Former Gov. Tommy Thompson omits real reason for rough Supreme Court race
It was good to hear from former four-term Gov. Tommy Thompson (a principled man that I happily voted against four times). He is a vestige of a once great political party ('Campaigns have always been rough. I'm sick of politics of personal destruction.' May 6).
Like him, I was disgusted by the recent campaign for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where partisans from both sides slimed us all. Thank goodness for the outcome, but "ugh'!
Opinion: Campaigns have always been rough. I'm sick of politics of personal destruction.
The former governor doesn't say it, but I will — I miss the rational GOP, of which he was a stalwart. I'm sure many others do, as well. The modern "give us what we want or we'll just burn it all down ourselves and our supporters included" Nihilistic version just alienates.
I hope for better, when the current madness passes.
Scott Cotterell, Waukesha
Opinion: Having babies not a patriotic gesture or GDP fixer. Let's truly honor women.
I just finished reading former Gov. Tommy Thompson's response to the Supreme Court campaign, and while I applaud his sentiment and past commitment to inclusion, he omits the elephant in the room ('Campaigns have always been rough. I'm sick of politics of personal destruction.' May 6).
All those he referenced in his personal history were fellow Wisconsinites who were invested in the welfare of the state, despite their competing visions. The latest Supreme Court election (and I believe the one before as well) were heavily influenced by "investors" who have no Wisconsin equity.
Unless that changes, it is naive of Thompson to encourage civility between competing visions.
G.T. Schutz, Racine
Letters: I've seen firsthand how wake-enhanced boating makes small Wisconsin lakes unsafe
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The Hill
10 minutes ago
- The Hill
Morning Report — Senators put the budget bill under the microscope
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The Hill
26 minutes ago
- The Hill
Supreme Court hands big win to fossil fuels, agency power
The Supreme Court this week reshaped how the federal government thinks about fossil fuel infrastructure. While environmental groups frequently describe projects ranging from coal mines to pipelines as 'carbon bombs,' the high court says that may not be the case — finding the projects themselves are not responsible for the upstream or downstream pollution for fuel or other products they simply transport or produce. The high court narrowed the scope of environmental reviews taken by agencies when they determine whether to approve an infrastructure project — and the grounds upon which such reviews can be challenged. The 8-0 ruling is a blow to those fighting to protect the environment and a win for developers and fossil fuel companies, making it more difficult to challenge a project on its climate or environmental grounds, or even to get information about its environmental impacts. 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Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
An Australian woman on trial for triple murder testifies over mushroom poisoning
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — The woman accused of murdering three members of her ex-husband's family by serving them poisonous mushrooms has taken the stand at an Australian court on Monday as the highly publicized triple murder trial nears its conclusion. Erin Patterson, 50, is accused of killing her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail Patterson's sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, and also of attempting to murder Wilkinson's husband, Ian, 68 after the four consumed a meal at Patterson's home in Victoria state in July 2023. She could face up to 25 years in prison for the attempted murder charge, while murder in the state of Victoria carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Her lawyer, Colin Mandy, previously told the Victorian state Supreme Court during the six-week trial the poisoning was accidental. Patterson's appearance as a defense witness Monday marked the first time the 50-year-old has spoken since pleading not guilty to all charges in May last year. She served meals of beef Wellington, mashed potato and green beans at her home in the rural town of Leongartha on July 29, 2023. All four guests were hospitalized the next day with poisoning from death cap mushrooms, also known as amanita phalloides, that were added to the beef and pastry dish. Ian Wilkinson survived after a liver transplant. Under questioning from Mandy, Patterson revealed personal battles with low self-esteem, shifting spirituality, the complicated birth of her son and growing distance from her estranged husband's family in recent years. 'I had felt for some months that my relationship with the wider Patterson family, and particularly Don and Gail, perhaps had a bit more distance or space put between us,' Patterson said. 'We saw each other less.' Patterson is due back on the witness stand Tuesday as the trial continues. The prosecution completed the presentation of its evidence to a jury of 14 people earlier on Monday afternoon.
