Wisconsin in Upheaval

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What is happening in the state of Wisconsin today is more than the usual budget debate. In case you haven't heard, our Democratic Senators have LEFT WISCONSIN in order to avoid being compelled by the STATE POLICE to appear in the capitol for the vote today, and the reason behind their collective decision needs to be understood by democrats and republicans alike.

Those of you who know me well, know I am not a political person. What I'm seeing in Wisconsin at the moment, however, compels me to speak out because the stakes are high and the repercussions could be felt nationally. The media is not covering the issue with as much depth as they should—it isn't headlining properly since it's being minimize to just another budget protest. The video above is eye opening...it is long, so I apologize for that. It does take the in-depth look at what is behind the upheaval in Wisconsin today.

Now, I am often skeptical about the media as well, so I don't give Rachel Maddow my complete blind faith either, but her evidence is compelling, and the collective actions of the people (via multiple state-wide protests) and, mostly, the senators (via their exodus from the state) lend credence to her argument. This is what compels me to share this video.

Argument and opposition are at risk here, and make no mistake, argument and opposition are the ultimate checks and balances in our government...a thinking government where voices are heard. Recently argument and opposition have been vilified because they have fallen to the depths of depravity reflected by personal violence. It is up to us, democrats and republicans alike, to pick up argument, opposition, discourse and debate from the gutter of our own extremism, and meet each other in civility. That is what is at stake in Wisconsin today.

I call you to action simply to be informed, so you can join in the discourse...so that we can continue to have the two-party system that makes our nation great because it causes us to think...to deliberate...to be deliberate and not rash or blind in our actions.

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Weekend Sketching Outside in February

We're having a few days of warmth in Wisconsin, and I spent as much time outside yesterday as I could. There was some snow shifting to accomplish since I don't want it melting into my basement. The payoff was being able to sit out in the back yard for a while enjoying the sunshine.

The piles of snow are still pretty high, so the view above was partially obstructed. This sketch represents about a half hour of outdoor enjoyment. Ultimately, I was outside for a few hours futzing with this and that just to take advantage of the break. I know we still have quite a bit of winter ahead of us, but this was a wonderful, much-needed respite from the cold.

Happy Valentine's Day, and thanks for stopping by!

Weekend Sketching

My sketch is a 63% reduction of a Ted Wood photo that appeared in the February 2011 issue of Smithsonian Magazine.

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The Blizzard of '11

The snow was up to my back door...had to shove my way out. You can still see some traces of snow on the door. For perspective, that fence is a 7 footer. The snow right up against it on the left drifted that way. The snow just in front of the stairs also drifted that way...it needs to be moved to the ginormous pile on the right, so it doesn't melt right up against the foundation.

Along the back of the house looking the other direction.

Looking back the length of my back yard from the house. That little forsythia bush in the middle is about 3 feet high...why couldn't all the snow drift there in the middle of the yard!?!?!?  :-D

Looking out from the top of the front steps.

Along the driveway...the snow drifted up against the red brick chimney is probably about 6 feet high.

My snowy but snug home sweet home.

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