The national movement of fast food and retail workers’ strikes has hit Milwaukee—the fifth city in 6 weeks where employees have walked off the job demanding $15/hour and the right to form a union without retaliation. Josh Eidelson has the story.
(Photo from @OLBLightBrigade)
(via sothisisanotherblog)
In Wisconsin recall, Dane, Milwaukee Counties see massive turnout.
Voters and public officials reported long lines at many Wisconsin polling places Tuesday — with Dane County Clerk Karen Peters calling the local turnout “just wild” and Milwaukee calling in extra poll workers.
“It ranges from 28 to 42 percent already; it is a huge turnout. We could hit 80 to 88 percent,” Peters said midday of Dane County’s turnout. She collected status reports from local clerks.
The state Government Accountability Board was hearing reports of strong turnout statewide, spokesman Reid Magney said.
Turnout is considered key in the race. Polls indicate there are few undecided voters; if the tally is close, swing counties in the west of the state could decide the result. And Democrats are hoping to rally the same level of support that saw the state Capitol overrun with Walker opponents last year.
Extra poll workers were sent to some polling places in Milwaukee, mainly to handle long lines, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The paper quoted an election official as saying part of the slowdown was due to the number of new people registering at the polls.
As I’ve pointed out before, Dane and Milwaukee Counties probably have the votes to swing this thing to Barrett, provided the turnout is intense.
Looks like the turnout is intense.
Heavy turnout has Milwaukee calling in extra poll workers.
Heavy turnout in Milwaukee led the city Election Commission to call out the reserves Tuesday.
Extra poll workers were sent to polling places at Becher Terrace, Bradley Tech High School, Keenan Health Center, Morse Middle School, Rufus King International School Middle Years Campus and Cass Street, 53rd Street, Grantosa and Parkview schools, said Sue Edman, the election commission’s executive director.
The backup workers were needed to handle long lines, partly because a significant number of new voters were registering at the polls, Edman said.
“We knew things would be busy, but we didn’t know how busy,” Edman said.
That sound you hear is Team Walker shaking in their shoes.
John Nichols, The Nation, The Capital Times: “Northside Milwaukee, lines out the doors, 20-minute waits. Dramatically up from recent elections.”
Cory Liebman, Eye on Wisconsin: “‘I Voted’ is trending in Milwaukee…I hope it is reality because we need Milwaukee to come out strong to the polls to win this fight.”
If the turnout [in Milwaukee] merely approaches — approaches, not even equaling, but just approaches — the 2008 Presidential election total for Barack Obama, Walker will be defeated Tuesday night.
If you’re in Milwaukee, please repost — and don’t vote alone. Take someone with you. Call around and see if anyone needs a ride. This is so doable.
News Roundup for 9/7/11
Paul Ryan’s constituent services department
-Headline of the Day-
“12 kicked out, 3 arrested at Paul Ryan Town Hall.”
A PR exercise in Milwaukee went off the rails this week, when democracy broke out at a Paul Ryan “town hall.” I put “town hall” in quotes, because this was that one thing were he charged a cover charge to keep protesters out. An actual town hall meeting is where people show up and ask questions or make statements. Rayn’s “town hall” a fundraiser he decided to call a “town hall.”
Anyway, it didn’t work. People paid their $15 cover for the chance to yell at Congressman Ryan for trying to steal their Medicare and Social Security money to pay for tax cuts for the rich and famous. According to the report, “When turning his town halls into PPV events didn’t keep the protesters away, Rep. Ryan did the next best thing. He kicked them out, and in some cases, they were arrested. These people paid money to ask Paul Ryan a question, but when the Congressman didn’t like their questions, he had them kicked out.”
So a word to the wise, if you’re at a Paul Ryan event and you have a question other than, “Why are you so awesome?” you might want to keep it to yourself. Asking Paul Ryan uncomfortable questions is apparently illegal these days. (Teamster Nation, with video)
-Impeccable logic-
OK, so it’s not politics. But it may be the most disturbing and effective pickup line in history.
Click to embiggen
I rest my case. (Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal)
-Bonus HotD-
“G.O.P. Legislators Balk at a Call to Tie Storm Aid to Budget Cuts.”
Eric Cantor is quickly finding himself alone on the “Disaster Victims are Welfare Queens” side of the argument. (New York Times)
Cops ready for a NeoNazi rally and counter-protest in West Allis, Wisconsin The image is from Erik K’s facebook. Erik says there are about 300 cops present with armored trucks and says “Never seen anything like this in Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin Teachers' Union Lays Off 40% of Its Staff
Layoff notices have been issued to about 40% of the Wisconsin Education Association Council workforce. The complete story is linked above.
