Randi Rhodes: Unrest in Middle East & Wisconsin

In the wake of the revolution in Egypt, thousands of protesters have clashed with security forces in Iran. Of course, your first question is, how does this work into Glenn Beck’s conspiracy theory? All I know is that, according to Beck, this will prove everything that he’s said so far. Iranian police used tear gas on the protesters. Something tells me they’re not customers of Combined Systems International of Jamestown, Pennsylvania. Thanks to their anti-American stance, I’m sure the Iranian authorities have to make do with substandard non-American tear gas. Do you know how hard it is to be a repressive regime without using crowd control products made in the USA? It’s like trying to make Thanksgiving dinner for a bunch of vegans.

What happens in Egypt doesn’t necessarily stay in Egypt. The Iranian regime supported the uprising against Mubarak specifically, but they don’t support uprisings against repressive regimes in general. I wonder how they would feel about Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin.

Governor Walker, who is trying to bust the public employee’s unions in his state, says he will call out the National Guard if workers refuse to make concessions. I think Governor Walker is confusing negotiation with extortion. Walker wants to eliminate the right of state workers to collective bargaining. Of course, how effectively can they bargain with National Guardsmen pointing rifles at them? As bargaining stances go, it’s hard to beat a stance that includes an automatic rifle. Governor, there is a reason they’re called the National Guard, and not the Governor’s Personal Guard. The National Guard is supposed to be there in case of a disaster. Well, I will admit, Governor Scott Walker is pretty much of a disaster.

Oh, by the way, Governor Scott, if you’re looking for some quality crowd control products, I hear Combined Systems International of Jamestown, Pennsylvania has an excellent track record. On that note, I wonder if Governor Scott has looked into using camels against the public employees unions? A charging camel might not intimidate a bunch of Egyptian protesters, but I bet it would scare the hell out of a Wisconsin state office worker.

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President Obama addressed the situation unfolding in Iran at a press conference earlier today…