It's been over a week since I wrote and I wanted to update all of you about what's been going on here in FitzWalkerStan.
We haven't gone away, stayed quiet, accepted union stripping, or stopped attending rallies. There's still lots of action and it's becoming more and more organized (and effective).
Yes, the media has moved on to cover the next shiny objects one story at a time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with the ongoing disasters in Japan being supplanted by the military action in Libya, but that's our lazy mainstream media in (in)action. A few of the more impressive shows still provide updates, but many of you want more.
Let me summarize:
Protests:
Still ongoing both in Madison and locally. The crowds are massive on weekends. Governor Walker is "greeted" everywhere he goes by protestors. Republican "leaders" are looking out their windows at the Capitol and their homes to see protestors and signs.
State Capitol:
Still resembles a military stronghold with metal detectors, invasive bodily searches, and massive police presence and this must change. We must reclaim Our House and unencumbered access to it, but this is not a priority now.
Recalls:
Ongoing, more organized, and stronger. The numbers and percentages aren't being publically released for strategic reasons, but participation by both volunteers and those signing continues to grow. In fact, there is so much right wing concern over the recalls that there have been growing numbers of incidents at recall sites that seem coordinated (same tactics of angry drive bys or people on foot) and started around the same time. It has not hampered the effort, merely caused recall volunteers to be better prepared on how to deal with these situations.
There is still no word on whether the recalls will be handled together or one at a time when the required signatures have been gathered.
The recalls, along with the upcoming elections, are a priority.
April 5 Elections:
Priority Number 1 along with the recalls. We have the opportunity to send Gov. Scott Walker a message in the voting booths. He has a sincere interest in 2 of them:
Milwaukee County Executive:
This was Walkers old job. His assembly buddy and Republican pal Jeff Stone is running. He will not be identified as a Republican because this is a non-partisan office (it's how Walker got elected). Stone has lots of friends in Republican leaning Milwaukee media who have been relentlessly attacking his opponent, union-endorsed Chris Abele, over a 15 year old DWI charge that has long been settled. Stone's own ads show him as the typical Republican - "strong", "responsible", "concerned over taxes and budgets". There is already strong phone banking and canvassing for Abele which will be increasing over the next week and a half. Ads for Abele which are run by citizens groups tie Stone to Walker by showing them in 95% agreement when they were both in the Assembly and showing Stones support for union stripping.
Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice:
Right Winger David Prosser is trying for re-election to another 10 year term. Currently the State Supreme Court is right wing leaning. Electing Joanne Kloppenburg will change that dynamic in one single election. Kloppenburg is facing fierce ads by the RW Club for Growth (Koch Brothers) attacking her "lack of experience". Ads by community groups go after Prosser by tying him to Walker and quoting his statement that he will be a "complement" to Walker. Since Walkers union stripping bill will, no doubt, end up in the Wisconsin State Supreme Court (and the terms run 10 years), this is a vital election to win. Prosser hasn't helped himself when comments he made about the Chief Justice being "a total bitch" came to light. The Chief Justice, Shirley Abramson, is a kind, gentle, highly intelligent woman. Such bullying comments should be beneath a Supreme Court Justice.
The Legal Case Regarding the Union Stripping Bill:
Patriot News Clearing House has been doing an amazing job at following the legal challenges and courtroom action. I highly recommend reviewing his updates for the latest information and easily understood explanations of all things legal.
What an I doing? I took a couple of days off to get things done around here, let my joints recover, and recharge my fading human batteries. But now I'm back to working on recruiting volunteers for the recalls, canvassing, campaigns, and GOTV efforts as well as attending local events. Slob that he thinks I and other protestors are, I had the "honor" of phone banking for the recall of State Senator Grothmann yesterday and ejoyed every minute of it. Yes, I know he's in a redder than red district, but it's in my DNA to enjoy being a fly at his picnic.
It seems like a mad dash to have so many things going on at once, but everything adds momentum to the others. The recalls charge up the elections and the election activity bumps up the interest and participation in the recalls. It's all moving forward. We're busy, but we're winning. Step by step. Action by action.
Sorry this is abbreviated. I had a much lengthier diary nearly completed when I had computer failure (internet explorer abruptly and unexpectedly closed on me - I swear, I didn't do a thing - and the diary was not saved - trust me, tears flowed here). Thanks for your continued interest and ongoing support.
Update: May I please direct some attention to Sara Rs Community Quilt for Ben Maseldiary>? Ben is a Wisconsin treasure. Thank you.