Outraged veterans across Wisconsin seek justice Wednesday after mayor of Racine Cory Mason faces discrimination allegations targeting veteran hiring for police force.

Wisconsin mayor encourages police department to discriminate against veterans in hiring practices | USSA News | The Tea Party’s Front Page

The mayor of Racine hired local law firm Payne and Frazier to assemble a task force and develop a plan moving forward to take community comment into account. While The Journal Times reported, “the city is not prohibiting veterans from applying to work for the Racine Police Department,” a local disabled veteran went on a rant. The executive assistant to the mayor’s office issued their rebuttal Tuesday addressing Law Enforcement Today’s December 20th previously published article , calling out the mayor, which stirred the controversy to begin with.

“Our 33-page report insists no public comment will be left out. Our Communications Director wants the public to review the report for verification—the mayor does not seek to discriminate against veterans,” said Executive Assistant of the Office of the Racine Mayor Ellen Neuchterlein.

Click to access Racine%20Police%20Reform%20Report.pdf

Neuchterlein promptly followed up Wednesday around 8:00 a.m. to provide press release requests who offered the mayor’s task force pdf. Neuchterlein provided information to allow for analysis of mayor’s task force procedures. Neuchterlein insists the mayor does not wish to discriminate, but a reporter’s error started the feud with the veteran community.

“Comments were left out by reporters from town hall meetings and certainly hope to convey the mayor does not seek to discriminate against veterans for hiring purposes,” Neuchterlein stated.

Contact the Mayor | City of Racine |

The mayor’s office insists Chief of Staff took up assembling “Citizen Review Board” policy according to former President Barrack Obama’s “what mayor’s are to do,” noting the mayor’s office sent out surveys seeking to collaborate with community’s requests. Mason’s public relations team outlined email items that “should be noted,” seeking to clear Mason’s decision-making who assigned members to oversee the hiring of law enforcement in his community. The mayor’s task force policy and protocol issued ten recommendations outlined on pages 13-18.

“It should be noted that this was the charge former President Barrack Obama called on Mayor’s to do, which Mayor Mason took up. It should also be noted that during this process we learned that under Wisconsin State Law, ‘Citizen Review Boards’ are not really permissible,” said Chief of Staff and Communications Director Shannon Powell.

Powell emphasized Racine Police Department policy found in the City of Racine’s ordinance, section 62-38 prohibits discrimination upon veteran or disabled veteran status. The pdf provided by the City of Racine Mayor’s Office on page 20 “Engage” section took town hall and two surveys into account when assembling hiring procedures moving forward. Powell addressed the Mayor’s Task Force Ten Recommendations do not interpret recommendations as implemented policy.

“I can say for certain the mayor does not agree with discriminating against veterans in general, or specifically for positions with RFD. It would be unlawful to do so,” Powell said.

Public hearings and town halls addressed how the City of Racine ought to move forward when hiring future law enforcement. The mayor looked to his community to offer support who returned a 33-page policy through assembly of task force. Mitch Mckinley, author of the article “Wisconsin mayor encourages police department to discriminate against veterans in hiring practices,” used words like “I” in his review misleading the reader to believe the article was an editorial, when in fact, editorials are based on other people’s words, therefore concluding a conflict of interest by McKinley’s part to disclose to his viewers the article was his opinion, not an editorial.

As the restaurant manager of Carmella’s Italian Bistro in Appleton, Wisconsin, Lisa Johnson and her marketing team attract customers through social media campaigns for social justice. Johnson’s advocacy passion works with local organizations like Harbor House to raise funds to bring clothes to children. Johnson’s staff on average, raises $1,200 per campaign matched by the owners of Carmella’s who donate ten percent of their restaurant sales from social media promotional events.

     UW Whitewater journalism student Bradley J. Burt sat down with Lisa Johnson Sunday September 20, 2020, to discuss success strategies keeping her restaurant open. Johnson returned to work in early spring due to stay-at-home order who attributes social media fundraising as a secret recipe to retain customers.  

     Prior to the interview, Johnson sat down to share and sample coffee. Johnson supplied a robust and flavorful cup of regular roast. The Sunday coffee aroma accompanied the interview session with a radiant smile.

Q: Can you share a little bit about yourself and your background?

     A: My name is Lisa Kathleen Johnson. I am a restaurant manager at Carmella’s Italian Bistro. I grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin. I went to school for Psychology. I received a bachelor’s in science. I thought I would help people after taking my secondary education teaching certificate through Lawrence University. I have always worked in a restaurant. They always say that someone who works in a restaurant would be a good doctor or nurse.

     Q: What made you decide to pursue the restaurant industry?

     A: I don’t really know. I never knew this would be my calling in life or my passion. I think it was the opportunities that happened. It was presented to me at my previous employer, which was a private country club. They created a position and asked if I would want to fill it. I discovered I was pretty good at planning weddings, special events and that type that drove me to pursue my career.

     Q: What drives your passion to advocate through social media to address social injustice on the Carmella’s Facebook page? Can you describe one of your campaigns at all?

     A: We are a part of S.U.R.J., which stands for Showing Up for Racial Justice. This means that we stand up for race or creed equality and that you are welcome at Carmella’s. For a long time, especially during the era of terrorism stuff, we were a safe place for Islamic people. We created a welcome experience where we did want anyone to be judged. We are also part of the Black Lives Matter movement. When we subscribe to social media movements this means we are a safe and welcome place.

     Q: What can someone expect when they visit your restaurant?

      A: When you come to Carmella’s, you are going to get really good food obviously. Everybody who knows us knows we don’t use big vendors. We try to source as locally and responsibly as possible. With that being said, we put our love and care into who we hire and the product we put out. Our care translates to our guests. We want you to know that you are important to us. We want everyone to know they have a space where they can be free of judgement and worry. Just to sit back and break bread with loved ones.

      Q: Is there anything I missed that you would like to share?

      A: We try to be a supportive voice for those who are marginalized and disenfranchised. We are a safe space and stand up for indigenous people, for people of color and LGBTQ people. We are all inclusive in our own ways and we all express ourselves in our own ways. We are really lucky that we are settled enough in the community by our following and that we can say how we feel. We are grateful we can stand and speak about what we believe in because you really are taking a risk. The views that we have aren’t of the majority. It just gets to the point where you can’t be silent anymore. You have to say what you believe in, who you believe in and what you stand up for.

      When dining at Carmella’s, Johnson insists all have the best seat in the house. Johnson’s passion felt by her friends, family and staff benefit from a diverse environment who graciously volunteer when asked. Johnson’s dedication to community service results in touching the lives of children during fundraising events and festivities.

The deputy chief of police and his Spring Splash task force in Whitewater, Wisconsin ended the month of May event-free due to Coronavirus.

     Ordinance violations found in the 2019 Whitewater Police Blotter Report totaled over 90 pages ranging from throwing a football over the street to felony convictions. One year later, the statewide stay-at-home order forced the event to go virtual on Facebook. Deputy Chief Dan Meyer opened the books during an interview to unveil the 2019 Spring Splash aftermath expressing concerns for his community.

The Whitewater community pays for the aftermath when Spring Splash comes to town. Spring Splashers in 2020 went virtual saving the city from another year of a burnt-out task force who stayed at home instead. The city of Whitewater will now have a surplus going into 2021 due to the COVID-19 quarantine.

It would be great if everyone had a place to warm up on State Street. Unfortunately, that is not the reality for homeless members of Madison, Wis. who braved the cold on Valentine’s Day. Scholars from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and elected corporate citizens from our State Street District and Madison Common Council turn the cheek. What will it take to make it happen? Bradley J. Burt, student at Madison College in the Documentary Storytelling Course, sought answers to Vox Pop interview questions Feb. 14 to bring before the Madison Common Council.

How do you feel about State Street homelessness? Burt is taking a stance by organizing a cooperative to report to his Facebook dispatch who is the reporter for the Capitol Capstone Journal. Think you have what it takes and want to join the State Street guardian angel mission? Email your footage to bobcobbfreepressink@yahoo.com. Brad Burt seeks to develop consumer protection newsletters for local cooperatives to share intel regarding the epidemic of homelessness and how you can help.

What can the Madison Common Council do to help? We are proposing a State Street warming shelter be a 24-hour busker open mic lounge. We are solving the problem by giving a leg up through community barter and information exchange. We are asking UW Madison philanthropy to allow for a voucher exchange for services program as well. We understand the value of intersectionality and would like to take the opportunity to survey the needs of those who use the shelter to keep track of our guests and residents through a freegalitarian network.

There is a happy ending. Through solidarity, we can help those who are in need. Our brigade will be ran on public donation to develop a community prototype to bring aid to all cultures who are in need. The State Street busker culture heard in future b-roll video outtakes from our video shoots can be found here to showcase our musicians we protect through our guardian angel mission. We are the 422nd Rescue and Recovery Brigade State Street Mission. Thank you for taking time to read our newsletter. You can follow the Bob Cobb State Street pigeon on Twitter at the Capitol Capstone Journal.

Madison, Wis.—Local Madison school teacher Camara Stovall has taken on the role of facilitator for New York Times podcast group discussion starting Jan. 2.

Camara Stovall is an African American teacher in the Madison School District who is actively seeking answers to long-standing questions regarding public school disregard for historically correct textbooks. Stovall seeks to answer these questions by hosting podcast discussions in reverence to recent publication by “the New York Times 1619 Project.” Stovall is passionate about revisiting American fundamentals of slavery to paint the entire picture of American democracy.

“We just celebrated a recent holiday, right? That holiday was Thanksgiving. The history books tell us America first started when the Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620. That is not the true story. America was founded on the backs of African American slaves who landed on the English King’s shores in 1619,” Stovall said.

Parishioners of Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church in Madison, Wis. sent out invitations to community members to join Stovall’s discussion. Sister Saundra Brown from Arkansas co-facilitated the event who put together a menu of what a typical slave would eat. The meal was served prior to discussion to acknowledge the overcoming of oppression by forefathers who took all the “master’s scraps” and prepared delicacies commonly found in soul food restaurants across America.

“We are serving items commonly found on plantations to prepare a typical meal normally served to slaves,” Sister Saundra Brown said.

Parishioners and guests conversed while meal was being served. Sister Saundra Brown spoke of the center piece on each table that represented cotton culture in the African American community. Brown shared how dark-skinned slaves worked the fields who were designated as “cotton-pickers,” which carries an overtone found in contemporary American slang. Guests and parishioners were invited to feel the texture of their cotton display to imagine how hard ancestors worked to bring America its cotton industry.

“Feel the texture and imagine what it must have been like,” Brown said.

Stovall spoke to members of the audience to share his personal feelings about teaching in a public school glorifying a slave owner. Stovall clearly spoke passionately about turning the pages back in history to tell the full story instead of feeding our children false narratives. The 1619 Project facilitated by Stovall and Brown tackle all angles through discussion to investigate democracy. Podcast discussion to include worksheet inventory taking invited audience to take a closer look other than what is typically taught in public school. Brown’s worksheets invited audience members to think clearly about historical facts and how America presents those facts as truth. Together, parishioners and guests walked away with an experience they will never forget.

by Bob Cobb

Growing up with a stepfather who worked in radio tuned me out from ever considering journalism as a career. He hustled every person he met and gave broadcast a bad name. Integrity is everything in journalism, which is the source for analysis discussion.

Journalism seemed like a low paying do nothing gig based off his example. I never dreamed of writing for any news outlet let alone learn how to write op-eds through the University of Wisconsin. That was until I realized that journalism and recreational blogging were cathartic. I stumbled into journalism to develop my editorial essay voice after taking ethics and realizing I needed to polish up a bit. Integrity has always been the central focus with all professors who mutually agree journalism prides itself on objectivity. The Isthmus has been my favorite feature outlet up to the point where I realized Alan Talaga was not doing his job by fact-checking and doing a thorough background check before writing a cover story.

Alan Talaga talks comedy along with sophistry in his article “The New NORML (2019)” who features a comic in a serious light. Elders of the Madison Capitol Cannabis community have become outraged Talaga’s rhetoric would reach so low risking the integrity of the Isthmus by calling out “grey-haired” and “pony-tailed hippies” who have fought for the cause including doing time for his featured subject. Talaga instead features a serial blaster who assisted Madison Police with the take down of the Lion of Judah Rastafari Church who was on the scene at the time of arrests.

Talaga features a Madison-area serial sophist who has been called out several times on Facebook for sharing misinformation publicly by local Cannabis activists. A simple spot-check through friend request would allow for a critical analysis to decide on whether or not to subject the name of the Isthmus into controversy. Comedians above all are the best at this. None-the-less, Talaga’s editor-in-chief ran the story anyway. Journalists never cut corners who are expected to speak the truth from an objective view—the basic expectation Talaga failed to do. Take a moment to read through Talaga’s Is Ought Fallacy-laden masterpiece below:

https://isthmus.com/news/cover-story/alan-robinson-is-trying-to-make-marijuana-mainstream/?fbclid=IwAR1TUozsCOJKjQRsg2brglPNZHtVY-s2DZCtsd-fmpLfBO2i_bAiVWDVIiM

Talaga writes, “After high school, Robinson did a stint in the Navy, which he says was a bad fit because he hates taking orders. After leaving the Navy, he trained to become a loan officer.”

Had he done a background check and investigated his source he would have learned the nature of why he left the Navy, which he did not disclose. Background checks reveal discharges and violations that are required by newspaper editors to insure prior to publishing. If at any point there may be any questionable attributes, the editor would typically pull the article or write a column or feature instead. In this case, Talaga’s story was the cover feature, therefore representing all who work at the Isthmus. Why would any medium risk their reputation in a situation such as this?

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The Argument

The difference between a blogger and a journalist boils down to merit and credibility. My first conclusion clearly identifies Talaga as a blogger posing as a journalist who seeks to persuade the reader on the Isthmus dime. I find the article Talaga wrote ironic due to the lack of respect to journalism integrity who’s focus feature glorifies a clown who forgets to pay the parking meter when advocating at the Capitol. Talaga takes on a feature story without fact-checking his source, which is no laughing matter when citizen journalism is on the rise putting careers in jeopardy.

So what’s the difference between Talaga and a citizen journalist? Journalists are suppose to protect the reader’s best interest rather than seeking to persuade them when reporting the news, which is the section of the Isthmus “The New NORML (2019)” article is featured under.

Alan Robinson speaks vehemently about systematic racism, yet carries on with an interviewer who drops a racial slur. Talaga’s narrative writes, “He’s an immaculately dressed black man under 40.” This schnazzy rhetoric not only targets race, it targets age as well. Not quite sure how Talaga keeps his job in the journalism industry speaking about a socially unacceptable method of profiling Robinson’s demographic.

Talaga’s colorful rhetoric gleems of gas-lighting gratuity in retrospect to respected elders of Robinson who possess “a notable contrast to the gray-haired, white hippies with ponytails who are typically associated with marjuana activism.” Talaga can’t even spell “marijuana” properly, which wins the argument the editor was off that day instead of taking a minute to scan for integrity. What a distasteful boorish statement to describe those who labor constantly with Robinson’s disrespect as described in his statement:

“I had not realized that Jud had a drug problem,” says Robinson.

Integrity would have sought to paraphrase, not name someone with addictive tendencies. Is Robinson a board doctor capable of making that call? We wrote a letter-to-the-editor this summer asking for a retraction. The editor brushed it off. Allowing a staff writer to go off the rails ultimately falls on the integrity of the editor.

Has Alan Talaga of the Madison, Wis. local news paper “The Isthmus” gone too far with his editorial “The New NORML (2019)” that glorifies someone who’s background and moral code could not pass for a coat check at a local fine dining establishment? We will be continuing to dissect this Exhibit A to investigate further in our next piece whether or not the Isthmus should be considered a tabloid. I have read articles out of the Onion that were never this loose meat soup sandwiched. Please comment below if you would like to include any comments pertaining to this matter.

By Bob Cobb

Christmas Day in America can guarantee at least one restaurant will be open—Denny’s. Whether your appetite seeks a delicious helping of understaffed service, or a hot cup of Christmas wage oppression—Denny’s on East Wash in Madison, Wis. gets a Christmas Day review mulligan. The Capitol Capstone Journal is not about to rate staff. We will rate the operation.

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Welcome to Denny’s where we are severely understaffed to the point where management has to make note on the front door. None-the-less, thank you to all staff who were there to greet us last night. You work hard. You deserve Christmas off.

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Denny’s located at 1798 Thierer Rd. of Madison, Wis. definitely prides itself as a disabled veteran friendly place to eat. Denny’s also gives out free meals on Veteran’s Day, which is why I frequent their establishment. 10th Mountain salute to Denny’s.

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Wait staff at Denny’s were friendly who went above and beyond to accommodate families on Christmas. Hard working staff always wins over the reviews of the Capitol Capstone Journal. Staff greeted our party with friendly smiles and smells of fresh burnt hash browns waiting under heat lamps as usual. Our staff went to any length to handle the inconvenience of the longer-than-normal wait due to the absence of management.

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Denny’s on East Wash caters to all cultures. Denny’s decorum is welcoming to bloggers as well who are pulling an all-nighter with projects. Unfortunately, management can only accommodate the all-nighter on weekends due to an “unforeseen staffing shortage” who was nowhere to be found for public comment.

First item on the menu for review was Denny’s coffee. We were offered a beverage while we waited due to the understaffing calamity. Denny’s brand of coffee has a tart picante flavor matched with a punk rock dining room mosh pit serving of pungent aroma that set holiday anxiety at ease. The Denny’s blend combined with their coffee cups soothed relentless customers with a porcelain kiss delight. Denny’s coffee cups are uniquely thick unlike most coffee and java hash brown joints.

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The Holiday Selection Menu consisted of various culinary assemblies. Whether your taste buds crave a jamboree packed quarter-pound cardiac arrest, or a grand slam heart attack-packed plate of short ordered bliss, Denny’s definitely packs its menu with many forms of unhealthy ways to celebrate Christmas. Denny’s Holiday Menu welcomed guests to sample healthy alternatives however. Not all items will send you to Meriter with pounding chest pains.

The Lumberjack Slam taunts the viewer with a picture-perfect eggs over-easy. After spending twenty minutes wrestling between a Cobb salad and a slam feature, the Lumberjack Slam chopped its way to spruce up the best decision.

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Our waitress was kind and friendly who apologized for mixing up our order. I suggested she call her boss and tell him to come make my pancakes from scratch.
What kind of leader ditches their crew on Christmas? I waited for my buttermilk pancakes that are included with the Lumber Jack Slam, but were handed to another patron. We were offered nachos from a different order to make up for the confusion. We settled on fresh buttermilk pancakes and a coffee refill instead. No need to make the staff feel unappreciated. Their manager who was at home with their legs kicked up in their Barcalounger did a bang up job already. Staff still receives 5/5 no matter what. Merry Christmas.

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Denny’s on East Wash is always a veteran friendly organization. As for management, the ship only steers in the direction of the captain who guides it. The sails were definitely opened wide on Christmas with staff rowing the oars full speed ahead. Next time the captain asks the ship to work on Christmas, make sure to show up to the galley and get to work. Expecting your galley and shipmates to show up on Christmas at least requires the presence of their captain instead of plopping a “too bad so sad” sign on the door notifying patrons the ship has a leak and there is nothing they can do.

Portillo’s of Madison, Wis., a cleverly hidden gem, is located by JC Penny at the East Towne Mall. Those who are visiting from out of town will surely miss out by not stopping here.

The Portillo’s Aroma, the Atmosphere and the Best Place to Get a Coffee.

The first item that caught the eye was the “#1 Italian Beef—Extra Gravy, Peppers and Onions.” The second item of interest was the mention of coffee as an option, which are the items for review. The minute the customer steps through the revolving door, the smell of coffee and slow cooked peppers meet them like a stewed chili and coffee sensation often experienced in grandma’s kitchen. Portillo’s has a ’50s era décor.

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Menus are available at the front entrance for future visits. Portillo’s prides itself on Italian Beef, but offers hotdogs, burgers and more…

For a holiday rush, Portillo’s counter and staff were reasonably consistent with wait time. The ordering wait time was approximately ten minutes, but worth the wait.

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Order #127 was a #1 Italian Beef with extra gravy, hot peppers, small fry and a coffee. Total price: $11.06. Prices are on the steep side and menu was hard to read.

The Wait:

For customers who may have disabilities, Portillo’s ranked at the bottom for waiting accommodations.

• Wait time was over fifteen minutes and luckily found a place to sit.
• Be prepared for a longer-than-average wait time and aggressive customers who experience staff confusion with orders.
• Patrons exchanged hostile rhetoric while they waited.
• Be prepared for a possible hostile experience with both staff and guests.

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The Review:

The moment finally arrived when number 127 was called and the anticipation was over. Portillo’s overall handled order in a timely manner due to the amount of holiday rush. As a veteran with a disability, my opinion of the ordering process is my main concern. Veterans who visit the Portillo’s in Madison, WI, should make note before stopping to find their table before ordering to avoid lack of accommodations. The food is divine, the coffee will knock you off your feet, but the manner from which the customer is met to recall the days of yesteryear with hand-to-hand combat tactics learned in the military, I suggest you try using the drive-thru instead.

By Bob Cobb

A Politco is both a Trustee and a Delegate who creates flux on behalf their party’s special interest and you are their target.

Politicos only have one thing in mind—collect as many votes as they can to win office. They are not your friend. They only want one item—power. Split-ticket voting keeps them out of office. Enclosed is a list of ways to spot Politicos.

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Politicos take an everyday occurrence and balloon their agenda through “framing” to make the other party look bad. Just a normal trailer at a stop light. Nothing major right?

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Guess again. Photoshopping and cropping turned a garden variety trailer sign into a mode of persuasion to alert you to an item. Zoom out a bit and see for yourself.

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Another fine exhibit regarding framing. You as a voter are subjected to this daily. Fact check and find sources in print and newspaper before believing blogs. Bloggers are only out to blast you and make value claims. Citizen Journalists are bloggers. News writers who print articles fact check through objectivity.

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Only you have the power to stop Politicos. End the insanity of following popular opinion. Just say no to special interest lobby. Just say no to Politicos.

GONZO-19 is upon us. We are in for a wild ride. Follow along and enjoy the multimedia blogger ride. We are on the scene to collect stories for COVID-19 to share found footage with major media outlets. Our escapades range from restaurant reviews to venues to interviews of super cool people in the community working hard to bring you services.