Tony Palmeri.Com Update For August 30, 2005
1. Troop Withdrawal Referendum Kick-Off: The Lake Winnebago Greens and the Winnebago Peace and Justice Center kick off the troop withdrawal petition drive on Wednesday. Here's the Green release on the event: http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Aug05/Aug29/0829greenpartyreferendum.pdf
I have prepared a set of talking points to answer frequently asked questions that I receive about the referendum: http://www.tonypalmeri.com/reffaq.htm
The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin has joined the troop withdrawal effort: http://wisconsingreenparty.org/blogs/WIGPnews/archives/000426.shtml
2. Miller's Bay Pier Hearing Today: In June the Oshkosh Common Council rubber stamped a proposal to place a fishing pier in a pretty bay area, even though residents of the area were given little to no opportunity to comment on the project. Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with the placement of the pier, basic tenets of democracy and decency dictate that affected persons should have some say in the matter before the fish hits the hook, as it were. Local attorney Chuck Williams has managed to get the DNR to hold a public hearing on the matter. His letter and other resources are embedded in this letter from UW Oshkosh Professor Teri Shors: http://www.tonypalmeri.com/shors.htm
3. Norman Solomon's Journalism of Conscience: I contrast Solomon's journalism with what I call the "apparatchik agitprop" of establishment pundits like Bill Safire: http://www.tonypalmeri.com/mediarants42.htm
4. Palmeri "Liberal of the Month": Always nice to receive an award from the rocket scientist community http://longsinelinks.blogspot.com/2005/08/liberal-of-month.html
5. Mike Balskus on Eye on Oshkosh: For those in the Oshkosh viewing area, Cheryl Hentz and my interview of Winnebago County Assistant District Attorney Mike Balskus, who has been investigating the reign of disgraced former DA Joe Paulus, can be seen on Thursday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. on Oshkosh Cable Access Channel 2. The interview is especially noteworthy because in it Balskus demonstrates that the level of corruption of the justice system around here during the Paulus years was much more extensive than anyone could have imagined.
6. Oshkosh Rhythm Institute Urgent Alert: Before the Oshkosh Common Council turned over management of the "gift" amphitheater to PMI out of Green Bay, they doggedly refused to clarify the rules governing how the facility could be used by community groups. The result? The Oshkosh Rhythm Institute, a grassroots organization that does great things for the community, recently discovered that they have to pay a rental fee of $1,500 for the use of the facility at their Earth Dance event on September 17. Below is a link to the appeal. If you'd like to write them a check, make it payable to Oshkosh Rhythm Institute and send to 803 Waugoo Ave., Oshkosh. http://oshkoshrhythm.com/earthdance.html
7. Mark Green and the Mass Psychosis: Eye on Oshkosh viewer John Frings watched our interview with congressman Mark Green and came away with this thought about Green's support for conceal and carry gun legislation http://www.tonypalmeri.com/frings2.htm
Meanwhile the Republicans in the state legislature are trying to hide the NRA's role in crafting the legislation: http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/aug05/351831.asp
While the fears of those of us who opposed the arming of the UW Oshkosh Campus Police in 2000 were recently realized: http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/local/stories/local_22352472.shtml
8. August 30 is International Day of the Disappeared: http://web.amnesty.org/pages/stoptorture-300805-news-eng
9. Joan Baez at Camp Casey: Unlike Bob Dylan, who has been reduced to making Victoria's Secret commercials and in his recent autobiography claims he never really was all that political to begin with, Joan Baez hasn't sold out. She's been one of the highlights at Camp Casey: http://play.rbn.com/?url=demnow/demnow/demand/2005/aug/video/dnB20050825a.rm&proto=rtsp&start=21:37
10. Christopher Walken's Weapon of Choice Campaign: I'm not sure if Walken is serious about running for president, but one could do much worse than a platform calling for campaign finance reform, fair pay for the military, and stem cell research http://www.walken2008.com/politics.html I would personally have difficulty voting for a guy who stole most of my best dance moves: http://www.astralwerks.com/fbs/woc/
11. This Week in Oshkosh: Gary has a great summary of what's going on in these parts http://www.garyfromoshkosh.blogspot.com/
Everyone have a great Labor Day weekend! Peace, -Tony