The BBC reports large numbers of trained, equipped, and very well-paid (thus highly-motivated) mercenaries are being trucked in from Mali, over the southern border of Libya.
Members of the Tuareg community in Mali say a large number of men from the Tuareg ethnic group have left Mali in the last week to join pro-Gaddafi forces in Libya.
"About 2-300 have left in the last seven days," said a senior elected official, who did not want to be named, from the Kidal region in the north of the country, where many Tuareg live.
Another Tuareg man from Kidal said: "It's true many young men are leaving. It all started about a week back."
He said he had spoken to a convoy of 40 vehicles who are in southern Algeria waiting to cross the border into Libya.
The elected official said: "They are being paid about $10,000 (£6,000) to join up and then I've heard they are being told that they will get $1,000 a day to fight."
Much more, and much more chilling, to be read at the link.
Gadafi has decided to stand and fight it out. All he has to do is:
1. Not get killed or injured.
2. Inflict massive bloodshed and chaos, thus wearing down any who might oppose him.
3. Hunker down, and not lose for a year.
4. Spike oil prices ToTheMoonAlice.
5. Export some chaos while he's at it, just to keep the West busy.
He saw what has happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is not stupid, just evil.
He knows that, even if we had the resources to launch some sort of massive military initiative (which the US, UK and NATO together now lack), there is no willingness to undertake it. No sane US politician is going to risk the life of a boy from Topeka to guard the border between Libya and Mali, attempting to stem the flow of fighters and arms.
Not. Gonna. Happen.
If we had our own domestic sources of oil, gas, coal, and nuclear, and thus impervious to the crazies who run oil-exporting countries, we would save countless lives around the world. If the Gadafis and Chavezes and Iranian kooks can't hold the world hostage, the world settles down. Lybia, Venezuela and Iran may still be terrible places, but the misery is localized, not an item for export.
Of course, we have a President who steadfastly is ignoring a federal court order to allow drilling to resume, and who will not will not will not allow this country to do the simple things necessary to secure its energy needs domestically.
Do we ever ponder why he seems to embrace chaos and poverty, when a path to prosperity and order is obvious?
Friday, March 4, 2011
In Memoriam: Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistani Christian
If anyone, anywhere in the West thinks it's not a problem for Sharia law to take hold in a culture, OS suggest they view the BBC's account of this gentleman's funeral.
Thousands of Pakistani mourners have attended the funeral of murdered minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti.
Mr Bhatti, a Christian, was shot dead on Wednesday by the Taliban after he urged reform to blasphemy laws.
There were emotional scenes as several thousand Christians buried their leader in his home village near Faisalabad.
Earlier, hundreds turned out for a church service in the capital. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told them his colleague had been "very rare".
Wednesday's assassination in Islamabad was the second this year of a Pakistani politician who wanted to reform the controversial blasphemy laws.
The article includes a brief video, prepared by Mr. Bhatti four months ago. He knew the likelihood of death by assassination was very high, and he was effectively resigned to it. It is a moving two minutes.
A correspondent at the funeral reports:
Bishop of Faisalabad Joseph Coutts told those present that the blasphemy laws - which Mr Bhatti wanted to reform - were being misused to persecute minorities.
Referring to those who would glorify the minister's murderers, he said: "We don't want to worship a God who rewards killers."
OS, as a child, would privately chuckle when missionary hymns such as 'We've A Story To Tell To The Nations' were belted out in church. He was wrong to do that. Those old hymn writers said things that arrogant boy, in his comfortable surroundings, did not wish to hear.
Where the Christian gospel is allowed to take root, freedom flourishes, and there is hope for the culture. Islam breeds violence, poverty and despair. Socialism breeds violence, poverty and despair. To refuse to speak the simple truth, in the interests of a pretense of civility, is to stand by while millions fall victim to the violence, poverty, and despair.
Shahbaz Bhatti was a Christian, a faithful devoted follower of Christ, who advocated for freedom and against violence. He is now a martyr, and an example to us all.
Thousands of Pakistani mourners have attended the funeral of murdered minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti.
Mr Bhatti, a Christian, was shot dead on Wednesday by the Taliban after he urged reform to blasphemy laws.
There were emotional scenes as several thousand Christians buried their leader in his home village near Faisalabad.
Earlier, hundreds turned out for a church service in the capital. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told them his colleague had been "very rare".
Wednesday's assassination in Islamabad was the second this year of a Pakistani politician who wanted to reform the controversial blasphemy laws.
The article includes a brief video, prepared by Mr. Bhatti four months ago. He knew the likelihood of death by assassination was very high, and he was effectively resigned to it. It is a moving two minutes.
A correspondent at the funeral reports:
Bishop of Faisalabad Joseph Coutts told those present that the blasphemy laws - which Mr Bhatti wanted to reform - were being misused to persecute minorities.
Referring to those who would glorify the minister's murderers, he said: "We don't want to worship a God who rewards killers."
OS, as a child, would privately chuckle when missionary hymns such as 'We've A Story To Tell To The Nations' were belted out in church. He was wrong to do that. Those old hymn writers said things that arrogant boy, in his comfortable surroundings, did not wish to hear.
Where the Christian gospel is allowed to take root, freedom flourishes, and there is hope for the culture. Islam breeds violence, poverty and despair. Socialism breeds violence, poverty and despair. To refuse to speak the simple truth, in the interests of a pretense of civility, is to stand by while millions fall victim to the violence, poverty, and despair.
Shahbaz Bhatti was a Christian, a faithful devoted follower of Christ, who advocated for freedom and against violence. He is now a martyr, and an example to us all.
Just Because It's Friday: Psalm 84
In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, one of the truly soaring moments of the English language: Psalm 84.
1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
And, the most famous musical setting of these words, by Johannes Brahms:
1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
And, the most famous musical setting of these words, by Johannes Brahms:
What The NEA Leadership Tells The NEA Rank-And-File
It's or interesting to see what the leadership of an organization, any organization, says to the rank-and-file. Everybody does it--churches, businesses, organizations like NRA, or...labor unions. OS thinks the folks who turn out this copy, day after day, lull themselves into thinking they are holding a private conversation. They forget that, when they hit than 'Print' of 'Send' button, it actually means 'Publish'.
The following is a sample from today's 'NEA Today' email, which arrives every morning in OS's mailbox. OS, as a public service, shares them with you...with explanatory notes included.
A proclamation by President Obama declared today Read Across America Day, NEA President Dennis Van Roekel told the event’s crowd of students decked in “Cat in the Hat” stovepipe hats.“Today, there are 45 million people doing what we’re doing: wearing funny hats and reading!” he said.
You really must must must hit the link to see The First Lady in front of a crowd of Cats-In-Hats. Words fail. Not even Dr. Suess is equal to this occasion.
Day-in, day-out, year-in, year-out, the copywriters grind the verbiage out. Little wonder they, and their audiences, come to assume that they have a true and unique grip on reality, sharing a unique knowledge with a private audience.
Little wonder we witness the protests in Madison and Providence.
As he types out his thoughts, to be launched in a blog-bottle onto the sea of the internet, OS is watching Waiting For Superman, currently available on DirectTV Pay-Per-View movie service. It is staggering to watch, dismaying to view. The segment showing the lotteries for spaces in the good schools is agonizing to view.
The 4.99 spent keeps the movie going for twenty-four hours, and OS will be viewing it again.
The NEA loathes it, preaches against it, vilifies it at every turn. Little wonder. Prophetically, some of the most damning anecdotes are told about Madison, Wisconsin.
The following is a sample from today's 'NEA Today' email, which arrives every morning in OS's mailbox. OS, as a public service, shares them with you...with explanatory notes included.
- Ohio Senate Passes Collective Bargaining Overhaul (Those Wascawy Wepubwikans,Winning That Election Without Our Permission)
- Public Adamantly Opposed to Cuts in K-12 Education, Social Security (Sit tight! We've got those conservatives cornered!)
- NEA Kicks Off Read Across America Day
A proclamation by President Obama declared today Read Across America Day, NEA President Dennis Van Roekel told the event’s crowd of students decked in “Cat in the Hat” stovepipe hats.“Today, there are 45 million people doing what we’re doing: wearing funny hats and reading!” he said.
You really must must must hit the link to see The First Lady in front of a crowd of Cats-In-Hats. Words fail. Not even Dr. Suess is equal to this occasion.
- Wisconsin Governor is Waging ‘Jihad’ Against Unions (Beheadings? Honor Killings?)
- What You Need to Know About State Pensions (It's all the fault of greedy legislators and the housing meltdown. Stand fast, brethren, we'll get every penny. There is no real crisis...)
- House of Representatives Slashes Education for Low-Income Kids (Those Wascawy Wepubwikans, With Their Dwaconian Cuts!)
Day-in, day-out, year-in, year-out, the copywriters grind the verbiage out. Little wonder they, and their audiences, come to assume that they have a true and unique grip on reality, sharing a unique knowledge with a private audience.
Little wonder we witness the protests in Madison and Providence.
As he types out his thoughts, to be launched in a blog-bottle onto the sea of the internet, OS is watching Waiting For Superman, currently available on DirectTV Pay-Per-View movie service. It is staggering to watch, dismaying to view. The segment showing the lotteries for spaces in the good schools is agonizing to view.
The 4.99 spent keeps the movie going for twenty-four hours, and OS will be viewing it again.
The NEA loathes it, preaches against it, vilifies it at every turn. Little wonder. Prophetically, some of the most damning anecdotes are told about Madison, Wisconsin.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Teacher Protests--Providence Rhode Island
Facing huge deficits in a small city, the mayor took radical action: He fired every teacher in the system, and will rehire in line with what the city will be able to afford.
Understandably, a lot of folks are upset.
From today's NPR Morning Edition:
About 1,500 people jammed the street in front of City Hall in Providence, R.I., on Wednesday to protest last week's dismissal of the city's entire teaching force.
"I thought the only insanity was in Wisconsin, not in Rhode Island," Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, told the crowd, which raised signs and banged drums.
Weingarten calls the terminations insane, but city officials say they had no choice: The city is facing an estimated deficit of more than $100 million for the next fiscal year, or roughly 20 percent of the city budget.
Providence's new mayor, Angel Taveras, says he is considering school closures and layoffs for many city workers, but teachers are feeling the pain first, because of a state law that requires districts to notify teachers by March 1 if their jobs are in jeopardy. He says he chose terminations instead of layoffs, because it ensures that teachers the city can't afford will be completely removed from the city payroll.
"With a layoff, for various reasons, you can be responsible for paying teachers who are not teaching in a classroom," he said. "In addition to that, if they go into the substitute pool, you're paying them their full pay and benefits, and that's costing an enormous amount of money. I can't allow the taxpayers to be on the hook for paying teachers who are not teaching."
OS observes, for what it's worth: The union members, and many normal folks, honestly do not believe there is a real problem, that the states and municipalities are not strapped. 2007/2008 is beginning to fade from memory, and Da Stimulus (which ballooned the federal deficit dramatically) helicoptered money to the school systems, and lulled everyone into thinking that there wasn't a real problem.
In frustration, and in an effort to shock everyone out of their sleepy denial, elected officials take actions like this. What they don't calculate is the tendency of this sort of route to poison the well with people whose future high morale is desirable--teachers, police, firefighters, road crews, etc. After the crisis, those that remain will either come to work feeling like they are part of a greater good, or arrive with an even more entrenched us-vs-them chip on the shoulder. They'll either give that little extra bit of effort for the home team, or resentfully go through the motions--doing just enough to avoid termination for cause, and creating chaos daily. OS has seen this in action, and it is a miserable thing to deal with.
There's a lot of the latter attitude already baked into the culture of many states and municipalitles, to be certain. And, given the human condition, it won't ever completely go away.
But it seems that the art of leadership entails the ability to deliver bad news, and make ugly ugly decisions without pouring excess gasoline onto the fires of resentment.
This is going to be an ugly ugly period, 'cuz the money has run out. Doesn't mean we have to draw knives on one another. That only delays the day when we are prosperous enough to not wring our hands over every budget.
This story from Business Insider gives a picture of the cultural quandry:
Understandably, a lot of folks are upset.
From today's NPR Morning Edition:
About 1,500 people jammed the street in front of City Hall in Providence, R.I., on Wednesday to protest last week's dismissal of the city's entire teaching force.
"I thought the only insanity was in Wisconsin, not in Rhode Island," Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, told the crowd, which raised signs and banged drums.
Weingarten calls the terminations insane, but city officials say they had no choice: The city is facing an estimated deficit of more than $100 million for the next fiscal year, or roughly 20 percent of the city budget.
Providence's new mayor, Angel Taveras, says he is considering school closures and layoffs for many city workers, but teachers are feeling the pain first, because of a state law that requires districts to notify teachers by March 1 if their jobs are in jeopardy. He says he chose terminations instead of layoffs, because it ensures that teachers the city can't afford will be completely removed from the city payroll.
"With a layoff, for various reasons, you can be responsible for paying teachers who are not teaching in a classroom," he said. "In addition to that, if they go into the substitute pool, you're paying them their full pay and benefits, and that's costing an enormous amount of money. I can't allow the taxpayers to be on the hook for paying teachers who are not teaching."
OS observes, for what it's worth: The union members, and many normal folks, honestly do not believe there is a real problem, that the states and municipalities are not strapped. 2007/2008 is beginning to fade from memory, and Da Stimulus (which ballooned the federal deficit dramatically) helicoptered money to the school systems, and lulled everyone into thinking that there wasn't a real problem.
In frustration, and in an effort to shock everyone out of their sleepy denial, elected officials take actions like this. What they don't calculate is the tendency of this sort of route to poison the well with people whose future high morale is desirable--teachers, police, firefighters, road crews, etc. After the crisis, those that remain will either come to work feeling like they are part of a greater good, or arrive with an even more entrenched us-vs-them chip on the shoulder. They'll either give that little extra bit of effort for the home team, or resentfully go through the motions--doing just enough to avoid termination for cause, and creating chaos daily. OS has seen this in action, and it is a miserable thing to deal with.
There's a lot of the latter attitude already baked into the culture of many states and municipalitles, to be certain. And, given the human condition, it won't ever completely go away.
But it seems that the art of leadership entails the ability to deliver bad news, and make ugly ugly decisions without pouring excess gasoline onto the fires of resentment.
This is going to be an ugly ugly period, 'cuz the money has run out. Doesn't mean we have to draw knives on one another. That only delays the day when we are prosperous enough to not wring our hands over every budget.
This story from Business Insider gives a picture of the cultural quandry:
James Levine To Step Down From Boston Symphony Role
It's the right decision, although it is unfortunate to see it happen this way.
James Levine, dogged by a relentless series of health problems, said on Wednesday that he would resign as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, concluding that he could no longer handle the job along with his duties in the same post at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Here's hoping he can take the time to get his health back, and be in fit shape for the Met. Levine is an absolute genius in the opera pit, which is a very specialized craft.
Imagine keeping 80 musicians, 40 chorus members, 5-10 lead singing artists, and assorted horses, props, costumers, etc., all on the same wavelength, standing in a big hole in the floor, looking up at a deep deep stage, with musicians 50 feet on each side of you. Do it live, in Italian, French, or German, in front of the world. You're spending many thousands of dollars a minute every rehearsal or performance. And do it beautifully time after time. Stand for three hours and keep your arms held aloft while you do it. Hundreds of times year, for over forty years.
That's the job, and it is hard on the body and brain. And someone, somewhere in the process, is always unhappy with you about something. And, by the way, you have to direct planning for the season five years out.
OS has two wonderful friends who are devotees of the opera, and they always say, 'The musicians always play better for Jimmy.' And it's true--on those broadcasts when Levine is in the pit, the whole event just stands up and walks--everyone finds their 'A' game, and he brings it out in them.
Here's a salute in his direction, and best wishes for his healthy future.
James Levine, dogged by a relentless series of health problems, said on Wednesday that he would resign as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, concluding that he could no longer handle the job along with his duties in the same post at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Here's hoping he can take the time to get his health back, and be in fit shape for the Met. Levine is an absolute genius in the opera pit, which is a very specialized craft.
Imagine keeping 80 musicians, 40 chorus members, 5-10 lead singing artists, and assorted horses, props, costumers, etc., all on the same wavelength, standing in a big hole in the floor, looking up at a deep deep stage, with musicians 50 feet on each side of you. Do it live, in Italian, French, or German, in front of the world. You're spending many thousands of dollars a minute every rehearsal or performance. And do it beautifully time after time. Stand for three hours and keep your arms held aloft while you do it. Hundreds of times year, for over forty years.
That's the job, and it is hard on the body and brain. And someone, somewhere in the process, is always unhappy with you about something. And, by the way, you have to direct planning for the season five years out.
OS has two wonderful friends who are devotees of the opera, and they always say, 'The musicians always play better for Jimmy.' And it's true--on those broadcasts when Levine is in the pit, the whole event just stands up and walks--everyone finds their 'A' game, and he brings it out in them.
Here's a salute in his direction, and best wishes for his healthy future.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Bob McTeer's Remarks To Rotary 2 March 2010
OS believes in reading a wide variety of views, since he has the same bad habit as everyone else: Reading stuff that always reinforces what one already believes.
Bob McTeer is an essentially sober soul, with an impressive resume.
He takes the view that TARP, the extraordinary Fed actions, etc., were necessary and did avert a worse disaster. And, that the current course of governmental spending is unsustainable.
There's a lot left unsaid here, that OS wishes would be said, especially about the moral hazard baked into the culture--'If I'm a really big player, I can be reckless, 'cuz help is always on the way.' Think AIG...
But, still, perhaps his little piece of turf is something everyone could stand on while they work out the painful details of WhatHappensNext.
Bob McTeer is an essentially sober soul, with an impressive resume.
He takes the view that TARP, the extraordinary Fed actions, etc., were necessary and did avert a worse disaster. And, that the current course of governmental spending is unsustainable.
There's a lot left unsaid here, that OS wishes would be said, especially about the moral hazard baked into the culture--'If I'm a really big player, I can be reckless, 'cuz help is always on the way.' Think AIG...
But, still, perhaps his little piece of turf is something everyone could stand on while they work out the painful details of WhatHappensNext.
France24 LiveBlog Feed From Libya
What appears to be developing is a full-blown civil war.
As much as OS's old heart aches for them all, he hopes the US has better sense than to commit any sort of ground forces to the fray. We have this terrible habit of stepping in, and finding ourselves still there some twenty years later, resented by all sides.
Humanitarian aid to succor the suffering? Certainly, in the great American tradition.
Choosing sides in a civil war? Never a good idea. It is impossible to have the wisdom to know with whom to side, especially in a culture so removed from our assumptions.
We're better off, OS drones on again, drilling-developing-consuming-selling our own oil, gas, coal and nuclear. It would save countless lives around the world, much more inexpensively than flying plane-loads of Marines into the next civil war in some tragically failed oil-exporting part of the world.
As much as OS's old heart aches for them all, he hopes the US has better sense than to commit any sort of ground forces to the fray. We have this terrible habit of stepping in, and finding ourselves still there some twenty years later, resented by all sides.
Humanitarian aid to succor the suffering? Certainly, in the great American tradition.
Choosing sides in a civil war? Never a good idea. It is impossible to have the wisdom to know with whom to side, especially in a culture so removed from our assumptions.
We're better off, OS drones on again, drilling-developing-consuming-selling our own oil, gas, coal and nuclear. It would save countless lives around the world, much more inexpensively than flying plane-loads of Marines into the next civil war in some tragically failed oil-exporting part of the world.
Rule #34 Of Modern Warfare: If You Wanna Get The Upper Hand, Create Masses of Refugees
Who fill the roads, and arrive to the borders (and eventual refugee camps) destitute, exhausted, famished, and at their wit's end. The other side gets to feed, house, treat, transport them--just to get to be able to get back to the business of advancing on your positions.
Then begin the meme that it's all the other side's fault anyway, and look how shabbily those poor people are being treated...
Unfortunately, it works. Think Europe in the 40's. Korea. Cambodia. Viet Nam and its Boat People. The Marielitos. The latest war in the Balkans. Palestine.
It works like a charm. Every time.
Here's hoping the world gets these poor folks out of the line of fire, and as many of them from overseas home as quickly as possible.
And, that in the aftermath, some sane people can sort Libya out. This is tragic, no other word will do.
This further from the BBC.
Then begin the meme that it's all the other side's fault anyway, and look how shabbily those poor people are being treated...
Unfortunately, it works. Think Europe in the 40's. Korea. Cambodia. Viet Nam and its Boat People. The Marielitos. The latest war in the Balkans. Palestine.
It works like a charm. Every time.
Here's hoping the world gets these poor folks out of the line of fire, and as many of them from overseas home as quickly as possible.
And, that in the aftermath, some sane people can sort Libya out. This is tragic, no other word will do.
This further from the BBC.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Perhaps Some Movement In The Wisconsin 14 Standoff
Eventually, the fun of playing hooky wears off.
Fox Nation has learned exclusively from a highly placed source within Wisconsin state politics that the fourteen AWOL Democrats are experiencing "dissension in the ranks." State Sen. Julie Lassa (D) is pregnant and "extremely unhappy" about being on the run. State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D) has been hit particularly hard by his paycheck being withheld. Wisconsin State Senate leadership is currently negotiating with eight of the fourteen to come home. Gov. Scott Walker (R) has declared today the deadline for action on his budget repair bill and plans to give a budget address at 5 p.m. ET. A deal may be announced around that time.
Here's hoping. The good thing about the sit-ins, rallies, endless debates, etc. in Madison is that no one, anywhere can claim that dissenting voices were not given the opportunity to be heard. The teargas and truncheons were never used on the protesters,(not to mention mounted camel attacks) and great patience was shown when they actually moved in and camped out in the capitol rotunda. The Dems covered themselves in mud with their cursing, littering, pictures of the Governor as der Fuhrer, etc., and with the outright threatening language used by one Dem Assemblyman on a GOP Assemblywoman.
It looks like the Wisconsin Assembly has its very own Charlie Sheen. State Rep. Gordon Hintz, the Democrat bad boy of Wisconsin, earned his stripes by getting arrested in connection to a prostitution sting and then grandstanding on the Assembly floor.
620 WTMJ: Last Friday.... after the Assembly voted to engross the Budget Repair Bill, Hintz turned to a female colleague, Rep. Michelle Litjens and said: "You are F***king dead!"
Hope-n-Change, ya'll!
Hintz later admitted to it, and issued an apology, expressing his chagrin that he had been overheard issuing the threat. Ya'll, is it just me, or does that sound like the sort of language the Mob uses? Unions, Mafia, Mafia, Unions...they have been known to keep company from time to time. Hmm...impossible to say from here, just listening to a conversation from a distance.
In any case, after everyone got a chance to let off steam, and express their dismay that life has irrevocably changed, the math is the math is the math is the math. Including the math that says that Wisconsin elected a GOP governor, and large GOP majorities in each house. In future elections, that math may change, and perhaps the unions can reassert their mojo. But for now, math is math. Wisconsin is broke, and must slash spending, beginning with its overwhelming payroll costs.
Here's hoping...
Fox Nation has learned exclusively from a highly placed source within Wisconsin state politics that the fourteen AWOL Democrats are experiencing "dissension in the ranks." State Sen. Julie Lassa (D) is pregnant and "extremely unhappy" about being on the run. State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D) has been hit particularly hard by his paycheck being withheld. Wisconsin State Senate leadership is currently negotiating with eight of the fourteen to come home. Gov. Scott Walker (R) has declared today the deadline for action on his budget repair bill and plans to give a budget address at 5 p.m. ET. A deal may be announced around that time.
Here's hoping. The good thing about the sit-ins, rallies, endless debates, etc. in Madison is that no one, anywhere can claim that dissenting voices were not given the opportunity to be heard. The teargas and truncheons were never used on the protesters,(not to mention mounted camel attacks) and great patience was shown when they actually moved in and camped out in the capitol rotunda. The Dems covered themselves in mud with their cursing, littering, pictures of the Governor as der Fuhrer, etc., and with the outright threatening language used by one Dem Assemblyman on a GOP Assemblywoman.
It looks like the Wisconsin Assembly has its very own Charlie Sheen. State Rep. Gordon Hintz, the Democrat bad boy of Wisconsin, earned his stripes by getting arrested in connection to a prostitution sting and then grandstanding on the Assembly floor.
620 WTMJ: Last Friday.... after the Assembly voted to engross the Budget Repair Bill, Hintz turned to a female colleague, Rep. Michelle Litjens and said: "You are F***king dead!"
Hope-n-Change, ya'll!
Hintz later admitted to it, and issued an apology, expressing his chagrin that he had been overheard issuing the threat. Ya'll, is it just me, or does that sound like the sort of language the Mob uses? Unions, Mafia, Mafia, Unions...they have been known to keep company from time to time. Hmm...impossible to say from here, just listening to a conversation from a distance.
In any case, after everyone got a chance to let off steam, and express their dismay that life has irrevocably changed, the math is the math is the math is the math. Including the math that says that Wisconsin elected a GOP governor, and large GOP majorities in each house. In future elections, that math may change, and perhaps the unions can reassert their mojo. But for now, math is math. Wisconsin is broke, and must slash spending, beginning with its overwhelming payroll costs.
Here's hoping...
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