@Jerry Person -

Wow! If you're an example as to how a liberal mind works, then thank god I'm an independent thinker! How do you make the correlation that just because one supports Walker that they must also support inflicting people with the HIV virus? Is this some kind of new liberal taking point?

To make such an unfounded correlation would actually appear to qualify under the definition of the word as a true 'perversion.' Under your asserted definition, anything other than the status quo would qualify as a ‘perversion’ to you. Sounds very anti-advancement and anti-social to me. So, ask yourself, who's being the real 'pervert' here?

Wake up Jerry!

OMG Walker is giving out free AIDS? Where and how fast can we get free AIDS to any liberal in this state? I bet the Koch brothers are behind this those sneaky brothers are behind it all. Quick run to a blog and type about it before it's too late.

You must be referring to the Eleventh Century!

Senator William Proxmire (1915-2005) was born in Illinois but was a true champion for Wisconsin during his 32 years of public service. His Golden Fleece Awards exposed federal government waste to public scrutiny.

hmmm all socialists. If you want a socialist state...go to Greece!

@MDS -

So, I guess those evil communist hunting Kennedy’s must rank just below McCarthy on your list! I'm always delighted to meet another who believes that JFK/RFK were the WORST politicians in our nation’s history!

@Duane... sorry, but Greece has been controlled by Right Wingers for about 50 years. It is more of a proto-fascist state than one governed by Socialism. Bone up on your " -isms".

mrspeel, really? Greece is so socialist it is unbelievable. Why do you think there is rioting in the streets? Because in Greece you are only required to work 4 days a week and you get free health care...blah blah blah. Now they can't afford it any more and they can't pay their debt. So now the Government want the people to work more and retire at 55 instead of 45. Etc.... Big time socialism. Just ask the resident socialist ion Patch...lyle ruble.

Duane Michalski, Bob LaFollette was not a socialist. In fact, he was a Republican. He stood for limiting corporate greed and allowing individual citizens to have their voices heard. Phil LaFollette was a Republican, too, and so was his brother, Bob Jr., before they created the Wisconsin Progressive Party in 1934. MDS, I haven't studied all of the former governors you mention, but I'd like to. Understanding those who came before provides some context about our state's current situation and helps citizens frame what's going on. It results in better informed voters and more involved citizens--good things regardless of which side of the aisle you're on.

10 months is a year? I realize you guys are impatient for the opportunity to run Walker out of office, but shortening the year by 2 months to move the process along is a bit much, don't you think?

10 months in a Metric Year

@Lyle -

He promised the jobs by the end of his first term. Be fair and take into account the context of the promise and give the man the time he deserves and was elected for in order to bring the promise to fruition. Oh, and you want jobs, just follow this link, there's over 34,000 openings in the state. Instead of asking where are the jobs, why aren't you asking 'where are the workers?'

https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com/

Why aren't you complaining about Obama's lack of job creation, despite his campaign promises to work tirelessly until unemployment levels were once again at an acceptable level? Obama's had nearly 3 years and Walker only 10 months. Plus, I’ve seen Obama taking vacations, so I guess he believes that he fulfilled his promise already, otherwise he wouldn’t have taken any of those vacations, would he?

Once again, your hypocrisy is showing Lyle!

Here is a tune to sing with as we collect the recall signatures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYpYIEVhMI8

Scotty We're Coming for YOU

Wonderful song and video.

@Morninmist Same -

Personally, I prefer this tune as we defend Walker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0heL2Czeraw

Is there a plastic bucket transcription available?

loooooolololololol

Turn off Fox news. then you would not post such untruths. Fact Walker is a poster child for pubic coruption in America. Look at his koch addiction.

Hey JRH, once again (understanding that it takes 7 repetitions for a concept to take hold in the average brain), I'm an independent, not a "lefty."

Steve the Gnat, since you obviously haven't read my other heavily sourced posts on this site and appear to have little facility with the internets to do your own research, here's that Rasmussen link, indicating a Walker strong approval rate of 38%: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/wisconsin/wisconsin_governor_walker_s_approval_numbers_edge_up_slightly. I live in the reality based world. I am angry about what is going on in our state and our country because I read about it from multiple sources, including international ones, each and every day. So if I post something on this site, I can back it up.

If you can back it up why did you post earlier that he disapproval rate was 60%. Lies, more lies.

You don't live in any reality but the left's blogosphere. Oh look at me I can find an international website to read I'm so fancy and rounded. I've herd it all before as an excuse to legitimize propaganda.

@Bren -

Are you really going to try and convince us that the Russian Times (RT.com) aren't biased?

So, 38% strongly approve means what? At least your internet skills include following a link. Steve the Gnat, anyone, even you can go read an international paper, even in a foreign language, using online translators (they are verbatim translations but you can get the gist). I do a lot of reading, what you call "fancy and rounded" but I believe it's my responsibility as an American citizen to get the facts. Private interests control the media, so it might be in their best interests to sanitize or withhold information in the U.S. That is not to say that every international news source is unbiased. This is why it's so important not to embrace a single news source, especially in a news-bite culture. Usually it's the most sensational points that are mentioned, when the information of true significance lies in the details.

I figure that if people have been willing to die for democracy, the very least I can do is to honor their sacrifice by seeking and sharing the truth to the very best of my ability; and to resist with all my might those people who are trying to destroy our economy and way of life for profit. That includes exposing those who aid and abet these actions through lies and ignorance.

@Bren -

Sorry if I unfairly classified you as a 'lefty.' I meant it as more of a generalization to describe those who oppose Walker and his reforms. Instead of saying 'lefties,' I should have stated 'anti-Walker.' I stand corrected.

I would comment on this lame statement but it is obvious that facts will not dissuade either you or walker, so my energy and money is focused on his recall.

I agree. Marquette University was wrong to let him go, no matter what he did, and no matter how poor his grades were. Scott and the Koch brothers lay awake at night trying to think of ways to help you, and to help me, be the very best we can be. I also think that cutting $1.2billion out of education over the next 2 years is the BEST way possible to help our kids get the very best education. 23% of adults with advanced degrees in this state is just frivolous, I feel. Yes, throwing 21,000+ people out of work might hurt them, but as Herman Cain says, "it's their fault they don't have a job." The most important thing we all can do is sacrifice to make sure the Koch brothers have everything THEY need. They are job creators who lay off people in this state, so we have to give them more tax breaks so they can keep up their good work and keep funding their Super PACs. This is sensible, and I feel that 100% of Wisconsinites feel exactly as I feel. Those uninformed people with advanced degrees and political sophistication are just trying to fill our heads with knowledge that doesn't feel comfy and they have to stop. Silly uninformed people. You go Pamela!

@Bren -

So in Bren's world, a person can't pay for or privately fund their own education without help from the government? And by denying government help we are some how denying the person? Why does everyone constantly need a government handout or subsidy to achieve something with their life?

Here’s something you might want to Google – ‘self independence,’ as apparently you have no concept or clue about this. Don’t worry Bren, we don’t blame you. After all, you’re just a natural product of the whole nanny state mentality that’s probably been sold to you your whole life.

Hey JRH, with your 10.54pm 11/5 post I believe I'm going to start calling you Professor Hawking, because your mind has surely gone to a theoretical dimension far from the reality-based world. What fascinating trans-interdimensional mind warp took you from Scott's MU misadventure and 2.3 g.p.a. to government subsidies and loans? I believe Scott himself tells people that he left school to participate in a political campaign, so I am doubly amazed. What kaleidoscopic mental pivot then dropped you off at "nanny state?" Your commentary is fascinating, seemingly inspired by peyote or an intellect so incredibly vast that it is impossible to express your thoughts lucidly through the narrow confines of human speech.

@Bren -

I'm delighted to see that you think so highly of me! Remember, Hoffa’s here all week :-)

I see that the Bren propaganda and rhetoric machine is continuing to churn out the same old recycled crap that we've all heard before. Thanks for the contribution Bren, however, here's a little tip for the future - you may have more success over on the Daily Kos, where they actually appreciate propaganda and rhetoric!

Silly James. With a 41% approval rating, you and your ilk are the minority, no matter how snotty your tone gets.

And concerning DailyKos, if you haven't already been banned over there for trotting out your special brand of unsourced histrionics, please let me know if you do try to see how your naivete stands up against the highly educated, extremely well informed and well connected members of the Daily Kos community. I'd like to know how that works for you. They don't suffer fools gladly on Daily Kos.

And Mr. Hoffa? I'll post here as often and as frequently as I like. Bill O'Reilly might applaud bullying like yours but I'll call it out for what it is-faltering bravado.

I say we get Koch brother 1 to run for President and Koch brother 2 for vice. This way Bren can a much more accurate internet troll.

Hi Steve the Gnat.Which one of the 4 Koch brothers is Koch #1? Sorry I have to ask but you obviously don't know their first names. So if we can first clarify which brother you intend for each position we can get to the other important question of how I "can a much more accurate internet troll." I'm starting to like you, Steve the Gnat! Your content and grammar-lite posts are whimsical and fun to read!

@Bren -

All they do over on Daily Kos is cite each other's liberal blogs as being fact, take things out of context by denying, distorting, or cherry-picking select facts, make radical conclusions based on little if any analysis, call fiscal conservatives derogatory names, and then pat each other on the back and congratulate one another for apparently being so smart and so intellectually superior compared to their conservative counterparts. All this while begging for a contribution to the 'tip jar' on their awesome 'diary' post. The true San Francisco liberal mentality!

Need I remind you that this is the same Daily Kos that came up with and perpetrated as fact the whole conspiracy theory about how Andrew Breitbart was the one who hacked Anthony Weiner’s Twitter account? And just like the DPW, they still haven’t issued an apology for their false and baseless accusations! And yet, you consider these propaganda mongers as being “highly educated, extremely well informed and well connected members” of our community.

So just like I said, you’d fit in perfect over there! What are you waiting for? :-)

Hey JRH, you're kidding, right? Breitbart was emailed one of the Weiner photos and it went from there. IT folks on DailyKos and elsewhere conjectured how a hack could take place, but the proof is in the photograph's digital signature. Conjecture is not synonymous with Accusation, so I'll dismiss your straw man now.

I know enough about DailyKos to know that links to reliable news sources are expected from posters. Its founder is a Boston University J.D. and U.S. army vet. You shouldn't post lies.

I believe the truth should be important to everyone. If a "conservative" posts something here and actually provides a link, I will click through and read that source if it's not a blogsite or unreliable news source like Fox. That's because I WANT the truth. I'm an an American and it's my job to be informed.

So stop posting lies about Daily Kos, JRH. For anyone not familiar with this online community, visit www.dailykos.com, I invite you to make up your own minds.

@Bren -

Fox News is just as reliable for factual information as the Daily Kos is - what world are you living in?

OK, I just went over to the Daily Kos and guess what I found on the front page - a story perpetuating the rhetoric about Herman Cain 'smoking the proverbial crack pipe,' and being a 'brother from another mother' to the Koch Brothers. WOW - that's really a great contribution to the factual community. I'm so glad I wasted my time reading that drivel - NOT!

And another story on the front page cited this source as their factual support:

http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2011/11/02/things-that-will-surprise-no-one/

A feminist opinion blog – yeah, I expect nothing but 100% facts with no opinions, bias, or ulterior influence coming from such a respected news source! Again, NOT!!!

Add to that, they constantly call fiscal conservatives derogatory names (how old are we when it becomes acceptable for an entire online ‘community’ to be constantly calling those with a differing ideology from their own derogatory names?), only appear to ever watch and diary liberal pundits such as Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnel, Keith Olbermann, and Bill Maher, and the complaint and bias list just continues on!

And in the comments section, they never debate or offer an alternative stance on an issue – all they do is congratulate and pat each other on the back for being so much smarter than the rest of the world for all thinking the same way.

Excuse me, I have to go throw up now!

BTW – Here’s a link to just one of the Breitbart accusation pieces. If you read it, you’ll notice that it uses words such as conspirator and co-conspirator. Now who uses words such as conspirator or co-conspirator unless you’re making an accusation, especially one based on pure speculation and conjecture?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/30/980617/-Breitbarts-Weiner-hoax:-New-photos-surface!-Analysis,-and-Surprise!-(UPDATED)

Here’s another one where they refer to Breitbart as a “known serial liar and corporate hack” – like I said, nothing but a bunch of name callers. And that’s in the lead off sentence of the ‘diary!’ You know it’s going to be an intelligent and factual read with an intro like that!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/05/28/979547/-Brietbart-to-use-SEX-SMEAR-on-Rep-Anthony-Weiner-UPDATEX2:-Easily-Debunked-FRAUD-EPIC-FAIL

Daily Kos are nothing but partisan hacks that congratulate themselves for all being uppity liberal elitists. And I’ll say whatever I want about them whenever I want, thank you very much!

Hey JRH, since when has covering a story turned into perpetuating rhetoric? Herman Cain did say what he said, it's on video. He did reference a "poet" during his closing comments in the first Republican candidate debate that turned out to lines from Pokeman the Movie. And the 9-9-9 plan is the tax rate used on Sim City. I'm personally insulted by this. The office of President of the United States is a role of the utmost seriousness and shouldn't be treated with ridicule. A joke or two on the campaign circuit humanizes a candidate and that's a good thing, but this is over the top. This situation should be examined in great detail. I took a trip to DailyKos and there are several posts about Mr. Cain so I can't respond to some of your comments specifically.

Fox is a legitimate, unbiased news source?

From what I've read and heard, Breitbart is a hack who actually received a genuine news tip in the form of a photo. If he had a better reputation in the media conjecture of a hoax would probably not arisen to the degree it did. After all, neither party is free of scandal.

Since DailyKos is an online community of several hundred thousand people, rather than a media organization like WSJ or NYT, many voices are heard on many local, regional, national, and international topics. The "front" page is Kos-based, the sidebar of diaries are community-based. There are also discussion posts on the front page but are identified as such. Please post a link to the Cain diary.

@Bren -

Was there any real need to perpetuate the 'smoking the proverbial crack pipe' line made about Cain? The front page changed since my last visit, and I can't easily find the Cain story now - for some reason or another the 'search' tool over there doesn't always seem to work very good for me.

But, let’s not forget the front-page story that cites to the feminist blog as its source of facts, which is just one example of many of the extraordinary sources those people consider as representing facts.

And, as apparently you don’t deny, they never debate or offer alternative view points in the comments section – it’s just a big liberal elitist hug fest in the comments and you know it! The entire ‘community’ is one-sided and hostile to those who don't share similar opinions and positions, as proven via the constant name-calling. All of which I previously provided links to regarding their coverage of the Weiner-gate scandal and Breitbart.

Like I said before, I need to go throw up now!

@Steve... Koch Brother #2 (David) ran for Vice-President on the Libertarian ticket in 1980. He and his running mate received 1% of the total votes cast. Part of his campaign was to eliminate the FBI, the CIA, Social Security and all public schools.

Nice guy, with the interests of everyone at heart. BTW he inherited his wealth along with his brothers.

All of a sudden budget deficits are bad? Huh, wonder if anyone told Doyle or Obama that.

Terry, the Walker supporters will be blaming whoever Americans for Prosperity (aka Koch bros.) have programmed them to blame. Just like all of the hatemongering against public workers began on February 11, 2011.

Concerning your last sentence, Wisconsin was already falling behind Illinois and Minnesota in producing skilled workers. With $1.2b less to spend on education statewide, we are going to fall further behind. That will be the Scott Walker legacy. That and the phony Dave Koch phone call. Oh and maybe the massive landslide at the Oak Creek coal plant that is spilling tar ash into Lake Michigan as I write. Go Scott Walker!

@Terry -

All the negative unknown presumptions, assumptions, and speculations about Walker, and yet none about Obama for some reason or another.

Anyone can play the 'what if' and 'let's speculate' game. Real leaders actually deal with reality.

If all of your presumptions, assumptions, and speculations are proven to be false, will you and the other lefties publicly apologize here on Patch to Walker and his supporters? That's the real question!

Hey JRH, I'm not convinced of anything so will pass on your wager. The Koch bros. have a mind-blowingly large budget to spend on keeping their pet boy in the Governor's office and they are counting on you to help them.

@Bren -

That's funny, as last I checked, the Koch Brothers were not residents of the great state of Wisconsin, and are therefor unable to vote in any Wisconsin elections. Remember Bren, only people can vote, not dollars. So how exactly does Walker having a lot of money equate to votes received? After all, you claim that the polls are telling us that a majority of the people of the state disapprove of Walker’s policies and performance. Ergo, if the polls you cite are accurate, he should be effectively recalled, no?

BTW – I’ve never spoken to the Koch Brothers, nor has anyone asked me for help in defending Walker. Try again!

"Oh and maybe the massive landslide at the Oak Creek coal plant that is spilling tar ash into Lake Michigan as I write. Go Scott Walker!"
Bren, This may be the most moronic statement of the year. Get a clue.

@Jerry -

Nice to see you're still at it. I also see that you still haven’t looked up the true definition of the word ‘perverted,’ or properly applied that word in context yet. Don’t worry, someday I’m sure you’ll get there!

You just exemplify the mentality of the left. Keep up the great work!

@JRH....You seem to pride yourself on being an independent thinker and you claim others to be hypocritical. You have set yourself up as judge and jury and seem to delight in others' plight and blame them for their situation. You also claim that people that don't agree with you are not dealing with the true reality.

You are highly critical of those who haven't achieved their education in the same manner that you have. You are not the only one who has achieved degrees without entering into debt and you seem to think this places you in some kind of special status validating your belief system. By the way, I am not particularly impressed with where you achieved your degrees. The only problem is that each individual's challenges and opportunities are different. Your obvious youth, as indicated by your ill thought comments,is an indicator of a limited life experience. You claim to be a fiscal conservative but more often than not your comments are deeply rooted in social conservatism attempting to make connections between the two streams of the conservative movement. I have yet to see you post an apology for any claims you've made that prove to less than the full truth, yet you expect others to do so. Wisdom is achieved only having negotiated life's challenges and what we think and our actions taken when we are young is proved to be imprudent as we grow older. (continued)

@JRH (continued)...I asked you where you are licensed to practice law and you indicated your law licenses are inactive and that you are working as an "independent contractor" for governments. There seems to be some inconsistency in your claim. Are you working as an attorney or not? John Kennedy Jr. had a JD but he couldn't pass the bar. Is this the case with you? There seems to be something here that doesn't quite add up.

@Lyle: Pot meet the kettle. You chastise JRH for his disdain of others education levels and then you hash him for his education? And this isn't the first time you've questioned the credibility of a poster over their education level. We have elitist liberals(hello Lyle) and the bible thumping idiots on the right(hello AWD). BTW, the rest of us just smile inside when we have to listen to either side's rants. The humorous thing about the elitist lefties is that they really aren't all that intelligent. Hint; an intelligence 1/2 a standard deviation above average IQ is not genius. Most elitist lefties fit inside that 1/2 standard deviation(sometimes on the wrong side of the average). Another hint: those that can do, those that can't teach. Where do we get the idiotic idea that an academic's opinion should hold more weight than the average working man?

@235301...I suggest you read my comment again. He wasn't criticizing so much a persons education but how they get it. He has become sanctimonious about how he was able to emerge from college debt free and if he can do it, anyone can do it.

@Lyle -

#1 – For the record, I never tout my educational background as making me better than anyone else. I provided my educational experience only in response to a direct question that you asked me over on another story. I'm not the one who's constantly claiming that I know better because of my long life experience or educational background or prior work experience, etc. I merely use a logical arguments to analyze the facts and draw a conclusion, without all of the other crap that you’re constantly throwing into the mix. So let’s get our facts about each straight here, shall we?

#2 – “You have set yourself up as judge and jury and seem to delight in others' plight and blame them for their situation.

Nothing is farther from the truth here. I certainly don’t delight in others’ plight and I challenge you to cite me to one comment I’ve ever made where that is the case. And I don’t blame any one for their situation. If anything, I blame people for not taking it upon themselves to fix their situations or for making poor choices that resulted in their situation, but never for the situation itself. Remember Lyle, I believe in choice and that being the only true freedom that any of us really have.

#3 – “You also claim that people that don't agree with you are not dealing with the true reality.”

You do the same thing all the time – especially with guys like Angry White Dude, who, by the way, I usually defend when you try and pull stuff like that. And the only time I really do it is when people are distorting the facts or failing to take into account certain facts or are applying the same standard in differing ways just because of ideology. In other words, I always fully explain my criticisms. And I’m always pretty fair – if you don’t believe me, check out my comments on any of HRG’s piece or ask other Patch commentators and they’ll tell you.

#4 – “You are highly critical of those who haven't achieved their education in the same manner that you have. You are not the only one who has achieved degrees without entering into debt and you seem to think this places you in some kind of special status validating your belief system.”

When have I even ever compared anyone else to myself other than that one time in a direct response to the question you asked of me? Come on Lyle, let’s be honest and fair here. I don’t think I’m special at all. In fact, if you bothered to actually read my response to your original question, you’d see that I stated right in such response “trust me, there is nothing special about me.” Ego is the last word that can be used to describe Hoffa!

#5 – “By the way, I am not particularly impressed with where you achieved your degrees.”

You think I give a damn what you think about my background? This may surprise elitists such as yourself, but I don’t judge a person based solely on their background. I also think that any school is a good school and that no school is better than other school – after all, the facts are same and reality is reality no matter how hard you try and spin it. So what does it matter where it’s taught, as it all ends up being the same information? You may want to actually get off your high horse every once and a while Lyle.

#6 – “I have yet to see you post an apology for any claims you've made that prove to less than the full truth, yet you expect others to do so.”

If I’m ever proven wrong, I admit it. If I make unfair assumptions, I apologize and take full responsibility. Don’t believe me, ask HRG or patchreader123. What I don’t apologize for are my opinions or positions. And why should anyone? I never expect anyone else to ever apologize for their opinions and positions. I respect other’s opinions and positions. And up until this blatant, unfounded, and wholly unfair hit piece on me, I respected you. When did I ever ask you or anyone else to apologize?

#7 – “I asked you where you are licensed to practice law and you indicated your law licenses are inactive and that you are working as an "independent contractor" for governments”

Lyle, I really don’t get why you’re so concerned about this? Did I ever ask you about your background, profession, etc. since I started engaging in open dialog with you here on Patch? I see the comments section on Patch as a place to share ideas, debate the issues, and engage in thoughtful discussion and argument. I really don’t see what knowing of another’s background proves or adds to such experience. But since you’re so adamant about this for some reason or another, I’ll tell you.

I’m licensed in the states of Michigan and Wisconsin and have been admitted to the federal bar to practice in the U.S. Federal District Courts for the Western District of Michigan and Eastern District of Wisconsin, as well as the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. As I told you before, all license statuses have been inactive for the last two years due to a change in employment. If you really want to know more, we’ll have to get together and discuss it personally, as I’m really not comfortable sharing my life story online. We could even meet at my restaurant if you’re interested and I’ll show you my bar cards. Yeah, I do other things too - like own and operate a restaurant.

@JRH...Thank you for the information, with me you have established a higher level of credibility.

Please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors in my above enumerated rant. I was very upset when I wrote it!

Attack me for my opinions, positions, believes, ideologies, philosophies, etc. But don't attack me personally. It's just not cool and it’s something that I never do to others!

@Ron Clone...Those who have chosen not to use their names are fearful of someone confronting them in person; that's their common excuse. Of course, It is to avoid responsibility and accountability.

Many are fearful of intellectual imperialism. fearing that those of us with formal educations will somehow manipulate the system in such a way as to suppress others. I have noticed that one of the byproducts of the right wing movements is to disparage education and intellectualism. This includes discounting teachers and intellectuals as elitists.

As someone who has used Wexlers, the I.Q. indicated is only one measure of intelligence. As you well know, having a high I.Q. doesn't predict performance or accomplishment. I have always judged others not by how much they have in their heads but also how much they have in their hearts.

"You wouldn't be whatever you are if not for a teacher somewhere in your life."

*********************

As long as you're willing to accept responsibility for the failures along with the successes, there's nothing really arguable about that statement.

As far as IQ's go, that's a bit like making claims about the size of a certain part of one's anatomy. Hard to verify in this arena and not always a great indicator of performance.

And Lyle, just for the record let me state that, personally, I don't feel threatened by any of those who fancy themselves intellectuals. I've got my degree and to the extent that it got me my first job it served me well. In the course of my life I've met many a person who either by choice or happenstance didn't attend college, some of whom were in charge of major corporations, and I'd happily put them up against anyone with an over-ecucmbered collection of three letter degree designations hanging off the tail end of their name, any day.

@Lyle -

Once again you’re making unfounded generalizations. For some us, such as myself, we in fact started off using our real names only to have others with differing ideologies look-up our personal contact information online and use that information to harass us and our families (sometimes threatening physical violence such as in my own experience) and threatened boycotts against those of us who own and operate our own businesses.

Needless to say, such tactics will not work to effectively silence us, but at the same time, we will not tolerate threats against ourselves, our families, or our businesses just for having an opinion and position that is different from others here.

Believe me, I was shocked and couldn’t believe it when I received a telephone call back in February from an anonymous caller using a pay phone in Madison threatening the lives of my family if we didn’t change our sentiments regarding public sector unions. And then my family’s restaurant received a visit from an AFSCME official stating that if we didn’t display a poster of support in our window the union would launch a public boycott of our business. Sorry, but that was the last draw for me! Especially seeing as how my extended family is multi-generational UAW. There was no excuse for this kind of behavior and that’s when I realized just how out of touch the public sector unions were with the rest of society and even with their supposed ‘brethren’ in the private sector. In fact, private sector union made goods continue to show up on the boycott list today. The height of hypocrisy to the extreme! Brotherhood and solidarity my butt!

According to a story on HuffPost, the mask was worn by a revolutionary character in the movie V For Vendetta.

People wearing those masks in NY were recently targeted by police. Another targeted group are photographers/photo journalists.

@JRH...I receive threats almost everyday from someone. I have had my run-ins with union goons, some of them Teamsters. I can empathize with your position of remaining anonymous, but with others, I stand by my statement. I'm far from sure but I think the person behind Angry White Dude has used the nom de plumes of WFBMike and Patriot. All three have been racist in orientation and Tea Party centered.

Lyle, the ones you get from the wife when you forget to take your shoes off before stretching out on the couch don't count.

@AWD...No, what do you mean?

@Terry -

Funny that you mention attracting venture capital, as that's the next order of business for the legislature according to Republican state rep Robin Vos!

Why don't you give their plan a chance before judging its success? So far, you've only given Walker and Republicans 10 months of opportunity. And let’s not forget about the month that the Democrats stole, thereby delaying progress even further, with their little temper tantrum side show and exodus to Illinois! Or the other couple months stolen away via the recall elections.

So, in all reality, you're judging Walker's performance based on a mere 7 months worth of political governmental work. WOW!!!

Walker never guaranteed overnight instant change or even ‘change you can believe in,’ such as other prominent and deceptive politicians have. Nor have the Wisconsin Democrats promised such drastic, quick and efficient overnight changes, as you seem to expect, if they were to suddenly regain power.

If you always judge the effectiveness of public policy based on a time frame of 7 months or less, then you must always be disappointed in all of your political leaders at all times. And yet, the only ones you ever seem to rip on here on Patch are Walker and Wisconsin Republicans. WHY? This is highly inconsistent, very inequitable, and rather disingenuous of you Terry?

Your expectations are clearly not realistic. If you’re going to rant, at least be fair with your rantings!

I will be saying the same thing next year, and I will double down when Walker makes Wisconsin a Right to Work state.

Recalling a governor because of legislation is not productive. Leaving the state to avoid voting is not productive. Protesting the lighting of the Christmas tree is not productive. GOVERNMENT UNION THUGS.