WI Right To Confront Heroin, Wrong To Ignore Alcohol

The state's initiative against rising heroin use is a good use of public dollars and political capital.

But the cost in lives and resources in and to the state from alcohol abuse and addiction is far greater, and you can't help noticing that the same legislators who worked hard to get the heroin program funded backed away from even modest changes to the state's notoriously weak drunk driving statutes.

It's a testament to the continuing power of major beverage and 'hospitality' lobbies and also to the widespread denial about the damage  - - an estimated 1,500 deaths annually here - - done by a legal drug in Wisconsin.

So it goes.

Major WI Frac Sand Mining Hearing Runs Tues.- Fri. This Week

With science taking a back to seat in Wisconsin environmental management at Scott Walker's "chamber of commerce mentality" DNR, it's important to help drive policy-making towards genuine stewardship and public purposes when the opportunities arise.

A recent mega-dairy expansion opposed by the public interest attorneys at Midwest Environmental Advocates was one such example, and MEA is again taking the lead this week by challenging a permit to open yet another frac sand mine in Trempeleau County.

The hearing begins Tuesday in Madison. Here is the official hearing notice.

Some details:

Madison hearing: The first portion of the hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8 and continue through Thursday April 10 at the Division of Hearings and Appeals, 5005 University Ave. Ste. 201 in Madison, WI. 

The DHA website has directions to the building. The judge is in charge of setting the schedules for each day and he will set breaks for lunch and the end of the day based on the time needed to allow witnesses to speak.

Trempeleau hearing: Public testimony at Trempealeau County Courthouse begins at noon on Friday, April 11th, with public comments taken on an air pollution permit. The courthouse is located at 36245 Main St. in Whitehall, WI. 

Parking is available on the street and in the back of the building. Use the stairs or elevator to go to the lower level and find signs for the Tremplo Room in the back hallway. The Tremplo Room has free wi-fi, but cell phone reception will be little to none.

Those wishing to testify are strongly encouraged to arrive at the courthouse at noon. Though the Tremplo room has been reserved after business hours, access to the building after 5:00 p.m. requires entrance through the Rear Entrance #2 door in the back of the building and the police department will buzz people in. 

People are advised to arrive before the end of the business day. 

One More Word About Legislative Per Diem Payments

Well, two words: Not taxable.

Unless I'm completely wrong, per diem payments are not taxed since they are considered work-related expenses, so I really wish media would mention that in stories like this one in the Wisconsin State Journal.

Who wouldn't like to be reimbursed for meals that you buy at restaurants during the work week, for example - - but pocket the reimbursement from taxpayers without having to report it as taxable income? Sweet.

The data in the story is comprehensive, and readers will no doubt enjoy this wonderful morsel:

Rep. Scott Krug, R-Nekoosa, saw the biggest jump in per diem pay, receiving $10,648 in 2013 after promising during the 2010 campaign not to claim any per diems. 

“We need to cut legislative per diems,” Krug told the State Journal in 2010. “My first spending cut is promising not to collect one cent of (legislative) per diem money ever.” 

He kept that promise in 2011 and 2012 but said in an interview last week he didn’t intend the promise to extend beyond his first term...  

“It might have been a slip to say ‘ever,’ but my intention was to help out in a tough budget time,” Krug said.

UWM Mining, Native Rights Conference This Week

Mark your calendars:

American Indian Sovereignty and Natural Resources in the Western Great Lakes 

Monday, April 7 and Tuesday April 8, 2014, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 

Union Theater (Monday) • Curtin Hall (Monday evening), and Wisconsin Room (Tuesday)

• What does Tribal Sovereignty mean?

• Why do Tribes have a say in resource development?

• What are the historic roots of the federal-tribal relationship?

Speakers • Singers • Film • Reception Day & Evening Events • Free & Open to the Public 

A two-day conference at UW-Milwaukee will explore the role of tribal sovereignty in resource management and development including speakers from the Bad River tribe explaining their experiences with the planned Penokee Mine. 

More info at AIS.UWM.EDU or on Facebook

Migratory Bird Habitat Grants At Odds With New Hunting Seasons

Are we protecting migratory birds in this state, or getting ready to kill so more?

I'd posted some information recently about efforts to launch Tundra swan and SandHill crane hunting seasons in Wisconsin; public discussion on a proposed Tundra swan season is set for April 14 at statewide DNR advisory meetings of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.

Meetings have traditionally been dominated by hunting and fishing enthusiasts; perhaps hikers, birders, photographers should get more involved, as these meetings are open to all. Here is a link to the schedule and common agendas for the county-level meetings

So how do we square these proposals with newly-announced federal migratory bird habitat protections and related grant-funded projects for Wisconsin and the rest of the Midwest and Great Plains?

Here, for example, is what is planned for Wisconsin and Michigan, with many mo projects across our region:

Michigan and Wisconsin
Door to Garden Peninsula Coastal - $1 million ($3.4 million matching)
This project begins a multi-year initiative to protect, restore and enhance coastal wetlands and associated upland habitats in the Lake Michigan Basin, from the northern tip of the Door Peninsula of Wisconsin to the Garden Peninsula of Michigan. Partners will protect 1,319 acres through fee title acquisition and enhance 553 acres by removing non-native vegetation. Activities will occur within a significant bird migration corridor, near- and off- shore waterfowl overwintering area, and high quality Great Lakes coastal wetlands that provide stopover areas for many migrant landbirds, waterbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds.

Is this along the lines of the wolf restoration program: carefully let the packs grow - - then allowing hunters with dogs and traps and guns to 'harvest' them?

From the federal wildlife officials on Friday:

Migratory Bird Conservation Commission Approves $61 Million to Conserve  

North American Wetlands; $6.5 Million To Midwest Projects 

On March 26, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved $61.3 million in funding to protect, restore and enhance more than 205,000 acres of wetlands and associated uplands in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Of that, approximately $6.5 million will go toward projects in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Midwest Region. 

“Conservation of our nation’s wetlands is critical to protecting our wildlife, watersheds, coastal communities and important economic activities,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Chair of the Commission. 

“Wetlands not only are home to hundreds of species of migratory birds, but they also provide us with clean water, act as buffers against storms, support our vibrant coastal fishing industries, and provide unique opportunities for outdoor recreation.” 

The commission approved $54.7 million in grants through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to protect, restore and enhance 200,069 acres of habitat for migratory birds in the United States, Mexico and Canada, leveraging an additional $92.6 million in matching funds. 

This includes 24 Midwest Region projects for a total of $6.5 million and matching funds of $15 million.
The commission also approved nearly $6.6 million for fee and easement land acquisitions of 5,072 acres on five national wildlife refuges. 

The funds were raised largely through the sale of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly known as “Duck Stamps.” 

“These grants are critical to maintaining the health and vitality of America’s wetlands and the abundance and variety of wildlife they support,” said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. 

“Wetlands are particularly crucial to migratory birds all along their flyways. These grants will enable our partners in Canada, Mexico and the United States to protect and improve the quality of these habitats.” 

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is the only federal grants program dedicated to the conservation of wetland habitats for migratory birds.

 Since 1990, approximately 5,000 partners in more than 2,000 projects have received more than $1.2 billion in grants. The grants have leveraged another $2.6 billion in matching funds to help improve more than 27 million acres of habitat.

More information about the NAWCA standard grants nationwide is available at:   

http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Standard/US/2014_March.shtm 

NAWCA Standard Grant Awards: (5 projects totaling $5 million, $11 million matching funds)

Indiana
Patoka River NWR Expansion - $1 million ($2.1 million matching)
This project focuses on wetland and upland habitat protection, restoration and enhancement within Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. 

Project activities will provide important migration, wintering and breeding areas for waterfowl, benefit rare and endangered species of wildlife and fish associated with large river ecosystems, improve water quality, and help stimulate local economies through recreation on project lands.   

Michigan
Michigan Upper Peninsula Coastal Wetland Project III - $1 million ($2.1 million matching)
This project targets habitat gaps and addresses specific habitat management limitations to maintain long-term management at the two most productive examples of intensively managed wetland complexes in the Upper Peninsula.  Partners will protect 2,272 acres and enhance 1,455 acres, including 2,143 acres of wetlands.  This project will also secure approximately 13 miles of riparian waterways and protect an additional 8 miles of migration and breeding habitats along beaches, lakeshores, islands and Great Lakes shorelines.

Michigan and Wisconsin
Door to Garden Peninsula Coastal - $1 million ($3.4 million matching)
This project begins a multi-year initiative to protect, restore and enhance coastal wetlands and associated upland habitats in the Lake Michigan Basin, from the northern tip of the Door Peninsula of Wisconsin to the Garden Peninsula of Michigan. Partners will protect 1,319 acres through fee title acquisition and enhance 553 acres by removing non-native vegetation. Activities will occur within a significant bird migration corridor, near- and off- shore waterfowl overwintering area, and high quality Great Lakes coastal wetlands that provide stopover areas for many migrant landbirds, waterbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds.

Minnesota
Border Prairie Wetlands III - $1 million ($2.3 million matching)
This project brings partners together to accelerate protection and restoration of prairie wetlands and associated wildlife in the Prairie Pothole Region. Partners will protect 338 acres of wetlands and 995 acres of adjacent uplands critical for nesting waterfowl and other wildlife.  By protecting those acres and restoring 44 acres of wetlands and 250 acres of uplands on permanently protected lands, partners will optimize waterfowl production and enhance grassland bird habitats, benefitting species such as mallards, teal, American wigeon, northern shovelers and other waterfowl and water-dependent birds.  

Minnesota and North Dakota
Glaciated Wetlands and Prairies of North Dakota and Minnesota – IV - $1 million ($1.1 million matching)
This is phase four of a project designed to protect wetland and grassland communities using a landscape-level approach to planning. 

It is also the third project to span the borders of North Dakota and Minnesota in the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture to protect critical habitat for migratory birds. 

Through this project, 3,456 acres of native grassland and 594 acres of wetland habitat will be secured by perpetual easements, resulting in significant benefits for grassland birds.  Protection of native prairie surrounding the important prairie wetland habitats in the project area will provide nesting habitat for waterfowl and other species, and will minimize the influx of sediments, herbicides and pesticides into these wetlands. 

Small Grant Awards: (19 projects totaling $1,514,988 and $4,124,810 in matching funds )
For detailed information about NAWCA small grant projects nationwide, visit  http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Small/2014.shtm 

Illinois
•    Oak Ridge Wetland Restoration at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes  - $50,000 ($76,000 matching)
Michigan
•    Arcadia Marsh Expansion Project - $69,791 ($104,000 matching)
Minnesota
•    Detroit Lakes, WPA - $75,000 ($88 000 matching)
•    Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge Lee Wetland Restoration 2013 - $75,000 ($300,000 matching)
•    Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge Wetland Enhancements 2013 - $75,000 ($153,537 matching)\ 

•    Litchfield Wetland Management District Waterfowl Production Area Enhancement - $75,000 ($77,000 matching)

•    Whitney Waterfowl Production Area Addition - $55,425 ($55,425 matching)•    Mud Lake Waterfowl Production Area Addition - $75,000 ($177,500 matching)•    Selk Wildlife Management Area Addition - $75,000 ($86,000 matching)•    Swift County Wetland Conservation - $75,000 ($228,000 matching)•    Tiger Marsh Wildlife Management Area Addition - $75,000 ($757,500 matching)
Ohio
•    Big Darby Creek Corridor Protection - $75,000 ($75,000 matching)•    Burton Swamp Project - $75,000 ($419,500 matching)•    Eagle Creek Wetlands Project - $75,000 ($426,000 matching)
Wisconsin
•    Dobbs Landing Land Acquisition - $75,000 ($175,00 matching)•    H&L Farms Acquisition - $75,000 ($746,100 matching)•    Sylvan Road Conservation Area - $75,000 ($171,000 matching)•    Star Prairie Wetlands - $75,000 ($77,855 matching)

•    Southern WI State Natural Area - $75,000 ($82,000 matching)

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. 

We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. 

For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. 

Contact:

Larry Dean, 612-713-5312larry_dean@fws.govBarbara Jones (612) 713-5433barbara_jones@fws.gov 

On Secession, Grothman, RoJo, Et Al, Etc.

As attributed to John Kenneth Galbraith when explaining the War in Vietnam:
"Never underestimate the stupidity factor."

Wisconsin Communities Say "No" To Big Money In Campaigns

I'd love to see this on more ballots with Walker at the top of the GOP ticket.

Todd Akin To Ron Johnson: 'Oh, THAT's How You Shut That Thing Down'

In the politics of sexual assault, just sweep things under the rug.

Scientists Say WI Dairies Are Dangerously Polluting

Statewide media should give this story major play:

Six leading researchers at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health are warning northeastern Wisconsin rural residents that over-application of manure at intensive livestock operations could cause them a host of health problems and damage the environment. 

The authors, all at the school’s Center for a Livable Future, cited dozens of studies, including one 2005 article suggesting that 71 percent of Wisconsin dairy farms generate more manure than needed by the cropland where it’s applied.

Props To Retiring State Rep. Sandy Pasch

Democratic State Rep. Sandy Pasch is not running for re-election.

What a trouper. She knocked on our Milwaukee door campaigning on crutches after a bad fall on the ice during her first campaign in '07-08. Broken bones and a really cold winter did not stop her doing doors. I admired her for that. She set an inspirational standard for candidates across the city.

Maybe it was easier or at least more tolerable than maneuvering for good legislation around the likes of Jeff Fitzgerald and Robin Vos and Bill Kramer and the other GOP  'powers' who've been running the Wisconsin Assembly these last few years, suppressing bi-partisanship and good ideas and suffocating open government in the State Capitol.    

Pasch has a nursing background, two master's degrees and tremendous dedication to Wisconsin residents in need: It's a great resume and presence that state government - - for the people - - will miss.

WI Republicans Aren't Talking; Pattern Noted

Secrets...they've got secrets...

Whether it's state ag officials:

State officials kept silent on CWD discovery at game farm

Or US Sen. Ron Johnson, and others:

Ron Johnson did not tell police of assault allegations three years ago

Or the boss himself:

Scott Walker on Fox News dodges question on secret emails

Mum's the word. 

Grothmanites Gather, Blather

One GOP Congressional District caucus - - The Grothmanites - - where he would be the new Congressman  - - heart secession.
Look away, look away, look away Dairyland.

New 6th District GOP caucus logo:

Johnson Kept Silent About Sexual Assault Allegations

Talk about a Friday afternoon news dump. 
And what kind of a US Senator is this?

Ron Johnson did not tell police of assault allegations three years ago

The coverup: 

Madison — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, his chief of staff and a Waukesha County GOP official were all told three years ago of allegations that a then-aide to the senator had been sexually assaulted by state Rep. Bill Kramer, but none of them took the matter to the police or Assembly leaders.

Bill-Drafting Direction To Sen. Vukmir Pretty Damning

It took a lawsuit and financial settlement to force the release of records from State Sen. Leah Vukmir, (R-Wauwatosa), that show how outside lobbyists and the Koch brothers- connected ALEC get legislation introduced in Wisconsin and elsewhere. This is a big find:

The more than 100 pages of records show Vukmir sponsored a model bill under the direction of a Florida lobbying group, after voting last spring on an ALEC policy allowing only lawmakers, and not lobbyists, to introduce model bills... 

In one email, Christie Herrera, vice president of policy for the Florida-based Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative think tank with a registered lobbyist, wrote to Vukmir and three other legislators from other states. Herrera thanked them for sponsoring a resolution opposing the expansion of state Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act and coaching them on what to say. 

"Each of you will need to introduce the bill," Herrera wrote. "As such I have written opening remarks that are also attached to this email. ALEC had a (ridiculous) concern that the task force debate would be 'one-sided,' so I have focused each of your remarks on addressing at least one pro-expansion talking point."

This is probably the sort of thing that veteran State Sen. Dale Schultz, (R-Richland Center), was talking about when explaining why he didn't want to be a legislator any more:

“When some think-tank comes up with the legislation and tells you not to fool with it, why are you even a legislator anymore?" he wondered at the time. “You just sit there and take votes and you're kind of a feudal serf for folks with a lot of money.”

This Glenn Grothman Tidbit Could Stick

Let's not forget West Bend GOP State Senator, congressional wannabee and handyman Glenn Grothman's recommendation to a concerned neighbor that caulking would take care of well damage as 35 years of mountaintop removal blasting creates what could become the largest open-pit iron ore in the world. Glenn Grothman says just dab on a little of this. (Hat tip, Rebecca Kemble)

Add the above to your archive based on this this posting: 

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014Winners And Losers in Grothman For Congress AnnouncementUpdated:

Grothman for Congress instant analysis: 

Winners - - Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel.  

Losers - - Louie Gohmert, Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, Ted Nugent, Donald Trump 

More Grothman highlights later, but for starters...begin with items here and here and here.

Update: Anonymous comment of the day/week/month:
His campaign committee will be the Club For Grothman.
April 3, 2014 at 7:07 PM

Winners And Losers in Grothman For Congress Announcement

Updated:

Grothman for Congress instant analysis:

Winners - - Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel.

Losers - - Louie Gohmert, Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, Ted Nugent, Donald Trump.

More later, but for starters...here and here and here.

Update: Comment of the day/week/month:

Anonymous said...
His campaign committee will be the Club For Grothman.
April 3, 2014 at 7:07 PM

Reposting Then-AG Lautenschlager's Powerful Water Law Opinion

It always irked me that mainstream media did not write about former Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager's heavily-documented legal opinion about the WI DNR's history with water diversions and law.

So when I noticed her opinion during an Internet search today as I was writing this posting (the most recent in the queue, below - - New WI Water Bottling Plant Underscores Leaky Water Law History - - about Great Lakes diversion loopholes, I decided to put Lautenschlager's opinion on my blog again.

Those of you interested in Wisconsin government, water law and the history of the DNR should give it a read.

Here is the link, and a separate link to one of the several times I've referenced it.

New WI Water Bottling Plant Underscores Leaky Water Law History

You might wonder how a newly-proposed water bottling plant can be allowed to operate in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin - - west of the Lake Michigan basin border - - without having to go through the same complex, eight-state water diversion approval process under the Great Lakes Compact which the City of Waukesha must negotiate.

The Pleasant Prairie plant could bottle up to two-million gallons a day - - an amount about equal to the maximum daily shipment for New Berlin's diversion.

How is it that Pleasant Prairie can sell the bottler all that water, knowing most or all of it is going to be trucked far from the site without a formal diversion permission?

After four years of redrafting, Waukesha's diversion application has yet to go through some basic Wisconsin DNR procedures, like the production of an Environmental Impact Statement, and public hearings - -  let alone a formal OK by the DNR and its routing by the agency to the other seven Great Lakes states for their own mandatory reviews.

And Pleasant Prairie will not even have to obtain the kind of DNR approval which the City Of New Berlin had to obtain in 2009 for a Great Lakes water diversion through the City of Milwaukee.

Quick answers about why Pleasant Prairie has easier access to Great Lakes water than either Waukesha or New Berlin:

*  The Great Lakes Compact approved in 2008 by all the relevant US and Canadian jurisdictions exempted bottling companies from out-of-basin diversion rules. That loophole pleased Michigan Compact advocates, among others, who wanted to protect that state's bottling industry.

"Ice Mountain," for example, is bottled and exported from a Michigan stream.

*  New Berlin only needed Wisconsin DNR approval because a part of the city is inside the Great Lakes basin. So it fell under a simpler set of Compact rules unavailable to Waukesha because all of the City of Waukesha is outside of the basin.

A good history of the New Berlin diversion is here.

The City Waukesha would have been ineligible to even apply to the Great Lakes Governors for a diversion if it were not within a County that touches the Great Lakes basin,

*  Pleasant Prairie got through an easier regulatory door way much earlier.

It had won permission to divert water in 1989 under Pre-Compact rules that gave Great Lakes governors diversion approval or rejection power with minimal review.

Then-Gov. Tommy Thompson made the diversion request on Pleasant Prairie's behalf and declared it approved - - though not all the states had affirmatively said "yes."

One of the goals of the Compact was to end diversion permissions being granted so easily - - without applicants being made to adhere to uniform, full-basin/state-to-state standards, proven conservation histories, public hearings and other water management best practices designed to preserve what is the world's largest supply of fresh, surface water.

I've written about all this repeatedly. Here is a section of one posting; more references can be found through my blog search box, upper left:

5. Former Republican Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson, who was Governor when an out-of-basin diversion was approved in the 1980's. 

On March 29, 1989 (this information is taken from a document obtained from the DNR in a previous open records request), Thompson indicated by letter that it was not the first time that he had sought the approval of the other seven Great Lakes Governors for a diversion to the Wisconsin Town of Pleasant Prairie - - an application that was eventually allowed. 

6. Democratic Ohio Governor Richard Celeste, then chairman at the time of the Great Lakes Council of Governors - - the governing board for diversion approvals - - received Thompson's letter that said, in part: 

"I am writing to ask you to initiate the prior notice and consultation process as provided under the Great Lakes Charter for an interbasin diversion from Lake Michigan," Thompson wrote Celeste,"...to portions of the Town of Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha County...."
Thompson had earlier sought the "approval" of the other Governors, as Wisconsin's governor reminded Celeste with this language. "As you may recall, on September 2, 1987, I sent a letter to you requesting your approval of this same interbasin diversion...," but Thompson tells Celeste that it was withdrawn due to "uncertainties regarding the volume of the diversion needed." 

It's interesting to note that Thompson's letter is cited in the bibliography of the International Joint Commission's fact-finding report that I mentioned earlier. 

About six weeks later, Celeste forwarded Thompson's request to each of the other governors, and noted "Pursuant to Section 1109 of P.L. 99-662 [the controlling federal law, WRDA] this proposal requires the consent of the eight Great Lakes Governors." (Emphasis added.)
Some of the Governors responded that the relatively small size of the proposed Pleasant Prairie diversion might not have required the approval of the governors under a separate agreement among the states - - the Great Lakes Charter. 

Never the less, Thompson and Celeste were using WRDA as their process to win approval for the Pleasant Prairie. They understood the primacy of federal water law. 

The Charter was a 1985 voluntary agreement among the Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces that predates the now-pending, more enforceable Compact. 

I know it's confusing, but this is the key point: 

The Charter, a voluntary agreement, with its cooperative spirit and goals, will be strengthened if the states adopt the rules, standards and procedures to rationalize diversions that make up the heart of the pending Compact, that was negotiated from 2001-2005 as an extension of, or annex to, the Charter. 

The Compact will firm up WRDA, in other words.

WI Not Confronting Climate Change, Though Bakeries Are Slammed

Citing yet another powerful United Nations scientific report, The Journal Sentinel - - Wisconsin's largest newspaper - - published a strong editorial Wednesday urging governments to overcome the deniers and take actions to address and mitigate climate change.

I'll tell you one place you will not find a re-posting of that UN report, or the world body's earlier findings, or any prescription for bold action on an official web site in a state where climate-dependent industries, like agriculture, tourism and food-processing define its history and keep the economy afloat:

The Wisconsin DNR's climate change web page, which contains only one paragraph, offers a single off-site link and has not been updated since June 18, 2012.

I have noted previously this official disinterest by pointing out that earlier links and information were deleted from DNR climate change web pages after Scott Walker intentionally put a "chamber of commerce mentality" and other industry figures in charge of the agency.

Though a DNR climate change web page for teachers and kids does have more links and information - - though some of the sample lesson plans for kids pretty much give cars and commuting a pollution pass. Check out what's missing from section:

Human sources of air pollution . . . . . .
EXAMPLES: buses, tractors, gas stations, trash burning, sewage treatment plants, bakeries.
Air pollution from human sources tends to concentrate in urban areas where people live and work. Many of these pollutants come from the burning of coal, wood, oil and other fuels for electricity, transportation, and heat. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are the three main pollutants causing climate change. 

Bakeries? Damn you, polluting pastry!

Gas stations, but not the cars known to frequent them?

And buses, but not all those commuting cars idling in and out of Waukesha on I-94 every day. Must there always be a slap at transit from this administration? C'mon.

So will the newspaper follow-up with an equally strong demand for serious action by the State of Wisconsin and Governor Walker?

Will it call for a fundamental re-examination of Walker's fossil-fuel-friendly policies and spending - - as catalogued by one green business web site - - that have restricted work on renewable energy, transit and other programs designed to reduce greenhouse gas pollution emissions that are linked to climate change?

Will the Journal Sentinel editorial board re-examine its support for the Keystone XL tar sand crude oil pipeline, a separate Wisconsin tar sand crude oil pipeline expansion, and the energy-and-pollution intensive GTac iron ore open-pit mine?

Why Would Marquette U. Honor Paul Ryan?

Marquette U. is giving Paul Ryan a public service award at a DC fund-raising lunch tomorrow for its Aspin Center, but couldn't the University find a public figure about whom the LA Times would not have this to say?

Paul Ryan rehashes an old Social Security lie--at your expense