More Trouble For Sheridan

Speaker Sheridan is becoming a one man tabloid.

Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan is not living in the district he represents but plans to return as soon as possible, a spokeswoman said Friday.

The change in addresses is the result of a pending divorce between Sheridan and his wife, spokeswoman Rebekah Sweeney said.

“He is absent with the intent to return as soon as possible,” she said.

State law requires a lawmaker to live in the Assembly district he or she represents. A government accountability board spokesperson said the law permits a temporary absence as long as the lawmaker intends to move back into the district.

[...]

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Friday that Sheridan intends to file an amended campaign finance report to include more detail about travel reimbursements.

The newspaper reported that Sheridan spent more than $5,000 on campaign travel over the final six months of 2009 but did not disclose whom the payments went to, as required by law.

Legislators and other candidates for office are required to report what hotels and airlines received payments, said Reid Magney, spokesman for the Government Accountability Board, which oversees the state’s election laws.

Sheridan used his campaign account to reimburse himself 20 times in the second half of last year, for a total of $7,963.

Snarlin’ Marlin Lies About CCAP Complaints

Color me shocked 

Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids,  wants to restrict the popular service, known as CCAP, to only records of people who have been convicted of crimes, not those that are only pending or have been dismissed or ended in acquittals.. He said he sought the changes because hundreds of people had told him tales of how information from CCAP prevented them from renting homes or getting jobs.

But Schneider fessed up after the Associated Press requested copies of all complaints he had received about CCAP. The total, over four years, was 59—and only 22 were from people who had had criminal charges dismissed.

Grinding to a Halt

That’s what will happen with this summit.

The focus of Monday’s White House Asian carp summit is to stop the giant, ecosystem-ravaging fish from slipping in the Great Lakes’ back door - the Chicago canal system that links the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.

But the governors who called for the summit don’t just want to talk about carp; they want the Obama administration to tackle the larger issue of invasive species in the Great Lakes, which have become an ecological stew teeming with at least 185 foreign organisms.

Originally it was intended to discuss a specific issue.  The whole summit was a bit farcical and for show, but at least it would draw lines on that issue.  Now they want it to be a wide-ranging discussion that must cover dozens - if not hundreds - of issues.  What does that mean?  The original reason for the summit - whether or not to close Chicago’s canal in order to stop the Asian Carp from entering Lake Michigan - will be lost in the shuffle or become a bargaining item for one of the other issues on the table. 

Three to one odds that absolutely nothing substantial happens to stop the carp. 

Super Bowl XLIV

That is all...

UPDATE: Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints. 

I must say, this was one of the better Super Bowls I’ve seen.  Good football.  Two likable teams.  Two great QBs.  Great coaching on the Saints’ side and good coaching for the Colts.  Good refereeing and they let the players play. 

Good game. 

New Environmentalist Poster

Effective. 

White House Wants People to Stop Being Critical of Their Governance

Waaaaaaa!  WAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

An exasperated White House newly committed to preaching partisan peace slammed Republicans for playing politics on national security and making ignorant allegations about the investigation into the Christmas airliner plot.

Deputy national security adviser John Brennan complained Sunday that politicians, many of them Republicans, were unfairly criticizing the administration for partisan purposes and second-guessing the case with a “500-mile screwdriver” that reaches from Washington to the scene of the abortive attack in Detroit.

“Quite frankly, I’m tiring of politicians using national security issues such as terrorism as a political football,” Brennan said. “They are going out there. They’re unknowing of the facts. And they’re making charges and allegations that are not anchored in reality.”

Oh, cry me a river.  First off, many of us have serious concerns regarding the administration’s handling of our national security.  Second of all, do these guys not remember Bush’s last term? 

Put on your big boy pants, Brennan. 

Massive Explosion in Connecticut

Hoping and praying...

There has been a large explosion at a power plant in Connecticut, causing mass casualties, US media report.

Ambulances and fire engines have been called to the 620MW gas- and oil-fired Kleen Energy plant in Middletown, south of the state capital, Hartford.

The Middletown Press newspaper said a gas pipeline had exploded at around 1130 (1630 GMT), and that flames had been shooting out of it at one point.

Girl Arrested For Doodle

What.  The.  Heck?

A New York City junior high student has been arrested for doodling on her desk with a marker.

Twelve-year-old Alexa Gonzalez scribbled “Lex was here 2/1/10” on her desk Monday at Junior High School 190 in Queens. She also wrote “I love my friends Abby and Faith.” The girl says the doodles could have been erased.

Moraima Tamacho says her daughter was released several hours after she was taken in handcuffs to a police station.

Education department spokesman David Cantor said the incident shouldn’t have happened, and that common sense should prevail.

Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith Enter the Hall of Fame

Two guys who defined a generation of NFL football. 

“We are blessed to achieve this level of greatness together,” Smith said, referring to Rice.

They will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 7.

Rice and Smith each won three Super Bowls and was the MVP in one of those victories. Smith was the 1993 league MVP, as well.

Rice, the NFL’s career receiving and touchdowns leader, and Smith, the top rusher, were joined in the Hall by John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau. Little and LeBeau were elected as senior committee nominees.

Rice, the perfect receiver for the West Coast offense, played 20 seasons for San Francisco, Oakland and Seattle. He made 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards, had 14 1,000-yard seasons and scored 208 touchdowns.

Smith, among the most durable running backs, rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns for Dallas and Arizona.

Soaking Up Saturday

Yet another busy, but fun day.  Attended a basketball game for Kid #3 this morning.  Then after lunch, Wendy decided to make it a girls’ day at the mall with Kid #2 and Kid #3 (Kid #1 had a dance thing to attend).  So Kid #1, The Boy, and I spent some time Wiiing all over the living room.  The Boy and I dropped Kid #1 off at the dance thing and headed for the rifle range.  We spent some time with the .22 and 30-06.  Picked up Kid #1 and finished off the evening stuffing ourselves at Qdoba’s. 

Oh, happy day

West Bend Teachers’ Contract Negotiations Continue

Yeah, just remember this when we’re being asked to tax to the max (again) because of overcrowding and poor facilities.

Bracken said the West Bend district is asking its teachers for a reprieve to get through tough times. The district’s offer would raise pay for teachers about 2% in 2009-‘10 and 3.7% in the second year, he said. The district also is proposing that teachers pick up more of their health insurance costs starting in 2011.

The teachers, meanwhile, are seeking what amounts to a 13% increase in pay over the next three years, he said. The only change to health benefits proposed by the union is for the district to pay $100 to employees’ flexible spending accounts if their spouses complete wellness surveys and screenings.

Challenge Day Returns

Reported by Judy Steffes.

A Challenge Day program cancelled late last month in the West Bend School District is now back on, but will not involve students.

  “I’m still working with the people from Challenge Day to determine what services they’re going to provide us because we are obligated for some contractual pieces with them,” said Assistant Superintendent Ted Neitzke.

[...]

Despite that decision, the West Bend School District had already signed a contract with Challenge Day. According to the contract, there are no refunds. A state Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse grant for $12,800 will pay for the program.

  “In the contract, if you cancelled within 30 days of the event you had to pay the contract,” said Neitzke. “So we’ve been working with them on what other services they can provide for staff development with guidance counselors, school psychologists, social workers, teachers or something else with non-student contact.

  “Our stance was ‘if we’re going to pay you, we’re going to ask you to provide a product, we’re not just going to lose money,’” he said.

Pocket Stuff

The Desert Defender disclosed what he carries in his pockets.  Here’s what I carry:

- chap stick
- comb
- keys
- pocket knife (4 inch lock blade)
- wallet
- phone (AT&T 8525)

I used to carry a little .32, but that’s illegal and whatnot. 

How about you?

She Shoots, She Scooooooores

Tonight, our 10-year-old short and sweet daughter scored her first-ever basket during a basketball game. Almost as exciting as the basket was the amazing reaction from her teammates and the crowd.

Way to go, Kid #2!!

(Not an actual photo of our child, but if she were animated, she would look like this kid from the movie Bolt.)

Amusing Letter

This is entertaining. 

3 school candidates as scary as Schlafly

  I thought Phyllis Schlafly’s Eagle Forum was one of the scariest anti-progressive organizations ever, alongside the wacko John Birch Society. I’m reading “The Family” by Jeff Sharlet. It’s a hard read; if you thought Joe McCarthy was a nut (as I did) when he looked everywhere for communists, then “The Family” is the book for you.

  The fundamentalist “Christian” movement is under every rock (and bed) and behind every tree. Their goal is to have “cells” in every congressional district and most countries in the world with influential members in high places. Including former presidents, senators, congressmen, big-name religious leaders and movie stars. Their idea is “this ruling class of Christ-committed men bound in a fellowship of the anointed, the chosen, key men in a voluntary dictatorship of the divine” (page 91) are to control the world.

  There are three candidates for School Board closely associated with the Eagle Forum. They scare me as much as Phyllis Schlafly.

  Now, as someone vilified by Owen Robinson in his blog when I wrote a letter supporting the schools over a year ago, I urge your support for the incumbents, Kathy Van Eerden and Lynn Corazzi, in the School Board primary on Feb. 16.

  Barbara Landis, West Bend

Wow.  Paranoid much?  I’m not sure where Ms. Landis gets it that three of the board candidates are “closely associated with the Eagle Forum.”  All of the candidates responded to a questionnaire that the Eagle Forum sent them.  Responding to a questionnaire is now evidence of being associated?  I’m sure that our commenters here on B&S are flattered to know that they are now “closely associated” with the proprietors of this blog. 

I also find it amusing that Ms. Landis mentions that I vilified her a year ago before making her recommendation.  Does the fact that I vilified her mean that her opinion is somehow more accurate or should carry more weight?  Curious power I have here.