Teamsters spokeswoman: "Workers didn't start this war — the right-wing tea party zealots did."

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110906/METRO/109060337/Aretha--Hoffa-energize-lively-pro-labor-crowd

Last Updated: September 06. 2011 1:00AM .

Aretha, Hoffa energize lively pro-labor crowd

Candice Williams/ The Detroit News

The call for jobs filled the Woodward corridor and the riverfront on Monday as workers celebrated the city's long union history with an eye toward an uncertain future.

Union supporters walked the traditional Labor Day parade route toward Hart Plaza and jammed the riverfront to hear President Barack Obama talk about jobs and supporting workers. Democrat Obama was one in a long line of presidents who have come to Detroit on Labor Day to fire up a traditional base of support for the party.

"Jobs are not just for economic well-being. They support self-esteem," said Denise Black, a 61-year-old retired schoolteacher, as she stood on the RiverWalk outside a gated area of the General Motors Co. parking lot next to the Renaissance Center where Obama was to speak.

As a parade of speakers took their turn at the lectern set up in front of a parking structure, one of labor's most well-known figures ignited a storm of controversy over his remarks.

[liberal N proud]

1. Yes, IT is a war!

[Nuclear Unicorn]

6. No. It's a vigorous political contest between opposing socio-economic paradigms

Wars are acts of mass-scale violence that destroy entire societies and culture.

[yodermon]

7. metaphor-WHOOSH

[Nuclear Unicorn]

8. Don't retreat, reload your support for metaphors

[BeFree]

10. It is war

The owners are waging war against the workers hoping in the end to destroy our culture and society.

They hate America and your excuses are pusillanimous. And should be unicorned. <grin>

[liberal N proud]

9. What is happening to the middle class in this country?

It is being destroyed!

Sounds a little like your explanation of war.

[The Wielding Truth]

2. There is a very strong spirit of solidarity of workers here. It will only grow.

[Booster]

4. It has to.

[guitar man]

3. right on

After DECADES of economic violence from the right, what they got from Hoffa is pretty mild IMO. We need to turn up the heat and keep it up! Good for JH!! :applause:

[MoonRiver]

5. Absolutely!

Time to stand up to the bullies!