Twitter Threats to Riot – Campaign Directed? – Twitter Members Post To Start a Riot if Romney Wins Election – Real or Desperate Campaign Tactics?

The above screenshot from Infowars.com, consistent in the language and message

Yesterday, the website info war, ran an article entitled “New Threats to Riot if Obama Loses Election”, the gist: twitter has recently seen a spike in both death threats to Candidate Mitt Romney as well as promises to riot in the event that President Obama loses the election. (Worth the read and available at www.infowars.com). That said, taking nothing for granted, when one searches Twitter for “Romney-Riot” there are hundreds of tweets suggesting a riot should take place if the incumbent is not reelected. The Twitters appear to be from a broad background, more anarchist than racial in tone – and the messaging is all so very similar. It is the similarity that is what is at question. Would thousands of individuals come up with the same idea and words to suggest a riot as a result of the outcome of a Presidential race?

Although one might point to the rhetoric of Luis Farrakhan, suggesting that race is the motivating factor to elect, Mitt Romney President. The aging “Nation of Islam” leader is backing the President as he did in 2008, using race as a factor. (McClatchy). That said, the “tweets” following the theme of alleged anarchy, possibly in the hopes of national media attention, rather than someone expressing what might be an actual sentiment (a la Susan Sarandon’s threat to leave the country if Bush was elected – she stayed), or as most individuals express either disappointment or outright depression if their chosen candidate does not win. It’s worked a bit, and made the Drudge Report Headlines, linking to the InfoWar site.

When one looks at who’s “tweeting” about a Romney win riot – it appears there are approximately thirty or so that pop up, but the repetition and the colloquial don’t “jive” – given the popular “hip hop” slant on some of the messages, while the others are somewhat “suburban housewife”. One might almost think that the “tweets” are part of a last ditch campaign strategy, a team with an alleged lock on only ten states, less than a month before the election, has to know that there is no way to crawl back into “first”. There’s something about the final waning moments of a Presidential campaign, where that point starts is now, in mid-October. That is the time when those die-hard partisan’s and supporters, no matter how much they wish things were different realize the game is over. Not unlike football, there is the final two minute warning, the quarterback has been sacked too often to be useful, the defense is falling apart, and when the special team is called in to stop the bleeding, they implode into giggles and grins. The opposition has the ball, they know how to run out the clock and there is nothing one can do but sit there and watch the final field goal (or touchdown in this case). Sometimes the losing team will try to Psyche out the opposition or its’ supporters, and with the David Axelrod at the helm of the campaign, looking for frazzled by the day, stammering in news conferences, and frustrated, one can imagine a last ditch of “threaten a race riot, and they either won’t vote, or they’ll not want to be labeled a racist” tactic. After all, race and division have been the one contestant them of this administration since day one, therefore that lends to the obvious question: how many were paid to tweet, and how many are jumping on the bandwagon as an actual excuse to riot – that might be difficult to tell.

One might take this with a grain of salt, or as an incentive to vote for Romney, especially if one is an independent and sick of the division.

The riot as part of election strategy might be a bit of a stretch – however, one would expect that the “angry” twitters are not down and out to the point where they have no iphone, or ipad, or similar device to post these tweets. Therefore, one might be tempted to think: these are either party operatives, or students, or sympathizers who are so vested in a candidate that they are expressing their feeling about rioting, simply because they are not Susan Sarandon and have no passport to take them elsewhere, or that might be “passé”. Understanding from Infowars that some were concerned about losing their government assistance – would not someone how knows how to work the system for government assistance be aware that partaking in a riot, as a criminal offence, would facilitate that loss? Or again, it goes back to the “campaign” – example from the Infowars article: Tweeter Pat 47% Entitled, suggests: “if every action IS met with an equal and opposite reaction .what should workers do to employers if Romney's elected? #Riot in the streets!!” That is not a racist sentiment, that is a union sentiment. Going back to the losing team for a moment – If one is reading internal polls that tell them even Massachusetts is in play, then one has nothing left but to start a division. However, one can bet the house, that if Romney is elected, the general public, just as when Reagan and Bush were elected, suffer no consequences, and the riots? They will be nothing more than a tweet, as the community organizers and union members get back to the business of organizing for the next election. Of course, the above is strictly hypothesis; however, given the pattern of not quite up to Machiavellian standards used in the past by this campaign, it might not be out of the question.

Now "Occupy" is in a City Near You – Pelosi (D-CA8 -Up for reelection in 2012) Condones Bizarre Cult Behavior by Protestors – Bring on the "Koodaid"!

Occupy Wall Street Jazzercize - image NY Daily News

versus


Serious Protestors 1972 - image flker from pieman424


The video below, “Occupy Amherst – Take 1” shows a small contingent of purportedly UMASS students, and most likely professors, merrily skipping up the side walk to overthrow the “lobbyists, bankers, and others who are apparently responsible for a bevy of complaints: They want their country back – the protestors seem apparently normal at first, yet it is not long before they break into a repetitive cult like speak (similar to all “Occupy Wall Street protests): The “leader” makes a statement, the entire group, “parrots” every single word, throughout the entire “protest”.

The question is: what is the purpose of “Occupying Amherst, of all places, where no one there, or hardly anyone, would not be simpatico with the protestors, no matter how bizarre their behavior appears? The City itself has the moniker “The People’s Republic of Amherst”, from the western foot hills of the state, to the north and south shores – it is the open communist, progressive bent of the occupants (much like Vermont), that gives the name some credence.

One might tolerate these protests, in a matter of fact, one should tolerate the protestors, if one does not agree with them politically, and that is not the point. However, this blogger having been of an age to have attended protests in the past, where one hundred thousand youth would find their way halfway across the country in order to be heard, makes this look at this “movement” as ineffective, lazy and frankly bizarre. If they were to “Occupy Wall Street”, then they should head there en masse, and now allow 700 of their compatriots sit out (or in) on the Brooklyn Bridge – that’s hardly a number worth getting hyped up about.

The support of the unions, specifically the SEIU (see clip from the Occupy Atlanta video), has greatly helped the numbers grow – and perhaps, just perhaps, this will last through the 2012 elections. The repetitive speak is also accompanied by non noisome clapping – whereas the participants “raise their arms and wiggle their fingers” instead of clapping – to show respect.

It is, in a word, both hysterically funny and alternately sad, that these individuals are seriously participating in a protest that has “no meat” to it – and a message: generally government cronyism, that is particularly resonant with the members of the Tea Party (where one won’t find waving of fingers, but boisterous cheering, music, and a lot of picking up after themselves.)

The media: Outside of video’s being posted to You Tube and Face book (and other social network mediums), there is no media coverage of these protests: other than short clips where the protestors appear somewhat normal – every day students running or sitting in – (accompanied of course, by 700 pound gorillas in SEIU t-shirts) – but there have been, to this blogs knowledge, any reports on the evening news showing repetitive speak and the twinkling fingers of these focused, apparently brainwashed, and about to down the Kool-Aid, protestors. Why is that? Is it out of a sense of embarrassment that the left would not show the world how “Effective” their protests are - the strikers that in solidarity with the unions and MSNBC, are truly “focused” – is it embarrassment, it is in concert with the powers behind the protests (If one believes, these clueless chanter’s thought this one up on their own, think again – specifically one that is “nationwide”). There is coverage, but selective, and therefore, taking the heat off someone, somewhere (most likely Obama, whom the protestors support, so why not show them as they truly are? After all, they have Nancy Pelosi’s blessing, and they allow zero speech from anyone, even those who may be sympathetic. Take the time to watch the “Occupy Atlanta Video”: it is not without some amusement and absolute astonishment on the faces of the member of Congress and apparent aids, that tells the story – “These people may be here to: (pick one: cover for, support, or otherwise take the heat off: Obama) but their nuts!

"Occupy Amherst"


Pelosi on Occupy and Eric Cantors support for Tea Party Protests


Pelosi: (paraphrased from video above) “God Bless the Occupy Wall Street Protestors, they’re young, focused and it’s going to be effective”


Pelosi on Cantor’s: (Paraphrased from video above) “Protestors are of growing concern, pitting American’s against American’s” – Response from Pelosi (again Paraphrased): “I didn’t see him or his colleagues complain when the Tea Party was spitting on members of Congress (she is referring to the alleged incident of which there is zero proof, of Congressman John Lewis, a Civil Rights Leader, being spit upon by a Tea Party member).

In this opinion: Whether it be Tea Party, Democrat, Green Party or any political individual who uses that black, white, yellow or green, who uses that particular slur, they need to have their knuckles slapped with a ruler – the class/racial rhetoric, which has been escalated by individuals such as Pelosi, has taken this nation twenty steps backward from where the U.S. was only five years ago – Was their bigotry and intolerance, absolutely, but it was in small isolated pockets – there was no open “us versus them” when it came to black, white, Hispanic - there were the elitists bigots, there were the usual caricatures of bigotry, but either one lives in a bubble, (which is hardly the case), or is an ideologue (again, hardly the case), then one understands that there has been increase in the way American’s view one another by “class” (i.e. Race and education), and it is a particularly “Progressive” point of view, split the nation in order to “win politically” – it is disgusting. However, it did not go the way staunch Progressives had hoped:
Example: Occupy Atlanta – Video Below: where the same Congressman, John Lewis, of whom Nancy Pelosi Speaks was prevented from speaking by these “focused” young people. She was right, they were “effective” in not allowing the Congressman to Speak:

Occupy Atlanta


In closing, there are few protests that one should not support, the only ones that come to mind are the ones involving anarchist who prefer to break, smash, and otherwise destroy property, just for the fun of it. Any other protests, such as the Occupy Wall Street (bizarre behavior aside), should take place, in peace – it is our U.S. Constitution in all its glory – whereby groups, no matter what political ideology, may assemble and protest. It is this opinion, having participated in the past from Democrat Anti-War (slogans: “Dump the Hump” - anyone recall that one?), to the current day Tea Party rally (which is similar in scope to the rally’s of the 1960’s, however, participants, pick up after themselves, are peaceful and on-time – and contrary to the constant drumbeat of the media that doesn’t go there (but reports from afar), is a diverse crowd, both young and old, black, white, Hispanic, Muslim, Asian – these protests are against heavy taxation and government intrusion into daily life, the points are clear, and the speakers are precise, cheered and not parroted. The 1960’s to early 1970’s anti-war demonstrations were basically the same: peaceful, less concerned, granted, with pickup of after oneself, but overall the message was clear, and the protestors were individually driven, versus the concerted, contained and staged appearance of those who Occupy Wall Street from afar.

As a child, at my Austrian grandmothers knee, it was the stories of the evils of the Communists and the Socialists, (and the NAZI’s were lumped in that group, as they are all groups that have a top heavy elite, and the balance are basically “slaves to ideology and in reality”), that were imparted to this blogger, that made the impression, from the old footage of demonstrations, to the books by the various leaders that were read together with this woman who had seen the devastation of a family by those who would change the world, that formed the suspicion in the mind of a child against any group that promised the impossible, and required a class structure. That is the point: In America there is no class structure, which is not in keeping with the Progressive/Communist/Socialist Plan. The premise is that everyone, regardless of socio-economic background, race, or religion, has an equal opportunity to be whatever they choose, to advance, to achieve a dream, to have goals, to even, one day, become the President of these United States, does not sit well with those who want, not power for the people, but power over the people.
It is not wonder then that Ms. Pelosi, an avowed Progressive, would feel so strongly proud of these “Occupy Wall Street” protestors.

Teacher’s Union Calls for Protests Monday-Tuesday –Urge Teachers to Wear Red – Counter Protests Planned – The Ballot Box will Decide Union Relevance

Teachers Unions have called for protests today and tomorrow February 21st and February 22nd, at various locations in states across the nation. A list of the locations can be found here: at http://michellemalkin.com/2011/02/20/get-ready-seius-purple-army-nationwide-protest-schedule-teachers-unions-pressure-members-to-show-solidarity/, with the Massachusetts Teachers Union, call for action, here at http://massteacher.org/news/archive/2011-02-18.

Interestingly, the protests in MA to be held at the Springfield City Hall Steps and the Massachusetts State House in Boston, suggest that teachers wear “red” for solidarity, and the website gives instructions to teachers on how to use Facebook and “Tweet” their support for the protests. Interest on Twitter appears to be somewhat lacking for the MA Teachers Union, a search for tweets using #MA4WI, shows approximately 55 “tweets”. The majority of "tweets" coming from the initial “tweeter”, massteacher, with tweets from other state unions urging protests - the newest posts from those who are deriding the protests in MA wondering how many teachers will actually show due to the Commonwealth’s schools vacation week.

Meanwhile, Tea Party Members in the Bay State are planning counter protests; while Tea Party and Conservatives across the nation weigh in on whether or not to protest; due to fear of violence from Union members, with some believing the Teachers and Unions involved in protests are doing enough damage to themselves without outside involvement.

In any event, those in the Western Massachusetts are, will most likely see a protest of some sort on the City Hall Steps in Springfield tomorrow, between 4 and 6 on the 11 o’clock news. Massachusetts teachers are able to protests without fear of repercussion from school districts due to a scheduled vacation; however their counterparts in Wisconsin are facing possible unemployment.

From the Washington Examiner: Governor Scott Walker indicated on Sunday that without the compromises he has proposed, up to 12,000 state workers will be out of a job. The general populace may not be showing that much sympathy for the union or anyone affiliated with the protests as doctors who had handed out sick notes to teachers who called in sick (for 3 days), are being hit with emails and telephone calls that are less than complementary – this from Madison.com smack dab in the middle of the protests.

The idiom, “for the children” isn’t flying any longer, as the national and local press report on the union organization receiving help from Obama’s, “Organizing for America” and the SEIU, who managed to bus in 10’s of thousands of “protestors” to Madison.
What’s on the line? Union dues dollars that would fill the coffers of Democrats running for reelection, and as Walker remains steadfast in his proposal, should those Democrats who fled the state be brought back (Walker is using the State Police to hunt them down per the Wisconsin State Constitution), and a vote be taken, those teachers in Madison would have the right to work, without the current rule where they must join a union and pay dues. The fear of those who run the unions and their political counterparts is that this will have a snowball effect nationwide.
One can hazard to guess that Walker, who is steadfast, and who, unlike the SEIU and those who have no interest in the Teachers or the Children, understands the Wisconsin State Budget limitations, without the modest increases in participation in benefit and pensions programs requested by the Govenor, as well as the right to work without being forced to join a union, the state will, in all likelihood, layoff 12,000 workers. One can hazard to guess those workers will be teachers.

Herein lays the crux of the matter, unions have their purpose in protecting those who have no voice, and work in occupations that can be life-threatening- the top ten include the following industries: (based on occupational related fatalities reported by the Department of Labor Statistics) Fishermen, Logging (Timber Industry), Farmers/Ranchers, Steel Workers, Sanitation Workers, Aircraft Pilots, Roofers, Coal Miners, Merchant Mariners, and Millers. Numbers 10 through 20: Power Line Installer, Police Officer, Fireman(woman), Oil and Gas Crew, Cement Makers , Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs, Truck Drivers or Material Movers, Constructor Equipment Operators, Slaughterhouse and rounding out the top 20, Security. Not on the list: teachers and government employees. No kidding. How to the rank and file (Teachers Unions) feel about the “opt out” of a union option?

Visit a Tea Party Meeting.

One might think that the Tea Party is, according to published news accounts, nothing more than right wing activists, however, in visiting a local Tea Party Meeting, those in attendance were, surprisingly, a mixed bag, from State Employees disgusted by the system, to rank and file Democrats, to the retiree concerned about health care reform, to students concerned about the debt, Libertarians, Republicans, Democrats and Independents, Black, White and Hispanic, and yes, teachers - are all invested in the Tea Party principal of fiscal conservatism and less invasive government. Go figure.

As the unions self-implode using staged protests, disrupting the lives of parents (who work) and their children (who should be in school in Madison), and those Democrat Lawmaker who fled Wisconsin (or those in other states that are thinking about doing the same when, not if, similar proposals come to the Governors desks of states overburdened by pensions and benefits for state workers under union rule), the taxpayers will use their best available weapon – the ballot box. It goes without saying that those in Wisconsin and elsewhere, are no longer receiving news from one source; and for the Unions to attempt to turn statehouse rallies into Greek-like protests scenes to meet their objectives may realize the opposite result – perhaps this may fly in Massachusetts or California, but…with these states so indebted and dependent upon Federal aid, how much can they possibly bleed those systems?
Counter protests, or no, the Unions are receiving enough press and it appears that those who pay taxes and fear a Greek-like State, will have the final say. Frankly, no fan of unions for those holding higher degrees, as it takes away from those who actually need a union, it would bring a breath of fresh air, and perhaps higher graduation rates to the states: In Massachusetts where it is reported that the best schools are located, an 80% graduation rate is just fine: Reports here by city Http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/state_report/gradrates.aspx shows the City of Springfield with a 53% graduation rate (as of 2010). How’s the graduation rate in your state? If Massachusetts is allegedly the best the nation has to offer?

The TSA Nightmare - Government Conspiracy or Just Plain Stupidity?

TSA Agents inspect 2 year old suspected "terrorist" at U.S. airport screening - How bright are these Govenrment Union Employees? Image MyFoxAltanta

A good deal of debate has been taking shape regarding the new regulations for flying in the United States , from the intrusive “pat downs”, to full-blown body x-rays, the premise of some “pundits” is that a “big government conspiracy” is afoot. Seriously, crediting Homeland Security with the wherewithal of “controlling the American Citizen” is a stretch. Crediting them with following orders to control the populace is also a stretch – they have, however, created chaos – media chaos. With a never ending parade of articles on intrusive and ridiculous searches, not one article deals with the union aspect of the TSA who are under the umbrella of National Treasury Employees Union who have been in a contest of sorts for the union dues of potential TSA union members with the SEIU. Therefore, the situation one has is simple – union thugs (previously known as government workers), are attempting to follow guidelines from the TSA for screening, with union “thug” mentality added to the already entrenched “world owes me a living” union credo. In addition, the unions are telling their employees not to worry about lawsuits, as a Federal employee is not liable and the DOJ will step in and save them. Will the average TSA employee even understand the new guidelines? Doubtful, as the criteria established for hires is less stringent that one’s local grocery store.

Therefore, one has the Homeland Security brain trust of Janet Napolitano who is, kindly put, out of her depth, working with barely educated union thugs to secure our airplanes – Conspiracy – no, stupidity yes.

What U.S. Citizens have come to expect from most Union/Government entities in the past two years is a level of unparalled incompetence that, to date, has no equal. Perhaps it was the Progressive aim of “dumbing" down the American Education system that now has average American grandmothers, being sexually molested at airports nationwide – in simple form – the individuals employed by the TSA do not know better – neither does their boss. Janet is too busy being politically correct. The only way to keep the U.S. Flights safe, is not to pat down the nun, the grandmother, the American soldiers returning from Afghanistan (just Google for article after article), it is to “profile” those individuals trying to board a plane that have a propensity and background for blowing up Americans. One can bet the house that these TSA mental giants are not inspecting every piece of cargo placed in the hold, and with that in mind, the entire x-ray, pat-down process is truly moot – they just don’t’ get it. Perhaps it’s not politically correct to search a package that may say be coming from Yemen bound for Detroit, profiling – the dirty words of the politically correct, but a process that works.

Why not profile swarthy men with their heads wrapped in Wal-Mart kitchen toweled, carrying overloaded backpacks - that would imply one would have to single out a specific group, which is a no-no, which is why, U.S. passengers are facing this insanity and subsequent delays, body cavity searches, et al. When a terrorist does attempt to get through security – they will have to go through this very same procedure, costing the U.S. more money, but a better chance at catching the “terrorist” if “everyone has to go through the same procedure. Of course, Muslim groups have already protested, however, so far, with no luck . The obvious solution to this whole intrusive issue is to simply not fly. Take a plane, train, bus – avoid the airlines like the plague. The object of course, is to force the lobbyist employed by the airlines to go to work in a hurry – the industry can hardly survive without its passengers, and, incidentally, there would be layoffs galore at the TSA. It’s a win-win situation. When one must battle stupidity, then one must face some inconveniences.

The True Inconvenient Truth is that our government is run by individuals we would not trust to wash our cars, and as their very salaries, bloated pensions and super benefits are all dependent upon the taxpayer’s largesse, then, deciding to for go’s the nonsense at the airport, would of course, demand a change of heart. There is, after all, “Go To Meeting, and a host of programs which make traveling moot. For those of you who have no desire to skip the flight, have some fun with those who are about to “violate” your body – request a pat-down, turn the tables, and ask the TSA idiot to please put his hands down your pants, as you’ve been planning a trip just to meet him or her, and then tip them a buck.

Springfield MA – - Democrat Banner Rally Illegally Hung Over City Hall Summarily Removed – The Rise of Public Opposition to Politics as Usual in MA

First, the blog, Springfield Intruder did an excellent job publishing: “Single Party Rule in Springfield Confirmed with City Hall Banner”, noting the illegal use of public property by a single political party. The banner was hung in response to a rally planned by the local Democrat Party in an effort to “Get out the Vote” for Democrat Candidates in MA, including Deval Patrick and Congressman Richard Neal, both battling for reelection.

This removal of the banner from the City Hall was reported by the Springfield Republican’s Website after the Intruder's post, with the headline “Democratic rally banner pulled off Springfield City Hall after questions from Massachusetts Republican Committee and others”. One had to read into the third paragraph of the article to get a hint of the legality of the issue. The Republican notes the removal was prompted by: ”a ruling from the city solicitor that it had to immediately come down.” Yes, it is illegal to use public property to promote a specific political party.

Seriously, how bad can it be in Massachusetts when the local Democrats can’t get away with doing something illegal, and the local daily paper headlines appear to be a sad attempt at blaming Republicans for complaining about bad behavior?

It is the growing discontent among the populace over seemingly “business as usual” political practices that have led to regular citizens educating themselves about the law and then doing something pro-active.

One merely needs to look at headlines from around the country to understand that people are more engaged than in other elections and wary of politicians and political parties that attempt to subvert the system. From the Drudge Report speaks to the chaos: (Chicago): “Possible glitch with vote-by-mail system”, (Las Vegas Sun) "Angle campaign attorney: Reid “intends to steal this election if he can’t win it outright”(which speaks to the of buying votes by members of the Teachers Unions in conjunction with Senate Majority Harry Reid), (Washington Examiner re: Nevada election) “Nevada voting machines automatically checking Harry Reid's name; voting machine technicians are SEIU members” - and it goes on and on and on.

From Nevada to to the Carolina’s problems with voting machines pointing to fraud by Democrats and their unions (all explained as “glitches with a system”, are made public knowledge in seconds with access to the web, cable television or a radio. It is fair to say then, that residents in Massachusetts and other blue states may be tuning in and getting suspicious as of late, specifically as there are hotly contested races and choices at the ballot box in Massachusetts for the first time in decades.

What established political parties do not seem to understand at any given time, is the ability of the American people to stand up and take notice. This is especially true when a Political Party has “ruled the roost” so to speak for what is literally generations. One would think that the Democrats, who are so tech savvy, would pick up on the angst of the populace and play fair. These types of headlines, including the Springfield Republican’s, only further the notion that the Democrats either control or have sympathizers in the media, and, additionally, cheat if they cannot win on their own merits.

Perhaps letting the chips fall where they may might have worked out better than intended in the long-run – as these types of headlines, far from rallying Democrats to get out and vote for their party, elicit a sense of desperation, and what follows is a renewed commitment for change and anti-incumbent sentiment among those unenrolled voters or independents who are flocking in droves to Tea Party events nationwide and an increasing awareness of the rank and file voter.

Losing the Social Media Battle: Even locally, the allegedly tech savvy Democrat Party has a Facebook fan page following of of 25 “fans” and went "live" on the web late in the game; the 15th of October. Alternately, the Springfield Tea Party has posted to Facebook since May of this year, and has 247 “followers” while the Western Mass Republican’s page has over 700 "fans".. There is no fan page for the Western Mass Democrats.

Although one cannot project the outcome of any given election based on Facebook “fans”, it does go to the level of interest in ending the “One-Party rule” that the Springfield Intruder speaks of, especially in Western Massachusetts. As David Axelrod, Deval Patrick and Barack Obama Mentor and "friend" noted in a recent interview on CNN, he will be watching the Northeast on November 2nd, and further that races may have surprising outcomes.

It will, in the long run, be who has the better ground game, and how disgusted, or demoralized the local party in power’s base is, that will tell the tale in nine Congressional races, the Governor’s race, and hundreds of State offices on November 2nd. One cannot anticipate a Blue State turning red, however, a shade of purple is definitely probable.

Update Chicago – Who’s in Charge? Union Officials and Rahm Emanuel Allegedly Give Blagojevich Obama’s Choice for Senate Seat Appointment

The trial of former Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich continued yesterday with, what the The Drudge Report is calling “Bombshell Testimony” re: Obama, from Blagojevich’s former aid, John Harris. The Sun Times, reporting from the trial, reports that Harris and Blagojevich both believed Obama wanted White House Advisor, Valerie Jarrett appointed to the Senate. The message was reportedly delivered to Blagojevich by SEIU’s Tom Balanoff.

From the Sun Times :

John Harris, Blagojevich's former chief of staff, testified Wednesday in the former governor's corruption trial that three days after the Nov. 4, 2008, presidential election, the ex-governor told Harris he felt confident Obama knew he wanted to swap perks.
"The president understands that the governor would be willing to make the appointment of Valerie Jarrett as long as he gets what he's asked for. . . . The governor gets the Cabinet appointment he's asked for," Harris said, explaining a recorded call.
Harris said Blagojevich came away believing Obama knew what he wanted after having a conversation with a local union representative, who in turn spoke with labor leader Tom Balanoff, with whom Blagojevich met to discuss a Jarrett appointment. Jarrett, now a White House adviser, was seeking the appointment to Obama's Senate seat.

A report from CBS2 Chicago, speaks to Rahm Emmanuel’s involvement:

In the call, Blagojevich's chief of staff, John Harris, tells his boss that Rahm Emanuel, Obama's soon-to-be top aide, had called him to give him a list of four people that Obama would find acceptable as his successor in the Senate. They were Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.; injured Iraq War vet Tammy Duckworth; U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Illinois State Comptroller Dan Hynes.

Harris tells Blagojevich "He doesn't want to say who he doesn't like," adding that if a person Blagojevich was considering was not on Emanuel's list, "he's not high on them." Harris explained that the message from Emanuel was that Illinois Senate President Emil Jones was not a favored candidate for the U.S. Senate spot.

Harris also testified that Emanuel told him that no one else in the Obama camp was authorized to talk about the Senate seat. That seemed to be an indication that previous messages from a union official that Jackson Jr. was not one of Obama's preferred candidates were unauthorized.

What is of interest in reading both reports is Emmanuel’s alleged claim that the message delivered by Balanoff was delivered independently by Balanoff, without the Presidents permission. That said, Blagojevich believed the list given to him by Emmanuel was a political move to portray then President-Elect Obama as promoting diversity – and that Jarrett was his first choice (as noted by Union delivery). The testimony given by Harris, speaks to the close relationship between organized Labor and the Democrat Party, specifically between Obama and the SEIU in Chicago. If true, the fact that Union officials were delivering the President Elects directions to a sitting Governor as to a political appointment, is of itself, disturbing on several levels. Labor today is specifically politically Progressive, (sic: Socialist) and its ability to influence policy at the highest levels of government lays a foundation that is prone to corruption. Organized Labor has been tied to several cases of corruptionincluding mismanagement of pension funds.. Historically, the ties between organized crime and organized labor are blurred. Therefore, the testimony coming from Chicago implies that the President of the United States is deeply wedded to a politically socialist corrupt organization.