Christmas Box Angel

Tony Palmeri has laid out this story very well here and here.

My personal opinion: I could care less if it's put out in the park.

But...but...but...

There are $$$ concerns and I think a person should take a pragmatic approach. My first thoughts were about the possible costs to the taxpayers in Oshkosh. The Freedom from Religion folks down in Mad City are a tenacious bunch, a bit like the dog that latches onto the cuff of your pants and won't let go. They are on to this one, HizzonerTheMare Castle took the bait, told the Gaylor group to go to Hell, and now the lawyers will stop chasing ambulances long enough to smile all the way to the bank on this one.

The Marshfield saga lasted years and years, was over with in about 2000, and cost the taxpayers there some $60-grand. Mr Castle's smart-ass remarks the other night might cost the taxpayers of Oshkosh $100-$200 grand. This was a classic case of the mouth opening before the brain was engaged.

I do feel there is time to salvage this. Ask the local churches what their thoughts are. Some older person in Oshkosh who wants to leave a lasting legacy might have a few bucks, a small piece of land, and a plan that would make a lot of people happy.

As a child I remember that roadside on the south side of Marshfield before the statue went up. Later I saw it dozens of times. My dad used to remark on it. He said it had no business being there. His remarks were made circa 1960. There was a different frame of mind then. You had to be there to understand the mind-set. The Knights of Columbus of Marshfield paid the freight to put up that statue of Jesus. Being Protestant my dad could have meant that a 'Catholic Jesus' had no more business being in a public park than a 'Protestant Jesus'.

The Marshfield park is pretty but the pain-in-the-taxpayer's pockets wasn't.

The Marshfield and LaCrosse run-ins with the Freedom from Religion Foundation should give cause for some thought in Oshkosh.

My thought...

Get rid of this potential problem before any money is spent on attorneys and use city council time for more important things.

Spring is in the Air

A beautiful March day. Too nice to be in front of this screen.

I have added links to the Waterfest and PMI concerts on your right along with local weather. Everyone I see has cabin fever!

What's happening with our troops? Last time I checked one party had control of Congress since about 1996 and that same party has controlled the Presidency since 2000. I think that party has some explaining to do.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/WNT/HomeFront/story?id=1706577

Peace.

First Tuesday Concert, March 7th, Noon

The First Congregational Church will host Steve Hazell in concert at noon Tuesday. The program begins promptly at noon with a wonderful soup and sandwich lunch at 12:30. There is nothing ordinary about the First Tuesday Concerts and nothing ordinary about the soups and fresh fancy breads. It is a free event but you are free to make donations. This is a community event and all are welcome. Be there.

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Art Walk Recap

It was an enjoyable night Saturday for the Art Walk. The weather cooperated this month and I heard much talk concerning the warmer weather to come. It is almost impossible to go to every place on the 'Walk' during the three hours and I'll give you a sampling of what caught my eye. The Sparr Gallery has acquired a number of 100 year old prints (Toulouse Latrec) and framed them. Some of the originals hang at the Louvre in Paris. Prices on some of these prints are $1,500. A new 'bead' shop has opened. It is directly across from the Grand Opera House entrance on the corner. Called "Oshkosh Bead Market", it is a work in progress with a larger variety of beads each day. They told me that they will be open during each and every Art Walk...but don't wait 'til April. They are open most every day. I stopped by Sweet Usoapia on Market St. Owner Misha Dubinsky-Hesse calls herself a 'soapcrafter'. She is also an accomplished artist and a great conversationalist.

The Oshkosh Public Library was open Saturday night for the Art Walk but didn't seem to have a lot of visitors. A very talented group of 7th and 8th graders provided the art which is still being shown in the lower level. Some of these children have a future in art. I was awestruck by some of the items I saw. People who didn't stop by the library also missed out on the cocktail shrimp and other wonderful snacks there. The snacks are gone but the art is still there. Check it out.

Soldiers in Iraq

This is short and sweet. I was amazed to learn today that our service people in Iraq are prevented from seeing bad things on the internet.

And what might these bad things be? Sites such as The Onion.

Another naughty, naughty place: Wonkette.

You can learn about these naughty nasty places our soldiers can't go by going here.

Isn't it great living in a free country?