For all the size and noise and sincere fervor, I've seen absolutely no anger, nastiness, or rudeness. Not even any pushing to get into a better position. Everyone is quite nice, really. You need to understand that. Even when my dear bodyguard is not close to me, I don't feel at all endangered. And though I've photographed some signs and other junk piled on the ground, there isn't stuff strewn all over, and there is zero vandalism or destructiveness toward the capitol building itself. Despite all the opposition to the legislature, the entrance to the Senate chamber was barricaded with nothing more than a velvet rope overseen by 2 elegantly dressed guards...
... and no one made the slightest attempt to impinge on the roped-off area.
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41 comments:
Wisconsinites are -- at heart -- rule followers.
Well come on-it's Wisconsin.
I imagine they're a lot like the Canadians I know.
Sorry you stepped on my foot.
What the hell are they chanting?
We Are Wisconsin
Free Our Wisconsin....
Glad to hear all that. I hope it stays that way tomorrow when folks of different persuasions show up.
Still, the question is: Will Wisconsin be governed by its elected leaders, or an obnoxious mob.
I think by dumping tens of thousands of kids back on their parents without warning they were pretty much done with the trouble-making.
-XC
wv = readishi -> another diversity author book that nobody enjoys
Just saw your governor at his press conference. He's not backing down an inch.
In a democratic Republic a peaceful revolution happens once every two years, and Scott won the latest peaceful revolution. So these festival goers are merrily pretending that they can have a counter-revolution by peacefully "slowing things down" until the next scheduled revolution at the polls. Wrong tactics guys.
@rick
Yeah I just saw the conference and the wrap-up. He definitely seems to have the resolve needed to move forward with the necessary fiscal decisions needed.
I've heard many say that as Wisconsin goes, so may many other states in the same/worse fiscal boat to follow.
Well, it's not exactly the 19th century coal miner's union. They're teachers and "allied trades." On the hierarchy of protest rowdiness it goes coal miners > Greeks > blacks > homosexuals > teachers > florists.
It was a miner's union member who killed Frank Steunenberg--blew him to smithereens by rigging his front gate with explosives. Idaho history for you. Curious why that scene didn't make it onto the state quarter design.
You need to understand that. Even when my dear bodyguard is not close to me, I don't feel at all endangered.
You don't understand, Professor. After Tuscon the new standard is: How will this affect the behavior of an obviously insane person who may or may not be aware of it?
@Don't Tread I knew he had backbone when he told the Bamster to balance his own before he sticks his nose in Wisconsin's affairs. Let's hope he sticks to his position.
Really polite, except for the graft and theft they're there to represent.
So at least the protesters are housebroken and only litter outdoors.
Good for them.
I'd say those signs are pretty f'n rude, but point taken.
On the other hand, to paraphrase President Barrack Hussein Obama (PBUH) "Walker won."
They are among the like-minded. Among friends and colleagues. They are comfortable and unthreatened, and will remain as such until until their environment changes.
And it must change.
Liberal utopia is about to clash with reality.
You should do your part and claim you heard someone shout the N word 15 times.
Wisconsinites are -- at heart -- rule followers.
Snort.
Aren't most of these people playing hooky?
I'm glad to hear it's civil. Hope it stays that way if the SEIU is involved.
Ann Althouse said...
Even when my dear bodyguard is not close to me, I don't feel at all endangered.
That is very touching. Glad you feel such trust and confidence in a good man.
I couldn't tell what they were chanting.
I just heard the press conference with the governor, who pointed out that the state is broke--a $3.6 billion deficit. He also pointed out that private business employees pay 2 or 3 times what he's asking the state employees to pay toward their health insurance.
What I really despise is the stunt played by the 14 Senators. I think they ought to declare their seats vacant, and go ahead with the vote. Obama calls Walker's action "union busting;" these guys are government busting. And teachers who don't show up for work so they can go protest, ought to be suspended. I'm not sure the students wouldn't be fine being taught at home anyway.
Walker: They get paid to come to work and they should be at work.
Next on the ballot: a Constitutional amendment outlawing this ducking out tactic.
Christie, now Walker, This assertiveness by governors is great entertainment.
Yeah - well- they have discovered we are watching.
I've known Mr. Walker since he was my state rep in the late 1990s and through the time he was my county executive. His overarching theme is that he says what he is going to do, does what he did say, and doesn't back down from a political fight.
In tactical terms, he knows exactly what battle to fight, how to implement his strengths, limit his weaknesses, as well as how to shape the political terrain.
Leftards on display. What a pathetic sight. Wisconsinites should be ashamed for themselves that it's gotten to this point and that these are the fuckers along with their Democrat co-conspirators that have brought them along for the ride. California is going to have the same issues soon.
Oh wait, we have Jerry Brown, he was an original architect for this kind of pandering. Sorry, I forgot myself, nothing will occur here at all.
Krauthammmer on Fox News said Walker's press conference was a home run. He was also impressed at GOP's bench.... i e impressive people at the state level.
I just hope there are vid cams galore when the Tea Party folk show up tomorrow.
I guarantee the civility of the state 'employees' will nosedive.
I am honestly, truly afraid things will descend into violence.
Welcome to America, where newswomen and law professors can enter a political demonstration without fear of being raped.
My daughter and five year old grand daughter were there, while I was at work. The claims of mob rule that was reported by our local right wing radio seems to be a great exaggeration, thanks Althouse for this more objective report.
R-V I will not disagree with you regarding mob rule, but I would suggest viewing the attached video. Fox business is attempting to report on the mob .... er... crowd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD_CjOSCyCU
It may be an outlier but the Fox Lies guy was pretty rude.
I'm glad they are being civil, but the whole scene seems really wrong to me.
The teachers took the last two days off (paid for by the taxpayers) and seem to be having a giant pep rally celebrating themselves.
Go Teachers, Go Unions, etc.
I haven't seen a single sign that actually made a good case for their cause. Just lots of negative things about the people they disagree with.
So how are they expecting to make a change in what is happening?
Are they really that arrogant that they think they can just show up, celebrate themselves, despise the opposition, and then get their way (and all of this on our tab)?
I have been to the midwest all of two times. It's so not surprising to hear that midwesterners in large groups are polite. Why is this a surprise to AA, I wonder.
thanks for the credit and recognition. I am proud of the Madison workers rights ralliers.
FYI, I picked up some litter today thinking, "Althouse is probably around here with a camera." Which is annoying because I did that before anyway!
Hope it can stay cool tomorrow with the Tea Partiers and others (concealed carry) coming. There is concern they will be here to start trouble.
Wisconsin is not a concealed carry state.
Any carrying tomorrow would be open carry,
Put on a suit and tie and try to walk around, or harder yet try walking along side a GOP Rep or Senator. Your opinion that this is a peaceful, calm, and nice protest will change very quickly.
If you really want to get a taste of how peaceful these protesters are, go stand in front of a GOP Rep's home and watch how their spouses and children are being treated.
What is the go to web site for coverage of this affair? I have been surprised at how poor the coverage and analysis has been.
What is the go to web site for coverage of this affair?
You're soaking in it.
The problem is when the people bussed in from out of state get there.
Lefties predicting that there will be trouble from the taxpaying public counter demonstrators, who for the past two years have been 100% peaceful.
Odd that and telling.
I would submit that the left should keep their union thugs on a short leash today.
Look up some SEIU thuggery YouTubes if you don't know what I mean.
http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/charliesykes/116529988.html?blog=y
Someone disagrees with Ann's assessment.
On Saturday I walked thru the capital building. I saw: sleeping bags and pillows piled up in random corners. Information signs, union signs, protest signs taped and duct taped on every visible wall. Open boxes of bakery/donuts, with 1/2 eaten food in them, laying around on the floor. A huge pile of "Lost And Found" items piled into one corner. Random bottles of water and trash lining the walls. didn't look clean to me.
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