Madison Plain Mad.
Dear Friends and Family,
It's good be back at work on the blog. I've been a very busy boy this term. I'm lecturing a course in Islamic history at UW-Madison and having a blast with it. This is my first lecture course, and I was really nervous at the beginning, but everything is going well and it is turning out to be a great professional experience. We also had a rather snowy winter, so I had to help Bob quite often in January and February. (Below, the aftermath of the great blizzard of 2011)
I'm sure you all have heard about the protests in and around the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison over the last few months. Jim and I have been very active participants in them. Scott Walker, our dictatorial new governor, provoked a furor by instituting draconian "budget" measures in a heavy-handed and sleazy way. He, alongside his lackeys in the state legislature, pushed through a series of decrees slashing the salaries, fringe benefits, and collective bargaining of public sector workers across the state. It's not just the substance what he's doing that bothers Wisconsinites, but the way he is doing it. The assembly Republicans have refused public comment and jammed through the most partisan of measures under the emboldening spell of Tea Party Palinites. The use of such regressive tactics very much runs counter to our state's progressive political tradition. Here in Wisconsin we value competence and honesty in politics. Traditionally, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to resolve big problems by finding common ground and compromising. Instead, Walker has acted like an ideologue automaton. He, and some of the senators that support, will be recalled in the end. (First below, a Miss Forward double? Second below, the People Strike Back? Third below, Laurie, Mark, and John enter the fray)
He's done other really stupid stuff, too. He turned down over 900 million dollars in high-speed rail money (to much fanfare) only to ask for part of it back later (without blushing). He slashed corporate taxes and then proclaimed a budget shortfall as a direct result. He sneaked in a provision into the "budget repair bill" that would allow him to sell utilities AT ANY PRICE to fat-cat patrons like the billionaire Koch Brothers WITHOUT A BIDDING PROCESS. Tax-hikes must now pass two-thirds votes in both houses of the state legislature; there will be no making up budget shortfalls by raising taxes on Cheesehead millionaires, by God! (Second below, Dad, Mark, Laurie, Bill, Mom, and Scott join the protest)
What has been truly hurtful to all those protesters and their supporters, though, has been the way public sector workers have been gainsaid as greedy and lazy simply for negotiating sound compensation packages that all workers should have. Many teachers, social workers, and nurses, some of whom I know personally, have chosen to retire now rather than face uncertain futures under Walker. The community spirit evident at the protests has been amazing, though.
That's why it was very reaffirming to me to return to Evansville to celebrate the marvelous teaching career of Michael Carson. He retired from the University of Evansville English Department several years ago but returned to U.E. this last week to read from his new book of poems. Several of my U.E. friends and I had had Professor Carson for a course on world cultures as freshmen back in spring 1993! (First below, dogwoods in bloom; second below, yellow magnolias)
What struck me as particularly excellent about Professor Carson's teaching was his method of building fellowship among students during classroom discussions. Everyone's viewpoint had value, and he took care to guide the conversation to meaningful ends. I always looked forward to his classes. Professor Carson was a great influence in my decision to become a teacher. I would say fifty to one-hundred other former students in all returned to celebrate Professor Carson's career and poetry. He's also just a nice and fun guy who takes an active interest in others. (Below, old U.E. friend Michael Cowgill, Professor Carson, and me)
It was a validating moment for me, too. I've had a few setbacks this year as I look for permanent work. I can blame a lot of my problems on the economy, but I have also begun to realize that I am going for a dream job along the unconventional career path of a humanities PhD. Accordingly, I am going to have to take some lumps along the way. However, I am well placed to have a great working career even if my path follows some more zigs and zags in the short term. There is an inherent value to struggle; it builds character and new skills. Professor Carson is a good example of that.
Later,
jkb
P.S. Thanks for putting me up in Olney, IL, Bill Woodard!
It's good be back at work on the blog. I've been a very busy boy this term. I'm lecturing a course in Islamic history at UW-Madison and having a blast with it. This is my first lecture course, and I was really nervous at the beginning, but everything is going well and it is turning out to be a great professional experience. We also had a rather snowy winter, so I had to help Bob quite often in January and February. (Below, the aftermath of the great blizzard of 2011)
I'm sure you all have heard about the protests in and around the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison over the last few months. Jim and I have been very active participants in them. Scott Walker, our dictatorial new governor, provoked a furor by instituting draconian "budget" measures in a heavy-handed and sleazy way. He, alongside his lackeys in the state legislature, pushed through a series of decrees slashing the salaries, fringe benefits, and collective bargaining of public sector workers across the state. It's not just the substance what he's doing that bothers Wisconsinites, but the way he is doing it. The assembly Republicans have refused public comment and jammed through the most partisan of measures under the emboldening spell of Tea Party Palinites. The use of such regressive tactics very much runs counter to our state's progressive political tradition. Here in Wisconsin we value competence and honesty in politics. Traditionally, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to resolve big problems by finding common ground and compromising. Instead, Walker has acted like an ideologue automaton. He, and some of the senators that support, will be recalled in the end. (First below, a Miss Forward double? Second below, the People Strike Back? Third below, Laurie, Mark, and John enter the fray)
He's done other really stupid stuff, too. He turned down over 900 million dollars in high-speed rail money (to much fanfare) only to ask for part of it back later (without blushing). He slashed corporate taxes and then proclaimed a budget shortfall as a direct result. He sneaked in a provision into the "budget repair bill" that would allow him to sell utilities AT ANY PRICE to fat-cat patrons like the billionaire Koch Brothers WITHOUT A BIDDING PROCESS. Tax-hikes must now pass two-thirds votes in both houses of the state legislature; there will be no making up budget shortfalls by raising taxes on Cheesehead millionaires, by God! (Second below, Dad, Mark, Laurie, Bill, Mom, and Scott join the protest)
What has been truly hurtful to all those protesters and their supporters, though, has been the way public sector workers have been gainsaid as greedy and lazy simply for negotiating sound compensation packages that all workers should have. Many teachers, social workers, and nurses, some of whom I know personally, have chosen to retire now rather than face uncertain futures under Walker. The community spirit evident at the protests has been amazing, though.That's why it was very reaffirming to me to return to Evansville to celebrate the marvelous teaching career of Michael Carson. He retired from the University of Evansville English Department several years ago but returned to U.E. this last week to read from his new book of poems. Several of my U.E. friends and I had had Professor Carson for a course on world cultures as freshmen back in spring 1993! (First below, dogwoods in bloom; second below, yellow magnolias)
What struck me as particularly excellent about Professor Carson's teaching was his method of building fellowship among students during classroom discussions. Everyone's viewpoint had value, and he took care to guide the conversation to meaningful ends. I always looked forward to his classes. Professor Carson was a great influence in my decision to become a teacher. I would say fifty to one-hundred other former students in all returned to celebrate Professor Carson's career and poetry. He's also just a nice and fun guy who takes an active interest in others. (Below, old U.E. friend Michael Cowgill, Professor Carson, and me)
It was a validating moment for me, too. I've had a few setbacks this year as I look for permanent work. I can blame a lot of my problems on the economy, but I have also begun to realize that I am going for a dream job along the unconventional career path of a humanities PhD. Accordingly, I am going to have to take some lumps along the way. However, I am well placed to have a great working career even if my path follows some more zigs and zags in the short term. There is an inherent value to struggle; it builds character and new skills. Professor Carson is a good example of that.Later,
jkb
P.S. Thanks for putting me up in Olney, IL, Bill Woodard!
posted by jkbinturkey at 2:20 PM
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