Beltmann Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 That sucks Beltmann. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope things get better for you.Thanks, Tweedling. I know that you mean it, and I appreciate it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 On the point of the new culture of demonization and intimidation in Wisconsin, my wife and I received the above letter in our newspaper box today (along with a full-page poem about "Unionistas"). My first instinct is to dismiss it as just a one-off by a wingnut, but this kind of thing has become extremely common over the last year and a half. You wouldn't believe the stuff happening between neighbors and within families. We have a long list of first-hand experiences. The letter writer, of course, is self-evidently a childish and unserious person. (The irony is that this person lacked the courage to include a name; at least recall signers had the courage to take responsibility for their convictions. Plus, this person apparently spent all night writing a full page poem about Unionistas, and all day delivering this letter to mailboxes. I mean, really? Meanwhile, Stacy and I, public employees, were busy working ten hours today... I find that sort of hilarious.) When you have a thick skin, and I do, it's very easy to shrug this stuff off without a second thought. But what does deserve a second thought is how the overall cultural climate has been poisoned by this very divisive governor, who purposefully manufactured that division knowing he could manipulate it for political advantage. When a governor intentionally stokes a culture of scapegoating, vilification, and division, it's no wonder that such resentment and hatred has become normalized. I'm not suggesting that most Walker supporters would approve of such a letter being delivered--obviously that's not the case--but is it any surprise that the few wackos feel comfortable being openly wacko in the current climate? (Call it the trickle-down theory of name-calling.) And not once has Scott Walker ever denounced the name-calling; he has openly encouraged it. That's not leadership. At least George W. Bush had the class to remind voters that not all Muslims were terrorists. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Damn, Beltmann, that's so sad! With your eloquence, you'd do better than Barrett. How much of this vote was due to him as an alternative to Walker? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I don't know. Barrett is very likable and everyone agrees that he's a nice, sincere guy. But he ran a lackluster campaign in 2010, and again seemed unable to find his message in 2012, other than "I'm not Scott Walker." Unfortunately, he was definitely the strongest Democrat in the primary (I supported him from the start). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 My instinct was to forget the letter--after all, these are heated times--but my wife decided to inform the police, just in case a paper trail was needed. Turns out that at least five other neighbors had already reported receiving the letter, and police are investigating it as a crime. The story also featured on at least two Milwaukee TV news stations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 So it turns out that Wisconsin is not the new Egypt, but more like the new Bloody Kansas? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Sometimes wives have better judgment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Indeed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IRememberDBoon Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Bill Maher has shitloads of conservatives on his show. Junkie Limbaugh has ZERO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KevinG Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 If there is any consolation in this whole mess it appears that one Democrat won last night (though the results have not been verified) and the Senate will be in Democratic control. This will hopefully temper the agenda pushing by the GOP and maybe there will be some compromise. Walker said he is willing to work with Democrats, I guess time will tell. Though I ain't holding my breath. Though like the current quagmire in our US government I have a feeling nothing is gonna get done. Democrats will stonewall just like the GOP is currently doing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moxiebean Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 My instinct was to forget the letter--after all, these are heated times--but my wife decided to inform the police, just in case a paper trail was needed. Turns out that at least five other neighbors had already reported receiving the letter, and police are investigating it as a crime. The story also featured on at least two Milwaukee TV news stations.Isn't it a federal crime to put stuff in other folks' mailboxes w/o paying postage? I'll be curious to hear how this story plays out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Bill Maher and Rush Limbaugh may both be strident voices of different ends of the political spectrum, but otherwise, comparing them is really like comparing apples and oranges. Bill is a professional standup comic. Rush, as far as I know, has never been in the comedy biz (although much of what he says is unintentionally hilarious). Rush is on radio, which is basically free to all listeners. Bill is on HBO, which means you have to PAY to watch his show. Rush is truly public in his performances...I could easily walk into the local auto shop and be subjected to one of his tirades just because the owner of the shop is a dittohead. Conversely, Bill Maher is (with rare exceptions) only heard and seen by people who choose to hear and see him. Which is why I was amused when Sarah Palin made a big deal out of Bill making fun of her and her redneck family. She gave him more press than he ever gets on his own. Then again, I hear that Rush is now comparing Obama to Kim Kardashian, so I guess that in the right wing bubble, any two carbon-based mammals are fair game for a comparison. http://youtu.be/UPw-3e_pzqU Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Bill Maher and Rush Limbaugh may both be strident voices of different ends of the political spectrum, but otherwise, comparing them is really like comparing apples and oranges. Bill is a professional standup comic. Rush, as far as I know, has never been in the comedy biz (although much of what he says is unintentionally hilarious). Both began as entertainers. Maher as a comedian, Rush as a broadcaster (FM DJ, entertainment, not news or punditry). Both now view themselves as shapers of the national opinion. Both try to entertain, but more importantly, shape the opinion of their audience. When they began to understand (or overestimate their own importance) is when I stopped caring about either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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