Article

2011-02-24 Home Front: Culture Wars

More violent rhetoric from the public-sector union movement

James Taranto, "Best of the Web" @ WSJ

A boilerplate note on the website of the Service Employees International Union informs us that "SEIU welcomes civil discussion about Richard Negri's article Dropkick Murphys release new song in support of Wisconsin workers!"

That article quotes a statement from the Massachusetts hardcore punk band:
(Actually, they are better described as a "punk-influenced Celtic band dedicated to the free flow of whiskey" in the tradition of The Pogues or Flogging Molly. End digression.)
"[We] would like to take a moment to acknowledge the struggles of the working people of Wisconsin and to pledge our support and solidarity by releasing the song 'Take Em Down' from our upcoming album. We think it's appropriate at the moment and hope you like it. . . . The Dropkick Murphys Stand With Wisconsin!!!!!"

They don't really stand with Wisconsin but with Wisconsin's antagonists in the current dispute, namely the unions representing Wisconsin's employees. Here are some of the new song's lyrics:

When the boss comes callin' we gotta organize
Let em know
We gotta take the bastards down
Let them know
We gotta smash them to the ground
Let em know
We gotta take the bastards down

Is this what the SEIU means by "civil discussion"?
Given their track record, I'd say "yes."
The song does not identify the bastards we gotta take down, but there are only two possibilities: the taxpayers of Wisconsin or their elected officials. As Andy McCarthy notes at National Review Online, "public-sector employees work for us--they are not beaten down by 'the man,' 'the system,' or whatever bogeyman the lefties are using today."

I find this profoundly distressing. Up until today, I was a fan of the Dropkick Murphys. Another one of my favorite bands reveals itself as an agent of the dark side.

Posted by Mike 2011-02-24 16:29|| || Front Page|| [11137 views ] Top

#1 I like the Dropkick Murphys, but ya gotta remember their roots. They are democrats and union men to the core.

Posted by DarthVader 2011-02-24 17:47|| 2011-02-24 17:47|| Front Page Top

#2 Cute little ditty but it ignores:
1. Public unions increase the taxpayer's burden at little benefit to them,
2. Public union members often have wages and benefits far greater than the taxpayers who support them,
3. Union members don't have any say about what their unions dues are used for although it might be at odds with their personal beliefs,
4. Unions in non-right-to-work states have to join the union in shops as a condition of employment (there is a coercive aspect to this),
5. Public unions tend to subvert and undermine our political process as they don't have to answer to the taxpayers and voters,
6. Unions have a history of violence, criminality, thuggery, coercion, and links to the communists and socialists,
7. Signs at protests claim and accuse their enemies of all sorts of things such as lying, nazism, racism, etc.
8. Unions tend to ignore the will of the people in elections.
9. Unions tend to support the Democrats exclusively.
10. Public unions have the capacity to shut down, slow down, and impede the critical functions and services of government. This should not be possible.

Posted by JohnQC 2011-02-24 18:57|| 2011-02-24 18:57|| Front Page Top

#3 Now listen to me, all of you. You are all condemned men. We keep you alive to serve this ship. So row well, and live. - ~~Quintus Arrius~~ Your Friendly Public Service Union

Posted by Procopius2k 2011-02-24 19:02|| 2011-02-24 19:02|| Front Page Top

#4 "I was a fan of the Dropkick Murphys"

Maybe the Dixie Chicks have somebody to date now.

Posted by Fred 2011-02-24 19:03|| 2011-02-24 19:03|| Front Page Top

#5 Murphey wants to sell music to masses
You know he knows just what the facts is
No regard for their idea of justice
Purples who make their money off peoples' taxes

Oo oohh, brigand the money an'run.
Who who? You.

Let'em gnome its a glorified version of a pelican, so excuse me while I kiss this guy.

Posted by swksvolFF 2011-02-24 19:15|| 2011-02-24 19:15|| Front Page Top

#6 Good band. But shut up and sing. State of Massachusetts ought to be the state anthem.
Then we have Mike Capuano telling his union shills that "Every once and awhile you need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary.
Heh. The only time Mikey will get "bloody in the street" is if he steps out of his limo and gets hit by a cab.

Posted by tu3031 2011-02-24 19:25|| 2011-02-24 19:25|| Front Page Top

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