Social Commentary
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Tom Tiffany’s Campaign Is Testing How Low Wisconsin Will Tolerate
“Wisconsin deserves better than political campaigns built around fear, racial division and millions of dollars from wealthy … donors,” said state Rep. Christine Sinicki. “This is 2026, we should not be seeing political advertising that relies on images and language that critics have described as racial dog whistles. We’ve seen this playbook before.” You can’t… Continue reading
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The Presidency Is Not A License To Degrade People
I am going to state a fact that proves I have lived through many decades and witnessed many elected administrations in Washington. You likely agree with what you have lived through and what you know of our national story. There was a time when Americans expected the president of the United States to elevate the… Continue reading
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A Reminder We Needed: Sauk Prairie High School Students Represent Their Generation Well
Saturday afternoon, James and I took advantage of the exceptionally nice weather and walked from our home to the Memorial Union on the UW-Madison campus. Homecoming weekend was underway, and the city’s energy was contagious. We were going to grab a late lunch and meander around. All that was perfect in and of itself. But… Continue reading
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When Salah Sarsour’s Free Speech In Wisconsin Becomes A Deportable Offense
We all grew up with the same lesson driven home in our classrooms, whether in central Alabama or in the heart of a New York City classroom. People should not fear government punishment because of their political views. That principle is now being severely tested in the case of Salah Sarsour, the longtime president of… Continue reading
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Puritans In Charge: Watertown Schools Are AGAIN Crushing Student Creativity
Something deeply discouraging about grown adults is that they look at a group of enthusiastic, talented high school theater students and see controversy instead of potential. Watertown High School interim superintendent James Feil’s decision to pull the plug on the production of Flashdance feels less like leadership and more like a retreat into a fearful, old-fashioned worldview… Continue reading
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City Of Madison Needs To Clamp Down On Random Camping
In our city, people volunteer to make sections of this place we call home look truly wonderful. One of those Madisonians lives in the Marquette Neighborhood and has been instrumental with the Isthmus Path Prairie Garden (IPPG). It is now reported that random campers who want to pitch a tent and take over public property… Continue reading
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Colin Kaepernick Reminds Us Why Patriotism Sometimes Kneels
Colin Kaepernick is one of those Americans with a steadiness and resolve that send a message many in our nation need to hear right now. He is the football player who used his First Amendment rights to send a message. A message that uplifted many, angered others. By taking the knee, he became the quarterback-turned cultural… Continue reading
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Stop Undermining The Kennedy Center, Living Memorial To Slain President
Every day we have ample reasons to disagree with Donald Trump and his administration. From the quagmire of his making in the Middle East, to his attempt at election manipulation via the postal service, to (and please forgive me for writing this fact) the FBI updating its hiring guidelines to remove juvenile bestiality-related conduct as… Continue reading
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Caffeinated Politics Podcast: Wisconsin Politics And American Character
Wisconsin Elections And Leadership Race, Belonging, And Public Life Sports, Schools, And Community Continue reading
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Frances Tiafoe Reminds Us Who We Really Are As Americans
Today, a grandmother told me her grandson, who studies at Madison East High School, wants a tennis racket for his upcoming birthday. Frances Tiafoe has made a tremendous impression upon the teenager. I responded that the phenomenal tennis player, who is winning fans nationwide, is great news for all of us, as he joyfully reminds… Continue reading
