I AM THE FORCE

I'll be back some day.

Thanks for checking.

According to Bede (c. 672 - 735), writing in De Tempore Ratione ("On the Reckoning of Time"), Ch. xv, "The English months", the word easter is derived from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, to whom the month of Eostremonat, corresponding to our April, was dedicated:

"Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated "Paschal month", and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance."

What is secure in Bede's passage is that the lunar month around the month of April in the Julian calendar was called the Eostre-monath. And as the Christian tradition of Easter, which has also fallen in April, arrived in some Germanic-speaking regions, the people named the then-unnamed Christian day after the festival, that is, in English as Easter, and in German as Ostern. It is alleged that remnants of Eostre's characteristics can also be found in the Easter Bunny celebrations, based on Jacob Grimm's research into connections between the 'Ostern Hare' and the Germanic Ostara, which he believed to be another name for the same goddess.

My life fades. The vision dims. All that remains are memories. I remember a time of chaos. Ruined dreams. This wasted land. But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior. The man we called "Max". To understand who he was, you have to go back to another time. When the world was powered by the black fuel. And the desert sprouted great cities of pipe and steel. Gone now, swept away. For reasons long forgotten, two mighty warrior tribes went to war and touched off a blaze which engulfed them all. Without fuel, they were nothing. They built a house of straw. The thundering machines sputtered and stopped. Their leaders talked and talked and talked. But nothing could stem the avalanche. Their world crumbled. The cities exploded. A whirlwind of looting, a firestorm of fear. Men began to feed on men. On the roads it was a white line nightmare. Only those mobile enough to scavenge, brutal enough to pillage would survive. The gangs took over the highways, ready to wage war for a tank of juice. And in this maelstrom of decay, ordinary men were battered and smashed. Men like Max. The warrior Max. In the roar of an engine, he lost everything. And became a shell of a man, a burnt out, desolate man, a man haunted by the demons of his past, a man who wandered out into the wasteland.

Ed Gein's Plainfield, Wisconsin, property is for sale on Ebay. Governor Doyle, are you paying attention? What would say Wisconsin better than a state-run tourist attraction for the father of serial killerdom. Maybe we could buy it with taxpayer money, but have Adelman Travel actually own and manage the property.

Why have Milwaukee and Plainfield done so much to wipe out traces of Jeffrey Dahmer and Ed Gein from the landscape? Serial killer buffs all over the world would flock to a reconstruction of the home created by Augusta Gein, and then the serial tourists could continue their Wisconsin visit in Jeffrey Dahmer's Milwaukee. If we have historical markers for the founders of Boscobel's Gideon Bible, shouldn't we also highlight our more interesting and macabre history?

And Mark Gundrum could author legislation to assure that the revenue from these Wisconsin historical sites would go to faith-based institutions working to stamp out filth and depravity in Wisconsin. Come to think of it, neither Gein or Dahmer were married were they? But that's neither here nor there, and I, for one, trust Reresentative Gundrum to work out the details.

Raise money for the state, promote tourism, highlight Wisconsin history, and stop filth and depravity. What's not to like about this latest land deal? Jim Doyle and Jim Holperin -- the time to act is now.

SOME BACKGROUND ON WISCONSIN'S ED GEIN

Ed Gein grew up on a farm a few miles outside of the town of Plainfield, Wisconsin. His father, George, was a hard-luck farmer with little talent for working the soil and with a taste for alcohol. He also had a tendency to be quick with his fists after he had been drinking, but as rough as he was, he was no match for his wife, Augusta.

Augusta had been raised in a fiercely religious home and with this sort of influence, developed into a raving opponent of anything related to sex. All around her, she saw nothing but filth and depravity and how she managed to become pregnant with her two sons, Eddie and Henry, remains a mystery. Shortly after Ed's birth, she forced her husband to leave the "sinkhole of filth" called LaCrosse and moved to what she believed to be a more righteous location, Plainfield. However, this small, God-fearing town turned out to be no better, at least in Augusta's eyes. She considered the place to be a "hellhole" and kept her two sons on the farm and away from anything she considered dangerous or of a sinful influence, namely whorish women and the wickedness of carnal love...

The stunned and sickened officers immediately called for reinforcements. A short time later, more than a dozen lawmen were combing the farm and exploring the contents of what would become known as Ed Gein's "house of horrors". What they found that night was like nothing that had ever been recorded in the annals of American crime.

Soup bowls had been made from the sawed-off tops of human skulls. Chairs had been upholstered in human skin. Lamp shades had been fashioned from flesh, giving off an eerie and putrid glow. A box was discovered that contained nothing but human noses. A belt had been made from female nipples. A shade pull had been decorated with a pair of woman's lips. A shoe box under a bed contained a collection of dried, female genitalia. The faces of nine women, carefully stuffed and mounted, were hanging on one wall.... and there was much more, including a bracelet of skin, a drum made from a coffee can and human flesh, and more. A shirt of human skin, complete with breasts, had been fashioned from the tanned torso of a middle-aged woman. Gein would later confess that he often put the shirt on at night and pretended to be his mother.

To make matters worse, the refrigerator turned out to be stocked with frozen human organs and a human heart was found in a pan on the stove. The local sheriff estimated that the various body parts added up to fifteen women, maybe more.

"I don't know what to do or where to turn in this taxation matter. Somewhere there must be a book that tells all about it, where I could go to straighten it out in my mind. But I don't know where the book is, and maybe I couldn't read it if I found it."
-- Warren G. Harding

Musicians and Terrorists

I don't usually read the Journal Sentinel's editorials due to a consistent lack of insight or utility, but today's message on musicians and terrorists just cracks me up. The Journal Sentinel Leftys are clearly more concerned about musician visas than terrorist attacks. They intone that something must be done to make sure international musicians can get to town for the latest Brahms concerto.

Are you kidding me?

Someone needs to inform these bumblers about the War on Terror.

The changes were imposed for a very good reason, which was to make it more difficult for terrorists to get into this country. But the changes also have made it more difficult for non-terrorists - including musicians - to get here. And that isn't so good.
Journal Sentinal Editorial, April 7, 2006

Okay, I was taking my dogs for a walk along a stretch of the Milwaukee River. Far off the beaten path, after walking past 2 areas blocked off by police crime tape, I came upon the lovely scene in these pictures. A baby doll, that had clearly been in the river, hanging suspended in a tree.

The three movies that immediately came to mind were The River's Edge, Blue Velvet, and Child's Play. I looked around for a human ear or a body or something else to complete the scene. But all I could see was rushing water, river trash, and nervous geese. I took a couple of quick pictures and headed back to the car.

Milwaukee's underside is definitely not a place for the faint of heart. Kind of makes you wonder about the kind of people that frequent dirt paths along the river -- including myself. Jeffrey Beaumont would probably start a more detailed investigation, but I think I better get back to work.

THE COURAGE, STYLE, AND ATTITUDE OF JACK JOHNSON

About Jack Johnson: Early 20th century boxer, Jack Johnson, was one of the few black men in history that created white anxiety about black equality. He was unafraid, his actions in and out of the ring were bold, and with the black public in his corner, he achieved his greatest accomplishment. He challenged racial views about equality when he beat a white boxer and became the first black international heavyweight-boxing champion.

Jack Johnson Quotations:

I know the bitterness of being accused and being harassed by prosecutors. I know the horror of being hunted and haunted. I have dashed across continents and oceans as a fugitive and have matched my wits with the police and secret agents seeking to deprive me of one of the greatest blessings man can have--liberty.

I made a lot of mistakes out of the ring, but I never made any in it.

The possession of muscular strength and the courage to use it in contests with other men for physical supremacy does not necessarily imply a lack of appreciation for the finer and better things of life.

I never doubted the issue from the beginning. I knew I was too good for Burns. I have forgotten more about fighting than Burns ever knew.

For every point I'm given, I'll have earned two, because I'm a Negro.

Are these really the guys that should have been in charge of Republican plans for a constitutional amendment to protect taxpayers? I hate to be disparaging, but we maybe should have mixed a little expertise and strategic thinking in there with all that ideology. Neither of these guys has ever been a real player in the Legislature, and they're known more for pissing people off than resolving complex challenges. Now Frank Lasee has abandoned ship, and the wheels seem to be coming off Republican efforts to protect taxpayers with a constitutional amendment.

Is it possible that Dale Schultz and John Gard wanted this effort to fail, so they stepped back and allowed the conservative dream team to chart their own course? Or perhaps Gard didn't care, and Schultz wanted it to fail. However it happened, no Republican can feel good about the policy and PR disaster to date. Republican candidates for re-election have to be cringing every time they read the latest story about TPA, and the Xoffs and Kreusers of the world have to be feeling pretty good.

All of the outsider conservatives out there who have condemned Scott Jensen and praised Glenn Grothman perhaps ought to reconsider their preferences. Conservatives would be in hog heaven if Scott Jensen been in charge of the taxpayer amendment and the spin surrounding it. The language would be solid, the strategy would be clear, and the battle would be won. But the team in charge just can't seem to shoot straight.

Maybe we can delay Jensen's sentencing a bit and hire him as a consultant to straighten out this mess. Or Huebsch, Kanavas, or someone needs to step in and reform the reformers. The reality, however, is that it is probably too late this year to salvage a winning amendment season for the GOP. Perhaps we can we just focus on not embarrassing ourselves further?

Bob Jauch is the poster child for everything wrong with the Wisconsin Legislature. Not a single knowledgeable person respects this guy. He's been there too long. He's not smart. His constituents aren't paying attention. And he rants and raves like an unhinged lunatic. He's lazy. He always blames the other party, and never does anything meaningful for his "extremely poor" constitutents. He screams about, "Charlie Sykes and his fearmongering associates!", and just commented that, "the will of the people recognize this for what it is, and that is a proposal being pushed by extreme zealots who neither like taxes, spending, nor government." Why do worthless bums like Bob Jauch survive in the endlessly drunken world of Wisconsin politics?

I will never understand why the people that elect Bob Jauch and Frank Boyle seem to expect so little from their representatives.

He is like a junior Dave Obey without the brains. Both of these guys have spent their careers bemoaning how bad things are in their districts and pointing their fingers of blame at everyone but themselves. It used to be Ronald Reagan and Tommy Thompson's fault that Superior sucks, and now GW Bush and John Gard are labeled the bad guys. Jauch consistently argues that the successful part of the state should send our money up to save his region. What about accepting personal responsibility, improving the business climate, and lowering taxes to improve the prospects of the far Northwest?

And, of course, I would be remiss if I failed to mention that he utilized state employees to run campaigns during his failed tenure as the Senate Democratic Leader. I may have missed it, but have Jay Heck or Mike McCabe called for Jauch's prosecution or censure?

Now people are welcome to do whatever they want in their private lives, but Jauch is one of the over-the-top legends at the Inn on the Park bar and the rooms above. And falling down the steps at Genna's Bar tangled up with the also legendary Jolene Plautz has to be one of the defining moments of the modern political era. One has to wonder if this lifestyle is the reason this blowhard is still here. Party time in Madison must be a lot more fun for him than watching satellite television from his home in Poplar. The brain cells killed, however, might have something to do with the undistinguished nature of Jauch's long tenure in public service.

As a good lobbyist friend of mine says repeatedly, "Bob Jauch is a fraud in the first degree." He poses for political holy pictures and blames the opposition and blows smoke every day to obscure the reality of his nothingness. He's a joke to colleagues and lobbyists alike, and only the "he's in office" code of silence allows him to fly under the radar. He always scores near the bottom in insider rankings of state legislators. If you've worked with him or seen him in backroom negotiations then you will inevitably discover that he's not someone that can be relied upon to keep his word or solve a problem. And he's taken angry and insecure immaturity to new heights.

In a healthy democracy with engaged voters, a guy like Bob Jauch would be shown the door at the first available opportunity. It's not hard to understand his contempt for talk radio and citizen action, since he seems untouched by responsible voters in his own district. He's left alone to do as he pleases, untroubled by informed public opinion or any sense of accountability. Perhaps Sykes could expand his conspiracy of zealots by getting on the radio Up North.

One thing is absolutely certain -- until voters do something about the Bob Jauchs of the world, the Wisconsin State Legislature will remain a very sick and disappointing place, indeed.

Finally, the Waukesha Taxpayer League with their ultra-secretive unnamed leadership/membership shouldn’t be considered anything more than a paper tiger if they can’t deliver in a race like this.

Brian Nemoir letter to Charlie Sykes
April 5, 2006

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Who are these guys?

A new organization to stop off-reservation Indian gaming popped up on the local scene the other day.

And that’s all we know.

The group calling itself Enough!, is releasing info about itself on a need-to-know basis, and so far, it thinks the public has no need to know.

Brian Nemoir, a one-time GOP operative turned PR guy, won’t say who – if anybody – is backing the group… "At this stage of the game we are not prepared to release our members," Nemoir said.

Spivak and Bice, May 18, 2005

This recipe is based on not having to do much of anything at all, and not making any sacrifices that might prove difficult. You don't have to take on any brutal dictators to make this recipe, or take any steps whatsoever to try and make the world a better place. It's also really good, and can be enjoyed equally by Shorewood pacifists and Watertown warmongers.

CUT AND RUN MAPLE ROASTED CHICKEN WITH SWEET POTATOES

3 1/2 to 4 pound cut up chicken (preferably killed far away by people other than yourself)
1 yellow (and I mean yellow) onion cut into 1-inch wedges
2 small sweet potatoes cut into 1-inch chunks (be very careful here)
2 tblsp olive oil (preferably from France, not Italy)
1 tsp kosher salt (but not from Israel)
1/4 tsp pepper (don't be offensively strong here)
3 tblsp maple syrup (from either Vermont or northern Wisconsin)
6 sprigs fresh thyme (preferably from an organic hippy commune)
-----------------------------------------------

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange the chicken, onion, and sweet potatoes in a 9-by-13 baking dish. Drizzle the oil over the chicken and vegetables and season with the salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Drizzle with the maple syrup and top with the sprigs of thyme. Roast, stirrring the vegetables once, until the chikcen is cooked through, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Let rest, alone and unprotected, 11 minutes before serving.

grumps said...
Your apologia for Jensen was sweet in an old-fashioned loyalty sort of way but accusing the fall of the Exterminator on the Left is just sad.

8:41 PM


Ragnar Mentaire said...
Dear grumps,
You are such a hater. The Jensen and DeLay situations are, in fact, eerily similar. In both cases, the most powerful, effective, and ruthless opponents of Democrats end up being selectively prosecuted and deposed for breaking creative and retroactive rules. These are political persecutions, carried out by Democrats, with the creative use of a partisan reading of the statutes. Jensen and DeLay crushing you and your team is not a legitimate reason for coup by judiciary. Now that you've succeeded, you should at least be honest about the tactic.

2:10 PM

CueBall said...
The tools referred to at the top of the post are, I assume, the law, the judiciary, and the good people who serve on juries. Not to mention public disgust.

Am I missing something here?

2:49 PM

grumps said...
I carry no little hatred, that's a fact. I hate that the venal have taken over the government for personal gain. I hate that the coarseness which Delay brought to the Hill has so permeated governance that ordinary citizens have no chance for input or relief. I hate that Insiders have made ours a government for the rich and lawless. I hate that the politics of distrust has so usurped our system that we fight one another over scraps while the powerful pull power to themselves.

We have gone back to the days of the Robber Barons, greedy, petty men who care little for others. As Delay's henchmen plead guilty it becomes clearer how deep the stink has gone.

The time has come for those who hate the American system and people to be gone from government. That their own greed has become the instrument of their downfall and the disgust of the people the lamentations they hear on their way out seems only fitting.

Don't cry to me about Scott Jensen's children when you raised not a peep about Chuck Chvala's. Don't call me a hater when you defend two men who have made America a worse place for our children and grandchildren.

Jensen may have done some good things. Delay may have smoothed things for his friends. Neither gave a rat's red rectum for anyone who disagreed with them and I hate that they've debased our government.

7:49 PM


Ragnar Mentaire said...
They are bad only because you disagree with them on strategy and policy. They believe sincerely in their philosophy, and each of them has more integrity than a handful of the likes of Frank Boyle, Spencer Black, and Dave Travis. Neither of them are greedy, petty men. And neither of them misused their positions for personal gain. You condemn them and are glad they're going down because they out-thought and out-worked you and your team all these years. Your diatribe about the evils of today's government has little to do with reality, and everything to do with the outsider bitterness of either cluelessness or life in the minority. You're the one who hates the American system, and you ought to stop kidding yourself.

More than half of Packer nation seem to have joined Mark Chmura in decrying the selfishness of Brett Favre. Local talk radio is abuzz with commentators -- who aren't from here -- slamming Favre on a daily basis. Even Jim Rome has weighed in by comparing Favre's stalled decision with the "pay-me" holdout threats of Javon Walker and Terrell Owens.

Why are you people so intent on killing the golden goose?

Favre's situation has little or nothing to do with the Walker-Owens scenarios. Brett is making an off-season decision about retirement, while the other two selfish bozos were demanding more money, threatening holdouts, and ignoring contracts. Would it be nice for the organization for him to decide? Of course. But this delay hardly warrants the excoriation Favre is receiving from fans and talk radio jabber.

Javon Walker is a big disloyal crybaby, who is welcome to leave as soon as the Packers figure out a way to get something for the trouble. He's a great receiver, but just as is the case with all relationships, if the guy doesn't want to be in Green Bay than he should get the hell out. Then I can say good riddance, and hope that his knee never heals.

Favre has taken a lot of heat for his "what are they going to do? Cut me?" comment. While that would have been something better left unsaid, he was merely being honest about his take on the situation. Favre's non-spinning honesty has always been one of his best traits. He's right, the season is still many months away, and Packer draft plans are unlikely to change regardless of Favre's decision.

So give the guy a break for chrissakes. Favre is not perfect, but he is the best quarterback that the Green Bay Packers will ever have. He is the guy most responsible for delivering a Super Bowl to modern Green Bay, and none of you should ever forget it. He also is more than capable of doing it again with the right supporting cast.

He deserves whatever time he needs.

Taking your time on a retirement decision is hardly holding the Packers hostage. If you've been criticizing him, please send Favre a postcard today and apologize. Thank goodness the man himself doesn't have to listen to all this critically mindless chatter.

I'm out.

April 3, 2006, 3:36PM
Ireland Backs Legalizing Gay Partnerships
© 2006 The Associated Press

DUBLIN, Ireland — Ireland will legalize civil partnerships for gay couples, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern pledged Monday as he opened new offices for the country's main gay rights group.

Civil partnerships allow gay couples the same rights to inheritance, state benefits and other financial rights as held by married heterosexual couples.

"Sexual orientation cannot, and must not, be the basis of a second-class citizenship. Our laws have changed, and will continue to change, to reflect this principle," Ahern told an audience at Ireland's Gay and Lesbian Equality Network.

Ahern said it would be more difficult to legalize gay marriage in Ireland than it was in the United Kingdom, which approved the civil unions in December. Ireland's constitution has a clause requiring the predominantly Roman Catholic state to protect the institution of marriage, whereas the UK, which includes neighboring Northern Ireland, has no written constitution.

"This challenge, however, is one that the government is determined to meet. We are committed to legislating on this issue," said Ahern, who noted that a government-appointed group of experts would recommend several possible options in a report expected in November.

"Although there is a growing climate of equality and support for anti-discrimination action, I also recognize that members of the gay community still face isolation, abuse and victimization on the basis of their sexuality," Ahern said.

"Formerly there were those who said: You believe things that are incomprehensible, inconsistent, impossible because we have commanded you to believe them; go then and do what is unjust because we command it. Such people show admirable reasoning. Truly, whoever is able to make you absurd is able to make you unjust. If the God-given understanding of your mind does not resist a demand to believe what is impossible, then you will not resist a demand to do wrong to that God-given sense of justice in your heart. As soon as one faculty of your soul has been dominated, other faculties will follow as well. And from this derives all those crimes of religion which have overrun the world."

VOLTAIRE

Since I have been sharing so many wonderful pie recipes, I thought it was about time for me to deliver my foolproof pie crust recipe as well. This may not be as exciting as some of my other entries, but it is probably much more productive. If you mess up the crust, even my upcoming splendiferous banana cream pie recipe will fail. As I prayed about this issue, God spoke to me, thanked me for my writings on Hell, expressed regret that his candidate would not be Governor, and gave me the following recipe. This is what God wants for you.

God's Favorite Pie Crust

3 cups flour
1 1/4 cup lard
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
---------------------
Mix with large spoon and then hands until lard disseminates.

Combine
1 egg beaten
5 tblsp water
1 tblsp vinegar
And pour the mixture over the dry ingredients, and mix with hands until dough comes together. Break into four pieces, make them flat and circular, and roll out the first pie crust. Fold into quarters, and unfold in the pan, then trim and crimp the edges. If you only need one, then Saran Wrap the remaining disks, put them in a ziplock bag and freeze them. The extras will then be available when you need them, thawing in just a couple of hours.

God endorsed, Mom tested.

For a much more exuberant take on Brewers baseball, please check out Fraley's Daily Takes. Brian seems to really care about this issue, and I commend him for that. And belated thanks to David Prosser and George Petak for getting the roofed stadium done. If it wasn't for the two of them not caring about voter opinion, today's tailgaters would have to keep their parkas on during the game. And another belated thanks to former Senator Gary George, who tried to get the stadium in downtown Milwaukee. Come home soon, Gary, and we'll see you all at the game. Go Brewers!

Don't let anyone ever tell you that we don't have a lot of things to see in Wisconsin. This is a great place to scare your children late at night.

Concrete Park

Hwy 13
Phillips, WI 54555
Toll-Free: (800) 762-2709

Fred Smith's concrete and glass statues include northwoods people, folklore, fantasies, historic personages, Native Americans, angels, and animals. (Daily)

There is a permanent portion of the population that will never support a war under any circumstances. I just received the pro and con flyers from the organizations fighting it out on the "cut and run" resolution. The proponents of the resolution certainly have a lot to say, and have used a lot of words to say it. They virtually ooze with self-righteousness, with an additional dose of Frankenian naivete.

I don't support the President on everything, and I have always had some doubt that Iraq was the region most worthy of our national focus. But the danger was real in the minds of Bush, Gore, Kerry, and Clinton and we moved forward to stop the threat and build a better world. Naive? Perhaps. But ambitious and idealistic at the same time. Similar to G.W. Bush's commitment to fighting AIDS in Africa, the War on Terror and the War in Iraq and Afghanistan were started as an effort to transform and improve the world. Nothing whatsoever selfish or evil about what we've been trying to do.

So the same extremists with the "War Is Not The Answer" yard signs have now organized the upcoming vote to condemn what George Bush and our troops are trying to accomplish. Unlike some, I don't think it's unpatriotic to oppose a specific military action, but I do believe that opposing every war is simplistic and shallow. There are causes worth the loss of American life, and the anti-war activists deserve our contempt for failing to recognize that fact. Is hating George Bush and Republicans a good enough reason to tell our soldiers that we do not support their mission?

I, for one, am grateful to have a President willing to think big and take risks in a post-9/11 world, and a military with the ability to fight the good fight and meet every challenge. Telling both the President and our troops that their decisions and sacrifice have been a mistake, seems somehow blasphemous in my mind. I'd like to think that I would support Bill Clinton if he had made this decision as our Commander in Chief. The Naderites would never do that, of course. But the good people of America ought to get behind our efforts to build a better world.

For better or for worse, we made the decision as a nation to liberate Iraq from Hussein and help them build an independent nation, free of dictatorship and ethnic or sectarian cleansing. It was and is a worthy goal. I would encourage all of you to dismiss the anti-war zealots and reject this "cut and run" referendum. The people and ideas behind this effort do not represent the best of what America has to offer the world. Turning our back on the great challenges of the day is no way to make the world a better place.

Please vote on Tuesday, and oppose the cut-and-run WITHDRAW resolution.

The 3rd Annual Modern Drunkard Convention

When: Friday June 23rd through Sunday, June 25th.

Where: The Celebrity Ballroom, Las Vegas, NV.

What to Expect: Three solid days of heavy drinking and full-bore entertainment.

These people seem to have something going on, so I plan to attend their convention and find out what it is. In our moralistic times, it's comforting to know that the Modern Drunkard still has a place to go in our society. Unashamed revelry and binge drinking -- although we must never admit this to our children -- have been key ingredients in some of life's most interesting moments. Let the good times roll, let them knock you around, and all that.

Something is achieved if you celebrate the cocktail hour that is missed by those eating tuna fish hotdish while watching the Wheel of Fortune. Something is lost to us when we step back and decide that going out and getting wasted might not be all that productive. Admittedly, there are side effects and consequences, but I'm glad that at least a few hardy souls are still willing to celebrate Bacchus and the good, good times.

Live all you can, it's a mistake not to. And I'll see you in Las Vegas and at the Inflation Fighter.

I assume that most of you have read the story below outlining a Fond du Lac Judge's decision to shut down a weblog named in a libel suit. I was reminded of the warnings from the attorney at the most recent blog conference, turns out she was making a lot of sense. Just like in Lassa v Rongstad, politicians have figured out that they can use libel law to silence political opposition.

As Judge Wirtz has just demonstrated, a mere allegation of libel and a sympathetic court is enough to shut down a blog or stifle an opponent. The lessons from Wisconsin courts to date should be enough to shut down every good blog in the state. The Man has discovered a new tool, do you think for a moment that it won't be used against the Enemies of the Man?

I happen to think that Jim Doyle is a crook. But I suppose I shouldn't be saying that, should I? If he wanted to shut me up and down, all the Governor would need to do is file a libel complaint in Dane County Court and he would likely get his wish. And even though I, Xoff, and the Recess Supervisor are all independently wealthy, it would still be unpleasant to have to pay for the hundreds of hours in attorneys' fees that would result from a lawsuit.

Is this the way things should be? Have I got my bill of rights all wrong? Is criticizing elected officials a very dangerous game of Russian roulette? Many judges and politicians in Wisconsin certainly seem to think so. In my humble opinion, the Founding Fathers would not agree. They created our system based on an aversion to an all-powerful state that can crush the life out of puny critics. It would be prudent, however, to just shut up.

My guess is that the highest courts will eventually agree with me and stop these judicial threats to free speech. But until that definitively happens, circuit court judges and their political friends will feel free to misuse libel law to silence opposition. As evidenced by the Jensen trial, circuit court judges operate personal fiefdoms where they mete out punishment and bend rules at will. What's the worst thing that could happen to them? Being overturned on appeal doesn't cost them their jobs, or erase any of the damage done to defendants.

Which direction is in our society's best interest? Should we be encouraging or discouraging the freewheeling political debate that virtually defines the Wisconsin blogosphere? Should I be able to opine that Jim Doyle is a crook or not? Society will have to remake a decision that I have always considered to be already made. If that decision goes in the wrong direction, Ragnar Mentaire will not follow. Contempt of court here I come.

Posted April 1, 2006
Free speech advocates are shocked
Site shutdown launches debate

By Jim Collar
Of The Northwestern

National free speech advocates Friday expressed shock at a judge's decision to shut down a Web site based on allegations of libel from a local official.

Fond du Lac County Judge Robert Wirtz on Thursday ordered local Web site owner Dennis Payne to cease operations of the bulletin board site, fullofbologna. com, based on the allegations of a libel lawsuit filed by Winnebago County Clerk of Courts Diane Fremgen.

As part of the temporary injunction, Wirtz also prohibited Payne and other defendants listed from operating any similar Web sites until the order is lifted. Failure to abide by the order would be considered contempt and could be punishable with jail time and fines, according to the order.

Sandy Baron, executive director of the New York-based Media Law Resource Center, said injunctions against speech are "beyond rare," and in terms of libel cases, "it's almost unheard of."

Baron Friday said the rarity of such an injunction goes back to the earliest days of constitutional thinking, and suggested that the First Amendment is in the constitution based on its framers' own rebellion against speech restraints.

"The Constitution simply doesn't allow courts to prohibit people from speaking," she said.

I have a great suggestion for the authors of the bill described below to require GPS tracking for sex offenders. It's such a rare pleasure to be able to offer my suggestions to all my lawmaking friends at the capitol without even having to write a letter. Well anyway, here is my idea for a brilliant amendment to the bill. We should also require GPS tracking for state legislators! After all, don't we pay their salaries and deserve some level of oversight?

I guarantee you that people would be shocked to discover the minimal hours of work put in by their local legislators. Barbara Gronemus would probably have to change her campaign theme from "Working for You!" to something more like "Sleeping on the Couch for You!" Regular citizens would be stunned to discover that Roger Breske puts more hours in at the Inn on the Park Bar than in the State Capitol. If these people knew they were being monitored at all times, they might even start helping staff by doing some of the work!

This could be an incredible tool to improve productivity, accountability, and voter awareness. Staff is now required to account for 40 hours of work per week, with timesheets and sworn affidavits and ethics classes. Wouldn't it be funny if our hard-working legislators had similar responsibilities? But even if such a requirement would be too much of a shock to the system, knowing where our legislators are spending their time could really change some behaviors. It might even cut down on the number of affairs between legislators after GPS codes show up together in strange places and at strange times. We could even be entertained by checking out their 24/7 whereabouts on-line.

This has to go down as one of my best ideas ever. Please feel free to share my suggestion with other opinion leaders like yourself. We can make the Wisconsin Legislature a better place to work and conduct the people's business. Please help me and the incomparable Dean Kaufert transform the capitol culture with an amendment to require GPS tracking for state legislators! Thanks in advance for your help with this critically important initiative.

GPS tracking sought for sex offenders
Millions would be spent to monitor child molesters

By STEVEN WALTERS
swalters@journalsentinel.com
Posted: March 30, 2006

Madison - The Legislature's budget committee on Thursday recommended lifetime global positioning tracking of criminals on supervised release for first-degree sexual assault of children - at a cost of more than $10,100 per year for each offender.

Legislators said the high cost, which the Department of Corrections said could total $477 million over the next 20 years, is justified.

"There are no bigger sleazebags than these types of child molesters," said Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah), co-chairman of the Joint Finance Committee. "When they know they're being tracked, their behavior is going to change."

We have too many fat people in Wisconsin. Health care costs for fat people cost all of us mega-millions of dollars every year. How long can government continue to turn a blind eye to the destructive behaviors making us fat, costing us money, and killing people before their time? Nurse Judy Robson would be the ideal person to lead the government campaign against donuts and other high-fat foods. Just think of all the lives and dollars we can save by having government step in and enforce improved behavior. After all, legislators are all about legislating to create a better world for their constituents. If we can save even one life, that should be enough to justify a donut ban or at least a donut sin tax. The city of Madison has already saved dozens of lives with its smoking ban, just imagine how much we could accomplish by starting a War on Donuts. You may find this idea ridiculous, but the policymakers of tomorrow can no longer afford to ignore the societal devastation caused by the donut and its accomplices. Think outside the box, and join the American Heart Association and the Wisconsin Fatty Foods Control Board in supporting the donut ban in the upcoming legislative session.

Donuts:

* The average donut contains approximately 300 calories.
1 donut provides more than 50% of your recommended daily carbohydrate intake.
* High in salt content which will promote water retention.
* Donuts are deep fried in oxidized oil that is re-used for weeks at a time!
o Dunkin Donuts changes the oil every 300 dozen!
o Oils at high temperatures developed rancidity and free radicals which can:
+ Poison and slow your metabolism
+ Seriously threaten your health.
* High sugar content which promotes sugar cravings and ages skin.

P.S.
For full disclosure purposes, I must admit that I ate three donuts myself this morning. But just because I like something, doesn't mean it should be legal. I need the government to take action to put this destructive behavioral option beyond my reach. If donuts are allowed to stay there, unregulated and accepted by society, then I will undoubtedly sin again. Wouldn't a truly good government protect me from having to make this kind of decision?

I made the mistake of listening to Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN today, and once again find myself irritated. They have an embarrassing sportsfans-get-married contest going on, but I won't even get into that. What really tripped my trigger was dumb lineman Golic's misuse of the language.

Everyone, please pay attention. because many of you repeatedly make the same mistake. If you don't care about something, the correct phrase would be, "I couldn't care less." If you say, "I could care less," as Golic does, you are actually saying the opposite of what you intend. If you could care less, then you care some. Get it? The accurate usage would be to say that you couldn't care less. Is that so hard? Especially, if you make your living talking on the radio.

Repeat after me, I COULDN'T CARE LESS! I COULDN'T CARE LESS!

After a great deal of mutual flirtation, the one and only Great Santini announced today that he will be joining the boys at the esteemed weblog Boots and Sabers as a guest columnist. "I've been looking at these boys' military outfits for a number of years," said Santini, "and I can no longer sit back and let them handle this mission alone, sportsfans."

Bull Meechum: I am Santini, the Great Santini.
Bull Meechum: I come from behind the moon, out of the dark, unannounced.
Bull Meechum: Watch out!

Many thanks to one of my most alert readers for bringing this photograph to my attention. Seems I'm on to something with my earlier post.

Have you seen Herb Kohl's new television commercials? They and he are an insult to the intelligence of the voters of Wisconsin. Nobody's Senator But Yours. Give me an F'ing break. This guy is one of the biggest empty suits ever to have served the state of Wisconsin in the United States Senate. Somehow, this rich, unaccomplished, and eccentric freak has convinced people that he's worthy of perpetual re-election. There is something wrong with every one of us for allowing this to happen.

Let's face facts. Herb Kohl is no leader. Herb Kohl is not the kind of guy who's interested in changing the world. Herb Kohl is personality-challenged. Herb Kohl could not wear blaze orange or ride a Harley. Herb Kohl has issues. Herb Kohl lives on a mega-ranch out west somewhere. Herb Kohl is a milquetoast. Herb Kohl has accomplished nothing in the Senate that has even registered with regular people. Herb Kohl's one and only qualification for the Senate is his multi-millionaire status. Herb Kohl serves the Democratic special interests, but gets away with that unimaginative servitude by simply funding his own campaigns.

He's rich, so I guess he must really represent the little guy. How in the name of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph have we allowed ourselves to buy into this load of garbage? Does image truly have nothing to do with reality? And who are the advertising geniuses who convinced the people of Muscoda that Herb Kohl is there guy? Please don't answer that! The consultants that made it happen must have a profound contempt for the real people of Wisconsin. Spend a lot of money with a clever tag-line and you can elect anybody to any position. How sickening is that? And it's exactly the same pablum being sold in Kohl's new commercials.

And to the Republicans in a position to challenge this dweeb of a senator, I can only say that you are derelict in your duty to the people of Wisconsin for failing to expose and remove this nonessential man. Paul Ryan, Scott Walker, Tommy Thompson, Tim Michels, Mark Neumann, et al. I know you're afraid of his money, but a passionate and unafraid opponent could knock the stuffing out of this guy. If my personal approval rating wasn't so low, I would run against this bozo myself. This is a golden opportunity that Republicans seem to have permanently squandered. Get some balls for chrissakes, and take this guy on!

Kohl's partisan affiliation isn't even the problem. He's just a big dud, and permanently re-electing him is like naming Bill Lorge as the next U.S. Secretary of State. It just isn't in our interest. Won't somebody please please please please step up and help people wake up from the nightmare service of Senator Herbert Kohl? I'm begging you. If people can truly be tricked in this way, then maybe I should get into the political consulting business. If people can be so easily hoodwinked, then maybe Sheryl Albers' Dad can one day become the Governor of Wisconsin.

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! Calling all powers that be! Stop giving this nobody senator a free ride.

Dear Senate Republicans,

The next casualty of the Jensen trial better be Tom Loftus. Last I checked, Loftus is awaiting approval by the Republican-controlled State Senate as a member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. He's also the former Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly -- during the dark and arrogant days of Democratic hegemony -- who confessed in his book about doing all of the things that just got Scott Jensen convicted. He may get to live a free man, but A Republican Legislature should allow him no further honors.

I know that Scott Jensen has always made Dale Schultz feel insecure. But that's no reason to not do the right thing in this situation. It's not just partisan payback, it's recognition that Scott Jensen got screwed and that attention must be paid. The silent cadre of former speakers and leaders who said nothing while Jensen took their bullet should never again be allowed any favors or respect from GOP powers that be. As a matter of fact, Republicans should also tell We Energies to reassign Wally Kunicki to their northern Michigan affiliate. And Shirley Krug should have to clean out MMSD's deep tunnel. If Scott has to go down, the other members of the club should at least have to feel some pain.

This is a test. Can you guys exercise your power and do the right thing? This is exactly the kind of moment that you wish for when you dream about some day controlling the lawmaking of a state. I know Dale remembers those days in the minority -- impotent and powerless, unable to punish anyone or make anything meaningful happen. Scott Jensen turned that dynamic around, and helped Dale become somebody. Now it's time for Dale Schultz and/or Senate Republicans to honor Scott Jensen by unanimously rejecting this quisling of a former Speaker.

Attention must be paid. Just say no to Tom Loftus.

Walker withdraws. This is exactly why all of us have been saying that either of the Republicans would make a good governor. Scott knew that he was going to lose, and so sat down and tried to figure out how to best manage the situation. When your choices are to engage in an ugly Pfaffian fight against the GOP frontrunner but inevitably lose with your reputation in tatters, or withdraw now and appear statesmanlike to fight another day -- he made the intelligent decision to withdraw. Smart guy. Savvy guy. I respect Scott Walker today more than I did yesterday.

Apparently, the theorists at Boots and Sabers have opined that they would have preferred a full-fledged everyone bleeds Republican primary in 2006. I think that's nice theory, but practically Republicans have a better chance uniting early behind the best candidate and focusing their fire on the guy who even Xoff considers a political cripple. Jim Doyle and the coven around him cannot be at all happy about today's decision by Walker. Republicans and conservatives should be rejoicing and coming together to do everything possible to elect Mark Green as our next governor.

When it gets right down to it, Walker withdrew because his campaign failed to catch fire in the requisite manner. It could have happened that people around the state decided that they love this guy, but it just didn't. He looked okay next to Mark Green but Mark Green looked better. So, Republicans around the state saw them both and started to coalesce around Mark Green. Not because Scott Walker sucks, but because Mark Green has the potential to inspire.

Look out Jim Doyle. An entire year of libelous and hysterical ramblings by Chairman Wineke will not be enough to save either your "administration" or Joey's lobbying career. The Green Machine is about to mow you down. The writing is on the wall. Martin Schreiber, Tony Earl, and Jim Doyle. The people of Wisconsin always give you guys a chance, but they never end up liking the taste left in their mouths.

Excellent work, Scott Walker. Your time could very well come on another day.

"Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel:
You will fare well if you follow it,
It will help you much if you heed it.
If aware that another is wicked, say so:
Make no truce or treaty with foes."
Hávamál, St. 127

The coward believes he will live forever
If he holds back in the battle,
But in old age he shall have no peace
Though spears have spared his limbs

Odin, the Asatru father of all Norse Gods, has two companion Ravens.

Each day they are sent into the world to listen.

They report to Odin the happenings in the mortal realm.

One Raven is called Thought, the other Memory.

Thought and Memory - Code and Data - different aspects of the same thing.

Boy, 15, dies after beating
Group attacks him at bus stop; no apparent motive
By RAQUEL RUTLEDGE
rrutledge@journalsentinel.com
Posted: March 23, 2006

Family and friends of Raheim Patrick, the 15-year-old boy who was attacked at a bus stop and later died, said they could think of no reason why anyone would want to harm the teen, according to MPS officials who met with his mother and others Thursday night.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett called Thursday for an end to the violence.

I received this brilliant Georgia recipe directly from one of my personal heroes who will have to remain nameless. Again, this is not an ordinary pie, or I wouldn't share it with you. it is an extraordinary recipe that could dislodge other pies to make it into your final four. You should hurry up and make this before winter is over and we have to start moving into the spring and summer pies.

Newt's 2008 Pecan Pie

Make a pie crust and bake in 375 degree oven until light golden brown. Use foil and pie weights for the first 15 minutes if you care to be fussy. Just watch it closely and pull it out just as it begins to brown.

6 tblsp unsalted butter, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 large eggs
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tblsp vanilla
2 cups pecans, lightly toasted and chopped into small pieces

Melt butter in medium heatproof bowl set in a skillet of water set to simmer. Remove bowl from skillet, stir in sugar and salt until butter is absorbed. Beat in eggs, then corn syrup and vanilla. Return bowl to hot water, stir until mixture is shiny and hot to touch, about 130 degrees on instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat, stir in pecans.

As soon as pie shell comes out of oven, decrease oven temperature to 275 degrees. Pour pecan mixture into hot pie shell. Bake on middle rack until pie looks set and yet soft, like gelatin, when gently pressed with back of spoon, 50-60 minutes. Transfer to rack and let cool as long as your able to resist.

The qualities of courage and compassion that we strive for in America also determine our conduct abroad. The American flag stands for more than our power and our interests. Our founders dedicated this country to the cause of human dignity, the rights of every person, and the possibilities of every life. This conviction leads us into the world to help the afflicted, and defend the peace, and confound the designs of evil men.

Today, the gravest danger in the war on terror, the gravest danger facing America and the world, is outlaw regimes that seek and possess nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. These regimes could use such weapons for blackmail, terror, and mass murder. They could also give or sell those weapons to terrorist allies, who would use them without the least hesitation.

This threat is new; America's duty is familiar. Throughout the 20th century, small groups of men seized control of great nations, built armies and arsenals, and set out to dominate the weak and intimidate the world. In each case, their ambitions of cruelty and murder had no limit. In each case, the ambitions of Hitlerism, militarism, and communism were defeated by the will of free peoples, by the strength of great alliances, and by the might of the United States of America. (Applause.)

Now, in this century, the ideology of power and domination has appeared again, and seeks to gain the ultimate weapons of terror. Once again, this nation and all our friends are all that stand between a world at peace, and a world of chaos and constant alarm. Once again, we are called to defend the safety of our people, and the hopes of all mankind. And we accept this responsibility.

President George W. Bush, State of the Union Address, 2003

Hitchcock's The Birds becomes reality

A flock of crows is attacking residents of Warwick, England. First, the crows were targeting cars, scratching them up and tearing off windshield wipers. Now they've reportedly moved on to humans. Colin Wilkinson, a conservation officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, suggests that people "protect themselves by wearing hats" and not leave any food scraps around. From the BBC News:
"It is most unusual for these birds to do this, (Wilkinson said.)

"Attacking cars occurs from time to time but graduating to attacking humans is more rare.

"It is hard to explain except if it is an instinctive reaction to someone who is close to what they regard as their territory."

He said it was the time of year that crows would be pairing up, building nests and laying eggs.

"It simply might be that they are being more aggressive at this time of year, that is the most likely explanation," Mr Wilkinson.

I kind of liked the call of Charlie Sykes, Fair Wisconsin, and others for civility in the debate over the proposed constitutional ban on civil unions in Wisconsin. As you know, I've argued for similar restraint from our elected officials. But I'm concerned we may have gone a bit too far. When debating someone who's bigoted and homophobic, should it not be okay to call them out on their bigotry and homophobia?

Often, amendment backers argue or imply that there is something wrong, deficient, or immoral about homosexuals. This assumption provides the foundation for their intellectualizations or rationalizations about enforcing a second-class citizenship. One of the anonymous bloggers that I most enjoy goes to a fundamentalist church that condemns the evils of the homosexual lifestyle. That religiosity underlies his views on the amendment, and, in my view, places him well across the line into bigotry and homophobia.

For reference, here are the definitions.

Bigotry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions differing from his own. The origin of the word in English dates back to at least 1598, via Middle French, and started with the sense of religious hypocrite, especially a woman. Today, it is considered a synonym of closed-minded. Bigot is often used as a pejorative term against a person who is obstinately devoted to his or her prejudices even when these prejudices are challenged or proven to be false, often advocating and defending these prejudices in a rude and intolerant manner. Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology or worldview such as racism, religion, nationalism or homophobia.

Homophobia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term homophobia means a "fear of or contempt for homosexuality or homosexuals" or the fear of becoming homosexual. It is derivable from the words homosexual and (meaning "fear" or "panic" in Greek). The term itself is, however, often broadened to encompass other feelings such as aversion to, disagreement with, disapprobation of, disparagement of, or discrimination against homosexual people, their lifestyle, their sexual behavior, or culture [1] and is generally used to assert bigotry. Opposition to same-sex sex on religious, moral, or political grounds is also often labeled homophobic.

When people debate this constitutional amendment many advocates are, in fact, driven by bigotry and homophobia. The Glenn Grothmans and the Mark Gundrums have a deep-seated aversion to gay people. They are contemptuous of homosexual behavior, and unhappy with any societal acceptance of their lifestyle. Despite all the intellectualizing over this issue, why not just face facts? Bigotry and homophobia provide both the foundation for this amendment, and all arguments against equal rights for homosexual families.

Why shouldn't we call a spade a spade? No one likes being called a bigot or a homophobe, and I am not arguing for name-calling as a replacement for civil, honest debate. But it would be dishonest to pretend that these oft-condemned tendencies do not play a fundamental role in this discussion. Perhaps some of my more religious readers will step up and embrace their bigotry. Perhaps discriminating against people for their gayness is a justifiable bigotry in their minds. And perhaps legislators like Grothman will embrace their fearful homophobia as well. I don't know, I just think this reality should not be excised from the discussion.

Being bigoted and homophobic doesn't even mean that your position is wrong on the anti-gay amendment. It just means that you're bigoted and homophobic.

A Grand Canyon of a divide exists between the opposing forces in this debate. It's hard for us to engage each other or understand the other's perspective. We're like the Dr. Seuss characters who fight over butter side up or butter side down. Could it be that this divide is all about how each of us feels about gay people? And that the gay-haters and the gay-accepters will never be able to sit down amicably at the same table?

Consider the parallels to the civil rights movement and segregation. American society eventually turned away from the segregationists in revulsion. Bull Connor's dogs and water hoses, George Wallace at the schoolhouse door, and Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner all contributed to a governmental and societal shift in our views on Jim Crow and segregation. Was it wrong for the good guys to call out the segregationists and white supremacists as bigots? I would argue that calling them out for their bigotry was an important part of winning over the hearts and minds of middle Americans.

So, I'm all for civility, but let's not be afraid to confront the truths in this debate. The elephant in the room is indisputably there, and mustn't be ignored in our rush to civility.

Maybe selective prosecution is only acceptable in the state of Wisconsin, or perhaps just in a Dane County Courthouse. I sure hope poor Daunte gets a fair deal, racial and political profiling are bad, bad things.

Culpepper seeks dismissal of boat party charges
UNION-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES
March 23, 2006

A judge agreed that Daunte Culpepper and a former Minnesota Vikings teammate had made a case that they were treated differently than two white men who were not charged as part of a boat party sex scandal.

Culpepper and running back Moe Williams are seeking dismissal of misdemeanor charges of lewd conduct. The players, both black, argue that prosecutor Steve Tallen passed up a chance to charge two white men, including the captain of one of two boats on the cruise.

At a hearing yesterday in Hennepin County District Court, Tallen said he declined to charge the men because the case against them was shaky. “It has nothing to do with the race of these defendants,” Tallen said. “It looks bad, though,” Judge Kevin Burke responded. “I am quite convinced that these two guys could have been charged.”

And thank you for James T. Kirk and Denny Crane.

The liberals may be right -- Feingold could be the perfect choice.

One couldn't help but notice the most obtuse visitor to the Scott Jensen Farewell Pizza Party. Hopefully, she had the time to both eat the pizza and peruse the work on office desks.

Charlene Rodgriguez, a former Foti aide, testified that she would frequently participate in gatherings to assembly campaign mailings, and that Schultz was a frequent organizer of the activities. After the lunch break, Blanchard asked Rodriguez if she ever saw Carrie Richard's desk in Jensen's office. Rodriguez said it was covered with fundraising materials.

Fellow Bloggers,
As you can see from the attached article, two young boys from Milwaukee, Quadrevian Henning and Purvis Parker, have been missing from their homes for nearly two days. I would encourage you to join me in immediately posting pictures of these two boys on your blogs to help increase both awareness and the chance of their safe recovery. Wisconsin bloggers have the power to bring many thousands of new eyes to the search. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Search for missing boys intensifies
Families plead for their safe return; Florida children's group joins effort
jdiedrich@journalsentinel.com
Posted: March 21, 2006

Milwaukee police ramped up their search Tuesday for two boys who have been missing for more than two days, enlisting the help of other agencies and putting every available officer in the neighborhood where the pair was last seen.

Purvis Virginia Parker, 11, and Quadrevion Henning, 12, were last seen in the 4900 block of N. 53rd St., near their homes, at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, according to their families and police.
Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7401. The families are offering a $550 reward for information leading to the boys' return.

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
MARCH 21, 2006

Reports out of Hollywood suggest that the cast for the new political thriller -- Presumed Guilty -- has been nearly finalized. Parts cast to date reportedly include Scott Jensen, Sherry Schultz, Eric Grant, Judge Ebert, Brian Blanchard, Jason Kratowchill, Steve Baas, and Bill Cosh. Marlin Schneider will play himself, while casting directors are still screen-testing actors in the Prosser and Dake roles. The movie, which will be directed by Oliver Stone, is scheduled to begin filming in Toronto, Canada, in July of 2006.

Journal Sentinel Editorial*
March 21, 2006

Bush Must Answer For These Deaths

Two more bodies have been found in New Orleans' hurricane-devastated Lower 9th Ward, a coroner said Monday. This is a sad exclamation point to the criminal failure of President George W. Bush to first save people from the hurricane and then recover their dead bodies. Democratic Mayor Ray Nagin is right to point fingers at Bush and fellow Washington Republicans for failing to protect poor, black people from Hurrican Katrina. Is that not, after all, the President's primary responsibility?

About 1,100 deaths have now been blamed on Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, said Melissa Walker, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health and Hospitals. The latest bodies were found Sunday in a collapsed house while rubble was being cleared, said Dr. Louis Cataldie, state medical examiner. Global warming and Republican neglect are thought to be the two main causes of death.

A good and caring President, like Bill Clinton for example, would have spent the money to strengthen the levees and done everything in his power to save New Orleans from bad weather conditions, had someone only given him a heads up. We agree with rap artist Kanye West who called out GW as a man who doesn't care about black people (unless they become Secretary of State.) After all, the white crackers of Crawford, Texas, would never have been treated as neglectfully as black citizens of the Lower 9th Ward.

Shame on you, Mr. President, you let them die and didn't even look for their bodies. It is indisputably and absolutely all your fault.

*This JS online editorial was probably written jointly by Editorial Page Editor Ricardo Pimintel and Race Columnist Eugene Kane. If this offends you, please see definition of satire available at Wilkipedia.

A countryman happen'd in a hard winter to spy a snake under a hedge, that was half frozen to death. The man was good natur'd, and took it up, and kept it in his bosom, till warmth brought it to life again; and so soon as ever it was in condition to do mischief, it bit the very man that sav'd the life on't. Ah thou ungrateful wretch! says he, is that venomous ill nature of thine to be satisfi'd with nothing less than the ruine of thy preserver.

Moral

There are some men like some snakes; 'tis natural to them to be doing mischief; and the greater the benefit on the one side, the more implacable is the malice on the other.

JENSEN TRIAL REVIVES MINORITY CAUCUSES
March 20. 2006
(A.P.) Kreuser and Robson Cite Blanchard, Issue Joint Declaration On Reconstitution Of Caucuses

Assembly and Senate Minority Leaders Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha) and Judy Robson (D-Beloit) issued a joint announcement today that will lead to the recreation of the Assembly and Senate Democratic Caucuses. "District Attorney Blanchard has made it quite clear that the Legislature's minority caucuses can safely do things that the majority cannot," said Kreuser during today's capitol press conference, "and we're going to take advantage of that finding to rehire Democratic caucus staff and utilize them to win back the majority." Robson went on to encourage disgraced former staffers like Rich Judge and George Twigg to send in their resumes as quickly as possible.

The Kreuser-Robson initiative occurs in the wake of the conviction of former Speaker Scott Jensen for three felonies related to the use of state employees for campaign purposes. In remarks after the trial, Blanchard stated that the majority has both greater power and a greater responsibility to follow the law. When asked directly about illegal campaigning by Assembly Democrats, Blanchard dismissively asserted that a prosecutor has the right to be selective about the use and misuse of D.A resources. "As I understand it, minority parties have very little power and therefore a negligible responsibility to follow the same laws as everyone else," said Blanchard, "I'm not going to waste my staff's time going after Democrats who've already suffered enough from Republican bullies like Jensen."

Robson -- who broke with Democratic tradition earlier today by coming out in favor of a healthy state business climate --went on to say, "Nothing could be more important than getting Democrats back in control of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Now that we have the official green light from District Attorney Blanchard and a confidential opinion from A.G. Lautenschlager's Public Integrity Unit, we're ready to begin hiring as early as next week." Both Kreuser and Robson noted that hiring preference would be given to those with prior caucus service, with extra points for those who have been fired from various places due to that association.

"I've read a great deal of the John Doe evidence that proves that my predecessor Shirley Krug cheated taxpayers to a much greater extent than Scott Jensen," continued Kreuser, "while I still hate that woman, the example of her non-prosecution would make my failure to act a dereliction of duty. Wisconsin deserves to have the good guys back in charge, and I will utilize every state resource at my disposal to make that happen." Robson has requested the complete records of the John Doe investigation into Mary Panzer's minority Republican caucus and Shirley Krug's minority Democratic caucus to use as a template for creating her new caucus campaign machine.

Krug and Panzer were scheduled to appear at today's Kreuser-Robson press conference, but backed out at the last minute for and AODA class and French class respectively. "I know Shirley and Mary are here with us in spirit," exclaimed Robson, "getting away with it is truly the best revenge against the evil corporations and nasty Republicans who rule this state. I'm glad Shirley and Mary got away with it, and I know Jim and I can do the same." When asked, both Kreuser and Robson pledged to re-eliminate the caucus staff within four years of regaining the majority, all things being equal.

Democratic Party Chair Joe Wineke also attended the press conference, but left without making a comment about the proposed change. A confidential source in Governor Doyle's office noted that the Governor was frustrated with the Republican majorities and had quietly encouraged Robson and Kreuser to move forward with their plan.

Anonymous Blogger Joins Kid Rock In Suing Over Sex Tapes
March 20, 2006, 10:10 AM ET
Award-winning blogger Dennis York is suing in an effort to stop a California company from selling or promoting a sex video featuring himself, Kid Rock and four women.

The federal lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles yesterday (March 19) against World Wide Red Light District, is similar to one Kid Rock's lawyers brought in Detroit over a prior matter. Rock was in Madison this past weekend to visit his long-time political adviser and sometime Roadie, Dennis York. The "party" appears to have been filmed in a back room at Visions, after the conclusion of the more-staid WisPolitics blog summit at Waukesha’s Country Springs Hotel.

A U.S. District Court judge there has signed a temporary order barring the company from distributing or promoting any portion of the tape, including a 40-second preview clip that was previously displayed on Red Light District's Web sites. York argued that this was a private celebration that got out of hand, and blamed Recess Supervisor for filming and selling the X-rated images without his permission.

Dennis York's lawsuit alleges that two tapes, described as a "video diary" of his post-blog-summit party at Visions, are rightly his property. The suit states Red Light District violated his trademark and privacy rights, causing him embarrassment, pain, suffering and emotional distress. The action seeks a restraining order barring the company from distributing the video.

A call placed to Red Light attorney Ray Tamaddon after business hours rang unanswered. Red Light previously acknowledged the tape came from a third party, but Tamaddon declined to say how Red Light's source acquired the video. Neither York, York's estranged wife, or Recess Supervisor could be reached for comment.

ALL POLITICS IS THYMOTIC
David Brooks, The New York Times
March 19, 2006

Let me tell you what men want. Let me tell you why some middle-age men wear the sports jerseys of semi-literate behemoths half their age while others customize their cars with so many speakers they sound like the hip-hop version of the San francisco earthquake as they roll down the street.

Recognition. Men want others to recognize their significance. They want to feel important and part of something important.

Some people believe men are motivated by greed for money or lust for power. But money and power are means to get recognition. They are markers of success, and success makes men feel important and causes others to pay attention when they walk in the room...
more at nytimes.com

I love rice pudding. You probably don't care one way or the other, and I understand that. But let me encourage you to give this ultra-rich version a try. It is a recipe of exotic Norwegian origins, that in many ways is the ultimate in comfort food. Sometimes when you make pudding this good, it can replace all meals over a 24 hour period. After all, why eat a bowl of Fruit Loops or pasta when you can have warm rice pudding topped with cinnamon, sugar, and half and half. Truly, the ideal midnight snack. As always here at I AM THE FORCE, I encourage you to make this recipe and be forever changed.

Christina Ricci's Rich and Naughty Rice Pudding

1 cup water
1/2 cup rice
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups milke
2 cups half and half
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup raisins
-----------------------------------------

Boil water, salt and rice for 7 minutes, add milk, half and half and butter, bring to a boil then turn down and simmer for 1 hour. Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla together then stir in to rice at end, then add raisins.

Playground Politics gets it right again.
Recess Supervisor on the Blog Conference

People of the earth, I think we might just have our environmental priorities wrong. Instead of wringing our hands about global warming, perhaps we should all get out there and pull plastic bags out of trees. I know you've seen them, and if you haven't, just look up in the next trees you see. These bags are everywhere. Very ugly, and probably not such a great thing for wildlife.

Global warming doesn't concern me because I'm not wealthy enough to live on either coast, or have an expensive Outer Banks condo. Warmer temperatures would be good for Wisconsin in general and me in particular. We've all seen enough snow in our lives, and far too much of Southeastern Wisconsin's parka culture. If we could cut down on the snow and the parkas, you have to admit that would be a good thing.

Becoming a remove-plastic-bags-in-trees activist would not make you all that unique. The trend reportedly started in New York City's Central Park, with individuals and their long-reach grabbers pulling down every plastic eyesore in reach. It's probably even good exercise, so you'll be able to make more of the yummy recipes from I AM THE FORCE. It's even a way to meet new people, as strangers will regularly yell at you to ask you what the hell you are doing.

Please stop worrying about whether Antarctica is losing some of its ice, and start acting to improve the livability of your neighborhood. Each plastic bag you pull out of a tree will give you immense satisfaction and the immediate knowledge that you have made a difference. Stop the hand-wringing, and get out there and do something!

I just made these Portman's Puffy Apple Pancakes this morning. Doesn't it look good? Couldn't you just eat it right up? This is a breakfast that all your non-evil children will ask for and enjoy. I'm not sure, but I think the real secret of this recipe is the full stick of butter used in its preparation. But that's just me, it also includes other major food groups like flour, milk, fruit, and powdered sugar. I got the recipe from an extremely close -- but very confidential -- friend of mine. Enjoy!

Portman's Puffy Apple Pancakes

You'll need a 14 inch skillet with a heatproof handle for this recipe -- if you don't have one of these you should rush out and buy one. I heard Kohls might be having a sale.

2 peeled, cored and chopped Granny Smith Apples
1 stick unsalted butter
4 large eggs
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup flour
A pinch of salt
1/4 cup powdered sugar for sprinkling
3 tblsp fresh lemon juice for sprinkling

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Beat together the eggs, nutmeg and cinnamon in a small bowl. Lightly beat together the flour, milk, salt and egg mixture in a medium bowl, it's fine if a bit lumpy.
Melt the butter in the skillet, and saute the small chunks of apple until tender. Pour the batter mixture over the apples, and bake the pancake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until puffy and golden brown. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar and return to the oven for a minute or two. Then sprinkle with lemon juice and serve immediately, adding butter, syrup, and additional powdered sugar as desired.
You'll, of course, need to serve this with sausage or bacon.

# posted by TPDN : 10:03 AM  1 comments

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The Vikings concentrated their attacks during the 830's and 840's on the Irish monastic communities. Due to the constant internecine warfare in Ireland, the Irish utilized the monasteries as sanctuaries for high ranking people, for wealth, and for livestock as well as ecclesiastical wealth and ornaments. The sacrosanct nature of the monastic communities was respected by the warring Irish factions, but seemed to the Vikings to be treasure houses of concentrated plunder. The usual Viking raid was a hit-and-run strike, designed to capture the maximum amount of valuable goods and then flee the vicinity before the Irish could mount an effective response.

Some day, the terrorists will likely be successful exploding nuclear or chemical weapons on American soil. They've been working towards this goal for decades, and the technology and technical expertise exists to make it happen. A briefcase size device would be enough to destroy New York City, killing millions in one stroke and thrilling the America-haters around the world.

Could Russ Feingold and Joe Wineke possibly understand this? They visibly root for bad news from Iraq, and continually provide aid and comfort to the enemies in the hills of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. And Feingold keeps fighting to weaken our defenses, and prevent the monitoring of conversations with expected Al Quaeda terrorists. When the major attack one day arrives, how will Feingold, Wineke and any remaining Democrats defend their behavior?

I know you hate George W. Bush, but do you hate the people of New York City or Washington, D.C. as well? Perhaps Dem headquarters could join in a celebratory dance with Zarqawi, Mullah Omar, and Osama Bin Laden when the horrific day finally comes. After all, aren't you guys all rooting for the same thing? Face it, the Bush hatred and rooting-for-defeat leaves you with a lot in common with the murderous Islamist freaks.

One of the President's primary responsibilities is to protect the American people from attack. September 11 should have led politicians of all stripes to join the President in that commitment. If they were able to accomplish that work, then an even greater attack must be considered as a very real threat. Do Democrats still believe that the President should be focused on the common defense? Or do they prefer the limp-wristed squishiness of the Clinton years?

Why don't the American people trust the Democrats on the issue of national security? That should be obvious to everyone, as we read Joe Wineke's celebration of U.S. difficulties the 3rd anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. That should be obvious to everyone, as we listen to Neville Feingold call for our commander in chief to be censured for aggressively protecting American soil. That should be obvious to everyone who sees the We-Hate-Bush bumper stickers on the cars of failed Kerry supporters.

Republicans may have hated Franklin Roosevelt, but they never rooted for American defeat by Japan or Germany when he was President. At a time when Republicans are not right on all of the issues, Joe Wineke and Russ Feingold give me some reason to feel good about being in the Grand Old Party. I hope we never have to live with the consequences of the current Democratic irresponsibility.

Perhaps these guys are starting to figure Russ out. Of course, being irresponsible and endangering national security is a deeply ingrained policy for Wisconsin Democrats. Maybe Russ can get Ralph Nader to join him as his running mate. I guarantee you that these two would carry the isthmus in 2008.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Minnesota Sen. Mark Dayton on Thursday strongly criticized fellow Democrat Russ Feingold’s resolution to censure President Bush over domestic spying.

“It’s an overreaching step by someone who is grandstanding and running for president at the expense of his own party and his own country,” Dayton said of Feingold, a Wisconsin senator and potential 2008 presidential candidate.

“I think it’s a very dangerous territory for the democracy that we have in this country to be playing around with those kinds of resolutions, without any consultations from his colleagues. I think it was irresponsible.”

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 17, 2006

WISCONSIN LOBBYISTS SET TO AWARD ALICE CLAUSING AS LEAST-MISSED LEGISLATOR

Association of Wisconsin Lobbyists' President Patrick Schillinger will hold a press conference in the Assembly parlor at 3:00 pm this afternoon to formally announce this year's winner of the Lorge Award for Departed Legislators. The award announcement -- which has not been widely publicized in recent years -- will include music by the Hudson High School swing choir, and an hors d'oeuvres buffet from Madison's. "The Lorge Award for least-missed legislator is an AWL initiative to help clients understand how diffcult lobbying can actually be," said Schillinger, "Our panel of judges feels that nobody is more deserving than this year's honoree."

FYI to all the lefty Feingold groupies. I know Russ Feingold. I've worked with Russ Feingold. I've seen Russ Feingold going upstairs with pages at Dan Fields' parties. And Russ Feingold does not have a non-scheming idealistic bone in his body. His latest stunt calling for censure of the President is all about getting attention, and cynically trying to make himself look unique and important for pure self-promotional reasons. Fraley has been getting that right, as far as it goes.

Russ figured out a long time ago that being louder than others or standing alone on an issue, often held positive political benefits regardless of the matter under dispute. Regular people see him as a fighter and reward him. He thinks he's the smartest guy in the room, and nobody will ever figure out that this idealistic poser is actually a guy that doesn't really believe in anything other than himself. Every single thing he does, is about pursuing his own grasping push for power and importance.

You lefties are such a bunch of gullibly foolish maniacs. This guy is most definitely not your latest Paul Wellstone. Wellstone was actually a deeply-ingrained moonbat who believed all of the crazy stuff that he spouted on a daily basis. Feingold just has a formula. I've seen him wink at political opponents after railing passionately about an issue under dispute. It's just a game to him. Unlike George Bush, he has no principles and believes in nothing.

So flock to him, please. Support him for President, and help him achieve Deaniac status. You are so right! He is such a bold and idealistic leader. If only more Democrats could be like Russ Feingold. Keep talking that way, and volunteer for the guy all around the country. Eventually you will probably figure out, however, that Feingold is extremely Stillsonian. It is all a trick. And it is a dangerous trick for Wisconsin and America.

You people are so incredibly blind that I actually feel sorry for you. Maybe he actually is smarter than you. But he's definitely not good enough for rest of us.

In an effort to continue non-dessert recipe diversification, I have to share this old Norwegian recipe by Suzanne Taylor. Even though it's not dessert, the payoff is similar. Make with squash or sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes.

FAIR NORWAY POT ROASTED SQUAB CHICKENS

2-3 cornish hens -- 1 cup chicken stock
salt and pepper -- 1/2 cup sour cream
butter -- 1/2 cup sweet cream
------------------------------------------------
Wash and dry the thawed cornish hens well, salt and pepper the insides, put a big lump of butter (size of walnut) in a Le Creuset pot, on top of the stove and put the trussed chicken in whole, browning them well on all sides. Add a scant cup of chicken stock, put the lid on the pot, and simmer over low heat for about forty-five minutes or until tender when pierced by fork. Remove the chickens to a platter, discard the string, and keep them warm. Reduce the stock in the pot by half, add half a cup of sour cream and half a cup of sweet cream, and let come to a boil. Serve with the birds separately. Cranberry or currant jelly goes well with this.

Now, if we could just get Islam and the third world to go along.

Fair Wisconsin

The ban will hurt real Wisconsin families

The denial of marriage hurts loving and committed lesbian and gay couples who live in every part of Wisconsin. These couples have taken on the responsibilities of marriage, yet they are denied the critical legal protections that marriage provides. The proposed constitutional ban on civil unions and marriage will make that denial of marriage permanent.

A marriage license extends over 1,000 rights, benefits, and responsibilities under federal law and nearly 200 more under Wisconsin law. These include basic things like being able to share health and retirement benefits and take bereavement leave in the case of a death in the family. Denying the important legal protections of marriage hurts real families who live in every part of the state.

Fair Wisconsin -- Why It's Wrong

LOOKS LIKE I WAS RIGHT IN MY EARLIER POSTING ABOUT THE COPS. Of course, there's always the "everybody was doing it" defense. Might be applicable here.

Officer's record has 27 complaints
He's accused of sexual assault of two women

By JOHN DIEDRICH
jdiedrich@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Mar. 15, 2006

A Milwaukee police officer charged with sexually assaulting two women has had 27 complaints filed against him in his 16-year career, according to the department.

Officer Steven J. Lelinski has asked a judge to block release of those complaints after the department found parts of 19 of them should be turned over to the Journal Sentinel under the state's open records law. The newspaper on Jan. 4 requested all complaints against Lelinski.

Lelinski, 42, a politically prominent officer who sat on several boards, has been charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor from two alleged sexual assaults, one from October, the other from 2002. If convicted on all counts, Lelinski faces up to 80 years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and is suspended with pay, per state law.In a Feb. 27 letter to the newspaper, the department said 27 complaints were filed against Lelinski, three of which resulted in criminal investigations. One remains open. No details of the complaints were released.

And the jackals Krug, Kunicki, Loftus, and Ellis are just outside the frame of the picture.

You people need to start enjoying life more. The anti-fat zealots have convinced all of you to drink skim milk and never eat desserts, cookies or rich, creamy butter again. I won't even get into the issue of how may of you won't even consider making rommegrot part of your regular diet. You're all letting "the man" bring you down. Please rethink this dogma!

Tasting good doesn't make something automatically bad for you. And eating a couple of brownies or a Krispy Kreme donut is not going to kill you. And even if life expectancy is actually reduced by this behavior, would you rather live 74 years with pleasure in your life, or 75 years without anything good to eat? You should avoid bad fat things like McDonald's, but that's no reason to deny yourself one of the fundamental pleasures of life.

Let's talk about butter for a moment. If you make peanut butter toast, it tastes much better to butter the toast before adding the peanut butter. If you have a muffin, it is infinitely tastier cut in half and slathered with butter. If you make a buttermilk biscuit, it tastes oh so much better covered with both real butter and gravy. So, why aren't you people following my lead? Take out butter from everything I just described and the experience will become very lackluster. Without the aggressive use of butter, your life pleasure quotient is reduced significantly.

On to the science for a moment. Studies seem to be coming out every day that low-fat diets do nothing to decrease your risks of cancer, heart disease or other bad things that can happen to you. So there, take that! Not to mention, that anti-cholesterol and other magical pills are now available to make the bad stuff go away. Cholesterol at 310? Just start taking Zocor and you'll be down to 180 in no time, all without ever having to change your diet. It's all mostly genetic anyway, as my low-fat eating, regular-exercising, high-cholesterol siblings have proven.

Think of this for a moment: you spend 30, 40, or 50 years of your life struggling daily to support the food police and remove all portions of fat, taste, or pleasure from your diet. Rice cakes, bran muffins, and garden salads. After all those years of self-denial, a study is probably going to come out that proves once and for all that comfort foods are good for you. The butter and cream you denied yourself, all actually very good for you. The foie gras you never tried, proven to be very beneficial. Breyers vanilla ice cream, both good and good for you. How will that make you feel?

This is, in fact, a very simple issue. It's all about how you want to live your life, and whether you want pleasure and satisfaction to be a significant part of the picture. You are scaring yourselves out of a pleasurable life, and it makes me sad for you. How can you keep saying no thanks to the creme brulee?

Just think of the infinite number of good experiences that you're missing on an every day basis. Cherry pie a la mode. Peanut butter cookies. Homemade ice cream. Beef stroganoff. Toblerone. Gelato. Fresh buttered bread right out of the oven. Chocolate eclairs. Chocolate malts. Cream and sugar on blackberries. Chocolate souffle. Coq au vin. Chicken and baking powder biscuits. French toast with butter, jam, syrup, bacon, sausage and ice cold 2% milk. Banana cream pie with meringue topping. Crepes with butter, jam, and powdered sugar. To name just a few.

I'm not arguing for you to turn yourself into a fat person. But if that starts to become a problem, I have no objection to you engaging in some kind of physical activity to lose the weight. Apparently, that is now as easy as walking around your block a couple times a day. Have an eclair and take the walk. Or don't take the walk, it will be fine either way. Also remember, that when you're young and in the dating world it's very difficult to gain weight. But when you get older and weight-gain becomes more likely, you should have found your life partner by that time and therefore should have less of a need to stay completely fit and trim. So, you can eat great food whether you're young or old. Isn't that exciting?

Think about making a change, and start living a pleasurable life today. Be assured that I'll keep the recipes coming as long as I'm able.

The practical politician, as every connoisseur of ochlocracy knows, is not a man who seeks to inoculate the innumerable caravan of voters with new ideas; he is a man who seeks to search out and prick into energy the basic ideas that are already in them, and to turn the resultant effervescence of emotion to his own uses.

Truth, indeed, is something that is believed in completely only by persons who have never tried personally to pursue it to its fastness and grab it by the tail. .... Nine times out of ten, in the arts as in life, there is no truth to be discovered; there is only error to be exposed.

...constructive criticism irritates me. I do not object to being denounced, but I can't abide being school-mastered, especially by men I regard as imbeciles.

Like most other professional writers I get a good many letters from my customers. Complaints, naturally, are far more numerous than compliments; it is only indignation that can induce the average man to brave the ardors of pen and ink.

Good government is that which delivers the citizen from the risk of being done out of his life and property too arbitrarily and violently - one that relieves him sufficiently from the barbaric business of guarding them to enable him to engage in gentler, more dignified and more agreeable undertakings...

For it is the natural tendency of the ignorant to believe what is not true. In order to overcome that tendency it is not sufficient to exhibit the true; it is also necessary to expose and denounce the false.

[Government] is apprehended, not as a committee of citizens chosen to carry on the communal business of the whole population, but as a separate and autonomous corporation, mainly devoted to exploiting the population for the benefit of its own members. .... When a private citizen is robbed, a worthy man is deprived of the fruits of his industry and thrift; when the government is robbed, the worst that happens is that certain rogues and loafers have less money to play with than they had before.

It seems to me that society usually wins. There are, to be sure, free spirits in the world, but their freedom, in the last analysis, is not much greater than that of a canary in a cage. They may leap from perch to perch; they may bathe and guzzle at their will; they may flap their wings and sing. But they are still in the cage, and soon or late it conquers them.

The natural tendency of every government is to grow steadily worse - that is, to grow more satisfactory to those who constitute it and less satisfactory to those who support it.

But the whole thing, after all, may be put very simply. I believe it is better to tell the truth than to lie. I believe that it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe that it is better to know than to be ignorant.

A professional politician is a professionally dishonorable man. In order to get anywhere near high office he has to make so many compromises and submit to so many humiliations that he becomes indistinguishable from a streetwalker.

The volume of mail that comes in to a magazine or a newspaper or a radio station is no index of anything, except that you happen to attract a lot of idiots, because most people that write letters to newspapers are fools. Intelligent people seldom do it - they do it sometimes, but not often. I used to, in my days of running a column - I welcomed the letters that came in, and, in fact, edited them. I was in charge of the letter column, and always let anyone in who denounced me violently get in - because I believe that people like to read abuse.

We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart.

I believe that the public likes criticism only in so far as it is a good show, which means only in so far as it is bellicose. The crowd is always with the prosecution. Hence, when I have to praise a writer, I usually do it by attacking his enemies. And when I say the crowd I mean all men. My own crowd is very small and probably somewhat superior, but it likes rough-house just as much as a crown around a bulletin-board.

H.L. Mencken

I'm getting a little worried about you people. I give you the absolute best recipes that have ever reached your home, and I don't seem to be getting comments. If I'm too nice to Scott Jensen, I got a dozen screaming lunatics challenging me. Could this perhaps mean that you're not making these recipes? Because I think you'd be burying me with compliments and requests for additional recipes if you had. Stop worrying so much about politics and judicial misconduct, and make some brownies, Special K bars, and corn pudding.

Today, we have something a little different. Hot beefs that are easy to make, and exceptional in a way that the three ingredients could never be alone. Here's the recipe:

5 lb chuck roast
32 oz bottle of Ginger Ale
32 oz bottle of Heinz Ketchup
-----------------------------------
Pour it all together in a French or Dutch Oven, bake on middle oven rack at 300 degrees for 8 hours, Stirring often. Serve on buns, and eat them for days. Or have a bunch of people over and impress them.

Guys, this is starting to get embarrassing. The shift from TABOR to TPA, the general confusion over message and details, and now a continual drip-drip of problems with the proposal. Isn't this supposed to be the centerpiece of the GOP agenda? Senator Grothman had over one-year and ideological purity to work with, yet he seems to have midwifed something as strange and unexpected as Glenn himself.

How are you going to be able to sell something that few people like or understand? It may, in fact, be a great idea, but that does not appear to be the message that is filtering into the brains of the regular people. Who is behind your message campaign? Has a TPA Campaign Plan even been written? Maybe you could hire Scott Jensen to try and figure out a message and PR campaign to turn this thing around.

I'm afraid that Republicans are at risk of losing their hold on the Legislature. Not immediately, but inevitably, unless a savvy controlling authority again takes control of the Republican agenda and message campaigns. Is that going to happen? I'm not really saying any potential of that on the senate side, despite the coup rumors. And it remains to be seen who's actually in charge of the assembly.

I have just one request -- can someone please step up and stop the embarrassment?

3/15/2006
TPA Needs Fixing
By Frank Lasee

Thoughts on the TPA
When Senator Grothman introduced the Taxpayer Protection Amendment (TPA), I supported it. I want to be clear that I still do support it, and will continue to support it as long as it protects the taxpayers.

As with any first try, we can make improvements. Time and study of the TPA as it’s currently written have brought out a few details – things that need to be fixed before it comes to a vote.

First, the Rob Peter to Pay Paul scheme:
As it’s currently written, the TPA lets the state rob local government revenue streams to spend on other state priorities. It then leaves local governments to backfill with property tax increases – increases they can enact without asking their voters. And all the while, the state can brag about living within a limit, when in fact spending is growing twice that fast.

"Ours is a sick profession. [A profession marked by] incompetence, lack of training, misconduct, and bad manners. Ineptness, bungling, malpractice, and bad ethics can be observed in court houses all over this country every day."
Justice Warren Burger

"Law is often the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual."
Thomas Jefferson

What's ironic about this box article by Steve Walters in today's MJS?
"Both Parties Blurred the Lines of Campaign Work"
NONE of the information in this article was permitted to be introduced in the trial by Judge Ebert - despite the fact that they (a) put the Jensen allegations in context, (b) spoke to the wholesale, bipartisan confusion (or disregard) over where the blurry line between campaign and legislative work fell, and (c) were at the crux of whether Jensen acted in a manner "INCONSISTENT with the duties of his office" as the criminal charge stated.
Savvy Emailer

"People who argue that "everybody does it" is not a defense miss the point. The issue is not whether the government must prosecute everybody who does something wrong. It is instead whether it is fundamentally fair to pick and choose certain individuals for felony prosecution while intentionally turning a blind eye to similar misconduct when committed by others? I honestly have serious doubts whether the Jensen convicton will stand up on appeal. At the very least, I fail to see how someone can be convicted of trying to intentionally obtain a dishonest advantage without being allowed to present evidence that everybody else was doing the same thing. I mean, how did Jensen get an advantage (dishonest or otherwise) if his opponents were engagaing in the same conduct?"
Jeff Wagner

"The discretion of a Judge is the law of tyrants: it is always unknown. It is different in different men. It is casual, and depends upon constitution, temper, passion. In the best it is oftentimes caprice; in the worst it is every vice, folly, and passion to which human nature is liable."
Lord Camden

Bruce Murphy points out in Milwaukee Magazine column that the caucuses cost taxpayers millions of dollars over the years. http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/murphyslaw/ He is absolutely right about that, but he's missing an important part of the picture. Personal staff numbers have exploded over the last 10-20 years, and the job of the typical staffer is to get his or her boss re-elected. Unessential workers, paid by taxpayers, and focused on re-election.

They create campaign literature that masquerades as an official "report from Madison" newsletter. They answer constituent mail so that their bosses look responsive. They help constituents with their government complaints because it creates friends and voters for their boss. They write press releases to get their bosses noticed and make them appear worthy of re-election. And they work with lobbyists so that their boss can raise money from the special interests come election time.

Everything these less-than-crucial state employees do is funded by the taxpayers, and designed to assure their boss's re-election. Why are intelligent observers like Murphy so unaware of this reality? Maybe it just doesn't fit with the evil-caucuses story line to have a more complete understanding of how the Wisconsin state capitol works. And might we perhaps have overlooked some of the most subtle tricks of the Wisconsin incumbent protection system? Most observers also seem to have forgotten that Wisconsin legislators used to be able to do all of their own work.

Virtually everything done by a Wisconsin state legislative office is meant to increase electoral support for their legislator. The trick has been in convincing the media and the public that the increase in staff has been all about improving service to constituents. That has to be legitimate, right? All legislative bodies, state and national, create a support structure advantageous to those in power. Not so hard to understand how the slippery slope could have resulted in a specialized caucus staff to supplement this conglomeration of tools for incumbent protection.

And, yes, I've been and aspired to be a capitol staffer. That's why I understand how the system works. It is, after all, a pretty cushy, well-paid position. And the nature of the capitol staff job is not the fault of the person doing the job, so don't get all defensive on me, people. They're just doing what their job requires them to do -- getting their bosses re-elected. Just like Rusty Feingold's press secretary. And... just like those evil and now departed partisan caucuses.

Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, biblical?
Ray: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor... real Wrath-of-God-type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies.
Venkman: Rivers and seas boiling!
Egon: 40 years of darkness, earthquakes, volcanos.
Winston: The dead rising from the grave!
Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats, living together... mass hysteria!

I'm a supporter of gay rights. And not a closet supporter either. From the time I was a kid, I have never been able to understand attacks upon the gay community. There are so many qualities that make up a human being... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant. ~Paul Newman

Homophobia is a social disease.

One should no more deplore homosexuality than left-handedness. ~Towards a Quaker View of Sex, 1964

Straight Americans need... an education of the heart and soul. They must understand - to begin with - how it can feel to spend years denying your own deepest truths, to sit silently through classes, meals, and church services while people you love toss off remarks that brutalize your soul. ~Bruce Bawer, The Advocate, 28 April 1998

As long as society is anti-gay, then it will seem like being gay is anti-social. ~Joseph Francis

Just a heads up out there to some of you who might be tempted to check out the Xoff Files sometime this week. Please be warned that Bill Christofferson will again be replaced for a few days -- while he's off working on some nefarious scheme -- by a rogues' gallery of lefty freaks designed to make Xoff himself look like a reasonable moderate. Please don't waste your time with them -- it will only make you wish for the return of Christofferson -- which also does not make a lot of sense.

His main contributor is pictured appropriately here on the left.

Just like the Soprano's, these cookies will change your life. It's all about getting what you want, when you want it. What's not to like about that? Enjoy tonight's show, but make these for next week.

2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 sticks soft, unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
3 large egg yolks
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract

1. Sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt together and set aside.

2. Put the butter in a large bowl and mix with an electric mixer on low for 15 seconds. Add the sugar and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, until lightened in color and fluffy. Scrape the bowl, blend in the egg yolks, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth - 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape the bowl. On low speed add the flour mixture, mixing just until the flour is incorporated completely. The dough will be soft.

3. Form the dough into 3 rectangles 4 1/4 by 4 inches and 3/4 inch thick. Wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour or overnight, or the disks of dough can be frozen.

To bake, preheat oven to 300 degrees, line baking sheet with parchment paper or better yet, Silpat. Remove a disk of dough from the refrigerator and cut into 6 3/4 inch strips, cut each strip into four 1 inch pieces. Place 2 inches apart on sheet. Start checking at 19 minutes, and remove when getting golden but not brown - watch closely!

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2002, 10:32 a.m.
JIM DOYLE'S WHISTLEBLOWER: EXCLUSIVE

By Charles J. Sykes

Don Fish is the witness who wasn’t called. Fish was a whistle-blower long before the caucus scandal was even a gleam in Brian Blanchard’s eye. In sworn affadavits, the former state Democratic Party staffer charges that prominent Democrats attended meetings where party officials discussed using state employees – including caucus staffers – to develop voter files for use in political campaigns. Fish, who worked for the state Democratic Party from 1998 to 2000, says that two-thirds of the voter information used by the party was created by caucus workers from the state senate and assembly. He provides documents; names names, dates, and places. Fish’s charges are so detailed and so credible that the state Elections Board voted unanimously in July to continue investigating them. But Don Fish was never called before the John Doe probe into the Capitol caucus scandal. Fish suspects Brian Blanchard didn’t want to call him because he had “named too many names.” While Fish can document the abuse of the Democratic caucus staff, he says, “I have even more evidence on how [Jim] Doyle, the state party, and the Democratic congressional delegation did the same thing.” Blanchard never gave him a chance to tell the John Doe what he knew. Fish finds much of the information in the criminal complaints fascinating. “It was particularly disheartening to read how [former senate caucus director and current Doyle aide] JoAnna Richard testified to actively participating in caucus scandal abuse,” he says, “but no charges were filed against her. Could this have something to do with the fact that Doyle ‘was the boss of the investigators’?” Fish was quite familiar with JoAnna Richard. “During 1999 and 2000, I attended at least a dozen meetings of the members of the [Democratic Party’s] coordinated committee, and I remember JoAnna was at most of them, representing Doyle.” Fish says that the current focus on whether Richard may have campaigned on state time for Doyle misses the point. “The real issue,” he says, “is that JoAnna, while representing Doyle on the [Democratic Party’ s] Coordinated Campaign, participated in plans to extensively use caucus and legislative staff in the development of the [the state party’s] voter database program. ” Under the standards set out by Blanchard in last week’s charges, this suggests that Fish has evidence of criminal misconduct, perhaps even felonies, involving some very prominent officials. A year ago, Fish says, he had three lengthy meetings with Blanchard and Milwaukee County prosecutor David Feiss. “I freely provided answers to all their questions, with no lawyer by my side, and provided over 500 pages of documents” including documents that the State Elections Board had not seen. But despite the prosecutors’ apparent initial interest, Fish was never asked to testify before the John Doe. “This seems particularly ironic…because I would probably have been one of the few who would not have brought along an attorney and who would have testified freely without a grant of immunity.” Why does Fish think that he wasn’t asked to testify? “This may sound cynical,” he says, “but I can only believe Brian Blanchard and E. Michael McCann are protecting Attorney General Doyle, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and other top Democrats; and that there was, indeed, selective prosecution; and that there are, indeed, some people immune from prosecution.” “I also believe Blanchard’s own involvement in caucus scandal abuses may have made it difficult for him to scrutinize others who were doing the same thing.” The failure to include Fish’s evidence in the John Doe investigation raises even more questions about the timing, fairness, and motivation of Blanchard’s election-eve felony charges. After 18 months of investigation and under intense pressure to produce charges, Blanchard was unable to come up with anything against Scott Jensen or Steve Foti that matched McCann’s charges against Chuck Chvala either in drama or seriousness. No pay for play, no shakedowns, no extortion. Blanchard was unable to come up with the staples of political corruption: no sexual misconduct, no million dollar cash grab like Milwaukee County’s pension scandal, no destruction of public records, no bribery, no perjury, no envelopes stuffed with cash. Just allegations that the Republicans had used legislative staffers for political purposes – precisely the charges that Fish had made about the Democrats. Fish says he still considers himself a Democrat, but the bottom-line of Blanchard’s investigation is that: “Most of the Democrats involved with the caucus scandal apparently will not be held accountable for their actions. They have gotten away with it, and they have no incentive to change. “My fear is the result of this investigation will be a continuation of politics as usual, which is tragic. Because so many got away with abuses of power, the caucus scandal is likely to be reduced to a footnote to reference in the next scandal.” Maybe that’s what Brian Blanchard didn’t want to hear.

Gov. Doyle:Statement of Governor Doyle Regarding Verdicts in Caucus Scandal Case
3/11/2006

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Contact: Anne Lupardus, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Governor Doyle made the following statement:

"When our elected officials misuse the public's trust, they should be held accountable. I am pleased the jury has done so. Their verdicts affirm the commonsense notion that everyone must follow the law, especially those charged with making them.

"These verdicts are a strong statement that Wisconsin government should be held to the highest standards, and that campaigning on state time is illegal and wrong.

"As Attorney General, I assigned investigators to this case, and I am pleased that their work has helped the prosecutor get the convictions he sought."

The conviction of former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen - once one of the most powerful politicians in Wisconsin - shows "no one is above the law," Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard said Saturday.

Answering criticism about his decision not to charge any Assembly Democrats, Blanchard said he had to "set priorities . . . about what was really worth pursuing" given limited resources in his office and the court system. Blanchard, a Democrat, also didn't prosecute anyone from the Senate Republican Caucus, instead focusing on the leaders of the majority party caucuses in each house of the Legislature.

Wisconsin State Journal, 3/12/6

Religious fundamentalism appears to be a burgeoning force crossing both the globe and differing religious traditions. One thing all fundamentalists seem to have in common is the God-given certainty of their positions. No matter that those views directly conflict with other crazies in other parts of the world. The following New York Times Op-Ed excerpt gives us one European's perspective on the dangers of those who "claim to act directly on behalf of God".

Defenders of the Faith
By SLAVOJ ZIZEK
Published: March 12, 2006

FOR centuries, we have been told that without religion we are no more than egotistic animals fighting for our share, our only morality that of a pack of wolves; only religion, it is said, can elevate us to a higher spiritual level. Today, when religion is emerging as the wellspring of murderous violence around the world, assurances that Christian or Muslim or Hindu fundamentalists are only abusing and perverting the noble spiritual messages of their creeds ring increasingly hollow. What about restoring the dignity of atheism, one of Europe's greatest legacies and perhaps our only chance for peace?

More than a century ago, in "The Brothers Karamazov" and other works, Dostoyevsky warned against the dangers of godless moral nihilism, arguing in essence that if God doesn't exist, then everything is permitted. The French philosopher André Glucksmann even applied Dostoyevsky's critique of godless nihilism to 9/11, as the title of his book, "Dostoyevsky in Manhattan," suggests.

This argument couldn't have been more wrong: the lesson of today's terrorism is that if God exists, then everything, including blowing up thousands of innocent bystanders, is permitted — at least to those who claim to act directly on behalf of God, since, clearly, a direct link to God justifies the violation of any merely human constraints and considerations. In short, fundamentalists have become no different than the "godless" Stalinist Communists, to whom everything was permitted since they perceived themselves as direct instruments of their divinity, the Historical Necessity of Progress Toward Communism...

Fundamentalists do what they perceive as good deeds in order to fulfill God's will and to earn salvation; atheists do them simply because it is the right thing to do. Is this also not our most elementary experience of morality? When I do a good deed, I do so not with an eye toward gaining God's favor; I do it because if I did not, I could not look at myself in the mirror. A moral deed is by definition its own reward. David Hume, a believer, made this point in a very poignant way, when he wrote that the only way to show true respect for God is to act morally while ignoring God's existence.

For the complete column, go to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/opinion/12zizek.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

What a body blow. Despite having very little hope that Jensen would receive a fair shake from this judge and jury, it was beyond depressing to hear today's Jensen verdict reported on the car radio. I wonder how it makes Ben Brancel, Tom Loftus, Mary Panzer, Wally Kunicki, Betty Jo Nelson, and Shirley Krug feel?

Makes me feel like crap, but apparently makes Joe Wineke and Jim Doyle very happy. If Doyle actually had any class, he would have issued a Jensen pardon today rather than a despicably hypocritical and unkind press release. Talk about kicking someone when they're down. These guys did the same things, yet are arrogant enough to continue throwing stones. Jim and Joe, mark me down as your permanent enemy.

We've already gone over and over the reasons this prosecution should never have happened, so I won't reiterate it here. My heart goes out to Jensen and his family during this difficult time. I hope that the strength and intelligence that made him such a successful politician will allow him to survive this ordeal. Scott Jensen is not dishonorable, and this kangaroo court verdict will never change that impression with the people that know him best.

I'm not entirely sure what to say to those of you who are happy this evening that Scott Jensen is going to prison. Politics is a rough business, but I never thought I'd experience this kind of a selective political prosecution in modern-day Wisconsin. For the record, I don't think any of the other former surviving leaders should be going to jail either. Hopefully, the prosecutors won't come for any of you next. Because if they did, this trial confirms, they could convict virtually every one who's done time in politics.

Scott Jensen will survive to do great things. Brian Blanchard will survive and continue to do bad things. This trial was indeed about the abuse of power, but Brian Blanchard proved himself the most guilty of that crime. In a fair world, what Scott Jensen did and didn't do should never have put him in this position. And courageous citizens would hot have allowed Blanchard to get away with it.

My best to Jensen and his family. If you'd like to add your kicks to the down man, please do it on a different blog. I really don't want to hear it.

I can tell you with absolute truthfulness that I am very much uninterested in whether I am shot or not. It was just as when I was colonel of my regiment. I always felt that a private was to be excused for feeling at times some pangs of anxiety about his personal safety, but I cannot understand a man fit to be a colonel who can pay any heed to his personal safety when he is occupied as he ought to be with the absorbing desire to do his duty.
Theodore Roosevelt
"THE LEADER AND THE CAUSE"
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
October 14, 1912

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt
"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

Kudos to Charlie Sykes for starting the discussion on the we-hate-gays amendment. I was hoping that someone else on the Lincoln-Roosevelt-Reagan team would step up to question the strategy and reasoning behind the amendment to ban civil unions. Dad29, Glenn Grothman and others are already screaming bloody murder about the usually worshipped Mr. Sykes. He's raising uncomfortable questions, and these guys really don't like to be challenged. After all, when you know yourself to be both right and righteous it is rather an affront to have one of your heroes question your God-given wisdom.

It was enlightening today to hear Glenn Grothman's "discussion" with Sykes where he explained that the real reason behind the amendment was that we don't want to signal approval of this lifestyle. I move from sad to furious when I hear this kind of, dare I say, bigotry? He expressed in his words and tone a disgust and hatred towards homosexuals and their lifestyle. Setting aside the provocative issue of whether Glenn's being a bit Roy Cohnish here, please think about what it is that he and the amendment backers really mean. Glenn is someone who tells it like it is, and he's telling gay people that there is something wrong with them and they do not deserve the equal protections of our society. Hutu's and Tutsi's anyone?

I try to steer away from Sykes sycophancy, because there is way too much of that going around the blogosphere. But his column on this issue is what separates him from the rest. He doesn't parrot the party line, he uses his mind and his principles to honestly analyze the issues of the day. While I don't always agree with him, I can always respect where he's coming from -- because it's based on a fundamental integrity and intelligence. We're lucky to have him on our very small stage, some day Roger Ailes will stumble on WTMJ and Charlie will ascend to a much higher level.

This amendment isn't about gay marriage, it's about condemning people for who they are and permanently excluding them from the club of good people in society. After all, Grothman sniffs, we can't endorse what these people do in the privacy of their bedrooms. IT'S NONE OF YOUR GODDAMN BUSINESS, GLENN! How dare you discriminate against my friends, or use your power as a legislator to try and hurt them. It's evil, in a way that Himmler could understand. Dad29 may consider that inflammatory, but good people cannot afford to stay silent when faced with this concentration camp mentality. If they're not quite human, what else would Glenn Grothman and Ralph Ovadal like to deny them. The pursuit of happiness? Liberty? Life?

I am convinced that the true conservative or libertarian will recoil from the antediluvian ramblings of Grothman or Dad29. As this discussion continues, on which side will you come down? For hatred and discrimination or for equal rights and protections? Are we the Republican Party or the Know-Nothings? Do we represent freedom and liberty or exclusion and prejudice? Please join in the discussion and think about the issues raised on both sides of the issue. Dad29 will follow the dogma he learned in his Wednesday night CCC class 35 years ago, will your thinking be equally hidebound?

Again, extending equal protection of the law to my gay neighbors will do nothing to threaten real marriage or the dark place in Glenn Grothman's head. It simply doesn't hurt any of you to leave people alone to live their lives as they wish. Don't be such a bunch of pricks. These are real people and real families that you're messing with. And Charlie Sykes will never be dumb enough to fall for your hateful line of reasoning.

"In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."
-- Martin Niemoeller

And the American public was able to make up their own mind whether this verdict was a just verdict or not. So I think there's a lot of value in the public being able to see how the system works or doesn't work, so I think there's a definite value there.
Lance Ito

It's not fair that the accused is not protected from adverse publicity whilst the accuser is guaranteed anonymity, whatever the verdict.
Jonathan King

It's not only ....(the juror's) right, but his duty, in that case, to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgement, and conscience, though in direct opposition to the direction of the court.
JOHN ADAMS

Jurors should acquit even against the judge's instruction...."if exercising their judgement with discretion and honesty they have a clear conviction that the charge of the court is wrong."
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

The purpose of a jury is to guard against the exercise of arbitrary power--to make available the common sense judgement of the community as a hedge against the overzealous or mistaken prosecutor and in preference to the professional or perhaps over conditioned or biased response of a judge.
BYRON WHITE
"Those who wrote our constitutions knew from history and experience that it was necessary to protect against unfounded criminal charges brought to eliminate enemies and against judges too responsive to the voice of higher authority."
BYRON WHITE

"...it is presumed, that the juries are the best judges of facts; it is, on the other hand, presumed that the courts are the best judges of law. But still, both objects are within your power of decision. You have a right to take upon yourselves to judge of both, and to determine the law as well as the fact in controversy."
U.S. SUPREME COURT (State of Georgia v. Brailsford, 3 DALL. 1,4):

"That in criminal cases, nevertheless, the court are the constitutional advisors of the jury in matter of law; who may compromise their conscience by lightly or rashly disregarding that advice, but may still more compromise their consciences by following it, if exercising their judgments with discretion and honesty they have a clear conviction that the charge of the court is wrong."
ALEXANDER HAMILTON

'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall. I not deny, The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two Guiltier than him they try.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Measure for Measure, 17)

MARCH 9, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ETHICS BOARD ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT OVER PLOMBON/MEYERHOFER FRAUD

Roth Judd, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Ethics Board, announced a settlement today with a former state representative known as both David Plombon and Lee Meyerhofer. "Although neither Plombon or Meyerhofer remain in the Legislature," announced Judd, "our investigators have discovered that they are, in fact, the same person." The Ethics Board assessed a $1,000 fine against Plombon/Meyerhofer, and suggested that he never again run for the Legislature under any identity.

The crack investigative staff at the Ethics Board had always been suspicious of these characters, but reopened their investigation after an anonymous complaint from a former Assembly Republican Caucus staffer. The two-year investigation concluded that Plombon became Meyerhofer in a desperate attempt to return as a member of the Legislature after his 1996 defeat. Contacts within the funeral industry apparently aided Plombon with plastic surgery, and a network of safehouses across Wisconsin. "The guys had a lot of similarities," said lead investigator Jonathan Becker, "but we always assumed they were a similar "type" rather than the same person. But their joint behaviors were a red flag that we never should have ignored."

Meyerhofer was elected to a northeastern Wisconsin Assembly district in 1998, only two years removed from Plombon's 1996 defeat.

Former colleagues of the men or man were shocked that they could have been duped by someone that at least three of them considered a friend. Representative Marlin Schneider (D-Madison) said the guy had always been fair with him, and screamed at this reporter to stop the smearing and muckraking. "PlombonMeyerhofer was always someone I could rely on to join me for a drink over breakfast," said Representative Frank Boyle (D-Tavern), "as a matter of fact, I'd still be willing to have a drink with him any time any place." Senator Glenn Grothman was not so forgiving in his comments, "I find the way he tricked the voters of Wisconsin to be despicable," said Grothman, "and it just shows that Democrats are fundamentally bad people."

In a statement released late this morning, Assembly Speaker John Gard called for a retroactive reconsideration of any close votes that occurred during the Meyerhofer/Plombon tenure. "Democrats have escaped prosecution for voter fraud and the caucus scandal," said Gard, "But I will not let them get away with faking identities in order to bolster their numbers in the Wisconsin Legislature. Thank goodness we were able to use similar issues and defeat this guy twice at the polls. I just hope and pray this snake hasn't come back again as someone new."

Plombon/Meyerhofer was apparently unapologetic about his fraudulent behavior, even bragging to investigators that he'd really pulled one over on his former colleagues and the people of Wisconsin. Although he was unavailable for comment, Plombon/Meyerhofer did release a statement from an undisclosed location which said, in part, "I always knew I was smarter than you guys down there, and now I've proven it. Na na na na na. Hey, hey, goodbye!"

Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard announced that the misconduct in public office statute was not broad enough to allow him to prosecute Democrat Plombon/Meyerhofer for what Blanchard termed, "this little prank."

Probably not. Let's hope the rumors are correct and this pig is referred indefinitely to Kedzie's committee. Everyone wants to make the Farm Bureau and Goofy Gronemus happy, and Steve Freese is a nice guy, but this initiative is a bad idea for more than just southeastern Wisconsin. People are tired of the Party of Government forcing unwanted and unnecessary mandates down our throats. To be fair, the ethanol mandate would benefit some people and a narrow band of one industry, but that does little to overcome the fundamental phoniness and overhyping of this issue. Does anyone honestly believe that this is the answer to reducing our overreliance on foreign oil. Or that this will significantly boost the state's economy? If you believe that, then you must still think that passage of the state lottery was all about property tax relief. Today's final session day should help us determine if any common-sense actually remains alive in the Wisconsin Legislature.

Even you Jensen haters out there have got to admit that his performance on the stand was rather impressive. It was an intelligent and coherent explanation of how the Legislature worked, and how he found himself in this position. He told a compelling story that utilized the facts to add some needed perspective for the jury. Was it enough? I doubt it. But I can imagine no one doing a better job than Scott in making his case.

His description of his interview with bewildered investigators is completely believable. Any savvy participant in the John Doe investigation will understand that Blanchard and his team had no idea what they were talking about most of the time. They didn't know what to ask. They didn't know how things worked. They didn't understand basic terms, such as "caucus". And they haven't seemed to gain much savvy throughout the hundreds of hours of their interviews.

It was maddening to listen to Ebert repeatedly cut Jensen off whenever he made any comments about the behavior of Assembly Democrats. It is true that Republicans were angry that the Democrats were running campaigns without taking any leave. Discussion of this issue was relevant to Jensen's case, and was a legitimate part of his explanation of events. But Ebert and Blanchard just couldn't let that happen. How exactly would it cloud the jury's judgment to have a complete understanding of the facts?

In most ways, Scott Jensen has operated in an honorable and ethical manner during his years in the Legislature. He was a choirboy next to Chuck Chvala. He didn't shake people down over legislation, he treated people fairly and honestly, he didn't line his own pockets, he worked harder than anyone to accomplish Republican objectives, and he ran a system that he considered to be legal and based on precedent.

Should he have been alone in the Legislature to stand up and purify the system earlier? Perhaps. Should he accept a greater share of responsibility for the system's faults? Probably. But three felony convictions? Come on, people, come to your senses. If and when that happens, it will be a tragedy indeed. Jensen haters, Jensen neutrals, and Jensen partisans should all recognize the injustice of that outcome. Let's all hope the jury does as well.

It's time we roll back the records. The latest revelations about Barry Bonds and steroids puts a definitive exclamation point at the end of the home run cheating era in Major League Baseball. McGwire, Sosa, and Bonds all blew away the long-standing record of 61 home runs held by Roger Maris, and there is now absolutely zero doubt that they used steroids to cheat themselves into heavily-muscled super-freaks.

It was extremely exciting to watch McGwire get to 70, and then kind of cool to watch Barry Bonds go even further. It was stunning, because they didn't just beat a hallowed record of baseball, they destroyed it. I remember thinking that these guys were unbelievable, and now that turns out to be true. It matters none to me that baseball had not yet banned HGH and other steroid concoctions, because they were already illegal in society. Talk about breaking the rules to gain an illegal advantage, these guys are the very personification of the concept.

These guys tricked us into believing, and then continued lying to maintain their heroic and financial status. McGwire and Bonds earned tens of millions of additional dollars in income for their cheating, taking the money right out of the hands of loyal fans and supporters. MVP awards and home run totals from juicers in this era should all be taken away and stricken from the record books. These records now mean nothing, and Bud Selig will need to take dramatic action to put this seamy era firmly in the past of Major League Baseball.

And congratulations to Roger Maris, and Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth. You accomplished your records honestly and as actual humans. The despicable crowd that broke or are still chasing your records should permanently leave the game, and certainly never be allowed to join you in Cooperstown.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

Politics have no relation to morals.

A prince must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves. Those that wish to be only lions do not understand this. Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the reasons which made him bind himself no longer exist. If men were all good, this precept would not be a good one; but as they are bad, and would not observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them.

The distinction between children and adults, while probably useful for some purposes, is at bottom a specious one, I feel. There are only individual egos, crazy for love.

The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous.

Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, even though they cannot entirely keep to the tracks of others or emulate the prowess of their models. So a prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs, at least it has an air of greatness about it. He should behave like those archers who, if they are skillful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities of their bow and aim a good deal higher than their objective, not in order to shoot so high but so that by aiming high they can reach the target.

And if, to be sure, sometimes you need to conceal a fact with words, do it in such a way that it does not become known, or, if it does become known, that you have a ready and quick defense.

Niccolo Machiavelli

"Whether the term marriage can or should be expanded to include gay couples is an unsettled, untested question for America. That is precisely why state-by-state experimentation in different forms of gay civil union would be helpful. Those experiments have begun. The aim of this proposed amendment, no matter how anyone tries to dress it up, is to forestall them."
The Philadelphia Inquirer

HE WHO HAS A MIND TO BEAT A DOG, WILL EASILY FIND A STICK.

This Proverb is generally apply'd to such Persons who out of Prejudice and Ill Design, seek Occasions of Blame and Scandal against other Persons, and aggrandize the most pardonable Infirmities into flagrant Crimes.

Without this person, your receipt of so many tasty I AM THE FORCE comfort food recipes would not be possible. By all accounts she was an exceptional individual, in addition to being a great cook, and has had a lasting impact on latter generations.

GRANDMA INA'S LEMON PIE

3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 lemon
1 cup boiling water
butter - size of an egg
2 tblsp of corn starch dissolved in water

Mix egg yolks, sugar, and juice from lemon. Boil water, butter and grated "rind" in saucepan. Add sugar mixture and boil 3 minutes. Add cornstarch and bring to a boil. Cool mixture, pour in baked pie shell and top with meringue.

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
-- C. S. Lewis

I am proud to announce that I will be joining the law firm of Von Briesen & Roper, s.c. in an effort to cash on my position as a public official. We specialize in Indian law, so now the tribes should know how to reach me. Hire my firm and you get your very own state representative in the bargain.

VOTE FOR PEDRO




NOTE: this notice does not represent the actual views of Representative Colon, it is rather a satirical questioning of his professional and ethical judgment.

"The only person who can tell what the law is and who will tell the jury what the law is is me, not the witnesses," Judge Ebert said."

Judge Ebert strikes again.

Let me get this right, the prosecution is allowed complete discretion over what to charge and who to charge. Using a misconduct in public office statute that has never before been used in this manner and discriminating on the question of who to charge, Brian Blanchard has almost absolute power. Now, Judge Ebert reiterates his earlier remarks that he will tell the jury what the law actually is in this unplowed territory. Ebert won't let the jury hear an argument about this central issue of the case, he will simply give them the answer, and ignore what is in reality a legitimate dispute.

Why are they even having this trial? Couldn't they have just convicted him on the first day and sent everyone home? Ebert is providing precious little opportunity for the jurors to consider the actual issues of this case. Blanchard and Ebert are combining in an effort to deny the jurors the same kind of discreton that the two of them have so aggressively exercised. Is this a crime or that a crime? Krug or Jensen, Raghu or Schultz? Only Blanchard/Ebert get to decide, and no one else. And any facts that clash with their preconceptions are disallowed.

Does anyone even care that you can become a felon at the whim of a prosecutor and judge? The writer and most readers of this entry could have been charged and railroaded as easily as Mr. Jensen. After all, the political class all engaged in the same activity. Heck, Xoff has probably even held fundraising and campaign meetings with Jim Doyle in the Wisconsin Attorney General's office, but there's no way that those guys should also be held accountable. Right?

I wonder if the Blanchard/Ebert team exercises the same kind of discretionary zeal in actual criminal cases. You know, where people actually steal, rob, or murder. My guess is that they're much less concerned about that kind of criminal than they are about State Representative Scott Jensen and his overpaid subordinate.

GREATER WISCONSIN COMMITTEE CALLS FOR PROSECUTION OF FORMER DAHMER NEIGHBORS.

The Oakland Tribune
February 28, 2006

Anti-Racism Institute Calls For End To Same-Ethnicity Marriage

The anti-racism organization Project Change today announced the results of a major national study on marriage, race, and ethnicity, and called on Americans to re-evaluate their preference for partners of the same race or ethnicity. "Our study shows that over 95% of American marriages are between people with similar ethnic or racial backgrounds," said Project Change President Chuck Schafer, "nothing could show the racism and prejudice in our society than the continued practice of whites marrying whites, Jews marrying Jews, blacks marrying blacks, Catholics marrying Catholics, and latinos marrying latinos."

The ten-year Project Change study analyzed millions of marriages across the country, quickly identifying the widespread practice of people marrying others like themselves. "We are extremely concerned about what our findings say about attitudes in America," noted lead scientist James Juntie, "people clearly consider themselves and their "group" to be superior to other racial or ethnic types, and are choosing intra-ethnic partners accordingly. Individuals may believe they're not racists, but marrying someone like yourself calls that very much into question."

Project Change is calling for a thorough national re-evaluation of attitudes and dating practices. "The days of overt racism and Jim Crow have been replaced by a more subtle yet dangerous tribalism," asserted President Schafer, "we have to stop thinking of people in categories and treating them like 'the other'. Humanity can only advance together if we discard these racist practices and diversify our community into one." The Project Change report accompanying the study encourages black men to stop dating black women, and all similar "types" to commit to greater marital diversity.

Project Change goals included the following:

* Dismantle institutional policies and practices that promote racial discrimination
* Ease tensions between majority and minority groups and reduce inter-ethnic conflict
* Promote fair representation of diversity in the leadership of community institutions; and
* Stop overt or violent acts of racial and cultural prejudice

Project Change is raising money to promote their inter-ethnic initiative by selling rainbow wristbands, bumper stickers, and lapel ribbons with the message, DEMAND MARITAL DIVERSITY! "We recognize that this important societal change can only occur one person and one family at a time," concluded sociologist Juntie, "but we believe that a new civil rights movement can catch fire and change America for the better. Only by exposing racism can we make it disappear."

Although the study's conclusions have met with some skepticism in the academic community, former Harvard President Lawrence Summers commended Project Change for thinking outside the box and making bold and impactful recommendations. Former Surgeon General Everett Koop, a Project Change board member and husband of an Indian-American woman, added, "Inter-ethnic melding is our next great challenge as a nation and world, and I'm confident that ills like domestic abuse and global warfare will diminish as we make this change." The report notes that having an Islamic wife would make it much less likely that a Baptist husband would hate Arabs.

"Our message is simple but profound," said Schafer in a recent interview with ABC's John Stossel, "diversity in marriage is the only way to end diversity as the separating barrier of humanity."

I have a shameful confession to make. I'm rooting against the Milwaukee Bucks. I used to love the Bucks, from Abdul-Jabbar to Sidney Moncrief, Marques Johnson and Brian Winters. They were my team, and I rooted for them just like most Wisconsin sportsfans. But the nature of the team and the decisions they've made in recent years has turned me in the other direction.

The firing of Terry Porter by the snakish Larry Harris and the little Senator Herb Kohl really left a bad taste in my mouth. Especially, when they ended up replacing him with a mediocrity like Terry Stotts. It seems Herb bungled, firing Terry before he found out that Doug Collins wouldn't accept the job. Just a couple months after pledging his full support, Harris through Terry Porter under the bus. No class from this organization.

Terry Porter had proven he knew how to coach, and should have been given more than one bad year to get things back on track. A Wisconsin native, who preached the benefits of defense and team play, apparently just was not exciting enough for Herb Kohl or Larry Harris.

I must admit that the Senator himself is a big reason I don't like the team. He uses his role as team owner to help innoculate himself from any serious political critique. Sure, he's worthless, but he saved the Bucks and paid for the Kohl Center so he must be a good guy. The little freak may be a good guy, but he sure has been a pathetic waste of time for Wisconsin. Money and a good consultant should not be enough assets to become a United States Senator. And his anglings for government subsidies for a new arena should appear ridiculous to taxpayers who see how much money Herb inherited from his parents.

And the team is a boring caricature of the worst in NBA basketball. They stand around and set up isolation plays for Michael Redd, seldom actually looking like a team in the process. Who can really care about these guys? If Larry Harris doesn't ship them off to Oklahoma City or Seattle, these guys will bore us to death for many years to come. They aren't winners, and that's obvious every time they accept another loss streak. They seem content to stay in the middle of the pack, and hopefully eke their way into a final playoff spot. If they don't make it, I'm sure they'll just shrug it off and head home to wherever it is they actually live.

So, I hope they keep losing, so that Herb Kohl will finally sell the team and Larry Harris will move on to a more Hollywood location. This team needs to hit bottom before it will ever attain for the heights again. A few good players is not enough to turn this organization into a winner.

Robert Frost - Mending Wall

Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it
And spills the upper boulder in the sun,
And make gaps even two can pass abreast.
The work of hunters is another thing:
I have come after them and made repair
Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,
To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there,
I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.
To each the boulders that have fallen to each.
And some are loaves and some so nearly balls
We have to use a spell to make them balance:
"Stay where you are until our backs are turned!"
We wear our fingers rough with handling them.
Oh, just another kind of outdoor game,
One on a side. It comes to little more:
There were it is we do not need the wall:
He is all pine and I am apple orchard.
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, "Good fences make good neighbors."
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
"Why do they make good neighbors? Isn't it
Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I'd ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offense.
Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That wants it down." I could say "Elves" to him,
But it's not elves exactly, and I'd rather
He said it for himself. I see him there,
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father's saying,
And he likes having though of it so well
He says again, "Good fences make good neighbors."

Things are getting a little unhinged in the Walker for Governor campaign. Apparently in a position of desperation, the brain trust on the Walker team has decided to go negative on Mark Green. This may not be the end, but it is, at minimum, the end of the beginning of the end.

Walker's campaign manager, Bruce Pfaff, is coming off as a junior Alexander Haig, rushing the stage and declaring himself in charge at every opportunity. Penning sarcastic barbs at the opposing campaign does not a manager make. And heading down this path does little to advance the cause of replacing Diamond Jim Doyle. You guys need to understand that Walker will have a long career in politics, and that opportunity should not be sacrificed in a senseless internecine struggle.

Knowing Scott Walker, as I do, I suspect that he is not the force behind this strategy shift. I'm sure they are getting worried that the Green Machine is overwhelming them, but the range of options should be considered more judiciously. Going negative on a well-liked opponent is much more likely to define yourself as the bad guy in the race. Scott Walker is not a bad guy, but this staff strategy may end up defining him as such to the people who will vote in the Republican primary. Check yourself, guys, and take a step back.

I admit that I have a favorite in this race, but would be happy with either of these guys over the incumbent. I also think that negative campaigning is an excellent idea in many circumstances. Unfortunately for Walker, this isn't the time or place for that approach. Sometimes, losing with grace and character can be better than trying to win with long-bombs and desperation.

If the Pfaff team sticks with the negative approach, Walker will lose short and long-term, and Republican chances will diminish. Bloggers and state legislators are already using this opportunity to abandon Walker in droves, and that's only after a few hours or radio ads. No one but Jim Doyle is buying what this desperate approach is selling.

Just like the Wisconsin Innocence Project, the Walker campaign needs to make a quick reversal and correct its mistake.

'American Vertigo: Traveling America in the Footsteps of Tocqueville,' by Bernard-Henri Lévy
On the Road Avec M. Lévy
Review by GARRISON KEILLOR
New York Times
Published: January 29, 2006

Any American with a big urge to write a book explaining France to the French should read this book first, to get a sense of the hazards involved. Bernard-Henri Lévy is a French writer with a spatter-paint prose style and the grandiosity of a college sophomore; he rambled around this country at the behest of The Atlantic Monthly and now has worked up his notes into a sort of book. It is the classic Freaks, Fatties, Fanatics & Faux Culture Excursion beloved of European journalists for the past 50 years, with stops at Las Vegas to visit a lap-dancing club and a brothel; Beverly Hills; Dealey Plaza in Dallas; Bourbon Street in New Orleans; Graceland; a gun show in Fort Worth; a "partner-swapping club" in San Francisco with a drag queen with mammoth silicone breasts; the Iowa State Fair ("a festival of American kitsch"); Sun City ("gilded apartheid for the old");a stock car race; the Mall of America; Mount Rushmore; a couple of evangelical megachurches; the Mormons of Salt Lake; some Amish; the 2004 national political conventions; Alcatraz - you get the idea. (For some reason he missed the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the adult video awards, the grave site of Warren G. Harding and the World's Largest Ball of Twine.) You meet Sharon Stone and John Kerry and a woman who once weighed 488 pounds and an obese couple carrying rifles, but there's nobody here whom you recognize. In more than 300 pages, nobody tells a joke. Nobody does much work. Nobody sits and eats and enjoys their food. You've lived all your life in America, never attended a megachurch or a brothel, don't own guns, are non-Amish, and it dawns on you that this is a book about the French. There's no reason for it to exist in English, except as evidence that travel need not be broadening and one should be wary of books with Tocqueville in the title.

In New Orleans, a young woman takes off her clothes on a balcony as young men throw Mardi Gras beads up at her. We learn that much of the city is below sea level. At the stock car race, Lévy senses that the spectators "both dread and hope for an accident." We learn that Los Angeles has no center and is one of the most polluted cities in the country. "Headed for Virginia, and for Norfolk, which is, if I'm not mistaken, one of the oldest towns in a state that was one of the original 13 in the union," Lévy writes. Yes, indeed. He likes Savannah and gets delirious about Seattle, especially the Space Needle, which represents for him "everything that America has always made me dream of: poetry and modernity, precariousness and technical challenge, lightness of form meshed with a Babel syndrome, city lights, the haunting quality of darkness, tall trees of steel." O.K., fine. The Eiffel Tower is quite the deal, too.

But every 10 pages or so, Lévy walks into a wall. About Old Glory, for example. Someone has told him about the rules for proper handling of the flag, and from these (the flag must not be allowed to touch the ground, must be disposed of by burning) he has invented an American flag fetish, a national obsession, a cult of flag worship. Somebody forgot to tell him that to those of us not currently enrolled in the Boy Scouts, these rules aren't a big part of everyday life. He blows a radiator writing about baseball - "this sport that contributes to establishing people's identities and that has truly become part of their civic and patriotic religion, which is baseball" - and when, visiting Cooperstown ("this new Nazareth"), he finds out that Commissioner Bud Selig once laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington, where Abner Doubleday is also buried, Lévy goes out of his mind. An event important only to Selig and his immediate family becomes, to Lévy, an official proclamation "before the eyes of America and the world" of Abner as "the pope of the national religion . . . that day not just the town but the entire United States joined in a celebration that had the twofold merit of associating the national pastime with the traditional rural values that Fenimore Cooper's town embodies and also with the patriotic grandeur that the name Doubleday bears." Uh, actually not. Negatory on "pope" and "national" and "entire" and "most" and "embodies" and "Doubleday."

He worships Woody Allen and Charlie Rose in terms that would make Donald Trump cringe with embarrassment. He admires Warren Beatty, though he sees Beatty at a public event "among these rich and beautiful who, as always in America . . . form a masquerade of the living dead, each one more facelifted and mummified than the next, fierce, a little mutant-looking, inhuman, ultimately disappointing." Lévy is quite comfortable with phrases like "as always in America." Bombast comes naturally to him. Rain falls on the crowd gathered for the dedication of the Clinton library in Little Rock, and to Lévy, it signifies the demise of the Democratic Party. As always with French writers, Lévy is short on the facts, long on conclusions. He has a brief encounter with a young man outside of Montgomery, Ala. ("I listen to him tell me, as if he were justifying himself, about his attachment to this region"), and suddenly sees that the young man has "all the reflexes of Southern culture" and the "studied nonchalance . . . so characteristic of the region." With his X-ray vision, Lévy is able to reach tall conclusions with a single bound.

And good Lord, the childlike love of paradox - America is magnificent but mad, greedy and modest, drunk with materialism and religiosity, puritan and outrageous, facing toward the future and yet obsessed with its memories. Americans' party loyalty is "very strong and very pliable, extremely tenacious and in the end somewhat empty." Existential and yet devoid of all content and direction. The partner-swapping club is both "libertine" and "conventional," "depraved" and "proper." And so the reader is fascinated and exhausted by Lévy's tedious and original thinking: "A strong bond holds America together, but a minimal one. An attachment of great force, but not fiercely resolute. A place of high - extremely high - symbolic tension, but a neutral one, a nearly empty one." And what's with the flurries of rhetorical questions? Is this how the French talk or is it something they save for books about America? "What is a Republican? What distinguishes a Republican in the America of today from a Democrat?" Lévy writes, like a student padding out a term paper. "What does this experience tell us?" he writes about the Mall of America. "What do we learn about American civilization from this mausoleum of merchandise, this funeral accumulation of false goods and nondesires in this end-of-the-world setting? What is the effect on the Americans of today of this confined space, this aquarium, where only a semblance of life seems to subsist?" And what is one to make of the series of questions - 20 in a row - about Hillary Clinton, in which Lévy implies she is seeking the White House to erase the shame of the Lewinsky affair? Was Lévy aware of the game 20 Questions, commonly played on long car trips in America? Are we to read this passage as a metaphor of American restlessness? Does he understand how irritating this is? Does he? Do you? May I stop now?

America is changing, he concludes, but America will endure. "I still don't think there's reason to despair of this country. No matter how many derangements, dysfunctions, driftings there may be . . . no matter how fragmented the political and social space may be; despite this nihilist hypertrophy of petty antiquarian memory; despite this hyperobesity - increasingly less metaphorical - of the great social bodies that form the invisible edifice of the country; despite the utter misery of the ghettos . . . I can't manage to convince myself of the collapse, heralded in Europe, of the American model."

Thanks, pal. I don't imagine France collapsing anytime soon either. Thanks for coming. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. For your next book, tell us about those riots in France, the cars burning in the suburbs of Paris. What was that all about? Were fat people involved?

Garrison Keillor is the host and writer of "A Prairie Home Companion" and the author of 16 books. He is the editor, most recently, of an anthology titled "Good Poems for Hard Times."

The Teresa Halbach news has been on many people's minds today, including mine. Somehow, learning the horrific details of her death has made the loss of this stranger seem more tragic and poignant. And it should remind us all that true evil -- that must be opposed -- does exist in this world. My heartfelt condolences to Teresa Halbach's friends and family. Please honor her memory and that of all crime victims by living antithetically to the guilty.

Great lords, wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss
But cheerly seek how to redress their harms.
- William Shakespeare, King Henry the Sixth, Part III

Brownies can be kind of boring, so I didn't used to pay a great deal of attention to them. Then, I discovered this recipe in a Julia Child baking cookbook, and my whole life changed. Eating these brownies is sort of like the first good meal you ever have in France. You're left stunned and slightly spent. Then you get emotional about all of the years you've spent unaware of this new pleasure. This is not like a Special K Bar thing, people. This is something much more precious. Like...never mind. It takes a little patience, but is really not that difficult. Make them, and then thank me. And remember, there's more to life than politics.

THE ABSOLUTE BEST BROWNIES YOU WILL EVER HAVE IN YOUR LIFE

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate(use the good stuff) coarsely chopped
2 ounces bitterseet chocolate(see above) coarsely chopped
2 cups baking sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs

Center a rack in the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees. Sift the flour and salt together and set aside. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a double boiler over low heat water. Add 1 cup of the sugar to the mixture and stir for half a minute. Then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the mixture into a large bowl.

Put the remaining 1 cup sugar and the eggs into the bowl of a mixer and whisk just to combine. Little by little, pour half of the sugar and eggs mixture into the chocolate mixture, stirring gently but consistently with a rubber spatula so that the eggs don't set from the heat. With a whisk on your mixer, whip the remaining sugar and egg mixture until they are thick, pale, and doubled in volume, about 3 minutes. Using the rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped eggs into the chocolate mixture. When the eggs are almost completely incorporated, gently fold in the dry ingredients.

Pour and scrape the batter into an unbuttered 9 inch square pan and bake for 25 to 28 minutes, during which time they will rise a little and the top will turn dry and darkish. Cut into the center at the 23 minute mark to see how they are progressing. They'll be perfect if they are just barely set and still pretty gooey. They're still awfully good on the other side of set, so don't worry if you miss the moment on your first try. Cool the brownies in the pan on a rack. Cut into 1 1/2 by 3-inch bars to serve.

For Immediate Release
March 2, 2006

Alan Shore and Denny Crane Join Scott Jensen's Dream Team

The distinguished law firm of Crane Poole & Schmidt, announced today that they would be taking complete charge of indicted State Representative Scott Jensen's legal defense team. "With all due respect to the very competent Attorney Meyer," said Shore, "the defense needs our legal wizardry to overcome the stacked deck of a hanging judge and a cheating prosecutor."

The television legal team only agreed to take the case after reviewing the emotional testimonies of Brian Dake, Rose Smyrski, and Bill Cosh. "Denny Crane," said famed defense attorney Denny Crane, "we're in this case today because the eccentricity quotient has reached Boston Legal-like dimensions. Real people are truly stranger than fiction."

Shore also announced that he would be handling the closing arguments, in addition to cross-examinations, and baiting the judge. "This Judge has been both wrong in his rulings and prickly in his demeanor," added Shore, "he doesn't stand a chance against an adversary like myself. I look forward to crushing and embarrassing the old boy." Shore conceded meeting Jensen while at Harvard, but claimed that they "barely new each other" and travelled in very different social circles.

Although claiming it doesn't really matter, the new legal team proclaimed Jensen's innocence and promised to make District Attorney Blanchard's use of state resources for his campaign a major issue. "You can't send good people to jail just because they are professionally better than you," continued Shore. "If that were the case, Denny Crane and Scott Jensen would have been in jail a long time ago."

Crane, Poole, and Schmitt asked for and received special permission to up the state's legal reimbursement rate from $150 to $3,000 an hour, arguing that the former Speaker deserved the very best in legal representation. A joint committee of the Legislature chaired by "super big fan" Glenn Grothman agreed to the policy change after getting autographs from Denny Crane and special assistant Leonard Nimoy.

"Pull a rabbit out of your hat. That's the secret both to trial law and life."
- Denny Crane

"You have a job to do, and so do it. Yours is to sell socks and suspenders. Mine is to cross examine people like you and crush them."
- Alan Shore

Many of you probably know the story of King David and his adulterous fling with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.

2 Samuel 11 wrote:
It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.”

Then, as you know, David tries to wriggle out of this mess but in the end has Uriah killed to cover his crime. Now the objective fact is that David committed adultery and murder, to say nothing of lying and deceiving. But there's more to truth than fact. There is more to sin than breaking laws. And, besides, David was king. Was he not the arbiter of truth in his kingdom?
-- Courtesy of faithcommons.org

And the most amazing thing about this, that will shock my Democratic friends, is that it might actually be true! Many Republican staffers did have to put in tremendous hours during the budget cycle, and comp time is a long-standing state capitol tradition. My hard-working friend, Bill Cosh -- which this picture is not meant to represent -- did work long and hard on many legitimate and obscure policy matters.

And the trial is certainly demonstrating the strength of subjective truth. Everyone believes their own story, but the nature of each person's story is driven by their individual character, savvy, prejudices, and perspective.

IT'S AMAZING! No smoking on the train! What happened? Are we in Waukegan, Illinois? Europe is civilisation. You're not supposed to be gawked at or pointed at or mocked for smoking. I've always thought of starting my own airline, if I could get a bunch of investors together, called 'Air Smoke'. We'd make smoking mandatory. We'd issue the customers a little packet of cigarettes and tell them that we expect it to be done by the time we reach our destination.' Actor Johnny Depp comments on the decision to ban smoking on Eurostar

'FUCK off.' Depp's former girlfriend Kate Moss responds to an attendant who asked her to extinguish her cigarette at the Mario Testino exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery,

"If somebody kills somebody, it's a crime, but if somebody kills somebody of a different race, it's a hate crime. And we think that that is a savage hypocrisy, because all crimes are hate crimes. If a man beats another man because that man was sleeping with his wife, is that not a hate crime? If a person vandalizes a government building, is it not because of his hate for the government? The motivation for a crime shouldn't affect the sentencing. It is time to stop splitting people into groups. All hate crime laws do is support the idea that blacks are different from whites, that homosexuals are different, that we aren't the same. But instead we should all be treated the same, with the same laws and the same punishments for the same crimes."

-- South Park kids, from the cartoon.

Could this be why long-term capitol staffers seem so ornery and depressed?

In addition to triggering a depression-like social withdrawal syndrome, repeated social defeat by dominant animals leaves a mouse with an enduring "molecular scar" in its brain that could help to explain why depression is so difficult to cure, suggest researchers funded by NIMH.

In mice exposed to this animal model of depression, silencer molecules turned off a gene for a key protein in the brain's hippocampus. By activating a compensatory mechanism, an antidepressant temporarily restored the animals' sociability and the protein's expression, but it failed to remove the silencers. A true cure for depression would likely have to target this persistent stress-induced scar, say the researchers, led by Eric Nestler, M.D., The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, who report on their findings online in Nature Neuroscience during the week of February 26, 2006.

"Our study provides insight into how chronic stress triggers changes in the brain that are much more long-lived than the effects of existing antidepressants," explained Nestler.
From John Hawks Anthropology Blog

Legislators treat staff like second-class citizens, and that's when they're being treated nicely. Usually, the higher status types in the Legislature brush by lifelong capitol staffers without so much as an acknowledgement. Sometimes, legislators do notice underlings, such as when they're frustrated or needing to have some actual work accomplished. But for the most part, staff is perceived by legislators as a lower life form and treated accordingly.

As the study above shows, this kind of repeated social defeat by dominant animals can lead to devastating depression, social withdrawal, and permanent scarring. Does this remind any of you of anyone? I'm thinking of a particular long-time Finance staffer as the proof, but I'm sure much of the mistreated staff world has the same difficulties. It makes me much more compassionate and understanding of the sour attitudes so prevalent in the capitol corridors.

Some day we should talk about trying to improve the behavior of legislators, but right now I think it's enough to just understand the deep sources of capitol staff anger and depression. What a relief to finally understand. I feel your pain, people. I feel your pain.

Breed Australian Cattle Dog/Terrier Jack Russell mix
Color Cream/Tan Spotted
Age 1 year
Sex Male/Neutered
Guest number 413362 - Milwaukee Humane Society, at www.wihumane.org

Are you looking for an active and fun dog to join your family? If so, then I'm your dog! My name is Ned and you could say that I am an all-around Busy Bee! I am a naturally playful, curious, and trusting canine! I do have a lot of energy and I promise to give you the motivation to get up early in the morning and go for that daily walk because I love company! Another tidbit about me-I was born to work! Give me any job and I will do it happily! After my job is done I will curl up in front of the fire with you in the evenings!

Xoff, Charlie, anyone?

Bill Clinton helped Dubai on ports deal
By Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington
Published: March 1 2006 23:50 | Last updated: March 1 2006 23:50

Bill Clinton, former US president, advised top officials from Dubai two weeks ago on how to address growing US concerns over the acquisition of five US container terminals by DP World. It came even as his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, was leading efforts to derail the deal.

Mr Clinton, who this week called the United Arab Emirates a “good ally to America”, advised Dubai’s leaders to propose a 45-day delay to allow for an intensive investigation of the acquisition, according to his spokesman. On Sunday, DP World agreed with the White House to undertake the lengthy review, a move which has assuaged some of the opposition from the US Congress.

However, Mrs Clinton remains a leading voice against the deal, and this week proposed legislation to block it, arguing that the US could not afford to “surrender our port operations to foreign governments”.

Mr Clinton’s spokesman said: “President Clinton is the former president of the US and as such receives many calls from world leaders and leading figures every week. About two weeks ago, the Dubai leaders called him and he suggested that they submit to the full and regular scrutiny process and that they should put maximum safeguards and security into any port proposal.”

He added that Mr Clinton supported his wife’s position on the deal and that “ideally” state-owned companies would not own US port operations.

Mr Clinton’s contact with Dubai on the issue underscores the relationship he has developed with the United Arab Emirates since leaving office. In 2002, he was paid $300,000 (€252,000) to address a summit in Dubai.

Tonight, I'm holding a special film festival. The Professional. Beautiful Girls. Garden State. And Closer. Does this make me a bad person? I'm not sure, but I do know that Dennis York would very much like to be here this evening. Although I'm worried that some of my readers might not understand, I have to say that I'm only watching because I believe in great acting and screen legends. There's nothing wrong with being a fan, after all. That's what Hollywood is built on -- right?

Courtesy of found.com.

The Best Responses to Rude Behavior
How to stand your ground and avoid blowing your top

Highway Lane Cutters
Instance: You're heading somewhere on the interstate, minding your own business, when a car suddenly swerves into your lane inches ahead of you, barely missing your bumper but giving you plenty of time to fume about it.

Advice: If you've been cut off, "take a deep breath and let it go,"says Dini von Mueffling, coauthor of The Art and Power of Being a Lady (Grove Press, $12, www.amazon.com). "You pick your battles in life, and when health and body are at stake, it's just not worth the trouble. And it takes so much less energy to ignore it than to work yourself up over it." Don't underestimate the danger: A 1997 AAA study of more than 10,000 aggressive-driving incidents found that at least 218 people were killed and another 12,610 injured when drivers got angry.

“Until this moment, Senator, I think I had never gauged your cruelty or your recklessness. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”
Joseph N. Welch

Yesterday's debate in the State Assembly brings to mind the famous blast from Welch to McCarthy. Honestly, have you people no sense of decency for exploiting prejudices and bashing gay families with this amendment? The day that I need that blowhard Mark Gundrum to tell me the true meaning of family will be a cold day in an actual hell. The fact that the Gundrums of the world seem to be driving the GOP agenda almost makes me want to apply for a position as an Xoff guest columnist.

Again, here's the language in this innocuous little constitutional amendment:

"Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state."

Not only will gay marriage continue to be illegal, but civil unions of any kind for gay couples will be permanently off the table. No family hospital rights, no domestic partner benefits, no ability to live your life or love your family unencumbered by state restrictions. If the zealots succeed with this one, maybe the next step could require some kind of pink identification badge for gays and lesbians.

Mark Pocan and the Democrats are right on this one, and the Republicans are horribly wrong. Gay couples with the same rights as you or I are no threat to either Mark Gundrum or our civilization. These are real people and real families that we're talking about, and they deserve basic civil rights. This amendment is like holding a referendum on Jim Crow Laws in Alabama during segregation. So give me a break with your "let the people decide" arguments. When I hear Gundrum expoounding on how marriage has been between a man and a woman since the beginning of time, it reminds me of those redneck crackers that used to rail against misceganation and the mongrelization of the races.

What makes Mark Gundrum's family more worthy of respect than the potential family of Mark Pocan? And what possible disaster could befall us if gay families had the same rights as traditional families? The bigots in our ranks are making it very difficult for the more enlightened to belong to the same club. And it emboldens our opponents to regain their feeling of unique righteousness. That's bad for both Republicans and Wisconsin.

I understand that many of you are uncomfortable with homosexuality. But you're just going to have to get over it. Because it's none of your business and you're prejudices are doing tremendous harm. It's sad that retiring Gregg Underheim was the only Republican to stand up for what's right in this debate. Short-term political calculations should not take precedence over morality and basic decency. It's sadly ironic to see Republicans abandon the very principles they claim to be defending.

At long last, have you people no sense of decency?

JENSEN HELD MONEY MEETINGS screams today's headline in the Journal Sentinel. Stunning, stunning, stunning developments in the Jensen corruption trial. Do you mean to say, that Assembly Republican leaders actually requested contributions for targeted candidates? Shocking news indeed. And truly worthy of a banner headline in the state's largest newspaper.

But I am a little confused about what this had to do with the case. Do legal fundraising solicitations actually represent bad or questionable behavior of some kind? Yesterday's testimony confirmed that these requests for campaign cash occurred outside the capitol, and that Jensen never suggested any kind of quid pro quo with those solicited. Sounds rather legal to me. Say what you will about Scott Jensen, but he never even remotely approached such clumsy chvalian illegality.

So, why is all this before us? Prosecutors apparently believe that, if they have staff describe absolutely everything that Republicans did to maintain the majority, jurors will eventually be shocked by something. And since the Dane County intelligentsia seems to believe that fundraising is dirty behavior, Blanchard and his funny-looking sidekick decided to throw that testimony on the pile.

With a supposedly tough and impatient Judge like Ebert on the bench, why is the court allowing such an extensive list of irrelevant, out-of-date, and repetitive testimony? Ebert will certainly not grant Jensen and Schultz the same kind of forbearance when they mount their defense. I can just hear Ebert now, "Hurry it up, hurry it up, you have two days to make your case so stop wasting everybody's time. We know they're guilty so let's move this thing along so I can start my vacation."

And is there something wrong with legislative leaders meeting to discuss fundraising and developments in key races around the state? After all, their ability to govern depends on the outcome of those elections. Do the naive ninnies of Dane County expect leadership to just sit back and wish for the best? In the twilight zone of the isthmus have we retroactively made fundraising a crime? Briefing lobbyists and organizations about campaigns in meetings outside the capitol has also become rather shady if we are to believe prosecutors and reporters.

Is Scott Jensen innocent of building a campaign machine with state resources? Absolutely not. But I fail to understand the importance of how much time a Ladwig staffer in 1996 believes she spent on fundraising. Or the titillating details of Patrick Essie's meetings with Jensen et al at the Republican Party of Wisconsin. The more I see from this prosecution, the more underwhelmed I am by the nature of their evidence against Darth Jensen. He may have been the guy responsible for dragging everyone across the line into malefaction, but the Blanchard/Ebert team just can't seem to find and pull back that curtain.

Maybe none of these shortcoming will matter with a Judge like Ebert and a jury from Dane. But it's a rather unspectacular case that they're building. Key witnesses with big agendas, underlain with the dubious assumption that Scooter Jensen is solely responsible for every questionable step ever taken by a Republican at the state capitol. Of course, JENSEN HELD MONEY MEETINGS so I might be wrong.

Rep. Hahn: Bill Bans Financial Aid for Drug Dealers
2/28/2006
Contact: State Rep. Eugene Hahn
(608) 266-3404

MADISON – A bill preventing convicted drug dealers from receiving state financial aid will be considered next week in the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, according to the bill’s lead author state Representative Eugene Hahn (R-Cambria).

“Taxpayers should not be subsidizing drug dealers with generous financial packages,” Hahn said. “I would prefer keeping the available tax dollars for students who are focused on using this assistance to get an education.”

A college student convicted of possessing drugs with the intent to sell them would be ineligible for state grant, loan or work assistance. The ban on state financial aid would be lifted after a two year suspension or if the student is able to satisfactorily complete a drug rehabilitation program.

Hahn said the proposal (AB 1035) would mirror a federal law that was approved by Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in the late 90’s. However, the federal ban on financial aid does not apply to state aids. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Wisconsin is scheduled to provide over $103.8 million in 2005-2006 in financial support for students.

“The federal government wisely set the standard to stop funding individuals who have decided to participate in these illegal activities,” Hahn said. “It is about time Wisconsin follows suit and starts holding drug dealers accountable for using our state tax dollars.”

DO YOU PEOPLE REALLY HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO? HAVE THE REPUBLICAN MOONBATS TAKEN OVER THE CAPITOL FOR GOOD? I wish we still had the Assembly Republican Caucus around to stop Gene and his ilk from engaging in such vapidity. These guys are really no longer receiving the necessary level of oversight.

CSI Close-Up
Of Photo.

Last night I got lazy and didn't go downstairs. I had a bunch of stuff to do after hours and didn't realize that the smoke alarms were quite so sensitive. Apparently they pick up on everything. I made a mistake and it won't happen again.
-- Dane Co. Judge Michael Nowakowski after the process of elimination fingered him as the smoker who triggered the alarm which dispatched Madison Fire Department Engine One to the new Dane County Courthouse last Monday.

First, Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard breaks the law and uses Senate Democratic Caucus employees for nomination papers and political advice. Now, Dane County Chief Judge Michael Nowakowski violates Madison's anti-smoking ordinance and blames it on over-sensitive smoke alarms. Detect a pattern here? Kind of makes you wonder if these are the guys that should be passing judgment on others, doesn't it? Obviously, this crowd is more than willing to break the rules themselves, and then hold the rest of us to a higher standard.

Dane County is a scary place.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 28, 200
Contact: George Twigg

Milwaukee, Madison Announce Plans To Ban Vehicular Fast Food Eating

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz today announced a joint municipal initiative to ban the eating of fast food while driving. "The health and safety of our children and families is at stake with this common-sense proposal," said Barrett. Mayor Dave finished the sentence by adding, "And paternalistic government is the only way to end the crisis of spilled Big Macs and rear-end collisions."

Recent studies by prominent progressive think tanks have demonstrated that distracted drivers are the number one cause of car accidents in America. "We can no longer afford to stand by and allow this devastation to continue," said Mayor Barrett. "Fast food spilling is a greater threat to our children than drunken and drugged driving combined." Cieslewicz went on to take credit for the idea, although he admitted he may have been influenced by watching the movies "Super Size Me" and "Crash" all in one evening.

The Mayors are working together on this one because of their deeply shared joint belief that government must do more to protect people from themselves. "Conservatives and libertarians used to argue against seat belts and even speed limits," asserted Mayor Cieslewicz, "so it should be no surprise if those neanderthals oppose this common-sense reform as well." The ordinance would require the police to ticket anyone observed eating or drinking in their vehicle, with fines to range from $100 for a first offense to probation for second time offenders and felony misconduct in a vehicle for a third offense.

"People are dying out there on our roads every day," said Barrett, "so we simply must act to eradicate this practice before more children or old people or poor people die." Cieslewicz noted that he once almost ran into a school bus, after scraping off the pickle and mustard, opening the toy, and handing a cheeseburger Happy Meal to his 4-year old daughter in the back seat. "Aggressive government intervention is the only way to protect my daughter and countless others from this scourge of distractedness."

Although no fast food corporations returned our calls, unnamed sources claim that the Burger King has scheduled appearances in both Madison and Milwaukee to oppose what he called, "a direct assault on American values, that threatens the very nature of who we are as a people." Burger King employees have allegedly been encouraged to attend the events and contact their local representatives.

Cable TV is blowing my mind this evening. Television's most clueless personality is hosting perhaps the most hip. Jon Stewart is appearing on Larry King Live to promote his hosting of the Oscars. It is amazing that someone who has made his living on popular culture, seems to have no clue about the world around him. Yes, I am speaking about Larry King. It's like he died twenty years ago, and he's been an animatronic robot ever since. Or maybe he's just always been this bad.

One thing I know for sure, these guys are having a very difficult time communicating with each other. Larry King is exactly what Jon Stewart is making fun of with the Daily Show, but Larry King doesn't get the joke. He's like some confused old uncle pretending to understand the conversation. But it's not just that he's old, it's that he is a caricature of himself. He's the Chauncey Gardiner of television. Why hasn't anyone ever told him? If you worked there, wouldn't you pull Larry aside and ask him what the hell he's doing? Does he even know who he's interviewing, or is it all just detailed on a 3 by 5 card.

The result of all this is that Larry King has prevailed. He has been successful in bringing Jon Stewart down -- uneasy and unfunny. Did anyone stop and think that this might not be such a good combination? Hip, savvy, and ironic meets old, out-of-touch, and literal. Can no one out there put a stop to this kind of thing? Is this the same reason that Jay Leno is still the #1 ranked late night host? Do these pod-people really represent America? WHY DON'T ANY OF YOU SEEM TO CARE?

TEN TIPS FOR TRIAL TESTIMONY:

1. Be truthful.
This common sense advice remains the very best recommendation for any witness taking the stand.

2. Listen Carefully to the Question -- and wait until the entire question is asked.
A very common problem in testifying, many witnesses are so anxious to cooperate and to provide quick answers that they don't wait until the entire question is asked. As a result, they often answer a different question than the lawyer intended and disrupt the flow and effectiveness of the questioning.

3. Answer Only the Question That Was Asked.
If you listen carefully to the question, you must consider the scope of the question and not go beyond the issue at hand. Particularly when being cross examined by an opposing attorney, don't volunteer information that was not asked! This will only assist the opposition in obtaining additional facts to bury your case or that of your ally.

4. Take Your Time -- Think Before Answering Each Question.
There are no points for fast answers. Witnesses who take their time to think about their answers are perceived as being conscientious and concerned about telling the truth.

5. Don't Guess at the Answer.
If you don't know, say you don't know! If you don't remember, say you don't remember!
Witnesses are not "human computers." Many of us have difficulty remembering what we had for dinner last night, to say nothing of events which may have occurred months or years earlier. If you don't know or remember particular facts, do not give your best guess as to the answer.

6. Ask for Clarification if you don't understand a question - never attempt to answer a question that you don't really understand.
Particularly in the anxious and adversarial atmosphere of the courtroom, certain questions may not make sense or may get lost in the commotion of evidentiary objections. Don't try to make sense out of the question yourself. If you don't understand a question, ask that it kindly be repeated or rephrased.

7. Be Cooperative, But Not Excessively So.
Even when dealing with opposing attorneys, witnesses should be cooperative in answering questions and should not show antagonism on the stand. However, witnesses who are too cooperative and give the questioner what she wants to hear may kill their case. Cooperation and courtesy do not require that you give what the questioner may think is the "correct answer." Don't be forced into an inaccurate answer on the witness stand

8. Don't Use Your Testimony As An Opportunity For Exaggeration Or Score-Settling
Witnesses who embellish their answers as an opportunity for self-aggrandizement or retribution will appear foolish and open themselves to further legal jeopardy. This approach may also lead to an illegitimate verdict.

9. Be consistent!
When testifying, be consistent with your earlier statements in the case, deposition testimony or testimony in earlier proceedings. Those who give testimony at odds with their earlier statements leave themselves vulnerable to attack and may be perceived as lying even when they simply don't remember relatively minor details.

10. Try to Relax on the Witness Stand
This advice is easier said than done. But witnesses who appear relaxed and conversational do much better than those who get frazzled easily.

I've made an amazing discovery this past weekend, that can help you lose that extra weight. It may be revolutionary, but give it a chance and it may soon rival Atkins or South Beach. I personally think my new diet is better than the others, however, because it takes an entirely new approach. The Special K Bar Diet can change your life. It's definitely changed mine.

Here's how it works. You make the Special K Bar Recipe outlined below and then start digging in. These bars are great with milk and can be cut out of the pan in big or small pieces at any time of day or night. What I discovered was that if you really love Special K Bars, which you should, then you can begin the diet with some enthusiasm. If you eat them in the morning, you won't need anything else for breakfast, and if you continue to snack on them throughout the day, you'll soon find that you don't need any regular meals.

Special K Bars are an appetite suppressant, and long-term solution to eating less. After you've eaten 1/4 of the bars in the pan, you'll find yourself feeling a little funny and uninterested in the other food around you. Here's where you need to show some discipline by sticking to the Special K Bars even after they stop tasting tremendous. If you give yourself an occasional break of a few hours, you should be able to recuperate enough to enjoy another bar with a cold glass of milk. Just keep going, and you'll find yourself eating, and weighing, less and less.

NULLIFICATION SPECIAL K BARS

Heat:
3/4 cup light Karo syrup
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter

Pour over 6 cups of Special K cereal and quickly mix together and immediately spread into a buttered 9 by 13 pan.

Melt Together:
8 oz. chocolate chips
8 oz. butterscotch chips

Then spread the melted chip mixture across the entire surface of the bars, let it cool for at least a little bit, then start your diet.

I'm very concerned about the career of one of the lawbreakers in the caucus scandal, and would like to take this opportunity to plead with his boss to allow him to keep his job. As I'm sure you've already guessed, I am talking about former Assembly Democratic Caucus Staffer George Twigg, who now works as communications director for Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.

Admittedly, the John Doe testimony of Twigg and others has indisputably proven that Twigg is guilty of misconduct in public office for campaigning for Assembly Democrats while on the state payroll. He does admit playing a significant role in the illegal-coordination tool of Assembly Dems -- The Wisconsin Voter Education Fund. Careful scrutiny of the John Doe transcripts show a long-term pattern of cheating the taxpayers and breaking the law for Dem causes. And even though he was WI communications director for John Kerry, no one can prove definitively that he had anything to do with Operation Elephant Takeover.

I say the guy deserves another chance and shouldn't be fired. Can we really go back in time and hold people responsible for their participation in the caucus scandal? Jim Doyle, at least, says no to that approach. After all, Twigg only followed the orders of higher ups who he knew to be much better people than the Republicans. Hundreds of staffers broke the law, just like Twigg, and only Sherry Schultz and Tanya Bjork are having to pay for it. Is that fair? Singling out this rodentine young ideologue would send all the wrong signals to the make-a-difference-at-all-costs MoveOn.org generation.

I know that Madison Mayor Cieslewicz has pledged to hold his Administration to the highest ethical standards, and that he immediately fires people for things like sexual harassment or pro-business attitudes, but that is no reason that he has to get rid of lawbreakers like Twigg. What about forgiveness and redemption and giving misguided kids another chance? Breaking the law should not preclude you from serving as a press agent for a politician. In fact, a willingness to break the rules and tell lies can come in handy in that position.

And let's not forget that Twigg's lawbreaking -- although clumsier and more extreme than most -- was part of a larger system of corruption over which he had no control. He was just a funny-looking extremist from another state when he had to undergo Shirley Krug's groping and try to get a job with Assembly Democrats. What was he supposed to do, tell Shirley not to touch him there and demand immediate ethics reforms? I don't think so, he never would have gotten in the door with that kind of an attitude.

And Mayor Dave, the other thing to keep in mind is that he wasn't very good at his job. After all, the Assembly Democratic Caucus repeatedly lost seats during Twigg's tenure. How big of a cheater can he be if he wasn't able to help pick up a seat or two, and slow the evil creep of Republican hegemony. So competence is undoubtedly an issue, and another reason to show this dweeb some compassion. After all, aren't attempted murderers punished less than actual murderers? He couldn't get the job done, and so shouldn't be forced to answer for his crimes. Perhaps that's even why Blanchard left him alone.

Lastly, I think the guy has already suffered enough humiliation. And being fired at this juncture would do nothing for what must be an already fragile self-esteem. And even though he is serving in a position where public trust is paramount, it just doesn't seem fair to fire him for violating the public trust.

Please Mayor Dave, don't fire poor George Twigg. Doing so would blow his crimes way out of proportion, and cause a ripple effect that neither of our partisan machines could sustain.

Excellent email from a reader of Sykes Writes.

"Judge Steven Ebert said he is going to begin limiting testimony to direct and cross examination only, so no more redirect or re-cross examination for now."

Is it me or from the pre-trial motions, to the “I’ve decided this activity was illegal” statements, to this latest pronouncement, doesn’t it seem like Ebert’s got his mind made up and a tee time somewhere, and is just taking a “let’s speed this up declare him guilty and get out of here” attitude to all this? He’s already basically told the defense they can’t have a level playing field in terms of witnesses and relevance of history and precedent with the prosecution. Now he’s limiting how extensive the use of the witnesses he actually does allow can be. It just smacks so bad of a kangaroo court going through a show trial. At this point would it surprise anyone if he was just laying minesweeper on his laptop all day instead of listening to the case?

What a crock.
**

You just have to love fundamentalism. No matter which set of myths you cling to, you will always have the infidel to blame. Which side are you on in the Sunni-Shia mosque-burning struggle? And do you think those crazy moslems might have something to do with the church burnings currently underway in the American South?

If you'd all just join me in modernity, we could all sing Kumbaya and go home.

I must admit, however, that you fundamentalists are a pretty scary bunch. You're starting to make me actually begin to care about concealed carry legislation.

DEEP THROAT
What I know, you'll have to find out on your own.

WOODWARD
Liddy--you think there's a chance
he'll talk?

DEEP THROAT
Talk? Once, at a gathering, he put
his hand over a candle. And he kept
it there. He kept it right in the
flame until his flesh seared. A woman
who was watching asked, "What's the
trick?" And he replied. "The trick
is not minding."

Jessep: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.

We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!

Ragnarok
by Micha F. Lindemans
Ragnarok ("Doom of the Gods"), also called Gotterdammerung, means the end of the cosmos in Norse mythology. It will be preceded by Fimbulvetr, the winter of winters. Three such winters will follow each other with no summers in between. Conflicts and feuds will break out, even between families, and all morality will disappear. This is the beginning of the end.

The wolf Skoll will finally devour the sun, and his brother Hati will eat the moon, plunging the earth [into] darkness. The stars will vanish from the sky. The cock Fjalar will crow to the giants and the golden cock Gullinkambi will crow to the gods. A third cock will raise the dead.

The earth will shudder with earthquakes, and every bond and fetter will burst, freeing the terrible wolf Fenrir. The sea will rear up because Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent, is twisting and writhing in fury as he makes his way toward the land. With every breath, Jormungand will stain the soil and the sky with his poison. The waves caused by the serpent's emerging will set free the ship Naglfar, and with the giant Hymir as their commander, the giants will sail towards the battlefield. From the realm of the dead a second ship will set sail, and this ship carries the inhabitants of hell, with Loki as their helmsman. The fire giants, led by the giant Surt, will leave Muspell in the south to join against the gods. Surt, carrying a sword that blazes like the sun itself, will scorch the earth.

Meanwhile, Heimdall will sound his horn, calling the sons of Odin and the heroes to the battlefield. From all the corners of the world, gods, giants, dwarves, demons and elves will ride towards the huge plain of Vigrid ("battle shaker") where the last battle will be fought. Odin will engage Fenrir in battle, and Thor will attack Jormungand. Thor will victorious, but the serpent's poison will gradually kill the god of thunder. Surt will seek out the swordless Freyr, who will quickly succumb to the giant. The one-handed Tyr will fight the monstrous hound Garm and they will kill each other. Loki and Heimdall, age-old enemies, will meet for a final time, and neither will survive their encounter. The fight between Odin and Fenrir will rage for a long time, but finally Fenrir will seize Odin and swallow him. Odin's son Vidar will at once leap towards the wolf and kill him with his bare hands, ripping the wolf's jaws apart.

Then Surt will fling fire in every direction. The nine worlds will burn, and friends and foes alike will perish. The earth will sink into the sea.

After the destruction, a new and idyllic world will arise from the sea and will be filled with abundant supplies. Some of the gods will survive, others will be reborn. Wickedness and misery will no longer exist and gods and men will live happily together. The descendants of Lif and Lifthrasir will inhabit this earth.

In honor of our current rhubarb.

If you make this recipe, it will be one of your best pies ever. And if you don't bake, than have your staff or spouse or someone do it. After all, the eating is the most important step anyway. Republican Caucus Rhubarb Pie is more successful, and thus should be held to a higher standard.

REPUBLICAN CAUCUS RHUBARB PIE

1 unbaked pie crust

Mix
2 slightly beaten eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tblsp flour
1/2 tsp nutmeg
4 cups chopped rhubarb
Pour mixture into crust
3 dabs of butter on top

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then 375 degrees for 35 minutes more.
When using frozen rhubarb add 5 minutes bake time at 400, and 5 minutes at 375.

Does anyone else think it's rather ironic that Democrat Chair Joe Wineke is fulminating against the misuse of state employees? Not only was the former State Senator one of the biggest utilizers of state employees for campaigns during his time, but he went even further by using his staff for more base, personal needs.

Maybe someone should call on Wineke to fully explain that employee misuse and perhaps even pay the taxpayers back for those services. Wineke shook lobbyists down for campaign cash while in his capitol office, and then took sexual harassment to Clintonian heights on the same desk.

Honestly, Joe, maybe you're not the best guy to question others about the potential misuse of state employees.

Is there some reason that we can't make a worldwide announcement that Assembly Republicans did campaign work on state time, and move on? In their filings, the Jensen defense has acknowledged that the caucus did campaign work on state time using state resources. So the entire parade of former staffers is no more relevant than the John Doe admissions we've read from Assembly Democrats.

Yes, all four caucuses -- Republican and Democrat, Senate and Assembly -- did campaign work on state time. I was under the impression we knew that already. But I suppose the jury needs to hear some of this stuff, just not about anyone other than Assembly Republicans.

As evidenced by the pathetically dishonest and weak story by Dee Hall in today's State Journal, this entire charade is meant to do nothing more than tar Jensen and embarrass Republicans. They assessed the John Doe witnesses on the basis of which of them are more likely to exaggerate roles or settle scores. And as Deb Jordahl has pointed out, they want to shock the jury with the same activities that DA Blanchard apparently deserves a pass for. The hypocrisy is hitting new levels, and I have yet to hear any of these people actually pointing the finger at Scott Jensen as the evil dark lord master of their activities. I guess the caucus directors will have to fulfill that role.

The jury should be forced to confront the truth, not just some narrowly selective version of the truth. Each of the four caucuses -- including back in the liar Mike Ellis's day -- engaged in these campaign activities. Each of those caucuses leaders directing that activity to some extent. And the vast majority of legislators simply treated the caucuses as a separate world and didn't get involved -- other than benefiting from the work. But this hater of a Judge has expressly forbidden the defense from showing the jurors all of the truth. If they knew that all four leaders and Brian Blanchard engaged in the same activity, would they be as likely to hold Jensen as the only one accountable?

Xoff and his minions will continue to chortle, and more people will confirm that the caucus did some campaign work. The Whineke's of the world will continue to try and create some mysterious connection to Green or Walker. And the ignorant jury will be shocked that the evil Republicans engaged in these activities, and will be forced to make someone pay.

So the prosecution is proving that these activities occurred, they will now have to prove that Jensen was the evil mastermind of it all. Then, they'll have to convince the jury that these activities were an illegal attempt to obtain a dishonest advantage, and that some leaders had a greater responsibility than others to understand and follow retroactive rules.

This is a travesty of justice, and Brian Blanchard is a scumbucket to have ever brought this to trial. Enjoy the show, but don't try to tell me that this trial has anything to do with justice. It has to do with making someone pay. And one guy shouldn't have to pay for what was a systemic institutional blindspot.

Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
[a croupier hands Renault a pile of money]
Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
Captain Renault: [sotto voce] Oh, thank you very much.
[aloud]
Captain Renault: Everybody out at once!

Good show from Charlie Sykes this morning on Insight 2006, with some enlightening exchanges all around. But let me point out a little weakness -- the pundits and media commentators lack savvy and their insights are regularly off target. These folks have been used to having the only megaphone on the block for so long that they seem to have a systemic estrangement from reality. Knowledgeable bloggers can blow them away, and that's what happened today.

Let me give an example that also caught moderator Sykes off guard. No disrespect, because he is one of the best, but Jeff Mayers comment that Democrats would rather run against Walker than Green is just plain wrong. The Dem independent spending against Green makes that plain, as would any honest conversation with a knowledgeable Dem consultant. So, someone spun Jeff on this one, and he bought it and believes it. An insider would not make the same mistake. And the other pundits made similar errors.

And I think this gets to the heart of the weakness of "pundits". Most of these people are used to getting their information by interviewing those who are actually involved. So they get spun, they miss subtleties, and they lack savvy. Even someone who I like such as McIlhern retains a certain outsider naivete. They just don't have the background or experience to offer the best insights. They are outside observers, and will always be a little off in their observations regardless of how smart they are.

So thank goodness for the blogger revolution. I hadn't even read a blog before late 2005, but I've learned a lot since then and can see that we're getting more substance and insight from Wisconsin bloggers than all of traditional media combined. Media commentators speak for neither regular people or insiders. Bloggers are much more likely to "get it" than the pundits of the world. Charlie Sykes has recognized that reality, and ought to lean more heavily on non-media commentators in the future.

Caroline Lamb points out another reason why in today's entry at http://www.glenarvon.blogspot.com. Is this guy so nuts that nobody cares about his craziness anymore? Bloggers should be running against Reynolds, not cheating taxpayers by working for him.

I'm begging Brett Favre to come back for another season with the Packers. And as he sits pondering his future, you should all join me in sending Brett a card and pleading for his return.

You may not like his reckless ways, but Brett Favre is the only reason that the Packers have had success in the last decade and a half. We won a Super Bowl thanks to the skills of Brett Favre, and believe it or not, he still has those skills. He can still avoid a pass rush by stepping aside, he can still throw a bullet pass further and more accurately than anyone else, and he still is one of the top quarterbacks in the game.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Do you remember the days of John Hadl, Jerry Tagge, Scott Hunter, and Jim Del Gaizio? Do you remember our long years of embarrassment following the departure of Saint Vince? And, lastly, are you really ready to go back to those days? Because let me tell you something, the quarterbacks in the Packers' future have a lot more in common with Tagge than with Favre.

Critical punks and their callers on sports radio have tried to argue that Brett is over the hill, and responsible for the disaster of the 2005 season. I can only say to you guys, put the crack pipe down and go back and review the tape. Yes he makes some big mistakes in situations where he feels he has to do it alone, but so do we all. With a few missing players back in the picture, Brett Favre can still do the incredible things that have made him a legend and future hall-of-famer.

If the critics, and the general silence from Packer fans, leads Brett to the decision that it's time to quit, then that will be on you. Brett Favre could be a great quarterback for at least another three years. If we let him get away, we will have lost one of the greatest assets that any team has ever had. If he couldn't do it anymore, that would be different. But there has been no deterioration of skills, just a deteriation of the coaches and teammates around him.

So speak up people, and let Brett Favre know that you want him back. If he thinks the regular Packer fan no longer wants him, then he will surely walk away. The years ahead will make Sherman seem like Lombardi, if Favre leaves prematurely. None of you want that, so step up and do something about it.

Join me in sending a postcard or letter to: Brett Favre, c/o US Post Office * 16250 Highway 603 * Kiln, MS 39556.

The "Greater Wisconsin Campaign" has fired the first salvo in the independent spending war that will be such a big part of gubernatorial campaign 2006. Doyle, Wineke and company obviously fear Mark Green and think their only strategy to deal with Administration crookedness is to try and muddy the waters.

I think the entire thing is a grand sign for Republicans in general and Mark Green in particular. The Dems should be concerned if this is the best their independent spenders can do. It also represents poor strategy to begin the campaign with exactly the kind of shady money that Doyle is in trouble for accepting in the past. I like your aggressiveness, Wineke, but your smarts may leave something to be desired.

I also wonder where the condemnatory press releases are from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and Common Cause. You guys hate this kind of stuff, right? Or are issue advocacy groups okay if they support your team or your cause? If the Republicans had fired the first volley, I guarantee you that McCabe, Heck et al would have held a flag-burning press conference by now. Hypocrite punks is all you are, and you should be forced to share a jail cell with Chuck Chvala.

I won't join in the shocked outrage from Republicans on this one, as I happen to believe that issue advocacy is constitutionally protected speech. The more speech the better as far as I'm concerned and the people will sort it out and make their decisions. If I want to spend a million dollars educating people about Jim Doyle's corruption, then I should be able to do just that. And if the Dems want to waste their money on ineffective attack ads on Mark Green then I'm fine with that as well.

And I'll tell you guys a secret... the Republican independent spending is going to be much more effective and consequential.

Democrats, your arterial bleeding is becoming more obvious every day. The Greater Wisconsin Campaign is a sign that Republicans might soon rule all branches of the Wisconsin political universe. Wisconsin Governor Mark Green -- now that would indeed mean a greater Wisconsin.

"The focus of the case has to go to the intent question," Meyer said. "There was no intent to obtain a dishonest advantage."

The day has finally arrived.

Can Jensen possibly escape conviction with the intent question? After all, there was indeed no attempt to obtain a dishonest advantage. Everyone from Jensen to the lowliest staffer knew that each caucus engaged in fundraising and campaign activities. It was one of the linchpins behind the philosophy of mutually assured destruction.

Loftus, and Kunicki, and Krug, and Brancel, and Prosser, and Jensen were all fully aware that they were engaged in political combat with an opponent utilizing similar tools and resources. Each caucus tried to be better at it than the other side, but that hardly describes an intent to obtain a dishonest advantage.

If "intent to obtain a dishonest advantage" has to be proven for a misconduct in public office conviction, then I can see a glimmer of hope for the former Speaker. It's also hard to imagine how a judge could deny him the right to fight this issue out before a jury. But Judge Ebert appears willing to bend over backwards in support of Blanchard, so I wouldn't expect him to be reasonable.

The facts remain that Jensen ran a campaign operation out of the capitol. The prosecution has some of the particulars wrong, but there's no denying that basic reality. So, the fight that begins today in Dane County Circuit Court has to focus on something other than these facts, and the jury will have to consider the appropriateness of the charges.

Jensen's attorney is unlikely to argue that rogue staffers engaged in illegal behavior unbeknownst to the Speaker, or that key witnesses are embellishing to blame higher-ups. This has to be one of the reasons that Jensen's team has never cared about the testimony of Foti or Ladwig. It just doesn't relate that much to their defense.

I've not studied the statutes, but I hope that Attorney Meyer is correct on the intent issue. As many people already know, however, a judge and jury don't have to follow any rules if they're intent on either locking you up or setting you free (i.e. Martha, Orenthal). Jensen's chances of receiving a fair hearing with this Judge and a Dane County jury remain slim, but it's encouraging to see some opportunity for the defense.

And to all my Democrat(ic) readers out there, please try and keep in mind the role of karma in this trial. If you guys succeed in destroying and incarcerating Scott Jensen for doing the same things as your team, then karma is going to come back and bite you. "My Name Is Earl" is a great show, don't you think? So keep Earl in mind before getting all outraged and sarcastic about the Jensen defense.

And one last thing -- everyone is in for some very big surprise if and when I make it up there on the stand. I will be playing the Jack Nicholson character. Now practice your chant -- intent and karma, intent and karma, intent and karma, intent and karma, intent and karma!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2006
Contact: The LaFollette Institute of Public Affairs (D-Madison)

Computer Analysis Exposes Rick Skindrud As The Blogger Behind The Curtain At "Playground Politics"

A computer analysis sponsored by the legislative leadership of both parties has exposed Assembly Sergeant at Arms, and former Representative, Rick Skindrud as the cunning insider blogger responsible for Playground Politics -- http://playgroundpolitics.blogspot.com/. "Skinny exposed us and now we're exposing him," said Majority Leader Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem), "the brilliant sense of humor and subtle understanding of the capitol "sleeping at work" phenomena should have been a dead giveaway."

UW-Madison expert-in-all-things-to-do-with-government Don Kettl announced the computer's findings at a 1 pm press conference on the steps of the capitol. "Even though none of us have any real experience in government," said Kettl, "The LaFollette Institute has the brains and computer savvy to solve even the greatest challenge." Kettl then went on to mumble something incoherent about campaign finance reform.

When the scientists at UW-Madison analyzed word patterns in the Playground Politics site, the idea recognition system soon hit match after match with old Skindrud newsletters, floor speeches, and campaign literature. "Although Skindrud's staffers used to dumb down his ideas for public consumption," Kettl continued, "his wit and insight into the issues of the day just kept shining through." Skindrud was identified with 99% certainty by LaFollette statisticians.

The LaFollette study was commissioned during an Assembly Republican closed caucus a few months back, and funded after a secret meeting of all four caucus leaders. "Rick Skindrud has betrayed us for the last time," said Representative Carol Owens (R-Clueless), "we're taking away his computer, even though the Sergeant's staff is still claiming Rick never learned how to use it." Owens is heading a study commission to determine how best to prevent Skindrud and others from disseminating the ugly realities of Wisconsin politics to a larger audience. Steve Nass (R-Angry) will serve as the special committee's co-chair and propaganda minister.

"We can all breathe a sigh of relief that this menace has been exposed and silenced," concluded Representative David Ward (R-Weinie), "I really hate it when people who know us first-hand share our secrets with voters. What voters don't know, can't hurt us, and today's announcement is a victory for that principle."

Skindrud could not be reached for comment.

Regarding the President's trip to Milwaukee.

With all due respect to my President, who cares? Is a trip like this actually expected to drum up support for the President's energy policy? Just issue a national security edict to drill ANWR and I'll be happy.

While the Bush energy plan certainly has merit (go nuclear!) I just have to wonder how they expect to get anyone to care. Fuel cells at Johnson Controls, are you kidding me? This has all the hallmarks of going through the motions, and driving in crui