Gas Pains

Ok.

I have been to a couple of the Tosa mayoral candidate forums and it is time to unveil the -

Gas Pains Debate Index Calculator

I just recently thought this up and it is very scientific.

It might possibly be brilliant.

Stay with me on this as I explain the intricacies.

I begin with the premise that certain terminology, tossed-about without any context, such as: crime, tough on crime, fiscal responsibility, balanced budget, free universal health care, free beer, no new taxes, I will lower your taxes, Jim Doyle is my drinking buddy, or a chicken in every pot, are mere pandering.  Candidates shouldn't receive credit for pandering to the voters. Politicians only do it because they think it works.  (Hint - don't encourage them - it's like feeding pigeons).

To discourage pandering the index deducts one point every time a phrase like this is uttered out of the context of an answer to a question requiring the use of the word.

Similarly, the Index deducts two points with every utterance that resurrects the past - when used out of the context of answering a question requiring it.  The past is history.  There is no voting on the past - only the future.

The index has a positive bias.  Therefore, utterances that are righteous and hopeful along with clearly outlined visions (as opposed to vague and nebulous generalizations) are to be rewarded.  Candidates earn ten points each time an uplifting and positive point of view or clear vision is articulated.  Details are critical which is why the points are higher.

The index encourages healthy debate and takes a dim view of negativity. 

A candidate who takes a cheap shot - an assertion not supported by factual evidence - gets five points deducted from their score.  The index is neutral on snarkiness as a candidate who engages in it does so at their own peril.

If things get really out-of-hand and a candidate uses a disparaging term such as cat poop or booger to describe their opponent they get a ten point deduction.

Each candidate starts at zero and the candidate with the highest net score (their index) is the forum winner.

The beauty of the Index Calculator is that you can score the candidates yourself.

The absolute scientific genius of it is that any personal biases are built-into the complex algorithm.

Clever, eh?

Yes - you can even delude yourself into believing a candidate without a hope can possibly win reelection - if they show-up for a debate.  A certain former State Senator comes to mind - but I digress.

As for the February 25th Forum at Eisenhower School - here are my results:

Didier - Score +50

Observations-

1.  Reduce pandering.  Unsolicited use of the word crime almost 20 times.  (Remember - no penalty for words used to answer a question requiring their use).

2.  No resurrection of the past.

3.  I think regular town hall meetings are a terrific idea.  Has potential to be more righteous and hopeful (candidate's strong suite) if can overcome lack of detail - see #6.

4.  Clear vision suffers from lack of detail - see #6.

5.  No cheap shots that counted.  Some snideness about the challenger running over time.  The moderator offered the candidate additional time.  The candidate struggled to fill the additional time.  Dead air isn't good in a debate - refer to #6.

6.  Needs more detail.  Routinely falls-back on clichés such as:  reach across the table, come to the table, hit the ground running, new blood, keep the ball in the air - at the expense of furnishing details.  Can do a better job of staying on topic and being certain to answer the question directly.

The candidate pooh-poohed the challenger's endorsement by the Tosa police union - insinuating that endorsements require the mayor to be beholding to other interests.  The candidate must have forgotten her own endorsement by the Magnificent Six announced in a press release written in her own hand only a couple of weeks ago. 

The cops' endorsement is bad, but political cronies' endorsement is good?  No impact on points but a faux pas that left a bad impression. Ugh.

I was puzzled at the glowing suck-up to Alderman Donegan - no change in points but what the heck was that about?  

Intangibles - Likable public presence.

__________________________________________________________________________

Stepaniak - Score +166

Observations-

1.  Little use of pandering terms.

2.  No resurrection of the past.

3.  I liked the comment early-on about raising the level of discourse.  Righteous and hopeful was good - could be better.

4.  Outstanding on the issue of clear vision.  Good command of the facts and excellent detail.   Thoughtful and substantive.

The candidate needs to be mindful of time limits.  If you get too windy you get the hook.

Intangibles - Might remind you of your favorite uncle. 

 ____________________________________________________________________________

My Forum notes are here Eisenhower Forum.pdf

The Calculator still has some bugs in it and I want to get them resolved.  After April 1st, I expect to have a viable tool for use during the Presidential debates.  I already know I have to redesign the sheet for spacing.  I can probably save the Potty Mouth category for presidential debates.  Any opinions about adjusting the point system?

The Tosa mayoral race is an ideal proving ground - so your feedback and suggestions are welcome.

I sense the Calculator will be around to score forums featuring McCain and Obama.  That's gonna be a real gas.

In my continuing effort to provide a valuable public service you can conveniently print a copy of the calculator from here:  Debate Index Calculator.pdf.  

Take a copy along with a pencil to the next forum which will be: 

Monday, March 3rd - 6:30 PM at St. Matthew Church meeting hall - 1615 Wauwatosa Avenue.  Sponsored by St. Matt's and the Milwaukee County League of Women Voters.

Good luck and have some serious fun.

Tom

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Edit 2-28-08    Here is a copy of WPOA's endorsement of candidate Stepaniak

For details on the winning submission go to the bottom of the post-

Before you get your undies in a knot thinking I am pandering with another acid witticism in the title of this post -

I am not.

Take note that Tosa Trivia sometimes gets more views than anything I have to say about the mayoral race.

I think that speaks volumes about where Tosans place their priorities.  But I digress.

I hope you find today's trivia to be challenging.

If you can correctly identify the answer there is a very valuable prize up for grabs.

No run-of-the-mill mouse pad or coffee mug from WauwatosaNOW.

Instead you could win a certain highly prized and coveted mayoral yard sign.

Visitors to the TTS know what I am talking about.

Nope, not a Stepaniak yard sign.

No, not a Didier yard sign.

You can win your very own Joeythelovesponge For Mayor yard sign!

Imagine being the first person on your block to have one of these.

If I had one, I would be afraid to stick it in the yard for fear that one or the other of the two other Tosa candidates might swipe it when I wasn't looking.  They would be jealous.

Incidentally, Joeythelovesponge claims to be the third candidate for mayor of Tosa Town.

In the interest of full and fair disclosure I will remind you readers that Joey did make a campaign promise of sorts - that if elected - I would get to be the town Jaegermeister.

That is a sorely tempting proposition which would seriously stretch the elaborate and carefully-enforced Blogger Code of Ethics. (All 200,000+ entries thereof).

Alas, Joey didn't get his important mayoral paperwork in on time so he will not be on the ballot and thankfully I will not be ethically-challenged.

Seriously, a trip to Joey's website might prove to be a source of entertainment. 

There is Joey's Repository of Haiku. 

If you visit Joey's Store of Trinkets you can purchase all manner of Joey stuff - including the entire clothing line.

There is a good cause involved as well.

Joey has promised that all profits from the sale of Joey stuff go to the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation.  Not my promise, his.

The purchase of Joey stuff might actually be a productive use of your own money that is being returned to you under the guise of economic relief.

Brett Favre's wife + breast cancer = noble cause

In my view - much better than letting Washington spend it.

____________________________________________________________________

Ok - here's the trivia question:

In 1976, what emporium of fine dining was located at 93rd and Bluemound?

(Alright, I know it's not exactly Tosa - but it's close enough)

Submit your entries and I'll publish them along with the correct answer in a couple of days.

The first correct answer wins the authentic Joeythelovesponge mayoral yard sign.

(Wouldn't it be ironic if one or the other of the two candidates won this sign with a correct submission?)

Tom

Note to Joey - I hope you appreciate any increased traffic from this shameless, cheap, obtuse and blatantly commercial endorsement I am giving you and the Joey stuff I purchased this past weekend.  I'm going to take some hits for this. Someone is going to call me a Joeythelovesponge flack.

Good luck with your write-in campaign.

Gotta run, I hear incoming....

________________________________________________________________________________________________

The correct answer is-

TOSAQT got it correctly...

Yep. One of these.  This picture is of the Chips in Merrill, WI

In 1976, five hamburgers and your choice of two small drinks or a large order of fries would set you back $1.49.

QT - Contact me as to how you want to take delivery of your valuable prize. 

Are you candidate Didier?

Maybe candidate Stepaniak?

I wonder?   Congrats.  Tom

Girlfriend and I went for a walk in the woods today.

Who can tell me what critter did this?

Spring is just around the corner.

This week's puzzle includes native flowers.

For a larger view simply double click on the picture.

Can you correctly identify the following native forbs?

(Hint - look under my Useful Links for a useful website)

 Compass Plant

Gray-headed Cone Flower

False Sunflower

 Sweet Joe-Pye Weed

Boneset

Post your identifications below.

I'll reveal the correct answers over the weekend.

 Tom

This post comes to you remotely from somewhere in the Republic of Texas where I have been enjoying a brief vacation followed-on by day-job business. 

Last evening I read an on-line press release of sorts that was published in WauwatosaNOW.

Some Alder people have endorsed candidate Didier.

They are: Tom Herzog, Brian Ewerdt, Tim Hanson, Don Birshel, Jim Krol, and Bernie Grimm.

You can read it here.

In keeping with my present rugged Texas surroundings I will dub them the Magnificent Six.

The Magnificent Six need to clear the trail dust from their eyes.

According to Herzog, "Alderwoman Didier has consistently voted against tax and spending increases, while upholding our community's high quality of life."

Birshel said, "Jill Didier is a proactive leader who has consistently voted to protect taxpayers, and she has a positive vision for the city."

Grimm says, "Alderwoman Didier has made public safety and fiscal responsibility a priority." 

OK.

Fiscal responsibility.

No spending increases.

Protecting the taxpayers.

Public safety.

Here is a really rude reality check-

Tosa taxpayers may wish to know that Alderperson Didier voted against the last budget that gave us two additional police officers.

You might want to remember that the next time you hear about crime in Tosa.

Yep.  Jill Didier says NO to any additional lawmen for you.

So much for public safety, upholding our quality of life, proactivity, positive vision, safety and protecting the taxpayers.

You can read about it here and here.

I was relating this tale to a buddy - a native Texan I will call Big Mike.

Big Mike is not a fellow to mince any words.  What he would tell you about the candidate is that, "She's all gurgle and no guts."

To be fair I'd be the first to admit that Tosa ain't Texas but I had a chuckle over the characterization.

The Magnificent Six need to read their Council Minutes.

You cannot have it both ways.

As for the six compadres Big Mike gushed, "Gosh Tom, ya'll need to remember they're nuth'n but all hat and no cattle."

Texans...you gotta love 'em.

Tom

It has been reported that a local man has begun building no-income housing within the city limits and without the prior knowledge or approval of city officials.

Exactly how this has escaped the scrutiny of the authorities is unclear.

A known builder of this type of housing, he has eluded the authorities while blatantly engaging in this practice for more than a dozen years.

Thumbing his nose at the permitting and approval process he has already constructed nine new units this winter, rehabbed two additional units and has lined-up both materials and labor to begin building at least three to four more units before the arrival of spring.

The authorities at City Hall are said to be shocked that this has been going on under their noses for so long.

When asked to comment mayoral candidate Jerry Stepaniak stated, "Development is Wauwatosa's future, but this is certainly not what I had in mind.  This guy's intentions might be good, but he's clearly obsessive.  This is an outrageous example of an individual run-amok.  I think he's got too much time on his hands."

Candidate Jill Didier staked-out a stronger stance calling for an investigation into the actions of the individual who reportedly lives in her aldermanic district.  "He's hardly got too much time on his hands.  This was carefully and thoughtfully planned.  He's a sneaky, snake in the grass who'll pay a heavy price for his actions," said Didier; "Justice will be served if I have to strangle him with a yard sign!"

Panicked residents have been flooding City Hall and the building inspector's department with calls to find out if this has occurred in their neighborhood.  

Conservative talk radio host Jeff Wagner praised Mayor Estness for her cool and measured handling of the crisis that has begun to paralyze city government.  "Wauwatosa's loss as Estness steps-down as mayor will be immeasurable" said Wagner.

The details are as follows:

My nest boxes. 

Subsidized housing for growing songbird families.

Made you look.

Springtime is practically around the corner and the basement workshop is usually home to a winter project.  This winter it is rebuilding and replacing nest boxes.  If you are looking for a project to do with the kids, a scout troop or by yourself this is really therapeutic and especially rewarding.

My wife and I have about five dozen (give or take) of these scattered about the tree farm.  Technically they are bluebird boxes but tree swallows and other cavity nesting birds and critters make their homes in them. 

Sometimes I'll find some little brown bats have set-up housekeeping.

Anyway, every couple of years the inventory of nest boxes has to be replenished as some eventually succumb to the elements. 

When building next boxes I've found a template is best.

The template allows for mass production of the component pieces - just like any manufactured housing.

Parts are interchangeable so repairs to older boxes are facilitated.  The two below are getting a new bottom and back.

The design is simple and the parts cheap.  

3/4" pine stock, cut to six standardized pieces, fastened together with 1 1/4" # 7 treated deck screws installed thru pilot holes.  A hinged roof makes taking pictures and cleaning a snap.  A hook and eye keep the lid closed. 

Stick a bit of dowel below a 35mm entrance cut with a hole saw.

This is not cabinet-making - the birds really don't care.  However, if you are anal about the fit and finish trim any errant edges so everything is tidy.

Two coats of cedar-tone exterior penetrating oil finish and you're set.

The cost of materials is about $6 per nest box.  This doesn't include labor, capitol investment in power tools, mounting post or beer consumed by the builder.  They're cheaper when you build them by the dozen and they make terrific gifts.

There you have it; affordable housing that is for the birds.

You can find the basic plans here Nest Box Plans.pdf .  My boxes are modified to include a slightly larger hinged roof and the hook and eye closure.  The floor is sized larger to fit on the bottom and not inside the walls.  The larger roof dissuades raccoons.  If the raccoons persist - shoot them.  (Caution - in the city that will certainly will get you arrested).

Mount your box on a post of your choice - you can use a green metal fence post found in any hardware store or a length of re-bar.

Clean the old nests from each box at least annually to prevent the spread of disease between broods.  Your dog will be absolutely ecstatic about rolling in the nesting material when it's tossed-out.  Girlfriend especially likes it if I evict a box full of white-footed deer mice.

A well-constructed nest box that is treated with sealant every 3 years or so will yield years of enjoyment.  The box above has a March 2001 date inside the lid.  The box in the second picture (above) with the deer in the background is eleven years old - and nearing the end of its useful life.

Enjoy!

Tom

Hope you're having a terrific week.

It is still winter but spring is not too far-off.

Fire-up your search engines.

Locate your Peterson Guide if you need to.

To enlarge a picture - double click on it.

Post as many times as you want.

There are no rules.

No prizes either.

Kids can play too.

This week's puzzle includes nesting birds.

Below are pictures of four different native bird nests.

Can you identify who laid these eggs?

Post your answers below.

I'll reveal the correct answers at the end of the week.

Good luck.

Tom

This past Saturday hundreds of woodland owners from southeast Wisconsin gathered at the Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center for what we figure might have been our 30th or so winter conference.  Inasmuch as it's the second largest woodland owner gathering in the state you'd think they'd keep better track of how many times they've done this.

As a participant in the conference's organizing committee I was there to make sure everything went-off without a hitch.

In the ballroom to the north of us was a smaller gathering; a group calling themselves Americans for Prosperity - Defending the American Dream.  You can learn more about them here.  They appear to be big believers of free markets.

Anyway, the tree people had some issues with the prosperity people.  Seems they kept helping themselves to our breakfast as they wandered about the conference center.  Some wag even suggested that was likely how they got to be so prosperous.  I figured it to be a simple misunderstanding.  They probably have tree nurseries, John Deere implement dealers and portable logging winches on display all the time when they put food out at their meetings.  

The confusion was cleared-up with a simple announcement.

I bumped into some personal friends attending the American Dream meeting - and a handful of Republican politicians I am acquainted with.  I had a nice chat with former State Senator Tom Reynolds who told me about his new PAC.  I introduced myself to a conservative blogger from Boots and Sabers. 

What struck me about the two groups was the dichotomy in attire. 

Dark, conservative business suits contrasted by Carhartt dungarees, denim shirts and cammo ball caps.  Talk about two different worlds.

Today I read a comment posted over at Boots and Sabers about an exhibitor at the woodland owners meeting - the Wisconsin Farmer's Union.  The comment was obliquely non-complimentary - as if the farmers were somehow subversive.

As a conference organizer I can tell you that our exhibitors pay to be there.  They don't attend unless they have something they think woodland owners are interested in.  The Farmer's Union was there to pitch, among other things, a program they sponsor which allows tree farmers who engage in specific afforestation and reforestation practices to sell carbon credits through their aggregator program.

Trees are incredible carbon sequesters.  Imagine getting paid to engage in these practices. 

What a novel idea - a new market to trade in. 

However, gazing toward the north ballroom I somehow figured this idea would not settle very well with the prosperity people.

The conservative right hasn't been very receptive to embracing the notion of trading carbon credits.

Uh-oh.  Another dichotomy.  Free economics is good as long as it doesn't involve trading carbon credits. 

I got to thinking.

What a novel idea - a new market to trade in.

The markets have evolved ever since.  They don't just trade stocks.  That is the beauty of a free market.

Decades from now there will be trading in things we haven't dreamed possible.

As for the concept of trading carbon credits - if it is such a bad idea why is it that Wall Street and private equity firms are all over it?

Let the markets decide the success or failure of this idea.

Isn't that what free markets are all about?

Capitalism - living the American Dream.

Tom

Wait a 'sec - almost forgot!

I saw someone else from the prosperity meeting.

The double-take when she saw me was priceless!

I think it was the identical twin sister of one of the Tosa mayoral candidates.

Comments below and visit the TTS for more. 

What's with the Tosa Council members that don't want to put this matter of replacing Station 1 before the voters in April?

You will find them here. 

Am I the only Tosan growing weary of the endless talk with no action? 

You've been discussing this matter for almost THREE YEARS.

What?  Is that an insufficient amount of time?

Put this matter before the voters and let's get this over with.

If any of you readers feel the same way you can contact your alder-person here. 

You can tell them you want a binding referendum or you can tell them you want more foot dragging.

You pick.

Tom

Tiring of the snowy weather?

Grumbling about the heating bills? 

Fed-up with the salt all over your car, your shoes, your clothing?

Are you just-plain growing weary of winter?

Got spring and summer on your mind?

Take heart as the days are growing longer - slowly but surely.

This is the first of a short series of Wednesday morning postings to test your knowledge of the natural plant and animal world.

Warm-up your search engines.

Double-click on any picture to enlarge it. 

You can post as many answers as many times as you want.

Get your kids involved.

There are no rules.

There are no prizes.

Here we go....

Can you identify these early spring arrivals:

Post your answers below.

I'll reveal the correct answers at the end of the week.

Tom

A recent commentator to this blog quite reasonably suggested the following:

It will be interesting how TTS fits in the race since its a mix of people like me....don't know these people and those who are personal friends of a particular candidate.  I kind of think that such things should be declared so people know what context the cheap shot or rousing praise comes from.

I agree. 

A perfectly legitimate suggestion.

In the interest of full and fair disclosure this is as good a time as any to tell you where I stand. 

Allow me to begin with candidate Didier.  

I can tell you that she is not a personal friend.

She is one of my alder-persons so I know of her.  

In the short time she has been in the position of alder-person I can tell you that until recently she has always been prompt in responding to anything I had to say.

Preceding her kicking the Mayoral campaign into high gear last year I was somewhat ambivalent about her as she hadn't been in city government sufficiently long enough to form any strong opinions - good or bad.

She never sought me out for support. 

When the Didier Campaign engaged far right wing radio and the peripheral blogosphere to attack the Mayor last year I viewed that as a particularly unsavory development.

The vast majority of Tosans don't want to listen to extremist fanaticism along with its attendant personal attacks.

Didier never considered that the mayor might not run for reelection. 

She over-reached. 

It is for her exceedingly short tenure in city government and her premature, yet enthusiastic embrace of the far-right that I will not support Ms. Didier.

On the matter of candidate Stepaniak I can tell you that he also is not a personal friend. 

Until recently I only knew of the guy as a former Common Council President. 

What is noteworthy is he sought me out.  He told me he wanted an opportunity to tell me about himself and his vision for Tosa. 

We met.  We talked. 

He asked for my support. 

I told him no, that I would have to think about it. 

Apparently I thought about it sufficiently long enough that he sought me out again.  So, we talked some more and I thought about it for quite some time.

My conclusion:  Stepaniak is a bright guy with good ideas and a clear vision for Tosa.  He also has the most executive experience. 

I spent half my life in business - I get it.

In short, experience matters and that would make him the most qualified. 

My wife and I contributed $50 to his campaign.

In closing I would like to add that in the continuing spirit of full and fair disclosure and in the interest of performing a valuable public service-

I am saving you all $4.25 and a trip to the city clerk's office. 

You can peruse the candidate's Campaign Finance Reports here.

didier.pdf and stepaniak.pdf.

I'm sure you will find them revealing.

Bon Appetit!

Tom

Ahem.

There seems to be some confusion.

I lay it at the feet of the print version of WauwatosaNOW for treading so roughly upon my heretofore barely-tarnished reputation.

Seems they published the blog post about my late mother.

The copy that appeared in print was edited in such a way that girlfriend was presented as a girlfriend of the human female persuasion.

Everyone that reads this blog knows that this is girlfriend.

I am happily married and this is my wife.

The lovely little lady is our step-grandchild.

Stop now with the emails and calls.

Tom