Monday, February 28, 2011

The Pathological Family Update

Anyone who follows my blog knows I occasionally need to vent about the very sick family I was born into.

Here's the latest.

Family Member A sends me an e-mail talking about how she wanted to write or call, but felt so bad about my nineteen year old granddaughter being pregnant.  You could almost hear the judgment, and, sadly, the gloat, in her e-mail to me.  She garnered this information from her granddaughter, who supposedly garnered it from my granddaughter's Facebook page.

Several texts, one review of a Facebook Page and one panic stricken afternoon later, my granddaughter let me know that she indeed was not pregnant, but she and her boyfriend were merely expecting the arrival of a new puppy.  She took umbrage, and I agree with her completely, that people who had to resort to gossiping about her small little quiet life had very little going on in their own lives.

The reason I bring this up at all is that I know other people have sick families, just like I do, families who love it when bad things happen in your life.  Families who can't wait to hear dirt, dish dirt, roll in the dirt and think of you as dirt. 

I will revisit the many websites that give such great advice on how to deal with sick and pathological family members, and I know I will feel better sharing this latest story of people who were once my family, but are now just a group of hideously mean people I must avoid at all costs.  What's really upsetting to me is how often I have to do this, and how truly wretched the people in my family actually are.  I'd like to be a bigger person and say I forgive them, say I'll pray for them, say I wish they'd be alright.  However, over the course of decades, they've destroyed that part of me.  I just wish they'd go away.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Scott Walker on Meet The Press --- What an Embarrassment for Wisconsin

Scott Walker, just like his counterpart, Sarah Palin, proved himself to be an absolutely horrifying embarrassment this morning on "Meet the Press".  The man can't answer a legitimate question without promoting his ideology.  That his ideology is rabid, right wing, republican rhetoric and citizens should be protected from his vile lies and completely skewered perspectives doesn't seem to matter.

Mr. Walker wakes up in the morning.  His political advisers sit him down and make him memorize three or four platitudinous responses to any questions that may arise during the course of the day.  Mr. Walker goes on national television and pulls from his bag of platitudinous tricks one platitude after another.  When confronted on "Meet the Press" with the fact that Wisconsin public employees had agreed to pay more for their benefits and contribute more to their pensions, and why wasn't that good enough, Mr. Walker referred to his experience as Milwaukee County Executive.

I worked under Mr. Walker at Milwaukee County.  In the six years prior to my retirement, I received not a penny in a pay raise, and my benefit costs were raised.  I knew I was getting a sweet deal on health care, so I did not complain.  Mr. Walker proved, as Milwaukee County Executive, that he would not negotiate with unions, and in this case, especially on wages.  Mr. Walker is a union buster.  Mr. Walker and his rich cronies want to take the United States back to the 1800's, back to the time of robber barons; when the rich owners could impose or withhold anything on the working class, get away with atrocious acts as far as their pay, their health, their working conditions and their safety were concerned.  This behavior led to labor organization in the first place.

America can't go backward.  America can't have backward thinkers. Not in this high-tech age.

I am so embarrassed by Scott Walker.  I am so embarrassed that not enough thoughtful people got out to vote in last November's gubernatorial race.  I am appalled at the apathy that exists in the youth of our country.  Of course, and in their defense, we are showing them a nation so beyond being completely screwed up, it is understandable why they would not have a belief that a vote could make a difference.   What legacy is America leaving to it's youth?  Rich old white men willing to destroy education for the masses.  A history of warmongering to support an industrial-military complex so rich old white men can get richer, older and more vile.

I think America is on the skids.  Is that why these billionaires are so scared?  Maybe they should get their hands off America, convert their dollars to gold bars and go live on a tax free island where their financial leprosy won't infect any more innocent people.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Best Signs at the Madison Protest

1.  Walker is a Koch Whore

2.  Walker - Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Koch Industries.

3.  The Dread Scott Walker

4.  Walker - Finish Your Education While There Are Still Teachers.

5.  I'm a Teacher - Which Means I'm 100% Smarter Than a Fox News Reporter.

6.  Walker is a Koch Sucker.

7.  Hey Scott, Can You See Thru Your Koch-Bottle Glasses?

8.  My Cat is Smarter Than Walker.

9.  If the Richest 400 From Each State Was Fairly Taxed, There Wouldn't Be a Deficit.

10.  This is What Happens When Nobody Votes.

11.  Don't Drink The Tea - It's Full of Crap.

12.  Walker Was Asked To Leave Marquette University For Cheating, with a 2.3 GPA.

The day was cold, snowy and wonderful.....but I'm too chilled and too tired to talk or write anymore.  Thank you people for showing up in Madison today!  We have many days like today ahead of us, with clowns like this in office.  America is in a class war.  By sheer volume, we can win this one!  Down with the Ruling Class, Throw the Governor Out on His ASS!

Faith-Based Government-Scott Walker

I am terribly upset reading the morning papers again.  The steam roller politics of the governor (and I use the term loosely) are frightening and upsetting.

That people are calling on their Gods to bless Scott Walker's "stay the course" antics makes me sick.  Clearly, the concept of "God" is lost on these pseudo-religious folks.  Everyone knows God is a socialist, not a republican.   But, tongue in cheek, I digress.

A clear picture is evolving on how Scott Walker got elected in the first place.  He had plenty of conservative, billionaire funding to produce television commercials that appealed to people with red, white and blue blood running though their veins.  It didn't matter that the political ads were lies and republican rhetoric.  People bought into it; especially the ones who haven't seen the inside of a newspaper or magazine in the past decade.

Today, Scott Walker is again producing billionaire funded ads promoting his agenda, complete with the most simpering, ugly, self-righteous and sinister patriotic music playing in the background.  The music grabs the attention of the Wisconsin people who voted this moron into office, while completely sweeping the facts of Scott Walker's political agenda under the rug. 

I GOT A SONG FOR YOU WALKER, AND I INTEND TO SING IT AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS TODAY IN MADISON.......


YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION.........WELL, YOU KNOW, WE ALL WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

Well, we most certainly want to change Wisconsin back to a great place.   We will not allow Scott Walker to completely defecate all over this once great state, much the same way he urinated all over Milwaukee County.  Let's drive him out of office and back to Wauwatosa, where he can ruminate over the fact that he's got no rich buddies anymore.  Power neutralized, Walker is a NOBODY.  I mean, why would David Koch call a cheap hack like Scott Walker?  Pay for his b.s., yes, he'll do that.  That protects David Koch's dollars.  But socialize with him.......get serious.

The Scott Walkers of the world would not exist if we had sense and sanity in how we allow candidates to run their elections.  We don't understand that the whole election process is an unfair game, under current rules of campaign contributions.  Clearly, Mr. Walker bought the governorship.  But watching him not have a clue on what to do with it would be comical if it didn't border so unpredictably on danger and chaos.  It's sort of like watching a member of the ultra-wealthy class go out and buy a snow blower, then cut his hands off with it because he hasn't a clue how to do real labor.  Mr. Walker hasn't got a clue how to be a governor.  And it's not like UW offers a crash course.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Standing Up for Wisconsin

I'll be in Madison tomorrow to stand with the working class against tyranny.

SCOTT WALKER

Mouthpiece of the rich
(with his lips firmly planted on their collective arses)

ENEMY OF THE POOR

Scott Walker - Criminal at Large

Scott Walker revealed many truths about himself in his conversation with the fake Ed Koch.  The fact that he is duplicitous, conniving, and willing to break the law to promote his agenda is apparent in this revelatory conversation, and I invite Scott Walker supporters to read it.  Walker proponents don't have a clue about who they are supporting.  An ignorant populace always leads to a dangerous government.

We need to take a hard look at Scott Walker's behavior.  Scott Walker is not a leader.   He is a bewildered pawn in a power game of the ultra rich.   It should be relatively easy to trip this guy up into committing a criminal act which will be the basis for us to get rid of him.  Get to work liberals!  Make that extended wiretap law work for us for a change!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Seditious Scott Walker --- Prime Dupe

REPRINTED FROM MEDIAITE.COM:


Yesterday, Ian Murphy, the editor of the website Buffalo Beast (which is down at the moment of this writing, presumably because of traffic) called up Scott Walker, the embattled governor of Wisconsin. However, Murphy identified himself as David Koch. Walker took the bait and engaged in a 20 minute conversation about the protests, the unions, the “Democrat bastards,” and the folks on Morning Joe. Walker’s staff has since confirmed that it is him on the phone.

In the conversation, “Koch” and Walker discuss the many ways to end the crisis. One section even includes what appears to be Walker’s plan to set a bit of a trap for the missing Wisconsin Democrats:
“An interesting idea that was brought up to me by my chief of staff, we won’t do it until tomorrow, is putting out an appeal to the Democratic leader. I would be willing to sit down and talk to him, the assembly Democrat leader, plus the other two Republican leaders—talk, not negotiate and listen to what they have to say if they will in turn—but I’ll only do it if all 14 of them will come back and sit down in the state assembly. They can recess it… the reason for that, we’re verifying it this afternoon, legally, we believe, once they’ve gone into session, they don’t physically have to be there. If they’re actually in session for that day, and they take a recess, the 19 Senate Republicans could then go into action and they’d have quorum because it’s turned out that way. So we’re double checking that. If you heard I was going to talk to them that’s the only reason why. We’d only do it if they came back to the capitol with all 14 of them. My sense is, hell. I’ll talk. If they want to yell at me for an hour, I’m used to that. I can deal with that. But I’m not negotiating.

Later “Koch” talks about “planting some troublemakers” but Walker shuts it down, while admitting they’ve “thought about it.”

Most interesting for us, perhaps, is Walker’s description his time on MSNBC:

“WALKER: Sooner or later the media stops finding it interesting.
“KOCH”: Well, not the liberal bastards on MSNBC.
WALKER: Oh yeah, but who watches that? I went on Morning Joe this morning. I like it because I just like being combative with those guys, but, uh. You know they’re off the deep end.
“KOCH”: Joe’s a good guy. He’s one of us.
WALKER: Yeah, he’s all right. He was fair to me and then the rest of them are out there. Although, I had fun. They had Schumer over from New York on ripping me and then they had this little clip of a state Senator hiding out and ripping me and it was almost too easy.
“KOCH”: Beautiful. Beautiful. You gotta love that Mika Brzezinski.
Walker: Oh yeah.
“KOCH”: She’s a real piece of ass.”

This is the statement released by Walker’s spokesperson:

“The Governor takes many calls everyday. Throughout this call the Governor maintained his appreciation for and commitment to civil discourse. He continued to say that the budget repair bill is about the budget. The phone call shows that the Governor says the same thing in private as he does in public and the lengths that others will go to disrupt the civil debate Wisconsin is having.”



A governor engaged in disruptive, bullying, seditious tactics does not appreciate nor is he committed to civil discourse.   I think we all need to understand that Scott Walker is a fascist and a mouthpiece of the rich.  For example, in this Senate Repair Bill is a clause that the State of Wisconsin can sell off state-owned power plants with no bids.  This is a sweetheart deal written into a bill for the benefit of people like David and Charles Koch.


We are on the brink of losing everything that was great about America very rapidly.  I wonder if the citizens of Germany felt the way I feel right now, when a terrible leader came into power and began his rants.  Because I feel that Scott Walker rants and raves, and there is absolutely NO intelligence, fairness or democracy behind the rants and raves, just the horrifying suspicion of a glimmer of insanity.  In fact, I seriously think Scott Walker needs to be subjected to a mental health examination.  Someone's deck is not quite full.

I strongly urge people to look into charges of sedition against Scott Walker, and all of his followers.  In the short time he has been in office, he has brought the State of Wisconsin to its knees, and not in worship of him.  He has alienated every thoughtful person in this state and he has lied (which is his only methodology) to everyone.  Scott Walker backers are people too unintelligent to do their own research and come up with their own conclusions on issues.  They take the word of Scott Walker as gospel.  Scott Walker is NOT God.....in fact, he seems to embody evil characteristics.   All of you "good Christians" out there better take a closer look at this devil.  I feel extraordinarily sorry for the large masses of  ignorant people in this state.  Scott Walker has given them plenty of rope, and they are willingly hanging themselves. 

And by the by, Mr. Walker's lazy eye matches his lazy brain.  Mr. Walker is starting to really increase my gag reflex with that stupid, simpering look.  You think the rich people in the country could have found someone more appealing and with a higher I.Q. to be their on-screen mouthpiece.  I guess I can take heart in the fact Walker was the best they could do. 

More importantly, what are the rational, sane people in Wisconsin going to do about Walker?   We absolutely need a plan to stop him; because without a plan to stop him, he'll just roll over every right we've ever had, while we stand by watching in disbelief and dismay.  Does this sound familiar and horrendous?  Mr. Walker does not represent the citizens of the State of Wisconsin.  He is a Tea Party Professional and a Puppet of the Rich and Powerful.  That Wisconsin citizens voted this guy into office is an absolute insult to all of the intelligent people in this State.

Citizen X








Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Scott Walker - and his counterpart - Sarah Palin

Before I expose a telephone conversation between Scott Walker and Sarah Palin recorded under the extended freedom of wiretaps law, I would like to say the following:

"Stop, STOP, STOP, Scott Walker, saying that you will stay the course and stand with Wisconsin taxpayers".  I am a Wisconsin taxpayer.  I don't want you to stand with me.  I never voted to strip our hardworking state employees of their collective bargaining rights.  Don't stand with me.  Don't stand near me; I do not want to be infected by your slime ball, slick oil, snake venom presence.  In other words, Mr. Walker, please stop saying that you are standing with me, because you are not.  You are standing up for the rich.  As if they need any backers.  Well, at least the rich have picked backers whom are idiots like you.  And truly, I'm sick of your g.d. hair falling on me.

RING RING

"Hello, Mommy????"

"No Scotty, it's Sarah calling from the land of the midnight sun".

"Sarah!  What a surprise.  What are you doing in Norway?"

"No, silly.  Alaska.  It's where I live."

"Oh.  Well, uh, how you doin, Sarah?  How's the family?"

"Growing by leaps and bounds.  Little Tripp likes to drink out of the dog dish, though.  He might have a little mange."

"No more unplanned pregnancies, I hope"?

"Oh, no no, everyone is fine and not pregnant.  Locked in their rooms.   I just wanted to tell you I'm proud of you and what you're doing to the working class folks there in Wisconsin.  It takes some kind of man to stand up to hideous union demands.  It's hard to be unpopular."

"Like you would know, Sarah, you're the most popular girl in America.  I am, steadfastly, staying the course."

"Well, Scott, good thing you have those platitudes.  They are what people will remember most.  I hope you have a platitudial tutor to help you.  You'll need to learn a whole lot more of them platitudes.  It's how to answer questions without saying anything".

"I know.  It's hard, though.  I have to always remember to say them in the right order, and at the same time, not to tip my head forward so my big bad empty skull doesn't glare too much.  So much to remember."

"Oh believe me, I know.  I spent a fortune on push-up bras, earrings and designer frames so I could distract the press."

"Well, I've got my hands full".

"Oh....should I call you back?"

"No, no, I'm not peeing.  I just meant all these dang union members walking around on the capitol lawn.  And all the democrats fled the state.  Everyone is trying to tarnish my stellar image. 

"Well, stay the course, as you said." 

"I will, I will.  Once I get these damn unions busted, I'm going to tackle some really big issues, like getting rid of poor people."

"Wowie Zowie, how will you do that?"

"Well, I brainstormed with some people, and I'm gonna fire all the state social workers.  If those dang poor people don't have social workers to help them, well, they'll all just starve to death, or freeze to death.  Either way, they'll die off and we can get back to being rich and successful and Poor Free."

"Holy Smoked Salmon, that's a wonderful idea, Scott!  Stupid social workers are just a bunch of socialists, anyhow.  We don't need them in our great United States.  What we need is income police.  If people can't meet the bar for appropriate income levels, they need to be chucked out of society, maybe sent to Mexico."

"I know.  Sarah?  Was it hard for you when you were nominated to McCain's ticket?  I mean, no one told me it was going to be so hard to be governor.  I always have a headache.   I have to read stuff all day long and I think I need new glasses.  And....my sons are getting harassed at school.....by teachers."

"Oh, go to Googly Eyes for glasses.  They have ones with smart eyeballs painted on the lenses so you'll look a whole lot more intelligent on camera.  As for your sons, well, they'll just have to stand up and take it.  It's hard to be the child of a trailblazer."

"Sarah, I got worse problems.  Big problems.  Big bad problems."

"Oh Oh.  What's up Scotty, boy?"

"Jack Black is going to play me on Saturday Night Alive".

"Hell's Bells, that's bad news.  Don't let the liberal Jews in Hollywood get you down, though.  Remember, Bristol came in second on Dancing on the Stars and she has two left feet and two right brains.  You just have to stay the course."

"I will.  Stay the course, stay the course, I might look stupid but I'll show no remorse".

"Oh, that's a goody goody gum drop saying.  I just love it to political death".

"Speaking of political death, what are you doing these days, Sarah old girl".

"Well, I'm collecting a lot of money by speaking to large groups of under-educated, self-righteous, ignorant folks, mostly in Arizona."

"Hmmm.  Maybe I can resign and get some speaking engagements.  I don't really like being a governor.  They gave me a mansion and all, but I can't keep these damned agitators off the lawn."

"Ooops, have to go Scotty.   The Avon lady is at the door, and I need a new spring shade of wing nut pink".

"Okay, Sarah, girl.  You have a good evening.  Thanks for calling.  It's hard to be so important while simultaneously being so stupid."

"Simon who"?

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Liar Liar Pants on Fire, Nose as Long as a Scott Walker Fascist

I am so sick of seeing Scott Walker taking to the media and lying.  He sat bold faced and said that the police and firefighters unions were not part of his current program to gut employee unions bargaining rights because they are needed to quell the disturbances in Madison and to keep peace and safety. 
Bull$hit.  They are not part of his plan because they financially supported his campaign.

People adept at reading body language and faces will recognize the insipid look that crosses Walker's features every time he tells a lie; in other words, his usual face.  How does this guy live with himself?  Oh, there is no self, I forget, when you're a talking head of the rich.


Scott Fitzgerald stated repeatedly "this bill is not negotiable, this bill is not negotiable", referring to the Budget Repair Bill that is threatening so many workers' rights.  Scott Fitzgerald looks like Hitler, sounds like Hitler, and he probably smells like Hitler. In other words, suspiciously like pork.  Everywhere there's lots of piggies, leading piggy lives. 

Wisconsinites need to band together and rescue the state from these fascists. 

All the current ads attacking teachers and state workers for their presence in Madison instead of in the classroom and agencies are mounted by big money, really big money.  Let's go after big money.  Let's tax them at a fair rate.  Let's see how well they'd sit for that without mounting a huge campaign to stop it.  The people who mounted this anti-union campaign send their children to private school, their kids are missing nothing.  Our kids may not be in the classroom, but they are learning a valuable civics lesson on how fragile true democracy is.  They are also learning about the real threat of fascism, right in front of their television sets.  This may mean far more, education-wise, than dissecting a frog.

Big money, we will defeat you.  We will not allow your fascist behaviors to disrupt democracy.  We will not allow big money to take over American Democracy. So go out to dinner with your piggy wives, while there are still people willing to serve you.  Sooner or later, all of us will be a part of the revolution.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Stop the Fascists

Letter to State Senator Mary Lazich (R-Greendale)

I am deeply saddened by your support of the so called "Budget Repair Bill". We all understand the need to make cuts and we expect government workers to help out. That is not what this is all about. You know as well as I do that this is a way for Walker and his gang to destroy collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin.


Why are you part of this gang? It is wrong! wrong! wrong! The way it was done, with no real discussion and no compromise in one week? What is wrong with that? It is undemocratic and you know it. This issue was not part of Walker's campaign. If it had been I think he would not have been elected.

I grew up in Greendale and spent much of my adult life there. My children also went to school there, and my daughter continues to live there. I lived there when you were elected, and I have worked with you in the past on mental health issues. My father also lived there. Some years ago after he was deceased, you presented an award to my father, which I received on his behalf for his contributions to the community. I can tell you in all honesty that my father would never have accepted that award from you had he known of your refusal to support union collective bargaining rights. He was a strong supporter of union rights. Given what I know about you now, I am sorry accepted that award for him from you. I feel I have soiled his memory.
Please reconsider your stand. I am sure there can be some compromise. Show some leadership because Walker will not.

If you continue to support this bill as it stands, I can tell you I will work hard to recall you and/or unseat you as a senator.

Friday, February 18, 2011

What Budget Crisis?

There is no real budget crisis in the State of Wisconsin.

For Scott Walker to say that his deliberate attempts to destroy unions is what the people voted for is an outright lie.  Oh  there is a big surprise; Scott Walker is a liar.

I invite people with short memories to revisit the campaign Scott Walker mounted.  When did he ever claim that he would, in effect, gut state employee unions?  NEVER.  This is a campaign mounted by right wing nuts and the ultra-rich, the only people stupid enough to actually support Scott Walker.  This is a well-organized, nationalized campaign by the 2% of the people with REAL money who actually are running this country.  Scott Walker isn't smart enough to have this agenda on his own.

In fact, Scott Walker isn't smart enough to read a newspaper or take the pulse of the citizens he says he represents.  Scott Walker represents one class of people, and it's not the common man.  If the intelligent people in this state are truly smart, they will figure out how to make Mr. Walker's ignorance work for them.  Puppets can say anything we want them to say, after all.   And if the common man is smart, they will stand up to the bullying tactics of the ultra rich, whose only objective is to protect their own selfish interests, at any cost.

I think America is in real trouble here, and on the brink of revolution.  Maybe the ultra-rich should reconsider having most of the money as opposed to having all of the money.  Shouldn't that be good enough?   

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Let's Impeach Scott Walker for Sedition

Since we have to wait a year to file for a recall election, let's impeach Scott Walker for sedition.

Face it, there won't be a Wisconsin in one year under Scott Walker's tutelage.

He has, indeed, incited a riot.  As Chief Executive of the State of Wisconsin, that behavior is seditious.

What We Need To Do To Recall Scott Walker - Unfortunately - Wait

RECALL ELECTIONS


Summary

Wisconsin law permits voters to recall elected officials under certain circumstances. Recall is an opportunity for voters to require elected officials to stand for election before the end of the official’s term. No petition for recall of an officer may be offered for filing before the expiration of one year after commencement of the term of office for which the officer is elected. The Elections Board staff has prepared a manual, Recall of Local Elected Officials, which can be found on the agency website.

Procedures

Registration Required

1. Before a recall petition may be circulated, the individual or committee seeking the recall of an elected official must file a Campaign Registration Statement (EB-1) with the filing officer.

2. The Campaign Registration Statement (EB-1) must clearly indicate that the committee is registering as a recall committee and identify the officeholder it seeks to recall.

3. A statement must be attached to the Campaign Registration Statement (EB-1) form indicating:

a. the petitioner’s intent to circulate a recall petition;

b. the name of the officeholder for whom recall is sought; and

c. the reason for the recall which is related to the official responsibilities of the officeholder (the same reason must appear on the petition).

4. No signature on a recall petition is valid until the Campaign Registration Statement (EB-1) and a statement of reasons for the recall has been filed with the filing officer.

Election Administration Manual for Wisconsin Municipal Clerks

July 2007

119 Number of Signatures Required

1. The filing officer with whom recall petitions are filed is required to determine the appropriate number of signatures and certify that amount to any interested person on request.

2. Recall petitions must contain signatures of qualified electors equal to at least 25% of the vote cast for the office of governor at the last election in the same district or territory as that of the officeholder being recalled.

Sample Recall Petition (EB-170)

A sample Recall Petition (EB-170) has been prepared by the State Elections Board nd is available on the agency website.

a

1. Any recall petition shall be identified by the words “RECALL PETITION” at the top of the form.

2. All recall petitions for local elected officials shall contain a statement of reasons for which the recall is sought. The reasons for the recall must be related to the officeholder’s official duties.

3. Petitions seeking recall of more than one elected official must be prepared and filed separately.

Circulation Time Period

A recall petition may be circulated after filing the Campaign Registration Statement (EB-1).

1. The petition to recall any officeholder must be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 60th day after registration.

After the petition has been offered for filing, no name may be added or removed.

2. Only signatures dated within the 60-day circulation period may be counted.

Candidate Eligibility

1. The official against whom the petition is filed shall be a candidate at the recall election without nomination, unless the official resigns within ten (10) days after the date the election is called.

2. In order to have their names placed on the ballot at the recall election, candidates, other than the incumbent, must file nomination papers,

Election Administration Manual for Wisconsin Municipal Clerks

July 2007

120 declarations of candidacy, and campaign registration statements no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday before the election.

Recall Primary

A recall primary will be held in nonpartisan recall elections if more than two candidates compete for an office.

1. The names of the two candidates who receive the highest number of votes in the recall primary will be certified and printed on the ballot for the recall election.

2. A recall election will not be held if a candidate receives a majority (50% plus 1) of the votes at the recall primary.

3. Write-in votes are permitted only at a recall primary or at a recall election in which no primary is held.

Recall Election

1. The recall election is held on the Tuesday of the 6th week after the recall petition is certified.

2. If a primary is required, the primary is held on Tuesday of the 6th week after the recall petition is certified, and the recall election is held on Tuesday of the 4th week after the primary election.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. May individuals petition for recall if the office holder has been in office for less than one year for the current term being served?

No petition for recall of an officer may be offered for filing before the expiration of one year after commencement of the term of office for which the officer is elected. A petition may be circulated 60 days before the expiration of one year, but may not be offered for filing until after the officer has completed one year in office.

2. Are filing officers required to publish a notice for recall elections like all other elections?

Recall elections are noticed, conducted, and canvassed like all other regular elections administered by the filing officer.

Election Administration Manual for Wisconsin Municipal Clerks

July 2007

121

3. Who may circulate recall petitions?

Any U.S. citizen, age 18 years or older and not disqualified from voting under the impediments listed in §6.03 Wis. Stats., may circulate recall petitions.

List of Related Forms and Publications

All forms and publications are available on the agency website or can be ordered from the State Elections Board.

Forms

EB-1: Campaign Registration Statement

EB-170: Recall Petition

Manuals

Recall of Local Elected Officials Manual Election Administration Manual for Wisconsin Municipal Clerks

July 2007

Oh Where Oh Where Have the Democrats Gone?

Note to all democrats refusing to show up on the legislative floor:

I extend you safe refuge at my house.  But if you're in Illinois, stay there until we can mount a recall campaign against Scott Walker for singlehandedly destroying Wisconsin's democratic process.

It's time for us to do this.  We shouldn't give Scott Walker any more opportunity to destroy Wisconsin democracy than he's had in his first two months in office.

He wants the missing democrat lawmakers rounded up?  By whom?  The Gestapo?  That's where we're headed.  Right wing nuts, this is my chant to you and yours:

RECALL SCOTT WALKER NOW
RECALL SCOTT WALKER NOW
RECALL SCOTT WALKER NOW

Wisconsin Education System in Chaos

Here we are, two months into Scott Walker's administration, and already some things are in absolute chaos and total disarray.

There are four school districts closed down this morning, in protest over Scott Walker's intention to destroy collective bargaining union rights for Wisconsin's teachers.  Everyone knows that Wisconsin teachers are underpaid to begin with.  Why go after the underdog?

Because that's what Scott Walker does.  He did this in Milwaukee County, and he is taking the same approach (apparently the only approach he knows) as leader of the State.  Mr. Walker goes after the little people and squeezes them dry so the ultra-rich, i.e., Scott Walker supporters, can hold onto their millions without paying taxes.

Who suffers?  The kids.  So basically, Scott Walker is guilty of child abuse, along with his long list of other atrocious behaviors. 

I have to take issue with Wisconsinites here.  The majority of you elected Scott Walker, based on a pack of lies he spoon fed to you in 30 second soundbites. 

If you elect a governor based on his rhetorical soundbites, this is what you get.  A complete @sshole in charge.  He gave you what you wanted to hear.  What you didn't get was that there was NOTHING, and I mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, in Scott Walker's platform that made sense, was well thought out or even remotely close to the truth.  You didn't do your research.  Shame on you.  You are as stupid as Scott Walker, and you deserve the crap that is flying out of Madison.  Unfortunately, people who did do their research are also getting covered.  We blame you.  We won't forget.

I can see Scott Walker in his comfy office at the State Capitol, rubbing his hands together because he's making such a name for himself in radical right wing circles, grinning his moronic grin. Never mind the chaos in the education system, and the fact that people who have worked extremely hard their entire careers educating Wisconsin's children, now stand the chance of losing basic, fundamental rights.

My husband and I are making preparations to leave Wisconsin.  We can't stand living in a State where all intellectual thought seems to have flown the coop. 

Does anyone else see the irony in the fact Scott Walker has been in office less than two months and has managed to MUCK up everything?  Your leader.  The emperor has no clothes, but what's really sad is the emperor has no brain, either.  Nor does he have any compassion. 

Recall Scott Walker, NOW!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wicky Wacky Walker the Wiener

Is this clown for real?  I'm gone two weeks, and already he's destroying the State of Wisconsin. 

First of all, where does this moron come off, deciding that any state employee whose union did not support him in the gubernatorial election is fair game for destroying their union?  That's not governance, that's fascism.  Walker is a fascist.  Worse, he's an ignorant fascist, not unlike Adolph Hitler. 

What's next?  Are liberals going to have to sew a blue bleeding heart to their sleeves?  Are we going to be sent to deconcentration camps, where our intelligence will be sucked out so we can't question Republican's idiotic methodology?

We live in interesting times.  Scott Walker, and a lot of right wingnuts who share the same misguided ideals and who have managed to get themselves elected to powerful positions, seems to be balancing precariously on anarchy.  And yet, they are so incredibly ignorant they don't see it.  They think they are leading in a "conservative" direction.  No government can oppress all of the people all of the time.  That these clowns don't believe it is indicative of the future to come.  We'll all get to watch the whole country disintegrate.   That disintegration will come as an answer to the Republican rhetoric.  I wonder what they will say then.  Ah, screw what they'll say.  I guess the good thing about anarchy is we'll all get a break from these wagging, lying, incompetent, unimaginative, unholy Republican tongues.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most wildly exotic, beautiful lands I have ever visited.  It is, in a word, breathtaking.

We arrived at our hotel in San Jose just in time to catch the last quarter of the Superbowl.  I was so anxiety ridden by the close score, I could barely watch, but the Pack pulled it off.  Congratulations to the wonderful team from Green Bay and their amazing performance in the biggest game Aaron Rodgers has played in yet!  Unfortunately, we managed to annoy some Steeler fans in the hotel lobby, but they readily told us the Packers played better than the Steelers did.

When I say Costa Rica is breathtaking, I mean visually, but also the roads, the native drivers, the mountains, the beaches, the jungle, the rain forest and the local color.  One shares the road with every type of vehicle, including ox carts, and of course, the natives.  They all drive like they're insane, passing on double yellows, mountain curves, barely missing each other frequently.  To be honest, Costa Rica has a very high auto fatality rate, but it can't touch Afghanistan, Iran, some African nations, the United Arab Emirates, or the Cook Islands.  However, taking a journey to the middle east is not big on my list of destinations, so I am thankful that I survived Costa Rica uninjured in a car wreck.
I packed so many activities in the short time I was in the country, I need a vacation from my vacation; which is what I'm doing today.  Nothing!

The villa we rented, perched on a mountain, was beyond our dreams in terms of beauty and luxury.  The road to get to the villa was another story.  I can only say that I am glad someone else drove up and down that mountain everyday.  Even our 4 wheel drive SUV labored.  Once there, however, the place was serene and beautiful, from it's saline pool to its amazing architecture.  We were visited by toucans and howler monkeys, lizards, toads, butterflies and amazingly colorful birds, who liked to dip in the pool.  The insects grow big in the jungle.  Let's leave it at that.

Riding a horse into the jungle, down steep ravine cliffs and up steeper hills was a good reminder that I'm not twenty anymore, nor is my butt.  Even with the extra padding, I was still feeling saddle sore.  The ride was probably more ambitious than I had thought it would be, four hours on a horse is a little too much.  But halfway through, we stopped at amazing Nauyaca Falls and swam in the cool pool beneath.  That helped soothe my burning muscles.  The jungle canopy soared overhead, and was full of parrots, toucans, monkeys, snakes, and bugs so big they looked like small dogs.  Of course, a horse that knows its heading back to the barn is always a little frisky, so this old cowgirl had everything she could do to hold on while galloping up steep (and very narrow) trails.  I am glad I did this; I don't think many people will see this waterfall unless they're prepared for a bouncing ride on a horse or a very long walk through some very rugged country.  And it was worth seeing, believe me! 

I'm glad I spent some time in the very warm waters of the Pacific a few days later, snorkeling at Cano Island.  It helped heal me.  The Caribbean is a better place for visibility, but the water temperature and history of Cano Island made this trip very wonderful and utterly worthwhile.  Lots of fish to see, even some sharks and dolphins.  Amazing boat ride on the ocean to the island.  Amazing views of the Costa Rica southern coastline.

Snorkeling, deep sea fishing, a ride through treacherous mountain roads to reach a volcano (which ended up being shrouded in rain clouds) packed a lot into our short trip.  Seeing the coffee growing on the sides of the mountains was wonderful.  We had one day of solid rain up on the volcano, but since we were in the rain forest, you have to expect that.  What we missed in lava flow we made up for in birds and wildlife. 

The guys caught a couple of decent-sized sailfish on an all day fishing trip, and we're very happy with the experience, especially the pod of dolphins who showed up and entertained them with their aquatic skills.

In short, Costa Rica is beautiful.  Wild.  Exotic.  Breathtaking

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Not in Costa Rica Yet

I'm still stuck in the frozen wasteland of Wisconsin.  My past two flights to Costa Rica have been cancelled, duh, you think maybe because I was routed through Texas?  Idiots.  Continental Airlines tried to pass me off to a connection in Newark on Tuesday.  Right.  By then, my vacation is going to be half over.  Actually, I had an agent on the phone, once I could find a freakin' number for Continental to actually talk to someone, who was very sympathetic and who managed to get us out of here, hopefully tomorrow.  Great.  I've only missed four days of my vacation now.  At least I don't have to connect in Texas.  I wouldn't trust those crackers to de-ice a porterhouse steak much less an airplane.

So, about the time the Packers begin their journey to another NFL title, I should be landing in Costa Rica.  We'll see.  I'm kind of hoping the airline will broadcast the SuperBowl, but I kind of wish they'd provide a meal on a six and a half hour flight, and they won't do that, either.   I'm not complaining, though.  Just PUH-LEEZE get me the Hell out of Wisconsin.

I took my dog for a walk in Washington Park this morning.  Halfway through the park, the plowed walkway ended.  I tried walking across a field of thigh deep snow.  Then I crawled.  Finally, I rolled.  My dog thought this was great fun.  I did not.   There is something extremely pathetic about a 59 year old woman rolling across a field of snow.  If anyone ever needed a vacation, I do.  My SADS has sadly turned into SNOW PSYCHOSIS.  I won't be building any snow men.  I won't be making any snow angels.  The only thing on which I intend expending any effort  is bending my elbow to take the mojito to my cracked, chapped lips, and slipping into my private saline pool.

So, constant readers, I thought I might write something while I was away, but I will be taking a much needed vacation from everything, including this blog.  Should something truly stupendous happen, I will find a way to share the info.

Meanwhile, I am, a grateful Citizen X.....or I will be on takeoff tomorrow.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Blizzard, Day Three

I hate Wisconsin.  I hate the f*ckn snow, I hate the cold, I hate the ice, I hate wearing mittens, I hate wearing boots, I hate scarves, I hate heavy coats that make you look 90 lbs. overweight, in short, I hate Wisconsin in the winter.  I also hate these stinking wool socks that irritate the dry skin on my heels.

The idiot who is supposed to plow our alley has not shown up, and many families who live on the circle are completely stranded, with their cars in garages blocked by 10 foot snow drifts. The neighbor who hired this person, has no information for us, other than updates that fail to come true.  My husband's car is stuck in the garage.  We are supposed to be at the airport at 4 a.m. tomorrow morning for a trip to Costa Rica, but it's up in the f*ckn air whether that will actually happen.  No way are we going to be able to go to the airport in our car.  Fortunately, I have a real wonderful brother-in-law who doesn't mind the early wake up call.  Right now, he is the only good thing in Wisconsin.  The worst thing about this trip is I have to leave f*ckn Wisconsin and fly to f*ckn Texas, the second biggest shit hole in the universe.  The weather is bad in Texas.  Ice and cold.  To all of you f*ckn morons who don't believe in global warming, wake up and wipe the ice off your a-holes.

Now my complaints are silly at best, I know.  Nothing is life threatening, nothing is the end of the world.  Except, it's my f*ckn life and I'm f*ckn sick of being ass-freezing, bullshit cold.

I have been wanting to move out of this god forsaken ice hole my entire life, and I'm still here.  That's it.  I'm done.  I seriously doubt if I will be boarding the plane to come home from Costa Rica, if by some f*ckn miracle I actually f*ckn get there in the next f*ckn three days.  My husband will just have to deal with it, much the same way I've had to deal with his reluctance to fully retire and go someplace warmer.  Even if I die there, at least I'll die warm and tropical.  I'm dying here.  I am glad I realized it and I'm going to save myself.  If I don't freeze to f*ckn death first.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Blizzard of 2011

It is such a white nightmare!  Milwaukee is buried.  Our flights to Costa Rica are cancelled for tomorrow; hopefully, we'll get out of here on Friday.  On the safe and silver lining side, our friends did not have to drive across the state today to make our Thursday flight.  Not sure they would have made it, and if they did, it would probably have been the longest trip in the history of that ride.  I think we'll do better tomorrow.  So we lose a  vacation day......not exactly the end of the world.

This storm was quite remarkable.  It took me an hour to shovel from my back door to the back gate.  That's a distance of about twenty-five feet.  My dog went outside and promptly got stuck in the snow.  She's a springer, but it was hard for her to spring when she landed in a 4.5 foot drift.  I had to fish her out.  Then she whined because her toy got lost.  We dug for awhile looking for that.  Eventually, my husband, my neighbor and I managed to clear the walks around and in front of our house.  It took all morning.  We couldn't go anywhere, though.  The city plows didn't come through until about fifteen minutes ago.  My husband's car is in the garage.  It, also, isn't going anywhere until the private guy comes and plows out the alley. 

I have plenty of food and wine.  The furnace is running just fine.  The roof is new.  I have a lot to be thankful for.  I'd have a lot more to be thankful for if I lived in a more temperate climate.  I believe this trip to Costa Rica is going to be more than a vacation; I think we'll investigate some real estate possibilities.  If global warming means extremes in weather patterns, then this storm is indicative of things to come.  I do not want to be here in five years.  Frankly, I don't want to be here now.

Anyway, it's the big blizzard of 2011.  I am following the wisest being in my house today.  The kitty is curled on the bed sound asleep.  I'm going to join him.  Some days were just meant for cat napping.   Purr!