Governor Walker fends off recall effort.Don't mess wif' Wisconsin!

GOP victory a major blow to both Democrats and unions.

By Cameron Joseph - 06/05/12 09:58 PM ET 

 

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) avoided being recalled Tuesday evening, a major blow to both Democrats and unions and a sign the state may be in play in the presidential election.

Walker defeated Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D), according to projections by the news networks and the Associated Press based on early results and exit polling. Walker had 58 percent of the vote to Barrett's 41, with 48 percent of precincts reporting.

The result is a huge letdown for organized labor, which made the race a top priority since Walker successfully pushed for an end to collective bargaining for state employees early last year.

Unions spent more than $10 million to try and defeat Walker, according to the independent Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, which tracked spending on the race. They were also the driving force behind the original push, leading efforts to collect the nearly 1 million signatures gathered in support of his recall.

Total spending on the race exceeded $65 million, and the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign’s Mike McCabe said once all the numbers are totaled that figure could exceed $75 million, doubling the maximum ever spent on any political campaign in the state.

That number was buttressed by a loophole in Wisconsin law that allowed Walker to raise unlimited donations from individuals for months, while Barrett had hard caps on his donations and could only begin fundraising two months ago when the recall became official. That allowed Walker to raise nearly $30 million and outspend Barrett by a nearly ten to one margin. Walker and his allies more than doubled the amount Barrett and his backers spent on the race.

The win increases Walker’s already-potent star power within the GOP. Some Republicans have floated his name as a possible presidential candidate in 2016, and Wisconsin Republicans have flocked to tie themselves to Walker ahead of the recall.

Walker’s win may lead to renewed tensions between President Obama and organized labor, who have had, at times, a contentious relationship. Obama stayed largely quiet on the recall and did not campaign in Wisconsin for Barrett despite being in neighboring Minnesota and Illinois in the last week, and his only comment on the race was a tweet sent Monday night.

Obama’s Wisconsin field operation did work with Barrett’s backers to turn out voters, the Democratic Governors Association spent heavily on the race. The Democratic National Committee spent $1.4 million there and DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) stumped with Barrett last week, but a number of Walker foes criticized Obama’s lack of effort on the race.

Gerry McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) told The Hill last week that Obama and the national Democratic Party “could and should have done more” to help.

The GOP has grown increasingly bullish about their presidential election prospects in Wisconsin in recent weeks. The Republican National Committee sent out a background piece Tuesday afternoon detailing how President George W. Bush to came within one percentage point of winning the state in both of his elections and touting their 2010 successes, when they won the governorship, control of both statehouses, a Senate seat and two House seats.

Mitt Romney congratulated Walker on his victory Tuesday night and said the results "will echo beyond the borders of Wisconsin."

"Governor Walker has shown that citizens and taxpayers can fight back – and prevail – against the runaway government costs imposed by labor bosses. Tonight voters said ‘no’ to the tired, liberal ideas of yesterday, and ‘yes’ to fiscal responsibility and a new direction. I look forward to working with Governor Walker to help build a better, brighter future for all Americans," he said in a statement.

Democrats have similarly shifted their views on Wisconsin. After having the state in the “solid Democratic” category on his on Electoral College map for months Obama campaign manager Jim Messina moved Wisconsin into the “toss-up” category for the first time on Monday. He made the move in a campaign video that sought to assure supporters they would prevail in the fall.

Obama’s campaign downplayed the change, and some of the same polls that showed Walker with an edge heading into the recall had Obama leading Romney.

“The last public polling had President Obama up 8 [points] in Wisconsin, but we have always anticipated a close race and don’t take anything for granted,” a Obama campaign official told The Hill Monday evening.
Because of Walker’s built-in financial advantages some Democratic strategists had counseled early on against the recall. But Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) told The Hill last week that the recall drive was going to happen whether or not Democratic insiders wanted it to.

“The recall was going to happen no matter what because of the very organic nature of it,” Kind said before adding he’d supported it from the start. “There's no way anyone could have stepped in and stopped the petitions from going out or the signatures from being collected. Clearly there was going to be a recall election regardless of whether any party folks had to say about it.”

--This story was posted at 9:58 p.m. and has since been updated.

Wisconsin Media Have Bashed Gov. Scott Walker's Tough Stance on Public Employee Unions. Smart Money Says Scott Will Carry the Day.

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster

WISCONSIN GOVERNOR'S COLLECTIVE BARGAIN REFORMS HAVE BEEN RESOUNDING SUCCESS

BY STEVE HUNTLEY shuntley.cst@gmail.com June 4, 2012 7:24PM

 

 

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, left, shakes hands with J & D Manufacturing employee Steve Poppe of Eau Claire, Wis., during a visit Monday, June 4, 2012 to the Altoona, Wis. company. The governor scheduled campaign stops at six of the state's largest cities on the day before Wisconsin's historic recall election. Walker's wife, Tonette, takes a photo, at right. (AP Photo/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Steve Kinderman)

Wisconsin struts onto the stage Tuesday in the drama known as the crisis of the entitlement state in the Western world. The state’s recall election of Gov. Scott Walker upstages, however briefly, the story line of Illinois trying to come to grips with its unfunded $83 billion liability in government employee pensions, the comedy of Gov. Jerry Brown pursuing an extravagantly expensive high-speed train to nowhere as California sinks under a $16 billion budget deficit, and the starring role of Greece in the wrenching euro zone tragedy.

Passions typical of a Greek tragedy are driving polarized voters to the polls in Wisconsin to determine Walker’s fate. He is, according to your world view, a heroic figure who has tamed the avaricious public sector unions leeching off the taxpayer or a villain spearheading an assault on workers, their rights and their unions.

The curious thing is that, judging from the campaign rhetoric, the issue that prompted today’s recall election, Walker’s reform of public employee unions, isn’t at center stage in the debate. It hardly got mentioned in the closing weeks of the campaign by Democrat Tom Barrett, mayor of Milwaukee, to unseat Walker. Rather than campaign on collective bargaining, Barrett talked about the economy and jobs, women’s issues and an investigation into Walker’s aides during his previous elective office in Milwaukee.

The reason for that is quite simple: Walker’s collective bargaining reforms turned out to be a resounding success.

Public service employees are finally making reasonable contributions to their pension and health benefits. Government employee unions no longer dictate work rules. Local school districts and governments with new latitude to renegotiate contracts have saved Wisconsin taxpayers $1 billion, according to the governor’s office.

Collective bargaining for government employees can never survive much scrutiny. Their unions are by their nature in conflict with the interests of taxpayer. Unions use their numbers, their voting booth clout and their members’ dues to elect politicians who then return the favor in contract negotiations. Liberal good government types constantly advocate bans against government contracts for businesses that make significant campaign contributions to politicians. But they fall silent on the inherent conflict of interest in labor contracts negotiated by public employee unions and the politicians they help elect. Talk about a corrupt bargain — that’s the very definition of one.

Taxpayers have grown weary of financing generous benefits that most of them never see in their lives. President Barack Obama must recognize that voter attitudes on this are changing. Despite the appeals of Wisconsin Democrats for a big show of support, the closest Obama came to Wisconsin was flying over the state recently on his way to a fund-raising dinner in Minneapolis.

Walker never trailed in the polls but some surveys showed a tightening of the race in the final days. The voters have the final say Tuesday. They will decide whether Wisconsin will lead the nation in rescuing taxpayers from grasping government employee unions and the self-serving politicians who have appeased them by caving to their demands or return to policies that risk bankruptcy for government budgets, endangering vital government services and leaving taxpayers with the staggering bill.

Is NC Ready for Womb-to-Tomb Education at Taxpayer Expense?

  Verne Strickland Blogmaster

By EMERY P. DALESIO
Associated Press

Posted: Tuesday, Jun. 05, 2012

RALEIGH, N.C. North Carolina lawmakers are backtracking months after legislation that cut access to pre-kindergarten education for needy children and hours before that law is examined by an appeals court.

The General Assembly on Tuesday approved legislation reversing last year's limits to the North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten program.

Lawmakers acted the same day the state Court of Appeals considers whether every needy 4-year-old must be given help to prepare them for a successful school career.

A state judge appointed to oversee education rights cases ruled last year that the Legislature limited spots for at-risk youngsters and required parents to make co-payments of up to 10 percent of their income, violating the state's constitution to give every child a chance at a sound, basic education.

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US Navy hopes stealth ship answers a rising China.

Verne Strickland Blogmaster 

 Monday - 6/4/2012, 5:08am  ET

FILE - This file image released by Bath Iron Works shows a rendering of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt, the U.S. Navy's next-generation destroyer, which has been funded to be built at Bath Iron Works in Maine and at Northrop Grumman's shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. The super-stealthy warship that could underpin the U.S. navy's China strategy will be able to sneak up on coastlines virtually undetected and pound targets with electromagnetic "railguns" right out of a sci-fi movie. (AP Photo/Bath Iron Works, File)

 

 

By ERIC TALMADGE
Associated Press
SINGAPORE (AP) - A super-stealthy warship that could underpin the U.S. Navy's China strategy will be able to sneak up on coastlines virtually undetected and pound targets with electromagnetic "railguns" right out of a sci-fi movie.
But at more than $3 billion a pop, critics say the new DDG-1000 destroyer sucks away funds that could be better used to bolster a thinly stretched conventional fleet. One outspoken admiral in China has scoffed that all it would take to sink the high-tech American ship is an armada of explosive-laden fishing boats.
With the first of the new ships set to be delivered in 2014, the stealth destroyer is being heavily promoted by the Pentagon as the most advanced destroyer in history _ a silver bullet of stealth. It has been called a perfect fit for what Washington now considers the most strategically important region in the world _ Asia and the Pacific.
Though it could come in handy elsewhere, like in the Gulf region, its ability to carry out missions both on the high seas and in shallows closer to shore is especially important in Asia because of the region's many island nations and China's long Pacific coast.
"With its stealth, incredibly capable sonar system, strike capability and lower manning requirements _ this is our future," Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations, said in April after visiting the shipyard in Maine where they are being built.
On a visit to a major regional security conference in Singapore that ended Sunday, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the Navy will be deploying 60 percent of its fleet worldwide to the Pacific by 2020, and though he didn't cite the stealth destroyers he said new high-tech ships will be a big part of its shift.
The DDG-1000 and other stealth destroyers of the Zumwalt class feature a wave-piercing hull that leaves almost no wake, electric drive propulsion and advanced sonar and missiles. They are longer and heavier than existing destroyers _ but will have half the crew because of automated systems and appear to be little more than a small fishing boat on enemy radar.
Down the road, the ship is to be equipped with an electromagnetic railgun, which uses a magnetic field and electric current to fire a projectile at several times the speed of sound.
But cost overruns and technical delays have left many defense experts wondering if the whole endeavor was too focused on futuristic technologies for its own good.
They point to the problem-ridden F-22 stealth jet fighter, which was hailed as the most advanced fighter ever built but was cut short because of prohibitive costs. Its successor, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, has swelled up into the most expensive procurement program in Defense Department history.
"Whether the Navy can afford to buy many DDG-1000s must be balanced against the need for over 300 surface ships to fulfill the various missions that confront it," said Dean Cheng, a China expert with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative research institute in Washington. "Buying hyperexpensive ships hurts that ability, but buying ships that can't do the job, or worse can't survive in the face of the enemy, is even more irresponsible."
The Navy says it's money well spent. The rise of China has been cited as the best reason for keeping the revolutionary ship afloat, although the specifics of where it will be deployed have yet to be announced. Navy officials also say the technologies developed for the ship will inevitably be used in other vessels in the decades ahead.
But the destroyers' $3.1 billion price tag, which is about twice the cost of the current destroyers and balloons to $7 billion each when research and development is added in, nearly sank it in Congress. Though the Navy originally wanted 32 of them, that was cut to 24, then seven.
Now, just three are in the works.
"Costs spiraled _ surprise, surprise _ and the program basically fell in on itself," said Richard Bitzinger, a security expert at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. "The DDG-1000 was a nice idea for a new modernistic surface combatant, but it contained too many unproven, disruptive technologies."
The U.S. Defense Department is concerned that China is modernizing its navy with a near-term goal of stopping or delaying U.S. intervention in conflicts over disputed territory in the South China Sea or involving Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province.
China is now working on building up a credible aircraft carrier capability and developing missiles and submarines that could deny American ships access to crucial sea lanes.

The U.S. has a big advantage on the high seas, but improvements in China's navy could make it harder for U.S. ships to fight in shallower waters, called littorals. The stealth destroyers are designed to do both. In the meantime, the Navy will begin deploying smaller Littoral Combat Ships to Singapore later this year.
Officially, China has been quiet on the possible addition of the destroyers to Asian waters.
But Rear Adm. Zhang Zhaozhong, an outspoken commentator affiliated with China's National Defense University, scoffed at the hype surrounding the ship, saying that despite its high-tech design it could be overwhelmed by a swarm of fishing boats laden with explosives. If enough boats were mobilized some could get through to blow a hole in its hull, he said.
"It would be a goner," he said recently on state broadcaster CCTV's military channel.
___
AP writer Christopher Bodeen contributed to this report from Beijing.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Australian Government Says NO to Muslims

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / June 4, 2012

Canberra : Australia | Jan 04, 2011 at 6:51 PM PST

By DarkKnight

 

 

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard 

 

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..

Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT.. Take It Or Leave It.

I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.''This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE... If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

DarkKnight is based in Santa Monica, California, United States of America, and is a Stringer for Allvoices.

Report Credibility

 

America Still Invincible? Some Seem to Doubt It. I Disagree. We've Been Tested --But Not Beaten.

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / June 3, 2012

A decade later, 9/11 still a 'reckoning jolt'

by Bob Shiles, Staff Writer

8 months ago | 794 views | 0  | 3  |  | 

Tasha Johnson

Leonard Tootill

LUMBERTON — Ten years after the second-deadliest attack ever on U.S. soil, Americans are feeling the effects of nearly 3,000 deaths and a heightened awareness that no matter how economically and militarily strong a country becomes, it can never be invincible.

VS: This is defeatism as its worst. Our America took a blow. But beaten? No way? Then not invincible? Prove it. It seems we have a lot of Americans who count surviving an attack is tantamount to losing. Get yourselves a passport, dodo birds. Stick with your country or get the hell out. 

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, a Democrat from Lumberton who was in Washington D.C. that historic day, remembers how the tragedy marked the beginning of how the United States changed its view of its position in the world.

“It changed the agenda of Congress and made homeland security the new focus of the Congress. It changed the traditional thinking that oceans protect us here on the mainland of America,” he said. “… This was a profound reminder to me on how important it is that our government, president and Congress stand strong in securing the personal blessings and freedoms all of us as Americans enjoy.”

Sallie McLean, a former Maxton town commissioner, calls 9/11 a “reckoning jolt” to the country.

“This let us know that we are not indispensable. Before 9/11, there was no fear. This was the USA,” McLean said. “Now we realize that the almighty U.S. can be subjected to national crime.”

VS: The United States has never been indispensable.Indispensable means others cannot get along without us. Well, this is their weakness, not ours. And our moral military strength has never been greater. Apparently a lot of people are mistaking our value to others as their value to America. We are the leader of the Free World. When we were attacked, the Islamist killers attacked the West, Democracy, and Christianity. We have fought back -- killed Saddam and Bin Laden. We will continue to seek out and kill Muslim murders and terrorists. We are stronger -- not weaker. More determined -- not less so. We defend the Free World.

Tom Taylor, chief of Allenton’s Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years and currently a member of the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, says that since 9/11, the United States has not enjoyed the lofty world view it held on Sept. 10, 2001.

“We’re not looked up to as we used to be. Even in our own country there’s not the respect,” he said. “Young kids don’t even respect the police anymore. That’s something that didn’t exist when I was growing up.”

VS: Easy there, Mr. Taylor. You are a firefighter. If you caved so easily on your own job and responsibility, you would have quit trying after the first fire that got away. You didn't. You won't. Now buckle down there, buddy. We have just begun to fight -- whether it be against fire of terrorists. 

Taylor believes the country will be “all right,” but add that it “can’t let its guard down.”

“This (9/11) opened some eyes. It did mine,” Taylor said. “As a firefighter, that’s a day I will never forget. After all, it was firefighters who were the first to respond.”

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, a Republican from North Carolina who was nearby when the Pentagon was attacked, said that the “devastating attacks” on Sept. 11 changed America.

“I don’t think anyone ever suspected an attack of that magnitude,” Jones said. “I knew about the threat of terrorism and I certainly didn’t expect anything of that intensity.”

After 9/11, homeland security became the No. 1 priority of the nation. McIntyre said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — which includes 22 agencies — was created as a cabinet level post. The Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for regulating all forms of mass transportation, including air travel, was also created.

McIntyre and Jones both said that major security changes apparent to most Americans can be observed at the nation’s airports.

“In March of 2002, the Transportation Security Administration hired its first 80 employees, and their job was to screen luggage at airports,” McIntyre said. “Now there are 52,000 employees that supply security for all forms of mass transportation.

“Overall, improved security has worked well because there is now an expanded information-sharing system,” McIntyre said. “The intelligence community has worked together to thwart a number of terrorist plots within our borders and across the ocean where they originate.”

McIntyre said there is now more information sharing among federal state and local officials, as well as the general public.

“Never before has there been so much cooperation and cross-training among security agencies and law enforcement personnel at all levels of government,” he said. “Also there has been an advancement of technology to improve our efforts in fighting crime and improving our national security. As a nation we have been able to track down terrorists, not only in this country, but around the world.”

But do Americans now really feel safe?

“When I’ve been to the airport I’ve felt pretty secure,” said Tasha Johnson of Fairmont. “I think the economy is more of a problem than terrorism. The economy is worse than it’s ever been.”

Bo Biggs of Lumberton, a longtime political observer, agrees that Americans are now more concerned with economic and job-related issues than terrorism.

“Over the last few years, the fear of terrorism has started to wane,” Biggs said. “The country is now focused on other things. Homeland security is not absorbing the minds of the American people.”

But not everyone agrees.

“How can you feel safe when all of the media outlets keep telling you that someone says they are going to blow you up?” said Leonard Tootill, a Lumberton resident and retired U.S. Army veteran. “How can you feel safe when you can’t go down the street without being afraid of being shot?”

 VS:  Mr. Tootill, I'm certain you're putting too much faith is those 'media outlets'. They have you where they want you, and are sowing fear in your mind regarding imminent threats. Please take two aspirin and call me in the morning. Thank you. 

“I think we’re a little more paranoid than we used to be,” said Phillip Stephens, chairman of Robeson County’s Republican Party. “Our awareness has changed in certain areas. I think we now realize how vulnerable we can be at times.”

According to a recent poll cited by the Journal of the American Enterprise Institute, fewer than 1 percent of Americans say say terrorism is the most important problem facing the country. The poll also indicates that many Americans still believe that the 9/11 attacks indicate that terrorism is a potential concern; worry about home-grown terrorism; and believe that there will be another attack on American soil, but not in their communities.

“I think people feel they are relatively safe, but I don’t think they are complacent at all,” Jones said. “I think it’s always in the back of one’s mind that if there was one attack on our country it could happen again.”

‘There’s always going to be that fear of airplanes, obviously,” Biggs said. “Airplanes are available for kidnappings or suicidal bombings. In an airplane you have a captive number of people and fuel that can be used as a means of destruction.”

During the years since the attacks, McIntyre says he has seen many changes across the country, some positive.

“Patriotism since 9/11 has taken off to even greater levels in terms of the widespread desire to promote America, protect America, and honor America and those who serve our country in every way possible,” he said. “Not only is there a greater respect for our firefighters and rescue and law enforcement personnel nationwide, but there is a renewed and deeper appreciation at all levels for the great sacrifices being made by those who serve in our nation’s armed forces.”

Charles Britt, emergency services director for Robeson County, said that since 9/11 there has been more training requirements demanded of volunteers and professional emergency services providers. Funding has also been made available for equipment that can provide for more efficient communications and coordination between law enforcement, firefighters, and other emergency services providers in an emergency situation.

Taylor said that training has become stricter for firefighters and other emergency services providers, many of whom are volunteers.

VS: “But volunteers can only do so much,” he said. “… We need leaders that put our country first.” Yes, Mr. Taylor. We'll vote on them in November.

McIntyre said that another change he has seen since 9/11 is more Americans volunteering their services to better their communities.

“People are volunteering in their communities more than ever,” he said. “Polls on volunteering show that volunteerism has risen 10 percent since 9/11. They say that 63 million Americans perform over 30 hours of volunteer services a year, and that’s $169 billion worth of services provided … There’s an enormous sense of pride at every level among Americans wanting to give back to their communities and make America the great country it is.”

— Staff writer Bob Shiles can be reached at (910) 272-6117 or bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.

Houla massacre: who decides what is too shocking to print?

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / June 3, 2012

Don McCullin believed the full horrors of war should be exposed, as a timely film on the photographer reveals

• Peter Preston    The Observer, Saturday 2 June 2012

 

Photographer Don McCullin's view is that war must be shown
whole and shocking. Photo: Eamonn McCabe

A baby girl with half her skull hacked away; a young boy "with the
back of his head lopped like a boiled egg"; a pretty girl with, "above
her right eye, a large bloody bullet hole surrounded by a mess of
flesh and bone". These pictures, and many more like them, "were
far too shocking to print in the Times, though our failure to do so
spares the Assad regime".

Thus, Martin Fletcher in his brilliant front page report on "The
Tipping Point" for western revulsion over the Houla massacre in
Syria last week – and an inevitable question. What is far too
shocking to print? Does one tasteful RIP shot of a murdered
toddler do the job?

And, by happenstance, an answer comes in McCullin, a new film
about the searing war photographs Don McCullin took for the
Sunday Times and the Observer three and more decades ago.

Don worked in black and white. He never flinched over killings
piled high. His view of war was and is that war is so shocking
it must be shown whole. And then came a moment when even
a preview audience of journalists winced: a young Biafran mother,
her breasts hanging loose like empty sacks; a baby in the final
stage of death.

Too searing, too dreadful for comfort? Only if your own snug
cocoon of ignorance is more important than feeling humanity's
pain.