The police unions show their true colors!

Protection racket, anyone?

Seen at 620 WTMJ:

UNIONS THREATEN BUSINESS

By Charlie Sykes

Story Created: Mar 10, 2011
Story Updated: Mar 10, 2011

That's a nice business you got there. Pity if anything were to happen to it if, say, you didn't toe the line and denounce Governor Walker like we're asking nice-like.

March 10, 2011

Mr. Tom Ellis, President

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation

770 N. Water Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

SENT VIA FASCIMILE AND REGULAR MAIL

Dear Mr. Ellis:

As you undoubtedly know, Governor Walker recently proposed a “budget

adjustment bill” to eviscerate public employees’ right to collectively bargain in

Wisconsin. ..

As you also know, Scott Walker did not campaign on this issue when he ran for

office. If he had, we are confident that you would not be listed among his largest

contributors. As such, we are contacting you now to request your support.

The undersigned groups would like your company to publicly oppose Governor

Walker’s efforts to virtually eliminate collective bargaining for public employees in

Wisconsin. While we appreciate that you may need some time to consider this

request, we ask for your response by March 17. In the event that you do not

respond to this request by that date, we will assume that you stand with

Governor Walker and against the teachers, nurses, police officers, fire fighters,

and other dedicated public employees who serve our communities.

Sickening. I hope the Governor does kill all the public unions dead. They are like certain lizards in that they can grow parts back after an amputation - best to kill them outright so they never can come back.
H/t Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler

UPDATE: PDF of the letter, here.

Email to Governor Walker

Just sent this:

Governor Walker,

First off, thank you for staying on course and removing some of the union's conflict of interest powers. This is why we elected you. Keep up the good work!

In that vein, I've got a few suggestions to help our budget problems.

First, why not close the "Handgun Hotline" bureau? Besides being an infringement on our Second Amendment rights, this department is a duplication of effort. The FBI operates their "E-Check" website that Wisconsin gun dealers must use for background checks for long guns, and our federal taxes pay for it. To operate a duplicate state bureau to do this, and charge Wisconsin residents $13 per check is just wrong.

You could also advocate removing the waiting period on handguns - this only affects the law-abiding again infringing on the Second Amendment. Removing this would not cost the state one cent.

Back to the budget - Do we really need the hundreds of upper management school superintendents and associated staff? Our schools did quite well back in the days of one-room schools, without all the bureaucracy. Perhaps we should think about moving back to simpler methods?

The Wisconsin law requiring registration of septic systems by homeowners is another place you might find savings. The bureaucracy involved in maintaining records of every cesspool in the state, and requiring homeowners to provide proof of maintenance periodically is an intrusion on privacy, and likely has little effect on the health of the state. People who own septic systems know when they need service, and maintain them without state interference in other states - are Wisconsin residents less intelligent that their neighbors?

Mandatory recycling - if local governments want to impose this, let them charge the full cost to their residents. If recycling is profitable, as the people pushing for it have always claimed, we should not be using tax money to support it. Let the free market show demand, and let the communities profit.

End the subsidies for wind and solar power. Grid-connected wind power is technically unworkable, and will never replace one fossil fuel plant. As an electrical engineer, I know a bit about this, and can provide research if you want it. If people want to put up wind turbines for their own use, this should be a matter for their immediate neighbors and their own investment.

Repeal the law requiring a fixed amount of power to be obtained from "renewable" sources. Arbitrary numbers in laws are always a bad idea. If industry sees a way to make an honest profit with renewable energy, they will build plants - if the state stays out of their way with sensible regulations, not obstacles.

Repeal the de-facto ban on nuclear energy. Federal rules make this hard enough to work with already.

Once the heat dies down, and the teachers and other public workers see that the world has not ended because their collective bargaining "rights" have been removed, perhaps you could extend this to the rest of the public unions. Police, fire, and prison workers should not be able to hold the people hostage with union demands.

Make Wisconsin a right to work state.

How about a ban on state funding of "roundabouts" or traffic circles - one of my major pet peeves? If a local area really wants one of these monstrosities, let the people in that area pay for it - and pay for the resulting traffic problems and injuries. Those in the Whitewater and Beloit areas are accidents waiting to happen, and a huge waste of our highway funds. Wisconsin is not Europe, however much our "liberals" may wish it to be.

I thin that's enough for now. Again, thank you for your efforts so far.

Regards,
Chuck Kuecker

Earthquake in Japan

Google links

I am praying for everyone affected.

Got to wonder how Mr. Osama will respond - if we can afford to.

They sure are civil, them Demonrats!

An example:

Thursday, March 10, 2011

10:38 AM

Scott Fitzgerald releases text of death threat e-mail

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald's office this morning released an e-mail death threat it said it received and passed onto Capitol police.

A spokesman declined to release the e-mail address from which the message was sent, saying the office was advised not to because of the investigation.

As a warning, there is some profanity in the e-mail.

Here it is:

Go read.

Update: Here's the actual text taken off the 620 WTMJ website:

The following is the unedited email:

Please put your things in order because you will be killed and your familes
will also be killed due to your actions in the last 8 weeks. Please explain
to them that this is because if we get rid of you and your families then it
will save the rights of 300,000 people and also be able to close the deficit
that you have created. I hope you have a good time in hell. Read below for
more information on possible scenarios in which you will die.

WE want to make this perfectly clear. Because of your actions today and in
the past couple of weeks I and the group of people that are working with me
have decided that we've had enough. We feel that you and the people that
support the dictator have to die. We have tried many other ways of dealing
with your corruption but you have taken things too far and we will not stand
for it any longer. So, this is how it's going to happen: I as well as many
others know where you and your family live, it's a matter of public records.
We have all planned to assult you by arriving at your house and putting a
nice little bullet in your head. However, we decided that we wouldn't leave
it there. We also have decided that this may not be enough to send the
message to you since you are so "high" on Koch and have decided that you are
now going to single handedly make this a dictatorship instead of a
demorcratic process. So we have also built several bombs that we have placed
in various locations around the areas in which we know that you frequent.
This includes, your house, your car, the state capitol, and well I won't
tell you all of them because that's just no fun. Since we know that you are
not smart enough to figure out why this is happening to you we have decided
to make it perfectly clear to you. If you and your goonies feel that it's
necessary to strip the rights of 300,000 people and ruin their lives, making
them unable to feed, clothe, and provide the necessities to their families
and themselves then We Will "get rid of" (in which I mean kill) you. Please
understand that this does not include the heroic Rep. Senator that risked
everything to go aganist what you and your goonies wanted him to do. We feel
that it's worth our lives to do this, because we would be saving the lives
of 300,000 people. Please make your peace with God as soon as possible and
say goodbye to your loved ones we will not wait any longer. YOU WILL DIE!!!!

YAY!

At Hot Air:

Breaking: Wisconsin Senate GOP to split off collective bargaining bill from budget, pass it separately? Update: Senate passes collective bargaining bill; Update: “Affront to democracy,” says … runaway Dem; Update: Capitol livestream added; Update: No security whatsoever

Share

posted at 7:09 pm on March 9, 2011 by Allahpundit
printer-friendly

Question mark in the headline because all we know for sure is that they’ve sent the bill back to a conference committee for unspecified changes. But some of the fleebaggers are squawking that this means they’ve gone for the nuclear option — i.e. rather than include the collective bargaining provisions in a broader budget bill, which they can’t pass without Democrats because it’s “fiscal” in nature, they’re going to strip out the CB part and pass it separately. That’s not fiscal, according to Wisconsin law, so a simple quorum will do.

This is how you fight back

Without doing anything illegal or violent...

What we are trying to avoid having in power

Madison has been called "Berkeley East" - are these same people now protesting there?

http://www.zombietime.com/hall_of_shame/


Found at A Trainwreck In Maxwell.

Emila to Tammy Gay

Just saw where she voted against repealing the totally idiotic requirement for businesses to issue 1099 forms for every transaction over $600.

Sent her another (useless) email:

Tammy,

WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Our state is drowning in debt - hundreds of thousands are unemployed.

And you vote to retain a rule that will saddle small businesses with literally tons of paperwork, not to mention costing the IRS another ton of money to process it.

You were elected to serve the people of Southern Wisconsin. Looks to me like you've switched to the Dark Side!

2012 is coming, and we remember. Try and remember that fact yourself.

Good anti-union ad

Response to a letter to the editor.

I got a response in the paper today.
++++++++++++++++

‘Realize true impact of bill’

Published: Thursday, March 3, 2011 11:47 AM CST

This is in response to Mr. Kuecker letter, “Fire teachers, hire non-union” on Febuary 25.

Mr. Kuecker suggests we hire non-union teachers and sign them up for a five year contract at half the current wage and perform regular evaluations. If the students do not learn, then fire them and again hire more non-union people.

Does Mr. Kuecker realize that no matter how well teachers teach, not all students learn or advance because they have parents that don’t respond to notes sent home from their teacher, or they just don’t care how well their child does? I know of one teacher who has sent three notes home, and has called the parents, just to get no response back from them. Is this the teacher’s fault? I don’t think so.

I do agree that all state employees need to pay some part of their health insurance and retirement. But if we “privatize” teaching, do you really think that the big businesses will care about a child’s test scores? States that do not have collective bargaining have some of the lowest scores in the nation.

Does he also realize that this effects more than just the teachers? It effects the city and county workers including road crews and office personnel, prison guards, county health care nurses, the game wardens and so forth. It also means that federal funding will be lost for bus services. Where do you think this money will come from? The cities and counties will be forced to raise taxes in order to make up the difference. School districts will have to eliminate all extra activities including sports.

It’s time the people wake up a realize the true effect that Governor Walker’s bill will have on all of us.

Todd Nelson
Beloit

++++++++++++++++
So, I replied:

Since Mr. Nelson was good enough to respond to my letter of February 25th, I will respond to his letter of March 3rd.

Does Mr. Nelson realize that realistic measurements of teacher effectiveness are not skewed by a few non-performing students in a class? Our present system has a large number of third graders reading below their grade level, and many high school graduates ill prepared for college. Parent interaction is certainly important, but not the only problem here.

He states that he agrees that public employees should pay part of their benefit costs. I think that they should be very grateful not to be paying the entire bill, as I have to, as as many other Wisconsinites do.

Where did I ever propose "privatizing" education? I can't find that reference in my original letter. Since you bring it up, a private business would lose students if they didn't teach, and would be results-driven from a profit motive. Allowing parents to choose their schools will weed out the non-performers. Good idea, Todd.

How, exactly, does making street crews and public health nurses pay for some of their benefits cause the loss of federal funds? Please explain.

I note that every time there is a conflict between education and funding, that the issue of cutting sports is brought up. How did schools handle sports in the last depression?

Another place we can look to cut educational costs is management. It's a mystery to me why we need all those high-powered - and high-paid - administration people supposedly running our schools. Perhaps some of them could show their solidarity with the teachers by taking on more work for the same pay, and some of those management positions could be eliminated?

I'm still for getting rid of public teacher's unions completely.

Email from Herb Kohl

He doesn't like high gas prices - so he's got a fix!

+++++++++++++++++++++

Home Biography News Issues & Legislation Constituent Services Contact Senator Kohl Unsubscribe

For car owners, filling up the tank is often a part of a weekly routine. And as many have noticed, gas prices are on the rise. Drivers are reaching deeper and deeper into their pockets to spend over $3 a gallon at the pump. And prices could go beyond $4 a gallon this summer unless something is done.

That’s why, as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, I introduced the bipartisan No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act (NOPEC). It would authorize our government, for the first time, to take action against illegal conduct of the OPEC oil cartel. The NOPEC bill would establish clearly and plainly that when a group of competing oil producers - like the OPEC nations - act together to restrict supply or fix prices, they are violating U.S. law. I recently raised the subject of increased oil prices with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke at a Senate Banking Committee hearing to gain insight about current efforts to curb rising oil and gas prices. It is time for the U.S. government to fight back against efforts to fix the price of oil and hold OPEC accountable when it acts illegally.

Late last year, OPEC ministers indicated that they may decide against an increase in output in 2011, saying that the world economy can tolerate a $100 per barrel price.

Months later, that prediction has come true, and the price of oil has once again topped $100-a-barrel. This is the highest price since the summer of 2008 when gas prices exceeded $4-a-gallon, squeezing family budgets and threatening business profits.

It is clear that the global oil cartel remains a major force conspiring to raise oil prices to the detriment of American consumers. When the price of crude oil rises as a result of these actions by OPEC, there is no doubt that millions of American consumers feel the pinch every time they visit the gas pump. This is why I am working with members of both parties to end oil price fixing and decrease the cost of oil and gasoline.

Sincerely,

+++++++++++++++++++++

Cute name, anyway. NOPEC - sort of like NOBAMA.

+++++++++++++++++++++

I sent him this:

Hi, Herb,

I just got your email about high gas prices.

Instead of a law prosecuting "illegal" (under whose laws?) OPEC machinations, why not a bipartisan law removing all the restraints on domestic production your party and Mr. Obama have passed?

Drill baby, drill! NOW!!!
++++++++++++++++++

Proof there are outside agitators in Madison

You knew it had to be. Proof:

Chicago Man Cited for Trying to Sabotage Fox News Truck in Madison

Remember, the left just loves free speech. As long as they can regulate it.

A Chicago man was ticketed for allegedly disconnecting extension cords for cameras and lights on a Fox News truck on the Capitol Square Tuesday, Madison police reported.

Michael Moore: Communist

In is own words.

Moore On Wealthy People's Money: "That's Not Theirs, That's A National Resource, It's Ours"

Quote:

"They're sitting on the money, they're using it for their own -- they're putting it someplace else with no interest in helping you with your life, with that money. We've allowed them to take that. That's not theirs, that's a national resource, that's ours. We all have this -- we all benefit from this or we all suffer as a result of not having it," Michael Moore told Laura Flanders of GRITtv.

"I think we need to go back to taxing these people at the proper rates. They need to -- we need to see these jobs as something we some, that we collectively own as Americans and you can't just steal our jobs and take them someplace else," Moore concluded.

+++++++++++++++++++

So - no mention of the hundred of thousands of pages of federal and state laws aimed at making businesses unprofitable here, just a demand to tax the rich 'til there are no rich no more.

And then we can all starve in the dark, when there's no economy left.

Civility in politics

The protesters got none - but some Democrats do have it:

Angry protesters confront a locked-out Sen. Grothman

By Journal Sentinel staff

Updated: March 2, 2011 7:49 a.m. |(311) Comments

Protests against Gov. Scott Walker's budget and the battle for access to the Capitol took a tense turn last night when GOP Sen. Glenn Grothman was locked out of the building and was eventually surrounded by hundreds of angry protesters, according to the Cap Times.

The paper reports that State Rep. Brett Hulsey, a Democrat from Madison, intervened and tried to calm the crowd. The incident lasted 5 to 10 minutes and firefighters eventually cleared a path for Grothman and Hulsey to make their way to a side entrance to the building.

"This guy and I disagree on everything, but we're friends," the Cap Times quotes Hulsey as telling the demonstrators. "This is a peaceful protest. You need to back away."

++++++++++++++++++

Update. Here's some video.

Just what they need

Fines.

Capitol Chaos: Resolution Passed To Fine 'Wisconsin 14'

By Jay Sorgi, Mick Trevey and the Associated Press

Story Created: Mar 2, 2011

Story Updated: Mar 2, 2011

MADISON - The 14 Wisconsin state Senate Democrats who left the state two weeks ago will now face fines of $100 for each day they miss, if they miss two or more days.

More reasons to bust public-sector unions

A friend sent me this link:

Time to Restore Voter Control: End the Government-Union Monopoly

Published on February 25, 2011 by James Sherk Backgrounder #2522

Abstract: With Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker attempting to rein in the unbalanced power of government unions, and given the fierce stranglehold that union members have on their ever-increasing taxpayer-provided benefits, now is a crucial time for Americans to understand the difference between private-sector and public-sector unions. Collective bargaining in the private sphere—where companies face competition—is a world away from collective bargaining in government—which faces no competition, and where unions have a legal monopoly. Heritage Foundation labor expert James Sherk explains why it is time to restore voter control over elected government, and how it can be done.

A very good read.

End public unions!

At The Daily Beast:

As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono.

With the Wisconsin showdown at a fever pitch, Mark McKinnon says America doesn’t need public unions anymore—they silence voters’ choice, redistribute wealth, and clog the political system.

The manufactured Madison, Wis., mob is not the movement the White House was hoping for. Both may find themselves at the wrong end of the populist pitchfork. While I generally defend collective bargaining and private-sector unions (lots of airline pilots in my family), it is the abuse by public unions and their bosses that pushes centrists like me to the GOP. It is the right and duty of citizens to petition their government. The Tea Party and Republicans seek to limit government growth to protect their pocketbooks. Public-union bosses want to increase the cost of government to protect their racket.

Read the whole thing.

Osama on unions and cuts

Obama: Not Good When The "Rights" Of Public Employees Are Infringed

"I don't think it does anybody any good when public employees are denigrated or vilified or their rights are infringed upon," President Obama said.

Right. These "rights" were give at the pleasure of the people they work for, and are not the same as the rights in the Constitution that Osama seems only apply when the government feels like it.

Liberal protesters == DENSE

Unbelievably so:

Wisconsin teachers explained

Found at Market Ticker:



Speaking of unreasonable people, Mr. Denninger has another article worth reading. Good snark, and true.

Theft of Social Security numbers

Interesting link to the article at Support Your Local Gunfighter

I didn't realize that your birth city and date of birth can enable a good guess at the first five digits of the SSN - so if you give the last four digits, as many websites, particularly banks and credit card companies require, you risk giving them the whole number - and the access to your personal data that implies.

The real reason for teacher's unions!

Includes some interesting video of a union lawyer telling the truth:

Some interesting insight into the NEA

Impossible shot?

Not for our Army snipers - even at age 84.

Brought tears to my eyes.



H/t New Jovian Thunderbolt

TSA hits a new low

Harassing people AFTER they get off the train. Idiotic.

Union busting YES!

Some more details on OsamaCare

Scary.

HOW much was spent on the last election?

There's some squawking about Governor Walker accepting donations from "billionaire-owned Koch Enterprises".

How much did he get from Koch's Americans for Prosperity? $43,000 out of $11 million total he raised - or 1/10 of 1% of the total 34 million spent for all the candidates.

Here's the breakdown. Scroll down and enlarge the chart.

Interesting how many donkeys there are in there, ain't it?

Here's why we cannot have teacher's unions

It's very simple:

Two-Thirds of Wisconsin Public-School 8th Graders Can’t Read Proficiently—Despite Highest Per Pupil Spending in Midwest

Tuesday, February 22, 2011
By Terence P. Jeffrey

Students from Appleton West High School protest a proposal by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker that would make teachers pay a fraction of their own pension and health-insurance costs. (AP Photo/Sharon Cekada)

(CNSNews.com) - Two-thirds of the eighth graders in Wisconsin public schools cannot read proficiently according to the U.S. Department of Education, despite the fact that Wisconsin spends more per pupil in its public schools than any other state in the Midwest.

Letter to the Editor

To the Beloit Daily News:

I see a fundamental difference in public vs. private unions.

Private unions negotiate with private businesses to reach an agreement as to wages and benefits. The private business has reason to want to limit both to maximize profits.

Public unions negotiate with the government to reach an agreement in a similar matter - but their actual employers are the people of Wisconsin in this case, who have no say in those negotiations except to elect representatives and a Governor who are expected to act in the best interests of the people of Wisconsin.

The people of Wisconsin have sent a strong message to those representatives in the last election, that they want the current system of public unions being able to make demands of the public to end. The unions, understandably, are not happy with this decision. None the less, the people have spoken.

Perhaps we could resolve the issue of unionized teachers this way. Fire them all, and hire replacements from the thousands of qualified unemployed college graduates in the state. Offer them a five-year contract at 1/2 the current wage of the union teachers they replace. Perform regular performance evaluations. Fire them if students do not learn in their classes, give them raises if they do a good job. This will benefit the people of the state by immediately reducing the costs of education, and relieve much of the current unemployment.

If the replaced teachers want to re-apply as non-union teachers, they could, after one year of unemployment - so that they understand the plight of too many of their neighbors who currently pay for all their benefits.

A public job is a privilege, not a right.
++++++++++++++++++
Stole part of the solution from BMEWS. We shall see if it gets printed.

Crowder says it.

Listen:



H/t BMEWS

This says it all

Seen at BMEWS:

"Collective bargaining in the public sector thus is less a negotiation than a conspiracy to steal money from taxpayers."

Right on!

Chicago - BOHICA

You just got Rahmmed.

How long before the riots start?

Pictures from yesterday's rally

Intrepid Moronette Reportage

—Dave In Texas

Heather Radish is on the ground, doing the job most Americans won't do.

Support for our new Governor.

H/t Ace of Spades

A trainwreck in Maxwell: Remember when it was 'bad' to target people?

Three posts from Texas - Wisconsin is the starting point of the next American Revolution?

Ill=Annoys was never like this. I'm glad I moved up here.

A trainwreck in Maxwell: Remember when it was 'bad' to target people?: "Way back about a month ago... Because it was a cheap sleazy way to attack Sarah Palin. When putting a target on a MAP was an invite to kill..."

A trainwreck in Maxwell: This video from yesterdays taxpayer funded protest...

A trainwreck in Maxwell: This video from yesterdays taxpayer funded protest...: "I waded through the whole thing so you don't have to put yourself through the trouble. You're welcome:-) Wisconsin Government Worker Unio..."

A trainwreck in Maxwell: Now, don't you feel bad?

A trainwreck in Maxwell: Now, don't you feel bad?: "This dedicated professional is using her life as an example of why public Unions need their fully paid bennies. Just push that pen and pap..."

What the unions think of us

Warning - it's nasty. Not safe for delicate ears.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/bskOe76kliw

Note that the protesters in Ohio all have similar mass-produced signs and shirts, just like the protesters in Wisconsin.

Got to wonder which of the (union) companies Osama gave a waiver on OsamaCare to is responsible for printing all that "grass-roots" gear?

Fleeing the state to avoid a vote is ILLEGAL

It was remarked yesterday that it's illegal for our elected officials to flee the state to avoid a vote.

Found the law:

2010 Wisconsin Code
Chapter 946. Crimes against government and its administration.
946.12 Misconduct in public office.

946.12 Misconduct in public office. Any public officer or public employee who does any of the following is guilty of a Class I felony:

946.12(1)

(1) Intentionally fails or refuses to perform a known mandatory, nondiscretionary, ministerial duty of the officer’s or employee’s office or employment within the time or in the manner required by law; or

946.12(2)

(2) In the officer’s or employee’s capacity as such officer or employee, does an act which the officer or employee knows is in excess of the officer’s or employee’s lawful authority or which the officer or employee knows the officer or employee is forbidden by law to do in the officer’s or employee’s official capacity; or

946.12(3)

(3) Whether by act of commission or omission, in the officer’s or employee’s capacity as such officer or employee exercises a discretionary power in a manner inconsistent with the duties of the officer’s or employee’s office or employment or the rights of others and with intent to obtain a dishonest advantage for the officer or employee or another; or

946.12(4)

(4) In the officer’s or employee’s capacity as such officer or employee, makes an entry in an account or record book or return, certificate, report or statement which in a material respect the officer or employee intentionally falsifies; or

946.12(5)

(5) Under color of the officer’s or employee’s office or employment, intentionally solicits or accepts for the performance of any service or duty anything of value which the officer or employee knows is greater or less than is fixed by law.

++++++++++++++

Read more at the Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler

Got published again!

Sent this to the Beloit Daily News Wednesday:

‘Trying to extort their employers’

Published: Friday, February 18, 2011 11:44 AM CST

If ever we needed a reminder of why public employees should have never been permitted to unionize, we need only look at the current “sick-outs” by public school teachers.

No one is trying to destroy their union - only require them to pay a larger portion of their salaries towards their health care and retirement programs, but these people are willing to injure our children by calling in “sick” to protest attempts by Governor Walker to bring our state’s finances back under control. The number of TV ads protesting the cuts demonstrates how much money the unions have taken from their members in dues. Perhaps if the teachers were able to keep those dues, the proposed increases wouldn’t hurt them so bad.

Any public employee who calls in “sick” as a protest ought to at least lose that day’s pay, and have a notation made in their personnel record of their dishonesty. Repeated “sick calls” that cannot be backed up with a legitimate excuse ought to be grounds for termination.

The people of Wisconsin are suffering through a depression unparalleled since the 1930s right now. Public employees ought to be very grateful they still have jobs and are being paid. They should not be trying to extort their employers — the people of Wisconsin — via these “sick” calls.

Chuck Kuecker
Beloit

Got a phone call a few minutes after opening my paper to see I'd been printed - a widowed lady whose husband had been a union carpenter, because to be a carpenter he had to join up. She thanked me for the letter, and said she has to pay the Carpenter's Union for her health insurance out of her husband's union pension. The public unions have it a whole lot better, it seems - bothe health insurance and pension partially paid for by us, their employers.

Email to Senator Tim Cullen

Mr Cullen,

You are my senator. I did not vote for you, but I expect you to perform the duties of the office that you have been elected to.

Honestly, what kind of a coward runs away from a political debate?

I expected better of you, but actually must express my gratitude to you and all the other Democratic cowards who fled to Illinois rather than face the fact that the people of Wisconsin have decided to stop backing your liberal ideals. Your abdication of your responsibilities has convinced several Republicans who were not decided on this issue to come over to our side, and when your constituents hear of this, I am sure that this will be your last session as a Wisconsin senator.

So, thank you for being a coward. You have done much to help us reform Wisconsin politics!

Regards,

Chuck Kuecker
Beloit, WI

Patriot action report

This morning, I woke early, and came out to do emails and read the news. I found an email from the Rock River Patriots that the Milwaukee AFL-CIO was planning an early morning (6:30) protest at the home of Republican Aseemblyman Evan Wynn, and we should be there to counter them. I got cleaned up and went. Was the first to arrive, actually. The Whitewater police came out to monitor the situation. Whitewater ordinances call protesting in a residential neighborhood "disorderly conduct" and could issue citations to noisy or unruly persons.

Evan greeted me and another patriot who came just after I did. He invited us into his garage to get out of the wind. Since we were now "invited guests", the police said we could not be removed unless there was a disturbance.

By 6:30, almost 30 patriots had assembled, with many homemade signs, and finally about 11 people collected across the street with two small preprinted signs - probably Union-made - stating under a large STOP sign symbol, something about hurting Wisconsin families. They were too far away and the signs were too small to make them out clearly.

There were a total of six or seven police present, including Walworth County and Whitewater. A reporter / photographer from, I believe, the Janesville Gazette came out to take pictures.At 7:30, Mr. Wynn had to leave to get to Madison for another try at passing the union-busting bill, so we all started to leave.

During the whole time, the union people said nothing loud enough for us to hear, and at one point Evan went over to talk to them. Pretty sad protest by Chicago standards!

There was talk of the Demonrat senators who fled to Illinois rather than allow a quorum in the Senate, thereby preventing the bill from being voted on. The news of those cowards running away convinced eight Republican fence-sitters to come over to supporting the bill, so the poly had the opposite effect for the Demonrats. It was also brought up that, under Wisconsin law, it is a felony for a state representative or senator to miss a vote unless incapacitated. I dearly would like to see some charges brought - my local senator, Tim Cullen, is one of those cowards.

I took a picture of the union "thugs" on my phone, but Motorola requires a driver you have to pay for to access the phone, so nothing to post there.

HR 12 email to Tammy Gay

Just sent her this. Her email web page has changed, so I had to re-enter everything Firefox normally pre-fills for me.
++++++++++++++++
Re: HR 1, Continuing Resolution

I want you to support this. We need to cut federal programs back to those authorized by the Constitution, no matter how painful this might be.

The federal budget must balance every year. No more deficit spending for anything!

Federal expenditures must be limited to a small percentage of the actual Gross National Product. 10% is more than adequate to fund what the Constitution authorizes.

Joke

A buddy sent me this email:

A little girl wrote to Sarah Palin and asked; 'How did the human race start?' Sarah Palin answered, 'God made Adam and Eve; They had children; and so was all mankind made.'

Two days later the girl wrote to Michelle Obama and asked the same question. Michelle Obama answered, 'Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved..'

The confused girl went to her father and said, 'Dad, how is it possible that Sarah Palin told me the human race was created by God, and Michelle Obama said they evolved from monkeys.'

The father answered, 'Well, Dear, it is very simple, Sarah Palin told you about her ancestors and Michelle Obama told you about hers.'

There you have it.

AT & T supports the Tea Party!

According to "CREDO Mobile" - a lefty group I get emails from, AT&T gave about $386,000 to several conservative politicians. So, of course, all correct thinking people should switch over to CREDO's service, which is 100% behind redistributing your income to those who won't work.

I'm sending AT&T a "thank-you"...

(Stupid Blogger won't allow a '&' in a tag...)

News flash!

Secretary of State Hitlary Clinton was just noted on the radio as wanting to assure revolutionaries overseas that President Osama will protect their ability to use the Internet to protest and pressure "democratic reforms" - including actively helping them evade any restrictions their governments attempt to apply.

Excluding, of course, friendly governments like China and Iran.

I wonder if she will push for the same protections for Americans if Osama gets his "Internet kill switch"...

Osama's new budget

Video and article at Hot Air. Go read.

Daily Kos lies

Daily Kos has been running an ad on WJVL screaming that Representative Paul Ryan is going to destroy Wisconsin by removing the free health care all Americans are entitled to. Right. Show me where in the Constitution free universal health care is even hinted at.

The Journal-Sentinel has the story, and a link to the ad.

Civil war in Wisconsin?

If you believe the ads on TV and radio, and stuff like this website:

NOT MY WISCONSIN

I say public employees should be happy with the wages and benefits the People of Wisconsin are willing to give them, and that they should not be making veiled - and not so veiled - threats of violence and strikes against the people paying for said wages and bennies. If they feel they deserve more, they are free to seek productive employment in the private sector, where they can find plenty of union jobs.

There has been an ad running on Madison TV claiming Walker is "against the working class" - as if the public union's demands don't directly harm the people they want you to believe they care about.

Public employees should never have been allowed to unionize. President Reagan had it right when he fired all the striking air traffic controllers back when.

Some people - perhaps most - who choose public service are good people who do their jobs in a conscientious manner - but they chose the public sector, and that means they are going to be serving the public - not the other way around.

Governor Walker never said he wants to eliminate unions - he just said he wants to remove their power to threaten havoc in order to get their desires from the people of Wisconsin.

His decision to put the National Guard on alert is wise, considering the remarks some public union leaders made a few months back.

Agenda 21

Much has been said about the UN's Agenda 21 and its' effects on our liberty. Here's a link to the ICLEI - the organization responsible for organizing it's implementation. You can see if your community has signed on yet - and do something to keep them out - or get them to quit if they already have.

http://www.icleiusa.org/about-iclei/members/member-list

Wisconsin's concealed carry ban un-Constitutional?

Let's hope it's upheld.

WI: Judge Rules for Victim in CCW Case

Direct link to story: From the Journal-Sentinel:

Geert Wilders on Islam

H/t BMEWS

Subtitled, but powerful.

Another one to Tammy Gay

HR 140, the Birthright Citizenship bill, that would codify the status of persons actually subject to the laws of the US, rather than the accident of being birthed here, is coming up for a vote.

Probably Osama would veto this, as it would remove a lot of his illegal electorate, but it's a statement that's needed.

Sent Tammy Gay this:

I want you to sponsor H.R. 140, the "Birthright Citizenship" bill. It is long past time for our country to start treating non-citizens the same way as our neighbor, Mexico, does, and as all other civilized countries on Earth do.

Remember, 2012 is coming, and we are watching you.

Emails to congresscritters

The previous post made me do this...

To Tammy Gay:

It's time to investigate the TSA. Check out this link:

http://www.sustainablemothering.com/2010/11/26/just-when-you-thought-it-was-safe-to-travel-with-breast-milk-the-tsa-targets-mothers/

Also, federal employees, and any public employee, in general, should not be allowed to unionize and by extension, dictate how much tax money will be given to them for their labor. If the wage dictated by the people's representatives is not adequate, they are free to seek employment in the public sector, and even seek out a union job if they wish.

Same message to the senators.

More TSA abuse

Seen at Borepatch:



"The stupidity is breathtaking" For sure.

The TSA Abuse Blog

Patriot Act extension fails House vote

About time. This un-Constitutional act should be repealed.

++++++++++++++++++

House GOP fumbles on Patriot Act renewal

Conservative and 'tea party' Republicans join many Democrats to vote against renewal of the terrorist surveillance law, key provisions of which are to expire Feb. 28.

By Lisa Mascaro, Washington Bureau

February 9, 2011

Reporting from Washington —

The Republican-led House failed to pass an extension of expiring sections of the Patriot Act on Tuesday, an unexpected setback for GOP leaders that shows the difficulty they face in controlling their majority and its "tea party"-inspired members.

Time is short: Key provisions of the terrorist surveillance law expire at the end of the month. A coalition of veteran conservative Republicans and new GOP lawmakers joined many Democrats in blocking passage of the measure, which many tea party activists see as federal government overreaching into private affairs.

The bill required a two-thirds vote to pass but fell seven votes short. Now, the White House and congressional leaders must devise a new strategy, and fast, or the provisions will lapse Feb. 28. The administration wants to extend the Sept. 11-era provisions through 2013. The House bill would have extended them until Dec. 8.

+++++++++++++++++++

Let it lapse. All it has done is further erode our Bill of Rights.

Share the wealth!

Obama: Corporate Profits "Have To Be Shared By American Workers"

Of course they have to be shared! Comrade Marx told him so!

Recycle?

Not if you love Mother Gaia!

Which is more energy efficient, the garbage can or the recycling bin?

Nov 1, 2010 12:00 PM,

Leland Teschler, Editor

My friend Terry and I had each finished off a bottle of beer. I looked around for a recycling bin while Terry just pitched his bottle in the trash.

Was Terry indifferent to the environment? Nah. He works at one of the biggest breweries in the U.S. and knows first-hand what happens to recycled glass. “We can’t use recycled glass for making bottles. It’s just too brittle. So glass put in recycling bins generally ends up in landfills anyway,” he explains.

Terry knows what he’s talking about. Canada’s National Post reports that all the glass collected last year by recycling programs in Calgary, Edmonton, and several other Canadian cities ended up landfilled because there were no buyers for it. The situation is similar for plastic. Reports are that Germany has millions of tons of recyclable plastics piled up in fields because nobody wants the stuff. And it is literally more expensive to collect some recyclables than to just pitch them. San Francisco’s Dept. of Waste figures it pays $4,000/ton to recycle plastic bags for which it receives $32/ton.

+++++++++++++++++++++

H/t The Silicon Greybeard - go read his take, too.

It seems to me that recycling that uses up more resources than it saves, or that wastes resources to collect "recyclables" only to either stockpile them or put them in the landfill anyway is about as anti-green as you can get...

Packers by 6

Was it ever in doubt?

Christina Aguilera sang (tried to sing) the National Anthem.

Here's how it's done, Christina:



H/t Blackfive

Gun protestors - 8. Gunnies - thousands.

We're winning on numbers, but the reporting is always on the protesters.

At least this story seems balanced, and the protesters show up as lamebrains.

Gun control advocates protest gun show

Last Update: 2/05 10:30 pm

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• Protestors demonstrate at gun show

WICHITA, Kansas - Gun enthusiasts left the Metcalf Gun Show with their hands filled with new weapons and ammunition Saturday.

"I'm kind of a collector,” said Sterling Gorges. “It's just a good time to get out and see what's all out there."

Nearby, protestors' hands were filled with signs arguing for more gun control, using the gun show to get their message out.

"We're not trying to take anybody's guns away, but we are trying to make the community safer,” said Michael Poage, the protest organizer.

About a dozen protestors stood on the sidewalk at Douglas Street, showing their signs to drivers passing by.

“I think it makes people stop and think about how serious this whole gun law loop hole thing is and how we need stricter gun laws in Kansas and in the United States,” said Janie Cook, a protestor.

The group of protestors is standing on four arguments in the gun control debate.

Among them, repealing the concealed carry law in Kansas, and restricting the sale of extended ammunition magazines.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Same lame arguments - repeal a law that has not increased violence, but has prevented many crimes, pass another feel good law that the bad guys will ignore. Same old same old.

Notice how eight protesters - count 'em - becomes "a dozen" in reporter-counting?

H/t Alphecca

Ethanol - yet again

Ready for 15%? It's coming! The hell with the climate, economics, or science - or your gas bill or how much you need to spend to fix your car after it blows up...

The Great Ethanol Scam

Not only is ethanol proving to be a dud as a fuel substitute but there is increasing evidence that it is destroying engines in large numbers

By Ed Wallace

"Does the average citizen understand what this means? In from 10 to 20 years this country will be dependent entirely upon outside sources for a supply of liquid fuels … paying out vast sums yearly in order to obtain supplies of crude oil from Mexico, Russia, and Persia."—Yale Professor Harold Hibbert, ethanol promoter, 1925

More than one major transportation-based industry in America besides Detroit is on the ropes. For the fourth time in our history the ethanol industry has come undone and is quickly failing nationally. Of course it's one thing when Detroit collapsed with the economy; after all, that is a truly free-market enterprise and the economy hasn't been good. But the fact that the ethanol industry is going bankrupt, when the only reason we use this additive is a massive government mandate, is outrageous at best.

Then again, the ethanol lobby and refiners have a solution to ethanol's failure in America: Hire retired General Wesley Clark as your point man and lobby the government to increase the amount of ethanol in our fuel to 15%. The problems with that proposition are real—unlike ethanol's benefits.

++++++++++++++++++++

Read the whole thing.

H/t Two-Four

From Minnesotans for Global Warming:

Obama's Blocking Of New Power Plants Triggers Nationwide Blackouts

By Elmer on February 4, 2011 11:32 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Alex Jones & Paul Joseph Watson, PrisonPlanet.com

The rolling blackouts now being implemented in Texas and across the country as record cold weather grips the United States are a direct consequence of the Obama administration's agenda to lay siege to the coal industry, launch a takeover of infrastructure under the contrived global warming scam, and help usher in the post-industrial collapse of America.

Planned power outages conducted by utility companies have caused outrage amongst officials at four major hospitals in Texas, at Parkland, Baylor, Methodist and Presbyterian Dallas.

"Because of the sensitive life-saving equipment, hospitals are considered "critical care facilities," and supposed to be exempt from rolling blackouts," reports CBS 11. "That's exactly what Presbyterian Dallas was led to believe. "We were of the understanding that hospitals and other critical-care providers were not supposed to be affected by planned outages," said hospital spokesman Stephen O'Brien."

++++++++++++++++

The Won really cares about us poor peons, don't he!

H/t Theo Spark

Why OsamaCare must be destroyed

Very good talk:

Email from Tammy Gay

Just got this:


February 3, 2011

Mr. Chuck Kuecker

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Beloit, Wisconsin 53511

Dear Mr. Kuecker:

Thank you for contacting me about the health care reform law. It is good to hear from you.

As you know, in March 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. The measure marks an important step toward providing quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

We already have seen important benefits of the law go into effect. Insurance companies can no longer discriminate against children based on pre-existing medical conditions, young adults now can stay on their parents' insurance plans up to age 26, and seniors have received relief in their prescription drug costs.

Over the coming years, the law will provide health insurance coverage to millions more Americans. It also will fill the Medicare prescription drug donut hole, offer tax credits to small businesses and individuals to purchase insurance, and prevent insurance companies from issuing caps on coverage or discriminating against any American based on pre-existing medical conditions, health status, or gender.

Unfortunately, the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives made repealing this important law their first order of business -- rather than focusing on creating jobs. On January 19, 2011, the new majority voted to repeal the health care law over my strong opposition. Under the repeal plan, 147,000 young adults in Wisconsin would stand to lose their insurance coverage through their parents' health care plan; 46,000 Wisconsin seniors would face higher costs for prescription drugs; and, once again, people would be discriminated against because of pre-existing conditions.

On February 2, 2011, the Senate voted against repealing the health care law. It is possible that the Senate will continue to take votes to repeal the health care law. However, should the measure pass the Senate, President Obama has stated that he will veto it. Please know that I will continue to oppose attempts to weaken or repeal the health care reform law.

Again, thank you for sharing your views. Your opinion matters to me. If I can be of service to you in any other way, please do not hesitate to let me know. As a security precaution, all mail sent to Congress is first irradiated. This process causes significant delays. To ensure the fastest response, I encourage all constituents who have access to the internet to contact me through my website at http://tammybaldwin.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Tammy Baldwin
Member of Congress

P.S. I regularly send out email updates on federal issues and opportunities. These reports also include regular surveys through which you can express your opinion. If you would like to receive these email updates, you may sign up by visiting my website at: http://baldwin.congressnewsletter.net/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=profile+++++++++++++++++++++++

The only probelm is - this is in response to an email I sent her ordering her to follow the instructions given by her employers...and to vote to repeal OsamaCare...

Must see video

Suzanna Gratia-Hupp testifying in CONgress...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4069761537893819675#

Treed cat

Now for something completely different...



Looks a lot like my Lucky...h/t S. Weasel

Email to Tammy Gay

Just felt like it:

++++++++++++++++++

I just wanted to let you know that I, and a large majority of your constituents, want you to vote NO on any new gun control laws that may be introduced. Under no circumstances are you to introduce or sponsor any such infringements on our Constitutional rights.

You may have "dodged the bullet" in the last election, but be assured, we in Rock County are making sure of our "target" the next time you come up for election. If you wish to continue as our employee and representative, you will start voting against the following:

Tax increases

New bureaucracies

Expansion of power of existing bureaucracies

"Feel good" laws of any sort

Laws intended to "make us (feel) safe"

Any law not firmly based on existing Constitutional powers of the federal government

Any law based on the flawed interpretation of the Commerce Clause

Do this, and I might vote for you next time. Otherwise, remember - we are watching you, and we have long memories.

By the way - I put "quotation marks" around the "inflammatory" phrases above, in case someone attempts to do the TJIC thing to me. Why don't you look into why the State of Massachusetts broke the First Amendment with this person?

Website: http://tjic.com/ - shut down by the MA police, evidently, for saying something they didn't like.

Email to Ron Johnson

I've seen many references lately to BATFE possibly prohibiting import of shotguns "not suited for sporting purposes", such as certain Saiga models. So:

++++++++++++++++++++++

Hello,

I would like to ask you to take a look at the BATFE's rules considering whether or not a particular firearm is suitable for import because of its' possible "sporting" uses.

I hear the BATFE is considering ruling that certain shotguns, such as some models made by Saiga, are not "sporting" guns because they hold too many rounds, and others, in particular, reproductions of WWI "trench broom" 12ga guns, because of their evil bayonet lugs or metal hand guards.

First off, as you should know, the Second Amendment says nothing about hunting or target shooting. It is there to provide the American people with an assurance that the government will have nothing at all to do with regulating or denying access to arms by the American public.

I see this as immediately invalidating any law that calls for a gun to show a "sporting purpose" before we are allowed to possess it. The 1968 Gun Control Act, modeled on pre-WWII German law, is a blatant example of an infringement in this vein.

I believe the Constitution reserves lawmaking power to Congress, not un-elected bureaucrats, and that is is long past time for Congress to rein in these bureaus that seem to think they can mandate to the American people.

Baby steps - try and rein in the BATFE for a start - perhaps we can ward off the next Waco or Ruby Ridge incident. The CPSC, EPA, OSHA, FDA, DOE, HUD, HEW, etc, can be tackled as time permits. I'm not forgetting ObamaCare!

Think of all the money that could be saved by retiring these agencies, none of which has a sound basis in our Constitution for ever having been created.

Ms. Malkin hits another homer...

Waivers for Favors: Big Labor’s Obamacare escape hatch

By Michelle Malkin • January 28, 2011 11:15 AM

My syndicated column today takes another thwack at Obamacare waiver-mania, with more analysis of the 182 union beneficiaries who’ve obtained safe harbor from the costly mandate pushed by their Big Labor bosses.

Related: Unions make up 40 percent of employees exempted from Obamacare

***

Waivers for Favors: Big Labor’s Obamacare escape hatch
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2011

President Obama’s story-tellers recently launched a White House blog series called “Voices of Health Reform,” where “readers can meet average Americans already benefiting from the health reform law.” I propose a new White House series: “Voices of Health Reform Waivers,” where taxpayers can meet all the politically-connected unions benefiting from exclusive get-out-of-Obamacare passes — after squandering millions of their workers’ dues to lobby for the
job-killing, private insurance-sabotaging law from which they are now exempt.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Go read...

Barack the Great

Breaking news on the radio - Osama says he told the President of Egypt to "avoid violence" and gave him other directives on how to run his country.

I hope Mr. Mubarak listens - it's obvious how successful America has been at solving thorny problems under The Won's leadership...

Who says spammers don't have a sense of humor?

Just got an email - subject line "Michelle Obama shows her warmer side"

I think it's a penis enlargement ad - not clicking the link to find out...