Latest news with #SamKuffel
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Green Bay Packers legend is built on toughness. 'Tush-push' ban is slap in the face.
Over the past few seasons, I've felt that the Green Bay Packers are more of a finesse team than a formidable one. Offensively, we can compete with anyone. However, we lack players in the trenches on defense who consistently push offensive linemen back into the opposing quarterback's face. I think the Packers know that, too; which is why they were the first team to go to the league and propose a rule change to outlaw the 'tush-push' play, which was perfected by the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles. The tush-push is a play in which the quarterback takes the snap directly under the center and is pushed through the defensive line by the running back and tight end. It resembles a rugby play and is used in short-yardage and goal-line situations, and the Eagles execute it better than anyone. More: Sam Kuffel Instagram comments led to firing. Your views on TV station's move. | Opinion The Packers lost their 2024 season opener to the Eagles and in the playoffs, and didn't have an answer to the play. But neither did most other teams. The best way to stop the play is to have someone like former Packers' legend Gilbert 'The Gravedigger' Brown clogging up the middle. But athletic 6-foot-2 and 340-pound defensive linemen who are as stout as giant sequoias don't grow on trees, so the Packers decided to go to the league and ask for help. The Packers have always been my favorite sports team, and despite the challenges they face on the field, I proudly bleed green and gold. However, the request strikes me as weak and a barometer of where the team is headed. When I first heard that a team wanted to ban this play, I expected it to come from a struggling franchise like the Carolina Panthers — not from my beloved Packers. Honestly, the request is a slap in the face to all the legendary defensive players who have worn the storied 'G' on their helmets. I can't help but wonder how the late, great 'Minister of Defense,' Reggie White, would react to such a suggestion. I almost hear Reggie's raspy voice echoing in my mind, saying, "Don't worry, coach; God will give us the strength to stop them." Can you imagine telling Ray Nitschke, Willie Wood, Willie Davis, LeRoy Butler, Clay Matthews, and my all-time favorite player, Charles Woodson, that because we can't stop the tush-push, we are going to ask the league to ban it? The Packers are expected to be tougher than this. They play on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, enduring wind chills of minus-10. They don't play in some fancy temperature-controlled stadium. Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy first expressed his displeasure with the set Eagles coach Nick Sirianni popularized earlier this month during a Q&A on the team's website. Murphy, known himself for being a tough player, expressed that he is not a fan of the play, claiming the Eagles execute it without much skill. He noted that it almost guarantees a first down on plays requiring one yard or less. The veteran player and executive should know better than anyone the NFL is a copycat league. Instead of complaining about it, the Packers should focus on drafting players who can effectively stop the play or develop their own version of the tush-push, which we could call the 'green and gold push.' Over the years, the Packers themselves have utilized certain plays that some teams would have liked to see banned. More: Married women could face new obstacles to vote. This is what conservatives want. | Opinion One that comes to mind is Aaron Rodgers' quick-snap strategy. He would get his offense lined up and call for the ball quickly to catch the defense off guard, especially if they had too many players on the field. The play allowed him to make a deep throw without hesitation. If the pass was completed, it advanced the offense; if it was intercepted, the play would simply be replayed due to the penalty for too many men on the field. I'm also sure offensive linemen would have wanted Reggie White's 'hump move' banned. White used strength and leverage to gain an inside position on an offensive lineman by 'humping' his back against them and pushing their chest up and out, then quickly slipping his arm underneath their armpit to gain access to the quarterback. During a game against the Minnesota Vikings, White used the move on wide receiver Cris Carter and literally tossed the Hall of Famer 10 yards into the legs of quarterback Warren Moon — and still got the sack. The Vikings and Carter didn't ask that the hump move get banned, instead Carter joked, "I should have a half a sack in my career stats." I'm not sure if the league will give any thought to the Packers request, but if I were the Packers, I would reconsider. We are a storied franchise, and we shouldn't need the league to help us. If we want to develop a tough identity, we need to establish one by calling our own shots and that starts with getting some dawgs in the trenches and creating a 'green and gold push' so we can bring that Lombardi trophy back home to where it belongs: in Titletown, of course. Reach James E. Causey at jcausey@ follow him on X@jecausey. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Eagles' tush push is unanswered in NFL. Banning it is weak | Opinion
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Building new natural gas plants in Wisconsin will strap customers with big bills
Wisconsin stands at a critical energy crossroads. We Energies' plan to build massive new natural gas plants represents a costly misstep that threatens to lock in high energy costs, undermine clean energy goals and leave ratepayers footing the bill for outdated infrastructure. At a time when clean energy and storage solutions are proving more reliable and cost-effective, doubling down on fossil fuel dependency is a financial and environmental mistake Wisconsin can't afford. We Energies' proposed gas plants are not just unnecessary — they're a long-term financial burden on ratepayers. Natural gas prices remain highly volatile due to global market instability, making reliance on gas a risky bet for Wisconsin's energy future. Meanwhile, states across the Midwest are rejecting new gas plants in favor of renewables, battery storage and efficiency. Wisconsin must follow suit or risk saddling customers with stranded assets and skyrocketing costs. Wisconsin should prioritize growing its clean energy economy, not expanding fossil fuel infrastructure that contradicts the state's climate commitments. A 100% clean energy standard would position Wisconsin as a leader in the Midwest, attracting businesses that demand sustainable power. Investments in solar, wind, battery storage, microgrids and smart grid upgrades will create jobs, enhance grid reliability and protect ratepayers from long-term price spikes. Community solar and distributed energy empower local communities to generate their own clean power, reducing reliance on utilities and providing lower-cost energy options. We Energies argues that new gas plants are needed to meet growing electricity demand, largely driven by data centers. But rapid advancements in AI-driven efficiency breakthroughs — such as DeepSeek — could significantly reduce energy consumption in data centers, meaning the projected demand may never materialize. If We Energies locks in billions of dollars for gas plants just as efficiency gains take off, Wisconsin ratepayers will be stuck paying for unnecessary infrastructure. Instead of overbuilding based on outdated assumptions, the state should focus on flexible, adaptive solutions that can evolve alongside technological advances. The idea that natural gas is the only way to meet peak demand is outdated and inaccurate. Texas, California and even Alaska are deploying large-scale battery storage systems to replace gas-fired peaker plants. Battery storage costs have fallen 90% over the last decade, making it the clear economic winner over new fossil fuel generation. Before committing billions to gas plants, Wisconsin should deploy storage solutions first — a proven, cost-effective alternative that reduces emissions and keeps electricity rates stable. More: CBS58 had no choice but to fire Sam Kuffel for damaging TV station's image | Letters Other states are retrofitting fossil fuel plants into clean energy hubs rather than building new gas infrastructure. Wisconsin should invest in solar, wind and battery storage at existing power plant sites, leveraging grid connections already in place. This 'clean repowering' strategy allows for a smoother transition while maintaining grid stability and avoiding costly new gas plants. Wisconsin risks losing business investment by ignoring corporate demand for clean energy. Major corporations like Microsoft, Google and Meta have committed to 100% carbon-free energy by 2030. We Energies' push for new gas plants directly contradicts these goals, forcing companies to seek cleaner power elsewhere. Rather than doubling down on fossil fuels, Wisconsin should implement on-site demand response incentives for large energy users, reducing peak demand without building expensive new gas plants. Wisconsin has a historic opportunity to lead the Midwest in clean energy innovation, but We Energies' gas expansion is a step in the wrong direction. Investing in clean energy solutions drives job creation, lowers costs and meets corporate sustainability goals. Locking in new gas plants while storage and renewables continue to outpace fossil fuels is a financial mistake Wisconsin can't afford. More: Malcolm X understood what was wrong about Snoop Dogg's show celebrating Trump | Opinion The choice is clear: Do we cling to outdated, expensive fossil fuel infrastructure, or do we embrace a smarter, more resilient clean energy future? The answer should be obvious — for our economy, our environment and the future of Wisconsin. John Imes is co-founder and director of Wisconsin Environmental Initiative. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: We Energies must invest in clean energy sources, not gas | Opinion
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Milwaukee Public Schools leaders think they have answers, but make things worse
With all the recent attention to Milwaukee Public Schools in the news lately, I think I finally figured out what MPS means, that being More Problems Solved. First, MPS fights to get school resource officers back in the schools even though they wanted them gone in the first place, even though there is not enough time, training, money or manpower to achieve that goal ('MPS must have police by Feb. 17,' Jan. 25). Then, MPS decides that it should sue social media for causing mental health issues to its students, completely ignoring the fact that social media doesn't cause the problems, its just illuminates the problems that are already present in the homes, neighborhoods and communities ('MPS to sue social media firms,' Jan. 28). More: CBS58 had no choice but to fire Sam Kuffel for damaging TV station's image | Letters Recently, MPS figured out that the way to get kids in school on time is not work to get more efficient bus schedules or routes but rather to start the school day early, which I believe will only make matters worse ('Parents balk at earlier MPS times,' Feb. 6). Maybe this is why MPS has been and will continue to be a problem, a problem that will never find its way to being fixed because those in the know think that their actions are solving problems instead of actually making them worse. What's going to be the next problem they solve? Increase literacy scores and proficiency by limiting access to books and educational materials? Sounds about right. MPS, more problems solved? More like making progress stall. Brian Brehmer, Milwaukee More: Malcolm X understood what was wrong about Snoop Dogg's show celebrating Trump | Opinion More: I'm relieved our new president will not be responsible for the price of eggs | Letters More: Blaming Biden, Obama and DEI for DC plane crash is unbelievably inappropriate | Letters Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@ or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPS has wrong answers on social media, police in schools | Letters
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CBS58 had no choice but to fire Sam Kuffel for damaging TV station's image
Letter writers Jeffrey Sommers and Stacey Nocella did a nice job supporting Sam Kuffel in regard to her getting fired by CBS58 for her criticizing Elon Musk's arm wave looking like a Nazi salute, but I think they missed the point. Kuffel used language via social media that would make a sailor blush. It reflected poorly on her and the station. I feel her engaging personality, good humor and superior job skills should have only merited a two week or one month suspension. Earl Orlebeke, Waukesha More: Elon Musk salute ripples across US leading to Sam Kuffel in Milwaukee losing job | Opinion Several letter writers critical of the firing of CBS58 weather forecaster Sam Kuffel miss two major points. First, 'free speech' pertains to the government regulating a citizen's speech, not a private employer. Second, when you have a career as an on-air TV personality, that job requires a 'smiling, squeaky clean' image. When Kuffel added two F-bombs in her post, she violated that image and embarrassed the station. If Kuffel had not included the profanity in her post, I believe she would have not been fired. Neil Saari, Menomonee Falls More: Malcolm X understood what was wrong about Snoop Dogg's show celebrating Trump | Opinion Sam Kuffel's firing from CBS58 became a national story, but the obvious (to me) reason for her dismissal goes beyond her response to Elon Musk's controversial Nazi-like salute. While that event sparked attention and political bias about free speech, Kuffel's firing was the culmination of a pattern of unprofessional online behavior that had been building for months. She repeatedly attacked both the public and notable figures on social media, often crossing boundaries that a local journalist should not. This was not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern of hostile interactions with the public, which I believe likely led to her firing. While the Musk incident provided a public focal point, Kuffel's firing was the result of a series of missteps that culminated in that moment. Social media demands accountability, especially for those in the public eye. Kevin Worm, Milwaukee More: Wisconsin's sandhill cranes are beautiful but damage our crops. Let hunting help. | Opinion Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@ or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Using profanity on social media big factor in Kuffel firing | Letters
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
We all saw what Elon Musk did. Kuffel did not deserve to be fired for the truth
Regarding the termination of Sam Kuffel's employment at CBS58, an expression of First Amendment rights on social media, it would seem, should not incur penalties, let alone 'cancellation." My view (but only an opinion) is Elon Musk was not consciously making a Nazi salute. Although I will leave to psychologists whether it was subconscious. The maternal side of Musk's family were Hitler supporting members of the Canadian (German) party who emigrated to South Africa as they supported its then apartheid regime. Or at least, according to a recent interview given by Musk's father regarding his former wife's (Elon's mother) family. He also recalled being made quite uncomfortable by them. More: What can be learned from Sam Kuffel case? Readers weigh-in | Opinion I can't know Musk's intentions, and I reject holding children of their parents responsible for the sins of the latter. Although given the context provided above, it is not beyond the realm of the possible that his intentions were impure, even if my personal sense is they were not. Regardless, Kuffel should be able to express her opinion on the matter without losing her livelihood. Even though it should not have to be said, members of the Jewish community (and the rest of us) might wonder why the person criticizing a figure for making what appeared to be a fascist salute is fired, when it might indeed be more appropriate to ask why our 'Apprentice' president did not tell Musk, 'you're fired?' Jeffrey Sommers, Shorewood Sam Kuffel was fired for exercising her free speech when she had a platform to speak as an American. I too believe that Musk gave the Nazi salute during an event at the presidential inauguration. Thank you to Kuffel for acknowledging what so many of us witnessed and recognized and have no voice in the public forum. I commend her as a fellow human being and fellow American. Was her timing inappropriate? Maybe. Was it worthy of being fired, I don't believe so. Wake up, America. Stacey Nocella, Blanchester, OH More: Majority of readers in poll say CBS 58 made the wrong call on Kuffel | Opinion Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@ or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: CBS58 wrong to fire meteorologist for comments about Musk | Letters
