Associated Press
A couple of important court rulings came down this afternoon, the first in Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker (R) has been dealt a major blow.
Gov. Scott Walker's law repealing most collective bargaining for local and school employees was struck down by a Dane County judge Friday, yet another dramatic twist in a year and a half saga that likely sets up another showdown in the Supreme Court.
The law remains largely in force for state workers, though a federal judge struck down part of that section of the law as well earlier this year. But for city, county, and school workers the decision by Dane County Judge Juan Colas returns the law to its status before Walker signed his law in March 2011.
Lester Pines, an attorney for the Madison teachers and city of Milwaukee employees, told the Journal Sentinel, "The decision essentially creates the (2011) status quo for municipal employees and school district employees because it declared that the essential provisions of Act 10 to be unconstitutional."
The ruling is still subject to appeal, but as of this afternoon, it's a big win for labor and a defeat for Scott Walker's union-busting efforts in Wisconsin.
Speaking of court rulings, GOP setbacks, and the Midwest, it's also worth noting that Iowa Republican officials' voter-purge plan is on hold after a state judge issued an injunction this afternoon.
The purge effort hasn't been rejected, but Judge Mary Pat Gunderson ruled that it cannot be enforced while the legal challenge continues.
Between this and other recent legal setbacks in Ohio, Florida, and Texas, Republicans have struggled badly this summer in the courts.
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This is one of the big reasons why we must reelect the President in November: **THE COURTS**. We do not want a President Romney stacking the federal courts with partisan hack right-wingers.
I still think Supreme Court Justices should have term limits. I wish I could get a job for life but someone has the power to oust me. Shouldn't justices have some kind of check and balance? We elect 2/3's of our government but 1/3, the third that has the power to undo what the other 2/3's do, is appointed until they die. This doesn't even remotely sound American. Almost, dare I say, British. I love the Brits, however we kicked them out over 200 years ago because we disagreed with their system of government and those in it. Why did we keep this part?
Max Mobius, here is one rationalization for not imposing term limits. And this blog bats the idea around among commenters.
Wow, here we go again
The will of the minority being imposed on the whole
Personally, I'm tired of it
What are you even talking about FDH???
Bet you can't guess why MSNBC isn't reporting on what has consumed EVERY other news program without a total spinnnnnnnnnnnnn.
I noted on previous entries the Romney comment report was delivered by MSNBC to distract from the President's mishandling of National Security issues.
Guess I was right.................again
And as an answer to your question: Who won the recall election? President Obama calls election results a referendum, do you disagree with the President?
I'm sure to be called many names and endure much cussing for that comment!....lol
Yes you will FromDownHere, yes you will. It's either that, or the folks here have a tendency to be dismissive of such input. They are really just like we are are, serious-well intentioned and adamant about what they believe. Just that they believe far differently than we do. Funny as much as they call out Fox News they cannot see the mind control tactics employed at msnbc. Odd huh. They hate me, that's OK, it's only an online blog. Otherwise, like I said, they're well intentioned with a few ultra wild card loonies.
FDH- what the hell does you comment have to do with someone discussing why they want to re-elect Obama because they are worried about who will be appointed judge???? Your comment is entirely unrelated to the subject matter at hand. What on earth are you talking about.
What are you talking about? First the media is not a monolithic entity- it reports on what it thinks will get it the most information. In this case they are reporting on Romney's handling of this situation was just all over the place and entirely illogical. You agreed that this was so. How is that a distraction? What issues are we talking about and what does it mean to mishandle them? How has the president done this? You made this assertion last time and you were asked to explain and you did not, care to try again??? How do you think Romney's mishandling of a situation is a distraction when the situation he mishandled is national security related and that therefore makes us talk about national security. This is completely paradoxical it makes no sense.
What the hell are you talking about? First off you're proposing an argument against a position that no one was arguing besides you. You're asking a question assuming the answer to a premise that wasn't relevant in the first place. This is entirely fallacious reasoning. It makes no goddamn sense. What does the recall have to do with the issue being talked about on this thread? There is nothing at all in your comment that is related to the subject at hand or indeed from paragraph to paragraph you're jumping around.
Other people cannot understand what is going on inside of your head. If you cannot communicate in a way that makes sense to other people then you aren't effectively arguing your side. You're just a ranting lunatic in that instance. I think you need to re-evaluate your post, realize that nobody else besides you knows what it is you're trying to say, and then attempt to re-post in a way that makes sense.
Ridiculous activist judges overturning the votes of the electorate!
Cartoonthenews! - I totally get where you are coming from. Many times I'm on the other side of a text conversation where we are trying to condense responses as much as possible and the other person is onto another subject expecting me to just follow along and I'm like , huh ???????? Sometimes I try to get a little too clever with my postings and I understand how I can lose fellow bloggers easily, my apologies. Let me see if I can clarify my thoughts.
My best understanding of this news article is about a judge in Wisconsin repealing the collective bargaining law the Republicans and Governor Scott Walker voted in. My first comment about "the will of the minority being imposed on the whole" is directly related to my later post "Who won the recall election?". My impression is the Collective Bargaining Law was endorsed by the majority of the people of Wisconsin through the recall election. President Obama has made many statements regarding elections and how the outcomes are referendums on current issues. In my opinion, there could not be a more direct collation between an election and the Collective Bargaining law (current issue) as with the recall election of Governor Walker. This judge chose to ignore the will of the majority and overturn an obvious, voted on, endorsement by the people. In my opinion that's wrong and as the post in this blog thread by Hank-2924329 puts it: "Ridiculous activist judges overturning the votes of the electorate!". I couldn't have said it better.
The other part of my entry was mostly directed to you and our previous discussions but also relates to how news organizations distract the public from main issues they don't want to discuss because it doesn't endorse their political views with inflated stories, like this one and Governor Romney's comments, that comparatively don't amount to a hill of beans. A previous entry on this blog thread by IrishPat7 articulated that point perfectly: "Funny as much as they call out FoxNews they cannot see the mind control tactics employed at MSNBC." When I submit a comment I try to only endorse the people of this great country and completely understand the intentions of all news organizations. When I want to know about a current news story I watch MSNBC, FoxNews, and BBC News to decipher somewhere between those stories for the truth.
You asked me to elaborate on an earlier blog what I meant by the President mishandling this situation and I chose to wait till it was more up front in the news, but here are my views.
The "kiss-kiss, hug-hug" foreign policies of this Administration have come under intense scrutiny by the public and giving billions of taxpayer dollars to countries that "are not our allies or our enemies" must stop.
The fact that under President Obama's endorsement and leadership the governments of these foreign countries were ousted without a plan for replacement which opens the door to groups that may be even more anti-US.
Even though it is not directly the President's job, responsibility falls on his shoulders that higher security wasn't in place in these volatile countries with protests going on outside the embassies and resulted in loss of American lives.
The fact he and his Administration did not foresee these problems occurring while skipping half of the National Security briefings, preferring to read them, and choosing to handle the situation on the campaign trail on the other side of the country collecting contributions instead of focusing solely on the business at hand.
Does that help?
I'm sure you can see why I submit short comments in hopes not to offend and in a way others will understand my points.
Large comments like that are exhausting! lol
Well to call that law "the will of the majority" is a little ridiculous since it resulted in a recall election (which then lost steam) for the Gov who put it into place WITHOUT a vote from the electorate. It was the will of the republicans, not necessarily the majority. From what I understand union busting wasn't part of the campaign platform that got him elected.
For generations, racial segregation was the de facto "will of the electorate". Funny how those on the right can be so enthusiastic about mobocracy when it suits their purposes.
4 out of 9 of the Supreme Court justices ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. Are we saying Majority doesn't rule? Is that a Mob mentality also?
Another really lame attempt at deflection from a troll.
What are you talking about? Doesn't the Supreme Court Justice fact bring this conversation to full circle? Isn't one of the arguments here about how important it is to vote for a President that can appoint justices that embrace your political views?
In other words - Majority Electorate Rules!
The conservatives on the SC weren't voting on its legality, as they are bound to do by law; they were voting based on the ideology of the GOP and various special-interest groups that just "happened" to take them on cruises and vacations, and hosted lavish dinners for them, and hired their wives. So, using that as an example of it some how being close, you actually make a case for limiting the influence off SC judges, especially if they're going to blatantly show their corruption like Scalia and Thomas.
Grumpy...,
I have no doubt he knows that, but as is typical of his ilk, engages in misrepresentation, etc.
Wow, so now only liberal SC judges vote legality, or do they vote the ideology of the DNC?
Next round of Koolaid is on me!
I guess conservative SC judge Roberts passed up the GOP Love Boat and opted for the DNC Catamaran.
WOW FDH: You sure have a lot to say. Doesn't make any sense, but you definitely know a lot of words!
BTW: Our system of government was set up specifically to protect the minority from the majority. This is one reason why, when voting on the freedoms of a minority group, those votes should never happen via the states. Unfortunately, the right has figured out that the only way they can get passage of their highly unpopular agenda is through that route in states with majority right wing legislatures.
It won't last. Maybe a decade before the electorate wakes up without liberties it took for granted, and the masses will unite. IOW, your days are numbered FDH. I hope you're really old so you won't have to live in a free society once we take it back.
If you're young, there are lots of countries in places like N Africa you could move to that will happily manage every second of your day.
Believe it or not I support fair Collective Bargaining rights for all employees. What I do not support is individual or groups of judges overturning legislation based on ideological beliefs. That creates a slippery slope of tyranny for all from those in higher positions and we will eventually be living in a country similar to those dictated by a few in every aspect of our lives. I really do hope I don't experience that in my lifetime.
If you don't support ideological judges, then you need to get the hell off the GOP side, because that's all they do. This Walker monstrosity was overturned because it's illegal, not because the judge didn't like it. The reason Roberts DIDN'T go along with the unjustified-and-grasping-at-straws opposition (for example, Scalia reversed himself on his beliefs on a ruling that would have required him to vote for the mandate... a ruling he'd made mere months before) was that he was an exception, and an unexpected one. Thomas and Scalia made their corruption plain and public; Thomas, at the very least, should have recused himself, since his wife lobbies for the anti-health-reform side. That's a matter of public record... but I guess ethics don't matter if you're backed by the GOP (as we've seen over and over).
Sounds like a goose and gander situation for you. It's either right or wrong for all, not just when it suits you and your beliefs.
I have plenty to say about the GOP. All career politicians and established parties stink as far as I'm concerned. I'm just not Politically blind.
Considering that the liberal judges recuse themselves when they have a conflict, it's NOT the same on both sides. Read up before you make those kinds of claims.
There were many calls for SC judge Elena Kagan to recuse herself during the Affordable Health-Care Act decision due to her past dealings with the subject. She decided to decline the offer.
She must be a secret conservative.
That would be because of her PAST, not PRESENT, dealings. Thomas had PRESENT dealings, he and Scalia were feted by proponents of repeal and given gifts, that's PRESENT involvement.
You must be a not-so-secret moron.
Thanks for articulating the definition of Political Blindness
And thanks for defining false equivalency for all the folks at home. You're trying to equate past involvement and active acceptance of bribery. Pathetic.
Another interesting development to the relationship between local governments and union rights is the teacher's union strike in Chicago. Do you think if Scott Walker was the Mayor of Chicago instead of Rahm Emanuel this news agency and the DNC would be calling for the head of that no good GOP collective bargaining, union rights destroyer? Or does Dem. Mayor Rahm Emanuel just realize the taxpayer well of dollars isn't bottomless and local budgets that have balancing restrictions force the leaders to make the hard decisions?
Before you say this is a different situation and relates only to the seniority and assessment issues for the teachers read this morning's news. The union now has backed out of ALL agreements including pay and perks. Bet Mayor Emanuel isn't a big fan of collective bargaining right now.
Walker and his band are certainly already on the move to appeal this ruling, but this is quite a move to help reinvigorate a battered Wisconsin, still reeling in depression from a failed recall effort.
Stay calm and carry the fight ever onward, Wisconsin.
Thanks for your concern, but I'm not reeling in depression. We have elections in November to win. Tammy Baldwin for Senate, for example. We need a foil for do-nothing- rich-guy-tea-partier Ron Johnson and we certainly can't let Tommy Thompson back on the national stage.
Between this and other recent legal setbacks in Ohio, Florida, and Texas, Petty Obstructionists have struggled badly this summer in the courts.
Fixed it for you Steve.
It's been gratifying to watch the US justice system at work this year, at a level above the sinking ship mentality of the average voter, even the Supreme Court appeared to rise a hair above its own predictable political stances for a moment.
Here's a graph that shows how wages declined along with union participation per above request.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/01/20/173738/report-incomes/
Even if the courts knock down most of these, they're still having an impact on both public employees and the elections. Union membership has fallen. Many voters will be effectively disenfranchised. At the very least, Democrats are having to spend lots of time, energy, and money working to push back on these fronts.
Would I be remiss in feeling that union membership has fallen because workers have gotten complacent about their "rights" in the workplace. Too many employees fail to realize that good wages, safety, and benefits were non-existent in a past not too far gone. The Triangle Shirt Waist fire which changed the conditions of factory workers for the better was only 100 years ago.
The history of the labor movement is one part of U. S. History that we don't do a very good job of teaching. There's a general lack of appreciation for the sacrifices made by workers before the NLRA was signed in 1935. There was, literally, a "war on workers." In many cases, the police and the U. S. Army were used to defend management by putting down labor uprisings.
A generally shameful period in our history. If we aren't careful, workers are going to have to return to that kind of armed conflict to regain the rights they're quickly losing.
As an old, retired union carpenter, I have watched the union movement slide. Frankly, it is scary to me. But I remember that union activity in this country has risen and fallen. I just saw an article that told of WalMart warehouse employees, in CA, staging a large workers' protest. They are not unionized but they recognized that united protest was their last and only resort. I sympathize with these workers and am uplifted, knowing that, as workers, we often have to be pushed right to the edge before we push back.
United We Stand!
I have been a union member for 40 years and have also seen the movement slide. I also make the connection of this slide to the downward slide of the middle class.
The unions are the rising tide that will lift all boats. We just need more workers to think about that.
BS! Globally high uncompetitive wages, benefits and work rules due to the unions are why manufacturing jobs have gone overseas. Unions brought down the steel and textile industries, brought the auto industry to its knees. In the public sector, the unions have bankrupted cities and counties and will leave our children with a bill that can not be paid. There is a reason why unions have been on a downward slide, but you guys are too close to see the forest from the trees. It was self inflicted.
Hank,
OK, first, if "globally high uncompetitive wages" is your argument, explain Germany. They are highly unionized, have great benefits, and are one of the few countries in EU that are not only solvent but thriving.
If your argument is work rules, well let me explain to you that the ONLY reason there are any work rules, in any industry, including yours, is because of unions. Unions fought for regular hours, safety rules, benefits, child labor laws, etc. Everyone benefits from those struggles. YOU DID NOT BUILD THAT - as in you did not tell your boss that you would only work 40 hrs/wk; you did not tell your boss that you wanted health ins; you did not tell your boss that you wanted hearing and eye protection. Unions did that before you ever got to your workplace.
If your argument is that the unions brought down steel, textile, and auto industries, I say BS back at you. Unions don't have a seat at the corporate table, deciding the direction of a company/industry. And when we do, like with the auto bailout, we are more than willing to give back and change to help save an industry and our jobs. Labor is actually a small part of any industry. Take housing for instance. The labor involved in building a house, any house is typically less than 10%. The materials is 30-40%, and land can easily be 25-40%.
In the public sector, your argument is mis-direction. The reason cities and counties have started to run out of funds has mostly to do with consrevative government at these levels (and at state levels) shrinking budgets by tax cuts. And then, as is most often the case, they stop funding things like pensions. If you stop putting money aside in your 401k you will come up short at retirement, too. It is simple ARITHMETIC!
And don't tell me that all those public sector jobs are sponges. Somebody has to teach, put out fires, arrest the bad guys, plow snow, etc. Do you have ANY idea what it is like to work of road construction/maintenance? It is and extremely dangerous job, and very hard on your body - the noise from by-passing traffic alone often is a steady 80-100 decibels.
Hank, as it is often said, you can have your own opinion, nut you can't have your own set of facts.
I wish I could post the graph that shows how, over the last 50 years, as union membership has declined, so has the number of people in the middle class. They are almost parallel. Sadly, I don't even have the link from where I got it, but I bet it is on one of the MSNBC hosts blogs, if not Rachels, then probably Ed's. Google could probably get it for you but I don't have the time right now to find it. Apologies. Good luck, it's frightening and everyone should see it.
People like Hank suffer from a lack of historical perspective. They don't understand how bad wages and working conditions were for people prior to the NLRA, nor are they aware of the tremendous sacrifices made by working people who believed in the importance of a fair distribution of productivity and justice in the workplace.
My question to folks like him is this: If we get wages down to where they're "globally competitive" (meaning that we're paying wages at the same level as in China, India, and the rest of SE Asia), what do you think is going to happen to the purchasing power that allows manufacturers to thrive? Where do you think the middle class will go?
It's pretty obvious that even a couple where both make $25K a year or less isn't "middle class" and it's never going to be.
If we get wages down to where they're "globally competitive" (meaning that we're paying wages at the same level as in China, India, and the rest of SE Asia), ...
I'm sure this is Hank's (and many others) point-of-view. My point, my union's point, and organized labor's point would be that we need to raise the level of wages in China, India, etc, higher. We need to raise them closer to our levels. These workforces are being subjected to near slave conditions. In fact, some virtually ARE slave conditions. Remember the Chinese prisoners making pliers to be sold in the USA?
Remember the hub-bub over the factory making I-pads that were working the employees 60-90hrs/wk? They lived at the factory? They ate at the factory? They were subjected to dangerous chemicals at the factory? They did totally repetitious work til it harmed their bodies at the factory? They commited suicide at the factory?
These are the very things that organized labor fights to change!!
Wages are rising in China. In fact Chinese factories are moving to lower wage countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia. Its the natural order of leveling wages across the globe. Of all people, liberals should want to see all workers have equal wages and cheer that China is raising wages with rising living standards. Thats is whats happening with the free flow of capital, free trade treaties such as NAFTA. Capital, factories and jobs will flow to where the lowest costs are. So you can thank the UAW for accelerating the export of our auto jobs to Asia and South America.
Love that Chicago Dem Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former BO Chief of Staff will seek by court order to end the Teachers' Strike. Oh so ironic and delicious!
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-rahm-emanuel-chicago-strike-20120916,0,5301318.story
Emanuel has always been a bare-knuckled fighter, no matter who he's against. Just check some of the stuff he said in '08. He's going to lose this one, but he's going to try whatever he can.
As for the export of jobs, no, we can thank that on the greed of executives who send the jobs somewhere cheaper, jack up the price of the product, and pocket the gains in "bonuses". The problem isn't unions, it's corporate greed and corruption.
activist judges!!! to the fainting couches!!!
Conservatives celebrated all of these decisions, although what principles of one man-one vote, private property rights, and participatory democracy they conserved is beyond me. (To be fair, George Will, paraphrasing now, called the Kelo decision one of the worst in recent memory; so, pretty much, did S D O'Connor in her dissent.)
So now, when a court rules that a law violates constitutional first amendment guarantees of freedom of assembly and speech, and equal representation under the law, he's an activist judge! (As you may recall from 10th grade, the minority has rights the majority can't take away.)
Please let's stop the intellectual dishonesty. (No, I'm not talking to Gen; I get it.) Activist judge = judge you don't agree with. Just another overwrought misleading Luntzism.
The teabaggers and birthers will be out in force on Monday to challenge Obama. Montgomery said that he withdrew because of the animosity and intimidation directed at him and people around him, which is sure to stir up right-wing anger and media
And the Objections Board doesn't need to meet on Monday to accept it. The whole thing smells of Rove, so I expect Montgomery to be all over Fox "News" on Monday.
oops, too many windows
Above was suppose to be on the Kansas challenge page.
Best news of the day... this ought to smack that smug smirk off Walker's face.
I'm afraid one must smack the smirk off but how to get though the bubble of money and privilege? I'm not advocating violence, I'm advocating a dose of reality.
This is sad. Scott Walker had only the best of intentions... for the Koch brothers.
(snark)
This is what his administration is up to now. Issuing citations well after the fact at peoples' homes and jobs for being part of the daily Solidarity Singers at the capitrol, and for holding (sometimes blank- to prove a point) signs. Numerous people have been arrested for having cameras in the capitol. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/11/1130362/-Wisconsin-Capitol-Police-Try-Intimidation-Deliver-Citations-at-Man-s-Job
This is just a sign of something much more big happening. The losses on the right from the election laws to this giant thing. Election day will be fascinating.
Hey folks, this ain't important...there are 21 islamic nations rioting against the US...Obama was burned in effigy in Afghan, the islamic flag is flying over our embassies, four US diplomats were killed, Obama campaign sends a tweet out for fund raising while he is supposedly giving a solemn speech to the families of these victims...how sick is the media....I have to go to the BBC to find out what is really important and going on in the world.
You say, "I have to go to the BBC to find out what is really important and going on in the world?"
But yet, here you are!
Thank you for informing the the rest of us of where you'll be from now on.
glovalove,
But the teabags always lie.
Thats not necessary.
See what I mean?
Walker's John Doe trial starts in Oct. Wouldn't it be amusing if he had to go before one of the judges overturning his power grab?
Ha Ha, that would be just what he deserves
Well, our state supreme court leans right. In fact, one of the staunchly conservative judges was accused of choking a female judge. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57835.html
And the Obamacare ruling! Don't forget that one!
Next stop: PA Supreme Court ruling on our voter ID law. Fingers crossed.
This is a big deal. Wisconsin has never stopped protesting this travesty of a law, its people have never stopped fighting. Not in the news are the daily solidarity sing a longs that take place at the capital building daily. Although the crowds are smaller, the protests remain. Walker, in dictator style has also stomped on the constitution and make peaceful protests illegal. Just today a young disable vet was arrested and suffered some kind of attack and waiting for the paramedics in handcuffs. Wisconsin has rejected this law from the start and everyone's hard work has finally paid off. For my family it is too late. The strain of having his job on the line coupled with heart surgery caused my husband to have a stroke. He is no longer in the public sector work force or any work force as he is disabled too. I am not saying it is the fault of this law but I will never forget the hell we went through when we had a target on our home because of the career my husband chose. But because of this law we can expect better teachers for our children, a more secure pension, better wages and working conditions for our kids an grandkids. Thank you fellow Wisconsinites for taking down this law.
My college aged son just shared with me the fact that the media showed about ten seconds of Walker at the R convention, looking up in adoration at Lyin' Ryan with tears streaming down his face, while watching the speech as if it was the second coming. He said he kept waiting to hear anyone in the media mention it. Only the young can stomach watching such disgusting behaviour, I guess.
I've been following Scott Walker's story since Ed Schiltz covered the protests on his program last year.
What I can not comprehend is why the people of Wisconsin didn't recall Walker when they had the chance? I mean, come on! They had him... guilty as sin in that taped phony Koch brother conversation!!
I think there should be a lot more digging to uncover why the Koch boys have such a vested interest in the state of Wisconsin.
WI is a solid blue state, however even with such a huge dem majority, the dem voters voted for Walker twice because the state can not afford to continue paying the wages and benefits of the public union workers. The state which was solidly in BO's assured win column is now in play. The voters of WI are not stupid and know that could not sustain the path that their dem bought pols were going down.
No, the Walker recall was tipped by outside money and Koch busing... not to mention manipulation of the system to keep the Democrat candidate in doubt until the last second, while Walker spent all that time mobilizing support.
Make no mistake, Walker didn't win that; the Kochs did, and if it was anyone else, they'd be under indictment. But the rich never face the music for the ways they cheat.
Thanks, grumpy. It was all about the money. I've heard estimates of 7-1 and upwards. I watched all of those ads 4x an hour and on hulu too. The dumbing down of the electorate in the future by voter suppression laws (blocked for now) and massive cuts to education is setting us up. We aren't solidly blue but we are fighting back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BPTbDc8vQg&feature=player_embedded
- LISTEN People Above link:
The Muhammad Video is a LIE Being Put out by the Media. - EVEN Maddow is putting it into the spotlight according to her bosses at MSNBC.
-Has Nothing really to do with the events back east - the rage on the News.
ZIONIST -LEFT/Right agenda - Another Backup KONY 2012 -Deception the video is.
A Plan to CENSOR American Free speech Online so REPS Can pass a Bill that SOPA thing on Youtube This FINAL Time.
-Wakey wakey People -! 2 & 2 = Internet censorship of free speech!*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9-aNu-pqYI&feature=plcp
^Was Bizarre Muhammad Movie a Contrived Fraud?
Link:
Should we worried that the unconstitutional draconian laws enacted and struck down by courts is a mandate for the right wingers to change the Constitution if reelected??
In this day and time I wouldn't trust anyone to rewrite the constitution. Republicans are treating it as if it were one of their homework assignments. They want to butcher and defile it just like the Publicans did to the original bible, to suit their own interest and line their pockets.
Hooray, do you actually mean they let the Middle Class win one? Are judges finally starting to wake up and do the job the taxpayers are paying them to do? Protect American citizens from Republican special interests groups, in other words the ones with the big wallets who believe we are running an auction and not an election.
First, kudos to the teachers (and other public servants) in Wisconsin and Illinois for continuing to fight for the right to bargain. Second, double kudos to those fighting for the right to vote in free and fair elections. Third, praises for Judges whose job it is to protect minority rights against oppressive majority rule. And that's not just racial minorities it's any minority group or point of view. What bothers me most is that the GOP is pitting Americans against Americans on so many levels.
Never forget that "American" does not necessarily mean "good person", just as "Christian" does not necessarily mean "good person".
50+ year Wisconsinite here. An equally relevant (to the contested eventual outcome) though MUCH more surprising story out of Wisconsin: "Chicago Bears get early field goal to lead Packers 3-0".
A difference: There is about a 50% chance that the Bears would be the first to score. But there is about a 99% chance (lowballing the estimate) that a case brought in a Dane County court will be decided in favor of Democratic Party interests.
Dane County (Madison and environs) is a world unto itself. But for the requirement that the opposing side has to present SOMETHING to send on for appeal, the smart approach for the Walker (and legislature's) side would be to simply forfeit in Dane County and conserve paper, ink, and the gas for driving to the courthouse, and save legal fees.
One has to seriously wonder if a Dane County judge could tolerate the ostracism and personal abuse that would follow any decision to uphold anything related to the Walker administration. This particular judge recused himself from an earlier case regarding the nighttime closing the Capitol during demonstrations last year --- because his daughter was sleeping there herself.
It's sad that the Judicial Branch has become so politicized --- or maybe it has it always been (I am no historian). But on a practical level: If you are a betting person, you'd be better advised to wager on the Bears in the next Packers/Bears game than you would to bet that Judge Colas' ruling will stand upon appeal.
Except for that pesky Constitution thing... I mean, how could he stretch so far as to rule based on the laws in the documents that are the basis for Wisconsin and the USA! What flimsy material.
I wouldn't exactly advise you take out a mortgage to bet it'll be overturned.
globalove....don't be so dogmatic in your thinking....I said I go to BBC for the world news...what I didn't say but will say now is that I go the NBC family of stations to get a good laugh...they are better than Letterman, Leno and the rest of the late night commedians combined. GO BBC; best place to get accurate, unbiased, world news!
When the rights of labor are threatened, it is generally the courts that step in to protect them. Walker's acts are barely a step above outright slavery.
The fact of the matter is that Unions are better for EVERYONE (except those in upper management who because of Unions can't get away with abusing and mistreating employees or taking away their benefits! Our country was best when most everyone belonged to a UNION! Which is why almost EVERY corporation or big business FORCES their employees to watch anti-union videos. They are trying to pull the wool over their employees eyes that unions aren't needed, which PROVES that they ARE! =)
News flash:
Air traffic controllers at Tripoli airport in Libya staged a strike over pay on Sunday
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/16/libya-airport-strike-idINDEE88F05320120916
Romney is pledging to follow a policy established by Ronald Reagan and fire them once we take over the country.
I recently passed a T.P. Billboard (home made) telling us to Wake up and Smell the Coffee. But they fight for corporate shills.
President Eisenhower said any party doing what these fringe folks do will not be a party for long and they are stupid.
Why are working people working for corporate upper crust to take more wages and benefits from them? The prior paragraph could explain it?
The answer for economic recovery is not to cut wages and send jobs away, which is Rmoney's specialty. Wake up indeed!
The 2 Santas https://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0
The Republicans have to sell their theories and could not compete with SS, Medicare, so tax cutting is their offering as Santa. BUT, cutting taxes can't help this economy, so they demonize unions, teachers and basically advocate for privatizing the entire government, except military (oops! that too!).
http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/military_privatized_152.html