Tea Party Plans Wisc. Protest to Counter Unions
A prominent Tea Party group has announced that it will stage a counter-protest in Wisconsin on Saturday aimed at supporting a measure in that state to revoke public employee unions' collective bargaining rights and to force them to pay a slightly larger amount into their own health and pension plans.
That measure sparked large protests in Madison Thursday by union groups, and a walkout by Democratic legislators in a successful effort to deny the State Senate a voting quorum.
On Saturday, the Tea Party will answer with some protest muscle of its own. American Majority, a Tea Party group that trains political activists, will hold an event in Madison billed as a response to liberal union groups. Headlining the event will be conservative activists and web gurus Andrew Breitbart and Gateway Pundit's Jim Hoft.
A Facebook event page for the protest already boasts 875 registered attendees (as of publication). The page describes Saturday's event thusly:
As the week has progressed, Wisconsin and the Nation have watched schools across Wisconsin close due to teachers participating in a “sick out”, the unions bussing people in from other states to inflate their rally numbers in Madison and legislators fleeing the state to avoid the vote on the budget repair bill.
It’s time the voices of the Wisconsin people are heard.
We've had thousands of people show up for tea party events to rally to take our state back - but our work isn't done. Let's have our voices heard once again and show our state legislators that we support this bill. We need concerned Wisconsin citizens to show up at noon on Saturday, February 19th to voice our support for Gov. Walker and our conservative legislators! Tell your friends--let's set a turn out record!
"We're shooting for large numbers," Matt Batzel, American Majority's executive director in Wisconsin, told the Washington Examiner. Hundreds "at a minimum," he added.
On Twitter, conservatives joked that the Tea Party had waited until Saturday because unlike Madison's public school teachers, they actually had to work, and couldn't stage a "sick out."
But some conservative groups didn't wait for the weekend to stage their protests. In Ohio, where the state legislature is considering similar legalslation to Wisconsin's, activists from the Cincinnati Tea Party came out in support of that measure on Thursday. They mingled with union protesters, there to voice their objections to the measure, producing some heated back and forth, such as the exchange in this video::
- Lachlan Markay's blog
- Login to post comments















Comments
I think they're going to have a problem rounding up
Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 12:51pm.
several thousand students to use as props on a SATURDAY.
/s
Good
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 12:57pm.
This is what needs to happen, and not just in Wisconsin, either.
Maybe this will spark a long overdue and badly needed tax revolt all across America by productive citizens - before government at all levels manages to bleed them dry.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
maybe good
Submitted by jon_torlin on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 1:05pm.
It might be good, but I wonder if this is how they are going to start some civil incidents. Given that the Chairman already aligned himself and would be hard pressed NOT to get involved(already having the Wis Gov telling him to sod off), I can see some kind of civil war situation where it'll be "Us vs Them" where Us is the same as the US meaning normal everyday citizens versus "them" where they are the leeches and liberals living off of Us.
God help us if things do get out of control.
-Jon
jon,
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 10:33pm.
Honestly, from where I'm sitting, I think the whole planet is coming unglued.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Glenn Beck had better take a stand.
Submitted by Ashrak on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 1:21pm.
He must call for people to attend Madison's Tea Party on his show today.
It must be done. The time is now and this is the perfect opportunity to take the media to task. This is the first real leftist protest on the national media's radar since Obama's election. It is time to put the mainstrem media on tha spot by boxing them in to admitting that -
WE SURROUND THEM.
Unfair advantage
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 1:26pm.
Tea Partiers have jobs they won't abandon as the Teachers do.
That makes Saturday a good day for Tea Partiers.
Cool,
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 2:00pm.
You don't suppose that is the reason elections are held on Tuesdays as opposed to Saturdays?
LOL - Nah, that coudn't possibly be the reason.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
→ Nah!
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 2:06pm.
If it were on April 15th, we might see some interesting results.
Cool,
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 10:27pm.
LOL - April 16th might be even better, as the hangovers would be at their peak.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Man, that guy's an idiot!
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 2:19pm.
I can't believe the stupidity of the guy in the video! He spouts out about freedom of association and then complains when Tea Party members associates with each other and not with him.
Hay, dude, freedom of association doesn't mean I have to associate with YOU! I, as an individual, may associate with whomever I wish. I, as an individual may also DISASSOCIATE with you and anyone you're with! That's what is truly American.
He must be a Union member. They have absolutely no sense of individuality at all. They abdicated their own individuality to the Unions. Now that's just stupid!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
It's about time...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 3:53pm.
that someone from the other side of this issue is planning to make a visible response to the insanity going on in Madison...So far, all we've seen are the idiot teachers and other union and community organizer agitators screaming their heads off and holding offensive and asinine signs.
This whole thing is ridiculous...What is being asked of these teachers is not a draconian measure. But being typical union imbeciles, the first thing they do is scream and yell about how "unfair" it is and then they deal with the situation by going out on an illegal strike or sick-out. If I was the Wisc. governor, I'd be looking at my options about whether I could fire these teachers. These fools are basically holding the schoolkids in Wisconsin hostage by doing this.
As for the moronic Dem legislators who ran away and hid, they should have their pay docked for every day that they are gone (so should the teachers). The fact that the national Dem party and Obama have gotten involved in this is completely beyond the pale, but not unexpected considering the fact that this is a union issue. If the Repubs in Wisconsin have a brain in their heads, they should already be making plans on how to use this during the next election. I'm just hoping that the voters in Wisconsin are paying very close attention to this and will remember this mess in 2012.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
didn't you see his hat?
Submitted by ripper58 on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 3:48pm.
UAW.....that explains A LOT
Teachers looking bad !!!
Submitted by Maytag on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 4:55pm.
Guys at work last night were @80 percent against what is happening in Madison. Teachers being the face of killing the gov. and attacking their families, is not going over well. Do they not realize the internet is instant and the people in their school districts see them. The welcome home is not going to be a warm one.
Working people that cannot walk off their jobs will have the weekend off. Should be an interesting weekend I may have to take a ride south.
just to watch the FIBS the dnc is bringing in misbehave, wish I could get all the union dues I paid back.
GO SCOTT WALKER
Guy on Video discusses Hitler
Submitted by m1xram on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 8:36pm.
The guy on the video kept making references so Hitler. Obviously we should look up what Hitler thought of unions. A quick search on Google reveals this (one place from the top)...
So there you have it. Accusing others of being like Hitler because they are against unions is the exact opposite of Hitler's opinion. He believed that unions were entirely necessary for moral reasons, see last sentence of paragraph above.
We can see the irony, and ignorance, of the union worker by his statements in the video. On the idea of unions in general the union worker and Hitler are in agreement.
The opposite of Left is Freedom.
Personally, I think this
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 8:47pm.
Personally, I think this counter-protesting is a bad idea. Just give the democrats the rope, they'll do the rest.
The whole freakin' country is going to hell in a handbasket under Obama; how he fails to recognize this is utterly unfathomable. I've never witnessed such failed leadership at any level -from little league baseball to the service to private industry- this is by far the worst excuse for a president the US has ever put forth. We'll suffer on the world stage for decades due to Obama's flailing.
This clock is stopped on amateur hour.
Bkeyser
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 8:54pm.
I wonder what this all-day schmoozing between teachers and students at a political rally will produce.
Mom and Dad obviously don't care.
I dont know BK
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 8:58pm.
Anytime we get an opportunity to contrast libtards, we win.
Libtards are vile, and rarely pass up an opportunity to prove it
bk..Exactly...Look how long it took us to recover from Carter...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 9:07pm.
We're in almost the same situation now, except that Obama is far worse. This entire administration is an incompetent mess, from Obama himself, right down to the lowliest staffer. This type and scale of incompetence attracts other incompetents, and it all rolls down from the top.
I don't agree however that counter protesting is a bad idea because right now, the teacher/union idiots are the ones grabbing the media's attention (big surprise). Besides the Repub leaders in the state government and the governor, no one on the "other side" of this issue is being heard or seen right now. Even though Wisconsin is a bluish/purple state (although that may be changing), I'm guessing that many if not most Wisconsinites are not in support of having their children's teachers walking out of the classroom and using their kids as bargaining chips, nor are they likely in support of having their state's issues hijacked by outside, leftwing agitators who are trying to use this dispute for their own political ends. This perspective needs to be heard.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Boudin and Prairie
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 10:29pm.
I'm against the counter-protest because I don't think anything of value can come of it. Surely our side has a right to be heard, but it has been in the form of the bill being discussed.
Here's what I envision happening as a result of Tea Party infiltrators:
All the GOP has to do is stand fast and not let the vote die. Be cordial, be nice, be respectful and demand in no-uncertain-terms that Dems come back to their duty. The Tea Party needs to assure the GOP and Gov. Walker that they support them 100% but they won't be lured into the trap set for them by the left. They should go on televsion when asked and express their support of Walker and their disappointment in the cowardly Dems.
At least this is how I see it. I'm certainly not shy when it comes to confrontation, but you've got to pick your battles and this is one that the left can fight on their own, as far as I'm concerned. They'll continue to ruin their brand all by themselves; they don't need Tea Party help to do that. I say, give 'em the rope 'cause they know best how to use it. Sit this one out Tea Party- grab some popcorn and marshmellows and enjoy the flameout.
I would still rather show the commies
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 10:51pm.
They are out numbered! Intimidation via numbers works! Driving through my beloved state, I saw 3 different signs for Tea Party organizing. I think, and pray, were going to save Liberty in the end.
bk...I see what you're saying, and in fact...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 10:53pm.
have considered roughly the same things, but assuming the counter protest is handled right and intelligently (that means lots of non-leftist media cameras and microphones nearby so everything is fairly and correctly documented), this should be okay, if it even happens. I do agree that sometimes the best thing to do is not to interfere when your enemy is in the process of destroying themselves, and this may well be one of those situations. Time will tell...We'll see where this goes.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
this is how its been for too
Submitted by TruthMonger on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 10:56pm.
this is how its been for too long - your scenario you describe above is deliberately designed by the msm to intimidate us into silence and on all of our concerns - and its working on you just fine - no offense because i've had your same concerns over this - BUT IM SICK AND TIRED OF SHUTTING UP!! THESE B ASTARDS NEED TO BE MET IN THE FACE THIS TIME - AND NO BACKING DOWN
Congratulations Jimmy Carter!
Truth
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 11:05pm.
As with Prairie and Boudin- I understand where you're coming from. The biggest reason I thing we should let the left hang themselves -which is different this time from say, Obamacare- is that the GOP has the votes and the intention to enact the bill. In fact, according to Speaker Fitzgerald's office:
The left is coming so unhinged that they're apparently making threats to the safety of lawmakers. They've approached the gallows and palced the hood; all that's left is for them to step into the noose and drop through the floor. They'll do it. Just watch.
One would think that the good folks of Wisconsin...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 11:17pm.
have to be horrified at how this is playing out, and how the Dems/libs have handled this...The business about the safety of the caucus members being in jeopardy is a further indication that the wheels really do seem to be coming off the libnut's wagons. Tomorrow should be interesting.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
I understand BK
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 11:27pm.
If we dont show opposition, folks will think were not committed. We have to show fence sitters we can save it, we can be the 800# Gorilla!
God bless you, but we have to be assertive. Polite, diligent, and assertive,
Exactly !
Submitted by AGreer on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 11:27pm.
I agree 100% BK. The MSM tried to incite the TEA Party and it didn't work so they've changed tactics to incite the liberal fringe (oxymoron) to violence (European style riots).
I also agree that the TEA Party might be walking into a trap. No matter our best intentions, the TEA Party is being set up for getting blamed for inciting violence, just for our very presence there.
Finally, you're right about the rope. Let them screw the pooch and not be there to blame.
Butter on the popcorn BK ? Just don't ask me for a lime in your beer ! LOL
No limes here either AG
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 11:31pm.
I'm as boring as they come in the beer market. I'll have a Bud Light longneck, please.
Tailgate party !
Submitted by AGreer on Sat, 02/19/2011 - 12:08am.
I say we should have a tailgate party from a distance, BBQ some tasty meat, debate the need for "diet beer" (LOL) and watch the teachers torch the capital.
Once again, we need to stay out of the way. They're "effing" themselves.
My only concern is a possible clash - you KNOW the
Submitted by Cape Conservative on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 10:23pm.
union members are just waiting for the opportunity to take the Tea Party movement to task for having the audacity to upset their apple cart! Yes, as a proud Tea Partier I am happy to have been a part of demanding our government officials assume some ACCOUNTABILITY in their offices!
If that means someone is going to have to pay a portion of their health benefits or retirement, then so be it! We in the private sector have been doing that all of our working careers...and we darn sure don't even think about retiring at 50 (unless we were VERY successful ;-)
It's past time for these public employees to GROW UP! And they had better remember...Respect is earned! One 'aw shucks' knocks out 100 'atta-boys' - IF/when the teachers return to the classrooms, there is going to be a LONG period before they can 'earn' the respect of their students and parents, if ever! Personally I wouldn't want my child in the same classroom with one of these THUGS!
I hope the governor FIRES the entire lot of them! That should help unemployed individuals in the state find jobs. And these would be people who WANT to work and WON'T be demanding outrageous concessions just because they are in a classroom!
Amateur Hour
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 10:35pm.
I said earlier that Obama's clock was stopped on amateur hour. Gave me an idea for a photoshop. I call this, Oclock.
"Oclock"..This is great!.
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 10:44pm.
Really...I love how you incorporated Obama's logo into the clock face...Good job!
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Thanks Prairie!
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 11:06pm.
I was happy with the way this one turned out.
And with good reason...It's terrific...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 11:10pm.
Keep 'em coming!
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
The Governor should draw a line in the sand.
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Sat, 02/19/2011 - 1:07am.
Say, if the democrats aren't back for their votes by Wednesday this coming week, then FIRE the 15,000 teachers that this would have saved.