Since first learning that Mike McGee Jr. was arrested, I’ve been carefully trying to avoid getting too wrapped up in his latest controversy. When the story was first reported I decided I would wait a few days, let it die down a bit before I’d read anything about it. He’s been in the news, for something, far too often over the past few years. I can only take so much of his style of foolishness. Besides, I’ve invested too much time thinking about other foolish happenings in Mil town: the Mayfair curfew "scandal" and the Plastic handcuff debate, a.k.a. CUFFGATE, just to name a few. This morning, however, I gave in. I read the JSOnline stories and all I can say is: Mike McGee must have a Stupid tree in his backyard and he just can’t resist picking and eating the fruit!  I read Mike’s ramblings about “entrapment” and how “the government {is}trying to use our language against us” and sadly shook my head in disbelief that someone so clueless could be elected into a position of power. Yes, I know, this sort of clueless behavior happens everyday and yes, those in power aren’t always who we might want but I still try to respect them. However, when you witness the epic stupidity of McGee’s reckless actions, coupled with the sheer ignorance of his words, he loses all credibility with and I recall what my father would say to me when I did something that was classically dumb. Dad would say: Son, PLEASE keep your stupidity to yourself; I don’t want people thinking I raised you that way… I’ve got a reputation to keep up.”

That statement goes double, hell triple, for McGee. Yet, when you look at his father, we see that the “a” stupid, oops, I mean an apple, doesn’t fall far from the tree. And here’s the kicker; here’s what’s really sad about all this: Michael McGee, in his own strange way, REALLY DOES WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HIS DISTRICT. He’s spearheaded gun buy back programs, he’s trying (with success) to establish the Bronzeville District. It’s a shame that his "HOW to get there "methodology is so messed up. Even more shameful is the fact that once again the real victims are his constituents (I’m one ‘em) and the rest of the citizens of Milwaukee, who have to endure yet another high profile, waste of taxpayer’s money, court case that gives an “I’m in way over my head” public official far more publicity than he deserves.

 I’m hoping and praying that this will be the end of Michael McGee-Johnson Jr. tenure as 6th District Alderman. I’m hoping that a real leader will step up to the plate and do what Mike couldn’t do: lead with ethics, a sense of purpose, dignity and a sense of right and wrong. Elected in 2004, he’s is the ultimate, local cautionary tale of politics gone wild. Perhaps it was too much, too soon. Perhaps it was his personal need to prove that he would run his district “his way.” Whatever the case, pride always goes before a fall.