Obama says he's monitoring tensions in Madison

[Joanne98]

Source: Chicago Tribune

MILWAUKEE — President Barack Obama says he's monitoring the tensions in Madison. That's where protesters are criticizing efforts to eliminate collective bargaining rights for state employees.

Republican Gov. Scott Walker is pushing the measure, which would also increase how much public workers pay for their pensions and health care. Thousands are protesting at the Capitol in Madison.

In an interview with WTMJ-TV, Obama says everyone has to make adjustments to new fiscal realities. He notes that he imposed a two-year freeze on pay increases for federal workers, and says adjustments like that "are the right thing to do."

However, he says making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain "seems like more of an assault on unions."

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-wisconsinbudget-o,0,4751044.story

[bluestateguy]

1. He can stop the governor from using the National Guard

by simply federalizing it, as the feds did in 1963 when George Wallace used the National Guard to stop the University of Alabama's integration.

[bowens43]

5. He's more likely to send in the army

to aid the National Guard in putting down what he most likely sees as a threat to business interests.......

he's already shown us that he's on the side of the people.

[Bold Lib]

9. Sending in regular military would be a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.

He has no authority to do that.

[FiveGoodMen]

12. Does he have the authority to kill anyone, anywhere in the world by remote control

just on his say so?

Does that stop him?

[Jackpine Radical]

13. Maybe so, but when I was in the 2nd Armored Division,

stationed at Ft Hood in 1968, word was around that various Army units had been pre-assigned to certain civilian targets, and we were primed to go to Chicago if needed to control civilian unrest. This was at the time of the '68 Dem Convention, of course. think they would throw in the Army & retroactively repeal Posse Comitatus if it suited their interests to do so.

[readmoreoften]

16. Oh those pre-9-11 days!

I agree.

[ngant17]

37. US Army Intelligence units

in Tennessee (Memphis) were involved in MLK assassination.

[Twostones]

20. posse comitatus

The possee Comitatius Act was killed by Bush when he was in office.

[former9thward]

21. That is not true. Congress amended the Posse Comitatus Act in 2006

but all those amendments were eliminated in 2008. The Act remains unchanged. However a President can use troops under the jurisdiction of the Insurrection Act of 1807. This act was last used in 1992 when troops were sent into LA during the riots.

[plumbob]

33. Like Ike didn't? Didn't stop him, though.

http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/09/26/5038-101st-airborne-division-soldiers-escort-little-rock-nine-on-50th-anniversary/

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Department of the Army, Sept. 24, 2007) - Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) escorted the Little Rock Nine to and from the stage here today during the Little Rock High School National Historic Site Visitor Center Dedication Ceremony.

The nine Soldiers were hand picked by their Battalion and Brigade Command Sergeants Major to take part in the event, which was held 50 years after President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent more than 11,500 101st Airborne Division Soldiers to Little Rock to ensure the safety of nine black students who wished to attend the then all-white Little Rock Central High School.

more at link

[fasttense]

38. Wasn't Posse Comitatus eliminated under the Patriot Act?

[Bold Lib]

40. No, it's still there.

[zogofzorkon]

22. my first thoughts also

[AnneD]

43. ITA

:thumbsup:

What they did to protesters in Seattle was criminal. They have large holding sites all around the country set up for just this sort of thing, courtesy of the HSA and the Patriot Act. I don't think Executive Orders have been tested up to the SCOTUS yet but that is really all it would take. They have been preparing for Civil Unrest for a while now.

Wake up people.

[socialist_n_TN]

2. President Obama, with all due respect,.............

the time is getting short for this type of waffling. Who's side are you on?

[katnapped]

3. He'll have to see which way the wind is blowing

And get back to you....

[midnight armadillo]

27. A quick call to Goldman Sachs will clear everything up

:grr:

[LiberalFighter]

4. This appears to be the time to mobilize everyone to support labor unions.

[xchrom]

6. Meh. Nt

[hollowdweller]

7. People worldwide are getting tired of the shit.

People are tired of getting ripped off by the rich and by the governments and leaders that are supposed to represent their interests on a global scale. I pray the people here wake up enough. Too much shit has been getting past them.

[Me.]

8. I Would Pay Close Attention If I Were Him

The unrest is only starting. You can only pummel and push people so far and I'd say the limit is rapidly being reached. Egypt anyone!

[tekisui]

10. He should send Hilda Solis to join the protesters.

[YvonneCa]

14. ...

...:7

[QC]

28. The Chamber of Commerce wouldn't like that. n/t

[Kievan Rus]

31. The Chamber of Commerce is evil

[QC]

34. But they have so much money! n/t

[Kievan Rus]

32. Delete -- dupe

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

11. The time to push back is now.

Public workers are not the problem, they are the victims.

[Canuckistanian]

15. So. Is Obama learning anything?

Like maybe... union workers tend to FIGHT when their backs are against the wall?

Or that what he calls "entitlements", others call the difference between making it and outright poverty?

I hope so.

[YvonneCa]

23. Or, maybe that biting the hand that feeds you isn't the best...

...of plans? ;)

[Canuckistanian]

30. Yup, that too

Which I'm sure he'll find out in the primaries for '12.

[midnight]

17. "everyone has to make adjustments to new fiscal realities."

If that were true.... It would be helpful.... but it's not...

[totodeinhere]

18. I am very disappointed in Obama's response to this assault on unions.

I had thought that our Democratic president would be on the side of unions, but maybe not.

[drokhole]

19. Meanwhile, I'm monitoring my patience with Barack Obama.

[The Nexus]

24. How close to war are we? nt

[Donnachaidh]

25. so where is HIS adjustment? 25% off the top should do nicely

And how about showing some solidarity and refusing a pension?

Until we start seeing some ACROSS THE BOARD *adjustments* -- it's just so much more utter bullshit.

[undeterred]

26. I live in Madison...

and as I'm watching television they are listing all the area schools closing again tomorrow. Staff are required to report, but they will all be protesting, no classes held. That means a lot of parents will miss work, which affects businesses... This thing is really snowballing. Don't think Walker thought people would push back so hard.

Oh by the way, President Obama, Madison is probably going to elect a Socialist mayor again this spring so - don't take us for granted in the next election.

[YvonneCa]

29. Teachers are just starting to wake up...

...about President Obama and education reform. Sadly, it's not just Republicans scapegoating teachers...and unions.

I hope the President gets on the 'right side of this issue' before it is too late. I want to see him re-elected in 2012. As one of many teachers who went door to door for Obama in 2008 and other Dems before that, I won't be able to do that again if he doesn't come out AGAINST union busting and FOR educators.

[Born Free]

35. I agree

We voted for Obama, but these days hope there will be a better democrat running against him in the primary. Obama has really disappointed me, it appears he is trying to be like Clinton in a time when we need someone that is willing to stand up rather than give in. Yes, Clinton beat republicans during his time, but the republicans have learned from their mistakes during that time period and Obama needs to use something new and different, like perhaps supporting the people that worked to get him elected. Imagine that, Obama actually standing up for the people that got him elected rather than try to convince them they should be quiet and accept what crap is thrown at them.

[Le Taz Hot]

36. Sorta like he "monitored" things in Egypt.

:mad: grrrr! Thanks for standing by the workers . . . ah, nevermind.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

39. Where are the "adjustments" on the monied class?

Bass ackwards.

[dpbrown]

41. Could there BE a more milquetoast response?

Stand up for the middle class, not the rich, Obama!

[Vidar]

42. They don't need your monitoring, Obama; they need your support,

but as usual, you're on the wrong side.