Thank YOU!! I don't know either. So much hate...

exactly my thoughts while reading this pile of leftist trash blogging!!

Cynthia:

1. This isn't a blog. I am a paid Patch contributor.

2. Thank you being an exact example of the point I am making.

3. I hope you don't teach your kids to act the way you do.

reads blog to me

the exact example we talk about spreading misinformation

4 of our 6 children are grown and on their own. They work, support their family's, send their children to Christian Private Schools. My oldest son did 3 tours in Iraq, he is now a disabled vet. He's been hit by an IED and shot. He has 2 hearing aids and banged up knees, took him a year to find a private sector job but thank the Lord he found an excellent job and within months climbed the ladder to the top. Because he is respectful, a hard worker, and very dedicated. MY Children would never be acting like children in public shouting, cursing, banging drums, stalking elected officials, sending death threats, shouting down speakers, harassing elderly, spray paint on business's, glue locks or doors shut, etc. When they watch the videos of the protests in WI especially the ones with segway and the Capitol dirty dozen they want to know who raised them that way and thank us for teaching them manners and respect.

Now for the 2 teenagers still in HS. they watch the videos and think the same way... The liberals in WI have set a VERY bad example for our children. But I am lucky that my kids understand that it is NOT ACCEPTABLE to act that way. Heather.... if you have any kids would you let them act this way in public? Or would you be embarrassed by their behavior? Would you let your kid tell you NO he's not going to bed and bang a drum?

As for my sharp tongue at times, forgive me I'm a recovering liberal.

I have. Plenty of times. Perhaps it is you who has a selective memory. Here is one just off the top of my head - http://mountpleasant.patch.com/articles/beer-dumping-leaves-a-bad-taste

I have often condemned the Hitler remarks, involving children and many other issues that have been made on both side. Again, because you do not agree with my politics - I think you tend to read what you want to read...not all that is written.

I based my remarks on the article posted on this page.

Your recollection lists a number of 'evil, dangerous and vindictive' acts, but your list seems to paint a rather one sided picture of the hateful acts that have been going on. If you are going to post an article that is critical of the way people have been acting, it would be most effective to present a fair and honest picture of what has been happening in Wisconsin.

I talk about what I am seeing...and right now, this is what I am seeing. I worked with many pro-recall people and not once saw anything hateful or threatening from them. I personally saw no vandalism...but I did see it on the other side with destroyed petitions. If and when I see something I think is wrong, I will speak out about it. If it is one lone dufus, then that is different. There is always a bad egg. But I am sorry...there have been so many bad eggs lately that the smell cannot be ignored.

Did you personally see the soda thrown at the protestors? Did you see an SUV try to back over a petition circulator? Were you one of the ones that received the phone calls in the night?

How are you distinguishing the 'lone dufus' from everyone else?

She has them liberal blinders on..................

Thank you very much.

I agree. Thank you. And I believe posting the recall signatures, though probably legally the right thing to do, has brought out the worst kind of cyber-bullying, and I fear in the end, actual retaliation and harrassment of people who signed it. Even before the signatures were posted, my 85 year old aunt had a sign on her lawn set on fire and her front door window broken by a large rock thrown through it. We all hope whoever did those things acutally didn't understand that an elderly person lived there alone and now is so frightened that she no longer feels safe in her home. Or maybe that was what they were trying to do. I really hope not. This woman has worked hard all her life and raised her kids alone after her husband died, has voted in every election since she was old enough and has done years and years of volunteer work in our community. But she has been harrassed for exercising her right to express a poitical opinon and lawfully sign a recall petition, a right granted to all people in our state. Sad what has happened to Wisconsin in the past year and a half.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/komen-reverses-on-planned-parenthood-pledges-to-continue-funding.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

well lookie here...I guess the "easy" bitching actually does some good!!!

If you think this is easy...you try it. Standing up publicly for what I believe in has made this a VERY difficult year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whow. What lovely news.

I wrote a letter to them as did many I know.

@Heather -- That's good news about Komen. My faith in humanity is a bit restored.

@mark E. -- I realized that our information on the petitions would be public. I accept that as one of those things that is necessary for doing the right thing.

What I didn't care for was the glee with which the other side jumped on it. "Ha-ha, Libs! Now we'll know your names and addresses!"

So this issue with Komen WASN'T? all about politics. When you put political pressure on and have polititians writing them letters to tell them who they should be giving a grant to. The Komen foundation was never pro-life. They supported fetal cell research and other issues which are not pro-life. They give out grants. Any organization can give out grants to who they want. The Komen Foundation's plan had been to give the money directly to the organizations that give the mammogram. Planned Parenthood did not do mammogrms. They outsourced. In the end it doesn't matter to me as I didn't support either organization.

You think I don't get beat up on for standing up publicly for what I believe?

mau - your opinion here seems to fit right along with about 90% of the other commenters, so I guess I dont see you getting beat up here.

You are wrong about PP and I completely disagree about stem cell research. But that is no shocker and I so don't want to get into all that now. I was just making a point to the person who told me that bitching does no good.

@Mau and Heather -- What a mishegoss! I've been off looking into this, and Mau, it's a matter of semantics. Without a doubt, Planned Parenthood provides women with access to free and low-cost mammography through partnerships with facilities that have the medical equipment. And they do this with help from their donors, which up until now has included Komen.

Heather, the reversal may not have been as much of a reversal as we think: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/03/susan-g-komen-planned-parenthood_n_1252651.html

@HRG, you haven't been following all my comments. There have been many sarcastic, deragatory and name calling responses to my comments. Sometimes I let them get to me and play into their game by defending myself. Then I wake up and consider the source.

What the hell do YOU do with YOUR energies? You have no clue what I do. This is a part time job...I do many other things with my time that do make a difference. And writing DOES make a difference too. If what I do is so insignificant...then how insignificant are YOU by wasting your time BITCHING about my writing. Derrrrrrrrrrrrrr

@mark E.... I can attest that to come out publicly and state your opinion requires a rather thick skin. The other issue is that you better know what you're writing about. I know for my own blog articles, I start with an idea that I want to write about and then I spend countless hours in research and go through a number of drafts before I submit it. We each have our own style and favorite set of subjects. One of the things I've noticed about Heather Rayne Geyer's writings is that she isn't mean spirited. She also is clear and pure in her presentation of her opinion; no nuances, what you see is what you get. I usually try to visit Caledonia Patch at least daily to see if she has added anything new. HRG, Keep pumping; I for one find what you have to say as something worth reading.

Lyle,

I cannot tell you how much that means. I often feel as though I am an odd man out here. And I worry about my future with Patch. So, please know that those words meant A LOT!!!

@ mark E.... I think by writing in this 'open forum' Heather is trying to make a difference. Don't you think it is good for her cause if she gets others involved/supporting her position?
oh, and I don't agree with Heather on her CCAP position, or that the right is being any more 'disruptive' than the left, with the Walker recall efforts;democracy is messy at times. But, I find I learn more from people that I disagree, than with those I agree.

Mark:

I think that writing these blog articles is doing something to make a difference. These articles and the discussions that are inspired by them have great potential to educate others and influence attitudes.

@CowDung -

I agree that the blog articles themselves are productive, but I sometimes wonder about the discussions that follow, as most of the time, and is par for the course around here, it just turns into a heated flame war, until Angry White Dude shows up and graces us with a nugget of true wisdom :-)

So, it’s OK to post information on your public web site about those who have contributed to Scott Walker, but it is not OK to post information about those who signed the recall petitions? Really?

You also bring up in this Patch blog the possible risks to the employment of those having their names published via the petitions. So, I ask you, what are the risks regarding the employment patronage of those individuals and/or businesses that you posted to your web site? I happen to know one of the individuals posted to your web site, and this individual’s business is entirely based on the number of clients utilizing his/her services. Your actions may possibly cause him/her to lose clients, just as the posting of recall petitioner’s names may possibly put their further employment at risk.

Furthermore, the disclaimer in your web site states that “the following contributers [sic] may or may NOT still be backing Walker or this bill,” yet you nonetheless post their names and expose them to the “evil and dangerous and really quite vindictive” people of the world? This, HRG, is the VERY DEFINTION of negligent and retaliatory.

Honestly, I could have never EVER realized the level of hostility this would have come to. I am genuinely shocked at how hateful everyone has become. When I posted that - I did not foresee actual violence or harm.

Also, there are many sites dedidcated to Walker boycotts. Many. I have yet to hear of anything happening to any of those businesses. Unlike the rocks thrown thru the window of the coffee shop where they were allowing circulators a couple months ago.

And again - I made it VERY clear that I did not necessarily support boycotts or the like. I still go to businesses whom I KNOW are Walker supporters. And I think I made that very clear in the blog.

There was a guy on here who was full of the most vile hateful words I have yet to hear on Patch. He owns a glass business (I think) in Milwaukee. I have his info, but it is not worth finding right now. Anyway, when I hear business owners speaking that way - saying they dont want anti-Walker customers...it makes me feel less sorry for businesses who support that line of thinking. Now, clearly, not all that donated to him are like that and I have said so since then. I have had conversations with people on that list and have come to a peaceful understanding with some of them.

In my view, Walker is for businesses and corporations and I feel he couldnt give a crap about individuals. That is the political mind set I am against and why I posted that blog.

(cont.)

In all honesty, had I known what this was going to become, I wouldn't have posted that. I never ever would have imagined the hate, violence, threatening environment this has become. And while I still have yet to hear of any threats or violence happening to Walker supporting businesses, yea, I probably wouldn't have posted that.

I do feel that as a business, you are taking a chance and making political statements - as you are risking alienating customers. My mother won't see a Sean Penn movie simply because he is such an out spoken liberal. That is a risk/choice he made professionally (tho I dont think he is losing sleep over it).

I feel uncomfortable giving my money to businesses who will turn it over to a politician who stands for everything I am against. But there are times, I still do.

My thinking at the time was this...there are two taverns. One sends money to Walker. The other does not. I am going to be more likely to chose the one who does not. I am still putting my money into the economy. I am still helping a local business...just happens to be a different one. Everyone makes choices about why they pick on establishment over another.

When I wrote this - I was looking for a way to stop what was happening to our state. I saw (and still do) see this as an extremist attack on the people in order to help the businesses/corporations.

And I cannot say strongly enough - I never EVER could have foreseen the environment this has become. I saw this as a way to give people a choice and perhaps make local business owners see that supporting politicians may not be great for business. But I certainly didn't do it maliciously. Again, were it today, I would not have posted it.

HRG:

Simply put, your Patch blog opposes posting the recall petitions online because it may somehow put the petitioners at risk. At the same time, your posting of Walker campaign contributors online may somehow put such contributors at risk.

Whether or not you have yet to "hear of anything happening to any of those businesses" posted to your website or other web sites is irrelevant. Whether or not you made it clear on your own web site that you "did not necessarily support boycotts or the like" is irrelevant.

You disagree with the on-line publication of names here while doing so yourself elsewhere. That is as simple as it gets.

Yes, I’m aware of the “glass” business owner and his vitriolic comments. And yes, because of those comments, I would not likely patronize his business. However, what does he have to do with the 90+ individuals posted to your web site?

While we have agreed on a number of points throughout the various blogs posted to Patch, we’ll just have to disagree on the appropriateness of you throwing stones while living in a glass house.

@HRG...Thank you for being brave enough to state your mea maxima culpa. This is precisely why we have to carefully consider both short and long term outcomes and reactions. Not only are there consequences to publishing donor lists, but also publishing signature lists. I considered the probability of negative consequences before signing the recall petition and came to the conclusion that it carried a very low probability of risk. However, if I weren't retired and I was still running my own company, I might have given it a little more thought. However, politics normally doesn't come into play in conducting business. I have more faith in people to generally do the right thing and for those that are going to misuse information, there isn't much one can do about it. For those that want to go through the time and effort to go through each and every signature, I say more power to them. It probably going to be a fruitless effort and all six candidates will stand for election. As far as the GAB putting the recall signatures out in some kind of data base, I didn't have that expectation, since it is the responsibility of the opposition to challenge. If this carries on long enough, the special election could wind up being held at the same time as the general election in November.

I did find it disturbing that the recall signatures could be used to negatively influence whether someone would be hired or not. As far as I am concerned, political perspective has no place in the workplace.

@Heather -- We run a kind of Mom and Pop business and our names are on the petition. I expect we may lose some potential business as a result. But those are the breaks.

However, I've been on the net long enough to know that there are real nutcases out there, which is why I use a screen name and protect my privacy. The possibility of some real-life violence showing up on the doorstep is troubling.

The invitation to search CCAP was just plain nasty. However, some of us understand the system and the legal terminology and can use our brains accordingly.

Patchreader - It seems as though you are not reading everything I said. I said that in todays environment, knowing what I know now, I would not post it. So, how are we disagreeing aside from some semantic details? I hate to quote Oprah, but "When we know better, we do better."

Today - I see the posted names and addresses as potential danger because I have read actual threats of harm right here and elsewhere. A year ago I never would have thought of that happening. This political climate is very new and weird and I am taking it day by day because who knows what the hell is coming next.

I am afraid a lot putting my name out there. I take **** here constantly. Do you have any idea what kind of stress that brings to my life? I have a stupid health issue that is HUGELY effected by stress. I am basically a moron for putting myself in this position. But I do it because I have this friggin annoying need to do the right thing. And this is how I know how to do it. This isnt easy and it isnt fun. And I admit my mistakes when I make them. Yet I continue to be slammed as though I am this evil piece of crap week after week since last spring.

The other night I said that I just wanted to go back to not giving a crap. I wanted to know HOW...how does one stop caring and just go back under the covers. Because you know what - I would be MUCH happier. So if someone can tell me how - I would really appreciate it.

HRG:

"...knowing what I know now, I would not post it." This begs the question: in view of the feelings that you expressed today, will you allow it to remain? Totally your choice. I will not express my opinion any further, one way or the other.

FYI, I've been aware of your posting of contributor's names for quite some time, to include that of my acquaintance. However, I have never mentioned your posting to my acquaintance, nor have I ever felt any need (or even the right) to bring it up with you.

We all have 1st Amendment rights, and I recognize the 1st Amendment rights of you and others. However, after reading your Patch blog today, I could not help myself but bring it up and ask you about it.

"Yet I continue to be slammed as though I am this evil piece of crap week after week since last spring." I don't think you are an evil p.o.c. and I respect your opinion, as well as your passion in expressing it.

It’s all good, HRG. Sleep well at night.

Perhaps we should gather volunteers to search the Delinquent Tax Payer website to see if any of the $12 million in donations to Walker were made by evaders. Perhaps we should scour CCAP with the names of locally known Republican, tea party or conservative group members to see if they are in a position to judge and validate.

Go for it... search the delinquent taxpayers for those on the recall list also and ask them, if you have not paid your taxes in the past why would you want a democrat in office that would have to raise taxes at least 17.7% just to cover the deficit that Gov. Walker was handed.... Probably have to raise it even more for the extra spending they would want to do for some entitlement they have no idea how to fund.

In HRG's defense, she's admitted time and again that she's not perfect and sometimes even a bit of a hypocrite - but aren't we all at some point in our respective lives?

However, the environment of a year ago also included death threats, economic boycotts, and hateful vitriol towards the right and specifically to those that were listed by HRG and others on liberal blogs, which is now the subject of patchreader 123's argument. So, just because HRG didn't personally see or witness the negativity coming from the left at such time doesn't mean it wasn't happening, as clearly the consensus reality agrees that it most certainly was.

So to suggest that somehow it was different back then as compared to now isn't being wholly forthcoming or genuine on the issue is it?

But at the same time, it's not worth or even fair to beat up HRG over such point, is it? After all, no one's perfect, except maybe Hoffa ;-)

@JRH, "After all, no one's perfect, except maybe Hoffa ;-)" Me too Me too :)

The bloggers on the Patch, for the most part, are mild. If it weren't for the bloggers, what would the Patch be but a boring, one person's opinion, news outlet. I for one have learned much from the stories and opinion pieces, as well as from the bloggers. Some of the rather sarcastic comments and accusations in reply to my comments, has led me to actually do further research on some of the names thrown around like Koch and JBS.

If the comments, in my mind, get out of control, then it's time to quit responding or quit following the blog.

This is far more entertaining and enlightening than Facebook.

@mau -

Nicely said!

And ditto your sentiments regarding facebook!

I was so angry when I read his comments. My husband made me turn off the computer because I would get so upset with his hateful words. I saved many of his posts and thought about blogging about him in particular because he was so horrid. But by this time, I started to realize what kind of state this was becoming and I decided I was not going to do something like that. Time and experience makes a difference when making choices.

Yes, I do believe I would. I was worried about offending friends when I wrote that piece about the beer dumping, but I felt it was the right thing to do. I no doubt pissed off a couple people because of it.

This may be all about unions for some people - but not for me.

Thanks Hoffa. Believe me, I do know I am a good person. I mean, why else would I always be so concerned about others. And it doesn't bother me when people don't agree...that isn't it at all. it is HOW they don't agree...the words they use with one another...the threats and hateful mean exchanges. That is what makes me so discouraged and angry. And when someone attacks - it is hard not to attack right back. I guess I am a bit reactionary.

I wish the health issues were psychosomatic. There are indeed physical components. But stress increases the issues and does not help in the least. So, yes I do need to find a way to be more relaxed and not so worked up over the actions of others.

I do still see humor. Just not as much. In fact, I just bought tickets (thanks to my mom for an early bday gift) to a comedian I just LOVE. Very much looking forward to a night of laughing my arse off!!! :)

Thanks again.

This is what I appreciate about JRH, he's always there to support us and lend a good word.

HRG maybe you should sit back and do some articles on why some of the changes happened... a good place to start is to look at the creation of BadgerCare Plus... Look at the audits and reports that are given to the legislators for WI medicare programs, thats where I started. Look at the things that were included in collective bargaining and how it was being abused. Start at the beginning and see what was going on..... that is partly why I have turned to the dark side and made a sharp turn to the right. I started investigating the documents that your dem leaders are hiding from you. Take the emotion out and read....

@Cynthia -- What did you see there that turned you into such an angry, bitter person? You have been blessed with financial security in your life. Why should you resent those who have not been so lucky?

Randy you don't know my past or how I have had to live during my life. I have had very rough patches in my life. You don't know my ups and downs. I never depended on the Government to fund me. I have had to live without cable, go without a car when mine died, Get my kids clothes from Goodwill and shop garage sales, feed our family potatoes for a week. I did not buy my kids every new gadget that came out and not pay important things like rent and utilities. Years ago when we relocated back to the Midwest I had to go to food shelves a couple times to feed us while we reorganized and built our own business. So don't go judging me as someone who hasn't been on the poverty side of the tracks. I have seen welfare fraud, but you dems seem to want to ignore the fraud and keep shelling out funding thinking you are helping.........

@Cynthia -- you don't know my past either. Or my present. I never took any government handouts, other than the EIC for two or three years when I qualified. Believe me, I'd have preferred not to qualify. I never bought anything I couldn't afford, and I've never let a bill go unpaid.

If you've been through hard times yourself, that makes your apparent disdain for people who need help from the government all the more puzzling. Yes, there's fraud, but there's fraud at all levels of society. Why punish fraud by putting bigger holes in the safety net?

Again, what made you so angry?

randy I never questioned you or your lifestyle, I could care less. How do you get the idea that I am against 'safety nets'? I stated that she should maybe do some better background work (you all should) on the entitlement programs.... you only have the emotional side of the story. Tell me randy.... have you read any of the audits and reports on these programs?

Thanks mau, I try!

What I can't figure out for the life of me is how we can sit here discussing the same old crap regarding the current political landscape day in and day out, but most Patchers don't give the time of day to the non-political stories or blogs, such as 'Hoffa's Retro Cinema Club,' which by-the-way I'd like to personally thank you for following! I mean honestly, how many different ways can we continue to say the same things over and over? It just boggles my mind sometimes.

Oh well. I guess that's life my friend!

@Cynthia -- No, I haven't read the audits and reports on various programs. All I know is that BadgerCare Plus would have been a godsend for me, because I'm one of those people who fall into the cracks between Medicaid and having enough income to purchase private health insurance. The last time either of us had health insurance through employment was in 1996. We pay for office visits and other tests out of pocket and hope no one gets seriously ill.

You seemed to disapprove of this program in particular, so it made me curious.

Randy, it is a good program..... I don't disagree with it... what I disagree with is the dems did NOT structure it correctly and it is not working as designed. It is sucking money from other medicare programs to survive.... It's supposed to be a self-funding arm but it is a severely damaged limb that is not 'fixed' will need to be amputated. But any changes to help this program succeed you anti-Walker people scream and throw a fit. Like many of our social programs...... I'm telling you to do yourself a favor and start reading the audits and reports of how an entitlement program is preforming....

@Cynthia -- "But any changes to help this program succeed you anti-Walker people scream and throw a fit."

Perhaps it would be better not to characterize our concerns as 'emotional', 'screaming', and 'throwing a fit'. The people who would be removed from eligibility under the Governor's re-structuring would be understandably emotional about it, since for many it's a matter of survival.

Quite pragmatically, I can point out that every person who visits an emergency room or becomes seriously ill and can't pay for it will have the costs passed on to the rest of us anyway in the form of even higher insurance premiums and higher hospital costs. We might as well handle it intelligently.

@JRH, when my brain tires of the political comments then I search out something more refreshing. I want to comment to your last cinema about the farmers but the movies you mention are only available by dvd on Netflix. The subject matter, and the comments I would make with my experience growing up on a farm, could turn that political. So I've stayed mum on that one.

I wish there was an easy way to follow your cinema and What's Cooking at Sofia's.

Sofia's blog is great, isn't it? I can't wait to try her latest recipe!

Sorry that the movies I review and recommend are kind of hard to come by, but that's kind of the whole point of the blog. I'll try and feature one that's easier to locate this coming week!

The best way I've found to follow other's blogs is to bookmark our blog page on Patch and then check it every now and then if you happen to miss our entries when they're featured on the home page.

I also know that Heather A is most excellent about promoting our blogs on facebook as well, and I'd like to give a big shout out for her efforts on that front!

Heather Asiyanbi

If patch.com would enforce people to use their real names I guarantee the tactics on both sides would not be sickening. I challenge you to do that and see what happens. The only people who return to patch.com are those who get entertainment value from the comments. Regular readers do not want that. Until patch.com does this it will not be successful, long term. People can still converse but when you allow aliases you teach people to leave respect at the virtual door.

@Rees -

Some of us though, like myself, take great pride in our screen names and do nothing different just because we're using a nom de plume as opposed to our real names. Randy1949, patchreader 123, Bren, mau, etc are all great examples of this point.

I'll let my record of civility speak for itself here on Patch, as all my comments are publicly viewable. The only reason I don't use my real name is because last year, my family business was the target of a threatened union boycott for refusing to display a solidarity poster in our storefront window during the height of the Capitol occupations. With the threatened boycott came individual and personal threats made against my family by radical activists, merely because we hold a differing political opinion. They even threatened that something bad might happen to my cat, if you can believe it.

After living through that once, I don't want to have to live through it again if I don't have to. So, to prevent me from using a screen name would effectively keep me from using Patch in the future, thus silencing my voice on this forum.

I'm sorry, but I will not risk the safety of my family or our livelihood again just because some people don't know how to behave themselves properly. And until you can unconditionally guarantee that something like we experienced won't ever happen again, the screen names stays or I go.

Trust me, I'm not happy about it, but that's the unfortunate reality of the situation.

Thank you JRH. I've been on the internet long enough to know that it's simple prudence to guard your privacy behind a screen name for your own safety and that of your family. That's in a national/international setting. It's so much more important in a local political venue, where disturbed individual really could show up on your doorstep.

That said, I use the same screen name pretty much all over, and I'd never think of trashing my credibility by behaving badly.

http://mountpleasant.patch.com/articles/brookfield-physician-runs-super-bowl-ads-on-his-bid-for-governor