http://www.fightingbob.com/ An online magazine about progressive politics in Wisconsin. en-us http://www.fightingbob.com/weblog.cfm?postID=4264
From Ayn Rand's lead fan, Paul Ryan, to the latest crazy talk from Newt at Oral Roberts University, (Sit down before reading Newt's warning
that "defeating Obama--the most dangerous president in American history, was a duty of national security because he is incapable of defending the United States.")

I believe that Gingrich is, in essence, calling for either a coup or the assassination of Barack Obama! If Obama is the most dangerous president in history and he is incapable of defending our country, he must be removed. Whoa Nelly! Talk about scary!

Remember "truth in Sentencing?" "Life means life"?
Many Americans thought that truth in sentencing would provide an end to parole but also reduce costs by informing the public every time a prisoner is sentenced the Court would explain the cost to the state. An informed electorate could make some rational decisions. For example, a person convicted of possession of drugs. Do we want him in prison at $41,000 per year? I don't think so.But the result is that we are going broke trying to fund our bloated prison population. If we don't permit inmates to get out of prison before the entire term is completed, our prisons will be so over-crowded that courts will have to intervene to eliminate the awful over-crowded conditions that result from truth in sentencing. Think California for proof. Today's NY Times raises another problem. prisoners with cognitive disabilities. Think about a high number of Alzheimer "patients" in prison. In New York, the state is paying $91,000 per year per inmate with cognitive disability. (Normal prisoners cost $42,000. We have 1.6 million in our prisons. Do the math and ask if we have lost our marbles.


The State Journal keeps touting their role as "Wisconsin's Independent Voice." Yah Sure Ole. Read the editorial today calling on the legislature to rush the mining bill through the legislature. C'mon! This is an awful bill, or more appropriately, two awfulful bills. The fact that WMC and the mining companiy drafted the bills should end all discussion until we get a"do over".

"There has been precious little investigative journalism on the impact of proposed mines. Ah, but the state journal can think only of JOBS!]]> Ed Garvey 2012-02-26 http://www.fightingbob.com/article.cfm?articleID=1439 Amy Goodman 2012-02-26 http://www.fightingbob.com/weblog.cfm?postID=4263
Good lord, Bud Selig, who conned Tommy Thompson into building a new stadium for his team at taxpayer expense; Bud Selig, who got his college degree in political science and history, would have you believe he knows the law! Just a technicality, says Bud. But some have suggested that the guy hired to collect urine for Bud and rush it to Fed Ex might me the problem. The guy's name is Dino. Dino Laurenzi. Dino's dad says he is a "good boy." His dad called him a "straight shooter." Perhaps this time he didn't shoot straight, if you get my drift.

Dino has never been in trouble. Any accusations against him "would be unfounded." Yah, sure.

His web site his bio says Dino is trained in sports medicine and specializes in athletic performance training and rehab. Our guy Dino did not follow the rules, but Selig's assistant said: Dino, "the extremely experienced [urine] collector acted (get this) in a professional and appropriate manner." No he didn't, Bud. No he didn't.

Wonder why we did not allow drug tests in the NFL?]]> Ed Garvey 2012-02-25 http://www.fightingbob.com/weblog.cfm?postID=4262 MJS reports that testimony and arguments went until 9:00 last night. Twain once said a lie gets half-way around the world before Truth gets her boots on. In the redistricting case, nicely reported by MJS, Truth probably never took her boots off!

Secret meetings, emails, memos and meetings; the Walker folks made us the laughing stock of the nation and exposed our judicial process for the farce it has become. Imagine having all or nearly all GOP legislators sign secrecy agreements. Agreements signed at a law firm, paid nearly half a million dollars to draw the lines for the partisans, in order to claim attorney-client privilege? Are they kidding? This is spy novel material. Attorney Peter Earle, an attorney for Voces de la frontera, summed it up with these comments:

They chose to initiate a process in secrecy, hide it from the public, draft intentionally vague agreements with consultants, hired three expensive law firms to be paid over a million dollars, mostly by taxpayers. One of the outside lawyers stated that he drafted consultant agreements to be vague so that the public would not understand the agreements! And swore that politics was not a factor. Whoa Nelly! They deprived the public of the ability to scrutinize what was done, said Earle.

As I look at it, the lawyers for the state and the GOP operated with a determined effort to control the legislative maps and they believed that the only thing that could stop them would be sunlight. Thus they decided to keep the public in the dark. Just the opposite of Open Records. This is a disgrace!]]> Ed Garvey 2012-02-25 http://www.fightingbob.com/weblog.cfm?postID=4261 Tin Cup Brigade. For those just tuning in, the idea is easily understood but will require one heck of an effort to be successful.

Scott Walker will have all the money he thinks he needs. He will purchase most, if not all, available time on TV in Wisconsin. Word has it he has $12 million in the bank as I write. That is a "downpayment" worthy of note. Frankly, no Democrat can raise that amount of money for the gubernatorial race so we at Fighting Bob.com have decided to ask Democratic candudates to refuse major contributions from corporations, labor unions, and Super PACs.

"Can't win that way" holler the old line campaign consultants who see their payday going down. The fact is no candidate can beat Walker by trying to out-raise him or even to keep pace with his fundraising. Cannot be done. So, if candidate X says, "OK Walker! You are on--I can raise enough money to challenge the Koch Brothers." I respond, "nonsense."

Naturally, all candidates require some money for rent, gas, supplies. Our way of dealing with those minimal expenses? A Fighting Bob fund to make a modest amount available to all candidates who have raised, say, $250,000 for the fund. All money will be spent explaining the new approach. Example: a TV spot that says you will hear a lot of nonsense about the race for governor but not from Democrats. Why? We have decided to call a halt to the scandal of fundraising so that quality people can run for office.

So, focus on Walker's Koch money and explain that the Dems will not spend every waking moment dialing for dollars.

People's Legislature meets soon. Announcement tomorrow.]]> Ed Garvey 2012-02-24 http://www.fightingbob.com/weblog.cfm?postID=4260
At our first Fighting Bob Fest, I was chairing the "meeting" when a hand went up. I called on the woman who said it was time that we create a progressive voice using the Internet. I called for a vote and it was unanimous! Four months later, on February 24, 2003, we started. (Check the archives once in a while. Good stuff.) Because we started, Fighting Bob Fest celebrated #10 last September. The People's Legislature got started and a thousand ideas are out there and almost ready for prime time.

I am non-plussed when I read the numbers--10 million page views, 30,000 visits every week, 7,000 commentaries, 4 million visitors, over 3,000 blog posts, 1,400 articles. It boggles my mind.

More than numbers, it is Fighting Bob's soul that cranks me up every morning. And, every day we have a chance to advance social and economic justice. We have a chance to make the public debate more interesting. We have a chance...and more often than not, we grab the chances.

More tomorrow about those who deserve a round of applause.

Thank you. You have written articles, contributed money, raised hell. This, like Bob Fest, belongs to you.

My best, Ed Garvey.]]> Ed Garvey 2012-02-23 http://www.fightingbob.com/weblog.cfm?postID=4259 We learned this morning that our prediction that the Reinhart firm in Milwaukee, a recent hire by the governor, will look at the $500,000 "cap" on legal fees for them in the redistricting case, not to mention Michael, Best at $400,000, as a good start. A cap? Yah sure Ole!

Yesterday we gently explained how outside counsel are selected by the governor and how they are paid. Sure enough, Reinhart was selected by Scott Walker, who also apparently negotiated Reinhart's fees. The Reinhart firm has already billed over $288,000 and that is before you were even informed that Walker put their fee on your tab. Lucky you! Do you want to guess the hourly cost to taxpayers just for Walker-hired lawyers as the trial gets started today in Federal Court? Legal fees usually almost double in trial. Some cynics suggest that the big fees are an impediment to settlement. Nah!

Want to guess what your bill will be? (Remember the tobacco case where a prominent law firm didn't keep time records but "assumed," after we pushed them, that they were paid about $50,000 per hour? Yikes! And Whoa Nelly!)

A panel of three federal judges again prodded the litigants to re-draw the district maps voluntarily. The lawyers said "no." Catch this: The GOP said they were willing to make changes but they do not believe they have the power to do so. Hogwash!

(Then there is the issue of the lobbyist who worked for the GOP. What should his fee be and what is he expected to do on your tab?)

I could write all day about this case, but I will hit only the low-lights.

Jim Troupis, in an e-mail released yesterday, said to fellow lawyer Eric McLeod, "I have kept contracts with consultants purposely vague, making it harder for the public to understand..." His example is the former legislator and lobbyist consoling on this matter. How does Joe Handrick report his time with no obligation to provide detail of his work? They--oops, you the taxpayer--are paying him $5,000 per month to do what? Nice payday I would say.

Troupis was busy busy, but he had time to brief the general counsel of the Republican National Committee three weeks before the Troupis-Mcleod team gave the maps to Democrats.

I will end this for now with one additional item. MJS reported, "Republicans have insisted under oath that partisan interests played no role in how they drew the maps"! And, how about the secrecy agreements GOP legislators signed? Not partisan? Whoa Nelly!]]> Ed Garvey 2012-02-23 http://www.fightingbob.com/article.cfm?articleID=1438 David Giffey 2012-02-23 http://www.fightingbob.com/weblog.cfm?postID=4258
Yes, the three-judge federal court has stirred the pot. Action on the redistricting plan worked out in secret sessions got started yesterday but more fireworks at the starting gate along with a verbal lashing of the lawyers representing the GOP.

The first issue was whether or not GOP attorney James Troupis or attorneys from Michael, Best and Friedrich must testify under oath. Judge Stadtmueller said, "It appears at least from my preliminary scan of the materials he [Troupis] is certainly going to have to testify." That might be the reason Walker hired Reinhart with a $500,000 cap on fees!

It must be pointed out that a "cap" on fees is often anything but a cap. Here is the deal. The governor decides that the DOJ needs help. He gets one of his allies in the legal world to submit a proposal and, voilà! the firm is hired. If the firm exceeds the cap? You guessed right: the state pays the excess. So, when is a cap not a cap?

Reinhart is not inexpensive. Fees capped at $500,000 is a good start for lawyers at Reinhart who will "assist the Department of justice" says MJS. Get out the calculator. The GOP hired Michael, Best & Friedrich at $400,000 to draw the lines, and, presumably, to develop strategy. Now Rinehart under contract at $500,000 means they are edging close to the million dollar mark.

Read these comments from Judge Stadtmueller: "The facts are the facts, and what has occurred here is beyond the pale in terms of lack of transparency and secrecy. Appearances are everything and Wisconsin has prided itself one generation after another on openness and fairness in doing the right thing." He concluded, "And to be frank we have seen everything but that in the way this case has proceeded." Almost all GOP lawmakers signed secrecy agreements! Whoa Nelly!

Stay tuned.

Bye, bye affirmative action!

Justice Sam Alito, known best for mouthing an insult to President Obama during the State of the Union address while shaking his head, will probably be the deciding vote to eliminate affirmative action in college admissions. Race is only one of many factors as schools try to diversify the student body. Affirmative action puts a young white kid in a class or dorm with an African American and both grow as a result of the contact.

But Alito, the replacement for the moderate and retired Sandra Day O'Connor, will probably write the decision unless Justice Roberts has a sense of humor and asks Clarence, son-of-Scalia and affirmative action exhibit A when affirmative action was much less flexible, to write the decision that will tilt the entire system toward segregation.

The Warner Commission warned that we were moving toward two societies, one poor and black, the other white. I'll bet there will be a hell of a party at the Bradley Foundation. Charlie Sykes with lamp shade on head and party favors handed out by Mike Grebe unless he flies George Will in for the party. I can see it now. And the delegates to that incredible spectacle I-PAC will be up dancing all night drinking champagne! What was the title? Cry the Beloved Country?

Russ Feingold was on Jon Stewart's Daily Show last night. No mention of Walker or candidacy so I think it is safe to scratch Feingold from the list of candidates for governor. Too bad. Russ has a book out today: While America Sleeps.]]> Ed Garvey 2012-02-22 http://www.fightingbob.com/weblog.cfm?postID=4257 Herb Kohl said he has no plans to run for governor. While it seemed rather definitive, he did not give it the LBJ "I shall not seek nor shall I accept...." disclaimer. Seemed like he was saying "no," but he didn't say no. He seems to enjoy teasing the media and the politicians. But, to be fair, he may honestly be undecided.

The main reason I find that a few Democratic pols are still pushing Herb is that he alone in Wisconsin politics has millions of dollars that he cold use to fund his own campaign. "No one's governor but yours" bumper stickers would spring up. But the inscrutable Kohl just let it hang out there in space. Clever perhaps, but his indecision could stop Barrett or other candidates from running. There is not much time to fool around.

The Kohl indecision points out how difficult it is to get high quality people to seek office post-Citizens United.

Let's see where this could lead. Suppose Herb got into the race. He could easily win the primary by spending 5-10 million dollars but then what? If the Koch boys plunk 20 or 30 million dollars into the race to save their hero Walker, would Herb up the ante and put an equal amount into the race to become governor? I doubt it, but the question needs asking.

Even with his money, it is far less than the Koch brothers' bankroll. Suppose he doesn't put in tens of millions of his own money, he might win because he has done nothing to antagonize anyone. Then what? A two-year term? Does he run again? Would he, in essence, be clearing the brush from the trail so someone could run and win two years down the road? Would we have solved the money problem by then? Of course not. Does he believe in publicly funded campaigns? Who knows?

It may seem impertinent, but what would he do as governor? I have no idea where he stands on major issues and, I suspect, neither do you. (I will send him my open letter to ask.) That said, if he decides to run, don't be standing in the driveway when the truck moves out.

WHY ARE WOMEN SO ANGRY? If you can't answer that one, don't even think about running for office. Add up the statements from the Catholic Church, Rick Santorum, the absurd bills that have passed the legislature in Virginia, the "aspirin joke" from Santorum's sugar daddy, and I doubt if more than 10 percent of women in Wisconsin will vote for the GOP in November.

Santorum, Gingrich and Romney are, indeed, so bad that there will undoubtedly be a new candidate soon. Meanwhile, the pro-life coalition is off the tracks. Santorum appears to be nuts and the governor of Virginia should share a cell with Rick Santorum.]]> Ed Garvey 2012-02-21