Good morning.
Monday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 80. Sunrise is 5:48 and sunset is 8:13 for 14 hours 25 minutes of daylight. The moon is a waning gibbous with 77.3 percent of its visible disk illuminated.
On this day in 1958, the world’s first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, becomes the first vessel to complete a submerged transit of the geographical North Pole.
A few remarks and observations, as a new month (and soon a new season) begins:
Method. Perhaps it’s true that some of what’s discussed and what’s written is ill-considered and scattershot. This publication, by contrast, approaches major questions in a deliberate and thus methodical way. Years ago, this libertarian blogger and lawyer published his approach for readers, but it has been my method from the very beginning. See Steps for Blogging on a Policy or Proposal (2014) and Revisiting ‘Steps for Blogging on a Policy or Proposal’ (2026).
Conflict Avoidance. It’s simply false to contend that this blogger has sought controversy. Criticism here responds to prior controversies; those controversies have originated elsewhere. One is responsible for what one writes but not for others’ actions that made writing necessary.
When. A topic sometimes grows to become a major question. When it first seems likely that a topic will become a major question, there is often time for preparation weeks or months in advance.
Misunderstanding News Reporting. There’s a misguided notion that officials should avoid bad press. Of this misguided view, as espoused by a longtime resident, former school board member, and former Community Development Authority member, see Yesteryear’s Familiar Tune. No, and no again. Officials should avoid bad decisions. If these bad decisions lead to unfavorable press coverage, then those officials have only themselves to blame. In major public policy matters, the public has a right to know. Officials who find that right to know uncomfortable should retreat to private life.
Bluebook. The Bluebook is a widely used guide for legal citation, originally crafted by a few American law schools, and now used by many. Since this website was not intended as a publication of my profession, I have typically avoided Bluebook citations, as they are overly elaborate for general discussions. (Readers may have noticed that sometimes this publication comes closer to a Bluebook style, let’s call it Bluebook Lite, as I have been evaluating a suitable citation style for another publication.) In any event, Wisconsin courts have their own, agreeably simplified citation style.
Where. Not every topic is purely local; some are probably suitable for a different site and focus. I’m still working out those assignments. Examples: it seems probable that data centers, Flock Safety cameras, and immigration will not be decided locally. Statewide and national policy will sweep away local decisions. While there are reasons to act locally, the ultimate disposition of these matters, whatever it may be, will not come from Whitewater.
Expectations. In my own way of thinking, I enter every series with the perspective of a dark horse underdog. My own view dovetails, ironically, with the views of those on the other side of debates in which I am sometimes engaged: as I have always considered myself an underdog, those on the other side of these questions have invariably considered themselves prohibitive favorites. Always has been; probably always will be. These differing perspectives suit me either way.
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Upcoming posts (in no decided order): Voting Locations in the City, a New Ethics Ordinance, and a Whitewater Comparative Analysis.