The (Not So) Great Grain Robbery!

"President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march.
Let's take these son of bitches out and give America back to an America where
we belong!" - Jimmy Hoffa, President - Teamsters

Gosh, it seems like such a long time ago that Jimmy Hoffa delivered his uplifting speech designed to whip the crowd into an Organized Obama frenzy in the Motor City on Labor Day. 

Ah, the good old days.

Events from earlier today make me look wistfully back the Union-sponsored Love Fest for the Organizer in Chief, President Barack Obama. 

Yeah, I know, you're asking, "Dude, are you serious, you thought that speech was a GOOD thing???"

Well, since you asked, I believe that talking about threatening to 'take these sons of bitches out' is a BETTER option than actually acting upon the thing itself. 

This evening we'll hear from President Obama about how HE (and he alone) wants to fix the Economy. 

Tomorrow we'll hear about how Republicans won't even try to fix the Economy and put people back to work by following the widely accepted: 'President Obama's Patented Practices for Creating or Saving Jobs'.  (US Patent #: $1600000000000)

But for now, let's talk about today. 

Tonight will take care of itself and President Obama will take care of his Organized Family... 

Longshoremen storm Wash. state port, damage RR
From the story linked above:  LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Hundreds of Longshoremen stormed the Port of Longview early Thursday, overpowered and held security guards, damaged railroad cars, and dumped grain that is the center of a labor dispute, said Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha.

Six guards were held hostage for a couple of hours after 500 or more Longshoremen broke down gates about 4:30 a.m. and smashed windows in the guard shack, he said.

No one was hurt, and nobody has been arrested. Most of the protesters returned to their union hall after cutting brake lines and spilling grain from car at the EGT terminal, Duscha said.
...
[IRONY ALERT IN 3, 2, 1:]  The International Longshore and Warehouse Union believes it has the right to work at the facility, but the company has hired a contractor that's staffing a workforce of other union laborers.  [IRONY ALERT ENDS]
...
"We're not surprised," Duscha said. "A lot of the protesters were telling us this in only the start."
...
One sergeant was threatened with baseball bats and retreated, Duscha said. "One officer with hundreds of Longshoremen? He used the better part of discretion."

The train was the first grain shipment to arrive at Longview. It arrived Wednesday night after police arrested 19 demonstrators who tried to block the tracks. They were led by ILWU International President Robert McEllrath, who said they would return.

ILWU International President, Robert McEllrath says,
"I shall return!!!"

The blockade appeared to defy a federal restraining order issued last week against the union after it was accused of assaults and death threats.
(Look for the union label, when you are driving your train...)

O-K-A-Y, well, that's uncomfortably 'special'...

I wonder how the Union feels about the events of today?  Are they contrite?  Are they concerned that they held private citizens and private property, both of which were taken by force? 

Do they care that the grain they spilled could have provided 'Wheaties' cereal for 952 of the Poorest American Children? 

I dunno.

Let's take a jaunt over to THEIR site and see what they have to say about today's events.  Okay, here goes...

Workers volunteer to “put their bodies on the line” in effort to save good jobs in Longview, WA
From the Union Report linked above:  Hundreds of port workers stood on railroad tracks today at 4pm,  blocking  a train carrying grain to a foreign-owned loading facility in LongviewLongview.

“Everyone came to the tracks on their own free will to stand up for justice and protect good jobs in this community, said ILWU President Bob McEllrath, who stood with the volunteers on Wednesday afternoon.  “It shouldn’t be a crime to fight for good jobs in America.”
...
Police in riot gear charged the group of peaceful protesters, which included women and children, injuring several in the process.  When volunteers stood their ground, police retreated and the train was backed-off. As of 6pm, it was unclear if the BNSF Railroad would continue to attempt another delivery or stand down.
Ah, yes, 'It shouldn't be a crime to fight for good jobs in America' providing, of course, that you are not actually COMMITTING a crime while you are fighting for, you know, your 'good jobs'. 

As you listen to the President make his pitch to Organized Labor, Unions, and for 'Good Jobs' this evening, take a moment to REMEMBER what happened today.  When he talks about 'job creation', keep in mind that he's talking to his Organized base of supporters - not necessarily to you.

Why?  Because YOU don't normally show up with Baseball Bats, five hundred of your closest friends, break into buildings and generally make a nuisance of yourself by holding private citizens hostage until your demands are met.  Oh, and before I forget, YOU would be arrested.  Because YOU don't have the appropriate skills. 

THIS is a job for professionals. 

A job which can only be filled by highly-skilled folks wearing matching Union T-shirts and sporting the disposition of a dog aptly-named, Winky.

"Winky", the ILWU Mascot
"Good dog Winky, Good Dog"

So go ahead, watch the President tonight. 

And remember Winky.

Why?  Because Winky must be fed, and President Obama is holding his dinner plate.

And Winky does not like to be hungry, or to be kept waiting.  

No, not at all...

BONUS!  Click HERE to Meet Winky's Great, great, great, great, great Grandfather, member of AFTRA!  
Have a nice night folks.  Don't forget to feed your dog(s) - speaking of which...

"Dad, I can't feed myself.  Come on, get off the laptop!"

Okay Good Dog Kelly, but before I go, in case anyone missed it, the Head of the DNC defends Jimmy Hoffa Jr.'s statements on TV's Fox and Friends...