News

Live Reporting from the Wisconsin Protests

by Jennifer Page — June 7, 2011 - 10:00am
  • Topics: Left Wing, Activism, Right Wing, Banking, Corporations, Democracy, Economy, Labor, Politics, Wisconsin Protests
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    It had to start somewhere.Since Monday, February 14, CMD reporters have been on the streets providing live coverage of the historic protests in Madison, Wisconsin and related legal and political battles. We focus on the corporations and spinmeisters pulling the strings. CMD is supported by small contributions from people like you. Consider making a contribution today. If you have scheduling information or tips for our reporters please contact us at (608) 260-9713 or editor@prwatch.org.

    GOODBYE FOR NOW

    On July 13, 2011 CMD ended this on-going report into the Wisconsin protests which we have maintained since February 14, 2011. It has been an honor to report on the historic events from Wisconsin from our office 4 blocks from the Capitol and have this reporting picked up on so many sites across the country. Today we launch a new chapter in our reporting on the shadowy front groups and corporations behind the recent assault on workers rights and democracy. Visit our new website ALECexposed.org to learn more about the corporate agenda in Wisconsin and continue to visit PRWatch.org for reporting on Wisconsin.
    -- The CMD team.

    MONDAY, JULY 11TH NEWS ROUNDUP

    Wisconsin State Journal: Democrats cry foul over Republican redistricting maps

    Democratic leaders expressed shock and anger Friday after Republicans unveiled their proposal for redrawing the state’s congressional and legislative districts, saying the new lines favor the majority party and target Democrats involved in upcoming recall elections. But according to Republicans, 22 legislators will be affected, either by being drawn out of their district or by being paired with another legislator in their district. Of that group 12 are Republican, GOP leaders say. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

    Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Was senator threatened on budget vote?

    Aprominent business leader from state Sen. Rob Cowles' district was stunned when the veteran lawmaker explained why he voted in favor of Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget-repair plan. Cowles had contacted the business leader earlier this year to ask for the person's support in his upcoming recall election. "He said, 'I didn't like this (bill) either. I didn't like being put in this position. I didn't like anything about the way it was done,' " the business leader quoted Cowles as saying. " 'But the governor's office told us if we didn't give them our support, they would run a tea party candidate against us.' " READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

    Wisconsin State Journal: State gears up for recall season opener

    On Tuesday, Wisconsin begins the largest recall season in its history. By the time the final vote is tallied on Aug. 16, there will have been nine recall elections; six for Republican senators and three for Democratic senators. If Democrats can hold onto their seats and take three more, they return to power in the state Senate and have a formidable weapon to use against Walker. Passage of Republican-authored legislation, which has seen virtually no opposition in the GOP-controlled Legislature, will slam to a halt. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

    La Crosse Tribune: Primary to be soft test for new voter ID law

    Voters in Tuesday's primary election and next month's state Senate recall won't have to show a picture ID. But they will be asked. "It's a soft implementation to give everybody a chance to get used to it," said Reid Magney, spokesman for Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board, which oversees elections. "The idea was because this was such a big change we don't want to disenfranchise anyone by springing this on voters. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

    Bloomberg: Senator Johnson Says U.S. Can Avoid Default If Debt Ceiling Not Raised

    The U.S. won’t have to default on its obligations to bondholders even if Congress fails to raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by an August deadline, Republican Senator Ron Johnson said. “If we don’t increase the debt ceiling, we’ll have to live within our means,” the freshman from Wisconsin said in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt” airing this weekend. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

    View PR Watch's photo montage of the protests in Wisconsin

    LIVE REPORT ARCHIVES

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    There’s too much discord at

    Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on June 7, 2011 - 6:07pm.

    There’s too much discord at different levels, and most times even planned Union representations don’t make a difference people have different agendas. There just seems to be no solution.

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    Roosevelt's Wisdom

    Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 21, 2011 - 8:33am.

    I choose to side with FDR:
    "... Meticulous attention should be paid to the special relationships and obligations of public servants to the public itself and to the government. All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations ... The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for ... officials ... to bind the employer ... The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives ...

    "Particularly, I want to emphasize my conviction that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of government employees. Upon employees in the federal service rests the obligation to serve the whole people ... This obligation is paramount ... A strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent ... to prevent or obstruct ... Government ... Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government ... is unthinkable and intolerable."

    A New Workers' Rally Song

    Submitted by Mike Kay (not verified) on March 15, 2011 - 8:50am.

    We've created a workers' rally song "Down On The Line" in support of the hardworking middle class brothers & sisters nationwide. You can listen & download it free here:

    http://www.mikekonopka.com/downontheline.htm

    Fight on! The Joe Hill Heartlanders

    Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right..

    Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 12, 2011 - 3:23pm.

    Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions"

    http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x621314

    "Legal effect ... Declaration was explicitly adopted ... binding on all member states..."

    Taking your money from where your mouth isn't.

    Submitted by Mutternich on March 11, 2011 - 3:43pm.

    http://www.dane101.com/current/2011/03/10/firefighters_target_mi_bank_for_executive_support_of_walker

    The Rest Of The Bill?

    Submitted by Karen Young (not verified) on March 11, 2011 - 10:48am.

    Was there any mention in the rally last night of the OTHER parts of the bill beyond collective bargaining? The cuts to Medicaid? The no-bid selling of public entities? I know CMD has tried to bring attention to these equally important items. Labor needs to understand that ignoring the impact on the poor and continuing to say it's all about the "middle class" alienates a lot of people from them. We need to all be in this together.

    the rest of the bill

    Submitted by Lisa Graves on March 12, 2011 - 3:35am.

    I agree! We've been covering the sale of public assets, the privatization of the university and the impact on health care for the poorest members of our society. But, we need to do more on these critically important issues, as well as the effort to defund the public hospital and clinics.

    TIME MAG

    Submitted by Kingbird (not verified) on March 7, 2011 - 6:51pm.

    TIME Mag is right on. Billionaire Puppet. Crooked as can be. Trying to wreck Wisconsin with poor reasoning. Well, one thing is we have to protect our Natural REsources for generations yet to come. Their are other billionaire puppets out their too trying to "get rich" fast scheme on the account of our natural resources in WI. Oh, they'll see their maker in the long run.. don't lie, don't cheat, don't treat others unfairly. Right!...Injustices are bad and evil. Greed is evil too...

    "rights"

    Submitted by bigdaddy (not verified) on March 4, 2011 - 3:09am.

    "The right of Americans to organize is inherent in the First Amendment's protection of the right to assemble and to petition the government for redress."

    Private sector unions have and still do fulfill a hole in the work place. Many of the laws and protections afforded the american workers are in place due to the tireless work of unions. However, as of late most unions have only negotiated for more money, better benefits and a better retirement.

    My understanding is that Public employees do not have a "right" to collective bargaining. Federal employees do not have collective bargaining. And the states that have collective bargaining for public employees do so by choice. The people of Wisconsin years ago voted to give public unions the so called "right" to bargain.(I bet the group of lawmakers that didn't agree with it didn't run and hide so they could shirk their duties).

    I may not agree with the methods of Gov. Walker however I believe the intent is exactly what is needed in this country. In my opinion The difference between public and private worker unions is that private worker unions know that if they crush their employer they will not have a job. They have a vested stake in the union coming to an agreement with the employer. Public unions KNOW that the government can not shut down and hold a monopoly against the government. there is no real bargaining with a public union.

    If it is not about money or benefits then allow the private unions to continue to fight for worker safety and constitutional rights.

    Two people can look at the same picture and see completely different things. I believe that until people on the left and right see that and start to talk openly without hate and condesencion we will continue to fight amongst ourselves while socialist, marxist and communist groups continue to use situations like that i Wisconsin to recruit.

    Those on the left and right watch what is coming

    Walker in La Crosse today

    Submitted by Maxine1957 (not verified) on February 28, 2011 - 10:36pm.

    Hi-
    Governor Walker was in La Crosse, today. He went to Colgan Air, a private airplane hanger, and no citizens/voters who weren't invited were allowed in. It's a small airplane hanger. Who was allowed in and why was it kept a secret? That's what I like a Governor who hides behind corners and does not want to see the citizens/voters of Wisconsin, but will talk to a billionaire that's not even a citizen/voter of Wisconsin for 20 minutes!
    Governor, why didn't you want to see me, since I'm a public employee?
    But oh, that's because I've been in the Wisconsin workforce for 35 years, pay taxes, lost 40% of my retirement and make big money at $15.00/hour.
    Really Governor Walker, why won't you represent me?