Ask the WI guy!

Wow. I’ve never heard anyone rip on our state that way! Everyone that I talk to from out of state tell me they love it here and that the people are so nice.

I see that most of the people who have put it down lived in the city area. In a city, you’re going to find what you encountered no matter where you live. I’ve lived in a lot of places and I had good and bad experiences no matter where I was but I didn’t go around saying I hated the state just because of that. So don’t go ripping on a whole state just from ONE place you were at.

Go Packers! :slight_smile:

Gee, I’ve never seen so many people defensive over their state. You can rip on New York and California (the other places I’ve lived) as much as you want, I don’t care. Please remember that this is the IMHO forum and I feel, after living there for 20 years, I qualify as somewhat of an expert on my opinion. Also, if you read a previous post of mine, you will see that I have, indeed, been all over the state.

Anyway, sorry to hijak but I’m going to write out some of the issues I have with Wisconsin, including why I left and why I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety when I have to return.

Racism/Segregation
Sure, everyone’s really nice and hospitable unless you happen to be black, foreign or different. I can’t even begin to tell you of the crap I witnessed when I hung out with my black friends.

When I lived there (I’m sure it hasn’t changed) 80% of the state’s black population lived between Humboldt and Sherman Streets (E/W) and Vliet and Capitol Streets (N/S) in Milwaukee. People panic when black families move into their neighborhoods or drive through their towns. The racism people exhibit (all over the state) is disgusting - there is no way you can argue with me on that. How many of your friends tell racist jokes on a regular basis or talk about how “all those people move up from Chicago and go on welfare?” I heard it all the time, everywhere.

A black friend of mine drove the library bookmobile all across the state. I can’t even wrtie the horrible things people did/said to him.

Do some of you remember the “watermelon and fried chicken party” A POLICE DEPARTMENT threw? When they painted their faces black and dressed in “gansta” clothes?

Even in my public school education I witnessed that shit. Did you know I didn’t learn who Malcolm X or Ceaser Chavez were until I moved out of state? (I left when I was 20). That’s really embarassing. And yes, I went to one of the best high schools in the state.

Focus on Sports
I know there’s not much to do there, but this is what I learned: Screw academics, arts and sciences when there are sports! If you didn’t play sports or weren’t interested in sports, you were ostracized or hassled. The focus on sports (especially the Packers) throughout the whole state is appalling. Once I was at bar in Steven’s Point and made a groaning comment about how boring sports are and people threw crackers, ice and cigarette butts at me. Yeah, don’t take it too seriously, folks.

Once, when I was visiting my mother, my sister and I timed the sports coverage on the 1/2 hour news program. 17 minutes. National news wasn’t featured at all.

When I lived in Madison, I played in three bands. There is very little support for artists and musicians in that state (we toured) - I met everyone who supported the local clubs and it was the same 50 people. Imagine my thrill when I moved to San Francisco and realized that people actually do enjoy seeing live music!

People in General
I learned that a lot of people in Wisconsin tend to be nosy, judgemental and narrow minded. Do you have any idea how many times my mother had to defend me because of how my hair looked, the music I listened to, how I dressed or the people I hung out with? People would call my mother to “discuss me”. I mean, come on, mind your own fucking business.

When I lived there I had a pro-choice bumper sticker on my car. Once, on the highway, some moron began tailgating me and bumping me. Remember, we were going 60 miles an hour - I swear this guy was going to kill me - over a bumper sticker.

There are a million more stories like this experienced by me or a friend/family member, if you really need to hear them, I’ll type them out.

I haven’t had to deal with that kind of crap anywhere else.

Oh, and just to give you another opinon - Tommy Thompson is the biggest prick on the planet. Not just because of his political views, but I’ve met him in person several times through my former job. Total idiot.

Food
I’m a food snob. The food there sucks, unless you want to eat bratwurst and sauerkraut or fried bar food. Don’t eat seafood, sushi or any Asian cuisine under any circumstances, especially if you’re used to real, good cuisine.

The last time I was there, a waitress informed that Chicken Parmesan was the special. As in Chicken Par-Meee-Zsan.

Nice restaurants don’t accept reservations after 9 p.m. (yes, including in Milwaukee). I don’t get it.

Clothing
I like to dress well and to look at people who look nice. People in Wisconsin think it’s ok to go to fancy restaurants or formal occasions (like weddings, funerals, etc) in sweat/athletic clothing and sneakers. Yeah, I’m sure it’s comfortable, but you look like a slob.

Ok, the last two were true, but not reasons to hate the state.

I have to rap this up because I have to get some work done, but I want to mention that lots of these issues aren’t unique to Wisconsin, but I’m truly ashamed of the things I witnessed by the citizens of the state.

There’s a lot more, including things I don’t want to get into on a message board, but trust me, I loathe Wisconsin. And if I’m the only person you know who does, then don’t take it too personally.

Well, Sax, there’s at least ONE nice person in Appleton—and he pretty much agrees with you. I have a good friend (married, with two kids) who lives there, and when I made a comment about how quaint and picturesque “Appleton, Wisconsin” sounded he said, yeah, is IS lovely and all, but one of the most consversative and narrow-minded places he’s ever seen, that both the KKK and the John Birch Society are very active.

Yikes! Being in NY, I forget that in most of country you can’t shoot your mouth off without . . . well, getting your mouth shot off.

Where the hell is that Wahoo???

Sax,

I don’t take your attack personally, but I will do my part to defend our corner of Paradise. Please don’t take my arguments personally either. It’s not really a hijack because Wahoo opened up the forum for this kind of thing.

Milwaukee was and perhaps still is the most residentially segregated community in the country. (You’ve got me on that one)

Not learning about Malcolm X of Chavez??? Most school history programs can’t get to the 50’s and 60’s based on how much information there is to cover. They need to add another year to the curriculum to cover it all or something gets cut. Most History teachers struggle to make it to World War II. I would guess you didn’t get a lot of information about SNCC, Brown v. Board of Educ., Greensboro, the interstate highway system, etc. I recommend David Halberstam’s books. High School is the gloss over, college is the details.

Even if you had hit the 60’s Malcolm X has still not been recognized for his contributions to the Civil Rights movement. Most people can’t even tell you what contributions he made?

Racism is prevalent in the state? Yes. Is it getting better. Yes. Is New York any better? NO
Just because people hide their racism it doesn’t mean they are better people. In most cases even though it sucks I would imagine as a minority you would prefer to at least know where a person stands.

Watermelon and Fried Chicken Party??? Don’t remember that but I will condemn it if it happened. Does it entirely surprise me…no!

The Chicago/Welfare comments are a direct result of people moving to our state because our welfare benefits were higher than other surrounding states. They have arrested people who would take the bus from Chicago to Milwaukee once a month to pick up their checks. To specify a certain ethnic group as the culprits in this case would be wrong but the story is based in fact.

Stevens Point bar eh… My guess will be the old Penalty Box. Careful what you say during a Packer game. Especially if, God Forbid, they are losing. It’s the same wherever you go. Opposing fans like Lambeau because they may get some ribbing but generally we have no problem soaking beers with them. Hell, I personally know several Viking and Bears fans that I consider good people and good friends. Should they throw things at you for a simple comment, NO. However,I don’t believe it was as innocent as you make it out though.

What was happening on the Wisconsin Sport’s scene that news day. High school tournaments, Rose Bowl, NCAA Final Four, Superbowl? You were watching the Local News so they provided local coverage on the events that were important to the majority of their viewing audience. We have slow news days in Wisconsin. It’s nice. As opposed to New York where violent crimes don’t make the news because they aren’t news, they are common.

The food doesn’t suck. Your anger at events that transpired in the state is obviously getting the better of you. Of course we don’t excel at seafood or Asian cuisine. We are not by the sea and the Asian community, while growing, is still not a large portion of the population. We have some excellent restaurants that make some excellent food. Steak anyone?? Prime Rib?

How do we know the guy in the car wasn’t your average, run of the mill psycho and it had nothing to do with your bumper sticker. We do have our share of psychos. Dahmer, Gein…
Plus he could have had Minnesota plates, you probably weren’t concerned with where he was from at the time. Glad your OK! :smiley:
You categorize the whole state as slobs based on some people dressing “down” at a formal occasion? Sure it doesn’t look nice but in some cases a new pair of blue jeans is dressing up for these people. That attack does not help your plea for tolerance and understanding. If you think eating at a fancy restaurant, clothes, and listening to live bands at bars are that important you probably did not enjoy our fair state. That’s not what we are about and really isn’t what the Midwest in general is about.

I would like to apologize on behalf of our state for whatever transpired to make you so hateful towards us. There is a lot of good in most of us.

Eve,

They are no more active in Wisconsin than they are in New York.

Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor,

There are more jobs than you can shake a stick at around Wisconsin right now. If you aren’t working you aren’t trying.

Efficiency in Point would be about $300, not sure about Milwaukee region.
Wahoo,

If you ever show up, what’s in the Secret Stadium Sauce?

Well, I’m not from Wisconsin, but I’m from the UP which is basically Wisconsin’s boonies. I’ve spent a lot of time in Wisconsind - when we went to the “big city” to do such things as shop or go to new restaurants, that “big city” was Green Bay. So you get the idea - the UP makes Wisconsin look big and metropolitan.

That said, I saw Chavez live at the local college when I was in high school. The music scene in my hometown is better than that of my current town of Boulder, CO. The people are more open-minded, as well - although growing up I was well aware of discrimination against blacks, I had no inkling that that Hispanic or Asians were discriminated against until I moved away from the area. I never saw any sign of the KKK or related groups. I’ll grant you, the restaurants could be improved upon, but the fish is more fresh and better tasting than any I get except on the coasts.

Given that all of the above is true of a backwater like the UP, I highly doubt that all of Wisconsin is as miserable as SaxFace contends. It’s a beautiful state, and I’ve never had any problems with the people.

I do have one beef against the state, though. obfusciatrist wrote “Wisconsin has some of the nicest rest stops in the country.” God, man, what states do you travel through? Back when I lived in Minneapolis, the high point of my drive back to the UP was getting out of Wisconsin to places where rest areas actually had plumbing rather than outhouses, and toilet paper was not considered a “bring your own” item. WI has the WORST rest stops I’ve ever had the pleasure of using.

Sorry I’ve been absent but I was really sick.
Wow, what an excitng thread this has become, let’s see if I can get some answers out there.

Daniel: Yes, I listen to Whad’ya know, but not every saturday. I haven’t made it to a taping yet, but I would like to.

billehunt: It’s VERY beautiful here in the spring , summer, and autumn. I daresay you won’t see more shades of green anywhere but Ireland. And the autumn leaves are magnificent.As far as winter goes, that depends on the person.

MaryAnnQ: I live in Milwaukee now, but have lived in Oshkosh,Fond du Lac,Stevens Point,Darlington, Platteville, and Cuba City.

vandal:go away, you bother me. As for what I do for fun, I play disc golf,drink bourbon,go camping and fishing,and manny,manny other things.

as_u_wish: It is impossible to explain sheepshead to a non-believer. Just let them sit around the horn at the end of the bar and hope osmosis works.

Milossarian: On the eighth day, God created the Packers, and saw that it was good.

SaxFace:My questions: Is Wisconsin still full of jocks and hicks and conservative assholes who hassle people who don’t think like them? Is Milwaukee’s Best really the best?
My answers,No and Yes. Empirically, you can’t get better than the best.

Myron Van Horowitzski:Yes, we do that too. Pickled Pete,anyone?

obfusciatrist: thank you, I’m glad we’re noted for something, even if it’s rest stops. Have you been to the one by the IL border with the plaque about our brewing history? I quote the last sentence" Wisconsin consistently leads the nation in per capita alcohol consumption." ::wipes tears of pride away::

Apollyon: Yes, our lakes freeze in the winter. many people from warmer climes find this hard to believe, but on many lakes roads are plowed and street signs frozen in to the ice. Helps keep the drunken ice-fishermen from getting lost.

Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor: Job market is good. Rent varies greatly by areas of the state.

Sledman:Thank you ,Thank you for backing me up here! You may know me. I played rugby for SPRFC, tended bar at Buffy’s and Ella’s. Used to be drunk every night downtown. I know,sounds like 30 guys you know.

My reply to Saxface.
Racism I won’t deny that racism exists in WI, but I don’t believe it is an institution. As far as your claims on the KKK, they have tried for many years to hold rallies in various parts of the state and are routinely met with ridicule wherever they go. Search the archives of http://www.jsonline.com - the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and you will find stories backing this up.In Milwaukee, the city of festivals, there is a HUGE park on the lakefront where various festivals are held throughout the summer, all attended by Wisconsites of all backgrounds.I think this also applies to your topic People in General

June 9-11 PrideFest (Gays and Lesbians)
16-18 Asian Moon Fest (All Asian cultures)
23-25 PolishFest (duh)

July 13-16 Bastille Days (French)
20-23 Festa Italiana (Italian)
28-30 GermanFest (Duh,again)

August 4-6 African World FEstival
17-20 IrishFest
25-27 Mexican Fiesta
September 8-10 Indian Summer (American Indians)
15-17 Arabian Fest

Focus on Sports Well, I played in the band in high school too , and I guess attendance wasn’t overwhelming. But I don’t think I would go to a high school band concert now unless I knew someone in it. As far as support for the Arts, the United Performing Arts Fund is one of the largest charities in the Milwaukee area, there is a thriving theater and fine arts scene here. during the summer, you can even see classical performances for free in milwaukee EVERY TUESDAY. It’s called Rainbow Summer. Even in a two-bit town like Oshkosh, there are at least three independent playhouses, not incuding the Grand Opera House ,or the Frederic March theatre at the university.

Food Here, you’re just wrong. Sorry, maybe things have changed since you left, but you’re wrong

Clothing I have never attended a wedding or funeral or even a high school graduation in anything but a suit. Yes, some people are slobs, but no one goes to a funeral in a sweatshirt. that’s got to be a lie. I’d like to see a picture of that.

I’m sorry you feel this way about my state, but I think the main problem here is you. Obviously, you acted and dressed in strange ways to get attention, and then didn’t like the attention you recieved. A fact of life is that people will judge you by your appearance, behavior, and people you hang out with, no matter where you are. These are the exterior manifestations of our inner selves.

Well, in defense of Wisconsin, I must say you did develop the most unique and twisted serial killer of all time –

Jeffrey Dahmer

Let’s ask him about the cuisine in Wisconsin. Oh yeah, he’s dey-ud.

ChiefWahoo…

You never answered any on my questions though.

We may have run into each other at some point.
You must know Beast.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time in JL’s so if you know
“Yoiks and away!” we have likely at least seen each other. Maybe 2 of each other!

Milo, Dahmer was from Ohio, although Ed Gein was from Wisconsin.

"When I lived in Madison, I played in three bands. There is very little support for artists and musicians in that state (we toured) - I met everyone who supported the local clubs and it was the same 50 people. Imagine my thrill when I moved to San Francisco and realized that people actually do enjoy seeing live music! "
Maybe no one liked your “Band” Seems to me that people go out off there way supporting our local bands here, including the radio stations.

Jeffrey did his thing in Milwaukee, ST.

Forgot about Gein. He was a lu-lu as well.

Yikes. First, I’d like to apologize for bringing up my anti-Wisconsin rant in this thread (or in general) because I think it ruined this thread for ChiefWahoo - sorry.

Sledman
Regarding learning things in high school - I attended the Wauwatosa Public School system - one of the richest and “best” in the state. There is no excuse for not having a balanced education. In fact, my mother was so upset with the education my sister and I got, she sent my younger brother to Marquette.

Racism: See, I don’t think racism is “hidden” in NYC (I can’t speak for the rest of the state). We sure as hell don’t celebrate it, though.

Sports Bar: The comment in the sports bar was innocent and lighthearted. Those people behaved like animals.

News Programs: Politics, economics and world news are important to me - yet another reason I don’t live in Wisconsin.

Crime:
I got the following chart from this website:

http://www.homefair.com/calc/crime_res.html

It states that Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a higher crime lab index than Brooklyn, New York.

Crime Category NYC (Brooklyn), New York Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Robberies 689 582
Rapes 33 50
Homicides 12 20
Aggravated Assaults 709 432
Motor Vehicle Thefts 645 1358
Crime Lab Index 190 211

Restaurants: Like I said, it’s not one of the reasons I don’t live there, but I really can’t stand the food there. It’s disgusting.

The guy in the car: Well, after he tailgated me and bumped me, he passed me up, cut in front of me and slammed on his brakes. He had anti-abortion bumper stickers all over his car. You know, come to think of it, I see a million of those bumper stickers all over that state. In fact, my mother went to an anniversary party (in Waukesha) and left because she was seated next to some idiot who was an anti-abortion yahoo and couldn’t stop talking about the ‘baby-killers’. Nice social manners, buddy.

I’m not saying every single person is an ignorant slob - I’m saying there were enough in the state to make me leave. And I don’t think I’m hateful, just extremely bitter from, like I keep saying, my experiences.

ChiefWahoo - those fairs won’t work with me as ‘evidence’, because, remember, I used to live there and know the support for them is nil. I danced in Folk Fair for 10 years - I think they had to move that to one of those barns in State Fair Park.

I am not, and never have been an attention seeking drama queen. I’m strong and outspoken, but not a freak. I’m coming to Milwaukee on the 15th - 19 of June - why don’t we meet for a cup of coffee at George Webb’s and you can see for yourself?

kvalluf Hm, no, my bands were very popular among those 50 people. I wonder how many current local Madison bands you could name or have gone to see. I bet I know more, since I am still friends with the musicians who live there and still support their music. In fact, I’ll be at the mud wrestling music show in Madison on the 17th. See you there?

It is true that WORT is supportive of local musicians. One of my bands was also on the cover of the Wisconsin State Journal Sunday paper but it didn’t increase our audience.
Like Sledman said, I don’t think that’s what the Midwest is about, and that’s why I don’t live there.

Sorry if you’re taking this personally - I mean no offense to any of you. There are good people there, too bad I didn’t run into more of them.