Just in case you hadn't heard: The Foxconn deal is expensive (about $4 billion), constantly changing, and a scam. A real con. How do we know? Just look at the news from late June 2018, when the company announced it was reneging on a plan to build a HUGE factory (fab10) to build HUGE flat screens and would instead build a less cutting-edge plant (fab6) that would manufacture much smaller flat screens for tvs and hand-held devices (see (see jsonline.com). That was the operative word for a few months. At which point the company acknowledged that "the project was being 'adjusted' in response to changing global economics" (Wisconsin State Journal). That instead of a factory, it would largely be creating an "R & D hub" that would employ mostly engineers and researchers rather than the blue-collar workers it had originally promised.

The changing stories garnered national news largely, I think, because our *resident got involved and appeared at the groundbreaking ceremony (see USA Today on June 28, 2018). But there was so much blowback that tRump had to cajole the company into reversing itself. So on February 1, Foxconn announced that "it is returning to its plan to make flat screen panels at a new plant in Wisconsin following an appeal from President Donald Trump" (CNN.com). Still a spokeswoman for the company would not or could not say whether the company was offered any additional incentives or inducements to change its mind, "how the decision affects the mix of work to be done on the site, or how many of the hired workers would be involved in manufacturing. She also could not say how many employees would be tech workers and engineers doing research and development" (CNN.com).

The whole saga is a sad tale of the sort that Foxconn has engaged in with other entities, including another US state: a prescient June 2017 article in Market Watch is headlined "Foxconn’s history of broken promises casts a shadow on Wisconsin news". An article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wonders "Wisconsin gave Foxconn a rich subsidy package. Did we overpay? Some experts say we did" (Februaury 2, 2019). Although much of the $4 billion has yet to be "earned" by the company, Racine County has already spent large amonts of largely borrowed moner acquiring property, building roads, and providing sewers ("Fact check: Taxpayers have already spent money on Foxconn"). The AP story also notes that state taxpayers could be on the hook for a major portion of the funds localities spend.

It's hard to see how Wisconsin wins through this deal and even harder, after the GOP rammed through its bills hamstringing Governor Evers in the lame-duck session, how the state extricates itself from this con.

Nevertheless Grassroots North Shore will carry on with its Mid-Winter Warmup on Sunday, February 10! Hot sandwiches will be served. You are invited to bring a side, salad or dessert. Suggestions: your Specialty Side or Salad (complementary to hot sandwiches. Please limit to servings of 8 - 12) OR Home Baked Cookies or Bars (1 - 2 dozen). (All items are to be plated and ready to serve. (If you have questions, please email [email protected]). The event is free and open to the public (though only GRNS members can vote on the slate of candidates to sit on the steering committee for the next two years). We have a lot to celebrate and a lot to do to get ready for the 2020 election. Join us. Please RSVP.

EVENTS

Tue Feb 5, 2019

EXPO Monthly Meeting, 6pm - 8pm
Welford Sanders Enterprise Center, 2821 N. Vel Phillips Ave., Room 108, Milwaukee
The EXPO (EX-incarcerated People Organizing) monthly meeting will feature ampresentation by Alan Schultz on the Columbia University Justice Lab's report on mass supervision in Wisconsin, with testimonies of people who have been directly impacted by Wisconsin's horrific, racist system of mass supervision. The presentation will be followed by a State Budget Advocacy Training led by EXPO organizers in preparation for the governor's budget to be released on March 3. More info.

Wed Feb 6, 2019

On the Issues: Reggie Moore, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Marquette University, Eckstein Hall, 1215 W. Michigan St., Milwaukee
As director of the health department’s Office of Violence Prevention, Reggie Moore is working hard to make our city a safer place. His office’s “Milwaukee Blueprint for Peace” offers a multifaceted strategy not just to reduce the number of shootings, but to build what he calls a stronger and more resilient community. Moore is also a member of the steering committee for the group known as SWIM—Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee—which is working to address the impact of trauma on the city. Moore will talk about his work and his vision for Milwaukee. RSVP required.

Refuel the Resistance, 5pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking,binspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Citywide School Board Forum, 6pm - 7:30pm
Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Milwaukee
Milwaukee students, staff, parents and community members are invited to meet the citywide (at-large) candidates for the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Directors, Stef Dugan and Bob Peterson. Doors open at 6pm, forum 6:30 - 7:30. Sponsored by Parents for Public School of Milwaukee/PPSMKE, the Hmong American Women's Association/HAWA, Schools and Communities United/SCU and Leaders Igniting Transformation/LIT. More info.

Grass Roots South Shore Meeting, 6pm - 7:30pm
Hawthorne Coffee Roasters, 4177 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee
NOTE CHANGE IN PLACE AND TIME: At this Grass Roots South Shore meeting State Senator Chris Larson will introduce Lisa Neubauer, progressive candidate for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court. Grass Roots South Shore meets on the first Wednesday of each month. For more information call Jim Balk, 414-218-5944.

Thu Feb 7, 2019

Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes Press Club Event, 11:45am - 1:30pm
Newsroom Pub, 137 E. Wells St., Milwaukee
Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes will be the featured speaker at a Newsmaker Luncheon, sponsored by the Milwaukee Press Club and WisPolitics.com. Barnes will take questions from a panel of journalists and from the audience. The cost to attend is $20 for MPC members, $25 for non-members, $15 for students. Lunch is included. Advance registration and payment are required. RSVP, payment, and more information.

Sat Feb 9, 2019

Global Respiratory Disease, 10am - 12pm
Redeemer Lutheran Church, 631 N. 19th St., Milwaukee
The United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee will present Dean E. Schraufnagel, MD, the Executive Director of The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and a Professor of Medicine and Pathology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He will speak about his extensive work as a dedicated advocate for responding to global respiratory health issues, especially in underserved countries. Free and open to the public.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Wisconsin Avenue & 16th Street, Milwaukee
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Democratic Action Kickoff, 12:30pm - 12:30pm
Peace Action Center, 1001 E. Keefe Ave., Milwaukee
Get ready and excited to canvass and phone bank for the April 2nd Spring election! We will be covering the Downtown, East Side, Harambee and Riverwest neighborhoods.

Laughing Liberally Milwaukee, 8pm - 10pm
Comedy Sportz Theater, 420 S. 1st St., Milwaukee
Laughing Liberally Milwaukee presents a night of progressive political comedy. In addition to some of the finest progressive comedians Milwaukee has to offer, each Laughing Liberally Milwaukee will feature a special interview with a local political figure, journalist or activist. This month's guest is Heather DuBouis Bourenane from the Wisconsin Public Education Network. Advance tickets ($8).

Sun Feb 10, 2019

GRNS Annual Meeting/Warmup, 4:30pm - 7:30pm
North Shore Presbyterian Church, 4048 N. Bartlett Ave., Shorewood
At this meeting Grassroots North Shore will serve a sloppy joe dinner with all the trimmings and hold the annual meeting, bringing you up to date on what the organization will do to get ready for the elections in 2020 and electing a slate of officers who will serve for a two-year term. Guest speakers will include Judge Lisa Neubauer (running for WI Supreme Court in 2019). Hot sandwiches will be served. You are invited to bring a side, salad or dessert. Suggestions: your Specialty Side or Salad (complementary to hot sandwiches. Please limit to servings of 8 - 12) OR Home Baked Cookies or Bars (1 - 2 dozen). All items are to be plated and ready to serve. (If you have questions, please email [email protected]). The event is free and open to the public. RSVP.

Mon Feb 11, 2019

Grass Roots South Shore Meeting, 6pm - 8pm
Cudahy Library, 3500 Library Dr. , Cudahy
Grass Roots South Shore holds its monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month. For more information call Jim Balk, 414-218-5944.

Tue Feb 12, 2019

Conversations on Race, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Brown Deer United Methodist Church - BDUMC, 5736 W Brown Deer Rd, Brown Deer, Wisconsin 53223
Bringing people together from across the community to be agents of transformation as we work to dismantle racism.

Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Art Bar, 722 E. Burleigh St., Milwaukee
Now, more than ever, Drinking Liberally is a space to gather, support each other, and form the progressive community we need. Come share a pint with your fellow progressives! Drinking Liberally MKE meets on the second Tuesday of every month, hosted by Matt Filipowicz.

350 Milwaukee Meeting, 7pm - 8:30pm
Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee
350.ORG is the global organization building a grassroots movement in 188 countries to address global warming and solve the climate crisis. 350 Milwaukee meets every month on the second Tuesday. More information.

Wed Feb 13, 2019

Refuel the Resistance, 5pm - 8pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee Calendar: Social
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

District 2 School Board Forum, 6pm - 7:30pm
Villard Square Library, 5190 N. 35th St., Milwaukee
Milwaukee students, staff, parents and community members are invited to meetthe candidates for the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Directors in District 4, Wendell Harris (incumbent) and Erika Siemsen. Doors open at 6pm, forum 6:30 - 7:30. Sponsored by Parents for Public School of Milwaukee/PPSMKE, the Hmong American Women's Association/HAWA, Schools and Communities United/SCU and Leaders Igniting Transformation/LIT. More info.

Drinking Liberally Mequon, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Libby Montana, 5616 W Donges Bay Rd, Mequon

Thu Feb 14, 2019

Drinking Liberally West Allis, 6:30pm - 9pm
Studz Pub Sports Bar & Grill, 6833 W. National Ave., West Allis
Drinking Liberally West Allis meets on the second Thursday of the month. Free discussions and fellowship. Good food and specials available.

Sat Feb 16, 2019

NAACP Monthly Meeting, 11:30am - 1pm
2745 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Milwaukee
Monthly membership meeting of NAACP Milwaukee Branch. The meeting is held in the basement conference room.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Capitol Drive & Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Mon Feb 18, 2019

Democratic Party of Milwaukee County Issues Committee Meeting, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Amalgamated Transit Union, 734 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
The Democratic Party's Issues Committee will hold its monthly meeting. All Democrats are welcome to participate.

Milwaukee Dems Meeting, 6:00pm
Amalgamated Transit Union, 734 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
Milwaukee County Democrats meet monthly to discuss party business, hear speakers on current topics, pass resolutions, and network with other progressives. All interested Democrats are invited.