Matthew Schauenburg – Prepared to Die For Democracy

[bfealk]

Source: The Rochester Citizen

Matthew Schauenburg is propped against a pillar inside the Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin with a sign alerting passersby that he is conducting a hunger strike for democracy. On Saturday, March 12, Matt was in day 8 of his hunger strike.

Matt lives on the east side of Madison in the Hawthorne neighborhood. Matt is conducting a hunger strike in opposition to Governor Scott Walker’s budget reform bill and in solidarity with Wisconsin’s state and union employees. Matt is a former union member and worked as a steel climber and rigger for the IATSE, a division of the Teamsters.


Read more: http://therochestercitizen.com/matthew-schauenburg-prepared-to-die-for-democracy-p386-1.htm

[OmahaBlueDog]

1. No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.

He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.
George S. Patton

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgespa125179.html#ixzz1GU5qI5FP

**

Note: I'm not advocating violence against Wisconsin Republicans. I'm saying that hunger strikes aren't the way to go.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Agree

Huhger strikes are not a tactic for winning sides, and this time Progressives are on the winning side. It's just a matter of time, patience, persistence, grass roots action.

[JanDutchy]

10. I disagree: Mahatma Ghandi freed a whole nation: You can do too!

GandhiMohandas Gandhi was imprisoned in 1922, 1930, 1933 and 1942. Because of Gandhi's stature around the world, British authorities were loath to allow him to die in their custody. It is likely Britain's reputation would have suffered as a result of such an event. Gandhi engaged in several famous hunger strikes to protest British rule of India. Fasting was a non-violent way of communicating the message and sometimes dramatically achieve the reason for the protest. This was keeping with the rules of Satyagraha.

In addition to Gandhi, various others have used the hunger strike option.

[OmahaBlueDog]

17. It may have worked in that time and that place. It won't work in America now

Most here would just as soon let you starve.

[JanDutchy]

19. Things can Change: Change It ! Join the Union ! op People!

EU is looking, Obama is willing and the oppossition against Rep's in Winsconsin are doing. Join : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk69e1Vcmvg

[jwirr]

22. The article plain says that it was because of Gandhi's stature in

the world. So unless Bill Clinton undertakes a hunger strike this is not going to work.

[roguevalley]

23. a man setting himself on fire caused this whole wave of freedom

to happen in the world. Its a personal thing. I salute him just as I saluted Ceasar Chavez when he did it.

[Cal33]

2. What an incredibly courageous and dedicated hero! My hat off to him.

And I hope and pray he will succeed in turning things around when he is still
healthy and sound.

[fittosurvive]

3. This guy is confused. He is actually protesting specific legislation enacted by

means of a democratic process.

[Lastactiongyro]

6. that is the most ass-backwards statement I have heard in a long time

[fittosurvive]

7. Well then, you are also confused.

[fascisthunter]

24. I see the majority here as clear minded

you, not so much.

[fasttense]

16. Democratic process?

I wonder, isn't democracy suppose to be about representing We the People? When Scott Walker pushes through secret legislation (that became not so secret) to take away the rights of people, you consider that democracy? When he ignored thousands, that became millions, of people that he is suppose to represent and pushed through legislation that only helped a handful of rich white guys that's democracy?

There is a sham voting process in place to hide the face of fascism. Even in the old Soviet Union they voted. Even in Egypt before the downfall of the dictator, they voted. Just because there is a voting process in place does not make it democracy.

Democracy is the will of the people influencing legislation. It's not the will of a handful of rich old men deciding legislation in backroom deals because they happen to get their guy voted in temporarily. If elected officials decided to bring back slavery and passed it, would you consider that democracy? If elected officials decided to only allow rich fat white men the vote, would that be democracy?

[fittosurvive]

18. I will avoid explaining how this guy is using the term democracy incorrectly.

However, his focal point is the Budget Repair Bill; that is the explicit nature of his protest.

[rayofreason]

25. The real democratic process...

...will take place when the recall petitions get signed and the recall elections are held in the next couple of months. With all of the opponents of Walker & Co out in the hinterlands there should no problem kicking every eligible Rep. Senator out of office, right? But until then the current state government is the duly elected government. Once the Democrats take back the state government through a tidal wave of voter indignation they can reverse every law the Republicans passed.

Also, making union dues voluntary will have next to zero effect since the public workers are solid behind the union. Only those who think that the unions don't have the overwhelming support of the workers think that this maneuver will have any effect.

[Zorra]

26. What's democratic about a bunch of fascist freaks arbitrarily

and erroneously re-interpreting a bill to suit their corporate master's needs?

[90-percent]

4. Step it up a notch

Self immolation seemed to work well for getting things going in the middle east, so go for it.

-90% Jimmy

:sarcasm:

[JJW]

8. While MSM is out to lunch

Let's see if the corporate owned media, buries this story.

Non-violent protest is working so far for Egypt.

[Homer12]

9. I'm seeing a lot of Rightwing Trolls already on this thread

It's all about creating chaos, who gets paid by the ACOC?

[laruemtt]

11. he needs toconsider pulling a Gingrich and

f*ck for democracy. everybody would win and we'd still have him here to help in the fight....

edited to add: sorry, it's freaking early and i haven't had any coffee yet..

[IamK]

12. Send him some Pizza....

http://hungryguymadison.blogspot.com/

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kingofalldems]

20. Hmmm. Familiar.

[elocs]

14. I distinctly remember seeing him when I was there on Friday

and his sign said "day 7". He was kind of alone, sitting by the pillar. Regardless of the outcome this is evidently something which he considers personally important for him to do. We should all have the courage to act upon what we consider is important.

[Gore1FL]

15. Appealing to the humanity of Walker?

That wouldn't be my first strategy, to be sure.

[jwirr]

21. I respect what he is doing but I do not want him to die for us - I want

him to live to fight again for us.

[Vidar]

27. I admire his courage and dedication.

[thenekkidtruth]

28. Everything is on the table as long as it's

non-violent. And that's what it'll take. The foe is intractable, and entrenched over a matter of decades, thanks to both Democrats and Republicans alike.

This guy has the right idea - Om Mane Padme Hum.