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17 Feb 2011 13:42

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Politics: A quick look at what some right-wing folks think of the WI protests

  • beck “You are about to see this president start embracing the uprisings … the teachers unions and all of the unions that are marching on the streets.”
  • paul ryan “[Gov. Walker] wants public workers to pay half of what our private sector counterparts and he’s getting riots. It’s like Cairo has moved to Madison these days.”
  • malkin “If this brave Republican governor can stand up to the immense amount of power and thuggery, essentially, by these unions, it bodes very well for other states.” source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Feb 2011 11:27

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Politics: Obama backs public employees in Wisconsin union battle royale

  • Some of what I’ve heard coming out of Wisconsin, where you’re just making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain, generally seems like more of an assault on unions. I think it’s very important for us to understand that public employees, they’re our neighbors, they’re our friends.
  • Barack Obama • Coming out in support of public employees currently facing the squeeze in an anti-union fight in Wisconsin. The vote will likely take place today, and it’s clear where Gov. Scott Walker is leaning – he’s budget-minded first, and sounds frustrated by the fact that collective bargaining agreements take so long. “I don’t have 15 months to balance a budget, and I certainly am not going to pass a budget on a hope and a prayer that that might happen,” he said. Hey Scott, based on the protests, it’s clear that a balanced budget is not the top priority for the people who have been flooding Madison the last few days. Consider that. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 5 Comments • Permalink

16 Feb 2011 20:59

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Politics: Scott Walker masters art of political self-destruction in Wisconsin

  • Not bad, Scott Walker. You’ve been Wisconsin’s governor for like two months, and you have half of Madison aiming for your throat because you made a power play to take away public employees’ collective bargaining rights. And you threatened to get the National Guard involved if union members tried to walk out in protest. Dude, this is Wisconsin, Union Central! You’re screwing with the teachers, not the bureaucrats! And Madison is like the hippie mecca of the Midwest! What did you think was going to happen? Not everyone is this hardcore about budget deficits. The Green Bay Packers (!!) have turned against you, and now you have people comparing you to Hosni Mubarak. A tad overwrought, yes, but the point is pretty clear. By going for the jugular a little too harshly, you’re making your political bed, Scott. Why can’t you be cool like this Scott Walker? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

26 Jan 2011 10:35

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Politics: Obama giving Wisconsin tender love and care today

  • yesterday Obama took his dog-and-pony show into a joint session of Congress and made a State of the Union address. Wisconsin’s very own Paul Ryan responded.
  • today Obama’s headed to Wisconsin today. Now it’d be a better match if, say, he was heading to Janesville instead of Manitowoc, but coincidence? We think not. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Jan 2011 14:05

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Offbeat: Bad Omens, Inc.: First dead birds, then fish, now …

  • 200dead cows found on a farm in Portage County, Wisc. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

10 Dec 2010 19:56

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U.S.: Midwest states screw themselves out of high-speed rail money

  • money The federal government gives a lot of money for high-speed rail projects across the country. The benefit could potentially be major.
  • principle Annoyed by having to take the money, Ohio and Wisconsin want to cancel their rail projects and use the cash for roads. The DOT says no.
  • money Know what happens to that money now? It goes to fund other states’ rail projects instead. Man, those states sure showed Obama! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

05 Dec 2010 21:09

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U.S.: “Why Sam, why?” Marinette, Wisconsin mourns student in standoff

  • Sam, you are in good hands now. Someday when we meet again, you can tell me what happened.
  • Marinette, Wisconsin resident Jon Hengel • Expressing grief towards his son Sam, who held a classroom hostage last week and ended up shooting himself to death. Sam’s memorial service was today, and hundreds of mourners found themselves at Marinette High School staring at one of his favorite things in the world – a campground, complete with trees, a tent, a canoe and even a fake campfire. The younger Hengel, who was the only person hurt during the six-hour standoff, left behind more questions than answers, sadly. “This is not about Sam’s sin. This is about the world’s sin,” said the Rev. Nick Johannes, a local Lutheran pastor who presided over the somber ceremony. “Something has gone terribly wrong.” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

30 Nov 2010 20:45

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U.S.: Why Marinette school officials didn’t notice the hostage situation

  • one The lights were off in the classroom at the time the hostage crisis started, so it didn’t look like anyone was in there.
  • two A sign was posted on the door telling seventh period students to go to the library, which was common at the school.
  • three While administrators were suspicious, they didn’t check until a parent said something – two hours later. source
  • » About the shooter: Sam Hengel, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, strangely did not make any demands during the situation and even joked about music and movies. Hengel, a straight-A student who liked the outdoors, apparently didn’t show any telltale signs beforehand. His parents are staying mum in the wake of the incident.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Nov 2010 10:23

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U.S.: Marinette, Wisconsin police: The teacher is the real hero here

  • The teacher was nothing short of heroic. She kept a very cool head and kept the suspect as calm as possible. We really give that teacher a lot of credit.
  • Marinette, Wisconsin Police Chief Jeff Skorik • Describing how the teacher involved in last night’s high school hostage situation ensured that things didn’t get worse. The 15-year-old student, who has not been named, was carrying two types of guns and a duffel bag loaded ammunition when he held a classroom hostage last night. He’s reportedly suffering from life-threatening injuries due to wounds self-inflicted as the hostages were released. It could have been far worse, kids. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Nov 2010 10:07

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U.S.: How Marinette, Wisconsin’s local paper played the hostage situation

  • Because we admit to having a tinge of morning-after guilt about the way we ripped the online coverage of the high school hostage situation in Marinette, Wisconsin last night, here’s the cover of today’s Marinette EagleHerald. This is probably the biggest story of the year for them. And in case you’re curious, you can read the full stories over here. (Green Bay also had some good play in print, even if early online coverage was lacking.) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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