I believe in an old Chinese proverb which says, “The journey is the reward.”
For the last week or so, photographer Ryan Ward and I have had the opportunities to take many journeys throughout Wisconsin. Our reward has been a greater understanding of what Wisconsinites are really thinking about this election season.
Fred Bastian tells us what's on his mind at the Appleton Public Library. (Courtesy: Jim Gill/WPT)
When we came up with the plan to launch, “What’s on Your Mind, Wisconsin?” the goal was to be as open-ended as possible. We wanted to listen more than to talk. Last week, we were in Appleton and Green Bay. This week, we visited Oconomowoc, Waukesha and Milwaukee.
A couple things are already starting to stand out to me. Folks are worried about the economy. Fred Bastian told us about leaving a job in Racine to take one in Appleton a couple years ago only to have it downsized shortly after he got there. He’s been working temporary jobs since, struggling to find something permanent.
“It’s very frustrating,” he told us. “You think you finally do a good job at a certain place and you get to know the people and then, within a week, you get a phone call and it says, ‘Your assignment’s terminated.’ And they don’t have to have any reason.”
Another common theme we heard dealt with the impact the politics of the last year or so has had on families throughout the state. Intuitively, I knew it had to be so, but it was fascinating to hear folks articulate it so clearly.
For example, Kurt Mueller told us that while you may be able to pick your friends, you can’t pick your family and that the battle over Gov. Scott Walker has had an impact on his. He defends the governor while other family members do not.
“I have a sister-in-law and brother-in-law who are teachers and we don’t even discuss it any more,” he told us at Houdini Park in Appleton. “I just, if they start talking about it, I walk out of the room because I don’t want to say something that’s just going to make it worse from a family situation.”
I totally realize that our interactions with Wisconsin residents is random. We’re showing up at locations where we think we’ll find lots of people walking by and without giving folks notice that we’ll be there, we’re leaving to chance the types of people we might meet and the views they have. We are planning many more trips around the state, so there’ll be lots of other chances to share your thoughts.
But even if you don’t see me and our omnipresent sandwich board, there are ways you can communicate with us, to share what’s on your mind or to put forth a question for any of the candidates that we will seek to get an answer to. Feel free to give us a call at: 1-800-253-1158 or you can email us at: [email protected].
While we were in Appleton, we were honored to be able to present our first Fact Check 101 workshop at the Appleton Public Library. It was a wonderful gathering of about 35 people, hosted by a great library.
Fact Check 101 workshop at the Appleton Public Library (Courtesy: Jim Gill/WPT)
We hope to do more of these at libraries around the state in the next couple months as we head into the summer and fall. If you believe that the journey is truly the reward, then this intellectual journey can pay dividends.
The goal is to provide you with the tools you need to become your own political fact seeker. Please realize that one person’s truth is another person’s falsehood and that facts upon which to base the best possible decision you can make can be an honorable goal.
The group in Appleton listened to me drone on for about 15-20 minutes before we used a laptop computer to search campaign finance records, influence of certain think tanks and other factoids on line that the folks in attendance suggested. We wanted to show them all that’s out there for them to find.
If you want to start your fact-finding, you can find our simple two-page handout on our election website, WisconsinVote.org.
Thanks to my colleague Jim Gill for the great photos by the way.
TOTALLY NON-POLITICAL UPDATE
Since we are in that time of year, don’t be worried this afternoon when authorities statewide conduct a tornado drill. The good news is the National Weather Service says there’s minimal chance for severe weather today, so that’s why it’s holding the drill.
Here’s more from the Department of Military Affairs:
At 1pm, the National Weather Service will issue a mock Tornado Watch and at 1:45pm a statewide mock Tornado Warning. For the first time ever, Radio, TV and Cable stations across Wisconsin will participate in the drill. And for the first time, NOAA Weather Radios (also known as Emergency Weather Radios) will be tested during the drill. This is an ideal opportunity for schools, businesses and individuals to practice safe procedures for severe weather.”
Since many of us haven’t thought about what we’d do if a tornado came our way, I thought it’d be helpful to post some basic safety tips, courtesy of the state’s website for emergency preparedness.
- In a home or building go to the basement and get under a desk, table or staircase.
- If underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a desk or table if possible.
- Stay away from windows.
- Do not try to outrun a tornado in a car. Instead seek shelter in a sturdy structure.
- Do not seek shelter under a highway overpass.
- Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. Seek shelter in a sturdy structure.
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