Stories, even short, science-fiction stories, offer lessons beyond their pages. Near the final pages of Wells’s War of the Worlds, the narrator ponders his future, months after the Martians succumbed on our world. He considers the possibility of another invasion: A question of graver and universal interest is the possibility of another attack from the…
Politics
City, Local Government, Politics
The Political Risk of Appointment (and How to Avoid It)
by JOHN ADAMS •
About a month ago, Whitewater’s common council filled an at-large vacancy left after Marilyn Kienbaum’s passing. I thought the process – applicants speaking on behalf of their possible appointment – was a good one. See, Common Council Session of 12.18.12: A New Councilmember. My remarks here aren’t about those four initial applicants, but about applicants,…
City, Politics
Predictions for 2013
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s my amateur version of the late William Safire’s long-standing tradition of offering annual predictions. The list for 2013: 1. In 2013, UW-Whitewater will win the following number of national sports championships: A. None B. One C. Two D. More than two 2. The Innovation Express Generac Bus will prove to be A. A great…
City, Local Government, Politics
So, Three Municipal Managers Walk Into a Room…
by JOHN ADAMS •
Let’s say the recently-hired municipal manager of a small city, with a population of just under fifteen-thousand, walks into a party. It’s a busy affair, with others standing and talking throughout the room. Someone walks up to him, and says, “Hey, City Manager, did you know that your two immediate predecessors are here, too?” This…
City, Politics
Review: Predictions for 2012
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here is my amateur version of the late William Safire’s long-standing tradition of offering annual predictions. Let’s see how I did on predictions for 2012. The list for last year appears below, with my guesses in blue, and the correct answer in red. The guesses weren’t about what I (necessarily) wanted to happen, but what…
City, Politics
It’s Not Who, But What
by JOHN ADAMS •
Our Common Council has before it, at the next scheduled meeting of 12.18.12, applications to fill a vacancy on that body. Four residents have applied; the appointment will run until April. Council will appoint as they see fit; they have broad discretion for an appointment like this. They and we, however, would do well by…
City, Politics
Whitewater’s Common Council Vacancy
by JOHN ADAMS •
Following discussion at last night’s Common Council meeting, the City of Whitewater has posted a notice about a vacancy on our Common Council. The notice, and a link to an application for those interested in applying for consideration, appears immediately below: A Councilmember Seat for Member-at-Large is currently vacant, and the Common Council of the…
Libertarians, Politics, Presidential race 2012
Libertarian Nick Gillespie on Why the GOP Lost in 2012
by JOHN ADAMS •
Gillespie gives a quick – but representative – expression of libertarian thinking on where the GOP went wrong. There was much about which to disagree over Pres. Obama’s policies, but in the three areas Gillespie mentions, a decidedly more libertarian direction (truly smaller, less intrusive government) would have helped Republicans. As for social conservatism, profound…
43rd Assembly District, Law, Open Government, Politics
Choosing Wrongly
by JOHN ADAMS •
A new legislator starts out with a promise of independent thinking, and with a clean slate before him. One hears that he’ll represent only his constituents, regardless of party, buck his own party whenever necessary, and stand only on principle. He’s photographed signing the legislator’s book, attending some civic events, and touts some (but not…
43rd Assembly District, Politics, Press
Gazette Endorses Rep. Andy Jorgensen in 43rd Assembly Race
by JOHN ADAMS •
In today’s Janesville Gazette, one finds that the paper endorses Andy Jorgensen for the 43rd Assembly District. That’s a change from the 2010 election, when Wynn received the paper’s endorsement. The endorsement is in the print edition; I’d encourage readers to purchase a copy to read the full text. Here’s just a part, that describes…
Crime, Freedom of Speech, Politics
Simple Standards of Political Discourse
by JOHN ADAMS •
One may express a few principles of political discourse succinctly: 1. Don’t destroy property. 2. Don’t use force against political opponents, either immediately or while destroying property. Over the last two years, countless Wisconsinites have voted, assembled, and protested with scarcely any property damage or violence. In this way, we have been a good example…
City, Politics
Whitewater-Area League of Women Voters October 2012 Newsletter
by JOHN ADAMS •
The Whitewater-Area League of Women Voters’ October 2012 Newsletter has arrived, featuring articles and a calendar of upcoming events. This latest edition is available as a link on my blogroll, and is embedded below. Upcoming events: Date: October 13th (Saturday) Event: LWVWI Issues Briefing Where: Crown Plaza Hotel, Madison Date: October 18th (Thursday) Event: Public…
City, Planning, Politics
The Extraordinary Ordinary
by JOHN ADAMS •
Two recent meetings illustrate the simple, routine workings of government in the city: the 9.10.12 Planning Commission meeting, and the 9.11.12 Common Council session. I have embedded both below. You’ll find, I’d say, nothing extraordinary in either. Instead, it’s just the routine business of city planning, and the preparations for interviewing candidates to be Whitewater’s…
Politics, Presidential race 2012
Does Mitt Romney Really Want to be President of the United States?
by JOHN ADAMS •
I don’t think so. All America has seen the surreptitious recording of Romney at a Boca Raton fundraiser, answering donors’ questions, and in one clip opining that almost half of America is a vast, parasitic class. Some conservative activists think Romney’s right to have said this, but most pundits (regardless of ideology) think it’s a…