Aid For The Philippines

As the gentle reader is aware, a super typhoon struck the Philippines earlier this month, causing nightmarish amounts of damage and claimed over 5,000 lives.

Rescue efforts began right away, but the level of damage is so high that they will continue to need help.

One of my dearest friends in Madison, Marivic Valencia, was part of fundraiser for the rescue effort last week:



Despite the short time they took in getting things together, they were able to raise more than a $1,000 that night.

Per Marivic, if one would still like to help, there is a Madison-based group, the Philippine-American Association of Madison & Neighboring Areas (PAMANA) which is still taking collections.  Their Facebook page can be found here.

Penokee Public Hearing - August 15, 2013

Click to embiggen

Sheriff Clarke And The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight

Just the other day, I reported about how Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke had made some public disservice announcements in which he urged people to get guns and become one-person vigilantes because you can't count on him to do his job.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, we can't ask Trayvon Martin that.

The predictable results from Clarke's irresponsibility happened, with Wild West shoot outs and people using the Sheriff as an excuse for shooting someone.

What Clarke was doing with these ads was using taxpayer money to fund thinly disguised campaign ads to pander to his base - gun nuts and other Teapublican types.

In response to Clarke's misappropriation of funds, Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik introduced a resolution that would prevent an elected official from appearing in a public service announcement.  That's it. In no way did it try to infringe on anyone's Second Amendment rights.

When it was first introduced, gun nuts from around the country responded in irrational anger.  The resolution was sent back to committee and tabled until called by the chair.

Clarke thought the issue was coming up on Thursday and hit the panic button.  He called on his gun nut buddies to come an bail out his butt again. And respond they did.

First, Tim Schmidt, President of US Concealed Carry Association, sent out this hysterical email blast full of errata, errors and paranoid ranting:

Do You Have Three Minutes To Make A Huge Difference?

Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr. has been all over the national news lately because of Public Service Announcements he has been making. In these announcements, he encourages Milwaukee residents to partner with the police by getting a concealed carry license, identifying potentially dangerous situations, and learning how to protect their families and loved ones. Basically, he is a hero who shares our ideals and principles. And he is currently under attack...and needs our help! The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors is trying to squash his 1st amendment right to make these announcements and he has asked us for our help. Would you be willing to take 3 minutes to call one of the council members who opposes his right to free speech and ask them not to prevent Sheriff Clarke from making these lifesaving announcements? If so, here are the committee members you can call: 1) Jim "Luigi" Schmitt: 414-278-4273 2) Peggy Romo West: 414-278-4269 3) Patricia Jursik: 414-278-4231 4) David Bowen: 414-278-4265  One important thing, though... When you call, they may ask you for personal information. While it's important to give them your name, they don't need your address, phone number, or any other private information. Simply state: “My address and phone number are not important. I don’t want to end up on another government list. I’m exercising my 1st Amendment right to dissent against this government overreach. Sheriff Clarke SHOULD be allowed to make these public service announcements.” Let's show the Milwaukee Common Council the true strength and power of the United States Concealed Carry Association!  Thank you so much for your help. Take care and stay safe, Tim Schmidt President | USCCA P. S. - Please call soon as the vote is scheduled to take place this Thursday! P. P. S. - Click here to watch a video I made to answer any more questions you might have.

Questions? Call us at 877-677-1919 USCCA | Delta Defense, LLC N173W21298 Northwest Passage Way Jackson, WI 53037

As the gentle reader can tell, Schmidt has no clue as to the difference between the Milwaukee County Board and the City of Milwaukee's Common Council.

I also really appreciate the line about not wanting "to end up on another government list." What I am curious about is why he included that line.  Is it anti -government paranoia or is that he was trying to hide the fact that most of the callers were from outside of Wisconsin, much less Milwaukee County? (Note to Schmidt: We have caller ID in this part of the country now)

It should also be noted that the resolution isn't even being discussed on Thursday.  In fact, it won't be up for discussion for at least two more months.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly is the falseness of their stance.

No one is taking away Clarke's First Amendment right of Free Speech.  If Clarke wants to run an ad pushing guns to bolster his campaign, he can do it to his heart's content.  He just has to pay for it with his campaign fund.  Or if he feels that it truly is a public service announcement, he can use taxpayer money to do that.  He just can't be in the ad in order to avoid even the perception that he is using taxpayer funds for his campaign.

The real concern here is not whether Clarke gets to use taxpayer dollars to fund his campaign ads (the answer is no, he shouldn't).  The thing we should be alarmed about is that if Clarke and his supporters are so reckless in shooting off their mouths, why in the world should we trust them with guns?

Where's Sheriff Clarke's PSA Now?

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on making a couple of Public Service Announcements which were nothing more than campaign ads in which Clarke pandered to members of the NRA and other right wing nut jobs.  In these ads, Clarke was more or less admitting that he was in over his head when it came to upholding the law and that people would die if they did not have a gun.

The fallout from Clarke's craziness is what you might expect.

County Board supervisors had to stake steps to make it clearly illegal for elected officials to use PSA's as campaign ads.  Pro-gun nuts took that as being an attack on the Second Amendment, showing just how paranoid they are and exactly why they should not be carrying a gun around.  It even got to the point where the gun nuts started threatening the life and safety of elected leaders.

Starting a couple of weeks ago, we got to see the early "benefits" of Clarke's irresponsibility.

First, there was the woman who drunkenly took potshots at her niece, and tried to use Clarke's PSAs as an excuse for her idiotic behavior.

Now we just learn of a rolling gun fight which occurred a couple of weeks ago.  The gun fight started on Milwaukee's near south side and went up I-43 to end on the near north side.  Both driver/shooters had a CCW permit.  So much for that law making the streets safer.  What is alarming is that while neither driver had a valid reason to pull their weapon - sorry, "He mean mugged me" doesn't cut it - only one of these imbeciles have been charged.

Meanwhile, Clarke, who is at least partially responsible for this mess, hasn't said a blessed word about the further degeneration of our society.

In fact, Clarke's silence, however short-lived, is one of the few good things that has happened since he first opened his mouth.

The best part of the story is that we won't have to put up with him much longer.  I look forward to seeing Chris Moews get a chance to correct all that is wrong with the Sheriff's Office, starting with Clarke.

FREE Milorganite at Medicine Collection Day, April 27th at Miller Park

From the inbox:

Safely dispose unused medicine at Miller Park on April 27th and keep it out of Lake Michigan and from people who abuse prescription drugs.  It's all part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

While supplies last, people dropping off unused medicine will receive a free five-pound bag of Milorganite®, fertilizer made in Milwaukee since 1926.

Medicine Collection efforts have removed more than 18 tons of unused medicine in Milwaukee County since 2006.  The Milwaukee Police Department is providing officers for the event.

Never flush or pour unused medicines down the drain.  Water reclamation facilities are not designed to remove everything and the drugs can end up getting into Lake Michigan.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day - Milwaukee

Where: Miller Park in the Miller Lot by the Sausage Haus

When:  April 27th, 2013 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Bring: prescription and over-the-counter medication, ointments, sprays, inhalers, creams, vials, and pet medications.

Do not bring: Illegal drugs, biohazardous material, needles/sharps, personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc), and household hazardous waste.

The Blood Center of Wisconsin Needs You!

From my inbox:

The snowstorm that hit much of Wisconsin today is having an impact on blood donations. We anticipate a shortage of more than 1,000 units of blood over the next two days.

The safety of donors is our first priority. We ask those who are able to safely keep their scheduled appointments to please do so. If you are unable to keep your appointment because of the weather, we ask that you call to reschedule for Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Call 1-877-BE-A-HERO or visit .

• All blood types are needed, but there is a particular need for O Negative blood and platelets. In order to ensure we can meet the needs of patients, BloodCenter has extended its donor center hours at several locations this Saturday, Dec. 22 for whole blood appointments. BloodCenter staff will be on hand until 3:00 p.m. at the Brown Deer, Greenfield, Racine, Waukesha, Wauwatosa and West Bend locations.
• Because platelets are critically important, 4 of our locations will be open BY APPOINTMENT this Sunday for platelet donors, including Greenfield, Waukesha, Wauwatosa and West Bend from 6 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The end of the year is already a challenging time for blood collection when people are busier than usual with holiday activities and travel. Combining that with the current weather situation, the need for blood products is real, and we are asking you to seriously consider making a donation as soon as possible.
On behalf of patients and their loved ones, thank you very much.

My appointment to donate platelets is Friday afternoon, now go make your appointment now.

Just In Time For The Holidays

A list of union made gift ideas.

PSA - "Statisticks" of Brown County

For a friend:

Attention Milwaukee! Coggs Building Is Closed Until Monday, June 25

From a press release from Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele:

Coggs Center Closed Through the Weekend

Building Closed Due to Smoke & Soot 

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee County Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center, 1220 W. Vliet St, will remain closed while crews work to clean up smoke and soot left behind after today's fire at a nearby building.

Cleaning crews are already working on the building and they hoped to have it ready to open by Friday but further investigation shows the building needs to be cleaned, sanitized and deodorized before the building can be occupied.

The building should be open by Monday, June 25, 2012, but employees should verify this by calling the Milwaukee County Emergency Response Hotline, 414-278-3900, after 9pm Sunday.

Since the County has closed this facility, all county employees working at this building will be paid for their regularly scheduled hours today, Thursday and Friday.

If any employees believe they are experiencing health-related issues as a result of this incident, please seek medical attention with the medical provider of your choice and report this to your manager.

The building has about 200 county employees and 400 state employees providing a wide range of services.

Milwaukee County and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services are working to provide those services during the closure.

For any emergency people should call 911.
For non-emergency issues, call the Social Service Hotline 211.
The Mental Health Community Support Programs will temporarily provide services at the Behavioral Health Division Headquarters, 9201 Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa.
State officials are encouraging individuals who would normally seek in-person assistance for their health and nutrition benefits at the Coggs building to conduct their business online at access.wi.gov or by calling 1-888-947-6583 until the building reopens to the public.
The Commission on Aging meeting scheduled for Friday, June 22, 2012 at the Coggs buildings has been cancelled.

At Least Someone Is Trying

As we all already know, FEMA said that their antiquated and anti-basement guidelines prevented them from helping individual home owners whose houses were damaged by the Great Flood 2010.

Governor Doyle immediately pledged to file an appeal.

Scott Walker shrugged and said that local leaders did all they could do and went back to full campaign mode.

Tom Barrett, who already has shown himself to be many times the leader that Walker wishes he could be, took action to support Doyle's appeal. Barrett and Common Council President Willie Hines made an announcement of a survey push that will aid Doyle's appeal:

City of Milwaukee Announces Survey Push in Preparation for FEMA Appeal

In response to historic flooding throughout Milwaukee County on July 22, 2010, the State of Wisconsin made an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). While FEMA did make a declaration granting assistance for damage to schools and public property, it did not grant emergency status for individual assistance. Governor Doyle is appealing that decision, but the City of Milwaukee must work to arm that appeal with as much appropriate data as possible.

To that end, we are collecting information on damage to sleeping spaces, as part of the appeal process. Basements are NOT considered living units (even if they are furnished) unless they served as sleeping spaces. (This specifically means flooded basements in which individuals are or had been sleeping).

The City of Milwaukee is partnering with non-profits, community groups and neighborhood associations – especially in those areas hardest hit by the flood – to distribute surveys of homes with sleeping spaces that were damaged as a result of flooding. If you live in an area that suffered severe flooding, you will likely see people conducting surveys. NO ONE CONDUCTING THIS SURVEY WILL ENTER YOUR HOME. (However, an official FEMA representative may have to enter a home to verify the survey at a later date). Survey signatures serve as a type of affidavit, so it is not necessary for homes to be entered at the time of survey completion.
If your basement or flooded area served as a sleeping space for someone in your home, and you are concerned about not being counted via our public survey, we ask that you be counted for the city’s FEMA appeal by doing one of the following:

1. Call your alderman (414-286-2221), and he or she will arrange for you to fill out a survey, or
2. Come to the City of Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda (200 E. Wells St.) during one of two designated times; the survey takers will be stationed in the rotunda TOMORROW (Friday, Aug. 20), from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., as well as Saturday (Aug. 21) morning, from 9 a.m. to Noon.

**MEDIA ARE WELCOME TO PROMOTE THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION**

For further questions, please call Desiree Matel-Anderson, Homeland Security Fiscal and Compliance Monitor: 414.286.5744.

We appreciate your cooperation as the City of Milwaukee attempts to put itself in the best position for our appeal to FEMA. Thank you.

Thank goodness that at least the City of Milwaukee has a good leader. Maybe by 2012, when Walker loses again, the County will too.

Support the Patrick Cudahy Workers

From the inbox:

Immediate Release

July 6, 2009

UFCW LOCAL 1473 ASKS FOR DONATIONS FOR PATRICK CUDAHY WORKERS

On July 6^th 2009, the five alarm fire continues to blaze at the Smithfield owned, Patrick Cudahy plant in Cudahy , Wisconsin . The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1473 (UFCW), represents approximately 1,400 Patrick Cudahy workers at this location.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the workers and their families at the Patrick Cudahy Plant and for the safety of the firefighters. We will work closely with Smithfield management in order to minimize the impact of this fire on our members and their families,” said Local President John Eiden in a statement earlier today.

City officials have evacuated the area surrounding the plant and there is still no word on total damage. As the workers wait for the plant reopening, UFCW Local 1473 has established a hardship fund and is accepting donations to help the Patrick Cudahy workers and their families.

“Local 1473 has a long and proud history of coming to the aid of fellow brothers and sisters in the Labor Community. Today we ask that fellow union brothers and sisters and community members to help our members and their families in the aftermath of this tragic event; in their time of need,” said President Eiden.

If anyone wishes to make a monetary donation to the UFCW – Patrick Cudahy Worker Relief Fund to help the workers and families at the Patrick Cudahy plant make checks payable to Patrick Cudahy Workers Relief Fund care of UFCW Local 1473. The Union is also accepting non-perishable food items.

Please send checks and non-perishable food items to:

Patrick Cudahy Workers Relief Fund

UFCW Local 1473

2001 N. Mayfair Rd.

Milwaukee , WI 53226

Click It Or Ticket

Remember, big brother is watching.

Heat Awareness Alert

They have issues a heat advisory for today to run from noon until 7 pm. If you have any family, friends and/or neighbors that are elderly, or take medications for a mental illness or cardiovascular disease, please make sure you keep an eye on them.

They do not recognize the heat as most people do and so are in extra jeopardy from it.

And for God's sake, don't leave any children or pets locked in the car in this weather! (You shouldn't be doing that at all, as a matter of fact.)

Don't Forget: Monarch Trail Fundraiser This Afternoon

Details are here.

Ceili Dance For Butterflies

This coming Sunday, there will be a fund raiser to help preserve what can be preserved of the Monarch Trail. It runs from 2:30 to 5:30.



If you want a bigger picture, click here.

I can't promise that I'll be there, but I have a feeling that if I don't make it, Izzy will kick my butt.

Meet And Greet For Southern Suburb Democrats

For those that are in US Congressional District, here is your chance to meet the candidates that are vying for the chance to face Paul "How the hell do you fold a road map" Ryan. From the inbox:

JOIN US IN TAKING BACK THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

FRANKLIN, GREENDALE, GREENFIELD, HALES CORNERS, OAK CREEK, SOUTH MILWAUKEE

MEET THE CANDIDATES

For U.S. Representative from the 1st Congressional District

A Political Forum Will Be Held On

TUESDAY AUGUST 5, 20086:00 p.m. To 8:15 p.m.

FRANKLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY

9051 W. Loomis Road In Franklin

Hear The Democratic Candidates For U.S. RepresentativeFrom The 1st Congressional District
AGENDA

6:00-6:30 p.m. – Meet And Greet The Candidates

6:45-7:00 p.m. – Opening Remarks By The Candidates

7:00-7:45 p.m. – Written Questions From The Audience

7:45-8:00 p.m. – Closing Remarks By The Candidates

8:00-8:15 p.m. – Meet And Greet The Candidates SPONSORS

The Southwest Regional Democratic Organization Of Milwaukee County