Cheap laughs

In his annual Cheap Shots, news editor Bill Lueders calls Madison Mayor Paul Soglin the Civil Unlibertarian of the Year for urging landlords to evict tenants suspected of dealing drugs for violating zoning laws against commercial activity. Tavern League of Wisconsin executive director Steven Brist wins Understatement of the Year for observing, in response to federal money-laundering charges filed against the league, "Anytime this happens to an organization, it doesn't help." And WTDY provocateur Mark Belling is the Most Unmissed Personality after "taking his acerbic wit and craving for contrariness to Milwaukee." All survive their pummeling: Soglin is now a consultant and blogger, Brist an assistant attorney with the city of Madison, Belling an afternoon drive-time host for WISN-AM in Milwaukee.