Tag: Threats

Yesterday I was made aware of an editor of a small newspaper suing a number of readers for defamation because they accused her of "yellow journalism".  Strange turn number one was the fact I have faced the practice myself before, and because I was a public figure, figured they would get away with their efforts to defame my character. And anyhow it hardened me to criticism, complaint, etc. I never would have dreamed in the process that a "free speech" advocate such as a newspaper editor would be one to pursue such stifling procedures to silence an enemy.  Stephanie Buffman reports:

"There was later an Amended Complaint filed in April naming Darlene Thompson as a Defendant in the suit, citing comments that she made online as resulting in similar losses.

The lawsuit asks for compensatory damages in excess of $25,000.

Oh, my. Once my head stopped spinning from the First Amendment Rights vortex my brain was suddenly sucked into, I wondered: What in the world had these people said to pierce the notoriously thick and jaded hide of a newspaper editor?"

And covering only the contracts themselves, one could argue the illegitimate role that labor provides, when discussing compensation and bargaining with public entities.  The monopolistic nature of Michigan's public sector employment pool negates any entrepreneurial efforts towards excellence that might develop, and the state's tax payers are hardly served in any constructive or positive manner.  In other words, a free market for those positions residing outside the labor influenced sphere would create great opportunities.

Perhaps that is what labor fears.  So much so, that it has now returned to its base form of thinly veiled threats of violence and extortive measures on the private entities that actually pay the bills.  People OUTSIDE government now facing the very same violent animal attitude of organized labor types. Not yet here, but very, very, close.

It seems for the time being folks, we have ALL become Wisconsinites.

Governor Granholm is among a group of at least 30 governors who received a letter from a domestic extremist group demanding they resign.  The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have identified the group as one calling itself Guardians of the Free Republics.  The letter also calls for the governors to be removed from office if they fail to resign with three days.  Homeland Security says state police should be aware this could indicate the group plans to use violence to remove the governors, although the letter didn't include such a threat.

Interesting..  why now?  I mean there have been crazy people from the beginning of time, and I assure you, even Michigan has its share.  And if I had to guess, given the incredible deftness which this governor has displayed in her ability to destroy an economy, she has like received more than one.  Not a good thing mind you.. just a reality of being a really, really, really bad leader.