One Liberal Criticizes Boorish Behavior

At least there is one… good for CAFFEINATED POLITICS.

While the bill was contentious, and one that I would argue does not have solid environmental protections, the outbursts and foul language used by protesters in the gallery to make their point was totally out-of-bounds.  The wholy inappropriate cursing at Republicans, draping of a banner, and the pounding on assembly doors made the whole lot of them more buffoons than serious-minded citizens.

Something very unhealthy to democracy has been unleashed at the Capitol over the past year, and unless it is reined in it only has the potential to become more unwieldy and perhaps even dangerous.  What we are witnessing has nothing to do with free speech, but instead is just boorish behavior that makes everyone looks bad.

It is not just the protestors who are to blame, but also legislators who really must conduct themselves in a fashion that underscores the responsibilities they shoulder.

While I am very opposed to Governor Scott Walker and his position on collective bargaining I am also very troubled with the antics of Representative Mark Pocan.  The Madison Democrat put a large anti-Walker banner in his office window at the Statehouse to make a political statement.  There is no way that is acceptable, unless some very tight rules were modified since I worked in the assembly.  I strongly suspect they were not, and this is but one more example of bad form in highly-charged times.

There is a time for frothy debate and hard-nosed political campaigning.  But far more often under the dome there should be level-headed civility and unity when serving in what is be a most impressive building, and (in theory)legislative body.