Author Archives: dave cieslewicz

I’m not at all surprised. The executive search group chosen to help find the next Madison schools superintendent reflects the biases of our current school board. The very first statement you see in the About section of the website of Alma Advisory Group out of Chicago is that it is, “is a woman-of-color-led consulting servicesContinue reading “MMSD Consultant is Biased”

At this week’s second Republican debate, Nikki Haley had the line of the night when she told Vivek Ramaswamy: “Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber.” A) Lost five IQ points. B) Lost 10 IQ points. C) Lost 15 IQ points. D) Became unable to follow the instructions on a frozenContinue reading “The Quote & Quiz For 9/29/23”

When Jimmy Carter was recently wished a happy birthday in advance of the actual date, which is October 1st, he said: “I’m going to be 99. I’m not sure what’s so happy about that.” A) He took an A- on an AP calculus exam in the fifth grade. B) He was wrong about the correctContinue reading “The Quote & Quiz for 9/22/23”

Robin Vos needs to go someplace quiet for awhile. He needs to find his happy place and just chill for a bit. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity for the longest-serving Wisconsin Assembly Speaker. Nothing wrong with getting ones exercise, but Vos’ moves have been frenetic, desperate and slightly unhinged. IContinue reading “Wobbly Vos”

A rough estimate is that my wife and I pay about $15,000 a year in state income taxes, state and local sales taxes and local property taxes. We’re thinking about relocating and taking our spending (and all those jobs we create!) with us. But wait, Wisconsin! You want us to stay? We’d love to. WeContinue reading “Here’s How WI Can Keep Me Here”

It was one of the more remarkable things I’ve read in awhile. I read it over several times in context just to make sure I wasn’t missing something. It was in a story in the New York Times about how diversity, equity and inclusion statements have become litmus tests for hiring at some universities. ProfessorContinue reading “The Primacy of Identity”

Despite being the fastest growing large community in Wisconsin the Madison public school system is losing students. Last year the district lost almost 900 students. Why? In a story in Isthmus last week long-time school board member Nicki Vander Meulen mused on the causes for the loss of market share to private schools and neighboringContinue reading “Why Are Madison Schools Losing Students?”

Last week, in announcing that, at 83, she would run again for the House, Nancy Pelosi said: “Now, more than ever, our city needs us to advance San Francisco values.” A) Faith, family, football. B) Free markets, free people. C) A shining city on a hill. D) So called “rough sex” can be a necessaryContinue reading “The Quote & Quiz for 9/15/23”

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos seldom looks desperate. He looks that way this morning. Vos’ moves over the past couple of days remind me of a drowning man with two life preservers just out of reach. He lunges for one, comes up short, then lunges for another and then sinks for the second time.  Okay, enoughContinue reading “Vos is Flailing”

Sir Isaac Newton. Albert Einstein. Brian Gutekunst. I may not have the order right. That’s the way it looks this week after the Packer’s new quarterback Jordon Love looked, well, lovely in his first regular season start for the team followed quickly by Aaron Rodgers’ going down for the season after taking only four snapsContinue reading “Rodgers Ends in Drama”