Madison - More rioting today

[Lefta Dissenter]

Some of the tiny, stealth rioters.

Obviously signaling the troops by secret code



The thug walked right off with my sign!



This one taking R&R - getting ready to fire back up for more rioting



Possibly the cutest... I mean the scariest subversive ever seen.



He wears sunglasses in order to hide the fear. Police officer, on high alert due to yet another week of riots

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. Harvard crew hat? An obvious anarcho-syndicalist!

[Lefta Dissenter]

2. HA

I didn't even notice that. Oh my, all of these clues and codes that I've missed... :scared: What's my city coming to???

[alfredo]

20. It's worse than that, they are crossed swords.

Obviously from some secret subversive Ivy League Homosexual organization.

[roguevalley]

45. what's you city coming to? GREATNESS!

[luvspeas]

3. little sweetie pies! n/t

[malaise]

4. Get this thread to the greatest

I love it

[jacquelope]

5. I predict the Republicans will send the State to take your kid away.

They'll say that taking your kid to a liberal protest is child abuse.

Hey, we already have nutcases saying that parents who apply for school lunches are abusing their kids! Can this be too far fetched?!!!

[Lefta Dissenter]

8. Hey, none of these thugs are MINE!

(mine are much, much bigger than those :scared:)

Maybe the cop was getting reach to seize the thugglets - that's why he looked so tense!

[Merlot]

6. Great Pictures! that little girl looks VERY serious!

[Citizen Worker]

7. Stealth pitchforks and torches.

[groundloop]

9. GREAT PHOTOS !!!

[Canuckistanian]

10. That cop looks so stressed from all the rioting

Sure, it may LOOK like boredom....

[Lefta Dissenter]

12. That's a "ready to strike" posture

that many of the security forces have been perfecting. I've seen it everywhere, including in our very own Capitol building!

[htuttle]

27. True -- I saw one yawning out of fear in the Rotunda yesterday

[Lefta Dissenter]

38. not yawning...

intake of additional oxygen in preparation for the ensuing battles.

:boring: :boring: :boring: :boring:

[juajen]

11. These are wonderful photos! Everyone should look. NT

[NYC_SKP]

13. "He wears sunglasses in order to hide the fear." Brilliant! K/R (nt)

:rofl:

[Kingofalldems]

14. Freepers! Please help!

They're rioting in the streets!

[pacalo]

15. Best OP of the day! I've never seen such adorable "union thugs"!

[polmaven]

82. I disagree....

This is the best OP I have read in WEEKS!!! And the thread that has followed is just fabulous! Now THIS is more like the DU I remember.

[Lifelong Protester]

16. Wow! Bring on the thugs!

Great photos. Love that little girl RECALL THEM ALL!

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. They are getting them younger and younger

oh and that cop... officer safety is NOT his concern

[femrap]

18. k and r....love it. nt

[jillan]

19. I LOVE the back of that jacket with all the little fish eating the big one.

Perfect!

[Lefta Dissenter]

21. I just bought one of those t-shirts today

It says "Solidarity" on the front. They were selling like hotcakes! We'll all look like we're in uniform at the next riot! :scared:

[Scuba]

22. Excellent! Thanks Lefta!!! n/t

[Lefta Dissenter]

23. wasn't the weather such a great relief !!

Today's rain will help to wash away snow and grime, but it might have dampened (ha) the rioting a bit.

The little girl in the photo was on her way to the zoo next with her family. I wondered if she'd be able to tell the difference! :D

[July]

90. Do you know where I can find those shirts?

I'm not in Wisconsin -- is anyone selling them online?

[MsPithy]

33. You mean the dirty Commie, Socialist, Stalinist, lefty fishes,

implying they will gobble up the big fish called Capitalism? And, don't fish travel in schools, PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

[Lefta Dissenter]

34. HA, yes,

...you've found us out...

the uniform of the Public School Freeloaders (and their supporters)! :rofl:

[Phentex]

24. I can't get enough Wisconsin updates!...

THANKS for posting this.

[Libby2]

25. Beautiful thugs!! n/t

[ThoughtCriminal]

26. Obviously Phaked!

No palm trees!

[Voice for Peace]

28. thanks for the smile

those are some scary little thugs

[lunatica]

29. Madison is turning into a hell hole I tell ya!

[Lefta Dissenter]

30. Oh now you've done it... you've made me commit a crime...

You've made me
steal your smiley!!!

[demigoddess]

55. love that smiley!!

more, more.

[WillyT]

31. K & R !!!

:kick:

[AllyCat]

32. Love this Lefta!

Wanna canvass in the rain? Ugh...forgot vet is coming today too (long story). Then work. Not sure it's gonna happen today.

[Lefta Dissenter]

60. hmmmm. Vet on a Sunday?

that's never good... What's up with ?P

[AllyCat]

81. Nothing bad. Friend's friend is a vet and comes here on visits...then

we have no farm call. We just give her some gas money and it's a cheap (relatively) vet call.

[highplainsdem]

35. K&R. Love the photos!

[tpsbmam]

36. I'm picturing this little subversive 30 years from now....

in a black robe, bring down her gavel as she pronounces "guilty" at some right-wing hack making excuses for his/her Rethuglican client's illegal behavior.




Wonderful post -- hearty K&R!

[classof56]

37. Thanks so much for the riot update! Oh, and the smiles!

So glad I clicked on this--great photos and love your captions! They really lifted my spirits. It's a snowy day here, and I just read a few other posts that put me on a "downer" (won't say which ones), but yours has sent my soul soaring at the sight of those little rioters. Gives me hope for the future!

On Wisconsin!

Peace and blessings

[Lefta Dissenter]

86. just catching up

Thank you for the very sweet note, which lifted my spirits. :hug:

[PeaceNikki]

39. Nice pictures!

Now queue the people who think kids being there is a terrible idea...

[Lefta Dissenter]

50. wow

did you hear their footsteps behind you? :shrug: :hi:

[MadBadger]

40. This opinion wont be popular, but I dont like Children being used this way

I hate it when the other side puts signs in children's hands that arent old enough to understand whats going on, and I dont like this either. I'm 95% sure that neither child really knows what they are there for or what they are holding the sign for. But its a good picture when a child holds up a Recall Walker sign. I have no problem with bringing young children to the protests, just dont use them for your political gain.

[PeaceNikki]

43. And here I am to disagree. The "other side" is seriously hurting them with their policies.

The cuts to education and BadgerCare are costs that will be carried on the backs of kids. They aren't carrying signs that include images of aborted fetuses.

It's not just "political gain", it's personal and very real.

[MadBadger]

44. Personal for who? The 2 year old kid with the Recall them All Sign?

While you are right that what their parents are fighting for is right and just, it isnt personal at all for those children because they have no ability to grasp what is going on at all.

[PeaceNikki]

51. Nor do they "grasp" the meaning behind wearing a Winnie the Pooh shirt, or a Vikings jersey.

Babies/toddlers/kids are "used" all the time to express family values. We hope we raise them to be good stewards of their community and care about the same things we care about. Like education and healthcare and the middle class. Even more so than being a fan of our favorite baseball team.

[davsand]

46. On the contrary, kids learn activism first hand.

I understand that you might feel that the kids are too young to understand the literal meaning behind a "recall them all" sign, but it doesn't mean those kids aren't learning by doing. We teach our kids by both actions and words--each and every one of us. Your kid seeing you do the "right thing" is, in many ways, more important than just about any classroom exercise or parental lecture ever could be.

Our daughter has grown up in the Labor movement and in Dem local politics. It was not a matter of "using" her, it was a matter of her being with us as we did what we thought was important. It has been a matter of her seeing us "walk the walk."

You gotta teach your kids to stand for what they believe in, and you gotta teach your kids how to do it.




Laura

[PeaceNikki]

49. Right, it's teaching them family values. The kid may not understand them now,

but, as was pointed out in a thread I posted last week where this was discussed, putting those signs in the kids' hands is no different than "using that space for Disney or Calvin Klein or a major league franchise".

[Lefta Dissenter]

53. the little boy

learning that a complete stranger was willing to stop to share his bicycle horn, and to teach him how to squeeze the bulb


and learning that sometimes you don't get it the first try, and you might have to squeeze really, really hard in order to get a toot to come from the horn, but after that, music is fun!

[Lefta Dissenter]

47. You're welcome to your opinion

but what's funny is that the kids actually took my signs of their own accord. I'm not saying that I wasn't amused and didn't love the photo ops, but we were just sitting down to take a break, and the little boy walked right over and first grabbed my friend's sign. It was too big, on a long stick, so the boy wobbled and teetered around a little bit, and then came back and took my sign and just started to march off with it. He carried it until he got distracted by the bike horn that a man was tooting, so he dropped the sign and tooted the protester's horn for a while.

The little girl and her brother picked up two signs that I had dropped on the steps when I stopped to take pictures of a woman singing. The kids were crawling all over the steps with the signs - and you're right, I'm sure that beautiful little girl wouldn't be able to explain to me what the sign said or what the word "Recall" means, but she was sure serious about trying to do what she saw other people doing as she held up the sign.

And I'm sure the napping protester loves the little fishies on his shirt, but is clueless as to any message that might be read into the drawing.

I'm not saying I'm above posing kids or animals - or even cops - for photos, but in this case, they were just being Wisconsin kids. And I hope they continue to grow up with the spirit of community and speaking and sharing that we have experienced every day of these protests.

Sometimes it takes a riot to raise a child. :grouphug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

88. Hmmm...I don't know...

Guess we'll have to disagree on that. :hi:

[PCIntern]

41. WONDERFUL! K AND R!!! N/T

[Ikonoklast]

42. I don't trust them one bit.

Look pretty much like every dangerous subversive I've ever run across.

Oh, sure, they hide behind the cute appearances, but don't let that fool you for one minute.

Next thing you know, they'll grow up and want to work for a living wage, or some commie thing like 'collective bargaining' in their workplace.

[xchrom]

48. recommend

[fishwax]

52. k/r

:kick:

[mwooldri]

54. These are all obviously photoshopped. They wore turbans,,,

and different garb and spoke in some strange language, and they edited out the sand and stuff... oh the pain of it!!!! They even photoshopped out all the AK-47's!!!!

:sarcasm: (if you hadn't already noticed)

Seriously, good pics.

MW.

[Lefta Dissenter]

87. yeah, but

apparently I went too far when I photoshopped out the palm trees... I guess I got carried away and lost all credibility! :hi:

[Dave From Canada]

56. Using children in protests is kind of sleezy. Just my opinion.

[Lefta Dissenter]

58. yeah,

I probably should have snatched my signs back from them. :eyes:

I'm sure they wouldn't have cried for long.

[Dave From Canada]

84. No, it has nothing to do with the signs. I just don't like when children are involved in issues

that go far beyond their understanding. No matter who does it.

[Lefta Dissenter]

85. soooo, just wondering,

should parents have to get a babysitter in order to participate in a protest? At what age is it "appropriate" for kids to be involved?

A five-year-old can understand that he might not have the same teacher next week - that his class will be combined with Miss Smith's class. He can understand that he doesn't get to have music class anymore. But he won't understand the intricacies of why these changes are taking place. Should he be allowed to come to the protest?

What about a ten-year-old who is losing his science field trips?

What about a twelve-year-old whose chemo is being stopped because he's losing his health care?

How should people learn about protest, and the power of solidarity? How can they learn about how wonderful and supportive police officers and firefighters can be? How can they witness the medics stand and the food stands set up to share services and food with those who need it - the union "thugs" handing out thousands of brats, the woman giving out homemade cookies? How can they learn about the importance of organizing, standing up and speaking out, even when "powerful" people are telling them to be quiet and go home? How else can they learn that it is OUR Capitol ("Whose House?" "OUR House"), and that, indeed, THIS is what Democracy looks like?

At what point do you consider that individuals have the intellectual capacity to participate in protest? Should they take a test first, to demonstrate that they have an understanding of the complexities of the issues?

HA, come to think of it, that would even further reduce the size of the teabagger rallies! :rofl:

[AsahinaKimi]

57. KAWAIIII NE!!

OMG! SHE is just so cute!!^^


I just wanta hug her!

[Lefta Dissenter]

61. I thought it might be rude

if I asked if I could take her home with me. But isn't she just squeezable??? :hug:

[louis-t]

59. Jeez, the kids are cute.

They've obviously been 'indoctrinated'. :P

[eowyn_of_rohan]

62. Some people think these protests have been lame and not radical enough

...all about "happiness", "peace", and "politeness". Just want to say it hasn't been all puppies, flowers and cute babies. ;)

[Lefta Dissenter]

66. Yeah,

most of us have welcomed the evolution from 16 hours at a time ('round the clock for some) out in the cold, trying to battle our way into our own Capitol, to a more relaxed atmosphere in which we can actually unzip our coats and stroll around the square. We want to provide a constant reminder to the republicans that we are here - we're not going to just forget and go home, as they hope. But it doesn't make for great, dramatic photos. Cute ones, maybe. Funny ones - see Scuba's threads showing some of the great signs from yesterday. Touching ones - I took some photos of the medic and food stations, providing for anyone who needs anything.

But it feels good to have come through what initially felt like a lonely crisis to this spirit of community and shared concern. Regardless of what the republicans manage to accomplish with their new laws, the people of Wisconsin and those who have bothered to pay attention have learned a great deal about what we have to offer to each other - the value of SOLIDARITY - and we will not feel alone again.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

70. Hey - I can come back now, too!

Capitol Crud is gone! YAY!!!

I'll do my part this coming week. Thanks for doing yours :fistbump:

[Lefta Dissenter]

72. I'm STILL battling with that

don't over do and have a relapse. I'm sure that's what happened to me.

At least I'm starting to get my voice back a bit. Now I just sound like I've smoked 2 packs a day since I was the age of the kids in my photos.

Let me know if you go down there. I'm going to try to get there as often as I can, even if it's just for a couple rounds around the square.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

73. Well I'm being a bit premature actually ;)

Still have some throat and sinus issues but finally feel I might at least LIVE. I know feel your pain with the laryngitis - i had ZERO voice for 3 days following the March 9 night protest (the day they scammed that vote). It was the worst case I think I've ever had. Yes - that would be fun to meet up! :toast:

[ZombieHorde]

63. r

[Lucinda]

64. Awww.... So cute!

[beac]

65. ZOMG! What terrifying little thuglets!!!!1!!!!111!!!1!

Any footage of them assaulting FOX reporters with their Tickle Me Elmos???

[Lefta Dissenter]

68. ummmmmm

those tapes have been destroyed, right?...

what are you talking about??? Huh? You can't prove ANYTHING!!!

Now just sit down under that palm tree and pipe down!

[beac]

79. Watch out or I shall rain my coconuts of death down upon you!

Or, better yet, poison you with my People's Pina Colada (w/ a liberal shot of rum, of course)-- the favorite cocktail of unwashed rabble everywhere. ;)

[Lefta Dissenter]

89. note to self:

-bring hard-hat, straw and tiny umbrella to next protest...

:beer:

[caseymoz]

67. Note in passing: protests are more peaceful when the police are on your side.

Just sayin'. Too bad that can't happen at every protest.

[Lefta Dissenter]

69. a million rec's

to your comment. The cops have been absolutely, incredibly awesome. :patriot:

[AzDar]

71. Solidarity!

:patriot:

[isuphighyeah]

74. Love them all! n/t

[louslobbs]

75. Quick, call out the National Guard, Wisconsin will be destroyed lol

Lou

[Beartracks]

76. Les Miserables!

Little People

They laugh at me, these fellows, just because I am small.
They laugh at me because I'm not a hundred feet tall.
I tell 'em there's a lot to learn here on the ground.
The world is big but little people turn it around.

A worm can roll a stone,
A bee can sting a bear,
A fly can fly around Versailles
'Cos flies don't care!
A sparrow in a hat can make a happy home,
A flea can bite the bottom of the Pope in Rome!

Goliath was a bruiser who was as tall as the sky,
but David threw a right and gave him one in the eye.
I've never read the Bible but I know that it's true.
It only comes to show what little people can do!

A worm can roll a stone,
A bee can sting a bear,
A fly can fly around Versailles
'Cos flies don't care!
A sparrow in a hat can make a happy home,
A flea can bite the bottom of the Pope in Rome!

So never kick a dog because it's just a pup.
You better run for cover when the pup grows up!
And we'll fight like 20 armies and we won't give up!

----
From the musical Les Miserables,
lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer

---------------------------------------

[Lefta Dissenter]

77. OK, so make me cry again

I've seen Les Mis 5 or 6 times - I've cried from the beginning note through the last bow. And yes, I bawled through the book,too.

I've thought of Les Mis SO many times throughout these protests - particularly when staying late at night to help the overnighters in the Capitol.

I was not at the Capitol at the time of the Les Mis flash mob. Probably a good thing - I would have been sobbing. It's making me cry just posting the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyyrqavr8v0

[Beartracks]

83. That was awesome. Thx for sharing, and sorry 'bout the tears! n/t

[2banon]

78. Clever Hook

"Madison - More rioting in madisotoday"

lol!

you really had me there.. I was thinking how did I miss that news??

cute pix..

:thumbsup:

[rpannier]

80. That officer looks really tense

Notice how he leans against his car ready to strike at the next wave of violence,
He's clearly feeling the pressure