BUYING A JUDGE
A good work of fiction can contain a lot of truth. This is the case with a John Grisham novel I recently read. The Appeal tells a fictional, but very believable, story about the buying of a state supreme court justice. In Wisconsin a similar plot occurred in real life. Last year an unqualified, but politically connected conservative Supreme Court justice was purchased.
The gist of the novel is that a chemical company loses a law suit over poisoning a small town's water supply and causing a cancer cluster. The billionaire CEO vows never to pay a dime to the ...
7th CD FAIR MAPS ON THE MOVE
FAIR MAPS met in Ladysmith, Wisconsin on January 11, 2020 to plan action to end gerrymandering in Wisconsin.
The purpose for attending:
Make connections
Contribute to the cause
Non-partisanship
Coordinate messaging
Become educated on effective strategy
Learn how to pass referendums
Learn what we can do locally
Contribute to advocacy
Find partners
How does gerrymandering affect Wisconsin:
Party in power controls everything
Opportunity to rig elections
Elections at the state level don’t ...
MAKING MARATHON COUNTY MORE “FAMILY FRIENDLY” SURVEY
Making Marathon County More "Family-Friendly" - Employee Input Needed Through New Community Wide Survey
Marathon County Early Years Coalition, WIPPS Research Partners launch community survey, findings to be shared with public, area employers
A Marathon County partnership of over 50 organizations advocating for early childhood success and family well-being has launched a “family-friendly” survey to gauge how residents view work-life balance in the workplace. Survey results will be used to help local businesses and nonprofits make the community and workplaces more ...
YOU ARE INVITED
You are invited to these two important events.
They are free and open to the public.
Mayoral forum sponsored by AAUW (American Association of University Women)
Katie Rosenberg and Mayor Robert Mielke are candidates for Wausau Mayor.
Come and hear them.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
6:00-7:30 pm
Terrace Room at UWSP-Wausau.
Stewart Avenue,
Wausau, Wisconsin
For more information, call: 715-581-4147
Women for Women Wausau
“The Power of Women in the 2020 Elections”
Thursday, February 6, 2020
6:00-7:30 PM
Mara...
GROWING OLD FORESTS
Northern Wisconsin was once covered with extensive old growth forests. Before Europeans came into the area these forests were complex ecosystems of a variety of tree species of many sizes and ages. As we all know, the pioneer farmers, loggers, and robber barons destroyed 99% of these awesome treasures. Had our ancestors been wiser in their use of these natural resources we still could have old growth forests in abundance. We could still have all the ecological, economic, and aesthetic benefits of old growth forests. The biggest tragedy of all this is the loss of what could ...
TOGETHER WE ARE THE SOLUTION
Together we are the solution. That is the theme of a group working for the Anti-Corruption Act. The group includes both conservatives and liberals.
The American Anti-Corruption Act sets a standard for city, state and Federal Anti-Corruption laws that put power back in the hands of the people.
Each Anti-Corruption Act stops political bribery, ends secret money and fixes our broken elections. The Act's specific provisions vary by locale based on Constitutional limitations and the necessity of specific anti-corruption measures.
For a brief description ...
SOMETHING IS HAPPENING TO ORION THE HUNTER
I’m eager to write a second article about Orion, now well-placed above the south-south-east horizon in February. Its most famous star, Betelgeuse, is becoming dimmer. According to astronomer Nadia Drake, “The red star Betelgeuse is the dimmest seen in years, prompting some speculation that the star is about to explode.” (National Geographic website, Dec. 26, 2019)
It has been known for some time that Beetle-Juice, as most of us call it, is in its last stage-of-life. It is an enormous, bloated, red super-giant star. It is understood that it is running out ...
THOUGH SUNS COLLIDE
Endlessly parading,
the centuries are marching on review
before the timeless present;
and endlessly they will continue marching, marching,
marching on into the future.
Yet of this awesome endlessness
a precious portion falls to me.
Space stretches far beyond horizons
in a vastness dwarfing the imagination.
yet of this expanse,
a bit of dust that answers to my name
is mine exclusively.
No one else can fill this time and space.
It is potential for a newness,
a uniqueness,
a never-happened-before-and-never-to-...
PROTECT WISCONSIN WATER
Please support Assembly Bill 700 and Senate Bill 632 that would help protect Wisconsin's drinking water.
This bill passed into law would help ensure quicker communication between the DNR and health department and the county land and conservation department in counties where groundwater standards have been threatened by violations made by Discharge Elimination System permit holders. The entire text of the short bill is HERE.
A case in La Crosse County revealed that the county and residents were unaware of a potential risk to groundwater contamination for 10 ...
LET’S FINISH WHAT WE STARTED
During this time of year, we’re surrounded by reminders to set goals for the next twelve months and fulfill our New Year’s resolutions. As the weeks pass by, we typically find ourselves falling back into our old habits and routines. Once we slip up, it may seem like our resolutions are hopeless and we push off our goals to next year.
While preparing to head back to Madison, I thought about small, yet realistic intentions to continually motivate me in this New Year. Step by step, I’m hopeful these intentions will guide me to put differences aside and ...