Considering the impact of recent events on people who travel the path around the Falls, a line related to a much different place came to mind: “The eyes of Texas are upon you.”
The song is connected to interesting history, going back to the Civil War. There are connections to Gen. Robert E. Lee on a number of different levels, as a brilliant military leader and in later life when he served as president of Washington and Lee University. Two modern-day Texas universities have it as their school spirit song.
The concept is whether individuals are athletes on the playing field or college alumni, the residents of the state expect great things from those who hear the song.
The song has a number of political connections and has been part of campaign rallies, presidential inaugurations, funerals of important dignitaries and many other significant occasions. The message is, “There are great expectations, and people are watching how well you do.”
While the geography is wrong, we could take liberty to revise it to “The eyes of Wisconsin are upon you,” with respect to Gov. Scott Walker’s signing of the state budget Sunday and his announcement to run for president Monday.
Wisconsin residents will see the impact of this budget as it unfolds over the next two years. Depending on one’s perspective, this is the greatest thing since sliced bread, or to quote Rep. Peter Barca, “This Republican budget throws the people of Wisconsin under Gov. Walker’s campaign bus as he is en route to Iowa, New Hampshire and other primary states to launch his presidential run.”
The truth is most likely somewhere is the middle.
Rep. Barca did not mention Texas. However, Texans, along with people in the other 49 states, will sharpen their focus on Wisconsin’s newly passed budget and Gov. Walker’s accomplishments as they sort through the ever-expanding pool of presidential candidates.
In essence, this budget becomes a crystal ball for the nation to view its future if Walker were to move into the White House. Based on his three victories in the race for the governor’s seat in Wisconsin, it would be easy to read that the people in Wisconsin repeatedly have supported his style, philosophy and way of doing business.
We would note that there have been a few voices in opposition to that viewpoint.
As the nation counts down the 15 months to the November 2016 presidential election, spectators will have a chance to see how closely the balance of the nation agrees with the mandate he received in Wisconsin. As details of this budget are implemented, the message from residents in other states may be, “Thanks, but no thanks.” The eyes of Texas and 48 other states might have a slightly different perception than the eyes in Wisconsin.
Speaking of eyes on Wisconsin, one of the great tools for looking at places in Wisconsin is Google Earth. Going to the Google Maps website and clicking on the “Earth” icon provides a high quality satellite view of most locations. No information is given as to how often the views are updated, but this must be done on a fairly frequent basis. A quick check Monday on three locations showed views that were about 2 months old.
The image for the district office at 200 North Farm Road gives a great view of the new stadium project. The outline of the track, bleachers and associated features are easy to spot with a great deal of detail. Even though there is great visualization of the project, the next Google Earth update will have a much different view as a result of the work of the past week.
Asphalt was laid on the track and parking lot at the entrance. The Gary Just Press Box building is in the final stages of construction, and the entrance archway is ready to be put in place. The work is on schedule.
The schedule for the first football game on the field will depend a bit on help from Mother Nature. To give the turf the best start for the season, the Aug. 21 game will take place at Memorial Field. In a way, that game will be a tribute to the long history of competition on the city-owned field.
The second varsity game on Sept. 11 is slated to be the first on the new field. It’s parents night, and there will be great expectations.
