January 11, 2012

If you could corner Scott Walker at a party and had a chance to tell him what he needs to understand...

... what would you say to him?

104 comments:

edutcher said...

No prisoners, no mercy.

Treat them the way they treat their opponents.

Steve Burri said...

Keep up the good work!

Tank said...

Hang in there brother.

Christopher in MA said...

What was the slam against that old fraud Lillian Helman - "every word she says is a lie, including 'and' and 'the?'"

Replace "she" with "Democrats." That's what I'd tell him.

Chuck66 said...

"Gary Mitchell, AFSCME International vice president–Wisconsin: “Don’t change. Keep doing what you’re doing. It was so successful for Herbert Hoover and the Republican Party in the 1930s"

Actually Hoover was a Big Government guy. He increased spending at the federal level by 40% in the 4 years he was in office. He also supported protectionists legislation. And he was a pacifist. Now, I actually like many things about Hoover (perhaps the most compassionate president we ever had), but for the most part, his policies matched those of today's Democrats.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Is that REALLY a cross section of people in Madison?

Really? If so, I plan to never go there.

Anonymous said...

Katrina vanden Heuvel is Lillian Helman but without the writing chops.

Kevin said...

Never Give Up, Never Surrender.

Chuck66 said...

Donald Downs, professor of political science, law and journalism at UW–Madison: “Okay, I get it. You and your minions are starving the UW System, in part because the UW is so overwhelmingly left-liberal. But please consider the other fact in this matter: We are a great public university system, and the Madison campus is a world leader in research. Do you really want to see this jewel forever lose its luster? “


Well Mr Donald Downs, UW-Madison is good in many areas. Research, law, ag, etc. But if it is like other UW branches, the Political Science dept is a waste of money. If it is like the location I got my undergrad in, the Pol Science area is made up of tired old liberals who want an easy paycheck for doing little work, and to prothesize their politics to young impressionable students.

I'd say that is a good place to look at for cutting, instead of the hard sciences where people actually learn something they will use in their lives.

traditionalguy said...

Above all Walker needs to keep being himself and convey a humble attitude while he dismantles the last 30 years of crony-unionism imposed on Wisconsin citizens by "The Educators."

Anonymous said...

I have tried and failed to get the underlying point of this one, which is hilariously self-contradictory:

“Governor, we need to move beyond policy disagreements to a place of shared responsibility and shared sacrifice. No more slogans, scapegoats and easy fixes.”

The left in Wisconsin should just "move beyond policy disagreement" and just accept Walker's reforms.

Althouse's was the winner, in style and subtance. It is the ultimate rejoinder to the pomposity of the other party guests.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Haha - they each essentially believe there is such a thing as a free lunch!

traditionalguy said...

Garage needs to pay Karen Vandenheuvel to come in and comment here.

She could assassinate the sodbuster Conservatives with a few quick lines like the Jack Palance played gunslinger Wilson in the movie Shane.

But so far Walker is doing well playing Shane.

Politics imitates Hollywood again.

Amy said...

This country needs more leaders like you. Stand firm. We are behind you.

http://www.teaandbonbons.com/

garage mahal said...

Hope you like jail food!

Curious George said...

Madison lefties: "You don't understand..."

Walker: "Actually I do"

Anonymous said...

Go the distance.

MnMark said...

I'd tell him he's doing a fantastic job, and to keep being polite and civil and dignified while not holding back from using every single tactic, legal loophole, obscure regulation, strained case law interpretation, or other means to defeat these people, who show no respect for the spirit of civil debate and democracy. These are people who will abuse the process by calling for a "do-over" election, not because there are any allegations of wrong-doing at all, but because they disagree with a policy choice you made. These are people who invade our political gatherings to intimidate us by screaming as a group so our speakers can't be heard. These are people who called for more legislative recall elections in one year - again, for no legitimate reason - than had been held in generations. They abuse the process as a matter of course, and so we are under no obligation to hobble ourselves by continuing to follow the unwritten rules that the Left has destroyed. Fight as dirty as you can, with a pleasant smile on your face as you do it.

chickelit said...

I might say: Pay no attention to boys who build palaces from car ports.

MayBee said...

I don't know what I would say, but if I'm going to corner someone at a party, I hope I have a glass of scotch, a cigarette with a long holder, a chic black dress, a slightly unsteady stance, and slurry words that seem really brilliant at the time.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

I want to hang out with MayBee at that party. She seems to understand what a party is all about.

:-D

MnMark said...

Hope you lkike jail food!

Another lefty channeling his inner Kim Il Sung, I see...."send him to prison! He is a political criminal!"

Next they'll be calling to have Walker declared insane and sent to a gulag mental hospital.

Matt Sablan said...

"These comments are more one-sided than we wanted, but it was hard getting local Republicans and businesspeople to step up. One business leader’s explanation for his silence was troubling: Based on his experiences, he feared harassment and vandalism if he dared to publicly support the governor."

That should be a clue that things are a bit too crazy.

David said...

Apparently most of the people quoted in the article confuse making a statement with asking a question.

slarrow said...

Even worse, David: they confuse "advice" with "complaining" or "criticism". Even our esteemed hostess doesn't offer advice, although her ice-breaker does puncture the pomposity of the entire exercise.

MadisonMan said...

How did we get invited to the same party?

I'd explain the provenance of the fence around the Governor's mansion.

Palladian said...

"... what would you say to him?"

One word: Plastics!

Known Unknown said...

Ben Sidran, jazzman: “Excuse me, governor, could you please pass the shrimp dip when you’re done? These people are hungry, and there’s a line starting to form on the left.”

There's always been a line on the left.

Alex said...

Another lefty channeling his inner Kim Il Sung, I see...."send him to prison! He is a political criminal!"

Funny that was the same response on Huffington Post to the Sara Ackerman fiasco.

Anonymous said...

Illegitimi non carborundum.

Rusty said...

garage mahal said...
Hope you like jail food!

1/11/12 10:58 AM





What felony has he committed?
Be specific.

Michelle Dulak Thomson said...

Ann, I darkly suspect that you listen to NPR on Saturday mornings. Scott Simon is always pleading with people to "help us to understand." Last week he did it three times to different interviewees -- a personal best for one segment, I think.

wv: vompyr

MayBee said...

Sunny Schubert, writer: “There are a lot of non-religious people in Wisconsin, and we’re tired of lawmakers shoving their religion down our throats. It’s hard to defend the GOP’s attacks on sex education and Planned Parenthood. If you truly believe in small government and individual freedom, how about sticking to government’s core functions and quit trying to legislate morality?”

My question to Scott Walker would be:
"Do you think Sunny Schubert realized how many times she contradicted herself just now?"

Brian Brown said...

That his opponents are hell bent on destroying him and will stop at nothing to do so.

Bayoneteer said...

Doesn't Madison have any "regular" people? Everybody is an elected official, employed by an NGO, or an artsy-fartsy type. Nobody up there works at a hardware store, repairs cars, or builds houses? Sheesh.

Anonymous said...

he feared harassment and vandalism if he dared to publicly support the governor

telling.

Hizzle said...

A party with a cash bar is not a party, it's theft!

BJM said...

Go the distance.

RonF said...

Here was the one I liked the most, from some writer:

"It’s hard to defend the GOP’s attacks on sex education and Planned Parenthood. If you truly believe in small government and individual freedom, how about sticking to government’s core functions and quit trying to legislate morality?”

I replied that this was internally inconsistent. Someone who is in favor of small government and individual freedom understands that sex education and support of Planned Parenthood are not core government functions. The fact that this guy apparently thinks they are means that he'll never understand what Gov. Walker is doing, or why.

MayBee said...

RonF- yeah, that's the one I decided DBQ and I will laugh at over our 3rd martini.

Chip S. said...

Donald Downs's comment was highly disappointing for its innumeracy as well as its partisan spin.

The total proposed $46 million in cuts in state appropriations to the entire UW system and its 13 campuses would amount to a little over 4 percent of the budget for salaries only at the Madison campus only. It doesn't seem like it would be massively painful to spread the $46 mil hit across the entire UW system by leaving unfilled positions unfilled, cutting some adjunct faculty here and there, and raising tuition. If teaching loads in the humanities and social sciences went up a bit and fewer obscure papers got written, would that be a bug or a feature?

Downs also goes to far as to claim that Walker's cuts are motivated by political animus toward the UW faculty. Is there actual evidence of this? What other cuts would Downs propose instead of cuts that hurt himself, if ever so slightly?

I thought this guy had some integrity, but apparently I was wrong about that.

Michael Haz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chuck66 said...

MayBee....correct. It is small government to cut back funding for Planned Parenthood and to repeal a law the requires specific sex things to be taught in all public schools.

Brian Brown said...

It’s hard to defend the GOP’s attacks on sex education and Planned Parenthood. If you truly believe in small government and individual freedom, how about sticking to government’s core functions and quit trying to legislate morality?”


Yes, because as we all know it is a core function of government to fund Planned Parenthood!

One wonders if this person is capable of understanding that for a majority of America's history "sex education" was not part of the cirriculum.

Anonymous said...

“It must be hard for you going to parties where everybody’s always cornering you telling you what you need to understand.”

Glad to see there is someone who doesn't want to participate in the magazine article's wet dream.

garage mahal said...

Chip
The cuts to the UW system were a lot larger than 46 million. It's close to 300 million

And the hits keep rolling in:

Gov. Walker Accused Of Over 1,000 Violations Of Campaign Finance Law, Could Face $557,500 Fine Link

Daisy Cakes said...

I would ask him to award MORE funding to the school districts with the best credit ratings (ie: balanced budgets) and the highest scores (broken out by demographic if that'll keep the whining down). Straight up pay for play - more money to those who do it right.

Damon said...

It is the normal hard working folks of Wisconsin that deserve Governor Walker. The quoters are clearly out of touch and do not deserve the fiscal responsibility that Walker is providing. I would say let them run the state into the ground, but there would be collateral damage and I cannot wish for that.

Brian Brown said...

And the hits keep rolling in:

Gov. Walker Accused Of Over 1,000 Violations Of Campaign Finance Law, Could Face $557,500 Fine Link


Breaking news!!!!

At Think Progress no less!!!!

Anonymous said...

Jay, on the other hand, you have to admit that the United States was a nowhere backwater on the world stage, an economically destitute and powerless country before sex education was introduced in schools. Oh, wait ...

Dopey said...

Where did they take this poll? Whole Foods?

Anonymous said...

Right back at you, Garage.
From the New York Times (not a partisan hit shop like Think Progress):
Obama’s Easy Credit
The Obama campaign has deliberately turned off the anti-fraud mechanisms available for internet credit card transactions. They have no clue how many millions or tens of millions of dollars have been donated to them in violation of federal election law. And now it turns out that the Obama campaign cheerfully takes even contributions from untraceable pre-paid credit cards, a/k/a ‘the pseudo-credit cards you use when you want to conceal illegal activity.’

Chip S. said...

@garage--OK, I found that $300M is a worst-case scenario for cuts, but it's still the case that the UW system's budget is $5.5 billion/year, so the worst-case scenario is about 5.5% in cuts. Not trivial, but not mission-threatening, either.

These sorts of cuts in state funding of higher ed are going on in many states, and being replaced by private funding and tuition payments. A shift away from direct funding of the institutions to financial aid to students is a good thing, IMO.

Patrick said...

"Improperly reported" what does that mean? Typos in the reporting? I wouldn't hold your breath Garage. Keep hope alive, though.

RonF said...

Garage, I don't have the figures in front of me specifically for the U of W system, but overall in higher education you'll find that the number of administrators in university systems has increased exponentially to the point that at most schools there are as many administrators as there are people who actually teach or do research.

Here's an example.. This gentleman is the Chief Diversity Officer and Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate at UW. You want to save money without injuring the ability of students to study and earn a degree? Get rid of him. Get rid of his entire department. Money saved with no harm done at all to the school. In fact, it's reputation as a school that is focused on an educational mission instead of a mission to provide employment for academics will likely be enhanced. Put me in charge and I'll save 5.5% of the UW budget in a week.

Toad Trend said...

That leftists are driven by defective closed-loop programming. The humility subroutine was omitted - consequently, they are quite incapable of learning.

"Apparently Madison’s commitment to diversity goes only so far."

Diversity for thee, but not for me.

Curious George said...

"garage mahal said...
And the hits keep rolling in:

Gov. Walker Accused Of Over 1,000 Violations Of Campaign Finance Law, Could Face $557,500 Fine Link"

With the "John Doe" investigation blowing up in his face, garage has moved on to new straws to grasp.

Rusty said...

Gov. Walker Accused Of Over 1,000 Violations Of Campaign Finance Law, Could Face $557,500 Fine Link





Yeah. I thought so. You got nothin'

Anonymous said...

"Nobody up there works at a hardware store, repairs cars, or builds houses? Sheesh."

No, to a man (and woman) they are all pediatric oncologists and biochemistry professors. They have no imaginable need for a gun or for a Republican. There should be strict regulations against the existence of both.

AlphaLiberal said...

Your political /economic ideology is completely at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

garage mahal said...

With the "John Doe" investigation blowing up in his face, garage has moved on to new straws to grasp.

Apparently you're fine with hiring people that pilfered money from wounded veterans and solicited boys. You're a bad man C.G. Tsk!

Toad Trend said...

"Your political /economic ideology is completely at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ."

ROFLMAO

Tell us, AL, about how the gospel has anything at all to do with the governors' 'ideology'.

Please cite specific passages from the Bible, and support with factual information illustrating this ideology.

We are awaiting your brilliance.

Sofa King said...

@garage--OK, I found that $300M is a worst-case scenario for cuts, but it's still the case that the UW system's budget is $5.5 billion/year, so the worst-case scenario is about 5.5% in cuts. Not trivial, but not mission-threatening, either.

Actually, it's half that, because the state budget is biennial but the UW budget is not. So it's really either $300 million out of $11 billion, or $150 million out of $5.5 billion.

Sofa King said...

Your political /economic ideology is completely at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ.


So what?

Quaestor said...

RonF wrote:
Here was the one I liked the most, from some writer...

"Some writer" is one Sunny Schubert. She has one piece for sale on Amazon, a 5KB download for $5.95. Methinks Sunny Schubert lives on a trust fund.

Calypso Facto said...

"Improperly reported" is that the equivalent of "improperly registered" to vote in Milwaukee County last year?

"...overall there was a 33 percent error rate among all the [same-day] registration forms"

Anonymous said...

Blessed are the government employees, for they shall be entitled to generous benefits.

Blessed are the drum bangers, for they will overcome their adversary's wicked reliance upon reason through sheer annoyance....

Sofa King said...

I also want to say that I was disappointed in Downs' answer. I really liked him because he almost never took cheap shots, didn't believe in simple answers, and always saw both sides of an issue. I get that this was supposed to be pithy, but doesn't sound like the man I remember.

Quaestor said...

Don't Tread 2012 wrote regarding AL:
We are awaiting your brilliance.

We've been awaiting his brilliance since 2005.

(waiting) (waiting) (waiting)

Nothing yet...

(waiting) (waiting) (waiting)

Curious George said...

"garage mahal said...
Apparently you're fine with hiring people that pilfered money from wounded veterans and solicited boys. You're a bad man C.G. Tsk!"

Uh, fail. Walker did not hire people "that pilfered money from wounded veterans and solicited boys." When he hired them they had not in fact done the former. And it was Walker's COS that went to authorities to investigate the missing money. So I'm perfectly fine with an administration that self polices like that. You're not? Tsk garage.

As far as the latter, child enticement etc, that person was not hired by Walker. He never worked for Walker. So this is again a falsehood.

As usual, the question remains, are you an idiot, liar, or both.

Sue D'Nhym said...

That when the Giants upset the Packers this weekend, everything will still be ok.

TosaGuy said...

So if we use Garage Logic (which means something entirely different in Minnesota as opposed to the Althouse board) ...... The guy who solicited boys was hired by the office of Tony Evers, who was elected to run the Department of Public Instruction. Mr. Evers was elected with the full backing of the state teachers union. Therefore, teachers union support child solicitation.

Chuck66 said...

"So if we use Garage Logic (which means something entirely different in Minnesota as opposed to the Althouse board)"


AA readers would love to hear about "the Mystery".

NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...

Nothing. He's governor of Wisconsin and I'm nobody. Nor am I an expert in any subject he needs to know about.

Amartel said...

"Your political /economic ideology is completely at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ."

No, YOUR political/economic ideology is completely at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Also, the Constitution. Also, common sense.

But, hey, whatevs. Details.

Sudden lefty religious litmus test syndrome. Appears when it's conveeeenient, then disappears.

Jesus Christ was a religious leader (also Savior and Son of God, if you're Christian), not a politician or an economist. (And also not, btw, a community organizer. You jackass.)

Jesus Christ loves you. That doesn't mean anyone else has to.

Methadras said...

Destroy your enemies, drive them before you, hear the lamentations of their women.

Kirk Parker said...

DBQ,

Ahhh, so what I really need to attract you is a chic black dress? Noted! :-)

Shite said...

"feared harassment and vandalism if he dared to publicly support the governor".

Yes, and one could expect retribution from all departments of the City of Madison. Can you imagine if you were a contractor that wanted to express an opinion? "Nope, that job don't pass inspection, nosirree"

Or if you were a vendor?

For my money, the police of all stripes in Madison cannot be trusted to do the right thing either. They are complete sympathizers, therefore you are on your own, or worse if they decide to harass you.

Typical liberals, though. Lotta high-falutin' blather about civil rights and stuff, when really it's about the money.

Triangle Man said...

@Chuck66

I'd say that is a good place to look at for cutting, instead of the hard sciences where people actually learn something they will use in their lives.

Virginia Postrel disagrees with you.

Curious George said...

Chuck66 said...
"So if we use Garage Logic (which means something entirely different in Minnesota as opposed to the Althouse board)"


AA readers would love to hear about "the Mystery".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garage_Logic

Chuck66 said...

...."Yes, and one could expect retribution from all departments of the City of Madison. Can you imagine if you were a contractor that wanted to express an opinion? "Nope, that job don't pass inspection, nosirree""

Hey....when I lived in Duluth, the city was accused of that. There was an electrician who was non-union. It was just him and one or two employees, so he saw no need to pay union dues.

Welllll the city council (as is the school board) is made up of "labor endorsed" people. They hire like-minded people to run the city departments. And guess who had a hard time getting the city inspector to approve his work.....yup. The non-union businessman. Don't know what became of the accuastions, but I imagine that this would be very hard to prove in court.

Tyrone Slothrop said...

garage mahal said...

Gov. Walker Accused Of Over 1,000 Violations Of Campaign Finance Law, Could Face $557,500 Fine


I accuse garage of the rape and murder of over two hundred and fifty pre teen girls!!!!111!!!! If guilty, he will spend the rest of his life doing hard time!!!1!!!1111!!

Chuck66 said...

Tyrone....yup. People try to do the "criminalization of politics". Keep accusing your political opponent of committing a crime, hoping something will stick. No stealing, no sexual assults, no bribery, its just using details of campaign finance laws (and similiar laws) hoping to find a clause that you can use against your enemy.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Ann Althouse, blogger and UW–Madison law professor: “It must be hard for you going to parties where everybody’s always cornering you telling you what you need to understand.

D'oh

MadisonMan said...

This gentleman is the Chief Diversity Officer and Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate at UW. You want to save money without injuring the ability of students to study and earn a degree?

I suspect -- I'm not sure, but I suspect -- that a Diversity Officer is present on Campus to make certain that Federal and State Guidelines tied to awarded grants -- guidelines that are related to race and diversity -- are met.

If you want to get rid of such an administrator (a worthy goal, although where would the Sociology and N studies PhDs work if you did?), you first must make the awarded grants unencumbered. Or do away with the grants altogether.

Chuck66 said...

.....Chief Diversity Officer and Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate at UW.....

It is people with titles like that which show one of the biggest problems with Big Acadamia.

JSF said...

but it was hard getting local Republicans and businesspeople to step up. One business leader’s explanation for his silence was troubling: Based on his experiences, he feared harassment and vandalism if he dared to publicly support the governor. Former Dane County Supervisor Ruth Ann Schoer made the same point, saying, “A lot of conservatives in Dane County are afraid of retaliation if they speak up. I know quite a few teachers who support the governor’s measures but wouldn't dare speak out. They would be so blackballed.”

Apparently Madison’s commitment to diversity goes only so far.


What does AL think about this?

AL is Squealer of Animal Farm: Some Animals (Liberals) are more equal then others (Those who do not support AL's views)

Anonymous said...

We need you in national office.

RonF said...

Madison Man said:

"I suspect -- I'm not sure, but I suspect -- that a Diversity Officer is present on Campus to make certain that Federal and State Guidelines tied to awarded grants -- guidelines that are related to race and diversity -- are met.

If you want to get rid of such an administrator (a worthy goal, although where would the Sociology and N studies PhDs work if you did?), you first must make the awarded grants unencumbered. Or do away with the grants altogether."

If the Sociology and N (? What's "N"?) PhD's went away it probably wouldn't cause Western Civilization to collapse. But be that as it may, have a look at the web page again. Click through all the links on it. Have a look at all the projects and initiatives he says that he and his staff are spending their time on. What of any of it has anything to do with the functions you name?

If you need a few clerical types to shuffle some Federal paperwork, fine. That can be hired relatively cheap without all the stuff these people have dreamed to waste taxpayer money on.

I mean, really. What happens to someone where they wake up and say "What this University needs to do is spend millions of dollars on a 'Diversity and Climate' office!"

paul a'barge said...

Hey Guv, crucify Liberals and the Unions. End quote.

MadisonMan said...

N Studies includes Womyns Studies, Hispanic Studies, Slavic Studies. All the various studies of small populations of groups.

sybilll said...

Get ready for a prominent role in 2016.

MayBee said...

If I had enough wine, I would probably put on my best cockney accent and say "Hey, Guv'nuh"

damikesc said...

I'd say to ignore this video since voter fraud doesn't exist, if one listens to Democrats.

Ignore this video of ballots being given in the name of dead people.

https://www.theprojectveritas.com/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=90

ken in tx said...

I hope Maybee and Dust Bunny are wearing really high heels, ankle chokers--red or black. That would make a lot of difference.

Bill S. said...

Governor, I sure wish we had you in Illinois.

Blair said...

What do the lyrics to The Old Man's Back Again mean?

Oh, wrong Scott Walker...

gadfly said...

Balanced group of commenters, don't you think? Not!

Somehow, they avoided bring up the Koch brothers. That must have been difficult for our progressives.

coolkevs said...

I would say, thank you Governor Walker - have a drink on me for not turning us into Illinois and for getting the order correct:
Wisconsin: Pension reform=>credit stable or upgrade=>sky does not fall
Illinois: Credit downgrade=>Sky begins to fall => Governor vows to finally reform pensions
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-quinn-illinois-debt-rating-20120111,0,7683916.story
Unfortunately, Quinn is a Dem and unionista, so he won't get recalled, and I bet the reform won't be as far reaching...

Brian Brown said...

AlphaLiberal said...
Your political /economic ideology is completely at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ.


How would you know?

Known Unknown said...

How 'bout them Packers!

MadisonMan said...

Wisconsin: Pension reform=>credit stable or upgrade=>sky does not fall
Illinois: Credit downgrade=>Sky begins to fall => Governor vows to finally reform pensions

The Wisconsin Pension system -- for government employees -- was never in any danger, at all. Illinois has pension problems because their pension is poorly funded. That is not the case with Wisconsin.

It is true that, had Tommy Thompson successfully raided the Pension fund, he and subsequent governors would have borrowed it dry. Thankfully, the Wisconsin Supremes slapped him down.

coolkevs said...

MadisonMan,
I was talking in terms of pension reform where the government employees have to contribute to their pension, which I'm probably imagining that Illinois state employees don't have to do??? I don't know...

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