Oshkosh Family Reunion Planning Committee
321 Market St.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
4/7/2006

To Our Valued Community Members:

For Immediate Release!!!

A children’s dance troop, community art projects, children’s games, a rock star juggler and Madison’s most fervent reggae band are descending on the Leach Amphitheatre to excite, entertain and tantalize the entire Oshkosh community.

Beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, the Leach Amphitheatre hosts the Oshkosh Family Reunion. The day’s events will showcase the diverse talents of our friends and neighbors, with the help of a few guests from other Wisconsin communities.

The event will be free for children under the age of 12 and adults can enter the venue for $5 before 5 p.m. and $8 after 5 p.m. Watch the UW-Oshkosh Advance Titan and area retailers for free admittance coupons.

All the proceeds from the event benefit local non profit organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Winnebago County Literacy Council.

Festival-goers will enjoy a plethora of activities including fabulous carnival games; talented face painters and caricature drawers; public mural painting; hand drum workshops and yoga demonstrations. The main-stage entertainment in the afternoon includes performances by dancers from Julie’s Touch of Silver, local bluegrass band The High and Lonesome Boys and Oshkosh native and Rock Star Juggler Mike Price.

The night-time entertainment will kick off with a performance from local blues group Adam Douglas and the Deacons. Price will perform once again with his explosive night show complimented by a light show and the musical styling of Fat Maw Rooney. Natty Nation will put the finishing touches on the night with a fresh reggae breeze. The Madison-based band blends traditional reggae with soul and a little hip hop to produce a truly unique, musical experience.

Food and refreshments will be provided by local restaurants including the new Cranky Pat’s of Oshkosh and Jordy’s Beverage Mart. Sponsors of the event include UW-Oshkosh Credit Union and Progress Media.

For more information call Jenni Ryan 920.379.5746 and Ian Abston at 920.286.2123. Also visit the festival website at www.oshkoshfamilyreunion.info.

... This is the conclusion of Human Rights Watch on the negligent use of lethal injections in the US. In a 65 page report, HRW outlines the history of lethal injections, what happens when someone is executed using the chemical solution of sodium thiopental, pancuronium bromide, and potassium chloride.

In essence, this process either suffocates the individual or exposes them to excruciating pain without being able to move, while they slowly die. According to a quote found in an Amnesty International report, "From hanging to electric chair to lethal injection: how much prettier can you make it? Yet the prettier it becomes, the uglier it is."

This system of execution is barbaric and wrong. What is worse, individuals in Wisconsin are discussing re-introducing this into Wisconsin. Please take 10 minutes and read through these linked articles. Once you have a better idea of this subject, please contact your state assembly rep, your state senate rep, and your governor (while you're at it, contact his opponent as well) to let them know that you oppose taking these steps backwards.

Lethal Injection Resources:

- http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/04/24/usdom13241.htm

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_injection

- http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/engACT500011998

- http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0414-04.htm

- http://www.counterpunch.org/jsmith04202006.html

From LWGP: Happy Earth Day Today! Congrats and Thanks to everyone involved with yet another successful Earth Week Celebration at UW Oshkosh.

Some important upcoming events (Media Reform Press Conference, and Good Night and Good Luck, Health Care Forum):

Media Reform Press Conference

Representative Terri McCormick (R-Appleton) will hold a press conference on Monday, April 24, at 10:00 a.m. at the Outagamie County Administration Building to make an important statement regarding the status of ethics reform in the State Assembly.
WHAT: Press Conference on Government reform package.
WHO: Representative Terri McCormick
WHEN: Monday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Outagamie County Administration Building 410 South Walnut Street Appleton, WI 54911
CONTACT: Jared Guzman Cell: (920) 213-5937

If possible, attend this to show your support for state ethics reform in WI

Murrow Vs McCarthy (Tony Palmeri vs Brian Farmer)

Free Screening of Good Night and Good Luck at the Appleton Public Library 225 N Oneida ST, April 27 at 6:30pm. Immediately following will be a lively debate between Palmeri and Farmer. http://www.valleyscene.com/murrow.html

WI Health Care Solutions Forum in Oshkosh

As part of 2006 Cover the Uninsured Week (May 1-7), The Earth Charter Oshkosh and the League of Women Voters have teamed up to organize "Curing the Sick - Health Care Solutions for Wisconsin". The program will take place Thursday, May 4 from 7pm - 8:30pm at the Coughlin Center, 625 E County Rd Y, Oshkosh. Presentations will cover 3 current Health Care proposals in Wisconsin:- Wisconsin Health Plan (2005 AB 114)- Wisconsin Health Security Act (2005 SB 388/AB 807)- Wisconsin Health Care Partnership PlanIn addition, there will be community perspectives offered from local business leaders and city government leaders.This event is free and open to the public.

Please pass this message on!

As part of 2006 Cover the Uninsured Week (May 1-7), The Earth Charter Oshkosh and the League of Women Voters have teamed up to organize "Curing the Sick - Health Care Solutions for Wisconsin".

The program will take place Thursday, May 4 from 7pm - 8:30pm at the Coughlin Center, 625 E County Rd Y, Oshkosh.

Presentations will cover 3 current Health Care proposals in Wisconsin:

- Wisconsin Health Plan (2005 AB 114)

- Wisconsin Health Security Act (2005 SB 388/AB 807)

- Wisconsin Health Care Partnership Plan

In addition, there will be community perspectives offered from local business leaders and city government leaders.

This event is free and open to the public.

The mayor of Oshkosh has NOT signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement--the first step to becoming a Cool City. I would argue that Oshkosh, other than a few steps by UW Oshkosh, has done nothing to address energy conservation, clean power, or efficiency.

A list of cities that have started the "cool" process:

Wauwatosa, Greenfield, Madison, Washburn, West Allis, Ashland, La Crosse, and Racine.

Here is the Sierra Club's "Cool City" fact sheet.

Who knows... maybe it is time for a "Green" mayor...................

There are many growing energy industries that are capable of providing sustainable and renewable power to our state. Yet, there are those who still refuse to look to the future in any degree and instead focus on unhealthy, environmentally destructive energy sources.

Example - Wisconsin Power and Light's (WPL) Coal Burning facility along the Mississippi River in Cassville. WPL has plans to add 300 of coal energy production to the facility, a production increase of 150%. This plant is already a top ten mercury pollutant coal plant in the state (though nowhere near as bad as WPL's Kenosha, WI plant). Wisconsin's current mercury emission levels exceed 2200lbs per year, according to the DNR.

According to Clean Wisconsin, "Wisconsin’s aging fleet of coal-burning power plants is responsible for thousands of tons of smog and soot-causing sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and fine particle emissions, which worsen air quality and create breathing problems, especially for children and those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses. New coal plants, while somewhat less polluting than older units, still emit unacceptable levels of air pollutants, including mercury, a potent neurotoxin that has contaminated all of Wisconsin’s water bodies."

An alternative - expand the Cedar Ridge Wind Farm that WPL is purchasing to increase sustainable energy production. In addition, a similar wind farm could be developed on the west-central part of the state, creating clean energy and jobs.

For some decent information and statistics, check out this Natural Resources Board Report.

To learn more about Wind Energy in Wisconsin, check out these sites:

- WI Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables
- Focus on Energy Renewable Energy One-Stop
- WI DOA Wind Siting Guidance Reports and Requirements
- American Wind Energy Association
- The Energy Center of WI
- Bay Winds of Appleton, WI
- RENEW WI Wind Farm Development Sites
- US Department of Energy -- WI Wind Power
- Wind Links

Also, it wouldn't hurt to contact your state assembly rep, your state senate rep, your local mayor, and your governor (while you're at it, contact his opponent as well) to let them know that you support wind power, clean air and water, and sustainable energy.

Babblemur asks on a recent post - what is the feasability of a North Central Ecotopia? Here is the outline of what the ecotopia would look like:

Winter heat - combine the traditional (native americans and early european settlers) with modern techology to come up with solutions: energy efficient housing (smaller houses, tightly sealed in winter); solar energy panels and wind farms to generate electric heat combined with traditional multi-use fire (heating and cooking); warm clothes and blankets (requiring furs, feathers, and potentially cotton production);

Food - assuming an end to food imports, to support current population levels there would need to be an increased reliance on fish (which requires mandating cleaning up the rivers and lakes - you can’t eat many of the fish in Wisconsin rivers and streams due to industrial and agricultural pollution) and game (which requires preserving and restoring traditional habitats for deer and other animals). Hunting and fishing are intigral to survival in this scenario. Large scale corporate farming is highly inefficent and would need to be eliminated. Smaller family or community farms would replace them - cows, swine and chicken are still sustainable - but only at levels to support families and small communities. All animal waste (manure) would have to be recycled for agricultural use. All pesticides and herbicides would have to be banned to protect the water and to keep food chemical free.

Communities - the smaller the better. Mixed communities that can support both independent food and energy production would be the goal. Remember - no gas = no cars and trucks. Importing goods would be a luxury - locally produced materials would be the most efficient and affordable. Every house or habitation should be within walking distance of a school, hospital or doctor, source of food, and source of energy.

Energy - mentioned above solar energy panels and wind farms, add to that water generated electricity through watermills and steam heat through corncob / pellet stoves. Note this still requires an electrical grid and the upkeep this requires.

READ ON HERE

I am wondering what are some things that we could possibly begin to do that would potentially lead to a more ecotopiash society.

Sen Kohl takes home over $23,000 a day!! Wow!!

I thought this was a pretty crazy paragraph: "Senator Herb Kohl, is the multi-millionaire owner of the Milwaukee Bucks and a former owner of Kohl’s grocery. He takes home over $23,000 a day! Senator Kohl and other Democratic Party leaders can intimately relate to the concerns and issues of the wealthy. It’s who they are, it’s who they have lunch with and it’s who they make backroom deals with (big money lobbyists)."

$23,000 is alot! I just can't relate. Check out http://voterae.org/blog/index.php?itemid=27#more

John Nichols stated it well in a recent column:

"Blind defenders of the war, who claim to be committed to spreading democracy in Iraq, continue to argue that democracy in America does not matter. For all their enthusiasm about elections abroad, they dismiss the will of the American people as expressed through ballot boxes here in the United States." -http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/column/nichols/index.php?ntid=79748&ntpid=2

Also speaking of Democracy, let us see what Iraqi citizens had to say about the US/UK occupation in Oct '05:

- 65% of Iraqis in the British-controlled Maysan province, in south-eastern Iraq, believe attacks against UK and US troops are justified

- 82% of Iraqis were "strongly opposed" to the presence of foreign troops

- less than 1% believed the troops were responsible for improvement in security

- 43% percent believed conditions for peace and security had worsened

(statistice from http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1599185,00.html)

Citizens in Oshkosh will be meeting Saturday to discuss the possibility of joinin Milwaukee and several other cities in Wisconsin that will have a question about the war on the November ballot. As shown several months back, there will be very minimal support from the Oshkosh common council, so this will have to be completely a citizen movement. The ABV will post more and will again be sending out regular emails to everyone interested in what is happening with the signature drive.

The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based farm policy research group and organic food watchdog, is filing a lawsuit against the USDA, claiming they are withholding information and "important records that would help us and our farmer-members and consumers understand why the USDA has delayed enforcement of key federal organic farming standards for five years." - http://cornucopia.org/index.php/112#more-112

At issue is correspondence and discussion records between USDA staff and corporate lobbyists regarding organic factory farms (quite an askew concept) and requirements that organic dairy cows have access to regular pasture feedings. According the Cornucopia Institute:

"The lawsuit comes amidst a growing national debate occurring in the organic farming community over the rise of factory farms in organic dairying, milking 2000 to 6000 cows in confinement-type conditions, that provide little if any pasture for their milk cows. Public interest groups and farmers have accused the USDA of purposefully ignoring the matter for years—a fact that has allowed these gigantic farms to proliferate and gain a growing foothold in the booming organic marketplace"

The press release also states that "When the National Organic Standards Board was ready to close loopholes and tighten federal organic rules in August 2005, staff at the USDA unexpectedly and without explanation blocked action by their expert advisory panel."

GET ACTIVE: Mail the USDA a letter stating your support for transperancy in their organization. Let them also know that factory farm cage-raised cattle does not fit the organic philosophy. Rather, that the organic label must signify "an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony." - http://www.ota.com/organic/definition.html

USDA Organics Contact:
Mark BradleyAssociate Deputy AdministratorUSDA-AMS-TMP-NOPRoom 4008-South Building1400 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20250-0020

This is a GREAT RESOURCE -
Check out the Organic Dairy Report/Ratings Card

If you send a letter and want it posted here, email it to abvtimes@yahoo.com

Thank you Peg for joining the suit against the No Child Left Untested. While her Republican challenges are saying that this suit is a ploy to gain favor amongst liberals, the ABV applauds Peg for standing up against this terrible, unfunded legislation.

No Child Left Behind raises the standards for schools and measures these standards by requiring additional testing. When schools don't meet these standards, they are penalized. Meanwhile, no additional funding is offered to these schools to meet the demands of the legislation and to help serve the needs of students.

NCLB is basically an attack on schools that are already struggling. It adds additional emphasis on testing instead of educational quality. It would be a disappointment if our Attorney General didn't take a stand against this. Shame on Bucker and Van Hollen for turning this into a partisan game. They clearly have no knowledge of the education system or what it means to protect the citizens of Wisconsin.

The City of Vancouver is launching its "get your yard off drugs" campaign to help residents understand a new pesticides bylaw, which came into effect Jan. 1. The bylaw restricts the types of pesticides, insecticides and fungicides that can be used on private and public property.

According to the Vancouver "yard off drugs" website:

• With proper mowing, watering and fertilization you can produce healthier lawns that crowd out weeds and reduce pest damage.
• Choose more pest-resistant kinds of plants. Replace problem plants with heartier varieties, and clean up diseased or dead plants to cut down on areas where pests can breed.
• Use pesticides as a last resort. Try alternatives such as removing problem weeds by hand. If you must use chemicals, instead of spraying a large area, use a spot-spray herbicide. Always follow the directions for the use of pesticides carefully.
• Accept nature. Learn to live with a few weeds or imperfect plants.

Addional Tips for a quality, chemical-free lawn include:

- Mowing Tips
- Watering Tips
- Healthy and Nutural Soil Tips

Other internet resources found with a simple search include:

- King County, Seattle WA - Get your yard off drugs
- Earth Easy - Natural Lawn Care
- Organic Lawn Care for the Cheap and Lazy (Bob, this is for you..)
- Organic Gardening
- Organic Garden Tips - 300 natural gardening tips

As the upcoming gardening season is approaching, you should probably book-mark this page.

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has announced its new "Name a Front Group" Contest. To help out the "money-laundering, law-avoiding, character-assassinating phony front groups" with some creative inspiration, WDC is calling for name ideas for the front groups.

Several possible ideas could be "The Christian front for the Death Penalty", or "Caring citizens for The Ban", or "the Millionaires Fund for Wisconsin Reform".

Clearly I lack the creative juices they are looking for, but if you think you have it, let them know at wisdc@wisdc.org and you might win a WDC Tshirt.

Some background to the contest (from WDC email):

One of the features of modern election campaigns that is most degrading to democracy is the rise of money-laundering, law-avoiding, character-assassinating phony front groups.

They first made a significant impact on state elections in Wisconsin in 2000. That year, they operated under names like Alliance for a Working Wisconsin, People for Wisconsin's Future, Project Vote Informed and Wisconsin Voter Education Fund.

In 2002, they began to proliferate like weeds, with Citizens for Clean and Responsible Government, the Coalition for America's Families, Coalition to Keep America Working and Working Families of Wisconsin joining the fray. Two were tied to the Democrats and two were tied to Republicans. Any idea which is which?

The most notorious of the groups that played a major role in influencing 2000 and 2002 legislative races was Independent Citizens for Democracy. That was Chuck Chvala's group, which specialized in laundering corporate donations that are illegal in Wisconsin through out-of-state receptacles like the Kansas Democratic Party and the Washington, D.C.-based Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.

In 2004, All Children Matter, Americans for a Brighter Tomorrow, Citizens for Wisconsin's Future and the Greater Wisconsin Committee weighed in heavily on behalf of their secret special interest patrons.

Considering how much these groups' names sound alike, we figure the people who run these stealth operations must be running low on imagination. So we've decided to start a "Name a Front Group" Contest to help them out. So go ahead, let the creative juices flow. Think names that will make Orwell spin in his grave. Names that give motherhood and apple pie a whole new meaning.

There is a reality in this community that some people often refuse to admit - that Oshkosh is continually becoming a well-diversified community. The best way to ensure that community continues to exist in Oshkosh is take time to learn about the different cultures and customs of each other.

UW Oshkosh is often an excellent resource for the community to learn about different cultures. On Friday, April 21, UW Oshkosh is hosting "Teaching Culture Through Laughter" - a one-man show that combines humor, folklore, movement, and rap music into a high-energy performance that educates about cultural diversity. As a Hmong storyteller, comedian, and rap artist, Tou Ger Xiong will take you on a journey of his life from the jungles of Laos, to the refugee camps of Thailand, and to the public housing projects of America.

This performance is free and open to the public. It will take place in Albee Hall, 10:15am - 11:15am. For directions to campus please visit www.mio.uwosh.edu/parents/driving.asp or call us in the Admissions Office at (920) 424-0202.

Check out these UW Oshkosh Earth Week 2006 events the week of April 17-22

Monday(April 17)

*11:15am Annual Treeplanting to kickstart Earth Week. Hopefully we'll have the children from the Swart daycare come help with the tree planting. Between Polk and Harrington academic buildings. Following Treeplanting, "Recycled Rhythm" We will then proceed with the percussion fun from the Oshkosh Drum Institute for the children to play in alongside college students.

Tuesday(18)

* 6 pm Tom Brown, a teacher at UW-SP and architect, will talk about his Green Building projects. Reeve Union 227C -

* 7 pm. Green Building and Campus Climate Challenge Student Earth Charter Oshkosh (ECO) interns, Iryna Depenchuck and Renee Resop, will be giving a presentation on the new monitoring system to guage UWO's sucess in reducing emmission. They will also talk about the campus' Environmental Audit and the Campus Climate Challenge. Reeve Union 227C

Wednesday(19)

* 10am -2pm. Clean Boats, Clean Water will be having boat cleaning demonstrations in the Mall near Reeve Union.

*11:30-12:30 Brownbag Lunch with CBCW talking about invasive species in Wisconsin waters.

*6:00pm - 7:00pm "Bringing Renewable Energy Home" Chamomile Nusz of the Wisconsin Citizen's Energy Cooperative to speak. Reeve Union 201 Description: Learn how a new renewable energy cooperative is increasing Wisconsin's use of inexhaustible, native, non-polluting solar energy around the state. They are installing large scale systems on public and private facilities in communities as well as on member's homes state wide, reducing our consumption of fossil fuels.

With increasing energy bills now is the time for Wisconsin residents to move towards more sustainable ways of space and water heating. With State and Federal incentives it is economically viable for homeowners to own clean energy. If you are not a homeowner the Co-op provides a way for members to put patronage towards the installation of large scale renewable energy systems; eventually recouping that patronage in the form of annual patronage dividends. Come learn how solar works and how you can save money and our environment!

*7:00pm - 8:00pm UW Oshkosh Communication Professor Tony Palmeri - "How the state of politics and society should be".

Tony Palmeri is Associate Professor of Communication at UW Oshkosh, where he has taught since 1989. Since 1996 Palmeri has been elected to two terms as chair of the department of communication, elected to a term as president of the faculty senate, and served for 6 years as president of the UW Oshkosh Association of University of Wisconsin Professionals. He maintains his own daily news website ( tonypalmeri.com) and has produced and co-hosted over 300 episodes of " Commentary," an award winning, hard hitting yet fair television talk show. His monthly column " Media Rants" appears in the independent Valley Scene newspaper. He ran for the 54th State Assembly District seat in 1996 as a Democrat and in 2004 as a Green.

Dr. Palmeri's political philosophy is steeped heavily in Wisconsin's progressive tradition. He is an enemy of machine politics, concentrated power, and bullying in all forms. He says, "I believe it is the responsibility of government to dismantle the machines, respect the power of the people, and keep the bullies in line. Political leadership means using one's talents to eradicate social and economic injustices, demand that the Earth be protected for future generations, role model an ethic of resolving disputes nonviolently, and mobilize grassroots democracy."
Reeve Union 201

Thursday(20)Fair Trade Day

*6:30pm Dick Hudelson, teacher of Philosophy at UW-Superior will focus on free trade trade, international trade and labor issues. Reeve Union 227AB

*8:00pm Medea Benjamin (Keynote speaker) is the one of the Founding directors of Global Exchange. Reeve Union 227AB

Friday(21) Reducing your Eco-Footprint

* 12:30 pm Car Free Friday Repairmen for local bike shops will be on campus to show basic repairing and maintenance care.

*3pm Critical Mass- A critical mass is planned to run about 6-8 miles starting at the Reeve Union. A second group will split off to ride a longer route (10-15 miles).

*5pm Brett Hulsey, MNS, President of Better Environmental Solutions, "Practical solutions today for a better tomorrow", will give a talk on the dangers of Dirty Diesel. That's the top air pollution health risk. He'll also address ways to reduce emissions and the State Climate Change Action Plan.

Saturday(April 22)

* 5:30am Sandhill Crane Count Designated ACTION day to honor Earth Day. The activity will be helping the local Winnebago Audubon Society with the Sandhill Crane Count. SEAC will be cooking breakfast for those that help!!!

For more information, contact Clint at Clint.freund@gmail.com

View this interesting take on ring-wing nut bloggers Patrick McIlheran, Jessica McBride, John McAdams, and others. Click HERE.

It goes like this - I take the numbers and revise them to reach an anomalous conclusion that is void of any real reasoning. Another site then references those as if they were a valued contribution to the world of journalism. Another guy jumps in and adds some flag waving. I then write again about the story, basing my editorial on a flag-waving convolution of numbers and half-truths that were originally taken from my own initial imprudent utterance.

Good work guys and gals..........

Tuesday, April 4, Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly showed their support for immediate withdrawal of UW troops from Iraq. The withdrawal referendum passed in 24 of the 32 cities, including Madison and LaCrosse.

Some of the extensive coverage this important statement received:

Wisconsin Coverage:

Capital Times - Wisconsin shouts it out

Capital Times - Wisconsin is 'ahead of curve'

LaCrosse Tribune - Voters say yes to troop referendum

The Badger Herald

Milwaukee Journal Sentinal

WisPolitics.com, WI

Watertown Daily - Troop issue defeated decisively

WBAY-TV Green Bay - White House Responds to WI Troop Referendums

National / International Coverage:

Statement by Sen Feingold

Green Party of the United States - WI Antiwar Initiative, Led By Greens, Passes in 75% of Towns

ABC National News - Many Wisconsin voters demand Iraq troop pullout

Washington Post, United States

Reuters

Common Dreams

Leading The Charge, Australia

Hinesberg Journal, Canada

Business North (MN) and 91.3FM KUWS (MN)
Elite TV, Texas
WCVB-TV, Boston, thebostonchannel.com
INDYchannel.com, IN
KCCI.com, IA
WJACtv.com, PA
KFOXtv.com, TX
WSBtv.com, GA
Channel Cincinnati.com, OH
WSOCtv.com, NC
WDIV, MI
KSBW Channel.com, CA
FoxReno.com, NV
HomeTown channel.com, AR
WPBF Channel.com, FL
KIROtv.com, WA
WNNE-TV, VT
Hawaii Channel.com, HI
Jackson Channel.com, MS


To see an extensive archive of the coverage while the campaign was underway, visit this ABV page

(Washington) Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) has come out in favor of marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.

In a meeting with constituents in Kenosha County in his home state, Feingold was asked if he supported a proposed amendment to the Wisconsin constitution to bar same-sex marriage and civil unions.

The measure was cleared last month and will be put to voters in November.

“The proposed ban on civil unions and marriage is a mean-spirited attempt to divide Wisconsin and I indicated that it should be defeated,” Feingold replied to the questioner.

“It discriminates against thousands of people in our communities – our co-workers, our neighbors, our friends, and our family members. It would single out members of a particular group and forever deny them rights and protections granted to all other Wisconsin citizens. It would also outlaw civil unions and jeopardize many legal protections for all unmarried couples, whether of the same or the opposite sex. We shouldn’t enshrine this prejudice in our state’s Constitution.”

Feingold later went on to express his support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry.

"Gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry and have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that straight couples currently enjoy,” Feingold said.

“Denying people this basic American right is the kind of discrimination that has no place in our laws, especially in a progressive state like Wisconsin. The time has come to end this discrimination and the politics of divisiveness that has become part of this issue.”

See entire article at: http://365gay.com/Newscon06/04/040406feingold.htm

While the legislative session is winding down for the year, the new version of TABOR, dubbed the Taxpayer Protection Amendment, will likely still be voted on, either in a limited floor period in late April or early May, or in an extraordinary session.

With legislators wanting to get home for the upcoming campaign season, the limited floor period is when theTaxpayer Protection Amendment will be brought to the floor of both houses for a vote. That means we're entering the final month or so in this fight against one of the worst policy ideas to hit the state in a long time. A lot of people believe that a defeat this session could spell the end of TABOR in Wisconsin.

They may well be right. A number of legislators are holding information sessions or listening sessions in their districts over the next month. They need to hear about the ill-effects such a draconian constitutional amendment would have on Wisconsin, on critical social services that impact children and families around the state, on job-creation and workforce development efforts, and on our education and health care systems.

Currently scheduled is an upcoming forum in Fox Valley on Newest TABOR Proposal - April 11th, 12:o0 noon at UW-Fox Valley Student Union, 1478 Midway Road, Menasha, WI. Rep. Frank Lasee and UW-Fox Valley Dean Jim Perry will present alternate views and there will be time for audience questions and participation. There will also be a moderator.

Some questions to think about: For a quick look at TABOR/TP talking points click http://www.wccf.org/projects/taborresources.htm

The next Public Hearing Date has not yet been officially noticed but the committees involved have been notified of it: When: Wednesday, April 5th, 1:00 pmWhere: Room 412 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI - With Whom: A joint hearing of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Select Committee on the Taxpayer Protection Amendment.

Of course showing up and testifying against the proposal is the most powerful. If you don't have time to wait your turn to speak, or if you don't want to speak, you can fill out a hearing slip noting your opposition. That will still have you recorded as having appeared in opposition, and is key to how the hearing is described by the press and the legislators. Those slips will all be tallied and a strong showing in opposition will go a long way to forcing legislators to shelve this proposal.

A strong showing at this second public hearing is critical. And as always, if you haven't done so, give your legislator a call or send them an email orletter letting them know of your opposition to TABOR and the TP proposal. There's no reason to wait now that we're in the final stage of this effort.

Recent ResearchProfessor Andrew Reschovsky of the University of Wisconsin completed athorough analysis of the newest proposal, and found that a number of services that are most critical to our state would have experienced significant cuts under such a scheme. His complete analysis can be found at: http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/publications/workingpapers/reschovsky2006-003.pdf

Recent News on TABOR/TPA spate of editorials against the newest version of TABOR appeared immediately after it was introduced, citing the same problems as earlier versions, including its placement in the constitution, the fact that it is a power grab against local elected officials, the fact that it jeopardizes economic development efforts and limits critical services, and so on.

Here are a few of the most recent TABOR-related articles:

An article about local officials speaking out against newest TABOR proposal. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=411531

Educators explaining real impact of more cuts, arbitrary limits. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=405159

Editorial giving bottom line on new version - same problems as old version. http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060219/APC0602/602190401/1036

Editorial from conservative paper telling legislators to abandon thegimmicks and just make the hard choices. http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2006/02/18/editorials/edit01.txt

This post was a forwarded email, amended by the ABV.

[W]hen men have realized that time has upset many fighting faiths, they may come to believe even more than they believe the very foundations of their own conduct, that the ultimate good desired is better reached by free trade in ideas, that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market, and that truth is the only ground upon which their wishes safely can be carried out. That at any rate is the theory of our Constitution. It is an experiment, as all life is an experiment. - Justice Holmes; Abrams v. United States; In dissent; 250 U.S. 616; 630; 1919.

Information wants to be free, and the Internet fosters freedom of speech on a global scale.

The Internet is a common area, a public space like any village square, except that it is the largest common area that has ever existed. Anything that anybody wishes to say can be heard by anyone else with access to the Internet, and this world-wide community is as large and diverse as humanity itself. Therefore, from a practical point of view, no one community's standards can govern the type of speech permissible on the Internet. In the words of John Barlow, a founding member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) -- "In Cyberspace, the First Amendment is a local ordinance".

The principle of freedom of speech is also embedded in the Internet's robust architecture. In the words of John Gilmore, another founding member of the EFF -- "The Net interprets censorship as damage, and routes around it." Because of the Internet's robust design, it is impossible to completely block access to information except in very limited and controlled circumstances, such as when blocking access to a specific site from a home computer, or when using a firewall to block certain sites from employees on a workplace network.

If you believe that progress of human civilization depends on individual expression of new ideas, especially unpopular ideas, then the principle of freedom of speech is the most important value society can uphold. The more experience someone has with the Internet the more strongly they generally believe in the importance of freedom of speech, usually because their personal experience has convinced them of the benefits of open expression. The Internet not only provides universal access to free speech, it also promotes the basic concept of freedom of speech. If you believe that there is an inherent value in truth, that human beings on average and over time recognize and value truth, and that truth is best decided in a free marketplace of ideas, then the ability of the Internet to promote freedom of speech is very important indeed.

A few of the early events that signaled the power of the Internet to promote freedom of speech are summarized below:

Tiananmen. During the Tiananmen Square rebellion in China in 1990, the Internet kept Chinese communities around the world, especially in universities, in touch with the current events through email and the newsgroups, bypassing all government censorship.

Russian Coup. In 1991 a Soviet computer network called Relcom stayed online and bypassed an information blackout to keep Soviet citizens and others around the world in touch with eyewitness accounts and up-to-date information about the attempted communist coup against Mikhail Gorbachev.

Kuwait Invasion. Internet Relay Chat became well-known to the general public around the world in 1991, when traffic skyrocketed as users logged on to get up-to-date information on Iraq's invasion of Baghdad through an Internet link with Kuwait. The links stayed operational for a week after radio and television broadcasts were cut off. Archives of this first world famous IRC event can be found here.

CDA. In 1996 the US Government passed the Communications Decency Act (CDA) prohibiting distribution of adult material over the Internet, even though the law was widely believed to be unenforceable and unconstitutional. This gave birth to a blue ribbon campaign to show support for freedom of speech on the Internet. Many sites placed a black background on their web pages for the first 24 hours after the CDA passed. A few months later a three-judge panel imposed an injunction against the law's enforcement, pending resolution of lawsuits launched by several civil liberties groups, and the law was subsequently found be be unconstitutional.

National Restrictions. In 1996 many countries around the world became frightened of the freedom of speech associated with the Internet. China mandated that Internet users must register with the police. Germany banned access to some adult newsgroups on Compuserve. Saudi Arabia restricted Internet access to universities and hospitals. Singapore mandated that political and religious sites must register with the government. New Zealand courts ruled that computer disks are a type of "publication" that can be censored. None of these efforts had much lasting effect.

Yugoslavia. 1996, a radio station in Yugoslavia bravely exercised their right to freedom of speech and continued to broadcast over the Internet after all other normal broadcasting was shut down by one of the last remaining dictatorial governments in Europe, later overthrown.

This piece was taken from http://www.livinginternet.com/.