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?”

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”

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?”