While I should be writing about the realities of war, the corruption in our state capital, the assualt on human rights in Wisconsin, and other abominable events of our day, I find myself filled with questions fueled by the proposal to place an angel statue in Menominee Park - to serve as a place of mourning for parents who have lost children.

First though, some info:

Q. What are the dimensions of the Angel? A. The Angel is 4’ 3" tall, and has a wingspan of 5’ 2". The diameter of its base is 22". That is big, especially since the angel will likely by placed on top of a 3-5 foot base.

The angel comes from the Christmas Box House International, which states, "Our mission is inspired by the book The Christmas Box..."

What is The Christmas Box about? According to Publishers Weekly, "this is steeped in specific Christian imagery and belief as the author draws on the drama of Jesus as God's sacrifice for the world's sins, and of his crucifixion and resurrection."

My Questions:

1. What are the organizers of this statue planning to have inscribed on the base or the statue? According to the ordering site, purchasers can inscribe whatever they would like.

2. If this is indeed to serve as a memorial for parents who have lost a child, why place it in happy Menominee Park? Why not place this in a local cemetary - a site dedicated to serving as a memorial for exactly this sort of thing?

3. If they can put a statue in the park, can I?? We could put a memorial for all of the innocent Native Americans that the white man massacred. Afterall, this is a park named for a Native American Tribe and somewhat dedicated to Chief Oshkosh.

4. After a year and a half, why does the mayor decide to finally take a stand? And on an issue like this?

5. Why didn't any of the counsel members who stated "they would ask the tough questions" not even ask one question about this. Clearly at least to some degree placing a possible religious symbol on a public land would raise eyebrows.