Here’s my coverage, entitled Register Watch™, of Whitewater’s local link in an area newspaper chain, the Whitewater Register. In this post, I’ll cover the September 4, 2008 edition of the paper.
Front page. On the front page, there are three principal stories, all of them truly local in nature. (The Register‘s idea of local sometimes means anything that happened elsewhere in Walworth County.
The first story is about survivors of ovarian cancer, the second about improved safety at a local crosswalk (recently the site of a tragic motor vehicle accident), and the third is about the prize-winning lamb of a Whitewater resident.
On any given week, these might be the sort of local stories one might reasonably find in a local weekly – tragic, hopeful, happy. The important question is whether local is truly local, and whether the stories of the week are the true top stories in town. If we were a true dream town, rather than the pretend one municipal officials boast that we were, we’d have more stories of hope and happiness.
We’re not, and so realism suggests that our headlines will be, as we are, something different.
Inside the paper. Inside, readers will find a Page 3 story, under ‘Community,’ entitled “Now or Never for Whitewater Street.” There are two questions: (1) What are the merits of the Whitewater Plaza proposal, and (2) is the project one of ‘now-or-never’ urgency?
There will be time to consider the merits of the Plaza concept, which answers the question about immediate, urgent consideration. There are few meaningful things that present meaningful urgency – accidents, surgery, and warfare are among them.
I have no reason to think that the Plaza proposal is among them. I understand that TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) is set to run out, but it’s not set to run out tomorrow. Or the next day. Or even, a week or two from now.
This may be a fine idea, but there’s no reason for an independent newspaper to channel the urgency of proponents and municipal officials. Instead of presenting a balanced assessment, the Register‘s Editor, Carrie Dampier, channels the proponents’ claims of urgency: “It’s now or never.”
(Dampier refers to this now-or-never urgency as Elvis channeling Whitewater officials from the grave, but I think she means Whitewater officials channeling Elvis. Elvis is dead; he’s not channeling anyone.)
My point is not that the Plaza isn’t a good idea – it’s that the news story is lazy in adopting an uncritical, almost fawning stance.
Whitewater Street could use improvement – the council member believing otherwise is mistaken — but what and when need not be rushed. In any event, a better story would have been less breathless. Stories with a tone of manufactured urgency serve no one, include proponents of the Plaza.
The Register continues with its headings to categorize stories: ‘Community,’ ‘UW-Whitewater News,’ ‘Opinion,’ ‘Sports,’ etc. The first two categories reflect a deeper rift than mere categorization might suggest, and the third category is far too small for a paper that telegraphs its opinions in paragraph after paragraph of story after story.
Monthly Archives: September 2008
City, School District
Microsoft’s Mediocre Ads for Its Mediocre Products
by JOHN ADAMS •
I saw this morning that Microsoft is abandoning the use of Jerry Seinfeld in a multimillion-dollar campaign to boost the Microsoft brand. Wired reports that Microsoft is describing the departure of Seinfeld as a planned ‘phase two’ of the campaign. That’s only true if ‘phase two’ is code for scrapping a bad campaign that consumers didn’t like.
It’s silly to contend that this was a long-planned step, as much as it’s laughable to contend that home visits of public officials are just a search for ‘civil discourse.’
Microsoft would be better off admitting that the campaign was a mistake, as no one will take their description seriously.
There are two Whitewater connections in all this.
First, why is our school district so allergic to Apple products? We’re a Microsoft-centric district in a world shifting to more stable, creative, and productive Apple and open source solutions. Even in many companies formerly laden with Microsoft junk software, there’s a shift to Apple or open source.
I’ve contended before that in our schools, our students would benefit from the better alternatives available. Habit isn’t a best practice.
(A series of posts on public education, much delayed, is still in preparation.)
Second, it’s telling that with so much money to attract so much talent, Microsoft can’t devise a better campaign on behalf of its products. That’s true locally with the city administration’s all-good-news-all-the time outlook: the same limitations that bring poor policies or products may cloud the ability to understand the difference between good and mediocre campaigns or press releases.
Microsoft can insist repeatedly how skilled, important, and experienced they are, but the shift in campaign belies that proud view, of both the Microsoft campaign and the Microsoft brand.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: September 18, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
There will be a 5 p.m. meeting of the Handicapped Discrimination Committee at the municipal building today.
In our schools, the book fair at Lincoln School continues, and later in the day, there will be market day pickup at Lincoln School.
The National Weather Service again forecasts sunny weather, with a slight lower temperature (from yesterday’s prediction) of 74 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts that pleasant conditions will continue.
Yesterday’s better prediction: Even. It was a generally pleasant day, as the FA forecast, and along the lines of pleasantness that the NWS forecast.
In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1942, the Wisconsin Historical Society recounts the effects of a flood that hit Spring Valley:
On this day flash floods ravaged a wide area of northwestern Wisconsin, largely decimating the village of Spring Valley. Residents of the 973-person village, set between high bluffs flanking the Eau Galle River, were forced to flee for the hills and watch as waters reaching heights of 21 feet destroyed numerous homes and every business in the town.
Update:
The best part about writing a blog is hearing from readers with additional information, insight, or suggestions. On Monday, FREE WHITEWATER’s Daily Bread feature included information from Wired on the introduction of tanks as a battlefield weapon:
On this date in world history, in 1915, the tank emerged as a battlefield weapon during the First World War. Wired reports on the introduction of the weapon, at an assault near assault near Bois d’Elville.
I included a copy of the photograph that Wired used, courtesy of the New York State Library.
As it turns out, a sharp-eyed reader noted that the tank in the photograph was likely a French, and not British tank. I’ll let him tell the tale:
Hi John,
That picture of the WWI tank was interesting. FWIW, that appears to be a Renault FT tank used by the French. The British used the Whippet.
Yes, our humble dog is not only a fast racer and mean football player, but also one of the first war tanks.
Info here: http://www.landships.freeservers.com/whippet_info.htm and http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/whippet.html and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whippet_(tank)Pictures of the Renault FT here:
http://www.geocities.com/vienna/opera/2211/
On my own, I would not have been able to distinguish weapons from this era — but many thanks to a knowledgeable reader who could and did.
Libertarians
The Reagan Version of ‘Yes We Can’
by JOHN ADAMS •
City
Sham Accountability
by JOHN ADAMS •
Accountability – being responsible for one’s actions – is easier when one measures one’s own performance.
Deceptively easier.
That’s the clear lesson from the example of a South Carolina school district that reported astonishing testing progress – until progress measurement shifted from the district to a third party. In the assessment of independent evaluators, supposed gains disappeared.
(For more on the episode, see http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2008/09/12/the-fraudulence-of-bureaucratic-accountability/)
This isn’t just an example of suspicious academic accomplishment – it’s a problem of government and corporations everywhere.
You will hear, endlessly, how professional and responsible and selfless public officials are.
I might be persuaded if much of the praise didn’t come from the officials and their friends, about themselves and their friends.
This sort of accountability is no accountability at all.
In some of the posts over these next few days, I’ll present another side of the story on so-called accountability.
Libertarians
“Who Do You Hate in ’08?”
by JOHN ADAMS •
From Reason.tv, a video that asks if voting against a national candidate means that you’re somehow bigoted. What will it be? Sexist, racist, ageist, or elitist? I’d rather not be any of them, but elitist seems the least objectionable of the four.
Forget possible insults — vote your conscience on sound principles — there are sound arguments for and against any of these candidates. You’ll not be able to avoid someone‘s displeasure, in any event.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: September 17, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
There are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.
In our school district today, there will be a book fair at Lincoln School, an international student reception at the high school at 3:15 p.m., a 6:30 p.m. open house at Lakeview School, and a 7 p.m. PTO meeting at the middle school.
The National Weather Service forecasts sunny weather and 77 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts that pleasant conditions will return.
Yesterday’s better prediction: Even. The NWS was right about the morning, and FA right about the remainder of the day. (I am ignoring the standard that the more unique prediction — like foggy weather — should prevail if it applies only to a portion of the day.)
In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1862, the Wisconsin Historical Society reports on a mostly German-speaking volunteer unit mustered into service during the Civil War:
On this date the 26th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, the majority of whom were German speaking immigrants, were mustered in. They enlisted in August of 1862, drilled at Camp Sigel in Milwaukee, and were placed in the 11th Corps. Major General Franz Sigel, also a German immigrant, took command of the entire 11th Corps and the 26th Wisconsin regiment fell under the Division of Major General Carl Schurz and the Brigade of Colonel Wladimir Krzyzanowski.
An online history of the 26th Wisconsin Infantry offers additional details on the unit.
On this date in American history, in 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution, and in 1862 Union and Confederate armies fought at Antietam. The History Channel has a video with information on these and other events that took place on this date: http://link.history.com/services/link/
bcpid1184539009/bclid1214007432/bctid1213938775
City
League of Women Voters — September Newsletter
by JOHN ADAMS •
The Whitewater-Area League of Women Voters has published their September 2008 Newsletter, and the latest issue includes a calendar of upcoming LWV events. A copy of the newsletter is available as a pdf link in this post, and as a link on my blogroll.
The September Newsletter includes far more than a calendar: the issue offers a President’s Corner message, a listing of board members for 2008-2009, and a membership form.
The LWV has an admirable nonpartisanship policy:
The League of Women voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We take action on public policy positions established through member study and agreement. We are political, but we do not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
Here are upcoming events:
Date: September 25th (Thursday)
Event: LWV Public Program – Health Care
Speaker: Michael Wallace, CEO of the Fort Health Care Center
Location: City Hall Council Chambers, 7:00PM
Date: October 11th (Saturday)
Event: LWV-sponsored Candidate Forum
Candidates: Kim Hixson & Debi Towns for State Representative, of the 43rd Assembly District
Location: City Hall Council Chambers, 10:00AM – noon
Date: October 23rd (Thursday)
Event: LWV Public Program – Election Administration
Speaker: Dr. Susan Johnson, Chair Department of Political Science, UWW
Location: City Hall Council Chambers, 7:00PM
Date: November 20th (Thursday)
Event: LWV Public Program – Election Analysis
Speaker: To be announced
Location: City Hall Council Chambers, 7:00PM
Date: December 7th (Sunday)
Event: LWV Holiday Dinner
Program: To be announced
Location: Whitewater Country Club, evening event
There’s also a Fall Fairhaven Lecture Series, available to the public at no charge. Here are the lectures in the upcoming series:
SEPT. 22: The Role of New Media on National Elections
Dr. James Kates, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication
SEPT. 29: North-South Divide: Regional Partisan Divisions in Presidential Elections
Dr. Larry Anderson, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science.
OCT. 6: Direct Democracy: Initiatives/Referendums in the General Election
Dr. Jolly Emrey, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science
OCT. 13: Comparing the 1968/2008 Elections: War, Race, and Politics of Change
Dr. Richard Haven, Interim Dean, College of Arts and Communication
(“All lectures are open to the public at no charge on Mondays at 3 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall, located at the Fairhaven Retirement Community, 435 West Starin Road, Whitewater, WI 53190. The Fall 2008 Fairhaven Lecture Series will examine a number of critical issues relevant to the 2008 elections. Sponsored by the UW-Whitewater Office of Continuing Education.”)
Best wishes for a successful fall program.
Uncategorized
Coming Attractions Beginning Wednesday
by JOHN ADAMS •
I have enjoyed this first half of September, and the beginning of fall weather. As much as I have enjoyed the repose of these several days, I prefer blogging far more. For the remainder of the week, beginning Wednesday, here’s a partial list of upcoming topics:
The LP campaign through mid-September
Empty Accountability
Register Watch™ for recent issues of that august weekly
A City Manager’s View of Leadership
An Assessment of a City Manager’s View of Leadership
The Latest Planning Commission Meeting, from September 15th
The Common Council Meeting, from September 16th
The Settlement of Constitutional Claims against Whitewater in the Meyer Case
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: September 16, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
There will be two scheduled public meetings held in Whitewater today. There will be a meeting of the Alcohol Licensing Task Force at 5:45 p.m.
Subsequently, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a Common Council meeting.
It’s Native American day at the Whitewater Middle School, and the Imperial Crown sales kickoff at Lakeview.
The National Weather Service forecasts patchy fog and 73 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts that pleasant conditions will return.
Yesterday’s better prediction: NWS. The flexible planner beats the long-range planner.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: September 15, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
The National Weather Service predicts a chance of drizzle and 63 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts the same prediction as part of a four-day series: “stormy weather spread [sic] east into the Great Lakes.”
Tomorrow, I will begin reporting which forecaster was closer for the previous day, and I’ll summarize the prior week each Monday.
There are two scheduled public meetings in Whitewater today. There will be a meeting of the Planning Commission at 6:00 p.m. The published Planning Commission agenda is available at http://www.ci.whitewater.wi.us/Your_Government/Agendas/
Plan_Architect_Review/2008/PC%20AGENDA%209-15-08.pdf.
Later, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Irvin Young Memorial Library Board.
In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1832, the Wisconsin Historical Society reports that a Ho-Chunk treaty was signed:
On this date a treaty was signed between the Ho-Chunk and the United States that stipulated that the Ho-Chunk cede lands lying to the south and east of the Wisconsin river as well as lands around the Fox river of Green Bay.
One can safely guess that the Ho-Chunk might have been less willing to sign had they known the future value of the land, or had they faced less than overwhelming pressure.
On this date in world history, in 1915, the tank emerged as a battlefield weapon during the First World War. Wired reports on the introduction of the weapon, at an assault near assault near Bois d’Elville:
In the run-up to World War I, the British High Command remained indifferent to the concept an armored assault weapon, preferring to concentrate on infantry and cavalry. But the tank (or “landship” as it was then known, because it was regarded as a kind of land-based warship) had some influential advocates — including First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, whose Landship Committee kept the idea alive.
In fact, the first tanks were manned not by army personnel but by naval ratings and officers, since the Royal Navy was already responsible for the operation of armored cars on the Western Front.
The Sept. 15 attack at Delville Wood was made by a D1 tank, commanded by Capt. H. W. Mortimore.
It was followed up by a larger attack at Flers-Courcelette, which employed 15 tanks. The British had intended to commit every tank they had — 49 in all — to this assault, but only 22 of them reached the front line without breaking down, and seven of those failed to start as the attack commenced.
The Germans were profoundly shocked by the tanks’ sudden appearance and fell back, but they quickly rallied. They soon discovered that while small-arms fire and machine guns had little effect against the armor, artillery could knock the tanks out with relative ease. And the Germans had very good artillery.
Photo courtesy of the New York State Library.
Public Meetings
Common Council
by JOHN ADAMS •
Daily Bread
Daily Bread: September 12, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning, Whitewater
There are no public meetings scheduled in the City of Whitewater today. We’ll manage.
The National Weather Service predicts a chance of showers with a high of 73. The Farmers’ Almanac‘s long-range forecast, from a year ago, for today predicts “Stormy weather spread [sic] east into the Great Lakes.”
The PTO book fair at the Middle School, concludes today, it’s also picture re-take day at the Middle School, and Parents’ Night at the football game against McFarland tonight at 7 p.m.
2008 Taste of Whitewater begins today at the Cravath Lakefront.
Events take place, rain or shine, under big, dry tents. The Taste of Whitewater website offers a schedule of events for Friday (5 p.m.-11 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m. – 11 p.m.)
Special attractions include
Sussy’s Bounce House
A Friday @ 8 p.m. showing of the Blues Brothers movie
A Flyball K-9 relay race Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show at 1, 4, and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday
On Saturday from 11:30 AM until 4 PM you’ll have a chance to view over a hundred varieties of freshly-picked truly unusual chile peppers like Ring of Fire, Dancing Spirit, Aji Amarillo, Habanero Peach, and the blistering Cheyenne Orange, which registers a whopping 855,000 heat units on the Scofield scale.
Yikes!
Not only will you be able to see them, you’ll be able to taste them, pick your favorites and bring them home, and even make your own ristra so you can enjoy your chiles over the coming months as they dry in your kitchen or on your deck. There will be suggested donations for these activities, and all proceeds will benefit the Rotary Botanical Gardens.
This is your chance to see and taste these seldom-grown varieties of all kinds of peppers; once they are gone they are gone. Next year the Rotary Gardens will be growing many varieties of basil to complement their yearly heirloom tomato display and tasting. So don’t miss out!
In the case of an encounter with an unexpectedly hot chile, don’t worry: we’ll have cream cheese and crackers on hand to calm your palate, and refreshing beer will only be a few steps away!
Here’s a second promotional video for the Taste of Whitewater events —
In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1892, three University of Wisconsin-Madison schools opened: the Schools of Economics, Political Science and History. more >>
Holiday
President’s Proclamation for September 11, 2008
by JOHN ADAMS •
Patriot Day, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
September 11, 2001, was etched into America’s memory when 19 terrorists attacked us with barbarity unequaled in our history. On Patriot Day, we cherish the memory of the thousands of innocent victims lost, extend our thoughts and prayers to their families, and honor the heroic men and women who risked and sacrificed their lives so others might survive.
Since 9/11, we have recognized the threat posed by terrorists to the safety of the American people and worked to protect our homeland by fighting terrorists abroad. We are confronting terrorism by advancing freedom, liberty, and prosperity as an alternative to the ideologies of hatred and repression. Our Nation pays tribute to our courageous men and women in uniform serving around the world and the devoted members of our law enforcement, public safety, and intelligence communities at home who work night and day to protect us from harm and preserve the freedom of this great Nation.
Seven years ago, ordinary citizens rose to the challenge, united in prayer, and responded with extraordinary acts of courage, with some giving their lives for the country they loved. On Patriot Day, we remember all those who were taken from us in an instant and seek their lasting memorial in a safer and more hopeful world. We must not allow our resolve to be weakened by the passage of time. We will meet the test that history has given us and continue to fight to rid the world of terrorism and promote liberty around the globe.
By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2008, as Patriot Day. I call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance services, to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent Americans and people from around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH