A look back at the people and events that made news the past week.
Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of This Just In...
HEROES OF THE WEEK
9/11 survivors: Maimed, trying to be whole again
JB Van Hollen
Wal-Mart (CAUTION to touchy, ultra-sensitive liberals: opening this link could cause you to implode)
Todd Murashige
Tony Romo
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
Stephen Bryant
Summer Lee Many White Horses
Rev. Christopher Layden
Wisconsin Congressman David Obey
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
"You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig."
Barack Obama, in a reference to Sarah Palin.
"Cocky wacko."
Former Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee -- a charter member of "Republicans for Obama" -- describing Sarah Palin.
"She is the only one of the four candidates for president, or the only vice presidential candidate who wears lipstick. I mean, it seemed to me a very gendered comment."
Former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift, a member of the Palin Truth Squad.
“Governor, let me start by asking you a question that I asked John McCain about you, and it is really the central question. Can you look the country in the eye and say ‘I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice president, but perhaps president of the United States of America?’”
ABC’S Charlie Gibson questioning Sarah Palin in her first interview.
“I do, Charlie, and on January 20, when John McCain and I are sworn in, if we are so privileged to be elected to serve this country, will be ready. I'm ready. I answered him (John McCain) yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can't blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can't blink. So I didn't blink then even when asked to run as his running mate.”
Sarah Palin’s response.
“The reference there is a repeat of Abraham Lincoln's words when he said -- first, he suggested never presume to know what God's will is, and I would never presume to know God's will or to speak God's words. But what Abraham Lincoln had said, and that's a repeat in my comments, was let us not pray that God is on our side in a war or any other time, but let us pray that we are on God's side. That's what that comment was all about, Charlie. And I do believe, though, that this war against extreme Islamic terrorists is the right thing. It's an unfortunate thing, because war is hell and I hate war, and, Charlie, today is the day that I send my first born, my son, my teenage son overseas with his Stryker brigade, 4,000 other wonderful American men and women, to fight for our country, for democracy, for our freedoms. Charlie, those are freedoms that too many of us just take for granted. I hate war and I want to see war ended. We end war when we see victory, and we do see victory in sight in Iraq.”
Sarah Palin, responding to Charlie Gibson’s question about Palin’s alleged comment that the Iraq War is a task from God.
"He was the world's biggest celebrity, but his star's fading. So they lashed out at Sarah Palin. Dismissed her as 'good looking.' That backfired, so they said she was doing, 'what she was told.' Then desperately called Sarah Palin a liar. How disrespectful. And how Governor Sarah Palin proves them wrong, every day."
The text from a new McCain ad.
"You didn't have any government experience when you became lieutenant governor. You learned on the job. ... Her problem is she's not liberal enough for the major voting bloc of women who probably were supporting Hillary Clinton."
Former GOP Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow defending new Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in a debate with current Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton. Farrow has been named to the "Palin Truth Squad," set up by the McCain campaign to respond to attacks on the Alaska governor.
"This isn't a liberal or conservative question. This is about the economy and jobs."
Lawton in reply.
"We're not overstepping our bounds at all in trying to tell the Government Accountability Board (GAB) how to do their job. We're just making sure that the first step in the process, which is legally required and clearly set out in the law, be followed and that they not replace the law with their judgment."
Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen on a lawsuit filed against the GAB seeking to force the agency to double-check new registrations going back to Jan. 1, 2006, and remove anyone from the rolls whose information doesn't match up with other state databases.
"The board is committed to properly protecting the electoral process from potential fraud. At the same time, the board is equally committed to protecting the right of every eligible person to vote in Wisconsin, and that every valid vote must be counted."
GAB director Kevin Kennedy in a statement on the lawsuit.
"Do we want to be compared with Seattle, with Denver, with Chicago, or do we want to be compared with Fargo and Dubuque?"
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett advocating a streetcar loop for the city during a debate with County Executive Scott Walker over how to spend $91.5 million in federal funds reserved for public transportation in Milwaukee.
"Think rail, and use buses."
Walker on his transportation strategy for the county.
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK
And we should keep spending more and more money on them....why?
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
The Democrats are nervous, ladies and gentlemen, very nervous.
One of the reasons they've got the jitters: their guy has lost control of the campaign. (And this admission from a liberal columnist. Of course, you have to get through the obligatory trashing of Republicans).
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
Boy, that Aaron Rodgers was really great in his very first start for the Green Bay Packers, wasn't he? Makes you just want to forget #4, right?
Well, no and no.
Rodgers was ok in the victory against Minnesota, but certainly wasn't spellbinding.
STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
Would you turn down 3 million bucks?
If you know where our missing time capsule is.....
Saugatuck, you owe me!
The pride of Fond du Lac....Don Gorske
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.
