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.
Governor Scott Walker's policies are working in Wisconsin.Madison—One month after the 2011-13 state budget was signed into law, tangible results from the reforms put in place by Governor Walker and the Legislature are being realized. According to media reports, local units of government and school districts have already saved more than $220 million, with millions more in potential savings not yet reported.
The state is also adding jobs. Between December 2007 and December 2010, Wisconsin lost over 153,600 private sector jobs. The state has netted over 39,000 new private sector jobs since the Governor called a special session to open Wisconsin for business. The state has seen 14,100 manufacturing jobs created since January. In June Wisconsin had a net job creation of 9,500 new jobs, including nearly 13,000 private sector jobs. Only four states created more private sector jobs than Wisconsin did in the last month.
Below is a sampling of local units of governments being able to balance their budget and improve services due to the reforms contained in the 2011-13 state budget and the budget repair bill:
Ashland School District
A health insurance provider switch saved Ashland School District nearly $378,000.
Reference: http://www.ashlandwi.com/articles/2011/07/18/news/doc4e24f08b80b26580859031.txt
Kimberly School District
The district saved $821,000 by dropping WEA Trust.
Reference: http://maciverinstitute.com/2011/07/wisconsin-school-districts-are-switching-health-care-providersplans-to-create-savings-in-2011/
Edgerton School District
The district will drop the union's current health insurance carrier, the WEA Trust. The district is gathering bids to change to a different health insurance provider, which Pauli said could save at least $500,000 over the next year.
Reference:
http://gazettextra.com/news/2011/mar/15/edgerton-reaches-teacher-contract/
Baraboo School District
The Baraboo School Board expects to save about $660,000 next year after deciding to change insurance providers Monday evening.
Reference: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:24830.9327959424/rid:4f6670a3bc5ed1258448c884029069d8
Dodgeland School District
The Dodgeland School Board made the decision to change insurance companies.
Administrator Annette Thompson said the change will help the board deal with the expected $640,000 budget deficit from reduced state aid and expiration of some federal and AARA funds. The change in providers is expected to save the district $260,000 next year.
Reference: http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/article_a5dddeb8-b412-11e0-949a-001cc4c03286.html
Elmbrook School District
The district originally had planned for $780,000 in savings through the health-care changes, but Brightman said the actual savings are estimated at $878,000. He said some of that money likely will be needed to pay for staffing - probably a half-time equivalent clerical position - to administer the new plan.
Reference: http://www.brookfieldnow.com/news/125863413.html
Mequon-Thiensville School District
Delta Dental's quotes also came in lower than those provided by WEA Trust. Beaudry said the district will save $49,000 in the 2011-12 budget cycle by switching to Delta Dental.
Reference: http://www.mequonnow.com/news/125861078.html
Marshfield School District
Marshfield will balance its budget despite the cuts. "Given the cost savings with health insurance and the turnover with staff and new hires, we will be able to preserve our programs and come up with a balanced budget," said Peg Geegan, the district's director of instruction who will assume the superintendent's position Aug. 1. The district will save $850,000 by switching health insurance carriers…
Reference: http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/article/20110706/MNH0101/107060599/State-aid-Marshfield-schools-down-2-4-million?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgFRONTPAGE
Fond du Lac School District
District leaders believe when school starts in the fall they'll be operating with a balanced budget. They say the savings under the bill will offset their 4.4 million dollar budget shortfall. Class sizes and programs will also remain in tact.
References:
http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/126364503.html and http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20110728/FON0101/110727143/FdL-School-District-expects-balanced-budget
City of Sheboygan and Sheboygan County
City of Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan and Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne said the collective bargaining reforms will provide enough savings to make up for the reductions in state aid. "We were able to lock in savings and certainty due to the discussions going on in Madison," Payne said.
Reference: http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20110629/SHE0101/306290007/Special-Report-s-new-world-public-employee-pay?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgSHE-News
Wauwatosa School District
The tax levy is projected to decrease, no programs will be cut, and class sizes won’t increase by any significant measure. School board member Phil Kroner: "When students come to school in the fall, they're going to see the same things, have the same teachers, and they're going to see new things as well.
Reference: http://wauwatosa.patch.com/articles/school-board-quietly-passes-budget-based-on-sacrifice
Manitowoc
Laid-off city workers may get their jobs back after the city moves forward with the wage and benefit reforms contained in the budget. And Overtime rules have changed saving the county $100,000.
References: http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110706/MAN0101/107060474/Some-laid-off-city-workers-rehired-month?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgFRONTPAGE and http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110720/MAN0101/107200527/Overtime-rules-changed-Manitowoc-County-employees?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgFRONTPAGE
Pittsville
They will see up to a 9% decrease in the school portion of their property tax levy. "It will be wonderful for our taxpayers, who have been extremely committed to our schools," School Board President Julie Strenn said, noting three years ago, voters approved a three-year revenue cap override that cost taxpayers an additional $175,000 each year… "This is the first year we have not needed to short-term borrow.”
Reference: http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20110615/WRT0101/106150626/Pittsville-Schools-OK-preliminary-budget?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgFRONTPAGE
Neenah
Paul Hauffe, director of business services said, “administrators are poised to introduce a balanced budget in mid-July… We're very close right now, there's nothing monumental that we have to overcome."
Reference: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110706/APC0902/107060619/Neenah-settles-teachers-amid-collective-bargaining-changes
Appleton Area School District
They will save $3.1 million just in health insurance costs alone due to competition among health insurance providers. Financial advisors for the school district said:
· Discussions at the state level over collective bargaining and budgeting issues have been beneficial to school districts from the rate perspective.
· It forced a lot of competition. I do think the landscape in the school marketplace has changed significantly over the last year that's put significant pressure on WEA Trust. Previously to this year, they didn't have a lot of competition. Historically, it's very difficult for other carriers to match them.
· The $3.1 million in savings for next school year is just in health insurance premium costs.
Reference: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110622/APC0101/106220521/Appleton-schools-retains-WEA-Trust-insurance?odyssey=tabtopnewsimgAPC-News
Racine County
Inmates can do routine maintenance tasks so that county employees can spend more time working on projects that improve the community. CountyExecutive Jim Ladwig said inmates will be able to perform more tasks such as landscaping, painting, and shoveling sidewalks in the winter. “We have a win-win when we use the inmates,” Ladwig said. “It gives them a sense of value they are helping the community.” At the same time, he said it will help the county maintain property that has been neglected.
References: http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_97bd5d58-a243-11e0-b2f9-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1QfPqQxvR and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGn4zUXlbkE
Kaukauna School District
They will hire additional teachers, reduce projected class sizes from 26 to 23 students at the elementary level, 28 students to 26 students at the intermediate/middle level, and 31 students to 25 students at the high school level and set aside money for merit bonuses for good teachers. “Due to the law change the District’s projected operating budget has moved from a negative $400,000 to approximately a positive $1,500,000. Earmarked in the operating budget are $300,000 related to merit pay, a program being explored for all staff by the district for the 2011-2012 school year.”
References: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110630/APC0101/106300455/Story-documents-Kaukauna-schools-project-1-5M-surplus?odyssey=navhead and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQQFWS6-8xE
Hartland-Lakeside School Board
They switched insurance providers and saved taxpayers $690,000.
Reference: http://www.jsonline.mobi/blogs/news/124823204.html?ua=blackberry&dc=smart&c=y
This is what democracy looks like.
The fruits of the November 2, 2010, election: Success!
Here's a primer on public employee unions and what they're doing to the country:
The lead story of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel online edition is a "what if" piece by Craig Gilbert.
It's a Democrat fantasy about Paul Ryan struggling to win reelection and the possibility of him losing.
It's a very odd article, something that reads more like Democrat party campaign literature than news. As the fiscal voice of the GOP and the architect of its plan to scale back Medicare, Paul Ryan is the Republican many Democrats would most like to defeat next year.
A Ryan loss would cost his party a lot more than a seat in Congress. It would deprive it of one of its most influential figures. And it would be a huge blow to its policy agenda, which Ryan has played a central role in crafting.
Could Ryan, often touted as a candidate for Senate or even president, lose a re-election bid for his own U.S. House seat?
That would be a shock. By any conventional calculus, the odds are substantially against it.
At the same time, Democrats are correct in saying this contest won't be a nonevent like Ryan's past campaigns. Wisconsin has been turned upside down politically since the last time Ryan was on a ballot.
"It will definitely be a race he's not used to running," says his likely Democratic opponent, Kenosha County Supervisor Rob Zerban.
In other words, prepare for national money to probably pour into the state again, this time to bloody Ryan.
I'm sure Obama would encourage roughing Ryan up.
Gilbert concludes:Ryan will enjoy obvious advantages next year (money, the makeup of the district, his own political skills, his electoral history). But there are major wild cards: the political fallout from his Medicare plan, the impact of having Obama on the ballot (and possibly even Walker if there's a successful recall drive next year), and the mad intensity of Wisconsin politics these days.
Gilbert seems to be giving a "you gotta believe" pep talk to Democrats: Stop Ryan. Recall Walker. Reelect Obama.
I think Obama being on the ballot will help Ryan, not hurt him.
This election is going to be a referendum on Obama's policies and his stunning ineffectiveness, especially in terms of the economy.
Obama and his political machine are meddling in Wisconsin politics.
Here's an e-mail from Obama's campaign operation:Friend --
On August 9th, Wisconsin voters will go back to the polls to decide whether six Republican senators have failed to serve the needs of Wisconsin's hard-working families.
Senate Republicans broke the trust of Wisconsinites earlier this year when they forced drastic cuts in funding for schools, seniors, and the disabled to cut taxes for their own contributors.
Since then, hundreds of OFA Wisconsin supporters across the state have spoken up, saying they want to have an impact in the recall elections in August. So in the coming weeks, volunteers will be organizing their networks, working phone banks, and knocking on doors to get the word out about what's at stake on August 9th -- and this Saturday, there's an event in Glendale.
Can you make it? Here are the details:
What: Wisconsin legislative recall event
Where: 6807 N Green Bay Ave
Glendale, WI 53209
When: Saturday, July 23rd
10:00 am
If you can't make that event, find another one near you here.
Six Republican-held seats are up for grabs on August 9th -- and two more held by Democrats are up on the 16th.
While the campaign remains focused on re-electing the President, Organizing for America will provide support to OFA Wisconsin volunteers organizing around Democratic candidates in the recall elections.
I hope you can join the event in Glendale on Saturday. Sign up here:
http://wi.barackobama.com/Wisconsin-Recall-Events
Thanks,
Michelle
Michelle Kleppe
Wisconsin State Field Director
Organizing for America
Clearly, Obama considers Wisconsin to be vital to his own political future. It's no surprise that he's poking around in our state politics.
It's no surprise that Obama is waging class warfare and distorting what Governor Scott Walker and the Republicans have accomplished for Wisconsin's families.
Instead of being divisive and being a big labor hack, Obama should learn from Scott Walker and the Republicans.
"Wet blanket" Obama should observe the successes and reconsider his policies.
According to an unnamed prominent Green Bay-area business leader, Republican Wisconsin State Senator Rob Cowles was "threatened" by Gov. Scott Walker's office.
Cowles was told that if he didn't vote for the Budget Repair Bill, the administration would run a Tea Party candidate against him.
This was reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Dan Bice, union member.
He tosses out charges against the Governor's office without naming the accuser.
Bice provides quotes from the "prominent business leader" that literally puts words in Cowles' mouth.
Bice makes the case that although he doesn't name the "prominent business leader," he's not anonymous. The Green Bay-area business leader, who has not given campaign money to Democrats or Republicans, contacted No Quarter last week and spoke on background, meaning the paper knows the individual's identity. But the leader asked not to be identified by name in the Journal Sentinel because doing so would hurt the person's business and industry relationships.
Poor baby!
Being identified would hurt the leader's business and industry relationships.
Then why contact Bice?
The leader probably was confident that Bice would run the story that puts Walker's office in a negative light without expecting the leader to go on the record.
The Journal Sentinel knows the leader's identity.
So what?
Let the public know who is making the accusations or don't run the story. This is just gossip.
Very Bice. __________________
UPDATE: Cowles fires back at Milwaukee report of intimidationState Senator Rob Cowles is firing back at a story in the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel which alleges Governor Walker threatened to put up a Tea Party candidate against him, if he didn’t vote for Walker’s bill to limit public union bargaining.
"There was never any effort by the governor's office to intimidate any of us," the Allouez Republican says. "There were some aspects of the process that some of us didn't like, but there was never any effort to threaten us with any primaries, the whole story is a fabrication."
The paper says Cowles made the remark when he called a prominent Green Bay area business leader to seek support in his recall election next month.
Columnist Dan Bice said the business leader asked to stay anonymous. But the person quoted Cowles as saying “I didn’t like this bill, either … I didn’t like being put in this position … but the governor’s office told us if we didn’t give them our support, they would run a Tea Party candidate against us.”
...Cowles says it's an effort by national unions to smear him to try and defeat him in the August 9th recall election. He maintains his long-time support for the budget repair bill.
"When the private sector has been bludgeoned by this difficult recession, the public sector has to be part of the solution," Cowles says. "That bill brought some fairness between the government sector and the private sector."
Cowles rips Bice's story to shreds.
That's gotta hurt.
Chris Abele isn't much of a stickler when it comes to following the rules.
During the county executive campaign, we learned of Abele's habitual violations.
For example:
Chris Abele: Parking Tickets
Chris Abele: OWI
Chris Abele: Fireworks
Chris Abele: Tax Lien
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Abele not only had a history of dismissing the rules, but it's still a pattern he follows.Abele's campaign solicited from county employees
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele's campaign improperly solicited donations from county employees, seeking their attendance at a $50-per-person fundraiser held at Abele's home, an Abele campaign aide said Wednesday.
Abele said he was unaware of the county ban and would do whatever was necessary to ensure such solicitations won't happen again.
"I want to avoid even the appearance of impropriety," Abele said. Soliciting campaign contributions from county workers "sends the wrong message," he said. "I certainly in no way expect, nor have I asked, nor would I ever ask, any employee to support anyone other than someone they felt good with."
Patrick Gurasci, a campaign aide to Abele, took responsibility for what he called a mistake and said the telephone solicitation for a barbecue fundraiser at Abele's Lake Drive mansion on Monday had likely been made to about 30 to 40 county staffers. Gurasci said an automated phone call inviting people to the event came from a list of Abele supporters, as well as others.
The barbecue fundraiser was also listed on Abele's campaign website as his "Annual BBQ with Chris Abele." It suggested donations of $50 for supporters to $3,000 for his "executive's circle." There was no intention of targeting county staffers in the solicitation, Gurasci said.
He said the campaign so far had discovered only one $100 donation from one county employee and his spouse from the Monday event. The money was returned, Gurasci said. That donation was from Jeff Bentoff, Abele's spokesman and deputy chief of staff, and Bentoff's wife, Julie Penman, a former Milwaukee city official.
...Violations of the county ethics code carry fines of up to $1,000.
Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf said he hadn't received any complaints about donation solicitations under the county ordinance. In similar instances of violations of campaign law that appear inadvertent and were corrected by the candidate, "we have considered that it was a good faith mistake," Landgraf said.
Good grief.
Abele was in violation of the county ethics code but the violation of campaign law appears to be inadvertent. It was a "good faith mistake."
When did the Journal Sentinel ever cut Scott Walker this kind of slack?
The newspaper would have tarred and feathered Walker for soliciting from county employees.
Abele is extremely inexperienced. But don't his aides have a bit more awareness of something like the county ethics code?
Apparently not.
No problem. The liberal media aren't troubled with Abele being caught soliciting from county employees.
Abele just made a tiny "good faith mistake."
It's been a long painful process and taken a long time but Governor Scott Walker and Republican legislators can finally say "mission accomplished."
The budget repair bill takes effect today.
From the Associated Press:After months of heated debate, ear-splitting protests and legal maneuvering, Gov. Scott Walker's divisive collective bargaining law is finally set to take effect.
Secretary of State Doug LaFollette published the law in the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper on Tuesday. The measure goes into effect Wednesday, capping an ugly four months in Madison that saw state senators flee the state and massive protests at the state Capitol.
The 14 Democrat senators who fled the state to avoid voting on the bill couldn't stop it.
Thousands of protesters couldn't stop it.
LaFollette couldn't stop it.
Judge Maryann Sumi couldn't stop it.
The law takes effect today.
Everything seems to be OK.
Apocalypse not now.
Yesterday, at a private ceremony in Green Bay, Governor Scott Walker made good on his promise to balance the budget, eliminating a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes.
It's not perfect. Nothing is. But it's good.
Of course, the Leftists are saying it's a disaster.
I think that's the clearest indication that the budget is good for the state, putting Wisconsin on a path to prosperity.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Gov. Scott Walker signed a two-year $66 billion budget Sunday that will cut nearly $800 million from public schools, expand taxpayer support for private voucher schools, cut taxes for investors and businesses, clamp down on property taxes and put the state's finances in better shape than they've been in for more than a decade.
Using the vast veto powers of Wisconsin governors, Walker struck out dozens of budget provisions, including one that would have allowed bail bondsmen in Wisconsin. He also used his veto pen to bar public employees from collecting pensions unless they work for a state or local government for five years or more, set up new possible limits on a family-planning program and allow state officials to do more no-bid contracts.
As previously announced, the GOP governor also vetoed a provision that would have allowed most fired Milwaukee police officers to continue to receive pay while they appealed their dismissals.
Walker's 50 vetoes were less extensive compared with those issued by previous governors, but that's due largely to the fact that Walker's fellow Republicans run both houses of the Legislature and worked closely with the governor in crafting the legislation. Walker has the broadest veto powers of any governor nationwide, allowing him to strike out entire provisions of the budget or rewrite sections by selectively crossing out words.
Wearing khakis, a blue shirt and no tie, Walker signed the budget Sunday afternoon before a crowd of about 100 at Fox Valley Metal-Tech - a site chosen to highlight a tax cut for manufacturers included in the budget.
...A few hundred protesters gathered outside Fox Valley Metal-Tech, chanting "Shame!" as Walker's guests drove into the parking lot. They held signs decrying budget cuts and chanted, "Recall Walker!"
The budget - Walker's first since taking office in January - closes a $3 billion shortfall over the next two years largely without relying on tax increases. It raises spending by $1.1 billion, or 1.8% over two years, and leaves the state with an estimated $300 million surplus in its main account by June 2013. Republicans in the Legislature passed the budget earlier this month on party-line votes.
"Our balanced budget makes tough choices while also providing a path to prosperity for our state and our people," Walker said in a 20-minute speech. "Through honest budgeting, we are providing an alternative to the reckless tricks and gimmicks of the past. To move forward together, we are acknowledging that we have to make sacrifices to protect the next generation by decreasing the serious debt that they would otherwise inherit."
Fiscal responsibility.
What a concept!Video from FOX 6 News:
Finally, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter, union member and "willing partner" Dan Bice has provided his readers with information on public employee Chris Liebenthal's abuses on the job.
Bice writes:Lefty blogger Chris Liebenthal was suspended for 10 days without pay earlier this year for using his county computer for personal purposes, recently obtained records show.
"It is clear that Mr. Liebenthal blatantly violated the Use of Technology Policy over the course of a year on numerous occasions and was in violation of the above Civil Service rules," wrote Geri Lyday, interim director of the Department of Health and Human Services, earlier this year.
The suspension cost Liebenthal - a social worker and official with the county employees union - $2,051 in county pay, said Mark Stein, an interim department administrator.
Bice doesn't tell his readers that "Lefty blogger Chris Liebenthal" is more than just an anti-Scott Walker crusader.
Bice doesn't mention the fact that Chris "Capper" Liebenthal is the author of Whallah! It's a despicable blog, founded on cruelty and harassment.
Tax dollars at work!
Bice continues:Liebenthal became the target of allies of then-County Executive Scott Walker, now the governor, after a Walker aide resigned in May 2010 for doing political activity during work hours.
Citizens for Responsible Government, a pro-Walker outfit, urged investigators to decide whether Liebenthal, a county worker, had been using his taxpayer-funded computer to post on any of his various blogs.
After seizing his work computer, prosecutors found last year he had engaged in political activity at work but decided not to file charges, saying it was more of a personnel issue.
Earlier this year, Lyday concluded that Liebenthal - who goes by the name Capper in his anti-Walker blogs - had broken two rules, one for wasting time at work and the other for doing personal activities during the workday. The original recommendation was for a 15-day suspension.
Lyday said she found no evidence that the blogger had used county equipment to post on his blogs.
"Mr. Liebenthal acknowledged that he did use his County computer for personal use but that all activity has ceased," Lyday wrote.
In March, Liebenthal agreed not to fight the matter and to affirm that "the charges are well founded" in exchange for the suspension being dropped to 10 days, according to records obtained by No Quarter.
Bice makes it sound like Liebenthal was a victim.
"Liebenthal became the target of allies of then-County Executive Scott Walker, now the governor, after a Walker aide resigned in May 2010 for doing political activity during work hours."
Poor "Capper" became a target.
Why doesn't Bice put the emphasis on the fact that taxpayer employee Liebenthal "blatantly violated the Use of Technology Policy over the course of a year on numerous occasions and was in violation of the above Civil Service rules," rather than paint him as the victim of a political witch hunt?
Also, why did it take so long for Bice to get around to sharing the story of Liebenthal's suspension with his readers? Why did he provide that cover for Liebenthal? The timing of the revelations is strange.
Moreover, Bice doesn't acknowledge that he targeted Darlene Wink, a Scott Walker staffer at the time. He doesn't highlight his personal role in outing Wink and his significant role in her eventual resignation. That's a major omission.
I think it's interesting that the investigation into Liebenthal's online political activity being funded by taxpayers only took into account what he did last year.
Are we to believe that Liebenthal hadn't been engaging in this inappropriate activity for significantly longer?
I suspect the taxpayers have been funding public employee, union member, Democrat Liebenthal's "wasting time at work" for years.
And Liebenthal is still on the job.
Here's video of the pathetic protesters at the Capitol in Madison on Thursday, the night the Senate passed the budget:Fizzle.
The Wisconsin State Senate passed the budget, 19 Republicans voting for it and 14 Democrats against.
The Democrats actually voted. They didn't flee the state and head to Illinois this time.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:The Legislature on Thursday handed Gov. Scott Walker his budget remolding government at every level, even as new details emerged on how it could lead to the expansion of the state's school voucher program to many districts around the state.
The Assembly passed the measure 60-38 at 3 a.m. Thursday, and 19 hours later the Senate approved it 19-14. All Republicans were in favor of it, and all Democrats were opposed.
Because senators made no changes to it, it will go straight to the Republican governor without having to return to the Assembly. Walker is expected to sign the bill soon, and he will have the ability to reshape it with his vast partial-veto powers.
Walker can "reshape it with his vast partial-veto powers."
Reporters Patrick Marley and Jason Stein make it sound like Walker has some evil powers that the previous governor, Democrat Jim Doyle, did not.
Although the spin is predictable, that makes it no less annoying. The legislative approval cemented Walker's bid to solve a $3 billion two-year shortfall by cutting spending on schools, local governments and public workers' benefits rather than raising taxes. The approval would end one chapter in one of the most tumultuous legislative sessions in decades that opened in February with Walker's legislation ending most union bargaining for public workers.
In the budget, Racine would begin a school choice program right away, but other school districts could eventually meet the criteria to be folded into the program. A Senate leader, however, said Republicans would accept the expansion of school choice, but then change it soon with separate legislation so vouchers cannot go beyond Racine.
State Superintendent Tony Evers denounced the Assembly for adding the choice expansion to the budget at 2:30 a.m. Thursday , saying the proposal could eventually lead to voucher programs in Green Bay and then possibly Appleton, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Superior and West Allis.
"Once again in the middle of the night, the majority party in the Assembly voted to expand taxpayer-funded vouchers for religious and private schools. This time the result is a hidden expansion of vouchers statewide," Evers said in a statement. "Wisconsin is now set to expand vouchers for private and religious schools, while making a catastrophic . . . cut in funding for public schools."
But Republicans, including an aide to Walker, said they would take action to ensure that voucher programs would be available only to students from Milwaukee and eastern Racine County.
...The details of the voucher expansion became clear just before protesters disrupted Senate proceedings by chanting "Kill the bill!" and locking themselves to the railings in the public galleries. Also Thursday, the Department of Administration and the Wisconsin State Employees Union reached an agreement that will open all eight entrances to the Capitol beginning on Monday, ending months of restricted access.
After the 10 p.m. Senate vote, Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) urged senators to leave quickly because of "security concerns." Some senators were escorted away by law enforcement.
...Small protests broke out throughout the Senate proceedings. In the evening, a group of demonstrators bellowed at senators from just outside the chamber while state troopers lined up in front of them.
What? No zombies?
Although the Leftist, anti-Scott Walker protesters in Madison love to chant, "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME," it's clear that they are shameless.
These protesters thought it would be appropriate to target Governor Scott Walker as he gave a speech at a Special Olympics event at the Capitol in Madison.
Really? Disrupt a Special Olympics event to satisfy their own agenda?
The MacIver Institute is tweeting photos of the protest.
Union protesters picket the Gov. Walker's speech at a Special Olympics ceremony in Madison
Classy union supporter picketing Gov. Walker's speech at Special Olympics ceremony.Dozens of kids here
Pro-union Zombies protest Gov Scott Walker at Special Olympics event at State Capitol
As Gov Walker began speaking to Special Olympians, #wiunion zombie protesters walk in front of athletesThe protesters stepped in front of the athletes as Gov. Walker began to address them!
That is disgusting.
Why make the kids involved with Special Olympics suffer? Why disrupt their event?
SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.Here's video, from MacIver Institute:Again, disgusting.
This really makes me sick. It's such an inappropriate display, incredibly selfish and thoughtless.
It truly reveals what these Leftists are all about -- THEMSELVES.
Someone on the Left should speak out against these disgraceful tactics and apologize for the actions of their comrades.
Support the Special Olympics. ________________
UPDATE, June 9, 2011: Protest organizers disavow Special Olympics demonstrationOpponents of Gov. Scott Walker were backing away from a demonstration against him held Wednesday at a Special Olympics event, even as organizers of the ceremony said the protesters did not disrupt it.
Also Wednesday, state Capitol Police removed a dozen protesters dressed as zombies from the office of Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) on Wednesday and arrested them.
Matt Guidry, a spokesman for the United Council of University of Wisconsin Students, which organized the Vos protest, said his group did not back the demonstration during the noon hour Special Olympics ceremony attended by Walker, though some of the same zombie demonstrators were involved.
"That was not associated with anything that United Council was doing," Guidry said. "That doesn't make us look that good."
...Rachel Grant, a spokeswoman for the Special Olympics, said officials were nervous when the zombie protesters first arrived but they turned out to be peaceful.
"We were all a little bit on edge, but it turned out for the best," Grant said. "Nothing was disruptive at all."
Kelly Kloepping, another Special Olympics official, said the protesters were respectful and did not diminish the excitement the Special Olympians felt about being in Madison to meet Walker and other leaders.
"We feel it's really about the athletes," Kloepping said. "We knew the protesters were there, but they were respectful of our athletes."
State Treasurer Kurt Schuller, a GOP official whose daughter was a Special Olympics competitor, denounced the demonstration in a statement.
"To be confronted by protesters, who will never understand the personal challenges that these Special Olympians face, who decided to politicize a nonpolitical event, shows a complete lack of civility when civility is something we should all be working toward," he said.
A few things--
---This story is national. Otherwise, I doubt protest organizers would distance themselves from this disgrace.
---It's amazing to me that the Journal Sentinel was able to dig up comments by Special Olympics officials practically praising the Zombies and other protesters. "Nothing was disruptive at all."
"[T]hey were respectful of our athletes."
WHAT? They can't be serious!
That is very weird. Really bizarre.
How can standing between the Governor and the athletes be deemed respectful? How can that be deemed to be not "disruptive at all"?
I'd be very interested to know if the national office of Special Olympics has the same take as these "officials."
Charlie Sykes shares a profanity-riddled e-mail sent to Wisconsin State Senator Michael Ellis from a raving Leftist lunatic.
* LANGUAGE ALERT *From: bismarc otto [mailto:ikonsareholy@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 3:59 PM
To: Sen.Ellis
Cc: Sen.Fitzgerald
Subject: Fake Dems by you fake Americans ass***s NAZI BITCHES.
***Hey Ellis SHUT THE F*CK UP & SIT DOWN like the KOCH Bitch you & your sister/wife ARE. Fitzgerald your sex butt Banging buddy is now telling us you inbred NAZIs are running fake Dems & he supports it like he loves raw gay sex w/his brother. This is what the f*ck you UN AMERICAN asswipes are. Liars, cheats like Hopper(oh yeah has his children seen him since last year?)& criminals like Walker. You support a C*NT like Palin which we saw dead people in Tucson, AZ. This is what you want, F*CK YOU as we want our nation back. We don't want your f*cking nite mare. You assho**s should if you had any ethics RESIGN NOW & GET the F*CK OUT of America. I hear Libya is looking for a new dictator, you can go NOW. GET THE F*CK OUT, please.
Scott Mann
PS The US Supreme Court has ruled 21 to 0 swearing is FREE SPEECH, get used it to NAZI WHORES.
Yikes.
This one gets really rough.
So much for liberals occupying the moral highground.
This guy is a disgrace to his Leftist comrades.
Maybe MSNBC will book him for an interview.
He should have CC'd Ed Schultz.
There have been some changes at the Governor's mansion in Madison.
In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, artwork and artifacts from that era have been placed on the first floor.
Displaying pieces reflecting this pivotal time in America's history meant that some works of art were removed, like "Wishes in the Wind," by David Lenz.
Something this innocuous would never be manipulated and twisted to criticize Governor Scott Walker, right?
Wrong.
Union member and "willing partner" Dan Bice, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, writes that the artwork shuffle raises eyebrows.
Good grief, what lunacy! Artist David Lenz has seen his work displayed prominently in the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
But Lenz couldn't make the cut with Gov. Scott Walker and the Executive Residence.
Earlier this year, the governor and first lady Tonette Walker took down Lenz's painting "Wishes in the Wind," a realistic portrait of three children - one black, one Hispanic and one white - playing with bubble wands on a Milwaukee street.
Commissioned by the foundation that runs the governor's Maple Bluff residence, the painting was completed and placed prominently above the fireplace mantel in the drawing room in November.
The governor and first lady have replaced it with a century-old painting of Old Abe, a Civil War-era bald eagle from Wisconsin.
Lenz described himself as "deeply disappointed" by the decision to take down his artwork. He is scheduled to talk at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Milwaukee Art Museum about his paintings, including "Wishes in the Wind."
"This seems symbolic," said Lenz, referring to Walker's proposed cuts in state funding for Milwaukee schools and city and county services, something he said would have a disproportionate impact on low-income youngsters. "You would think we could all agree on the need to support the hopes and dreams of children."
A spokesman for the governor dismissed the criticism.
"Not true," said Walker's press secretary Cullen Werwie.
After being told of Lenz's remarks, the governor's office issued a news release Friday offering an explanation for changing the mansion's interior design. To honor the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the release said, the Walkers have decided to place artifacts and paintings from that era throughout the first floor.
The Walker administration is working on a deal to lend Lenz's painting to the Milwaukee Public Library. Werwie emphasized that many more people will see the painting there than at the governor's residence.
The criticism of Governor Walker is ridiculous. It's as ridiculous as it is relentless.
Switching the painting isn't some sinister move on Walker's part. It doesn't indicate that he has no concern for the homeless or minority children or drunk driving victims.
It's nuts to make that suggestion.
Artist David Lenz made exactly that argument, Bice aiding and abetting...."The homeless, central city children and victims of drunk drivers normally do not have a voice in politics," Lenz explained in an email. "This painting was an opportunity for future governors to look these three children in the eye, and I hope, contemplate how their public policies might affect them and other children like them."
He added: "I guess that was a conversation Governor Walker did not want to have."
This is crazy.
It's absolutely crazy.
Bice, mouthpiece for the anti-Walker contingent, has gone off the deep end with this one. ...In 2005, the state Executive Residence Foundation began commissioning paintings by Wisconsin artists on subjects intended to remind state leaders of the people they represent. Milwaukee-area businessman Richard Pieper and his wife, Suzanne, fund the project.
...Even so, Pieper said he saw nothing symbolic in Walker's decision to remove the painting, saying the suggestion was "fecal matter."
Pieper makes complete sense.
Bice isn't satisfied. He follows Pieper's remark with this:The businessman gave $9,800 to Walker's campaign fund during the last gubernatorial campaign and $4,800 to his Democratic opponent, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
In other words, Pieper is giving Walker a pass.
That is so lame.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel should be embarrassed for trying to sell this story as news, taking a simple change in decor and shamelessly blowing it out of proportion, giving it a meaning that doesn't exist.
It's nothing but another manufactured attack on Walker.
It's positively goofy.
People in Madison protesting Governor Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers trying to save the state of Wisconsin appear to have studied extreme Leftist Cindy Sheehan's 2005 playbook.
In the summer of 2005, Sheehan set up Camp Casey, in the name of her son killed in Iraq, to protest the war.
Sheehan's stunt lured protesters and the media to her Crawford, Texas tent city near President Bush's ranch. Naturally, the liberal media adored Sheehan and fed the spectacle.
The Leftists plan a similar stunt in Madison.
From the Wisconsin State Journal:With lawmakers gearing up for a vote on the state budget, a “Walkerville” camp similar to the one that sprang up during the protests at the state Capitol earlier this year may be returning this weekend — this time to the terraces of Mifflin and Carroll streets.
We Are Wisconsin, an alliance of community groups, labor unions and others, has asked the city for a permit to set up the camp across from the Capitol to provide information about Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposals and efforts to recall Republican legislators who voted to eliminate bargaining rights for most public employees.
The city’s Street Use Staff Commission will have a special meeting Friday to consider the permit application for a state budget rally that would begin Saturday and continue through June 20.
David Boetcher, who is helping to organize the event, said an information station would be accompanied by overnight campers, who could number in the thousands on weekends.
The proposed camp area is North Carroll Street from State Street to West Washington Avenue, and West Mifflin Street from State Street to Wisconsin Avenue, including the “30 on the Square” cul-de-sac at 30 W. Mifflin St. and the Philosophers’ Stones area between the Wisconsin Historical Museum and Myles Teddywedgers Cornish, 101 State St.
Who could spend weeks camping outside the Capitol?
Who has that kind of time?
Teachers!
"How I spent my summer vacation..."
Fred Levenhagen is probably packing his gear right now.
Of course, the union thugs will probably be bused in from the surrounding area. And then there will be the aging 1960s radical contingent and the young wannabes.
There will be drums.
Families planning a June summer vacation that includes a trip to the Capitol might want to reconsider.
Tourism in Madison is going to take a hit.
Politics is part of the World's Largest Brat Fest in Madison this weekend.
It is unbelievably lame.
The great Wisconsin company, Johnsonville, is a major sponsor of the annual charitable event.
Some INDIVIDUALS connected to the business made contributions to Governor Scott Walker. Johnsonville, did NOT.
Nonetheless, the people who hate Walker decided to target Johnsonville. Boycotting the company's products includes boycotting the annual Brat Fest.
Of course, Brat Fest's success translates into charitable aid.
To the Walker-haters, punishing Johnsonville is more important than raising money for charities.
What self-centered people!
Politics and personal gain before all else.
From Channel 3000:After weeks of protests at the State Capitol over a budget repair bill that would strip most state workers of most collective bargaining rights, you'd think a gathering that's primary focus centers around a Wisconsin staple would be welcomed.
But nowadays, politics can hang a cloud over even one of Madison's most talked about events.
Residents were making choices, go to the World's Largest Brat Fest like you may have done for as long as you can remember, or go get your bratwurst somewhere else.
"We tried the one on the Capitol Square, but the lines were too long, so we came to this one," said Jim Hollar, who attended Wurst Times event. "I wanted to avoid the one at the Alliant Energy Center."
"I guess it's kind of protest against Scott Walker and this is a way to show it," said Roger Bass.
"It seems kind of silly in the sense that it is guilty by association, but we wanted to avoid (Brat Fest)," Hollar said.
Those at the People Brat Fest didn't see it as silly, but rather a chance to draw connections to Johnsonville, a main sponsor of Brat Fest, and a company linked politically to the governor.
"I definitely oppose Walker and this seemed like a better way to support Madison rather than a big corporation," said Tom Ver Hoeve.
The event on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was billed as a Brat Fest alternative and those who were willing to wait for long lines were toting their opinions along with hunger.
Ver Hoeve said he preferred the downtown location because it felt more like a Madison event and he said it was nice knowing that proceeds would also benefit local charities.
...There is a fourth event will compete with Brat Fest on Sunday. Alt Bratfest will be held at Orton Park on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It's being held by the Weary Traveler Freehouse. Proceeds will also go to local charities.
Brat Fest organizers insist the alternative options have not had any impact.
"The turnout has been fantastic," Metcalfe said.
One thing we can say without debate is that each and every brat eaten this weekend will raise money for local charities and that generosity is what makes Madison such a great place to live.
It's great to hear that the politicized brat sideshows aren't impacting the main event.
As for the protest events, their organizers claim proceeds will go to local charities. So, that's good, too.
It's too bad that some people harbor so much hatred for Governor Walker that they refuse to support the annual event just because some of the INDIVIDUALS connected to Johnsonville made political contributions to Walker.
It's lunacy. It's so extreme.
In short, it's Madison. Here's video:
