CBS: Wisconsin Protestors' 'Passions Ran Over' After 'Relative Restraint'
Reporting on the passage of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's proposal to curb public union benefits and bargaining power, on Thursday's CBS Evening News, correspondent Cynthia Bowers referred to the union protestors in the state capital and declared: "After three weeks of relative restraint, passions ran over today."
That "restraint" has included threats against Republican state lawmakers (with an angry mob surrounding one of them), protestors storming the state capitol building, and signs comparing Governor Walker to Adolf Hitler. As a Media Research Center Media Reality Check detailed, the networks have failed to report on the most extreme actions of the protestors, while they were eager to condemn the "incivility" of the Tea Party.
In her report, Bowers went on to explain: "The flashpoint was a vote inside the state's Assembly after the Governor and Senate Republicans used a surprise maneuver yesterday to reduce the union rights of most public workers and force them to pay more for their pensions and health benefits....Stunned Democrats expressed outrage."
Of the five sound bites featured in the report, four of them were of protestors and Wisconsin Democrats condemning the Republican legislative move. As Bowers began the segment, clips were played of protestors chanting "shame." In another clip, Democratic state representative Peter Barca announced: "Democracy is ceasing to exist in the state of Wisconsin."
Bowers prefaced a sound bite of Walker near the end of the segment with: "The Republican governor, who's faced weeks of protest and falling poll numbers, senses the end game is near." She noted: "Democrats vow they'll fight this legislation in court, challenging the way Republicans brought it to a vote, which mean this battle could continue for months."
Here is a full transcript of Bowers' March 10 report:
6:40PM ET
KATIE COURIC: And now to the storm of protests in a number of state capitals. Police estimate 8,000 people took to the streets of Indianapolis to protest what they see as Republican attempts to reduce worker rights. And in Madison, Wisconsin, Cynthia Bowers reports, the state legislature has voted to do just that.
PROTESTORS: Shame. Shame.
CYNTHIA BOWERS: After three weeks of relative restraint, passions ran over today.
PROTESTORS: Shame.
BOWERS: Protestors and police shoved each other outside the capitol. While inside, authorities forcibly removed demonstrators and locked out the media and even some lawmakers.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: We have members who have been denied the right to enter the building.
BOWERS: The flashpoint was a vote inside the state's Assembly after the Governor and Senate Republicans used a surprise maneuver yesterday to reduce the union rights of most public workers and force them to pay more for their pensions and health benefits. Inside the Assembly today, the debate was fierce as Democrats fought against an inevitable law.
PETER BARCA [STATE REP. D-WI]: Democracy is ceasing to exist in the state of Wisconsin.
BOWERS: You can hear protestors' reaction to the bill's passage of the assembly. They may question its legitimacy, but once the governor signs it, it will be law.
Senate Republicans did an end-run around 14 Senate Democrats who fled the state three weeks ago today. Without the Democrats, there were not enough members to pass this kind of bill, which Republicans said would crucial to the state's budget. But last night, Republicans re-wrote the bill, removing all mention of budgets, instead, making it about labor rights and benefits. And that new bill passed eighteen to one. Stunned Democrats expressed outrage.
JON ERPENBACH [STATE SEN. D-WI]: So he's created this false crisis out there to promote this agenda that has nothing to do with anybody who lives in this state.
BOWERS: The Republican governor, who's faced weeks of protest and falling poll numbers, senses the end game is near.
GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER: At some point the public wants us to move forward. We have a process that was passed in the Senate last night that will allow us to move forward.
BOWERS: Democrats vow they'll fight this legislation in court, challenging the way Republicans brought it to a vote, which mean this battle could continue for months. Katie.
KATIE COURIC: Cynthia Bowers in Madison, Wisconsin, tonight. Cynthia, thank you.
— Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center. You can follow him on Twitter here.
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Comments
What they always report
Submitted by ThisnThat on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:14pm.
"force them to pay more for their pensions and health benefits"
What they always don't report:
"Increased their paycheck by eliminating forced union dues payments".
And, "Wisconsin public union employees now pay only 50% of what U.S. Government union employees pay for their health and pension benefits".
But nahhhh -- no MSM bias here at all, is there? Nothing but straight-forward truth and facts.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
"force them to pay ..... for
Submitted by Snappy on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:19pm.
"force them to pay ..... for their pensions and health benefits" FIFYA wise friend once told me 'a
Submitted by Red Bill on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:16pm.
A wise friend once told me 'a lie is a lie only if you were expecting the truth' I'm not sure if they were the first to say it but it sure does apply to todays MSM.C'mon Reliable Sources: This should be easy
Submitted by krendler on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:25pm.
Will Howie comment on this absolutely blatant (and oh so typical) double standard on his show tomorrow?Gosh, elections have consequences
Submitted by Blonde on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:26pm.
Didn't The Vain Obama tell us that during the Health Care Submit?
The continued obfuscation by the media about the "debate" in Wisconsin is infuriating. It was all about the money. The money the unions were stealing from the State of Wisconsin (taxpayers) at gunpoint, with collective bargaining agreements that required Wisconsin to buy its health care benefits directly from the Union Trust!
That's what this was all about. Money, and lots of it. Poor unions, just lost their license to steal. Now maybe they'll have to do some actual work for their members, instead of partying down in Vegas and elsewhere.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
BS Media fabricates words
Submitted by Edhenry on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:31pm.
BS Media fabricates words against Dems walking to healthcare vote in DC (dont think the $100,000 reward has been paid) Then calls death threats "passion"I Have One Question!
Submitted by Bourbeau on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:33pm.
Where the hell are the rest of Wisconsin taxpayers on this issue? They have been absent to a degree beyond comprehension. This is their state, their goverment, and their money; this fight that Walker has taken up has been for them. Yet, they allow 300,000 union members outshout them on an issue this vital to the survival of the state? There must be something in the water up there when 14 Senators can vacate their elected positions and their constituents sit back and say nothing. From my vantage point I'd sponsor a law that would say, should any lawmaker ever vacate their seat beyond 7 sessions,without sufficient cause, they've abdicated their responsibility and are subject to immediate recall. Should any group of elected officials conspire to disrupt the business of govement by simultaneiously absenting themselves from the business of the goverment, they are subject to immediate recall in their respective districts.I suspect the taxpayers will
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:49pm.
I suspect the taxpayers will make their wishes known about these absent politicians at the next election, loud and clear. Children scream and stamp their feet and vandalize someone else's property; we vote.Oh, we're here
Submitted by BikerHoop on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 6:30pm.
And we've been in Madison, and we've been shouting as loud as the union thugs have been. Recall petitions against the Dems are being circulated. We're doing all the things we should be doing, it's just the MSM ain't telling... imagine that!
We don't have to sponsor a law to cover this because we already have one. It's all a matter of whether or not the powers that be decide to prosecute.
Any public officer or public employee who does any of the following is guilty of a Class I felony:
946.12(1) Intentionally fails or refuses to perform a known mandatory, (1) nondiscretionary, ministerial duty of the officer's or employee's office or employment within the time or in the manner required by law.
A Class I felony is punishable by a $10,000 penalty and 3 1/2 years in jail.
I'm almost certain that if any Stateman
Submitted by dirtydan64 on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 6:30pm.
Stays away from his/her job for more than 30 days they effectively resign their position I read this in our states statues in I believe article 7 section 4 where it explains what the guide lines are for this to happen, and the only way for a Representive to be out past 30 days is by approval from the Speaker of the Senate or leader of the state Assembly. With that said those few democrats that were wanting and willing to return home and return to do their jobs, I would call the sheerness and file a complaint against there "Minority Leader" for false imprisonment, and what ever else they could file as charges to remove this sorry loser of a leader to run away from their sworn duty where the people elected them to do. There day is coming, November 2012 but they all feel so safe in their districts but little do they know the majority of there Consituency isn't Democrat like them."Passions" my ass--they're
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:40pm.
"Passions" my ass--they're just being themselves, only this time, everyone is seeing it.I went back and looked at
Submitted by ricklail on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 1:53pm.
I went back and looked at many of the pictures that Ann Althouse has posted. 3/4 of the protesters appeared to be students from U of W or recycled hippies from the 60's. I don't think they have mentioned that yet.
Protesters
Submitted by PeterStone on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 2:51pm.
Most of the protesters are students at U of W in Madison. This is all a game to them.I've talked to some students
Submitted by BikerHoop on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 6:35pm.
and a lot of them don't even know what they're protesting for. Some are doing it "just for experience", some are "just trying to get both sides of the story"... they don't know.
"I got nothing better to do"... "It sounded like a lot of fun."... "It's better than being in classes."... all excuses I heard. But, the best one... "I'm just doing it for the money."
I would love to see Wisconsin sue the goon organizers
Submitted by Dave. on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 3:17pm.
Last I checked, the damages caused by the imported professional goons was over $7 mil.
Why should the Wisconsin taxpayers foot the bill for the damages done by people who don't even live there?
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
LOL
Submitted by Bob K on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 4:32pm.
I went to a well known leftist website and a commenter was complaining about MSNBC doing a story with some CalTech people in regard to to the Tsunami and earthquake in Japan. I swear to God, the person wrote "It keeps them from having to cover Madison." LOL. They are upset because the whole world is NOT watching. It's a little too preoccupied at the moment to be concerned with spoiled college kids and union thugs.New Death Threats Against Republicans Uncovered
Submitted by im41 on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 4:42pm.
[CONTENT WARNING!]
Is this the hatred Nancy Pelosi was crying about?
That Was Restraint?
Submitted by Boil It Down on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 8:31pm.
One can only imagine what Madison's emergency rooms would have looked like if they had let themselves go a liitle. Giving the union thugs a pass on their behavior will come back to bite us all. The liberal media won't be happy intil they've got some real spilled blood to report. I used to be silly enough to think the press had the inherent responsibility to look out for the best interests of the public. Boy!, how naive was I?Kinda dated ... ;-D
Submitted by Hog_Flambe on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 11:06pm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?xl=xl_blazer&v=HkgkiTGr43QMissed that one
Submitted by Radical1979 on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 11:48pm.
Love it.CBS covers for Democrat/union
Submitted by Cowboy on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 12:00am.
CBS covers for Democrat/union mob rule. Surprised?Living in WI and the world is upside down, lord help us
Submitted by 1dottiemarty on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 12:00pm.
Someone asked where are the WI taxpayers? Well, we are here and we are embarrassed, sad and scared. The print media, even in the city I live, (not Madison which is LIB-VILLE!!) is like the NY Times, and local television news is like MSNBC minus annoying, psycho talkers and the shouting. Conservative radio is our only voice!!! And I believe many in the state don't even have access to the great radio personalities we have. Who are all over this, by the way. I recommend websites for Vicki McKenna,Mark Belling,Charlie Sykes,Jay Weber, etc. Wonderful talent!!! However, if you did not listen to talk-radio you would only being seeing ONE SIDE. ALWAYS! We are screwed. So the public is only seeing and hearing from the screamers and crybabies in our capital city.( teachers, unions, out-of-towners, thugs,etc.). Then there is the Dem mayor of Madison who has been proven to be encouraging the behavior you have all witnessed. Add to him the Police Chief in the city of Madison who told his officers to stand down regarding protestors and not protect our Capital building. Who do you look to for help when police are involved? Oh, police were also protesting as were firemen (in uniform!) which is disgusting. OK...then you have Senate Democrats FLEEING the state and being heralded in the media I described above as HEROES!!! And I am CERTAIN MSNBC will be showing the protest and celebration held Saturday of these Fleebaggers welcome home party 24/7 daily. Jesse will be on every TV set he can find. He attended. Enjoy that! Wait til you see the cute new signs they have of the shape of our state with the number 14 on it. They're grrrrrreat. Death threats in writing were given to all of our Republican Senators and their families! Death threats to our Governor and his family! The Wisconsin Professional Police Assoc. along with many other groups including Firemen, Educators, Police, unions, etc. have written threats to our state's largest bank and other businesses threatening them very explicitly and signing them BY NAME and ASSOCIATION TITLES! Businesses, their owners, and anyone else who disagrees with these thugs or supported Gov. Walker or who refuse to denounce what Gov. Walker has done are BEING THREATENED with boycotts and VIOLENCE! Restaurants who even SERVE republicans are being threatened. Who do you call when it is the POLICE who are threatening or intimidating you? We have teachers who are actually talking about this stuff in schools to our children. Stories of 10 year olds who point to a Walker sign or bumper sticker and say "Walker, he's bad!" Planned walkouts being ENCOURAGED by unions or maybe threatened to attend by unions of teachers. Student planned walk-outs, protests. Not just in Madison at the college, here in the city I live! High School. It's disgusting! Hundred plus state unions RUSHED to extend contracts prior to this bills signing so they are not affected! Shady stuff! One last screw job to the taxpayer.That is another reason the fleebaggers stayed away for so long, so these contracts could be snuck in! Now O will be sending all the goons Glen Beck talks about on his show every day to my state from now until gosh knows when to recall Republican Senators and our Governor Walker. For doing their jobs!!! So much for elections having consequences. So much for free and fair elections our President talks about. Its ok to leave the people of Egypt to choose their leaders, but evidently not ok for WI residents.Then there is the absolutely disgusting trashing of the most beautiful capital building. Truly a gorgeous place. Now smells of pee, pot and patulee. I have no idea why they let anyone in there. These creeps were screaming, blocking entrance for voting, sleeping on floors in sleeping bags, legislators had to hide in their offices with their doors locked and be police escorted everywhere. They TOOK THAT PLACE OVER! I blame the city of Madison and the police. The cost of additional police needed to cover Madison at the expense and risk to other cities. I could go on and on and on. And, unfortunately, this appears to have just begun. When does it end? These are NOT peaceful protests do not believe MSM. It is hell. Someone is going to get hurt. Where is our President now? WI could certainly use a CIVILITY speech. Oh.... that's right. He was busy this week talking about anti-bullying at a school with Michelle and golfed 18 rounds on Saturday! He and all of the dems have poured fire on what is a VERY scary situation for all. In the words of those stupid axx protesters "SHAME SHAME SHAME!" Support Scott Walker and the republicans for the courage to stand up to what has been INTIMIDATION and ASSAULT! And the workers rights are being assaulted? STFU Mr. President. That is where we are. Thank you for listening.If all the local dummies went home..
Submitted by Patriot II on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 12:03pm.
You would have a small pile of hemorhoids from wash dc and unions that are there to stir the pot....hey locals...get your heads out of your respective asses and quit being manipulated puppets...dam...some people are so freaking stupid it hurts!!!