The Solidarity Singers, It's Not About Them

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Friday July 26, 2013 · 9:03 AM PDT

2013/07/26 · 09:03

The US Constitution, FIRST Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The Wisconsin Constitution:

Right to assemble and petition. SECTION 4. The right of
the people peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common
good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof,
shall never be abridged.

From the official nomination for the State Capitol’s designation as a National Historic Landmark, which was granted Jan. 3, 2001: The application states about the rotunda:

“Whereas some statehouses are maintained apart from the urban fabric, the Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda functions, both literally and symbolically, as a city center and is fully utilized as a public place to which all have claim.”

As famously penned by German poet Martin Niemoller…

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

To our conservative friends...
Defend the "Solidarity Singers" not because you believe in their message, but to defend YOUR rights.

Wake up!!! We Won!!

madtowntj

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Wednesday June 06, 2012 · 6:20 AM PDT

2012/06/06 · 06:20

I know you are all still peeved that we didn't recall Walker. I get it.

But, does anyone remember where we were in February of 2011? We were literally out in the cold. We had no way to stop Walker and his legislation. Our only hope to even slow down the crazy train was for our 14 State Dem Senators to leave the state to stop the Rethugs from having a quorum. Everyone remember?

So the Senators left the state. And during that time we got angry and we got organized. We used the time that they gave us wisely. We took to the capitol and we gathered in numbers never before seen. We made connections and we organized.

And we came up with a plan.

Follow me past the cheese curd for the rest of the story.

madtowntj

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Monday March 12, 2012 · 5:43 PM PDT

2012/03/12 · 17:43

I was reading this diary this morning. It is about the incorrect beliefs many people in Mississippi and Alabama have about President Obama’s religion and about evolution.

I think this is very sad. It is very sad that significant portions of one of the most powerful and wealthy countries in the world are so misinformed.

I also read the last line of the diary where the diarist called the people who hold these beliefs “assholes”. I then read the comments in the diary. Many people were very angry with the people who hold these false beliefs.

I respect the diarist and I understand where the anger comes from. But there is a line.

Sure the beliefs are maddeningly infuriating. I get it. But there is a line.

madtowntj

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Monday December 19, 2011 · 5:12 PM PST

2011/12/19 · 17:12

Today was the day that the Wisconsin Department of Administration said it would enforce its new rules governing protests at the Capitol.

Gee what are the people of Wisconsin supposed to do under threat of arrest if they exercised their first amendment rights? Maybe the powers that be in Fitzwalkerstan thought the people would cower at home. Maybe Walker thought like the Grinch that he could quash our spirit. But like the whos of whoville the Badgers of Badgerland don't get discouraged very easily. As a matter of fact like the whos, the residents of Badgerland seem to become more inspired not less when things are taken from us.

When the whos of whoville discovered the Grinch stole their Christmas they got together and sang. When the Badgers of Badgerland discovered Walker stole their rights they...well...got together and sang.

I would estimate about 1000 whos errr Badgers showed up at the Capitol to show Walker that he could not take our rights away.

I can't say how great it was to be back in a full rotunda with my fellow Wisconsinites. I got that old great feeling back that I had last winter when the protests originally erupted. Man is that good for your soul! Thanks to the tone deaf Rethugs for making it possible. They never cease to amaze.

Here are a couple of the first whos who were at the Capitol about 30 minutes before the official start. A nice Noise of Rain type sign with Christmas lights.

In case you want to join in here is what you need to know

I think this is a local progressive radio host interviewing one of the most seasoned of our sisters (definite thug)

Oooooohhhh just like unwrapping a Christmas present!! What could it be?

Oh Boy This Is Great!!!

Time to sing!!

Uhhhh Yeah, HELL NO!

Hey it's one of the great Wisconsin kossacks Giles Goat Boy!!

Found another union thug!

The beauty of our Capitol never gets old.

Happy Recall season!

Oh yeah, in case you were wondering, there were no arrests. Maybe the crowd was too big. Maybe Walker is waiting to make his move at a later date. Stay tuned.