Some Thoughts on Ron Johnson

I first met Ron Johnson a few months ago at a Drinking Right gathering. I found Johnson to be different from career politicians (and if I ever, EVER hear that phrase again I'm gonna scream till they take me away to a rubber room). ANYWAY, the thing I found different about this candidate was he didn't talk. Say whut?? Seriously. He didn't "campaign" like most do. He listened. He'd ask a question and actually LISTEN to what folks had to say on the matter. (hear that Feingold?) He wasn't pushing an agenda or an idea...he truly seemed to want to hear what people were thinking, whether it be good or bad. Just a regular guy wanting to know what the people were really looking for.

Now, anyone who has been paying attention at all knows that the event that pushed Johnson into running for Senate was the passage of Obamacare. He's often relayed the story of his daughter having a congenital heart defect at birth and how the choices that he and his wife had were critical to her survival. I could really relate to that. So last week, for some odd reason I thought I would send him this post. Basically it's my story of a very similar scenario. So I shot that off via email to him, and figured his staffers would read it (or not) and that would be the end of it.

Not this time. I was at work a little after lunch last Wednesday - the same day I sent the email. The phone rang and I answered it because I was the ONLY person in the office that day. Someone asked for me and who d'ya think it was? Yup - Ron Johnson. He said staff did indeed look at the email and passed it on to him. He called just to chat about it and ask a few questions. We had a very pleasant conversation ending with me letting him know that I support him 100% in the senate race.

Why write about this? Is it a huge thing in the grand scheme of things? Probably not. But what it demonstrated to me was that my initial impression of Ron Johnson was pretty spot on. It demonstrated that he is just a "regular guy" who is running for office for the reasons he cited. He wants to see a change in Washington and is one of the many "regular people" who have demonstrated their love for this country by stepping up to the plate, running for office and trying to get us headed back in the right direction.

If you live in Wisconsin and give a damn about this state and this country, cast your vote for Ron Johnson for U.S. Senate.

Silence of the Blog

Yes, I am well aware that there's not much going on around here. Fact of the matter is I'm gettin' on a plane on Wednesday. And where am I going you ask? Well, I'm meeting Kate in Washington D.C. (well, technically in Crystal City, VA) for the Smart Girl Summit. Yes, I've already heard every smartass comment about that. Anyway, I've been trying to tie up loose ends at home and at work.

I do have a few posts rattling around in my head, and I'll likely get to them while I'm out of town.

Me and Kate. In Washington D.C. For 5 days. Heh!!

Hubby and the Boy. Alone in the house. For 5 days. Yikes!

Check it Out!!

From Charlie Sykes...Introducing...Politicrap!!

From the folks who brought you the "Deep Tunnel Awards," a new political feature: PolitiCrap. We will evaluate political ads, news stories, politicians' press releases and spin. And, yes, we will also fact check the fact-checkers.

PolitiCrap is a joint effort of the Charlie Sykes show and the conservative Wisconsin blogosphere. More than a dozen bloggers and pundits have agreed to participate in the state's first conservative fact check -- an alternative and a counterpoint to the MSM.

Our fact check will have four catgeories:

1. True

2. Blended (with apologies to MMSD)

3. Mostly Crap

4. Total Crap

Yes - I'm a little late to the party on this, but you can check out the post on Tom Barrett's pension claims here, read about Feingold's "Maverick" label here, and get the straight poop on the Oshkosh Northwestern's scoop here.

This will be a daily feature on Sykes' website, and while I may not link back every day, every post WILL be linked to! Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

Cuz it made me giggle

The Entitlement Mindset

I don't know why this surprises me. It really shouldn't. I guess because "Auntie" is so up-front and in your face with her entitlement mindsent.

"If I come as an immigrant, you have the obligation to make me a citizen." Those are the words from 58-year-old Zeituni Onyango of Kenya in a recent exclusive interview with WBZ-TV.

Onyango is the aunt of President Barack Obama. She lived in the United States illegally for years, receiving public assistance in Boston.

Wait a minute - WHAT??? An "obligation" to make you a citizen? And where the hell would you get THAT idea? It is YOU, dear Auntie, who has an "obligation" to follow the laws of this land.

Zeituni Onyango said she came to the United States in 2000 and had every intention of leaving. Then, however, she says she got deathly ill and was hospitalized. When she recovered, she said she was broke and couldn't afford to leave.

For two years Onyango said she lived in a homeless shelter, before she was assigned public housing despite thousands of legal residents also awaiting assistance. "I didn't take any advantage of the system. The system took advantage of me."

"I didn't ask for it; they gave it to me. Ask your system. I didn't create it or vote for it. Go and ask your system," she said unapologetically.

And she's right. The system provided her assistance despite her status as an illegal immigrant.

Okay - lemme get this straight. The "system", who wrongly gave you a home and public assistance which is meant for LEGAL citizens took advantage of you??? Care to explain that one Auntie?

When asked about cutting in line ahead of those who have paid into the system she answered plainly, "I don't mind. You can take that house. I will be on the street with the homeless."

"To me America's dream became America's worst nightmare," she said adamantly. "I have been treated like public enemy number one."

She is still living in South Boston public housing, unemployed, and collecting about $700 a month in disability, she says. And now, Zeituni Onlyango is in this country legally.

Okay, listen lady. You came to this country, you stayed here illegally, you were given housing and taxpayer money even though those who are LEGAL citizens were still on a waiting list, and this is your worst nightmare??? Seriously??

Apparently hubris runs strong in the Obama bloodline.

H/T James T.

I'm a Lucky Gal

I just want to thank y'all who wished me a happy birthday today. Between Twitter and Facebook, I got SOOOO many warm birthday wishes...and ya know what? 99% of them are from people I actually KNOW!!

I'm truly humbled - I have a lot of friends out there, and I'm grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for making this an incredible day! :)

Hooray Dipity!!

My dear friend and boo, Sara, has had a wonderful opportunity offered to her. I've linked to Sara's blog in the past because she has a very unique style of writing. She can turn a horrible experience into something that is gut-bustingly funny.

Well, apparently the folks at OnMilwaukee.com have finally figured out what the rest of us already knew, and offered her a column!! She will be writing 2-3 times a week and will be covering all the cool stuff in Milwaukee and the surrounding area in that unique Saraesque way. Here's the first post!

Congrats Dipity!! I'm so happy for you, and I know you'll do Wisconsin proud!!

Stimulus funds WHAT?????

You have GOT to be kidding me...

On the heels of a scathing report exposing incessant waste in President Obama’s scandal-plagued economic stimulus, a news agency reveals that nearly $1 million in recovery funds have gone to a genitalia-washing program for uncircumcised African men.

If this seems like an inconceivable prank, just take a look at the public university study that received $823,200 in stimulus cash to encourage Africans to undergo voluntary HIV testing and counseling. Specifically, the taxpayer dollars will be used to teach uncircumcised African men how to wash their genitals after having sex. You can’t make this stuff up.

The money from the monstrous $787 billion program Obama promised would jumpstart the economy and put Americans back to work was distributed by the National Institutes of Health. The goal is to stop the spread of AIDS in Africa by convincing uncircumcised men to develop an effective after-sex, genitalia-washing regime. The aim, according to the publicly-funded study, is to evaluate the “feasibility and acceptability of a post-coital male genital hygiene procedure” among Africans unwilling to be circumcised.

If the African men in the study follow the “penile cleansing procedure” researches will hit Uncle Sam up for more money to conduct yet another study to determine if in fact the innovative hygiene regime is effective in hampering the spread of HIV infections. “If we find that men are able to practice consistent washing practices after sex, we will plan to test whether this might protect men from becoming HIV infected in a later study,” the grant says.

You can read the rest here.

Rarely am I rendered speechless. Congratulations - I am now. *shaking head in disgust*

A Quandry

I'll start out by saying that I never had any thoughts whatsoever about buying Meghan McCain's book.  That being said, after reading this review, I'm having second thoughts.

On June 20, 2002, the United States Supreme Court decreed, in the case of Atkins v. Virginia, that the mildly mentally retarded were categorically exempt from capital punishment, reasoning that fully functional adults of diminished mental capacity were as a matter of law not as culpable for their acts. Writing eloquently in dissent, Justice Scalia drew a sharp distinction between the severely mentally retarded (who are truly not responsible for their actions), and the merely stupid (the category into which Mr. Atkins undoubtedly fell). Scalia argued forcefully that, with respect to the merely stupid, at least sometimes they deserve to be punished for their antisocial and destructive behavior.


This article, of course, is not about capital punishment. It is a book review of Dirty, Sexy Politics by Meghan McCain. However, the above discussion is relevant because I initially had reservations about writing this book review at all. After all, it is clear to everyone who has read Meghan McCain’s twitter feed, her “articles” on The Daily Beast, or her ill-fated campaign blog that Meghan is not a paragon of clear reasoning, exemplar of familiarity with facts, nor a model of English language expertise. And after subjecting myself to 194 continuous pages of her “writing,” it became clear that none of the above-described works truly plumbed the depths of mental vacuity in which Ms. McCain aimlessly and cluelessly drifts.

This presented a dilemma.

It is impossible to read Dirty, Sexy Politics and come away with the impression that you have read anything other than the completely unedited ramblings of an idiot. This being a professional website for which I have a great deal of respect, I searched for a more eloquent or gentle way to accurately phrase the previous sentence – but could not find one.

Read the rest here...it's long, but in my opinion worth the read.

So this leads me to the quandry. Do I read the book simply to see how incredibly bad it is or do I not waste my time/money? What would you do?

Racine TEA Party

Yes, I was at the TEA Party/9-11 Tribute on Saturday.  Yes, I did take a ton of pictures.  NO, you won't see them today.  Ya see, I have SOOOO many really important things on my mind that I tend to get a wee bit forgetful every once in awhile. (shaddup Kate) Today is one of those "onces"...the cords I need to transfer the pics to this lil' blog are still at work. 

In the meantime, you can find some good coverage over at Patrick's place and at Fred's place.

Oh, and while you're waiting breathlessly for my pics, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THE WISCONSIN PRIMARY ELECTION TOMORROW!!

Well Hell's Bells!!

While intially we were told that Dad wouldn't need follow up after the successful surgery, we have now learned that he has to have a 12 week course of intensive chemo.  Starting Friday.  Although I understand that they are deeming this necessary, it does not make me happy :(

Always Remember

It was a beautiful Tuesday morning. The sky was blue, the sun was shining and the air was crisp. As I was getting breakfast for the Boy (he was the Monkey back then) my husband yelled from across the house.

In a matter of moments, life as I knew it was forever altered.

I will NEVER forget. I won't forget what we're fighting for and against.

Remember the innocent victims. Remember the brave first responders who lost their lives. Remember those who have sacrificed all combating evil across the globe. And remember those who continue to do so.

Please. Always Remember.

Now THIS I can get behind!!

Why hasn't anyone brought this up before?

New York City should throw a ticker-tape parade up the "Canyon of Heroes" for the U.S. troops coming home from Iraq, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said Wednesday. But with nearly 50,000 troops still serving in Iraq, it is a question of when.

The soldiers deserve the nation's thanks and a grand parade up Broadway, Quinn said. "It's something we need to do," said the West Side Democrat. "We owe them minimally a thank you in the New York way that we do it which is in part a parade in the Canyon of Heroes."

Quinn said she hopes the parade can be held sooner rather than later, but points out that 48,000 troops are still serving in Iraq even after President Obama declared an end to combat operations. Quinn said she defers to veterans groups and others as to when such a parade should be held. "I will certainly use the power and resources of my office to whatever degree they are needed to make sure this does happen."

A spokesman for Mayor Bloomberg declined to comment on whether the city is making plans to hold a parade for military service members. One City Hall source said the Mayor has been reaching out to various groups to explore how best to proceed.

"The troops without a doubt deserve it more than the Yankees and the Giants. If there is a grander gesture, I would want the city to make it," Quinn said. "The most respectful thing we can do is look to (the soldiers) to guide us when the right time is."

Quinn said she spoke with various veterans groups and some said a parade should not be held 'today.' Timing for any possible parade will rest heavily on the Mayor and the military about when troops who had served in Iraq could come to New York to take part.

Congressman Peter King (R) Long Island tells NBCNewYork that he also wants a parade for the troops up Broadway. King said one should be held in the near future to show support for the troops now that combat operations in Iraq have ended.

I think it's an exceptional idea for New York to honor the troops in this way.

Another Argument for Sterilization

This truly pisses me off.

MILWAUKEE - Prosecutors in Milwaukee County have charged a 20-year-old mother with misdemeanor child neglect after the woman's 2-year-old daughter was found wandering Milwaukee's streets near 27th and Burleigh late this past Monday night.

Police released the girl's picture to the media after investigators were unable to figure out who she was. Someone recognized the girl and directed police to the girl's mother, Shymika Williams.

According to a criminal complaint, the girl's mother told police that she had taken the girl to a home near 29th and Burleigh approximately two weeks ago. The mother said she paid the people there $25 to watch her daughter for the weekend.

While the mother didn't know those people's last names or exact address, she said they had watched her daughter before and were related to her sister's children.

Police were able to make contact with one of the people who watched the 2-year-old. That person, who is a 13-year-old, corroborated the story about watching the girl. She said after the weekend, a person named NeNe took the girl and that was the last she time she had seen the girl.

The mother claims she hadn't seen her daughter for two weeks. It's not clear where the girl was the entire time.

Authorities say when they found the girl, she was dehydrated and had a fever of 102.

And they call this a misdemeanor??

Where to begin??? Let's see - she took her daughter to SOMEONE'S house (because of course, if someone is watching your daughter for the weekend, what do you need names for?) two weeks ago to watch her for the weekend. Ummm - last I checked, a weekend doesn't last two F*CKING weeks!! And though you took her there, you really don't know the address...but hell! What would you need an address for? It's only your 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER!!!!!!

I hope they throw the book at her, but I won't hold my breath.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...folks should have to get sterilized at puberty and NOT be able to have it reversed unless and until they can pass an extensive parenting test. Kids should not have to be put through the hell that is a horrific parent.

I'll be there - will you??

Join the Racine TEA Party for the September 11th Tribute

2:00 – 3:30 pm

Pershing Park at Racine’s lakefront

The event will feature Fox News correspondent and former 20/20 co-anchor John Stossel, the Roadmap for America Congressman Paul Ryan, the “Rock Star of Radio” Vicki McKenna, Climate Legislation Expert & Congress of Racial Equality Niger Innis, American Idol contestant and recording artist Krista Branch, and Pastor David King.

Register by visiting www.fightbackwisconsin.com and clicking on “attend an event” or click on link: https://www.campaigncontrolcenter.com/Ticket.php?acct=fightbackwisconsin&myEvent=33

In honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, Racine TEA Party will be accepting donations to help those brave men and women who continue to risk their lives to keep us safe.

All donations will go to “Operation Care Package”. Suggested items are listed at: www.operationcarepackages.org

Vicki McKenna
Niger Innis
Krista Branch

WHAT: Racine Tea Party Tribute; Town Hall on Jobs, the Economy and the Deficit

WHERE: Pershing Park, 500 Pershing Drive, Racine, WI (on Lake Michigan)

WHEN: Saturday, September 11, 2010, 2:00 pm-3:30 pm (Gates open at 12:30 pm)

***Please bring patriotic signs as we are honoring the 9/11 fallen***

This event is co-sponsored by:
Wisconsin Prosperity Network
Americans for Prosperity
Racine TEA Party

The Racine TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party was formed by a group of upset taxpayers that saw where we were headed as a country and said ‘we have had enough!’ We followed the lead of other groups from around the nation and had our 1st TEA’d Off Party on Saturday, April 18, 2009 where just over 300 people came out to express their outrage over the growing government taxation at all levels. Our second event on January 16th, 2010 had over 4,000 in attendance.

The group has continued to meet and will continue to work on ways of getting out the message about how a growing tax burden is not good for our county.

WTMJ v. James T. Harris???

Interesting. I stumbled upon this the other day.

Full Disclosure: I've been hoping James T. gets a full time slot at WTMJ for quite some time. When I heard that Jonathan Green was retiring, I thought JT was a shoo-in.

Okay - back to the post. At first I brushed it off. I didn't think there was any way that the powers that be at the station would overlook James' popularity. But then I remembered how Phil Cianciola was unceremoniously dumped from the Greenhouse show. I was not a happy camper, nor were others that I know. That's about the time I started listening to Belling on my way home.

I guess we'll have to wait and see how this plays out. I must say, however, if the management at WTMJ keeps messing with the lineup and making, in my opinion, poor decisions about the talent, this listener will wipe them right off the radio presets.

UPDATE: From the comments - the author of the blog linked to above also has audio from the woman who sent the email. Listen here.