Wisconsin is more of a test case than most people even faintly imagine.

[Jackpine Radical]

Corporate money is pouring in; there is a media blackout; Fox is putting out straightforward lies. They are bussing teabaggers around the state to put on canned pro-Walker "demonstrations" in the outlying regions, only to have their little roadshows met by overwhelming numbers of red-clad counter-demonstrators.

None of the usual perception-control stuff is working here, as the polls are showing. The protestors are playing it very smart; no violence, lots of humor (e.g. the inflatable palm trees at the Capitol), taking full advantage of the online social media.

The question remains--Can the well-heeled corporate forces overwhelm a popular (and populist) uprising? In many ways, it's reminiscent of guerilla warfare in which a large, agile group of poorly-funded but highly creative people are taking on a seemingly overwhelmingly well-financed conventional force.

Who's gonna win, the dinosaurs or the mammals?

[gateley]

1. They're in it for the long run and they have the money. IF we keep strong, keep

building, keep growing, I think we do have a chance.

What do you think?

[RKP5637]

2. I think it's doable as long as the energy behind it doesn't drain. I think this is

something many Americans can relate too. People have to be thinking if the unions fail am I next. And even the most casual observers must be able to arrive at the answer, yes, I am next.

[JDPriestly]

19. It isn't so much about unions. It's about teachers and other government employees..

If they can be deprived of the right to voice their opinions and express their needs in the workplace, if they can be forced to take large unilaterally determined pay cuts, what will happen to those who are working as lawyers and doctors and engineers and even those who own smaller farms or businesses?

When our teachers and police officers and firemen are treated as Walker is treating them in Wisconsin, it means that all the power is in the hands of the rich.

Many people will suddenly understand that fact.

[RKP5637]

28. Yes, it's a major turning point for the 21st century. The masses will become peasants or

they will be free. Those comfortable in their jobs and standard of living had best be looking over their shoulders, any, that think the Walker plan is great for America and our future, because they will be next!

[reformist2]

23. All we need to do is keep doing what we're doing. No letting up until they give up.

[femrap]

4. I'm always on the side

of We, The People. WI people seem to have a good organization and real smarts. I hope they take it all the way to RECALL.

And I'm NEVER buying a Georgia Pacific product again!!!! In fact, when I walk through the toilet paper and paper towel section at the grocery store, I'll tell shoppers that Georgia Pacific uses the skins of puppies and kittens to make their products. Then I'll suggest an alternative.

Nothing like a nice little whisper campaign against the Kochs.

[JDPriestly]

18. The more the rich grab from the poor and the middle class, the

less the poor and middle class have to lose.

When we reach a tipping point, when it no longer pays to get a college education, to work as a teacher, to get a job for big business, then populism will take hold. Cooperatives will provide goods in ways that the corporations think cannot be done.

The greedy will regret what is happening to them. The poor and the middle class will assume not only control but responsibility. I predict that this will happen with no violence and without changing our Constitution except as to the rights of corporations. We need to return to campaign financing laws that bar the buying of politicians by the very wealthy and the corporations.

[rzemanfl]

3. It's March by April it will be warm enough to stay outside most

of the day in Madison. Burly over-reactive cops will get tired of driving from places like Two Rivers to the Capitol. The warm blooded critters will win in the end.

[Hardrada]

7. When the leaves and flowers come back so perhaps will

Democracy in Wisconsin. We'll all be back too. The seasons and the stars in their courses march against Gauleiter Walker.

[JDPriestly]

20. Maybe some demonstrations should be held in Two Rivers. There are enough people.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Yes some of us have even said it so

away from WI... but it is a test case to see how far they can push the FASCISM.

[buddysmellgood]

6. Walker overreached. He's blown it. The budget is filled with

so much pain. Rural communities are going to get slammed. He's against clean water, the environment, teachers, families. There is even a provision banning dancing and kite flying. Not only has he lost in Wisconsin, he has rallied unions nationwide.

[CoffeeCat]

12. The man banned dancing?

Wow. Did we learn nothing from "Footloose"?

Maybe Kevin Bacon will show up to the protest!

[tblue37]

15. Huh? Banning dancing and kite-flying? Like in Afghanistan under the Taliban? nt

[buddysmellgood]

16. No, that was sarcasm, but he's attacked clean water, conservation

and just about everything we value in Wisconsin.

[flamingdem]

17. what is this about dancing?? nt

[FormerDittoHead]

25. So quickly have you forgotten what happened to your brother? NO DANCING! n/t

[flamingdem]

27. What movie is that from ? nt

[FormerDittoHead]

29. Footloose.

For giggles, if you remember Footloose you'll pee in your pants when you see the first half of "Totally Awesome"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485161/

The first part of this movie is a great morph of Footloose, Flashdance and Dirty Dancing. It's the best thing I've ever seen Chris Kattan do.

The movie falls apart after the first hour, but it's still worth checking out.

[DonCoquixote]

8. Here is why they want the union fight

Simply put, thanks to citizens united, the only force capabale of spending money on the left side are the unions.

[walldude]

24. In the last election 7 of the top 10 outside donors

were Right Wing Companies donating to conservatives and tea baggers. The other three were unions donating to Dems.

They want to finish us off, and very few Dems are sufficiently vocal about it.

[Hannah Bell]

9. i think the mammals have a good chance. the polls say the people are on their side;

it's a state fight so less money required; internet makes it easier to get the word out; there's a hard-core of committed demonstrators and a fairly big cloud of somewhat committed ones, & there's been some support from the big unions. the fab 14 seem to be holding fast.

demos in front of the capitol & recall drive are not that high-cost, and walker has repeatedly shot himself in the foot by overreaching.

i think the chances are good.

[Kurovski]

10. K&R. Good points.

[CoffeeCat]

11. There are more mammals than dinosaurs...

...and the mammals are smarter. Although the dinosaurs are large, viscious and dangerous--they
are unaware of the "meteor" that is about to strike them--a large uprising.

That's what I hope happens--that more and more Americans make their way to Wisconsion and join
those in Madison. This opportunity is just sitting there, waiting for all of us to join.

I hope with all of my heart that this happens.

[Major Hogwash]

13. We need reinforcements. The MSM is ignoring the entire thing. David Gregory won't talk about it.

We've given them the entire weekend to do their schtick on Meet the Press, Face the Nation, WhateverthehellisonCNN, and then of course the 24 hour telethon bashing going on Fake News.

Katie Couric wouldn't even talk about it last night on CBS News.
Nor Brian Williams on NBC.

So, we should just shut down Wisconsin, and bring in reinforcements, like Rachel, Ed, pry Lawrence off of his fat ass to bring them all to Wisconsin.
They need the money those tv crews would spend there anyway.

[JDPriestly]

21. Out here in Caliifornia, we need to demonstrate in front of CNN

and other media broadcasting offices, not downtown.

[mzteris]

14. I wish Al Jazeera would come to Madison. . . n/t

[deacon]

22. Walker is the face of the entire GOP. He is them in a nutshell. n/t

[TomClash]

26. Not true

We know.

Media blackout or not. The whole world's watching.

There are millions on our side. This is only the beginning.