A look back at the people and events that made news the past week. Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of This Just In...
HEROES OF THE WEEK
The young person who delivered my newspaper very early this morning and will do it again tomorrow. The snow plow drivers. The postal delivery people. Anyone who has to work outside so they can make things easier for us.
And former Summerfest Director Bo Black, valiantly fighting for her life. Black did so much for this community. Hang in there, Bo. We're all praying for you.
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
State Senate Democrats.
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats voted down a move by Senate Republicans to bring the constitutional amendment to ban the Frankenstein veto to the Senate floor for a vote. Tuesday was the last day for the Senate to take action to ensure the amendment to go to a statewide referendum April 3. Despite bipartisan support in the Legislature, strong support from the public, and numerous editorials statewide in favor of the amendment, Senate Democrats (some of who voted for the amendment last session) voted unanimously not to bring the measure to the Senate floor for consideration. That means Governor Doyle can use the Frankenstein veto in the next budget to play all kinds of games with your tax money.
Senate Democrats also say they will refuse to take up legislation to do away with the extremely generous sick leave perk enjoyed by lawmakers.
Over in the Assembly, State Representative Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids) objected just before the Assembly was to take a final vote on the sick leave measure, delaying action until the Assembly meets again on March 1. Schneider, who is usually quite the windbag (they call him Snarlin' Marlin at the capitol) wouldn't say why he had objected to a final vote, although he has been a vocal opponent of efforts to end the sick leave benefit. Could this be why Marlin wasn't Snarlin' this time: Schneider has more than $110,000 worth of sick leave accumulated.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
Over-rated!
The crowd at Michigan State as the Spartans upset the #1-ranked Wisconsin Badgers.
I never said that. I am for a full ban in the state.
Governor Jim Doyle, flip-flopping on an earlier statement that he would consider exempting taverns from his proposed statewide ban on smoking.
I don't understand money. I really don't like money.
Wisconsin Public Radio talk show host and my co-panelist on Milwaukee public Television's INTERchange and ultra-liberal Kathleen Dunn, defending Jim Doyle's avalanche of tax and fee increases in his budget, including the tax on oil companies. Even though she's been a friend for years, I can't defend Kathleen's open mouth-insert foot episode on our weekly TV show. When Kathleen uttered her phrase, you can hear yours truly in the background replying, "That's obvious."
"It's all in Spanish and I don't understand a word of it. I only bought it for the hot chicks."
Oconomowoc's Bret Stieghorst, who was watching an adult DVD in Spanish called "Casa de Culo" in his apartment when a neighbor broke down his door, carrying a sword, claiming he did so because thought a woman was being raped.
"No way, I'm a man and I'm a normal person. But I think I will get some good headphones, maybe some wireless ones.
The above-mentioned Stieghorst, when asked if this entire debacle would change his video viewing habits.
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK
It's a tie between this and this.
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
The decision by Senate Democrats on Tuesday to remove from the calendar a bill authored by Senate President Fred Risser (D-Madison) to allow certain 17-year olds to vote.
How embarrassing! The party in power (in this case, the Senate Democrats) only schedules bills that are assured to have the desired outcome (in this case, approval). The Democrats who have the majority refused to take action on Risser's bill and sent it back to a Senate Committee.
It was the first major bill proposed by a Senate Democrat to be considered by the Senate this session, and the Senate Democrats had to scratch it from the calendar because they didn't have enough Democrat votes to support one of their own members.
Why no press coverage? Would the Capitol press corps pick on grandfatherly Fred Risser? No chance.
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
1) Anna Nicole Smith
2) Bald Britney
3) The Oscars
Take your pick.
STRANGEST STORY OF THE WEEK
That's easy.
THE VOTE IS NO APRIL 3
