Drink for Free

One of the joys of electoral politics is that the polls eventually close on election day and then it is up to us to flock to the parties of the candidates we support, or for even more fun, we can flock to the parties of winning candidates. In either case the motivation is the same: free beer, and maybe a few snacks.

In Milwaukee, our congressional candidates will be partying at various locations around town on Tuesday.

State Senator Tim Carpenter will cast his vote at noon at the Manitoba School, 4040 W. Forest Home Avenue. Then, at 8 p.m., Carpenter and his supporters will meet at Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Avenue to watch the election results roll in.

State Senator Gwen Moore says she would like us to celebrate what she calls “Gwen’s Victory in the Primary Election!” She would like us to join her at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago Street at 8 p.m.

Matt Flynn says he’s the winner, and you can celebrate with him at the Park East Hotel, 916 E. State Street.

Bryan Kennedy, who hopes to be the challenger to Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., will be at the Teamsters Hall, 6200 W. Bluemound Road.

Tim Michels will hold his “Victory Gala” at the Brookfield Sheraton.

Lena C. Taylor, who thanks us for our “prayers, donations and support,” will be at ARJ’s, 3120 W. Villard, starting at 5 p.m.

Perhaps you will be too exhausted from exercising your franchise Tuesday. Not to worry! Candidates are already lined up with their hands out for the rest of the week.

The Assembly Democrats will be the beneficiaries of a party hosted by the Young Professionals at Mo’s Irish Pub, 142 W. Wisconsin Ave. where, for the suggested donation of $50 you can be in the presence of special guest Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Perhaps downtown is a mite too fancy for you. In that case, you might want to head out to the area’s second least valuable country club – the Milwaukee Country Club, 8000 N. Range Line Road in River Hills where Chuck Kearns and Johan Segerdahl will raise funds for Senator Ted Kanavas on Thursday. A contribution of $250 per couple will get you in the door. And please, make sure you are a respectable couple.

Haven’t had enough face time with Senator Ted? “Celebrate the lazy days of September with Senator Ted Kanavas” at the home of County Supervisor Bob Flessas way out at 17520 W. Wisconsin Avenue in Brookfield Saturday September 18 from 3 – 6 p.m. The tariff is $50 per person, or $100 per family. And please, make sure you are a respectable family.

Not ready for the hike out to Brookfield? Not ready for Brookfield under any circumstances? Then join Senator Russ Feingold Saturday from 5 – 6:30 p.m. at 2216 N. Terrace Avenue. Suggested contribution levels are set at $200, $500 or $1,000.

If these parties seem too common for you, then Senator Kanavas has another option: join him Monday, September 20^th at 7 p.m. at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, at a dinner limited to 12 people. A contribution of $500 will make you a member of the Ted Kanavas Finance Committee.

Still not tapped out? Well then, it is back to the Milwaukee Athletic Club Wednesday, September 29th for the Second Annual “Ted in the City” event starring Senator Ted Kanavas. Hosts get in for $100, while regular folks will be admitted for the pittance of $50 per person. That event will be held at the rooftop of the Milwaukee Athletic Club.

Fighting Bob Trashes Shepherd

The Fightingbob.com website had the following to say about the Shepherd Express’s endorsement of Matt Flynn over Gwen Moore:

Sheep bite Shepherd

In a man-bites-dog scenario, only in Milwaukee would the weekly alternative progressive newspaper the Shepherd Express endorse the establishment candidate for the 4th Congressional District while the establishment Milwaukee Journal Sentinel endorses progressive state Senator Gwen Moore. Was this an experiment where the two editorial boards switched places for a week?

Matt Flynn, a Quarles & Brady lawyer with lots of cash and all the right connections, was the surprise recepient of Shepherd publisher Louis Fortis’ endorsemenet.

To say that the Shepherd endorsement was controversial in the progressive community would understate. The Shepherd would not print an alternative view from long-time activist Charlie Dee. So the battle of the titans will be decided on Tuesday.

Should Moore, a speaker at Fighting Bob Fest II and III, win, it would be the first time Wisconsin would have a minority in its congressional delegation in 156 years of statehood.

Of course, as you know, we mentioned here some time ago that Gwen Moore whipped Shepherd “Publisher and Editor-In-Chief” (his new title) Louis Fortis in an assembly race.

Kerry to Visit Madison

The Kerry campaign sent me this:

Please join us in welcoming John Kerry to Madison on Wednesday, September 15. Show your support for the Kerry-Edwards vision of a stronger America that begins at home. Make sure to bring your friends, family, and neighbors to see the next president of the United States.

To print your complimentary ticket(s) or to volunteer at the rally, please click here: http://www.johnkerry.com/madison

WHEN:

Wednesday, September 15
Gates open at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:

State Capitol Square
Entrance at Carroll and W. Washington
Madison, Wisconsin

DETAILS:

Parking is limited — please use public transportation. Click here (http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/metro/) for more information. Due to security, please do not bring any umbrellas, bags, or signs. Please limit personal items as well. This event will take place RAIN or SHINE.

As we count down to Election Day, your support is needed now more than ever. Be a part of the most important election of our lifetime. With your help, we will set a new direction for America.

Thanks for standing with us,

Kerry-Edwards 2004

Planned Parenthood Reacts to BBC Stories

This is from Planned Parenthood:

Unprecedented Attacks on Birth Control in Wisconsin Receiving International Attention

BBC World airs story focusing on disturbing trend in Wisconsin

Madison , WI – This morning, the unprecedented trend in Wisconsin for pharmacists and physicians to refuse to prescribe and dispense birth control to women because of personal beliefs, is receiving international attention through a story on BBC World and BBC Radio’s morning program Today.

The story focuses on the recent trend of health care providers who are refusing to prescribe and dispense prescriptions for birth control in Wisconsin. Kmart pharmacist, Neil Noesen, Cynthia Jones-Nosacek, MD, a board-certified family doctor with St. Mary’s Medical Clinic, and forty-nine state legislators such as LaCrosse-area Representative Mike Huebsch, are just a sampling of individuals who have participated in or supported legislation allowing health care professionals to refuse birth control to patients because of their personal beliefs.

The story can be accessed on the BBC’s website at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/default.stm.

“The path we are going down on restricting basic women’s health care in Wisconsin is so extreme and unprecedented that we are now receiving unflattering international attention,” said Lisa Boyce, Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood. “Voters need to pay attention to this growing extremist agenda. Wisconsin needs legislators who will protect and improve access to basic prevention based health care services, not try to eliminate them.”

This legislative effort among ultra-conservatives and the majority of Wisconsin Legislators moves beyond additional abortion restrictions and towards restricting access to prevention based services like birth control. Wisconsin laws governing reproductive and sexual health are already considered to be some of the most restrictive in the nation.

“These efforts to restrict basic prevention services are completely counter intuitive,” Boyce said. “Assuring access to birth control is one of the most important means women rely on to prevent unintended pregnancy and to greatly reduce the incidence of abortion.”

Because of this growing extremist threat, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin (PPAWI) is embarking on an unprecedented voter mobilization program. This program will educate and activate almost 200,000 pro-choice voters across the state of Wisconsin in support of candidates who support women’s access to basic health care services, like birth control, prenatal care and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. In the September 14th primary election alone, PPAWI will be making over 225,000 voter contacts with pro-choice supporters to get out the vote.

Through these activities and future efforts, PPAWI is committed to demonstrating overwhelmingly, the people of Wisconsin support women’s reproductive rights and will stand up for pro-choice, pro-birth control candidates who will work to protect women’s health and lives.

To review the list of PPAWI endorsed candidates, go to www.PPAWI.org  and click on “PPAWI Endorsed Candidates” for Fall 2004.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin is the political arm of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and lobbies on behalf of reproductive rights and works to elect candidates who support family planning and a woman’s right to choose.