”
Brandtjen is a Lunatic
Rep. Janel Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls) and chair of the Assembly Elections Committee is a stark-raving lunatic. And I’m being kind. It’s not jut me who thinks this. Her Republican colleague and her counterpart as chair of the Senate committee on elections, Sen. Kathy Bernier of Chippewa Falls, has called Brandtjen’s continued insistence that Wisconsin’s electoralContinue reading “Brandtjen is a Lunatic”
And Then There Were Two
My choices in the Democratic primary to take on Sen. Ron Johnson are now down to two. My top choice, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson dropped out this morning and endorsed Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. Also still in the race — and in the race for my vote — is State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, whoContinue reading “And Then There Were Two”
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Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos 