Posted on 07/03/2011 5:23:54 AM PDT by markomalley
These days, almost anything can get caught in the blender of Wisconsin's union politics.
It can even happen to a Fourth of July parade float honoring firefighters and cops killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
"Back then, the public wasn't saying, 'How sad for the union' - they were saying, 'Those were firefighters who died,'" said Matt Gorniak, a Milwaukee-area fire lieutenant who is the driving force behind the float. "That's what this is about. It's above union, nonunion."
Or at least it should be.
The same float - a re-enactment of the famous photo of three firefighters raising the American flag amid the rubble of the World Trade Center - created a rush of emotions as it passed through three parade routes in Milwaukee County back in 2002. Crowds spontaneously rose to their feet, offering thunderous applause.
With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks coming up later this year, Gorniak and his church's youth group decided to revive the float in Racine's upcoming Independence Day parade, one of the biggest in the area.
Unexpectedly, the request set off a debate among the leaders of the Racine firefighters union.
The problem: Gorniak had recently invoked a little-used provision in his union contract and opted out of membership in the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin.
Members of the executive board of the Racine firefighters union ultimately decided not to support or march with his float.
This week, the head of the union declined to discuss the decision.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
Note to Union Goons, Maggots and Thugs: Keep digging, people.
Typical union scum. Firemen have gone the way of policemen. They are in it for themselves and screw their fellow citizens.
As if we need more proof that unions are in it only to line their greedy pockets. They even interrupt sincere acts of honor and gratitude towards fallen firefighters and police officers because of their filthy greed.
the actions were not by firefighters or union thugs, the actions were by individuals.
Who were those persons. Show us their faces. Show us their wives. Show us their children. All should be ostracized and driven from the ranks of decent people.
They won’t cross political lines = = at the cost of patriotism.
It seems like when you pick up your union card, you also turn your honor over to them. I hope, when that float goes by, these people have the decency to lower their heads in the shame they must now wallow in.
Disclosure: former union member.
Why would they want to attend anyway? There were no union members in the War of Independence. And many of those killed in 9/11 were not union members. By their own tactics, they wouldn't want to associate with ANYONE non-union.
So, let them know they are not welcome at ANY 4th of July celebration, anywhere. When you are inviting your guests for your party, remind them not to bring any union firefighters. They want to act un-American, then treat them as un-American.
Gorniak should release a statement saying union firefighters will not be welcome to ride on the float because their allegiance is to the union rather than to the country.
Too much of anything turns toxic ... public employee unions are a prime example.
Allegiance to union before country.
Fuhgedda-bout-it.
Very true, it’s a gravy train and they are going to fight to the death to keep it. What is sad is there seems to be no honor among the ranks either as no one from the ranks will step up and say enough is enough. That makes them just as guilty as the leaders.
Hold on just a minute.
Not all Firefighters are Democrats.
Shitberger the President of International Association of Firefighters forgets that
As a member for 46 years I have always been a supporter of the Union, but I do not give money to their PAC,because that is like donating to the Democrat party.
The Union has no business in politics at all, they should be neutral in politics, unfortunately under Shitberger we have become an arm of the Democrat party.
I will continue to support my Local, and the International has done many good things for Firefighters around the country, but this political Bullsh!t has gone way too far.
The leadership forgets that many of us are Conservative in our politics, and we see Obama as a threat to America.
Obviously Gorniak had a bellyfull of the International and their political Democrat Agenda and opted out, Unfortunately it appears his Local is just as filled with a-holes as the International.I encourage many more who have a bellyful to do the same.
I was speaking in general. I know that not all firemen are that way, just like not all cops are that way. The point is, however, that way too many have become that way.
I believe Firefighters are mostly Conservatives, at least those who weren’t appointed under Affirmative Action.
They stick with the union on issues of the job, but they vote to suit themselves.
The President of the International is an Obamamaniac. I believe he is looking for Obama to appoint him to some Government spot.And of course he sucks up to the Teamsters and the AFL-CIO. Democrats all. He is a bit more impressed with himself , than most Firefighters are impressed with him.
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