Unions Going To Take On Astroturfers

[Me.]

“The nation's largest federation of labor organizations has promised to directly engage with boisterous conservative protesters at Democratic town halls during the August recess.

In a memo sent out on Thursday, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney outlined the blueprint for how the union conglomerate would step up recess activities on health care reform and other topics pertinent to the labor community. The document makes clear that Obama allies view the town hall forums as ground zero of the health care debate. It also uses the specter of the infamous 2000 recount "Brooks Brothers" protest to rally its members to the administration's side.

"The principal battleground in the campaign will be town hall meetings and other gatherings with members of Congress in their home districts," reads the memo. "We want your help to organize major union participation to counter the right-wing "Tea-Party Patriots" who will try to disrupt those meetings, as they've been trying to do to meetings for the last month. ...

(Remember the hooligans - many of them Republican Congressional staff - who harassed Florida vote counters in 2000? We can't let that happen again!)."….More….

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/06/unions-to-take-on-conserv_n_252720.html

[Purveyor]

1. It could be a long, 'hot' August...indeed! eom

[Cha]

22. ..

}(

[NJCher]

2. I'm sending this to my union president

With the recommendation that our union attend town halls in support of our Democratic lawmakers.


Cher

[Me.]

4. What A Fab Idea!

Spread the word...fight back

[gordianot]

3. Not a Union member but would love to volunteer.

About the same age as many of the fake protesters.

[uberblonde]

5. This won't be pretty.

I predict violence. But, you know, fire with fire, etc.

[Glorfindel]

6. Alas, my "congressman" is a POS DINO Blue Dog

If he held a town hall meeting, the 'pukes and their thug allies would probably turn out to applaud him. Gene Taylor is no more a Democrat than I'm a Martian. :puke:

[SoCalDem]

7. 1st option..Chicago Aug 8th

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6233541&mesg_id=6233541
SoCalDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Thu Aug-06-09 08:36 AM
Original message


When? Aug 8th Where? Lincoln Restaurant, Chicago Why?

Saturday, August 8, 2009, 11am – 3pm
Where Lincoln Restaurant
4008 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL
Note

Event of Interest:
http://www.trumba.com/calendars/chicagos-calendar

The first official meeting of the American Liberty Alliance of Illinois.

This lunch meeting will include:
-Full Lunch
-ALA Visionary Presentation
-Open Discussion on the State of Illinois
-Post Tea Party Operations
-ALA Planning Conversation

~SPEAKERS~
-Eric Odom
Executive Director, American Liberty Alliance

-David Yardley
Michigan Liaison and Midwest Regional Field Director, American Liberty Alliance

~REGISTRATION~
Go to: alaillinois.eventbrite.com

The cost for the event is $25.00, which includes lunch.

There are only 60 seats available so registration will be on a first come, first serve basis.
Link alaillinois.eventbrite.com

GOT SIGNS?? GOT VOICE?


Who are these people?

click here

[Me.]

9. "Sing Out Louise"

[SoCalDem]

15. I just got off the phone with the AFL-CIO.. The communications director

was VERY enthusiastic..and said he would definitely "make some calls"

:)

[Me.]

16. Hurray

:yourock:

[SoCalDem]

18. he told me he knows the Chicago guy, and was gonna call his cell phone

We'll see if anyone shows up in Chicago on Saturday to harrass them a little.

The Alliance people have a brick & mortar HQ too:

4636 Lebanon Road #355..Hermitage, TN

maybe someone wants to send them a pizza:evilgrin:

[Cha]

26. Good on

you!

[arbusto_baboso]

8. We need to get some Teamsters on the scene.

That would end the disruptive nonsense very quickly.

believe me, Freeper types are cowards at heart. They're NOT going to start anything with a big, grizzled truck driver!

[Beetwasher]

10. Yup *Snicker*

Methinks these nutbags are gonna find out they're biting off more than they can chew.

[quiller4]

12. We've been organizing Teamsters and Longshore to attend

Adam Smith's Lakewood gathering later this month. If any astro turfers show they'll be significantly outnumbered.

[Me.]

13. Them v. Teamsters?

No contest

[Sheltiemama]

40. I suggested that yesterday!

My father and I were talking about it. He wants a heavy police presence, with Tasers and guns.

[BlueIdaho]

45. I want Teamsters

With ax handles and freight hooks - but then I'm a very sick person...

[Beetwasher]

11. Here Comes The Cavalry!

I think these idiot nutbags are going to find out they've bitten off more than they can chew.

[Kansas Wyatt]

50. And when they turn to run, they'll find themselves flanked, unable to escape...

The reckoning they have bestowed upon themselves.

It's good that these idiots claim to have the best health care in the world and think the price is great.

[AspenRose]

14. Hot damn.

:bounce:

[SeeHopeWin]

17. I am betting on the Union folks...I am not in a Union, where do I sign up?

[SoCalDem]

20. call your state affiliate and let them know you are interested in Sweeney's plan

and want to join in the festivities:)

[Echo In Light]

19. Rec

[texasleo]

21. F*ck yes!

[rucky]

23. As of yesterday, I'm an unemployed, majorly pissed off (ex)union guy.

With plenty of time, will, and frustration that I'm just dying to take out on some asshole shills that dare try to put another roadblock in my family's basic well-being.

I still got my card. Where do I sign up?

[bluhoodie]

30. Oh no! Sorry to hear that

I mean that you're among the unemployed now. (as am I)

[rucky]

32. Thanks, blu. You can read all about it here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124949523458308423.html

[JimWis]

24. K&R

[Cha]

25. I'm thinking big strong

Union men going up against paid cowards shivering when confronted by reality.

[Me.]

27. Well...Without Getting Downright Mean About It

I can only say that from the videos I've seen, those baby thugsters aren't in the best of shape

[Cha]

29. ..

}(

[wininboy]

28. "directly engage"....heh nt

[ellie]

31. So sweet.

[Me.]

33. UpDate

"UPDATE: AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Richard Trumka sends out a scathing statement about the town halls, hitting on Sweeney's themes and calling the events corporate funded.

Every American has the inalienable right to participate in our democratic process. Our politics is passionate, heartfelt and often loud -- as was the founding of our nation. But that is not what the corporate-funded mobs are engaging in when they show up to disrupt town halls held by members of Congress.

Major health care reform is closer than ever to passage and it is no secret that special interests want to weaken or block it. These mobs are not there to participate. As their own strategy memo states, they have been sent by their corporate and lobbyist bankrollers to disrupt, heckle and block meaningful debate. This is a desperation move, meant to slow the momentum for change.

Mob rule is not democracy. People have a democratic right to express themselves and our elected leaders have a right to hear from their constituents -- not organized thugs whose sole purpose is to shut down the conversation and attempt to scare our leaders into inaction

We call on the insurance companies, the lobbyists and the Republican leaders who are cheering them on to halt these 'Brooks Brothers Riot' tactics. Health care is a crucial issue and everyone - on all sides of the issue - deserves to be heard."

[Me.]

34. Tweety Had A Rep On

Smart guy, they massacred the rwer

[Cha]

37. I love Richard Trumka!

I remember him on tv from the bush-Gore election year.

It's nice he called for civility and if it doesn't happen then they can go out and bust heads..kidding.

[Me.]

39. The RWer Didn't Have A Chance

Nice to know his name

[TexasObserver]

35. recommend

[Me.]

36. Workin' It

[senseandsensibility]

38. kick

and I so hope they do so.

[bdamomma]

41. well someone needs to step in to shut these jerks up.

plus all I hear from the repigs is fear and division, did anyone hear about a healthcare plan from them? NO.

[donheld]

42. k & R

[GreenTea]

43. Back in grandpa's day - If the corporations sent in the thugs to bust up the union

the union just fought back and kicked ass, and if the republican company/corporate owners hired more thugs.... and the union needed help, there was always the mob boys there to help out the union and these boys were always ready to kick the fuck out of the company/corporate thugs for hire...the company's thugs for hire got the shit beat out of them and it wasn't worth the pay to come back and fuck with the union and their "friends"....Of course the union had to pay back the mob boys for their help with "favors"....that got the union in trouble as the paid politicians went after them with a vengeance.

[DireStrike]

44. I'll believe it when I see it

The major unions rarely prove their worth these days, and often work with the ruling class to screw laborers the world over.

[orleans]

46. god, do you have to be such a downer on this thread? n/t

[Lifelong Protester]

47. Pipefitters, heavy equipment operators, construction guys,

plumbers (REAL ones), and a lot of burly types would even things up a bit. From what I observed, the unions have been out working these last few campaigns, so I expect this is more than hot air.

I have been: a Teamster, a construction laborer (one of the first women in MN), a painter, and educator. All union, I stand with union.

[Hannah Bell]

48. "union participation to counter the right-wing 'Tea-Party Patriots'' = likely to escalate the

situation.

de-escalate = broadcasting the "astroturf" nature of the controversy far & wide & publicizing the names & motivations of the funders & instigators.

to the extent ordinary people are participating in the birth certificate brouhaha, they're manipulated patsies.

no one likes to be a patsy.

but it appears the dems prefer to go along with the charade & set up a phony "opposition" to counter the phony "enemy".

[progressoid]

49. Fuckin-A!

[TaffyMoon]

51. Someone needs to

:spank: