Welcome..... Wissup??
Copyright (c) 2009 Ginny Maziarka. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tolerance/intolerance, religion will not be ousted
"The real source of religious intolerance in Western societies today is not a religion but an insistence that all religions clear out of the public square."
MORE HERE:
http://blogs.jsonline.com/mcilheran/archive/2008/09/30/the-religion-of-tolerance-is-a-religion.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage
Jackson Culvers gets a Kudo...
I am tossing out a "kudo" to Jackson Culvers for a number of reasons:
1. Food is consistently good and of high quality.
2. Orders are brought promptly to your table.
3. VERY IMPORTANT: Bathrooms are ALWAYS clean. Never experienced otherwise.
4. Outdoor landscaping inviting and enjoyable for outdoor seating. Always CLEAN.
5. Tables are consistently and regularly wiped down and CLEAN. (Note my preference for this word?)
6. Overhead/background music for dining is pleasant and neutrally enjoyable.
7. You cannot possibly leave without one of their staff wishing you "Have a nice day" or saying "Thanks for stopping", even if you try to sneak past them! :-D
Monday, September 29, 2008
West Bend "Common Ground" Session affiliated with marxist Alinsky's IAF
The IAF, Industrial Areas Foundation, was founded by Saul Alinski. Saul Alinski is the author of "Rules for Radicals" a book, by the way, that he dedicated to the devil.
Quote before Table of Contents:
"Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins -- or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom -- Lucifer."
On page 71, speaking of his training program for political organizers, Alinsky remarked:
"The qualities we were trying to develop in organizers in the years of attempting to train them included some qualities that in all probability cannot be taught. They either had them, or could get them only through a miracle from above or below."
West Bend's latest effort by a local group that is gathering for "Common Ground Listening Sessions" is an attempt to work itself through the methods noted by Alinski in his "Rules for Radicals' book. (His works are mentioned in the New Catholic Encyclopedia.) This group's efforts should come as no surprise as many of the organizations that follow Alinsky's teachings and attend the IAF Institute are church-based organizations. Is this dangerous? YOU decide.
In January 2006, IAF sent a full-time organizer, Mark Fraley, to lead the initiative’s effort in southeastern Wisconsin.
..........
Connolly fondly recalled Karsh’s anxiousness to get going, but stressed that the strength of Common Ground is in the relationships it has built over the last four years.
“We have to be patient because we want this organization to be here 50 years from now,” said Connolly, citing the IAF’s model for organizing.
http://www.jewishchronicle.org/article.php?article_id=10399
In "A Role Model for Left Wing Satanists", and speaking of Alinsky's methods, the author writes, "Anyhow, as the financial troubles of the Church of Satan itself should more than adequately demonstrate, we Satanists need to drop the fantasy that we're a bunch of supermen. Yes, we should aim to empower ourselves through our own individual efforts, but it also helps to have organizations that empower entire communities."
Many mainline Christian denominations today follow Marx more than Jesus. They accept divorce without a fight; they accept pre-marital sex and same-sex relationships without a whimper; they think "government" has the answers yet are loath to seek out solutions in prayer. A church in New Hampshire even ordained as their bishop an openly practicing same-sex man (divorced from his wife and children). Saul Alinsky would approve of these kinds of things.
Rules of Power Tactics written by Alinski:
Always remember the first rule of power tactics: Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.
Second: Never go outside the experience of your people. When an action is outside the experience of the people, the result is confusion, fear, and retreat.
Third: Wherever possible go outside of the experience of the enemy. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.
The fourth rule is: Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules. You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.
http://www.semcosh.org/AlinskyTactics.htm
Statement from woman who participated in similar sessions "Prayer was not the answer. The answers were found in the people who lived in the community and from there creative solutions were found to achieve results."
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This group is meeting TOMORROW NIGHT (9/30/08) at St. Francis Cabrini, 1025 S. 7th Avenue, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Go, and witness for yourself. Don't take MY word for it.
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AU accuses churches of electioneering
http://www.jeremiahfilms.com/released/controversy/pulpit.html
Senator Grothman to speak locally - West Bend - Oct. 6
His topic is "It's Time to Get Off the Bench and into the Cultural Battle".
All are invited to come and hear Senator Grothman's urgent plea for help in the fight to save our liberties and Christian values.
St. Andrew's Church is located at 7750 N. Hwy 144 - North of West Bend.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Local Pastor Recommends McCain/Palin from Pulpit - West Bend
Though clearly not as high-profile as AP and Wall Street Journal, I was given the opportunity as a local blogger to lend a conservative viewpoint to this event. The report you are about to read is true. No names were changed, as all are innocent. - WBCA
__________________________________________________
In a legal effort to claim the protection of the First Amendment right, the ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND’S “Pulpit Initiative” was carried out this Sunday in West Bend at New Life church by Pastor Luke Emrich.
Deemed “Pulpit Freedom Sunday”, the ADF made this statement: “As part of the effort, pastors participating in Pulpit Freedom Sunday on Sunday, September 28, 2008, will deliver to their congregations sermons of their own that apply Scripture to the subject of candidates for government office. The sermons are intended to restore a pastor’s right to speak freely from his pulpit without fearing censorship or punishment by the government. By standing together and speaking with one voice, it is our hope to recapture the rightful place of pastors and churches in American life.”
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/issues/religiousfreedom/churchandstate.aspx?cid=4491
Reporters Dinesh Ramde of the Associated Press and Amy Merrick of the Wall Street Journal were present at New Life’s Sunday service; no photography was allowed as Emrich wished to carry on with worship/preaching without distraction from the press. The West Bend News was offered the opportunity to attend, but declined.
The service was preceded with a time of worship in this countryside congregation of 200, that included the traditional hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.”
After worship concluded, a video presentation of historical quotes was shown, which included the following:
"America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. He is ours. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it's all right to keep asking if we're on His side."
-Ronald Reagan
Emrich’s sermon entitled “They Make Kings, But Not Through Me” was based on the book of Hosea in which, he stated, Hosea “sounded the alarm” that something was very wrong because “we as a nation have stepped out of agreement with our maker.”
After making the statement “part of a minister’s duty is to address rulers”, Emrich backed this up with numerous Old Testament examples of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Gideon and many others, citing the words of King Nebuchadnezzar “Those who walk in pride, He is able to humble.” “Jesus Himself”, said Emrich, “confronted authority figures and their interpretation of the law.”
Emrich stated “If our rulers would consult God about national issues, we would be better off for it.”
Near the conclusion of the service, Emrich used 1 Thessalonians 2:8, making the point that of all the issues, LIFE is most paramount. Though millions of Americans may feel this is an oversimplification of his reason for recommending McCain/Palin, he firmly stated “We are not going to budge on this issue of life. We will debate other issues, but not this one.”
“Why is it such a debate in our society that we would want to choose life?” questioned Emrich, “In my heart it is not.”
ADF believes that the 1954 Johnson amendment is unconstitutional in restricting the expression of sermons delivered from the pulpits of churches. This project is designed to return freedom to the pulpit by allowing pastors to speak from Scripture about the qualifications of America’s potential political leaders.
“Churches have too long feared the loss of tax exempt status arising from speech in the pulpit addressing candidates for office. Rather than risk confrontation, pastors have self-censored their speech, ignoring blatant immorality in government and foregoing the opportunities to praise moral government leaders. Pastors who long to be relevant to society and to preach the Gospel in a way that has meaning in modern America, have to studiously ignore even the most tumultuous election season lest they draw the attention of the IRS.
ADF believes that IRS restriction on religious expression from the pulpit, whenever the IRS characterizes it as “political,” is unconstitutional.
After 50 years of threats and intimidation, churches should confront the IRS directly and reclaim the expressive rights guaranteed to them in the United States Constitution.”
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/userdocs/Pulpit_initiative_white_%20Paper.pdf
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Tennessee OUT OF GAS ?? Frenzy to fill tanks ...
(CNN) -- Call it a self-fulfilling prophecy: An estimated three-fourths of gas stations in the Nashville, Tennessee, area ran dry Friday, victim of an apparent rumor that the city was running out of gas.
Officials said panic regarding a rumor of a lack of gas caused customers to to rush to the pumps.
"Everybody has just gone nuts," said Mike Williams, executive director of the Tennessee Petroleum Council.
He said he has no idea about the origin of a rumor that there was going to be no gas in Nashville. One reporter called him, saying she had heard that Nashville would be without gas within the hour, he said.
Hearing the rumor, drivers rushed to fill their cars and trucks.
Wisconsin Voter Eligibility Requirements Facilitate Fraud?
SEE FULL STORY HERE (CURTSY TO HEADLESS BLOGGER FOR THE SCOOP):
http://headlessblogger.blogspot.com/2008/09/48-block-state.html
Friday, September 26, 2008
West Bend Pastor makes National News - Pulpit Freedom Sunday
.....
The protest, called Pulpit Freedom Sunday, was organized by the Alliance Defense Fund, a consortium of Christian lawyers that fights for conservative religious and social causes. When the fund first announced the protest this year, it said it planned to have 50 ministers taking part. As of Thursday it said it had hundreds of volunteers, but had selected only 33 who were fully aware of the risks and benefits.
The fund did not make the list of participants public, saying that it had received phone calls threatening to disrupt the sermons. One participant reached by telephone said he could not talk about it.
Another participant, the Rev. Luke Emrich of New Life Church, a small evangelical church in West Bend, Wis., demurred when asked which candidate he planned to endorse on Sunday.
“I would say endorsement is a strong word,” he said. “I’m planning to make a recommendation. I’m going to evaluate each candidate’s positions in light of Scripture and make a recommendation to my congregation as to which candidate aligns more so.”
MORE HERE:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/us/politics/26preach.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=pu&oref=slogin
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Alinsky revealed as socialist icon to Obama
Obama approached Northwestern University professor John L. McKnight – a loyal student of Alinsky's radical tactics – to pen the Harvard letter in the late 1980s. McKnight serves on the boards of radically anti-American groups in Chicago, including one accused of thuggery.
Obama in his 2006 memoir alludes to McKnight – whom he describes as an "older man who had been active in the civil rights efforts in Chicago in the sixties" – but stops short of identifying him by name. He referred to him only as "my friend."
But McKnight, who enforced affirmative action for Attorney General Robert Kennedy, was far more than that to young Obama. He helped train him in the agitation tactics of Alinsky, who wrote the organizing manual, "Rules for Radicals," which he dedicated to mankind's "very first radical, Lucifer."
MORE HERE:
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=76170
West Bend pastor makes public statement / Pulpit Freedom Sunday
MORE HERE:
http://wbcommunityinfo.blogspot.com/2008/09/west-bend-pastor-makes-public-statement.html
Planned Parenthood down on $$$$ ???
TUESDAY, Sept. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Abortions in the United States fell 33 percent between 1974 and 2004, but sizeable differences among racial and economic groups continue to exist as to who gets an abortion, a new report says.
While the number of abortions among teens has also dropped dramatically, down 50 percent, abortion rates are still high among older women with children and poor women, according to the report from the Guttmacher Institute.
The article never exactly says why the abortion rate is down among teenagers – why, in that particular demographic group?
MUCH MORE HERE (A MUST READ):
http://lanceburri.blogspot.com/2008/09/abortion-rates-down-planned-parenthood.html
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
West Bend School district to enjoy tax increase
"West Bend School District residents will see an estimated 30 cent mill rate increase in this year’s school taxes, after approving the tax levy at Monday’s annual meeting. "
http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/trackback/13870/kS5VwubL/
Fondy "diversity initiative" stomped on by residents/county supervisor
It should come as no surprise that an initiative with the word diversity in it includes sexual orientation in the list of special classes. And not only that, the initiative originally specifically stated that “Fond du Lac County communities shall welcome and include all people in neighborhoods, places of worship, schools...” etc.
Places of worship! Since when did county government have the right to mandate the policies of places of worship?
Amazingly, a timely revision has removed the “places of worship” phrase.
The hometown hero on this one? A courageous county supervisor who was eventually joined by several brave residents. Supervisor Jim Kiser alerted the community and rallied a host of concerned citizens to the board meeting. It was a happening meeting, according to an eyewitness account, with 14 citizens registered beforehand to speak against the initiative and 3 registered to speak in favor.
MORE HERE:
http://www.wifamilycouncil.org/Media/Radio%20transcripts/2008/745.htm
WEST BEND church exercises political freedom on "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" THIS WEEK
The message that Pastor Emrich will be presenting will be an "ELECTION SERMON" and will align presidential candidates with Biblical Scripture.
New Life Church is located at 4125 Hwy D, West Bend. Seating is limited.
(262) 306-0986
www.newlifewisconsin.com
See article below:
Let churches exercise right to free speech
Erik Stanley
USA Today
September 18, 2008
Since news about the Alliance Defense Fund's Pulpit Initiative
Tax exemption of churches ">http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/userdocs/Pulpit_initiative_white_%20Paper.pdf> is not a benefit but a right under the Constitution. As the U.S. Supreme Court has noted, the power to tax
The Pulpit Initiative is not a demand that a church discuss candidate positions. The point is that it's up to the church to decide. Government violation of First Amendment rights is not the answer. http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/09/let-churches-ex.html?csp=34
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Robinson's column cites economical crunch / overkill with REFERENDUM choices
America’s economy is experiencing a downturn, but nothing worse than Americans
have faced before. We’ll pull together and get through this, as we always have.
But while this too shall pass, there’s no denying that times are tough right
now. Given the current economic situation, government
should think long and hard before asking the taxpayers for more money. Both the
Germantown and the West Bend school districts have put referendums on the ballot
in November for tens of millions of dollars in additional funding. While both
districts have some real needs, so do the taxpayers whose taxes they want to
raise.
MORE HERE:
http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA4LzA5LzIzI0FyMDA4MDM=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom
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And HERE is the reality of the situation at hand. It is what I have been saying all along.
Do what NEEDS to be done. People will support TRUE NEED. This referendum contains OVERKILL. Just say NO.
West Bend School Superintendent Remodels Office
having her office remodeled...
Now, I am sure there will be some creative terminology used when invoicing, or even when justifying to the taxpayers. New chair..... new computer....
Interesting, just as we acknowledge that $8,000 was spent on a coercive video we will probably never see the daylights of
AND
$17,679 (not including labor) was spent on the faulty and weighted REFERENDUM SURVEY.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Some casting ballots NOW - called LAZY
...........
Republican John McCain’s campaign has already sent out mailings to hundreds of thousands of voters with absentee ballot request forms addressed to municipal clerks. Charles Wastell, a 25-year-old McCain supporter in Madison, applied for an absentee ballot this week after receiving one of those mailings. ‘‘It’s going to be one of those elections with a high turnout rate, especially in Madison, so I want to avoid the lines at the polling place,’’ said Wastell, a University of Wisconsin-Madison information technology worker. ‘‘I probably wouldn’t have voted absentee had I not gotten the forms in the mail. It’s actually kinda nice.’’
..........
‘‘We understand some people really truly need absentee ballots but some folks are just plain lazy,’’ said Brookfield City Clerk Kristine Schmidt, who is doubling her staff to eight full-time employees to handle the influx. ‘‘They don’t want to be bothered by having to stand in line.’’
http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA4LzA5LzIyI0FyMDAxMDQ=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom
WOW! We whine when people don't vote, then we whine when they DO! What exactly does Ms. Schmidt want? The manner in which someone votes is entirely choice. One does not need to absentee vote because they "can't" get out to vote. It is simply another avenue to encourage voters to participate. GET A GRIP.
Dane County rewards same-sex partnerships with health care
The ordinance, which passed on a voice vote, also creates a registry for same-sex or other non-married domestic partners, a registry the city of Madison has had since 1990 but no other county in the state offers.
Domestic partners need to have been in a committed relationship for at least 90 days to register. The measure, which was introduced in July, goes into effect December 1. Sup. Kyle Richmond of Madison, primary sponsor of the ordinance which has been in the works for a year and a half, said the ordinance will make Dane County a leader in domestic partner benefits.
More here, if you dare:
http://www.madison.com/tct/top5/305570
SNL implies incest - Todd Palin
http://www.channel3000.com/entertainment/17528426/detail.html?treets=c3k&tid=2656375106813&tml=c3k_4pm&tmi=c3k_4pm_1_04000809222008&ts=H
SNL = The lowest of the low.
Nursing shortage - Chemical Abortion/EC mandate won't help
Burtis, 52, was an emergency room and surgical nurse in the Chicago area for almost 25 years. But after growing weary from the constant stress of the job — including forced overtime and extra shifts — and seeing peers in understaffed units suffering with backaches from lifting patients without help, Burtis left the profession six years ago for a research job in the suburbs with a pharmaceutical company.
“You were always running, trying to get everything done, always afraid you were missing something or forgetting something,” she said. “I don’t think anybody can work that hard for that long.”
A perfect storm of retiring baby boomers, an aging nurse population that’s leaving the profession and too few nursing instructors is setting up a health-care crisis. One report estimates that by 2020, there will be a staggering shortage of nurses — possibly more than 1 million vacancies.
States are trying to head off that shortage by helping colleges turn out more nurses and by improving their working conditions. But the question remains whether it’s enough to avert a crisis.
.....
The country is expected to be short about 1 million nurses by 2020, the Health Resources and Services Administration reported four years ago. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 30 states had a shortage of nurses in 2000; by 2020, 44 are expected to face a shortage.
Nurses are leaving the profession in droves, largely because of retirement — the average age of a nurse is 47 — but also because of stressful working conditions.
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=342467
_____________________________________________________
I wonder...
I wonder why clergy and lay Christians are not speaking up.
I wonder if the Chemical Abortion Hospital Mandate are pushing nurses to "leave the profession in droves???"
I wonder if this shortage of caregivers will lead to wholesale acceptance of euthanasia?
and
I wonder why nobody is publicly calling for the repeal of the Medical Examining Board's "Emergency Contraceptive" Mandate?
I wonder why we are surprised?
Not every nurse wants to join the bottom-feeding abortion industry which in the past only attracted providers who didn't have the qualifications to find a real job.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Kenosha helicopter crash kills 2 - Family OK
Two people in the aircraft were killed in the crash. Five family members, including children, got out of the home and are OK, according to the Kenosha Police Department.
The helicopter crashed into the roof of the home on the 6900 block of 97th Avenue in Kenosha.
http://www.wisn.com/news/17522872/detail.html?treets=mil&tml=mil_break&ts=T&tmi=mil_break_1_08530209212008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Obama attacks abortion survivor
In the increasing flurry of this election's negative political ads, the Barack Obama campaign produced a TV commercial that not only attacks Republican rival John McCain, but also takes aim at an unusual target: a 31-year-old woman who was born alive after her mother's botched abortion.
MORE HERE:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=75788
Tuesday - Voter registration in West Bend
A voter registration program will be held at the West Bend High Schools and at the University of Wisconsin-Washington County by members of the West Bend Noon Rotary Club.
The West Bend High Schools program will be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the area between the two cafeterias.
The UW-WC program will be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the theater lobby in the upper level.
For this program, the Rotarians are acting as state registration deputies and will be able to register anyone wanting to register from any voting precinct in Wisconsin. Anyone who is 18 or will be 18 by Nov. 4 may be registered. They will be asked to furnish photo identification with a proper address. If the person has moved, a photo I.D. and utility bill or other evidence of the move with the proper address will have to be presented.
http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA4LzA5LzIwI0FyMDAyMDI=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom
Thursday, September 18, 2008
GOOGLE tries to SHUN PRO-LIFE ADS
In April, Google's approach to pro-life advocacy was to search-and destroy.
Now, several months and a court settlement later, the Internet giant has changed its policy and will allow religious groups to purchase ad space on the subject of abortion.
The issue came to a head earlier this year when The Christian Institute was denied ad space because Google considered the pro-life message "inappropriate content." Today, the Institute announced that after taking legal action, Google agreed to alter its abortion ads policy. Effective immediately, Google will "level the playing field" for religious groups and accept "factual" ad buys on abortion.
While we celebrate the victory, these legal proceedings continue to have a chilling effect. The fact that Christians have to expend their resources fighting for free speech equity means that we're losing ground in the culture. More than ever, we need to carry this battle from the courts to the policy arena, where elected representatives-not unaccountable judges-direct our course as a nation.
FRC Action Update: 09/17/2008
Palin's private email hacked regarded SHAMEFUL
from Texas Hold 'Em Blogger
This goes beyond shameful. The nutroots hacked Sarah Palin’s private e-mail account and have published private e-mails as well as pictures of her children on a leftwing blog. And al-Associated Press tries to spin it in such a manner as to shed negative light on Palin: The disclosure Wednesday raises new questions about [...]
http://texasholdemblogger.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/palins-private-e-mail-hacked/
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
West Bend Pastor joins others in defying IRS censorship rules
Hats off to ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND!
Pastor Luke Emrich of New Life Church in West Bend will be standing firm on September 28th..
"Christian pastors should stop censoring themselves in fear of an "unconstitutional" 1954 provision in the IRS code that has threatened to eliminate their church tax-exempt status if they speak out against positions held by political candidates, urges a leading legal alliance.
The Alliance Defense Fund today announced a new initiative that will challenge the IRS ban on political comment from churches and their pastors.
"Churches have for too long feared the loss of tax exempt status arising from speech in the pulpit addressing candidates for office," the ADF's white paper on the campaign confirmed. "Rather than risk confrontation, pastors have self-censored their speech, ignoring blatant immorality in government and foregoing the opportunities to praise moral government leaders.
"ADF believes that IRS restrictions on religious expression from the pulpit, whenever the IRS characterizes it as 'political,' is unconstitutional. After 50 years of threats and intimidation, churches should confront the IRS directly and reclaim the expressive rights guaranteed to them in the United States Constitution," the group said.
The ADF said its program will "equip, protect, and defend pastors who wish to exercise their First Amendment right to openly discuss the positions of political candidates and other moral and social issues from the pulpit."
The group is encouraging pastors across the U.S. to "deliver a sermon along these lines in their own churches Sept. 28," which is just days before the 2008 presidential election, a debate that has been rife with moral questions."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=63865
16-year-old dies when airborn car hits pole - Beaver Dam
Teen dies when airborne car hits pole
A 16-year-old girl died and a 16-year-old boy was hospitalized after the car in which they were riding spun out of control, went airborne and hit a power pole before landing on its roof Monday afternoon in Beaver Dam, according to information provided by the Dodge County Sheriff's Department. According to a news release issued by the department:
The boy, a Beaver Dam resident, was driving south at high speed on Shaw Hill Road near Parker Road when the crash occurred about 3 p.m. The boy was taken to a Beaver Dam hospital before being flown by helicopter to University Hospital in Madison. The girl, also a resident of Beaver Dam, was partially ejected from the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity had not yet been released.In addition to speed, the failure to use seat belts was a factor in the crash, the release says.
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=9/16/2008&id=46200
Van Hollen - Schools must facilitate information
"I am encouraging legislative change to facilitate access to information. Law
should permit the sharing of information, at the very least, with those who
have a need for that information to make informed decisions and undertake
informed actions. In the school safety context, this means educators,
administrators and law enforcement that are charged with protecting kids
and the school community."
http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/Sept08/sept16/0916vanhollenschools.pdf
Monday, September 15, 2008
West Bend School District DENIES Open Records Request concerning Gay club
The Rainbow Connection, according to the West Bend West High School web site, is:
For gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) teens or those of you who are confused/questioning your sexual identity. Relatives of GLBT are also welcome. Completely confidential. Meets entire school year for discussion and support.
http://school--counseling.wbsd.whs.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/group_pages.phtml?gid=600696&nid=43578&sessionid=ca43146988d6e3e7b4fcb3488e4fa096
This comes on the heels of being assured by the WB School Board that there are no taxpayer-funded or school-sponsored sex clubs in our district.
Below is the letter I received concerning my request. I have removed the teacher's name for confidentiality purposes. Since questioning this program, the District has "stated" they have "discontinued" the club for this year, though it continues to be advertised on the West Bend High School District website.
WEST BEND JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1
Education Service Center
735 South Main Street, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095-3962
Before responding to the specifics of your email, I want to share several concerns that have arisen as a result of the numerous requests you have made regarding XXXXXX. The District has been more than cooperative in providing information to you regarding his/her involvement with student groups, such as the GSA. However, in light of the prior questions you have asked, the questions posed here and your public records request directed at XXXXXX, the District questions what legitimate interest is being served by these inquiries. I am concerned that this situation is coming perilously close to being a case of harassing an employee because of his/her sexual orientation. The District will not be a party to any such harassment nor will it be responsible should legal action be initiated by the employee against you as a private citizen.
In addition, although you have the right to request public records under state law, the District is not obligated to create records, which is what you are asking us to do every time you request a response to another list of questions. Although I will answer the questions you have posed in this instance, it is time to close this matter and move on to the many important issues facing the District at this time --and which have not been given the time needed due to the amount of time that has been consumed with this one item.
1. There is not a CARE group around the issue of sexual orientation this year. There has been such a group in the past as research has shown that there is a correlation between chemical use and students struggling with issues of sexuality.
2. XXXXXX is an employee of the District. He/she is not a "direct representative" of the District or its high schools when he/she communicates with others via his/her personal blog, nor has he/she held himself/herself out as a representative of the District's high school on his/her personal blog. You are correct that XXXXXX is responsible for what he/she says on his/her personal blog, not the District, as he/she has used no District resources for his/her personal blog nor is she/he acting on behalf of the District. I do not know when the information you cite was posted on his website, and thus, cannot comment as to the accuracy of the information at the time it was posted.
3. As demonstrated by my emails that you have quoted, I have never said that XXXXXX "counseled" children.
4. There is no co-facilitator as there is no such group this year.
5. A list of the CARE groups for this year is not yet available for students.
6. I understand that you do not believe in any seXual orientation other than a heterosexual one; however, the fact of the matter is that there are others who do not share your view. The District is required by law to prevent an employee from being harassed in the workplace because of his/her sexual orientation. Our legal counsel has advised us that this obligation includes preventing an employee from being harassed not only by supervisors and co-workers, but also third parties. Thus, the District will not condone or participate in any action targeted at an employee because of his/her sexual oreintation or because he/she serves as an unpaid advisor to a group of students who have come together to support each other. The District has provided you with all relevant information on this matter and will not respond to any further inquiries regarding XXXXXX.
Sincerely,
Kathryn L. Zarling, Ed.D
Administrator of Pupil Services
West Bend School District
2620335-5409
MY COMMENTS:
1. The only information I requested concerning the GSA was quite some time ago and was simply a matter of how it was run and if it was funded by taxpayer money. Nothing more.
2. The District questions what legitimate interest is being served by these inquiries. This is an illegal question. According to Open Records Law, I do not need to GIVE A REASON for my inquiries. I do not even have to GIVE MY NAME when making such inquiries.
3. The District is saying that by having to answer taxpayer/parent questions via email and/or snail mail they are having to "create a record", and they are not obligated to so, therefore, they don't have to answer ANYONE'S questions if they choose not to.
4. The blog site referred to in this letter is one in which this co-facilitator actually states his/her involvement in the Rainbow Connection and GSA within our high schools. He/she makes such statements as:
"I hope we, as an entire community - L-G-B-T - can get back on track and fight together for equality in the workplace."
"Over the next week or so I'll be posting quite a bit about lots of different things - the annual Day of Silence, ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act), some random musings, and the religious right and their activities in the district that I teach in."
"I WILL make sure that the LGBT youth I teach and encounter in the hallways of my high school are safe and valued for who they are. I WILL call into question and challenge policies made by my district and building administration that threaten the well-being of these students."
in addition to stating his/her involvement as a co-facilitator for the Rainbow Connection, which meets under the umbrella of the C.A.R.E. program.
My questions were simply "Is this TRUE?" and IF IT IS TRUE, then can you tell me the following.... (see questions in first paragraph of this post)
5. Though the Administrator of Pupil Services did not state that this person "counseled" children, neither did I. Since the Rainbow Connection and other C.A.R.E. clubs are to provide the children with support, one would naturally assume that meant counsel. That is a no-brainer.
6. This letter indicates what the District THNKS I believe about sexual orientation. I have never specifically stated my position publicly to the District. Though I obviously feel strongly about this subject, it is STILL an assumption on their part.
7. If I had asked these same questions about a facilitator for a Christian club or Jewish Club or Spanish Club, would I have received this same letter, claiming I am "harrassing" the individual? Guess we all know the answer to that one.
8. Since I asked about a GAY club sponsored with taxpayer money and the facilitator is GAY, the District states they cannot and WILL NOT provide answers to any questions whatsoever concerning him/her or their involvement in this program. Period. And by the way, I should watch out for a personal law suit, too.
This heavy-handed letter has every connotation of THREAT, INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT to a local citizen excercising their rights under the Wisconsin Open Records Law.
Trust me, J.B. already knows.
Obama's sec'y says McCain's campaign is "sleaziest in history"
So much for nuance, or elevating the dialogue.Locked in a political death match with 52 days to live, the presidential campaigns went nuclear on what looked to be a quiet Saturday, with stumping curtailed because of Hurricane Ike's catastrophic overnight hit on Houston.Sen. Barack Obama's national press secretary, Bill Burton, accused Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) of "cynically running the sleaziest and least honorable campaign in modern presidential campaign history. His discredited ads with disgusting lies are running all over the country today. He runs a campaign not worthy of the office he is seeking."That was prompted by a McCain campaign statement about remarks Obama (D-Ill.) made in Manchester, N.H., on Saturday morning.McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds thundered by e-mail: "During the event, Barack Obama showed zero restraint in the ferocity of his attacks despite the wreckage in the gulf and his running mate’s cancellation in reaction to it."It says a lot about Barack Obama’s judgment that while his campaign canceled his appearance on 'Saturday Night Live' and his running mate stayed home, Obama went ahead and delivered a series of scathing personal attacks. Today’s attacks mark a new low from Barack Obama.”
htthttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13417.htmlp://
Ned Yost - Fired by Brewers
"This was a very difficult move to make, and we appreciate all of the work that Ned has done to develop this team into a contender," said Doug Melvin, the Brewers executive vice president and general manager. "In the end, this was a collaborative decision made to put our club in the best position for the final two weeks of the season."
http://www.wisn.com/news/17478140/detail.html?treets=mil&tml=mil_break&ts=T&tmi=mil_break_1_03261109152008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Grafton Hit and Run - Your help needed....
The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department is seeking a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident that left a 19-year-old Grafton man hospitalized with lacerations and tendon damage to one of his arms.
According to sheriff's Capt. David Guss:
The vehicle - believed to be a dark blue or green SUV, possibly a Jeep or a GMC Jimmy - was eastbound on Falls Road in the Town of Grafton at about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Near Cheyenne Ave., the vehicle hit Michael Huff, who was jogging along the road in the same direction. Huff told investigators that the vehicle pulled over briefly, but then took off.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department: (262) 377-7172.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Dedicated by Bush Today
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-09-11-voa40.cfm
Wisconsin Fall Color Report
Click here to view the latest Wisconsin Fall Color Report.
Most of the state is still reporting predominantly green trees, but we
remember from last season just how quickly colors can change. We're already
seeing red and orange leaves on the ground as far south as Madison, so the
colors are coming!
Bathroom Crisis - First Maryland, Next Wisconsin
Opponents of the law say they are reviewing their options for continuing their challenge to the extraordinary law that essentially leaves private homes and private clubs as the only locations where a person would not have the "right" to use the restroom or shower room designated for whatever gender that person feels on that given day.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=74897
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Grothman speaks out about Burkee, supports Sensenbrenner
I first met Burkee about five months ago. He purported to be a straight conservative who believed Republicans had a bad election in 2006 because they strayed from their conservative principles. He talked almost exclusively about too much government spending. I discouraged him from running because I felt he would not win (or even get close.) I also told him that he would send the message that conservative Republicans who stuck their neck out – be it on spending (against the Katrina package, transportation bill, etc.) or Bush’s lax immigration policy, would get challenged for being controversial. Sensenbrenner is the most conservative of our eight Congressmen. I also felt a primary would take Sensenbrenner from what should be his main focus – other races – helping Alberta Darling, John Gard, and John McCain.
Since then, Burkee has become much worse. As I understand it, some of my conservative/libertarian friends might vote for him. Here are five things that should give you concern in supporting a Burkee candidacy:
First, Burkee appears to tell different people different things. John Torinus wrote an article in the West Bend Daily News. I like John Torinus a lot, but in the article (see link) Torinus argues that we need Burkee because he is a centrist and the Republicans lost the majority by being too conservative. In other words, the Burkee trying to sell himself to Glenn Grothman was almost the exact opposite of the Burkee selling himself to John Torinus. In a related anecdote, Burkee filled out his Pro-Life Wisconsin questionnaire as 100% opposed to embryonic stem cell research. In the Torinus article, he reveals himself for stem cell research. I suppose all politicians color their comments for their audience, but Burkee seems to take this to extremes.
Second, in his own article in the Daily News, Burkee says to vote for him because our Congressman should be funneling more money to Wisconsin – in particular education dollars. The Burkee who I met painted himself as an across the board fiscal conservative. Burkee now comes across as pandering to spending constituencies. I don’t think most education spending is even constitutional.
Third, I never met a politician who more brazenly tries to win a Republican primary with Democratic voters.
MORE HERE:
http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/trackback/13736/6DrcJpTs/
Monday, September 8, 2008
VOTE TOMORROW - REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Incumbent Jim Sensenbrenner is being challenged by college professor Jim
Burkee.
.....
You can tell a lot about someone’s politics by who is supporting
them. Burkee is being heavily touted by John Torinus, a long-standing
“Country Club” Republican. He is also being supported by Tim Petersen, a
well-known Libertarian, and Bryan Kennedy, the liberal Democrat who ran against
Sensenbrenner in the past two cycles. These guys are fine men, but I
disagree with their politics.
- Speaking of Kennedy, Burkee has purchased his mailing list and is
sending mailings to that list. I also heard that Kennedy will be sending
an endorsement letter to that list.
- I spoke with Burkee’s campaign at some length. They
emphasize that they have a chance at this election because it will be a low turn
out election. For most of the 5th District, there isn’t anything else on
the ballot to get them to the polls. As such, Burkee is relying heavily on
independents and Democrats to turn out and hand him the election. At the
same time, Burkee is saying that he’s running to the right of Sensenbrenner and
is hoping to get Conservatives to vote for him. BUT, I haven’t seen Burkee
at a single Republican event all season. The Washington County Republican
brat fry was this weekend and he didn’t show. This tells me that he has no
intention of courting Republican votes (in a Republican primary). He’s
just going after liberals and moderates.
- I’m not sure that I trust what Burkee is saying about his
conservatism. Sure, he talks a good game and is very believable, but he’s
also apparently telling Torinus and Kennedy that he’s a
liberal-to-moderate. Torinus even wrote a whole column about
how moderate he is. It seems that he’s telling people what they want
to hear.
MORE HERE:
http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/weblog/permalink/5th_district_primary_tomorrow/
West Bend Referendum Promo Video cost Taxpayers 8 GRAND
the West Bend School Board spent YOUR TAX DOLLARS on a biased PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
TO THE TUNE OF $8,000
I have the Invoice from Marketing on Demand, LLC
YEP, MORE TRUTH...
Be sure to send a thank you note.
West Bend HS CARE program ABUSED - Taxpayers funding GAY CLUB
Under the auspices of the CARE program, West Bend Taxpayers have been funding a Rainbow Connection gay/lesbian support group within their school district FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS!!!! The CARE program was designed to assist teens with issues concerning drugs/alcohol - NOT gay/lesbian issues.
POSTED ON THE WEST BEND HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE - COUNSELING SERVICES OFFERED:
http://student-informationcounselor.wbsd.ehs.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/group_pages.phtml?gid=667210&nid=46971&sessionid=62c482eb03ca10b189c8d5a7dc8ba503
Group guidance
Click Support groups (wellness, divorce, anger management, stress management, gay/lesbian
The West Bend High Schools have a "volunteer" openly gay teacher who "counsels" the youth on "coming out" and whether or not to tell parents, friends, etc.
Yep, you're paying for it!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Vote for LeMahieu
I agree with Owen's viewpoint..
He’s a good, decent man who does a good job for his constituents. McCarty,
on the other hand, doesn’t seem to have a clue what he’s talking about.
http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/weblog/permalink/vote_for_lemahieu/
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Never say...
Sandra Day O'Connor justifies prayer limits 'It is government speech, and the rule seems perfectly reasonable'.. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=59503
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Brewers lose to Mets and Palin
We had really incredible seats in the sixth row behind the Mets dugout. Very cool
We started out with a run in the first inning, then the Mets ran on ahead in the third, 1-5.
The Brewers came back and tied it up in the fourth, and held the tie into the tenth inning when the Mets took over and we lost 5-6.
The unusual thing about this game is not the hot dog that won the sausage race.
It wasn't the bad ref call on Hardy's slide into second that cost us an out.
It wasn't Bernie Brewer's slide in the first inning or the opening fireworks.
No.
It was the the scuttlebut amongst the fans.
As I sat in the stands, I was surrounded by incessant echoes of political conversations. I am not kidding. It was ongoing, game-long discussion about Palin! There were even people sitting with open newspapers, reading the leftilicious media reports....
It was an oddity.
McCain - Palin to visit Cedarburg Friday
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Owen Robinson on Dem's Palin Criticism
"Sen. John McCain has chosen Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin to be his
running mate. The choice is extremely interesting on a
number of different levels. The most obvious item of note is that Palin is a woman. If McCain and Palin win, she would be the first female vice-president in our nation’s history and an immediate front-runner for president in 2012 or 2016."
http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/trackback/13654/R3Oa6oD4/
Monday, September 1, 2008
And now...something else to entertain us instead of the Dem baby-busting issue...
For your viewing pleasure. Something mindless and enjoyable.
Dobson / Focus on Family lends his support to Palin family
"In the 32-year history of Focus on the Family, we have offered prayer, counseling and resource assistance to tens of thousands of parents and children in the same situation the Palins are now facing. We have always encouraged the parents to love and support their children and always advised the girls to see their pregnancies through, even though there will of course be challenges along the way. That is what the Palins are doing, and they should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances."
MORE HERE:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/dobson-on-brist.html
Dems hurt themselvs - Palin's daughter
"The despicable rumors that have been spread by liberal blogs, some even
with Barack Obama's name in them, is a real anchor around the Democratic ticket,
pulling them down in the mud in a way that certainly juxtaposes themselves
against their 'campaign of change,"' a senior aide said.Geez - leave these kids alone. The parents are doing their best and I commend them for walking beside this very young couple who, obviously, will be criticized and mocked by the left.
Dems APOLOGIZE for lame comments about Gustav and RNC
A YouTube video of the comments posted by the conservative blog RedState.org and showed Fowler joking with South Carolina Rep. John Spratt about the timing of the hurricane while on a flight from the Democratic National Convention back to South Carolina. The person who filmed the conversation is not identified.
“The hurricane is going to hit New Orleans about the time they start. The timing is, at least it appears now, it will be there Monday. That just demonstrates God is on our side,” Fowler said, while laughing. Fowler also told Spratt that “everything’s cool.”
Speaking to the Associated Press Sunday, Fowler said his comments were intended to make light of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell's remark that the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 was God's punishment for abortion and homosexuality.
MORE HERE:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/