Wisconsin Doctors Tell Teachers: Call in Sick to Continue Protests

[cal04]

Source: ABC News

Some Wisconsin doctors threw their support behind teachers protesting the Republican governor's efforts to strip unions of their bargaining powers, saying they would write sick notes for teachers to skip work to demonstrate.

The union protesters have been picketing the state capitol in Madison for five days, angered by Gov. Scott Walker's proposed bill, which has the backing of the Republican controlled state Senate.

The Madison School District has said teachers who call in sick to protest won't be paid, but a group of licensed Wisconsin doctors came to the capitol today saying they would write a physician's note for anyone who asked.

(snip)
The physicians told WKOW-TV that they are acting on their own, not in connection with any hospitals or organizations, but they said the notes are valid.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/News/wisconsin-doctors-teachers-call-sick-continue-protests/story?id=12956342

[sabrina 1]

1. This whole country is sick. So good for them.

How long before someone comes along and calls them liars?

It always fascinates me how the big lies are given credibility, to the point where we go to war based on them and no one is ever held accountable. In fact they are given medals of freedom and get to write books etc.

But the little white lies done for humanitarian purposes get all the attention! :eyes:

[midnight]

4. I agree... good for them.....

[24601]

5. Lying isn't the worst - more to the point, it can bring charges of

conspiracy to theft by fraud since sick leave is a basis for being paid while absent from work. The teacher can be fired & the doctor faces loss of medical license - those actions are just administrative. (The state could file a civil malpractice suit as well) Then the criminal charges for theft & conspiracy can add a felony criminal record.

[Gore1FL]

19. They clearly saw a doctor.

What's the problem?

[24601]

20. The fact that you ask the question makes it intuitively obvious that

you would not understand the answer.

No wonder we lost.

[roguevalley]

6. its already being done on another thread. I love these doctors.

DO NO HARM!

[Pirate Smile]

2. Are they talking about this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4740143

[PeaceNikki]

3. Perhaps that video is bogus, but real docs are there writing real notes, too.

And they aren't doing anything wrong.

[fittosurvive]

7. It's okay for non-essential people to call in sick, but if teachers continue to lay out,

they risk turning public opinion against them.

[primavera]

8. Right

Because, if you're willing to work in an essential area, you don't deserve rights and it's okay for you to get screwed.

[fittosurvive]

9. If they lose the PR battle, there is a good chance that they will lose the war.

[primavera]

11. If they don't stand up for their rights, there won't be a battle to win or lose.

[fittosurvive]

14. Evidently, the head of the teachers union understands the PR game and

has urged teachers to return to the classroom tomorrow.

[tavalon]

16. That would be the takehome message indeed.

[Robb]

10. When you strike, you never get paid.

The point is that the goals of the strike are worth it.

Solidarity. Why is the teachers' union not calling for a general strike?

[Haole Girl]

12. I have mixed feelings on this one

Doctors notes already aren't taken seriously anymore. Now people can point to this example.

And, what does this teach kids? Someone will lie for you to help you out? Not really a good solution.

[WildEyedLiberal]

18. It teaches kids that when your rights are on the line, maybe you won't get sold down the river

That maybe, going out on a limb is worth it. How many people refuse to protest because they are afraid of the personal consequences? If this helps give one person the courage of their convictions them I am ALL for it.

[shanti]

13. "blue flu"

i believe that's another word for it.

[tavalon]

15. Yes, indeedy

That's from my grandfather's time but then, what's old is new again.

[Vidar]

17. Bravo Doctors! Great to see some solidarity supporting a righteous cause for a change.