State Senator Kapanke is seeking co-sponsors for a bill he authored, LBR4105.  Ostensibly the bill would make Wisconsin methods of counting animal units in line with new federal methods, the reasoning being that this would streamline regulations for CAFO's, more commonly known as factory farms.  In reality it would lower standards for manure management through a complicated and convoluted counting system, which would make the factory farms less accountable for how they handle their huge volume of manure.

Call to Say NO!

Under the proposals, 41 crimes would be added to the 20 terrorism-related offenses now eligible for the federal death penalty. Prosecutors would also find it easier to impose a death sentence in cases in which the defendant did not have the intent to kill.

In one example cited by Human Rights Watch, "an individual could be sentenced to death for providing financial support to an organization whose members caused the death of another, even if this individual did not know or in any way intend that the members engage in acts of violence."

But critics are most concerned about procedural changes related to juries, including a provision that would allow a trial with fewer than 12 jurors if the court finds "good cause," with or without the agreement of the defense.

In a statement to the House Judiciary Committee, Justice Department terrorism chief Barry M. Sabin called the proposal "a major change in federal capital punishment and procedure."

Z-zoning picture from the PlannersWeb website

My fellow editor JConlon pointed out to me that his house is zoned.  Never knowing what to make of his comments I allowed myself to be led down a metaphorical lane that really makes sense.  I too have zoning in my house and property.  My kitchen is a zone, and I have a bathroom zone--I don't do bathroom things in the kitchen.  John's garage is zoned for his car and he maintains that zone, while I currently have my garage a construction zone and life feels a bit out of whack. When house projects interfere with our personal zoning it is unpleasant, although usually temporary.

So by this personal example it seems clear that some zoning is good.  Our homes and businesses would be chaos without it.  Why the difficulty in applying these principles to the land?

And if you think the founders had an aversion to zoning, you would be mistaken.  In the full story you can learn about how very early in the colonial period the colonist (even with such great spaces in which to spread) zoned their communities and by doing so, improved the quality of life.

Image from the website of the farmworkers.org.

Champs Elysees crosswalk

Over a year ago I was standing patiently in the downtown crosswalk by Main and Court Street waiting to cross.  After about 10 cars whizzed by, a concerned passenger in a car with the window rolled down passed by me and yelled, "Get the [expletive] out of the street." This thoughtful passenger probably thought that I was a tourist and was sternly warning me about the extreme hazards of crossing a street in small town rural Viroqua.

It is one of the better programs the government has instituted. It makes such sense to have "meals on wheels" - now that I have received them I can say that it is a very welcome event in my daily routine. To my surprise I now am very aware when the time of day approaches - I look forward to the cheery hello and comments from Tom, the delivery gentleman. The meal is warm if not hot depending on the number he has to deliver. He has insulated carriers to help him with this task. It has to be said as well, that quite warm coleslaw does not set too well. My recommendation when I get back to the meal site is to put salads and slaw in a separate cool container.

The elderly mealsites were set up originally, to serve those who have difficulty preparing a meal – or are always alone. It has been demonstrated to me, over and over again, that having a community meal is important in so many ways. The diners talk over the events of the day or week, they discuss what they are doing – yes, there is some gossip, but mostly it is concern about “how Mabel is doing now that she’s had her heart surgery and her kids are so far away!”

Lest one think that these are sad sacks commiserating their existence, think again.