Boots on the Ground – Young at Heart in Madison
AGING MUDPUPS ON THE GROUND IN MADISON
So, the husband and I finally decided to motor on up to Madison and join the fun. And, fun it was!
We live in northern Illinois, a half-hour south of the border and frequently journey across the Cheddar Curtain. We also have two grandbabies there, so we felt a need to participate in the brouhaha in Madison.
We have both been so agitated by the outrageous acts against workers rights that Scott Walker and his fat cat buddies have attempted to force upon Wisconsinites, that it was high time we made the trip.
We arrived mid morning to find a small crowd gathered outside the Capitol building. Venturing inside we were met by a row of police officers who kindly asked us to empty our pockets. My bottomless purse was inspected ( imagine if you will, the expression on the face of the officer when Brian the Moose was pulled out…… “ I won’t even ask…” he said. “ Good thing” said I !
We then were scanned and into the Rotunda we went to be greeted by chanting and singing.
There was not a huge crowd yet but an extremely enthusiastic one. The crowd grew as the day went on . There were teachers, nurses, firefighters, AFSCME, laborers union, iron workers, the Sierra Club, pilots union, teamsters ( a bus load from Minnesota !), hotel workers, 911 dispatchers, steel workers, boilermakers, a retired cop ( husband ) and a retired rural letter carrier ( me ) amongst them.
The enthusiasm was contagious! Chanting, singing, dancing, shouting was the order of the day. Lots of signs were present. My personal favorite was “Thank you Walker. Because of you my husband is no longer a Republican!” The young woman carrying it assured me it was truthful; her husband had finally “seen the light”. There was an electric charge in the air the entire day. The feeling of camaraderie was amazing. Young, old and all ages in between were present.
We were standing together against the misuse of power not just in the State of Wisconsin, but everywhere. If this can happen in the Dairy State it can, and will, happen everywhere.
This was Democracy at its finest. The protest was peaceful and powerful and the feeling of pride was palpable.
Big plans are underway for Saturday. The farmers will be arriving in their combines and tractors to encircle the Capitol. The organizers are expecting a crowd of 100,000. What a sight that will be! We are planning on being there.
Mudflatter ‘Attagirl’
Great!!!!!
Leaving shortly for our long drive to Madison! I dont have a cell phone or would call you …but will take the yellow and black scarf we all wore at the Rally for Sanity!!! In any event will be together in spirit if nothing else!!!
SOLIDARITY!!!!!
We will be there…the parade is scheduled to begin at 10am. I don’t have those smashing yellow boots but will have my red ones on !
Thanks for the report Attagirl! Great read!
That sign you mentioned:
““Thank you Walker. Because of you my husband is no longer a Republican!” The young woman carrying it assured me it was truthful; her husband had finally “seen the light”.
Was a HOOT!
Thanks attagirl–COURAGE TO ALL ‘FLATTERS.
Thanks for the write up. Did Brian edit? Or is he too busy packing for your next trip?
Thanks for your report!
palin got away with it why not the protestors from Wisconsin?
Maybe it is time the dems and independents decided to reload instead of retreat and play the way the GOP plays.Take a book from palin with gun sights on those GOP senators and assembly members homes
….and hugs to hubby.
thank you for a wonderful, wonderful boots on the ground report. wish i could have been with you.
Republican is a (Four(2))+2 letter word!
Thanks for the report.
I do wonder, how many people have had it with the republicans when they realize that their jobs, their lives are worth nothing to the people that own these republican leaders?
Time will tell.
Why would anybody with a brain vote republican?
((((((Attagirl & spouse, grandbabies too))))))
to the tune of Fiddler on the Roof’s “If I were a Rich Man”
If I had a tractor
I would drive it to the capitol in Madison…
“We Have Had It!” ~ Michael Moore
Much thanks Attagirl…..keeping the faith:~)
Thanks for the report Attagirl. Take me along in spirit the next time you go.
Thank you Attagirl for the report.I have been watching this closely because I am home bound so the most I can do is give what I can in money and posting on articles to try and keep the GOP honest.After reading about what the GOP pulled I could have cried for those affected and some people have no care about their neighbors it seems unless those posting the name calling and outright lies are being paid to do so.It is a real shame when the President is blamed for what the people of Wisconsin protested for.So many say the protester were all Obama thugs LOL as if. More like the police today are from the areas that walker knew were on his side and that’s who he bought down to encircle the capital.I would not put it past him to have the state patrol stop the farmers with some bogus complaint.
Thanks Attagirl.
It is not “fun” anymore…after what happened yesterday in Madison it is high time for all of us to start truly protesting. I regret using “fun” in my boots on the ground report. This is serious business..our rights are being taken away by the few, the rich, the despicable. Brian is ready to climb back in the purse and head north…. again…ON WISCONSIN ! I am so proud of the 14 Democrats who have taken refuge in IL. I am so proud of the people traveling to Madison and Indianapolis and Lansing and everywhere else to protest the takeover of our country by the wealthy. Keep the faith, Mudpups, and be strong.
Attagirl, thank you for your report and don’t feel bad for the use of the word fun. I took it as you meant it felt good to be able to attend the protest (o:
Hubby and I are starting to feel frightened by all this. We’ve always felt like we could help make a difference but lately I just don’t know )o:
You can make a difference. Make sure to email, call, write letters to the editors, talk to your friends and neighbors about what is going on. It’s a lot more than just the collective bargaining rights. They are trying to completely destroy government and privatize all the functions.
If anyone still thinks that “privatizing” government is good, ask them if they want to pay higher taxes to pay for the “private for profit” services?
Michigander, do you know what your governor is doing?
“The governor of Michigan or a ‘financial crisis manager’ would have the right to declare a financial crisis in any town, city or county, then move in, void all contracts, disband the local government, thus, essentially declaring martial financial law and overturninig the will of the peoplel and voiding the election of local officials.”
Attagirl- I hope Americans are reverting back to the 1960’s and are willing to stand up and protest the evil that is going on in America. Together,the little people can get our voices heard and hopefully change our Nation and give it back to the common folks who want to make a living and leave their children in a better place.It was more than appropriate to use the word fun and I thank you for that.
I would love to see the tractors and combines encircle the capitol. I wonder if they will be arrested and confiscated. I hope this whole state of affairs will finally stiffen the spine od Dems and force them to stand up to right wing tyranny. Dems PLEASE grow a backbone and give all of us a reason to keep voting for you, other than you are not rethuglican. The good folks of Wisconsin and every where else make me proud to be an American.
My apologies attagirl for not giving thanks to you and your husband for the excellent report for those of us who can’t get there.
We’ll know if it’s really Wisconsin farmers at the Wisconsin capital if we see the rare and illusive Fox Palm (fatuous lingoes) in the background. According to Murdipedia, this strange beauty can only be seen on film captured during protests featuring Blue Cheeseheads. Also, see Beck’s exclusive interview with Wisconsin botanists Scott Walker and the Recall Specials at http://www.foxAintNews.com. They have some interesting observations about how the deficit has caused these trees to suddenly flourish.
Thank you, Attagirl. We live in Illinois, too. Did you see the paper this morning? No more death penalty. Of course, the Republican members of the Legislature are having cat fits.
Brian the Moose went to the Capitol–in your purse? I love it!
That’s gotta be one HUGE purse.