Four Shootings in Milwaukee

Another Saturday night in Milwaukee means more shootings.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Four people were injured in shootings overnight, according to Milwaukee police.

According to police:

The first occurred about 10:15 p.m. Saturday in the 2800 block of N. 6th St. A 33-year-old man was standing in the roadway speaking with an acquaintance seated in the driver's side of a van when an unknown person walked by and shot the victim in the leg. The victim is in stable condition.

The second happened at 10:30 p.m. Saturday in the 9100 block of N. 75th St. A 31-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound after a confrontation at his front door with two unknown suspects. He is in stable condition. Police are still interviewing witnesses in an attempt to identify the suspects.

About 1 a.m., a 44-year-old man was shot in the leg when he intervened in an altercation between his son and a group of juveniles in the 2300 block of S. 34th St. The man is in good condition and refused medical attention.

At 1:30 a.m., police were dispatched to a shooting at Champs Clubhouse Bar, in the 2900 block of N. 8th St. An 18-year-old victim was shot in the shoulder in the parking lot. The victim is in stable condition. Police continue to interview witnesses in an attempt to identify suspects.

I guess this is the new normal in Milwaukee.

Obama Responsible for Economy

Obama will say anything and everything.

Video.



Very embarrassing.

Lucille Ball: 100

Lucille Ball was born 100 years ago today.







Happy Birthday, Lucy!

Hiroshima: 66 Years Later

On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. It was the beginning of the end of World War II.

It was a pivotal event. Truly, the world changed in an instant.

A couple of years ago, Warren Kozak, writing in The Wall Street Journal, provided some history and some perspective.

On this day 64 years ago, an American B-29 named the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima. We know that as many as 80,000 Japanese died instantly. We know the city was pulverized, and we know that an estimated 100,000 additional people died later from radiation poisoning. We also are aware that the Hiroshima bomb, and the Nagasaki bomb dropped three days later, ushered in the atomic era.

At the time of the event, 85% of the American public favored dropping the atomic bombs, according to a Gallup poll (10% disapproved). Over the years, that attitude has changed. By 2005, Gallup found only 57% of Americans thought the bomb was necessary, while 38% disapproved. Most of those polled were born after the event.

In August 1945, much of the world was exhausted after six long years of total war and tens of millions of deaths. Most people that summer didn’t quite understand the implications of Hiroshima. All they knew was that the atomic bomb was some sort of new, extremely powerful device that was the result of a top-secret project. It was a demonstration of the amazing technical superiority of the United States—not unlike the moon landing 24 years later.

But even before the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, doubts about its use surfaced within the group of physicists who created it. Albert Einstein, who first brought the atomic bomb to FDR’s attention, along with Leo Szilard, who was instrumental in building it, were both opposed to using it against Japanese civilians.

As time has passed, the army of doubters has grown. These critics argue that Japan was all but defeated by August 1945 and the bombs were unnecessary. The incendiary bombing campaign had already destroyed most of Japan’s cities, they say, and the mining of the inland waterway brought its war production down to practically nothing. Its citizens were undernourished and there was practically no fuel or any other raw material left in the country. Japan, according to this school of thought, was a spent nation just waiting for the best possible deal from the Allies. Much of this is true.

On the other side, those who believe the bombing was necessary point out that unlike Nazi Germany, which collapsed during its final days, the Japanese fought more ferociously as the Americans drew closer to the mainland. Almost all were willing to die for their emperor, having demonstrated this in each island invasion leading up to what would have been the largest amphibious landing of all time.

...The debate over the bomb reached a crescendo 14 years ago when the Smithsonian Institution produced a retrospective that veteran groups objected to because they believed it focused too much on the victims and not on the reasons for the bomb’s use. The exhibit was ultimately cancelled. Then, this past spring, comedian Jon Stewart touched off his own firestorm when he labeled President Harry Truman a “war criminal” for ordering the bombs to be dropped. Mr. Stewart later apologized.

The fact that the quick end to the war allowed the U.S. to avoid a land invasion of the Japanese mainland, thus saving many more lives, is quickly tossed aside by some critics. They say there is no basis for the estimates of large numbers of casualties. But then there is the appalling number of Asians who were dying at the hands of the Japanese. Upwards of a quarter-of-a-million were dying each month. The fact that this orgy of death—17 million died in all—came to an abrupt halt when the Imperial Army was finally forced to go home is rarely mentioned.

Perhaps the simplest and most compelling argument for the bombs is the main reason President Truman decided to drop them in the first place: He hoped it would rattle Japan enough to force it to surrender. That is exactly what happened.

Today, Hiroshima has become a Rorschach test for Americans. We see the same pictures and we hear the same facts. But based on how we view our country, our government, and the world, we interpret these facts in very different ways.

A former G.I., now 90, who survived the war in Europe and was about to be sent to the Pacific understands quite clearly that the bomb saved his life. His grandchildren may see this event in a very different way.

Brat Days, Sheboygan

The 58th annual Brat Days is in full swing in Sheboygan. Great food. Great music. Great activities.



Johnsonville is a major sponsor of the event.

Apparently, the lame anti-Scott Walker contingent is too occupied with the recall elections and disrupting the opening ceremony of the Wisconsin State Fair to politicize and boycott Brat Days in Sheboygan.

Unlike Madison's Brat Fest, it appears Brat Days will be spared.

State Fair and Riverwest Mob Attacks: Ed Flynn

As bad as the violence was last night at the Wisconsin State Fair and as inadequate as the police response was in terms of controlling the situation, at least progress has been made since the mob attacks in Riverwest.

Police actually admitted there was a mob this time. There were no denials. There was no confusion about whether there actually was a mob attack.

Progress!

Police Chief Ed Flynn actually admitted at his press conference that people were singled out for attack because of their race. In his statement, he was vague. He didn't say blacks targeted whites, but he did acknowledge the racial element in the violence.

Flynn guaranteed that events in Milwaukee this weekend will be safe.

That's quite a guarantee.

Here's video of Flynn's news conference on the State Fair violence:

Wisconsin State Fair Curfew Policy

After last night's mob attacks at the Wisconsin State Fair, the beatings and the violence and the hospitalizations, the Fair has put in place a new policy.

GOOD!

Here's the youth/parental guardian admission policy, from 620 WTMJ:

The Wisconsin State Fair imposed a curfew Friday for all patrons under age 18 after a series of mob attacks marred the Fair's opening night Thursday.

According to State Fair Park CEO Rick Frenette, the policy will go into effect at 5:00 p.m. Friday evening and reads as follows:

"1. All youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age are required to be accompanied by a legal guardian (age 21+) to be admitted to the Wisconsin State Fair after 5:00 p.m.

2. Anyone 18 years or over may be asked to show a valid driver's license or state identification card for proof of age in order to be admitted to the Wisconsin State Fair without a parent or guardian after 5:00 p.m.

3. Any young adult under 18 without a valid driver's license or state identification card and not accompanied by a parent or guardian will not be admitted after 5:00 p.m.

4. Execpetions and challenges to this policy will be satisfied at the discretion of Fair Management."

I'm sure that the plans of many kids under 18 have been made more complicated because of this policy.

They need a parent or guardian to accompany them if they want to enter the Fair after 5:00 PM.

When I was under 18, I had great times going to the Fair with friends at night. It has to be frustrating for good kids.

However, any parents or kids troubled by the new policy should direct their anger or disappointment at the thugs, the mobs of violent thugs, that committed crimes last night inside and outside of the fairgrounds.

State Fair management should be commended for taking steps to keep the State Fair safe.

Frenette said in a news conference Friday that seven State Fair Police officers were injured in the attacks and that two have been treated and released from the hospital. 24 teenagers were arrested after attacking fairgoers Thursday night.

"State Fair management has been assured and is working with the State Patrol and City of West Allis and City of Milwaukee to have an increased police presence surrounding the Fair Park for the safety of all fairgoers and surrounding community," Fredette added. "We will not tolerate this behavior within the Fair Park again."

Witnesses described a chaotic scene Thursday night, and many believe African-American teenagers were targeting white fairgoers.

This is absolutely unacceptable.

Without question, State Fair management did the right thing by instituting the new policy.

It's sad that thugs attacked fairgoers and committed the crimes they did.

It's horrible that young black people targeted white people.

If the accounts of victims and witnesses are correct, these were hate crimes.

I know the Fair is technically considered to be in West Allis, but Mayor Tom Barrett was at the opening ceremony yesterday. And portions of the fairgrounds are in the city of Milwaukee? Has Barrett commented on the attacks?

At least some members of the violent mob had to be city of Milwaukee residents.

I wonder how Barrett feels about residents of his city being responsible for causing these crimes and forcing the Fair into enacting these unprecedented measures.
_____________

The State Fair's website has been updated with the new admission policy.


_____________

UPDATE, from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

On Friday afternoon, Mayor Tom Barrett announced an increase in police presence at community events planned for the week. He said there would be no tolerance for violence at festivals and that perpetrators will be prosecuted -- regardless of race.

"Two years ago I was a victim of a random attack at State Fair… last night's events took place at State Fair that I don't believe are random," he said at a City Hall news conference.

Barrett didn't indicate if he believed the events were racially charged.

Barrett said this weekend is of special importance because of the Historic Third Association Jazz festival, the African World Festival and the Milwaukee Comedy Festival in addition to the fair. He said police presence will be increased at all events.

Can you imagine the response if mobs of white young people targeted and attacked innocent black people leaving African World Festival?

Try.
_____________

Here's video of Barrett's news conference:

 

State Fair: Mob Attacks (Video)

I was at the Wisconsin State Fair yesterday.

I didn't witness any problems while I was there. I saw no fights and nothing remotely like mob violence or people being attacked randomly.

We were parked on the infield. As we walked to the car after hours of consuming the best of the fair (like dark chocolate covered cranberries drizzled with white chocolate on a stick - delicious!), we passed the grandstand. MC Hammer was performing "Too Legit to Quit."

I left the grounds about an hour before closing and went home happy, with a six-pack of cream puffs to go.

I guess I was lucky.

From WISN:

Local law enforcement agencies are investigating several incidents near State Fair Park late Thursday night.

Milwaukee police said that around 11:10 p.m., squads were sent to the area for complaints of battery, fighting and property damage to a large, unruly crowd. One officer described it as a "mob beating."

Police said the group of young people attacked fairgoers who were leaving the fair grounds. Police said that some victims were attacked while walking. They said others were pulled out of cars and off of motorcycles before being beaten.

Police said at least seven people were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said the incidents happened in various areas near the fair grounds, including near the intersection of 84th and Adler streets.

The Milwaukee Police Department, West Allis Police Department and Milwaukee County Sheriff Department all responded to the area.

Milwaukee police said nobody was in custody early Friday morning. They said they are working to identify suspects.

From 620 WTMJ:

Witnesses tell Newsradio 620 WTMJ and TODAY'S TMJ4 of a mob of young people attacking innocent fair-goers at the end of the opening night of State Fair, with some callers claiming a racially-charged scene.

One witness described a mob of 20 to 30 young black men beating white people, including him, as they left State Fair Thursday night.

"It looked like they were just going after white guys, white people," said Norb Roffers of Wind Lake in an interview with Newsradio 620 WTMJ. He left the State Fair Entrance near the corner of South 84th Street and West Schlinger Avenue in West Allis.

"They were attacking everybody for no reason whatsoever."

...TODAY'S TMJ4 video shows West Allis police handcuffing at least one person, but they won't say how many people they took into custody.

Milwaukee Police said that their officers were sent to State Fair Park for "complaints of battery, fighting and property damage due to a large, unruly crowd."

A police sergeant told TODAY'S TMJ4's Melissa McCrady that the number of calls describing injuries are still coming in, so they could not give an accurate number of people who were injured.

That sergeant explained that some injuries were serious, and local hospitals were attending to the injured.

Milwaukee Police said they had no one in custody.

One woman told police that she was sitting in her car with a window down when some teenagers reached through her window and started attacking her.

"I think once we get all the info in it'll be just like that, like what happened in Riverwest," said the police sergeant.

...[Norb Roffers of Wind Lake] described his emotions and reactions to the attacks outside the park.

"I turned around and looked, there was this black kid standing there laughing, thinking it's funny. My wife's like, 'Let's get out of here.' It's one of those things, you don't expect it. Your reaction to it is, first of all, quite surprised, then you get so angry, it's like, 'What in the hell's going on there? Why are these guys acting like such hoodlums? What are they picking on anybody for?' We were just like cattle being herded out of the park, and they were picking and choosing who they wanted to beat on."

He said his injuries were limited to a headache.

Roffers said the attack wouldn't stop him from attending the State Fair.

"We will be going back," said Roffers.

"It's a family event for us. We get together with our family and we do stuff at the park to enjoy the fair. My biggest concern is that the State Fair Park Police and West Allis get their heads out of their butts and figure out how to do some security over there. This isn't the first year State Fair has been going on. They should know what the heck they've got to do and where they've got to have people in place by now."

But according to Roffers, they did not have enough people there to handle the crowds, and he claims that the main stage acts - MC Hammer, Young MC and Tone Loc, were the draw for a crowd he claimed was there.

"I think the headliner they had last night is what drew the type of crowd they had last night. I've never been at that fair where they had so many African-American people. There's never usually that many of them, at that park, for whatever reason that I can figure."

..."There was this terror going on when you leave the place, you just wonder. Luckily, all the violence that was happening stayed right close by the park entrance. As we got a block away from the park, that's when the cops started showing up."

He said the lack of police and security presence will bring about his complaint up the various channels of State Fair and local police.

"They should be able to provide safety and traffic control," said Roffers. "I've never worried about it before."

He said he would give a written complaint to the State Fair and put in a call to West Allis Police, but that's not all.

"I will be contacting the State Fair Park Board and I'm going to chew on their butts a little bit about what happened."

From FOX 6 News:

It wasn't the way that we wanted State Fair to kick off this year. Hundreds of people rampaged through the local neighborhoods at about 11:00 p.m. last night. Milwaukee police say it all started around closing time in the parking lot.

Police were called out to State Fair Park for complaints of battery, fighting, and property damage from a large unruly crowd. According to police, starting at the fairgrounds, the group ran down 84th St. then continued down to 60th and Main St.

Some reports say the group charged at cars leaving the fair, smashed in car and home windows, and fighting/attacking people along the way.

Police say people were punched in the face by the group. A Muskego woman required stitches and another woman will need surgery. As of now, four victims have come forward so far.

We've gotten several emails from witnesses at the scene saying the mob could have started at the Midway inside the park. Multiple fights broke out and a little boy was thrown to the ground.

Multiple fights broke out and a little boy was even thrown to the ground.

Police continue to investigate what happened late last night. According to police, nobody is in custody and they are working to identify the suspects involved. They tell FOX6 that if or once the suspects are found, they could face at least two felony charges -- including child abuse.

That's horrible!

I experienced nothing threatening on the fairgrounds last night (other than the deep fried butter).

I saw people of all races having a good time. At no point did I see large groups of young people roaming the grounds. I witnessed nothing intimidating or frightening.

I had a very pleasant experience.

It's very disturbing to think that my visit to the fair could have ended with a beating and a trip to the hospital if I had left just a bit later and been in the wrong place.

There is absolutely no excuse for this mob violence, none whatsoever.

I'm afraid that a much larger law enforcement presence is necessary to maintain order.

Sadly, it appears that there is a mob of conscienceless young people, sociopaths, in the Milwaukee area bent on behaving violently and terrorizing innocent people.

We can't let them hold our state fair hostage.

We can't let the terrorists win.
___________________

Watch video from TMJ4.



Video from FOX 6 News:

 

RAW VIDEO: Cell phone video of State Fair midway incident

 

RAW VIDEO: State Fair news conference on incidents

 

Victims describe what happened at State Fair

 
___________________

UPDATE: Wisconsin State Fair Curfew Policy
___________________

UPDATE: Walker orders State Patrol to assist at State Fair

Gov. Scott Walker has ordered the Wisconsin State Patrol to provide additional law enforcement help at the Wisconsin State Fair after several incidents involving rampaging youths broke out on the fairgrounds and on the streets outside Thursday night.

Cullen Werwie, Walker's spokesman, said the governor made the decision after reviewing the events from Thursday night, in which at least 24 people were arrested.

"We will continue to evaluate the situation and make any adjustments necessary to ensure a successful and safe event. We will be doing everything in our power to ensure that parents feel that it is safe to bring their children to the world's best fair," Werwie said in a statement.

___________________

UPDATE, August 6, 2011: New rules help keep things calm, State Fair spokeswoman says

Wisconsin State Fair officials reported a normal, violence-free evening Friday, thanks in part to new rules put in place to keep unattended teens away and a beefed-up presence of uniformed law enforcement officers.

"It really went well," Patrice Harris, the fair's communication manager, said Saturday.

At least 31 people were arrested and at least 11 people were injured Thursday, during the fair's opening night.

The trouble Thursday began around 7 p.m. when fights erupted among black youths in the Midway area and spread into neighboring streets around the 11 p.m. closing time.

As a result, new rules were implemented that require all people under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 21 in order to be admitted to the fairgrounds after 5 p.m.

In addition, Gov. Scott Walker ordered the State Police to help keep order. Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn also promised additional police protection at the fair and other weekend activities around the city.

"Fairgoers were coming into the park thanking us for the policies," Harris said. "The extra security really assured people of their safety."

Harris said she did not know if the new policies, or fear that Thursday's violence might be repeated, suppressed attendance.

Jerry Lewis: September 5 Press Conference

Jerry Lewis has scheduled a press conference for September 5, the day following the Muscular Dystrophy Association's telethon.

From the Associated Press:

For decades, Jerry Lewis has played the key role in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual telethon, helping to raise more than $1 billion. Now the two sides are parting ways, but no one is explaining why.

But the 85-year-old comedian told reporters last week that he plans to hold a press conference the day after this year's telethon to talk about what he thinks is important. When pressed by a reporter about his role with the telethon, Lewis said: "It's none of your business."

The Tucson, Ariz.-based association announced this week that that the comedian was no longer its national chairman and he would not appear on the telethon this year.

Association spokesman Jim Brown declined to say what prompted the decision. And Lewis publicist Candi Cazau of Las Vegas also declined comment, telling The Associated Press Thursday that comedian was traveling outside his home state of Nevada.

In May, Lewis said in a statement issued through the association that he would make his final appearance on the telethon this year and sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" during a six-hour primetime broadcast scheduled for Sept. 4.

But during a session with reporters last week at a Television Critics Association press tour to promote an upcoming TV documentary, "Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis," Lewis hinted that his involvement in raising money for muscular dystrophy research wasn't finished.

"Who told you that?" Lewis asked a reporter who asked him how he felt about this year being his last telethon. "I never read it."

"Do you remember when the New York Times printed, `Dewey wins'? I rest my case, pal," Lewis said. "Anything you read, read it twice."

...Lewis later said he would hold a press conference Sept. 5 to clarify his plans.

"I will have plenty to say about what I think is important. And that's the future, not the past," he said.

Very strange.

A press conference the day after the telethon?

Why no explanation regarding Lewis and this year's telethon? Why wait to explain what's behind Lewis' departure as national chairman of MDA?

This is all so odd.

Obama Bus Tour: Taxpayer-funded

The Obama "listening" bus tour of the Midwest, clearly a campaign mission, is going to be funded by taxpayers.

The very snippy, incompetent Jay Carney insists that Obama won't be campaigning, just carrying out his duties as president.

Yeah, right! The Obama bus tour stunt is so presidential.

I'm sick of paying the bill for Obama's campaign events.

No doubt, he'll be in Wisconsin, to "listen."

Video:



Transcript, White House:

QUESTION: Is there anything you can tell us about the bus tour the President plans to take -- where he’s going and why?

JAY CARNEY: Well, I can tell you that it will be from August 15th through the 17th, and that it will be through the Midwest. Further details will be forthcoming later. That’s all I have for you now.

QUESTION: But in terms of the --

CARNEY: I mean, he will get out -- very happily getting out in the country again, after a sustained period here in Washington. And he will -- he looks forward to talking to folks about growing the economy, creating jobs. And we’ll have more details, again, as I said, about the specifics of the trip later.

QUESTION: Did you say out of the country or out of --

CARNEY: Out in the country.

QUESTION: Oh, in the country. I’m sorry.

CARNEY: The Midwest.

QUESTION: I’m sorry.

CARNEY: Yes.

QUESTION: Is that a campaign event or --

CARNEY: Negative. It is an official event.

QUESTION: Okay, so it will be funded by taxpayers?

CARNEY: He’s the President of the United States.

Yes.

QUESTION: The bus tour -- it’s certainly a visual, but what are the tangibles?

CARNEY: Again, we’ll have more specifics about this trip itself. The air of cynicism is quite thick. The idea that the President of the United States should not venture forth into the country is ridiculous.

QUESTION: I didn't suggest that.

CARNEY: No, but you implied it in your question. And it is absolutely important for the President, whoever that person is, in the past and in the future, to get out and hear from people in different communities. And the President -- this is a trip that we’ve had on our books for quite a long time, and he very much looks forward to taking it.

Carney was extremely defensive.

He certainly has trouble maintaining his cool when he's trying to defend the indefensible.
___________________

Obama will be in Michigan on August 11.

Johnson Controls Inc. will host President Barack Obama next week at its advanced battery factory in Holland, Mich.

The factory was opened to make lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles that were developed at the company’s battery laboratory in Glendale, as part of the company’s joint venture with the French battery developer Saft.

The visit will take place Thursday at the factory that Johnson Controls opened as part of its $598 million investment in advanced battery technology — half of which was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The $299 million stimulus grant to Johnson Controls was the biggest project funded in 2009 by the Obama administration awarded as part of a $2.4 billion investment in advanced batteries, which the administration aims to help the U.S. reduce reliance on imported oil, boost fuel economy of vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

During a briefing to reporters at the White House Thursday, Obama’s press secretary, Jay Carney said, “While at Johnson Controls, the President will highlight the key role innovative technologies will play in helping automakers achieve the historic fuel-economy standards, establishing U.S. leadership in advanced vehicle manufacturing, spurring economic growth and creating high-quality domestic jobs in cutting-edge industries across America.”

Obama will be spending quite a bit of time in the Midwest next week.

Taxpayers will be spending a lot of money, stuck with paying the expenses for Obama's campaign events.

Dow Tanks

Oh, my God!

Dow Sinks 500, Worst Day Since Dec. 2008

This is a nightmare.

Barack Obama is Jimmy Carter.

John Chisholm and Sandy Pasch

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, DEMOCRAT, is a Sandy Pasch supporter.

The MacIver Institute reports:

Milwaukee County DA was a major contributor to Sandy Pasch and stumped for her Assembly election in 2008.

Photo here.

Clearly, Chisholm shouldn't be involved in investigating the BBQ for Votes case.

He actively campaigned for Pasch and was a major financial contributor.

Scott Walker, State Fair, Protests (Video)

I love the Wisconsin State Fair.

It's a fantastic event where people from all walks of life come together and just have fun.

It's a respite from the nightmares and annoyances of daily life. For a day or a few hours, forget about the disastrous economy, sinking home values, contentious recall elections, scandals, blah, blah, blah.

Have some food on a stick and relax. Listen to the live music. Have a cream puff, a heavenly cream puff. Watch the pig races. Buy a mop or the latest, new and improved slicer and dicer.

What's not to love?

PROTESTERS.

Protesters marred today's opening ceremony. They refused to show the event the respect it deserves. Instead, some goons decided they would attack Governor Scott Walker, completely disregarding the spirit of the fair, a celebration of Wisconsin.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The politics that have split the state since winter spilled into a Wisconsin summer tradition Thursday morning during Gov. Scott Walker's meet-and-greet at the opening ceremony of the Wisconsin State Fair.

Protesters in red shirts chanted "shame" and "recall Walker" during Walker's speech while supporters of Walker cheered him on.

While Walker spoke, Lynn Ziehr, 49, of Richfield shouted "shame" right back at the protesters.

Ziehr has been attending the fair for many years, but this was her first time attending the opening ceremony. She did so this year to support Walker.

Ziehr said she didn't think the protest was appropriate for the event.

"I can't believe how much hatred is going around this state," she said.

Barb Neddo, 49, and her daughter Sarah, 19, protested at the event sporting "Recall Walker" shirts.

Sarah Neddo, a sophomore at UW-Madison, said she thinks it's important to let people know that the protests aren't going away.

"We're still here and we're still fighting," she said.

Mother and daughter both noted that, for the most part, people kept their cool at the event.

Sarah Neddo said she thinks it's great that people on both sides could express their views and then go enjoy a day at the fair.

Ziehr, too, said she planned to stay at the fair for the rest of the day, and is excited to see the draft horses.

Other speakers at the opening included Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and West Allis Mayor Dan Devine.

From 620 WTMJ, a less sanitized account of what happened:

Amidst the fun and frivolity of the State Fair's opening day, some protesters of Republican Governor Scott Walker's policies came and showed their disapproval when he spoke at the fair.

As Walker gave the last speech of the opening ceremony at the fair on Thursday morning, protesters yelled "Shame, shame, shame!"

"You're a weasel," came from one of the protesters.

TODAY'S TMJ4's Diane Pathieu tells us that what began as 20 to 30 protesters eventually turned into twice that many people shouting during the duration of Walker's speech.

Walker claimed that the protests shouldn't stop the fun of the fair.

"Out of 800,000 people, (there's) 50-60 people, they have their right to do that," said Walker.

"Most people who come to the fair will tell you they set aside politics and business and have a good time."

But for Milwaukee Public Schools teacher Julianna Kelly, it was a chance to get up close to the governor and make her voice heard, and she's not done yet.

"Our government is supposed to be of the people, be by the people for the people," explained Kelly.

"(His policies) hurt way too many people, not just teachers, Medicare, Social Security, the elderly, children of poverty."

Not "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME"! Not again!!!

Good grief.

This ticks me off. It really does.

For God's sake, give it a rest at the fair.

What are these thugs going to do at the Governor's Auction?

One of the highlights of the Fair is the Governor's Red, White and Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction. The Coliseum will bustle with the excitement and chatter of the Governor's Red, White and Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction as auctioneers chide bidders to raise the stakes and up the ante. Exhilaration and the excitement level increases as the bids go higher and higher on each Champion Market Steer, Lamb and Barrow. Proceeds from the event contribute to youth agriculture programs and scholarships.

Read more about this great event.

The protesters disrupting the opening ceremony of the 2011 Wisconsin State Fair have no shame.

Really disgusting.

Sadly, this sort of behavior is a hallmark of the Scott Walker detractors. They're blinded by their hate. They are unhinged.

Remember when protesters disrupted a Special Olympics event at the Capitol?

Here's video of the disgraceful display at the State Fair today, from the MacIver Institute:



Look at these people! They're crazed. They're an embarrassment. How terribly inappropriate! Such thuggery is no way to win hearts and minds to their cause.

Kudos to the MacIver Institute for doing such a terrific job of informing the public.

Obama 'Listening' Bus Tour

Obama is supposedly going to listen to Americans.

He's going on a bus tour to get in touch with the people of the heartland.

From Reuters:

President Barack Obama will take a three-day campaign-style bus tour through the American Midwest this month, as he tries to refocus attention on jobs seen as vital to his chances of winning re-election in 2012.

The president will be on the road between August 15 and August 17 "listening" to the American people about jobs and the economy, White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

Obama's approval ratings have been dented by persistently high U.S. unemployment and acrimonious negotiations in Washington to raise the country's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling.

"Listening"?

Very funny.

That reminds me of Wisconsin's former senator, Russ Feingold - the guy Wisconsinites rejected and threw out of office BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LISTEN. Feingold's listening sessions were a joke.

Obama's bus tour is a lame election stunt.

He has no intention of really listening to Americans.

I'm sure the audiences will be carefully screened to be friendly.

Obama won't learn a thing in an echo chamber.

Complete waste of time.

Obama: Ramadan Statement

It should come as no surprise that Obama released a statement recognizing Ramadan.

If you recall, Obama failed to release an Easter statement earlier this year.

It turned into a very awkward misstep for Obama. Jay Carney's explanation for Obama's decision to ignore Easter was an absolute disaster.



When it comes to Ramadan, however, Obama has plenty to say.

Statement by the President on the Occasion of Ramadan

As Ramadan begins, Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world. Ramadan is a festive time that is anticipated for months by Muslims everywhere. Families and communities share the happiness of gathering together for iftar and prayers. Bazaars light up the night in many cities from Rabat to Jakarta. And here in the United States, Muslim Americans share Ramadan traditions with their neighbors, fellow students, and co-workers.

For so many Muslims around the world, Ramadan is also a time of deep reflection and sacrifice. As in other faiths, fasting is used to increase spirituality, discipline, and consciousness of God's mercy. It is also a reminder of the importance of reaching out to those less fortunate. The heartbreaking accounts of lost lives and the images of families and children in Somalia and the Horn of Africa struggling to survive remind us of our common humanity and compel us to act. Now is the time for nations and peoples to come together to avert an even worse catastrophe by offering support and assistance to on-going relief efforts.

Times like this remind us of the lesson of all great faiths, including Islam -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. In that spirit, I wish Muslims around the world a blessed month, and I look forward to again hosting an iftar dinner here at the White House. Ramadan Kareem.

At Easter, Obama could have spoken of the "heartbreaking accounts of lost lives and the images of families and children in Somalia," the Christians persecuted and murdered at the hands of Islamic insurgents.

He could have said something in celebration of Easter and raised awareness of the slaughter of Christians in Somalia, but he didn't. Obama chose silence.

Ramadan Kareem.

Jennifer Hudson Sings 'Happy Birthday' to Obama (Video)

 

Americans for Prosperity: Absentee Ballots - The Facts

The Democrats and their Leftist media mouthpieces have been foaming at the mouth about the sinister "mistake" on absentee ballots sent out by Americans for Prosperity.

They claim it was an intentional, sleazy means to suppress the vote.

Here are some FACTS on what happened:

(Do you remember "facts"? They used to matter.)

1. Fixing the Typo

The Absentee Ballot Mailing was mailed only to AFP Wisconsin members in the eight Senate Districts that have recall elections. The date included on the absentee ballot application (August 11th) was intended solely for the two senate districts with elections on August 16th. However, the printer/mail house sent that version out to all districts, including those that have elections on August 9th.

While the Left is hoping to make this into a voter suppression issue, this is anything but. It is in AFP’s best interest to have all of our members vote and that was the intention of this mailing. Here is a statement from AFP Wisconsin State Director Matt Seaholm explaining the printing mistake.

AFP sent the ballots to its own members.

In effect, the typo hurt themselves.

It makes absolutely no sense that AFP would try to suppress the vote of its members.

It's ridiculous to scream about voter suppression. The media are doing a dismal job of covering this story. The headline should read: "Americans for Prosperity mistake could hurt conservatives in recall elections."

Furthermore, "AFP-Wisconsin is directly addressing this mistake by sending out a call to each and every individual on the mailing list to clarify the date of the elections."

Voter suppression? Corruption?

NO WAY.

2. DNC Makes Similar Error

The media is largely ignoring the fact that the DNC made a similar mistake -the DNC placed robo calls last week to voters in Republican Sen. Dan Kapanke's western Wisconsin district urging them to vote in the election, but wrongly gave the date as Aug. 16. Click here to read more about the DNC’s robo call errors.

This DNC error isn't getting much media attention at all.

Why? Why isn't this error being cited as voter suppression?

Where's the outrage?

Cue the crickets.

3. Wisconsin Jobs Now and Citizen Action Wisconsin

Perhaps the most egregious offender of all in this story is Wisconsin Jobs Now and Citizen Action Wisconsin, which is also being largely ignored. Wisconsin Jobs Now has been hosting “block parties” with free food and then busing people over to early voting.

Wisconsin Jobs Now is connected to Citizen Action, a union group that has spent big money supporting Sandy Pasch in the District 8 recall election. It just so happens Sandy Pasch sits on Citizen Action's board as well.

Here's the corruption.

"Block parties" in celebration of voting?

Give me a break!

It appears that Sandy Pasch and her campaign are engaged in dirty politics.

There's a world of difference between the tactics of Wisconsin Jobs Now and AFP sending a ballot with a typo to its own members.

I'm not surprised that Pasch and the Democrats and the union hacks would spin the AFP mistake the way they are.

Pasch's remarks on the mistake are idiotic.

Unfortunately, I'm also not surprised that the media are happily spreading misinformation as well.

The Democrat-Union-Media Complex chugs along.

Come on, TMJ4! Give your viewers the truth, not what you want them to believe.

Charles Benson, Obama lapdog, should be ashamed of his handling of the story.

Wisconsin State Fair

The 2011 Wisconsin State Fair begins today!

Something new this year:

WORLD'S LARGEST CREAM PUFF – AUGUST 11

How would you like to see a Cream Puff that weighs more than a Supreme Champion Swine? Check out our own "Puff Daddy" as he attempts to set a Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Cream Puff! It will all "rise to the top" in Central Park on Thursday, August 11 during Golden Guernsey Dairy Day. Watch Team Cream Puff as they assemble a cream puff for the Guinness Book of World Records. The official record-setting weigh-in will take place at 2pm in Central Park.

Go Team Cream Puff!

Happy Birthday, Obama

Packers, White House, August 12

The Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl XLV Champions, are finally getting recognized for their achievement by the White House.

Charles Woodson vowed to visit, and now it's going to happen.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

President Barack Obama will host the Packers on Friday, Aug. 12 to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl XLV victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Packers announced.

“I’m really excited that we were able to find a date to visit the White House,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “The labor situation this spring made it a little challenging for us to set up a visit, but I think it is going to work out great. We’re very appreciative that President Obama invited us, and I’m thrilled that our players and coaches will get to enjoy this unique opportunity.”

I hope this invitation to the White House is followed by another one, after the Packers' Super Bowl XLVI victory.


_______________

Statement from the White House:

President Obama to Honor Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers at the White House

WASHINGTON--On Friday, August 12, President Obama will welcome the Super Bowl XLV Champion Green Bay Packers to the White House to honor the team and their Super Bowl victory. The President will also continue his tradition of honoring sports teams for their efforts both on and off the field by recognizing the efforts by the Packers to give back to their community as part of their visit.

Alberta Darling: Good for Wisconsin

It's "We, the people," not "We, the unions and liberal special interests."

Wisconsinites did the right thing when we put Wisconsin on a path to prosperity last November.

What a mistake it would be to let that slip away!



Alberta Darling did what we wanted - balanced the state budget without raising taxes.

Success!

"My opponent believes taxpayers should work for the government. I don't. I believe that government should work for the people."

Well said.

Vote for Alberta Darling on August 9th.

Then celebrate your vote with some HONEST barbecue, not the illegal, pro-Sandy Pasch stuff.

John Chisholm. Calling DEMOCRAT Milwaukee County District Attorney, John Chisholm.

Milwaukee Election Commission and Absentee Ballots

The MacIver Institute reports:

EXCLUSIVE-BREAKING We've uncovered evidence that Milw. Election Commission has sent out duplicative absentee ballots to some. Developing.

What a mess!

Maybe the Election Commission did it as a "celebration of voting," in the same vein as the Wisconsin Jobs Now! BBQ bashes.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, DEMOCRAT, are you paying attention?

Steitz, Wirch, and Taxpayers' Money

Here's a press release from Jonathan Steitz:

Kenosha, WI- The taxpayers of the 22nd Senate District have spoken, and they are very clear when they say that political games will not be tolerated. Bob Wirch owes the taxpayers over $10,000 for his trip to Illinois that lasted nearly a month because he still accepted wages and benefits while vacationing. He also found a way to "fight for the working class" by raising nearly $130,000 for his recall election war chest.

"It seems like Bob Wirch is more interested in obeying his party and union overlords than serving the public," says Jonathan Steitz, state senate candidate for District 22.

"With our state in economic recovery the citizens of Wisconsin expect their legislators to be working on improving the climate for jobs, not having their Senators steal from them by not showing up for work. The taxpayers of the 22nd Senate District demand that Wirch return the money that is owed to them." says Steitz.

Of course, Wirch is a union lapdog.

Vote for Jonathan Steitz, for an economically healthy Wisconsin, for prosperity.

Thaddeus McCotter and Dennis Miller

Here's audio of Thaddeus McCotter on Dennis Miller's show, August 2nd:

Obama 50th Birthday Parties

What does Obama want for his birthday, the big 5-0?

Money.

Lots and lots and lots of money.

From the Washington Post:

Good thing that debt-ceiling tussling is over. Now begins President Obama’s 50th-birthday week, with lots of fundraising fun and plenty of recruiting for the 2012 reelection campaign.

There is the gala fundraiser Wednesday night in Chicago at the Aragon Ballroom featuring stars from that city — maybe Jennifer Hudson , Herbie Hancock and others. There’s also a dinner fundraiser planned for some high rollers for only $35,800 a person. (Must be serving some really good grub.)

And the reelect campaign is working to have volunteers nationwide host 50-person house parties that night to recruit supporters and listen to Obama in a live-streamed “special conversation” with attendees. Who knows? Maybe he’ll give a little explanation as to why the market plunged after the great debt-ceiling compromise was reached.

The organizers have a detailed “House Meeting Host Guide” with “a few simple steps” so that you have a “successful event.”

First, “secure a location,” such as your home or a coffee shop or the like. Then you register your event at my.barackobama.com/birthday-host. Then you “invite people.”

There are recruiting tips, including “make it personal,” “think big” and “bring a friend.” And, as we’ve always said, “there are never too many reminders.”

Obama is reported to be coming back to Washington on Wednesday night and will be here Thursday afternoon for a fine Rose Garden celebration for what we hear will be a few hundred pals.

Most folks know how gauche it would be to hang out there like a tourist snapping pictures, but just to be sure, our invite reminds: “Please, no cameras or photographs.”

There’s usually a deadline to reply to these things, but this one just asks for a response “at your earliest convenience,” giving the usual Secret Service info such as birth dates and Social Security numbers for you and your guest.

So Obama will be partying at his various birthday galas while the stock market tanks and the economy sinks deeper into the abyss.

Yeah, Happy Birthday, Obama.

Gwen Moore: Representative Fails to Represent

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is playing catch-up once again.

It took a day for the news outlet to cover this rather incredible story.

Rep. Gwen Moore of Milwaukee, DEMOCRAT, failed to cast her vote on raising the debt ceiling.

She missed her opportunity to vote. This representative failed in her responsibility to represent her constituents.

From the Journal Sentinel:

The high-profile, last-minute vote to raise the nation's debt ceiling probably was the most scrutinized action in Congress this year.

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) missed casting her vote by seconds.

Spokesman David Frey said Moore, of Milwaukee, intended to vote in favor of the compromise legislation worked out last weekend by congressional leaders and President Barack Obama.

The legislation took two votes to approve and voting was open for 15 minutes on each. After Moore cast her first vote, she returned to her office across the street from the Capitol, Frey said.

She left her office in what normally would be plenty of time to return to the Capitol and catch the end of the final vote, but hallways were clogged with extra media and security.

"Unfortunately, she arrived on the House floor just seconds too late," Frey said.

There is no excuse for this. None whatsoever.

Hundreds of members of the House had to deal with the same hallways clogged with extra media and security, but they all managed to cast their votes.

Moore was present to cast her first vote. She had to see that there was more congestion than usual, yet she went back to her office.

Frankly, that was not too bright at all. Moore completely misjudged the situation and, as a result, failed to vote on this hotly debated bill.

Inexcusable.

Brian Williams: Fair and Balanced?

When NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last Friday to plug his upcoming NBC Dateline special, Taking the Hill: Inside Congress, Williams made the absurd claim that he was a fair and balanced journalist without an agenda.

Video.

JIMMY FALLON: We don't get really too political on our show, but now and then we'll do a joke about Obama, or we'll do a joke about Sarah Palin. Keep it balanced. But, man, people go nuts on Twitter. They go, 'Hey, stop making fun of Palin. Why aren't you making fun of Obama?' And I go, 'We do make fun of Obama.'

BRIAN WILLIAMS: Just today, somebody tweeted me, 'Hey, Brian, does your back get tired carrying all that water for Obama?' (Speaking with a mocking tone, sounding dim-witted)

FALLON: Wow.

WILLIAMS: Dude. Really.

FALLON: First of all, I apologize for sending that tweet. I apologize. I was drunk. I didn't know what I was doing.

WILLIAMS: And it's always like, you know, 'Partyboy@Arkansas.' (Dim-witted voice again)

FALLON: That's crazy, yeah. But I mean, do you find it hard. Being, you know, Brian Williams you can't really have a side. You have to be... you can't pick a side.

WILLIAMS: Well, I try to play it down the middle like you do every night. I do it in news, you do it in comedy. We try not to take a side.

That exchange made me gag.

I think Jimmy Fallon does a great job of keeping his show balanced. It's not overly political. He doesn't push an agenda. It's a great respite from all that stuff. The focus is on fun, not mean-spirited political sniping.

Brian Williams, on the other hand, does not provide balanced coverage of the news. He most definitely has an agenda.

The fact that Williams mocked someone criticizing him the way he did is revealing. Williams didn't cite a tweet complaining about him carrying water for the Republicans. He didn't say it's always from 'Partyboy@Massachusetts.'

Brent Bozell wrote a column about Williams' special and his assault on the Tea Party.

Of course, I didn't watch Taking the Hill, but Bozell's take is interesting.

Somehow, Williams never spent a second on his Obama special asking the President how he was going to handle the demands of “hardline liberals” – or any kind of liberal, for that matter. The only hardliners are conservatives who want to stop the spending madness. What this country desperately needs are more “hardline conservatives” to dismay network anchormen.

Williams undermined his own musical intro by questioning Boehner’s grip on power. “Mr. Speaker, is it fair to say you have a bit of a rebellion on your hands?” Sadly, Boehner tried to play along. “I've got a little rebellion on my hands every day. It comes with the territory.”

Williams pulled out the New York Times, not exactly where Republicans go to look good. “You don't look happy on the front page of the New York Times. It says ‘Boehner's Grip on His Caucus is Put to Test on Standoff.’ Feel like you're being tested?” Boehner agreed. The question is whether Boehner wants to pass that test by pleasing liberals like Brian Williams, or by pleasing conservatives.

Williams suggested the newest Tea Party Republicans in Congress weren’t real Republicans: “Your job is to run your party, but there is another party in there too. You have this Tea Party caucus that didn't come to Washington with the same values.”

This time, Boehner had a good answer. “It's not the Tea Party caucus. It would be more what I would describe as some hardline conservatives who want more. I don't blame them. I want more, too.”

And now we arrive at the point where Williams and NBC made colossal fools of themselves.

Williams wanted the political narrative to be painted by ultraliberal Sen. Charles Schumer. “Word has gotten around” that House Republicans held a meeting and showed a motivational movie clip from the Ben Affleck crime movie “The Town,” which Williams said “eventually involves hockey masks and baseball bats and tons of bullets.” Horrors!

After Schumer declared the Republicans were violent nuts, the NBC cameras turned to Republican whip Kevin McCarthy. Williams pushed him about this press-stopping scandal. McCarthy professed amazement that Schumer would be highlighting a movie clip from a meeting he didn’t attend.

He shouldn’t be amazed, and Brian Williams would never try to embarrass Democrats by accepting leaks about movie clips from internal party meetings. That partisan double standard defines the Old Media.

I wonder if Williams sincerely believes that he's fair and plays it down the middle.

Does he really fail to notice the way he exposes his bias?

Could he be that delusional?

Thaddeus McCotter on Debt Deal

Presidential candidate Thaddeus McCotter talked to John Batchelor about the debt ceiling deal.

He explains his "yes" vote for the bill.

Debt Deal, Economy Still Sucks

The Senate has voted. A debt deal has been reached.



The United States of America is saved!

CELEBRATE!

Oh, wait.

The economy still sucks. It really sucks.

The stock market continues to tank. Home values continue to sink. There are no jobs.

From the New York Times:

A Senate vote to pass the debt ceiling plan on Tuesday may have averted the potential for the United States to default on its obligations, but it failed to lift investors’ spirits.

Within minutes of the news of the vote on the budget agreement, which had already passed the House on Monday, the three main indexes on Wall Street were down more than 1 percent.

Stocks had slumped since the morning opening as investors weighed recent data that drove home the challenges the economy faces. Their next step: weighing the debt limit agreement’s impact on the economy and whether it could possibly slow growth.

“As the macro data comes out, it seems like we may have more on our hands than just getting the debt ceiling raised,” said Myles Zyblock, chief institutional strategist and managing director of capital markets research at RBC Capital Markets.

"It SEEMS like we may have more on our hands than just getting the debt ceiling raised"?

NO KIDDING.

The Obama economy is an absolute disaster.

I can't take it anymore.

Obama has to follow in Jimmy Carter's footsteps. He has to be a one-term president.

It's the economy, stupid.

And the economy sucks.
________________

UPDATE: U.S. stocks in worst streak since credit crisis, Dow industrials extends declines into an eighth session

U.S. stocks fell hard Tuesday, posting their longest losing streak since the heart of the 2008 credit crisis, on investor worries about upcoming federal deficit cuts and a likely stall in the recovery.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average /quotes/zigman/627449/delayed DJIA -2.19% fell 265.87 points, or 2.2%, to 11,866.62, its worst one-day loss since June 1. The eight-day losing stretch was the longest since October 2008, weeks after the collapse of Lehman Bros. and by some measures, the peak of the U.S. credit crisis.

The S&P 500 posted a new closing low for 2011 and turned negative for the year.

What a nightmare!

Biden and Giffords: 'Cracked Head Club'

I can't believe Joe Biden is the vice president of the United States.

From USA Today:

Count Vice President Biden among those excited to see Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at the U.S. Capitol yesterday.

Biden, who got advance notice from Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi that Giffords would show up, said the Arizona Democrat called him "Joe" when she saw him.

"I said, 'Now we're both members of the Cracked Head Club,'" Biden is quoted as saying in The Boston Globe.

Giffords was shot in the head Jan. 8 in a rampage during one of her constituent events in Tucson. Six people died.

The vice president has survived two craniotomies to remove brain aneurysms. His comment to Giffords yesterday was reported by The Washington Post, ABC News and others.

Joe Biden.

Need I say more?

Wisconsin Jobs Now and 'Block Parties'

Wisconsin Jobs Now! has been hosting "block parties," offering free food and prizes.

But there's no such thing as a free lunch.

In this case, Wisconsin Jobs Now! was asking for participation in its absentee voting drive.

From the MacIver News Service:

Two events held in Milwaukee today aimed at rewarding absentee voters could run afoul of Wisconsin law a state election official said today.

The group, Wisconsin Jobs Now! describes itself as a “coalition of community groups, neighborhood associations, faith based organizations and labor united in an effort to bring good jobs to Wisconsin now.”

At two events in the city Monday, Wisconsin Jobs Now! offered free BBQ and prize drawings to people who participate in their absentee voting drive. They promoted the events on their website, action.wisconsinjobsnow.org.

Wisconsin statutes forbid “election bribery,” under 12.11. This includes giving or offering anything of value in exchange for going to the polls.

Steve Pickett, an elections specialist with the Government Accountability Board, told the MacIver News Service that whether this event is legal or not could come down to timing.

“If they walk in with a sticker that says ‘I voted ‘that’s one thing, but if they eat before they vote that’s a problem,” Pickett said. “It’s still a questionable practice one way or the other.”

...[The Wisconsin Jobs Now!] website has been highly critical of Republican Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), and in addition to the get out the vote parties, the organization has been organizing and shuttling voters to Milwaukee’s city hall.

Earlier on Monday, the Republican Party of Wisconsin filed a complaint with the GAB alleging illegal coordination between Citizen Action of Wisconsin and the campaign of Sandy Pasch (D-Millwaukee), Darling’s challenger.

The RPW complaint comes on the revelation by Media Trackers that Pasch sits on the board of directors of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. The Republican Party asked the Government Accountability Board to conduct investigation into whether Sandy Pasch’s membership on the Board of Directors for Citizen Action of Wisconsin violated Section 11.06(7) of the Wisconsin statutes concerning illegal coordination between candidates and independent expenditure organizations.

Apparently, the Leftists and union thugs don't have much faith in Sandy Pasch to deliver.

If they did, if they had confidence in her, there would be no need to engage in these questionable, possibly illegal, tactics.

Pasch's campaign is steeped in corruption.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's coverage of the "block parties," the events are given a jaw-droppingly ridiculous spin.

State election authorities are questioning whether a liberal group broke the law by offering both free food and free rides to vote in a hotly contested Senate recall election.

Although no formal complaint had reached the state Government Accountability Board by Monday afternoon, a spokesman for the agency said it would not be legal to combine free food and transportation to the polls in the same event - even if, as the organization contends, people could take the food without boarding the buses.

Local law enforcement authorities are reportedly looking into the get-out-the-vote "block parties."

Five such parties were sponsored by Wisconsin Jobs Now, a coalition of community and labor groups led by the Service Employees International Union. The coalition describes itself as a nonpartisan organization, although its blog posts have been highly critical of state Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), who is defending her seat against Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) in the Aug. 9 recall vote.

Wisconsin Jobs Now held three parties last week and two Monday, all on Milwaukee's northwest side. Each party offered free food, prizes such as t-shirts and stuffed toys, face-painting for children, drawings for school backpacks - and free shuttles to Milwaukee City Hall, where voters could cast absentee ballots in the 8th Senate District contest.

Janet Veum, a spokeswoman for Wisconsin Jobs Now, described the events as "a celebration of voting," aimed at making it easier to vote for low-income and minority groups who might face more challenges under the state's new photo identification law.

...State law prohibits anyone from offering a voter any inducement to vote or not vote. Veum said her group believed it was complying with the law because no one was required to take the rides or vote to get the food and prizes.

But "that's a distinction without a difference," said Reid Magney, spokesman for the accountability board. He said it was legal to offer rides to the polls, or free food at picnics to talk about issues, but not in the same event.

Magney said his agency had not received any complaints about the parties and that enforcing the law would be up to the Milwaukee County district attorney's office.

A "celebration of voting"?

Oh, good grief!

Clearly, the "block parties" were staged as an inducement to vote.

This is sickening.

Such "inducements" are utilized by the Leftists again and again here in Wisconsin, probably because they know they can get away with the tactics.

It's a disgrace.

But Connie Milstein would be proud.
_________________

From Media Trackers:

Milwaukee- Media Trackers filed complaints this morning with the Government Accountability Board and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office alleging illegal election and electioneering activities on the part of Wisconsin Jobs Now!

"We are confident that the GAB and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office will take our complaints serious," remarked Brian Sikma, communications director for Media Trackers. "The evidence that we reported on our website and that our sources gave us all point to multiple violations of election law on the part of Wisconsin Jobs Now! It is time for Wisconsin Jobs Now! to be held accountable for such flagrant violations of the law."

"Because the actions of Wisconsin Jobs Now! are so despicable, we are calling on the Sandy Pasch and Alberta Darling campaigns to also file complaints with the GAB and the Milwaukee County DA's office," stated Sikma. "What took place yesterday is an affront to both campaigns and, more importantly, to the voters in Senate District 8." Sikma continued saying, "If the candidates truly wish to state their frustration with these illegal actions and distance themselves from such tactics, they should file complaints calling for a formal GAB investigation of Wisconsin Jobs Now!"

WisconsinJobs Now! on the afternoon of August 1st hosted two events in northern Milwaukee County where voters were given a free barbeque chicken dinner and raffle tickets in exchange for showing up to vote. Participants were transported to the Milwaukee City Hall in vans with Wisconsin Jobs Now! logos on the side. Once at City Hall, volunteers wearing Wisconsin Jobs Now! t-shirts stood inside the Milwaukee Election Commission office and explained how the voting would work. Media Trackers secured first-hand reports and evidence of these activities.

Snake on Car (Video)

This is so creepy!

Here's the story:

Rachel and Tony Fisher were driving along in Memphis when a snake slithered onto the windshield.

Tony grabbed a camera and filmed the snake, while Rachel was behind the wheel.

Jeff Beimfohr reports it was an experience neither one of them will ever
forget.

"All of a sudden the thing is snaking up, like out of the engine, coming at us. And I'm like....what in the world."

What was a five-foot long snake slithering across the windshield as the fishers made their way down Sam Cooper Boulevard.

"That's just not something you're looking for, you know. We were just kind of, you know, nervously laughing as you can hear in the video."

While mom and dad may have been nervous, their three kids in the backseat, all under the age of three were anything but.

"They were just wanting to see it. They were just so frustrated they can't see it. They were saying 'I want to see, I want to see, I want to see."

The fishers posted their close encounter of the scaly kind on Youtube, and got a lot of flak for not pulling over to let the snake slither away.

"It never went across our minds to even think about stopping or pulling off to the side of the road."

"I mean we were going down the interstate, going fast, and the babies were in the car. I mean, we didn't even think about pulling over, yeah.
We didn't know what kind of snake it was. We just knew that it was on our windshield."

Eventually the snake just dropped off the car and went on his merry way. But that didn't seem to satisfy animal lovers in social media land.

"A lot of Facebook comments, I don't like snakes. I'm more scared of snakes probably than my wife is. And so, I was like I just want the thing off the car. I don't want to try to have to get out of the car and deal with it."

This couple didn't know if the snake was poisonous.

People are ripping on them for not pulling over and caring for the snake?

I'm not surprised. "Animal lovers" can be quite unforgiving.

Here's video:

Bob Ryan Won't Resign

Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan refuses to resign.

From the Sheboygan Press:

Following through on his vow in recent days, Mayor Bob Ryan again refused Monday night to resign his office after aldermen voted 14-2 to officially request that he step down because of a recent drunken binge by Ryan.

“We all know that I will respectfully decline,” Ryan said after re-entering the council chambers following the vote. He stepped out to allow Council President Eric Rindfleisch to oversee the discussion on the resolution.

Only Aldermen Joel Hammen and Kevin Matichek voted in Ryan’s favor.

...Meanwhile, Sheboygan City Clerk Sue Richards said Monday she has received a letter asking that Ryan be removed from office.

Richards, who did not divulge the contents of the letter, said she has forwarded it to City Attorney Stephen McLean.

“We’re treating it as a communication at this point and not a formal complaint until it is reviewed by the city attorney,” Richards said.

McLean said he would review the letter and it would likely come up before the next council meeting in two weeks.

The council by itself cannot remove Ryan from office, but can begin the process of forced removal following a formal complaint by a citizen of the city.

Ryan is not fit to serve. He has shown that he does not have control of his alcoholism.

There's no question that he should resign.

It's amazing that Ryan continues to hang on.

What arrogance!

Video, from FOX 6 News:

 

Gabrielle Giffords in the House (Video)

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned to the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time since she was shot in Tucson on January 8, 2011.

Her colleagues gave her a well-deserved standing ovation. It was really an incredible moment.

The fact that she survived such a terrible injury and was able to return to the House is miraculous.

Video.



Giffords cast her vote on the debt ceiling deal, her first vote since the attack.

Video.



Read Giffords' statement on the vote.
________________

The White House played up Giffords' return to Washington.

Her appearance was quite a secret. I wonder why.

There's something that concerns me.

It's this:

Pia Carusone, Giffords' chief of staff, has indicated that while the congresswoman is able to speak and walk, she remains a shadow of her former self.

...In an interview published Thursday in the Arizona Republic, Carusone said Giffords can express her basic wants and needs, but has difficulty stringing together sentences to verbalize more complex thoughts and feelings. Giffords, she said, relies on hand gestures and facial expressions.

"She is borrowing upon other ways of communicating. Her words are back more and more now, but she's still using facial expressions as a way to express. Pointing. Gesturing," Carusone said.

The description matches what experts expect from someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury. Often, they can be easily disoriented, have trouble prioritizing, suffer from some memory loss and could have difficulty recognizing people. Some have difficulty doing several tasks at the same time.

Most cognitive recovery occurs in the first six months to a year after an injury, though it becomes less noticeable as time progresses. In the second year, progress sharply drops.

Carusone said if Giffords' recovery were to plateau now, "it would not be nearly the quality of life she had before."

That was on June 12, 2011, relatively recently.

"She remains a shadow of her former self."

"Giffords can express her basic wants and needs, but has difficulty stringing together sentences to verbalize more complex thoughts and feelings. Giffords, she said, relies on hand gestures and facial expressions."

Has Giffords improved dramatically since then?

I sincerely hope that's the case. I wish her a complete recovery.
__________________

Tweets from Giffords, retweeted by the White House:

Gabrielle has returned to Washington to support a bipartisan bill to prevent economic crisis. Turn on C-SPAN now: http://t.co/ddhmVMB

The #Capitol looks beautiful and I am honored to be at work tonight.

Obama Debt Deal Message to Supporters (Video)

From Team Obama 2012:

Friend --

The President and congressional leaders reached an agreement last night to meet our financial obligations and reduce our deficit.

Many people will have lots to say about this deal -- but the President wanted to talk to you directly.

Watch the video:



Please share this video with everyone you know.

Thanks,

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Read the Obama campaign spin:

What the Debt Deal Does

•Removes economic uncertainty surrounding the debt limit at a critical time and prevents either party from using a failure to meet our obligations for political gain.

•Makes a significant down payment to reduce the deficit -- finding savings in defense and domestic spending while protecting critical investments in education and job creation.

•Creates a bipartisan commission to find a balanced approach to continue this progress on deficit reduction.

•Establishes an incentive for both sides to compromise on historic deficit reduction while protecting Social Security, Medicare beneficiaries, and programs that help low-income families.

•Follows through on President Obama's commitment to shared sacrifice by making sure that the middle class, seniors, and those who are most vulnerable do not shoulder the burden of reducing the deficit. As the process moves forward, the President will continue to insist that the wealthiest Americans share the burden.

FULL TEXT: White House Releases Fact Sheet on Deal