Two Wisconsin Pipelines Break Within 2-Week Period

Wisconsin citizens are asking, "Are pipelines a good idea?"  On July 23, 2012, House Republicans introduced a bill that would remove President Obama from the approval process of the northern portion of the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline.  GOP wants Obama to allow that portion to proceed just as he has approved the construction of the southern portion. 

Badger State residents following the news should be concerned about “fast-tracking” pipeline approval.  There have been not one, but TWO pipeline breaks and cleanups in Wisconsin within the past 2 weeks.  The full impact of these spills is not yet known.

Lawyer-Palooza? John Doe Co-Conspirator Tim Russell Bucking for a Mistrial?

Yesterday, a new trial date of December 3th, 2012, was set for Timothy Russell, a former aide to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker  when he was Milwaukee’s County Executive that is accused of stealing thousands of dollars intended for veterans and their families.  Russell's charges stem from the ongoing John Doe investigation into several of Walker’s former aides.

The game of musical chairs that is being played by his defense team concerns some observers -- the almost three month delay is directly the result of Russell needing to obtain a new attorney, his fifth.  The ongoing lawyer-palooza is being used to raise questions as to whether or not Russell is being afforded a "fair trial" and, since cases against high-powered, high-profile politicians tend to start at the "bottom" and work their way "up", this latest delay may mean no additional Walkergate arrests will happen this year. 

Who Can Best Lie for Mitt rMoney? Bamboozle Tours Across America!

Last night, we noted that Wisconsin Congressman Paul "I Respectfully Disagree with Jesus" Ryan is stealing a move from Nuns on the Bus, (video report HERE) rentin' his own wagon, and takin' a Sunday cruise with fellow lying liars Sen. Ron Johnson and Republican Chair Reince Priebus.  There stated purpose?  To lie about Obama.

The real purpose?  To prove to Mitt rMoney that they are the most shameless political hacks and demagogues in America -- a mighty tall task to conquer.  Boy Wonder Paul Ryan wants to be VP and, evidently, so does the head of the republican party.

Is Ollie North Coming Back to Haunt Walker's John Doe Investigation?

Last week, we posted some speculation as to where the John "Scott Walker" Doe probe is heading -- speculation about the criminality underlying Wisconsin's Deciever-in-Chief's ascent to power is fair game, despite any misinformation you might see on your TEE-VEE, nooooze, or hear from Scott "John Doe" Walker.

Last week, the judge that will rule on Walkergate co-conspirator Kelly Rindflesch motions to dismiss stated he would issue a ruling in about a week -- we are still waiting.  This has some worried, which we will explain after the jump. 

The media response, to date, is largely to ignore this investigation, lie that the secrecy involved is mandated to protect the target instead of the investigation, and continue to catapult Walker into the limelight as a "rock star" and now "expert" on everything even though his policies have been disastrous for Wisconsin (12-page .pdf).

Dang -- Is Mitt Gonna Make Boy Wonder Paulie Ryan VP?!?!?!

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  As insane as it may seem, that a rude billionaire objectively and demonstratively a chronic flip flopper and habitual liar is polling AHEAD of President Barack Obama (at least as reported by republican-skewed pollster Rasmussen), those that witnessed the debacle of Wisconsin's June 5th recall election, have reason to be concerned.

Did we see the playbook for Romney claiming Wisconsin (and the White House) by hook or crook?

Remember, Obama won the 2008 contest with a historic landslide victory, but now he trails in national polls?

More Friday News Dump: Cullen Hissy-Fit Officially Over

This just in from VOICES "You Can't Make This Crap Up" department -- a Wisconsin senator that ran on trumped-up "bipartisan" credentials has blackmailed the party he caucused with because his ego is immensely bigger than any self-proclaimed "bipartisanship".  This week, Wisconsin Sen. Tim Cullen, formerly an insurance company executive, Democratic Senate Majority Leader, and then Human Services Secretary in Republican Governor Tommy Thompson's administration, threw a temper tantrum and threatened to undo gains his party has made via recall elections.

While Cullen claims to be "bipartisan", he tossed his credibility under the bus by quitting the democratic caucus because he did not feel Current Senate Majority Leader Mark Miller gave him a prestigious and important enough chairmanship now that democrats have taken control of that body.  Yesterday, Cullen even proclaimed he was contemplating leaving the party, bipartisan man-of-the-people indeed!

Good Friday News Dump for Psycho-Judge David Prosser

When you have no defense and a negative balance in your legal defense fund, all that' left is to disqualify the judges!  Even though Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler admitted to investigators "she did not see what had happened between Justice Bradley and Justice Prosser" (page 13 of 70 page Deputy Report of Incident) she has recused herself as a "witness". 

So Wisconsin Supreme Court Psycho-Judge David Prosser of Choke-A-Palooza fame, who earlier this week proclaimed he didn't need no stinkin' laws and would transfer monies from his campaign fund to a legal defense fund,  may not need big-time lawyerin'-up after all -- a very good thing for Prosser as his campaign fund is in the red with a negative balance of -$227,855.

Surprise, surprise!  Another republican cohort has recused herself!

LogistiCare FAIL: It's Not Just Wisconsin

On July 11, 2012, when we published a story about the failure of state transportation broker LogistiCare to provide rides which appears to have contributed to the death of a Waupaca Man in need of regular dialysis, we knew from research that failure to provide services was not unique to Wisconsin.

Increasingly, it appears that the business model LogistiCare uses across the nation may be based on the premise that denying services to qualified people boosts its earnings -- even when failure to do so has life-or-death implications.  Here's a report from Cheasapeake, VA:

Are We Ready to Say It? Republicans AND the Media Are the Problem

If citizens of the Badger State have learned anything these past 18 months, it's that the teabaggin' politics of Wisconsin's Deceiver-in-Chief Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker would not be possible without a compliant media that promotes dishonest talking points which wholly originate from wealthy corporate interests as "conventional wisdom" while propping up those that spew these lies as "rock stars." 

Eric Altman has an excellent piece at The Nation, "Let's Just Say It: The Republicans AND the Media Are the Problem" which lays it out pretty clearly. 

Harvard Knows All About Educational Flim-Flam. Will Anyone Call Out Scott Walker?

Today, Wisconsin's Deciever-in-Cheif Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker addresses an education conference hosted by Harvard University.  The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University understands the role of the media in our current political debates and has provided a detailed analysis of voucher/private schools and set of critical questions that should be asked of all that seek to "reform" and privatize public schools.

Walker's Propaganda Arm Sees Profits Rise 24%

Evidently, carrying the water for Wisconsin's Deciever-in-Chief Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker is very profitable, much more so than trying to make money reporting real news.  Journal Communications, parent company of Wisconsin Journal Sentinel and high-powered squawk radio station WTMJ, saw their earning dramatically rise after this year's recall elections on June 5th.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (emphasis added):

Journal Communications Inc. said Thursday its profits rose 24 percent in the last quarter, as the media company's broadcasting segment benefited from heavy spending on political advertising.

From the Desk of Sen. Lena Taylor: Need Jobs Now

I was deeply disappointed with new jobs numbers released last week.  At a time when our nation has been adding jobs slowly but surely, Wisconsin has been left behind by failed policy.  In May, Wisconsin lost 13,200 jobs.

Overcoming an incompetent US Congress, President Obama has guided the nation towards more jobs and a better tomorrow.  President Obama has provided uncommon national leadership for the economy, but Wisconsin has not seen any hint of serious leadership from the Governor’s office.

Should Waste Audit Include Governor's Office, Legislative, and Judicial Branches?

Wisconsin Rep. Andy Jorgensen (D - 37th district) is calling for an audit of the Department of Natural Resources’ regulations regarding human sewage application to farm fields.  Many do not believe this request goes far enough and that it is the human sewage in the Governor's Office, Senate, Assembly, and Supreme Court that poses a greater health threat to Badger State representatives.

Glenn Grothman Wants Elections Close Enough to Steal

Increasingly, it appears that the June 5th recall election for Scott "John Doe" Walker was the playbook the republicans hope to magically pull the 2012 presidential election out of a hat.   Wisconsin Sen. Glenn Grothman frames the intellectually dishonest argument to restrict voting and impose inconvenience and costs on the electorate as “Insofar as there are inappropriate things, people who vote inappropriately are more likely to vote Democrat.”

Grothman is doing his part to help ensure the election will be close enough to steal by denying legal citizens the right to vote, despite the fact that two judges have independently determined that the state's American Legislative Exchange Council-inspired voter ID restriction imposes an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote

Psycho Judge Prosser: "I Don't Need Your Stinkin' Laws!"

State Supreme Court Justice David Prosser of Choke-A-Palooza fame yesterday stated in a court filing that the Wisconsin Judicial Commission's investigation into his alleged ethical violations is itself a violation of his constitutional rights. Evidently, Psycho-Judge Prosser, who finds himself "challenged" when asked to make a coherent legal argument, believes that direct profanity, threats to "destroy" co-workers, and even physical assaults including chokeholds somehow fall into the category of "protected speech.

And now Psycho-Judge Prosser is gettin' ready to lawyer up, hiding behind another dubious application of Wisconsin law allowing a criminal defense fund.  And don't expect to hear this on your TEE-VEE or in the nooooooze.

So What Are Mitt rMoney's Core Values? Priviledge & Entitlement

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  To anyone paying attention and ready to connect the dots, Mitt Romney is a charletain, chronic flip flopper, and habitual liar that, because of the wealth he was born into and because of religious indoctrination -- actually the cult of Mormonism that he hides from the public, is astonishingly unqualified to be President of the United States.  But dangerously, he feels that he is owed this elected position -- it's "his turn".

Walker BFF Kelly Rindfleisch Sweatin' the Next Week Out?

Appropriately, the John "Scott Walker" Doe probe is moving slowly, methodically, and with the secrecy needed to protect the integrity of the investigation.  It is now apparent that the best defense the criminals that promoted Scott "John Doe" Walker into the Governor's office have is to delay, obstruct, and hope to create a mistrial.  Any leaks that you may have heard a Milwaukee squawk jock scream about came from defendant Tim Russell and his attorney and were leaked directly to the squawk jock on Wisconsin's hi-powered pro-Walker propaganda station WTMJ.

So no one should be surprised that today, while Kelly Riendfleisch, currently facing 4 felonies that a DA's assistant has publicly announced could be upped to 12,  was in court seeking dismissal because of the most-curious claim that she was given a lifetime pass on these types of crimes when she was part of the criminality now referred to as the "caucus scandal" more than 10 years ago when she was granted immunity for her crimes because she turned evidence against criminals higher-up the food chain.

No wonder Scott Walker and only Scott "John Doe" Walker himself, according to official records, is solely responsible for hiring Riendsflesch and promoting her -- she would be an ideal criminal accomplice -- LIFETIME IMMUNITY -- LOL!

From the Desk of Sen. Lena Taylor: Bursting the Bubble

MADISON, WISCONSIN. Last week, Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke before the NAACP at their annual conference in Houston, Texas.  He looked stilted and awkward, uncomfortable making the case for his election to African Americans.  And why would he be comfortable?

For sixty-five years, Mr. Romney has lived in bubble, a fantasy land divorced from any of the daily realities faced by myself or the working people of this state.  His luxury bubble alienates him from the NAACP's goals at a fundamental level.  We hardly speak the same language.

Ann rMoney to American Voters: F#CK YOU!

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  From VOICES "You Can't Make This Crap Up" Department, Mitt Romney's wife is talking down to the American public in the most insulting way possible, which should be patently offensive to most voters regardless of party affiliation and should be called out on TEE-VEE and the noooooze, but never is.  The Romney family, and the Mornon Church have a sense of entitlement here and truly believes it is "their turn".  And us little people?

THEY DON'T CARE!!!! They see our role as "shut up and do what you are told!"  She literally told mickey mouse's ABC noooooze that not only would no more information be provided, but she added this stunning proclaimation:

“We’ve given all you people need to know and understand about our financial situation and how we live our life.”

WTF?!?!?!  "You people" -- shockingly insulting, a loud and clear FU!  But this is how the rMoney's view the majority of Americans.

Republican Piggies Get Down & Dirty: Go At It Boys!

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  OK, it wasn't polite to use the term "piggies" in our headline, but tonight the 4 republicans running in the August 14th senate primary took a negative turn and attacked each other.  This writer doesn't support any of them -- so if they can be negative to each other, surely it is reasonable for those on the other side to speak our mind.

Let's be clear -- this writer did not (nor would not) attend nor listen to hedge-fund manager Eric Hovde, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann speak together -- each is toxic enough on their own -- together, unbearable.

The purpose of this post is to share some reports that largely agree that the event had a negative tone, though Associate Press had a curiously different take which we will explain after the jump.

Wisconsin's Deceiver in Chief Brings Partisan Hack Attorney On-Board

Reading the tea leaves coming out of Scott "John Doe" Walker's administration and the criminality that brought him into the Governor's mansion is challenging at best.  It is not a sport for the faint-of-heart, because no one has a crystal ball and those with full-access to the facts aren't talkin', are fiercely spinnin', or are bold-faced lyin'.

No -- Scottie did not hire ANOTHER high-powered, big bucks, out-of-state criminal defense attorney.  In a surprise move, republican Sen. Rich Zipperer given up his seat in the senate for an appointment as the deputy chief of staff and senior counsel for Gov. Scott Walker.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Waukesha Undermining Democracy and Justice Again?

Little is being reported on the ongoing Scott "John Doe" Walker investigation -- which is good in-terms of maintaining the integrity of the investigation, but is bad because Wisconsin citizens are being asked to vote for candidates without full-disclosure.  With the help of a compliant and dysfunctional media, Wisconsin's Deceiver in Chief and his cronies take advantage of the secrecy by flip-flopping, misleading, and outright lying.

The mainstream Media, such as Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, is one of the few noooooze organizations reporting any details at all, but they use the rest of the paper's content and editorials to undermine the facts they report.  Case in point:  While MJSonline can only rates 6 statements (11 percent) from Wisconsin's Deceiver-in-Chief as wholly true, they still endorses a man that their own reporters state mostly tells half-truths, mostly false, and pants-on-fire lies.

Walker a habitual flip flopper and chronic liar?  No problem according to Journal Communications!

More Walker Shenanigans: Legal Defense Fund Pays for PR?!?!?!

A Chicago PR firm that specializes in crisis control, APCO Worldwide Inc. of Chicago, was hired and paid $10,000 in the weeks leading up to the June 5th recall election from the Scott Walker Trust.  This doesn't sound unusual until you realize that the trust fund in question was formed as a legal defense fund, even though the stated reason for paying APCO was for "public relations" as listed on a quarterly reported filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

APCO is a major player in this industry -- one of the largest independent PR relation agencies in the U.S. They are NOT a law firm.  This raises some interesting questions.

Mitt Romney Proclaims He's Running for First Lady!

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  From VOICES "You Can't Make This Crap Up" Department, today presumed republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney tried to justify firm proclaimations that he will NOT release more financial statements nor tax records by whining that democratic. nominee John Kerry's wife didn't release HER tax return in 2004.  WTF?!?!  Is he now running as a spouse?

And perhaps to some, even more unbelievable -- a top Romney spokesperson demanded Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign release more tax returns even after Kerry made 20 years worth of returns available!  Evidently, times have changed...

Something IS Brewing: Darlene Wink's Sentencing Postponed AGAIN

When you consider what a potential BIG deal the John "Scott Walker" Doe probe is -- it is amazing that much of the nooooze media gives this no coverage.  Darlene Wink's sentencing has been postponed for a second time, until November 21.  Its not likely the day before Thanksgiving was selected so these matters would be resolved with a turkey dinner, but if things don't go well for Wink, perhaps this could possibly save a bird and a lot of work in the kitchen.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

FWIW:  The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest news dump days of the year.

Speculation about the criminality that underlies Walker's ascent to power is legitimate and "fair game", but we are all working from different backgrounds and perspectives -- VOICES appreciates diversity of coverage and encourages others to share how they see things too. 

Wisconsin's Deceiver-in-Chief Doin' What He Does Best: Lie

NOTE:  Periodically, VOICES updates this list of links documenting the hypocrisy and deceit of Scott Walker -- this listing has not been updated, BUT THIS COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF LINKS HAS AS OF 12/9/2012.

Never before has Wisconsin had an executive surrounded by such corruption (Walker is the target of an ongoing John Doe probe and has a criminal defense fund). 

Governor Scott "John Doe" Walker is at it again, making the TEE-VEE circuit and jet-settin' across the nation doing fund-raising appearances, all the while flip flopping, misleading, and outright lying.  And, as is typically the case, the media is holding him up as an expert on issues he does not understand, can not talk intelligently about, has no qualifications nor expertise in, and that are actually talking points created by his handles -- the Koch brothers and ALEC.

Among the most popular posts here at VOICES Newspaper blog, are the listings of disinformation and bold-faced lies uttered by Scott Walker and uncritically promoted by mainstream media as the words of a "rock star" even though his talking points can consistently be proven to based on a radical extremist political economic agenda that undermines the health, wealth, and welfare of the majority of citizens in the Badger State and across this nation.

After the jump, we have updated a list of links to news and blog posts that identify false statements and misinformation, but please remember, in order to create propaganda, Walker needs a compliant media to disseminate his lies without meaningful context, analysis, or objective truths.

GOP: Cut Health Care for Kids, Healthy Corn Crops for Corporation -- No Problem

When Wisconsin's Deceiver-in-Chief, Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker proclaimed that he would not implement the law of the land and expand Medicaid in Wisconsin, he was extending his "divide and conquer" strategy of government to literally including killing human being.  However, if you are part of the corporate agriculture/industrial-processed-food-complex, GOP and Walker want to use government powers to keep corn crops healthy.

From VOICES "You Can't Make This Crap Up" Department, Walker declared a state of emergency in 42 Wisconsin counties Monday (July 9, 2012) in an attempt to get more state and federal resources to farmers whose crops are threatened by drought conditions while simultaneously appearing on the rightwing media echo chamber pretending to be an "expert" on health care, undermining the Affordable Care Act, and denying any government role serving the common good of the people.  In this case, a rational health care policy that would move America in-line with the rest of the world's developed nations that do not let people die for lack of access to prompt, reasonable, and affordable health care.

From the Desk of Sen. Lena Taylor: MPS Takes Another Hit

For the second year in a row, MPS will take a harsh reduction in state aid. I knew it was coming, but I cannot help but be terribly frustrated. I cannot fathom the mind-set behind the Republican Party’s assault on the public educational system in the state of Wisconsin. Especially here in Milwaukee, the school system had already been struggling for years.

Scottie is Doing His Master's Work Again: Lying About ACA

Wisconsin's Deceiver-in-Chief, Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker, has been gettin' a lot of attention in the noooooze and on TEE-VEE misrepresenting the impact the Affordable Care Act will have on the Badger State.  There's nothing new about his latest attacks, which like everything else in Walker's radical extremist agenda comes directly from the Koch brothers and ALEC.  Walker's health care grandstanding is more noise from the right wing echo-chamber and astroturf grassroots organizations like Americans for Prosperity and the teabaggers.

TEE-VEE & Nooooze Lies: Now Scott Walker is a Health Care Expert?!?!

Many Wisconsinites are concerned with is the way our media has uncritically promoted the likes of Wisconsin's Deceiver-in-Chief, Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker as not only a "rock a star," but now a national leader, an "expert," on health care.  WTF?!?!

This is a lie -- Walker is merely doin' what the Koch brothers say.  Scottie stands in front of the microphones instead of the Koch brothers who know better; they know you have to be very quiet when you steal.

Walker has no more credibility on [INSERT ISSUE HERE] than a few self-serving a billionaires (2 page pdf) despite what you may see on your TEE-VEE or in the noooze..  Walker is not a credible source on fiscal issues nor health care.

LogistiCare: Preliminary Study indicates FAIL

While Wisconsin's Deceiver-in-Chief, Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker, is not responsible for contracting non-emergency medical transport services (NEMT) to a private party, this was initiated by former Gov. Jim Doyle, dealing with what to some appears to be systematic withholding of services and a dysfunctional self-monitoring process that hides problems and concerns related to LogistiCare and its duty to provide critical front-line medical transportation services for some of Wisconsin's neediest citizens is now the responsibility of the Walker administration.

Pat Enright, aging and disability resource manager, Waupaca County DHHS, had found that since the very inception of LogitiCare's contract for operations, a stunning number of patients have missed their medical appointments due to their rides arriving late or not showing up at all.

Walkergate Co-Conspirator Tim Russell's Case Moves Forward: Unusual Twist...

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  Few details are available about today's court appearance by Walkergate co-conspirator Tim Russell.  At 4:56 pm, Wednesday, July 11, 2012, WTAQ reported:

A judge refused to drop criminal charges Wednesday against one of Governor Scott Walker’s former aides when he was the Milwaukee County executive.

Circuit Judge David Hansher said he could not find proof that the district attorney’s office withheld evidence that Tim Russell’s lawyers had a right to examine – including materials seized when Russell’s home was raided.

Then there's this potential bombshell after the jump [emphasis added]:

LogistiCare: "I Feel Like They are Trying to Kill Me!" Man Passes Away -- Service Failure?

On August 10, 2011 WaupacaNOW!/County Post published a story about LogistiCare's failure to provide important contracted medical transportation services under a brokerage contract usurping Wisconsin counties' role in ensuring non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) was available to get qualified residents to important health care appointments.

Hauntingly, this story directly quoted a frustrated 67-year-old Weyauwega man that suffers liver failure, struggles with cancer, could no longer drive, and absolutely depended on publicly-provided transportation for dialysis three times a week.

Jim Barry's issued the following statement after how LogistiCare's contracted NEMT service missed 7 medically-necessary rides within the first-month of private contracted services:

"I feel like they’re trying to kill me.  Yesterday, I made my funeral arrangements."

Romney On Banking Scandal: That's Just the Way America Works

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  Well, not really, Mittens -- common folks go to prison for relatively small crimes, but steal millions while wearing a three-piece suit?  Chronic flip-flopper and habitual liar Mitt Romney is proof -- you may be crowned king!

Earlier this spring, when JP Morgan’s $2 billion trading debacle grew into a $3 billion trading scam and President Barack Obama stepped up his rhetoric to tighten rules on banks, Romney screamed "FOUL!", proclaiming to the world:

[...] "that’s the way America works,” he said. “The $2 billion JPMorgan lost, someone else gained."

Maybe for him, but not for you and me.

Privatizing Wisconsin: Audit LogistiCare NOW, They're Incapable of Monitoring Themselves

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  Anyone that has ever had private health care companies deny needed medical services or treatments for no apparent reason other than to save money and increase profits knows how frustrating and frightening this can be.  Claims that "free markets" and "privatization" of health care and related services optimize outcomes for providers, consumers, rate-payers, and taxpayers are either uniformed or are bold-faced lies.

Explaining why there are no free markets for health care and related services goes beyond the purpose of this post, but, in general, virtually EVERYTHING you hear from politicians, pundits, analysts, nooooze reporters, and on your TEE-VEE about "free markets" in our economy is easily proven wrong (something worthy of a future post).  

Much of what people think they know about "supply and demand" is a lie.  An efficient health care system demands we treat it like a public good, like the rest of the developed world does.  Demand for life or death care will not be met across diverse populations by the private sector that will literally kill people to maintain or increase profit margins.

Wisconsin has contracted transportation services for certain health programs to a private firm, LogistiCare.  At the heart of all concerns related to the state's contracting of non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) to LogistiCare to broker is the fact that the public no longer has open and transparent access to the integrity and quality of this critical front-line services, getting people to doctors and appropriate health care facilities in a timely manner.

Scott Walker, Son of Preacher Man, Hates the Poor

VOICES strives to support diverse communities, diverse interests, and yes, religious tolerance and diverse faiths and religions.  Wisconsin's Deceiver-in-Chief, Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker, is a self-proclaimed Christian of the Paul "I Respectfully Disagree With Jesus" type -- the words of God as clearly stated in the Bible and the life and teachings of The Lord's Son and Savior, Jesus Christ, apparently mean nothing.

Scott Walker and the other teabaggin' republican governors and hacks hate the poor and will literally choose to let them die from lack of basic, reasonable, and affordable health care.  So which poor people would Jesus kill?

Shame on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: More Lies & Walker Propaganda

Wisconsin's largest newspaper is catapultin' the propaganda for its Deceiver in Chief, Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker, doing what they do best, lie and shamelessly promote republican interests.  This should surprise no one -- their "flagship" radio asset, a high-powered AM station, is part of a lawsuit that is being prepared against the FCC.  Leading up to Wisconsin's historic June 5th recall elections, Journal Broadcasting's WTMJ not only carried massive amounts of pro-walker paid propaganda ads, but integrated Walker's dishonest talking points and lies into its 24/7 progaming and even noooooze coverage.

Today, Jason Stein, Allison Bauter, and MJS continue to mis-inform and deceive the public with disinformation that cannot possibly be justified as coming from a "newspaper".  The folks at Journal Communications are masters of the lie of objective journalism.

Don't kid yourself, garbage like these don't just appear in the noooze and today's dishonest report is entirely consistent with the way this nooooooze organization, its parent company, and all of its media assets work sourcing HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE).

Is Scottie Related to the Walker/Bush Clan? Dangerous War Profiteers That Hate Democracy

John Marshall, occasional VOICES contributor, provided last Saturday night's post that asks a legitimate question:  Is Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, born in Colorado Springs, a distant relative of George Herbert Walker, an infamous businessman originally from St. Louis?  If so, he would be a distant relative of George W. Bush -- the W stands for Walker, his great-grandfather from St. Louis.  Hardly newsworthy, unless one contemplates the fact that the Walker/Bush clan is directly or indirectly tied to some of the most disturbing events in modern US and global history.

In 2010, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin posted a curious reference to off-the-cuff remarks between Walker and Bush about being cousins.  Wayne Madsen, in his subscription-only e-zine, published a more-detailed story on this immediately before the June 5 recall election, stating as a fact Bush and Walker share a common blood line and points out that distant Walker relatives in Colorado Springs (where our Scottie is from) would be consistent with the George Herbert Walker family lineage.

If you have ever wondered how Fightin' Bob La Follette's progressive Badger State could so quickly morph into Fitzwalkerstan, please keep an open mind and read on.

NPR: National Propaganda Radio? Yup

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  Many have learned that the mainstream media now sells noooooze instead of real reporting which should help the public understand information, striving to get to the truth.  As VOICES readers know, we've published stories about the lie of objective journalism, which can be summed-up in one simple statement:

It is never appropriate to "balance" the truth with a lie in the name of being "fair".

In many ways, the common thread that runs through all of the posts at this blog and much of our 2012 news coverage is that we are seeing a massive media failure in Wisconsin, across America, and perhaps globally (NOTE:  this writer does not see enough international reporting to make a stronger statement)

Privatization FAIL: Does Logisticare Boost Profits Withholding Critical Health Care Delivery (NEMT) Services?

In November, 2010, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle decided to hire LogistiCare to handle non-emergency medical transportation rides (NEMT).  Please don't misread that first statement -- these are important rides people NEED to maintain their health.  It was not until July 2011, under Gov. Scott Walker's administration, that LogistiCare's contract for operating and coordinating rides began.  

Wisconsinites probably remember the chaos and anger expressed by literally hundreds of thousands during the occupation of the State Capitol and at various rallies and events here and around the state that spring.  By the very nature of Walker's "drop-the-bomb" and "divide and conquer" management style, most everything that happens on his watch now is controversial and contentious -- the situation with LogistiCare is no different. 

Gov. Jim Doyle’s final report card is not glowing -- it was widely reported during his time in the Governor's mansion that he did not collaborate with anyone, even allies in the Democratic Party.  There were few tears when Doyle announced he would not see re-election.  

Some believe that indifference and animosity within his own party, directly a result of what can only be described as an uncooperative person at-best, created the vehicle that launched Scott "John Doe" Walker into the Governor's office.  It is an objective, demonstrative fact that a great deal of criminality propelled Walker through the political ranks as well.

Like many decisions that Jim Doyle made, others were never fully in-the-loop, so today it is difficult to get a handle on just exactly what motivated Doyle to contract vital transportation services for the neediest Badger State citizens to a contractor that reasonably appears to be massively failing to get people to necessary and critical health care appointments (more on this, results of a preliminary survey, in a future post).

It appears that Doye's decision was based on representations that LogistiCare transit system would save the state money.  What is not clear is whether Doyle intended to save money by literally creating potentially life-and-death situations by making huge cuts in the number of rides that would be given to folks with desparate transportation needs and serious, potentially life-threatening health conditions.  

If what may appear to be systematic efforts to deny eligible people rides to doctor's appointments, medical tests, and follow-up was actually a FEATURE of Doyles plans instead of a GLITCH, then SHAME ON FORMER GOV. JIM DOYLE! 

But regardless, LogistiCare's contract for operations in Wisconsin was implemented under Gov. Scott "I Won't Implement Affordable Care Act" Walker.  Responsibilities for problems now squarely fall on his administration.  And please remember, the record now clearly shows that Walker's open hostility to expanding access to health care is actually what his master's the Koch brothers and ALEC are spreading across the nation.

Prior to contracting NEMT services to LogistiCare, each county handled requests for NEMT rides and then submitted bills that were ultimately suppose to be paid by the Federal Government.  In 2005, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit (page 7 of 10 page .pdf) of Milwaukee County NEMT services and found that 18 out of a random sample of 100 rides in that year did not qualify for federal reimbursement and that additional 2 rides in the audit sample were not documented in a manner that would allow the appropriateness of reimbursement to be determined.

Based on projections from this data, OIC estimated that the Department of Health Services claimed a reimbursement total of $694,066 inapropriately, of which $347,033 was estimated to be ineligible for federal reimbursement.  As a result, the feds demanded that the State of Wisconsin repay $347,033 for reimbursements that were deemed fraudulent (ibid).

This likely was a major part of Doyle's decision to contract these services out.  However, it is a lie to proclaim that it is impossible for the state and/or county to more accurately and responsibly administer this program.  The lie that "government is bad, private sector is good", especially as it relates to health care delivery, is dangerous and represents a false dichotomy:  our only other choice is to privatize.

In our blog post last weekend, "Logisticare or LogisticSCARE! "I Feel Like They're Trying to Kill Me!" we start to tease out some issues here, including the fact that LogistiCare may appear to be routinely denying contracted services for people that clearly should qualify for NEMT and we provided a set of links to virtually every online piece of information related to these claims (If we have missed anything freely available on the Web, please post in comments here).

Our next blog post will examine in more details of the fallacies behind the assumption that LogistiCare can provide NEMT services "better" than the public sector, look at salient issues that are making this problem worse, and share data from a recent preliminary study that demonstrates the need to fully-audit LogistiCare and the services that are and/or are not being provided.

But please let us leave you with one question to keep in mind as you look into the LogistiCare problem:  Is it appropriate and moral for a private company to boost its profits by systematically withholding services it was contractually obligated and mandated to perform when these decisions directly impact people's health?

Walker Doing ALEC's Work: "Divide and Conquer" Health Care Obstruction Kills

When Wisconsin Gov. Scott "John Doe" Walker proclaimed that some governor somewhere who's name he somehow can't remember told him to spend political capitol, what he didn't tell us was that he was merely doing what the Koch brother's American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) told him to do.  It is now a demonstrable fact -- virtually all of the republican bills introduced since Walker became Wisconsin Fuhrer were written out-of-state by out-of-state Koch brothers business interests, ALEC.

So when Walker proclaimed he would not follow federal law, the Affordable Care Act, that the Supreme Court of the United States has largely upheld as constitutional, people started asking, "is this just more self-promotion, grandstanding, and throwing red-meat to his tea-baggin' base?"

Walker/GOP Lies, SCOTUS Did NOT Proclaim ACA Was a Tax

 MADISON, WISCONSIN. The real world is much more complex than the "us against them" teabaggers want to acknowledge. Scott Walker, republican governors, GOP Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, the republican party, and the mainstream media, largely a right-wing echo-chamber, are doing what they do best -- lie. In this case, they are twisting and contorting a decision they do not like or understand from the Nation's highest court to dishonestly represent the SCOTU largely upholding a dramatic increases in health care access as somehow violating the principals that our nation was founded on.  POPPYCOCK!

Here's a subtle distinction that you won't hear on your TEE-VEE (or from Walker/GOP):  The SCOTUS majority decision looked at tax-laws to issue a verdict, but to hear the case in the first place, they have to find that this was NOT a tax case.  More after the jump.

Stop the Lies About America's Founding: American Revolution Was Against Corporate Interests

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  No nation that walks away from its past, forgetting or erasing its history, flushing the context and meaning of its founding principals and documents down the memory hole, can expect to thrive nor honestly celebrate its past.  This Fourth of July, it is appropriate to reflect and share what the American Revolution was actually about and ask ourselves, "Are we still striving to fulfill the proclamations of our forefather's so clearly articulated, even if imperfectly executed, in the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States of America.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America

And disturbingly, if one actually is willing to look at a few objective, demonstrable facts, the answer is a resounding, "NO!"  American history is being rewritten by corporate interests, for corporate interests.

From the Desk of Sen. Lena Taylor: Wisconsin and the Affordable Care Act

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  This past week, President Obama’s health care law was finally ruled constitutional.  This is fantastic news.  At least, it is for any American who has struggled to pay heavy insurance or medical fees.   After fifty years of failed attempts by his predecessors, the President created an incredible and historic legislation.

Although it was based on similar plan championed by one Republican governor Mitt Romney (sound familiar?), the conservative right has cynically opposed this common-sense law.  I laugh every time some fat cat radio talk host calls Obamacare a “government takeover of health care”.  2 years after PolitiFact called that sound bite “lie of the year”, and they’re still using it.

The conservative electoral machine would do just about anything to ruin the President’s reputation, including attack their own guy’s most popular achievement.  For months now, Fox News has been chomping at the bit in the hope that they would have an unconstitutional law on their hands.  I cannot tell you the number of times my more conservative colleagues have hinted at hopes that Obama’s law would fail in court.

Logisticare or LogisticSCARE! "I Feel Like They're Trying to Kill Me!"

MADISON.  WISCONSIN.  On July 1, 2011, LogistiCare took over responsibility for managing non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services for Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus.  The company, however, is not providing contracted services, leading one senior citizen to sum up his experience by stating  "I feel like they’re trying to kill me.  Yesterday, I made my funeral arrangements."

After just one day, sub-contractor Badger Cab of Madison decided to cancel its relationship with Logisticare.

There is something seriously wrong here.  But let's begin with some background information about what this private contractor (brought in by Gov. Jim Doyle) is SUPPOSE to do.  Increasingly, VOICES is being contacted by readers concerned about a massive failure in Logisticare's services, yet this story is largely flying "under the radar" in our media and noooooze.

Disgraced Bankster Pulls Out of Romney "High-Dollar" Fundraiser - Is Mitt Reduced to Handing Out Cheap Sandwiches?

Robert Diamond, disgraced Barclays banker, just pulled out of a Mitt Romney fundraiser, withdrawing an offer to co-host a high-dollar campaign event in London for  Romney.  In Wisconsin, will Mittens now be reduced to handing out crappy sub-sandwiches with fellow 'rock star," chronic flip-flopper, and habitual liar "Boy Wonder" Paul "I Respectfully Disagree With Jesus" Ryan pandering for votes like they did during the republican-farce that masqueraded as a primary this year?

Paul Ryan Lying About God Again -- Master of Underworld Reportedly Very Happy

Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District representative, Paul "I respectfully disagree with Jesus" Ryan is at it again.  Perhaps he foolishly believes he is now a prophet or even the second coming of Christ, but more likely, he is a shameless opportunist that has learned he can grab a lot of media attention by demanding economic terrorism in the name of the Catholic Church.  But it is not just the God of the Bible, His only Begotten Son and Savior Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the official doctrine of the Catholic Church (of which he is a member), and it's leader the Pope himself that Ryan grandstands against and wants to "one-up", Ryan also ignores and disrespects this Nation's very founding document -- The U.S. Constitution.

It must take some pretty powerful propaganda to prop up lies like this.  And that is exactly what Paul "I Respectfully Disagree with Jesus" Ryan is getting -- a national media platform to literally scream blasphemy against his God and Church.  Paul Ryan is not a servant of His Lord -- he worships and serves Ayn Rand (please click that last link for some more very disturbing information)

Did a Compliant Media Create "Rock Star" Scott Walker with Propaganda? You Decide

MADISON, WISCONSIN.  Those that follow what VOICES shares in our paper and blog know that most online posts are fully-sourced and resourced with hyperlinks.  This post will simply be a set of links that support the main thesis implied in the title, a media failure in Wisconsin, organized alphabetically.  Is Scott Walker (and GOP) benefiting from an increasingly dysfunctional nooooze outlets? 

Our purpose is not to "prove" or "disprove" the main point, but to present a reasonably comprehensive listing that will:

1. Introduce an idea and allow people to assess why some might hold that view (decide for yourself!). 
2. Provide sourcing and resourcing for future posts on our sites or for other researchers and bloggers to use, link to, etc...
3. Create an information "one-stop" for anyone that might want to assemble a collection of links related to this topic.  Remember, the key to good research is to first determine what someone else has done!

VOICES strives to create information portals, sets of hyperlinks which support ideas that our contributors and authors may reflect and write about.  It is this writer's opinion that we are seeing a massive media failure in Wisconsin, but don't take my word for it; please decide for yourself.  Did we miss your post or other important resources related to this topic?  Please post in comments or email to:  news@madisonvoices.com