Blaska's Blog is written by "a Republican operative and a conservative commentator who bellows anti-liberal rhetoric on the Internet and talk radio at the drop of a hat. He pushes for violent solutions over peaceful ones in matters both foreign and domestic. Blaska doesn't just accept the label of divisive, he revels in it."
- Jason Joyce
Got that right.
What can I say about the recurrence of violence in my environs here on the southwest side except that maybe President Obama could spare some of the Afghan surge of 30,000 extra soldiers for these parts.
I confess to supporting both the Iraq and Afghan surges and Ald. Thuy's surge of 30 extra cops in Madison last year. Is that what is meant by "pushing for violent solutions over peaceful ones in matters both foreign and domestic?"
I admit to advocating that adults should confiscated the basketballs of youngsters who are polluting the air and destroying neighborhood comity with foul mouths - something that any good father would do if he cares about his children or those of his neighbors.
Those children will live and be the better for such parenting, even if it is parenting by neighbor. Because it shows caring - concern for the future instead of acquiescence to immaturity.
Do I feel personally threatened by any of the recent murders - now four last night in addition to three attempted murders a week ago? Sure. Here's why: even if each of the precipitating incidents were individual in nature they reflect the worst kind of personality trait: the narcissistic need for immediate self-gratification, the inability to empathize or to respect the integrity of others - not even, for God's sake, children as young as 2 and 3 years old!
If they can kill their own children, they sure as hell won't stop at killing me if I deny them their want of the moment.
We can also consider the lout who wakes up horny, gets pissed off when the woman in bed with him won't put out, and shoots her and their two children, ages 7 and 8, one in the face and the other in the back of the head. [Madison Police report for the November 28 incident]
This was at Loreen and Hammersley, where I walked the streets with neigborhood officer Mike Hanson, now a police sergeant.
Park Ridge and Loreen abut, on the west and south, respectively, the Greentree neighborhood. Greentree is much more upscale and, therefore, prize pickins for the takers.
Around a dozen break-ins have occurred in the past couple of weeks in an area generally bordered by Hammersley Road, Schroeder Road, Whitney Way, and Gammon Road.
'There can be no excuse'
I am going to defer today to a fellow blogger who deserves his props as a card-carrying member of the Democrat(ic) party who, presumably, does not bellow and who is not, presumably, "divisive" - or, if he is, at least does not revel in it
Greg Humphrey/Deke Rivers offers a thoughtful take on Thursday night's slaying of two mothers and their babies, one set of which was found dead in the Park Ridge neighborhood here on the southwest side.
We read about the latest reports that show poverty plays a role in some truly awful behavior. And yet ... I think of the young victims being 2-3 years old, the 'psychobabble' that often passes for reasoned discourse just does not wash with me. ... In the end there can be no excuse, no logic, no rational motive, no need to search for deeper mysteries about the killer's supposedly troubled childhood or anguishing life as an adult, two often cited sources of trying to explain deplorable behavior.
I would like to feel more 'enlightened' tonight about how we need to strive to find the lost among us in society and bring them in off the edge of the cliff, but after all the money we spend on countless programs at every level I am not sure we are winning the battle.
... as I get older and more seasoned it appears to me that the problems are larger, the numbers of people in need ever-increasing, and the ability of programs to make a true difference (is) limited for a variety of reasons... But tonight I am thinking even without such help how can anyone become an adult and turn a gun on a young child and fire? [Caffeinated Politics: Four Madison Murders, What is Happening to Us?]
"The ability of programs to make a true difference (is) limited for a variety of reasons." Thanks, Greg. But get ready to be called "divisive."
How many more programs do we need to pour onto the fire or - could it be - we have too many damn "programs" but do not demand enough accountability?
Now let me repeat a few things that you've read before:
- Poverty does NOT cause crime. It is the other way around: crime causes poverty.
- Giveaway programs encourage the something-for-nothing mentality that demeans the taker.
- In most cases, "victims" are self-created.
- Madison overflows with opportunity; there's no need for excuses.
No job? Grab a shovel and start shoveling. It's snowing. Contribute. Be a giver, not a taker.
(Q. What did you get for Christmas? A. My daddy shot me in the face.)
Unethical ethics code
Madame Brenda asks whether Mark Clear has violated the city's ethics code:
While discussing the small business bus pass program at the Board of Estimates, Clear had this to say:
As a quick comment, as one of those companies that is ready to sign, I am very excited about this, and I think its a great program and I'm looking forward to being on of the first to participate.
Yet, Brenda herself received city taxpayer dollars for her renters' advocacy organization. No violation there.
Brenda has been hanging that "No business person need apply" sign at city hall for years. Only taxpayer-supported advocacy groups need apply.
RTA appointees
Isthmus' Joe Tarr breaks the story on the county exec's and the various mayors' appointees to the RTA (Regional Transit Authority). Still to make appointments: the governor (2) and the villages (1).
My take is that of the six named, at least four are outright liberals. Richard Wagner, former county board chairman, was a lock. Kristine Euclide was a former aide to The Kathleen, who appointed her. Steve Hiniker is Mayor Dave's successor at 1,001 Friends of Wisconsin, an enviro group. But he is topped by the Fitchburg appointee, Kimberly Warkentin, Wisconsin director of America Votes, which describes itself as:
a permanent progressive campaign infrastructure.
Indeed, the Wisconsin chapter is infested with the likes of AFSCME, the teachers union, Emily's List, Fair Wisconsin, MovOn.org, the pro-abortion lobby, Sierra Club, and the SEIU thugs.
Today's chuckle
Q. When did Elin begin to suspect Tiger of cheating on her?
A. It was when he began to take the ball washer with him every time he left town.
Tiger Woods is so rich that he owns lots of expensive cars. Now he has a hole in one.
What's the difference between a car and a golf ball? Tiger can drive a ball 400 yards.
Tiger Woods wasn't seriously injured in the crash, but he's still below par.
What were Tiger Woods and his wife doing out at 2.30 in the morning? They went clubbing.
Tiger Woods crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree. He couldn't decide between a wood and an iron.
Ping just offered Elin Woods an endorsement contract pushing her own set of drivers. They said to named Elin Woods..."clubs you can beat Tiger with."
Tiger just changed his nickname but still kept it in the cat family. His new name? Cheetah
Since Tiger drives an Escalade, can he blame the accident on his caddy?
Platinum Subscriber bonus material:
- Story I had to read: A former Miss Argentina died while having plastic surgery to sculpt her buttocks. Stanley Crouch on why white women are suddenly seeking big behinds. [The Daily Beast: I Want a Big Butt]
- Patrick McIlerhan of the Milwaukee J-S: You'll pay for the means of coercing you.
- Hey kids, add this RSS to your daily newsreader: http://www.isthmus.com/daily/rss_blaska.php
