Question: Do we want Walker(WI) to call in Natl. Guard?

[DFab420]

I mean honestly, wouldn't that do more to help galvanize the public in the unions favor?

I for one would love to see Walker cowering behind his desk with peaceful union/labor activists sitting and protesting in front of him, the guard and the world for all to see.

Yes? No? Thoughts?

[Earth_First]

1. No, I do not...

There is a history of agent provocateur in these types of situations, and I would hate to see something tragic happen.

I do not think that this step needs to be taken in order for the mass public to get behind organized labor.

[KansDem]

2. It was just over 40 years ago that another state National Guard was called in...

I agree that such a move would be a public-relations nightmare for the Repubs, but do we want to risk someone getting hurt or killed?

Having said that, 297 people were killed in the Egypt.

[DFab420]

5. Yea but the debate is different right?

I mean at Kent State it was anti war protesters versus young hyped up natl guardsmen who may be faced with going to Vietnam themselves. It was a powder keg that just needed a spark.


I would like to believe that when it comes to workers rights and labor movements, most of those in the National Guard would find their sympathies laying with the protestors this time. Almost like the Army in Egypt..

also I would say most of the 297 people killed in Egypt were killed by the police, or pro government supporters.

[KansDem]

12. I agree...

It should be different. But pitting the National Guard against "unAmericans" is the Conservatives' dream.

And as the other DUer observed, many cheered the National Guard in 1970: the "My Country, Right or Wrong," and "America: Love It or Leave It" crowd--the ones who felt the protesters were anti-American.

[provis99]

9. many Americans cheered the Guard killing those kids.

If the National Guard killed a few union protesters, I imagine millions of people in the land of the free would be happy.

[Kennah]

3. While watching coverage in Egypt ...

... I had to cover my eyes at times thinking the Army was going to start running over protesters with tanks.

Thankfully it did not happen, but I don't think anything good will come of the National Guard showing up.

I don't believe it would galvanize the public.

[Moosepoop]

4. I think you mean (WI), not (MI).

That said, I agree with Earth_First -- the potential for tragedy is too great if the Guard is called in, and his just having made the threat has been incentive enough (along with the proposed union-busting) to galvanize people into very loudly and publicly protesting it.

[DFab420]

6. Doh!

good catch thank you,

changed it for accuracy

[Rectangle]

7. It would be cool if the Guard said: FU Gov. We refuse to be your goon squads!!

We're standing with the PEOPLE!!!
:patriot:

[DFab420]

10. Right?

My thinking on the subject is that even if they were called in, the Guard would not act like an attack dog for the Governor

[rucky]

8. No.

We want him to back down.

[MgtPA]

11. No. Anyone remember Milwaukee's Bay View Massacre?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_View_Massacre

[socialist_n_TN]

13. I've got to admit that I have mixed feelings..........

about that. OT1H, I agree with everybody else in the thread that it would be a dangerous escalation. OTOH, it REALLY is time for people to decide who's side they're on. That includes the citizens that make up the WI NG.

It's getting pretty damn bad out there all around and everywhere. Time to choose. For real, time to choose.

[Starry Messenger]

14. NO.

If it was going to galvanize the public in the favor of unions, it would have done it in the last 150 years they've been cracking down with any force they can get their hands on, starting with the Pinkertons.

[AndyTiedye]

15. NO! They'd SHOOT the Workers!

They've done it before, they'd do it again.

[eleny]

16. No - That's insane

[elfin]

17. I think the N Guard reporting was wrong

I think he said that they were on alert for the prisons only -- BUT it was a veiled threat for others and correctly interpreted as such by other outlets.

He is a bully and Wisconsin's proud progressive history is shamed by him.

Shame on the state for electing him -- a GWBushie and so very ambitious for Fox attention and future positions. A C average college dropout (due to Marquette campus electoral ethics), careening to state an national attention due to a Milwaukee county pension scandal.

However, Wisconsin has a nasty base of hate toward supposed "freeloaders", even if the current workers in question do not fit the description.

This bully now has complete majority rule in our legislature . Horrific.

[socialist_n_TN]

18. Probably the better question would be............

What do we do WHEN he tries to call in the NG? Because if this thing in WI carries on like it SHOULD, like it NEEDS to, he WILL call them in.

[lonestarnot]

19. It is a waste of fucking tax payer money! Who is tearing up anything?

[robdogbucky]

20. No

I had this negative fantasy when I first heard Scotty Mubarak threaten it, and I heard some poster comment that some of the guardsmen were pre-emptively saying "No, we won't go to Madison,we aren't your servants," or something to that effect. That negative fantasy has to do with PTSD, Hurt Locker, Stop Loss, Wisconsin Nat Guard deaths already in the Middle East invasions/occupations and I wondered if any guardsman that have served TDYs over there are currently in service to be part of any group that may comply with the teabagger governor's order to go in and break up any further protests, etc.

I then fantasized about one of these hair trigger guardsmen suffering severe PTSD and seeing danger again in a hostile yelling unruly crowd, snapped under the pressure like it was combat. Then another Kent State type of thing. I know, it is very far-fetched, but I think that is the type of elements that are potentially present in today's situation.

Someone else up thread listed the history of violence and massacre against labor in Wisconsin. So it has happened before.

Terribly depressing to contemplate and I certainly hope and pray nothing like that comes about.

I'm listening to an AJE report from some violent attack by security forces on protestors in Manama, Bahrain.

Eerie.



Just my dos centavos

robdogbucky

[mysuzuki2]

21. I was at U of Il in '70 when the national guard was called out.

for the most part they were young folks like me and my friends. They had joined the guard to stay out of viet nam. I knew a couple guys who were in the demonstrations one day and when their units were called up they got a haircut and were on the other side the next day. They did as they were told but with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm. The Il state police on the other hand were real bastards. I think Mr. Walker might be surprised at the response of the Wi guard since many of them are state and local govt workers.