Just check out their letters to the editor and editorials every Sunday.
What a joke.
Month: August 2020
Trump to visit Kenosha
I guess the Journal Sentinel missed that story.
Week-ends (08/29/20)
A look back at the people and events that made news the past week. Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of This Just In…
HEROES OF THE WEEK
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha. Kathy and I join his family, friends and neighbors in hoping earnestly that he will not succumb to his injuries. While we do not have all the details yet, what we know for certain is he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or in our country.
“I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy, equally important is our action. In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long.”
Gov. Evers on the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha
“Governor Evers issues a timid, spineless response to the out-of-control riots in Kenosha. Are you kidding me?! Kenosha’s a war zone & two people died last night. There’s nothing peaceful about this. Evers, swallow your pride & your ideology. Take President Trump up on his offer for more National Guardsmen & end this now! Do your job & protect our Wisconsin citizens.”
WI Congressman Sean Duffy
“He’s (Gov. Evers) basically saying that this police officer acted mercilessly and this was evidence of widespread police brutality. So think about that, does Gov. Evers know that Jacob Blake wasn’t going for a gun? I don’t know, we don’t know right now. If he was, what is the protocol for the police in that case?”
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.)
“Governor Evers, On behalf of the citizens of Kenosha and Kenosha County, we respectfully request your immediate action to bring additional resources to stop the rioting and lawless destruction that persists in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake. The city is burning. Residents are heartbroken, terrified for their lives and livelihoods and city. They are literally begging and crying for help. Cornerstones of Kenosha, like the Danish Brotherhood, and small businesses have been destroyed, leaving hundreds of people unemployed. Rioters have tried to destroy irreplaceable historic buildings like the Simmons Library and Courthouse. The scars of this week cannot heal until the violence stops. The rioting must end. Please bring to bear all available and necessary state and federal law enforcement support to stop the physical and psychological damage that is being inflicted upon our community.”
A joint statement sent to Gov. Evers by state Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and state Representative Samantha Kerkman (R- Salem)
“Those people did not have to die, and because of Tony Evers’ actions, they’re dead. People are literally dead because folks have had to take to themselves to try to protect their own property. The riots were out of control and tragically, two people lost their lives because of it. If the state had accepted help sooner or fulfilled the request of the local officials, people would not have felt the need to take the law into their own hands.”
Wisconsin’s Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Wednesday suggested Gov. Tony Evers was to blame for the deaths of two people by creating a situation that invited an Illinois teenager to bring a semiautomatic rifle to Kenosha Kyle Rittenhouse was arrested in Antioch, Illinois, on Wednesday on charges of first-degree intentional homicide after he allegedly shot at least three people and killed two of them during Tuesday’s melee in Kenosha.
“The vandalism, armed militia, gun violence and fatal shootings in Kenosha are not advancing the cause of racial justice in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Elected officials at the state and federal level must answer the call of peaceful protests and take action to bring about the change we need.”
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
“The American people know we don’t have to choose between supporting law enforcement and standing with African American neighbors to improve the quality of life in our cities and towns. The hard truth is … you won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America. Let me be clear: The violence must stop — whether in Minneapolis, Portland or Kenosha.”
VP Mike Pence at the RNC
“We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable. For this to occur, it is imperative for the Wisconsin Legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take meaningful measures to address police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform.”
Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill. Players on the Milwaukee Bucks called Wednesday for the Wisconsin legislature to reconvene to address police brutality and criminal justice reform after boycotting their NBA playoff game to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake
“If they want to protest, I don’t think we care. If they want to say, ‘we’re not going to play more games,’ I don’t think that’s a position that you’re going to see us speak out on one way or another. In my mind it’s absurd and silly.”
Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff Marc Short
“Go watch the video of that kid. I’d have done the same thing. But he’s being painted as a murderer! By the way, where are all the patriots who brag on Facebook, ‘Hey, bring it, baby! Lock and load!’ Where the hell were you last night? Some showed up to defend other people’s property or their own. And one guy is now going to have to go on trial because, in defense of himself, two people are dead.
“So I ask you before I go to break, have you cleaned your guns lately? Do you have enough ammo? Are you going to prepare by finding that old set of white sheets so that you can raise the flag of surrender? Or are you going to be ready to defend your property, your people, against the imminent violence being unleashed by people whose end game is total destruction of our way of life?
“And let me close with this, before I get to the commercial break. Everybody out there trying to distance yourself from this militia, that group of defenders — not me. The only reason, no doubt, some businesses didn’t burn last night is because there were people willing to stand a post.”
WISN talk show host Vicki McKenna came to the defense of Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, of Antioch, Illinois, who was charged in shootings at a Kenosha protest Tuesday that killed two people and injured a third person. The 17-year-old was charged as an adult under Wisconsin law. McKenna said Rittenhouse was acting in self-defense.
“People are getting injured and our job is to protect this business. And my job also is to protect people. If someone is hurt, I’m running into harm’s way. That’s why I have my rifle; I’ve gotta protect myself, obviously. But I also have my med kit.”
Kyle Rittenhouse in an interview with the Daily Caller in front of a boarded-up building
“In a new term as President, we will again build the greatest economy in history — quickly returning to full employment, soaring incomes, and RECORD prosperity! We will DEFEND AMERICA against all threats, and protect America against all dangers. We will LEAD AMERICA into new frontiers of ambition and discovery, and we will reach for new heights of national achievement. We will rekindle new faith in our values, new pride in our history, and a new spirit of unity that can ONLY be realized through love for our country. Because we understand that America is NOT a land cloaked in darkness, America is the torch that enlightens the entire world.”
President Trump at the RNC
“This is the most important election in the history of our country. At no time before have voters faced a clearer choice between two parties, two visions, two philosophies, or two agendas. This election will decide whether we SAVE the American Dream, or whether we allow a socialist agenda to DEMOLISH our cherished destiny. It will decide whether we rapidly create millions of high paying jobs, or whether we crush our industries and send millions of these jobs overseas, as has foolishly been done for many decades. Your vote will decide whether we protect law abiding Americans, or whether we give free reign to violent anarchists, agitators, and criminals who threaten our citizens. And this election will decide whether we will defend the American Way of Life, or whether we allow a radical movement to completely dismantle and destroy it.”
President Bush at the RNC
“Joe Biden is not the savior of America’s soul — he is the destroyer of America’s Jobs, and if given the chance, he will be the destroyer of American Greatness. For 47 years, Joe Biden took the donations of blue collar workers, gave them hugs and even kisses, and told them he felt their pain — and then he flew back to Washington and voted to ship their jobs to China and many other distant lands. Joe Biden spent his entire career outsourcing the dreams of American Workers, offshoring their jobs, opening their borders, and sending their sons and daughters to fight in endless foreign wars.”
President Bush at the RNC
“If you give power to Joe Biden, the radical left will defund police departments all across America. …They will make every city look like Democrat-run Portland, Oregon. No one will be safe in Biden’s America.”
President Trump at the RNC
“Joe Biden may claim he is an ‘ally of the Light,’ but when it comes to his agenda, Biden wants to keep you completely in the dark. He has pledged a $4 trillion tax hike on almost all American families, which will totally collapse our rapidly improving economy and once again record stock markets. On the other hand, just as I did in my first term, I will cut taxes even further for hardworking moms and dads, not raise them. We will also provide tax credits to bring jobs out of China BACK to America — and we will impose tariffs on any company that leaves America to produce jobs overseas. We’ll make sure our companies and jobs stay in our country, as I’ve already been doing. Joe Biden’s agenda is Made in China. My agenda is MADE IN THE USA.”
President Bush at the RNC
“My deepest sympathy that goes out to everyone that has lost a loved one and my prayers with those that are ill or suffering (from COVID).”
First Lady Melania Trump at the RNC
“President Trump has put his ‘America First’ vision into action. It may not have made him popular in every foreign capital, but it has worked. As a soldier, I saw, first hand, people desperate to flee to freedom. The way each of us can best ensure our freedoms is by electing leaders who don’t just talk, but deliver.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
“Right now, our economic health is coming back. Our economic choice is very clear: Do you want economic health, prosperity, opportunity and optimism? Or do you want to turn back to the dark days of stagnation, recession and pessimism?”
Larry Kudlow, a top White House economic advisor
“I look forward to the day that the media returns to providing balanced, responsible and accountable news coverage. I know President Trump hopes for that, too. I know you’ll agree with me when I say no one in this county has been a victim of unfair media coverage more than President Donald Trump.”
Nicholas Sandmann, the teenager who won settlements in lawsuits multiple news outlets in the wake of their coverage of his viral confrontation with protesters in Washington
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK
Government Agents Post Message on Church Door: Singing is Unlawful
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
Parents of Slain ISIS Hostage: ‘To This Day, We’ve Never Heard From Joe Biden’
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
Criticisms of the RNC. The DNC never got the same.
MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
Sperm quality worse in men who use smartphones, tablets late at night
Why does the Journal Sentinel refuse to cover a local 1st place team?
I have no idea.
The Milwaukee Milkmen have a 2.5 game lead in the American Association standings and could be going to the playoffs.
Adam Walker (pictured above) leads the Association in HRs and RBIs.
The paper ignores them.
Mobs are Trump’s useful idiots; Kenosha riots swaying voters; Trump will crush Biden
Here are this week’s highly interesting reads:
Today’s highly interesting read (08/28/20): The Five Reasons Trump Is Going to Crush Biden
UPDATE: Today’s highly interesting read (08/25/20): The mob are turning into Trump’s useful idiots
Today’s highly interesting read (08/25/20): The mob are turning into Trump’s useful idiots
The Barking Lot – America’s Finest Dog Blog (08/29/20)
e Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of This Just In…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me. It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: Partly cloudy. High of 76. “A”
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. High of 74. “A”
Now, here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer, with this week’s main blog.
Here’s a sweet photo:
OK. What’s that dog up to? Besides that, smarty!
Years ago, to promote an upcoming program the USA cable network once asked Americans whose dreams they would like to hack if given the opportunity.
The respondents were nearly as likely to want to hack into their pets’ dreams as they were to want to hack into their partners’ (“my pet” came in second on a list of 25, right after “my partner”). Dr. Deirdre Barrett, who is a teacher and a Clinical and Evolutionary Psychologist at Harvard Medical School and has studied doggie dreams for many years, says “respondents have it right: pets’ dreams would be the most interesting to enter. Other mammals, including cats and dogs, share our sleep cycle complete with REM (Rapid Eye Movement). But their brains are so different that these would be like no dream we’ve ever experienced.”
Researchers know that mammals go into a deep sleep, just like humans. Size matters.
Small animals go through sleep stages rather quickly. Their dreams are shorter and more frequent. Larger animals have a much longer sleep process meaning they’re in deep sleep longer between dreams.
There’s a big IF. It’s uncertain if dogs even dream. No one knows for sure. But if they do, what’s going through their brains?
Dogs are like humans who dream about what they like and are familiar with. So dogs would dream the same.
Studies show that because owners have been a constant feature in their dogs’ lives since they were puppies that dogs generally accept humans as relevant social partners, far more than other dogs.
Here’s what the experts say. IF your dog dreams, the what is answered in the above picture.
Your face.
Your smell.
Pleasing you.
Even annoying you.
Researchers have also examined cats, and the finding isn’t all that interesting.
“Cats lay quietly through the other stages of sleep, and when REM began, they leapt up, stalked, pounced, arched their backs and hissed. They looked like they were hunting mice in their dreams,” said Dr. Barrett.
And that’s about all cats dream about.
Back to dogs. IF dogs do in fact dream an owner can enhance the sleeping experience by exposing the dog to as much happiness during the day before it’s nighttime.
So owners, it’s like the song goes. “But in your dreams whatever they be….
—Jennifer Fischer
Thanks Jennifer!
Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.
Kerith is a hero.
Survey Finds Dog Owners Are Exercising More, Enjoying Working From Home During the Pandemic.
How Science is Revolutionizing the World of Dog Training.
Dogs are amazing. Yet another example.
Are you walking your dog properly?
Four-Legged Patients: Can EMS Help the Dog?
Paralyzed 6-Year-Old Meets Her Future Golden Retriever Service Dog and Bonds with Pup Instantly.
Exactly how much does it cost to own a dog in 2020?
Which WI city made this list?
Busch Beer launches Dog Brew, a beverage made specifically for dogs.
Haven’t had one of these for some time. Let’s open the “Naughty Dog” file.
THAT’S IT FOR DOGS IN THE NEWS.
HERE’S OUR DOG PHOTO(s) OF THE WEEK.
Jeep ran a contest for dogs – and it just picked a winner for its social media channels. Bear was named Jeep’s first Top Canine on National Dog Day. He’s from Massachusetts.
From the Facebook page “View from my window.”
Three good boys waiting for the floors to dry so they can come back in, from Beirut, Lebanon.
Earlier this week at Franklin Field in Franklin, WI, it was Take Your Dog to the Ballpark night.
We close as we always do with our closing video. And a few this week to enjoy.
NEXT…
Barking Lot Update: Honolulu TSA’s Kajla wins national Cutest Canine Award
AND, how about some Chick-fil-A?
That’s it for this week.
Thanks for stopping by.
We kindly ask that you please share with other dog lovers you know.
See ya, BARK, next Saturday morning!
Best Cartoons of the Week (08/29/20)
Goodnight everyone, and have a masterpiece weekend!
Every Friday night we smooth our way into the weekend with music, the universal language. These selections demonstrate that despite what is being passed off as art today, there is plenty of really good music available. Come along and enjoy.
Walt Disney’s magnificent experimental animated film “Fantasia” was released 80 years ago.
This 1940 film consists of animation set to eight musical pieces. On the American Film Institute’s listing of the top 100 films of all time Fantasia ranks #58.
From a NY Times review the day after the film’s world premiere at the Broadway Theatre in NY in November of 1940:
Let us agree, as did almost every one present on the occasion, that the sly and whimsical papa of Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Pinocchio and a host of other cartoon darlings has this time come forth with something which really dumps conventional formulas overboard and boldly reveals the scope of films for imaginative excursion.
Let us temperately admit that “Fantasia” is simply terrific—as terrific as anything that has ever happened on a screen. And then let’s get on from there. For the vital report this morning is that Mr. Disney and his troop of little men, together with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra and a corps of sound engineers, have fashioned with music and colors and animated figures on a screen a creation so thoroughly delightful and exciting in its novelty that one’s senses are captivated by it, one’s imagination is deliciously inspired.
They have taken eight symphonic numbers which are generally reserved for the concert halls, let Mr. Stokowski’s band record them on multiple sound tracks, and have then given them visual accompaniments of vast and spellbinding range. In brief, they have merged high-toned music with Disney’s fantastic imagery.
Fantasia” is enchanting entertainment. This is one time, we warrant, you won’t want to listen to music with your eyes shut.
This week, the music of “Fantasia.” Let’s get started.
In 1937 Walt Disney began work on a Silly Symphony cartoon short of Paul Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” Disney happened to meet Leopold Stokowski who accepted the chance to conduct the score for the short.
Mickey’s looks changed. For the short he got pupils in his eyes (a first for him), a bit more bulk to his frame, and a greater dose of cuteness.
Production costs started to beef up, too. The project was beyond the normal price for a “cartoon” of just a few minutes in length. Not too worry. Disney improvised.
Instead of a short, Disney changed plans and decided to make a full-blown “concert feature.” It took Disney, Stokowski, music critic Deems Taylor and story directors Joe Grant and Dick Huemer three weeks to finally choose the musical selections for Fantasia.
We absolutely must begin with…
About “Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” Stokowski wrote a letter to Disney.
“What would you think of creating an entirely new personality for this film instead of Mickey? A personality that could represent you and me – in other words, someone that would represent in the mind and heart of everyone seeing the film their own personality, so that they would enter into all the drama and emotional changes of the film in a most intense matter.”
What did Stokowski mean? He meant not making Mickey the lead. Remember at that time, Mickey’s popularity was nowhere near what it is today. Disney said no. Another suggestion was to cast Dopey (one of the Seven Dwarfs) in Mickey’s role. Disney rejected that idea as well.
This next Fantasia selection is one of the most beautiful pieces ever written. Dating back to 1853, “Ave Maria” today is often played or sung at funerals, masses, and weddings.
Remember Deodato? The Brazilian pianist, composer, arranger, and record producer had that very popular instrumental of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” in the early 1970’s. Shortly thereafter came this Deodato recording.
“Fantasia” was the first film to utilize stereophonic sound, and that wasn’t easy. In order to show “Fantasia” in theaters the venues had to be upgraded. About a dozen or more sites hd to be adjusted and equipped to display the movie in “Fantasound.” That required the installation of more speakers around the theater as opposed to the small number normally positioned behind the screen in addition to new projectors and sound reproduction machines. Upgrades cost around $85,000 per theater. When adjusted for today’s inflation, that was close to $1.5 million.
The “Dance of the Hours” portion of Fantasia included the unlikely combination of zoo animals and ballet dancers. You’ll recognize the music performed by the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
“Fantasia” grossed when adjusted for inflation more than $83 million at the box office. But the movie had a slow start except in places like NY and LA. then came WWII, ending Disney’s hopes of producing a sequel.
Disney animators originally made nine sequences for the film, including one set to Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” featuring birds flying across a moonlit sky over the Florida Everglades. The segment was cut for length, but was seen in Disney’s “Make Mine Music” in 1946.
That’s it for this week.
Goodnight.
Sleep well.
Have a great weekend.
For our closing number when it was played in theaters Disney wanted to spray perfume on the audience. But because of worries about the cost it never happened.
Not the way Disney would have done it, but very entertaining.
Friday Night Forgotten Oldie: Social distancing
To begin please watch this report from NBC San Diego.
Here in Wisconsin music venues have requested state aid from Gov. Evers.
Musicians are in trouble, no doubt about it.
Stay with me please.
Let’s connect the dots. Rocker Van Morrison wants musicians and performers to be able to start playing to full venues again and has posted a message on his official website (updated) seeking support from others in the music and theater community.
This week’s oldie is early Morrison.
In 1999, “Gloria” by Them received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2000, “Gloria” by Them was listed as number 81 on VH1’s list of The 100 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time. In 2004, “Gloria” by Them was ranked #208 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, moving down to #211 in the 2010 updated list.
Today’s highly interesting read (08/28/20): The Five Reasons Trump Is Going to Crush Biden
Today’s read is from columnist Kurt Schlichter. Here’s an excerpt before a link to the entire piece:
As the smoke clears following Donald Trump’s re-election, revealing the shattered ruins of the Democrats’ hopes and dreams of implementing their own Lil’ Venezuela in the Land of the Free, all the smart blue check Twitter people will be rubbing their heads – sissy drinks make for the worst hangovers – and explaining, “Well, of course Biden lost. Duh. It was so obvious he would lose. Pass the Advil.”
So, why not do the post-mortem before the mortem, you know, a pre-mortem of why the creepy old weirdo who lives in a basement lost?
This Just In... From Franklin, WI 
