A once-great party’s choice for governor

‘Things are about to get bad’

‘Burn this city down!’

— Madison’s Independent Police Monitor

Great thing about electronic message boards: they can be rewritten with a few keystrokes. Driving in at 8 this morning, CSN&Y’s “Woodstock” on the tunes, two electronic signs proclaimed that Madison’s Willy Street was open for bidness. When it’s not closed.

The mob had shut it down again Tuesday 08-04-26 evening at 8 o’clock and, for a time, E. Washington Avenue at Baldwin Street — about 12 hours after Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway sent in the Marines (so to speak) that morning to end (apparently temporarily) a 14-day siege.

Last night, social justice warriors wearing hazmat gear (where do they get all this stuff?), set five more fires, emptied dumpsters and trash cans. They had warned police, “Things are about to get bad.” (Watch here)

“A group of individuals, between 30 and 40 who … it felt as though they were trying, frankly, to pick a fight.” — Police Chief Patterson this morning

“Officers re-claimed the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin after midnight,” Madison police reported. Four hours of urban guerrilla warfare later.

While Madison police, fire, and public works were fighting to reclaim the City last night, Blaska was waiting in the Zoom queue for his chance to educate the Madison Common Council. The meeting was conducted remotely because City government could not secure its own city hall. Blaska wanted to say he supported the mayor for clearing the street that morning. After holding for 3 ½ hours, the mayor announced another 100 remained on hold. We decided to hit the sheets. Meeting didn’t conclude until 2:30 this a.m.

Before lights out, we posted our remarks (Read ’em & Weep!) in an all-alder e-mail. (You can do so here.) Up to that point, all 43 Zoomers had excoriated the mayor for opening Willy Street. Starting with the ubiquitous Amelia Royko Maurer, who doesn’t even live in Madison any more. All the usual suspects: Linda Ketchum, Shadayra Kilfoy-Flores, and the Grievin’ Grandma. A few were crying, some demanded police be disarmed entirely, all alleging some form of institutional racism waged against career criminals like Corey Ruiz. (R.I.P.) Many called for the mayor’s resignation; all demanded millions of dollars and unlimited authority for the independent police monitor. Yeah, it was organized.

BLM/Antifa harasses progressive mayor at her home. These people are NOT grieving!

The Troubles are far from over

The intersection of Williamson and Baldwin Streets is still a mess. A high-end condo remains spray-painted with the F-bomb, as just one instance. That’s not free speech; it’s vandalism.

Also testifying to the council, independent monitor data analyst Greg Gelembiuk. Like many of the callers, his call originated from Brenda Konkel’s Social Justice Center. (“Free the 350 Bail Fund” is located there, along with Progressive Dane.) “Independent” my ass! Now to the police monitor herself.

Madison Police drone video shows Aeiramique Glass scuffling with police Tuesday afternoon 08-04-26. WISC TV-3 reports she vowed to “Burn this city down.” The monitor isn’t independent, she’s Antifa/BLM.

→ Antifa/BLM was blocking Doty Street in front of the county jail around noon today

Police monitor harasses police

Fear and loathing

No Madison police on Willy Street this morning; they deserve a break. In their place, big presence of Wisconsin State Patrol. Came equipped with firearms on their right hip and an old-fashioned Come-To-Jesus billy club on their left. Damn straight! (Gov. Francesca Hong for sure could defund these police!) The state troopers had just tucked a resident into an unmarked black Suburban SUV when we arrived on scene. Thumbs up! (Told you shoulda built a bigger jail!)

When up the street with a clatter I saw what was the matter: a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck blasting The Star Spangled Banner. Guy named Greg emerged, loudly and provocatively proclaiming his disgust with liberals and dressed for it. One of the libs suggested Greg jump bodily into the trash bag he was carrying. Both agreed to pose in a brief instant of comity. But why just this one guy?

Too much of Madison doesn’t show up, leaving the field for the activists.

Baldwin and Willy Streets this morning 08-05-26

Blaska’s Bottom Line: believes the majority of citizens supports Mayor Satya’s leadership on Willy Street, however belated. So where are they? Where is the Wisconsin State Journal editorial page? Madison’s civil majority is thoroughly P-whipped, silent before the social justice warriors and their bullhorns. Harassed, doxed, and vandalized. Satya showed courage …

How about YOU?

, , , ,

Take me back home, Jeeves!

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11 responses to “‘Things are about to get bad’”

  1. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    After the recent debacle with our intrepid “independent police monitor” don’t ever count on an unbiased review of police actions.

    Reply
  2. Diane Avatar
    Diane

    Ethics violation? Surely these actions cannot be part of the city’s code of conduct. And does anyone know if she was being paid as she protested?

    Reply
  3. Gordy Sussman Avatar
    Gordy Sussman

    Any Ben Crumbles sightings?

    Reply
  4. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    Since the City politicians won’t budget money for police body cameras I wonder if the residents can get a referendum on the ballot to raise property taxes that can only be used for police body cameras. It seems to be a better use of money than just throwing more money at the buses or MMSD.

    Reply
  5. pANTIFArts Avatar
    pANTIFArts

    According to the lawyer for Ms Glass, her threat to burn the city was merely a “figurative, and idiomatic expression”. I assume it was in response to the police shooting Cory Ruiz for his “figurative, and idiomatic gestures” with a knife. The lawyer went on to state that the threat has been used “throughout history as a metaphor”. I would just point out that it has, more often than not, been used by arsonists and those who INCITE arson.

    Reply
  6. A Voice in the Wilderness Avatar
    A Voice in the Wilderness

    Now the SJWs are occupying Doty Street downtown, at the Dane County jail. They are demanding that 60 Black people be released from incarceration; 19 have been so far…?!# Per WKOW 27, “developing” story…

    Reply
  7. pANTIFArts Avatar
    pANTIFArts

    One of the most disturbing things coming out of this are the videos of toddlers screaming leftist rhetoric into megaphones, that are being held by their proud guardians. What must their childhoods be like? Do their mornings begin with “What do we want?” BREAKFAST!!!, When do we want it? NOW!!!”? Or, “Soy milk mat–ters!!!, and “Whose vegan sausage? OUR vegan sausage!!! All of this BEFORE they rush off to the indoctrination centers that are your public schools. Your troubles are guaranteed to last at least one more generation, and probably far beyond. (If socialism were to gain total control, the allied groups will IMMEDIATELY turn on each other, case in point– the calls now for the Mayors’ scalp from the left)

    Reply
  8. Bob Dorn Avatar
    Bob Dorn

    Satya finally showed courage after 13 days – and what does she get for it – harassing her home and not able to meet in person at a city council meeting.
    Yes, it would be nice if ordinary people could take a stand in Madison, but for many it’s just not worth it, especially if there are still children at home (that we keep away from bullhorns)

    Reply
  9. Jon Burack Avatar
    Jon Burack

    I sent a link to this one to some friends and family, along with this message:

    About the latest madness in Madison. Young people full of fury and ignorance in the streets creating their own “liberated zone.” I recall Sociology prof Maurice Zeitlin, 1968 or so, warning kids who had taken over the Peterson Building not to make the cops the enemy, the cops being working class guys whose kids, often, were the ones drafted and over in Vietnam. Well not much has changed — one clearly deranged guy killed by the cops and the entire city shuts down. While I don’t think history is purely cyclical, it does seem so in Madison. For the left, the cops are still the main target — except these days they also have the Jews in the dock. Oh well, that’s another cycle that goes round and round too, right?

    This guy, Dave Blaska, is a conservative curmudgeon (used to work for Republican Governor Tommy Thompson, who inspired Bill Clinton to try to reform the welfare system, ha!), who writes amusing stuff about the town. I am very glad he lives there and I do not any more. From a few days ago: https://davidblaska.com/2026/08/05/things-are-about-to-get-bad/

    Madison appears to be caught in a doom loop. Not the rest of America, I pray to God, though who knows? You’ll think I am being sarcastic, but it is actually stimulating and enlightening to live in such interesting times. Even calming, if you keep it all in perspective, which I don’t always. As Grandma used to say, “this too shall pass.”

    Reply
  10. One Eye Avatar
    One Eye

    Scene: Press Conference Outside the dilapidated Wonder Bar, a crooked cardboard sign reads “POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING.” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and DA Ismael Ozanne face a restless crowd.)

    Mayor Rhodes-Conway:
    Good evening. After careful review, no charges will be brought against the officer who shot Corey Ruiz. The system worked. We ask the community to process this with restraint.

    DA Ozanne:
    The decision is final. Channel strong feelings into petitions or strongly worded posts—not flames.

    Mayor Rhodes-Conway:
    We know of threats involving combustion and the recent arsons. Arson is illegal. Please do not set things on fire.(The crowd grows louder.)

    Mayor Rhodes-Conway (gesturing at the sign):
    Specifically, I ask this raucous crowd not to burn down the police department building—right here. It will be unguarded all night due to higher priorities on Willy Street. No patrols. Do not burn it, especially with accelerants. That would be wrong and end an important architectural conversation. Channel your energy elsewhere.

    DA Ozanne:
    Zero new arson cases, please. Burning an unguarded “Police Department building” only makes more paperwork. Refrain.

    Mayor Rhodes-Conway:
    This building has history. Some see significance; others have other ideas. Keep those ideas non-flammable. Willy Street needs the officers. This place stands alone, unwatched, vulnerable to any spontaneous impulses after dark.Please don’t.(A bottle flies. The sign flaps.)

    Mayor Rhodes-Conway:
    Madison is better than this—at least while cameras roll. Stay safe. Stay non-combustible. Good night.(They leave as the crowd surges toward the labeled building and sirens head for Willy Street.).

    She whispers to Ozanne “Our work is done here”.

    Reply
    1. One Eye Avatar
      One Eye

      Addendum: One Eye.ai !

      Reply

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