Fairly Conservative

I’m catching up on news now that I’m back in the real world. Doyle’s veto flat blows me away. I feel completely and utterly stupid. We wasted two years of listening to Republican legislatures tout how important the constitutional amendment to change the governor’s veto powers would be to our state and we end up with this:

For example, the bill sent to Doyle called for spending cuts and transfers from state funds equal to “$69,000,000 during the 2007-09 fiscal biennium and $69,000,000 during the 2009-11 fiscal biennium.” By deleting words and individual characters within that phrase, Doyle changed it to a single figure — “$270,000,000″ — the amount by which he ordered state spending be reduced.

The local paper says:

Doyle’s vetoes were the first since voters slightly limited his powers on April 1. Voters approved a constitutional change that ended the “Frankenstein veto” by saying that governors could not strike words from two or more sentences to make new sentences.

But the governor still may strike individual sentences or parts of sentences and erase individual digits and string numbers together in one sentence. On Friday, Doyle used the 2, 7 and 0 from a reference to the years 2007-’09 to order $270 million in spending cuts by July 1, 2009.

Once again, I was sold something by the representatives that were supposed to be working FOR me and it turns out I got ripped off. I am completely disgusted by this outcome. Doyle must have been laughing his (better not use that word either) off all the way to the voting booth last April.

By the way, here’s what we actually voted for - what was actually on the ballot:

QUESTION 1: Partial veto
QUESTION 1: “Partial veto. Shall section 10 (1) (c) of article V of the constitution be amended to prohibit the governor, in exercising his or her partial veto authority, from creating a new sentence by combining parts of two or more sentences of the enrolled bill?”

I could have sworn that we voted to eliminate what Doyle just did. Someone needs to get busy and elect representatives that can actually write laws. The ignorance we just witnessed must stop.

I can’t believe how angry I am over this one. Un*******believable.

But I’m home. Boy is it fun to have a fast internet connection again!

The 10th Anniversary Edition of Budget Travel was waiting for me. My tip is #7 of 50. It looks to be an amazing magazine coming up. I’m a big Budget Travel fan.

The dishwasher is still warm and there’s a stack that needs to go in still, so I can guess how things went around here. It will take a few days to right it all. In the meantime I’m going to sweep off the deck and clean the table and get ready for dinner.

All I’ve done for the last week is eat, sleep, and relax, I don’t see any reason to change things now.

I’ve started the difficult task of transcribing the letters in the Kilkenny family archives. These are about the death of Lt. John Patrick Kilkenny, Jr., Co. D, 424th Infantry, 106th Division. If you happen to stumble across this from an internet search and can help to provide background, please leave a comment or contact me by e-mail: cindy.kilkenny(AT SIGN HERE)gmail.com.

80th Division
Luxembourg and Germany
February 15, 1945

Lt. Donald P. Richards, 0543133
Hqs. 317th Inf.,
A.P.O. #80 c/o Postmaster
New York, N.Y.

Somehow it’s Friday already. I’ve managed to accomplish most of what I came to do, so I’m goofing off today.

Last night I joined the birders and went owling. First, I didn’t know I was capable of standing still and quiet for 45 minutes, but I did it. The woman leading the group has this amazing owl call that the birds can’t resist. While I never actually saw anything, I did hear responses.

The night was perfect. The moon was so bright you could see shadows, and there was no wind. I watched a couple of satellites orbit while I was standing there. It dawned on me how little time I take to be still. It was a pretty important thing for me to do.

This group amazes me. Can you imagine a whole week where 20 people gather and not one person disagrees? Really! No discussion of politics or economy. The toughest pushback I’ve heard all week was “I love half and half in my coffee” vs “I’m strictly a skim milk person myself.” What’s even more interesting is that there is no complaining. None. If it’s raining they take delight in finding what’s hiding. If it’s windy they marvel at the way the leaves swirl.

I have joked for years that big things happen at my weeks at The Clearing. In August 2002 I took a phone interview and was appointed to the Brookfield Common Council. One summer I took a Photoshop workshop that introduced me to Dan Anderson, a photographer from Door County that I’ve been so fortunate to join on travel to Ireland. That led to a full year of travel and photos that really helped put the pieces together after Mayor Jeff Speaker’s devastating lies from the 2006 election. Last summer I spent my 45th birthday here.

This week I know I’ve been changed again. The rhythm here allows time for thought, and the pieces fall into place. It started a bit with the video clip from Damiano, and settled into something I’m pretty excited about pursuing. The blog may have to change in six months or so if everything works out, but in the meantime we’ll just keep doing what we’re doing. I expect to have a little more fun with blogging the Presidential race, and believe it or not, there are starting to be currents of discussion regarding Brookfield’s next mayoral race.

Well, someone has to keep an eye on these things, it might as well be us.

Charming or condescending?

Here’s the best headline I’ve read on this one: First the “bitter,” now the “sweet”

Now that a finish is eminent, the guy decides to take some risk!

Cindy –

I have some very exciting news.

My good friend John Edwards is endorsing our campaign and joining our movement for change.

We’re here in Grand Rapids, Michigan — and if you receive this message in time, you can probably turn on your TV and be part of the moment.

I’m deeply honored by John’s support. He is a true leader who dedicated his career to improving the lives of ordinary Americans.

John ran a strong, principled campaign for president, focusing on a number of important issues where we share common ground — universal health care, bringing our troops home from Iraq, and eliminating poverty in America.

The way he ran his campaign was also important. He ran in a way that reflected our shared conviction that we need to fundamentally change politics.

Like our campaign, John’s campaign never accepted donations from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs.

Let’s welcome John Edwards to the campaign with an outpouring of the kind of grassroots support that is bringing our political process back to the people.

Make a donation of whatever you can afford now, and if you choose, include your own note to Senator Edwards. I’ll make sure he gets them:

https://donate.barackobama.com/johnedwards

Thank you for all that you’re doing,

Barack

Barack? He signs his announcement Barack? I wonder if this guy will appeal to the grown ups that are voting for Clinton, or will they all cross the aisle and shake hands with Mr. McCain?

And it’s rather anonymous fame at that. You see, the quick wit and easy banter* that have fueled my blogs over the years has been reduced to three words: new starbucks logo. I’m getting hundreds of hits every day from this phrase, mostly from Google searches. I can almost track where the cups with the new logos are being released across the country. This week it’s the upper plains states.

Three simple words. Pffooof! And I don’t even drink the stuff.

*Oh, come on. You know this is said with a little jest…

Elmbrook Superintendent Matt Gibson was so busy defending his administrative position last night that he completely missed the point regarding abstinence teaching for the sex ed curriculum. Gibson is quoted in the paper as saying,

he had a duty to provide human growth and development instruction to all students from families with various value systems, not just Christian-based, with parents who provide different levels of dialog with their children on sexual topics.

“There’s not going to be agreement on every educational material,” he said. “I’m a Christian parent, (but) that’s not the only audience we serve.”

Since when did protecting youth from the physical dangers of promiscuity become a “Christian” only issue? Last I checked, my agnostic and even Jewish friends thought the dangers of STDs from early sexual activity were a bummer, too. I don’t know any of them that would proclaim abstinence a “Christian” only teaching.

Matt, grip up. You blew it last year when your staff pranced in with changes against state law and district policy. You got caught making changes that didn’t honor the very process of parental guidance for sex ed curriculum that your board demanded. Now you’re finding that instead of slipping in new and extraordinarily liberal agendas to the district’s middle schools, you and and your staff are going to get a permanent group of eyes on this matter. It’s your responsibility to apologize to district parents for attempting changes to the sex ed guidelines outside the law.

I’m glad to be a part of the successful review that is taking place. Brookfield City News first covered the issue last August on a reader tip. The press generated from that put Elmbrook’s secret policy rewrite front and center. Now, thanks to the very hard work of a dedicated group of parents, it looks like sex ed instruction won’t be entirely defined by staff.

The paper didn’t say which board members voted to encourage curriculum control. If someone can put it to the comments, I’d appreciate it. I suspect it was Gehl and Allgaier, but would be interested to know all four.

Today I revisited Morocco and printed dozens of photos to see what would enlarge well. I also saw, according to my new birding friends, my first indigo bunting in the tree outside the workshop. Right now I’m listening to the thunder roll in.

The book is amazing. I didn’t get to bed until the wee hours last night because I was busy flipping pages.

I know things are crummy in Brookfield right now with the fire stations eminent and the ongoing arrogance from city hall. I’m sorry. I’ve begun to distance myself from it all, to be honest. Same with the school district who apparently is playing games again in getting information to the public. (It’s good fortune that the youngest is as stubborn and perhaps more capable than her dear mother and will indeed get through the system relatively unscathed. I can gratefully declare two years and counting…) Some things simply never change.

Maybe Nirvana is little more than ignoring the bullshit that surrounds you. Or is that olfactory fatigue? In any event, make time for your own corner of paradise in the next couple of days. You know how. Only you can give yourself permission to take the time necessary to rejuvenate.

Isn’t that what Spring is about?

WisPolitic’s Budget Blog has a link to the memo from the Wisconsin State Senate describing proposed budget amendments. You’ll notice a few things that don’t have dollars attached. I guess it’s all in a day’s work.

Part of the plan is to raid $22 million from the REAL ID stash. Wisconsin 5th Congressional district representative Jim Sensenbrenner has already had some fun with that.

Since 4K was an issue in Elmbrook, read #13 in the Legislative Fiscal Bureau above. I found it interesting that phasing in the 4K program was considered against the state’s constitution.

The Spring Bird group is at The Clearing this week. Do they know their stuff! I’m the only outsider. With only one exception, everyone in the group comes every year. The group started about 30 year ago. Jerry, the newest member, is wide eyed at the jocularity and familiarity expressed during our meals. There is no place like it on earth.

I am so lucky to be here.

This morning they took a half hour walk (I slept in!) and many still had their binoculars around their necks as we sat down for coffee. As we were chatting I looked across the room as found one of the members twisted to the floor in her chair, binoculars to her eyes. This of course prompted a few others to follow course. They were spying a red-breasted something or other that had politely landed on the birch out the window. I asked if this was a common practice, to interrupt daily behavior for a viewing, and was told yes, absolutely. A couple of women told stories about scaring friends during telephone conversations because a rare finding was spotted outside the kitchen window.

I’m unloading in a workroom today. I did get several chapters into the next book club read last night, The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiayama. I plan to catch up on some blog writing this afternoon.

There’s a long-standing joke with the spouse. Father’s Day is meant for him to spend time with the children, but Mother’s Day is when I get some time off! It’s definitely not easy being the Mom, but it has rewards. I really never pictured my adult life without children, so I guess you can say kids are part of the dream.

My own mother certainly had her share of trouble steering me in the right direction. I suppose her greatest tribute is now, when I hear myself say something that sounds just like her or catch a glimpse in the mirror and think “Mom?”, it’s not so bad. My mom can enter a grocery store for a gallon of milk and leave with three new friends. She can also cut to the core of almost any problem in about 2 seconds. There’s not a closet big enough for all of the things she sewn or decoupaged or grown.

One of my prized possessions is a photo my oldest son took with my grandmother, mother, daughter and me. I also had the luxury of knowing my Great Grandmother for 15 years. I see so much in my daughter that is a legacy to that chain of women.

So, Happy Mother’s Day. May you lighten the load for one deserving woman near you.

That’s tonight’s entertainment. It’s a favorite of mine.

I’m also throwing things in a pile to pack for tomorrow. Like I said earlier in the week, I’ll probably have access, but it might be ht or miss.

Besides, it’s painfully slow out there! With Hillary about to say goodbye everyone is breathing before the real battle begins.

Aide to State Senator Mary Lazich and CNI blogger, he’s talking in circles tonight on Interchange - WMVS. He swears tightening the penalties for repeat drunk drivers isn’t a “slam dunk” in the legislature.

It’s interesting to hear his perspective. He has three OWI convictions on his own record. Under the latest proposals, that would have made him a felon.

Felons, among other things, don’t have voting privileges in Wisconsin. Kind of a sticky wicket for someone in politics, don’t you think?

Take a minute to watch this video. I had a chance once to have a couple of beers with Jim at the Red Dot. He’s a great guy and it shows in this quick presentation. The subject? Franklin and Oak Creek’s new “Boomgaard” district.

The name is finally getting some play. I wonder how that happened?

I gave up believing in coincidences a long time ago. Now, if I meet someone interesting, especially if they keep showing up, I ask, “why am I supposed to know you?” I realize that’s the case with Damiano, my travel mate coming home from Morocco. He has the video above posted on his Web site Nitmesh and firmly suggested I watch it. I did.

The speech by Clay Shirky is more than one of Oprah’s “ah-hah” moments. It’s a convergence, a synthesis, of everything to this point. His concepts of the next wave being “consuming, producing, sharing,” and the recognition of “cognitive surplus” combined with something a neighbor believes about niche marketing gave me an idea that I can’t shake.

It’s pretty darn exciting.

Let me know if the speech does anything for your imagination.

Caution: language and lots of attitude.

It does look a little “un” out there. No sun, little wind, and very chilly. I have to get the dog to the groomers this morning, so I’m back in a bit. I need a little blogging fury to catch up with the week. One might say I’ve (u hem) lacked discipline the last few days.

There’s been a painful lack of news after Tuesday’s primary. It does look like Hillary needs to find an exit strategy post Indiana. I’ll let you all discuss Cindy McCain’s unwillingness to release tax returns. I’m fine with it. It looks like they filed separately - the law certainly allows couples to do that. She’s not running for president, so I get it. We know all three candidates are wealthy by anyone standards. At least Cindy McCain isn’t running around pretending to understand how the poor feel! I have a feeling any discussion will fall along party lines, but we’ll see.

Like Ahhnuldd says: I’ll be back.

I’ll try to get it into words by next week. It’s nothing I would have ever expected, but I think it could actually happen.

So what about you? Time for a change?

Make plans to visit the observatory tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. The topic is the moon. They’ll probably have several scopes set up if the skies are good for viewing. Their Web site will give you directions and details.

Also, here’s a site I’ve enjoyed for sunrise/set and moonrise/set times from any location. It’s been great for planning photo outings.