Apparently, in Ohio, like in Wisconsin, there’s been a concentrated effort to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights. The legislation that would do this in Ohio, called Senate Bill 5, has already passed the Republican legislature, and now there’s a state-wide grassroots effort to repeal it via voter referendum. If the repeal effort, which is called “No on Issue 2,” fails, it would mean, among other things, that fire fighters would no longer be able to negotiate how many people were necessary to effectively fight a fire. Seizing on this fact, those against Senate Bill 5 have produced a television ad in which Cincinnati resident Marlene Quinn talks of the fire fighters who rescued her grandson and great-granddaughter, and contemplates what might have happened had there been fewer fire fighters on the crew dispatched to their home.
As Republican douche-baggery knows no limits, though, that wasn’t the end of it. No, the folks on the other side of the debate copied the footage of Marlene Quinn, reedited it, and released it as a “Vote Yes on Issue 2” ad. In their version, Marlene, after recounting how her daughter was saved, urges people to vote yes on the referendum, her reasoning being that, unless the people of Ohio strip public employees of their right to collectively bargain, there will be less money to pay our heroic fire fighters, and therefore fewer of them to rescue our loved ones.
Here are both ads side-by-side.
In addition to being incredibly evil, I think you’ll have to agree that this second ad, produced by a group calling itself Building a Better Ohio, is also pretty brilliant… which is why I’ve decided to share it with you today. I know it’s wrong to hope that someone’s house burns down, but it’s hard to watch this and not find yourself thinking very dark thoughts about the men behind it.
Mrs. Quinn, by they way, had the following to say upon seeing the new ad.
“It’s insulting to the brave firefighters who saved the life of my great-granddaughter. I’m outraged they are using my face and my words to push their harmful agenda. They certainly did not ask my permission. I feel violated.”
To add insult to injury, while a number of television stations have stopped running the ad, network affiliates in two of Ohio’s largest markets – Cleveland and Cincinnati – are continuing to do so… It would appear that the millions of dollars in undisclosed contributions being offered are pretty hard to say no to.
If you know of people who are registered to vote in Ohio, please forward this to them, OK?
48 Comments
Just wait for the other shoe to drop, when they try substituting convicts for fire fighters, like they’re starting to do now in Georgia.
I wouldn’t want a state full of firemen as enemies. Of course, this ad campaign was probably developed in a DC think tank, 700 miles away.
Yeah, I’m sure that firefighter’s “excessive benefits” are the reason little girls will die. How dare they want to retire or have their health care covered after a life of climbing into burning buildings to save others. Greedy bastards.
I think they’re trying to shift the blame away from fire fighters, Joel, so it’s more a question of those other greedy state employees, like teachers. It’s their demand for a living wage, that’s responsible for there being fewer fire fighters. They’re trying to make it look as though they’re on the side of the fire fighters, when they’re clearly not. It’s pretty clever, terribly twisted, and definitely evil.
At least they didn’t try to do a voice over as her lips moved, saying “my great granddaughter’s life is a small price to pay for lower taxes.”
Divide and Conquer has worked for centuries. It has worked especially well in terms of Republican tactics against opponents on various issues. Public servants are not royalty – that is the message that needs to get out.
What we should do is just privatize fire fighting. People can then pay for it with a subscription service.
If you don’t pay, the fire department will come and burn your fucking house down.
Americans should be self-reliant, and put out their own fires.
Speaking of us highly paid teachers….
Well, I finally looked at my union’s new salary schedule with the 10% decrease and step freeze increase. All told, I am earning $10,000 less than I should be and I am now earning about half as much as the highest paid teacher in the richer suburbs.(not to say they have easier jobs though). I don’t even want to think about how much less I am earning than the professors at UM because I will start biting people and the closest people right now are my sweet, adorable kiddos who are earnestly taking their MEAP tests.
So yeah, it’s all my fault that we will have to use Inmate Number 234908 to fight fires and put our learning disabled kids to work picking up trash…sorry!!!
Stop the class warfare, Patty. Why can’t you just accept that some people are better, smarter, and therefore more financially secure than you are?
An 18 year old high school graduate can get hired as a firefighter recruit for an average salary of 40K. With 1 – 4 years experience, 47K and with 10 years experience 65K. When overtime is considered, most make twice the reported salaries or more. Retirements are calculated on the take home pay, not the salary level. And retirement with full pension and free medical comes after 20 – 25 years of service. Once retired, a firefighter can still work for another municipality, where after 10 years they can qualify for a second full pension.
Harrisburg, the capitol of Pennsylvania, filed for bankruptcy this week and there are an estimated 16 cities in the U.S. that will also file bankruptcy this year. Why shouldn’t these union contracts be renegotiated?
And I’m sure you do a great job with your students, but wouldn’t they be just as well off if we sat them down in front of a television showing Bible Man DVDs for 8 hours a day?
http://www.bibleman.com/dvd.shtml
While I disagree with you, EOS, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the fact that you leave comments that are coherent and on-topic. After a few months with Taters, I find it refreshing. Please don’t ever ask him to take over for you again, alright?
Speaking of deceptive Republicans ads, have you seen this one against Elizabeth Warren?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-hysterical-and-deceptive-conservative-response-to-elizabeth-warren/2011/10/12/gIQA2qIUfL_blog.html
EOS, stay on-topic. We’re not discussing the facts of what someone should or should not be paid here. We’re talking about outright lying. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Surely, someone as noble and clear-thinking as yourself can understand that re-editing the words of a woman praising firefighters for anti-union purposes is abominable, no? (It’s actually criminal, but who’s counting?) Or would you rather just sweep that under the rug for political purposes?
EOS, hate to call you a liar, but you need to prove your statement. Both local departments require firefighter 1 and 2 certification and a basic emt license just to apply. Retirements with full pension and free medical? Oh, I guess the 10% that yfd firefighters contribute to their retirement every year they work is just because they want to, not to build a retirement system and help cover retiree medical expenses. If there are enough firefighters to do the job, you wouldn’t need to pay overtime, but of course, the dirty little secret is that overtime is cheaper than putting on more firefighters with their outrageous demands, like medical insurance. EOS, how about you do one of three things, either volunteer for a local department, stay trained, and be available for all callouts; buy an engine, learn how to use it and put out your own god damn fire, or stop by the station and thank those who are willing to run into your burning house, when you are running out.
Elvis,
The numbers I cited were national averages. If you want proof, try a Google search. Funny you should suggest volunteer firefighting. Most communities use a volunteer force that doesn’t get paid 6 figures while sitting around a firehouse.
EOS – I love that last sentence of yours. Just forgot to add to your – doesn’t get paid 6 figures while sitting around a firehouse – … a teacher who babysit brats all day, a cop to ride around in a patrol car eating fucking donuts all day, a nurse who sits on her ass at a desk and hands out medication, an EMS worker who sits at the freeway exit eating McDonalds . These people are not royalty, they chose to do what they do. They are not producers, they are not job creators. They are Public Servants and deserve your respect.
EOS enjoys throwing around figures but still can’t get her head around the reprehensibility of misusing someone words for political aims, which is what the post was about.
Although off topic, personally, I prefer a paid force.
One day, I had a flat in front of the local volunteer fire fighting garage. The lights were on and the door was open so I went to go and borrow a roller jack.
Trouble was, there was no one there.
I went back the next night just to check. Again, no one there.
I wouldn’t trust a volunteer police department, what makes a volunteer fire department such a good idea?
71% of firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers.
I don’t start fires, have a home that is up to code, have smoke alarms, and keep all electrical equipment in good repair. I’ve never had a house fire and doubt I’ll ever need to ask for help to fight a fire. If everyone did the same, we would have far less need for firefighters.
I did call HVA once to get a transport for a broken leg. Called the ambulance company directly and told them it was a non-emergency transport. The fire engine showed up as the patient was being loaded in the ambulance. Another “response” to add to statistics and justify the necessity of a larger force.
You must be one lonely, angry dude, EOS.
“I’ve never had a house fire and doubt I’ll ever need to ask for help to fight a fire.”
Studies show that there are no first-time fires.
What EOS is trying to say is that he doesn’t want to pay for fire fighters who are just going to be pulling black children out of houses without alarms.
“It can’t happen to me.” – EOS
It could happen – just not likely. I could always get firebombed by the same asshole who continually implies that I am racist.
I never implied you are a racist.
I have stated emphatically that you are a racist.
“Code Breaker” is not me, however.
OK, I don’t know definitively that EOS is racist. Maybe he’s just classist. I get the sense from his posts, though, that he definitely doesn’t give a rat’s ass, in spite of his professed Christianity, about those lower down the socioeconomic ladder than himself. On the subject of fire protection, I think he’s pretty clear when he says, ‘I’ve got some detectors, and new appliances with non-frayed wires, and others should do the same.’ That says to me, tough luck if you’ve got ten people living in a house built for four, and someone starts a grease fire. I’m reminded of a family of kids who died a few years back in Ypsi public housing. They died upstairs because of a kitchen fire, and a mother who had wondered off. Are we supposed to feel smug about that? Did it serve those kids right for not having a shitty mom? You can keep your John Wayne ‘I’ll take care of my stuff, you take care of yours’ bullshit. The truth is that we need each other. If your house catches fire, regardless of how unlikely that might be, you can’t put it out on your own. If that’s the life you want, move to rural Montana. We live in a society.
I like Code Breaker.
To get back to the original point of this thread and to tie it in to EOS’s obvious Christian superiority, Republicans are a bunch of mean spirited cocksuckers who have no empathy for anyone or anything that does not fit into their idea of an ideal America. People struggle? Fuck ’em; it’s their fault. Public servants? Fuck ’em; the country would be better off without this drain. Greater Good? fuck that it’s time to go fuck my Ronald Reagan skull now.
Great, EOS! Please call your local department and tell them you’d like to keep your $50.00 a year for full-time fire protection, and not to show up if you call. As a matter of fact, if you’d like to opt out, I’m willing to kick in $20.00 and start a fund to pay you back for your share of fire millage, as long as you will refuse to let them help you. It would be a fine Galtian experiment.Also, make sure you call your insurance agent, I know he will be happy to increase your rates. There are plenty of area departments who are volunteer and would be glad to have you live there, and help out. You are certainly welcome to move there, I’m sure your efforts would be appreciated.
EOS doesn’t need insurance as nothing bad will ever happen to her, provided she keeps those pesky black people at bay.
Jesus is her insurance agent, though I don’t think he’d like to see her calling other people “assholes.”
I think you’re onto something, Elvis.
The City of Ypsilanti will be in a similar spot to Cincinnati in just a few years. If they won’t renegotiate firefighter contracts, then they’ll won’t be able to afford 75% of the force. If the fire department operating at full force could not save the children trapped upstairs in public housing, how do you think a much smaller force will fare? The poor and disenfranchised families who can’t afford smoke detectors aren’t able to afford higher taxes either. Municipal funds are not unlimited and hard choices have to be made when allocating scarce resources. Those who make tons of money might easily sit back and say everybody should pay more, but those of us who are barely making it better understand the economic realities. Advocating for less government and more personal responsibility is not an elitist position. Its just the only way we’ll be able to pay our bills and survive these tumultuous times.
How far have we gotten in our investigation of EOS’s identity? Peter, I know EOS appears to be very effeminate, but have we confirmed that we are actually dealing with a female. I bet I can identify EOS just by what they’ve posted so far on this page. I have found that people rarely realize how much information they are giving away by implication.
Mark, will you grant me a thread dedicated to EOS and the investigation into their identity? Is anybody willing to place a wager betting I cannot discover it by a certain date and time?
Just for fun, I think I am going to put together a profile of EOS based on details from their comments here over the years.
for me…it hard to believe EOS is a woman…however I am the idiot that used to think that voting for women was a good thing…like we all we’re on the same page…NOT
No, we have not confirmed that EOS is female, though I suspect it. I have no proof, but it’s fun to address her as a her.
I’d love to see this profile. My favorite was when BrachAche outed her as a pool cleaner.
I think you’re onto something, Robert.
I do like the idea that Robert and Peter are combing through the old posts and rereading everything I have written. Maybe they’ll be enlightened and reborn as conservative Christians too!
Do Christians normally call people assholes?
Peter — I believe they’re guided by Matthew 25:40.
We are compelled to speak the truth.
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mk. 4.24
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Peter,
If you really believe that man should not make judgements, on what basis do you claim the authority to have judged me to be a racist for the past several years?
The passage you quoted is not from the Book of Mark, but is Matt 7:1 – 5. Keep reading the same chapter in Matt and you’ll find:
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Only God can judge a man and his motives. We will all be judged one day. In the meantime, we need to inspect the fruit and discern the right path.
Good news. It looks like this Koch-funded attempt to eliminate collective bargaining in Ohio is going to fail.
http://www.politicususa.com/en/koch-backed-ohio-union-busting-bill-heading-for-a-crushing-defeat
And fail it did.
“Ohioans repeal law limiting union rights.”
I guess, Sean Hannity having his show on the Columbus State House Steps the other day with John Kasich as a guest didn’t work.
LAND SLIDE!!!Freakin losers.
Watching Laughing.
Good.
My father just sent me the following.
Obviously, something sinister is going on here.
The trend in yesterday’s election results suggest the GOP is turning the public against them. They, of course, have been making excuses and blaming others for their defeats. I hope they continue to believe their own bullshit, and flush themselves right down the toilet again in 2012.
I’m not sure where to put this, but I thought that people might be interested in this note that I just received from People for the American Way.
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