The selection of Joe Gothard as Madison’s next public schools superintendent has met with widespread praise, including from me. But digging a little deeper into his record raises some concerns. Let’s start with the good stuff. Gothard has led the St. Paul school district since 2017. That district is bigger and more diverse than oursContinue reading “Digging Into Joe Gothard’s Record”
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The Catchup: Bad Apple
See? This is what I get. On Friday I wrote that I was looking forward to a Badgers v. Marquette March Madness matchup next weekend. But I was worried that Bucky might not make it past Duke in the second round, completely ignoring their first round game against James Madison University. (By the way, IContinue reading “The Catchup: Bad Apple”
The Q&Q For 3/22/24
This week’s quote comes to us from Assembly Speaker Robin Vos who, when asked about those who organized an effort to obtain signatures to recall him, replied: “The people who did this? Whack jobs and morons.” A) 2,500 votes. B) 250 votes. C) 25 votes. D) Steen actually won, he won by a lot, butContinue reading “The Q&Q For 3/22/24”
Dems Continue to Lose Nonwhite Voters
Democrats are losing support among voters of color. Black, Hispanic and Asian voters are all trending away from them. But it’s not about race, it’s about class. College-educated voters of color are sticking with or increasing their support for Democrats. It’s blue collar voters that are moving rightward. As New York Times writer David LeonhardtContinue reading “Dems Continue to Lose Nonwhite Voters”
The Sacraments of March
Some year I’ll make enough maple syrup to justify my own label. I’m thinking of calling it “Senseless Syrup.” I tapped a dozen trees up here at our place in the U.P. and then I had to wait a couple weeks to get enough sap. In the meantime I had to return to Madison andContinue reading “The Sacraments of March”
The Catchup: Utilities Lose
This is one of my favorite times of the year. Reuben sandwiches made from leftover St. Paddy’s Day corned beef and lots and lots of college basketball. And when I can pull myself away from the couch, the trout fishing is very good. Let’s see what else has been going on. A win for consumers.Continue reading “The Catchup: Utilities Lose”
The Q&Q For 3/15/24
This week’s quote (ok, well, phrase) comes to us from independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr., who said that he’s been talking to Aaron Rodgers about joining his ticket “pretty continuously.” A) Sen. Rand Paul. B) Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. C) Techie Andrew Yang. D) Self-help guru Marianne Williamson. 2. In addition to Rodgers whoContinue reading “The Q&Q For 3/15/24”
YSDA Supported Candidates
This year we’re adding a new feature here at YSDA. We’re going to recommend candidates for your consideration. We’ll look for moderate Democrats, Never Trump Republicans and independents as well as middle-of-the road candidates for nonpartisan races, like school board, city council and county board. And we won’t stop at the Wisconsin border. In fact,Continue reading “YSDA Supported Candidates”
The Rural Retreat
The last thing higher education — or American society and politics — needs is a further retreat from rural and small town America. But that’s exactly what’s happening. Yesterday the UW announced that it was closing its two-year Waukesha campus. That brings to five the number of two-year institutions that the UW will be shutteringContinue reading “The Rural Retreat”
Biden, Hovde Take On Their Challenges
Joe Biden is too old. Eric Hovde is too California. Those are the attacks leveled against them by their opponents. In Biden’s case it’s true that he’s the oldest president ever and his problems with age aren’t just an attack coming from Republicans, but the perception of even 61% of Biden’s own 2020 voters. InContinue reading “Biden, Hovde Take On Their Challenges”
Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos 