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This Just In...
Kevin Fischer is an award-winning veteran broadcaster who has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for nearly three decades.
Kevin, who is a legislative aide to state Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, “InterCHANGE,” on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
January 2009 - Posts
By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Jan 31 2009, 09:07 PM
I understand that a great deal of This Just In readers don’t live in Franklin and quite frankly don’t care all that much about Franklin. They really should because this municipality of some 35,000 is a troubled city facing a myriad of several major problems.
Franklin residents, before you go to bed tonight, say an extra prayer thanking God for Franklin alderman Steve Taylor. It’s obvious he clearly sees the real problems in town and wants to take swift action to address them. For example, there's our current epidemic of dogs without leashes.
I see from the Franklin Common Council agenda for Tuesday, February 3 that Alderman Taylor has this item up for consideration:
Ordinance To Require All Dogs And Cats Off The Owner’s Premises To Be On A Leash (Ald. Taylor).
Yes, it’s true. Alderman Steve Taylor wants a REQUIREMENT that all dogs and cats be on leashes when off the owner’s property. Because that’s another responsibility we certainly want to place on our police department. And what happens to violators? No doggie treats for a week?
There are talks going on between Franklin and Milwaukee County to establish an off-leash dog park in Franklin. Is this Alderman Taylor’s back-handed attempt to kill any such plan?
Currently in Franklin, dogs and cats can be off-leash if they are within 6 feet of the owner and under control. What’s wrong with that? Why does the current law need changing?
Is this such a big problem in Franklin? Have the aldermen and City Hall been inundated with numerous complaints about dogs and cats unleashed?
I am so glad and relieved that Alderman Taylor has his priorities in order. Gee, if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear this was grandstanding.
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Jan 31 2009, 08:33 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Jan 31 2009, 01:30 PM
Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend:
Voter ID Was a Success in November
"Turnout was higher in states that took a simple step to prevent fraud."
Blago: Impeach Doyle, too
What are they buying?
"No matter how many times President Barack Obama tells us that these 'extraordinary times' call for 'swift action,' the kind of economic policies he is promoting take effect very slowly, no matter how quickly the legislation is rushed through Congress. It is the old Army game of hurry up and wait."
Our need to revive
"Generally, one jumpstarts a car when the battery is dead, but America's 'batteries' (its people) are not dead. The vehicle has stalled because too much government meddling and loss of personal responsibility has flooded the engine. More meddling will not revive the U.S. economy anymore than holding down the accelerator on a flooded engine will start a car."
No apologies from David Obey
“Mr. Obey’s impatience, temper and occasionally cutting tone are well known. Even as he outlined the economic plan before Mr. Obama’s inauguration, he flippantly referred to the new president as ‘the crown prince’.“
The day America lost the war on terrorism
"On Nov. 4, 2008, America lost the war on terror. Our enemies must be happily celebrating their great good fortune in America’s election of this platitudinous, morally relativistic, Jimmy Carter carbon copy in the midst of battle."
Obama breaks promise
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Jan 31 2009, 12:50 PM
From a This Just In fan:
This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment.
This is a very exciting new program that will be explained using the Question and Answer format:
Question: What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
Answer: It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.
Question: Where will the government get this money?
Answer: From taxpayers.
Question: So the government is giving me back my own money?
Answer: Only a smidgen.
Question: What is the purpose of this payment?
Answer: The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
Question: But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ?
Answer: Shut up.
Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:
- If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China .
- If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.
- If you purchase a computer it will go to India .
- If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).
- If you buy a car it will go to Japan .
- If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan
And none of it will help the American economy.
We need to keep that money here in America. You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US.
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Jan 31 2009, 11:30 AM
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
House Republicans. Every single one voted against the outrageous stimulus package.
Raquel Rutledge of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ben Underwood
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
Eric Tavulares
Father-son charged with prostituting teens
David Liskany
Gangs
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"Devious, cynical, crass and corrupt.” "Without a doubt unfit to govern."
Illinois state Senators describing Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich before they voted 59 to 0 to remove him from office.
"I believe our state must enter rehab. Moral rehabilitation."
Illinois Senator Randall Hultgren (R)
"Un-American."
Blagojevich describing the vote.
"The fix was in from the beginning. There are tens of thousands of people across America just like me who are losing their jobs, or who have lost their jobs. To the people of Illinois, God bless all of you. I want you to know that I haven't let you down."
Blagojevich
"Our point was on his words, his secretly recorded words, and who in the world was more qualified to testify about the governor's words than the governor himself?"
Illinois House prosecutor David Ellis asked during his closing argument.
"Allow me the right to call witnesses like Rahm Emmanuel, like Valerie Jared, like Congressman Jessie Jackson. Allow me also to call witnesses like Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin, and Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas or Senators Ted Kennedy or John Mccain who all worked with me on the issue of importation of prescription drugs."
Blagojevich, asking that Doyle be a witness during his impeachment trial.
"This is not a time for big new programs. What isn't needed will be cut. And unfortunately, some of what is needed will be cut, too."
Governor Jim Doyle in his State of the State address.
"He has not taken responsibility for it and he didn’t tonight again."
Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), saying Doyle shares some of the blame for the state’s current fiscal mess.
"You have to take into account the fact that there are certain people in this society getting crushed by this economy. If you didn’t have two million additional people out of work, you wouldn’t have to be looking for ways to help them."
Wisconsin Congressman David Obey (D-Wausau), one of the chief architects of the economic stimulus package passed Wednesday by the House.
"This is 1936 economics. But it reflects David’s ideology and his economic doctrine. They took everything in their file cabinet that has been piling up for 100 years, threw it in this bill and called it economic stimulus."
Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Janesville), on the stimulus bill.
"We can't expect government to fix every problem."
Nancy Mistele, in her first debate with Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
"I disagree with that. When times are tough … it's government they look at to build infrastructure, help build jobs and have that cushion for the most vulnerable."
Kathleen Falk
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK
Child care scams uncovered by the Journal Sentinel
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
If not for conservative bloggers and talk radio, would anyone know what's really in that God-awful stimulus package?
And this could be the most under-hyped Super Bowl ever.
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
How great that stimulus package is. (It's not)
STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
The bride gets beat up.....by her sister.
Boys will be girls.
Is Olivia Newton -John's ex-boyfriend alive?
REMEMBER: Your suggestions/nominations for any of these categories every week are welcome, especially for HEROES OF THE WEEK. If you know of anyone in the community deserving of recognition, please e-mail me.
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Jan 31 2009, 09:20 AM
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST : We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: Some morning sun. Snow showers and flurries. Possibly some freezing drizzle. Temps slightly above normal. "D"
SUNDAY: Partly cloudy, warmer. "D"
I think it is clear to anyone who reads this blog that I LOVE dogs. Big ones, tiny ones, mutts and purebreds. I have a healthy respect for dogs as well. I never pet a dog until I ask the owner if it is OK. Then I go to the dog’s level, put my hand out for it to sniff me and then proceed to pet, usually the back so that it doesn’t think I’m lunging for its face. While I generally am not afraid of dogs I do realize that a strange dog is just that: strange until we get to know each other.
I’ve only met one Pit Bull in my life. He belonged to the in-laws of a friend. The first time I met this dog, I must admit I was uneasy around him. He did nothing to make me think he was going to push me to the ground and rip my face off. But just KNOWING his breed raised MY hackles. This dog’s disposition was actually “wimpy” to me. He stayed by his owners or other people he knew, begging for head rubs. He just had to be in the room where everyone was, wanting to be the center of attention. He was so clingy I actually found him to be annoying. But on top of the general annoyance of a dog who wouldn’t leave people alone, there was the fact that he was a Pit Bull. It just made me nervous. I thought to myself, “If I don’t pet this dog or show him the attention he wants is he going to go for my jugular?”
As with any controversy, there are two sides to the Pit Bull debate. For every person who fears this breed you can find a Pit Bull owner who can’t sing their praises loud enough. While I generally want government to stay out of my life and let me use the brains God gave me to make my own decisions on my own free will, there are times I feel a bit of extra legislation can help society remain safe and orderly. This brings me to the topic of breed-specific bans.
I supposed you can find at least one attack story for every breed registered with the American Kennel Club. But tell me… when is the last time you heard about a vicious attack on a person or another animal by say, a Schnauzer, miniature Poodle, or Shih Tzu? It’s much easier to site instances of Pit Bull attacks. On January 25th of this year a woman in Indianapolis was mauled by two of these dogs. It is a miracle she survived.
The Humane Society of the United States, in part of its statement against breed-specific bans tells us: “There are over 4.5 million dog bites each year. This is an estimate as there is no central reporting agency for dog bites, thus breed and other information is not captured. Out of the millions of bites, about 10-20 are fatal each year. While certainly tragic, it represents a very small number statistically and should not be considered as a basis for sweeping legislative action.”
That’s interesting because a brief internet search led me to the following information… From DogsBite.org:
2008 U.S. dog bite fatalities
Information gathered by DogsBite.org is verifiable through Internet archive services and our Fatality Citations section, which contains a copy of each article cited.
2008 statistics
¨ 23 U.S. fatal dog attacks occurred in 2008. Pit bull type dogs were responsible for 65% (15). Pit bulls make up approximately 2-9% of the U.S. dog population.
¨ In 2008, only one U.S. citizen over the age of 3 was killed by a breed other than a pit bull. 74-year old Lorraine May was fatally mauled by her two dogs: an Australian shepherd-mix and a golden retriever-mix.
¨ 70% of the attacks occurred to children (11 years and under) and 30% occurred to adults (21 years and older). Of the children, half (8) occurred to ages 1 and younger.
¨ 39% of fatal attacks in 2008 involved multiple dogs; 9% involved chained dogs.
¨ 78% of the attacks occurred on owner property and 22% off owner property. All off property attacks (5) that resulted in death were attributed to pit bulls.
¨ 61% of the victims were male; 39% of the victims were female. Of the male victims, over half (8) were 3 years and younger.
¨ In at least three fatal attacks, a grandmother was watching a child aged 2 and younger. Two of these attacks occurred in Las Vegas; both involved pet pit bulls.
Hawaii is currently considering prohibiting ownership of this breed. Now, I understand that our current administrations, local and national, have much higher priorities than if Pitt Bulls should be legislated. But as I stated before, I feel that if legislation can help prevent dog mauling tragedies I fully support it. Don’t whine, “There are no bad dogs, only bad owners.” There are both, and BOTH should be locked up.
---Jennifer Fischer
Thanks, Jennifer.
My turn. Time for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.
Dog bites are no fun, but they are avoidable. So are dog germs.
Nose cancer is rare in dogs. But Max contracted the disease, after sniffing cocaine.
Rufus battles back.
Cloned dogs may look the same, but...
Two weeks ago, Jennifer wrote about foolish ordinances designed to curb dog barking. Phoenix is trying dog-noise mediation.
Jennifer blogged in a previous Barking Lot about Jana Kohl and her amazing dog story. Kohl's book got a review this week in the Christian Science Monitor. CSM also reviewed, "Animals Make Us Human."
How about this idea to raise money for animal shelters?
Dogs in Oregon this weekend are real gourmets.
These dogs don't look agile, but they are.
New TV show will teach old dogs new tricks.
Stetson is a good reason to watch the upcoming Westminster dog show.
Which Super Bowl team has the most pets named in its honor?
That's it for this week. Don't forget, on Super Bowl Sunday, it's the 5th edition of the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet.
Here's a preview...
Like any important bowl, there are referees, and the one for the Puppy Bowl definitely has some perks...
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By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 05:05 PM
What is your wife, Jennifer going to write about next on The Barking Lot?
Are you kidding me? You think she's going to tell me? Sorry, folks, but you'll just have to wait until Saturday morning.
Also Saturday morning, this week's installment of Week-ends. Who will be a villiain? Who will be a hero? What happened that was really, I mean, really strange this past week?
I'll also have Recommended Reading. I can't blog about everything I notice that's interesting, so we put it all together in one post every Saturday.
On Sunday, My most popular blogs, Photos of the Week (that, by the way, is on one heckuva streak as being my #1 blog of the week), my new blog that has really drawn attention, the MJS Scorecard, and we can't forget the ever-popular Culinary no-no.
You do want to check in this weekend. Don't wait until next week to come back and try to get cuaght up. My blog is like my days in radio. It's immedaite. If you wait a day or two, you miss something. No, you miss a lot. So thanks in advance for stopping by Saturday and Sunday. I know it's Super Bowl weekend, so we'll make every atempt to post our regular weekend features in a a timely manner since heaven knows you'll be in front of the TV or at the snack table and not readfing blogs this Sunday afternoon and evening.
Jennifer?
Oh, Jennifer?
What are you writing about Saturday?
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Folks, this is a family blog.
I cannot repeat what I just heard.
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By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 04:14 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 03:33 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 05:55 AM
Hard to argue if you consider Wisconsin went for Obama, has a Democrat in the governor's mansion, and both houses of the Legislature controlled by Democrats.
But the margins in the state Senate and Assembly are quite close. Previous presidential elections have been extremely tight.
Democrats are now in the hot seat and face the task of actually having to govern. They could easily blow it.
Gallup says there's an 18 perecentage point difference between Democrats and Republicans in Wisconsin. Sorry, but this remains a center to right country and I have a hard time believing the gap between the parties is that great in our state.
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By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 05:48 AM
If this was a question about taxes, Wisconsin would rank in the top 10, despite that foolsih statement made by Governor Doyle in his State of the State about dropping out of that lofty ranking.
But the question is about religion, and Wisconsin isn't in the top 10 religious states, or 15, or 20, or 25.
Try 31st.
More from Gallup.
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By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 05:40 AM
By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 05:30 AM
A German magazine quoted Kim Basinger saying that her husband, Alec Baldwin would leave the country if George Bush won the 2000 election. Baldwin denied making the statement and he never did leave.
American film director Robert Altman said in September 200, “If George Bush is elected president, I’m leaving for France.” Altman never left.
Former White House press secretary Pierre Salinger said, “If Bush wins, I’m going to leave the country and live the rest of my life in France.”
Why always France? Those folks are snooty and arrogant and in times of crisis, utterly useless as they hide under their mattresses. Sounds like Baldwin and other libs would fit in nicely.
Fast forward to 2009.
Ashley Judd.
Lovely, talented, Ashley Judd.
Lovely, talented, stupid Ashley Judd.
Where exactly were you living, Ashley, when you had it soooooooooooooooo tough between 2001 and 2008?
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By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 05:24 AM
Inside the abandoned Roosevelt Warehouse in Detroit, a body lies frozen in a block of ice. (Max Ortiz / The Detroit News)
Here's the story.
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By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 05:18 AM
This Oshkosh Northwestern blogger has nailed it, undfortunately, for the Wisocnisn basketball team's fortunes this season.
It's over, Badger fans, and it might get worse.
NCAA has sudddenly turned into NIT.
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By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Jan 30 2009, 05:15 AM
By Kevin Fischer
Thursday, Jan 29 2009, 10:40 PM
During an appearance in Milwaukee today, Governor Doyle discussed Wisconsin’s budget crisis, saying everything’s on the chopping block, including shared revenue to local units of government.
When former Governor Scott McCallum proposed phasing out shared revenue to address a state budget crunch earlier this decade, it was his death knell. Democrats called for his head. They played the usual fear card of liberals that men, women, children, and pets would die in the streets without shared revenue.
Will hypocrite liberals react the same way if Doyle keeps talking about cutting shared revenue? Please…
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s response today was that the city would push for a big sales tax increase if the state cuts aid to the city.
McCallum suggests shared revenue cuts…...BAD!
Doyle makes the same suggestion………….TAX INCREASE!
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By Kevin Fischer
Thursday, Jan 29 2009, 09:31 PM
State Senator Lena Taylor has been invited to be a guest panelist on InterCHANGE Friday night on Channel 10. She was invited before this hit the news.
I wonder if she'll show.
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By Kevin Fischer
Thursday, Jan 29 2009, 06:55 PM
I hesitate to use the descriptive words, “best” or “ultimate” or “awesome” that are highly subjective.
Take for example the topic of Super Bowl parties and snacks. There are a gazillion websites and blogs with ideas claiming to “the best.”
This snack may not be “the best” but it’s pretty darn cool.
(Incidentally, I can’t speak for the quality of the rest of the highlighted website, designed by and for horny young college guys. But that snack is awesome, the ultimate……..well, you get my drift).
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By Kevin Fischer
Thursday, Jan 29 2009, 06:42 PM
Here are the topics the panel discusses Friday night at 6:30 on InterCHANGE on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10 with a repeat on Sunday morning at 11:00:
1 – State of State.
As expected, Doyle paints a pretty gloomy picture of state finances in the midst of a struggling international economy. He will propose his budget next month, but in his annual State of the State, he gave a few indications of what lies ahead. He didn’t say he wouldn’t propose any new taxes, or new tax increases, so most expect that is right around the corner. The deficit will be larger than expected, but will that be paid for at least in part by federal bailout money? He doesn’t propose any new programs, but you wonder if maybe he shouldn’t have created or expanded things like BadgerCare and the Wisconsin Covenant in years past? Who is going to get hurt, and who will escape the budget knife?
2 – Digital TV.
Congress is still debating whether to push the switch from analogue to digital TV back a few months so the folks who haven’t been able to get their converter boxes have more time. The great majority of folks are prepared for the switch, so does it make any sense to delay it any longer? Why is Obama even concerned with this issue? Doesn’t he have a great many more important things to worry about, like war and the economy? If the few million aren’t ready now, will they be ready a few months from now? Should we feel bad for those who still don’t have cable, satellite, a new digital television, or at least a converter box? If Obama can’t get enough Republican support for this (not to mention his bailout bill) is it an indication that there won’t even be a honeymoon for the new president?
3 -- Bucks.
It was hoped this would be a big year for the Milwaukee Bucks. But, with the loss because of injury of Michael Redd (their biggest scorer) it makes some wonder if the Bucks days in Milwaukee are numbered. Some say Sen. Kohl loses money on the team year after year. But, will he recoup all his losses once he sells the team? He has promised to sell the team only to an interest that would keep it local. Is that still possible? Is it possible to make this team profitable without a new arena? Would Milwaukee contribute to the construction of a new arena? Is this the time to ask taxpayers to contribute anything?
HAVE YOU SEEN MEGAN?
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