Video: Sarah Palin in Madison, WI

Anyone who may have thought that Sarah Palin was becoming yesterday's news as Donald Trump ascends in the polls, think again. Palin's Madison, Wisconsin TEA Party speech proves once again that not only does she "get it", she is not afraid to go anywhere to deliver it.

Unlike Donald Trump, who broadsides Obama on everything including the birther issue, Palin focuses her attacks where Obama is most weak ... his record. However, in this speech Palin doesn't just call out Obama for his fiscal foolishness, she also calls out weak and compromise-happy Republicans. Palin understands that weak Republican leadership is every bit a s detrimental to America's future as is another term of Obama.

Now, there’s a lesson here for the Beltway politicos, something they need to understand; the lesson comes from here in Madison. So, our lesson is to the GOP establishment first. And yeah, I’ll take on the GOP establishment. What more can they say about us, you know?

So, to the GOP establishment: if you stand on the platform, if you stand by your pledges, we will stand with you. We will fight with you, GOP. We have your back. Together we will win because America will win!

We didn’t elect you just to re-arrange the deck chairs on a sinking Titanic. We didn’t elect you to just stand back and watch Obama re-distribute those deck chairs. What we need is for you to stand up, GOP, and fight. Maybe I should ask some of the Badger women’s hockey team—those champions—maybe I should ask them if we should be suggesting to GOP leaders they need to learn how to fight like a girl!

The closing of Palin's speech sounds very much like an unofficial announcement for her candidacy. A candidacy that will be driven by the voice of We The People.

And Madison, you defended the 2010 electoral mandate. You are heroes, you are patriots, and when the history of this Tea Party Movement is written, what you accomplished here will not be forgotten.

Your historic stand brought down the curtain on the last election. And the 2012 election begins here.

We will take the courage and the integrity that you showed all of America. We will take it and we will win back our country!

God has shed His grace on thee, America. We will not squander what we have.

We will fight for America! And it starts here in Madison, Wisconsin!
It starts here! It starts now! What better place than the state that hosts the Super Bowl champs to call out the liberal left and let them know: Mr. President, game on!

I have always believed and still believe that Sarah Palin is our best (and quite possibly only) hope for 2012. While conservatives are being swayed by early polls and media narratives that Palin cannot win, certain realities makes it quite clear that Palin is the one.

I have told you all that first and foremost the 2012 GOP candidate must be a rock solid fiscal conservative. Palin has proven this time and time again. Second, and maybe most importantly, our candidate must be a real fighter. Our candidate must not just fight Obama, his media minions and the radical far left, our candidate must also carry that fighting spirit into the presidency. Once president, our candidate will face a Congress (both left and right) that is set in their ways and is invested in maintaining the status quo. We need only look at Boehner's sorry spending cut compromise to understand why a true fighter is needed.

Without someone in the White House who will battle for America without concern of reelection, America will be every bit as doomed as if Obama had won a second term. Palin's resignation shows that she is not tied to titles and power, but is instead interested in doing what is right.

I do believe that as the 2012 GOP field rolls outs one lackluster campaign after another, Palin will continue to shine and once again prove to conservatives that she is The One.

Video h/t: Hillbuzz

Via: Hot Air
Via: Conservatives 4 Palin

A reversal of fortunes: WI Justice David Prosser gains 7,500 votes

On Wednesday JoAnn Kloppenburg declared herself the winner of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Yesterday, in a stunning reversal of fortune a computer error has now put victory firmly in the hands of her opponent Justice David Prosser.

JS Online: In one explosive stroke Thursday, the clerk in a Republican stronghold tilted the tight Supreme Court race in favor of Justice David Prosser by recovering thousands of untallied votes for the incumbent.

Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus said Thursday that she failed to save on her computer and then report 14,315 votes in the city of Brookfield, omitting them entirely in an unofficial total she released after Tuesday's election. With other smaller errors in Waukesha County, Prosser gained 7,582 votes over his challenger, JoAnne Kloppenburg, leaving the sitting justice significantly ahead for now amid ongoing official counting.

"I'm thankful that this error was caught early in the process. This is not a case of extra ballots being found. This is human error which I apologize for," Nickolaus said, her voice wavering as she spoke to reporters.

The figures are still far from final in a race that had previously seemed almost certain to see a statewide recount. Around the state, elections officials Thursday were tweaking unofficial results from the day before that had put Kloppenburg, an assistant attorney general, ahead of Prosser by a razor-thin 204 votes.
But nothing compared to Brookfield, where the new totals give 10,859 more votes to Prosser and 3,456 more to Kloppenburg. [MORE]

Needless the left is screaming foul play, but a Waukesha Democrat who helped tabulate the votes confirms the numbers.

Should these numbers hold (the left has an uncanny ability of "finding" votes), it will be a major defeat for the union effort. The unions put a lot into this election in order to send a message to both Scott Walker and Republicans across the nation. Despite that effort, it now looks like they have come up short.

I suspect they will now double their efforts with their recall campaigns, because given the national attention with the whole collective bargaining fight unions cannot afford to come out losers.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Gateway Pundit
Via: JS Online
Via: Hot Air

Third time is a charm: Silly activist WI judge fixes her TRO for the third time

WISC-TV: Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi issued the amended ruling at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday. She had earlier issued an emergency order blocking Wisconsin's secretary of state from publishing the law, called Wisconsin Act 10. However, Sumi re-issued her order on Tuesday after a hearing and this time, she has warned that any officials who violated it will face sanctions.

The judge further amended the ruling on Thursday to read, "Further, based on the briefs of counsel, the uncontroverted testimony, and the evidence received at the March 29 evidentiary hearing, it is hereby declared that 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 has not been published."

The judge said Tuesday that her previous order was "misunderstood or ignored" and that "those who act in open defiance of a court order are in peril of sanctions." [MORE]

Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive! Judge Sumi is a complete and utter hack of the first magnitude. Moe Lane very nicely details the comedy of errors Hack Sumi has committed:

• Wisconsin Democratic Senators run away rather than do their jobs. This prevents a quorum for bills that are primarily financial in nature.
• Wisconsin Republican Senators end up passing what they can, including a critical union reform bill.
• Having returned from self-imposed Illinois exile, Wisconsin Democrats find a convenient judge (Maryann Sumi) to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), on what is frankly a misunderstanding of the law.
• Judge Sumi makes a mistake in the TRO by only enjoining the Secretary of State (Democrat) from publishing the law. For example, she did not enjoin the Legislative Research Bureau (LRB) from publishing the law, despite the fact that they are required to by law.
• The LRB publishes the law, as per their statutory requirements; as the TRO did not cover that department, they have no choice.
• On Monday, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DoJ) points this detail out to Judge Sumi and asks her to vacate the order, given that the law is published.
• On Tuesday, Judge Sumi reissues her TRO to prevent implementation of the law.
• On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DoA) points out that this ruling was flawed in that it: did not in fact indicate that the law is not in effect; explicitly declined to state that the law was not legally published; and since when did Judge Sumi get to presume to drag the DoA (a non-party in the original dispute) into this mess she made in the first place?
• On Thursday, Judge Sumi has to fix her TRO again to rule that the law is not published, in a fashion that satisfies the DoA.
• At some point in all of this Judge Sumi somewhat plaintively (if you’ll pardon the pun) wonders aloud why the legislative branch simply just doesn’t pass the law again.
• To which Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R) effectively replies “Because we did it right the first time, and it’s not like I tell you how to run a courtroom.” Left off is the unstated “Although I apparently should.”

Keep in mind all of this foolishness is over a perceived technical mistake pertaining to how much time was given to announce the vote of the bill.  Whether a mistake was made or not, the outcome would have been exactly the same ... the bill would have passed because Democrats do not have enough votes to stop it.  From this simple fact alone, Judge Sumi had no business issuing a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in the first place.

This judge should be removed from the bench immediately, not just because she is a partisan hack with family ties to the unions, but because she has proven herself to be absolutely incompetent.

Scott Walker and the Republicans are foolishly going to comply with the ruling. If I were them I would pass the bill again and publicaly state they are doing it because they have zero faith in Judge Sumi's impartiality and competence. To do anything less only gives credence to a damn fool.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: WISC_TV
Via: Moe Lane
Via: Red State

Silly activist judge halts Wisconsin's collective bargaining law

Journal Sentinel: Madison -- Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi issued a temporary restraining order Friday, barring the publication of a controversial new law that would sharply curtail collective bargaining for public employees.

Sumi’s order will prevent Secretary of State Doug La Follette from publishing the law until she can rule on the merits of the case. Dane County Ismael Ozanne is seeking to block the law because he says a legislative committee violated the state’s open meetings law.

Sumi said Ozanne was likely to succeed on the merits.

"It seems to me the public policy behind effective enforcement of the open meeting law is so strong that it does outweigh the interest, at least at this time, which may exist in favor of sustaining the validity of the (law)," she said.

The judge’s finding – at least for now – is a setback to Republican Gov. Scott Walker and a victory for opponents, who have spent weeks in the Capitol to protest the bill. [MORE]

This judge is being a silly activist. Her temporary restraining order will have zero effect on the outcome of this law.

From attorney William Jacobson from Legal Insurrection explains the threshold of a temporary restraining order.

If this report accurately reflects the ruling, then the ruling is profoundly weak. The standard for a TRO requires a showing of likelihood of success on the merits, irreparable harm, and that a balancing of the equities supports granting the injunction. Some courts also consider whether granting the TRO will harm the public interest, but where the state is the party, this test really is subsumed in the balancing of the equities test.

OK, lets unpack this. Judge Sumi's issued a TRO because the plaintiff says the Senate Republicans did not provide sufficient time to call the committee meeting that started the passage of the bill. OK, if that is true, then where is the irreparable harm when Democrats do not have enough votes to stop Republicans from passing the law in the end? In other words, the outcome would be exactly the same whether sufficient time was given to call the committee meeting or not.

Even now the Republicans can simply do the whole thing over again and again the result will be the same ... the law passes. Judge Sumi is just being a partisan hack. This is why I have very little faith in ObamaCare being repealed via the Supreme Court. So long as judges can pull stuff out of thin air there is no reason to count on them to do the right thing.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Journal Sentinel
Via: Legal Insurrection

Lefty thugs threaten blogger Ann Althouse

Blogger Ann Althouse has been first hand blogging about the protest in Wisconsin. She has even served up some viral video on the events and tons of pictures. Apparently some of the pro union supporters preferred she didn't and have taken to making some ugly threats. The threats have been leveled to both Althouse and her husband Meade.

We will take it from the internet right to [Althouse's address removed]. Do you have any idea where you live? Let us spell it out for you.We understand that you like to eat on the square. You like the Baked Potato at the Old Fashioned, do you? There were five of us in there last Tuesday. You like to eat at Fresco? We’re in the Overture eating, serving, cooking, playing, and performing. At least twenty of us have worked for Food Fight. You like to fucking drink at FAIR TRADE do you? At FAIR TRADE? You are citizen-BANNED from Fair Trade. We will Walker you straight out of the place whenever you show up. We are at every coffee shop on State,open to close, all the time. We will hang up wanted posters of you everywhere you like to go. We will picket on public property as close to your house as we can every day.We will harrass(sic) the ever loving shit out of you all the time. Campus is OCCUPIED. State street is OCCUPIED. The Square is OCCUPIED. Vilas, Schenk’s Corners, Atwood, Willy Street – Occupied, Occupied, Occupied, Occupied. Did you really think it was all about the Capitol? Fuck the Capitol, we are the CITY.

I don't call this four page screed a threat, I call this is terrorism. By publishing her address and detailing her activities, this nut case isn't trying to warn Althouse, he is trying to terrorizer her.

The Underground Conservative has identified the author as Jim Shankman. The Other McCain has more info on Shankman.

As I have said a few times in the comments section, when the left ask for civility, just give them the finger and go on about your business.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Ann Althouse
Via: The Underground Conservative
Via: The Other McCain

Scott Walker signs collective bargaining bill into law - layoffs recinded

Journal Sentinel: Madison — Gov. Scott Walker signed his bill Friday repealing most collective bargaining by public employee unions, dealing a blow to the labor movement that turned out massive demonstrations in an effort to kill the proposal.

The Republican governor signed the budget-repair bill privately in the morning and will hold a news conference later in the day to tout the signing and talk about the tumultuous past few weeks. Also Friday, Walker directed the Office of State Employment Relations to rescind layoff notices because the Legislature had passed the bill.

In a statement, Walker said jobs were saved by passing the bill, which solves part but not all of a budget shortfall.

"The Legislature helped us save 1,500 middle-class jobs by moving forward this week with the budget repair," his statement said. "The state will now be able to realize $30 million in savings to balance the budget and allow 1,500 state employees to keep their jobs. The reforms contained in this legislation, which require modest health care and pension contributions from all public employees, will help put Wisconsin on a path to fiscal sustainability." [MORE]

Now that the collective bargaining parts of Walker's budget repair bill has passed, the question becomes what will the Democrats do about the fiscal parts of the bill. I imagine they are going to try to play retribution to gum up the works. That is just the way they roll.

With this victory under his belt, Scott Walker become the new tough guy in the Republican Party. As for Chris Christie I think this old Janet Jackson tune applies:

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Journal Sentinel

Done! Wisconsin Assembly passes Nuke Option 53-42

Associated Press: MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin lawmakers voted Thursday to strip nearly all collective bargaining rights from the state's public workers, ending a heated standoff over labor rights and delivering a key victory to Republicans who have targeted unions in efforts to slash government spending nationwide.

The state's Assembly passed Gov. Scott Walker's explosive proposal 53-42 without any Democratic support and four no votes from the GOP. Protesters in the gallery erupted into screams of "Shame! Shame! Shame!" as Republican lawmakers filed out of the chamber and into the speaker's office.

The state's Senate used a procedural move to bypass missing Democrats and move the measure forward Wednesday night, meaning the plan that delivers one of the strongest blows to union power in years now requires only Walker's signature to take effect. [MORE]

Given the swiftness in which Republicans have acted, I cannot help but say it again, why did they wait so long?  

Public employee unions across the nation have just been served notice, that their comfy cash cow racket is about to be lost forever.  States across the nation who are in tighter jams than Wisconsin are going to start taking a long hard look at reforming public employee pensions, benefits and salaries.  No longer will these items be off the table.  In many states, legislatures will take aim at the collection of union dues as well.

Via: Associated Press

Via: Legal Insurrection 

The Calm Before The Storm? WI Capitol building almost empty

What a difference a day makes. Last night the Wisconsin State Capitol looked like this:

This morning we hear that there are only a few dozen protesters left.

Journal Sentinel: Madison - After a wild and raucous night at the State Capitol, the scene inside the building Thursday morning looks just like it was a few weeks ago when protesters camped out overnight.

At 6:30 a.m., there were dozens of people who stayed the night and were camped out in various locations in the building.
Of particular concern to police are a few dozen protesters who spent the night in the antechamber of the Assembly. The Assembly is scheduled to go into session at 11 a.m. Thursday to consider the bill on collective bargaining that the Senate approved last night in mere minutes.

A number of protesters said they had no intention of leaving the area Thursday.[...]

Outside the Capitol, the scene looks just like any other normal business day. The driver of one car was slowly driving around the Capitol Square, honking. But his horn and the sound of buses running routes were the only sounds outside.

Did they all go home to get a good night's rest so they can return to raise some hell today or is that they realize the jig is up?

I would have thought that the protesters would have done all that they can to block the Assembly from voting today. Once the Assembly votes, the only thing left is Walker's signature and we all know he is going to sign it.

We will see if things remain quiet as the Assembly vote nears.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Journal Sentinel

Via: Hot Air
video h/t: The Right Scoop

KA-BOOM! Wisconsin Senate Republicans pass collective bargaining portions of budget repair bill

Wisconsin Senate Republicans have exploded the Nuke Option on Governor Scott Walker's budget repair bill. Republicans stripped out all the fiscal language and passed the collective bargaining portions of the bill without the need for quorum.

Journal Sentinel: Madison — The Senate abruptly passed a controversial budget-repair bill Wedneday night - without Democrats - and sent the measure to the Assembly, which is expected to pass it Thursday.

The bill eliminates almost all collective bargaining for public workers.

It passed18-1, with Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) casting the no vote. None of the 14 Senate Democrats was present.[...]

But late Wednesday, a committee stripped some elements from the bill that they said allowed them to pass it with a simple majority present. The most controversial parts of the bill remain intact.

The Senate abruptly sent the budget-repair bill Wednesday to the committee of legislators from both houses at about 4 p.m. and the committee convened at 6, taking action within minutes.

The Assembly earlier had passed the original measure and now must take up the version from which fiscal matters were removed. [MORE]

The Wisconsin Senate Republicans should have taken this route two weeks ago when it became quite clear the the AWOL Democrats were not going to return. This would have saved weeks of protest and certainly would not have allowed the left to sway public opinion.

The Assembly must vote on the new bill tomorrow. Between now and then I fully expect the left to raise all kinds of hell in a futile attempt to stop it. Should Wisconsin Republicans succeed in curtailing public employee's collective bargaining options, and survive doing so, then expect these measures to catch on like wildfire across the nation. This is why I also suspect that the left is going to make sure maximum chaos insures after the vote.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Journal Sentinel Online

Vacation from reality: WI's AWOL Dem's request for a Border Summit

The Fleebaggers while vacationing from the job responsibilities in Illinois also seem to be "vacationing from reality". They have requested a meeting with Governor Scott Walker on the Illinois-Wisconsin border.

CNN: (CNN) -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Monday dismissed as "ridiculous" a letter from a Democratic state Senate leader who suggested a meeting "near the Wisconsin-Illinois border" to discuss the state's budget impasse.

Sen. Mark Miller sent the letter to Walker on Monday, offering a border summit as a way to resume stalled negotiations on the state's budget.

This is unreal. The Democrats flee the state to hold the democratic process hostage, then when public opinion starts to move their way they want to negotiate. Gangster government anyone?

Senate Republicans should have pulled the trigger on the nuke option, day one. This would have sent a clear message to the Fleebaggers that hijacking democracy is not an option.

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal suggested that the Fleebaggers may return soon. From this letter from the Republican Senate Majority leader, it looks like the mixed messages from the Fleebaggers might suggest they are starting to go in different directions.

National Review: 

March 7, 2011
Sen. Mark Miller
Parts Unknown, IL

Dear Senator Miller,

Thank you for your hand-delivered letter with an offer to meet, in Illinois, about the business and future direction of Wisconsin.

Let’s set aside how bizarre that is for a moment.

As you know, this legislation is designed to finally balance the state budget, prevent layoffs and create jobs in the real world. There are hundreds of thousands of unemployed or underemployed Wisconsinites, and at least 1,500 more whose jobs are in the balance because of your media stunt. We all deserve better than this.

In the meantime, members of your caucus have been meeting with the governor’s staff, talking to the media, trying to find a way back to Madison, and contradicting your message in public. In case you don’t remember, you were present yourself at one of those meetings with the governor’s staff. Your grasp of reality, and control of your caucus as minority leader, continues to amaze me.

As you know, your opportunity to compromise and amend the bill was on the floor of the state Senate. As you know, you forfeited that right and opportunity when you decided to flee the state instead of doing your job.

Your stubbornness in trying to ignore the last election and protect the broken status quo is truly shameful. While we wait for you and your colleagues to finally show up, Senate Republicans continue to stand ready to do the job we were elected to do, here in Wisconsin. I hope you are enjoying your vacation, and your vacation from reality.

Sincerely,
Scott Fitzgerald
Senate Majority Leader
CC: Governor Scott Walker

Time will tell.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: CNN
Via: National Review

Fleebaggers to return to state soon

Wisconsin's 14 AWOL Democrats are looking to return to the state now that public opinion has shifted against Walker and the Republicans. The Fleebaggers point to all the recent polls that shows people are opposed to curtailing union's collective bargaining rights. In effect the Fleebaggers feel that Republicans might now be scared off from supporting Walker's budget repair bill.

Wall Street Journal: Playing a game of political chicken, Democratic senators who fled Wisconsin to stymie restrictions on public-employee unions said Sunday they planned to come back from exile soon, betting that even though their return will allow the bill to pass, the curbs are so unpopular they'll taint the state's Republican governor and legislators. [...]

Sen. Mark Miller said he and his fellow Democrats intend to let the full Senate vote on Gov. Scott Walker's "budget-repair" bill, which includes the proposed limits on public unions' collective-bargaining rights. The bill, which had been blocked because the missing Democrats were needed for the Senate to have enough members present to vote on the bill, is expected to pass the Republican-controlled chamber.

He said he thinks recent polls showing voter discontent with Mr. Walker over limits on bargaining rights have been "disastrous" for the governor and Republicans and give Democrats more leverage to seek changes in a broader two-year budget bill Mr. Walker proposed Tuesday.

Senator Miller may have a point. If Republicans go by the polls out today, they may very well have reason to fear a backlash. However, as the old saying goes, a day in politics is like a lifetime. The budget repair bill is coming so early in both Walker's and the legislature's term, it is hard to tell if these numbers will stick over time, especially if the reforms produce positive results. Here is to hoping the the Senate Republicans are thinking more long term rather than short term.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Wall Street Journal
Via: WPRI

It's Time to Take Out the Trash Day - Mission already accomplished?

In case you have not already heard, some Wisconsin TEA Parties started a Facebook page to create a flash mob that would descend on the Capitol to clean up after the protesters.

The clean up is to start today at 1:00 PM.  However, it appears after the Facebook page went viral, clean up has already begun.

Facebook:**UPDATE**Our event hasn’t even started and the goal is already being achieved. I went to the square with my wife and another friend. My friend tells me the grounds as of 11:00 PM Friday night were effectively trashed; garbage strewn everywhere. Tonight is another story.

I’m pleased to report the protesters were able to make effective use of their manpower. The grounds are mostly respectable. Yes, we did find some trash, but not to the degree that would warrant a battalion wide police call.

The feeder streets to the square are a different story. They were far less kempt. It’s clear the massive influx of people has taken its toll. I will start on East Washington Avenue and work my way around clockwise on the first block of each feeder street leading to the capitol square. 

I am still going.

It's not about partisanship or protests, but pride.

It is time to take out the trash... literally. In true Flash Mob fashion, on Sunday at exactly 1300 hours (1:00 pm for you non-military types) we will do an extensive police call (pick up the trash) around the capitol square. Regardless of the state the grounds are in, we will do this as both a literal and symbolic way to show our respect for our home. 

TEA Partiers know how this is done. It is time to show OUR pride for OUR state OUR way and be the example.

Even if you cannot attend, please share this and invite all of your sane friends who share our love of Wisconsin.

No signs, no screaming, just a necessary cleaning.The feeder streets to the square are a different story. They were far less kempt. It’s clear the massive influx of people has taken its toll. I will start on East Washington Avenue and work my way around clockwise on the first block of each feeder street leading to the capitol square. 

I am still going.

It's not about partisanship or protests, but pride. 

It is time to take out the trash... literally. In true Flash Mob fashion, on Sunday at exactly 1300 hours (1:00 pm for you non-military types) we will do an extensive police call (pick up the trash) around the capitol square. Regardless of the state the grounds are in, we will do this as both a literal and symbolic way to show our respect for our home. 

TEA Partiers know how this is done. It is time to show OUR pride for OUR state OUR way and be the example.

Even if you cannot attend, please share this and invite all of your sane friends who share our love of Wisconsin.

No signs, no screaming, just a necessary cleaning.

I glad to see the Capitol did get cleaned up, whoever did it.  We can all have our free speech without being pigs about it.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Breitbart TV

Via: Facebook

Protesters cause $7.5 million in damages to marble in WI's Capitol

Journal Sentinel: Madison - State officials said Thursday that damage to the marble inside and out the State Capitol would cost an estimated $7.5 million.

Cari Anne Renlund, chief legal counsel for the state Department of Administration, said in Dane County court that estimates of damage to marble includes $6 million to repair damaged marble inside the Capitol, $1 million for damage outside and $500,000 for costs to supervise the damage.

Much of the damage apparently has come from tape used to put up signs and placards at the Capitol.

It was not immediately clear how the estimates were made, though the state is apparently relying on opinions by historical architects, one of whom works for the U.S. Park Service.

One concern is the residue from tape that the state says is causing damage to stone and other surfaces inside the Capitol.

No one should really be surprise.  Many of the lefty protesters are rude disrespectful slobs.  I am not just saying this like some elitist conservative. Time and time again we have seen video and pictures of their rude behavior, inconsiderate actions and thoughtless littering from various protest.

Remember how the lefties left the mall after Obama's inaugural?

 Or the mess they left after the One Nation rally?

Or how about how they treated the Veterans Memorial in the WI Capitol?

Why do they do this you ask?  It is because they simply do not believe in any of the institutions unless those institutions serve their purpose.  Consider it the end result of living your live by "the ends justify the means".

Update: Left Coast Rebel has a similar take, check it out here.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Journal Sentinel
video h/t: Ann Althouse

Rasmussen: Support for budget cutting, not for weakening collective bargaining

Rasmussen: Most Wisconsin voters oppose efforts to weaken collective bargaining rights for union workers but a plurality are supportive of significant pay cuts for state workers. Governor Scott Walker is struggling in the court of public opinion, but how badly he is struggling depends upon how the issue is presented. There is also an interesting gap between the views of private and public sector union families.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Wisconsin voters shows that just 39% favor weakening collective bargaining rights and 52% are opposed. At the same time, 44% support a 10% pay cut for all state workers. Thirty-eight percent (38%) are opposed. That’s partly because 27% of Wisconsin voters believe state workers are paid too much and 16% believe they are paid too little. Forty-nine percent (49%) believe the pay of state workers is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This is now the third poll (NYT and WSJ) that has shown majority support for keeping collective bargaining rights. It is also the third poll that shows that the support slips when you when you show how collective bargaining effects state's budgets.

I think two things are working against Walker. First is clearly messaging. Walker has not done a really good job of explain just how collective bargaining affects things other than employee salary and pension. For example how teacher unions use collective bargaining to impede much needed reform.

The second thing working against Walker is the dragging out of the process. Once the Fleebaggers fled, senate Republicans should have immediately begun cranking up the pressure. As the drama in Wisconsin draws out longer and longer, I expect Walker support for Walker to wain more. Wisconsin should take a cue from Ohio. Over there they are moving very quickly for even stricter reforms.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Rasmussen Reports
Via: New York Times
Via: Wall Street Journal
Via: Cleveland.com

WI Republican senators threaten Fleebaggers with contempt

Journal Sentinel: Madison — - Pressure ratcheted up on absent Senate Democrats Thursday, as they were found in contempt by GOP senators and Gov. Scott Walker said he will start sending out layoff notices to state unions and workers by the end of Friday if the standoff over his budget-repair bill isn't resolved.

"Even today I hold out some hope that this can be resolved by the Senate coming back," Walker said in an interview Thursday. "But by the end of the day tomorrow, we have a legal and a moral obligation to start forewarning people."

Walker has said that he would seek the layoffs of up to 1,500 state employees in an attempt to save $30 million to help address the state's fiscal problems. He said he would seek to protect workers in round-the-clock jobs such as prison guards and medical staff.[...]

Also Thursday, Republicans in the state Senate found Democrats in contempt - a move that means Democrats could be taken into custody.

"We simply cannot have democracy be held hostage because the minority wants to prove a point," said Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau).

The Senate adopted the resolution to find Democrats in contempt on a 19-0 vote. It says they are violating a Senate rule that requires senators to receive a leave of absence before being absent for a day.

Fitzgerald said that Republicans were initially "nervous" about taking such a step but that Democrats have created a "constitutional crisis."

"This is not about a budget-repair bill or about politics," Fitzgerald said. "This is much bigger than that and the minority party has forced our hand . . .  They're insulting the very fabric of our representative democracy."

Well duh, these actions should have been done on day one. Lawmakers simply walking out to get their way is not what democracy is all about. The Fleebaggers are creating a crazy situation in Wisconsin and the foot dragging by the Republican senators only makes it worse.

I guess after that when Glenn Grothman got caught in that crowd, the Republicans realized just how crazy thing are going to get the longer this drags out. If they were smart they would ready the nuke option pronto.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Journal Sentinel

No Work, No Pay: Wisconsin Senate passes resolution to fine Fleebaggers

620WTMJ: 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.

Republicans remaining in the Senate approved the daily fine on Wednesday morning with none of the Democrats present.[...]

The resolution passed on Wednesday also requires the missing Democrats to reimburse the Senate for any costs incurred during attempts to force them to return. Their salary and other per diem payments can be withheld until they pay back the penalties and costs.

According to TODAY'S TMJ4's Mick Trevey, there are punishments incorporated into the resolution which would allow for the removal of offices from senators, to downsize their offices, to take away spending capabilities for their offices for photocopies and office supplies, even to changing the way the staffs are run.
The two-day clock would not begin until Thursday, and if senators do not return two days later, the $100 fines and other measures could possibly begin.

These Wisconsin Republicans are slow thinkers. This resolution should have been brought up on day two of the Fleebaggers absence. The $100 fine is way too skimpy. No doubt the Fleebaggers' union bosses will be reimbursing them.

If the Republican senators want the Fleebaggers to return, they are going to have to inflict much more pain than that. For starters they can get behind the recall effort just like the Democrats are doing. Then start passing legislation that any self respecting Democrat cannot abide by.  A good starting point would be to start passing some serious Pro-Life legislation, like completely defunding Planned Parenthood. That will get the Fleebagger's attention.

Via: Memorandum
Via: 620WTMJ
Via: The Plum Line

And you are protesting because...?

The Blaze: When the protests in Wisconsin first began, we showed you video of students admitting their teachers were bringing them to the Capitol and saying they had no idea what they were protesting. At the time, some defended the video by saying we can’t really rely on the statements of children.

But now, equally damning video has surfaced of adult protesters not being able to describe the effects of Gov. Walker’s emergency budget bill, many appearing clueless about what is in the legislation and making off-the-wall statements.

I think a lot of these guys are just professional protesters.  They come out make a lot of noise  just for the sake of something to do.  The left are masters of Astroturfing, so it wouldn't surprise me one bit if more than half of the protesters don't even come from Wisconsin.

Via: The Blaze

Video: Wisconsin GOP Senator Glenn Grothman chased and cornered by union mob

The video pretty much speaks for itself, so I will only add a few quick observations:

1. I cannot help but to compare and contrast the TEA Party protest from last year to these union protest.  Especially the day the Democrats forced through ObamaCare.  Remember how Nancy and her gang strolled through the streets?  Sure people shouted, but no one mobbed them.
2. The other thing that immediately catches my eye is the hive mentality. One person shouts "shame" and they all shout "shame".  One person shouts "peace" and they all shout "peace".  I would hate to see what would happen if someone said "kill him"!
3. Finally, this crowd doesn't strike me as teachers or other public service employees.  They don't even seem like union workers.  They mostly look like the young slackers you find at every leftwing protest. I would love to know just how many real Wisconsinites are at these protest.

The photographer who capture this video has some amazing still shots from the protest, you can find them here.

Via: Memeorandum

Video h/t: Dane101

A break in the wall? Fleebaggers experiencing "dissension in the ranks"

I maybe pleasantly proven wrong about Scott Walker's ultimatum.

Fox Nation: Fox Nation has learned exclusively from a highly placed source within Wisconsin state politics that the fourteen AWOL Democrats are experiencing "dissension in the ranks." State Sen. Julie Lassa (D) is pregnant and "extremely unhappy" about being on the run. State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D) has been hit particularly hard by his paycheck being withheld. Wisconsin State Senate leadership is currently negotiating with eight of the fourteen to come home. Gov. Scott Walker (R) has declared today the deadline for action on his budget repair bill and plans to give a budget address at 5 p.m. ET. A deal may be announced around that time. Developing...

This is certainly good news.  However, I do not envy the Democrats who cave.  The left will unleash unimaginable hate towards those Fleebaggers. No excuse they can give will ever be acceptable for the far left.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Fox Nation

Video: Wisconsin labor protest and international socialism

A few quick things hit me about this video.


First, is it just me or are there a lot of slackers in this socialist movement?  Look at these folks, some of them clearly have an education, but have failed to put that education to a positive use.  Instead, they bitch and moan about who has what. To me it all seems like sour grapes run amok. They failed to capitalize on their talents, so they throw stones at those who are successful. 


My best friend's father, a Hindu who came to America with only $80 to his name and who now owns three drugstores, use to say; "if you cannot make money in America, you simply aren't trying hard enough".


Second, I am quite taken aback how the young man constantly misses the obvious. He said "they study history", yet how is it they missed the fact that socialism always fails?  The guy even ignores the power of capitalism behind selling his copy of the International Socialist Review!  Geez! 


Third, I have to wonder to any of these socialist ever stop to find out how some of these companies are started? Do they stop to consider the risks and sacrifices people have made to start their business? Does it even matter to them?


You can read the whole story behind this video here.


Via: Big Government