There's a lot going on nationally, but little of it is new. Hence last week's invocation of the doldrums — a nautical term referring to the latitudes near earth's equator where sailing ships often found themselves stuck in virtually windless waters. Right now, we seem to be adrift in windless political waters. The Build Back Better Bill, aka the reconciliation bill, is stuck in endless negotiations that seem to go nowhere. The January 6 Select Committee is asking the House to approve a criminal referral to the Justice Department to try to force Steve Bannon to relinquish documents and to testify about the events leading up to the insurrection. The pace of the request, announced last Thursday, seems glacial. Majority Leader Schumer announced that he will bring bills to address voting rights to the senate this week, but we know they can't pass because of the filibuster and the refusal of at least two Democrats to abolish or amend the filibuster rule. The whole promise of the Biden administration seems at least indefinitely stalled or perhaps even doomed.

Here in Wisconsin, plenty of issues are percolating, the most fraught of which is the attacks on school boards. The vitriol is pretty widespread in the state. For example, here's a recent article from WiscNews: Wisconsin school board association condemns threats made against local members. "Discussion of COVID-19 mitigation protocols, such as mask mandates in the Beaver Dam and Oshkosh school districts, prompted a number of threats against school board members in Wisconsin. Members of the public also threatened the Waukesha School Board after they voted unanimously to opt out of a federal program that offered free meals to all students, in order to reinstate a free and reduced meal plan for economically disadvantaged students."

Ruth Conniff, writing in the Wisconsin Examiner on September 24, summed up the problem: "The anger unleashed in the Drumpf era, fanned by Republicans at both the national and state level in order to motivate the former president’s voters, is now focused on a soft target — local school boards. Across Wisconsin, they have endured mini versions of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. In Kenosha, a crowd jammed a meeting and forced a vote to drastically cut school board members’ salaries, while making it mandatory that they attend meetings in person. In Eau Claire, a school board meeting was cancelled after some participants refused to wear masks. Recall efforts targeting school board members for voting to sustain mask requirements and online learning during the pandemic have proliferated across the state. And school board members in different districts across the state quit this fall saying they and their families were threatened by angry members of the public."

In our own bailiwick, there's a special election — an attempt to recall four incumbent members of the Mequon-Thiensville School Board — taking place on November 2, just two weeks from today. The website for the Coalition to Support MTSD argues that school boards are and must remain non-partisan. The group points out that those behind the effort to take over the school board ("Recall / Restore MTSB") "has maintained all along they are non-partisan. However, over the last week, the Republican Party of Wisconsin, the Republican Party of Ozaukee County, the gubernatorial campaigns of Rebecca Kleefisch and Jonathan Wichmann, and the Patriots of Ozaukee County have all stepped out of the dark to reveal they are backing the 4 Recall / Restore candidates. Their social media posts expose the lie that Recall / Restore MTSD is just a local group of concerned apolitical parents."

The site includes an image of a message from the Republican Party of Ozaukee County that urges people from EVERYWHERE to lend the recall effort aid: "YOU DO NOT NEED TO LIVE IN MEQUON-THIENSVILLE TO HELP IN OUR EFFORT! Everyone is welcome, even if you live in another municipality!!" The Coalition to Support MTSD even shows proof that outside funds are fueling the ideologically driven recall effort. And it urges people who care about the integrity of the current school board to Get Involved, Volunteer, Order a Yard Sign, Express Your Opinion, and Talk to Your Friends and Neighbors. So if you live in the Mequon-Thiensville school district, know people who do, or are just hot under the collar about this attempt at a hostile takeover of a school board, it's time to get busy!

EVENTS

Tue Oct 19, 2021

Become a Poll Worker-Training, 5:30pm - 6pm
Online
Support your community and become a Poll Worker in 2022! Working the polls and helping your neighbors cast their ballots is the most direct way you can support voting rights in your community. Join our 30-minute Info Session to learn more about being a Poll Worker and how you can get involved for 2022! You must be a Wisconsin resident to be a poll worker and you only need to attend one Info Session. REGISTER HERE.

Wed Oct 20, 2021

On The Issues: Changes to Election Laws, 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Zoom
Host Mike Gousha will be focusing on recent changes to state election laws across the country and their potential impact on future elections, with Professor Atiba Ellis and ACLU voting rights attorney Molly McGrath. Registration.

Chris Larson Town Hall Oak Creek, 6pm - 7:30pm
Zoom
Join Sen. Chris Larson as he listens to community concerns and discusses the most recent developments at the state level. RSVP.

Thu Oct 21, 2021

Larson/Sinicki Town Hall Bay View, 6pm - 7:30pm
Humboldt Park Pavilion, 3000 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee
Join Sen. Chris Larson and Rep. Christine Sinicki as they listen to community concerns and discuss the most recent developments at the state level. Masks are required. RSVP.

Fri Oct 22, 2021

Fund Dinner, 5:30pm - 8:30pm NAACP Freedom
Wisconsin Center District, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will be the guest of honor at the annual Freedom Fund Dinner. Reception 5:30pm, dinner 6:30pm. More information and tickets.

Sat Oct 23, 2021

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Lincoln Memorial Drive & LaFayette Hill Road
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing.(Special Stand, "Why Should I Care About Julian Assange?") Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Mon Oct 25, 2021

Larson/Brostoff Town Hall Eastside, 6pm - 7:30pm
UWM Student Union, room 191, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee
Join Sen. Chris Larson and Rep. Jonathan Brostoff as they listen to community concerns and discusses the most recent developments at the state level. RSVP.

Update on Covid-19 Virus, 7pm - 8pm
Online
Dr. Ian Gilson will give an update on the current Covid-19 crisis. The program will cover variants, breakthrough infections, the latest treatments, mask effectiveness, rapid testing and its importance, travel guidelines, and more. He will take questions from viewers after the presentation. Presented by Grassroots North Shore. Register.

Tue Oct 26, 2021

Become a Poll Worker-Training, 5:30pm - 6pm
Online
Support your community and become a Poll Worker in 2022! Working the polls and helping your neighbors cast their ballots is the most direct way you can support voting rights in your community. Join our 30-minute Info Session to learn more about being a Poll Worker and how you can get involved for 2022! You must be a Wisconsin resident to be a poll worker and you only need to attend one Info Session. REGISTER HERE.

North Milwaukee REACH training, 6pm - 7pm
Online
Join the Wisconsin Democrats in North Milwaukee as we get trained on REACH to further our relational organizing skills ahead of our October friendbank! Dates: 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, and 10/26. Sign up.

Wed Oct 27, 2021

Community Justice Council, 9:30am - 11am
Online
Milwaukee Community Justice Council Meeting of the Whole will have an Online/Virtual meeting. More information.

Thu Oct 28, 2021

Mental Health Board Meeting, 9am - 9am
Teleconference
This is a teleconference meeting (see Agenda for details). Public Comment: none. More information.

Sierra Club Wisconsin: Coal, Gas and Public Health, 7pm - 7pm
Online
It is generally well known that coal generation has a negative impact on public health and wellbeing. As utilities try to make the case for gas, public health and climate advocates are pushing back to stop another harmful wave of fossil fuel infrastructure. Join this event to learn about the connections between our electric sector, justice and equity, and public health. RSVP HERE.

Sat Oct 30, 2021

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
TBA
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Mon Nov 1, 2021

Board of Supervisor’s Public Hearing on 2022 County Budget, 6pm - 6pm
zoom
The Board’s budget hearing is an opportunity for the public to speak directly to Supervisors about the County budget. There are several options for those who wish to participate. The recommended method for public participation is to join the meeting virtually using the Microsoft Teams app. The public is encouraged to register at county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Board-of-Supervisors if they want to speak during the hearing. Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per person. Those who wish to join virtually but do not have a device with internet access can participate virtually from room 203-R of the County Courthouse. The hearing will be broadcast on screens in room 203-R and there will be a camera and microphone available for live public comment. Staff will be present to facilitate public participation. Face coverings are required. A third option is to participate by phone. Anyone who wishes to speak at the hearing must register in advance so the County Clerk can call on them by name when it is their turn. County Executive David Crowley introduced his 2022 Recommended Budget on October 1. The Milwaukee County Comptroller released an independent analysis and summary of the County Executive’s budget proposal on October 8.The Committee on Finance will consider amendments to the County Executive’s Recommended Budget on Oct. 26, 27, 29, and Nov. 3, before considering a Adopted Budget on Nov. 8. More budget information can be found under File 21-920 at the Legislative Information Center. Register on the Board’s web site to participate. Visit the County Legislative Information Center to watch the livestream.