October 3, 2015

Scott Walker and his GOP legislature "are off the wall... They’re drunk with some kind of power or misconception of reality."

Said Marty Beil, the leader of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, back in 2011, the year of Act 10 and the protests.

Beil "died on Thursday at his home in Mazomanie, Wis. He was 68."

Here's the obituary in the local paper, quoting what Beil said about Act 10: “It is unconscionable, and it is something I will hold against Scott Walker until the day I die, the pain he’s caused to state workers in such a careless fashion.”
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who sat across the negotiating table from Beil for 14 years, called Beil a friend who “loved life,” adding, “he loved his unions, he loved his members, he loved politics and he loved a good spread. Marty was a giant of a man in size as well as in ability... If he considered you a friend, which I know he did of me, he was always there for you.... He was so big, he filled the room — just with his physical size but he also had a giant personality. He would jump up and down — not physically, but mentally — making you believe he was going to come across the table at you. But once you got past the antics ... he was fun to negotiate with.”
That was Tommy, the former Governor. The current Governor, Scott Walker, hasn't offered a statement, at least not that I've seen.

30 comments:

Gahrie said...

Good riddance to bad rubbish would just be rude at this point.

Curious George said...

Looks like it's gonna be Walker-3 Beil-0 for eternity.

Michael K said...

Giants die young.

rhhardin said...

He didn't care much for carving the duck at the joints.

sane_voter said...

I understand Beil being pissed off his state-sanctioned extortion racket was shut down. Publicly called his political enemies Whores and worse. So it's understandable Walker chooses to say nothing at all.

walter said...

"drunk with some kind of power of misconception of reality"

Yeah..that reminds me of the WEAC charter prior to Act 10. It's a fun read though..

Another Beil quote:
“It’s like the plantation owner talking to the slaves. We’ve moved in Walker’s mentality from public service to public servitude,”


Big Mike said...

The current Governor, Scott Walker, hasn't offered a statement, at least not that I've seen.

I wouldn't, in his shoes.

Ann Althouse said...

Walker could issue a short, appropriate statement. Say that Beil was a real fighter, dedicated to his cause. It's not that hard. A man died. He was part of the political landscape here. Say something appropriate!

walter said...

I wonder what Beil would have said if roles were reversed. "Free at last!"?

Drago said...

Ann Althouse: "A man died. He was part of the political landscape here. Say something appropriate!"

"appropriate" to whom?

PB said...

His unions were fleecing the taxpayers on the benefits. Hopefully he confessed and asked for forgiveness.

walter said...

Tommy, Walker, Beil...and Puerto Rico HERE

Birkel said...

Issue a statement to what purpose?
Has Walker issued such statements before?
Has Walker issued such statements about people who bussed in union goons who threatened the Governor and others before?

Gahrie said...

Say something appropriate!

Because of course Marty and his pals are known for saying appropriate things about their political enemies.

Scott Gustafson said...

Beil ran the union for 30 years, and once members were given a choice, 2 out of 3 of them quit. Given that, what’s Walker supposed to say about Beil’s leadership legacy. Seems more appropriate to keep quiet.

Anthony said...

The New York Times will just dumb down Walker's statement to blame the Republicans.

Achilles said...

Ann Althouse said...
"Walker could issue a short, appropriate statement. Say that Beil was a real fighter, dedicated to his cause. It's not that hard. A man died. He was part of the political landscape here. Say something appropriate!"

He was a fat parasite who added nothing of value to society and lived off the sweat and toil of others. He worked to get sympathetic politicians elected with donations to their campaigns in return for the politicians complicity in taking money from tax payers and giving it to him.

Nichevo said...

Here Ann try this.

"You're sure he's dead? Good."

Which is what we will say about you. That, and tell the gravediggers to watch out for cadmium.

Why should he say something hypocritical, which is obviously what you demand, about someone who despised him, and whom, if Gov. Walker has any sense whatsoever, he despised? What do you think any Dem would say about Walker? Something big hearted and kind?

WTF is it with you Althouse? Why are you so stupid?

You have sowed the wind and you shall reap the whirlwind.

Nichevo said...

You know what any Dem would say about Walker. Something (as like as not written by you or in your style) bitchy and mendacious and calculated to serve the Dem cause and give maximum pain to anyone who liked or loved him. Lion of the Capitol perhaps you were thinking? Don't hold your breath. Though actuarial science suggests you will not live to see the end of Walker.

Birkel said...

How about we stick to the old adage: "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all."

Birkel said...

Let's not forget the funeral of Paul Wellstone.

Anonymous said...

I sometimes think Walker is on the Autism spectrum. His responses often seem flat or inappropriate.

Birkel said...

Darla has attempted the non sequitur of the day.
The Russian judge gives her a 5.5 and an invasion of Estonia.

chickelit said...

It is unconscionable, and it is something I will hold against Scott Walker until the day I die, the pain he’s caused to state workers in such a careless fashion.

Well, you're dead Marty Beil and he's not and you got to take your words and venom to the grave. Nice.

Trivia: Besides the obvious homophone "bile," the word Beil means ax in German. And Fallbeil (lit. falling ax) means guillotine.

chickelit said...

So, Marty Beil was the thug-in-charge during all those recalls and union protests, and threats?

The obvious question is "who is his immediate successor?"

Carnifex said...

Here's something appropriate... I fell sorry for his family. That they should have to live with such a POS for so long was a tragedy.

Henry said...

The obituaries are humbling.

Anne Lamott: "One hundred years from now: all new people."

I too am getting there.

Thorley Winston said...

I just attended a convention where one of the one of speakers gleefully told a story about how when Margaret Thatcher passed away, her opponents tried to get the BBC to play “Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead.” People in the audience laughed and cheered.

You’ll have to forgive me if don’t fault Governor Walker for choosing to say nothing at all.

Scott said...

Well, if I were writing the statement, I'd just plagarize Shakespeare.

I come to bury Beil, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Beil.

Rick said...

it is something I will hold against Scott Walker until the day I die,

The appropriate comment for Walker would be to note that even Beil has decided to end his opposition to Walker's policies.