I should not have gone to the Capitol tonight. I did not know that it would be such an emotional event. I did not know that I would break down in tears while talking to a State Assemblyman (Thank You Assemblyman Nick Milroy).
Why was I brought to tears tonight? On August 1st, 1985, when I was eighteen years old, I swore an oath that said, "I, Mark Andersen do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Emphasis is mine...As I looked upon my State Capitol, doors locked and the public kept at bay...I wept for my state and my nation. I never thought I would see the day when a tyrant would be in charge...
....More below the fold...
This is my State Capitol...and I am not allowed in...
This is Miss Forward...she is supposed to show the way for the state...somehow we have lost our way.
This is Old Abe, he was the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, he is a pretty important part of Wisconsin history, normally I would show you a photo of him on his perch above the State Assembly chambers in the Capitol...but I am not allowed in.
This is also Old Abe...the 8th Wisconsin eventually became the 101st Airborne Division. Old Abe is kinda important to me...as I was a member of the 101st Airborne Division. I am doubly hurt that I cannot enter my State Capitol to see Old Abe.
Scott Walker should read this...
Things are starting to get tense...this young man challenged the police to get into the Capitol...kudos to the officers, they let him in.
I am betting this is not a Republican's office.
Representative Milroy, from waaaay up north...having office hours outside. I broke down and cried when talking to him about how I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution...and how I was now blocked from entering my State Capitol.
More Democrats holding office hours outside...in 20 degree weather.
It is like a police state...
One in, one out...that is the rule now...
I need to apologize to this officer...I was a little out of line when I told him that he should disobey illegal orders
People are sleeping outside of the Capitol building in temperatures that are between the 10's and 20's
I wish I could get inside to take some photos...
Notes from people wanting in to their Capitol...
I am still in disbelief that the State Capitol is closed...how can anyone who claims to love this country think that closing a house of government is a good thing. This upset me so much that I could only stay for forty-five minutes and I had to fight the tears back on the drive home.
This is madness.Updated by Kodiak54 at Wed Mar 2, 2011, 08:54:02 PM
I just received this e-mail from Rep. Milroy in response to an e-mail I set to him thanking him for what he is doing.
Dear Mark,
Thank you for sharing your frustration with me. The reason I am fighting so hard is because of the freedom that so many have fought so hard to defend. Thank you for your service. I am deeply disgusted that Gov. Walker is trampling on the very freedoms that you and every veteran have fought to protect.
Best regards,
Nick Milroy
