Badger Blogger

Seems like Alderman Michael McGee Jr. is having problems with his attorney, and today, he quit… for a little while.

From Proof & Hearsay:

Usually, but not always, attorneys are allowed to withdraw at their own request if they can show substantial proof there’s a lot of friction with the client — and such requests tend to fare better when made early in the case as opposed to right before a late-case event such as a sentencing or restitution hearing.

If Givens were to quit, McJr’s December court date would likely be pushed back.

Jib takes us on a stroll through some of the best blogs in Wisconsin, with the first edition of Badger Bites. This will be a new feature at the Badger Blog Alliance.

Certain commenters at Badger Blogger have become increasingly critical of Madison Police Chief Noble Wray, specifically the position he has accepted on the Governors Commission to Reduce Racial Disparity while the City of Madison endures a violent crime wave unmatched in the city’s history. I decided to see if there was any merit to their arguments.

Using data obtained from the City of Madison Police Department Incident Release website, I would like to share with you the following data transcribed from the published incident reports:

Since January 1, 2007, to the present, focusing on Robberies and Strong Armed Robberies, there have been a total of 82 incidents reported in the City of Madison. There have been 14 suspects arrested in conjunction with these 82 incidents. (I should point out that in several cases, these 14 suspects comprise situations in which multiple suspects were charged in the same incident.)

Of those suspects charged, or at large, in conjunction with these incidents in the City of Madison in which a race was disclosed by the victim(s), or previously known to authorities, the racial breakdown of the suspects is as follows:

African American = Seventy-Eight (78); White = Eighteen (18); Hispanic/Other= Seven (7); and Undisclosed (or juveniles) = Thirteen (13)

Madisonians pride themselves as fairly “colorblind”. I find it unlikely that these victims would report a race of the suspect unless they were reasonably certain of that person’s ethnicity.

According to the mission statement of the Governor’s Commission:

“The Commission will work to determine if discrimination is built into Wisconsin’s criminal justice system and develop strategies aimed at reducing racial disparities at each stage of the state’s justice system - from arrest of new suspects to parole of convicted felons.”

One could certainly draw the conclusion that in Noble Wray’s Madison, based on these numbers, this work has perhaps already started.

Over the past week or so, the Journal Sentinel told us how awful it was that Scott Walker was cutting jobs in the parks system and replacing them with seasonal workers, saving the county over $2 million, while increasing the actual number of working hours for the park system… BUT the Journal themselves just announced that they are cutting 35 to 50 jobs themselves… Where is the hand wringing over this big evil powerful business cutting jobs because they are concerned about their bottom line?

Journal Sentinel looks to reduce staff
Journal Sentinel Inc. said today it is offering employee buyouts in the hope of reducing its work force by 35 to 50 people.

The company said if not enough employees take the offer, an “involuntary program” will be considered.

Do as I say, not as I do…

Sounds like State Senator Lena Taylor will finally announce (again) that she will take on Scott Walker… Bring it on! The last thing she voted for was a $15 Billion tax increase that would have doubled the taxes for every taxpayer in Wisconsin, while Scott Walker has held the taxes for the past 6 years… Could there be a clearer choice?