There has been much debate in the media as to whether there should be a recall of Gov. Scott Walker. Here is why I want to see a recall.
It's not because the governor is slashing the education budget; other governors before him have done the same, even Democratic ones. It's not because he is cutting health care for many in the state who need it; this country has long denied the poorest of its citizenry access to basic health care.
It's not because he's supposedly balancing the budget on the backs of teachers and other public employees by requiring them to pay more for their health care and pensions, thus eroding their take-home pay. None of those are the reasons I want to recall this governor.
There is something bigger going on in our country, something insidious that is undermining the very fabric of our democracy nationwide. And Walker, whether purposefully or because he is an unwitting puppet, is part of it.
The Republicans thought they had finally attained Karl Rove's vision of a "permanent Republican majority" when George W. Bush was handed the presidency by the Supreme Court in the 2000 election. Imagine their surprise when Democrat Barack Obama was elected in 2008.
So, the behind-the-scenes power brokers and the political action committees with big corporate money geared up and in 2010 helped states elect a large group of governors and state legislators who would take their marching orders. Those marching orders include legislation to end collective bargaining state by state and, thus, to quell one powerful voice of the people. Those marching orders also include legislation to make it more difficult for people who tend to vote for Democrats to vote at all.
Around the country, Republican-led legislatures began redrawing district boundaries to keep Republicans in power. In Arizona, where the people chose (via referendum) to have a bipartisan commission draw their lines, the Republican governor moved to have the chairwoman of the commission removed because she didn't like the way they were drawing the lines (the court overruled that governor).
The Republican governor of Michigan signed a law giving him the right to declare a municipality or city to be in "financial crisis" and then to appoint a private-sector manager who would take over that municipality. The manager could dismiss elected officials!
There is an egregious takeover of our democracy by people who hold economic power. The Citizens United Supreme Court decision gave corporations the ability to buy elections. One individual, Grover Norquist, has somehow gotten a significant number of Republican legislators (both state and federal) to sign his pledge to do what he demands, rather than what is right for constituents. He apparently holds the purse strings to their re-elections, and somehow that is legal. And no one seems to be able to do anything about it.
So, why do I want to recall Walker? Because I can. Because my rights as an individual elector in our grand, 200-year-old experiment in democracy are being systematically and systemically eroded. If I don't do something now to preserve our democracy, I will lose the ability to effect any change in the future.
The people of Wisconsin spoke last spring when they rallied week after week. They said they want our democracy preserved. It begins by preserving our right to collectively bargain. Because without that right, we have no voice.
Those rallies emboldened the Wisconsin electorate to recall two Republican state senators this past summer. The recall of those senators emboldened the people of Ohio to overturn an anti-collective bargaining law in November, as well the people of Michigan to recall one senator, the people of Mississippi to reject a "personhood referendum" and the people of Maine to demand that same-day voter registration be allowed in defiance of their governor's signed law to repeal it. The people are choosing to take back their democracy.
Yes, the recall here will be expensive. Democracy does not come cheap. Yes, Walker was voted in by the people a year ago. But that was under false pretenses funded by corporate denizens. And, no, we cannot wait until his term is over in 2014. If we wait that long, this governor and the people who bought his election will have further eroded our democracy and the ability of the people to have a say in how we are governed.
If we are successful in changing who sits in the governor's seat in Wisconsin, that - added to what Ohio, Michigan, Mississippi, Maine and other states are doing - will send a clear message to the corporatists that we will not accept their form of government. And it will embolden other citizens to take action.
Democracy is precious to me. It is why I am proud to be an American. I have a voice today. If I do not exercise that voice now, I may lose the ability to exercise it tomorrow. This is why I am working to recall Walker. I am working to preserve our democracy.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Fire is the Devil's Friend - CLOSE CALL AT OFFICE
The old expression: "Here today, gone tomorrow" has been in my head a lot since last Sunday. That's the day my office couch erupted in flames!I have a standard winter routine. I come to the office, turn on the computer so it can load, then attend to the stove. If there are live coals from the day before, I add small kindling.
Sunday was one of those mornings where there was little life in the bed of coals - or so I thought. I had been saving up card board for just such an occasion, so I tore some of that up and laid it on the dying embers. It came to life a lot faster than I anticipated so I went and got more card board.
I am not completely sure I know what happened but a live ember most have jumped ship when I was looking the other way. I added a small amount of kindling, closed the stove door, and went to sit at the computer. Within seconds I heard foreign sound behind me - I turned to see my little couch in flames!
First I attempted to beat the flames out with a pillow - then realized only water would extinguish the rapidly climbing flames. I rushed to the sink, ran a small jar of water (it seemed like hours for it to fill) and threw it on the flames. It didn't go out - there was still signs of burning so I went and got more water.
By the time I got the fire out completely, the couch (as you can see) was severely damaged. To say that I was in a state of shock is an understatement. First I couldn't believe that it had actually happened and as time passed I couldn't believe that I was able to extinguish the fire without a fire extinguisher! How stupid am I not to have one at the ready!
Today I realize how very lucky I was to have been able to get it out before the whole office and contents were destroyed. Of course, I would like to replace the couch, but have no money for that. I found that it will suffice for now by covering it with a blanket.
It is much more important to get to Menard's and purchase a good fire extinguisher.
The "fire sale" smell of smoke has dissipated - and I have cleaned up the mess. And I have given thanks many times since last Sunday!
Tuesday, December 6, I went in to Mayo Clinic, Midlefort, in Eau Claire and had a basal carcinoma about the size of a nickel removed from just behind and below my left ear. Carcinomas are a form of skin cancer, brought on by exposure to sunlight - I had noticed the strange little growth nearly a year ago, but it wasn't until I was assigned to a new doctor that he found it.
Turns out, carcinomas are rampant with the deterioration of the ozone, thanks to greedy corporations like the Koch brothers who don't care if the ozone is destroyed - there is money to be made.
Then we have our illustrious newly elected Senator Ron Johnson who tells us that there is no such thing as climate change. I have a wish: Senator Johnson sun bathes in the nude and gets several carcinomas on his pee pee.
The incision is healing nicely with the help of Kim who is acting as my nurse and changing my bandage daily. Hopefully I will be bandage free by the weekend.
Please say a prayer for my friend Matt Capell who underwent double knee replacement surgery last Monday. The first couple weeks are really rough. I can attest to that - and I only had one knee done!
get well, soon, Matthew!
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Thursday, December 1, 2011
WALKER HAS TO GO!
Our not-so-beloved governor says that the number of people signing the petition for his recall doesn't really bother him. According to Politico.com, he looks forward to putting his record before the people. He is already running ads paid for by the greedy - slick commercials with "teachers" telling us how much better off their district is since Walker took over.
What you should know is the "teachers" are not from the public sector but from charter schools in Mr. Walker's own home district.
Not entirely lies, but half truths, misrepresentations. It's the way he and his greed mongers. the Koch brothers work!
Get used to it for you will be getting a lot more of these before he's finished.
It really bewilders me that most people think that it is teachers and other public sector workers who are the only ones that are upset and only because of the destruction of collective bargaining. There is as lot more terribly destructive moves going on.
Let's start with BadgerCare. BadgerCare is a Wisconsin success story that guarantees health security for more than 775,000 people. Despite its popularity, the program is on the chopping block as the Walker administration implements $554 million in budget cuts to Wisconsin's Medicaid program.
The rationale for BadgerCare is even stronger now than it was 12 years ago when it was initiated by Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson. BadgerCare has enjoyed unusual bipartisan support because it grew out of a consensus that the private health insurance market has utterly failed to provide affordable coverage to lower-income working families struggling to lift themselves out of poverty and into the middle class.
Hey Republicans. Read that again! Initiated by Tommy Thompson, enjoyed bipartisan support. Wasn't he one of the good guys in you grand old party?
The Walker administration's zeal to cut BadgerCare is partially explained by its unwillingness to admit the magnitude of the health insurance cost crisis. They have pointed to the number of people enrolled in BadgerCare as a problem, without recognizing that because of our deeply flawed private health insurance market, and the acute shortage of family sustaining jobs with decent health benefits, many have no affordable alternatives. In a statement that reveals a stunning disconnection from reality, Walker's insurance commissioner recently downplayed the cost of health insurance, stating that Wisconsin's private health insurance costs "are manageable."
Recently the Walker administration launched a sneak attack against a key national consumer protection intended to reduce health insurance costs by capping excessive insurance industry profits and overhead. Without any public announcement (Citizen Action of Wisconsin actually had to inform the media and legislators), Walker’s Insurance Commissioner Ted Nickel quietly filed an official request asking the federal government for a three-year waiver from new standards requiring that health insurance companies spend at least 80 percent of premiums on medical care. The reform went into effect this year, and is part of the national health care law, the Affordable Care Act. Waiving these requirements will cost Wisconsin consumers millions of dollars in rebates health insurers would otherwise have to pay back if their profits and overhead exceed the new standards.
Given the pain skyrocketing health insurance premiums are causing throughout Wisconsin, and rampant health insecurity which threatens so many working families, it is stunning (and highly revealing) that the Walker administration is seeking to put industry profits ahead of the interests of consumers. One would think that even Walker and his allies would fear the wrath of Wisconsin consumers fed up with outsized health insurance industry profits and angry that skyrocketing costs are undermining the freedom to control their own health care decisions.
In other words, the Walker administration is saying that highly profitable health insurance companies need this money more than Wisconsin workers struggling to make it through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. This is a stunningly callous and morally bankrupt position, even for the Walker administration. The people of Wisconsin deserve better.
There are so many other areas by which Walker is hurting this great state. Consider what he wants to do with laws pertaining to clean air and water. Wisconsin is a state that used to be proud of sparkling clean, fish- filled rivers and lakes. but again, Oil and Coal greed and Mr. Walker are in favor of destroying our air and water to make another buck for the Koch Brothers.
I have a friend in Ohio who writes to me often and he tells me that Walker is running ads (on Fox news, of course) in Ohio! What? Must be nice to have the Kochs money to waste.
I saw a bumper sticker in Eau Claire that says it all. "If you are a working person and you support governor Walker you are like a chicken who supports Colonel Sanders.
I think Wisconsinites - honest Republicans and Democrats alike, are fed up to here with greed and lies - and will do something about it! The fast-disappearing middle class will take back the State house!
________________________________________________________________
What you should know is the "teachers" are not from the public sector but from charter schools in Mr. Walker's own home district.
Not entirely lies, but half truths, misrepresentations. It's the way he and his greed mongers. the Koch brothers work!
Get used to it for you will be getting a lot more of these before he's finished.
It really bewilders me that most people think that it is teachers and other public sector workers who are the only ones that are upset and only because of the destruction of collective bargaining. There is as lot more terribly destructive moves going on.
Let's start with BadgerCare. BadgerCare is a Wisconsin success story that guarantees health security for more than 775,000 people. Despite its popularity, the program is on the chopping block as the Walker administration implements $554 million in budget cuts to Wisconsin's Medicaid program.
The rationale for BadgerCare is even stronger now than it was 12 years ago when it was initiated by Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson. BadgerCare has enjoyed unusual bipartisan support because it grew out of a consensus that the private health insurance market has utterly failed to provide affordable coverage to lower-income working families struggling to lift themselves out of poverty and into the middle class.
Hey Republicans. Read that again! Initiated by Tommy Thompson, enjoyed bipartisan support. Wasn't he one of the good guys in you grand old party?
The Walker administration's zeal to cut BadgerCare is partially explained by its unwillingness to admit the magnitude of the health insurance cost crisis. They have pointed to the number of people enrolled in BadgerCare as a problem, without recognizing that because of our deeply flawed private health insurance market, and the acute shortage of family sustaining jobs with decent health benefits, many have no affordable alternatives. In a statement that reveals a stunning disconnection from reality, Walker's insurance commissioner recently downplayed the cost of health insurance, stating that Wisconsin's private health insurance costs "are manageable."
Recently the Walker administration launched a sneak attack against a key national consumer protection intended to reduce health insurance costs by capping excessive insurance industry profits and overhead. Without any public announcement (Citizen Action of Wisconsin actually had to inform the media and legislators), Walker’s Insurance Commissioner Ted Nickel quietly filed an official request asking the federal government for a three-year waiver from new standards requiring that health insurance companies spend at least 80 percent of premiums on medical care. The reform went into effect this year, and is part of the national health care law, the Affordable Care Act. Waiving these requirements will cost Wisconsin consumers millions of dollars in rebates health insurers would otherwise have to pay back if their profits and overhead exceed the new standards.
Given the pain skyrocketing health insurance premiums are causing throughout Wisconsin, and rampant health insecurity which threatens so many working families, it is stunning (and highly revealing) that the Walker administration is seeking to put industry profits ahead of the interests of consumers. One would think that even Walker and his allies would fear the wrath of Wisconsin consumers fed up with outsized health insurance industry profits and angry that skyrocketing costs are undermining the freedom to control their own health care decisions.
In other words, the Walker administration is saying that highly profitable health insurance companies need this money more than Wisconsin workers struggling to make it through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. This is a stunningly callous and morally bankrupt position, even for the Walker administration. The people of Wisconsin deserve better.
There are so many other areas by which Walker is hurting this great state. Consider what he wants to do with laws pertaining to clean air and water. Wisconsin is a state that used to be proud of sparkling clean, fish- filled rivers and lakes. but again, Oil and Coal greed and Mr. Walker are in favor of destroying our air and water to make another buck for the Koch Brothers.
I have a friend in Ohio who writes to me often and he tells me that Walker is running ads (on Fox news, of course) in Ohio! What? Must be nice to have the Kochs money to waste.
I saw a bumper sticker in Eau Claire that says it all. "If you are a working person and you support governor Walker you are like a chicken who supports Colonel Sanders.
I think Wisconsinites - honest Republicans and Democrats alike, are fed up to here with greed and lies - and will do something about it! The fast-disappearing middle class will take back the State house!
________________________________________________________________
Friday, November 25, 2011
TIM TEEBOW, JOE BUCK, AND TROY AIKMAN - YUK!
I have two really huge (make that three) pet peeves when it comes to professional football.The first relates to our "Jesus freak" Tim Teebow, who constantly tells the press and media that everything that he does on the field is because of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even as far back as the NFL Trials, he was spouting off about Jesus to the point that his fellow tryout team mates found him a real pain in the ass.
Okay, Timmy. We get it. You love Jesus. But when you have to keep telling us again and again, then we wonder if there is something else going on! Here's the deal, pal. It is enough that you have this personal relationship with Jesus. you demean it when you feel you have to tell us about it in every other sentence.
It's like a reformed alcoholic that finds it necessary to preach about his reformation every time you see him.
And it's not just Tim. All the other players who feel it necessary to point to heaven when they score are just as sickening. I wonder why they don't point to heaven when they fumble? Or drop an easy pass? don't you think Jesus wants to know that you love Him then, too?
My other two football pet peeves are the tandem of TV announcers who have been assigned to Packer games this season: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. I hve tried but I cannot bear to even listen to them prattle on every Sunday anymore!
Buck is officious and Troy Aikman's English is atrocious. He constantly uses the word "what" incorrectly in sentences.
Last Sunday I finally turned the volume on the TV all the way down and tuned in 100.7 on the radio and followed the Packer announcers. At first it took a while to adjust to the fact that the radio signal is about two seconds ahead of the action on the screen (due to satellite delay), but once I got used to it, I find I like it because I can concentrate on the receiver or back that is going to be involved in the play before the play actually begins.
There, I said it.!
________________________________________________________________
WHY WOMEN TAKE SO LONG TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AND INSIST ON A FRIEND GOING WITH THEM
Received this from my drummer friend, Lori Denzine:
FOR ALL THE MEN IN WOMEN'S LIVES WHO ASK "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?"
When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place.
Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied.
Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.
You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants!
The dispenser for the modern "seat covers"(invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty.
You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume " The Stance.."
In this position your aging, toneless (God I should have gone to the gym!!!) thigh muscles begin to shake.
You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold"The Stance".
To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, "Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!" Your thighs shake more.
You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That will have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.
Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work.
The door hits your purse,which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest,and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet.
"Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT.
It is wet of course.
You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try.
You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, "You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get".
By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes.
The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too
At this point, you give up.. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat.
You're e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d.
You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.
You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, .....so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.
You are no longer able to smile politely to them.
A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this".
As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom.
Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?" ...........
This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!).It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse, and hand you Kleenex under the door!
Send this to all women that understand what bonding in the bathroom is all about!
A Friend Is Like A Good Bra...
Hard to Find...
Supportive.....
Comfortable ...
Always Lifts You Up...
Never Lets You Down, or Leaves You Hanging,
And Is Always Close To Your Heart!!!
_______________________________________________________________
Share with anyone who needs a good laugh!
FOR ALL THE MEN IN WOMEN'S LIVES WHO ASK "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?"
When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place.
Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied.
Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.
You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants!
The dispenser for the modern "seat covers"(invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty.
You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume " The Stance.."
In this position your aging, toneless (God I should have gone to the gym!!!) thigh muscles begin to shake.
You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold"The Stance".
To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, "Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!" Your thighs shake more.
You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That will have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.
Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work.
The door hits your purse,which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest,and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet.
"Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT.
It is wet of course.
You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try.
You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, "You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get".
By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes.
The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too
At this point, you give up.. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat.
You're e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d.
You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.
You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, .....so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.
You are no longer able to smile politely to them.
A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this".
As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom.
Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?" ...........
This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!).It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse, and hand you Kleenex under the door!
Send this to all women that understand what bonding in the bathroom is all about!
A Friend Is Like A Good Bra...
Hard to Find...
Supportive.....
Comfortable ...
Always Lifts You Up...
Never Lets You Down, or Leaves You Hanging,
And Is Always Close To Your Heart!!!
_______________________________________________________________
Share with anyone who needs a good laugh!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! HOPING THAT YOU ARE WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE TODAY
TODAY IS THANKSGIVING DAY - the day that I spend cooking - one of my favorite hobbies - watching Packer football - and taking stock in the people I am most thankful for in my life.
I guess I should start with the medical community because various surgeons have saved my life several times since the year 2000. I need to start with the great heart surgeon who saved my life in 2000 with a quadruple bypass, Dr. Robert Emery. Thee have been others, too numerous for this old man to conjure up at this point but I am thankful for their expertise in back surgery, knee surgery (twice), gall bladder surgery, hiatal hernia surgery - It's a wonder that I am still of this world. for that I am thankful.
Soon I will be reporting for yet another surgery, this time to have a spot of skin cancer removed from just behind and below my left ear. I am thankful that my present GP, Dr. Storlie, caught and analyzed it at this point.
Enough of the morbidity of life!
I am thankful for my three brothers: Bob, John, and Anson, all great men in their own right. I am very thankful that they are all still alive and healthy as of this writing. I miss my brother Anson because he is too far away - living in Algoma, Wisconsin. For that same reason I miss my brother John, who is living way out in Oregon. Nevertheless, I am thankful for all of them and the love they have given me!
I am very thankful to have been in the lives of my two sons, Jonathan and David. They, too, live way too far away in Brooklyn, New York. I am thankful that they both have visited me recently and that they love me enough to call me quite often to talk about life. They are both good, talented men!
I am thankful for all the musicians that have helped make me look good in various bands over the years. I probably shouldn't start naming them all because i am bound to miss some - excuse my bad memory - but here are a few in no particular order: Bob Johnson, Gene Larson, Bill Niederberger, Jerry Holubets, Jerry Way, John Buchholz, Steve Zens, Bob Storti, Paul Fischer, Ron Keezer, Ed Treinen, Mike Richson, Jon Heagle, Justin Vernon, Gary Spaeth, Mike Vlahakis, Mike Quick, Dave Barneson, Tom Wieseler, Chuck Solberg, Tim Keilholtz, Randy Sinz, Dave Shrader, Denny Marion, Howard Leudtke, Billy Krause, Trevor LaBonte, Tiit Raid, Bill Rude, Lori Denzine, Judy Willink, and any others I may have misssed! I am grateful and thankful for all of their talent and willingness to share it with me.
Most of all, I am thankful for my wife, Kim Wilson, who is still the best person that I know. I told her just this morning that I am thankful for her love of some 33 years and for standing by me in good and bad times. She is an amazing person and I get to share Thanksgiving dinner with her today.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
__________________________________________________________________
I guess I should start with the medical community because various surgeons have saved my life several times since the year 2000. I need to start with the great heart surgeon who saved my life in 2000 with a quadruple bypass, Dr. Robert Emery. Thee have been others, too numerous for this old man to conjure up at this point but I am thankful for their expertise in back surgery, knee surgery (twice), gall bladder surgery, hiatal hernia surgery - It's a wonder that I am still of this world. for that I am thankful.
Soon I will be reporting for yet another surgery, this time to have a spot of skin cancer removed from just behind and below my left ear. I am thankful that my present GP, Dr. Storlie, caught and analyzed it at this point.
Enough of the morbidity of life!
I am thankful for my three brothers: Bob, John, and Anson, all great men in their own right. I am very thankful that they are all still alive and healthy as of this writing. I miss my brother Anson because he is too far away - living in Algoma, Wisconsin. For that same reason I miss my brother John, who is living way out in Oregon. Nevertheless, I am thankful for all of them and the love they have given me!
I am very thankful to have been in the lives of my two sons, Jonathan and David. They, too, live way too far away in Brooklyn, New York. I am thankful that they both have visited me recently and that they love me enough to call me quite often to talk about life. They are both good, talented men!
I am thankful for all the musicians that have helped make me look good in various bands over the years. I probably shouldn't start naming them all because i am bound to miss some - excuse my bad memory - but here are a few in no particular order: Bob Johnson, Gene Larson, Bill Niederberger, Jerry Holubets, Jerry Way, John Buchholz, Steve Zens, Bob Storti, Paul Fischer, Ron Keezer, Ed Treinen, Mike Richson, Jon Heagle, Justin Vernon, Gary Spaeth, Mike Vlahakis, Mike Quick, Dave Barneson, Tom Wieseler, Chuck Solberg, Tim Keilholtz, Randy Sinz, Dave Shrader, Denny Marion, Howard Leudtke, Billy Krause, Trevor LaBonte, Tiit Raid, Bill Rude, Lori Denzine, Judy Willink, and any others I may have misssed! I am grateful and thankful for all of their talent and willingness to share it with me.
Most of all, I am thankful for my wife, Kim Wilson, who is still the best person that I know. I told her just this morning that I am thankful for her love of some 33 years and for standing by me in good and bad times. She is an amazing person and I get to share Thanksgiving dinner with her today.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
__________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
ANSWERS TO WALKER'S ATTEMPT TO RESTRICT VOTER TURN OUT - CLIP AND SAVE
My office and I have received many questions in recent months regarding the implementation of a new law
adding restrictions on voting in Wisconsin. Here are some of the most common questions and answers.
While I did not vote for these changes, I think it is important to spread the word so neighbors are prepared
before they get to the polls. If you have additional questions, please contact me directly.
CHRIS LARSON
STATE SENATOR
Q:When will I be required to show
photo identification to vote?
A: Voters will be asked to show photo identification at all
future elections, but are not REQUIRED to show an ID
until the 2012 Spring Primary.
Q:What IDs are acceptable?
A: Below is a list of acceptable IDs:
•Wisconsin DOT-issued driver’s license
•Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card
•Identification card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
(military ID)
•U.S. passport
•Certificate of naturalization issued no earlier than two
years before the date of the election it is presented
•An unexpired driver’s license or identification card
receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT
•Identification card issued by a federally recognized
Indian tribe in Wisconsin
•An unexpired identification card issued by a
Wisconsin-accredited university or college that
contains a date of issuance, student signature and
expiration date no later than two years after the date
of issuance
Q:What is the monetary cost of
IDs for voters?
A: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will
waive the $28 fee and provide FREE ID cards to any
individual who will be at least 18 years of age on the
date of the next elections, if they specifically state the
ID is for voting purposes. This is true for voters
applying for new, renewed or reinstated IDs. So be
sure to check the box on your application form stating
the ID is for voting purposes and also let the attendant
know when you get to the counter.
P.O. BOX7882
MADISON, WI 53707-7882
(608) 266-7505
(800) 361-5487
FAX: (608) 282-3547
SEN.LARSON@LEGIS.WI.GOV
SENATORCHRISLARSON.COM
New ID Restrictions for Voting Q&A
Q:Does the address on the ID need
to be current and match the
address on the voter list?
A: No. However, if the address listed on your photo ID is
no longer current, remember to provide proof of
residency as well.
Q:Can I use an ID that is expired
for voting purposes?
A: Yes, if it expired after the date of the most recent
general election.
Q:What are election inspectors
verifying with the ID?
A:Election inspectors are verifying that the name on the
ID matches the name on the poll list and that the
photograph resembles the elector.
Q:Are any voters exempt from having
to show a photo ID?
A:The following voters are exempt from having to show
a photo ID:
•A military or overseas voter who votes by absentee ballot
•A voter who has a confidential listing, as result of
domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking, may show
their confidential ID card or provide the election
inspector with their name and confidential ID serial
number
•An absentee voter who is indefinitely confined
because of age, physical illness, disability, or infirmity
and who has qualified to receive absentee ballots
automatically may submit a statement with their ballot
signed by an individual who witnesses them voting to
verify that the name and address are correct
•An absentee voter who resides in a nursing home,
qualified retirement home, community-based
residential facility (CBRF), residential care apartment
complex, or adult family home where special voting
deputies are sent may submit a statement with their
ballot signed by the special voting deputy to verify
that the name and address of the voter are correct
•An absentee voter residing in a qualified retirement
home, CBRF, residential care apartment complex, or
adult family home where special voting deputies are
NOT sent may submit a statement with their ballot
signed by an individual who witnesses them voting to
verify that the name and address are correct
Q:How do homeless people vote now
that a photo ID is required?
A: The Government Accountability Board and
Department of Transportation have yet to devise a
policy to properly address how a homeless individual
will prove their residence and their identity in order to
obtain an ID for voting purposes.
Q:Can university or college student
ID’s be used as their identification
and proof of residence?
A: Yes. To verify their identity the student can present a
valid student ID that contains a photo of the
cardholder along with an issuance and expiration
date. To also use the ID for proof of residence, the
student must show a fee payment receipt issued to the
cardholder by the university or college dated no
earlier than nine months before the date of the
election or their name must be on the list of current
students provided by the university.
Q:Are mail-in absentee voters required
to provide photo identification?
A: Yes. All mail-in absentee voters will be required to
send in a photo copy of photo ID with their request for
an absentee ballot, unless they request the ballot by
fax or email, in which case they must submit the photo
copy of their photo ID with the absentee ballot itself.
This requirement will also go into effect starting with
the February 2012 Primary.
Q:Once a mail-in absentee voter
provides photo identification, do
they need to continue providing
ID with subsequent requests?
A: No. Once a mail-in absentee voter has provided a
photo ID, they do not need to provide an ID again
with subsequent absentee ballot requests unless their
name or address changes.
Q:What if I do not present a photo ID at
the polls or mail it in with my ballot?
A: If a voter does not present a photo ID at the polls they
will be offered a provisional ballot. Additionally, if a
voter does not present a photo ID with an absentee
ballot, the official must treat the ballot as a provisional
ballot. In order for their vote to count, the voter must
provide proof of identification at the office of the
municipal clerk or board election commissioners no
later than 4 p.m. on the Friday after the election.
adding restrictions on voting in Wisconsin. Here are some of the most common questions and answers.
While I did not vote for these changes, I think it is important to spread the word so neighbors are prepared
before they get to the polls. If you have additional questions, please contact me directly.
CHRIS LARSON
STATE SENATOR
Q:When will I be required to show
photo identification to vote?
A: Voters will be asked to show photo identification at all
future elections, but are not REQUIRED to show an ID
until the 2012 Spring Primary.
Q:What IDs are acceptable?
A: Below is a list of acceptable IDs:
•Wisconsin DOT-issued driver’s license
•Wisconsin DOT-issued identification card
•Identification card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
(military ID)
•U.S. passport
•Certificate of naturalization issued no earlier than two
years before the date of the election it is presented
•An unexpired driver’s license or identification card
receipt issued by Wisconsin DOT
•Identification card issued by a federally recognized
Indian tribe in Wisconsin
•An unexpired identification card issued by a
Wisconsin-accredited university or college that
contains a date of issuance, student signature and
expiration date no later than two years after the date
of issuance
Q:What is the monetary cost of
IDs for voters?
A: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will
waive the $28 fee and provide FREE ID cards to any
individual who will be at least 18 years of age on the
date of the next elections, if they specifically state the
ID is for voting purposes. This is true for voters
applying for new, renewed or reinstated IDs. So be
sure to check the box on your application form stating
the ID is for voting purposes and also let the attendant
know when you get to the counter.
P.O. BOX7882
MADISON, WI 53707-7882
(608) 266-7505
(800) 361-5487
FAX: (608) 282-3547
SEN.LARSON@LEGIS.WI.GOV
SENATORCHRISLARSON.COM
New ID Restrictions for Voting Q&A
Q:Does the address on the ID need
to be current and match the
address on the voter list?
A: No. However, if the address listed on your photo ID is
no longer current, remember to provide proof of
residency as well.
Q:Can I use an ID that is expired
for voting purposes?
A: Yes, if it expired after the date of the most recent
general election.
Q:What are election inspectors
verifying with the ID?
A:Election inspectors are verifying that the name on the
ID matches the name on the poll list and that the
photograph resembles the elector.
Q:Are any voters exempt from having
to show a photo ID?
A:The following voters are exempt from having to show
a photo ID:
•A military or overseas voter who votes by absentee ballot
•A voter who has a confidential listing, as result of
domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking, may show
their confidential ID card or provide the election
inspector with their name and confidential ID serial
number
•An absentee voter who is indefinitely confined
because of age, physical illness, disability, or infirmity
and who has qualified to receive absentee ballots
automatically may submit a statement with their ballot
signed by an individual who witnesses them voting to
verify that the name and address are correct
•An absentee voter who resides in a nursing home,
qualified retirement home, community-based
residential facility (CBRF), residential care apartment
complex, or adult family home where special voting
deputies are sent may submit a statement with their
ballot signed by the special voting deputy to verify
that the name and address of the voter are correct
•An absentee voter residing in a qualified retirement
home, CBRF, residential care apartment complex, or
adult family home where special voting deputies are
NOT sent may submit a statement with their ballot
signed by an individual who witnesses them voting to
verify that the name and address are correct
Q:How do homeless people vote now
that a photo ID is required?
A: The Government Accountability Board and
Department of Transportation have yet to devise a
policy to properly address how a homeless individual
will prove their residence and their identity in order to
obtain an ID for voting purposes.
Q:Can university or college student
ID’s be used as their identification
and proof of residence?
A: Yes. To verify their identity the student can present a
valid student ID that contains a photo of the
cardholder along with an issuance and expiration
date. To also use the ID for proof of residence, the
student must show a fee payment receipt issued to the
cardholder by the university or college dated no
earlier than nine months before the date of the
election or their name must be on the list of current
students provided by the university.
Q:Are mail-in absentee voters required
to provide photo identification?
A: Yes. All mail-in absentee voters will be required to
send in a photo copy of photo ID with their request for
an absentee ballot, unless they request the ballot by
fax or email, in which case they must submit the photo
copy of their photo ID with the absentee ballot itself.
This requirement will also go into effect starting with
the February 2012 Primary.
Q:Once a mail-in absentee voter
provides photo identification, do
they need to continue providing
ID with subsequent requests?
A: No. Once a mail-in absentee voter has provided a
photo ID, they do not need to provide an ID again
with subsequent absentee ballot requests unless their
name or address changes.
Q:What if I do not present a photo ID at
the polls or mail it in with my ballot?
A: If a voter does not present a photo ID at the polls they
will be offered a provisional ballot. Additionally, if a
voter does not present a photo ID with an absentee
ballot, the official must treat the ballot as a provisional
ballot. In order for their vote to count, the voter must
provide proof of identification at the office of the
municipal clerk or board election commissioners no
later than 4 p.m. on the Friday after the election.
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