RootsWire

Clean Waters In Wisconsin?

The Political Environment — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:05:00 -0600

There's the myth, the picture postcard memories of canoeing, fishing and swimming - - and there's the reality.

Every two years, the state's must compile a list of so-called "impaired" bodies of water that fail to meet clean water standards.

I find this long list from 2008 depressing and alarming.

Context here, from Midwest Environmental Advocates, a public interest law firm.

Wisconsin

National Effort To Direct Stimulus Spending Away From New Highways

The Political Environment — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:13:00 -0600

In other words, away from adding at least $200 million in unnecessary and wasteful new lanes on I-94 from Milwaukee to Illinois, and towards repairs of roads and bridges first.

The coalition Transportation For America makes this salient point:

"Now is not the time to squander money on wasteful projects or to give states a blank check for new road construction. We must demand accountability and transparency from the states. We simply cannot afford to build new roads to crumbling bridges."

I'd add transit to the to-do list, especially rail, where Wisconsin is deficient, and where rail-oriented development would add long-term benefits at stations and along routes.

The I-94 plan is part of a $6.5 billion, 25-year, seven-county regional freeway expansion and reconstruction plan, with 127 miles of new lanes added to several major highways.

The plan was crafted by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), an unelected body, and on which the City of Milwaukee, with a population larger than five of the seven individual counties, has no direct representation.

Wisconsin

Bar License Suspension: Video And More Information

The Political Environment — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:09:00 -0600

The Franklin tavern that lost its license for 90 days admitted it thought a heavy drinker they repeatedly served would leave the premises and sleep it off out in his van - - as they knew he had done previously, according to a Milwaukee television station.

Story and video, here.

Instead, the inebriated patron drove away, 18 drinks later, and killed two people.

For those of you who think this was all an "accident," feel free to read the criminal complaint in the case - - a 19-page history of the defendant's behavior, including multiple OWI convictions as well as the events that led up to the double-fatal crash.

That won the tavern a 90-day suspension, the first of its kind in state history.

And you think the state doesn't enable drunk driving? (Wisconsin has the highest rate of drunken driving in the nation, and national estimates put your chances of being in an alcohol-related traffic crash sometime in your life between 30-60%.)

Two lives lost.

A 90-day suspension.

Wisconsin

Looks Like We Can't Afford To Get Repeat OWI Offenders Off The Roads

The Political Environment — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:15:00 -0600

A report says tougher penalties for repeat OWI offenders will break the bank.

And what are the costs to families, employers and society-at-large of not removing multiple-offense OWI defendants from the roads?

Maybe we should put new signs at the state's highway border crossings that say "Welcomes Repeat OWI Offenders, You Misdemeanant Rascals!"

Wisconsin

Dow Chemical Gets Minor Wrist Slap

The Political Environment — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:47:00 -0600

Dow Chemical owes the State of Michigan $1.8 million for some dioxin cleanup and related paperwork.

So? The company had 3rd quarter revenues, in a down economy, of more than $15.4 billion.

Hard to tell which is the greater outrage: the toxic pollution, or that the company gets away with a bill, as if that was a big deal.

I see something of a trend - - companies like Dow and Enbridge wreck the environment and get the equivalent of a speeding ticket.

And if not for pressure from environmentalists, the companies would make a clean getaway, so to speak.

Wisconsin

Kutler on Blagojevich, Burris, and the Constitution

Waxing America — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:15:50 -0600

The nice thing about reading Stanley Kutler's* commentary on national affairs that have their roots in thorny Constitutional issues is that he informs, he educates, and he knows the topic. It's like going back to school. I did take four courses from him as both an undergraduate and graduate student at the University of Wisconsin.

Writing at Truth-dig, he cogently outlines the political and legal issues facing the United States Senate and the Democratic Party with the appointment by humbled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich of his nominee, Roland Burris (Burris refused seat in US Senate.):

Understanding the Constitution sometimes is like interpreting the Talmud. Two scholarly readings bring forth three opinions. Article I, Section 5, of the Constitution is rather straightforward: “Each House shall be the judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualification of its own Members..."

Nice. Now what do they do? For the full story, go to Kutler's article: Blagojevich vs. The Senate:

Wisconsin

Rep. Zepnick Gets It Right On Tavern License Revocation

The Political Environment — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:15:00 -0600

State Rep. Josh Zepnick, (D-Milwaukee), makes the right suggestion when calling for license revocations from two bartenders and a Franklin tavern where a "blitzed" patron drank heavily, then killed two pedestrians nearby on Christmas Day, 2007.

Update: Franklin, tavern agree ti 90-day closing.

Some history, here.

Records cited by the Journal Sentinel alleged "the bartenders continued serving alcohol to [the defendant] - including at least nine 12-ounce beers and nine shots of alcohol over 6.5 hours – even after they knew he was intoxicated."

More information, and the criminal complaint, here.

Like all licensed businesses, a tavern exists only because local officials approve.

Tavern operations are a privilege, not a right.

Other taverns have had their licenses withdrawn or not renewed following public safety threats and incidents, such as shootings or repeated police calls, and in this case, two people died in part because of the tavern's behavior.

Wisconsin

Ladies and Gentlemen - I Give You The Next Senator from Minnesota!

Uppity Wisconsin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:47:56 -0600

As I am sure you all now by now, Al Franken was recently declared the victor over Norm Coleman for the senate seat from Minnesota. What you may not know is that at least at one time, Al looked really good in tights. This is a video from Solid Gold, some time in the eighties, of Al Franken and Tom Davis, impersonating the Stones - I'd like to see Norm Coleman gyrate like this- proving again that Democrats are much sexier than Republicans:

Wisconsin

RNC Chairman Fears Minority Party Status

The Political Environment — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:58:00 -0600

Has be been chaneling this blog?

Wisconsin

Tar Sand Oil Hitting The Fan

The Political Environment — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0600

Environmental costs, financial costs, political costs - - you name it and it's causing tar sand exploitation to slow down in Canada and come under greater scrutiny on both sides of the US-Canada border.

That doesn't mean that Murphy Oil still isn't dreaming of that $6-$7 billion expansion to accept and refine tar sand oil at its Superior facility, a project that some state elected officials tout as compatible with a pristine Lake Superior, unpolluted wetlands and clean air, too.

One report predicted inevitable Great Lakes pollution from the tar sand industry, as refineries sprout and expand on the shorelines.

Extracting oil from tar sand is extremely energy/water/land-intensive, hence the product's reputation as dirty and expensive.

Refineries in Indiana and Michigan are also slated to accept tar sand oil shipments for refining.

There are 30 additional posts on this blog about tar sand oil. Use the search box on the left at the top of the homepage.

Wisconsin

Kickapoo Reserve Winter Festival in La Farge 1/10

KickTime — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:21:14 -0600

Saturday January 10, 9 am - 4 pm: Chili & Bread Contest, Kickapoo Quick Auction, Mutt Race, and much more. All the details at their website (pdf download.)...

Wisconsin

Peace in 2009: Finding the Connections Between Faiths

KickTime — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:21:09 -0600

Please join us for Peace in 2009: Finding the Connections Between Faiths, Friday, Jan. 9 and Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Spirituality Center. Presenters are Michael Sersch - Quaker, Sanna Walters - Mennonite, June Kjome - Christian, Daoud Jandal - Muslim, Simcha Prombaum - Jewish, Tom Roberts - Buddhist. They will describe how the teachings of their religion give them personal support in bringing peace into their own lives and extending it out into the world. They will each offer a prayer for peace from their tradition. Following the presentations will be an introduction to compassionate or nonviolent communication. This...

Wisconsin