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”
Author Archives: dave cieslewicz
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”
Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos 