A Tale of Two Protests
My hometown newspaper, a loyal leftist propaganda
arm of the Tribune Company, has recently started hiding
all important “Nation and World” news several pages deep
inside each day’s paper.
Call me suspicious, but with the “Nation and World”
falling apart these days, I can’t help but wonder if
maybe they’re trying to avoid having to print a banner
headline that just might shed some light on who’s
responsible for the entire mess.
So today, with the Mideast on fire, and the malignant
fury of government unions spreading throughout the
American Midwest, my once highly respected hometown
paper led with yet another article about this area’s
proposed minor league hockey arena.
Again, call me suspicious, but if John McCain were
actually President right now, I have a feeling I’d really
have to dig to find out about that hockey rink.
Once I finally found today’s “Nation & World” section I
noticed on pages 10 and 11, directly across the fold
from each other were two similar pictures. One of
anti-Ghadafi protesters in Libya, the other of anti-Walker
protesters in Wisconsin.
Honestly, I compared these two photos for quite a while
and I’m still not sure which photo features the most
gruesome, vicious, facial contortions of the screaming
protesters, But one person in the Libya photo does
appear to be smiling.
Being suspicious, it appears to me that these photos
are side by side purposefully. I’m sure the editor wanted
readers to conclude that these two groups were in
solidarity against similarly evil repressive regimes.
Both groups want something. That’s for sure. It’s obvious
the Libyan protesters wish to rid themselves of a
dictator. Sadly, it appears many Wisconsin protestants
believe the same thing.
If those opposing Ghadafi had any idea why the union
folks in Wisconsin were so angry, and that they’d been
drawing parallels between Wisconsin and the Mideast,
who’d be surprised if they forgot Ghadafi for a moment and
began turning on any American still unfortunate enough
to still be in the country.
Believe me, I hope all Americans are already out. But who
could blame the Libyans if upon hearing of Wisconsin,
from sheer disgust they’d suddenly erupt into chants of
“Death to America”. “Death to America”.
Moammar Ghadafi “seized” power in Libya 41 years ago,
and justifiably Libyans have had quite enough. Scott
Walker duly “elected” in November, was “sworn in”
only 51 days ago, and the “Wisconsin Whiners” won’t even
let him get started.
To prevent a California-like collapse of the Badger State,
Governor Walker has proposed that Wisconsin’s state
workers health care payments would double from 6.3 % to
12.6% of their salary. The proposal would also require
these same workers to begin contributing 5.8% of
their income to “their” own retirement.
This still puts Wisconsin under the average out of pocket
benefit costs compared to government union employees in
other states, and still comfortably below the average of
their private sector counterparts.
Will this cause state workers financial inconvenience – Yes !
Are state workers going to have to tighten their belts – Yes !
Does “anyone” like this – No !!
The additional 12.1 percent of take home pay these
state workers are being asked to contribute for “THEIR” own
security and future, would be an absolute windfall to the
Libyans “risking their lives” protesting “THEIR” government.
So who should really be angry ?
I don’t know how these issues in Libya or Wisconsin will play
out. But I pray both groups find reason to be grateful for
the final circumstances of these events. But I know that’s
impossible.
For that to happen it would require both groups of protesters
to switch countries.
