Rox Bar Apologizes... Sort of.

More on Roxgate!  The Rox Bar and Grille has chosen not to contact anyone in our party.  Our emails and phone calls have been left unanswered.  They did, however, post this on their Facebook page today.

"Dear Patrons of the Rox Bar and Grille, We are sorry. To anyone that we have offended, we ask that you please accept our sincere apologies. I promise you though, this was a big misunderstanding that is missing many of the facts. At Rox Bar and Grille, we take pride in ensuring our customer’s satisfaction. Unfortunately, we have had to deal with heated debates in our establishment, that could have potentially threatened the safety of our staff, as well as our patrons. We are a small, family owned business and when you walk through our doors, we feel a great responsibility to enforce a safe, family-friendly atmosphere. We truly do open our doors as if it were our home, and welcome anyone and everyone to spend time here with us. We DO NOT condone any type of discriminatory behavior in our establishment. We are in constant pursuit of perfection and are already working on solutions that will prevent similar problems from occurring in the future.We deeply value our relationship with our customers. Without all of you, we do not exist. Yours in service, Dennis Hronis and Peter Hronis - Owners"

I'm confused why they are supporting a "family friendly atmosphere" when you must be 21 to enter.  But I don't really care why they have their alleged policy and see no need for them to justify it by alleging previous violence; the alleged policy should have been made clear to us before we entered.  And I disagree with their claim that they "DO NOT condone any type of discriminatory behavior in our establishment."  They are judging people based on what they choose to wear.  They are judging people based on their appearance.

If the Rox Bar wants to discriminate against people who wear their political hearts on their sleeves, so be it.  But don't lie about it -- and don't let us waste our money there before saying we're not welcome back.

Jerry Bader Show, part two

Transcript of part two of the Jerry Bader Show, with Jerry talking about Roxgate.  This includes a call-in from another member of our group of six who was there that night.

Jerry: I find this story nothing short of fascinating, and even though it happened in Pewaukee, in Waukesha County in suburban Milwaukee, I think it has implications statewide.  Because there is this mindset that rules in Wisconsin that you actually don't have the right to express your opinion about Scott Walker -- if you support him.  Now, understand, a private business has a right to do whatever they want to do.  In fact, if they want to tell you, "You know what, we don't like Scott Walker, get out of here" -- not smart -- but they do have the right to do that.  They have the right to have a policy.

Jerry Bader Show, part one

Here's part one of the podcast of Jerry Bader on The Jerry Bader Show talking about the Rox Bar Incident:

Part one: Scott Walker T-Shirt wearing man shares his story


Jerry, introducing "the person directly involved with" Roxgate: Santo joins us now on the phone. Santo, good morning.

Santo: Good morning, Jerry. How are you doing?

Jerry: Good, and I really appreciate you taking the time to come on.  Now.  What we're talking about is Rox Bar and Grille in Waukesha. Santo, in your own words -- and, you know, talk a little bit about the day and the events that led up to you folks being there, and tell us exactly what happened there.

Leftist Tolerance in Madison, WI (with video)

In Wisconsin, if you're in political office and don't kowtow to Big Labor, you risk facing recall.  When they launched the recall of Governor Walker (for limiting public unions' collective bargaining privileges -- and related monetary and political power), a group of Walker supporters gathered in Madison to show our support for Gov. Walker and his state-saving reforms.  The anti-Walker folks gathered in the Square around the Capitol building -- on the Capitol grounds, on the sidewalk around the Capitol, on the streets surrounding the Capitol...

The sidewalk on the other side of the street? That's where we Walker supporters were allowed access.  We circled the Capitol a few times.  Here is the reaction from the Tolerant Left:

WI Bar Discriminates Against Conservatives

Last night I went to the Rox Bar and Grille in Pewaukee, WI with five conservative friends.  On our way out -- after spending money in their establishment -- the doorman said to never come back, due to wearing gear promoting Governor Scott Walker.

Walker supporters and former Rox Bar patrons have swarmed the Rox Bar's Facebook page to express their outrage.  We await comment from the bar's owner.

For those outside of the area: the bar is in Waukesha County, near the hometown of Governor Scott Walker.

the controversial -- & awesome -- shirt

The shirt, a favorite among Walker supporters, can be purchased online at B&D Embroidery.










UPDATE: The bar has posted an apology on Facebook. (Spoiler alert: It's lame.  Also, it's not an apology.)  Click (below) to read the non-apology apology and read updates about this developing incident.

Walker Wins?

Might Wisconsin be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel?

The first round of recall elections was clearly won by the Republicans.  
     * Of the six elections last week, Republicans won four while Democrats won six.
     * Democrats did not win enough seats to flip the senate majority from red to blue.'

Today Wisconsin votes in recall elections for Sens. Wirch and Holperin.  Holperin, in the vast and northern District 12, is most vulnerable of the two.  His challenger, Kim Simac, has no government experience but has been running a strong grassroots campaign.

And now... PPP is saying that Wisconsinites do not favor recalling Gov. Walker.

Walkerville: Stop the Attack on Wisconsin Families

Walkerville.  I don't even know where to begin.  WALKERVILLE.

A couple months ago, when the occupation of the Capitol was shut down, some people began sleeping outside instead.  It was February in Wisconsin, and they were either true patriots or idiots, depending on your view.  These hovels were dubbed Walkerville.

It's funny, because it's like Hoovervilles, except for Gov. Scott Walker.  So let's go back in history for a bit, hmm?  According to Wikipedia, "A Hooverville was the popular name for shanty towns built by homeless people during the Great Depression," thus named for then-president Hoover who was deemed responsible for allowing the U.S. to slide into a depression.  Interesting tidbit from Wikipedia: the term was coined by Charles Michelson, publicity chief of the Democratic National Committee.  

a Hooverville in Central Park, NYC
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a Hooverville in Red Hook, NY
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To nitpick, the name should be Obamaville (or Bushville, if you prefer).  The state of Wisconsin's economy is directly correlated to the Great Recession.  Some would argue that Walker is using the recession as an excuse to "bust unions", though, so let's let the naming slide.  Besides, naming it Walkerville is an obvious marketing campaign, just like the original.

Walkervilles have come back.  The city okayed permits for a Walkerville occupation along a few blocks of the downtown square.  The occupation starts tonight and last until June 20th.  The purpose?  Well, that's a good question.

To answer, I need to tell a story about my alma mater.  It was a strange little school tucked away in Nashville, TN.  Very conservative.  Most students had little exposure to the harsher aspects of life.  Every year there was a... I don't know the right word.  An event?  A rally?  A demonstration?  Every year, students slept outside for one night on the grass circle in the middle of campus.  It was supposed to draw attention to homelessness.

The students brought in cardboard boxes, duct tape, newspapers, and other appropriate materials.  They crafted little clubhouses, and they decorated them with newspaper curtains.  They giggled as they played, and they slept in cozy sleeping bags, thinking they were experiencing what it's like to be homeless.

In the morning they tossed their "homes" in the trash and went to the cafeteria for breakfast.

I always found this vulgar.  There's simply no other word for it.  Those students did mean well, but their actions were ridiculous.  Worse, their actions were harmful.  The purpose of the sleep-in was to draw attention to homelessness.  Instead, these individuals felt emotionally fulfilled by doing, essentially, nothing to help the homeless.  They simply didn't understand how very real homelessness is, nor did they care to do something constructive to help the homelessness problem.  They preferred to get caught up in a fun game that could make them feel good.  They made a mockery of themselves and their cause.

Those sleeping in the new Walkerville are doing it because Walker is trying to pass laws that negate the public sector unions' power in this state.  (The bill was on the table in February, when the protests first occurred, then it was passed, and then it got tied up in the courts and spat back out at the legislature.  It's scheduled to be passed again sometime this month.)  The state is broke, which the protesters deny, and Walker has been making severe cuts and changes to help the state get back on solid ground.  The protesters disagree with the decisions Walker is making, and when asked for alternative plans, their solution is to tax the rich.

The government workers have had a small percentage change to the amount they contribute to their pensions and healthcare.  They say that's fine.  It's not about the money.  It's about the "right" to collectively bargain, which Walker is trying to cease.

So if it's not about the money... why Walkerville?  I suppose it's a clever way to infer monetary issues without discussing them outright, as well as to associate Governor Walker with the recession.

Here are some pictures from the debut of the new Walkerville.

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Walker wants to muzzle you... but you've been given permission to demonstrate on the street?
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Life is so hard that we have free books!
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Happy family!  A modern day Grapes of Wrath!
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And, my personal favorite...

shirt reads "Stop the attack on Wisconsin families"
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I'll tell you something about Wisconsin Families.  Most of them rely on paychecks from Wisconsin businesses for their food, shelter, fancy tents, and whatnot.  The way to support Wisconsin families is to support Wisconsin businesses.  Take a look at that first picture again.  Yep, these people are camped out in front of Wisconsin businesses.  When they applied for their permit, the businesses were outraged.  The protesters pretty much said "We're gonna do it regardless, so you might as well make it legal."  

Stop the attack on Wisconsin businesses, asshole.

Most importantly, let's consider the signs and symbols they are using to make their case.  They're using tents/"Hooverville" imagery to denote the poor economic situation of... the state?  Them?  I don't know.  They deny that the state is broke, so that can't be it.  They say it's not about the money being taken out of their paychecks, so surely that can't be it...  What is it?

They say they aren't protesting; it's a vigil.  They're keeping watch on the legislature, and they want to make sure that their constant presence is a reminder of that.  Sounds like intimidation to me...

There's danger afoot and these vigil-ers - whether 3 or 3 thousand - are a visible reminder to the statesmen & women to do the right thing, that indeed that they are being watched - from near and afar! The vigil demonstrates the continuing resistance to the governor's attack on working people. 

Their mission, however, is clear: occupation.

"If they push us out of the capitol, then we will find expression on the rest of the capitol grounds. If they push us out of the capitol grounds, then we will find expression in the rest of the streets and shops of downtown. If they push us out of the streets and shops of downtown, we will find expression in the rest of the city of Madison. If they push us out of the city of Madison, it's the state of Wisconsin. If they push us out of Wisconsin, it's the USA!"

Many different things irk me about the entire political climate of the past fews months, and I could cry and whine about how mobs of people are ruining my city; their version of "democracy" includes vandalizing historic public property; the unions no longer serve the valorous duties of the first unions; etc.  I've got a unique Irk to vent for this particular display of hubris.


Wisconsin's poverty rate is 10.5% (2009).  That's nearly 600,000 people who do not have fancy tents.  What about those Wisconsin families?  Just like the yahoos at my college, these "vigil-ers" are parading around, demanding "rights", and playing dress up while there are real people in the state with very real problems.  Are they demanding that Walker earmark funds for people who are actually living in "Hoovervilles"?  No.  They just want their union bosses to maintain their collective bargaining so that public sector employees get the best piece of the pie possible.  


When the public sector gets the best piece of the pie possible, that money comes from somewhere... funds that could be spent elsewhere.  They ape homelessness to intimidate lawmakers into passing their agenda, which results in less funds available to help the homeless.  


Dear Vigil-ers, please stop the attack on Wisconsin families.

Kloppenberg Concedes!

link

Neener neener.

That is all.