A startling report from CBS News:
The nation’s suburbs, once the wellspring of the American Dream, now has the highest rate of premature deaths from drug overdoses…
More younger Americans are dying prematurely, especially those aged 15 to 44. The drug overdose epidemic is the top cause of early death among 25- to 44-year-olds, an age many people in this group traditionally buy their first homes and embark on careers.
UPDATE: Much of the angry reaction to my wife’s posting of this blog (that I write, she does not, she simply posts) on a Facebook page has focused on that we were told nicely not to do it, and rules are rules. We don’t frequent that Facebook page. We are not helpless and know how to use the Yellow Pages. Because we rarely check it out, if there was an edict not to post political we never saw it. We did see some political posts the past week or two and thought ours would be okay. No one running that page has been nice or respectful to us.
I get that it’s their page and they get to set the rules. Rules are rules? Not in our playbook, especially when the rule’s a stupid rule.
A correction could have/should have been handled more, what’s that magic word, respectfully. It wasn’t.
If my suspicions are correct, that the administrators of the page were coerced into not only deleting a post but then being nasty about it, that’s beyond unfortunate. Two wrongs don’t what?
I wasn’t aware of a rule, my wife was berated, and the thin-skinned kaffeeklatsch had their egos bruised. How about we pay attention to Mayor Olson who said recently that we can disagree admirably. We were lectured to be respectful. That works both ways.
Franklin has a number of Facebook public forum sites. The folks who operate some of the sites encourage citizen involvement, that is, if you kiss their rings and follow their stupid rules which you may or may not be aware of.
One of these sites is the Franklin Area Community Watch site.
For the past couple of weeks the site has allowed political posts. A regular reader of my blog encouraged me to post there. I don’t have a Facebook page (not a crime) so I had my wife who does have Facebook page link to some of my blogs (again, not a crime).
Last night my wife posted my blog about Franklin alderman Steve Taylor signing the mayoral nomination papers for Basil Ryan, clearly an endorsement of Ryan who was thrown out of office as Franklin alderman via recall.
The post generated quite the feedback and discussion, exactly what the “administrators” would and should want.
My wife got into the fray, posting several comments in defense of the post.
This morning, one Lynn Helgeland informed my wife via the Facebook page she monitors offered the following. It’s so lovely, charming, and if I may say, respectful.
Jennifer Bokan Fischer, if I have to remove one more post from you about your blog, your out. I have asked nicely and provided a community outlet for politics.
I cannot help that the community page has more members then your blog site. Please show some respect.
Sincerely, Admin!
It took my wife and I about one-tenth of a second to stop shivering in our boots.
When my wife commented several times there were many responses that were disrespectful. But only Jennifer got the condescending lecture. So Jennifer responded:
Jennifer Bokan Fischer I would submit the same holds true for those who comment and react. My post was factual and should not have been censored.
Have a good day.
The moderator missed the point that the same pontificating should have been targeted at others who commented as well.
Lynn Helgeland I’m sorry but you don’t get to decide what the Admin of this page allow or not. You can post your uncensored items on your blog as you see fit. As for me and mine, I do not want that on this page. Show some respect and comply. Seriously 😒
Show some respect and comply?
Whatever happened to something like:
Jennifer, thank you for your contribution. Because it is generating healthy debate we’ll allow it to continue. But please be advised we can’t accept future posts like this as this is not what this site was created for. Thank you for your understanding.
No, Helgeland used her lofty position as page caretaker to slam Jennifer twice, and then later in a tagged message to her.
The best comment on the thread was this:
Kim Gehrig With 1 week until the election, why would politics be banned from this site? Clearly the most important thing going on in the city this week.
This wasn’t bad either.
Nancy Hipp What’s wrong with political speech? Was it outlawed?
When confronted with a major truth Helgeland replied with an attempt at humor to Hipp.
Lynn Helgeland Yup. By the Trump administration 😜
Gotta be a lib.
Can’t we all just get along?
Major fail to be funny.
Nancy Hipp I would never make even one comment on any page that doesn’t accept diversity. Who gets to say what is allowed to be said?
Lynn Helgeland Oh you are being serious? We did not create this community page for politics. So I guess, in terms of this page, the admin does. You are more then able to post on other pages that allow it, just not here.
Dean Hoyt AMERICA!!!! FREEDOM OF SPEECH!! Except here? Interesting not really. Disgusting really gross that anyone would try to stop anyone from saying anything in a open forum. Shameful of those who subscribe to dictatorship and not democracy.
Remember Helgeland’s comment that opened this discussion?
I have asked nicely and provided a community outlet for politics.
Apparently not on this page. I’m wondering if someone got to her and bullied her to drop my wife’s post and comments and she caved. That would not be surprising given the political anti-free speech climate in Franklin.
She also wrote:
I cannot help that the community page has more members then your blog site.
That’s laughable. She has no clue what she’s saying. Trust me, Lynn, you have no idea how popular my blog is.
So that’s why you should allow my and others’ views to be posted. By refusing to do so, and you obviously don’t get it, you lose, your site loses, and your readers lose.
But if dumping my stuff makes your power-tripping mind happy, so be it. I’ll survive.
And I’ll still have tons of readers, even if none of them are looking for someone to reupholster their couch.
Since we can’t post on Helgeland’s precious free from politics page I can only hope she somehow gets to read this and realizes she has a lot to learn about moderating a public forum.
Don’t like reading this, Mrs. Helgeland? Upset?
Well, too bad. There’s not thing one you can do about it.
Seen on the Facebook page of Kayla’s Krew/Kayla’s Playground:
Previously on This Just in…
The update:
10 reasons. Here’s one of them.
See Page 6 and 7 for the entire list.
Here’s the truth the Meals on Wheels funding freakout missed: We don’t need the government to help each other.
From a news release issued earlier this morning:
Today, Senator David Craig (R-Town of Vernon) and Representative Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) along with 39 co-authors released the “Right to Carry Act”, which simplifies Wisconsin law and expands the rights of law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon without a license.
At first glance the language might be puzzling, even concerning. Critics are already lashing out:
The “Permitless Carry” proposal by Wisconsin Republicans would lower the age to carry a concealed weapon and give dangerous individuals greater access to firearms.
So the news release by Craig and Felzkowski seeks to and does clarify. I urge you to read so you don’t jump to false conclusion.
There’s also a memo by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Legislative Council and a list of FAQs supplied by Craig for your review.
Even more. Craig talked about his bill on WISN this morning.
UPDATE: What do I think? One of the reasons WI was able to get the votes and approve conceal carry was the training mandate. Seems appropriate. We want people with conceal carry to know what the hell they’re doing.
I’ve blogged extensively about the incredible rise in women taking classes so they can carry a weapon to protect themselves.
I envision my lovely wife wanting to conceal carry. I would and I think she would, too, insist she take training. It’s not a hardship,
While I’m a staunch second amendment supporter I think this legislation is doomed to failure.
Mark Belling also talked about this on his show today. Discussion begins about 1:52 in.
From Pro-Life Wisconsin:
I’m Emma, and I’m adopted.
With help from amazing donors, Pro-Life Wisconsin worked with a top-notch film production company – Spirit Juice – to produce this video about Emma.
She’s adopted, and she loves to share her story. See the full video, and follow us on social media to see another video from Spirit Juice about lives worth living coming next week.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD DEFUNDING: After 48 hours of vickering and negotiations, House Republicans have pulled the American Health Care Act, an Obamacare replacement bill defunding most of Planned Parenthood. Conservative and some moderate Republicans opposed the bill. PLW: Congress must find another way to defund Planned Parenthood, our nation’s number one abortion provider. No excuses!
PLANNED PARENTHOOD LIES: The abortion chain Planned Parenthood has come up with its own videos to show what they claim “actually happens when you get an abortion.” The problem is that their videos never mention the baby in the womb and offer only a few vague descriptions about how the abortion procedure works. PLW: Planned Parenthood is able to lie about human growth and development in the womb because unborn children are hidden from our sight. This is why ultrasound technology is so important to show pregnant mothers the truth.
MISGUIDED MERCY: If parents hear that aborting their unborn baby is a compassionate choice, one made of love, and the right thing to do under the circumstances, they’ll likely make the choice to kill their unborn child. PLW: Killing a person because he will suffer later in life is not mercy or compassion. It’s selfishness.
CLOSED: Planned Parenthood Keystone, one of three PP branches in Pennsylvania, said it will be closing abortion clinics in Easton and Bristol in the far eastern part of the state. PLW: We celebrate every Planned Parenthood that closes. When they close, better options for women become more apparent, like the federally qualified health centers that outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities 20 to 1 in the U.S.
COSMO: The sex-crazed magazine is offering political activism advice to its readers, probably missing the mark. Magazines are typically read by younger women, and young women are increasingly pro-life. What’s in their three steps to “save Roe“? Be loud.
DOWNS: The world celebrated Down Syndrome Day on March 21, and Oklahoma is considering banning abortions for children diagnosed with the chromosomal disorder. PLW: It’s clear that many children are targeted for abortion because of a potential disorder like Down syndrome, but our legislators need to protect all children, regardless of their ability or development.
REST IN PEACE: During his 17 years as archbishop, Cardinal William Henry Keeler hosted Pope John Paul II in 1995, voted in the conclave that chose Benedict XVI to succeed him and raised more than $100 million for programs, schools and scholarships for low-income city students. The cardinal was a leading national voice against abortion, and he built an international reputation for forging ties with believers of other faiths.
ADORABLE: Watch this time-lapse video of family waiting for the birth of their second child.
WYOMING: Gov. Matt Mead signed House Bill 182, which requires physicians to offer women who want an abortion the opportunity to have an ultrasound and hear a heartbeat, if one can be heard, and House Bill 116, which prohibits the sale and transport of fetal tissue from aborted fetuses. PLW: Wisconsin already has mandatory ultrasound laws, though a woman isn’t required to watch the ultrasound she receives. Currently, Pro-Life Wisconsin and the Heal Without Harm Coalition is working with the legislature to pass a law prohibiting the trade and use of tissue from aborted children.
To stay up-to-date all week, follow Pro-Life Wisconsin on Twitter.
ALSO:
Pro-Life Cartoonist and Umbert the Unborn Creator Gary Cangemi Passes Away
AND FINALLY, LOVIN’ LIFE…
He’s part of the “Smile Patrol”
First, by way of introduction…
In my view Steve Taylor as a county supervisor for Franklin, Oak Creek, and Hales Corners is somewhere between so-so and okay. That’s not saying much since an intern could vote properly against the majority of the Milwaukee County Board that is a clown car.
But as a city alderman for Franklin, Steve (RINO) Taylor is horrible. Has the record to prove it. A Dale Carnegie instructor could have a field day with him.
Intro done. We move on.
Recently a rather innocent video of Franklin Mayor Steve Olson was posted on the Facebook page of the Franklin Area Community Watch group by the S.K. Realty group:
Hey everyone happy #milwaukeeMonday this week we have a very special guest THE MAYOR OF FRANKLIN! He is talking about what is going on in franklin and what he plans to do to fix it
Franklin alderman and county supervisor Taylor chimed in.
Steve F. Taylor As an Alderman since 2008 I don’t agree with anything Steve Olson spoke about. This video is an embarrassment. I spoke with Hank Meijer at a ribbon cutting in Oak Creek and he blames Olson and Olson alone for Meijer not being in Franklin. Olson has shown zero leadership since being elected mayor. His main focus has been helping his developer friends on a business park that no one supports. I have never seen an individual spin so much garbage. What has he accomplished since he was elected??? Besides trying to raise taxes two of his three budgets. I will wait for his response…..
That led to…
Doug Milinovich Steve F. Taylor I am totally shocked by your stance, NOT! “I have never seen an individual spin so much garbage” You can fix that by looking in the mirror when you speak. Talking about spinning garbage you telling me NO ONE on the council supports the business park? Or are they no one because they don’t agree with you? Remember you are only as good as those you stand behind. So keep standing behind a once recalled politician who has numerous CCAP entries, that should serve you well! Approximately $40 million in business park expansion is just one of his accomplishments. Put y
our playbook away and speak the truth and facts you will have much more credibility.
Steve F. Taylor I only stand behind myself and support no candidate. I support development in the area I represent but I won’t play the games the our mayor does who only wants to give political favors to his friends.
That brought this response from someone who obviously knows her biology.
Melissa Leipzig You only stand behind yourself?? Ha ha ha!
Now back to serious…
Jason Perry Serious question. If you’re not backing Steve Olson, and you’re not backing Basil Ryan, are you just writing Franklin off for the next 4 years? I know you’re not a fan of Steve’s, but with your elected post in Franklin, butting heads for the next 4 years seems counter productive for our city.
One more time…
Melissa Leipzig You only stand behind yourself?? Ha ha ha!
Totally love that.
Then Taylor performs a Kristen Wilhelm. Simply couldn’t put on the brakes. He stepped in it even further.
Steve F. Taylor As for who the next mayor is going to or who I am voting for is none of anyone’s business. The term is 3 years and not 4 and the makeup of the council will change little so whoever the mayor is they better learn to work with the council. The current occupant sure hasn’t.
OK. Let’s rewind. He stands behind himself. And it’s nobody’s business whom he supports for mayor.
Then why, according to an open record, did Taylor on 1/2/17 sign Basil Ryan’s nomination papers for mayor of Franklin?
Can you imagine an already dysfunctional Franklin Common Council and the disgraced former-recalled Basil Ryan as mayor running our city?
The vote is Pete Kosovich for alderman against Steve Taylor and Steve Olson for mayor on April 4.
One of my favorite columnists is John Hawkins. Incredibly insightful and master of posting lists. I learned a long time ago in my journalistic career that news consumers love lists.
Hawkins writes:
It’s fine for Democrats to be upset that Donald Trump schlonged Hillary Clinton, but the reality is that they spent the entirety of the Obama years getting their brains beaten in. When Obama first took office, they held the House and 60 seats in the Senate and controlled the majority of governorships and state legislatures. Now, the GOP has a large majority in the House, 52 seats in the Senate, and the majority of state legislatures and governorships.
Democrats went from thinking they were on the verge of a permanent political ascendancy to the worst political bloodbath in American history. Put another way, Democrats are the George Armstrong Custer of political parties, and yet that doesn’t seem to have inspired any soul searching at all. So here are some questions Democrats should be asking themselves right now:
To see the list, and it’s really good, click here.
Here are my most popular blogs from last week, Sunday – Saturday:
1) Franklin alderwoman demands apology from volunteer parks commissioner
2) Time now for-Dogs at Kayla’s Playground?…or, Common sense is uncommon in Franklin
3) The Franklin School Board election in April: A no-brainer
4) Reasons to love Kayla’s Playground
5) How to get people interested in Franklin Common Council meetings…or not
6) The real reason Franklin alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm is so upset about Parks Commissioner Dave Pautz
7) MUST-READ FOR FRANKLIN VOTERS: Mayor Steve Olson “dismayed” at latest campaign tactics, and so am I
8) BREAKING NEWS: KYLA IS A WHOLE 8 TODAY!
This Just In... From Franklin, WI 