There’s something in the air in Wisconsin and it’s not from the cows. The announcement that the recall of Scott Walker will commence on November 15th has revved up the adrenaline level of Wisconsin’s winter soldiers. After last winter’s historic protests, then a spring and summer filled with recalls, recounts, and special elections, Scott Walker might have dared hope momentarily that the worst was behind him. The crowds seemed to dwindle. People went on vacations. Teachers and parents got busy preparing for a new school year. The hound-doggin’ briefly subsided.
Well, that was September. Now the air is beginning to chill, the pumpkins have turned orange, and the mega-farms have begun harvesting their genetically modified corn to sell in Colombia. Almost winter. Almost heaven.
An interesting fact about the American badger (Latin name Taxidea taxus) is that it doesn’t hibernate. It does have periods of low activity, and it can remain underground without food for substantially long periods during cold weather. In contrast, the activity pattern of the human form of badger (Taxidea caseus Wisconsinensus) is reversed. In freezing weather, human badgers can march, chant, and sing above ground for hours on end, but they slow a bit when the temperature and humidity climb. Like Taxidea taxus, they can survive underground for a long time, and they know not to completely extinguish the winter flame.
While Scott Walker tried to relax this summer by going to the state fair, taking in a couple early-season football games, and hosting a croquet party on his front lawn, Wisconsin activists kept their little fires going. Singers continued to convene in or near the capitol every weekday to sing pro-union, pro-civil-rights songs. Walker-stalkers showed up in the crowd at the state fair, from overhead at Camp Randall Stadium, and outside the gates at the Governor’s croquet tournament. They reminded Walker that his term of office would soon be considerably shortened.
A dedicated group of activists pushed back every day against the unconstitutional regulations and limitations that Walker's Department of Administration tried to impose on Capitol protesters. A few have spent time in jail as a result, though most citations have been dismissed and nobody has been convicted of anything. That winter flame was kept alive by some brave, young flame-keepers.
Wisconsin’s citizen journalists used the lull to hone their writing, photography and video editing skills. They continued to get a pep talk from John Nichols and Sly Sylvester every morning on WTDY. Activists networked at events like Netroots Nation, the Democracy Convention and Fighting Bob Fest. They gained experience by protesting in New York City and Washington, DC. They’re ready to recall. As Madison-based public radio host Michael Feldman might say, they’re itchin’ for a fight.
Occupy Madison has relocated to a more visible place near the capitol building and is gaining momentum. The lunch-hour Sing-Alongs are getting a little bigger and a little louder. The ad hoc musical band that accompanies the singers on Fridays keeps growing. There are now some additional late-afternoon and weekend Sing-Alongs to accommodate teachers and other working folks. More visitors are showing up at the capitol and are pleasantly surprised to see that Wisconsin’s winter soldiers haven’t quit.
The visitors take lots of pictures. A few join in singing. They post the photos and videos on facebook and Youtube. School children on field trips clap along with looks of wonder and awe in their eyes. “So this is what democracy looks like!” They go home to small towns and tell their parents about it.
Yes, there is something in the air. There's a little less conversation, a little more action. A hint of winter lures the human badgers outside. Soon it will lead them door to door to talk to their neighbors and gather signatures. On State Street in Madison, a stranger in lederhosen bellows “Reeeee-caaaaaall!” and a voice from across the state answers “Waaaaalkerrrr!”