Last week Thursday Fred from Real Debate Wisconsin had a great poem on taxes (Link: Real Debate Wisconsin: Taxes) and it really stirred up some strong emotions.

Well I always like to challenge people to put their thoughts into some sort of action so here is a link to the National Budget Simulator. If you are a novice to governmental budgeting you may wish to try your hand at the short version but for all of you die-hards out there try the long version and see how good you are at balancing the budget.

I’ve got nothing…

AP news article

While perusing the political sites I always find time to read some of the items on RealClearPolicitcs.com and today was no exception. Now I know that all of these items are not going to have my point of view on the world and I also know that there are a few writers that I really should stay away from but I just can’t seem to help myself!!

Today in the Guardian Noam Chomsky has an article titled “Their View of the World is Through a Bombsite” and I of course had to read this drivel.

Noam, who I do believe is intelligent, is quite mad! He states that the latest Israel – Hezbollah conflict was a “US-Israeli invasion of Lebanon, with only a cynical pretence to legitimacy.” He completely ignores that fact the Hezbollah actually started the conflict and Israel retaliated…not the US!

He continues to do what all good liberals do tie this conflict to something different and states that the real reason for this recent “assault is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” ASSAULT?!?! Excuse me Mr. Chomsky? I do believe that if Hezbollah would have not bombed Israel there would not have been an “assault” on them. The only people that were assaulted here was the Israelis! And what does any of this have to do with the Palestinians? Are you implying that they are complicit with Hezbollah? Should there be another attack on Israel from Hezbollah should the Israelis “assault” Palestine as well as Lebanon?

Finally Noam puts it all out there:

“It is no secret that Israel has helped to destroy secular Arab nationalism and to create Hizbullah and Hamas, just as US violence has expedited the rise of extremist Islamic fundamentalism and jihadi terror.”

It’s no secret huh? Well I would beg to differ. The only people that believe this crap are the same people that believe if they die with a bomb strapped to their chest and kill innocent civilians, including women and children, that God will grant them 72 virgins for doing this “holy act.” This statement is nothing but garbage meant to drive reasonably sane people like me nuts!

“US violence has expedited the rise of extremist Islamic…” What violence would that be Mr. Chomsky? In your article you point to the invasion of Iraq but that is a bogus example since these “terrorists” have been around longer than this. Remember 9/11, USS Cole, the attacks on the US embassies…the list goes on. The only thing that “US violence” will create is a safer world for everyone but terrorists in the end.

WHAT?!?!

Here is the comment (link):

"We share the position of (the International Atomic Energy Agency) and express our regret that Iran has not fulfilled Resolution 1696 by the designated date and refused to stop work on uranium enrichment," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin was quoted as saying by the Interfax and RIA-Novosti news agencies.

What really chafes me is that these people are still willing to coddle this country!!! The US and the rest of the UN agreed that this diplomatic solution would end with the following outcomes; Iran stopping the enrichment of nuclear material or sanctions.

While I am not always the largest supporter of sanctions, primarily because they don’t work, this was the agreed to terms of the UN. The Russians are doing a disservice to the world in allowing this crap to go on.

To further my out rage the Russian spokesman continued with:

"We take past experience into account and we cannot join ultimatums that only lead everyone to a dead end," he told reporters. "There are many countries whose policies raise questions and provoke concern but we live in one world and we need to search for solution through dialogue, involve them in dialogue, and not through isolation."

I’ve asked this before and I’ll ask it again…WHAT HAS TALKING EVER GOT US FROM A NATION HELL BENT ON DOMINATION NOT PEACE?!?!

This is the headline I was greeted with when I went to the Journal Sentinel Editorial webpage today.

Could this be true?!?!

I read it twice and I’d encourage all to read it as well. (Link)

The facts in the Green PAC money case are simple. Mark Green transferred money from his federal campaign to his state campaign before the state elections board made a ruling that such transfers were inappropriate.

This type of transfer has been allowed before; when Doyle brought up similar accusations of Tom Barrett the SEB acknowledged that this was allowable. Now with Doyle’s cronies on the SEB they decide to rewrite the ruling they made to make it retroactive!! This is simply WRONG!

I am glad to see that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is willing to acknowledge that this is just a case of Doyle cronyism and not a real ruling from the SEB.

Once again the media is in trouble for altering photos. Here is an article from the New York Post exposing the amazing weight loss of Katie Couric in this photo.


How many times do they have to get in trouble for doing this before they realize that falsifying photos to deceive is wrong…and they’ll get caught!?!?!?

Rumsfeld, like him or hate him, knows what he is talking about.

From the AP today: Rumsfeld Warns Against Appeasement

Speaking to several thousand veterans at the American Legion's national convention, Rumsfeld said that as fascism and Nazism took hold in Europe, those who warned of a coming crisis were ridiculed or ignored. He quoted Winston Churchill as observing that trying to accommodate Hitler was "a bit like feeding a crocodile, hoping it would eat you last."

"I recount this history because once again we face similar challenges in efforts to confront the rising threat of a new type of fascism," he said.

"Can we truly afford to believe that somehow, some way, vicious extremists can be appeased?" he asked.

"Can we truly afford to return to the destructive view that America — not the enemy — is the real source of the world's troubles?"

Drudge headline, SADDAM MADE TO WATCH 'SOUTH PARK' MOVIE REPEATEDLY....


I hope it’s true!!!

With all the media hype of the one year anniversary of Katrina I thought this comic was perfect.

Louisiana failed to help its people. New Orleans failed to help its people. Mayor Nagin failed to help his people.

Yet the people of Louisiana and the news media find comfort in blaming those farthest removed from the ability to help.

Where is the outcry that Mayor Nagin didn’t call for a mandatory evacuation? Where is the outcry that Mayor Nagin failed to utilize the busses at his disposal to remove people from the city? Where is the outrage that Governor Blanco didn’t request federal assistance for days and admitted it in an on camera flub all while blaming the Bush administration for not helping?

I’m truly saddened that New Orleans is still in ruin but when you elect Democrats that only know how to blame others for their suffering, expect others to do things for them, and gloat that things aren’t progressing as quickly as they should, you got what you deserve.

Maybe the Iranian President is right (link). Maybe President Bush should invite President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the floor of the UN and the two should go toe-to-toe in front of the Security Council.

No mediators.

Just two leaders defending their position on Iranian uranium enrichment and what it means to the region. Then we let the UN Security Council vote again.

Ahmadinejad does not stand a chance of winning. He has made it very clear that he wants to wipe “Israel off the map” and has a deep hatred of the US. Other than that what other argument could he have for the enrichment of uranium?

The US must continue to take a stand against those that only wish to do harm.

"Our objective is clear, to disarm Hezbollah," French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said, but added that military force was not the answer. "The only solution is to have a political solution."

Mr. Douste-Blazy, when was the last time a terrorist faction or any enemy disarmed due to political or diplomatic pressure? What should I expect from the French!

Well Donovan Riley is out of the race…sort of. Acording to this JSOnline article by Spivak & Bice (link here) Donovan Riley’s attorney issued a statement that Donovan would be pulling out of the race. Unfortunately Donovan Riley’s website hasn’t been updated recently. Since this withdrawal is coming so late, Donovan’s name will still appear on the ballot in the September primary.

Yesterday this item (link) appeared on www.wheelerreport.com. State Senator Carpenter (D), State Representative Sinicki (D), and Zepnick (D) all asked for Donovan to pull out of the race but I still want to point out that the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Joe Wineke STILL HAS NOT condemned Donovan or what he did!!!

In a press release put out today by the Ross for Secretary of State, this lying Democrat (two words that fit together so perfectly) is trying to smear a respectable candidate for the Governorship.

Ross states the following: "Mark Green and Republican legislators are trying to keep people who earn less than $35,000 from voting,” once again lying to make people scared. This comes on the heels of a press release from Mark Green’s campaign which lays out his support for voter ID. (Release here)

Ross continues his smear of Green by stating: "Mark Green's voter ID bill is nothing more than a modern-day poll tax." He cites the Georgia case where Harold L. Murphy, U.S. District Judge in Georgia ruled that Georgia’s Voter ID law, which required all residents to obtaining a special digital identification card, which costs $20 for five years, was unconstitutional and likened the law to a Jim Crow-era poll tax. The Green plan includes “funding to cover the cost of a $9 state identification card for those eligible voters who are unable to afford this cost” there is no poll tax here!

The Green plan can be found here.

Ross continues his lies by stating that “Republican voter suppression is a longtime nemesis of the Democratic process” and that “the only thing that concerns me more is any eligible voter being denied his or her Constitutional right to vote." Yet we have not seen or heard Ross’s thoughts on Donovan Riley!!

The truth is the Republicans are not trying to suppress voters we are trying to enforce the law to protect each persons vote. We consider double voting, felons voting, and voting after polls close to be tactics used by Democrats to cancel out someone else’s Constitutional right to vote and is wrong.

With all the news about the Israel, the Middle East, and Muslim Countries when a friend sent this link to me I thought it was best to have everyone see how well they know their geography!

I in no way endorse or support the organization that supports this puzzle but it is unique enough for me to share:

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.html

Doyle’s campaign released a statement today about President Clinton’s visit on October 24th.

“President Clinton is an extraordinary leader, a great American, and a champion for middle class and working families,” said Governor Doyle. “I am honored to have his support, and delighted that he is coming to our great state. His visit will be an exciting day for Wisconsin and for my campaign.”

What is should have read:

“President Clinton is an extraordinary leader when it comes to showing how one should seduce young impressionable interns, a great American that gives our missile secrets to the Chinese, bombs civilian targets (aspirin factories), and ignores terrorist attacks on Americans (embassy bombings, Trade Center bombing, USS Cole bombing, etc.) and a champion for middle class and working families by telling them that the government can spend their money better than they can,” said Governor Dolittle. “I am honored to have the support of someone who cares as little for Wisconsin as I do, and delighted that he is coming to our great (Indian casino) state. His visit will be an exciting day for me and for my campaign since he has a check from a few of his foreign monk friends.”

In today’s Journal Sentinel there is the following editorial: A vital link in the region

Once again this mentality has my blood boiling!

Here are the reasons why they feel we need the METRA extended to Milwaukee:

• We're part of Chicago
• There is a Metra stop in Kenosha now
• Some Illinois folks are even buying condos in downtown Milwaukee
• A rail link could create economic development opportunities
• Kenosha shows how a rail link can help spur growth
• Could help reduced traffic congestion on I-94

I’ll take these points one at a time.

“We’re part of Chicago” is the worst reason to fight for a METRA line I have ever heard. Yes, there are a lot of people from Illinois moving to Wisconsin but as they move here why are we encouraging them to continue to work and play in Chicago. Wouldn’t it make more economic sense for Wisconsin to encourage businesses to move north across the border than for us to continually send our work force south of the border?

To further illustrate this point of our workforce heading south if we take a look at recent Census data we find that the daytime population change in most of the communities with a METRA station to be negative: Kenosha losses 8.9% of their population; Winthrop Harbor -41.6%; Zion -22.1%; Waukegan -5.3%; Glencoe -3.5%; Winnetka -0.9%; Wilmette -13.2%. The populations are headed to Chicago, which sees a daytime population increase of 4.9%, and the Naval Base, which sees a daytime increase of 30.3%. Where do you think people in Racine, Caledonia, Oak Creek, Bay View, etc. are going to go?

“There is a METRA stop in Kenosha now.” Yes there is, but there is also an Amtrak stop in Kenosha, Sturtevant, and Milwaukee. So what is your point? If this discussion was about brining economic development to the community by way of jobs and additional businesses we might be on to something but the facts are far from it. METRA is not a net positive gain to the community. Has METRA brought in the businesses or has proper planning and development of Kenosha done that?

“Some Illinois folks are even buying condos in downtown Milwaukee.” People from Illinois have been buying property in Wisconsin for decades now. Head out to Lake Geneva and take a look at who owns most of the city! Should we extend the METRA service out there too? These folks have chosen to live here so why would we try to convince them that it is better to work in Illinois? Should we not be trying to encourage their business to move here as well? Think of the boom Milwaukee and the surrounding communities could have if we spent our vital resources on trying to find a way to move businesses here instead of trying to make it easier for employees to commute south!

“A rail link could create economic development opportunities.” Well let’s take a look at a true test of this: Amtrak. Has there been economic development in areas where Amtrak has stations? Sometimes there has and sometimes there hasn’t been growth. I think Milwaukee is fooling themselves and the surrounding communities by dangling this carrot out there. Yes there is a potential for development but the development is not directly tied to the METRA just as there is no direct tie to Amtrak.

“Kenosha shows how a rail link can help spur growth.” Really and how is that? Kenosha has had the METRA line for a very long time. In fact the METRA line was there when Chrysler went out of business. The METRA was there when, to be very blunt, Kenosha was nothing but a dried up old factory town. So how can one say the METRA was the key factor in spurring growth? I could just as well say that the METRA line was the reason for Kenosha being what it once was. Kenosha’s redevelopment is due in large part to the people of Kenosha and their elected officials who saw that there lake front was a place that people would like to live, work, and play. They are working hard to create this environment and I feel that giving credit to the METRA for this growth is misplaced.

“Could help reduced traffic congestion on I-94.” You bet! Just look at how well the trains system has helped Chicago! This is a non-starter. You will be hard pressed to prove that there would be any significant reduction in traffic on I-94. Based on current projected estimates of rider-ship none of us will notice any difference in traffic.

Now there are a couple of issues that the JS editorial staff did not deal with.

1. There already is a commuter rail system that connects Milwaukee and Chicago...it’s called Amtrak. Amtrak has a number of stops between these two large cities and has done little to increase economic development. But it continues to bleed the taxpayers of our hard earned money.
2. Stemming from my first point the “new” METRA line would come into Milwaukee and end at the Amtrak station! So what would the benefit be to Milwaukee? Amtrak currently isn’t running anywhere near 100% capacity so why would we want an additional train coming into Milwaukee? The proponents point out that METRA is cheaper! So once again we need a little common sense…if METRA and Amtrak are both doing the same thing and the costs are about the same but METRA is cheaper; THAN THAT MEANS IT WILL COST THE TAXPAYERS MORE TO RUN!!!!!

The Journal Sentinel editorial staff missed the mark on commuter rail but I am afraid that many people including our elected officials think this is a good idea. Do us all a favor call your elected officials, tell them that we have a commuter rail system that is bleeding us dry, and that we do not need another.

If the Democrats want to argue US security they are going to have a hell of a fight…what are they going to do talk about their record?

"Still, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said she was encouraged. "Many states took this very seriously, recognizing that good teachers make all the difference in whether or not our children succeed in their studies," she said in a statement."

"Four states failed altogether: Hawaii, Missouri, Utah and Wisconsin. They must submit new plans and undergo monthly auditing of their teacher quality data, the department says."

Here is what was submitted and the response to the plan…Definitely READ the response and notes!!

The DPI cover letter

The DPI Equity Plan


The US Department of Education’s Cover Letter

The Reviewers Notes for the DPI Plan

DONOVAN RILEY - potential felon

Over the weekend Spivack and Bice broke the news that a Donovan Riley, Democratic candidate for the State Senate, had voted twice in the 2000 Presidential election (article here) once here in Wisconsin and once in Illinois. Hmm, I wonder who he voted for.

Today is Wednesday August 16, 2006 and here is what State Democratic Chair Joe “anything to win” Wineke had to say:

“…………………………………………………………………………………..”

That’s right ladies and gentleman, NOTHING!

There has been a lot of talk from the Left about getting tough on vote fraud but Doyle has vetoed every attempt to strengthen our elections and when faced with proof that one of their own has committed this felony they do not even call for him to step aside.

JOE IT IS TIME TO SHOW SOME LEADERSHIP AND DISTANCE YOUR PARTY FROM THIS GUY…if not then the Democratic Party must condone this behavior and that will be good for the conservative agenda.

We’re waiting Joe…and waiting and waiting and waiting…

JOE WINEKE