There is a well financed juggernaut in favor of rapid placement of wind farms, wildlife be damned.

Please phone or email as soon as possible. The legislature may vote on this in a day or 2. We know how precious our county is. Please do this to help protect it from thoughtless development.

Here is a link that will help you locate your representatives.
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/

Thank you, Maggie Jones and Edie Ehlert of the Crawford Stewardship Project.

Picketing at the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) Meeting in La Crosse and Eau Claire this week.

*ACTION IN LA CROSSE THIS WED., MAR. 5TH -- 8 AM to 10:30 AM: We will meet on the road in front of the at the Gundersen Lutheran - Onalaska Clinic, 3111 Gundersen Dr., Onalaska. We will be there from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Join us later if you cannot make it at 8 AM.*

*ACTION IN EAU CLAIRE this Friday., March 7th -- 8 to 10:30 AM at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, 101 North Farwell Street, Suite 101, Eau Claire

These are informational pickets at a WMC meetings  to coincide with their hosting a meeting designed to raise money to influence the Supreme Court race. This week WMC is hosting a seminar designed to enlist opposition to the candidacy of Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler.

It is estimated that WMC will attempt to raise between $2.5 and $4 million in an effort to defeat the distinguished jurist, Justice Butler. Those picketing today are making it clear that the people's Wisconsin Supreme Court is not for sale.

Members of labor and professional organizations are opposed to these efforts. We do not have the legal means to find out which WMC members fund these attack ads. But we do have access to the WMC board of directors and can identify the people who are responsible for the decisions to raise the money and to buy the advertising. They can enjoy their right to raise money for issue ads and we have the right to note who is legally responsible for taking out the ads.

Again, we cannot name the individuals and corporations that contribute to the WMC Issues fund; that information is not available to the public. Only WMC can tell you who contributes to their political advertising.

We wish to make it clear that this is not a picket of Gundersen Lutheran or the Eau Claire Chamber.

The board members from the companies attending have the power to either stop the ads or at least reveal who pays for them.

From the LaCrosse tribune Webpage:

CRAWFORD COUNTY

De Soto School Board (Town of Genoa seat)

(X) Roger Mueller (i) 357

(X) Nathaniel Trussoni 319
Teresa Christianson 264

VERNON COUNTY

County Board District 15

(x) Todd Overbo (i) 91

(x) Justin R. Runnin 91

Mary Ann O'Neal 78

County Board District 19

(X) Jerry Cade (i) 195

(X) Dan H. Peper 93

Margaret Thielke 33

That phrase is one picked up by Barack Obama in a small town in South Carolina. Below is him telling the story of how one woman changed a room, and how we all need to step up and change our towns, states and our country for the better. Showing up to vote is a good place to start. This video is from a visit to Madison back in October '07.

In the full story is a video with that big hatted woman doing the chant.

Bill Clinton will be in town at 8 p.m. Thursday at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Recreational Eagle Center.

Obama seems to not be visiting LaX, but he will send some movie stars to UW Thursday afternoon.  Might be better to attend the Valentine party at 6:30pm, Green Man Music Hall (next to Main Street Station) where Obamerators will be setting up videos, fliers and passing out signs for people to put up in their yards or windows. Valentines for Obama.

So nice it is still an active primary season.  Voting is next Tuesday for those living under a rock...and everyone else too.

For the most part, this local control is being taken away, not by major edict, but from seemingly small changes to bills (even budget bills) that often get passed unnoticed.

More in the full story...

When: Friday, February 1st, 5-10pm.
Where: Concordia Ballroom, 1129 La Crosse St., La Crosse
Why: GROWING OUR PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY

Please put FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1st on your calendars RIGHT NOW! That's the night of the 4th Annual Coulee Progressives' State of the Union at the Concordia Ballroom, 1129 La Crosse Street, in La Crosse.  We will host a Community Information & Action Fair from 5 - 10 pm.

That evening we will focus on GROWING OUR PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY.  It will be a chance to network, learn about local progressive activities, meet candidates, share ideas, and be inspired.  We all know that 2008 is an important year for national politics... it's also an important year for our local, growing progressive community.  Please plan to join us!

Donations will be accepted on a sliding scale of $2 to $20 to help cover costs, and to raise funds for the La Crosse Peace & Justice Coalition's bio-diesel bus and other progressive causes in the community.  We'll also be collecting non-perishable food items for the WAFER food pantry.

If you would like to display information or merchandise, we'd love to have your participation!  That is the main focus of this year's event!  We are suggesting $10 for a half-table where you can display information or merchandise. Table setup is 4 - 5 pm. Please contact Cathy Van Maren at cvmaren@mwt.net or call 788-4039 to reserve your space today.

We expect this event to draw a crowd. A simple meal will be provided (including vegan & vegetarian options).  You're welcome to bring a shared dessert to the event.  

Sen. Kathleen Vinehout will attend a town hall meeting in Viroqua on Monday, Jan. 14, to present information on Healthy Wisconsin, the State Senate's innovative health care reform plan.

Sen. Vinehout said, "We are providing an opportunity for the people of Viroqua to learn more about Healthy Wisconsin: Your Choice, Your Plan. Health care reform is a hot topic in Wisconsin. These town hall meetings are an opportunity for people to learn more and provide input. I encourage people to come and participate."

Senator Vinehout has presented previously at over 10 other Healthy Wisconsin town hall meetings in western Wisconsin since August 1, 2007.

Under Healthy Wisconsin, all state residents will have the same high quality coverage as their state legislators. Actuarial studies have indicated that Healthy Wisconsin will cut over $1 billion in waste and paperwork, contain healthcare costs, and provide substantial property tax relief.

After a presentation on Healthy Wisconsin, Sen. Vinehout will also hear comments and answer questions from local business, religious, and community leaders.