From the monthly archives: November 2010

The downside of internet anonymity

On November 30, 2010 By

Anyone who’s been on the internet for any length of time can relate to this…
THERE you are, peacefully reading an article or watching a video on the Internet. You finish, find it thought-provoking, and scroll down to the comments section to see what other people thought. And there, lurking among dozens of [...]

Continue Reading →

Gates on DADT – 70% see positive or no effect to ending it

On November 30, 2010 By

The report is out – “About 70 percent of active-duty personnel believe dismantling “don’t ask, don’t tell” would have a positive effect on the military – or no effect at all.” If this isn’t enough to get the Senate to dump this unpleasant, wasteful law what is? The military leadership says get it done.

Continue Reading →

3 Little Headlines, 3 Different Recommendations – WSJ vs. AP vs. NYT

On November 30, 2010 By

The 3 little headlines from today’s New York Times, Associated Press and Wall Street Journal reflect the alternative realities of these national journalism leaders. In looking at these headlines you’d think their editors are from three different planets!

The New York Times headline in print:

“Extra Vitamin D and Calcium aren’t necessary, Report Says”

Associated Press

“Study Suggests (a little) more vitaming D”

The Wall Street Journal

“Triple That Vitamin D Intake, Panel Prescribes”

Continue Reading →

Wisconsin rises to 29th in New Economy Innovation Rankings

On November 30, 2010 By

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation released a new study the 2010 State New Economy Index that evaluates all states on 26 factors to “measure the extent to which your state enables and supports businesses which are knowledge-based, global, digitally-driven, and led by innovation” according to Entrepreneur Magazine. You can see the full report here.

The top 5 states were all blue states proving yet again that there is a correlation between knowledge, innovation and progressiveness in politics (okay I don’t have the statistical proof, but the data looks pretty convincing):

1. Massachusetts
2. Washington
3. Maryland
4. New Jersey
5. Connecticut

Continue Reading →

Dane County Exec update

On November 30, 2010 By

Today State Representative Joe Parisi, threw his hat into the ring and declared his candidacy for Dane County Executive.

At a news conference Tuesday at Sustainable Engineering in Middleton, Parisi, D-Madison, with his two daughters and wife by his side, announced he would be running for outgoing Dane County [...]

Continue Reading →

textbook anti-intellectualism part 2.

On November 30, 2010 By

“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.’”

— Isaac Asimov

As promised Part 2 regarding the Steve Nass agenda. and this quote from [...]

Continue Reading →

textbook anti-intellectualism part 1

On November 30, 2010 By

“Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.”

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It appears to me that Dr. King was ahead of his time in explaining the latest [...]

Continue Reading →

No doubt we can look forward to two more years of no debate

On November 30, 2010 By

Here’s a blast from the past…watch as Wisconsin’s own Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, then the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee back in 2006, refused to allow Democrats debate the Patriot Act or discuss Guantanamo Bay.
No doubt we can look forward to two years of the Republican House majority “debating” the issues just like [...]

Continue Reading →

Scott Walker really really wants to put a stop to labor contracts

On November 30, 2010 By

I guess Governor-elect Scott Walker really doesn’t understand that he’s not the governor yet:
Governor-elect Scott Walker asked legislative leaders in a letter Monday not to approve labor contracts with state employees before he takes office.

Democrats have said they plan to take up the no-pay-increase contracts before they lose power and Walker [...]

Continue Reading →

High speed rail hearings to be held next week

On November 30, 2010 By

Within the next week, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be holding a series of public hearings around the state on the issue of high speed rail in Wisconsin, so that citizens will have an opportunity to have their voices be heard on the issue. Here’s the details of the meetings:
The meetings will [...]

Continue Reading →