Can Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly account for their whereabouts Saturday evening?

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle decides not to run for re-election next year, and one of the top contenders to replace him is beaten with a pipe?

All in the same weekend?

Is anybody else thinking of Nancy Kerrigan right now?

A 20-year-old man was arrested and is being questioned Sunday in connection with Saturday’s beating of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett as the mayor was leaving State Fair Park in West Allis, Police Chief Edward A. Flynn announced at an afternoon press conference.

Milwaukee police arrested Anthony J. Peters about noon Sunday near 17th St. and State St., Flynn said. Peters has an extensive arrest record, including other assault charges, and Barrett stepped in while Peters was threatening other violent acts, West Allis Police Chief Mike Jungbluth said.

…Barrett was beaten with a pipe as he walked with his family after leaving the Wisconsin State Fair Saturday night.

That’s Wisconsin for you. Even our Democrats aren’t afraid of drunk assholes with metal pipes.

Get better, Mr. Mayor. And next time something like this happens, get some other guys to come with you. There’s no shame in ganging up on a crazy guy with a metal pipe.

UPDATE – Having re-read this, I’m a little worried that I might sound as though I’m making fun of Mayor Barrett. I’m not: he acted bravely and honorably, if the story is accurate. I wish him a speedy and full recovery, and the bad guy a long sojourn in a small cell with a big, fat, smelly roommate.

Slightly related note: I remember the whole Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding thing from 1994, and I still can’t believe the guy’s real name is “Gillooly.”

But then, I guess it would have to be his real name. Right? I mean, if you were going to make a name up, why would you ever choose that?