Here is something of a political issue. Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton apologized for using the word “scabs” to describe the replacement workers at a Kawaunee Fabrication plant. She used the word a couple of times while visiting with striking union workers outside the plant last week. When asked about it, she quickly back-pedaled on the issue and said, “an absolutely inexcusable mistake.”
Why?
Having walked a picket line, gone on strike, went for brief periods without the coin to buy a bag of groceries, I know a little bit about this subject. Having worked in my craft for over four years without a raise, I did not take it too kindly, when workers were trucked in from Texas to take my job.
When I came across this little ditty in the paper this past weekend, it kind of awakened the sleeping beast inside of me. You see, I know what a scab might be, I have seen the practice applied in my lifetime. I will also admit, as a due’s paying member of a union most of my adult life, I have a somewhat jaded opinion concerning this. But on the same token, I do have a working knowledge of the language.
Scab [skab] n (plural scabs) 1. crust over healing wound: a hard crust of dried blood, serum, or pus, that forms over a wound during healing 2. strikebreaker: somebody who continues to work during a strike, or who does a striker’s job during a strike (disapproving) 3. botany plant disease causing crusty spots: a fungal plant disease causing crusty spots on the affected parts 4. veterinary medicine skin disease of sheep: a skin disease of sheep and other animals that resembles mange 5. dislikable person: somebody regarded as despicable or dislikable (slang insult) 6. botany crusty spot on a plant: a crusty spot on a plant caused by a fungal disease vi (past scabbed, past participle scabbed, present participle scab·bing, 3rd person present singular scabs) 1. become covered with scab: to become covered with a scab during healing 2. work during strike: to continue to work during a strike, or do a striker’s job during a strike (disapproving)
It is entirely possible to take this Political Correctness non-sense too far. Let’s face it. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck … then … It is probably a duck.
Our problem in this country is we are afraid to stand our ground on just about anything anymore. We are so predisposed to guard our speech as to not offend; we often miss the entire point. Face it, if we lay it off on someone else, we don’t have to deal with it.
We blame the oil companies, which is like blaming bankruptcy lawyers for home foreclosures. We blame the oil producing nations around the world for OUR problems. Hey? It’s their oil, they can charge whatever they want for it. We blame the speculators for our ills, but we live in a free trade society, speculation is a normal by-product of tight supplies and the turmoil of everyday life in oil producing countries.
We blame the tree huggers (environmentalists) for protecting what needs to be protected. I live in Oklahoma, a state that has had its resources and land plundered in the name of profit for most of my adult life. We have an entire industry in this state devoted to nothing but going around and cleaning up abandoned oil sites, polluted and ravaged by, now long gone, oil companies.
Pitcher Oklahoma which was recently almost completely destroyed by a tornado was one of the largest Environmental Super Fund Clean Up sites in America.
It is imperative that we search out and find some people who are not only willing to speak the truth, but stand by it afterwards. Someone with some guts. We are being led to the brink by an incurious President and a league of elected Congressional fools. Who are far too willing to place the blame everywhere they can, other than where it should be. Officials at every level of government, who insist in pandering to the masses for anything and everything on a daily basis.
I got a word … my own personal daffy-nishun for the week.
Politician: (n) 1. A gutless wonder, who will talk out of both sides of his/her mouth in order to appease the masses,. 2 A person who starts every press conference with hypocrisy, proceeds with arrogance, and finishes with contempt. 3 Living proof that a pig bladder on a stick is evidently still elect-able in some states and I suppose in Guam and Puerto Rico (sp) too.
Call it what it is or just shadd-up.
000
Hey Don, you must have been listening to UK politicians to have come up with that definition. LOL!
I’ve always said that the trouble with politics is, it doen’t attract the right type of people. The people that go into politics are so often self-seeking egotists who are more interested in lining their own pockets, than in ensuring the best for the country they represent.
The type of worthy, humanitarian folk we need, who are not egotistical or self-seeking, and who would actually care – would never dirty their hands with the corruption of politics. That’s life.
I’ve always thought that the salary a politician gets should be equivalent to the national average salary, and it should be a criminal offence to profiteer by public speaking, or writing memoirs etc – that way the the unsuitable types wouldn’t be interested in the job because there would be no easy fortune to make. Plus there would be the added benfit of them actually realising what it is like for Joe Public to live on the average salary, with all the taxes and legislations the government thoughtlessly bring in.
Incidentally, it is said that Tony Blair has made in excess of 5 million pounds since he left politics. No wonder he didn’t appear to care what he did once he was elected. Once he was on that gravy train and it was inexorably rolling down the hill – he didn’t care. He knew he was made for life – and he and his equally greedy grasping wife need do nothing except rake it in. Once elected a Pm is guranteed a guilt edged pension too, one that that would keep the likes of you or I, in luxury in retirement.
Apologies if this turned into a rant!
Comment by Author — June 22, 2008 @ 5:54 AM
Well said. How’s Milo?
DS
Comment by Don Smith — June 22, 2008 @ 7:57 AM
It has always amazed me that people who work for a living will take the side of the corporations who overcharge them for everything, then send their jobs overseas and still overcharge them. All the while, cursing unions which are nothing more than working people standing together in solidarity for their share of the pie, which they, for the most part made. I too, have spent my time on picket lines, and am proud that I did. My family has had a much better life because I was paid a union wage. And, for the naysayers, the company I have worked for for the last 31 years has made record profits year after year. No doubt they would have loved to had some more of what they paid me, but thanks to my union and my fellow employees, they didn’t get it.
Comment by James W. — June 22, 2008 @ 9:18 PM
Thanks James, another superb comment, you always seem to hit the nail on the head.
DS
Comment by Don Smith — June 23, 2008 @ 12:52 AM