June 22, 2011

The odd little territorial battle that took place in the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda yesterday.

The reported facts are sketchy, and Meade and I didn't happen to be there to witness what happened. Here is a snippet of video — from the Wisconsin State Journal — showing former state Senator David Zien (in a wheelchair )— circling the rotunda in what looks like a deliberate attempt to move the singalong crowd to the periphery of the rotunda.



Zien — the rider of the 1st Million Mile Harley, who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident last March — seems, at the beginning of the clip, to be trying to dislodge his nonmotorized wheelchair from the foot of one of the singers. Judging from the position of the foot, it looks to me as if the singalong man had extended his foot. In any event, Zien looks determined. The singalong people are a regular group that takes over the prime rotunda space every weekday noon hour to sing about how they will overcome Scott Walker some day and how they're sticking to the union and so forth.

The report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says that, according to one of the singalong participants, Zien yelled "Walker for president." Accompanying Zien were 2 men — "Green Bay resident Henry Rahr and Shorewood, Minn., resident Eugene German" — who carried "Don't Tread on Me" flags. So these men were rivals for the greatest free-speech territory in the state: the rotunda.

A singalong participant named Sue Trace said that the men "draped Zien's 'Don't Tread On Me' flag over the singers' heads." That's not in the video, so try to picture what that might have looked like. There's a big range of possibility with respect to how much flag-head contact occurred and how intentional it was. Based on the video we have, I'd guess that the 3 pro-Walker men decided the singalong crowd had no right to control the rotunda territory and decided they would make a counter-demonstration out of taking it back.

In that situation, emotions surge in unpredictable ways. Here's the Journal Sentinel description of what happened next:
Michael Dickman, 50, said Rahr and German were bumping into him along with other singers and grabbing their banners. Dickman said he tried to pull the flag away from Rahr. Dickman said Rahr then put him in a headlock and punched him in the face, chipping his front tooth.

Rahr, 50, was charged with battery but denied punching Dickman. Rahr said Dickman tried to tear the flag out of his hands....

Police cited Rahr, German and Dickman for disorderly conduct.
There must be more video of this unfortunate melée. For the most part, over the long weeks of the Wisconsin protests, people supporting the Governor have stayed away, while the anti-Walker people have chanted "Whose house?/Our house!" over and over and over. Zien felt moved to take a stand — from the position of a wheelchair — and the singalong group chose not to withdraw beyond the pillars that ring the rotunda — not to let the man have the space.

136 comments:

MadisonMan said...

Battle.

Union Thuggery.

Anonymous said...

It's a tragedy of the commons.

rhhardin said...

Let's roll.

Ann Althouse said...

Sorry for misspelling "battle" in the post title!

The Dude said...

Must be French - a "battel".

WV: resse - French candy.

TWM said...

Is it just me or are these anti-Walker folks getting more and more boring?

They lost and they need to move on.

Scott M said...

Must be French - a "battel".

French battles look more like marathons heading away from the enemy.

LL said...

There is a guy named Dickman involved. Is he related to Anothony Weiner? Cousin?

Shouting Thomas said...

A guy with a million miles of riding experience loses his leg to an accident. Sobering thought.

Oh, well. Nothing that is really worthwhile in this life is without risk.

We shall overcome!

WI public employees are just like blacks in the Jim Crow south! Except for the gold plated benefits, early retirement and higher than average salaries.

Fred4Pres said...

Which one is Dr. X?

I'm Full of Soup said...

Alpha Liberal aka Richard Kimball claims the perp was one-legged man.

Roger J. said...

The idiocy continues unabated

Monty Python: Help I am being repressed....

I doubt even monty p could do justice to that rat fuck that is Madison

test said...

Amazing these union goons have time to do this every single day. It certainly clears up the allure of union jobs.

Bayoneteer said...

Capital police ought to move all this shit outside. "People's house" my ass. It's an office building to do the people's business not a fucking parade ground for all manner of kooks of whatever stripe. No wonder Badger state politics are so crazy.

Anonymous said...

"...people supporting the Governor have stayed away..."

But they haven't stayed away from voting. And after viewing the lefts utter stupidity these long months, I think that they'll show up at the polls in even greater numbers next time.

Keep singing, keep banging your buckets, keep obstructing.

Keep picking at the scab until the next election and you will surely facilitate the "cure".

Curious George said...

Looks to me like he's just wheeling around to yell at them...and certainly there has been no shortage of that done by lefties at the capitol over the last months. The only difference is that it is usually a hoard of protesters versus one.

As far as "running over their belongings" that happens once, he backs up, and then avoids it at two more "opportunities"...so that's crap.

garage mahal said...

If I didn't know that was Dave Zien in the wheelchair circling the rotunda like a caged rat, I was going to guess Shitty Grit came to Madison to protest.

We know who the real goons are, as if that ever needed to be confirmed. Wonder if these are some of the "troublemakers" Walker talked about?

S. said...

The lack of manners is, frankly, shocking. But after witnessing what I did during the Palin rally a few months back, it’s no longer surprising. Apparently no-one else has a right to have a voice. silent majority indeed.

Shouting Thomas said...

We know who the real goons are, as if that ever needed to be confirmed. Wonder if these are some of the "troublemakers" Walker talked about?

Yes, we do "know who the real goons are."

garbage is one of them.

garbage, you are so relentlessly stupid. You really work at it. Dumbest SOB in Wisconsin.

MadisonMan said...

It's an office building to do the people's business not a fucking parade ground for all manner of kooks of whatever stripe.

It is an office building, yes. But different from any other office building, I hope you can see. If citizenry are not allowed to petition lawmakers where the laws are made, then everyone has lost something. If the lawmakers are losing patience with this particular aspect of their job, well I suggest that others are quite willing to take over for them.

Drew said...

Wonder if these are some of the "troublemakers" Walker talked about?

If Scott Walker really was being funded by the Koch Brothers, as the left claims, you'd think he could afford better trouble makers than weird old Dave Zein.

So I guess we can put that conspiracy theory to rest.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"...We know who the real goons are, as if that ever needed to be confirmed...."

Indeed. It tends to be those smelly folks in t-shirts adorned with clenched fists demanding more wealth transfers from the productive segment of society.

LYNNDH said...

I just wonder what the responses from the left would be if Walker and the Republicans lose, and then Republican and Tea Party people demonstrate in the same space.

Lincolntf said...

The message is simple: Let the Leftists to do whatever they want or there will be violence. Same message they've been sending since February.

Curious George said...

GM:

"We know who the real goons are, as if that ever needed to be confirmed. Wonder if these are some of the "troublemakers" Walker talked about?"

Compare what Sen. Zien, an amputee in a wheelchair, did to these fucking asshats protesters.

http://tinyurl.com/5wjweqy

Of course the thug protesters aren't in a wheelchair. And as opposed to one versus many, they are many versus one.

And unlike Sen. Zien, who after making his half lap around the rotunda left, the protesters followed this reporter for blocks driving him off the capital grounds.

Der Hahn said...

Acting like the north end of a southbound horse <> petitioning.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"...If citizenry are not allowed to petition lawmakers where the laws are made, then everyone has lost something...."

Yeah, but hard to take seriously a petition that involves a singslong.

I could take liberals more seriously if they didn't always act like petulant children.

Automatic_Wing said...

It is an office building, yes. But different from any other office building, I hope you can see. If citizenry are not allowed to petition lawmakers where the laws are made, then everyone has lost something. If the lawmakers are losing patience with this particular aspect of their job, well I suggest that others are quite willing to take over for them.

Really, dude? You really see this type of protest theater inside the capitol building as something that's essential to democracy?

These people aren't "petitioning" anybody, they're making a goddamn nuisance of themselves to anyone who might want to might want to use that particular public space for something else. Like a regularly scheduled blood drive, for instance. Or even people that want to get some state business done without the distraction of protesters and counter-protesters chanting, screaming and pulling each other's hair like a bunch of 10 year old girls.

You're a state employee, how would like these yahoos to have their little singalongs outside your cubicle?

Lincolntf said...

Oh Please, MadMan, you've been dodging and equivocating on behalf of these Government thugs since day one. Now your point is that if people don't like the constant disruptions and denial of free speech, assembly, etc. by anyone other than Govt. approved protesters, they should get out of the State House? Let the violence prevail.
Just keep trying to justify the actions of these goons and hoods who run your State by force, and maybe they won't turn on you. Such a brave and principled man.

Scott M said...

Yeah, but hard to take seriously a petition that involves a singslong

What's a singslong? Did you mean singalong or singschlong. Hopefully the latter because I'd be interested in learning just what a singschlong is capable of.

Roger J. said...

Madison Man--it is the state capitol building indeed, but I am not convinced the shenanigans I have seen for the last several months come anything close to petitioning.

Would,by your construct of "petition," would this type of behavior be permitted in the US Capitol? or 1600 Pennsylvania Ave? I dont think so--

KCFleming said...

The protesters remind me of whining children who repeatedly say PleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePleasePlease

...until you give in, or spank them.

Roger J. said...

Singslong: hmm sounds like Mr Weiner has been there extolling the virtues of his virility

kjbe said...

I'm not seeing the lack of manners, S. The one fellow, picked up his stuff so Zien could continue. Others even stepped back as he came by. Both have a right to be there to hold vigil, to raise awareness and to bear witness. However, if you're there to provoke, that's another matter.

Geoff Matthews said...

Is there a more appropriate name than 'Dickman'?

gerry said...

Pogo:

Heh.

garage mahal said...

Indeed. It tends to be those smelly folks in t-shirts adorned with clenched fists demanding more wealth transfers from the productive segment of society.

Except in this case it was a smelly old crank in a wheelchair and two unemployed (?) tea partiers with Gadsen flags demanding to not be tread upon, while draping their flags over people and punching them in the face.

Wonder what Zien thinks about that 500 million cut in Medicaid he is on?

Shouting Thomas said...

Except in this case it was a smelly old crank in a wheelchair and two unemployed (?) tea partiers with Gadsen flags demanding to not be tread upon, while draping their flags over people and punching them in the face.

You're such a blatant fucking liar, garbage. You don't know any such thing.

There is no lie that you won't tell in the pursuit of your stupidity.

You are a gross son-of-a-bitch. Barely human.

Roger J. said...

Geoff: close but weiner comes even closer

Lincolntf said...

Do you guys have a Notice to Visitors posted at the City Limits?

"Violence, occupation and threats are the only political currency accepted in Madison"

bagoh20 said...

"the greatest free-speech territory in the state: the rotunda. "

Although rightfully cherished, our freedom speech has shown pretty useless here.

How many thousands - maybe millions of man-hours have been spent exercising it here, and I doubt any minds have been changed, or very few.

The value of free speech is to peacefully persuade, not confront and express disapproval. If all the people who protested sat down and discussed the issue with someone who disagrees, much more would have been accomplished for all of us.

I suspect that often when people protest publicly like this it's because they don't want to discuss it out of fear of losing their hardness, their conviction, their emotional fix and the argument.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"...Wonder what Zien thinks about that 500 million cut in Medicaid he is on?..."

Obama has to pay for his new war somehow.

Trooper York said...

I thought "Dickman" was Anthony Weiner's secret identity?

bagoh20 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ann Althouse said...

"smelly old crank in a wheelchair"

Here's some more information about that man in a wheelchair:

Highest motorcycle mileage world record holder
Longest distance on a motorcycle world record holder
Iron Butt Association member
Traveled 48 states in eight days
Traveled 1,616 miles in 24 hours
Traveled 3,032 miles in 48 hours
First motorcycle-riding state legislator
Pushed the motorcycle through 45 parades
Survived four motorcycle-deer collisions
Record holder for most motorcycle rides given
Least number of speeding tickets per 100,000-mile increment
Inducted into the national Motorcycle Hall of Fame with Peter Fonda


Here's some more:

Vietnam veteran; served in USMC 1968-70. Life Member: VFW; NRA; WRPA; American Legion; WVV; VEC; VVA; WACVO; HOG; Grandma's Marathon. Member: Masons; Elks; Eagles; Farm Bureau; CMA; AMA; ABATE; MCMC; Eau Claire Peace Officers Pistol Club; Chippewa and Eau Claire Rod and Gun Clubs; Wis. Bear Hunters Assn.; Wis. Bowhunters Assn.; Wheaton Knight Riders; Chippewa Valley ATV; LEAA; Khe Sanh Vets; USMC League; Chippewa Falls, Stanley, Eau Claire, and Cadott Chambers of Commerce; Clark, Thorp, Cadott, and Chippewa Valley Historical Societies; UW- Eau Claire, Stout, and Superior Alumni Assns. Recipient: Legislator of the Year: Wis. Fraternal Order of Police 2002; Prof. Firefighters of Wis. 2001; Wis. Troopers Assn. 2001; Wis. Fire Chiefs Assn. 2000, Wis. Bowhunters Assn. 2000, Wis. Builders Assn. 1998, Wis. DAV 1996, WACVO 1996 and 1993, Milw. Police Assn. 1995, VVA 1994, American Legion 1993, VFW 1990, ABATE 1990; Wis. Alliance for Fire Safety Outstanding Legislator 2000; Natl. MC Hall of Fame Inductee w/ Peter Fonda; Iron Butt World HD Record 11 days, 11,233 miles; Natl. Chiefs of Police and Amer. Fed. of Police Assns. National Award 1998; Wis. Grocers Assn. Friend of Grocers 1999-2000, 1997-98; NRA Defender of Freedom Award by Charlton Heston 1998; Cable 11 PACTV Impact Award-Best Series by an Individual 1997; Wis. Counties Assn. Outstanding Legislator 1995-96; Wis. Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture 1995-96, 1993-94, 1991-92; NFIB Guardian of Small Business 1995-96, 1991-92; USMC League Recruiter of the Year 1995; Leader- Telegram Readers' Choice Award: Most Popular Public Official 1995; Hmong Stout Student Assn. Outstanding Good Friend 1993-94; Wis. Vietnam Veterans Veteran of the Year 1992; VEC Damn Fine Legislator 1992. Elected to Assembly 1988-92 (resigned eff. 4/19/93); elected to Senate in April 1993 special election; reelected since 1994. Assistant Majority Leader 2003; Minority Caucus Chairperson 2001. Biennial committee assignments: 2003 - Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy (chp.); Jt. Com. on Legislative Organization; Environment and Natural Resources; Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs and Government Reform; Labor, Small Business Development and Consumer Affairs; Senate Organization. 2001 - Economic Development and Corrections; Universities, Housing, and Government Operations; Jt. Legis. Council (since 1989); Council on Tourism (since 1993); Rural Economic Development Bd.

The Dude said...

Yeah, but according to Garbage, he is smelly. So there!

bagoh20 said...

"WI public employees are just like blacks in the Jim Crow south! Except for the gold plated benefits, early retirement and higher than average salaries.",

They more resemble the racists who did not want to give up the benefits of their entrenched and favored position or remove the yokes on those who supported it. It's Jim Crow alright. But the unionists are the ones trying to monopolize the lunch counters.

Roger J. said...

The situation in Madison re free speech in no way resembles what John Stuart Mill had in mind.

bagoh20 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Roger J. said...

Sorry for the Off topic comment, but is anyone going to be live blogging Mr Obama's speech tonite? (looking at you Professor)

bagoh20 said...

It is true that people who accomplish a lot can get kinda stinky, but I hear that Obama smells of elderberries.

Roger J. said...

baggoh20: elderberries or dingleberries

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Would,by your construct of "petition," would this type of behavior be permitted in the US Capitol? or 1600 Pennsylvania Ave? I dont think so--

This. And somehow the county has survived.

Free speech does not give these loons a license to disrupt the people's business. Move them outside.

garage mahal said...

Here's some more information about that man in a wheelchair:

Impressive. He rides motorcycles, is a Republican, and he likes running over peoples toes with his wheelchair.

Roger J. said...

and no doubt tortures kittens

Lincolntf said...

That guy in the wheelchair has accomplished more in any single year of his life than Garage ever will. Jealousy isn't pretty.

MadisonMan said...

Would,by your construct of "petition," would this type of behavior be permitted in the US Capitol? or 1600 Pennsylvania Ave? I dont think so--

Do you believe that States can operate differently than the Federal Government?

I have no idea how things are done in other states. I don't recall this type of thing being done in PA when I was growing up. But the culture of Wisconsin is a little bit different.

The fact that this is unlikely to be allowed in the cesspool that is Washington DC does NOT mean it should be disallowed in Wisconsin.

The relevant sentence is: Every person may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right, and no laws shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech... You'll notice Except in the State Capitol Building does not appear. You might argue that some are abusing this right. I disagree.

bagoh20 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MadisonMan said...

Iron Butt Association. That name cracks (heh) me up. You know exactly what it means.

Roger J. said...

Madison Man--we then will continue to disagree

Hoosier Daddy said...

"...Jealousy isn't pretty..."

It's not jealousy. I think garage is just on his period.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"...But the culture of Wisconsin is a little bit different..."

So we've noticed.

Known Unknown said...

Survived four motorcycle-deer collisions

Nature hater!!

edutcher said...

Space for me, but not for thee; this is how the Lefties have been getting their way for decades.

A SCOTUS seat filled and vacated by a Lefty black must be filled by another Lefty (not Conservative, God forbid) black.

So, too, the new "wise Latina" seat.

Also certain cities that militant homosexuals want to use as their playground. The local officials aren't supposed to say, "No", to orgies in the parks, etc.

Nice to see someone fighting back.

KCFleming said...

The ongoing riots in Greece, brought on by socialist overspending and the decline of the worldwide economy, has resulted in unavoidable and severe cuts in spending. Unemployment is rampant, and the government has run out of money to spend.

Still, those dependent on the State demand payment. Receiving none, they riot.

I think we are seeing the initial stages of this disorder here, played out first in the Wisconsin rotunda. Obama does not have a successful way out of our Depression and things will remain bad for several years.

Violence is guaranteed.

MadisonMan said...

So we've noticed.

It's all the dairy products :)

Cedarford said...

Perhaps Pogo is right. Madison might well be the start of the spreading disorder and permanent protest model here in the US. I do not like it, and doubt other States will put up with a 6-month "occupation" of state offices and select buildings by "singalong protestors", union members with the leisure time to take paid days off from their job, do sleepovers.

We also have to be wary of the Walker gambit of saying that benefits and collective bargaining have to be scaled back for all government employees but "The Heroes"...those whose job title aligns them with public safety, a homeland security sinecure. Sadly, special exception for "The Heroes" is very much like Roman Emperors cutting back everywhere save on pay for the Praetorian Guard. Because leaders in troubled times do not want the Heroes turning on them if less gold than they demand isn't a coming.

garage mahal said...

In wingnut folklore this will be spun and remembered as an attack by Solidarity Singers on 2nd Amendment Patriots.

KCFleming said...

"....worldwide economy, WHICH HAVE resulted..."

Ack.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"...It's all the dairy products :)..."

Seems like a lot of lactose intolerance up there!

Carol_Herman said...

Maybe, it should be a crime if you can't walk and chew gum at the same time?

The man in the wheelchair, like a pro at the golf club, gets to be "handicapped" extra, I guess?

While the singers actually had to move out of the way!

And, the guy with the clipped toe? He was a singer who was trying to figure out how to walk at the same time. But couldn't keep up with the beat.

My sympathies are with the guy in the wheelchair. Before he came along, these "singers" got a free pass.

And, yeah. If a man in a wheelchair is willing to do "wheelies" I'd suggest that it could have been orchestrated like a ballet.

Wheelchair man goes in a circle.

The singers go in and out.

Music, maestro. Please.

Michael said...

Garage, we know you think very little about the capabilities of black people but this vitriol towards the physically challenged comes as a bit of a surprise. You are unimpressed by the credentials of the wheelchair bound tea partier. Perhaps you could offer up your own starting with....with anything you could produce that would startle us with your record of achievement.

Too bad about the tooth.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

But the culture of Wisconsin is a little bit different.


Don't confuse the culture of Madison with the culture of Wisconsin.

roesch-voltaire said...

I make no comment or jump to conclusions until I read the court case and testimony from observers. I am sure folks on both sides have backgrounds to be proud of, but individuals often lose perspective in a crowd or confrontation--

Nick Dvoracek said...

Not exactly free speech, but it's in the same amendment.

"... or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The Crack Emcee said...

The singalong people are a regular group that takes over the prime rotunda space every weekday noon hour to sing about how they will overcome Scott Walker some day and how they're sticking to the union and so forth.

Every day? Are you kidding me? And the rest of you let them? And the governor lets them? Can anybody say "unwarranted sense of entitlement"?

Fuck those people.

Anonymous said...

We know who the real goons are ...

Next: Garbage is going to join O.J. in the hunt for the real killers!

rhhardin said...

Beyond the Fringe The one-legged man

garage mahal said...

Perhaps you could offer up your own starting with....with anything you could produce that would startle us with your record of achievement.

How about I don't run people over with my wheelchair and assault people? I realize that won't get me any winger street cred.

Hoosier Daddy said...

Yeah, union folks never assault anyone. Peacelovers all of them.

garage mahal said...

5 months of protesting, don't recall one assault from union supporters. Crime actually went down in Madison. Except when the tea party comes to town. Not exactly suire what they're so mad about? They got everything they wanted.

Hoosier Daddy said...

You should be down there helping with the singalong garage. Maybe lead off with The International and follow up with SEIU Uber Alles.

I read Hugo Chavez is in the workers paradise undergoing surgery. Maybe yall can belt out some get well tunes for that hero of the people.

B said...

'Scott M said...What's a singslong? Did you mean singalong or singschlong.'

I believe it's a schlongsling. It's a symbol liberals use to illustrate their commitment to the little people.

See: Weiner A.

MadisonMan said...

or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

The right of the people peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, shall never be abridged.

That's the Wisconsin Version. Note especially any department thereof. That includes the Legislative Body in the Capitol, IMNALO (In My Not A Lawyer Opinion), and the Governor's office therein as well.

Pastafarian said...

MadMan: "...shall never be abridged."

I'll assume, then, that you recognize the right to carry concealed fully automatic and sound-suppressed weapons with 100-round drum magazines stuffed full of depleted-uranium rounds.

Toad Trend said...

Men behaving badly.

The capitol rotunda brings out the best in people, doesn't it???

Toad Trend said...

@garage

"5 months of protesting, don't recall one assault from union supporters. Crime actually went down in Madison. Except when the tea party comes to town. Not exactly suire what they're so mad about? They got everything they wanted."

Straw man count, this comment; 5

Well done. I think your diaper is wet.

garage mahal said...

Facts aren't strawmen.

Curious George said...

"GM: 5 months of protesting, don't recall one assault from union supporters."

Here's one http://tinyurl.com/5wjweqy

Curious George said...

"GM: 5 months of protesting, don't recall one assault from union supporters."


And another

http://tinyurl.com/4qn43vp

Toad Trend said...

@garage

"Facts aren't strawmen."

There may be hope for you yet garage.

garage mahal said...

@CG
I think you're confused what an assault is.

Lincolntf said...

GM spent months telling us that the threats we were reading had never been written, the swastikas we saw had never been displayed, and the damage to the Capitol we witnessed did not happen. A consistent history of lying means that you have zero credibility, GM, and you only have yourself to blame.

garage mahal said...

GM spent months telling us that the threats we were reading had never been written, the swastikas we saw had never been displayed, and the damage to the Capitol we witnessed did not happen. A consistent history of lying means that you have zero credibility, GM, and you only have yourself to blame.

Seriously? You lie as easy as you breathe. You couldn't come up with one cite to prove any of this.

Curious George said...

"@CG
I think you're confused what an assault is."

No, I think you are confused what assault is.

Assault:

A crime that occurs when one person tries to physically harm another in a way that makes the person under attack feel immediately threatened. Actual physical contact is not necessary; threatening gestures that would alarm any reasonable person can constitute an assault.

garage mahal said...

Ok. No union supporters punched anyone in the face that led to their arrest. And technically the person is being charged with battery, not assault. I stand corrected.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"...I stand corrected..."

I would think you'd be used to it by now.

Lincolntf said...

GM, I invite you to scroll down and find all the early posts on this topic to refresh your memory. I'm sure you won't, because you know what you'll find.
Everybody here, and all the lurkers, know that I'm being honest. We all had to suffer your pathetic lies for weeks on end.

garage mahal said...

GM, I invite you to scroll down and find all the early posts on this topic to refresh your memory.

So you looked, and came up empty.

Curious George said...

"Ok. No union supporters punched anyone in the face that led to their arrest. And technically the person is being charged with battery, not assault. I stand corrected."

Perhaps that's because no one tried to take away anything from a union supporter and was charged with disorderly conduct, which preceeded the battery. You will see that in both my examples the person be assaulted tried to avoid the confrontation. That didn't stop the pro-union mobs from not chasing them down.

garage mahal said...

Tea Party = 1 arrest for battery

Union supporters = zero arrests for battery

Lincolntf said...

Nope, didn't even look. My memory is clear. The question is: Have you looked? I'm calling you a bald-faced liar, and if you have the means to prove me wrong, produce them.
First you'll have to build a time machine (or frantically scrub hundreds of old posts), so I'll wait.

Scott M said...

Union supporters = zero arrests for battery

You mean in general or only in Madison WI and only within the last few months? Or are you hanging your hat on the passivity and gentleness of union protests in modern history?

garage mahal said...

Nope, didn't even look. My memory is clear. The question is: Have you looked?

I have no idea what the hell you are talking about, or what threads you are talking about, as usual. Make your point with cites or shut the fuck up!

Lincolntf said...

Nope, not gonna shut up or post cites. Not for a lowlife like you. I watched you hysterically and dishonestly defend the Govt. thugs abusing their fellow citizens for far too long to have to go look it up. I'll leave it to anyone who cares to check to find out who's lying. I don't lie so I have nothing to fear. Ever had a conscience like that? I can tell you that it's quite a nice way to live. Try it some time.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"...Make your point with cites or shut the fuck up!.."

Sounds like someone could use some Pamprin.

Hoosier Daddy said...

Ok cut him some slack. Some leftist twat got smacked around. I mean we all saw it happen just like Ken Gladney right?

Right?

garage mahal said...

Nope, not gonna shut up or post cites

Whatever you say, loser.

I mean we all saw it happen just like Ken Gladney right?

Some dipshit without health insurance is out protesting against health insurance, falls down, gets right back and talks to reporters. And the next day is in a neckbrace. This is a right wing "assault". It's why you never see a link to the "beating", because it didn't happen. Won't stop you from lying about if of course. It's how wingers roll.

Scott M said...

Before someones tries to berate the Kenneth Gladney thing as a wingnut lie, or some such, this happened about ten minutes from me. I was originally planning on attending, but couldn't make it due to kids (damned kids). The friends I was supposed to meet there DID go, however, and saw the whole thing. Gladney was physically attacked, the perps fled the scene, and the city did everything they could to drag their feet on it.

Scott M said...

Damn. Not quick enough. Trust me, Garage, because I trust those that saw it happen with my kids' lives often. It may be uncomfortable to accept, but it did happen.

Phil 314 said...

There must be more video of this unfortunate melée

from Dictionary.com

me·lee    [mey-ley, mey-ley, mel-ey]
noun
1. a confused hand-to-hand fight or struggle among several people.
2.confusion; turmoil; jumble


Based on my viewing of the video, I'm not sure this qualifies as a melee.

garage mahal said...

What timestamp did the beating occur? I've asked a 100 times, no one has ever been able to tell me. The videos I seen start with a SEIU member on the ground. How did he get there?

Lincolntf said...

Who are these "wingers"?
Are they the filthy animals who marched through the streets with swastikas? Are they the ignorant hordes who stormed the Capitol? Are they the mouth-breathing little pussies who wouldn't let a 14-year old speak? Please, tell me.

jimspice said...

Rahr and German are well known activists in the the concealed carry arena. Founders of Wisconsin Patriot in 2001, they testified on Zien's proposed CC legislation in 2005. Both are certified firearm instructors, and were positioned to benefit greatly with the signing of the CC law, licensed to perform the training required by the law. I say "were" and not "are" as I would guess this little stunt could cost them their certification.

Scott M said...

Garage, sorry, my friends' eyeballs don't have timestamp ability. They were standing about 30 feet away and had, in fact, just talked to Gladney about his merch before starting to head into the meeting. The SIUE idiots started in on him for being a race traitor (among other things), right up in his face, and then it got physical.

garage mahal said...

Maybe the beating occurred before, or after, the video was rolling.

Lincolntf said...

We've seen how Liberals treat blacks who don't toe the line. Thomas, Cain, West, etc. are all subjected to vile and racist abuse by the Left. That Gladney survived the attempted Union lynching is a blessing.

Hoosier Daddy said...

".... It's why you never see a link to the "beating", because it didn't happen. Won't stop you from lying about if of course. It's how wingers roll...."

You're right of course. Can't trust a black man who claims he was assaulted. Especially one with no health insurance. Probably was on welfare too.

garage mahal said...

Gladney would have been better off if the scene was not on video.

mariner said...

The only problem I can see with this is not enough pro-Walker demonstrators.

Curious George said...

Since we are no longer limiting it to WI, here are some awesome union assaults

http://tinyurl.com/4avqtmq

http://tinyurl.com/5vpsbp4

Scott M said...

If you were insinuating that Gladney started the altercation because the video starts with the SEIU guys on the ground, please explain why they would flee the scene.

Hoosier Daddy said...

Lol!

There are no American tanks in Baghdad!

Weiner is innocent!

Al Gore has an Eco friendly house!

Curious George said...

GM: "What timestamp did the beating occur? I've asked a 100 times, no one has ever been able to tell me. The videos I seen start with a SEIU member on the ground. How did he get there?"

Where are the video of the rotunda "battery"? I think it's telling that there are none...because it didn't happen.

See, two can play that game.

Lincolntf said...

Notice that GM believes the claims of a WHITE protester, but calls the BLACK protester a liar. Maybe living in a segregated society has left him stunted, but even GM must see the inherent racism in his position.

Curious George said...

AA: "There must be more video of this unfortunate melée."

Aren't there security cameras in the rotunda?

And also all the people with all the new phones...no one got the incident recorded? Especially since the alleged battery took place after Zien's little half lap?

Synova said...

"5 months of protesting, don't recall one assault from union supporters."

They just broke through the doors of a locked building.

Synova said...

Which isn't *assault* since it doesn't involve another person but it is violent and it is destructive.

As others have pointed out, garage, the anti-Walker protesters were left alone... until now. But they still managed to break things.

You keep saying that flags were draped over singers... I'm still waiting to find out if that's a lie or not, because anyone would be justified in pulling away fabric *draped* on them. But I'm betting it wasn't that at all, and the flag just got close enough to grab and a "I get to take and/or destroy your property" impulse was indulged.

The anti-Walker folks haven't been the least bit shy about getting their counter-protesters out to do their very best to disrupt other people's events, to drown out and make impossible other people's speech.

You think it's obvious, that something is *obvious*, and if there is something obvious it is that up until now the good manners all ran one direction. That there were no assaults or even tuffles before it's because pro-Walker people refrained in the face of provocation, while the anti-Walker people broke doors.

garage mahal said...

But I'm betting it wasn't that at all

Uh huh. Sure you do.

Synova said...

Garage... what were they doing with the flags?

It matters.

One report said something about hanging a banner from the second floor balcony... that's "draping over" but if it started a fight, the drapers are not the guilty party.

Were they putting the flags ON the singers or not?

Yes or no?

Or do you not know and not care?

LilEvie said...

Survived four motorcycle-deer collisions

-- Damn jihadi deer!

AlphaLiberal said...

Althouse this is simply idiotic.

Based on the video we have, I'd guess that the 3 pro-Walker men decided the singalong crowd had no right to control the rotunda territory and decided they would make a counter-demonstration out of taking it back.

There are photos (HERE IS ONE) with the news stories showing people lined up at the rail and then the wingnuts threw their flag in front of those people, also making physical contact.

They draped their flag over other people who were exercising their First Amendment rights.

Then this Batshittery:

Zien felt moved to take a stand — from the position of a wheelchair — and the singalong group chose not to withdraw beyond the pillars that ring the rotunda — not to let the man have the space.

So on Planet Althouse, if a conservative, one person, wants to control the space already occupied by many other people, non-conservatives probably, then the non-conservatives should just get out of the way. If they don't get out of Crazy Dave Zien's way, then they deserve physical abuse and intimidation.

What a fucking farce.

AlphaLiberal said...

You have to love the rank stinking, steaming pile of hypocrisy:

The violent right wing thugs were at the Capitol on concealed carry, which they think is protected in the 2nd Amendment.

BUT they are very eager to deprive other citizens of their FIRST Amendment rights, at the point of committing or, in Zien's case, threatening violence.

Idiots.

AlphaLiberal said...

Alpha Liberal aka Richard Kimball

Who is Richard Kimball?

Synova:

Were they putting the flags ON the singers or not?

Yes or no?


Yes. See my earlier post with a link to a photo. Also, there are eyewitness accounts.

But you and your ilk will defend the worst actions of your allies without regard to principles, values or fairness.

AlphaLiberal said...

Conservatives:

"Violence is okay when we do it."

sarge said...

sarge here old zien might of put 1million miles on his hardly (MAYBE) but he aint got thar -Longest distance on a motorcycle world record whatever that is... old ziens a friggin amatuer when it comes to that kinda stuff


dave barr is ten times the man dave zien ever dreamed of bein

www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=124&lpos=-439px&letter=B&txtFname=&rblFname=S&txtLname=&rblLname=S&discipline=0