Althouse: More signs attacking Gov. Scott Walker — from today's demonstration at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

February 17, 2011

More signs attacking Gov. Scott Walker — from today's demonstration at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

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168 comments:

Chennaul said...: Trap the Rat ?

Does that even make sense?; 2/17/11, 4:14 PM
kent said...: Still no giant papier-mache heads, though? still?; 2/17/11, 4:14 PM
Chennaul said...: Really?

They're talking about government cheese?

***********

kent

That would require work. please.; 2/17/11, 4:15 PM
Roger J. said...: There do appear to be a whole bunch of dumb mother f**kers in wisconsin--the majority of which work for the state government or the school systems from the U of W down; 2/17/11, 4:17 PM
TosaGuy said...: Is there still drumming?; 2/17/11, 4:17 PM
Anonymous said...: I haven't gotten an explanation for how Republicans justify trying to eliminate collective bargaining, one of the keystones of workers' rights (that thousands fought and died for). The only thing I can think of is that they hate unions, and union members. So the hate is coming right back at 'em.

Seriously, what did they expect would happen? They should really address freedom of assembly next, as it seems to be causing problems for them.; 2/17/11, 4:17 PM
Rialby said...: Civility!; 2/17/11, 4:18 PM
Original Mike said...: "Walker is a weasel, not a Badger"

Call him a gopher. Now that will hurt.; 2/17/11, 4:19 PM
Anonymous said...: Wake me up if any of these protesters start parading around the capitol with assault rifles, just 'cause.; 2/17/11, 4:20 PM
Rialby said...: "that thousands fought and died for"

Remember the great Labor wars of the Old Republic? How we fought back then... there was Debs and Gompers and Haywood. Oh what a glorious time we had.; 2/17/11, 4:21 PM
Chennaul said...: Soylent Green-It's PEOPLE!; 2/17/11, 4:21 PM
DaveW said...: Who bought and handed out the rat signs?

The same union that told the teachers to call in sick I guess. Are they getting sick pay for this?; 2/17/11, 4:21 PM
Anonymous said...: Why is the rat holding a red vest? Is it some obscure reference to Gov. Dreyfus?; 2/17/11, 4:22 PM
Rialby said...: I love the justification - the only thing I can think is they hate me... so I'm going to call them a Nazi!!!

No logic around the fact that we're all fucking broke. Nope. Just emotion. Ah, what a good liberal.; 2/17/11, 4:22 PM
Shanna said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/17/11, 4:22 PM
Chennaul said...: Green cheese.

So Wisconsinly apropo.; 2/17/11, 4:23 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: "Rats", huh. hmmmm.

This is why it's a horrible idea to force government employees into unions. This is the outcome.

Well, for the democrat party, there's so much money to be made with their political union machine. They will not give up without a fight to the death.; 2/17/11, 4:23 PM
LordSomber said...: We'll know they're serious when they start getting nekkid.; 2/17/11, 4:24 PM
Shanna said...: The Rats are the voters and the cheese is taxes. The unions want to get theirs before it's all gone. Is that what they're saying?; 2/17/11, 4:25 PM
Chennaul said...: Shanna-

Ancient Chinese saying-

Follow Liberal logic end up heap lost.; 2/17/11, 4:25 PM
Anonymous said...: So, the Democrat that called his mouthpieces at CNN from his spider hole, has issued a list of DEMANDS:
http://dailycaller.com/2011/02/17/awol-wisconsin-democrat-calls-cnn-with-list-of-demands/

Demands. None of this voting shit for the Democrats and their constituents (the unions). They're issuing demands.

This is their idea of democracy.; 2/17/11, 4:26 PM
Chennaul said...: Why is the rat holding a red vest?

I dunno maybe the S.S Obama is sinking.; 2/17/11, 4:27 PM
traditionalguy said...: You have to feel a little sorry for the once privileged Educators. They have loyally hitched their economic wagon to the Democrats, and now the wheels have come off for them. An old political saying around here is that "He who lives by the Government's promises, dies by the Governments promises." Apparently Obama's Bullet train to State Bankruptcy has left the station.; 2/17/11, 4:28 PM
Revenant said...: I haven't gotten an explanation for how Republicans justify trying to eliminate collective bargaining

I didn't know leeches could whine. Do they even have vocal cords?; 2/17/11, 4:28 PM
Shanna said...: State Senators issuing demands? Idiots. All you have to do is let them hide out and I think eventually they'll come home.; 2/17/11, 4:30 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Anita - thanks for the link.
To democrats, "responsible negotiations" = do it our way even though the voters threw us out.; 2/17/11, 4:30 PM
dhagood said...: weasels ripped my flesh!; 2/17/11, 4:31 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: The legislators fled? It's a prime example of how lawyers are screwing up this country. Only a slimy lawyer would suggest this stunt.

wv = asholize [what lawyers do]; 2/17/11, 4:31 PM
Sofa King said...: If there are any liberals of integrity who *honestly* have no idea why anybody could oppose public employee collective bargaining outside of "hatred," may I recommend the following article:

http://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/the-trouble-with-public-sector-unions; 2/17/11, 4:33 PM
Caroline said...: So, the Democrat that called his mouthpieces at CNN from his spider hole, has issued a list of DEMANDS:

Are they holding themselves as hostages?; 2/17/11, 4:33 PM
Revenant said...: I'm curious -- the teachers' contract with the state requires them to give several days' notice before taking personal time. That's the reason they called in "sick".

But, um... aren't an awful lot of them getting caught on camera at this protest? Couldn't the state identify them and take punitive action?; 2/17/11, 4:33 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Franglo:

Ask yourself this..In a deep recession, when there are no jobs, what good is a union? The members will fight over table scraps and desert the union.; 2/17/11, 4:34 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Rev:
Yes but the districts cancelled school due to the planned protests. So I assume all union employees should have their pay docked for the two days off.; 2/17/11, 4:37 PM
Akiva said...: Yum, government cheese. Unlimited quantities of magic government cheese.

Why won't the darn governor keep giving out unlimited quantities of magic government cheese? What's wrong with the man?

And where's my cheese? Did someone forget to mail me my cheese?; 2/17/11, 4:38 PM
Sprezzatura said...: Based on these pics, Madison is not hot.; 2/17/11, 4:38 PM
Revenant said...: AJ,

My understanding is that school was canceled because the teachers called in sick -- it is indirectly because of the protests, yes, but I'm pretty sure "you canceled class because we didn't show up, so you can't blame us for not showing up for class" is not a valid excuse.; 2/17/11, 4:39 PM
Original Mike said...: "Based on these pics, Madison is not hot."

Titus?; 2/17/11, 4:40 PM
chickelit said...: madawaskan said...Green cheese.

So Wisconsinly apropo.

Don't laugh but Monroe is the county seat of Green County, the largest cheese producing part of the state. I was born there.

@Paul Zrimsek The Red Vest surely is a reference to LSD. Odd isn't it?; 2/17/11, 4:46 PM
Revenant said...: In a deep recession, when there are no jobs, what good is a union? The members will fight over table scraps and desert the union.

Don't you understand that thousands of workers have fought and died for the right to be paid with money taken from other workers at gunpoint? Do you Republicans have NO understanding of history?; 2/17/11, 4:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Sofa King: So, for you, collective bargaining gives public sector unions an unduly large influence on the government; it's undemocratic.

However, allowing corporations the right to spend unlimited amounts of money in electoral campaigns is... free speech? Is that right?

This is why I'm on the left.
The left freaks out about going to war. The right freaks out about health care for the poor. The left defends teachers and firemen. The right defends CEOs and wall street. Simplistic, yet basically true.; 2/17/11, 4:47 PM
SteveR said...: On a positive, its clear that not having to go to school may, for the vast majority of students, be more educational than being in class with these dopes.; 2/17/11, 4:47 PM
MayBee said...: If the state wants to reduce paychecks by having people pay more toward their own pension, that is outrageous to Democrats.

If the state wants to reduce paychecks by making people pay more in taxes, that is fine with Democrats.; 2/17/11, 4:48 PM
Chennaul said...: Lunatic Fringe
I know you're out there
You're in hiding
And you hold your meetings
We can hear you coming
We know what you're after
We're wise to you this time
We won't let you kill the laughter

Lunatic Fringe
In the twilight's last gleaming
This is open season
But you won't get too far
We know you've got to blame someone
For your own confusion
But we're on guard this time
Against your final solution

We can hear you coming
No you're not going to win this time
We can hear the footsteps
Way out along the walkway
Lunatic Fringe
We know you're out there
But in these new dark ages
There will still be light

An eye for an eye
Well, before you go under
Can you feel the resistance
Can you feel the....thunder

Red Rider; 2/17/11, 4:48 PM
Calypso Facto said...: AJ & Rev, I'd love to think the teachers would face some financial and or disciplinary action, but don't think for a minute that Madison's $400,000-a-year school Superintendent is going to hold his workers to their contracted performance.; 2/17/11, 4:48 PM
Anonymous said...: "Budget Battle: Democrats Who Left State are Located"

"The lawmakers are in the Best Western Clock Tower Resort in Rockford Illinois."

http://bit.ly/efYb6o

Trapped Like....!

wv: bugel; 2/17/11, 4:51 PM
Alcuria said...: At least the spelling for most of the signage is correct. The times I have had teachers picket my home, BOE meetings, etc or mail letters, it is not unusual to see spelling errors.

A note that teachers in Wisconsin don't get it. Just like the teachers in our district don't get it. There's been no contract with teachers for over 4 1/2 years. I'm hoping it does not go to five. Our board of education is firm that in order to do the right thing for taxpayers and students, it is vital to get some better management of health care costs and the like. You would think we were asking to pluck out the eyes of teachers.

I've encouraged teachers to go public with how they are being wronged. If what they say is correct, the public would surely be outraged by how our board of education is acting. Instead, we have teachers coming up to us and saying that the union is controlled by "hotheads". Not much we can do, but it's nice when teachers pass that information along.

In Wisconsin, this too shall pass. And in a strange way, i do miss teachers standing along the road shouting slogans toward my house.; 2/17/11, 4:53 PM
kent said...: Trapped Like....!

Figures. They can't even slink away and cower competently. ;); 2/17/11, 4:53 PM
cubanbob said...: The legislature should reduce the state funding to the school districts 2 weeks for everyday this continues. If the governor has the authority, he should simply fire them en mass immediately.; 2/17/11, 4:54 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Clock Tower? Sounds like a place where crazed snipers would stay.

Calypso:
The Madison supertindent is paid $400K [note I did not say he earned $400K]?? Wow I thought the Philly super at $300K+ was exorbitant.; 2/17/11, 4:56 PM
Chennaul said...: chikenlittle-

Even more fitting than I thought.

Hey seriously I don't get the LSD reference?; 2/17/11, 4:56 PM
Sprezzatura said...: The coolest circumstance associated with this confrontation is that the Ds left town. So, as common sense dictates, the Rs sent the police to track them down.

Point to Rs

But, the Ds are out of the state .

Point to Ds

Now it's come to the tie breaker. Is the gov going to have the Ds extradited?

BTW, is it just me, or does WI politics (both sides) seem small and lame.; 2/17/11, 4:58 PM
Caroline said...: I haven't gotten an explanation for how Republicans justify trying to eliminate collective bargaining, one of the keystones of workers' rights (that thousands fought and died for).

Because people can see what effect unionized public workers have had on many state and local budgets?

If unions hadn't gotten so unreasonably greedy they wouldn't be facing an existential crisis. They have no one to blame but themselves. I doubt any of them have enough introspection to realize this.; 2/17/11, 4:59 PM
Chris said...: These people are the reason you'll never have a moonbase.; 2/17/11, 5:01 PM
Revenant said...: However, allowing corporations the right to spend unlimited amounts of money in electoral campaigns is... free speech? Is that right?

Yes.; 2/17/11, 5:05 PM
chickelit said...: Hey seriously I don't get the LSD reference?

LSD = Lee Sherman Dreyfus. Wisconsin gov from the 80's (70s?) & reviled by the left. He wore a trademark red vest.; 2/17/11, 5:06 PM
Mike H. said...: Revenant, my Great Uncle did take a couple of rounds from Pinkerton men in the early 1900's. Union members aren't winding up dead these days but some were having trouble breathing then.

w/v prefod= a future hit on the runway; 2/17/11, 5:08 PM
Chennaul said...: chickenlittle.

Thanks..I saw you make some Dreyfus reference earlier and my mind went right to a scene from Jaws.; 2/17/11, 5:11 PM
Revenant said...: Mike H,

Yes, I have union activists and blue-collar workers among my ancestry, too. None of them, however, were fans of government workers or government "unions".

Private sector workers are paid by private citizens. Public sector workers are paid with money involuntarily taken from private-sector workers under pain of imprisonment.; 2/17/11, 5:13 PM
Sofa King said...: Sofa King: So, for you, collective bargaining gives public sector unions an unduly large influence on the government; it's undemocratic.

However, allowing corporations the right to spend unlimited amounts of money in electoral campaigns is... free speech? Is that right?

First of all, "corporations" *includes* unions. Guess what, I favor the right of corporations - including unions - to speak freely and oppose the right of all corporations - including unions - to collectively bargain with the government!

But why are you dragging in an unrelated issue? Why don't you explain why you think that "speaking" and "collective bargaining" are basically equivalent? I don't, I take the sensible position that they are two different things with different justifications and different outcomes, and I consistently believe that corporations and unions should have *identical* rights and privileges.

To answer your question, both unions and corporations have a right to free speech based on the First Amendment. So the standard is, is there a *compelling* reason to limit speech, and if so, has it been limited in the *least possible* way? Clearly not the case in Citizens United.

On the other hand, there is no constitutional right to collective bargaining with the government. Therefore a different standard applies: is it in the public interest or not. I think all evidence shows it is not. It benefits the few at the expense of the many.

This is why I am not on the left. They have no principles except expediency.; 2/17/11, 5:13 PM
chickelit said...: @madawaskan: At least you weren't thinking l'affaire Dreyfus. ;); 2/17/11, 5:15 PM
Caroline said...: Simplistic, yet basically true.

Just a suggestion: you might get different results if you go beyond the simple and think a little deeper.; 2/17/11, 5:15 PM
Calypso Facto said...: Yeah, AJ, it seems a little steep. As do the $100,000+ packages of more than 80 other administrators in the district.

Just to be clear, I really wouldn't second-guess those individual Madison district salaries if they were approved locally and paid for locally. But with 2/3 of district costs being paid by state shared revenue, I'm on the hook for what seems like obscene over-employment and overpayment all across the state.; 2/17/11, 5:17 PM
Toad Trend said...: In New York, the unions have a large, inflatable rat (15-20 feet tall) that they bring along to their hissy fits, usually a job site where private non-union employees are on the job.

Seems they have an affinity for rats, or rats seem to appear wherever they are.; 2/17/11, 5:18 PM
chickelit said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/17/11, 5:19 PM
chickelit said...: @madawaskan:

Madison, Wisconsin is 30 square miles surrounded by reality
--Lee Sherman Dreyfus; 2/17/11, 5:20 PM
Sloanasaurus said...: Here is the languague on Quorum:

Text of Section 8:
Vote on Fiscal Bills; Quorum

On the passage in either house of the legislature of any law which imposes, continues or renews a tax, or creates a debt or charge, or makes, continues or renews an appropriation of public or trust money, or releases, discharges or commutes a claim or demand of the state, the question shall be taken by yeas and nays, which shall be duly entered on the journal; and three−fifths of all the members elected to such house shall in all such cases be required to constitute a quorum therein.

I wonder, if the bill could be reformulated as a non-fiscal bill. For example, it seems that making state employees pay part of their salary for health insurance or a right to work law would fall outside the quorum requirements since it would not be a fiscal charge on the sate.; 2/17/11, 5:20 PM
Toad Trend said...: @lewsar

"weasels ripped my flesh!"

I wonder if the sign makers got permission from the Zappa people to use their album cover.

There may be a copyright issue there.

Remember, its the seriousness of the charge.; 2/17/11, 5:28 PM
Steven said...: There is a fundamental difference between a private sector union and a public sector union, which you think so-called progressives like franglo would notice.

The private sector union is (in intent at least) an effort by the great mass of the people to extract a greater share of the fruit of the labors of the mass of the people from the smaller, privileged class of owners.

The public sector union is, on the other hand, the effort of a smaller, privileged class to extract for themselves a greater share of the fruits of the labors of the mass of the people.

Progressive support for public-sector unions is intellectually an inability to think past the infantile surface association "Union = Good", and politically a betrayal of the working class for the sake of power.; 2/17/11, 5:33 PM
Humperdink said...: My grandfather was blackballed from working in the Pittsburgh area (Homestead, Braddock, Rankin) as he was labeled a union "rabble-rouser".

However, my empathy for the union movement dissipated when, in 1974 as a management trainee, I was threatened by a unruly mob of USW picketers brandishing 2X4s.; 2/17/11, 5:33 PM
Corre∫pondence Committee said...: So they fled and holed themselves up in a hotel room across the border. What's next, are they going to put a blindfold on the bill and hold a machete to its neck on a grainy television broadcast?; 2/17/11, 5:36 PM
Anonymous said...: Wow... so many posts today poo-poo'ing the protesters.

Aren't you a state employee, Althouse? And don't you make nearly $200K/year?

I bet things look a little different if you are making a quarter or less of that amount and your job is in jeopardy.

If you feel so strongly about it, Professor, why don't you and your Law School colleagues take a voluntary 50% pay cut? That would be putting your money where your blog posts are.; 2/17/11, 5:37 PM
Revenant said...: Sloan,

Judging from that text it sounds like the legislature couldn't actually approve any appropriations bills until the Democrats come back.

This is a delaying tactic; in the long run they're going to have to vote -- otherwise the state won't be able to appropriate money to pay teachers at all.; 2/17/11, 5:43 PM
Chennaul said...: chickenlittle

L' Affaire Dreyfus

Ack! That reminds me people keep telling me I would love Dumas.

Shorter LSD quote:

Insanity Island.; 2/17/11, 5:43 PM
Fen said...: Ah hell, I was in meetings all day and didn't know it had become national.

Missed the play by play and now I have to catch up!

I'm betting our Dear Liberal Friends are distraught?; 2/17/11, 5:43 PM
Corre∫pondence Committee said...: Re: "I bet things look a little different if you are making a quarter or less of that amount and your job is in jeopardy."

I thought the governor was trying to *avoid* having to lay off teachers. Am I mistaken?; 2/17/11, 5:45 PM
chickelit said...: If you feel so strongly about it, Professor, why don't you and your Law School colleagues take a voluntary 50% pay cut? That would be putting your money where your blog posts are.

Julius, dude, sir. I think your obvious resentment is misplaced. Althouse is a University employee but her circumstances are entirely different than the teachers union's. If you want that kind of Schadenfreude then keep your eyes on Law School enrollments or the funding of law scholarships or something like that.

Plus, I think you lied once about living in Oceanside.; 2/17/11, 5:48 PM
reader_iam said...: I see that the Dane County YMCA is offering free day care to help out parents whose kids are affected by the school closures and can't take off themselves. There are 500 slots altogether at the three locations, and the service is being offered to YMCA members and non-members. Don't know if folks should call to reserve a spot. I saw this info in a piece on WKOW's website. I thought I would post it here in case anyone reading is having a tough time finding options for their younger kids.

/OT; 2/17/11, 5:48 PM
Sofa King said...: I thought the governor was trying to *avoid* having to lay off teachers. Am I mistaken?

No, you are not. This bill has no layoffs. Jobs are not at stake unless it's from people deciding to quit.; 2/17/11, 5:49 PM
Chennaul said...: Holy dyslexia

Emile Zola.

Ugh I've been trying to translate this rapper from Belgium that employs verlan.

That's my only excuse and I'm stickin' to it.; 2/17/11, 5:50 PM
kent said...: "Are Wisconsin’s public school teachers in
fact underpaid, or is the underpayment argu-
ment a product of teacher union propaganda?
An analysis of a U.S. census survey data on
wages finds no evidence that Wisconsin’s pub-
lic school teachers are underpaid in compari-
son to their peer groups. In fact, quite the con-
trary. When public school teacher salaries are
adjusted for the number of weeks teachers
work each year, it becomes clear that teachers
are among some of the most highly compen-
sated employees in the state."

Oh, those poor, poor dears!; 2/17/11, 5:53 PM
wordsmith2 said...: Sloanasaurus made an interesting suggestion: "I wonder if the bill could be reformulated as a non-fiscal bill."

How about scheduling a vote in the State Senate on a bill that would turn Wisconsin into a right-to-work state? Schedule it immediately before Walker's "budget reform" bill and pass it by a simple quorum regardless of whether the Democratic senators return to the capitol.

Maybe including the clauses about allowing state and local workers, including teachers, to vote each year (by secret ballot) on whether they want to remain union members.; 2/17/11, 5:53 PM
Chennaul said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/17/11, 5:55 PM
Peter V. Bella said...: Dear Wisconsin,
It has come to our attention that your Democratic representatives have illegally crossed our border and entered into Illinois.

We have enough corrupt and criminal Democrats in this state- the whole party. We also have enough illegal immigrants too. Please demand your representatives return to your own state.

The last thing we need in Illinois is the presence of more corrupt union thug boot licking Democrats. Ours are bad enough and driving our state into insolvency.

BTW, please ask them to take our governor back with them.; 2/17/11, 5:57 PM
Chennaul said...: Fen

I'm betting our Dear Liberal Friends are distraught?

[if you mean the Dem state legislators that made a run for the border in a school bus]

They got lost and then were found at a Best Western Resort across the state line in Illinois.

Supposedly so that the Sergeant at Arms could not compel them to show up.

But don't feel too bad for them; there's a Tilted Kilt Pub on the premises.; 2/17/11, 5:58 PM
kent said...: We have enough corrupt and criminal Democrats in this state- the whole party. We also have enough illegal immigrants too. Please demand your representatives return to your own state.

... says a resident of the state that foisted the Jug-Eared Jesus on to all the rest of us... ;); 2/17/11, 6:00 PM
MayBee said...: Is it my imagination, or is this crowd overwhelmingly white?; 2/17/11, 6:01 PM
chickelit said...: @madawaskan:
Praat je Vlaamse?; 2/17/11, 6:03 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: I guess they got the latest newest talking points this afternoon.

Hitler is out.

Cartoon characters of cute vermin....in.; 2/17/11, 6:04 PM
Caroline said...: Progressive support for public-sector unions is intellectually an inability to think past the infantile surface association "Union = Good"

To paraphrase, many leftists are stuck on simple.

Not as good as the original saying, but I don't want to label them stupid. I know too many who lean left that are not stupid; they just don't bother to think past the feel-good platitudes of leftist ideology.; 2/17/11, 6:04 PM
garage mahal said...: I'm betting our Dear Liberal Friends are distraught?

Over what? The media is finally picking up on Walker's lies, that there is a budget "crisis", while this vote is delayed. Win win.; 2/17/11, 6:04 PM
Trooper York said...: FIRE THEIR ASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!; 2/17/11, 6:04 PM
g said...: Intelligent, productive, competent people do not seek careers in education.; 2/17/11, 6:05 PM
Trooper York said...: OH.

AND MORE AMERICAN IDOL THREADS!!!

It's Hollywood week for crying out loud.

The baby huey kid got thrown out of one group to join another, Randy Travis guy started to cry like he was the Speaker of the House, and a 15year old sat on Steven Tylers lab and gave him wood so she was the only one in her group to go through.

Lots to talk about. Watch it tonight.; 2/17/11, 6:07 PM
PaulV said...: Hire some bounty hunters and make it a reality TV show. Great ratings.; 2/17/11, 6:07 PM
Chennaul said...: chickenlittle-

Brain freeze.

Pratar om sverige?

Is all I can come up with.

Praat je Vlaamse?

Is that Flemish?; 2/17/11, 6:07 PM
Trooper York said...: Yes that's right. She sat on his dog.; 2/17/11, 6:08 PM
X said...: I doubt the union is going to get the new Cadillac ElDorado this time. The union should remember that 3rd prize is you're fired and be satisfied with the steak knives.; 2/17/11, 6:08 PM
Corre∫pondence Committee said...: Thank you, SofaKing. I will now cop to asking that question rhetorically. I do appreciate the answer, and I hope Julius reads it.; 2/17/11, 6:08 PM
Chennaul said...: I think only the French and it's mainly French minorities and Serbo Croats do verlan.

So not the Flemish in Belgium.; 2/17/11, 6:11 PM
chickelit said...: @madawaskan.

Yep. You said you were working the "other" Belgian dialect.; 2/17/11, 6:12 PM
Peano said...: I find this all so amusing. The People's Republic of Wisconsin in revolt, because the bottomless hog trough has a bottom after all.

The left's chickens are coming home to roost. As ye sew, so shall ye reap.

We're watching. Say "Cheese"!; 2/17/11, 6:13 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: @Kent

AND the figures for salary quoted at your link do not include the TAX FREE benefit packages which are in the 25 to 30K range.

Add another 25 to 30 K to their salaries and then you have the true picture.

Greedy fucks.; 2/17/11, 6:14 PM
Chennaul said...: Steven Tylers lab

Oh gawd-hopefully he had his dog on a leash.; 2/17/11, 6:14 PM
Trooper York said...: Try Buckley's cough medicine.

It always helps me when I feel flemish.; 2/17/11, 6:15 PM
Michael K said...: There's a great comment over at Politico from some kid (probably 40) who posts that he has two masters degrees, works as a TA and makes $13k a year. Why isn't he a teacher ???

There are some really stupid comments but I do worry that some idiot is going to start shooting.

Speaking of idiots:

I haven't gotten an explanation for how Republicans justify trying to eliminate collective bargaining, one of the keystones of workers' rights (that thousands fought and died for).

We're broke !!!!!!!!!

What part of that don't you understand ???

This behavior will kill unions for public employees. Teachers calling in sick and bussing kids to the rally to protest something they know nothing about. Great !

I was a union member when I was 16. I actually went to a strike vote and boy was that an education! The young guys with no family wanted to strike to "show the employer" who was boss. The older and more experienced guys with families didn't want a strike. Guess who won ?

The UAW killed the auto industry and the teachers are next. What do you want to bet that vouchers will be on the agenda later this year ?; 2/17/11, 6:15 PM
Trooper York said...: "madawaskan said...
Steven Tylers lab

Oh gawd-hopefully he had his dog on a leash."

Well sometimes it wears a ring.
Allegdedly.; 2/17/11, 6:16 PM
Chennaul said...: verlan is where they invert the syllables it's really a mess.

Kind of like Cockney rhyming slang.

Femme=muef; 2/17/11, 6:17 PM
JAL said...: Err... I thought Walker's point is that they are running out of cheese -- rapidly.

And something's / someone's got to give.

Do any of these people teach math? (Arithmatic will do.)

Business courses?

Basic grown up life skills? Like how to balance a checkbook? Or calculate how much a mortgage is going to cost? How to pay bills? How to budget?

Didn't think so.; 2/17/11, 6:17 PM
Chennaul said...: I'm pretty sure Steven Tyler's dog has fleas.

Probably inspired-

Walk This Way.; 2/17/11, 6:20 PM
Unknown said...: The Lefties keep telling us this is a spontaneous, popular uprising, just like Egypt. I don't recall too many mass-produced, pre-printed signs during the demonstrations there.

franglo said...

However, allowing corporations the right to spend unlimited amounts of money in electoral campaigns is... free speech? Is that right?

Yes, that includes Lefty corporations like GE and Microshaft and all of Mr Soros' evil minions; just the way The Zero ran his campaign in '08. You remember, after making all that noise about campaign financing?

This is why I'm on the left.
The left freaks out about going to war.

No, the Left freaks out about war against America's enemies. It never objected to Uncle Joe overrunning western Poland in '39 or Finland in '40 or Red China attacking Inja in '61 or North Vietnam trying to invade Thailand in '79 or the Sandanazis making war on Honduras in the '80s.

The right freaks out about health care for the poor.

No, the Right freaks out about freedom of choice taken away from people. It freaks out about old people or the infirm, or, yes, poor people being subjected to death panels because their lives aren't "useful enough".

The left defends teachers and firemen.

No, it defends public sector unions that degrade service and votes Democrat exclusively in exchange for patronage and favors; that only teach a curriculum calculated to turn people into credulous sheep who will elect a loser like Barack Hussein Obama.

The Right defends CEOs and wall street. Simplistic, yet basically true.

The right defends the right of every man and woman to be a success and go as high as he or she can. And, as far as CEOs, The Zero is doing a pretty good job of defending Jeffrey Immelt these days.

And, no, not simplistic - simple-minded and a filthy lie.; 2/17/11, 6:21 PM
autothreads said...: franglo said...

This is why I'm on the left.
The left freaks out about going to war. The right freaks out about health care for the poor. The left defends teachers and firemen. The right defends CEOs and wall street. Simplistic, yet basically true.

Franglo shorter version: Listen to me, I'm your moral superior.; 2/17/11, 6:25 PM
Bobby Dupea said...: Franglo says that collective bargaining and free speech are functional and constitutional equivalents.

How do people who can think no better than this hold down a job? (Unless they are teachers.)

I mean, I understand how you could be a truck driver or waiter or something, but not hold down any job requiring abstract, critical thinking. My 12 year-old would distinguish collective bargaining from the constitutional authority to speak publicly without fear of censure.; 2/17/11, 6:33 PM
Anonymous said...: The Rockford Tea Party found the Dems' spider hole and flushed them out:

http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/2011/02/breaking-wisconsin-dems-hiding-at-best-western-clocktower-in-rockford-il/

Looks like the Dems may be headed back to WI, with the Tea Party hot on their cowardly little tails.; 2/17/11, 6:34 PM
Steven said...: Oh, looking at the pictures, I see another one of those "If you can read this, thank a teacher!" signs. I hate those. I taught myself to read, thank you very much, at age three.; 2/17/11, 6:35 PM
Anonymous said...: Where are the purple people beaters? As soon as an SEIU thug throws a punch, the union is history.; 2/17/11, 6:41 PM
garage mahal said...: Err... I thought Walker's point is that they are running out of cheese -- rapidly.

Lies lies lies

The Wisconsin Fiscal Bureau states that the state will end the year with a balance of $121.4 million.

"Our analysis indicates that for the three-year period, aggregate, general fund tax collections
will be $202.8 million lower than those reflected in the November/December reports. More than
half of the lower estimate ($117.2 million) is due to the impact of Special Session Senate Bill 2
(health savings accounts), Assembly Bill 3 (tax deductions/credits for relocated businesses), and
Assembly Bill 7 (tax exclusion for new employees)."

So whatever budget deficit Walker claims exists, [137 million] "more than half" is due to three "special session" initiatives [149 million] of his own making. 25 million was sent to a fund that already had 73 million in it, unspent.; 2/17/11, 6:41 PM
Caroline said...: And, as far as CEOs, The Zero is doing a pretty good job of defending Jeffrey Immelt these days.

Thank you. I don't get this leftist claptrap that Democrats are not a party that looks out for the interests of the of very wealthy. Wall Street bankers are doing very well under Obama. Too big to fail? More like "too politically connected to the Democratic Party" to fail.

How many small businesses has Obama bailed out?; 2/17/11, 6:42 PM
garage mahal said...: Make that 140 million, not 149 million.; 2/17/11, 6:45 PM
chickelit said...: garage mahal said...

Make that 140 million, not 149 million.

That's 8 figures garage! Are you getting Soros supplements these days?; 2/17/11, 6:47 PM
KCFleming said...: The teachers remind me of hoarders whose garbage houses eventually demand intervention, but when you start to throw out a single used baggie, they freak out, unable to discard even one thing, saying they will just die if you do.; 2/17/11, 6:47 PM
Big Mike said...: Does Ankur, or franglo, or some of the other left-wing lunatic fringe poltroons that post here actually think that these demonstrations are winning the hearts and minds of the independents?!?

'Cause I don't think so.; 2/17/11, 6:48 PM
MadisonMan said...: the teachers' contract with the state

I'm pretty sure the teachers have contracts with the School District, not the State.; 2/17/11, 6:50 PM
garage mahal said...: That's 8 figures garage! Are you getting Soros supplements these days?

Fraid not

I'm not even big enough to make a large enough contribution to Walker to even get noticed :(; 2/17/11, 6:52 PM
Anonymous said...: "I don't get this leftist claptrap that Democrats are not a party that looks out for the interests of the of very wealthy."

Hey, during the campaign, didn't Barack Obama promise to raise Warren Buffet's capital gains tax rate?

I remember some conversation about how Warren's poor secretary pays more in tax than he does.

Gee, whatever happened with that? When the Democrats controlled the House, Senate and White House, how come they never got around to taking all of Warren Buffet's fucking money?

You now, to "spread the wealth"

Funny how that slipped Obama's mind, but he had plenty of time to force the poor to buy health insurance from that very same Warren Buffet.

Why it's almost like all that was just a bunch of fucking bullshit and that Barack Obama is actually protecting Warren Buffet's billion-dollar empire.; 2/17/11, 7:02 PM
Calypso Facto said...: garage: You mean Doyle lied?!? OMG!!!; 2/17/11, 7:05 PM
Anonymous said...: @chickelit-

Plus, I think you lied once about living in Oceanside.

That's a very interesting comment. I've only heard that claim twice-- once now, and once a few days ago. Put one and one together and you end up with a hyper-anal Congressman whose campaign staff effectively stalks anyone who might report what seems to be corruption in his office. And it seems that you, chickelit, are right smack-dab in the middle of that (albeit discreet) corruption. Are you proud of being a master of pay-for-access?; 2/17/11, 7:07 PM
Calypso Facto said...: garage: You mean Doyle lied?!? OMG!!!; 2/17/11, 7:13 PM
Calypso Facto said...: garage: You mean Doyle lied?!?

'HARSH SACRIFICES' DOYLE SUGGESTS FURLOUGHS, LAYOFFS, CUTS TO CLOSE GAP STATE BUDGET CRISIS

OMG!!!

reposted cuz Blogger ate the originals; 2/17/11, 7:15 PM
Eric said...: I don't get this leftist claptrap that Democrats are not a party that looks out for the interests of the of very wealthy.

I'd like to see the Republicans propose a wealth tax for people with net assets over a billion dollars. It would be highly amusing to watch the Kennedys and Kerrys try to explain why couples who work and make over $250k should pay more taxes on income but the super-rich shouldn't pay anything on their accumulated (by previous generations, mostly) wealth.; 2/17/11, 7:17 PM
Alcuria said...: In New York, the unions have a large, inflatable rat (15-20 feet tall) that they bring along to their hissy fits, usually a job site where private non-union employees are on the job.

In the state I'm in, the teacher's union delivered plastic rats, about 12 inches high to board members during a previous contract dispute. The damn things were ugly - large fangs, huge nipples, long tail - the works.; 2/17/11, 7:17 PM
chickelit said...: LOL Julius! Paranoid much?

Actually, I think it was Dead Julius who once made the claim (several months ago now) of having riden the coaster to and from O'side. I tend to notice that sort of comment because...I actually live there!

Are you related to the commenter Dead Julius?; 2/17/11, 7:18 PM
J said...: Union folks may be imperfect, plebian, even hypocritical--but usually human, unlike rabidly anti-union teabaggers or the mormon sort of primate.; 2/17/11, 7:24 PM
ampersand said...: Are Wisconsin legislatures required to enact legislation in Madison? In the Statehouse? Are they required to pass bills in State. If not, I would suggest the 19 republicans get in a bus, track down 1 democrat,surround him , declare a quorum and pass the bill.
Why is only one side always allowed circus rules?; 2/17/11, 7:25 PM
Chip Ahoy said...: IF YOU CAN READ THIS
THANK YOUR MUM AND
YOUR SPEAK & SPELL; 2/17/11, 7:35 PM
Revenant said...: I'd like to see the Republicans propose a wealth tax for people with net assets over a billion dollars.

While it would be funny, federal wealth taxes are not permitted by the Constitution. You could have a state-level one, though.; 2/17/11, 7:36 PM
Caroline said...: I'd like to see the Republicans propose a wealth tax for people with net assets over a billion dollars.

So would I. Just to force the Dems to admit they are full of crap about wanting to tax the wealthy. They just want to destroy the middle class.; 2/17/11, 7:38 PM
J said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/17/11, 7:41 PM
J said...: I haven't gotten an explanation for how Republicans justify trying to eliminate collective bargaining, one of the keystones of workers' rights (that thousands fought and died for).

Justification? That's asking a lot from Beck-bots and teabuggers. First they generally don't know squat about US History, including the labor acts of 20s and 30s. Also, their preachers probably told them unions were evil (LAMANITE! in the case of the LDS gang), that all public employees were reds, that FDR was ...a devil worshipper,
that America started with like Reagan, that God created the world in 3000 BC, etc. Yeah. Sh*t like that --or they just got their PM tweek buzz on.; 2/17/11, 7:43 PM
Terrye said...: These people are disgraceful.; 2/17/11, 7:54 PM
Martin L. Shoemaker said...: Chip Ahoy said...

IF YOU CAN READ THIS
THANK YOUR MUM AND
YOUR SPEAK & SPELL

You, too? In a just world, Mattel would get some sort of an education award for those things.

When my oldest brother went to kindergarten, the teachers wanted him to know his letters and recognize his name before he got there. My mom made sure he did.

Six years later, my next brother went to school, and mom said, "And he already knows his letters and can recognize his name." And the teacher tut-tutted. In the six years intervening, some Authority had decided that the kids could only properly learn this in school, and parents who taught their kids would only mess it up.

So six years later, my mom was very concerned. Thanks to Speak & Spell and comic books, I was already reading the newspaper and every book I could get my hands on. She was sure the teacher would tut-tut again.

Fortunately for her, the research (or more likely, the fad) had turned again, and the teacher was delighted to have a reader in the class.

No doubt many people learn to read from teachers; but no doubt many learn from their parents and families. I'd like to see research on how that really breaks down.; 2/17/11, 7:54 PM
Henry said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/17/11, 8:02 PM
Henry said...: @Don't Tread 2010

I was wondering if anyone else got the Frank Zappa reference.

From Wikipedia:

The album's infamous closer and title track is nothing more than every player on stage producing as much noise and feedback as they can for two minutes. Interestingly, an audience member is heard yelling for more at its conclusion.

Sounds appropriate.

I guess it was too warm a day for "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow".; 2/17/11, 8:06 PM
Henry said...: I'd like to see the Republicans propose a wealth tax for people with net assets over a billion dollars.

Especially in Wisconsin. That's where they all hang out, you know.; 2/17/11, 8:07 PM
J said...: Zappa was usually with the Demos and wd support the unions, more than likely. He sure in the f**k would not support Mitt Rammedny, or teabugCo; 2/17/11, 8:09 PM
Greg said...: Amber Alert: 14 children abducted from Madison. Feared taken out of the state.; 2/17/11, 8:16 PM
Henry said...: Speaking of badgers:

The Honey Badger; 2/17/11, 8:17 PM
Eric said...: First they generally don't know squat about US History, including the labor acts of 20s and 30s.

Since you know your history so well you know federal civil service employees weren't allowed to unionize until the '60s, and they didn't suffer from not having representation.

Government workers should not be allowed to form unions, and they should not be allowed to strike. There's nothing more comical than seeing lefties try to compare these pampered bureaucrats with 1930s coal miners.; 2/17/11, 8:18 PM
bagoh20 said...: "If you HAVE to read this, thank a teacher!"

Fixed!

Now you can pay for it too.; 2/17/11, 8:24 PM
bagoh20 said...: Nothing more offensive and counterproductive than panhandlers with attitude.; 2/17/11, 8:26 PM
Unknown said...: I've grown tired of signs and bumper stickers that say, "If you can read this, thank a teacher." I was reading before I started school. I taught all three of my children to read. My wife has taught our grandchildren to read.

I realize that some are not as fortunate as I have been, but I can write and read this because of my parents. Just wanted them to know.; 2/17/11, 8:29 PM
Anonymous said...: This is why I'm on the left.
The left freaks out about going to war.

Um, is that why the joint resolution to authorize the use of force against Iraq was sponsored by Tom Daschle?; 2/17/11, 8:33 PM
J said...: 8: 26, that's like yr mama at the truck stop, more than likely , bagtrash. Not exactly pan handling tho--more like getting few quarters for her lot lizard skills, and her tweek habit; 2/17/11, 8:34 PM
Anonymous said...: I haven't gotten an explanation for how Republicans justify trying to eliminate collective bargaining, one of the keystones of workers' rights

Um, "workers rights" for public sector employees has a different meaning than you think it does.

Bozo.; 2/17/11, 8:35 PM
J said...: 8:18--public employees were a later amendment, and I grant that they're in a different situation than tradesmen. Regardless, better schoolteacher unions than robber baron capitalists.

And uh lets see some of the Ayn Rand-teabag types and anti-unionist heroes diss the cop or firefighter unions; 2/17/11, 8:39 PM
ricpic said...: It really boils down to whether the productive will be cowed by the parasitic.; 2/17/11, 8:56 PM
J said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/17/11, 9:04 PM
Revenant said...: The lefties just don't get it.

What support unions have among the public stems from the whole "underdogs vs. rich businessmen" narrative and J and garage are still feebly trying to peddle. Nobody buys that narrative when it comes to government workers, because government workers are paid by *taxpayers* and everybody knows it.

"We're 'poor' and he's 'rich', he should pay us more" is a sentiment most Americans can identify with.

"We've got better benefits than you, higher pay than you, and more job security than you, but YOU should sacrifice for our benefit"... that's NOT a sentiment most Americans can identify with. :); 2/17/11, 9:19 PM
Synova said...: "This is why I'm on the left.
The left freaks out about going to war. The right freaks out about health care for the poor. The left defends teachers and firemen. The right defends CEOs and wall street. Simplistic, yet basically true."

Utterly simplistic. Too many people already pointed this out and I doubt that the person who wrote it stayed around to find out how "the right" would respond to this bit of received wisdom... however...

I, at least, (and apparently no one else either), plan to be *emotional* about the accusation because the real world is not simplistic and this is not *news* to people who are on the "right" or "right/libertarian/conservative" because they've thought past the "simplistic".

The left "freaked out" about the war when they discovered that it wasn't cheap, painless and brief.

The right "freaked out" about health care for the poor when it was clear personal liberty would suffer and that there was no real plan to pay the bills.

The left "defends" firemen and teachers because "public service" is a higher moral good than production and the world would be a better place if everyone gave up greedy pursuits to take service jobs with the state.

The right "defends" CEO's, Wall Street, and Joe the Plumber, because without production we've got nothing at all.; 2/17/11, 9:19 PM
Synova said...: "Regardless, better schoolteacher unions than robber baron capitalists."

Really?

Without the schoolteacher unions the school teachers will still have jobs and get paid.

Without the "robber baron capitalists" who will pay the school teachers?

If we had to have one of them rather than both, if we had to *chose*, clearly it would be far more important to have the productive capitalists so that it's even possible to have a public service sector payroll.; 2/17/11, 9:23 PM
Synova said...: "And uh lets see some of the Ayn Rand-teabag types and anti-unionist heroes diss the cop or firefighter unions"

Why?

Because cops and firefighters are "good guys" and therefore whatever they do is pure?

Teachers are "good guys" too.

Anyone in these professions begins with a wealth of good-will among the public. That it's possible to squander all of that good-will is truly an amazing thing.

If Rand had anything against labor unions, I don't think that libertarians oppose the concept of collective bargaining. Rand did, however, and certainly libertarians and Objectivists agree wholeheartedly, oppose stealing from workers what they've earned through their labor in order to give it to someone else.

Unions do provide services to members other than trying to shake down taxpayers. And if members find those services useful they will vote for and voluntarily pay their dues!; 2/17/11, 9:30 PM
Trooper York said...: Synova, you can't talk sense to a crazy person. Just sayn'; 2/17/11, 9:47 PM
Steven said...: And, in J, we see the final degenerate form of the modern left.

Any real progressive, properly grounded in the great socialist writers, could easily identify these state public employees as a group of petit-bourgeois protected by special privileges in law, parasitically living off the labor of the actual, productive, working man. He would accordingly class a public employee union as a reactionary cabal designed to subvert the state to serve a narrow privileged class instead of the public interest. The public employees would be deftly analogized to the lesser nobility, clergy, patricianate, and tax collectors of the Middle Ages, at whose hand most of the oppression of the peasantry actually came.

But J? He's got his progressive ideology fourth-hand, and in him the social-democratic effort to tame capitalism with the instruments of the state has degenerated into primitive reactionary worship of the state. By fixating on capitalism as the enemy instead of the good of the people as his goal, he's managed to get around to exactly the wrong side of history. He's actually less progressive than a full-blown laissez-faire capitalist, trying to drag society back to the pre-capitalist Dark Ages!; 2/17/11, 9:48 PM
Revenant said...: And uh lets see some of the Ayn Rand-teabag types and anti-unionist heroes diss the cop or firefighter unions

Was there a particular dis you had in mind, or will you settle for a generic "police and firefighter unions should be abolished, too"?; 2/17/11, 9:51 PM
Anonymous said...: The trouble with collective bargaining rights for public sector unions is that public employees are government servants.

From "The Trouble with Public Sector Unions", in National Journal, by Daniel Disalvo
http://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/the-trouble-with-public-sector-unions

" In 1943, a New York Supreme Court judge held:

To tolerate or recognize any combination of civil service employees of the government as a labor organization or union is not only incompatible with the spirit of democracy, but inconsistent with every principle upon which our government is founded. Nothing is more dangerous to public welfare than to admit that hired servants of the State can dictate to the government the hours, the wages and conditions under which they will carry on essential services vital to the welfare, safety, and security of the citizen. To admit as true that government employees have power to halt or check the functions of government unless their demands are satisfied, is to transfer to them all legislative, executive and judicial power. Nothing would be more ridiculous."

and

" Prior to the 1950s, as labor lawyer Ida Klaus remarked in 1965, "the subject of labor relations in public employment could not have meant less to more people, both in and out of government." To the extent that people thought about it, most politicians, labor leaders, economists, and judges opposed collective bargaining in the public sector. Even President Franklin Roosevelt, a friend of private-sector unionism, drew a line when it came to government workers: "Meticulous attention," the president insisted in 1937, "should be paid to the special relations and obligations of public servants to the public itself and to the Government....The process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service." The reason? F.D.R. believed that "[a] strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent on their part to obstruct the operations of government until their demands are satisfied. Such action looking toward the paralysis of government by those who have sworn to support it is unthinkable and intolerable."

...
Now, the Disalvo piece doesn't have a footnote for what judge or what case that NY supreme court judge is, but perhaps some enterprising reader with access to online case law can find it.; 2/17/11, 10:10 PM
Sofa King said...: You'd think these oh-so-smarty-pantses would have known that the badger actually is...a type of weasel.

*Sad trombone*; 2/17/11, 10:32 PM
dave in boca said...: As a native Wisconsinite, I wonder why don’t we put the missing 14 state senators on milk cartons and run off a million cartons just to commemorate the silliness? The GOP is missing a priceless opportunity to advertise for the dairy industry and humiliate their opponents in one swell foop…!

Best vignette so far. Kid being interviewed on national TV in front of statehouse and behind him a large green and gold signposter proceeds across the viewers’ gaze: “It’s all Favre’s fault.”; 2/18/11, 6:43 AM
dave in boca said...: If the GOP controlled Senate picks up the tab for the frivolous side trip to Rockford, I'll stop buying cheese and milk. I'll keep the Packers, but everything else......; 2/18/11, 6:47 AM
Toad Trend said...: @Henry

"I guess it was too warm a day for "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow"."

Indeed!; 2/18/11, 7:55 AM