Another Saturday spent with 50,000 or so of my closest friends. Today the numbers were down a bit; however, as time goes on I see the protests becoming more and more organized. I do think today would have had a larger turnout if not for two things, one, the weather...it is still in the twenties and that is really a pain in tookus. Second, no one knew Michael Moore would be there today. We were all taken by surprise.
A couple of things...the amount of security on the Capitol Square is ridiculous...the amount of security in the Capitol is even worse...I think Walker is trying to stifle the protests with a very heavy hand of security. I will say this though, since the building re-opened the officers on duty are in much better moods.
Today's Diary will have two special bonuses...one, a photo of some Wisconsin Kossaks...and some bonus coverage and photos from a protest in Eau Claire this afternoon...so follow me below the fold for some Wisconsin Ass Kickin' (and you thought we were only about cheese).
This is the first sight you see when you arrive on the square (at least from where I park) officers at the Law Enforcement memorial.
Morning protesters...I don't see any palm trees though.
Open to the public...sort of...
The line to get in...
If your sign has a stick you cannot take it into the building with you...I really did like this sign.
The rules...
More rules...
Security...it is pretty much like going to the airport...except you get to your shoes on. To me this is unacceptable. There is no justification for this level of security.
Some of the "Seven Million" dollars worth of damage to the Capitol. (Should be read with a large dose of sarcasm)
Another awesome sign.
Walker has been successful at one thing...thinning out the crowd in the Capitol
Another Vet that supports labor.
I never tire of this view...
We are such polite and thoughtful protesters in Wisconsin.
The father of the progressive movement...and he may be witnessing the rebirth of that movement.
This was on the way out...I thought this gave a better view of the security procedures...my 11 year old son was even wanded.
My son and ex-wife.
I have got to get me one of these shirts.
He is looking for palm trees as well...
A PALM TREE!!!
Charles Woodson for Governor!
I thought this was awesome...New York State Troopers. They said, "We were ground zero for terrorism, Wisconsin is ground zero for labor."
I did edit the young boy's face out of the photo on purpose. I did not know who his parents were so I could not ask permission to past the photo.
One of my favorites.
Where in the hell are all these palm trees?
PALM TREES!!!
Every time I see a union member, I have to ask...why does Scott Walker want to mess with these guys....they could kick his ass with one hand behind their backs.
Recycling I can get behind...
Union Cab...and they were all honking to the tune of "This is what democracy looks like"
PALM TREE!!
Fellow Kossak - Giles Goat Boy
Fellow Wisconsin Kossaks, I will let them self identify if they wish...I was too cold to write down names.
I have seen this gentleman at every protest I have been to the last few weeks.
My friend Tanya as Rosie the Riveter.
PALM TREE!!
Thank you Michael Moore!!
PALM TREES!!
Those union thugs will stop at nothing!
A co-worker of mine, Tim, and he is also non-union.
More Palm trees...amazing that they do so well in sub-freezing temperatures.
This is an unconfirmed rumor at this point...
Yet more Palm Trees.
Scott, you really don't know who you are messin' with do you?
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And now, my friend and classmate, Heidi, from Eau Claire:
My name is Heidi. I work for the State of Wisconsin as do my husband, sister, mom, dad, three aunts, and two uncles. Most of my family members do jobs that nobody wants to know about – working with folks who have special needs, criminals, and cleaning up after others. Of course we’re in it for the money.
I went to the Scott Walker Americans for Prosperity bus tour stop in my hometown of Eau Claire, WI. I’d never been to a protest before, so I didn’t know what to expect, really. When I’d read about these pro-Walker rallies, I had heard that the governor was going to have his photo taken with all his supporters next to his bus. I figured I’d see the governor, and see some of his supporters, and that I’d see a bus.
I was therefore surprised when no bus was in evidence. Nor did I see the governor. I could count on one hand the number of people clutching signs in support of Scott Walker. Not even raising them - just kind of holding them down by their knees. Please be skeptical of any reported number of “signatures” by Scott Walker “supporters” from Eau Claire, because there were maybe a dozen there that I could see.
What I did see was a crowd of enthusiastic, sign-toting, vocal people opposed to Scott Walker’s unconscionable proposal to bust the unions and yank the rug out from under the legs of families struggling to get by. I saw dozens of people from work, several friends, and some of my own family members. By my husband’s informal, moving masses head count, we got about 700 people on the west side of Craig Road, and about 1.5 times as many on the east side of the road. They were chanting and hollering, and a few were even buzzing away on vuvuzelas.
It was an incredible feeling, being amongst all these passionate people. There were lots of families there, with kids in tow. I heard one little fellow, maybe about two years old, repeating back to his mother, “union busting is disgusting.” I saw clever signs, and ones that just made me sad.
My husband and I arrived at about 10:30. At about quarter to noon, having not seen a bus, I went inside the hotel to find out when – or if – it was going to come. The lady at the front desk told me that it had departed twenty minutes before. She said that the governor and his band of supporters had been shuttled into the hotel and back to the bus in smaller vehicles because there were too many protesters there to get in and out. So much for taking a photo with all his supporters out by the bus.
The upshot? On his so-called bus tour rallying for support, our governor snuck into a hotel to meet with a handful of his supporters, and snuck back out again rather than face those of us who oppose him. We already knew he was a liar, and now we have proof that he’s a coward as well.
And now some photos from Eau Claire...
Our Republican representative, Warren Petryk, is somewhere in the middle of this respectfully silent crowd of union supporters. I certainly wouldn't want to be in the middle of all that polite hate. Congratulations on your final term, Warren.
Wow...the famous hybrid cold weather Palm trees are all the way up nort' in Eau Claire.
Those damn Palm Trees...again.
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Again, if you wish to view all of the photos I took today...please go My Photostream on Flickr
Updated by Kodiak54 at Sat Mar 5, 2011, 09:46:09 PM
Scott Walker in Columbus WI, a town with a little over 4000 residents....he was not greeted warmly.
Updated by Kodiak54 at Sat Mar 5, 2011, 11:32:11 PM
Michael Moore's speech....