Wisconsin Political Math Brewing: What Is Scott Walker's Magic Number?

Send in your picks.

It's up to the recall strategists.

Death Certificates For The Executed Read "Homicide"

Just so you know, capital punishment is a nice way of saying "killing," plain and simple, and I don't care if the executed person was Troy Davis in Georgia or Lawrence Brewer, the white supremacist in the Texas dragging death of James Byrd, Jr.

State killing is state killing. Wrong is wrong.

It's brutal, ugly, solves nothing, and deters no one.

And no one anywhere is any safer now than they were yesterday.

I had a bit more to say about this a few years ago, after having witnessed an execution in Texas - - George W. Bush's 1st, in 1995 - - and long before Rick Perry started to run up his bigger Texas execution toll, now numbering 244.

The Capital Times
© Copyright 2006, Madison Newspapers, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 07, 2006

SECTION: EDITORIAL
PAGE: A9
BYLINE:  James Rowen

TEXAS-STYLE JUSTICE LOOMS IN STATE VOTE

Polling tells us that the Nov. 7 advisory referendum to reinstate Wisconsin's death penalty will pass.

So expect the far right to push for a full-fledged state constitutional amendment legalizing capital punishment and aligning once-progressive Wisconsin with Southern and Western states, where capital punishment is rooted in lynchings.


 See "The Rope, the Chair and the Needle: Capital Punishment in Texas, 1923-1990," by James W. Marquart, Sheldon Ekland-Olson, Jonathan R. Sorensen, University of Texas Press, 1993.

Texas leads all U.S. states in death sentences.

That's why, to complete a series on capital punishment for the Milwaukee Journal, I traveled to Texas in 1995 to talk to James Marquart, one of the book's authors, carry out other interviews and witness an execution.

Before I place some of my Texas experience into the Wisconsin debate, let's set aside some irrelevancies that clutter death penalty discussions.

Like the relevancy of the Bible.


Sure, the Old Testament talks about an eye for an eye, but it also proscribes death for drunkenness, gluttony, premarital sex, proselytizing Israelites to convert and gathering wood on the Sabbath.

So unless you want to fill up the world's largest death row with various weekend woodcutters, young lovers and the entire Jews for Jesus movement, let's focus on one real question:


Will putting some murderers to death -- and it will only be some because good lawyering will always save wealthier defendants (three-word reminder: Orenthal James Simpson) -- deter murderers from killing?

And here is where I offer up my Texas experience.


When processing my request to serve as an execution media witness, Texas prison officials suggested I arrive in January 1995, when they were to try something new: two executions on the same day.
  

With a death penalty proponent taking office as governor -- one George W. Bush -- why not show off their death penalty's smooth operation by gearing it up twice in a day?


So I got myself to Houston, then drove north to the small city of Huntsville, where Texas executes its condemned prisoners inside the fortress-like death house known as "the Walls Unit."


Inside the Walls Unit and at other stops, I interviewed prison employees, academics and several death row prisoners, including the two men headed for what prison officials were calling "the back-to-back."

If you believe that capital punishment deters murders, you'd have thought the extra publicity about "the back-to-back" would have turned potential Texas killers more peace-loving, at least temporarily.

So imagine my surprise when I picked up a newspaper in a Huntsville cafe and saw that a different double execution had knocked the "back-to-back" to the back pages.


Frank Picone, an ex-Houston police officer -- a person trained to uphold the law, mind you -- had murdered his two young sons, shooting one boy with a shotgun as he slept, then drowning the other.


A few days after reading that Picone had turned a nasty custody dispute into his own domestic massacre, I witnessed, on Jan. 31, 1995, another homicide -- the execution of 33-year-old Clifton Russell Jr. in the opening half of "the back-to-back."


At 18, Russell and another teenager, William Battee, were charged with beating a man in Abilene to death and stealing his car.


Russell had pleaded not guilty, but was convicted. After 15 years on death row, and without a single rule infraction, prison officials said, Russell got the injection and moaned when it stopped his heart. His death suggested that lethal injection is not as humane as some proponents believe, though the eye-for-an-eye crowd argues it's not painful enough.


Nevertheless, Texas isn't going to bring back "Old Sparky," though its retired electric chair is displayed prominently in the Texas Prison Museum on Huntsville's downtown square.


And what about William Battee, Russell's co-offender?

Tried separately, Battee pleaded guilty and was incarcerated -- then was released, only to reoffend and return to prison before Russell was executed, prison officials said.


Therein lies another problem with capital punishment: It's not applied uniformly, state-to-state, county-to-county, criminal-to-criminal.


As for Frank Picone -- the ex-cop turned double child killer?


He got life imprisonment.
  

Millionaire-Loving Paul Ryan's Hometown Has Highest State Jobless Rate

For Janesville, the number is 9.2%.

But Ryan is focused on the welfare of millionaires.

Imagine, in this economy, being unemployed and unrepresented in Congress,

Perry Wins GOP Race To NYC Pandermonium

Beats fellow unprincipleds Bachmann, Palin and Beck to the punch.

Brookings Study Finds Madison, Milwaukee Recoveries Ahead In Region

Celebrate good news where you can find it.

Awful Development: Millions In Socialist Government Funds Polluting Wisconsin

ObamaDollars are being shipped to Wisconsin to take away pregnant women's freedom to smoke.

Tobacco is a legal product. The corporations that sell cigarettes are just people under Citizens United who are trying to create jobs and express their free speech in the marketplace.

And plenty of smokers live long lives, so, as with climate change, the science isn't definitive on this. I just read the other day that Drs. Marlboro, Chesterfield and Virginia Slim are still looking at the relationship between smokers' health and lima beans.

Why are Wisconsin state's rights, and citizens; rights to choose, being subjected to this Big Government chokehold - - with the encouragement of Sue Ann Thompson, wife of the probable Republican Senate candidate Tommy Thompson?

TMJ Talker Jeff Wagner Blasts AP Over Anti-Walker "Agenda." Look Who's Talking

Jeff Wagner signed off his program today on AM620 WTMJ radio accusing the Associated Press of harboring "an agenda," and "Walker derangement syndrome," along with other journalistic sins over this story.

I know that Wagner knows better.

But does he know how foolish he sounds claiming on his show, on that station, following and tag-teaming with the openly-partisan Charlie Sykes, that someone out there has an agenda?

As Wagner kept saying: "Give me a break."

Tribe Meeting With Walker Over Mining Push, But...

You have to wonder if Gov. Walker, in this meeting, will reprise his signature pose and line from the union-stripping debate:

"I don't have anything to negotiate," Walker said."

Along With Rail And Wind Projects, Walker Sends Wisconsin Job-Seekers, To Illinois Too

Gov. Walker is our Outsourcer-In-Chief. Earlier data, here.

Could Wauwatosa Dip Into Federal Water Project Funding Stream?

The City of Wauwatosa is facing up to $84 million in sewer infrastructure work, and a lot of it means installing expensive new pipes:

For $34 million to $39 million, the city could install bigger pipes and a storage tank...

That's a big chuck of change, but the good news is that the city's Congressman, Fifth District Republican Jim Sensenbrenner, is already helping to prepare a federal grant plan to provide southeastern Wisconsin municipalities up to $100 million for water projects that include new pipes.

Note that the City of Waukesha, which hopes to get a big piece - - perhaps $50 million - - of the money to defray some of its possible Lake Michigan diversion expense, has said that other communities are eligible, too.

Said Daniel Duchniak, Waukesha's water utility general manager:

“I think we’re looking for all opportunities for funding,” he said, “and that might not mean only for city of Waukesha. It could be for the region...If the money is awarded to the region, local governments in Waukesha and Milwaukee counties would decide how to split the grant, he said.”

Federal funds would be in high demand, given losses in state dollars.

Walker Could Earn An Emmy Nod, But In What Category?

"Drama?"

"Comedy?"

It could even be "Musicals," considering the spin and tap-dancing opportunities, according to this Cap Times report:

Gov. Scott Walker will be featured as part of a bipartisan slate of governors during a panel discussion of The State of Education during NBC News' 2011 "Education Nation" Summit on Monday, Sept. 26...

In a press release sent from the governor's office Tuesday, Walker says "I believe we have a great story to tell about our reforms and our bipartisan collaborations to further improve our schools. ... Improving education is a key to ensuring we have a talented workforce that will grow and attract jobs."

The Walker people inexplicably sacrificed their shot at a nomination in a "Series" category because their news release about the NBC appearance did not contain the phrases "open for business," "250,000 jobs,"  "we gave them the tools," or "no knowledge...no information."

And there is this little problem:

GOP Election Plan, 2012 - - Fix, Rig, Steal.

I see a consensus building about Republican election chicanery - - from Voter ID's to Electoral College tinkering - - and the trend is troubling.

Few days ago I put up a post with this headline:

Republicans Using Law To Fix The 2012 Elections

Now a Washington Post columnist puts it this way: 

The GOP is trying to rig the electoral college

Here's another: 

The conspiracy to steal the 2012 election

Happy 20th Birthday, Milwaukee Riverwalk

A real urban success story.

Still growing, and improvements are needed, but all in all, what a plus for the city.

$50 To Hear Walker & Co. Talk About Jobs - - Who's Getting Jobbed, Now?

We're not making this up: Scott Walker, Rebecca Kleefisch and cabinet secretaries invite the "public" to hear them speak about jobs - - for $50!

Talk about attendance suppression. Talk about tacky:

Governor's Small Business Summit

Join Governor Scott Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Wisconsin state agencies involved in a job creation for a small business summit on

Tuesday, November 1, 2011
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

Don't miss this opportunity to meet Wisconsin's new leadership team involved in job creation.
This summit will bring cabinet secretaries and state agencies together with small business owners, entrepreneurs and innovators to discuss topics of interest. A Brown Bag Lunch with Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Kleefisch will conclude with the Governor's keynote speech addressing Wisconsin's business climate and economy.
Register for the event, get expert advice and share your ideas for growing jobs, the economy and your community.

Registration is just $50. Online registration accepts Mastercard, Visa or Discover. Hurry, registration deadline is October 25, 2011.

Registration fees are non-refundable.
Click here for a copy of the working agenda.

Hotel Accommodations

There is a block of 50 rooms reserved under the Governor's Small Business Summit for 10/31/11.

Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 1015 Lombardi Ave.
Contact: Teresa Carroll, Office: 920-405-0400, Cell: 920-609-9903
Mention the code "govsum" to receive the lower government rate of $70
Deadline for hotel reservations: 10/10/11

Other Information

Driving directions or other hotel and dining information.
For any questions regarding this event, email: gov_smalbizsummit@wheda.com

Robin Vos Has An Idea (!): Recall Recalling From The Wisconsin Constitution

Blatant gerrymandering to protect Republican legislators wasn't enough taxpayer self-servicing for the Assembly co-chairman of Joint Finance: Rep. Robin Vos, (R-Burlington) now wants a constitutional amendment to obstruct the people's right to recall legislators.

This dovetails with Republican legislators this year running fake candidates, getting rid of their votes, analysis and hearings on administrative rules, eliminating most collective bargaining for public employees and putting roadblocks in front of voter registration, election-day balloting and absentee voting through restrictions made law by the Voter Suppression (and ID) Law.

And national plans to further monkey with state voting laws, and the Electoral College, for partisan advantage.

In fact, why don't Wisconsin Republicans go all the way, and amend the State Constitution to outlaw the Democratic Party, (a/k/a, in GOP-speak the "Democrat Party"), make the GOP our official state party?

We already have a state flower, dirt, bird, animal and rock, so why don't the neo-Putinst Fitzgeralds and Scott Walker own up to their real agenda?

Use the law and the Constitution, Soviet-style, and rid Wisconsin of all this troublesome democratic process, fair competition for votes, pesky public participation, historical tradition and open policy-making procedures?

Empty Vessel Bachmann: 'I don't Know Anything About The Stuff I Say Out Loud'

In the wake of her live television blather about a safe vaccine leading to mental retardation, Michele Bachmann creates a campaign slogan and a persona:

"Vote For Me, I'm An Empty Vessel"

They have no content, but make the loudest sound.

Attendance Suppression; $50 Ticket To Attend Walker Job "Summit"

One Wisconsin Now (yes, I am on OWN's 501-C-3 board), has it right: the fee is aimed at keeping out everyday folks, such as those without jobs and the means to pay. What a bone-headed idea, and sure to backfire.

For Immediate Release September 20, 2011 Contact: Cody Oliphant Phone: (608)772-9202 Walker Latest Scheme: Public Can Pay $50 to Hear His Job Ideas ‘Appalling Scheme to Deny Unemployed Access to State Event,’ Says One WI Now Madison -- Gov. Scott Walker, facing a steadily-increasing state unemployment rate despite passing $2.3 billion in tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy, has announced his latest scheme: charge the public $50 to attend a state-sponsored “jobs summit.” Walker’s fee will likely restrict public access, particularly the unemployed and those in need of jobs. “Gov. Scott Walker hands out over $2 billion in new tax breaks to corporations and the rich, but will charge the public $50 to hear his latest failed ideas on jobs,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now. “The big question is: when the unemployment rate goes up again here in Wisconsin, can people who pay the fee get a refund?” Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, both of whom have no notable experience creating jobs in the private sector, are hosting a “jobs summit” at Lambeau Field this November 1. The event, which is being advertised on the state-finance Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority's (WHEDA) website, includes a $50 fee for registration payable to WHEDA. The state has seen a steadily rising unemployment rate over the summer, after nearly two years of falling (2009-10). Despite Walker and the Republican-controlled legislature passing $100 million in new corporate tax breaks and breaks for the wealthy in January, the state’s unemployment rate has skyrocketed from 7.3 percent in April to 7.9 percent in August. This is the highest increase in over two-and-a-half years. “Walker gutted public education, slashed the University of Wisconsin and tech colleges, attacked health care and stole the rights of working people. And the numbers show his way is a complete failure,” said Ross. “Gov. Walker has already cut over $50 million from the newly-unemployed and now he wants them to pay $50 to hear his latest corporate-dictated talking points.”

# # #  One Wisconsin Now is a statewide communications network specializing in effective earned media and online organizing to advance progressive leadership and values.

Chicago Radio Following Milwaukee Water Conference

Interesting route to this information.

Milwaukee Bans Guns From City-Owned Buildings

Sanity prevails, 14-1.

Looks To Me Like Glenn Grothman Killed Walker's Corporate Investing Scheme

Am I wrong, or did State Sen. Glenn Grothman, (R-West Bend), actually knock controversial, subsidized capital investment companies, or CAPCO's, and their lobbyists out of the Wisconsin legislative picture - - which had been Scott Walker's plan?

Sure seems that way.