Opinion

After 11 months of one extreme policy after the other, Wisconsinites finally get their opportunity to start the recall process against Gov. Scott Walker. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin, United Wisconsin and other grassroots groups launched the recall process on Nov. 15 and fanned out across the entire state with recall stations in every county. 

For the effort to move forward, they need to obtain at least 540,000 valid signatures. But organizers have set their goal at 650,000-700,000, which would provide some padding if some signatures are invalid. 

Since Republicans took over state government they have gone about trying to permanently rig the state's entire electoral system in their favor. Apparently they are intent on misusing every tool at their disposal to ensure their continuing monopoly on political power in Wisconsin. 

After forcing a radical agenda on the state, they clearly seem insecure about their future electoral prospects. Otherwise why would they try so blatantly to stack the electoral deck? They have established one of the strictest voter ID laws in the country – a law that disproportionately affects traditional Democratic voters, including the elderly, students, minorities and the poor.

Gov. Scott Walker and his rubber-stamp majority in the Legislature have repeatedly shown us their extreme and divisive agenda. That is why Republicans lost members in the state senate this summer, and that’s why Walker and others still face recalls.

So it should be no surprise that they would try every dirty trick in the book to prolong their abusive control of state government. Their shameless and shortsighted view of electoral politics knows no limits. It’s clear they will do anything to win elections, even if they must sacrifice the long-term integrity of our electoral system.

Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day. Who are you coming out to? 

Although I’ve been out to almost everyone since the 1970s, I always try to find someone new to come out to. Sharing our stories and being honest with people is the most simple, effective means we have for winning hearts and minds. In addition to the personal satisfaction and deeper relationships that result from coming out, it advances the LGBT community’s quest for equal rights.

Earlier this month I visited Milwaukee to attend the Call to Action National Conference, a gathering of progressive Catholics from around the country, and introduce pro-LGBT attendees to the organization I work for, Truth Wins Out.

Many readers will understandably balk at the words "progressive," "pro-LGBT" and "Catholic" appearing in the same sentence. However, these words and concepts are far more compatible than many people realize.

Like a very welcome old friend, Milwaukee’s LGBT Film Fest returns Oct. 20-23. Screenings for the movies below are at the Union Theatre in the UW-Milwaukee Union. 

"Gen Silent" (3 p.m. Oct. 22) is a compelling, sometimes heartbreaking documentary about LGBT elders facing discrimination in institutions for seniors. It shows the challenges faced by two gay male couples, a lesbian couple and a transgender woman as health fades and assisted living support or nursing care become necessary.

Like a very welcome old friend, Milwaukee’s LGBT Film Fest returns Oct. 20-23. Screenings for the movies below are at the Union Theatre in the UW-Milwaukee Union. 

“Gen Silent” (3 p.m., Sat., Oct. 22) is a compelling, sometimes heartbreaking documentary about LGBT elders facing discrimination in institutions for seniors. It shows the challenges faced by two gay male couples, a lesbian couple and a transgender woman as health fades and assisted living support or nursing care become necessary.

Gov. Scott Walker’s tenure has been marked by very low approval ratings, an extremist agenda and a worsening unemployment rate.

If that isn’t bad enough, now we are seeing headlines involving a John Doe investigation and the FBI searching the home of a top Walker aide. John Doe investigations are secret proceedings. Witnesses can be subpoenaed and compelled to testify under oath, and they’re forbidden from talking publicly about the case.

I'm a big believer in militancy and in-your-face tactics to confront injustice. There's no reason to be polite in an era of mass joblessness, historic economic inequality and government inertia. Marches and occupations are vital means of protest. They trumpet the injustice afflicting people, build solidarity among the aggrieved, confront intransigent power structures and, in the short or long term, bring about change.

I'm thrilled with the Occupy Wall Street movement and how it has sparked activism throughout the country. Apart from corporate-funded Tea Party rallies, the people really affected by hard times have seemed eerily complacent, so the uptick in resistance is a huge step forward. 

Gov. Scott Walker and his rubber-stamp majority in the Legislature have repeatedly shown us their extreme and divisive agenda. That is why Republicans lost members in the state senate this summer, and that's why Walker and others still face recalls.

So it should be no surprise that they would try every dirty trick in the book to prolong their abusive control of state government. Their shameless and shortsighted view of electoral politics knows no limits. It's clear they will do anything to win elections, even if they must sacrifice the long-term integrity of our electoral system.

There are still a number of unanswered questions about the upcoming race for retiring U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl’s seat.

However, we do know that Republican Mark Neumann, who has repeatedly failed in statewide races, is running. And we also know he brings an extreme right-wing agenda with him. 

It seems incredible, but within a few months we are going to be in the thick of another presidential election and an arduous recall campaign against Gov. Scott Walker.

I have serious doubts about whether the president can win a second term with the economy in the shape it’s in. And I’m concerned that the gubernatorial recall will expend enormous amounts of energy and money only to result in maintenance of the status quo.