Ronald Reagan Defines US Foreign Policy, It's Not The Same As The Trump Chaos!

 This recently appeared in a Today In History Column, way back on February 6th, 2025:

(in 1985) In his State of the Union address, President Ronald Reagan defined the mission of American foreign policy as to "nourish and defend freedom and democracy, and to communicate these ideals everywhere we can" The Reagan Doctrine, as it became known, went on to touch specifically on Cold War concerns: "We must not break faith with those who are risking their lives - on every continent, from Afghanistan to Nicaragua - to defy Soviet-supported aggression and secure rights which have been ours since birth."

Does that sound anything like the things coming out of the mouth of Trump, Vance, Hegsseth, or Rubio in 2025?

Could you imagine Trump confronting Putin along the lines of Reagan's famous speech including: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"?

Nope. Not gonna happen.

Where Did Donold Trump Attend Church Services This Morning?

 During his presidency and vice-presidency and time in the US Senate, Joe Biden was an avowed and apparently devout Catholic. And we often saw press photos of him going to or leaving a Catholic Church for Mass. 

Now, Donold Trump is the hero of the evangelical Christian milieu and often cites his own belief and support of Christianity. But except for national services held at the National Cathedral in Washington, there is never any mention or story or photo of Trump attending a service. And we don't even know what denomination he is. Is he a Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Anglican, Methodist, or ??

WWJD?

Note To State And Local Officials On Communicating Lost Federal Funds:

 This has been stolen from social media, but it makes a lot of sense in the current environment. As the Donold Trump/Elon Musk administration continues to cut funding and staff...it is going to have major impacts on the programs of state and local governments as that funding dries up. 

MAKE SURE YOU CLEARLY STATE THE REASON WHEN SHUTTING DOWN OR PUTTING A POPULAR LOCAL PROGRAM ON HIATUS WHEN THE CAUSE IS THE CUTS IN FEDERAL FUNDING. UNDER NO REASON SHOULD YOU TAKE THE HIT!!

 

RIP Blogging Blue and Thank You Capper and Cog Dis!

 

For many of you reading this you are certainly aware that back in the golden era of political blogs, Blogging Blue and Cognitive Dissidence were the big men on campus of the liberal Wisconsin political blogs. And like Cog Dis, Zach W, the founder of Blogging Blue asked a number of area pundits to join and contribute to the blog. He asked me in 2010 and I immediately leapt at the chance and eventually took on the role of publisher from 2017 through 2020 as well. I felt a bit overwhelmed at that point and handed the reins back to Zach. Something I kinda regret but...

Anyway, I continued as a contributor through the 2024 elections but then something odd happened. During the weekend of November 9/10 2024 the website crashed and crashed hard. I have never been told exactly what happened but I am suspecting a hack since the vendor said that the site couldn't be recovered. So sadly, we could never give the site a good send off and let our readers know what happened.

But Capper reached out to me recently and asked if I was still interested in writing about politics. I am! So I jumped at the chance to join Cognitive Dissidence. I still have a bit of burnout and I am not getting any younger...but I still have some things to share. I may not post as often as I did at BB and maybe not as in depth...take some pot shots instead of writing treatises...but I will share when the mood hits!

So thank you again Capper!!!  And thank you readers of Blogging Blue and Cog Dis who have supported me all of these years!

GOP: Don't Blame Us For What We Did To Education!

State Rep. Joel Kitchens gave this week's GOP propaganda, er, I mean, radio address, in which he laments about what the GOP has done to the state's education system:

I want to take a little bit of your time today to discuss the disappointing results released by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Assessment of Educational Progress test. This test is usually referred to as the “Nation’s Report Card.”

Fourth and Eighth graders are tested based on proficiency in math and reading. According to this study, only 31% of our fourth graders are proficient in reading. That’s down from both pre and post-pandemic test results. It’s not just reading scores that are troubling. Our fourth graders are only testing at a 42% proficiency in math.

Sadly, our eighth graders are not any better. It was reported that only 31% of eighth graders were proficient in reading and only 37% were proficient in math. Wisconsin has the largest gap in reading and math scores between Black and white students of any state in the United States. The scores are horrific for minority students. Our black students are ranked worst in the nation in 4th-grade reading and math. Only 8% can read and only 5% are proficient in math.

OMG! How did it get things get so badly when the GOP controlled the legislature for the past 15 years?   Where did we go so wrong?

The answer to those questions is just a matter of following the money. The Bradley Foundation, which is located right here in Milwaukee, is one of the biggest sources for dark money in the state and they have bought many politicians, almost all of them Republicans.  But the Bradley Foundation wasn't interested in just their tax cuts.

The Bradley Foundation has a long, long history of spending tens of millions and thousands of millions of dollars just in Wiscconsin just for the purpose of destroying education, especially public education and the teachers union. 

In an effort to do a reverse Robin Hood - robbing the poor and giving to the rich - the fascist oligarchs at the Bradley Foundation paid for a study called The Bell Curve, which came to the conclusion they wanted::

The Bell Curve's key educational policy recommendation dovetails with the Bradley Foundation's top education priority: support for school choice, including public funds for private and religious schools. This bolsters the case of those who argue that despite the rhetoric of choice, many voucher advocates have abandoned the vision of a quality education for all children. Says Robert Lowe, associate professor at National Louis University and an editor of the journal Rethinking Schools: The Bell Curve is a smoking gun. It maintains that the poor—including the majority of African Americans—are generally incapable of benefiting from education....

So, there you have it.

The Bradley Foundation pours money into the campaign coffers of the Republicans.  In returrn, the Republicans dutifuly and systematically destroy public education and push privatized education, from which members of the Bradley Foundation profit greatly.

And for those poor kids who get the cold shoulder from this privatized education system, well someone's gotta keep those privatized prisons full, amirite?

At the end of Kitchen's propaganda spiel, he begs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to just focus on fixing the damage the Republicans have done on the behalf of the Bradley Foundation and others like them, and to stop holding them accountable.

No wonder the GOP is so deadset against teaching history.  They always end up being held accountable.

One Door Closed, Another Door Opens

 At the end of last year, sad news hit the Cheddarsphere with the demise of Blogging Blue:

Sadly, with Blogging Blue's end also meant another voice lost, just when we need as many voices as we can get to fight the tyranny in Washington, D.C. as well as prevent the tyranny from returning to Wisconsin.  

After seeing the news, I reached out to Ed Heinzelman, who was the chief cook and bottle washer over at Blogging Blue.  I am pleased to announce that Ed's voice won't be lost after all as that he has agreed to add it to this here blog, along with little old me.

Now, if only I can get the rest of the gang back together too...  

Paging folkbum, Illy-T and grumps.  It's time to get back to work.

Channel 58 Fires Meteorologist For Being A Good American

The United States has a long history of opposing fascism.  Our country was founded by people looking for freedom of religion.  We had a bloody civil war to end slavery.  We fought in WWII to stop the Nazis because they were killing Jews, homosexuals and anyone else that didn't meet their approval. That is why we call the brave people that fought against the Nazis The Greatest Generation.

But this country has now lost its way.

Last week, during the Orange Felon's inauguration (note to MAGA - it was an inauguration, not a coronation), his puppet master, Elmo Musty, deccided to do a Nazi salute, not just once, but twice.  And yes, it was a Nazi salute.  To make sure everyone knew that he was a fascist pig, Elmo then went on to crack jokes about the Holocaust and spoke to a neo-Nazi party in Germany, telling them to let go of past guilt for killing millions of people.  

Like millions of other Americans, CBS58's then meteorologist Sam Kuffel, expressed her outrage on her private social media account on Instagram.  That is what true Americans do.  It's what our parents, grandparents and great grandparents would have done.

But like I said, the country has lost its way.

Right wing squawkere Danny Boy O'Donnell got wind of Kuffel's posts, and being the Nazi collaborator that he is, squealed like a pig about it, calling her posts "vulgar" and "lies."  If O'Donnell was alive in Nazi Germany, he would have been the guy who ratted out Anne Frank.

O'Donnell and his other Nazi sympathizers raised such a stink that CBS58 removed their own spine and fired Kuffel.

Yes, you read that right.  Kuffel was fired for condemning a Nazi salute.  

Apparently, CBS 58's news director, Jessie Garcia felt that their ratings were too high or something.  

From what I've seen on the various social media platforms, Garcia might have her wish come true.  Thousands of people have been barraging the "news" station with angry emails and phone calls.  And a lot of people have said that they are done with CBS "news" and maybe even the station entirely.  

When people can get elected besides being a convicted felon and an adjudicated rapist but get critized for a Nazi gesture, well, our grandparents and great grandparents that fought in WWII must be rolling in their graves right now.  

If we allow this to continue, we will become known as the Least Generation.

ADDENDUM: This is O'Donnell showing his white supremacy for the world to see:

Welcome To 2025

 I don't think that anyone could come up with  anything more symbolic for the new year than this:

Buckle up. It's gonna be a bumpy ride.

Christmas Came Early For Wisconsin Workers!

 

Dane County Cirguit Court Judge Jacob Frost confirmed what we all knew for the past 13 years - that Scott Walker's self-proclaimed legacy, Act 10, was indeed illegal and unconstitutional.  Furthermore, Frost proclaimed that the law is so broken, there's no way it can be fixed:

“Nobody could provide this Court an explanation that reasonably showed why municipal police and fire and State Troopers are considered public safety employees, but Capitol Police, UW Police and conservation wardens, who have the same authority and do the same work, are not," Frost wrote in his July ruling. "Thus, Capitol Police, UW Police, and conservation wardens are treated unequally with no rational basis for that difference."

In his Monday ruling, Frost determined that more than 60 sections of Act 10 are no longer enforceable — as well as several sections of Act 55, a 2015 follow-up to Act 10, which the plaintiffs in the 2023 lawsuit also allege violate the state Constitution by treating certain public sector employees differently. 

“Act 10 as written by the Legislature specifically and narrowly defines ‘public safety employee.’ It is that definition which is unconstitutional,” Frost wrote. 

Many of the sections struck down by Frost pertain to setting wage increases for municipal employees and bargaining power of such employees. 

Even though the ruling does give public sector unions the right to get back to the negotiating table, they are in no hurry to do so, knowing that the Republicans can't give up without a fight dare they lose their checks from the dark money groups like the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the Bradley Foundation.  

Robin Vos had said as much:

Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos promised as much in a statement Monday afternoon criticizing the judge's ruling.

“This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges. Act 10 has saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $16 billion. We look forward to presenting our arguments on appeal," Vos said.

No appeal has yet been filed.

The law has withstood a number of legal challenges in the past, including in 2014 when the then-conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit that sought to paint Act 10 as unconstitutional. 

I can't wait to see his face when he is reminded that the Wisconsin Supreme Court now serves the Constitution and the people again and not the dark moneyed special interests.  

Meanwhile, let's collect as many of the right winger tears as we can.  They make an excellent mixer in brandy old fashions or whatever your favorite drink might be. 

Wisconsin Lost One Of The Great Ones

 

Former State Rep. Amanda Stuck, Alderman Jonathan Brostoff and Bandit

I am sure all of you has already heard the news that Milwaukee Alderman Jonathan Brostoff was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday.  It will be a loss for not only the city but for the entire state and will be felt for a long, long time to come.

I first met Jonathan we were both working for Milwaukee County.  He was an aide to then County Supervisor Chris Larson and I was a social worker, union thug and still-wet-behind-the-ears blogger. You could tell that he was a mensch then. This impression only grew stronger as he became a state representative for the Milwaukee hip East Side.  Eventually, with a family, including his wife Diane and four young children, he ran for and became a city alderman so that he could be home more.

Everything about Jonathan proved that he was a true mensch. He was well-informed but never judgmental. He was passionate and compassionate.  He would never hesitate to get his hands dirty or do the right thing, even if he got his head bloodied doing it.

Throughout his time, Jonathan was always a good friend of Labor.  He was always seen marching in the Labor Day parade and enjoying Laborfest afterwards. And with Jonathan, it was never just about a photo op, shaking hands or kissing babies.  He was ready to fight the good fight, regarless of what level of government and he walked more than a few picket lines, even when he wasn't up for reelection.

Not only was Jonhathan a passionate man and a highly intelligent man, but he had a wicked sense of humor that helped him get his point across and was absolutely fearless.  This is well demonstrated from a time when he was in  the state legislature:

Jonathan had earned the wrath of then President Trump, but Jonathan never flinched and dished it out as much as he took in.

But most of all, Jonathan was a true friend to so many people.  I have benefitted from his friendship and I have seen him in action, helping lifting people from all walks of life.  He was especially involved with helping people with mental health issues as well as meeting the needs of people who were deaf.  

Like I said, he was a true mensch and will be sorely missed by many for a long time to come.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for his memorial and to help support his wife and four young children.  If you are able, please help them.  They have enough to deal with right now.

You Know What To Do

 

I voted early, but I did vote no on the Republican dog whistle referendum and yes on the local school districct referendums.

I also vote for Angelito Tenorio for AD14 and to send Tammy Baldwin to the US Senate.

And I voted against the Orange Felon because to do otherwise would be unconscionable.

Now get out there and vote!

Endorsement: Ryan Clancy For Assembly

Wisconsin Assembly District 19 has one of the most contentious primaries on a state level.  The contest is between the incumbant Ryan Clancy and his challenger Jarrod Anderson.  While it is contentious, it is also one of the pettiest and silliest primaries too.

The sole reason that there is even a primary in this district is because Clancy is not a "go along to get along" kind of guy.  He is the kind of guy who won't compromise himself, his principles or his constituents.  

Clancy has stepped on some toes and that has hurt some people's fee fees.  They got all bent out of shape when he pointed out that police brutality is still a problem in this country.  

Other people got their undies in a bundle when he condemned the violence against Israel on October 7th, but then had the audacity to point out that that war has been going on for a lot longer than last October.  To make it even worse, he then called for a ceasefire! Oh, the humanity! How dare he want a peaceful resolution!

It's been reported that this has become a ridiculously costly primary even though the two candidates are very similar on their political stances.  

However, there are some key differences between the two candidates.

Clancy believes in democracy.  Anderson can't be bothered to vote.  

Clancy is a Wisconsinite. Anderson is a carpetbagger.

Clancy stands firm on the issues important to his constituents.  Anderson is already flip-flopping and has stated a willing to sell out his constituents if elected.

I strongly urge the voters of Assembly District 19 to make the proper choice and stand up with Ryan Clancy, because he sure as hell will stand with you.

Learn more about Clancy at his website.

Endorsement: Kieso For State Assembly

Thanks to the State Supreme Court doing away with some of the gerrymandering in this state, it is exciting times for many Wisconsin voters.  I have the pleasure of having three Democrats to choose from in Tuesday's primary election for the 14th Assembly District.  The three candidates are Nate Kieso, Angelito Tenorio and Brady Coulthard.

As the reader could have picked up by the title, I am supporting Kieso.  Let me explain why.  Like I did before I retired, Kieso is a social worker in Milwaukee County.  The only difference is that while I worked for Milwaukee County, Kieso works for a private agency.  But the work is the same and so I know that Kieso has to be a kind and compassionate man.

Also, Kieso is a member of AFSCME.  I am also a member in good standing for 29 years.  Kieso is also a member of the executive board of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, as I was for a number of years. For obvious reasons, Kieso has earned the endorsement of most of the major unions.  That tells me that his priorities match up with mine. 

And sure enough, according to his website, he is all for affordable and sufficient healthcare for all, for public education, a sustainable infrastructure and, of course, worker's rights.  

I have also had the opportunity to meet Tenorio when he knocked on our door while canvassing.  Tenorio has a solid background, as well, having been a teacher, a veteran and a former city alderman.  His priorities are similar to Kieso's. 

While Kieso gets the edge by the virtue of being a union brother and of our common experiences, if Tenorio would happen to win the primary, I would gladly support him in November.

Coulthard has struck me as a bit of a disappointment.  While he touts being pro-labor, it appears that is solely because he was on the Labor Caucus of the Democratic Party.  In other words, he is a politician but not union, per se.  He has also been misleading by showing a picture of him standing with CWA members, giving the impression that he was endorsed by them, which he admitted was not the case.  

Home Of Future Ice Cream Shop To Open On Milwaukee's South Side.

 

I found this in my email inbox yesterday:

Click on image to embiggen

While the Republicans are calling it their "new" Hispanic outreach office, it's not their first.  They had another one that they quickly abandoned after Felon Trump lost in 2020, where it sat vacant until earlier this year when it was announced it would become an ice cream shop.

That sounds like a good motto, though. More ice cream, less Republicans.

RoJo: The Teleprompter Set Me Up!

 After Felon Trump got his ear nicked on Saturday, the Republicans decided to make the theme of their national convention unity.  You know, regular kumbaya stuff.  Of course, unity and peace are such foreign concepts to the Republicans that you just knew that they wouldn't be able to pull it off.

And sure enough, on Monday night, Senator Ron Johnson, our dumb senator, blew it immediately when he gave his hate speech attacking Democrats and the LGBTQ+ community:

When asked about what happened to the unity, RoJo immediately blamed it on the teleprompter:

NEWS: I asked Wisc @SenRonJohnson about him calling Democratic policies a "clear and present danger to the country" while calling for unity - he says speech he just delivered at RNC was not the one he intended to give, that prompter loaded old version, new one called for unity

— amna (@IAmAmnaNawaz) July 16, 2024

He then doubled down on the lie by saying that someone didn't enter the revisions he made to his speech, thereby confirming he originally wanted to give the hate speech:

 

I wonder if RoJo would also blame his teleprompter for the op ed he wrote, which was published Monday morning, in which he not only blames Democrats and the LGBTQ+ community, but also displays his racism and anti-Semitism for good measure:

Make no mistake, the current Democratic Party bears little resemblance to that of my parents and grandparents. The Democratic Party of yesteryear cared about workers and people struggling to get by. Today’s progressive Democrats divide our nation with open borders, identity politics, critical race theory, transgenderism, and the sexualization and indoctrination of our children. Their massive growth of government with all the deficit spending it requires, combined with their insane war on fossil fuels, has put achieving the American Dream out of reach for too many of our fellow citizens.

[...]

Unfortunately, Milwaukee suffers from many of the problems experienced by other large cities that have been governed by progressive Democrats for decades. George Soros-backed radical left District Attorneys refuse to prosecute crime, which only encourages more crime, endangers citizens, and causes businesses to shut down, resulting in economic blight. Public schools are failing inner city children, denying them the education and skills they will need to lead successful lives. Even worse, instead of focusing on education, radical leftist teacher unions ensure our children are indoctrinated with their divisive ideologies of class and social warfare. 

The progressive Democrats’ open border policies will only exacerbate big city crime and education problems. Resources that could otherwise be used to address those issues will be diverted to deal with the illegal immigrants flooding into Democrat-run sanctuary cities. Human, sex, and drug trafficking facilitated by the progressive Democrats’ open border will plague our society far into the future. Foreign terrorists and members of some of the most brutal gangs from around the world have taken advantage of the porous border. America will be the recipient of Venezuela’s emptied jails and mental institutions. 

RoJo is simply incapable of unity.  All he can do is hate anyone and everyone who is not a white, conservative, filthy rich man. Which is also most of the GOP when you think about it.