Herb Kohl

Few names are as synonymous with this state as that of Kohl - both a longtime, beloved grocery chain and the national department store were founded here by the family.  In my lifetime, Herb Kohl, a son of that family, took up the torch and represented both the name and the people of Wisconsin.  

From 1989 to 2013 he served most publicly as our Democratic US Senator, but around here he was primarily seen as the owner of the NBA Bucks. Without him, and his efforts, that team would have left Milwaukee decades ago. There's a thousand small ways he impacted the state too - who else remembers his 25 cent milk both at the State Fair?

Herb died today at the age of 88.

RIP. You did your family, and your state, proud. 

On Aaron Rodgers injury and the moral failure of (too many) Wisconsinites

I don't think Wisconsin is hick or hillbilly or whatever other pejorative haters use to describe my home state. Granted, I'm from Milwaukee, which is hardly typical of what is a largely rural state, but still - Bleep the Haters. 

But I have to admit, the reaction here to Aaron Rodgers' season (and possibly career) ending injury in his first game in NY made me a little ashamed of my fellow Wisconsinites.

 While the rest of the NFL fandom, even those down in Chicago, were publicly reacting with well wishes and regret, here in Wisconsin local Facebook posts were filled with laugh-reacts and utter bulllshit. 

Bullshit like "I called it! He's always getting injured and leaving his team high and dry. He's a carton of eggs."

Really? Odd that he played 230 games for the Pack, (223 as a starter from 2008-2022), which breaks down to 14.5 games a year. 

Yeah, she responded, but he liked to play hurt and and sucked for the last five years. 

Well, Thats' so doofus-y it was barely worth responding to, but WTF lady, he earned back to back MVP's when you say he "sucked."

She did not reply again. 

Now, obviously there were plenty of people who thought/said the right things, and even more who didn't feel the need to comment in the first place. 

But then there were: 

#NotOurProblem

Sweet Little Drama Queen 

Karma

So glad you left the Pack

Maybe the Aliens he saw can fix him

The man gave you 15 seasons as a starter, a Super Bowl victory, multiple MVP's, and frankly, was often the only reason we were a marquee team.  And this is how you treat him? 

This is how you treat ANY human being that is injured so severely they may never play again? 

Shameful.

Margaret Farrow

RIP former Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow

"Open" Wisconsin

If you want WI "open" again because you fear the potentially disastrous economic outcome that could follow in the wake of continuing the Safer at Home order, I hear you. You have valid points that need to be discussed.

If you want WI "open" again because you are going stir crazy, or want a haircut, I'm sorry, sit down.

If you want WI "open" again because the virus is "fake" and this is all a conspiracy involving not only the media, but business, government, churches, and the medical community, there's not much anyone can say to help you.

If you want WI "open" again because you think this is some despotic attempt to rob you of your liberties, I ask you to explain where and when *in WI * these breaches have taken place, and caution you that "friend of a friend" anecdotes and Reddit level Constitutional law will be treated with the respect it deserves.

If you want WI "open" again because a Democrat called for the extension, you are embarrassing yourself and the Republican party I love.

If you want WI "open" again for any reason and talk about grabbing your guns and "calling the militia," I point to the calendar and mention your rant sounds familiar - almost like those who once darkened April days in Waco and Oklahoma City.

If you want WI "open" again, and chose to stand in groups of like minded, Confederate flag waving people, disregarding not only distancing but any safety precaution - I do not wish the virus on you, nor would I seek to deny you medical help if afflicted. But should the impact of this virus spread bc of what you knowingly did, I hope you have conscience enough to regret your little protest.

Nice Job

Apparently ABC News is unaware that Walker is Governor, not a Congressman.

Please ABC, try not to so easily feed my scorn for the media.

Ed Garvey

 

Three Decades Ago . . .

30 years ago today, Tommy Thompson was sworn in as Wisconsin's 42nd Governor.

the name of the Wind

Rachel L recommended this fantasy novel to me, and I finished it last night. It's very good (and has a Wisconsin author), but I can't claim to be enamored by the main character. He's a bit like Harry Potter's son, if Harry Potter mated with Melfoy and begat a pompous knob. He also seems to have an aversion to women. He meets them, they invite him into their bed chambers, he demurs; he has a hottie fawn over him, he spends six hours talking with her (!), and doesn't so much as reach for her hand. Either the author is a virgin or the character should just come of the closet already. Other than that crud, a fine novel.

Eek

I'm driving Lisa up to Omro to visit her friend Jolene. 

Judging by the volume of pro-life billboards along this highway, there must be an epidemic of abortions taking place in central/northern Wisconsin.

GAB

 The GAB has announced they will not accept third party challenges to the recall petitions - meaning even if a third party finds my name scribbled on seven different pages, right next to Minnie Mouse and JFK, too bad so sad. Justice - as defined by a 'accountability' board loyal to Dems, means "to disenfranchise honest WI voters by ignoring fraud". Seriously, this state makes me ill. If things don't improve on the personal financial front, I'm leaning towards "Adios!".

News

"I find it ironic that the same day that thousands of people skipped work to rail against our “undemocratic” leader [Walker] fewer than a quarter of the registered voters in Madison bothered to vote in an actual election." - Phil Hands of the Wisconsin State Journal

"Republicans. . . are holding possible bargaining chips in their efforts to end the stalemate. . . one of those chips may be a bill to require voters to show ID at the polls . . the ID bill could come another day if Democrats don't return. Without Democrats present, the Republicans have enough members to be able to hold votes on non-financial bills but not on a fiscal bill such as a budget"