Middle Wisconsin News - March 2012

8/2/2019 Middle Wisconsin News - March 2012

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Information Technology SolutionsMiddle WisconsinNews

A FACT-DRIVEN VOICE FOR

MIDDLE WISCONSIN VIEWS

FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE

FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS

Ma r ch 2 8 , 2 0 1

March . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Our Northwoods . . . . . . . . 2

Working Wisconsin . . . . . 3

Citizens United . . . . . . . . . 4

Political Ads . . . . . . . . . . . 5

American Health . . . . . . . 6

9to5 - WI Women . . . . . . .7

Sawyer County . . . . . . . . . 9

Challenging the Myth . . . 11

April Fool Fest . . . . . . . . 12

2011Midd le Wiscons in

IN THIS ISSUE:

www.M id d le Wisco n s in . co m

It is springtime in Wisconsin - a time of rebirth and renewal. And perhaps a time

for a new narrative - a new story. But what is old is sometimes new and history

can be a guide.

Those of us who grew up in the 40s and 50s and 60s remember a different America than today. The Great Depression and World War II were still fresh in the

minds of our parents. They knew and understood hardship and heartbreak. They

understood what it meant to care for ones fellow man, for ones community. They

had a deep sense of fair play, of respect for one another. The knew from hard won

lessons the harm and destruction that came from having too much wealth, too much

power, in the hands of too few people. They understood what it meant to build a

government and a society that worked for all. They knew they were in this togeth-

er. No, it wasnt perfect. Racism abounded and people still struggled. But it was

as close to true democracy as the world has ever known.

Times change of course, and the planet is a far different place than it was 50 years

ago. But the truths that our parents and grandparents understood transcend place

and time. We are on this Earth together. It is the birthright of all humans. Selfish-

ness and greed are not virtues, but sickness. We do owe something to our societies

and our fellow man. We are part of the human community. We do have a respon-

sibility to our planet and to those who will come after us. Life is not meant to be an

endless exploitation of others.

This is the new old story that awaits us. It is a story that knows no cynicism - that

believes in the goodness and decency of man. It is a story of hope and grace. Butwe must be willing to tell it, over and over again. We must be willing to live it.

,

MARCH 2012

Middle Wisconsin Newswelcomes letters, articles

and essays on relevant top-ics. We ask that you limitsubmissions to 800 wordsand provide sources whenappropriate. Submissionsmay be edited for length,clarity and taste. Emailedsubmissions should be sentin plain text or MicrosoftWord attachments to:[email protected]


2/12

Middle Wisconsin NewsMa r ch 2 8 , 2 0

Pa g e

As we cometo appreciatethe capacitiesof regular citi-zens, we real-

ize that wedont have tolie down be-fore all-powerful cor-porations.

Democracys Edge--

Frances Moore Lappe


Each and every time I take the drive to the Cable/Telemark area, I am struck by the beauty othe area. I have skied the Telemark/Birkie trails for over 40 years. My husband skis the Birk

trail almost every day--its like a daily devotional for him. The sky is never bluer and the

clouds are never whiter than they are when skiing those trails. The silence is nourishing and

replenishing--bringing comfort. The solace brings peace.

I often hike the trails. The first peepers singing their joyous songs tell us the earth is coming

alive again and to take notice. The rare wild irises and other wild flowers in the Mosquito

Brook area beg one to stop and take notice. The birds joyously sing regardless of the prob-

lems in the world.

Summer brings its own beauty and many forms of recreation to the area. And fall in its splendor is beyond comparison. Truly we live in the Great Northwoods, and I believe many of

are here because of the unique beauty of this area.

Now I would like us to envision this area in a different way. Imagine Mount Telemark and t

surrounding hillsides sliced off. Imagine that entire area with a huge hole 1,000 feet deep an

four miles wide. Imagine that area being scarred (the mayor of Mellen called it rape) by min

ing equipment for 22 miles in length. Imagine the small streams that feed Mosquito Brook

and other navigable waters filled with dirt from that 1,000 foot/4 mile wide hole. Imagine th

wetlands filled with peepers, frogs, and living creatures being choked by the fill from that

hole. Imagine the groundwater being compromised for many miles around. Imagine the nois

from the equipment. Would the birds be singing and could we hear them? This is the reality

our neighbors in the Penokee Range would be facing if and when a mine comes to the area.

Here are some points to consider about the mine that have gotten lost or not discussed:

1. The price of iron ore has dropped dramatically.

2. The vast majority of mining jobs are high tech. The mining companies often bring in thei

unemployed, experienced miners instead of hiring locally.

3. The environment was not protected adequately with the Assembly bill which would have

loosened regulations not only for this mine but future mining operations throughout the state

Senators Bob Jauch and Dale Schultz worked together in a bipartisan manner to draft a billsimilar to Minnesotas mining statutes. The plan respected our constitution and honors the

Public Trust Doctrine, which states that the waters of the state belong to the people. The plan

would give citizens the opportunity to challenge the DNR and the mining company with tho

people having to testify under oath. It behooves us to take the time to research these bills an

the impact of the mine because the mining issue is not dead. But as Senator Schultz so wisel

stated--there are no do overs when it comes to a mine.

For the readers who do not live in the Great Northwoods envision your favorite place and

then envision this mine and the impact it would have on this pristine area that can never eve

be replicated if a mine is developed.

Our Great NorthwoodsBy Joyce Luedke - Hayward


3/12

The Republican Politics of Fear

Abraham Lincoln once said the following:

All that serves labor serves the nation. All that harms is treason. If a man tellsyou he trusts America, yet fears labor, he is a fool. There is no America without

labor, and to fleece the one is to rob the other.

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States and served from

1861 to 1865. When one does the math, that was approximately 150 years ago.The Republicans venerate Abraham Lincoln as the founder of the Republican Partbut conveniently ignore what he stood for. Lincoln realized that denigrating ordemonizing working people would create irreparable harm to our society. It isquite ironic that this quote by Abraham Lincoln is again forefront in our state andnational discussions.

Human beings throughout history have told stories which include a protagonist anan antagonist. We are natural story tellers. It is in our nature - it is in our DNA.Fairy tales and movies are replete with heroes and villains. We cheer for the goodguys and jeer the bad guys. But in order to achieve their objectives and carry out

their agenda, the Republicans need to have protagonists-a diversion or bait and

switch of sorts. Although not a complete list, here are the villains of the Republi-can Party; working people, women, children, any regulation that does not serve thcapitalist interest, taxes (which are truly an investment in our communities), sociaprograms, reproductive rights etc.

It is probably a good guess that one of the snowplow drivers you saw this winterwas the president of a local union. The police officer who responded to your callfor help is the secretary of a local union. In other words, these union bosses orunion thugs are your friends and neighbors. When people use these terms, it issimply dehumanizing and degrading our neighbors, friends and loved ones. It is

time to call out those who engage in fear mongering and the dehumanization of oufriends and neighbors. We need to reframe the issue. When politicians use theterm union thug or union boss then we must respond with why are you at-tacking our friend, neighbors and loved ones? We must take the offensive and

rise against the politics of fear.


Pa g e

Every time theyuse violence to

put us down, itonly increasesthe number of

people that areempathetic to thecause. It addsfuel to the fireand draws atten-tion to the move-ment.

--Ed Needham,Occupy Wall Street


Working Wisconsin - Labor News and Views

By John Spiegelhoff- Merrill, WI


4/12

The roots of Citizens United go back 40 years. In the 60s many Americans became awareof the pollution caused in rivers, air, oceans and land. Corporations took the profits and leftlocal towns with the costs. In April 1970, 20 million Americans of every age came togetherfor the first Earth Day. With A Republican president and bipartisan support, Congress creatnew laws to protect water, air, wilderness, endangered species as well as the first fuel economy standards for cars.

The corporations believe that the market can fix big problems, but citizens acting togethercreated new laws to protect the environment. However, it did not take long for a counterat-tack from Lewis Powell, a corporate lawyer from Richmond, Virginia.

Powell served on the boards of directors of more than a dozen international corporations, in-

cluding tobacco giant Philip Morris, Inc. Powell in 1971 prepared The Powell Memo abouthe Attack on American Free Enterprise System. He put forth the notion that the Ameri-can economic system was under attack because of Earth Day and the resulting legislation.His solution was to shape an activist-minded Supreme Court and other opportunities to

bring social, economic, and political change to the advantage of corporations. He called flong-range planning and consistent action over a long period of years.

Less than six months after the secret Powell memo went to the Chamber of Commerce, Presdent Richard Nixon nominated Powell for the Supreme Court. He was confirmed by an 89-vote in the US Senate. The Powell memo stayed secret. Neither the American people nor thSenate knew of the plans for social, economic and political change or an activist -mindedSupreme Court.

Philip Morris and other corporations created many new legal foundations all over the US.These foundations filed litigation in every available place. They argued that environmentallaws violated corporate rights. They began describing corporations as persons,speakers, and voices. By changing the language used to describe corporations, they es-tablished the idea that corporations were protectors of freedom.

In 1978, the corporations took their claim all the way to the US Supreme Court, where theyfound a sympathetic ear, Justice Powell. Powell cast the deciding vote and wrote the Courtopinion, stating that corporations are persons and speakers, and that corporate money isspeech under the First Amendment.

The corporate attack on government and the public interest continued year after year. Be-tween 1978 and 1984, Justice Powell wrote four groundbreaking corporate rights decisionWith corporations as speakers, and loads of corporate money as speech, state and nationlegislation was passed, favoring corporations.

Citizens Unitedis the final step of the campaign organized by Lewis Powell. We-the-Peopleare given the challenge to create the 28th Amendment to overturn corporate rights. Constitu-tional amendments need a two-thirds vote in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of thstates. This will not be easy. It may take a long time, but people across the nation are standing up to defend our rights and to bring corporations under the peoples law.

Source: Corporations Are Not Peopleby Jeffrey D. Clements


Pa g e

The whole damned

history of the world

is a story of the

struggle between

the selfish and the

unselfish! . . . All

the bad around us

is bred by selfish-

ness. Sometimes

selfishness even

gets to be a cause,

an organized force,

even a government.

Then its called

Fascism.

Garson Kanin, BornYesterday


By Virginia Kirsch - Wausau

Where CITIZENS UNITED Came From


5/12

Information Technology Solutions

The decision of the Supreme Court in the Citizens United case opened the floodgatesfor third parties, some of which are called Super PACs, to spend unlimited amounts omoney on political ads. Brace yourselves for the onslaught of ads on commercial sta-tions. Many of these ads will be negative and contain inaccurate, misleading state-ments.

According to Kathleen Hall Jamieson, PhD, Director of the Annenburg Public PolicyCenter at the University of Pennsylvania and founder of the political literacy siteFlackCheck.org, broadcast stations must, with few exceptions, accept candidates adfor federal office, but the stations are under no obligation to accept third-party ads ancan insist that any third-party ads they put on the airwaves stick to the facts.

Stations stand to make windfall profits running political ads, so why would they re-fuse to run third-party ads? Dr. Jamieson is urging folks who are fed up with hearinginaccurate and deceptive statements over and over again in these ads to contact statiomanagers to inform them that they can insist that third-party ads represent the truth and not just ads for federal elections, but all political ads, because broadcast stationsshould, as a public service, protect listeners against the kind of air pollution these in-accurate political ads send out over the airwaves.

When you contact your local station, tell them that when a group called Building aBetter Ohio offered Ohio TV stations a deceptive ad last October, a number of sta-tions exercised their prerogative to insist on the accuracy of third-party ads by refus-ing to air it. The deceptive ad can be viewed on the FlackCheck.org web site.

FlackCheck.org has a page with a link that makes it easy for you to email your localstations to let them know they dont have to air deceptive third-party ads. In the evenyou dont have access to a computer to send emails, here are addresses and phonenumbers for some local TV and radio stations:

WNBI/WCQM Radio, Box 309, Park Falls WI 54552, 715-762-3221.WKEB/WIGM Radio, Box 59, Medford WI 54451, 715-748-2566.WLDY/WJBL Radio, Box 351, Ladysmith WI 54848, 715

-532

-5588.

WAOW Channel 9, 1908 Grand Avenue, Wausau WI 54403, 715-843-9200.WSAW Channel 7, 1114 Grand Avenue, Wausau WI 54403, 715-845-4211.WJFW TV Channel 12, 3217 County Hwy G, Rhinelander WI 54501, 715-365-8812

Tell the commercial stations that if they fail to pull deceptive third-party ads, you wichange your viewing and listening habits to tune in to public TV and radio stations,which carry a wide variety of musical, educational, entertainment, hobby and newsshows which air uninterrupted by political ads.


Pa g e


In the old un-derstanding ofdemocracy, wecan sleepwalk.We can trust the

magic of themarket, and wecan (optionally)vote. But in themore powerfulnew democracyemerging, we

pay attention to

the consequencesof our actions.

Democracys Edge--

Frances Moore Lappe

Third Party Political Ads Must Tell The Truth

By Jeanne Larson - Phillips, WI


6/12


Cardinal Timothy Dolan, in a March16th Milwaukee Journal Sentinel opinion col-

umn, correctly characterizes the contraceptive insurance coverage debate. He says:

This is first and foremost a matter of religious liberty for all. But well hidden unde

his rhetorical robes is that when it comes to religious freedom; hes against it.

The Cardinal, in an ecclesiastical lift worthy of Samson, invokes the Declaration of

Independence to prove that freedom of religion is God-given. With that jawbone,

the Cardinal smites the Philistines of insurance coverage for contraceptives, which h

misleadingly refers to as abortion-inducing drugs.

The Cardinal hopes the readers will accept his point-of-view that drugs which

prevent pregnancy cause abortions. Most people, faithful or not, do not accept the

theology that a woman can have an abortion before she is pregnant.

The Cardinal hopes his faithful Catholic readers will forget the First Command-ment (which forbids religious freedom outside Jehovah) in his defense of the First

Amendment.

The Cardinal hopes that readers will accept his explanation of the bill of rights.

When he says: Catholics and other people of faith and good will are not second-cla

citizens, he invokes a constitutional interpretation under which a woman employed

by self-insured employers (most people), or a business owned by someone who ob-

jects to contraception, or a religiously-affiliated insurance company can be denied th

guaranteed preventive care coverage that other citizens have been granted.

Cardinal Dolan asks readers to accept a first amendment under which people of faith

are not second-class citizens unless, of course, they are women.

Lon Newman, of Wausau, is execuve director, Family Planning Health Services Inc.; public

aairs chair, Wisconsin Family Planning and Reproducve Health Associaon and president

Wisconsin Reproducve Health Network.


Pa g e


Why are men inCongress and statelegislatures ob-sessed with what

women do withtheir bodies? It's allfiduciary. Dare Isay that all of thistalk is more aboutwomen as capitaland our ability to"produce" for thesake of national fis-cal stability and

economic gain.Follow the moneytrail.

--Rev. Dr. StephanieBuckhanon Crowder

American Health

By Lon Newman Wausau, WI

Dolan Is Right: It Is A Matter Of Religious

Liberty - And Hes Against It


7/12


Last month, the state legislature voted along party lines to overturn WIs Equal PayEnforcement Act. In turn, they prevented people discriminated against by employersto seek justice in state court. Women and men are building to fight back for justice.

Getting Real about Women and WorkWomen are in the workforce now more than ever. In 2009, women hit the 50% markmaking up half the workforce. (Although women have fared worse in this slow recovery than men and fell below half in 2011). 69% of working moms in Wisconsin bring

in more than a quarter of the families income and over 230,000 households in Wis-consin are headed by women.

An example is a 9to5 member, Felipa. Shes a mother of a 6 year old and worked atWalmart for nearly 9 years. In that time, shes seen male counterparts being routinelypromoted ahead of her. When treated unfairly on the job, where do I turn? she saidat a conference to encourage the State Assembly to not overturn Equal Pay enforce-ment. Right now, state legislators are pushing through this bill that doesnt createjobs, but rolls back opportunities for fairness.

Pay discrimination is a serious problem in Wisconsin. On average, a woman working

full time earns $33,611 while an man working full time is paid $44,812 per year.Women make 77.4 cents for every dollar earned by men in full-time, year-round jobIts worse for women of color.

Almost 50 years after the Equal Pay Act was signed, women and people of color arestill in the red when it comes to their pay. Now is not the time to reduce enforcemeof our equal pay laws. But this is what the WI state legislature and Mr. Walker havedone.

Why is pay equity important for the economy?Wisconsin women lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, up to over a million, overtheir careers. That means less money to make ends meet and achieve economic securty for families today. And it means less retirement savings for tomorrow makingless, there is less to save, and social security and pensions are based on earnings.

Pay equity is a poverty reduction strategy and an economic development tool. It re-duces stress-related health problems and health care costs. And pay equity saves taxdollars. A California study estimated that a 12 week paid family leave program woulresult in 29,000 fewer people on public assistance, saving $23 million annually. A Canadian study showed that eliminating wage discrimination would result in an increasin personal income tax collected of $600 million annually.


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9to5 And Wisconsin Women FightingFor Justice - Now More Than Ever

By Dana Schultz - Athens, WI

Continued on Page 8

If the market isntworking, --if its

preventing peoplefrom being able tofeed themselves--we as a societymust step in.Theres an econom-ic aspect of citizen-ship--calling on so-ciety to make sureeveryone has in-come to buy qualityfood.

--Hopes Edge

Frances Moore Lappe


8/12


What are some of the causes of the pay gap?Women dont choose to earn less! There are several factors at play, including:

Occupational Segregation: Women are overrepresented in undervalued and under-paid occupations. Women make up 99% of the secretaries, 97% of the child careworkers, 76% of the household servants and 72% of the restaurant servers.Lack of Family Flexibility: Too many working women are penalized financially forcaregiving because they lack access to policies like paid sick days and family leaveinsurance.Gender Socialization: 34% of all high school aged girls in the US report being ad-vised by a faculty member NOT to take math in their senior year.[i]Gender Discrimination: Even when working in the same occupation as a man, women earn less!

What are we going to do about it?9to5 is working with others across the state to build for a proactive agenda for womemen, and families economic security. We need state policies that dont use women aa wedge and dismiss the value of our work and the importance of our paycheck to oufamilys security.

Sign up to become a statewide 9to5 activist and member. Click the link to findout more.

We are partnering with other groups to build a Work Family Coalition to expanFamily Medical Leave and family supporting jobs for women and men. Get ahold of me or [email protected] about your organizations potential involvement

Stay connected with us online, Facebook and Twitter. We are having Equal Payrallies in Milwaukee and Eau Claire on April 17th.

Vote your values. Vote for candidates that support working family policies likepaid family leave, expanded income supports like childcare, and strong equalpay enforcement.

[i] National Association for Partnerships in Equity

Dana Schultz is from Stoney Acres Farm in Athens and a graduate of Wausau Newman. She

currently the Wisconsin Director of 9to5, Winning Justice for Working Women, based inMilwaukee and expanding across the state. 9to5 is a national membership-basedorganization of women working to improve policies on issues that directly affect them. Tolearn more about 9to5, visit 9to5.org or email [email protected].


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We can put to restthe mythical notionof an automaticlaw of the market.

As we pay atten-tion to our dailyeconomic choices--as purchasers, sav-ers, borrowers,owners, workers--we feel our powergrowing.

Democracys Edge-

-Frances Moore

Lappe

9to5 and Wisconsin WomenContinued . . .
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=working+women&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1R2TSND_enUS408&biw=1441&bih=676&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsbl&tbnid=ga7JPtxvf53qYM:&imgrefurl=http://chicstories.com/fashion-tips/fashion-tips-for-working-women/&docid=VbXBE6v5Bh04QM&imgurl=http://chic


9/12

Cont inued on Page 10


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News From Sawyer County

Saturday evening, March 24th, the Democratic Party of Sawyer County and the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation

hosted a Meet and Greet for the Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates at the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Com-

munity College.

Here are some highlights from the evening.

Paul Demain, County/Reservation Democratic Co-Chair, gave a brief history of his role in state government dur-

ing Governor Tony Earls administration. He also highlighted the role of Native Americans in Wisconsins histo-ry.

The Pipestone/Badger Singers performed with drum and song--one that was sent to them from the HoChunk Na-

tion. The songs message was one of healing. As I listened to this moving tribute of healing, I found myself pray-

ing.

Dennis White, the LCO Schools Administrator, welcomed us in Ojibwe--a song in itself. He gave a brief history

lesson of the struggles and triumphs of the Native peoples. He related the story of his parents who went to vote in

1960 and were told to go back where they came from and were not permitted to vote. (It was not until 1947

that all Native Americans were given the right to vote.) He sees the impact Act 23 could have--

once again impeding the right to vote. He encouraged us to look beyond ourselves and think of others.

Rusty Barber, one of the LCO Councilmen, honored the veterans and told how the Native peoples served in

WWI long before they were given citizenship in 1924. The Native peoples have continued to serve honorably in

all wars.

Representative Janet Bewley spoke, with tears and needing to stop periodically because she could not speak,

about coming home to the beauty of the Ashland area and hearing the joyous sounds of the Northwoods--the

peepers and birds--after such a turbulent year in Madison. She bade us a sad farewell because she no longer will

represent our district. She touched our hearts in so many ways.

Mike Wiggins Jr., the Bad River Ojibwe Tribal Chair, spoke of the importance of protecting our heritage and en-

vironment for the next 300 to 400 years. His message emphasized the need of working together for the welfare of

future generations. He spoke of his belief in a Higher Power.

Hayward resident, Elizabeth Riley, announced her campaign for the Assembly representing the 87th District. She

is running against Mary Williams.

By Joyce Leudke-

Hayward


10/12


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Sawyer County Continued . . .

Senator Bob Jauch also touched our hearts with his determination to work for the people of Wisconsin and the

state he loves. He said he will never apologize for voting against the Assembly mining bill that did not protect the

environment. He too struggled with telling us goodbye.

Kathleen Falk spoke eloquently of the struggles and challenges we have faced since this governor and this GOP

led legislature took control of Wisconsin. Repeatedly, she reminded us that the events of this past year do not re-

flect Wisconsin values and in two short months we can change the direction Wisconsin will take. She has an im-

pressive resume and the support of many organizations. She would hit the road running if elected. Her passion

and vision for our state came through loud and clear although she speaks softly. For more information go to

www.kathleenfalk.com.

Senator Kathleen Vinehout also spoke of the struggles and triumphs of this past year. She reviewed why the 14

senators felt it was crucial to leave the state to give us time to realize just what was happening. Truly, this was a

momentous decision that changed the history of our state forever. How many of us have become activists in one

way or another because of the actions of the Fourteen. Her message was spiced with so much humor. She

brings healing. She too has an impressive resume. Her background as a farmer brings an earthy balance to how

she would govern. For more information go to: www.kathleenvinehout.org.

Many times throughout the evening, people in the audience wiped away tears--me included. There was a sense of

deep caring and commitment to others in the room that words cant describe. I sensed what it truly means tospeak of the Wisconsin Way and Wisconsin values.

Doug LaFollette spoke to us via Skype. His message reiterated Kathleen Falks and Kathleen Vinehouts.

Now it is up to us. As Kathleen Falk reminded us: In two short months we can bring a change to Wisconsin. We

need to do everything in our power to assist the candidates and Reclaim/Restore Wisconsin to the Wisconsin

Way and Wisconsin values.

If you are a praying person, please pray for the candidates. Pray for:

1. Their safety as they drive from one end of the state to the other and every place in between to meet with the

citizens of Wisconsin.

2. Refreshment and rest. Their schedules are grueling!

3. Encouragement as they lay out their vision for the state.

4. Wisdom!!

5. Their sense of purpose and determination to bring a brighter tomorrow to Wisconsin.

6. A message of healing.

The event was recorded. Go to www.IndianCountryTV.com.
http://www.kathleenfalk.com/http://www.kathleenfalk.com/http://www.kathleenvinehout.org/http://www.kathleenvinehout.org/http://www.indiancountrytv.com/http://www.indiancountrytv.com/http://www.indiancountrytv.com/http://www.kathleenvinehout.org/http://www.kathleenfalk.com/


11/12

By Dave Svetlik


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CHALLENGING THE MYTH... And if all others accepted the lie which the partyimposedif all records told the same talethen the lie passed into history and became the truth.

George Orwell, 1984 (published in 1949

The Myth That Stand Your Ground Makes us Safer

We are all aware of the recent killing of two young men justified by state Stand Your Ground or Castle Lawsthat is receiving so much national attention. Trayvon Martin, 17, of Florida was shot for walking down the streetcarrying Skittles. Bo Morrison, 20, of Wisconsin was shot for exercising poor judgment (common to virtuallyall young men) when fleeing from an underage drinking party. What most of us do not realize is that the StandYour Ground laws that now exist in many states are the result of a joint years-long lobbying effort by the Ameri-can Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), funded by the Koch brothers and other wealthy individuals and corpo

rations, and the National Rifle Association (NRA). Indeed, ALEC wrote the legislation that has been adopted bymost of these states.

One can perhaps understand the motivation of the NRA in pushing Stand Your Ground and its partner legislatioConcealed Carry. For better or worse, the NRA has been advocating for gun rights for years. However, the reasons for ALECs involvement are far more unknown, and in all likelihood far more harmful to our society.

The greatest threat to the wealthy that now control America and its government is for people to organize and worktogether for the common good. A massive peaceful grassroots uprising is the one force the rich cannot overcomeCultivating a sense of fear and mutual mistrust among the rabble is the surest way to prevent this from happening

Stand Your Ground and Concealed Carry have never been about protecting average citizens. ALEC couldntcare less which peon shoots the other. It is all about breaking down trust, about instilling fear of your neighbor,about undermining community and any sense of the common wealth or the common good. The deaths of TrayvonMartin and Bo Morrison are a glowing success for ALEC. Common folk are killing each others kids. The WallStreet rape of the public will never even be noticed. Total selfishness lives, and caring about your neighbor dies.The stories of Trayvon Martin and Bo Morrison are the real final chapter ofAtlas Shrugged. Ayn Rand would bepleased.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-berkowitz/alec-the-nra-and-the-murd_b_1375836.html

ALEC Has Pushed The NRA's "Stand Your Ground" Law Across The NationFlorida's statuteon the use of force in self-defense is virtually identicalto Section 1 ofALEC's Castle Doctrine Actmodel legislation as posted on the Center for Media and

Democracy (CMD).

--- Media Matters http://mediamatters.org/blog/201203210004
http://mediamatters.org/rd?to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leg.state.fl.us%2Fstatutes%2Findex.cfm%3FApp_mode%3DDisplay_Statute%26Search_String%3D%26URL%3D0700-0799%2F0776%2FSections%2F0776.013.htmlhttp://mediamatters.org/rd?to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leg.state.fl.us%2Fstatutes%2Findex.cfm%3FApp_mode%3DDisplay_Statute%26Search_String%3D%26URL%3D0700-0799%2F0776%2FSections%2F0776.013.htmlhttp://mediamatters.org/rd?to=http%3A%2F%2Falecexposed.org%2Fw%2Fimages%2F7%2F7e%2F7J2-Castle_Doctrine_Act_Exposed.PDFhttp://mediamatters.org/rd?to=http%3A%2F%2Falecexposed.org%2Fw%2Fimages%2F7%2F7e%2F7J2-Castle_Doctrine_Act_Exposed.PDFhttp://mediamatters.org/rd?to=http%3A%2F%2Falecexposed.org%2Fw%2Fimages%2F7%2F7e%2F7J2-Castle_Doctrine_Act_Exposed.PDFhttp://mediamatters.org/rd?to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leg.state.fl.us%2Fstatutes%2Findex.cfm%3FApp_mode%3DDisplay_Statute%26Search_String%3D%26URL%3D0700-0799%2F0776%2FSections%2F0776.013.html


12/12

Ma r ch 2 8 , 2 0

Youre Invited to the:

APRIL FOOL FEST!

Join Middle Wisconsin for the April Fool Fest at the Great

Dane Pub in Wausau.

This fun-lled event is

free. Come celebrate

WITH LIVE MUSIC

AND PRIZES! The

latest informaon on

vong places for our

upcoming elecon

and Voter IDs will be

available. April Fool

Fest, Sunday, April 1,

2:00-5:00 at the Great

Dane Pub, 2305

Sherman St., Wausau,

Wisconsin.

Sponsored by Middle Wisconsin, REMINDING YOU THAT

YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

Middle Wisconsin News - March 2012

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