Remembrances for Local Activist Doug Boone

I am sad to report that Doug Boone, local activist for Progressive Politics, the Peace Movement and the Democratic Party has passed away.

I am putting up this post at the request of his partner, Jane Spietz in case anyone that is unable to make the service would like to post some words.

Here is his obit:

Douglas R. Boone

Douglas R. Boone, 54, of Oshkosh died Thursday, May 17, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center.

He was born November 7, 1952 in Waupaca, a son of Douglas J. Boone and Beverly Mjelde Boone.

Doug was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam conflict as an Intelligence Officer. He was a past Commander and Life Member of our local Disabled American Veterans Post 17 and received awards for recruiting many new members.

Survivors include his mother Beverly Freiberg of Oshkosh; father Doug J. Boone of Oshkosh; brothers and sisters Cheri (Rick) Waters of Omro, Michael (Karin) Boone of Oshkosh, Susan (Steve) Brook of Royal Palm Beach, FL, Stacy (Steve) Schmid of Oshkosh, Tyler Tarr of Manhattan Beach, CA, and Thomas (Katie) Tarr of Edina, MN; special friend Jane Spietz of Oshkosh; nieces and nephews Wendy Peterson, Michael Waters, Kristy Waters, Melanie Boone, Maggie Boone, Jessica Voils, Nicholas Voils, John Prahl, Sommer Roux, James Schmid, and Christopher Tarr. Doug was preceded in death by his grandparents and step-father Wayne Tarr.

Doug was a tireless peace activist who single handedly collected thousands of signatures against the Iraq War. In addition to working to end the Iraq War, Doug was a champion of workers' rights, the environment, voting rights, and many other important causes. He was member of the Winnebago County Democratic Party. He was very involved in local, state and national politics and actively campaigned for countless political candidates. It will be difficult to imagine the Fox Valley activist community without Doug's presence.

Doug was the President of Georgia Gardens Condominium Association and was instrumental in beautifying the grounds and making many positive changes on behalf of the residents.

Doug also was a regular contributor to the Scene magazine and wrote numerous articles about musical events. Music was another great passion of his.

A special thank you to Dr. Peter Hannon and all of his staff at MMC Intensive Care Unit, especially nurses Stephanie, Margaret, Kelly, Karen H., Sue, Courtney, Elaine, Polly, Norm, Karen Z. and Hospital Chaplain Phil DeWitt. Special recognition to Dawn Auclair of MMC and the UW Madison Organ Procurement Team.

Funeral services for Doug will be held Tuesday May 22, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home-West, Rev. Rich Engle officiating. Family and friends may call at the Lake Pointe Dr. funeral home on Monday from 5-8 PM and again Tuesday from 10 AM until the service. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of following organizations: Christine Ann Center, Oshkosh Area Humane Society, Friends of the Oshkosh Public Library, Disabled American Veterans, or the Oshkosh Community Foundation.

"On Eagles Wings" And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine – like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand.

Doug, you will be forever missed by your family and friends, and we will see you again in Heaven.

Tax-Raising, Wisconsin Bashing, WMC tool named to the Wis GOP Exec Committee

According to this press release, Todd Lohenry has been appointed to help lead the Wis GOP.

I thought the name seemed familiar, so I checked the achives:

Lohenry of LoPresti Aviation blames Wisconsin's tax environment for jobs being lost (jobs that never existed - Xoff has the fishy story here):

Manitowoc County lost 300 high-paying manufacturing jobs when LoPresti Aviation, an airplane manufacturer, announced Wisconsin is out of the running for a new plant. The reason: high taxes and less-than-friendly business environment.

“There is a snowball’s chance in a Wisconsin summer of
it landing here,” LoPresti business development manager Todd Lohenry said.

Well, we can thank Lohenry for the rise in taxes - look here:

A grassroots campaign by the Yes Committee over the past three onths played a role in the YES vote for the Algoma referendum at the ballot boxes, according to Chair of the group Todd Lohenry. The referendum asked voters for permission to exceed the state-spending limit by $355,000 for the next five years. That will mean a bump in taxes for everyone living in the school district.

I'm ok with school referendums and educating our kids, but come on Todd,
you can't have it both ways...

So, someone who helps move potential WI jobs elsewhere by complaining about taxes, while he himself is raising taxes is leading the Republicans.

It seems 2008 gets easier all the time.

Tommy the T, National Punchline...

From today's MSNBC First Read:

..but tonight's Republican debate presents some intriguing storylines. Has Giuliani fixed his abortion problem, or will a new round of questions (on Roe, when life begins, and his past opposition to partial-birth abortion bans) surface? What happens if Romney turns in a second-straight solid performance? (His campaign has a couple of organizational tools to capitalize.) Will McCain engage his rivals more than he did two weeks ago? Will Brownback and Huckabee be more aggressive on social issues? And will Tommy Thompson have plenty of time to go to the bathroom before the debate?

Another Sign the Democratic Party is Ahead

Wispolitics reported on the WI GOP Convention this weekend. They report that the entire convention had 387 pre-registered and "an estimated 500 people at the convention."

That's at the entire convention, the most important organizing event of the year for them...

Last night, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin had our annual Founder's Day event. Al Franken was the featured speaker.

It was not an organizing convention, it was just 2 hours of speaches, snacks and conversation.

Almost 600 attended.

Bring on 2008!