This will be brief, for me, a man not know for brevity, preferring as I do an avalanche of words and colourful phrases.
I have been watching Rachel Maddow tonight, after a week that has, thus far, gone awry.
jump ...
Like every other right-minded Democratic, nay, American People supporter, I have been following the events in Wisconsin with both trepidation and some worry. That it is exciting too is simply because politics excites me.
But I am minded to remember that this is not a game. There is no passing Go and collecting $200. You cannot simply reset the pieces and start again and in Wisconsin we are witnessing a Battle for the Middle Classes.
I put it this highly because I tend to agree with Rachel, and I know that my fellow Democrats in Wisconsin do too.
They are not just fighting a Governor who is morally bankrupt, they are fighting for the future of their home, their livelihoods and their futures. More than that, they are fighting for us all.
So to all of you up there in the frozen north ....
Thank You. For what you are doing for yourselves and for us. For the spirit you are bringing to a struggle so profound, so important that it will affect not just your State, but mine too. Not just your jobs, your children, your future, but the jobs, children and futures of all Americans.
I do not live in your State. I am told it is a beautiful place, but I do know that the folk fighting for it, and represented on this Blog do it proud. If your State reflects the tenacity and bravery of those working to secure the future, then I accept that it is indeed, a beautiful place.
June 5th will be upon us in no time. Before then I know many of you will grind yourselves into exhaustion, wear out your shoes, dial so many numbers that your fingers ache and when you have done all of that you will spend the day driving voters to the Polls.
Whatever the outcome, and I am hoping against hope that it is positive .... Whatever it is you guys have the respect and admiration of us all. Win or lose you won. You won because you said "Enough! We are not taking it any more"
It is right and proper that contributors on this Blog keep this issue, and your struggle, front and center so this is me, an Oklahoma neighbor, doing my bit to help in the only way I can ... and doing it with pride in your efforts, and gratitude for the message you are sending nationwide
UPDATE: It has been a wonderful few hours watching the tributes pour in from Kossacks in the many States in the Union. It seems we are all Badgers tonight ... Heartwarming.