FREE WHITEWATER

Twitter

Recent Tweets: 6-20 to 6-26

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Baby Red Panda Born at National Zoo | Wired Science | Wired.com » http://bit.ly/ag1cbh Plus adopt a red panda at http://bit.ly/9xk98I
about 8 hours ago

Hey, Whitewater: How big would a dedication be for someone who *wasn’t* an accused serial plagiarist and fabricator? http://bit.ly/ahGQ44
1:43 PM Jun 25th

Small-town politician has reference to invitation-only luncheon in dedication reminder Too funny Wouldn’t want the riff raff to walk in
1:31 PM Jun 25th

RT @reasonmag: The Happy Meal Under Attack http://ow.ly/22lqn
6:04 PM Jun 23rd

RT @IJ: VIDEO: Watch IJ’s brief and inspirational summary of Susette Kelo’s fight against em. domain abuse: http://iam.ij.org/b1zuwl
9:53 AM Jun 23rd

From the Chancellor/Kitchens and hallways displayed/Workmen perspiring http://bit.ly/amyxqv
8:52 PM Jun 22nd

Note to Whitewater, Wisconsin’s public officials: the rest of America has buildings w/ kitchens, bathrooms, too
8:37 PM Jun 22nd

Affliction of small-town officials: showing off ordinary things as though they’re grand achievements Sometimes a building’s just a building
8:35 PM Jun 22nd

Right Now – A Libertarian star who drives Libertarians crazy http://bit.ly/c39kpH
8:33 PM Jun 22nd

They’re pure evil — When Chimpanzees Go on the Warpath – NYTimes.com http://nyti.ms/9flcOU
8:32 PM Jun 22nd

Simply brilliant: University chancellor shows off taxpayer-funded dorm to town w/ above average poverty, unemployment http://bit.ly/amyxqv
8:30 PM Jun 22nd

Proponents of sustainability would be persuasive if they had history of supporting conservation & better still they’d ever been outdoors
3:24 PM Jun 22nd

From Walworth County Today: Residents describe tornado at Eagle, WI (includes video) http://bit.ly/bho3nC
2:59 PM Jun 22nd

Goodbye, Office of Management & Budget Director Orzsag There are trillions of reasons we’ll not forget you http://bit.ly/cTDldF
11:31 AM Jun 22nd

LEED Certification Watch™ Wisconsin’s first 400 room LEED certified dormitory is 21st century equivalent of filtered cigarettes
4:33 PM Jun 21st

Lobbyists keep working despite convictions – JSOnline http://bit.ly/alfZOW
8:48 PM Jun 20th

Cost of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Keeps Rising – NYTimes.com http://nyti.ms/cAkoJH
8:36 PM Jun 20th

Government Spending

The YouCut Choices This Week: Why Not Require Collection of Unpaid Federal Taxes from Federal Employees?

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Here are this week’s YouCut proposals — spending cut proposals from among choices posted online. The most popular ideas go to a House vote. U.S. Representative Eric Cantor notes that “[o]ur nation’s debt grows by $4.9 billion every day.”

Last week, I voted for cutting funding of major parties’ political conventions. That wasn’t the highest-yielding of the proposed cuts, but I think that government has no place subsidizing a political convention (and both major parties have more than enough money to hold conventions without a subsidy). Most respondents voted for prohibiting the hiring of new IRS agents to enforce the health care law.

Here are the five cuts from which one can select a preference this week (they’re runners up to previous weeks’ winners):

  • Consolidate and Reduce Funding for Federal Advisory Committees (Savings $34 million next year and $340 million over ten years)
  • Terminate Duplicative Federal Bicycle and Walking Program (Saves $183 million a year or $1.8 billion over ten years)
  • Suspend Federal Land Purchases (Saves $266 million next year and $2.66 billion over ten years)
  • Require Collection of Unpaid Taxes From Federal Employees (Savings of potentially $1 billion +)
  • Taxpayer Subsidized Union Activities (Saves potentially $120 million a year and $1.2 billion over ten years)

Descriptions of each of these proposed cuts are available at the YouCut website.

This week, I voted for requiring federal employees to pay any back taxes they owe — Require Collection of Unpaid Taxes from Federal Employees (Savings of potentially $1 billion +). Collection efforts should begin with those who draw a federal salary.

City, Economy, Government Spending

Associated Press: Economy Faces Tough Road Ahead with Slower Growth – Yahoo! Finance

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Status quo efforts to restore prosperity, especially to places like tiny Whitewater, Wisconsin, won’t work. We don’t need more public projects; we need more private opportunities. Whitewater’s municipal government can’t make our lives better, and the road ahead is too uneven to expect conventional solutions to help us.

Our way out: dismantling every part of Whitewater city government’s failed economic meddling, reducing government to emphasize public safety first, with most other functions being cut significantly, ending additional tax incremental financing schemes, abolishing nearly all regulatory fees and permit costs, and rejecting the sugary (short term) fix of federal grant money.

A smaller city government is the means to a more prosperous city.

Here’s what we, and even more successful communities, face:

The economic recovery won’t be catching fire any time soon.

Businesses and governments are likely to reduce spending in the second half of the year. Consumers, who drive most economic growth, aren’t expected to take up the slack.

The Commerce Department said Friday that the economy grew at an annual rate of 2.7 percent in the first quarter, offering its third and final estimate for the period. It was slower than initially thought because consumers spent less and imports rose faster that previously calculated.

Economists anticipate even slower growth ahead as companies bring their stockpiles more in line with sales. Factory output has climbed this year. But it was driven more by businesses replenishing their warehouses after the recession and less by consumer demand.

“The economy is growing, but still at a disappointingly slow pace,” said Zach Pandl, an economist at Nomura Securities. Take away businesses restocking their inventories and “you still have a lukewarm recovery,” he said….

“This is still the weakest and longest economic recovery in U.S. postwar history,” said Paul Dales, U.S. economist with Capital Economics.

See, Economy Faces Tough Road Ahead with Slower Growth – Yahoo! Finance.

Freedom of Speech, Politics

Reason.tv Interview with Brian Lamb of C-SPAN

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Few people have made government more visible to more Americans than Brian Lamb, the CEO of C-SPAN. Because of Lamb’s efforts, millions of Americans have seen live proceedings of the U.S. House and Senate, public hearings, political debates, and lectures on public policy, history, and literature. Reason.tv has a short interview — about six minutes — with Lamb.

Here’s the video:



Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQQmSJUvUk.

Here’s a description of the video, from Reason:

In 2003 Reason named C-SPAN Founder and CEO Brian Lamb one of our 35 Heroes of Freedom for “turning a surveillance camera on the den of iniquity known as the U.S. House of Representatives.” Lamb sat down with Reason.tv editor Nick Gillespie for a wide-ranging — and distinctively non-stoned faced — discussion about the network, his views on politics, and a possible alternate career choice as a drummer for Merle Haggard.

Approximately 6 minutes. Produced, shot and edited by Meredith Bragg, Dan Hayes and Josh Swain.

The full, forty minute video is also available online. more >>

Comment Forum

Friday Open Comments Forum

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Here’s the Friday open comments post, following reader responses to a recent poll.

The use of pseudonyms and anonymous postings will be fine.

Although the 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.

Today’s suggested topic — opinions on free speech issues. A quick starting point might be the Institute for Justice’s new free speech blog, Congress Shall Make No Law.

Have at it — I’ll keep the post open through Sunday afternoon.

Freedom of Speech

Institute for Justice’s New Free Speech Blog: “Congress Shall Make No Law”

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The Institute for Justice has a new blog, dedicated to free speech issues, and entitled, following the language of the First Amendment, “Congress Shall Make No Law.”

The blog has posts on free speech topics, and references to court cases addressing freedom of speech.

I’ve added the site to my blogroll, on the left side of this website, but it’s well worth bookmarking for easy access from the browser of your choice.

Press Release

Jungle Jack Hanna Brings Live Animal Pals to Whitewater August 29, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

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I received the following press release that I am happy to post —

Downtown Whitewater Is Bringing Jack Hanna To Town

Jungle Jack Hanna is bringing his (live) animal pals and adventure stories to Whitewater High School Gymnasium for one performance on August 29, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Recognized around the country as America’s favorite zookeeper, Jack has made countless appearances on television shows, revealing his irrepressible verve and enthusiasm with his wild companions on Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Animal expert “Jungle Jack” is one of the most visible and respected ambassadors between the human and animal worlds. His hands-on approach and insight into the public’s appreciation of wildlife have won him widespread popular acclaim as Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, conservationist, author, television personality, and lifelong adventurer.

Hanna’s passion for wildlife stems from his early childhood. Having cultivated a love for animals on the family farm, Jack spent his teenage summers helping the local veterinarian by cleaning animal cages. After graduating from Muskingum College, Jack and his wife, college sweetheart Suzi, opened Pet Kingdom, a successful pet store and petting zoo. From there it was only a few years until Jack became director of the Central Florida Zoo.

Jungle Jack took flight in 1978 when he received the opportunity of a lifetime: directorship of the struggling Columbus Zoo in Ohio. Under Hanna’s dynamic direction, the zoo transformed from a floundering establishment into the state-of-the-art zoo it is today.

Further capitalizing on his media savvy, Jack has taken his ineffable passion to the airwaves through his own very successful television program, Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures. Airing since 1993, the show now reaches 96% of U.S. television households every weekend. In 2007 Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild, Jack’s new TV series, started airing in syndication. Jack and his family take viewers all over the world to visit amazing animals and fascinating cultures.

Hanna will appear Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the Whitewater High School Gymnasium. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for Children 12 and under, students with a valid ID and seniors 55 and older. Advance ticket sales will be available for Downtown Whitewater volunteers starting June 28, and tickets for the general public will go on sale July 12. Tickets will be available at GMA Printing, Sweetspot Coffee Shoppe and Quiet Hut Sports.

More about Hanna is available at his website, www.jackhanna.com. At the Columbus Zoo website, Hanna has an interactive animal guide with information about interesting animals at the zoo.

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for Whitewater, Wisconsin: June 25, 2010

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Good morning,

Today’s Whitewater forecast for today calls for a sunny day with a high of eighty-two degrees.

Today is the anniversary of the start of the Korean war. The Wisconsin Historical Society recalls the anniversary:

1950 – Korean War Starts

On this date Communist North Korea invaded the Republic of Korea. The Korean War, often called the “forgotten war,” involved more than 132,000 Wisconsinites. [Source: History Just Ahead: A Guide to Wisconsin’s Historical Markers edited by Sarah Davis McBride, p. 112]

This is also the date that Custer and the 7th Cavalry were defeated by the Sioux and Cheyenne at the Battle of Little Big Horn. The New York TImes website has more on newspaper coverage of the battle.

On June 25 Gen. Custer’s command came upon the main camp of Sitting Bull, and at once attacked it, charging the thickest part of it with five companies, Major Reno, with seven companies attacking on the other side. The soldiers were repulsed and a wholesale slaughter ensued. Gen. Custer, his brother, his nephew, and his brother-in-law were killed, and not one of his detachment escaped. The Indians surrounded Major Reno’s command and held them in the hills during a whole day, but Gibbon’s command came up and the Indians left. The number of killed is stated at 300 and the wounded at 31. Two hundred and seven men are said to have been buried in one place. The list of killed includes seventeen commissioned officers.

It is the opinion of Army officers in Chicago, Washington, and Philadelphia, including Gens. Sherman and Sheridan, that Gen. Custer was rashly imprudent to attack such a large number of Indians, Sitting Bull’s force being 4,000 strong.



Little Bighorn River, National Park Service

Public Meetings

Jungle Jack Hanna Brings Live Animal Pals to Whitewater

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Downtown Whitewater Is Bringing Jack Hanna To Town

Jungle Jack Hanna is bringing his (live) animal pals and adventure stories to Whitewater High School Gymnasium for one performance on August 29, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Recognized around the country as America’s favorite zookeeper, Jack has made countless appearances on television shows, revealing his irrepressible verve and enthusiasm with his wild companions on Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Animal expert “Jungle Jack” is one of the most visible and respected ambassadors between the human and animal worlds. His hands-on approach and insight into the public’s appreciation of wildlife have won him widespread popular acclaim as Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, conservationist, author, television personality, and lifelong adventurer.

Hanna’s passion for wildlife stems from his early childhood. Having cultivated a love for animals on the family farm, Jack spent his teenage summers helping the local veterinarian by cleaning animal cages. After graduating from Muskingum College, Jack and his wife, college sweetheart Suzi, opened Pet Kingdom, a successful pet store and petting zoo. From there it was only a few years until Jack became director of the Central Florida Zoo.

Jungle Jack took flight in 1978 when he received the opportunity of a lifetime: directorship of the struggling Columbus Zoo in Ohio. Under Hanna’s dynamic direction, the zoo transformed from a floundering establishment into the state-of-the-art zoo it is today.

Further capitalizing on his media savvy, Jack has taken his ineffable passion to the airwaves through his own very successful television program, Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures. Airing since 1993, the show now reaches 96% of U.S. television households every weekend. In 2007 Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild, Jack’s new TV series, started airing in syndication. Jack and his family take viewers all over the world to visit amazing animals and fascinating cultures.

Hanna will appear Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the Whitewater High School Gymnasium. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for Children 12 and under, students with a valid ID and seniors 55 and older. Advance ticket sales will be available for Downtown Whitewater volunteers starting June 28, and tickets for the general public will go on sale July 12. Tickets will be available at GMA Printing, Sweetspot Coffee Shoppe and Quiet Hut Sports.

More about Hanna is available at his website, www.jackhanna.com. At the Columbus Zoo website, Hanna has an interactive animal guide with information about interesting animals at the zoo.

Laws/Regulations

Raw Milk Update

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100% Natural

Here’s a raw milk update. I’ve been opposed to restrictions on the consumption of natural, raw milk. Adults should be able to decide what kind of milk they’d like to drink, without government’s interference. We’re a dairy state, and we should be able to drink and eat the kind of dairy products we’d like.

Unfortunately, Governor Doyle vetoed even a modest change in our laws, a change that would have permitted limited raw milk sales for a temporary period.

Some dairy farmers are challenging Wisconsin’s current law and its enforcement. One of those farms was in Walworth County, and one of those cases was initially filed there. Following a hearing earlier this June, that case was transferred — following a motion filed on behalf of Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer protection — to Dane County for consolidation with another case. See, Crying Over Raw Milk.

Feldman ably describes the politics over raw milk:

…in April, during the waning hours of the legislative session, the Raw Milk Act finally passed, sending Representative Danou [a propoent of raw milk sales] to his feet again to tip back a glass of what must have been pretty warm raw milk. Victory seemed assured; Wisconsin’s governor, James Doyle, had earlier indicated he would sign the bill.

Mr. Danou had no way of knowing that in the meantime the Cheese Makers Association, the Farm Bureau Federation and the Dairy Business Association, a sort of “Axis of Ag,” had sold their anti-raw case to Governor Doyle, blending their self-interest with warnings over diphtheria-, salmonellosis- and strep-bearing unpasteurized milk.

Governor Doyle has had his moments, but Solomon he wasn’t on May 19, when he vetoed the Raw Milk Act – despite his February approval of a tangentially related bill that made the dills and salsas of home-picklers street-legal.

Still, it wasn’t a total loss for the dairymen. The veto may prove a tipping point for public awareness and farm acceptance of raw milk. The movement gets its energy from the raw-food crusade swirling nationwide, but it’s now also drawing strength from Wisconsin’s farmer-activists, who’ve been pouring milk down the Capitol steps to protest prices for so long that many believe that’s why the marble is so white.

One thing’s clear, as Feldman notes — this debate favors raw milk advocates, and those defending prohibition are out-of-step with a trend favoring free consumption of milk in a milk-producing state.

Politics

The Outgoing Wisconsin Administration’s Cronyism

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When people go looking for a job, they’re often asked to provide a resume. For more demanding and higher-paying jobs, it’s a standard practice across America. (America: a vast continental republic of over three-hundred million people.)

Wisconsin’s part of America (at last check), but there’s different standard for one highly-placed member of the Doyle administration. The Wisconsin State Journal‘s Deborah Ziff reports that

The University of Wisconsin System offered a $245,000 per year position to Wisconsin Department of Administration secretary Michael Morgan without requesting his resume, records show.

The hire was criticized as political patronage by Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater. Morgan would have been out of a job when Gov. Jim Doyle left office next year.

The university offered Morgan the job as vice president for administration and fiscal affairs without conducting a national search.

The UW System sent a letter of offer to Morgan for the job on June 1 and five hours later, Morgan e-mailed a copy of his resume to officials, according to the records. The State Journal requested the documents under the state’s open records law.

See, No Resume Required for $245,000-a-year University of Wisconsin System Job.

This is outrageous, but other than one state representative and one reporter, where’s the outrage? Nass is right to question this appointment, and the State Journal did good work in showing that Morgan got his offer letter before he sent his resume. Conduct like this creates the clear appearance of unfair preferential treatment. Explanations that the Doyle team’s issued are patronizing and unbelievable.

The Doyle Administration both embarrasses itself and undermines the efforts of Democrats running this year with actions like this.

(It’s Tom Barrett who will be saddled with the taint of the unpopular, outgoing Doyle Administration in the fall campaign. Doyle’s team will head off to lucrative jobs and line up great opportunities while Barrett campaigns.)

Daily Bread

Daily Bread for Whitewater, Wisconsin: 6-24-10

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Good morning,

The forecast today calls for a sunny day with a high of eighty-one degrees.

We’ve had a lot of rain, but the Wisconsin Historical Society recalls a day and place that has the most rain in state history:

1946 – Most Precipitation in One Day

On this date Mellen, Wisconsin received 11.72 inches of rain within a single day. This set a record for Wisconsin for precipitation received within 24 hours. [Source: National Weather Service]

Mellen is a small town, with fewer than a thousand people, in Ashland County, Wisconsin: