It seems as though every time someone reads through this budget bill, another horrific thing is uncovered and that one worse than the last. I am not exactly sure exactly how Walker intends to save our budget with THIS little gem, but I would like to share with you some of the bill that I think make you as sick as it made me. I'll post what I understand of it afterward, and if I am misinformed or I am misreading the language, feel free to correct me.
(VIA Penny Smith on FB who has a lovely picture of a penny as her profile pic)
This is not part of the Budget Repair Bill. It's in the 'new' budget for a slight modification - Adding UW-Madison as a separate entity from the UW System. This provision is already in the statutes.
SECTION 2704. 174.13 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
174.13 (2) Any officer or pound which has custody of an unclaimed dog may release the dog to the University of Wisconsin System, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc., or to any other educational institution of higher learning chartered under the laws of the state and accredited to the University of Wisconsin System or University of Wisconsin–Madison, upon requisition by the institution. The requisition shall be in writing, shall bear the signature of an authorized agent, and shall state that the dog is requisitioned for scientific or educational purposes. If a requisition is made for a greater number of dogs than is available at a given time, the officer or pound may supply those immediately available and may withhold from other disposition all unclaimed dogs coming into the officer’s or pound’s custody until the requisition is fully discharged, excluding impounded dogs as to which ownership is established within a reasonable period. A dog left by its owner for disposition is not considered an unclaimed dog under this section. If operated by a county, city, village or town, the officer or pound is entitled to the payment of $1 for each dog requisitioned.
Let me start by saying that I am not opposed to using animal cadavers for scientific research. I worked at a Humane Society, and when feral cats or those too sick to live were euthanized, their bodies were frozen and then later sold to various places for scientific purposes. These were all held for the required ten day period, and none were claimed, but I stress that they were feral or sick.
Let me explain what I can gather from this;
Firstly, it says that any officer or pound may release the dog to the system. You may be wondering why it says "Officer" specifically. Not all townships use humane societies or shelters for holding purposes. They would rather hold the dogs themselves than pay the cost to a shelter to hold the dog. Why is this a problem? Not all police officers call shelters when they have picked up a dog to give its description, and not all owners know that the pounds aren't involved in picking up their dog so they don't know to call the police when their dog is missing.
Secondly, the exchange will be in writing, basically stating the dog is to be used for medical or scientific purposes.
Thirdly, let's say the medical institute asks for ten more dogs. The pound or officer may supply those immediately. Which means that as long as they have been held for ten full days, even if they are the nicest pit bull in the world, they can be euthanized immediately and their bodies sold to science. Because, let's be honest, the pit bulls will go first. A pound or officer would be within their legal rights to destroy a dog just to sell it. No where in the language does it say the dog must be euthanized first.
Okay, there are obviously limitations with this, right? Here are those limitations; The dog must be held for the required time, this would be at the discretion of local statutes of holding periods for animals. Some places require as little as three days, some as many as ten. If the owner of the dogs is established, they can't destroy it for science within a reasonable period. What does that mean? Well, in some instances, a dog's owner cannot come up with the money to pay impound fees, and the fees just stack each day. If the pound or officer decides it has been beyond that "reasonable period", they can destroy the dog for science. Next, "a dog left by its owner for disposition" can't be used in this instance. That would most likely be a seized animal to be used as evidence in a dog-fighting trial, a biter on Bite Hold, or a dangerous dog. (I am sure there are a couple instances I have missed, if anyone would like to add.)
So here's where it gets weird, and apparently relevant to the budget crisis. Whichever institution sells the dog is entitled to ONE DOLLAR. One. One dollar at a time to save our state. Well done, Walker. You're a sick man.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Missing Senators to be Fined $100 per day and Other Relevant News
According to an article at Channel3000.com (a local news station for the Madison area) Republicans have decided to pass a resolution that attempts to bring the missing 14 Democratic Senators back across state lines and in this blogger's opinion, it's not going to work. This resolution, passed by unanimous votes, states that it would "charge each senator $100 each day for every day the lawmaker was missing" and that it "requires the missing Democrats to reimburse the Senate for any costs incurred during attempts to force them to return. Their salary and other per diem payments can be withheld until they pay back the penalties and costs".
Other news stations have stated that Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald has convinced the Dems to return, but this is only HIS side of the story (Source: WKOW.com Channel 27 Madison). I spoke to Barb at Senator Cullen's office and Cullen's statement is that Fitzgerald "must have misunderstood". She did confirm that a few of the Senators did in fact meet with the Senate Majority Leader, but only to discuss the terms of their return. It would appear that Fitzgerald has made it seem like it was all hunky-dory and that they were going to return, but that is not the case. In the vein of democracy, they DID talk to him, but on their terms, not the Right's. Barb informed me that they are not crossing state lines until those terms have been met.
What confuses me is how many people of the media are saying that they are unable to reach his office. I have had friends calling in their support and the office is reached every time. I think I have reached Senator Cullen's voicemail only once out of the ten to fifteen times I have called. Others say the same.
In other news, since the capital refuses to allow protesters inside, one Assemblyman has decided to set up OUTSIDE the capital. Here's a picture shared on twitpic.com by @MissPronouncer. It's pretty sad when you have to move your business outdoors because a power hungry Governor has your office on lock down. I see he has no access to a copier outside, either.
Are things far enough out of hand yet for Governor Walker to wake up and pay attention? I suppose that only time will tell.
I am not usually a politically motivated person, but for now, that may be all you see in the world of Mind Stain. It's truly what is on my mind lately, so I am going to keep talking about it. For the most ludicrous news in this whole debacle, stay tuned in. Thanks for reading.
Other news stations have stated that Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald has convinced the Dems to return, but this is only HIS side of the story (Source: WKOW.com Channel 27 Madison). I spoke to Barb at Senator Cullen's office and Cullen's statement is that Fitzgerald "must have misunderstood". She did confirm that a few of the Senators did in fact meet with the Senate Majority Leader, but only to discuss the terms of their return. It would appear that Fitzgerald has made it seem like it was all hunky-dory and that they were going to return, but that is not the case. In the vein of democracy, they DID talk to him, but on their terms, not the Right's. Barb informed me that they are not crossing state lines until those terms have been met.
What confuses me is how many people of the media are saying that they are unable to reach his office. I have had friends calling in their support and the office is reached every time. I think I have reached Senator Cullen's voicemail only once out of the ten to fifteen times I have called. Others say the same.
In other news, since the capital refuses to allow protesters inside, one Assemblyman has decided to set up OUTSIDE the capital. Here's a picture shared on twitpic.com by @MissPronouncer. It's pretty sad when you have to move your business outdoors because a power hungry Governor has your office on lock down. I see he has no access to a copier outside, either.
 |
| Rep. Clark sets up shop outside on Capital lawn. |
I am not usually a politically motivated person, but for now, that may be all you see in the world of Mind Stain. It's truly what is on my mind lately, so I am going to keep talking about it. For the most ludicrous news in this whole debacle, stay tuned in. Thanks for reading.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Scott Walker Asked to Leave Local Restaurant (THE "HOAX" REVEALED!)
As promised, I am adding the pulled blog post (with restaurant name and contact info redacted) so that everyone can understand what all the chaos at this site has been about. Then I am going to do a breakdown of Badger Blogger's recording and tell you which bits of it are TRUE. That's right. Parts of what they say are actually right, but as always, it's never what you think. Let's get started, shall we?
This is the original blog post as it appeared here a few days ago (names redacted).
You know you're not well liked when you are asked to leave a local tavern because people boo-ing at you causes an upset, but this is exactly what happened to Wisconsin State Governor Scott Walker on Friday the 18th of February.
The ******** in Madison, WI confirms that on Friday night, ____________ (one of the owners) politely asked Scott Walker to leave the establishment when other customers began boo-ing him. A bartender at The ******** said that, "his presence was causing a disturbance to the other customers and management asked him to leave."
There it is, word for word, as screen printed on other sites, minus the names. Transparent. And actually slightly misinformed. Shame on me.
In this next section, I am going to add Badger Blogger's recording and a transcript of that recording for your perusal where Badger Blogger accuses the establishment of "trying to gain liberal credibility by making up a total lie about how they booted Scott Walker out of their establishment." They also tell the listener: Do not turn it off after the hang-up, that's where it gets good.
[Ringing. A "shh" is heard from the caller.]
[Establishment, henceforth referred to as EST]: ********.
[Badger Blogger, henceforth referred to as BB]: Hi there. Um. Did you guys really throw the Governor out on Friday the 18th?
[EST]: Ummm.. I can't even... I can't confirm or deny that.
[BB]: Who, who could? Um, is this gentleman, um, ____________, is he available?
[EST]: Uh no he's not, actually.
[BB]: Sooo.. why would you guys throw the Governor out? I mean, he's the Governor.
[EST]: (stammers a bit) It's a rumor so I wouldn't believe everything you read.
[BB]: It's actually not a rumor, he actually confirmed it with a news agency.
*Side note: I wouldn't call a blog a news agency myself, but whatever.*
[EST]: The Governor did?
[BB]: No, ___________ did.
[EST]: Oh. No, no I don't think he'd talk to anybody... (is interrupted)
[BB]: No, no he actually did. According to, um, a blog by the name of uhhh, Min.. Ma... Mind Stain, they talked to him and he confirmed it.
*Side note 2: No where in the original posting does it say that ___________ confirmed anything. It says The ******** confirms it. A bartender specifically, but I offered no date on the phone with this person. This is important later.
[EST]: No, no. There's no truth to that at all.
*Side note 3: Aha! There isn't truth to that because I did not in fact speak with __________.
[BB]: There's no truth to that at all?
[EST]: Not at all.
[BB]: Well it's published on the internet!
*Side note 4: Uh, yeah. So is Wikipedia, but you can't cite it as a credible source on a college paper. So is LOLCats, but do you really think that cat wonders if it "Can Haz Cheeseburger"? Okay, that's probably true.
[EST]: (Laughs) That's the internet for you. (Silence) Have a good night.
[BB]: (Interrupts) How would I reach ____________ if I wanted to?
[EST]: Uh... (stammers) I'm really not at liberty to... to discuss that. You know what? It's, it's... Think what you want.
[BB]: (Interrupts) Were you... were you... were you there... were you there the night that this happened? Or allegedly happened?
[EST]: I was not, no.
*Side note 5: Aha again! He admits to not being there the night in question, thus admitting the incident did, in fact, occur.
[BB]: Oh. (Silence) So, you don't know anything about this? You guys, you like, on your, you come in at the beginning of your shift and you're talking with your other workers, you guys didn't, like, talk about this or anything?
[EST]: Nope.
[BB] Really.
[EST] Nope.
[BB]: Well that's hard to believe.
[EST]: Well, there's a lot of things that are hard to believe lately.
[BB]: So you're telling me that Scott Walker did not come to your establishment on Friday the 18th (is interrupted)
[EST]: I'm not saying anything, I'm saying we're trying to get through our dinner service so I appreciate your call. Thanks. Bye. (Hangs up, but really hasn't).
[EST]: What? (A voice answers from far off)
(Voice) It's on the internet now.
Yeah, I know, I think I can get it off.
(Voice) No, like somebody wrote an article on it.
Yeah, but no one's talked to me. (Silence) Where is it?
(Voice reads my blog post almost verbatim)
Where is it, where is it, what's it on, dude?
(Silence, then Voice continues reading the article aloud)
On that post?
(Voice) Yeah. (Reads more)
Where is this? (Indistinguishable)
(Voice) Five minutes ago.
(More indistinguishable talking)
Where? Are you looking at pages?
(Order is called up by cook)
(Something that sounds like "We gotta get this down" and "I can delete it.")
*Side note 6: I am not sure exactly what they are talking about deleting, unless they mean their Facebook page, which is possible. I have been unable to confirm that.
(My web address HERE is then said aloud.)
You sure?
(Voice) Yeah.
_______________________________________________
So, there you have it. Right? It would sound to someone like they are denying an incident, but at the same time confirming it, right? Exactly. I plan to tell you why.
I was wrong. Yep. The screw up was all mine. Not because it never happened, but when it happened. I had heard this all from a friend but the date was utterly wrong. All of this took place in the week before the protests even started and there are witnesses to this event. (This from someone who only wishes to be known as "a credible source".)
So here's the deal. So many people are calling and harassing them, when there really isn't a need to. The story wasn't meant to show the establishment's support of the left, or to give them "liberal credibility". What they did may well have been in the best interest of Governor Walker because of his growing unpopularity. They weren't trying to show the guy a hard time because they didn't believe in his bill, because it hadn't even been introduced yet. They were merely asking a man to leave because it was causing a disturbance in a bar.
Let me give you a great "For instance". Time to play a little "What if..." here. Let's say you are walking down a street and a woman walks past you wearing naught but a mini skirt and nothing else. You are offended. This woman should be wearing more clothes, though she is within her legal rights to be dressed the way she is. The legal term of genitalia does not include breasts or nipples so she is breaking no law. You, and the others on the street are appalled. A police officer is called and the woman, though she has broken no law, receives a ticket. Why? A very similar story can be found here. Because she is causing a disturbance, that's why. Scott Walker broke no law, but was asked to leave (and politely, I might add. He wasn't tossed out in his fine suit.) because of the DISTURBANCE his presence was causing.
We have already seen that some of the Radical Right have no problem breaking laws, even if they are in the State of Wisconsin Constitution.
Article I, §4 – ANNOT. The legislature cannot prohibit an individual from entering the capitol or its grounds. 59 Atty. Gen. 8. Article I, §4 Right to assemble and petition. Section 4. The right of the people peaceably...... to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, shall never be abridged."
And yet, the doors to the capital are LOCKED. I wonder what Badger Blogger has to say about this little scrap? They have yet to blog about it, so only time will tell.
In closing, since this has become a much longer post than originally intended, The ******** did not lie. I did. All those people were right, I was lying, but not knowingly. I promised that I would update when I was able, and now I am. You can direct all that hatred back to me because really, the establishment in question is not to blame for their actions, the way some would have it coming off. They did what they thought was in the best interest of the Governor, the customers, and the restaurant.
Were the people booing Walker in the right? Well, they were within their right to free speech, I will give them that. I don't think I would have booed, I probably would have just left. The original post was merely to illustrate the public's opinion of Walker. Now that I find out that this happened before the bill was even introduced, I find it even more revealing than before. Walker is in a city where he is not welcome anymore.
I truly hope nothing further comes of this blog post for the restaurant. They did what was in everyone's best interest to do. I hope this has clarified a few things for you all. With that, it's 2am and I need some sleep. Good night, all.
This is the original blog post as it appeared here a few days ago (names redacted).
You know you're not well liked when you are asked to leave a local tavern because people boo-ing at you causes an upset, but this is exactly what happened to Wisconsin State Governor Scott Walker on Friday the 18th of February.
 |
| "Why don't you like me? Sad Scott Walker is sad." |
The ******** in Madison, WI confirms that on Friday night, ____________ (one of the owners) politely asked Scott Walker to leave the establishment when other customers began boo-ing him. A bartender at The ******** said that, "his presence was causing a disturbance to the other customers and management asked him to leave."
There it is, word for word, as screen printed on other sites, minus the names. Transparent. And actually slightly misinformed. Shame on me.
In this next section, I am going to add Badger Blogger's recording and a transcript of that recording for your perusal where Badger Blogger accuses the establishment of "trying to gain liberal credibility by making up a total lie about how they booted Scott Walker out of their establishment." They also tell the listener: Do not turn it off after the hang-up, that's where it gets good.
[Ringing. A "shh" is heard from the caller.]
[Establishment, henceforth referred to as EST]: ********.
[Badger Blogger, henceforth referred to as BB]: Hi there. Um. Did you guys really throw the Governor out on Friday the 18th?
[EST]: Ummm.. I can't even... I can't confirm or deny that.
[BB]: Who, who could? Um, is this gentleman, um, ____________, is he available?
[EST]: Uh no he's not, actually.
[BB]: Sooo.. why would you guys throw the Governor out? I mean, he's the Governor.
[EST]: (stammers a bit) It's a rumor so I wouldn't believe everything you read.
[BB]: It's actually not a rumor, he actually confirmed it with a news agency.
*Side note: I wouldn't call a blog a news agency myself, but whatever.*
[EST]: The Governor did?
[BB]: No, ___________ did.
[EST]: Oh. No, no I don't think he'd talk to anybody... (is interrupted)
[BB]: No, no he actually did. According to, um, a blog by the name of uhhh, Min.. Ma... Mind Stain, they talked to him and he confirmed it.
*Side note 2: No where in the original posting does it say that ___________ confirmed anything. It says The ******** confirms it. A bartender specifically, but I offered no date on the phone with this person. This is important later.
[EST]: No, no. There's no truth to that at all.
*Side note 3: Aha! There isn't truth to that because I did not in fact speak with __________.
[BB]: There's no truth to that at all?
[EST]: Not at all.
[BB]: Well it's published on the internet!
*Side note 4: Uh, yeah. So is Wikipedia, but you can't cite it as a credible source on a college paper. So is LOLCats, but do you really think that cat wonders if it "Can Haz Cheeseburger"? Okay, that's probably true.
[EST]: (Laughs) That's the internet for you. (Silence) Have a good night.
[BB]: (Interrupts) How would I reach ____________ if I wanted to?
[EST]: Uh... (stammers) I'm really not at liberty to... to discuss that. You know what? It's, it's... Think what you want.
[BB]: (Interrupts) Were you... were you... were you there... were you there the night that this happened? Or allegedly happened?
[EST]: I was not, no.
*Side note 5: Aha again! He admits to not being there the night in question, thus admitting the incident did, in fact, occur.
[BB]: Oh. (Silence) So, you don't know anything about this? You guys, you like, on your, you come in at the beginning of your shift and you're talking with your other workers, you guys didn't, like, talk about this or anything?
[EST]: Nope.
[BB] Really.
[EST] Nope.
[BB]: Well that's hard to believe.
[EST]: Well, there's a lot of things that are hard to believe lately.
[BB]: So you're telling me that Scott Walker did not come to your establishment on Friday the 18th (is interrupted)
[EST]: I'm not saying anything, I'm saying we're trying to get through our dinner service so I appreciate your call. Thanks. Bye. (Hangs up, but really hasn't).
[EST]: What? (A voice answers from far off)
(Voice) It's on the internet now.
Yeah, I know, I think I can get it off.
(Voice) No, like somebody wrote an article on it.
Yeah, but no one's talked to me. (Silence) Where is it?
(Voice reads my blog post almost verbatim)
Where is it, where is it, what's it on, dude?
(Silence, then Voice continues reading the article aloud)
On that post?
(Voice) Yeah. (Reads more)
Where is this? (Indistinguishable)
(Voice) Five minutes ago.
(More indistinguishable talking)
Where? Are you looking at pages?
(Order is called up by cook)
(Something that sounds like "We gotta get this down" and "I can delete it.")
*Side note 6: I am not sure exactly what they are talking about deleting, unless they mean their Facebook page, which is possible. I have been unable to confirm that.
(My web address HERE is then said aloud.)
You sure?
(Voice) Yeah.
_______________________________________________
So, there you have it. Right? It would sound to someone like they are denying an incident, but at the same time confirming it, right? Exactly. I plan to tell you why.
I was wrong. Yep. The screw up was all mine. Not because it never happened, but when it happened. I had heard this all from a friend but the date was utterly wrong. All of this took place in the week before the protests even started and there are witnesses to this event. (This from someone who only wishes to be known as "a credible source".)
So here's the deal. So many people are calling and harassing them, when there really isn't a need to. The story wasn't meant to show the establishment's support of the left, or to give them "liberal credibility". What they did may well have been in the best interest of Governor Walker because of his growing unpopularity. They weren't trying to show the guy a hard time because they didn't believe in his bill, because it hadn't even been introduced yet. They were merely asking a man to leave because it was causing a disturbance in a bar.
Let me give you a great "For instance". Time to play a little "What if..." here. Let's say you are walking down a street and a woman walks past you wearing naught but a mini skirt and nothing else. You are offended. This woman should be wearing more clothes, though she is within her legal rights to be dressed the way she is. The legal term of genitalia does not include breasts or nipples so she is breaking no law. You, and the others on the street are appalled. A police officer is called and the woman, though she has broken no law, receives a ticket. Why? A very similar story can be found here. Because she is causing a disturbance, that's why. Scott Walker broke no law, but was asked to leave (and politely, I might add. He wasn't tossed out in his fine suit.) because of the DISTURBANCE his presence was causing.
We have already seen that some of the Radical Right have no problem breaking laws, even if they are in the State of Wisconsin Constitution.
Article I, §4 – ANNOT. The legislature cannot prohibit an individual from entering the capitol or its grounds. 59 Atty. Gen. 8. Article I, §4 Right to assemble and petition. Section 4. The right of the people peaceably...... to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, shall never be abridged."
And yet, the doors to the capital are LOCKED. I wonder what Badger Blogger has to say about this little scrap? They have yet to blog about it, so only time will tell.
In closing, since this has become a much longer post than originally intended, The ******** did not lie. I did. All those people were right, I was lying, but not knowingly. I promised that I would update when I was able, and now I am. You can direct all that hatred back to me because really, the establishment in question is not to blame for their actions, the way some would have it coming off. They did what they thought was in the best interest of the Governor, the customers, and the restaurant.
Were the people booing Walker in the right? Well, they were within their right to free speech, I will give them that. I don't think I would have booed, I probably would have just left. The original post was merely to illustrate the public's opinion of Walker. Now that I find out that this happened before the bill was even introduced, I find it even more revealing than before. Walker is in a city where he is not welcome anymore.
I truly hope nothing further comes of this blog post for the restaurant. They did what was in everyone's best interest to do. I hope this has clarified a few things for you all. With that, it's 2am and I need some sleep. Good night, all.
Monday, February 28, 2011
WI Capital on Lockdown
As stories fly about windows being welded shut at the capital building (and a credible source for this hasn't been found) one thing that remains and IS verified is the lock down on the capital building for "cleaning purposes". Though, there are tweets from inside the capital saying that they can't see anyone cleaning the capital. Here's the deal. Like it or not, Left or Right, this is in our State Constitution;
Walker's actions are illegal, bottom line.
Let freedom ring, I guess.
Also, because I am tired of hearing that "Union Thugs" are violent at the capital, here's a Press Release from City of Madison Police Officers saying how they are thankful that things continue to remain peaceful at the capital.
Article I, §4 – ANNOT. The legislature cannot prohibit an individual from entering the capitol or its grounds. 59 Atty. Gen. 8. Article I, §4 Right to assemble and petition. Section 4. The right of the people peaceably...... to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, shall never be abridged."
Walker's actions are illegal, bottom line.
Let freedom ring, I guess.
Also, because I am tired of hearing that "Union Thugs" are violent at the capital, here's a Press Release from City of Madison Police Officers saying how they are thankful that things continue to remain peaceful at the capital.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
What I have to say about the negative
I am going to come straight out and say it. Some people in this world are just despicable people. Some people in this world just commit despicable actions. What is the difference, you might ask? I'd like to think that the people writing the horrid things that they are about me are, in the real world, good people; They stand by their beliefs and care very much for their friends and families. They give to charity and care about their fellow man. They love and they cry, and they dream. They are people. Their actions may make them look like despicable people, but they aren't. They are defending what they believe in, in a convoluted way. They are fighting for what they think is right, in a very nasty way. They are people who committed a despicable action, in my opinion, but they are still just people.
I know that in time, I will fade once again into obscurity. This story will be forgotten, while others remain and that is just fine by me. Wonderful, really. I would much rather be known for the fiction that I create rather than articles. I wrote for my college's paper. I was, in point of fact, the Editor in Chief for a time. I disliked politics of any kind because of the animosity it creates and this is a perfect example.
I know that I didn't lie, though I have been accused of lying. I know that I am a decent person, a kind person, a compassionate person. That's why all of this has affected me so personally. Because people are attacking me. They attack my character. I am just glad that the rock I have to cling to in this raging river of animosity is the fact that I am a good person. Anyone who takes the time to know me outside of a blog would learn that as well.
This is a very hard time for the State of Wisconsin. Things are crazy in ways that we have never seen before. People are watching their politicians now! They are paying attention to law and by-law. Civics are alive and well and people are paying attention. There are things to remember in a time like this; Have a stance but don't allow it to make you stand over others. Bend like the willow, and do not break. Be kind to others. Listen; not just with your ears but with your heart. Do not dismiss things as hoax just because someone more fanatical than the next tells you to, because they know it will create a sensation.
I am not telling anyone to take my side or stand with me. I am not telling anyone to believe what I believe because each person must believe in themselves first. I will not be forced to hate Republicans or Tea Party members because a large group of them decides to darken my blog's door. I will stand with those I feel are right, because it is my right... just like it is yours to stand against us because it is your right. I will not out-shout you. I extend my hand in greeting to speak with you, to be open with you, to truly listen with my ears and with my heart. Show me more than statistics. Show me your heart.
I feel that Governor Walker is crossing that threshold from despicable action to despicable person. Why do I say this? Because he refuses to listen. He refuses to back down, and therefore propagates the refusal to back down on the left. There's no reasoning with a person who considers their own stance "THE ONLY" stance. To have someone like this in office is terrifying. I did not vote for this man. I know that some of you out there agree with his stance on things and that is your right to do so. Do you also agree with his stance on not talking it out with the other parties involved? If so, I have to say that you and I would not make great friends.
I have never been a person to judge others. I am a live and let live kind of gal except where it affects my family and friends. I have several friends and family members who would be affected by this. As a Democratic voter, I too will be affected by the crippling of unions. I side with those at the capital; my friends, my family, my kids' teachers, my local police officers, the laborers, the firefighters. I side with them because I side with those would who have our Governor listen. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that stance, and anyone to argue me on it is not worth my time.
I thank you all for taking the time to read this. I thank you for your support, your kind words, and even your arguments with me. You are all people. Go live. Go laugh with your friends and love your lovers and hold your children close. Go dream dreams and stand by your beliefs. Remember this; Your enemy today may be your friend tomorrow so choose your words wisely.
Much love to all of you.
I know that in time, I will fade once again into obscurity. This story will be forgotten, while others remain and that is just fine by me. Wonderful, really. I would much rather be known for the fiction that I create rather than articles. I wrote for my college's paper. I was, in point of fact, the Editor in Chief for a time. I disliked politics of any kind because of the animosity it creates and this is a perfect example.
I know that I didn't lie, though I have been accused of lying. I know that I am a decent person, a kind person, a compassionate person. That's why all of this has affected me so personally. Because people are attacking me. They attack my character. I am just glad that the rock I have to cling to in this raging river of animosity is the fact that I am a good person. Anyone who takes the time to know me outside of a blog would learn that as well.
This is a very hard time for the State of Wisconsin. Things are crazy in ways that we have never seen before. People are watching their politicians now! They are paying attention to law and by-law. Civics are alive and well and people are paying attention. There are things to remember in a time like this; Have a stance but don't allow it to make you stand over others. Bend like the willow, and do not break. Be kind to others. Listen; not just with your ears but with your heart. Do not dismiss things as hoax just because someone more fanatical than the next tells you to, because they know it will create a sensation.
I am not telling anyone to take my side or stand with me. I am not telling anyone to believe what I believe because each person must believe in themselves first. I will not be forced to hate Republicans or Tea Party members because a large group of them decides to darken my blog's door. I will stand with those I feel are right, because it is my right... just like it is yours to stand against us because it is your right. I will not out-shout you. I extend my hand in greeting to speak with you, to be open with you, to truly listen with my ears and with my heart. Show me more than statistics. Show me your heart.
I feel that Governor Walker is crossing that threshold from despicable action to despicable person. Why do I say this? Because he refuses to listen. He refuses to back down, and therefore propagates the refusal to back down on the left. There's no reasoning with a person who considers their own stance "THE ONLY" stance. To have someone like this in office is terrifying. I did not vote for this man. I know that some of you out there agree with his stance on things and that is your right to do so. Do you also agree with his stance on not talking it out with the other parties involved? If so, I have to say that you and I would not make great friends.
I have never been a person to judge others. I am a live and let live kind of gal except where it affects my family and friends. I have several friends and family members who would be affected by this. As a Democratic voter, I too will be affected by the crippling of unions. I side with those at the capital; my friends, my family, my kids' teachers, my local police officers, the laborers, the firefighters. I side with them because I side with those would who have our Governor listen. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that stance, and anyone to argue me on it is not worth my time.
I thank you all for taking the time to read this. I thank you for your support, your kind words, and even your arguments with me. You are all people. Go live. Go laugh with your friends and love your lovers and hold your children close. Go dream dreams and stand by your beliefs. Remember this; Your enemy today may be your friend tomorrow so choose your words wisely.
Much love to all of you.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Scott Walker Asked to Leave Local Restaurant
Come looking for an article about Scott Walker being booted from a Madison restaurant? Yes, you came to the right place, but at the request of the restaurant owner due to abusive phone calls, the article has been hidden for the time being.
PLEASE REFER TO THIS BLOG POST:
http://mymindstain.blogspot.com/2011/03/scott-walker-asked-to-leave-local.html
This raises a wonderful point. Why should a restaurant owner be afraid to refuse service to any person? Would the same people have started calling that restaurant and making threats if the person they asked to leave was Black? Muslim? Democrat? No. No they would not.
For those of you who know which restaurant it is, please, at the request of the owner, do not share this information. Not only are they getting TONS of supporter phone calls, but very nasty and threatening ones as well. This is their place of business, and as with any business they have the right to refuse service to anyone. When I have talked again with the owner, the content may be visible once more but while you are waiting, please discuss what YOU think about being able to refuse service to ANYONE, even if that someone is a government official.
Thanks so much for your patience.
Naomi Houser
*Update*
By ANY person, I don't mean discriminatory reasons. I had assumed that was given, but I suppose on the internet you never know. So yeah, NOT discriminatory reasons to refuse service...
*Update! 9:54am*
To respond, yes I have seen the other blogs out there claiming this is all a hoax. Since I have responded to those blogs and they have yet to get back to me, I will respond here because I believe in a certain amount of transparency.
On the "recorded phone conversation" to be found out there on the web, the blogger claims that the establishment denies this happened in their restaurant. From what I can make of it, it sounds to me like they don't want to give a statement one way or the other. I would assume that this is because of what I have already stated, which is because they are receiving threatening phone calls from crazed right wing people. Also on this "recording" you can apparently hear them pulling the blog post down. Well, that's just funny. I have been at this blog for more than a year, and before this no mention is ever made of this establishment because I have never been there. I don't live in the same city, or even county. What it sounds like to me is they are reading the blog for the first time, which is most likely the case. Also, there are bloggers saying that they spoke to Walker's staff and they said he was never at the establishment. Firstly, if it were my boss, I probably wouldn't spread that around either. Secondly, I doubt they reached any staff at all. Their phones have been ringing off the hook with more important questions than where the Governor is dining. As for this being a publicity stunt, it's not. I wouldn't have pulled the post and gone to all the trouble of trying to get people to remove the establishment's name if it was. It's because crazy idiots are threatening their well being. I think have said that three or four times now...
I share this blog with my friends. It's not something that ever gets read except by people who love and support me. That anyone else read it was quite the shock. Call that irresponsible journalism if you'd like, and that's fine. I did the responsible thing and pulled the post when I was asked to because of the threats the establishment is receiving. None of it is a hoax, none of it was or is a lie. For those of you who believe it is, it's not in my power or patience to pander to every question you have but I can try. This page links to my Facebook which I check most often. You can send me a message there, or leave a comment with your email address and question and I will try to get back to you. Because the comments are moderated, no one but me will see your email address or question comment, unless you would like them to.
In the meantime, it is looking like the only people actually posting the name and number are the crazed right wingers who are making the threatening phone calls. I wish they would give me the go-ahead to tell their name because they could really use the support right now.
Have a great day everyone.
*Updated - 11:49am*
Very sorry about the internet silence, I needed to take a couple of days away from this madness. It's not often that I get this much mail and hatred pointed at me, so it was rather new. All of the comments except those that contained the establishment's name in it have been posted, even the ones insulting or harassing me. Not sure why someone would think that there's something in my "KOOLAID", but I suppose that everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I was asked to tell about how I had heard about this so that it might better clarify things, and I happen to think that's a wonderful idea. I have a friend on Facebook who had mentioned it and posted a link to the restaurant's website. I asked her if she had a source for that, and she had had friends who were there that night. I called the place and spoke to a very nice gentleman bartender who confirmed it, but he wasn't boastful. It was more or less that they asked him to leave politely and no political affiliation was asked or offered. After what I am assuming to be Badger Blogger's phone call (where you hear them reading the post for what I assume to be the first time), a person from the establishment sent me an email via Facebook asking me to remove the post because of the threats they were receiving. I'd provide a screen grab of this mail for verification, but I really don't have any desire to give this any more of my time or attention attempted to prove its validity.
I am an honest person. I have nothing to gain or lose from this, except perhaps the kind words being sent to me via Facebook, or the disgusting and degrading remarks I receive here. It's no secret that I tend to the Left politically, but not aggressively so. I would never say to people the things that have been said to me lately, nor would I make character assumptions based upon a single or several blog posts having to do with that person. I tend to get along with everyone because of my tolerance and respect for ALL people, left/right, christian/non-christian, whatever. Any of the people that know me from more than this blog would tell you that, though I would never ask them to involve themselves in any of this. I don't need someone to tell the angry people what I already know. That's all that matters, really.
No matter your politic stance right now, Wisconsin is going through a really tough time. We all need to remember to show respect for each other. To listen with our ears and our hearts. To practice love.
I don't really think I have anything left to say on the matter. You keep commenting, and I will keep posting them (minus the restaurant's name of course). I will respond to those things that I feel need my attention but the hateful comments will just have to remain as a reminder that you just can't please everyone.
Thanks for reading.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Tribute to Despair on Valentine's Eve
Dear Diary,
Today I killed her. Or as good as. Today I took a life that belonged to God... or I would have believed it belonged to God if God had deigned to show up at all tonight... The scratchy hempen rope, the swinging legs... Oh, for you to have seen her swinging legs! The eyes that stared back at me, her empty eyes, spoke of the sadness she had felt all her life. The rose; surely a testament from someone who had loved her, drooped and dying alone in its glass vase. Just like she did. She droops and she swings and she dies alone in this room full of glass... but the glass is different... the glass reflects her face and bears its sour message back to her. 'You'll die alone. You'll swing alone.'
As she hangs there, I notice that her left shoe is slipping from her foot. I would fix it so that all was perfect but she is out of reach now, and getting farther all the time.
I remember watching her from the other side of the glass. I waited here in silence, hands pressed longingly against the glass. My breath never clouded it, my breath is always cold. I watched as fat, salty tears scudded down her cheeks and ruined the makeup that she so meticulously painted upon her face. I watched as she climbed the staircase. I watched as she tied the ropes. I smiled as she jumped.
As her pendulous body comes to rest, I suddenly feel lonely again. But there will be others... there are always others. This is Valentine's Eve, and a cacophony of voices rise from the other side of mirrors from every room of every house, everywhere.
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