This Just In ...

THE 2010 YEAR-END EDITION OF WEEK-ENDS

Posted by Kevin Fischer on Jan. 1, 2011

Week-ends

Every Saturday, I present Week-ends, a look back at the people and events that made news the past week.

This is a special Year-end edition of Week-ends.


HEROES OF THE YEAR


The members of the Tea Party movement, a force that stood up to big government, out of control tax and spending, and Washington D.C.'s arrogant power grab.



VILLAINS OF THE YEAR


The molesters at the TSA.



QUOTES OF THE YEAR


If this [Arizona] was Texas, which is a state that is directly on the border with Mexico, and they were calling for a measure like this saying that they had a major issue with undocumented people flooding their borders, I would have to look twice at this. But this is a state that is a ways removed from the border.
Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West


I just want to assure my colleague that Arizona does in fact share a border.
Milwaukee County Supervisor Joe Rice quickly correcting West.


If Scott Walker had parted the Red Sea, Mike Tate (state Dem. Party Chair) would say that he killed too many fish.
Reince Priebus, chairman of the state GOP, noting that Walker's cash total, donors and poll numbers were each ahead of Tom Barrett in February 2010.


He has not done anything for Wisconsin that's going to make Wisconsin a better state. He's been in Washington way too long; he's part of the problem.
Tommy Thompson during a Wisconsin Eye interview, referring to Russ Feingold.


Boy do I want to run. I'd love to take this on. But I told my family last night it's time for new faces and new voices.
Former Governor Tommy Thompson announcing at a Tax Day Tea Party in Madison that he would not enter the GOP primary for U.S. senator. 


Let me put it this way: I’ve won 25 elections. Does anybody really think I don’t know how to win another one? Or for that matter, has anyone ever seen me walk away from a fight in my life? Frankly, I hate to do it. There is so much that needs to be done. But even more frankly, I am bone tired.
Wisconsin Congressman David Obey announcing his retirement after 41 years.


It is amazing that Governor Doyle and Mayor Barrett can advocate spending $810 million on a new 'high-speed' rail line while the state government cannot even fix one of the busiest interchanges in Wisconsin. Years of raiding the transportation fund and years of Milwaukee politicians like the mayor fighting work on the East-West corridor have now led to a crisis that will have a negative impact on commerce.
Scott Walker after the state abruptly closed a bridge in the Zoo Interchange for repairs.


What you folks are saying is, we didn’t read the ordinances, we don’t know what you’re talking about, but we’re going to ban them anyway.
Franklin alderman Steve Olson, testifying at a public hearing at the state Capitol in opposition to a bill that would have repealed over 100 local ordinances around the state including Franklin’s that restrict where released sex offenders can live and congregate. Olson also told the gabby chair of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, state Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), author of the bill, “Without being disrespectful, this is the first public hearing I’ve ever attended in 22 years in public office where the chair spoke more than the attendees. It’s very disheartening to me. I don’t think I am being represented or listened to when that happens. Quite frankly, I understand that you have made up your mind.”


Forcing our schools to instruct children on how to utilize contraceptives encourages our children to engage in sexual behavior, whether as a victim or an offender. It is akin to teaching children about alcohol use, then instructing them on how to make mixed alcoholic drinks.
Juneau County DA Scott Southworth advising school districts in his county to drop sex ed classes, saying he may charge teachers with contributing to the delinquency of minors if they follow a new state law regulating sex ed standards.


I thought we got rid of the loan sharks when we put Al Capone away.
State Senator Mike Ellis(R-Neenah) supporting an amendment to payday loan legislation that would cap the interest rates the lenders could charge at 36 percent. Backers said a cap is the only effective way to control the industry, but the amendment failed.


You're a vulture, that's what I think.
State Rep. Jeff Wood (I-Chippewa Falls), blasting a TV reporter on his way to report to his 45-day jail sentence for a December 2008 OWI arrest.


A great law. Penalties should double if you're blonde and driving a Grand Am.
A comment on jsonline.com about Governor Doyle signing the texting while driving ban bill into law.


A feel good-do nothing law. We already have inattentive driving laws. Why isnt text while driving a part of that? This is like passing a law that it is illegal to kill someone with a knife, even though we already have laws against murder. The other day I was on the freeway behind a semi that was moving side to side-when I got up to his side-I saw he was trying to read a book!!! This guy was at least 40-There are all kinds of inattentive driving that are dangerous-including eating, changing a cd, dialing your phone, changing the radio station, drinking hot coffee, reaching for something that fell, looking back at your kids in the car, checking out pretty girls on the sidewalk etc-the all carry the same damaging effects. We cant pass a law for each individual circumstance - increase the fines and penalties on inattentive driving and you may see some results.
Another comment on jsonline.com about Governor Doyle signing the texting while driving ban bill into law.


I am a citizen of the United States and as a citizen I believe I reserve the right to be protected. Those who are in this country illegally of course protest because they don't want to be deported. Those who worked hard to become American citizens legally that protest this are ignorant. If I, as an American citizen tried to reside illegally in Mexico or any other country in the world for that matter, I would be jailed, deported or even killed. But you know, it's ok for us to spend billions of dollars every year for these illegal immigrants to reside in OUR country and use my hard earned dollars to pay for their health care and delinquint loans that many aquire. Or even better I personally experienced my social security number sold to a illegal male immigrant from Mexico and I had to spend my own personal money getting my social security number changed and deal with getting my credit report corrected from the debt he incurred and failed to pay.

If you wish to call me racist for having these views and supporting whole heartedly this bill that Arizona passed then you are also just plain IGNORANT. I have many MANY hispanic friends who are all here legally and I am in no way racist. I just personally as an American citizen feel that we should treat illegal immigrants the same way they would treat us in the same situation if we were in their country.
Brianna Dierken, commenting and practicing the utmost common sense on one of my blogs at the now defunct, The Right View Wisconsin.


It is my job to stay above the controversy. I know the good people of our community are only voicing their concerns based upon their love of the city also.
New Berlin Mayor Jack Chiovatero in an apology to his constituents after an e-mail from the mayor said the city is "filled with prejudice and bigoted people."


This is a big f---ing deal.
VP Joe Biden to Barack Obama, just after introducing the president for the health bill-signing ceremony.


Why don’t you say something nice instead of being a smartass all the time?
Vice President Joe Biden to the manager of Kopp’s Frozen Custard after being asked if he could lower taxes.


I'm not recommending for every future President that they take a shellacking like they – like I did last night.
Barack Obama after the mid-term elections.


If you touch my junk, I'm going to have you arrested.
Airline passenger John Tyner in a remark to a Transportation Security Administration worker at San Diego airport.


It would be a little easier for the rest of us not to live in fear if the president's entire national security strategy didn't depend on average citizens happening to notice a smoldering SUV in Times Square or smoke coming from a fellow airline passenger's crotch. But after the car bomber and the diaper bomber, it has become increasingly clear that Obama's only national defense strategy is: Let's hope their bombs don't work!
Conservative columnist Ann Coulter


We have to pass the (health care) bill so you can find out what is in it.
Nancy Pelosi in a speech to the National Association of Counties.


One thing I know for sure is that Democrats will retain their majority in the House of Representatives.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi


It’s not the ‘Kennedy Seat. It’s the people’s seat.
Scott Brown


I'm not a witch.
Christine O’Donnell in a TV ad.


I am showering, naked as a jaybird, and here comes Rahm Emanuel, not even with a towel wrapped around his tush, poking his finger in my chest, yelling at me.
Eric Massa


Trust me. I'm going to make sure this healthcare bill is never, ever, ever implemented.
John Boehner


Let me just make this point, John, because we’re not campaigning anymore. The election is over.
President Obama at a health care summit.
I’m reminded of that every day.
McCain at the summit.


It's easy being vice president — you don't have to do anything.
VP Joe Biden at the health care summit.


Quite frankly, I’m exhausted. Exhausted of defending you, defending your administration, defending the man for change I voted for, and deeply disappointed with where we are right now.
Velma Hart to Barack Obama


No one in the Obama administration will respond to me, listen to me, talk to me or read anything that I write to them. I am 'toxic' in terms of the Obama administration. I am 'radioactive,' Sir. When Obama threw me under the bus, he threw me under the bus literally! Any advice that I offer is going to be taken as something to be avoided. Please understand that!
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s controversial former pastor, writing in a letter obtained by the Associated Press to a group raising money for African relief that his pleas to release frozen funds for use in earthquake-ravaged Haiti would likely be ignored.


Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?
President Obama says every morning when he's finished shaving, one of his daughters quizzes him.


I imagine that thrill is maybe not quite so tingly on your leg anymore.
Michele Bachmann to Chris Matthews


President Obama said he is going to use the Gulf disaster to push a new energy bill through Congress. How about using the Gulf disaster to fix the Gulf disaster?
Jay Leno


When the private sector fails, the solution is more government. When the government fails, the solution is more government.
Glen Reynolds


I can see November from my house.
Sarah Palin


With the coldest winter ever recorded, with snow setting record levels up and down the coast, the Nobel committee should take (Al Gore's) Nobel Prize back.
Donald Trump


We all either work for rich people or we sell stuff to rich people. So just punishing rich people is as bad for the economy as punishing anyone. Let’s not punish anyone. Let’s keep taxes low and let’s cut spending.
Rand Paul


Liberals don't care. Their approach is to rip out society's foundations without asking if they serve any purpose. Why do we have immigration laws? What's with these borders? Why do we have the institution of marriage, anyway? What do we need standardized tests for? Hey, I like Keith Richards -- why not make heroin legal? Let's take a sledgehammer to all these load-bearing walls and just see what happens!
Ann Coulter


There’s going to be a tendency on the part of our people to be in denial about all this. If you lose Massachusetts and that’s not a wake-up call, there’s no hope of waking up.
Evan Bayh on Scott Brown’s win in Massachusetts.


The real problem is the workforce. The problem is we have a giveaway system in this country and in this state that is so strong that people would rather sit home and do nothing than do these jobs. Laziness is not a disability. There are lot of people that are flat out lazy and they are using up the goods and services that we have in this state.
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said lazy residents who don't want to take jobs harvesting the state's crops are the root of the South Carolina's problems with illegal immigration. His remarks came at the opening of a debate between Republican gubernatorial hopefuls in Spartanburg.


You know what I’d like to see her do? I’d like to see her [Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle] do this ad in the South Bronx. Come here, bitch! Come to New York and do it. She’s going to Hell....She’s going to Hell, this bitch.
The View co-host Joy Behar discussing Sharon Angle’s ad against illegal immigration.


Just once — probably never get reelected if you ever said it — I would like to hear somebody say, ‘The voters have spoken, the bastards.’ Or, ‘The voters have spoken. What a bunch of idiots.’ ‘The voters have spoken. God, they’re dumb. Dumb as hell.’ I just wish I’d hear somebody say that, because I think that happens to be the case this particular midterm elections.
 Longtime CNN and MSNBC contributor Bill Press on his radio program


This being a democracy, don't the Democrats see that clinging to this agenda will march them over a cliff? Don't they understand Massachusetts? Well, they understand it through a prism of two cherished axioms: (1) The people are stupid and (2) Republicans are bad. Result? The dim, led by the malicious, vote incorrectly.
Charles Krauthammer


People once thought Obama could sound eloquent reading the phone book. Now, whatever the topic, it often sounds as though he is.
Michael Gerson


I mean you call here and ask, ‘Where do I get off suggesting that we don't donate to Haiti because we do in the income tax?’ and I tell you I said that, but I also said private donations are going to be much better than a government donation.  They're all going, go to the Red Cross, do other things, don't go through the government. It's just going to go through hands and bureaucracies and a dollar is going to end up being 30 cents by the time they get through with it.  I did not say, ‘Don't make donations.’  That's not a ‘whether or not’ thing. That's why you called.
National talk show host Rush Limbaugh to a caller about making donations to Haiti


I was at a, forgive the expression, a Christmas party at the Department of Justice and. . . . National Public Radio's legal correspondent Nina Totenberg on "Inside Washington," a weekly political wrap-up that airs on the PBS affiliate in Washington, D.C.


Chi! Chi! Chi! Le! Le! Le! Los mineros de Chile!"
Chant at Chilean mine rescue


I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances. But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that. He wasn't, but the idea that the President of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs? Kind of beyond the pale.
Tucker Carlson


These Democrats are a bunch of wusses.  They don't have the courage of their convictions. They won't stand and fight. It's embarrassing, it's disgusting and I won't have it anymore. I'm sick of them.
Liberal filmmaker Michael Moore.


I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable. And I am the only person to blame. I stopped living by the core values that I was taught to believe in. I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself.
Tiger Woods


Falling in love with you could really f--- up my plans for becoming president.”
Former presidential candidate John Edwards to his mistress, Rielle Hunter during their 2006 affair. Hunter was quoted in an article in GQ magazine.


After the last eight years, it’s great to have a president who knows what a library is.
Paul McCartney


Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She’s got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt … way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now. She’s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body … I know she’s very good, and I’m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won’t … but Hannah Storm … come on now! Stop! What are you doing?
ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser describing live on-air the wardrobe of ESPN colleague Hannah Storm. Kornheiser was suspended by the network for his remarks.


It gives new meaning to getting an extra shot in your latte.
The AP, writing about Starbuck's decision to continue allowing customers to carry firearms in it's stores, in states that allow it.


The rent is too damn high!
Jimmy McMillan at a NY gubernatorial debate



OUTRAGE OF THE YEAR


ObamaCare, the liberal defense of illegal immigration, the food police,a mosque at Ground Zero, and our exploding debt.



MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE YEAR


Whatever Sarah Palin said or did. The lefties and their wholly-owned subsidiary, the mainstream media, went nuts.



MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE YEAR
  

Twice, once in March and again about a month ago, I noted how the news media refrained from slamming Obama about $3 gas when it crucified Bush on the same issue. 



STRANGEST STORY OF THE YEAR


Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor….Clothes


REMEMBER: Your suggestions/nominations for any of these categories every week are welcome, especially for HEROES OF THE WEEK. If you know of anyone in the community deserving of recognition, please e-mail me.