- jef4wi -

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/event.php?eid=118301592309&ref=ts

Authorized and Paid for by the Winnebago County Democratic Party – Jef Hall, Chair

8.25.2009

Tony Talks Poverty... Again...

At the Oshkosh Common Council meeting tonight, Councilor Tony Palmeri went off on a rant about the problems of poverty in Oshkosh. He declared the money for the Grand repairs would be much better spent helping people in poverty rather than supporting the Grand... and then voted to deny this money to people in poverty by spending the money on the Grand.

Now, I am as dedicated to poverty reduction as any elected official (and if anyone would like to discuss my record, I am open). But Palmeri, in his 2.5 years as an elected Oshkosh Common Council Member has done little or nothing to reduce poverty in Oshkosh.

Because Mr. Palmeri is very good at self-promotion, let's look at his major tool for this to evaluate his record: www.talktotony.blogspot.com (the link takes you to a Google search of his blog for the word 'Poverty').

You will find that he has 10 results about poverty on his blog. Tony was first elected in 4/2007. Of these 10, 6 are from before he was elected. Including:

In this post, he calls for the creation of a blue-ribbon panel on poverty consisting of former mayors (mind you, he would not be part of this panel) as a campaign promise.

In this post, he calls for "a jobs summit and/or create an Economic Development Commission to come up with real strategies for maintaining, attracting, and creating family supporting jobs in the community" - another opportunity for talking (but not doing anything) about poverty.

In this post he calls for "a living wage ordinance for the city of Oshkosh" - an item he has had 2.5 ears as a council member to introduce, but has not.

In the posts since his election, he has recorded:

A move by then Mayor Frank Tower (not Palmeri) to create a commission.

A post featuring a Kennedy quote.

A post comparing the war on Drugs with the War on Poverty.

A post complaining how the new ambulance rates will hurt the poor (he voted for it):

We approved new ambulance rates (I was part of the 6-1 majority), but we completely dropped any discussion of how increased rates affect those least able to pay. We gave lip service to that topic at the August workshop, and it did turn out to be just that: lip service. The painful reality is that this council or city government in general does not have in place any coherent anti-poverty program, nor do we seem particularly interested in developing one. We are all responsible for that; I am not trying to blame anyone.

Once again, Mr. Palmeri complained about the neglect of the poor, while continuing to neglect them.

Here is the rub. As a member of the Oshkosh Common Council, he has the opportunity to introduce any resolution at any meeting. The way I see it, he has been in office 52 months, and at 2 meetings a month, that is 104 opportunities to do something on this issue squandered.

Tonight, Mr. Palmeri called once again for more than lip service for Oshkosh's residents in poverty. I hope this time he actually means it.

His record does not look promising.

Health Care Reform Rally, Corn Roast, Stand by the Grand, Labor Day - Lots of Opportunities to Get Involved!

Hello Members and Friends of the Winnebago County Democratic Party!

There are several events over the next 2 weeks that you might like to get involved with:

1. Stand by the Grand!

The Oshkosh Common Council will be voting on repairs to the Grand Opera House at their meeting today Tuesday, August 25th. We need to show our support! Please gather with me in the City Hall parking lot before the meeting and show our Council members how much the people of Oshkosh value their Grand! Let's line the sidewalk with people who know the Grand must continue in our community!

The meeting starts at 5:15, please be there by 4:15!

2. Health Care rally in Green Bay

This Wednesday, August 26th, at 6:00 pm. there will be a major rally in Green Bay to support health care reform!! Send Rep. Steve Kagen back to Washington to fight for health care reform that will provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

The rally will be held at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay Phoenix Room. Join us to show America that people from Wisconsin are fair minded, caring people who want EVERYONE to have affordable health care!

3. Winnebago Dems Corn Roast

Great Corn, Great Politics, Great People!

The Corn Roast will be August 29th, from 1-4PM. Once again, it will be held at Winnebago County Park in Shelterhouse 1. Speakers will include Assembly Majority Leader Tom Nelson, Rep Gordon Hintz, Rep Penny Bernard-Schaber and County Executive Mark Harris as well as other invited speakers.

$5 will once again get you a couple of hot dogs and all the corn on the cob you can eat.

4. Labor Day Events in Winnebago County

We will again show our support for labor by marching in the Menasha-Neenah Labor Day Parade Monday, September 7^th. Please meet at Germania Hall – 320 Chute St, Menasha at 9:15 AM for a 10:00 AM Parade start.

After the parade we will spend time at both the Neenah and Oshkosh Labor Day picnics.

Neenah Labor Day Picnic: 157 S Green Bay Rd, Neenah

Oshkosh Labor Day Picnic and Car Show: South Park, Oshkosh

To join both the Democratic Party of WI & your local Winnebago County party, go here: http://www.wisdems.org/membership_sign-up.asp

As always, contact me anytime with questions,

-jef-

Jef Hall

Chair, Winnebago County Democratic Party

2nd Vice Chair, Democratic Party of WI

112 E Irving Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901

920.203.6883

OshNW: Editorial: Harris clearly best choice for county executive

Authorized and Paid for by the Winnebago County Democratic Party – Jef Hall, Chair

8.14.2009

More on Palmeri and the Grand

Some quotes from his blog:

1. In reference to budget deliberations:

Deputy Mayor Bain submitted a CIP amendment: Grand Opera House Sprinkler Project. Motion to have the City fully fund the Grand Opera House sprinkler project. Rationale: The city owns the project, and I feel it is our obligation for maintenance and upkeep, and the sprinkler project certainly falls into that category. The Foundation Board should be focused on their projects to enhance the facility. Benefit - The experience that the citizens and patrons have when visiting the building.

2. Discussing a performance he was in to help raise private money for childrens programs at the Grand:

So thanks again to Joe Ferlo and the Grand Opera House, two Oshkosh treasures.

Tony, what changed? I'm sure most of the people who voted for you did not do so thinking you would say the Grand is "dead on arrival" (his exact quote below):

Contact Mr. Palmeri and remind him why the Grand was important to him, and why it is to you!

tpalmeri@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
(920) 235-1116

8.13.2009

Mr. Palmeri is off base - Preserve the Grand

Mr. Palmeri is quoted in the OshNW today:

Palmeri said this was the time for community groups to “walk the walk.” “If we don’t get meaningful private participation on this, we can only talk the talk on public-private partnerships,” he said. “Everybody wants to see the building saved, but I do think now would be the time for people to step up to the plate and show what they can contribute.”

Since he is a private citizen and wants to see the building saved, I look forward to him walking the walk as well.

What Mr.'s Palmeri and Esslinger (read the article, he is also calling for private donations) fail to realize is that the preservation of these historic buildings is the responsibility of govt. Even more in lean times when private fundraising is more difficult.

As Mr. Palmeri wrote on his blog during the water tower debate:
My interest in this issue is not rooted in some nostalgia for history or historic structures. Rather, I believe that it's time to start actively developing the "Historic Oshkosh" brand. Other cities have done this with great success.
How can we brand ourselves as "Historic Oshkosh" if we allow Wisconsin's oldest operating theater building to close and rot?

If the private sector, which already funds the Grand to the tune of $500,000+ per year, cannot raise the funds, it is the city's job to foster the city's image and encourage tourism and business development.

Let's see some consistency... Preserve the Grand.

6.16.2009

Limbaugh Argument Against National Healthcare: Private Healthcare Takes Care of Dogs Just Fine....

He says "it works" because "It depends on your ability to pay."

And describes swank animal hospitals and dog kennels.

Hey Rush, what do you do to a dog when you can't afford to pay for their care?

Are you advocating for putting the sick poor to sleep?

6.12.2009

New Oshkosh leaders group to hold community meeting on state budget impact

New Oshkosh leaders group to hold community meeting on state budget impact

Citizens for a Strong Oshkosh (CSO) will hold a public meeting on June 15 to examine the proposed state budget and how it will affect the Oshkosh community. The meeting will take place Monday at 6:00 pm at the Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 North Main St, Oshkosh.

Diverse community leaders formed CSO to preserve quality services and infrastructure that Oshkosh residents rely on every day. CSO includes business owners and union leaders, elected officials from all branches of local government and interested citizens. Although members have different roles in the community and reflect different political persuasions, all care deeply about Oshkosh. Steering committee members include John Nichols, Frank Tower, Mark Harris, Tom McDermott, Steve Hintz, Jessica King, Paulette Feld, Dennis Schwab, Kathleen Propp, Joan Wade, Ashley Hesse, Sean Fitzgerald, Vue Thao, Tom Willadsen, and Steven Powers.

CSO has been looking at the large role that state revenue decisions play in our community. The budget proposed by the Governor and amended by the Joint Finance Committee is being debated now by the entire legislature in Madison.

According to Mark Harris, Winnebago County Executive, “At this community meeting, we will discuss the growing state budget deficit and how it may affect Oshkosh. We want to inform and involve citizens so state legislators hear their opinions before the budget is finalized. The decisions our state legislators make may raise our property taxes and jeopardize local services for years to come.”

CSO has met at least monthly since November to discuss the role that state revenue and decisions play in local public structures from law enforcement to schools to human services and economic development. They have been studying reforms at the state level that could make Oshkosh stronger.

Interested members of the community are encouraged to attend the meeting on June 15 at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Call 231-4770 for more information.

6.11.2009

The Myth of Canadians Flocking to the US for Healthcare:

Phantoms in the Snow...

U.S. ambulatory facilities survey. Almost 40 percent of the facilities we surveyed reported treating no Canadians, while an additional 40 percent had seen fewer than ten patients (Exhibit 1Go). Fifteen percent of respondent sites reported treating 10–25 Canadian patients, and only about 5 percent reported seeing more than 25 during the previous year (generally 25–75 patients; none reported more than 100). These findings were fairly consistent across the service categories. The overall response rate was 67 percent, and it varied across type of clinical facility from 56 percent for ambulatory surgery centers to 80 percent for cancer centers.

If we extrapolate these findings (assuming that nonrespondents show a pattern similar to that of respondents), these facilities in the three large metropolitan areas combined saw approximately 640 Canadian patients for diagnostic radiology services such as computed tomography (CT) scans or MRI and 270 patients for eye procedures such as cataract surgery over a one-year period. By comparison, the annual volume for CT scans and cataract extractions averaged about 80,000 and 25,000 procedures, respectively, in British Columbia alone during the mid-1990s.9 In Quebec the annual volume during the same period for CT scans and MRI averaged 375,000 procedures and 44,000 procedures, respectively

Wisconsinites Want Healthcare Reform

From an AARP survey:

49 percent say the state's health care system has major problems, and 13 percent say it is in a state of crisis
76 percent consider it important for the state to reduce the number of residents without health care coverage and 84 percent feel it should make health care more affordable for all
82 percent agree that all Wisconsinites should have access to the same basic health care coverage, and 76 percent agree that everyone should contribute to the health care system
56 percent say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supported health care coverage for all Wisconsin residents

6.07.2009

Will the Newest Council Members Decide the Main St Parking Lot Issue?

The Oshkosh Common Council will decide on Tuesday whether to support local small business on Main St or to delay/cancel a previously approved parking lot redesign project.

And, in a show of how elections matter, it will be the 2 newest members of the council who will make the decision.

Severl current council members have come out on this issue. Mayor Esslinger is against it, as is Councilor McHugh. Councilor Palmeri has previously proposed to have this project delayed.

I would assume from previous votes in favor of the project that Councilors King and Tower are in support.

That puts the vote at 3 against the lot & 2 in favor of the lot. Either of the 2 newest councilors, Buccholz or Poeschl can kill the lot.

Elections matter.

5.31.2009

What did the kid in the green hat say...?

Courtesy of the Chie f:

Life Imitates Art
Or rather, South Park imitates Oshkosh city council meetings.

5.28.2009

Palmeri on Open Meetings - Updated

In a 2001 letter to Former DA Joe Paulus, Councilor Tony Palmeri quoted directly the statue he violated:

Wisconsin Statutes 19.83 say that "At any meeting of a governmental body, all discussion shall be held and all action of any kind, formal or informal, shall be initiated, deliberated upon and acted upon only in open session except as provided in s. 19.85."

So he can not please ignorance.

Original post below:

Perhaps the most disturbing part of this whole episode is how Mr. Palmeri has gone against his history of open meeting advocacy when an issue affected him. here are some of his greatest hits:

From Mr. Palmeri's blog regarding a closed meeting to discuss the goals of the city manager:

If a strong case is made for going into closed session on the 24th, I will certainly join my colleagues. But "strong case" has to be more than a narrow reading of the Open Meetings law. We need to be concerned not just with the letter, but also the spirit of that law.

and further in the comments by Mr. Palmeri:

I think we should do that hashing out in public. Not only is that more in line with the spirit of the open meetings law, but it would also allow citizens who make goal suggestions to see and hear for themselves if the Council is taking them seriously.

And finally from Mr. Palmeri's statement when running for the 54th Assembly:

OUR OPEN MEETINGS LAW SHOULD ALLOW NO EXCEPTIONS.

A side discussion in a recess after half the council has voted is absolutely against the spirit of open meetings.

Well this changes everything....

From today's OshNW:

Poeschl explained he was simply reviewing his notes while at the same time speaking with Palmeri. He said the conversation was geared toward the presentations and that Palmeri did not sway his vote.

"I was flipping through my notes the whole time," he said. "I can understand where the speculation is coming from…but the nature of that conversation was simply geared toward the presentations."

We now know they were discussing the appointment, that was what the presentations were for. This violates open meetings. From the UW Extension Local Government Fact Sheet on WI Open Meetings Law:

Purpose test. This test is met when discussion, information gathering or decision-making takes place on a matter within the governmental body’s jurisdiction. This test is met even if no votes are taken; mere discussion or information gathering satisfies the test.

Emphasis mine.

Here are some quotes from the WI Department of Justice's 2007 Open Meetings Law Guide:

In recognition of the fact that a representative government of the American type is dependent upon an informed electorate, it is declared to be the policy of this state that the public is entitled to the fullest and most complete information regarding the affairs of government as is compatible with the conduct of governmental business.

In order to advance this policy, the open meetings law requires that “all meetings of all state and local governmental bodies shall be publicly held in places reasonably accessible to members of the public and shall be open to all citizens at all times unless otherwise expressly provided by law.”
...
Public officials must be ever mindful of the policy of openness and the rule of liberal construction in order to ensure compliance with both the letter and spirit of the law.

I will address "the letter and spirit of the law" in a later post. Suffice to say that Mr. Poeschl and Mr. Palmeri admitted to violating accessibility to all citizens at all times with their side conversation.

Let's talk about why the two councilors constituted a negative quorum:

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has held that the above statutory definition of a “meeting” applies whenever a convening of members of a governmental body satisfies two requirements: (1) there is a purpose to engage in governmental business and (2) the number of members present is sufficient to determine the governmental body’s course of action.

Can two councilors out of six "determine the governmental body's course of action?"

In this case, yes. Remember, at this time Mr. Buchholz had two votes for appointment. It took four out of six to make the appointment. This meant that three votes can block any nomination. Therefore Mr. Poeschl's vote was enough to detirmine the course of action.

This is why the council allows for discussion between the council members in open session. this is where Mr. Poeschl and Mr. Palmeri's conversation should have taken place.

The presentations were supposed to be the way the council made the decision. If they were, as Mr. Poeschl's quote indicates, discussing the presentations, they were in violation of both the letter and spirit of the law.

Things we know, things we suspect

There is a bunch of speculation out there as to what I was saying in this post.

So, to clear the air after a day's more thought let's run through...

Things we know:

1. Councilor Tony Palmeri selected Mr. Buchholz, giving interactions he had with Mr. Buchholz before this meeting as the main reason.

2. Councilor Dennis McHugh selected Mr. Buchholz without giving any real reason.

3. Councilor Bob Poeschl requested a recess to think over which of the candidates he was going to support. Mr. Poeschl and Mr. Plameri had an off-microphone conversation for the entire recess. They were referring to the notes Mr. Poeschl made during the meeting in this conversation.

4. Mayor Paul Esslinger, by his own admission, came to the meeting with Mr. Buchholz selected.

5. An email was sent to several members of the council by Mr. Buchholz discussing the open position. This email was not made part of the council packet or public record before the meeting.

6. Mr. Poeschl, after the recess, gave his 'youthfulness' as the only reason to select Mr. Buchholz (who, according to his resume started his career in 1975).

From these facts, we know: A negative quorum was made when Mr. Palmeri and Mr. Poeschl discussed who to appoint. This is because Palmeri and McHugh had both indicated their choice. If Mr. Palmeri did, as it appears, try to convince Mr. Poeschl to also support Mr. Buchholz, Mr. Palmeri created a negative quroum, as three votes is enough to block any nominee. If Mr. Palmeri had the discussion with Mr. Poeschl on microphone in the open meeting, there would have been no violation.

Things we suspect:

1. Mr Poeschl really did not know who he was going to vote for going into the meeting. He should not have spoken to Mr. Palmeri, creating the negative quorum, but it was Mr. Palmeri who had previously stated who he supported that caused the problem.

2. Presumably Mr. Palmeri had a reason to select Mr. Buchholz that he did not want to mention in open session that he discussed with Mr. Poeschl in recess.

3. Mr's Palmeri, Esslinger and McHugh all came to the meeting with Mr. Buchholz as their selection. Mr. Buchholz did have contact with each of them outside of the meeting (which is legal), but did they have contact with each other? They all seemed pretty sure of their selection, with two giving indication they had Mr. Buchholz selected before they hit their seats at the meeting.

4. The whole matter stinks. It seems to me that Mr. Poeschl is caught up in some manuvering that he may not have been party to until the suspect recess.

Someone on the council needs to come clean about the process, or more research into pre-meeting correspondence and recess discussions needs to be done.

5.27.2009

Poeschl, Palmeri - Caucus or Open Meeting Violation?

Last night, the Oshkosh Common Council selected a new member.

In a long process Harold Buchholz was selected on the first ballot with 4 of the needed 6 votes.

The process worked like this:

1. Presentations from candidates
2. Comments from citizens (there were none)
3. Council discussion
4. Council polling for candidate nomination

The council discussion worked like this:

1. Palmeri says he would select Buchholz
2. Tower selects Hintz
3. McHugh selects Buchholz
*4. Poeschl asks for a recess to think over his selection - selects Buchholz after.
5. King selects Hintz
6. Esslinger selects Buchholz
7. Buchholz wins 4-2

* Let's talk about the recess and review a few things about open meetings.

A negative quorum exists when enough members of the council have come together to block a vote outside of the open meeting. In this case, 4 votes were needed to pass the candidate. That means that 3 votes (out of the 6 councilors) could block the nomination of any of the candidates.

After Palmeri and McHugh selected Buchholz, they were in effect 'off the table'. However, when Poeschl asked for 5 minutes to think over his selection, he immediately began a discussion with Palmeri that lasted the entire break.

During this discussion, they repeatedly referred to Poeschl's notes. All of this took place off-camera and away from the eyes and ears of Oshkosh citizens.

In other words, it was against open meetings rules.

They created a negative quorum as soon as Poeschl decided to also support Palmeri's choice.

5.05.2009

Wineke Welcomes Mark Belling to the Democratic Party

DPW Chair Joe Wineke today sent conservative talk show host Mark Belling a Party membership application, following Belling’s pledge to vote Democratic in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Belling said he would vote to re-elect Governor Jim Doyle if 50-1 long-shot racehorse #8 Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby.

“#8 MINE THAT BIRD---If this horse wins, I’ll never bet on another race and will vote for Jim Doyle for reelection,” wrote Belling on his blog.

Mine That Bird won at 50-1 odds. See Belling’s blog post:
http://content.clearchannel.com/cc-common/mlib/3627/04/3627_1241121103.pdf

Below is the message DPW Chair Wineke sent to Belling today. Attached is Belling’s DPW membership card.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 2:32 PM
To: 'markbelling@clearchannel.com'
Subject: Message to Mark Belling from Joe Wineke
Importance: High

Mr. Belling:

Thank you for your pledge to vote Democratic in the upcoming gubernatorial election. (How about that Kentucky Derby upset?)

I just wanted to let you know that unlike the other side, we are a big tent party that welcomes people of all political leanings – and we are glad to have you. Attached is a DPW membership form. It will cost you $25 to join, but you won’t regret it. We sent Arlen Specter a similar card.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Joe Wineke, DPW Chair
Democratic Party of Wisconsin
110 King Street, Suite 203
Madison, WI 53703
608-255-5172 (office)
608-255-8919 (fax)
party@wisdems.org

Authorized and paid for by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Joe Wineke, Chair

4.23.2009

How public will the process really be?

Here is the OshNW article about the (already) confusing appointment process for the Oshkosh Common Council seat.

Looking at the time frame from the article:

The newly elected city council met for the first time Tuesday afternoon to discuss the process. With the hopes of soliciting public input on the issue, the matter was pushed back to the May 12 meeting.

and

Councilors who favored the application process also suggested accepting letters of interest and resumes for a one- to two-week period, which would likely lead to a vote to fill the position in the last week of May.

So, they want to decide how to fill the position on May 12th. Then have the appointment on May 26th - two weeks to the day later.

This doesn't really leave a lot of time for the application and interview process. It would seem to me that there is really only time to review people you already know in that time.

If you give 2 weeks to submit the application, then the appointment would need to be moved into June.

I think this could easily turn into a railroad. We need to keep our eyes on the process and actions closely.

Is this truly an open application process, or a thin veil to put over a selection that has already been made?

We will be monitoring...

4.06.2009

A Thought About Tomorrow's Oshkosh Mayor's Race...

Candidate Paul Esslinger will still be on the council if he looses.

Mayor Frank Tower will be off the council if he looses.

So, should Mr. Esslinger win, would it not be fair for him to appoint Mr. Tower to the council?

Vote for Frank Tower anyway...

4.03.2009

OshNW & Post-C Get it Right!

Rarely do voters get an opportunity to send someone to office as well-qualified and accomplished as Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris. He deserves your vote April 7 for a second term.

Post-C: Editorial: Harris deserves second Winnebago term

Mark Harris has a solid record of leadership in four years as Winnebago County executive. He's knowledgeable about financial issues, pragmatic about budget constraints and works to protect the services county residents rely on.

4.02.2009

Message to WCDP... Lit drops Saturday!

Hello Members and Friends of the Winnebago County Democratic Party!

I am re-attaching this month’s newsletter, it seems I emailed out an incomplete copy. If you skip to page 3, you will see the additions. Sorry for any inconvenience…

The newsletter online is updated as well here: http://www.jef4wi.com/newsletters.html

Lit Drops for endorsed Candidates!

On April 4th, we will have 2 lit drops for endorsed candidates. They will be out of the Labor Hall in Neenah and Jef Hall’s house in Oshkosh.

If you can volunteer part of your Saturday for our candidates, please let me know. Call 920.203.6883 or email jef@jefhall.com (or just hit reply!).

Locations:

Labor Hall - 157 S Green Bay Rd, Neenah

Jef Hall’s – 112 E Irving Ave, Oshkosh

Here is a list of our endorsed candidates that we urge you to cast a ballot for on April 7^th:

Mark Harris - Winnebago County Executive

mharris1@new.rr.com - www.harris4exec.com

(920) 232-8688

Dennis Kavanaugh - Oshkosh School Board

dkavanaugh@ntd.net - (920) 231-3397

Jessica King - Oshkosh Common Council

jking@oshkoshlawyers.com - (920) 424-3938

Susan Rubick - Clayton Town Supervisor

920-836-1887

Shirley Abrahamson - State Supreme Court

www.abrahamson2009.com - (608) 222-8806

Tony Evers – Superintendent of Schools

campaign@tonyevers.com - (414) 755-2343

Stan Sevenich – Menasha City Council

www.sevenichforalderman.com – (920) 725-2429

Tim Hamlin – Neenah City Council

(920) 722-4593

Jef Hall

Chair, Winnebago County Democratic Party

2nd Vice Chair, Democratic Party of WI

224a Scott Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901

920.203.6883

Authorized and Paid for by the Winnebago County Democratic Party – Jef Hall, Chair

3.26.2009

The Truth (in drawings)

3.24.2009

Film Credits are Good for WI

Take is away Chief.

Here's Citizen Dedow.

3.23.2009

Tea Parties, Racism and Homophobia in Green Bay

I stumbled along this in the WI blogosphere...

The first photo is labeled as coming from a "Proud Member of the Nationalist Movement" and urges people to go to nationalist.org (I do not encourage you to).

I think that Wikipedia nails the organization in the first sentence:

The Nationalist Movement is a Mississippi-based, white supremacist organization that advocates what it calls a "pro-majority" position. It has been called white supremacist by the Associated Press and Anti-Defamation League, among others.

Quite the company to keep....

The next shot uses some snarky, homophobic language (from GOP Chair-in-all-but-name Limbaugh) "Banking Queen" in reference to Rep. Barney Frank (look at the black sign).

The last is my favorite for pure irony...

Ignore the man on the right-bottom of the center with the 'Hitler' sign. Instead, direct your attention at all the people crowding around the free t-shirt van at the rally protesting handouts...

3.06.2009

WCDP Announcements

Hello Members and Friends of the Winnebago County Democratic Party!

Do not forget the Indigo Dinner this Saturday.

We do have a few extra tickets available at the door. We hope you can make it.

Speakers will include:

WI DPI Superintendent Candidate Tony Evers

DPW Chair Candidate Mike Tate

County Executive Mark Harris

WI Assembly Representative Gordon Hintz

Other local candidates

A tribute to Don Wyman

Fellowship begins at 5:00PM, dinner is at 6:00PM. Tickets are $30 at the door if you have not yet confirmed.

Hope to see you there!

CALL TO CONVENTION - 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Saturday, April 18, 2009

WHERE: Feil’s Supper Club

Hwy 73 South , Box 124

Randolph, WI 53956

Phone: (920) 326-5544

TIME: 9:00 AM Registration opens

10:00 AM Convention Opens

Pledge

Speeches by Elected Officials, Invited Guests

Candidates for State Party Offices (Elected at State Convention)

Candidates for Public Office

12 Noon Registration Closes / Lunch is Served

1:00 PM Convention resumes / Election of CD Officers 2009-2011

Chair

1st Vice Chair

2nd Vice Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

Admin Rep

Platform & Resolutions Member

Alternate Platform & Resolutions Member

1:00/1:30 PM Congressional District Business meeting

Officers Reports:

Chair’s Report

Secretary’s Report

Treasurer’s Report & Budget

Goal Setting for Year:

JFK Dinner (TBA)

Conclude all unfinished business

PRICE: $20.00 Per Person – Pre-registered – Delegates, Alternates and Guests

$25.00 Per Person at the Door

Resolutions Needed for Submission to the State and CD for the DPW Platform

This is your opportunity to influence the Democratic Party of WI Platform.

Resolutions need to be presented at either the March or April Winnebago Dems meeting. They must be no more than 100 words and in a ‘Whereas” “Therefore, Resolved” format, such as this one:

1 Whereas, Social Security is a benefit that survivors, disabled and retired millions rely on;

2 Whereas, full benefits can be paid until 2052 according to the Congressional Budget Office

3 and 80 percent thereafter;

4 Whereas, increasing the income cap on FICA will make Social Security solvent beyond 2075;

5 Whereas, private Social Security accounts will cause the government $2 trillion in transition

6 costs; and

7 Whereas, Social Security is the principal income for 2/3^rds of retirees, and for 1/3^rd it is their

8 only income;

9 Therefore, resolved, the DPW opposes any privatization of the Social Security system and

10 favors an increase in the income cap.

Please have any resolutions ready for the meeting March 11^th.

Fox Valley ACLU Prisoner Rights Forum

On March 12^th at 7:00 PM the Fox Valley ACLU will host a forum discussing Prisoners Rights presented by George Curtis. The forum will be held at the Oshkosh Public Library.

Other Upcoming Events:

Fri Feb 27^th – Fox Valley Dems Unity Breakfast

7:00AM – BJ Clancy’s - 3341 S Oneida St, Appleton

Sat Mar 7th – WCDP Indigo Dinner

5:00PM - LaSure’s Banquets - 3125 S Washburn St, Oshkosh

Wed Mar 11^th – WCDP Monthly Meeting

7:00PM – Delta Restaurant - 515 N Sawyer St, Oshkosh

Fri Mar 27^th – Fox Valley Dems Unity Breakfast

7:00AM – BJ Clancy’s - 3341 S Oneida St, Appleton

Wed Apr 8^th – WCDP Monthly Meeting

7:00PM – Delta Restaurant - 515 N Sawyer St, Oshkosh

Fri Apr 24^th – Fox Valley Dems Unity Breakfast

7:00AM – BJ Clancy’s - 3341 S Oneida St, Appleton

Wed May 13^th – WCDP Monthly Meeting

7:00PM – Delta Restaurant - 515 N Sawyer St, Oshkosh

Fri May 29^th – Fox Valley Dems Unity Breakfast

7:00AM – BJ Clancy’s - 3341 S Oneida St, Appleton

Sat Jun 6^th – Town of Algoma Parade

Wed Jun 10^th – WCDP Monthly Meeting

7:00PM – Delta Restaurant - 515 N Sawyer St, Oshkosh

Jun 12-13^th – DPW Annual Convention

Convention will be hosted in Green Bay

Sat Jun 20^th – Claytonfest Parade

Fri Jun 24^th – Fox Valley Dems Unity Breakfast

7:00AM – BJ Clancy’s - 3341 S Oneida St, Appleton

Sat Jul 3^rd – Neenah/Menasha Light Parade

Sat Jul 4^h – Oshkosh & Omro Parades

Wed Jul 8^th – WCDP Monthly Meeting

7:00PM – Delta Restaurant - 515 N Sawyer St, Oshkosh

Sat Jul 18^h – Winneconne Sovereign State Days Parade

Aug 4-9^th – Winnebago County Fair

Volunteers needed to staff the booth!

Wed Aug 12^th – WCDP Monthly Meeting

7:00PM – Delta Restaurant - 515 N Sawyer St, Oshkosh

Sat Aug 29^th – WCDP Annual Corn Roast

1:00PM – Winnebago Community Park - Oshkosh

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime!

-jef-

Jef Hall

Chair, Winnebago County Democratic Party

2nd Vice Chair, Democratic Party of WI

224a Scott Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901

920.203.6883