Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos
A safe place for moderates in a polarized world
Latest from the blog
Moderate Doesn’t Mean Weak
I have been getting leaned on a bit by some of the Democratic Party elders. Their subtle, nuanced message amounts to: lay the hell off Tony Evers, you asshole. This has caused me to reflect on what it means to be a moderate. First, a quick recap. I was so unhappy with Gov. Evers’ decisionContinue reading “Moderate Doesn’t Mean Weak”
Pic of the Day/Dave’s Bird Feeder
I’ve long used the classic Audubon “Squirrel Proof” tube bird feeder. Problem: it feeds squirrels. I’ve been working this summer on my own truly Squirrel Proof feeder. Here’s Dave’s Bird Feeder Prototype I. The concept (after studying squirrels defeating my Audubon feeder) was a broad roof, making it hard for squirrels to squirrel around andContinue reading “Pic of the Day/Dave’s Bird Feeder”
BRT Gets Madisoned
Do we really have to be all “Madison” about this, people? The city is on the verge of doing something historic. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will be the biggest improvement in urban mobility in these parts in at least a couple of generations. The high comfort, high frequency, limited-stop system will compete well versus carContinue reading “BRT Gets Madisoned”
Barnes’ Gets Third Degree Over His Degree
What do Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglas, Winston Churchill, Brad Pitt, Ellen DeGeneres and George Clooney all have in common? None of them completed a four year college degree. And, ya know what, they turned out alright anyway. I mention this now becauseContinue reading “Barnes’ Gets Third Degree Over His Degree”
Pic of the Day/ A Plant
A bee hovers above a… plant of some kind… on Bluff Creek, Upper Peninsula. I worked for The Nature Conservancy, but it was in government relations. So, somebody help me out here. What kind of plant is that?
Vos Misreads Me
Well, I suppose I should at least thank Speaker Robin Vos for reading my stuff. But if the Speaker thinks that my criticisms of Gov. Tony Evers are going to help him defeat Evers in the November, 2022 general election, he’s wrong. Here’s what Vos said according to a story yesterday in the Milwaukee JournalContinue reading “Vos Misreads Me”
Pic of the Day/HOR #18
Looking down the 18th fairway at the House on the Rock course near Spring Green. Designed by Robert Trent Jones (with another nine by Andy North), it’s my favorite course.
The Practical Idealist
In my youth I was an idealist. To use a baseball analogy, I wanted to swing for the fences. Now, I’ll take a walk, a single, a bunt and a sacrifice fly. One method is more dramatic than the other, but it’s still one run. Last week I wrote a column on crime, cleverly titled,Continue reading “The Practical Idealist”
Pic of the Day/The Big Cob
How Wisconsin is this? A Harley parked in front of the giant corn cob at Peck’s Farm Market on Hwy 14 just east of Spring Green late Sunday afternoon.
Make Wright House Part of Museum Campus
The City of Madison is on the verge of doing something dumb with an historic Frank Lloyd Wright house in the middle of downtown. The building’s owner has a better idea. I’ve got still another thought. In an excellent Sunday story, veteran Wisconsin State Journal city hall reporter Dean Mosiman laid out the dilemma. TheContinue reading “Make Wright House Part of Museum Campus”
Pic of the Day/Neighborhood Jazz
Corner of West Lawn and Prospect today. Missed this one, but I’ve heard these folks before and they’re great. Gotta love Madison.
No DH, Not Now, Not Ever
Let’s take a break from beating up on Tony Evers and Robin Vos, to lob some high hard ones at Rob Manfred. The Commissioner of Baseball (also known as The Lackey of the Owners) opined the other day on some rule changes that might come or go. The issue is an important one for theContinue reading “No DH, Not Now, Not Ever”
Pic of the Day/Odana
The Odana Hills Club House. Classic mid-century. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player all took showers here. Don’t tear it down. Renovate it. Expand it if you must, but keep that Man Men vibe.
A Week of Evers Bashing Reviewed
We are nothing here at YSDA if not honest. Sometimes brutally so and even when the brutal honesty reflects poorly on our founder and editor (i.e., me). This past week I’ve posted three pieces in which I heavily criticize Gov. Tony Evers for signing what is, inarguably, a thoroughly Republican budget. The responses are in,Continue reading “A Week of Evers Bashing Reviewed”
Pic of the Day/Harrison St.
Back home in Madison for a few days. Not many pilates places in the North Woods.
Another Take on Afghanistan
I‘ve made the case that the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, now expected to be completed in August, a month earlier than planned, is a tragic mistake for humanitarian and strategic reasons. Reader Peter Herreid has written a thoughtful piece on the opposite side of the question and I want to share it with you below.Continue reading “Another Take on Afghanistan”
Pic of the Day/My Boat
Ain’t she a beauty? “The Maple” is a 16 foot fishing boat with a 50 hp Johnson outboard. Came complete with a trolling motor and a trailer. I picked her up in a steal at the end of the season four years ago from the Republican owner of a marina east of Eagle River. HowContinue reading “Pic of the Day/My Boat”
The Need to Take on Vos
We can’t let Robin Vos lock in Republican majorities for another decade. That’s why Gov. Tony Evers needed to veto the budget and insist on a fair maps commission. On Monday I wrote a letter to the editor in the Wisconsin State Journal, in which I made the case that Evers should have vetoed theContinue reading “The Need to Take on Vos”
This Budget Wasn’t Bipartisan
Gov. Tony Evers called the budget he signed last week “bipartisan.” No, it wasn’t. Look, this budget was written by Speaker Robin Vos and the Republicans after they tossed Evers’ proposal out in its entirety. Not a single one of Evers’ major initiatives was included. Funding for K-12 education, the UW system, special ed andContinue reading “This Budget Wasn’t Bipartisan”
Pic of the Day/Duck Lake Sunset
Sunset on Duck Lake. Note the object in the sky to the right. This is probably an alien space craft. Unless it was a spot of water on my lens. You choose.
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