Thursday, April 26, 2007
Thanks. But no thanks.
UW-Green Bay is still looking for a coach to replace the legendary Kevin Borseth. It really makes me wonder what is so bad at our program to cause someone to change their mind about UWGB.
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will immediately resume its search for a women's basketball head coach following the resignation of Aaron Johnston, UW-Green Bay Director of Athletics Ken Bothof announced today. Johnston, who had accepted the head coaching position for the women's basketball team Tuesday, has decided to return to South Dakota State University, where he has been the head coach for the past seven seasons.
"Although we are disappointed in Aaron's decision, we are moving forward," said Bothof. "The opportunity to be a part of a program as strong as our women's basketball team continues to make this position a desirable one. I am as confident as ever that we will find a high-quality coach that will lead this team to success both on and off the court."
"I didn't realize until today the strong emotional ties I had to South Dakota State University and the community of Brookings," said Johnston. "I want to apologize to Chancellor Bruce Shepard, Athletics Director Ken Bothof, the search and screen committee and the community of Green Bay and its University for the sudden change of heart."
Musings about the Halbach tragedy
I've been following this trial closely since I heard on the news that Teresa had gone missing. That was Halloween 2005 and it's been emotional roller coaster since. You can't help but feel for the Halbach family. They unwillingly got pulled into what is their worst nightmare--the loss of a beloved granddaughter, daughter and sister. Their poise and courage in the last two years has been amazing and is a testament to their faith.
The courts and prision system failed Teresa Halbach
Steven Avery was a convicted felon long before he ever met Teresa Halbach. He was a convicted felon before he was accused of rape charges, found guilty, and then found innocent by DNA. Why do we allow sick people like this out of institutions (prison, mental health facilities or otherwise) without proper supervision? We do it because we don't have the willingness to pay for our prisions, or we don't have the willingness to lock people up and throw out the key. There are people that blindly believe people can change their ways. But Avery was different case, he could never change.
In 1981, when Avery was 18 years old, he and some friends broke into a bar and stole some beer, change and a couple of sandwiches. He served 10 months in Manitowoc County Jail and was given 5 years of probation. Months later after his release, he doused a cat in gasoline and lit on fire. He found guilty of cruely to an animal and served another short sentance in the same jail.
But then it gets stranger. Sandra Morris, Avery's cousin, had complained to police that Avery would expose himself in his front yard as she drove by. It would come to a head when Avery tried forcing Morris off the road at gunpoint, and tried getting her into his vehicle. She would eventually get away. Avery admitted it to police and was given a six year sentance for endangering the safety of another person.
There was a patter of sociopathic behavior even before he was accused of rape and attempted murder in 1985. Grated nearly 18 years in prision would change worldly views, but he had a pattern of illogical behavior before that sentance.
Brendan Dassey, Avery's nephew, was also on the same track as his uncle. His only problem he didn't break into a bar and steal beer and money, he assisted in the murder of an innocent woman. Like his uncle, he is mildly mentally retarted, and probably doesn't know how to comply within society. His inability to comply, ultimately led to his decision to help, not stop his uncle from killing.
There are defined social norms. We can debate to what extent they are, but the reality is there is an expect way that people should live in this country. Avery never operated under those social norms. It seemed to a certain extent he wasn't expected to. From his parents, to his education, and to his lack of understanding of how the world works, Avery never understood why people get freaked out by him.
At some level, there has to be a complete mental health exam and see whether these inmates are mentally capable of re-entering society. While I would think that most released are capable of entering into society, there are some that aren't. And that is what we need. When Avery was exonnerated, he was released the next day. No one questioned whether he was mentally able to intergrated into society. They just let him go.
The bigger question is what do we do with people like these. How to we prevent another tragedy like this one? It is quite simple. For Avery, we as a society should have locked him up and threw away the key. He continually shows no remorse for anything, including his actions and his past. It is one thing to go to prision and say that you didn't do it, but you typically show some level of compassion to the victims. He never did.
These people do not belong in our society. There is no rehabilitation. He didn't find God and ask for forgiveness. He didn't try to do something good out of his years in prision and help further the Innocence Project. He never showed that he could be an asset to society.
Instead, he killed an innocent, young woman full of potential. The system failed Teresa. I pray to God that there will not be another.
Labels: Avery Trial
MANITOWOC — Nine women and three men took 4 ˝ hours Wednesday to find 17-year-old Brendan Dassey guilty of raping and murdering Teresa Halbach and burning her body on Halloween 2005.
Halbach’s family sat quietly as the verdicts were read. Tim Halbach, Teresa’s sister, bobbed his head in satisfaction. Karen Halbach, Teresa’s mother, wiped a tear from her eye, but quickly regained her composure.Dassey’s conviction came after eight days of testimony from more than two dozen witnesses and use of more than 200 exhibits.Dassey now faces a mandatory life prison sentence for the homicide and an additional 52 ˝ for the other felonies.
He got exactly what he deserved.
Moral of the story: Think twice about getting involved with uncles who are convicted felons. More on this tomorrow.
Labels: Avery Trial
Monday, April 23, 2007
Want to watch the Badgers this fall? Better have satellite
Residents of Wisconsin outside of the Green Bay and Milwaukee remembers how they were blacked out for the Thursday night game against the Minnesota Vikings because their cable companies don't offer the NFL Network. It's happening again, this time with the Big Ten Network this fall.
The Wisconsin Badgers will no longer play their games on ESPN Plus. Instead, they will be shown on the new Big Ten Network. This means for subscribers of Time Warner Cable or Charter Communications you're out of luck. If you have AT&T's U-Verse, DirecTV and Dish Network, you will have access.
This is precicely why there needs to be competition in the cable industry in Wisconsin. This is why AB207/SB107 needs to get passed in the state Legislature. Without effective competition, Time Warner and Charter are free to decide which channels consumers get.
Thank God AT&T is scurrying around Green Bay prepping for U-Verse.
EDIT: AT&T pays for play
I'm not sure how I missed this in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, but AT&T lined the campaign coffers last fall for Gov. Jim Doyle, Rep. Phil Montgomery, chair of the Assembly Utilities Committee, and others in the state house.
Of course, this should coome as no surprise. This is common sense legislation that would be passed regardless of the $10,000 put into campaign coffers.
Labels: Wisconsin Politics
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Lengthy thoughts on the current state of Wisconsin CRs
I said I would have some extended thoughts on the weekend at the state college GOP convention and here they are...
There were times where I would sit back and wonder if the various College Republicans groups across the state and nation were working and electing Republicans, or were they just social organizations for conservative students to get together and discuss politics and maybe act on them.
I mean, I look at our UW-Green Bay chapter. We don't have regular meetings. We don't hold speakers or events on campus. We may not be even visible in non-election years. But we're seen, wearing our campaign T-shirts, at parades, at phone banks, knocking doors, in the advance vehicle for an RV tour and we are the last to make it to a victory party on election night. I remember spending five straight days in Waupaca County for the 72-hour program. I remember killing nearly an entire month of school to do whatever the John Gard and Co. needed done. I didn't miss a debate. I didn't miss a rally. I didn't miss any opportunity to meet voters and get them to vote Republican.
This is what we did. We may not win any awards for our work. It may not be flashy, it may not get coverage in the student newspaper, and we won't brag about what we do. But we know we are doing everything in our power to get the job done and help get Republicans elected and re-elected.
Now, statewide, it seems like it is a different story. I hear campuses talking about bringing in speakers, staging protests and publicity stunts and getting into the fake politics that is student government. That is all fine and dandy in the off years, but with the vicious election cycles is it now?
When we were done with the November election, we were already getting in gear for the Green Bay Mayor's race. Sure, it is non-partisan, but we know who the conservative candidate is. (And for the record, Tom Hinz is not a conservative. RINO at best.) We pushed hard on that campaign and won big on April 3. Now, we look to 2008 and get ourselves ready for what could be the biggest election in recent history.
The difference between the grassroots type vs. the activist is a clear distinction that was the election for state chair and ultimately played into the decision of UWGB's seven votes. Did we want the state CRs to be the group that works the grassroots level for our candidates and get them elected. Or do we want the state CRs to pull publicity stunts on campus, fundraise for the sake of fundraising, or work exclusively on our home college campuses and home areas.
The state CRs were worthless in the 2006 election. Sure, there was a big statewide race for Governor, and everyone was excited about that. Unfortunately, there was a bigger race--Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District. It felt like we were abandoned this election cycle. It was UWGB, St. Norbert and Lawrence, a total student population of under 10,000 students with only about 50 or so active CRs, having to help get John Gard elected to that Republicans can retain the seat.
They only help we received was from UW-Oshkosh, in the 6th, and WICR chair Mary Ellen Burke and WICR Executive Director Daniel Suhr and whoever they brought from Marquette. They were in the 8th quite a bit the last election cycle because they knew the implications of defeat.
Now, imagine if we had CRs across the state come to the 8th for a weekend, or even just a day, and did a massive lit drop or the like, allowing the usual volunteers and staffers to do something out. We may possibly get more votes as a result, and possibly retain the seat. (It could happen. Maybe.)
Thoughts on the new chair and the election that went with it
In my eyes, the decision was clear. Ryan knew exactly what the organization needs--people that spend time in the field, getting the work done, and getting our leaders elected. He just doesn't talk about it, he has done it for years. But it isn't just about Ryan--its about a team. From the top on down, everyone on the new leadership team is key to the success of the organization.
The election was dirty. There were a lot of things said that were atrocious or down right lies. The professionalism of the campaigns was down right disgusting. From official Web sites, blogs, and posters--and even the Friday night all-you-can-drink drunkfests hosted by candidates was a sad reality that people would do anything to get elected. There used to be a time where people would sit down and discuss the issues with you. Now, you get e-mails, color lit pieces and everything else that I don't want.
Honestly, at first, the only reason why I came to convention at first was to see the show and expect a good laugh. The week preceeding it was filled with nonsense. It even meant a statement by the WICR chair on its Web site.
Our party is better than this. Our selection of our leaders should be as civil as possible and not resort to tacky and untasteful campaign tactics. Leave that for the Democrats.
Now that all of it is over, it is time to get to work. Bury the hatchet and make Wisconsin's CRs the best in the nation.
We can do it. I'm ready.
It's time to get to work. I'm ready.
Labels: Election 2008
Coming back from the state College Republican convention
It's about 1 p.m. on Sunday morning and I just woke up. It must have been convention weekend. Two days of non-stop activity, meeting great people, and campaigning for the elected positions. (More on that in a day or two when I figure out how I feel about that.)
While I won't go over the specifics of the election, (they can be found from the folks over at GOP3.com), Ryan Wrasse was elected the state chair. I am sure Ryan will do a fine job in the next year as our leader statewide. Oh yeah, I was chosen as the 8th Congressional District Coordinator, which should be an awesome position going into the heated 2008 8th CD election.
Overall, it was a great time. I never knew Stevens Point had a major trivia contest. I also didn't know that you could have a 1-foot tall ice cream cone (which I tried), and I didn't know that the Stevens Point Brewery had less than 30 employees and they can pump out a load of beer. AJ Zahn, the CR chair at UW-Stevens Point, did an awesome job this weekend putting it all together.
Can't wait til next year.
Labels: Strategery
