“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it,” is a
statement often quoted when we are experiencing events that approximate those
of the past. It is also an example of
the constant state of fear and tension that we find ourselves in on a regular
basis. Politicians, the media and others
who rely on conflict as a means of maintaining both their power, and their
relevance need us to exist in this state of anxiety. This is why they are constantly referencing
catastrophic events and individuals from the past all in an effort to guide our
thinking in a particular direction.
Yet, those who study history carefully and who are thoughtful
in their analysis of our shared past know that the conditions that caused
previous events to occur don't guarantee the same results. We may see connections and patterns, but at
the same time differences exist between different time periods. This is true whether they are separated by
centuries, decades or even a few years.
If nothing else, our knowledge of the past will impact our actions in
the present. Knowledge of history
provides us with ideas, precedents and evidence to support opinions, but it
doesn't provide us with a blueprint to follow that will guarantee a specific
result.
Unfortunately, we live in a time when hyperbole and rhetoric
rule the airwaves and shape the discourse around topics of vital
importance. In the process we lose
perspective and become a nation divided by a shared, but misinterpreted
past. History becomes a tool that is
manipulated and used to create similar outcomes, but it is a history created by
those in power, the "winners", and not one that is truly
representative of the people involved or the actual events. In effect, history becomes a weapon and not a
tool. We end up threatening each other
with a distorted view of past events and reduce our ability to effectively move
forward as a collective group.
All of this becomes relevant as we enter another round unrest
around issues involving workers' rights here in Wisconsin.
The events appear eerily similar to those of 2011 when the attacks
focused on public sector workers and the Act 10 legislation. The tactics used by Republicans in many ways
mirror those used in the recent past, quick introduction of a fast tracked
bill, cutting hearings short, heightened security and reduced access to events
and individuals involved.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m., a public hearing on Wisconsin's fast-tracked
right-to-work bill was abruptly adjourned due to what committee chairman
Steve...
host.madison.com|By Jessie Opoien |
The Capital Times
Democratic senators say Wisconsin doesn't want the measure. The
Republican Senate Majority Leader calls it one of the most important jobs bill
of the session.
host.madison.com|By Dee J. Hall |
Wisconsin State Journal
The bill’s fast track and the lack of consensus about its
effects are concerns.
postcrescent.com
There have been a few
differences from 2011, most notably the reduced number of protestors who
appeared in Madison
during the week. Unlike 4 years ago
those protesting number in the thousands and not the tens of thousands. At the same time the media's distorted
coverage continues unabated. Words like
"apathy" don't describe the feelings of many workers in Wisconsin. A rally of Walker supporters numbering 2,000 would be
touted as a significant number and one that represents a larger,
"silent" group of "taxpayers."
For two straight days this week, 2,000 union members
converged on Wisconsin's
Capitol to rally against a new right-to-work bill, chanting, marching and
hurling...
chicagotribune.com|By Chicago Tribune
To me, the most troubling
aspect of the misuse of history and the misrepresentation of current events is
the fact that it represents a clear effort to manipulate a public that is too
often unwilling, unable, or too dogmatic to see beyond the imagery used. Politicians and other "leaders" are
able to shroud themselves in a mystique of patriotism, hyperbole and rhetoric
that masks their true intentions. We as
a society end up debating on their terms and ignoring the reality behind the
policies and legislation that ends up harming us all.
In the end there are those
who will end up believing that protestors caused over $7 in damage to the Wisconsin capitol in 2011, and who will end up equating
protestors with terrorists. They will
forget that protesting for equality and our rights is much more in line with
American ideals than restricting access to power and silencing dissent. They will also begin to see threats where
there are none, and see their neighbors as enemies. This is no way to lead in a democratic
society. We can mock this type of
thinking all we want, but in the end it represents a truly credible threat to
our nation's political, social and economic health.
A Republican committee chairman in the Wisconsin
state senate cut short a hearing on an anti-union bill.
takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com|By
Teresa Tritch
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) on Thursday said
his experience undermining labor unions in Wisconsin has prepared him to take on...
huffingtonpost.com
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his home-state battles
against labor unions prepare him to take on terrorism -- but he denies he's
comparing the two. Walker
drew attention at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday with
his response...
wptz.com|By By Eric Bradner CNN
UPDATED 2/27/2015 with more memes and a sobering video at
the end. Earlier today, when asked about ISIS,
presidential...
m.dailykos.com
The misuse of history and
misrepresentation of events is at the heart of the divide and conquer
strategy. In essence, those applying it
are attempting to create a mythology that will help them manipulate citizens
into believing that they are acting in their own interest when in reality they
are doing exactly the opposite.
Conservatives have done this effectively in their effort to destroy the
power of labor unions in America. Right to work is simply the next step in the
plan to dismantle their political opposition.
A fact-based primer on "right-to-work" and what it
really means.
upworthy.com
Who really benefits from
truth-out.org|By patty
Four years after mass protests, state’s GOP governor lauds
depleted unions as he eyes presidential run.
washingtonpost.com
Yet, if right to work
isn't really in the best interest of the people, who would want to push to make
it a reality? The answer to that is
relatively clear, the people who stand to gain the most from this type of
legislation are a small number of wealthy individuals and their political
allies.
Scott Walker has promised to sign ‘right to work’ bill that
watchdog claims bears stark resemblance to model legislation drawn up by
conservative group Alec
theguardian.com|By Ed Pilkington
It's been more than two decades since Gov. Scott Walker (R)
first pushed right-to-work legislation as a state lawmaker in Wisconsin. Now, all these years later, the
famously anti-union governor may finally be getting his wish -- whether he...
huffingtonpost.com
There are a wide range of
opponents of right to work beyond those directly involved in organized labor.
The NFL players’ union has come out against Wisconsin’s
right-to-work legislation on Tuesday and went after Gov. Scott Walker in a
statement to the...
politico.com|By Kendall Breitman
"This is going to hurt Wisconsin
employers terribly in the long run, as the workforce gets more angry,"
Schultz told ThinkProgess.
thinkprogress.org
More than 400 Wisconsin
firms in construction contracting oppose the Republican push for a
politifact.com
This opposition to right
to work, and the efforts to inform the public can give us hope for the
future. We also know that over time we
will see a rebirth of organized labor in some form. This is part of the cyclical nature of
history. While the events won't unfold
exactly as in previous years, human nature is consistent in many ways. People will eventually look for ways to
organize and regain a voice in their workplaces and in the political
arena.
Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of
information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers
business and financial...
bloomberg.com
We can always hold on to
hope, but at the same time the short term prospects for labor, and social
justice in general, is bleak here in Wisconsin.
No matter how loudly we state our case, legislators here will follow
their leadership and move ahead with the platform shaped by the far-right. They have vast amounts of power and wealth,
and at the same time have shown no reluctance to employ all of their resources
in an all out effort to dominate the discourse around important issues in our
society. Many citizens have, in essence,
given up hope and resigned themselves to a future dominated by a small number
of conservative voices. After all, if
100,000 protesters and a recall can't stem the tide, what is left for us to do?
Once again we can turn to
history for lessons, ideas and hope.
While our current situation is definitely dismal, we still retain a
significant amount of power and live in a place where we can change the
direction our society takes. Out of the
ashes of despair we have seen tremendous growth occur.
It begins by recognizing
what we have, and maintaining those things that promote social justice
causes. Unions, while weakened need to
be supported, organizations and individuals speaking out against the
conservative policies need to be heeded and their message broadcast. Every conversation, action and event that
occurs is one more step on the pathway to a better society for all
citizens. We need to rally around
institutions like our public schools, and not allow attacks based on falsehoods
and misrepresentations to go unchallenged.
It may seem easier to throw in the towel and accept our fate, but we must
recognize that our opponents will not stop until they have entrenched
themselves in powerful positions and created systems that benefit only
themselves.
Building a broad base of grass roots opposition, holding
legislators accountable are key, say participants in a forum at Edgewood College.
host.madison.com|By Pat Schneider
The lessons of history are
there for us to learn from. Silence and
apathy have never created a positive environment for all citizens. Silence and apathy are the true credible
threats to our democratic society.
Organize, teach, protest, write, speak, argue and inform! These are our tools and they need to be used
effectively and often.
The
Good, The Bad and
The
Ugly. . .
The Good . . . There are many ways to continue to resist the "reforms" and
other efforts to destroy public education in our nation. Here's one strategy.
United Opt Out National serves as a focused point of
unyielding resistance to corporate ed. reform. We...
unitedoptout.com
The Bad . . . In community after community across Wisconsin the proposed budget takes its
toll.
Governor Walker released his 2015-17 biennium budget on Feb.
3, 2015. The budget at the state level always has a significant impact on the
budget for the School District
of Lodi.
hngnews.com
The Ugly . . . Does this signal a return to the "bad old days" when
individuals were arrested and held without just cause? The DOA in Wisconsin has already lost in court cases
that involved a use of these questionable tactics, yet they appear to be intent
on repeating their mistakes.
By Jason Huberty, February 26, 2015 As Republicans rushed
through a so-called "Right to Work" bill in the Wisconsin State
Senate on Wednesday, some people...
wcmcoop.com
Interesting that Walker's personal security
detail is getting raises, while those who protect and serve the rest of us wait
for a pay increase.
