My First Blog
Welcome to my very first blog entry! They say you'll always remember your first…So, why a blog? Well, you have to know a bit about my background. I graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in journalism. I worked in public relations for about 15 months before I decided to open my own specialty printing business.
Having always been a political animal of sorts (maybe that's a future poll in the making!), I eventually ran for the Dane County Board and the Wisconsin legislature, where I currently serve in my fourth term in the State Assembly. Despite being at the center of political activity, I've always missed sharing what was really going on in the midst of government: the good, the bad, and all too often, the ugly.
When "blogs" got popular, I found a way to have the best of both worlds. First, I get to work day to day in state government. And second, I can offer a bit more information than you get from the limited news that comes out of the media about state government. In other words, I can offer a behind-the-scenes look at the State Capitol.
They say the two things you should never watch being made are sausage and laws. I can't visually show you the legislative process, but I'll do my best to describe it no matter how ugly it gets.
I predict right now that some people won't like it. One anonymous Capitol blogger so upset the Republican Assembly membership after a rather frank blog about late night happenings at the State Capitol the inside scoop was that was the blogger was to be found and fired. I hope that didn't happen. But the public should have a right to know everything that happens around here, not just the sanitized version that comes from legislators' press releases. A lot that happens around here is rather interesting even if it doesn't appear in a news article or get air time. And I hope to share some of that, worts and all.
So, check back and see what I have to say. Love it or hate it, I hope you'll at least read it and think about it. If we can get people to think, we can change this place after all.
posted by Mark Pocan @ 4:46 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Congrats! I look forward to the gritty details and intrigue...
Mark
Move to Ashland so I can vote for you.
Thanks for the voting machine open source legislation AB 627.
It's not who votes that counts it's who counts the votes. Joseph Stalin
Welcome to the Cheddarsphere, Mark! I'll echo shutterwi's remark about AB 627, too.
If you're ever free on a 2nd or 4th Wednesday, come to Drinking Liberally in Milwaukee. You'd get a hero's welcome, and the beer's on us.
What's up there, chief?
Nice to see you here int the 21st century, blogging and fighting the good fight - I expected nothing less.
Congrats on the voting rights legislation. I've bookmarked this page and I'll be watching you here and at the Capitol. If you are willing to fight for the rights that made this state and country a 'beacon unto the world' I will do whatever I can to support you.... It's too bad that I've come to consider a politico willing to do so an exception rather than rule.
Jason Haas said... "You'd get a hero's welcome, and the beer's on us."
There's ethics rules about that. I take advantage by inviting Legislators, and then making THEM pay for the drinks.
Nice job Mark.
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