It’s perfect, as Reason notes, for “teachers, students, and anyone intersted in getting the scoop on the Bill of Rights.”
The Bill of Rights – Part 1 – Philosophy & History
The Bill of Rights – Part 2 – The Amendments
Over at a nearby paper, there’s yet another announcement, entitled Innovation Center saluted for economic development, about how Whitewater’s multi-million dollar, publicly-financed Innovation Center supposedly won a significant ‘international’ award.
For a critique of a previous announcement of this kind, see Whitewater’s Innovation Center: Good for Producing Innovative, ‘International’ Fairy tales.
There are three points I’ll raise, specific to this iteration.
News Story or Press Release? One finds this announcement on the front page, below the fold, highlighted and boxed. And yet, is this a news story or a press release? I can’t tell, as it has no byline. If it’s a story, then someone forgot to publish the reporter’s byline. The lack of a byline suggests that it’s a press release, and it’s written like a very poor press release (more on that in a bit).
Membership vs. Entrants. Whoever wrote this did so assuming that readers would think that the membership in an organization implied a large number of entrants for an award. The announcement reads that
The competition is global and challenging. More than 4,500 members across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries belong to the council.
There may be 4,500 members, but it’s sophistry to imply that those members were all competitors for the award. Only a tiny fraction were actually competitors.
In fact, a prior announcement acknowledged that there were only 28 entrants (and presumably all paid members of this obscure group).
Wisconsin has over five and a half million residents, but no one should infer (or imply!) that anything like that number enters an annual Wisconsin shuffleboard contest, for example.
It’s also telling that the award only seems to go to paying members of the otherwise obscure organization, rather than a full range of all possible, worthy projects from across the globe.
So, 28 actual entrants, but now the implication of 4,500 members. That’s a 16,000% exaggeration level. Now, that’s innovative.
Who’s a Winner, in the IEDC’s Eyes? One should note that the Innovation Center didn’t win anything, but was merely an honorable mention. Here are some other nominees who received honorable mention designation:
Roosevelt Road Form-Based Zoning Overlay District
Berwyn Development Corporation
Berwyn, Cicero, and Oak Park, IL
Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land
City of Sugar Land
Sugar Land, TX
And for proof of the international scope of the award —
Elgin & St. Thomas Tourism Website
Elgin-St. Thomas Tourism Services
Elgin County, ON Canada
So while one might mistakenly assume a prestigious awards ceremony like this —
It was really more like this —
Ironically, and of no credit to those behind the Innovation Center, the winner in the Innovation Center’s category had the kind of focus that Whitewater should have:
A Framework for Understanding Poverty
West Monroe-West Quachita Chamber
West Monroe, LA
At least one entrant had the right focus.
Here’s the Friday open comments post.
Today’s suggested topic — favorite winter activity.
Mine’s walking with Dog X — we both like cold weather.
The use of pseudonyms and anonymous postings is, of course, fine.
Although the comments template has a space for a name, email address, and website, those who want to leave a field blank can do so. Comments will be moderated, against profanity or trolls. Otherwise, have at it.
I’ll keep the post open through Sunday afternoon.
For it all, they’re still amazingly cute.
Exhibit A —
See, Kitty not eating? Maybe the furry faker’s mad at you – Health – Pet health – msnbc.com.
Good morning,
Whitewater’s forecast for today calls for a slight chance of snow, with a high temperature of seventeen.
In our schools, it’s Eagle and Spirit Day at Washington School.
The Wisconsin Historical Society recalls that on this day in 1901
1901 – Robert Marion La Follette Inaugurated as Governor
On this date Robert M. La Follette was inaugurated as governor after winning the November 6, 1900 election. La Follette was born in Dane County in 1855. A Wisconsin Law School graduate and three-term member of congress, La Follette was renowned for his oratorical style. He was the first Wisconsin-born individual to serve as governor. [Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin History]
MILWAUKEE, WI – January 6, 2011 – The Alzheimer’s Association will be presenting a program for those with a recent diagnosis of memory loss on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Fort Memorial Hospital, 611 Sherman Avenue East, Classrooms B and C, in Fort Atkinson. This program is open to individuals who have been diagnosed with memory problems and are seeking answers to their present and future options. The meeting will be an open forum for individuals to share their feelings, opinions and concerns in a supportive environment. Facilitators will share information on brain health as well as resources to assist persons with financial, legal and daily living concerns.
There is no cost to attend this program; however, registration is required. Please call 920-728-4088.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and local services visit www.alz.org/sewior call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
MILWAUKEE, WI – January 6, 2011 – The Alzheimer’s Association will be presenting a program for those with a recent diagnosis of memory loss on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Fort Memorial Hospital, 611 Sherman Avenue East, Classrooms B and C, in Fort Atkinson. This program is open to individuals who have been diagnosed with memory problems and are seeking answers to their present and future options. The meeting will be an open forum for individuals to share their feelings, opinions and concerns in a supportive environment. Facilitators will share information on brain health as well as resources to assist persons with financial, legal and daily living concerns.
There is no cost to attend this program; however, registration is required. Please call 920-728-4088.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and local services visit www.alz.org/sewior call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Here, in tiny Whitewater, there’s an upcoming Common Council election in which five of the seven seats are up for a vote (seats representing four districts and one citywide seat).
Unlike other communities, most of those seats won’t be contested. Only one of the districts will have a definite challenger; another may have one, or may be decided as write-in contest.
A majority of these seats, however, will have only one candidate on the ballot.
Last year, when it became clear that most of the seats would not have challengers, one of the incumbents was happy to announce that, weeks before the vote, the election was almost set. There was an unwitting candor in the observation.
Regrettably, there’s neither good policy nor prudence in hoping that an election goes uncontested. It’s a reflection of an ailing political culture (and legitimate disenchantment) that many talented people in the community prefer to stay away from political office. There are only so many grand pronouncements from Whitewater’s municipal administration that a sensible citizen can brook, and our city’s passed that limit. Ironically, Whitewater’s unelected officials have done the most harm to our political culture, and through their unpersuasive cheerleading have undermined the desirability of elected office.
Yet, even as a matter of skillful politics, races without challengers undermine an incumbent’s claim to legitimacy. It’s simply more commanding to be re-elected after a hard-fought race than to be chosen because no one else stepped forward. My point isn’t that I’d like to see all of these incumbents lose, but rather that those I’d like to see win would do better winning against an opponent. Of the five running, despite occasional policy differences I might have with that number, I think that three deserve re-election, and two do not.
Lack of challengers is — in more ways that one — an inauspicious sign.
Good morning,
Whitewater’s forecast calls for a chance of flurries, with a high temperature of twenty-one.
The Wisconsin Historical Society reports that on this day in 1921
Janesville Women Abhor Salacious Entertainment
On this date the Janesville Federation of Women decided to “censor” movies and vaudeville in the city. Members of this organization praised and promoted what they considered “better offerings.” They were zealously critical towards those of a “salacious” nature. No follow-up ever determined whether the women were successful in their quest or if the increased publicity for “salacious” shows backfired. [Source: Janesville Gazette]
When I was growing up, one often heard that only humans used tools (and some of us, not very well). The tool-using group expanded to chimpanzees, and then other animals.
Crows are, it seems, now considered tool-users, too.
With the simple act of using twigs to poke a rubber spider, New Caledonian crows may have become the first birds to join an exclusive cognitive class.
Using tools in multiple ways, and not just to get food, was once considered a singularly human ability. Then chimpanzees, other primates and elephants proved able. But if flexible tool use wasn’t uniquely human, it did seem limited to mammals.
“There is no species of bird that has been recorded using tools for more than one function,” said zoologist Joanna Wimpenny of the University of Sheffield.
New logo —
— same over-roasted coffee.
In May, June, and July, I posted about an EPA video contest called “Rulemaking Matters!” in which contestants could send in videos explaining why federal regulations are important.
Here’s the winning video —
The winner in the Rulemaking Matters contest was a good entry. There are two things worth nothing, however.
First, one of the winning video’s creators was Toby Fey, a legal aid attorney from Ohio. That’s good and hard work, but it’s also work with an out-of-the-ordinary approach to regulations.
Representing the poor often involves citing regulations to prevent an agency from taking action against a client who has little means other than what the regulatory environment offers. For the poor, attorneys can cite — legitimately and necessarily — regulations to prevent denial of benefits, for example. Those who have little are a small number, overall, and while their reliance on regulations is a necessity, it’s also atypical.
For most people, I’d say, regulations are an inhibition to free exercise of opportunities for which they have private means.
Second, the video presents agency rulemaking in the most favorable light possible. Agency regulations are hardly the wise consequence of simple, objective interpretation and implemention of statutes. Additionally, there are few people who believe that rulemaking offers adequate citizen comment. Most people only learn about regulations after they’re imposed.
The libertarians at Reason.tv submitted their own videos, explaining how burdensome federal regulations were, and now bureaucrats typically care little about ordinary Americans. See Reason.tv: Federal Regulations and You – Partners in Democracy and Reason.tv: Rulemaking Matters!
For example:
Good morning,
Whitewater’s forecast calls for an even chance of snow, with a high temperature of twenty-seven degrees.
In the City of Whitewater, there will be two municipal public meetings today.
At 9 a.m., the Joint Review Board meets, to begin considering distressed status for tax incremental district 4. The meeting agenda is available online. Here’s that agenda:
AGENDA
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes from September 22, 2010
3. Appointment of Citizen Member to Joint Review Board
4. Distressed TID Presentation
5. Discussion and Possible Action on County Representation on Joint Review Board
6. Confirmation of January 24, 2011 Community Development Authority Public Hearing
7. Confirmation of February 9, 2011 Joint Review Board Meeting 8. Adjourn
Some of Whitewater’s officials mentioned the distressed TID presentation months ago — it’s received considerable energy and effort, I’m sure. (See, When Foolishness Passes for Wisdom, All Explained Via PowerPoint.)
So much preparation, I’d guess, that it’s a grand production by now. Something on the order of this —
Later in the day, at 5 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Landmarks Commission. That agenda is also available online, and I’ve reproduced it below:
I. Call to order & roll call
II. Approval of agenda and possible rearrangement
III. Approval of minutes of December 8. 2010 meeting
IV. Set date of next meeting – Wed., February 2, 2011, at 5P
V. Hear Citizen Comments
VI. Announcements
Old Business
VII. Report from Friends of the Mounds. (Helmick)
VIII. Report on Effigy Mounds Task Force.
IX. Discussion of the Restoration Proposal Open Meeting with Jennings and Associates
X. Update on protection of original Birge Fountain figures (Loomer)
XI. Possible future informational programs on the positive influence of historic districts and local landmark designated properties.
XI. Report on the moving or demolition of James & Ella Rockefeller House at 837 South Janesville Road. (Christ)
XII. Report on the Relocation of UWW Stone Pillars on intersection of Main &Whiton Streets. (Christ)
XIII. Possible future informational programs on the positive influence of historic
districts and local landmark designated properties.
XIV. Discuss Historical & Archaeological Preservation Month.
New Business
XV . Discuss Christmas trees in Flat Iron Park (Helmick)
XVI. Future Agenda Items
1. Whitewater Historical Survey Recommendations
2. New Provisions of Chap. 17 – criteria & list
3. Leaflets and Educational Materials
4. Possible grants – Jeffris Family Foundation & CLG
5. Plaques for Whitewater sites that are on the National Register of Historic Places
6. Possible Future Local Landmark Designations
a. Leon Pescheret House (Scott)
b. Vivian Henderson’s House (Scott)
c. Yasko House
d. Ambrose House
e. Starin Park Historic Neighborhood (Helmick)
XVII. Adjournment more >>
This seems like a good move, but our area already has a fun experience at the Stoughton Cinema Cafe at 124 West Main Street, Stoughton, WI 53589.
The Cinema Cafe may not be as fancy as the theaters mentioned in the WSJ story, but it’s a great time, with pizza and Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, among other items, on offer.
Theater Chains Aim to Transform Going Out to the Movies – WSJ.com.
