Wausau Labor Organizers Relent - Union-Busters Can March In Parade

Tweet

Wausau Daily Herald Excerpt:
In an email statement issued shortly before midnight, Marathon County Labor Council President Randy Radtke said everyone will be permitted to march in the parade "because we don't want to have community groups and school bands affected."

I still ask: Why in the world would union-busting anti-labor Republicans want to march in a parade with their victims? Isn't that sadistic?

A little history from the U.S. Department of Labor regarding how Labor Day came to be... here.

Thugs Tread On Peaceful Demonstrators In Capitol

Tweet

WSJ Excerpt:
A participant in the daily, non-violent Solidarity Sing Along at the state Capitol suffered a broken tooth when he was punched in the face by one of two men who were draping a "Don't Tread on Me" flag over the heads of singers, the leader of the sing-along said.

"He was definitely being very, very aggressive," Reeder said.

Lisa Wells, who recorded video of Zien, said he was yelling, "Walker for president."

Anyone harboring that much hate and delusion should have their arms checked for spike marks.



Video from The Democurmudgeon

Opposition To Walker Increases By The Minute

Tweet

A short zoom out video from the AFL-CIO of the crowd at this afternoon's rally in Madison. After ramming through the GOP's defund democracy "budget" bill, Scott Walker said he has "no doubt" that support for the measure would grow over time.

Photos of the "Tractorcade" and more video here.

Watch Spectacular Tour De Force 360

Tweet

This is spectacular! For those who couldn't be there and for those who were.

Click Here.

After you click, simply choose your resolution and hang on.

Choose:

•SD: Standard Definition will appear in the window above and is best for slower internet connections and/or computers.

•HD: High Definition provides the best experience. The image will fill your screen.

You can also look around by clicking and dragging the image with your mouse, or use your keyboard's arrow keys. Zoom in and out using your mouse wheel or the +/- buttons at the bottom of the image.

Wow!

Even Farmers Will Be Plowing Into The Capitol

Tweet

From Facebook

Time: Saturday, March 12 · 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Location: The Capitol, Madison WI

Next week, farmers from across the dairyland will bring tractors and solidarity to the WI capitol to fight for labor rights and a just state budget. Rural communities will be disproportionately hurt by the cuts to education and badgercare, and farmers in Wisconsin stand with state workers, and all working and middle class families in the state. The event is sponsored by Family Farm Defenders, Wisconsin Farmers Union and Land Stewardship project. All farmers and eaters welcome and encouraged to come!

If you have a tractor and would like to join in the tractorcade please contact John Peck at Family Farm Defenders - (608) 260-0900; familyfarmdefenders@yahoo.com

---

Solidarity Ad - My Fight Too

RipRap - Solidarity Edition

Tweet

Reagans' Radio Address On Solidarity

Transcript Excerpt:
"They [the Soviet Polish government] have made it clear that they never had any intention of restoring one of the most elemental human rights—the right to belong to a free trade union." -- President Ronald Reagan, Oct. 9, 1982

In his 1982 statement, Reagan even discussed how the Solidarity Union sought God-given rights.

---

First They Went After Unemployment Benefits - Now They're Going After The Benefits of the Employed

Bloomberg News Excerpt:
House Republicans’ $61 billion budget-cutting plan would cost 700,000 jobs, according to a report likely to inflame the debate over the U.S. government deficit.

Question: If layoffs happen and more people go on unemployment, where is that money going to come from?

---

Koch Bros. Products To Boycott.

---

The owner of this anti-union anti-Obama attack ad deletes all comments in support of workers rights and collective bargaining.

---

Headline JS Online, "Walker's budget address to outline sharp cuts"

---

Right-Wing Goons Arrive To Carpet Bomb Wisconsin's Middle-Class

Uppity Wisconsin Excerpt:
If there were any doubt that Gov. Scott Walker is losing support in his union-busting campaign, plans for two new television campaigns in support of Walker were announced today. There's one reason for this carpet-bombing campaign from the air. Walker is in trouble. The right-wing nationally has a lot at stake and needs to win this fight in Wisconsin.

---

Who Can't Be Trusted?

Political Correction Excerpt
So the would-be union buster threw out a new line of talking points on Meet the Press. Walker claimed that he's right to reject union concessions on pensions and benefits — the parts of his proposal that actually save the state money, unlike the assault on collective bargaining — because the unions can't be trusted.

---

Media Can't Even Cover Their Own Fabrications

Democurmudgeon Excerpt:
Two things: The WKOW TV anchor first said, "Some projected the capitol clearing would lead to chaos and arrests, THAT didn't happen...." then a few breaths later, "Meanwhile Republican legislators are responding to the chaos downtown...."

---

Time For a Do Over!

Public Policy Polling Excerpt:
We'll have our full poll on the Wisconsin conflict out tomorrow but here's the most interesting finding: if voters in the state could do it over today they'd support defeated Democratic nominee Tom Barrett over Scott Walker by a a 52-45 margin.

---

Comment from the internets:
"A public union employee, a tea party activist, and a CEO are sitting at a table with a plate of a dozen cookies in the middle of it. The CEO takes 11 of the cookies, turns to the tea partier and says, 'Watch out for that union guy. He wants a piece of your cookie."

---

Anyone else notice the coincidence of UStream's live video streaming inside the Capitol going off-air while Fox News Channel remained on-air?

---

Tom Barrett Speaks - Man, Does He Sound Good

---

Scott Walker -- "Tim Cullen, he's not one of us....He's a pragmatist."

Hey Republicans, when are the jobs?

Strong-arm Tactics Being Used By Republicans

Tweet

FireDogLake Excerpt:
A bit more on the fast-moving story in the Capitol Building in Madison, Wisconsin:

• Clearly Scott Walker and the Capitol police are trying to deprive protesters of having access to the building. Both Defend Wisconsin and a coalition of labor unions have filed lawsuits and other enforcement actions. Defend(ing) Wisconsin went to US District Court to try to pry open the Capitol. Labor is filing for a temporary restraining order (TRO). more >>>

Some of the major points in this story are:

* Illegal denial of access into a public building, which under the Wisconsin state constitution is prohibited.

* A cancer patient was denied access during a medical emergency.

* Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is attempting to take control of Democratic staffers time sheets and whether or not they are paid.

* Republicans in the state senate threatened to kick Republican senator Dale Schultz out of their caucus for proposing a modest compromise with unions and senate Dems.

Ericming5 (twitter) Capitol Updates:
Father of the Speaker and Senate majority leader is now in charge of the capitol from rumblings. Bolts then seem unsuprising. #WIunion

UPDATE: Defend Wisconsin reports that there are now metal detectors (that’s brand new) for access into the building, and bags are being searched. People are being let in via one entrance with three lines: one for constituents with appointments, one for protesters, and one for public hearings. Some Assembly Democrats are making appointments with people to help them obtain access.

Photos: Janesville Solidarity Rally

Tweet

The Janesville Solidarity Rally held this past Thursday during evening hours at the Rock County Courthouse opened up with chants of "Thank you Tim, thank you Tim, thank you Tim" in honor of Sen. Tim Cullen for being one of the Wisconsin 14 holding firm in the face of Walker's ideological class war against the employed. The peaceful crowd of several hundred enthusiatic defenders of rights and freedom appeared compact on the court house lawn, huddling close in on a few organizers and local workers bullhorning an exhilarating message of unity and strength.

A Janesville Gazette reporter was spotted in the crowd taking notes for an article they'll likely never publish.

My personal favorite, a supporter with his beeuuutiful Solidarity poster.

Thanks to Bob C. for the photos. I owe you one.

---

Check out 50 photos from the 50 state rallies to Save the American Dream.

Rallies Set For Janesville - Beloit

Tweet

Rock the Rock Valley

There is a rally doubleheader lined up for Thursday.

Beloit Rally: Thursday, February 24, 4:00PM, 1240 Riverside Drive

Janesville Rally: Thursday, February 24, 7:45, Downtown Courthouse (51 S Main St.) on Main St. Sidewalk.

Solidarity!

More notes here

Welcoming Sign For Tea Party Insurgents

Tweet

45 protest signs seen in Madison
Buzzfeed Picture Show

Wisconsin Solidarity - A Sharper Image

Tweet

I've been deluged with requests from readers whether they can borrow the Wisconsin Solidarity graphic posted here on my blog. The answer is yes, individuals can use the graphic on their Webpages, blogs, Facebook, etc., and also on posters and their personal T-shirts for the protests in Madison and elsewhere. To those individuals I am only asking that you leave the Rock Netroots name intact in the bottom left corner.

Of course, I drew this graphic about a week ago inspired by the rising solidarity movement taking place here in Wisconsin. The original image was drawn intentionally small (416px wide by 387px in height) so it would not lose proportion and become distorted while being shrunk down by Blogger to fit on my blog. With that said, some of the requests received were for a larger image for T-shirts and posters along with higher resolution. Several folks asked if I can supply it billboard size. Thanks for that. I love it!!

If someone however is interested in using the image for personal gain and profit (such as selling T-shirts, placards or a billboard!!, I kindly suggest that you email me to work out a deal. I'm reasonable.

* Sorry folks, but the larger hi-res image is no longer available *

Surfing For Solidarity

Tweet

Blogging Blue Photo Stream

JS online Photo Album

Caffeinated Politics More Photos

Democurmudgeon Video, nice video puts you in the middle of the action.

Blue Cheddar Photos and story

Video: UW-Madison Students and Others Rally.

Walker Plan Could Hit Private Sector In Pocketbook

Capital Times Excerpt:
Using traditional economic calculations, the report estimates a loss of some $600 million a year in production in the private sector. The idea is that if people have less money to spend, then business will end up selling less and producing less. The Walker plan would also increase the state unemployment rate and reduce sales tax collections as cash-strapped consumers spend less, according to the IWF.

High School Students Lead The Way

Madison.com Excerpt:
Nearly 800 Madison East High School students walked out of school Tuesday morning to join a demonstration against Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill at the Capitol. As teachers beamed and offered thanks, student organizers in the hallways handed out signs identifying each as a "future worker, future voter," proclaiming this was a "Walk out for Walker out," and calling on the Legislature to "kill this bill."

QUOTE
Retiring Guys Digest Excerpt:
“Here’s one reliable test of good public policy: You don’t have to call out the National Guard when you propose it.” -- Mayor Dave

Stand In Solidarity Wisconsin

Tweet

Please do what you can. Call, email your legislators. Attend a rally in Madison if possible. Make phone calls to people who can help make a difference. Spread the word among your friends, neighbors, Facebook and Twitter.

>>> Labor to Stand in Solidarity, leaders from both private and public unions will stand in solidarity against Walker's radical proposal. Monday, 11 AM at the Concourse Hotel, Madison. More info here.

>>> Rally Info from the Wisconsin State Employees Union here.

>>> Fair Wisconsin -- Join Fair Wisconsin and thousands of union members and allies for an 11am rally at the State Capitol on Tuesday and Wednesday!

>>> AFT Wisconsin - A union of professionals, rally for collective bargaining.

>>> WEAC Rally help stop this radical attack on Wisconsin Workers.

>>> Support Wisconsin Workers, Boycott Johnsonville and Sargento.

Available Now! Official Rock Netroots "Solidarity" T-shirts and other goodies available at CafePress.

Wisconsin AFL-CIO Ad