Tag Archives: Wisconsin

Federal officials worried about F-35 jet boondoggle; Wisconsinites should be as well

Cap Times Editorial link |  19 May 2021

 

“The authoritative publication Defense News reported late last month that key members of Congress are objecting to proposals to increase funding for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 joint strike fighters in the upcoming fiscal 2022 budget. They say they will not support any increase until the Pentagon and the manufacturer address what Defense News refers to as “a laundry list of problems” with the planes.

Defense News – F-35 in the crosshairs

Defense News: more on F-35

Officials in Wisconsin should be paying close attention to the growing debate over the F-35 boondoggle, as the U.S. Air Force plans to station a squadron of F-35 fighter jets at Truax Field in Madison.

There is a lot of opposition to that move in Madison, especially from residents of the Eken Park neighborhood, which is located not far from Truax. But people who don’t live anywhere near that east-side neighborhood over which the planes would fly should also be concerned about the prospect of basing these messed-up planes in Madison.

Noting the many problems with the planes, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, the California Democrat who leads the defense readiness subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, said in April, “The program is over budget. It fails to deliver on promised capabilities. And its mission capability rates do not even begin to meet the service thresholds.”

Dove Mound Effigy by David Giffey

 

“The Mourning Dove Mound is a symbol of peace at the Highground. It represents a constant presence of peace among numerous other memorials and monuments dedicated to wars and conflicts.

As the designer in 1985, I tell the story on this video of the mound and how Native American people built burial and effigy mounds for centuries before I designed the dove mound. It was dedicated in 1989. In recent years, I met hundreds of school children in person at the Highground to tell the Dove Mound story.” 

The artist:  David Giffey

Learn about the Dove Effigy Mound at the Highground Memorial Park

 

COVID Resources – WI and Dane Co

Resources related to COVID from Gov Tony Evers and Mandela Barnes (14 August 2020)

State of Wisconsin – Resources

Dane County Human Services

“On behalf of the people of Wisconsin, Lieutenant Governor Barnes and I hope this email finds you safe and healthy. As we have done throughout the past several months, we would like to provide you with the most up to date and accurate information available regarding the current public health crisis.

 

As of August 14, Wisconsin has seen over 63,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Over one thousand  Wisconsinites have died from COVID-19. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost someone they love during this pandemic. Our entire state is thinking of you and holding you in our hearts, and our administration will continue to do everything we can to limit the spread of COVID-19.

 

Unfortunately, throughout July we saw a surge in new cases across our state and, although we are fighting the same pandemic, we now find ourselves in a completely different situation. Although our local public health officials and frontline workers have done a heck of a job keeping our communities safe, July’s rise in cases reinforces the reality that COVID-19 does not stop at county or municipal lines. That’s why, on July 30, I declared a new public health emergency and issued Emergency Order #1 to put in place a statewide face covering requirement. Emergency Order #1 implemented the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations requiring face coverings and masks and allowed Wisconsin to join the vast majority of states in recognizing the importance and effectiveness of face coverings in preventing the spread of COVID-19. If you have questions about the statewide face covering requirement, please consult this list of frequently asked questions. 

We recognize that many Wisconsinites continue to struggle financially. You may find it useful to know that the Public Service Commission (PSC) voted in late July to prohibit utility disconnections until at least September 1 and will meet later this month to determine if a further extension is necessary. You can learn more about this decision and how it may affect you here. We have also included a more comprehensive list of financial resources below:

  1. If you are struggling to pay for groceries, you may qualify for the Department of Health Services’ FoodShare program. 
  2. If you are struggling to afford health insurance, you may be eligible for one or more programs offered through the DHS or the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. 
  3. If you are struggling to pay your rent, you may be eligible for the Department of Administration’s Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program. 
  4. If you are a low-income parent or are pregnant and low income, you may be interested in the programs available through the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
  5. For more general resources, please see the following list available under the 211 Program. You can also call 2-1-1 to be connected to resources over the phone.
  6. If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) funds, you are not eligible under state law to also receive UI, but you may be eligible to receive Pandemic Unemployment Insurance (PUA). We encourage you to apply online for PUA. Our administration is also advocating for the state legislature to change state law to ensure SSDI recipients can qualify for UI in the future.
  7. If you are a farmer who has suffered economic damages to the COVID-19 Pandemic, you may be able to find financial resources through the Department of Revenue’s Wisconsin Farm Support Program. Applications are due by August 24.
  8. You can also complete the “Request for Assistance” form on my official website. This will connect you with a caseworker within our office.

State of Wisconsin – Resources

Dane County Human Services

VFP at LaborFest 2019 in Madison

Veterans for Peace-Madison: Steve Books and Brad Geyer spent Labor Day educating the public at the Labor Temple in Madison [LaborFest 2019.]

Pic by Paul McMahon/Heartland Images

We were talking to people about war profiteering, the corrupt government, the massive pollution by the MIC and the boondoggle of the plan to bring F-35’s to Wisconsin and Madison.

[Steve speaking with commander of the National Guard, Governor Tony Evers ]

~Peace is the way Tony.~

 

Pic by Paul McMahon/Heartland Images

The South Central Federation of Labor (SCFL), Industrial Workers of the World, Madison Teachers Inc., American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Teamsters, TAA and other organized workers groups celebrated Labor Day with its annual LaborFest on Monday, September 2, at the Madison Labor Temple grounds. The Jimmys and Chris O’Leary Band performed.

There were family-friendly activities: magic shows, face painting, a bounce house, balloon

Pic by Paul McMahon/Heartland Images

twister, and caricature artist.

Veterans For Peace is an international organization made up of military veterans, military family members, and allies. We accept veteran members from all branches of service.

We are dedicated to building a culture of peace, exposing the true costs of war, and healing the wounds of war. Our networks are made up of over 140 chapters across the United States and abroad.

Vets for Peace: Our Mission