Scott Walker, State Fair, Protests (Video)

I love the Wisconsin State Fair.

It's a fantastic event where people from all walks of life come together and just have fun.

It's a respite from the nightmares and annoyances of daily life. For a day or a few hours, forget about the disastrous economy, sinking home values, contentious recall elections, scandals, blah, blah, blah.

Have some food on a stick and relax. Listen to the live music. Have a cream puff, a heavenly cream puff. Watch the pig races. Buy a mop or the latest, new and improved slicer and dicer.

What's not to love?

PROTESTERS.

Protesters marred today's opening ceremony. They refused to show the event the respect it deserves. Instead, some goons decided they would attack Governor Scott Walker, completely disregarding the spirit of the fair, a celebration of Wisconsin.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The politics that have split the state since winter spilled into a Wisconsin summer tradition Thursday morning during Gov. Scott Walker's meet-and-greet at the opening ceremony of the Wisconsin State Fair.

Protesters in red shirts chanted "shame" and "recall Walker" during Walker's speech while supporters of Walker cheered him on.

While Walker spoke, Lynn Ziehr, 49, of Richfield shouted "shame" right back at the protesters.

Ziehr has been attending the fair for many years, but this was her first time attending the opening ceremony. She did so this year to support Walker.

Ziehr said she didn't think the protest was appropriate for the event.

"I can't believe how much hatred is going around this state," she said.

Barb Neddo, 49, and her daughter Sarah, 19, protested at the event sporting "Recall Walker" shirts.

Sarah Neddo, a sophomore at UW-Madison, said she thinks it's important to let people know that the protests aren't going away.

"We're still here and we're still fighting," she said.

Mother and daughter both noted that, for the most part, people kept their cool at the event.

Sarah Neddo said she thinks it's great that people on both sides could express their views and then go enjoy a day at the fair.

Ziehr, too, said she planned to stay at the fair for the rest of the day, and is excited to see the draft horses.

Other speakers at the opening included Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and West Allis Mayor Dan Devine.

From 620 WTMJ, a less sanitized account of what happened:

Amidst the fun and frivolity of the State Fair's opening day, some protesters of Republican Governor Scott Walker's policies came and showed their disapproval when he spoke at the fair.

As Walker gave the last speech of the opening ceremony at the fair on Thursday morning, protesters yelled "Shame, shame, shame!"

"You're a weasel," came from one of the protesters.

TODAY'S TMJ4's Diane Pathieu tells us that what began as 20 to 30 protesters eventually turned into twice that many people shouting during the duration of Walker's speech.

Walker claimed that the protests shouldn't stop the fun of the fair.

"Out of 800,000 people, (there's) 50-60 people, they have their right to do that," said Walker.

"Most people who come to the fair will tell you they set aside politics and business and have a good time."

But for Milwaukee Public Schools teacher Julianna Kelly, it was a chance to get up close to the governor and make her voice heard, and she's not done yet.

"Our government is supposed to be of the people, be by the people for the people," explained Kelly.

"(His policies) hurt way too many people, not just teachers, Medicare, Social Security, the elderly, children of poverty."

Not "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME"! Not again!!!

Good grief.

This ticks me off. It really does.

For God's sake, give it a rest at the fair.

What are these thugs going to do at the Governor's Auction?

One of the highlights of the Fair is the Governor's Red, White and Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction. The Coliseum will bustle with the excitement and chatter of the Governor's Red, White and Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction as auctioneers chide bidders to raise the stakes and up the ante. Exhilaration and the excitement level increases as the bids go higher and higher on each Champion Market Steer, Lamb and Barrow. Proceeds from the event contribute to youth agriculture programs and scholarships.

Read more about this great event.

The protesters disrupting the opening ceremony of the 2011 Wisconsin State Fair have no shame.

Really disgusting.

Sadly, this sort of behavior is a hallmark of the Scott Walker detractors. They're blinded by their hate. They are unhinged.

Remember when protesters disrupted a Special Olympics event at the Capitol?

Here's video of the disgraceful display at the State Fair today, from the MacIver Institute:



Look at these people! They're crazed. They're an embarrassment. How terribly inappropriate! Such thuggery is no way to win hearts and minds to their cause.

Kudos to the MacIver Institute for doing such a terrific job of informing the public.

AFSCME Protest: Opportunities, Inc.

Union thugs once again are targeting people with special needs.

In June, a Special Olympics event at the Capitol in Madison was disrupted by protesters.

Here's video, from MacIver Institute:



Disgusting.

The latest union disgrace: AFSCME pickets Opportunities, Inc., a "a business that makes a point of hiring people with special needs."



The union thugs are so incredibly selfish. Their agenda is all that matters to them. They don't think about its impact on anyone else. They don't seem to think at all.

Dan Savage: Wishes Republicans F---ing Dead (Video)

UPDATE, July 19, 2011: Rick Santorum responds to Dan Savage.
__________________

Dan Savage is the creator of the "It Gets Better Project."

Many LGBT youth can't picture what their lives might be like as openly gay adults. They can't imagine a future for themselves. So let's show them what our lives are like, let's show them what the future may hold in store for them.

Savage seems like such a compassionate guy, doesn't he?

He cares about people. He really cares.

Here's the "It Gets Better" pledge:

THE PLEDGE: Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I'll speak up against hate and intolerance whenever I see it, at school and at work. I'll provide hope for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other bullied teens by letting them know that "It Gets Better."

"I'll speak up against hate and intolerance whenever I see it."

Oh really, Dan?

I think you're a hypocrite. You speak hate. You exhibit intolerance.

On Bill Maher's Real Time, Savage declared his wish regarding Republicans.

DAN SAVAGE: I wish they were all f---ing dead.

Video.



What a horrible thing to say!

Is this appropriate coming from the founder and ultimate moral authority of the "It Gets Better" Project?

Such hate speech reveals Savage to be a serious part of the problem when it comes to achieving peace, love, and understanding rather than part of the solution.

This statement wasn't an unguarded, private moment for Savage. He said this while on a panel of a nationally televised program.

Savage is a terrible role model.

"It Gets Better"?

Bottom line: Savage says don't hate LGBT people, but wish that Republicans "were all f---ing dead."

Disgusting.

What a hypocrite!
_______________

Savage has realized that his ugly, horrible comment has repercussions. It reveals the "It Gets Better" founder to be a fraud.

He wrote an apology on his blog:

I was on Real Time with Bill Maher tonight. I was talking to someone at the party after the show, and they asked me how I thought it went. Okay, I said—and then I told them that I said something really, really stupid, half under my breath, and I was relieved that Bill and the rest of the panel didn't hear it. But folks watching the show at home might have heard it... so... I want to apologize for... um... wishing all Republicans dead.

I don't feel that way. My dad is a Republican. (Well, he says he's an independent, but he hasn't voted for a Democrat since JFK. My dad is a Republican.) I'm fond of Michael Bloomberg and William Weld and Lincoln Chafee, and I wish no harm—save the political variety—on those Republicans I loathe. Even the one Republican I really had it in for once upon a time—Ronald Reagan—managed to outlive my anger.

It was a stupid, rude, thoughtless remark. I regret it and I retract it and I apologize to anyone watching at home—particularly my father (!)—who may have heard me say it. I had a drink before the show—first and last time I've ever done that—but this wasn't a case of, "In vino, veritas."

This was a case of, "In vino, stupidtas."

Why would Savage say something he didn't mean?

I would NEVER say "I wish all Democrats were f---ing dead."

Those words would NEVER come out of my mouth. Absolutely NEVER. Impossible.

It's not about Savage being "stupid" and "thoughtless." You just don't say something like that unless it's in you. It doesn't happen.

It's like Obama's terribly cruel and mocking Special Olympics remark.

It can't happen unless it's in you.

It's good Savage apologized, but you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube.
________________

Here's more hate from Savage:

*Warning: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE*



After Marc Maron makes some positively inexcusable remarks about Michele Bachmann and her husband, Marcus Bachmann, Savage follows up with this:

DAN SAVAGE: They're grifters and scumbags - the Bachmanns.

...

MARC MARON: I don't want to be crass, but I just hope that Marcus Bachmann takes all that, you know, that rage that comes from repression and denial and brings it into the bedroom with her. I hope he f---s her angrily, because, because that's how I would. And I've thought about it. It's a political statement I'm trying to make.

DAN SAVAGE: Just so you don't get charges of sexism because only Michele Bachmann was involved, I sometimes think about the f---ing the sh-- out of Rick Santorum, just 'cause I think he needs it. It's not just women we're talking about f---ing. It's like, let's bone that Santorum. I'd go for whipping up some Santorum in Santorum.

Savage didn't issue an apology for this. I guess he stands by these comments.

"It Gets Better" Pledge:

"Everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I pledge to spread this message to my friends, family and neighbors. I'll speak up against hate and intolerance whenever I see it, at school and at work."

Why would anyone, like the president of the United States, want to be associated with a project headed by Savage?

I fully support the idea behind the project.

Unfortunately, Savage's remarks degrade it.

He reveals that he isn't against hate and intolerance. He foments it.

Walker, Special Olympics, Protests (Video)

Although the Leftist, anti-Scott Walker protesters in Madison love to chant, "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME," it's clear that they are shameless.

These protesters thought it would be appropriate to target Governor Scott Walker as he gave a speech at a Special Olympics event at the Capitol in Madison.

Really? Disrupt a Special Olympics event to satisfy their own agenda?

The MacIver Institute is tweeting photos of the protest.


Union protesters picket the Gov. Walker's speech at a Special Olympics ceremony in Madison


Classy union supporter picketing Gov. Walker's speech at Special Olympics ceremony.Dozens of kids here


Pro-union Zombies protest Gov Scott Walker at Special Olympics event at State Capitol


As Gov Walker began speaking to Special Olympians, #wiunion zombie protesters walk in front of athletes

The protesters stepped in front of the athletes as Gov. Walker began to address them!

That is disgusting.

Why make the kids involved with Special Olympics suffer? Why disrupt their event?

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.

Here's video, from MacIver Institute:



Again, disgusting.

This really makes me sick. It's such an inappropriate display, incredibly selfish and thoughtless.

It truly reveals what these Leftists are all about -- THEMSELVES.

Someone on the Left should speak out against these disgraceful tactics and apologize for the actions of their comrades.

Support the Special Olympics.
________________

UPDATE, June 9, 2011: Protest organizers disavow Special Olympics demonstration

Opponents of Gov. Scott Walker were backing away from a demonstration against him held Wednesday at a Special Olympics event, even as organizers of the ceremony said the protesters did not disrupt it.

Also Wednesday, state Capitol Police removed a dozen protesters dressed as zombies from the office of Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) on Wednesday and arrested them.

Matt Guidry, a spokesman for the United Council of University of Wisconsin Students, which organized the Vos protest, said his group did not back the demonstration during the noon hour Special Olympics ceremony attended by Walker, though some of the same zombie demonstrators were involved.

"That was not associated with anything that United Council was doing," Guidry said. "That doesn't make us look that good."

...Rachel Grant, a spokeswoman for the Special Olympics, said officials were nervous when the zombie protesters first arrived but they turned out to be peaceful.

"We were all a little bit on edge, but it turned out for the best," Grant said. "Nothing was disruptive at all."

Kelly Kloepping, another Special Olympics official, said the protesters were respectful and did not diminish the excitement the Special Olympians felt about being in Madison to meet Walker and other leaders.

"We feel it's really about the athletes," Kloepping said. "We knew the protesters were there, but they were respectful of our athletes."

State Treasurer Kurt Schuller, a GOP official whose daughter was a Special Olympics competitor, denounced the demonstration in a statement.

"To be confronted by protesters, who will never understand the personal challenges that these Special Olympians face, who decided to politicize a nonpolitical event, shows a complete lack of civility when civility is something we should all be working toward," he said.

A few things--

---This story is national. Otherwise, I doubt protest organizers would distance themselves from this disgrace.

---It's amazing to me that the Journal Sentinel was able to dig up comments by Special Olympics officials practically praising the Zombies and other protesters.

"Nothing was disruptive at all."

"[T]hey were respectful of our athletes."

WHAT? They can't be serious!

That is very weird. Really bizarre.

How can standing between the Governor and the athletes be deemed respectful? How can that be deemed to be not "disruptive at all"?

I'd be very interested to know if the national office of Special Olympics has the same take as these "officials."

Chelsea Handler, Jimmy Fallon, and the Special Olympics

Chelsea Handler was a guest Monday on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

They talked about a previous appearance Handler made on the show, over a year ago, when Handler and Fallon had a "Martini race."

The two raced, running up and down the stairs of the aisles of the studio audience, carrying martini glasses. When Fallon made it back to the stage, he slipped, his feet going out from under him, landing flat on his back. He cut his hand on the broken martini glasses.

I remember that show. It was a really bad fall.

Here's a little bit of video:



So, Handler and Fallon were discussing this incident from March 2010, a memorable moment in the show's history. They watched a clip of the fall.

The problem: Handler made an unfortunate comment when describing Fallon's performance in the race.

Transcript

JIMMY FALLON: Last time you were here, I almost died.

CHELSEA HANDLER: You did! You had an injury. You sustained a big injury.

FALLON: Here's what we did. It's the dumbest thing ever. I don't even know the game we were playing.

HANDLER: Well, you wanted to race me making vodka drinks, which is not that original of an idea if you know me, but whatever, and I was sensible enough to put on a pair of nursing shoes. You...

FALLON: Nursing shoes?

HANDLER: Yes, because I had heels on, so I know how to run.

FALLON: What are nursing shoes?

HANDLER: They're...don't worry about it. They're private. But anyway, we ran and we raced. We had to race and make drinks, like martinis.

FALLON: Yeah, and I was just trying to do something fun and something different.

HANDLER: Right. And then you fell on your ass.

FALLON: It was horrible.

HANDLER: Yeah. You looked like you were in the Special Olympics, to be quite honest. Not the fun kind.

FALLON: I don't know what that means, but all I know is that I was bleeding. It was the last time we've ever used glass on the show.

Chelsea Handler is a comedian, and sometimes comedians say things that are offensive. It comes with the job. Making people laugh is likely to tick someone off.

However, the Special Olympics thing was really not cool.

Is it that hard to keep from mocking the mentally challenged, particularly referring to such a great program as the Special Olympics by name?

When Obama was Jay Leno's guest just about two months after his inauguration, Obama made a terrible remark about his bowling skills and the Special Olympics. More on that here.

When Leno was joking about Obama not being a very good bowler, Obama said, "It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something."

Obama was forced to apologize for his remark.

After comparing his bowling to the Special Olympics on "The Tonight Show" Thursday, President Obama called Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver to apologize before the program even aired.

“He expressed his disappointment and he apologized, in a way that was very moving,” Shriver said on ABC's “Good Morning America.” “It’s important to see that words hurt, and words do matter. And these words that in some respect can be seen as humiliating or a put-down of people with special needs do cause pain, and they do result in stereotypes."

Obama told Shriver he wants to have some Special Olympics competitors over to the White House for basketball or bowling.

I don't know if Obama ever made good on his promise to Shriver.

I do know that four months after Obama's cruel remark he hadn't found time to host Special Olympics athletes at the White House.

From The Guardian, July 9, 2009:

Previously an academic specialising in the social and emotional factors of learning, Shriver probably knows better than most that it can be counterproductive to preach — particularly when addressing your country's new commander-in-chief: "It was a tough experience for all of us in the field of intellectual disability, and Special Olympics in particular, because nobody wants to be in a situation where we're scolding, or perceived to be scolding, the president of the United States or a major political figure."

Obama offered to have some Special Olympic athletes to visit the White House to play his favourite sport, basketball, or bowling, one the president has perhaps had enough of — but to date nothing has happened: "We have not had a specific event yet where the president can interact with Special Olympics athletes yet, but we're hopeful. He has been busy."

Obama hadn't been too busy to find time for his excessively publicized "date nights" and to host several events highlighting celebrities performing at the White House, but he was too busy to host Special Olympics athletes.

That was really a terrible misstep by Obama.

Now, comments disparaging Special Olympics participants made by Chelsea Handler certainly don't carry the same weight that such comments made by the president of the United States do.

Still, I am troubled by the ease with which some people use the Special Olympics to ridicule others.

It's wrong. It's cruel. It's not funny.
_______________

Here's Video.

Trig Palin: Wonkette, Louis C.K., and Obama

Steven Crowder responds to the incredibly vicious attacks on Trig Palin and Sarah Palin by Wonkette and Louis C.K.

Video.



Weasel Zippers and NewsBusters have stories on the April 19, 2011, Wonkette post, written by Jack Stuef, mocking Trig Palin.

That strange man yelling unintelligibly at Sarah Palin? He’s merely a lowly shepherd proclaiming the birth of our savior. Today is the day we come together to celebrate the snowbilly grifter’s magical journey from Texas to Alaska to deliver to the America the great gentleman scholar Trig Palin. Is Palin his true mother? Or was Bristol? (And why is it that nobody questions who the father is? Because, either way, Todd definitely did it.) It doesn’t matter. What matters is that we are privileged to live in a time when we can witness the greatest prop in world political history. [...]

“Why just celebrate tax day today, April 18th? It’s also Trig Paxson Van Palin’s 3rd birthday. His mom went to a lot of trouble to leak amniotic fluid over 8 states to make sure that he arrived in this world somewhat alive,” writes Wonkette operative “Barbara_i,” reminding us of the occasion. “Sarah went to a whole lot of trouble to name him ‘Van Palin,’ a ‘Van Halen’ reference he will never get.” Indeed.

Enjoy yourself today, Trig. Have fun! Get drunk (on purpose this time)! We can hardly wait for 15 years from now, when you will finally be able to vote and will be sent off by your mother’s junta to fight the Union in the Great Alaska War. It’ll be quite a loss. You’re the smartest one in that family.

After the controversy exploded, Wonkette deleted the post and apologized.

A post on this page satirizing Sarah Palin using her baby as a political prop was very badly done and sounded like the author was mocking the child and not just Sarah Palin/Sarah Palin’s followers.

The writer, Jack Stuef, has apologized for it. And we have decided to remove the post as requested by some people who have nothing to do with Sarah Palin, but who do have an interest in the cause of special needs children. We apologize for the poor comedic judgment.

What a lame retraction/apology/CYA move!

The reason it sounded like Stuef was mocking Trig Palin is because he did exactly that.

It's not OK to attack special needs individuals or their parents. It was extremely insensitive, not satirical.

It reminds me of Obama's Tonight Show appearance, March 19, 2009, when he so cruelly slammed the participants in Special Olympics.

Here's the very, very uncool exchange:

MR. LENO: Now, are they going to put a basketball –- I imagine the bowling alley has been just burned and closed down.

MR. OBAMA: No, no. I have been practicing all –- (laughter.)

MR. LENO: Really? Really?

MR. OBAMA: I bowled a 129. (Laughter and applause.)

MR. LENO: No, that's very good. Yes. That's very good, Mr. President.

MR. OBAMA: It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something. (Laughter.)

MR. LENO: No, that's very good.

MR. OBAMA: No, listen, I'm making progress on the bowling, yes.

This was so revealing - Obama's true self, the cold and callous and compassionless.

Stuef also revealed his true ugliness via what Wonkette disgracefully chalks up to "poor comedic judgment."

Comedy?

That's insane.

This bit of "entertainment" from alleged comedian Louis C.K. really crosses the line.

WARNING: EXPLICIT AND OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE AND CONTENT

Here's the audio.

Louis C.K.'s remarks about being the parent of a special needs child are terribly insensitive. They are stunningly ugly remarks.

Anyone finding Stuef's post, or C.K.'s comments, or Obama's remarks amusing has a serious character flaw.

Do Leftists really hate Sarah Palin so much that they're willing to savagely attack little Trig and heartlessly laugh at him?

It's absolutely awful, but they are that bad.

Needless to say, Stuef, C.K., and Obama are cruel and thoughtless.

Perhaps they should volunteer to work at Special Olympics events or work with the athletes.

They might learn something.