The morning after SUPER Tuesday
The morning after SUPER Tuesday.
ALL-IN-ALL yesterday was REALLY a SUPER Tuesday in many ways. Which facet of SUPER TUESDAY do YOU consider MOST significant? Let me nominate some events. YOU may have other events to nominate through comments. Let’s ask readers to comment to indicate which facet of yesterday was SUPER for each one. Watching for YOUR comment(s)!
I confess, until I heard the TV news last evening, I had NOT realized about the MAJOR SUPER facet of the 100th anniversary of one of my favorite childhood treats! Did YOU see that report too?! Did YOU like that treat? Is it still a regular treat for you? If you want to get more information, use this link, “Oreo – Milk’s Favorite Cookie – Celebrate the Kid inside” with numerous very interesting features and an opportunity to share YOUR “OREO Moment” and/or look at the GALLERY online. Try it!
I watched our WI State Senate LIVE IN SESSION online using the WisconsinEye. IF you are NOT acquainted with the windows on our state government which the WisconsinEye provides WE THE PEOPLE of WI, I urge you to make time to check it out.
FOOTNOTE: KUDOS to Sidney “Skip” Bliss, President/Board Chairman, Bliss Communications, who was very PROactive in supporting the idea for the WisconsinEye when it was just an “idea.” He invested with his enthusiasm and money in this WI “C-Span.” THANK YOU, SKIP!
I did watch our WI State Senate live in session via WisconsinEye as much as possible yesterday afternoon to follow our WI State Senate in session with anticipation of hearing the debate on the WI Mining Bill. I confess I got bored listening to debate on various bills. IF you have not watched our Senate or Assembly IN SESSION, I urge you to use Wisconsin Eye when either or both chambers are in session. BE FOREWARNED: A lot of hot air… talk, talk, talk… BORING! Yes, even I was bored! Forewarned is forearmed!
The WI Mining Bill finally came much later than scheduled on the Senate’s agenda, so I missed the actual live online debate. I did hear the reports and watch the videos.
You already know, on the basis of my recent WE THE PEOPLE blog posts, that I was RELIEVED when the WI Mining Bill hit the WALL with a vote of 17-16… ALL DEMS with Senator Schultz (R-Richland Center) defeated the attempted tsunami-like wave of the Walker administration.
Thanks to the RECALL elections of last year, WE THE PEOPLE of WI are NO LONGER victims of the Walker tsunami-like strategy. MORE TIME! Slower and more deliberate assessment, discussion and formulation of PUBLIC POLICY in WI! WE THE PEOPLE of WI want healthy and upbuilding PUBLIC POLICY! Time for Scott Walker and GOP legislators to pay attention! The RECALL ELECTIONS of 2012 are coming. Here we go…
I must commend Sen. Schultz for his courageous advocacy of healthy & upbuilding public policy for WE THE PEOPLE of WI! YOU may want to learn more about Senator Schultz and his 17th Senate District, if so, use this link to his legislative website, State Senator Dale Schultz. What is YOUR evaluation of his representation of not only his own 17th Senate District, but ALL the PEOPLE of our republic (WI)?
The announcement by Gogebic Taconite that they are pulling the plug on the WI mine project in reaction to the postponement of a WI Mining Bill again clarified the situation vis-à-vis the mine in WI for now. One key issue should be: Do WE THE PEOPLE of WI really want corporations setting demands and our WI state government (Governor and/or legislator) kowtowing to the corporate demands? I KNOW I DO NOT! WE THE PEOPLE of WI need a state government that really represents US! What do YOU think?
For the Wisconsin State Journal’s report late last night, I urge you read Ron Seely’s “Gogebic Taconite says it's pulling plug on project after Senate fails to pass mining bill.”
When YOU access this website, YOU will have the benefit of “Related Stories”: Mining company president: Approve bill or we may abandon project and Finance panel backs mining bill, but Sen. Schultz still refuses support
The gist of the report is, “Republican legislation meant to streamline mine permitting and clear the way for a $1.5 billion iron mine in northern Wisconsin failed to pass the Senate on Tuesday, and within hours of the vote, the head of the company looking to open the mine said the project was being dropped.”
Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald characterized the situation as JOB CREATORS vs. ENVIRONMENTALISTS. His brother, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald asserted that legislators would continue to work on the bill, which advocates said was needed to create hundreds of mining jobs. I note too that Democrats also said they were willing to continue trying to seek a compromise. I agree with Sen. Robert Jauch (D-Poplar), "I support responsible mining, but you can’t have responsible mining if you have an irresponsible mining law."
REMEMBER: Sen. Jauch represents the 25th Senate District which is the area where the mine would be located. If you want to learn more about Sen. Jauch and his district, use this link, Bob Jauch, Wisconsin State Senator, District 25. You will find valuable information about his leadership on the WI Mining Bill on his website.
TRUTH BE TOLD: Yesterday was NOT the end of the story. I am convinced there is a healthy & upbuilding COMPROMISE for public policy vis-à-vis mining in WI. What do YOU think?
Ron Seeley quotes our State Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, commenting on the FUTURE of the WI Mining Bill, noting, “It was unlikely there would be enough time to hash out an acceptable compromise before the end of the session next week.” END OF THE SESION NEXT WEEK! Cullen noted that Gov. Walker could call a special legislative session.
I myself continue to ask, “WHY is MARCH 15, 2012 the end of our WI legislative session when the legislature is IN OFFICE and BEING PAID (FULL PAY) through the remainder of 2012?!”
Yes, legislators do some work during those “vacation” months, but the KEY reason for the “vacation” is so that incumbents who are running for RE-ELECTION have PLENTY OF TIME WITH PAY to campaign! In fact, a former member of our WI state legislature alerted me to the FACT that there is a baby-boom tied with this "vacation" time for our state legislators. Members of our WI state legislature have MORE babies in the months after the even year "vacation time" than in the odd year long session with the state budget pressures. Incumbents NOT running for re-election get the months of vacation with FULL PAY! Do YOU agree with t his policy of our WI State Legislature? I DO NOT!
SUPER TUESDAY – It was the biggest day for voting so far in the GOP campaign season to select a GOP candidate to run for US President. The media is FULL of all kinds of reports about the outcomes in the states who voted yesterday. Most announce that ROMNEY was the key winner. A very significant fact is that Gingrich won ONLY in his home state of GEORGIA! Will he continue to campaign?
The real question for Gingrich is whether the SuperPAC supporting him will continue to be funded. This is a dysfunctional situation created by the SuperPAC situation in our 2012 Presidential election cycle. Citizens United needs re-evaluation! I suspect the GOP will be advocating a US Supreme Court REVIEW or move to change federal law as the new congress convenes in January 2013. What do YOU expect?
For more details on SUPER TUESDAY voting, I suggest the Washington Post’s “Campaign 2012 – Super Tuesday” feature with the lead article, “Mitt Romney wins the grand prize of Ohio on Super Tuesday” which is the lead article in the Post’s complemented by several other articles, e.g., “GOP rival face delegate math reality,” “Romney is showing scars from ugly battle for the GOP nomination,” “Santorum, Gingrich stuck in duel for second place.”
There is also a chart showing the GOP candidates and the outcomes of the SUPER TUESDAY events (primaries, caucuses). Or, one can get more details using the Washington Post’s “Campaign 2012 – Republican Primary Tracker.” FUN for politics addicts like me! Try it – YOU may become addicted too! Forewarned is forearmed! HA!
SUPER TUESDAY also marked the FIRST PRESIDENTIAL PRESS CONFERENCE of New Year 2012 – FINALLY! I wish President Obama used press conferences MORE often. I agree with the argument of Political Scientists that it is the OPTIMAL way for the US President to communicate directly with WE THE PEOPLE of the US. Otherwise, WE THE PEOPLE are dependent on the media with its spinning. What do YOU think?
I did listen to the President’s news conference with much interest. Did YOU? IF you want to watch it for the first time or review it, use this link, “President Obama Holds a News Conference” – full video (44:05 minutes) from The White House website.
There are various feature articles reporting on the President's news conference, but NONE really is a full summary. Both New York Times and the Washington Post focus on the President's response to the GOP Presidential candidates on IRAN. IF you want to read the Post's feature, use this link, "At news conference, Obama critizes GOP candidates for talk of war with Iran."
I myself enjoyed the New York Times’ “live blog” published online on “The Caucus” because I enjoyed reading it and comparing it to having watched the live news conference. That link is, “Live Blog: President Obama’s News Conference” by John H. Cushman, Jr. The live blog does summarize the whole news conference.
Listening to BBC WORLD NEWS early this morning, I followed the developments around the world too… too much to add to this WE THE PEOPLE blog post…
Wondering what FACET of SUPER TUESDAY YOU want to add to the nominations? I’ll be reading with interest.
Here we go…
Mr. E.
John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Mar 9, 2012 at 2:13 p.m.
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*kiowamohican*
What's all this nonsense about invasion? We have plenty of ordnance we can drop on all the countries you mention and plenty of naval based assets from which to drop them. If you're too squeamish about using human pilots, then the underwater boomers can take care of it.
Honestly, have you ever dealt creatively with problems? Or just thrown up your hands, run around and circles and squawked about the biggest hyperbole you can think up?
PS--anyone chanting "Death to America" should probably receive a little of what they're asking for FROM America. Maybe then we'd get a little respect if only from fear.
Mar 9, 2012 at 3:11 a.m.
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Venezuela, and many of those gangs down in Mexico are chanting death to America as well. Lets go get them SOB's while we are at it to! Lets just re-institute the draft. That way we can occupy every corner of the globe, and squash these darn evil doers, chanting bad stuff about us!
Mar 9, 2012 at 3:04 a.m.
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no:
Yes, I'm aware of the Iran hostage crisis of 79. The Lebanon hostages (Terry Wait, ext) were released to us because of Iranian help. You can believe what you want, my history is accurate.
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If you want to endorse an invasion, hey go for it. I'm just saying that all these so called enemies are endless. You want to invade Pakistan while we are at? My God they all ready HAVE nukes, and they harbor countless members of Al-Quids-terroroists. Lets go invade them while we're at it. Heck, lets go to Syria, Somalia, Niger and half of Africa as well. Who have terrorist organizations, and ruthless dictators. Lets just invade em all. Why the hell not? We are the US, THEE world policeman!
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But lets get those Iran 1st, so we can secure a safe pathway for oil, and lower gas prices. My God, that is most important!
Mar 8, 2012 at 2:41 p.m.
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kiowamohican--the Iranians took over our embassy in Teheran, their proxies blew up our Marines in Lebanon, their proxies killed our men & women in Iraq.
They parade military equipment stencilled "Death to America" up and down the streets. They hold rallies in stadia wherein the assembled throngs chant "Death to America", routinely.
They figure once they deal with the "Little Satan" [Israel], they can move on to the "Great Satan" [America].
You can believe whatever you wish--but they are at war with us and have been for a long, long time. They may have used us to blow up their rivals in Afghanistan--it doesn't matter. We allied with the Soviets to defeat Hitler after sending troops to Russia in 1919 in an attempt to quash the Soviet revolution...so what?
Mar 8, 2012 at 3:27 a.m.
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"Iran has been at war with us since 1979, when they stormed our embassy. Such things were once regarded as casus belli."
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That's rather funny.
Please tell me when this war was officially declared? It was actually Iran who later on helped us get the hostages out of Lebanon. It was Iran who SHARED with us our biggest enemy; Al-qaeda after 9/11! It was the Northern alliance (part of Iran) who gave us intel, and fought by our side in Afghanistan vs Al-qaeda.
I know many of you LOVE this idea of 'evil doers' and going to war with yet another country we were once big allies with, but the facts are the facts. We ally with these countries (Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran) and then soon later, turn around and bomb, invade-occupy them. Nothing ever changes.
Mar 8, 2012 at 3:13 a.m.
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All the bloggers, pundits, political media people, ext; are going to be bored out of their mind. Everyone knows Mittens is going to be the nominee, and it will be about the most lopsided race since Mondale went up against Reagan. The fact Mittens can barely get 30% of his own parties votes in all the key swing states, pretty much tells you all you need to know. He has ZERO enthusiasm. And unlike the zero enthusiasm stiffs of Bob Dole, and John McCain, he's not even a war hero. Basically the guy has NOTHING to run on, other then he's not Obama. The republicans will NEVER rally around this guy in mass. Many won't even bother to even show up and vote. That will likely also be the case with many upset Obama backers. My prediction is it will be a all time LOW voter turnout. People will be so fed up with both of the clowns, that most who do show up to vote will NOT be voting for someone, but in fact, against someone. A very sad state of affairs, that will simply increase voter apathy in this country to an even greater extent.
Mar 7, 2012 at 2:20 p.m.
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*"At news conference, Obama critizes GOP candidates for talk of war with Iran."*
Iran has been at war with us since 1979, when they stormed our embassy. Such things were once regarded as casus belli.
Regardless, it matters not what Obama or the GOP think, the Israelis will strike at a time of their choosing, for it's they who are under the shadow of a second shoah.
Mar 7, 2012 at 8:28 a.m.
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There truly is a bright spot in the world of politics....
Dennis Kucinich (D) LOST in the primary!
Good riddance to him.
Mar 7, 2012 at 7:47 a.m.
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Atlas Shrugged
Mar 7, 2012 at 7:31 a.m.
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A very sad day in Wisconsin, following the LOSS of future jobs for northern Wisconsin.
The democrats need to have a press conference today and explain to the citizens of Wisconsin why they were willing to compromise. The party of NO put their hate for Walker ahead of the good of the citizens of Wisconsin.
Mar 7, 2012 at 6:44 a.m.
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BE FOREWARNED: A lot of hot air… talk, talk, talk… BORING! Yes, even I was bored! Forewarned is forearmed! In other words eyester you're describing yourself! Thank you schultz and the other democrats. Time to vote your butts out of office when you come up for re-election!
Mar 7, 2012 at 6:42 a.m.
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"victims of the Walker tsunami-like strategy", WOW John have you been taking writing tips from Graeme Zielinski? If you really watched/followed any of the debate surrounding the bill(s) you would have found the only compromise came from the "tsunami". The rigid opposition, you support, never once accommodated any measure. But through your partisan blinders any powers of objective observation has long since disappeared. Don't fret your stead fast side has accomplished its goal. The company that wanted to bring jobs to this state has decided the obstinate hindrance provided by your side has negated the ability for any mining company to operate in this state. The +40 history of your party preventing these good paying jobs for this state is something to wear around your neck proudly.
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