There’s a story over at Wisconsin Watch that reports on the broadband gap in rural Wisconsin communities. Peter Cameron reports Broadband gap leaves rural Wisconsin behind during coronavirus crisis (‘Wisconsin’s dearth of high-speed internet in rural areas makes virtual schooling, remote health care and working from home even more difficult’): Already, Wisconsin lags behind the…
City
City, Public Health, Reasoning
Specific Numerical Claims Require a Citation
by JOHN ADAMS •
During a public health emergency involving a contagious infection, it is possible – and so it is rational – to assume that some portion of that emergency lies hidden beyond one’s immediate view. This likelihood can be described simply, in this very way: some portion of this emergency likely lies hidden beyond one’s immediate view.
Update, 3.28.20: the original article linked below has been updated (with the remaining, substantially-cited portions helpfully still present). A personal note in this, sincerely offered: a thank you to the editor for the update. We find ourselves – as an entire country – in startling and difficult circumstances. We will make our way as best we can.
Remaining original remarks after the excerpt –
Babbittry, Boosterism, CDA, City, Development, Economics, Economy, Free Markets, Local Government, Poverty, School District, WEDC, Wisconsin
Local Public Policy as if Charitable Assistance
by JOHN ADAMS •
Whitewater’s policymakers, and those of other small, rural cities, should – in these times of economic stagnation, a lingering opioid crisis, failed business welfare, and an approaching recession – view their principal obligation as if it were charitable outreach. (It’s not charity, of course, but that’s how policymakers should view it: as both palliative and…
City, Film
Film: Tuesday, March 10th, 12:30 PM @ Seniors in the Park, Jojo Rabbit
by JOHN ADAMS •
?? This Tuesday, March 10th at 12:30 PM, there will be a showing of Jojo Rabbit @ Seniors in the Park, in the Starin Community Building: (Satiric Comedy/Drama/War) Rated PG-13 1 hour, 48 minutes (2019) Young Jojo Betzler is a member of the Hitler Youth in 1940’s Germany. Lonely and saddled with the nickname “Rabbit,” he…
City, Law, University
March 4, 2020 @ 5:15 PM: What is DACA? (A Legal Understanding)
by JOHN ADAMS •
Bad Ideas, CDA, City, Conflicts of Interest, Development, Economics, Economy, Free Markets, Local Government, Special Interests, WEDC
Miscellany on Development Policy in Whitewater
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s a significant difference between local, political calls for urgency and genuine need. Recent discussions about development policy in Whitewater only bolster this view. A few remarks (as I’ve been asked more than once what I think of the last two months’ events) — Independence. The best decision one could make when writing about policy…
City, Film
Film: Tuesday, February 25th, 12:30 PM @ Seniors in the Park, Judy
by JOHN ADAMS •
?? This Tuesday, February 11th at 12:30 PM, there will be a showing of Judy @ Seniors in the Park, in the Starin Community Building: (Biography/Drama) Rated PG-13 1 hour, 58 minutes (2019) A biography recounting the rough and harrowing later years of Judy Garland. The action takes place during a 1969 European concert tour in…
City, Courts, Elections, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
by JOHN ADAMS •
Yesterday’s spring primary included a statewide contest for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, with incumbent Justice Dan Kelly and challengers Judge Jill Karofsky and Professor Ed Fallone. (It was the only race on Whitewater’s ballot, as there were no contested local races). A few remarks — Statewide. Kelly and Karofsky will move on to the spring…
Bad Ideas, CDA, City, Corporate Welfare, Development, Economy, Foxconn, Government Spending, Local Government, Public Relations, WEDC
Do Yorkshire Terriers Dream of Being Wolves?
by JOHN ADAMS •
Perhaps Yorkshire terriers dream each night of being ferocious wolves. If that should be so, and if even tiny dogs imagine themselves as mighty predators, then there may be a natural explanation – in animals and people – for the yearning of smarmy local development men for gigantic corporate welfare schemes. Of those men and…
Bad Ideas, CDA, City, Corporate Welfare, Development, Economics, Economy, Foxconn, Government Spending, Local Government, Press Release, WEDC
A Reminder About Opportunity Zones: Bad Policy Flacked Locally
by JOHN ADAMS •
Those following what passes for economic policy in Whitewater know that this website has been rightly critical of the economic opportunity zones that were part of Trump’s tax bill. See About that Trump Tax Bill, More About that Trump Tax Bill, and The Trump Tax Bill: That’s Not Reform. Jenny Schuetz, commenting on part of Trump’s…
City, Culture, Education, Open Government, School District
A Change of Venue for a Public Forum
by JOHN ADAMS •
One reads that the Whitewater Schools have changed the location of a public forum for the selection of a new district administrator to the library in the high school. The forum is now scheduled for 2.18.20 @ 6:30 PM (“Residents will have a chance to offer input on the school district’s next leader at 6:30…
City, Film
Film: Tuesday, February 11th, 12:30 PM @ Seniors in the Park, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood
by JOHN ADAMS •
?? This Tuesday, February 11th at 12:30 PM, there will be a showing of Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood @ Seniors in the Park, in the Starin Community Building: (Comedy/Drama) Rated R (language, violence, sexual references). 2 hours, 41 minutes (2019). A faded TV actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double (Brad Pitt) strive to achieve…
Assault Awareness & Prevention, City, Ethics, Misconduct, Sexual Harassment, University, UW System
At UW-Whitewater, Beverly Kopper’s Tenure Was about More than Beverly Kopper
by JOHN ADAMS •
Former UW-Whitewater chancellor Beverly Kopper was on leave – apparently for part of that time under federal or state medical leave act provisions – before her resignation from UW-Whitewater. I’ll not speculate about the circumstances under which she claimed leave under the law. There’s another matter that requires attention. There’s talk at UW-Whitewater these days…