Daniel Cody - “Left on the Lake”

You may have noticed that over the past month, WTMJ Channel 4 (our local NBC affiliate) has been on a sensationalist tear during “sweeps” to increase it’s ratings, especially during it’s 10 p.m. newscast.

During that time, we’ve been subjected to breathless stories and relentless promos about “TAX INCREASES!”, the sexual orientation of school board members, overpriced trash cans, and just about anything that could make enough waves to bring in some viewers. Indeed, no stone was left unturned in WTMJ’s quest for slime, much, and ratings.

Ironically, the real story here may be the one about how Wisconsin’s largest media conglomerate penchant for the preposterous may have backfired on them.

The ratings for the past month’s 10 p.m. newscasts are in, and WTMJ Channel 4 managed to come in a disappointing second, despite their best efforts.

The highest rated 10 p.m. newscast over the past month was WISN Channel 12, the local ABC affiliate, with WTMJ coming in second .

We stopped watching any newscast from Channel 4 several years ago when they decided to start focusing on creating the news rather than reporting the news and switched to Channel 12. While they’re not perfect either, the kind of coverage they give to local news stories is much better than what the other local stations provide. It’s also an added bonus that our neighbor does the weather on Channel 12, so it’s nice to see her on the T.V. once in a while.

WTMJ management is going to take one of two things away from this. Either they will see this as some vindication that what they’re doing is working, and the only reason they didn’t get #1 was because their coverage isn’t sensational enough. Or they’re going to see that their brand of coverage isn’t what Milwaukee area residents are looking for and that a more respectable newscast focused on real local news - not stories that they fabricate and hype - is the future for them.

Campaigning and defending yourself from right-wing radio talk show hosts is time consuming work. Enjoy cute kids:

(Taken a few months ago for our latest family picture in Lake Park)

Thanksgiving is the traditional kickoff to the holiday season, and it’s something that over the years I’ve really come to look forward to. On top of spending some quality time with family and friends, it’s nice to have some time off to recharge the batteries.

This year, more than most, that’s going to be something I really need. After next week, the campaign season really kicks off for spring elections, and it’s going to be an all out sprint from December 1st through April 1st.

I’m pretty happy though with where things are at, because having laid a lot of the groundwork for my campaign over the course of the last five months will allow me to focus on actually campaigning vs. preparing to campaign. Which isn’t to say I haven’t been campaigning, as anyone who’s on my email list or answered a door I’ve knocked on knows!

At any rate, I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving, and hope you have a safe and enjoyable start to the holiday season as well.

I thought I’d post an update on the two parents who almost killed their toddler so they could “party” since it generated quite a bit of interest and comments.

The “parents” of the child, Mitch D. Laputka and Rachel C. Anderson, who neglected their baby so badly that his body was covered with diaper rash, his body temperature was 12 degrees below normal and he stopped breathing, requiring 21 minutes of CPR to revive him, both pleaded guilty to a felony count of first-degree reckless injury on Wednesday and will be sentenced January 31st.

Misdemeanor child neglect charges were dropped in exchange for their guilty pleas, but they’re both still expected to serve a short term in prison followed up by a lengthy period of extended supervision.

As I said previously, good riddance, but hopefully these two have a major epiphany in prison that helps them get their lives on track when they’re out.

In recent weeks I’ve got a fair number of emails sent through my personal weblog from readers - some long time and some new - asking how they can help with my campaign for Milwaukee County Supervisor.

News of bus route cuts, fare increases, and an alarming lack of accountability from some Supervisors has residents of Milwaukee County seriously concerned about the direction this County is headed in. The good news is they realize that we desperately need new leadership that will chart a different course for this County.

Leadership that will fight to restore accountability, leadership that will end an era of neglect that our public spaces have endured, and most importantly, leadership who’s top priority is to proactively communicate with and act on behalf of residents of the 15th district.

What I’m hearing from readers is that while they understand the need for a new direction in Milwaukee County and know that I’m the person who can help take us in that new direction, they don’t always know what they can do about it. There are a number of people who have told me that even though they don’t agree with my politics or stances on some issues they know that I’d be an effective leader and represent the best interests of my constituents.

So if you’re one of those people, I’d like to ask for your support in one of the following areas:

• Contribute Financially - It takes money to run a campaign. The cost of yard signs and advertising my message of change can add up! Making a financial donation is one of the easiest and most effective ways to show your support. You can contribute online with a credit card too (or by sending a check) and ANY amount you can contribute helps and is greatly appreciated!
• Contribute your time and talent - Do you have a particular skill in research or publicity? Would you mind hosting a meet and greet for friends, family, and neighbors? Can you spend a few hours to help knock on doors or do literature drops? Smaller elections like this rely very much on the hard work of volunteers, and it only takes a few hours of your time to bring about huge changes in your community! So please consider volunteering your time, talent and energy!
• Spreading the word - Taking a few minutes to talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about the importance of electing a progressive voice as a Milwaukee County Supervisor is very very helpful. Putting a link to my campaign website on your web site or a yard sign in your front yard helps raise awareness also and is also a very easy way to show your support.

Whatever you can help with is appreciated so much… I really mean that. As anyone who’s ever been involved in a campaign knows, it’s really hard work that requires a lot of sacrifice not only from the candidate, but from their family as well. However, I truly believe that those personal sacrifices are more than offset by the benefits that the entire community will see once I’m elected as Supervisor of Milwaukee County’s 15th district.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support!!

Today, all Americans remember and honor those who have served in the armed forces at home and abroad, in wartime or peacetime.

In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. - President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Thank you all.

So much for Rudy Giuliani trying to label himself as a “moderate” Presidential candidate. In order to placate the ultra-right conservatives he’s working hard to show just how “un-moderate” he can be, he’s worked for and received the endorsement of non other than televangelist Pat Robertson.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think this is something that mainstream American is going to be all that impressed with, and if anything, most people are turned off by Robertson’s particular brand of radicalism.

After all, this is the same person who said that “Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists” were the spirit of the ‘Anti-Christ’.

He’s a person who has said his prayers have guided hurricanes to hit the East Coast.

A person who asked his followers to “pray for a vacancy” on the Supreme Court and free it from those “black-robed tyrants (that) have pushed a radical agenda.”.

This is someone who agreed with the statement that 9/11 was caused directly by “”pagans, abortionists, feminists, gays, lesbians, the American Civil Liberties Union and the People For the American Way.”.

Someone who suggested that the detonation of a nuclear bomb at the State Department would be a good thing.

I could go on and on, but the point is this: Rudy, in his quest to placate the ultra-right to secure the nomination of his party for President, seems to have abandoned any hint that he’d be someone who would represent all Americans. With endorsements like this, he’s proving exactly that. The support of a controversial radical like Pat Roberston is more important than that of mainstream America.

And that tells me all we need to know about the kind of President Rudy Giuliani would make.

Bush today:

“History teaches us that underestimating the words of evil, ambitious men is a terrible mistake,” Bush said. “Bin Laden and his terrorist allies have made their intentions as clear as Lenin and Hitler before them. And the question is, will we listen?” - GWB 2007

Bush before:

Well, as I say, we haven’t heard much from him. And I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don’t know where he is. I — I’ll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him. - GWB 2002

Not to mention the comparison between bin Laden and the leaders of two of the most powerful military machines of their time is less than apt.

I can’t figure out why this article in today’s MJS showed up on the front page and not the editorial page.

Apparently, the MJS has been listening to it’s sister AM talk radio media outlets quite a bit lately. It seems the reporter here is genuinely surprised that “regular” people aren’t panting breathlessly as much about the tax increase as the ultra conservative radio talk show hosts who spend the majority of their day railing against any kind of spending increase in this State, County and City.

One can argue that by questioning the lack of “outrage” about the large tax increase, the MJS is joining it’s other media outlets in trying to whip said outrage by focusing on it and expressing such shock that no one attends MPS board meetings.

I’ve been to enough MPS board meetings to know that the board is usually speaking to itself, or at best, a few concerned people for at least the first half of the meeting.

Yes, there’s a massive amount of apathy from the public on issues relating to the school board, and yes that’s a problem. Instead of joining the conservative chorus to lament the fact that “no one cares about tax increases!!”, the MJS should do its duty as a public educator and commit some resources to reporting about MPS on issues other than police officers or handcuffs. Or give some coverage to MPS issues and the people that make decisions on those issues on days other than those immediately preceding school board elections.

If they’re so concerned about the issue of public apathy towards MPS on issues other than the conservative “anti-tax” crusade, start reporting on the shocking lack of after school programs for kids, or how music and art have all but disappeared from public schools, or why school counselor positions are disappearing at an alarming rate.

I’ve always been a supporter of free speech, but I can’t help but feel supportive of a jury’s decision yesterday to fine the Westboro Baptist Church $11 million, which will effectively bankrupt the organization.

They’re the people who redefine the “fringe” in the Country by showing up at soldiers funerals holding signs saying that they were killed oversees as punishment from God for America’s toleration of homosexuality.

These are the same folks who wanted to erect a monument in Wyoming proclaiming:
“Matthew Shepard entered Hell October 12, 1998, at age 21 in defiance of God’s solemn warning: Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind; it is abomination. Leviticus 18:22.”

In reference to Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was tied to a fencepost and beaten to death back in 1998.

It’s all shameful and despicable.