in defense of teaching

My facebook post on the events in Wisconsin has generated over 50 comments today. Phew.

I applaud my friends and family who stood up for teachers.

First, my friend Tiffany, linked me to this diatribe on teacher pay.

Then, after watching her profession come under attack all day by her daughter's "friends," my mom weighed in and blew all of our socks off. I almost cried when I read this and I have to say how PROUD I am to have been raised by this woman. We've had MANY differences and disagreements over the years, but this is truly amazing. If my facebook wall had a "slow clap" feature, Mom would've totally set it off:

When you say things like "... the average teacher makes $50k per year, with three months of vacation time, during which time they can make more money. It doesn't even mention the fact that most teachers retire comfortably in their mid- to late 50s, a good decade before the general public," it's clear that you have no idea what really goes on with educators.

Yes, it's easy to simplify with a statement like that, but the reality is that salary is based on an 8 hour/185 day a year contract. I challenge you to find any teacher that works an 8 hour day, 185 days a year. Most of my colleagues show up at school around 6:30 a.m., work a full day with the students, stay 'til around 5 or 6 p.m., at which time they take work home with them, unless they have to stay late for school programs or a parent conference.

Oftentimes, phone calls to parents and home visits are made in the evenings. If the parents are divorced, those calls/visits must be made twice - one to each parent. Staff work days are spent in professional development classes, often paid for out of pocket. Materials for things such as bulletin boards, snacks for the kids who come to school without having had breakfast, personal hygiene items for those who go without, and clothing and shoes for kids who's parents can't afford them are paid for by teachers.

I myself have driven kids to the eye doctor, taken sick children home, paid for field trips, bought winter coats and boots, backpacks and pencils, contributed to Thanksgiving baskets...the list goes on and on. I'm not saying this to toot my own horn - in fact, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a teacher who DOESN'T do these things.

Our "three month vacation" is actually MUCH LESS, when you consider the fact that most teachers are paid for ONE day to clean up their classrooms before (as I would imagine you think) dancing out the door to enjoy doing nothing - or god forbid trying to make ends meet by taking a second job - all summer long. The reality is, most work for at least a week afterward because custodial staff has been cut and things like scraping hardened snot off the bottoms of desks and chairs, or shampooing the puke stains out of the carpet are left up to us. It's not unusual to see teachers return to prepare their rooms for the upcoming school year in early to mid-August. And the "vacation time" you talk about? Not really - professional development is required by many states for recertification. Classes must be taken, papers written, homework done, materials bought, again out-of-pocket.

As for the "I pay your salary" argument? Are you kidding me? Keep in mind that WE PAY TAXES, TOO! People seem to forget that. I also pay for YOU to use the highways, get your drivers' license, take the bus. You do not belong to an exclusive taxpayers' club. We ALL belong!

I am NOT your servant - I am a public employee, I work WITH you. Without me, and others like me, we would all be much worse off than you can even begin to imagine.

war in wisconsin: why i care

I know I should be focusing all my time and energy packing right now since I'm able to flee the state and not seek political asylum, but I can't help but be caught up in following one of the most amazing civil rights demonstrations I've witnessed in my life time.

I posted yesterday about why I'm upset about Walker's actions (although I was corrected that the National Guard thing was sensationalized). 

I thought I'd just post real briefly why I am standing with the teachers and the unions:

• My mother has been a hard-working public school employee for the bulk of my lifetime.
• Several of my friends have left their previous careers to go back to school for education degrees, almost with the same devotion that people used to do this to join the clergy -- it truly is a VOCATION. No offense to my corporate friends out there (heck, I'm one of them again, very soon),  but I've never heard anyone utter words "I have this strong calling to go be a corporate actuary/marketing/HR person to fulfill my dreams AND make the world a better place." I admire and support those who give their lives to others and are SO UNDERAPPRECIATED FOR IT.
• The democratic process is NOT a sneaky bill introduced to pass in four days and things like teacher walkouts are a valuable lesson. A couple of days off school are not going to damage our children for life. And if I had children I'd personally LIKE them to learn about civil disobedience and peaceful protests. In fact, as a student at a Jesuit High School (yes, I split my education between public and private schools), I was required to take a whole semester on Peace & Justice.
• For those using terms like "Union Overlords," do you really not take advantage of any rights that unions have fought for that now apply to everyone? 8 hour workdays, weekends, child labor laws, health and safety laws. Really, I'd, REALLY like to know. 

I understand the frustration of folks that are in private jobs that don't have "Cadillac" benefits, and to close I offer two discussion points:

• If we all stood behind universal healthcare, wouldn't some of the issues at stake here, simply be NON-ISSUES
• I do agree that Unions do need to make SOME concessions. If you are strongly pro-Union or a Union member, I'd like to hear your thoughts on that. What ARE you willing to give up?

endorsement: jim sullivan for milwaukee county executive

Realizing I have nothing to lose now by being overtly political, I'd like to announce that I'm off to vote for Jim Sullivan for Milwaukee County Executive in the primary. While I had high hopes for Chris Abele to bring fresh blood and ideas to the office, Sullivan seems to be the only one who grasps the dire straits of parks and transit. If Abele makes it to the general, I can only hope he will educate himself on these issues and come up with more original solutions that the retread "cuts, cuts, cuts."

Also, would one of these candidates get on a bus one day themselves. Milwaukee, please realize that transit is an economic development tool, not a social service. Keep that in mind when you vote today.

moved posts

For those of you looking for my recent political rants, I've moved them over to Red-fugee. I'll try and post there when I'm angered. This will go back to being a relatively (hopefully) happy blog. Thanks for your patience with me as I write out my frustrations!

maine taught me my first lesson about marriage equality

Astute readers of The Accidental Wisconsinite may know that I was born in Portland, Maine, but grew up in Portland, Oregon.

I'm about to pack up for the night, but wanted to point something else while I fall asleep to an absolute nailbiter.

The gay marriage debate is often likened to that of interracial marriage. A half-century ago it had several states up in arms, and now we look back (with the exception of some freakazoid (former) judge in Louisiana) and ask "what were we thinking?!?"

Little did I realize a quarter-century ago, when I was a child attending one of my earliest weddings in memory, that some close-minded people may have had a problem with it. To me, this wedding stands out in my foggy reminiscences because it was the first ceremony I recall not being in a church. It was in a house and there was a super fun party in the backyard with lots of tasty food and live music. I remember running around with other kids for hours and having a total blast. In my memory, the house was a yellow Victorian. Only with my societally-influenced adult mind do I recognize that the bride was white and the groom was black.

What difference does that make to me? None. They could be purple, but my Auntie Willow and Uncle Foris were a major part of my childhood and I love them like they were my blood relatives. That's why I don't understand why it would be any different if it were two Aunties or two Uncles getting married? If they were a loving couple and a model to young people of a happy, healthy relationship...why should a law stand in the way of their commitment?

Why can't we get a referendum on the ballot that says "Marriage shall be a recognition of love between two consenting adults, it doesn't matter what is between their legs?"

WTFisconsin: Charging for CCAP?

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so how does the Wisconsin State Assembly respond? By proposing a charge for the popular online court records database -- CCAP -- on October 1.

While I agree that there are reforms that should be made to this service (if people are truly listed who have been falsely accused, by all means fix that), I disagree that a charge should be implemented.

Granted the fee is only $10, but I doubt people will pay that to look up their dates, as all the single women I know do now. That's unfortunate because that $10 could save a life if the dude you're about to go out with has four restraining orders against him. I could see lawmakers responding and saying "well, we won't charge shelters, women's centers, etc." Well the thing is, lawmakers, domestic violence knows no class or social status. I can't forsee a young professional saying "oh, I don't have $10, but I'll swing down to the shelter and check out this guy."

Please, keep CCAP free for all to use.

WTFisconsin: No Drinking in Bars

I am all for reforms.

In fact, I came across a wonderful blog post this afternoon from James Rowen perfectly outlining how ridiculous it is for folks from both sides of the aisle to shut themselves off to new proposals.

I am also all for reforms that will address the drunk driving crisis in the State of Wisconsin. We should not have people like this guy in Manitowoc still on the road after 12 DUIs. I recognize the significance of the issues raised in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's recent series "Wasted in Wisconsin."

However, there is a new idea on the table that I just can't get behind.

Bartenders would have to maintain absolute sobriety under a proposal debated by a state Assembly panel Tuesday.

Being under the influence of alcohol or partying with customers is problematic for servers, bill author Rep. Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee) told the Assembly’s Committee on Urban and Local Affairs Tuesday. The committee also heard testimony on another proposal from Zepnick that would ban “all you can drink” specials.

Both are aimed at reducing the rate of drunken driving in Wisconsin.

Honestly, I think this makes us liberals who fought so hard for the statewide smoking ban look like temperance flag waving fun-killers. While the smoking ban benefits everyone's health, ushers Wisconsin toward the 21st century, and long-term will be better for tavern business, a ban on drinking employees and on drink specials dents a significant part of Wisconsin culture.

In regards to bartenders drinking on the job--that should completely be the choice of the employer. I know of plenty of bars/restaurants that don't allow their employees to drink on the job. I also know of advertising agencies that encourage drinking. Then consider our brewery and growing distillery industry. Why just apply this law to bartenders? Are the brewers not going to be able to test their wares?

I want my bartender to be able to recommend beers, wines and cocktails to me. If they are unable to try those while on the clock, there will be years of institutional knowledge killed in the state. I also want to continue to buy my bartender a drink if I've gotten exceptional service or they've listened to a sob story.

Wisconsin's cocktail culture is part of what makes the state unique. It's part of why I, a transplanted young professional, stay here. Obviously I don't want these employees driving home after a shift of drinking. But most employees are not drinking their entire shift. Why punish everyone and kill a culture because of a few stupid individuals? I guarantee if a person is an alcoholic, they're going to find a way to drink even when they're not on the clock.

In regards to banning certain drink specials, again, I don't think this is going to address the greater issue of drunk driving. And why a ban? Why not charge a fee to bars who want to offer these specials and partner with a cab company for a "safe ride home" program?

Or, here's another novel idea, why don't we invest more in public transportation infrastructure to give Milwaukeeans another option to get home from the bar?

Perhaps what aggravates me the most is that an extreme proposal like this is going to make the talk radio guys foam at the mouth. At a time when it has never been more critical to have bipartisan cooperation on critical issues like the economy, health care and transportation infrastructure, I am embarrassed as a Democrat to throw a big Prohibition Piñata over to the Republicans.

WTFisconsin: Riversplash Racism

While I give Westown massive props for increasing the security at RiverSplash, I take complete offense in the way it was executed. As a white woman, I waltzed right in (actually waved in by security staff on the north end of the festival), despite having my purse ready for the requisite check. The five skanky bar trash white girls in front of me walked in as well. However, every black person in line was stopped and frisked. This ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED ME. Needless to say, I spent all my money at bars tonight and not at any of the Westown booths. I'm thoroughly disappointed and expect a response from the association that put this event on.

milwaukee props: consolidated elections

Dan Cody has a great blog post up about why Wisconsin should consolidate elections.

It really is a "no-brainer" when you think about the fact that there truly are no "non-partisan" politicians in this state--or at least Milwaukee--even those holding "non-partisan" positions. I encourage you to follow Dan's advice and contact Sen. Jim Holperin who is behind this movement. I just did.

alleged?!?!

THIS is why I struggle with the Catholic Church. From MSNBC.com:

Brazil girl, alleged rape victim, aborts twins
The procedure on the 9-year-old girl draws complaints from Catholic church

RIO DE JANEIRO - A 9-year-old girl who was carrying twins, allegedly after being raped by her stepfather, underwent an abortion Wednesday despite complaints from Brazil's Roman Catholic church.

Police said the stepfather has been jailed since last week.

Abortion is illegal in Brazil, but judges can make exceptions if the mother's life is in danger or the fetus has no chance of survival.

Fatima Maia, director of the public university hospital where the abortion was performed, said the 15-week-old pregnancy posed a serious risk to the 80-pound girl.

"She is very small. Her uterus doesn't have the ability to hold one, let alone two children," Maia told the Jornal do Brasil newspaper.

But Marcio Miranda, a lawyer for the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife in northeastern Brazil, said the girl should have carried the twins to term and had a cesarean section.

"It's the law of God: Do not kill. We consider this murder," Miranda said in comments reported by O Globo.

Calls to Miranda were not immediately returned.

Brazil is home to more Catholics than any other nation.

Also, "alleged"?!?! Why do we even need to use the word in this case? Clearly if a nine-year-old girl is pregnant it's not by her own choosing. Okay, I understand maybe the "alleged" is director toward the stepfather being the criminal. So why can't they say "a nine-year-old girl who was raped, allegedly by her stepfather?"

WTFisconsin: Save Film Incentives

I blogged last week about my dismay at Governor Doyle cutting Wisconsin's film incentives from this year's budget. 

Luckily thanks to groups like Film Wisconsin and Milwaukee Film, concerned folks are banding together to contact their legislators to tell them this action is not okay. Film Wisconsin posted some excellent talking points to their Facebook group and Milwaukee Film sent a link to the Arts Wisconsin page that explains how to contact your representatives.

With time being "of the essence" I didn't worry about crafting the perfect letter, but just shot this one off to the governor, with some modifications for my representatives, Sen. Jeff Plale and Rep. Jon Richards.

Dear Gov. Doyle,

As a young professional and member of the "Creative Class," I was shocked to hear that you proposed cutting one of the most innovative programs in this state -- the incentives for the film industry in Wisconsin.

Cutting this program would be devastating to hundreds of people that this state needs to retain. The economy has already offed thousands of traditional manufacturing jobs, why use the state budget to unnecessarily kill occupations in a viable industry?

It seems extremely short-sighted to axe a new program after one year. Especially a year when a major motion picture, several television shows, and commercials were filmed in Wisconsin. With your emphasis on education, I'm surprised you'd want to eliminate an industry that many institutes of higher learning have adapted curriculum and created training programs to support. Do you really want to drive educated workers OUT of Wisconsin?

I understand that the budgeting process is a delicate one, but Governor, I believe you overlooked much potential when you switched the tax incentives to a grant program. Unfortunately the grants fall incredibly short and would not have any of the impact of the tax incentives. I urge you to reconsider cutting the incentives and encourage Wisconsinites to get back to work in the business of film. Please recall what you said when you signed the incentives into law: "Filmmaking is part of manufacturing in the 21st century…and Wisconsin will serve a valuable role in manufacturing film.”

Join the next generation of Wisconsinites in keeping Wisconsin in the 21st century.

Kind regards,
Meghan Arnold

 If you care about the future of Wisconsin's economy and its positioning to attract and retain talent, I highly recommend you send a similar message.

WTFisconsin: don't breathe deep

For those that think the state of Wisconsin is one big pot of fresh air, think again. Granted it's not India, where my Kleenex turned black when I sneezed, but unfortunately a new study came out today that showed Milwaukee is the second most challenging place to live with asthma.

The factors that ranked cities poorly were:

• Prevalence Factors – morbidity and mortality statistics
• Risk Factors – air quality, pollen, "100% smoke-free" laws, poverty and more
• Medical Factors – medication usage and access to specialists

It doesn't take a scientist to hypothesize from those risk factors.

Our air quality sucks. It's winter and we are under advisory for particle pollution. Wisconsin, the home of the founder of Earth Day, is mired in political infighting which results in its residents unable to catch their breath. Green solutions are never built and things like progressive public transportation (such as that in my hometown of Portland) never get off the drawing board.

Poverty, of course, is another issue, even prior to this economy. The city has the 7th highest poverty rate in the country, and a HUGE disparity in wealth and poverty between Milwaukee and its surrounding counties.

Finally, we have no restrictions on smoking whatsoever. I completely agree that this should be a statewide ban, and not just city-based (God knows Milwaukee does not need another city-suburbs battle factor). However, this needs to happen sooner rather than later. I cannot tell you how lovely it is to travel to cities that have smoking bans. I have plenty of friends that smoke and they don't mind going outside if they don't reek in the morning. Tonight I was only briefly in Flannery's, it wasn't very crowded and I only noticed a couple of folks smoking. Yet I get home and my freshly laundered jeans stink of stale cigarettes.

Maybe the detergent industry is the secret lobbyist in this state?

"hope over fear"

Apparently not for these people who have been so whipped into a fervor over obscure Bible passages that they reject the main teachings of Jesus. I really hope they fade away in this new era.



As much as I cheered for the Brewers to beat the Phillies in the MLB playoffs, I can't help but have a major internet crush on the Phillies fan at the end of this short film. I actually am extremely impressed by all of the people who stood up to these haters. And the positive message at the end gives me extreme hope.

WTFisconsin: illogical arguments

Granted I didn't really argue my big F- You to W yesterday. But I think most F- Yous to our dear departing prez are pretty damn implicit in conversation these days.

Needless to say, I was a little taken aback by commenter "colt" who said:

Ah why is this Bush's fault? Perhaps more the fault of the up coming mandatory paid sick day that will cost business millions and passed along to consumers

In regards to my Atomic closing due to the crappy economy. Yes, I do understand that the sick leave mandate will shift the economic paradigm and there's a lot to sort out. Hell, the thing might not even happen. However,

a) Where the heck did I even mention the sick leave ordinance on this blog?

and

b) How has a local initiative that hasn't even HAPPENED YET somehow magically thrown the global economy in the toilet? Wow, I know Milwaukee often flies under the radar, but I had no idea we had that much clout! Hot damn!

world AIDS day

It's really hard to believe that today is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, but I remember this day being around practically my entire life. It's really interesting to reflect on how it's been repurposed though from shifting the focus from the American epidemic (AIDS quilt, etc.) to the global epidemic that it's become.

I admittedly didn't do much today to make an impact other than buying (RED) Gingersnap Latte from Starbucks. Thanks to my consumerism, five cents goes to the fight against AIDS in Africa.

I also pledged online (well I tried, but I think there was a browser error) to volunteer or donate to an AIDS cause. You can too, via the button below.

That pledge will probably end up being the 2009 AIDS Walk, provided I am in town October 3, 2009. I have done it in the past and it truly is a powerful event.

As with my post on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, I definitely want to draw attention to some resources for those living with or the families affected by those with HIV/AIDS. These groups are also essential in educating the public that AIDS is not just a disease in faraway lands, but it also still hits close to home and prevention is key.

The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin not only provides health and legal services to those living with HIV in Wisconsin, but also helps prevent the spread of the disease.

Camp Heartland is one of the most amazing organizations I've ever heard of, and it's so wonderful that it's based in my own backyard. Their mission is to be: "committed to greatly improving the lives of children, youth and their families impacted by HIV/AIDS and other significant life challenges worldwide." Anytime I've seen or heard a presentation or story about their work I choke up. It's just so moving. Seriously, read the history. Crying yet?

My experience with a past AIDS Walk and a group of Camp Heartland walkers in front of me is what inspires me to remain aware of the cause locally. Unfortunately there are still ignorant bigots out there that claim AIDS is some sort of punishment from God. Seeing these a-holes with their signs (many featuring Christian imagery or invoking Jesus's name), screaming at these beautiful, happy kids who, by whatever circumstances beyond their control, are forced to live a life with HIV, probably made me the angriest I've ever been in my life.

So yes, I do care about kids in Africa too. I care about the virgins who are raped because urban legend says that can cure AIDS. But until we in our own country can come together to fight the disease as a health issue and not some sort of moral/religious issue, I think there is greater work to be done.

food awareness: HFCS

I've been trying to make a conscious effort to cut back on my intake of High Fructose Corn Syrup for awhile now, although I'll admit I sometimes just want a nice, refreshing Coca-Cola.

But in all seriousness, I know HFCS is TERRIBLE and another chemical cause of obesity and health problems.

I try to use natural sugars or honey in most of the food that I make at home. If the day ever comes when I have children, I know I will be on hyper-healthwatch just because of all the crap that's in processed food.

Anyway, it really bothered me when those HFCS "public awareness" campaign ads hit the air a few months ago. I don't think it took a public relations major like myself to see right through those saccharine (pun intended) attempts at telling consumers that HFCS is nothing to worry about. A healthy assumption to make is that if there is an advertisement (or a inexplicable slough of articles) telling you something is perfectly natural and okay for your health -- it probably isn't. This is why I've always had a problem with Splenda as well. I know it's been very helpful for people with diabetes, but at the end of the day the tagline: "don't think sugar, think Splenda®" really creeped me out. I don't think replacing a natural substance with something manufactured in a lab is EVER okay.

Luckily there are other folks who think like me, and the movement is growing. I saw this adorable DIY ad posted on another blog I found through the EatLocalChallenge. Even though my eating local attempts didn't succeed to the point I had hoped, I do commend challenges like this for connecting like-minded people.

Watch the video and enjoy:


And for your reference, here's the original creepy ad campaign:


Of course the conspiracy theorist in me also suspects there's some covert targeting of African-Americans in the original ad, which opens that whole can of worms of institutionalized racism regarding food choices available to black communities. My friend Nicole had great personal insight into this dilemma in her blog a couple of months ago. She's since moved from Oakland.

My point is this problem is way deeper than a couple of YouTube videos.

milwaukee props: standing up to H8

Like many others around the country, my heart goes out to those in California whose right to marriage has been stripped out from under them. People who thought after so many years of fighting for their civil rights that they were done fighting and could live freely like their straight counterparts. People who were created by the same God their opposition claimed solely for themselves.

I thank that God everyday that I was raised in a tolerant household. I was raised to believe that if a man and man or woman and a woman wanted to get married, if they were in love it was no different than any other ceremony of that kind. Not twenty years before my parents' friends, a white woman and a black man, got married in the '80s, their marriage would have been considered perverse and illegal by some states. Why must we throw hate into the mix with love?

It sickens me that on the same night America can overcome so much of its dirty past and elect a black president, Californians can so blatantly deny its citizens rights just because of the way they were born.

I am proud to be part of a generation that accepts differences. I only wish more of us had the courage to create a greater social change at the voting booth.

Luckily, there are folks around the country who have been trying to create change. The LA Times has created a robust, searchable database of individuals who both supported and opposed Prop 8. You can search by state, so I did that for Wisconsin.

It warms my heart that 93 people in Wisconsin gave money ($26,445) to oppose Prop 8. That's beyond wonderful. I thank each and every one of them and you can look up more info in the database above. If you know any of them, please give them a huge hug and props from me.

For now, thank you to:

• ALEXANDRA LYON
• ANDREW MILES
• BARBARA LEVIN
• BERNARD FRIEDLANDER
• BETH BINHAMMER
• BETHANNE YEAGER
• BETHANY ORDAZ
• BEVERLY PHILLIPS
• BRETT GOODWIN
• BRIAN CUMMINS
• BRUCE HARVILLE
• CARLA DRAPER
• CAROL FEUERSTEIN
• CAROL GLASER
• CAROL LASKOWSKI
• CATHERINE WATKINS
• CHAD WEGE
• CHARLES F. SOMMERS
• CHARLES LEDUC
• CHERI BRICCO
• CHESTER DAXE
• CRAIG KIMBALL
• DALE NEWMAN
• DANIEL SCHMIDT
• DAVID BAUGH
• DAVID SCHWAKE
• DAVID WELLS
• DE ETTE TOMLINSON
• ELI JUDGE
• EVELYN GILDRIE-VOYLES
• GEORGETTE WONDERS
• GREG BROWN
• HONA LEE HARRINGTON
• JACOB FRICK
• JANET OLSEN
• JEFF BITGOOD
• JEFFREY EVANS
• JEFFREY SCHAUB
• JESS BENSON
• JESSE C. ANDERSON
• JIMMY OWEN
• JOHN BECKER
• JOHN HNILICKA
• JON KEEVIL
• JOSE SENTMANAT
• JOSEPH VARGA
• KAREN CHRISTIANSON
• KATE BRONDINO
• KATHLEEN DOLAN
• KATHLEEN GRAHAM
• KEITH SPRUCE
• KEVIN FLAHERTY
• KIRK DOW
• LAURA GENNE
• LAUREN BROWN
• LAWRENCE NASH
• LINDA WARE
• LOIS SWANSON
• MARY C. FONS
• MARY WAITROVICH
• MITCHELL CONKLIN
• MORTON GERNSBACHER
• MYRON WOJTOWYCZ
• NANCY RAFFETTO
• PATRICK FLAHENTY
• PAUL PATENAUDE
• PAULA KEDZIE
• PHIL SCARR
• RAJIV BHAT
• RAYMOND KONZ-KRZYMINSKI
• RICHARD MYERS
• ROBERT BRUCKERT
• ROBERT CORRIS
• ROBERT HAMAN
• ROBERT POEHLING
• RONALD MERSHART
• RORY METCALF
• SAMUEL YORK
• SARA OSWALD
• SHARON GRUTZMACHER
• STEPHEN KANTROWITZ
• STEPHEN P BERG
• STEVE CHADDERDON
• STEVEN ZIMMERMAN
• STEVEN-JAMES MILLER-BALISTRERI
• SUSAN CHRISTENSEN
• SUSAN PANGER
• SUZANNE FORTIER
• THOMAS WILMS
• TODD PEISSIG
• WILLIAM MORSE
• WILMA LUGER
• ZACHARY STRUYK

for standing up against HATE. The world needs more people like you.

milwaukee props: coalition for advancing transit

I do want to give another shout out to the Coalition for Advancing Transit (CAT) a new group that spun off the Urban Economic Development Association (UEDA).

CAT doesn't appear to have it's own site yet, but they did hold a press conference last Thursday promoting the RTA vote that will happen tomorrow. (That's a vote for a Regional Transit Authority--currently each county in Southeastern Wisconsin does it's own thing--not exactly the best solution for a regional economic growth strategy).

Anyway, that event combined with the YES vote for transit funding warmed this gal's heart last week. Unfortunately I can't say much more. Yes, I do currently have my regular citizen's hat on and it is after 4:30 p.m. and before 8 a.m. and I'm using my own home computer, but one needs to be careful.

Those who don't have political constraints though--KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

YES WE DID!!!!

Thank you America!

Grant Park was surreal, amazing, a defining moment of my life.

Beyond glad that I was there.

Will post pictures when my brain doesn't have to go to work after 4 hours of sleep.

Thank you Milwaukee!

You told the powers-that-be that you want a dedicated funding source for transit and parks. I'm so proud.

thankful tuesdays:

My seven thanks for the week (links may be added later, but I'm on Election Day warp speed now):

• Thanks to the wonderful Obama volunteers who have kept me company on my treks this weekend and last. Thanks Julie, Mike, Gerry, Jamie, Zack, Brian, V, Kelly, Mike S. and Carsten. It was great canvassing with all of you and I look forward to seeing you on the trail in 2012 (or 2010 for the local races!)
  
• Thanks to Brooke for accompanying me to the symphony on Saturday night. And thanks for Edo de Waart for accepting your new job in Milwaukee.
  
• Thanks to Becky and Maribeth for being my Halloween gals this year (and appreciating my Ashley Todd costume). Thanks to the Quigleys for having a fabulous party as always. And thanks to "Welcome" Matt for driving three drunk girls back downtown.
  
• Thanks to the people whose doors I've been knocking on. Truly inspired by the folks I talked with canvassing, especially Monday night in the central city. I don't ever remember an election where people took such pride in voting.
• Thanks to my co-workers who have been supportive of my dedication to politics, even if it means I'm a little fuzzy and slow-moving lately.
  
• Thanks to my mom for writing me an e-mail that reduced me to (good) tears.
• Thanks to Phil for dealing with me being a sleep-deprived, nervous freak for the past month.