May 26, 2012

It's the People's Brat Fest...

On the Library Mall, here in Madison, Wisconsin, today. It's "brat" as in "bratwurst." Please spare me your sausage-based wisecracks.

The Industrial Workers of the World were there, with their "Abolition of the Wage System" flag, under the "God" banner:

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You could "Stand with Women"...

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... and listen to the "Mighty Wind"-ish band, with the iconic Wisconsin Blue Fist image on the back of the stand-up bass:

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You can run, but you can't escape the politics:

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70 comments:

samanthasmom said...

Is the festival always this political? Do you ever just have good food, beer, and an oompa loompa band?

Dan said...

Is there any pro Walker people in Madison? Far and few between I am sure.

Palladian said...

Is it a rule that commie guys have to have beards and wear the little cap?

Palladian said...

"... with the iconic Wisconsin Blue Fist image on the back of the stand-up bass"

The fist is blue because blood flow has ceased. It's a cadaver's fist, at this point.

Chip S. said...

I wonder how many of the people at the IWW booth are actual industrial workers.

I have a guess.

Palladian said...

I like that the Brutalist building housing the University Catholic Center has a little faux-Gothic frieze above the doors.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

My God what a narrow, pinched world you live in. How can you breath in that town? Get out of there before your soul is completely dead.

sonicfrog said...

Oh... I thought you meant a BRAT-fest!!! :-)

sonicfrog said...

PS. I do own a 1983 Brat!

http://sonicfrog.net/?p=5663

Original Mike said...

The People's Brat Fest? Please don't tell me that the the Sentry Brat Fest is a tool of the 1%.

Palladian said...

I agree with the dog...

Palladian said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Palladian said...

Is this the last one of these in private use?

edutcher said...

Where I used to work, they used them for delivering departmental mail, etc.

As for brats, they should be disciplined.

Chip S. said...

One of the things we can count on in the crazy crap-shoot of existence is that any event called "The Peoples' (Whatever)" will not abound with ordinary, everyday people.

Ann Althouse said...

"The People's Brat Fest? Please don't tell me that the the Sentry Brat Fest is a tool of the 1%."

Yeah, there's a whole thing about Johnsonville, the local brat company.

From the Isthmus: "The long-running World's Largest Bratfest, an annual fundraiser featuring Johnsonville brats, was joined by the Alt Bratfest, Wurst Times and the People's Bratfest. These events were sparked at first by unease in some quarters regarding Johnsonville's financial backing of Gov. Scott Walker's campaign. The fests, though, tried to stress the positive as they developed, as ways to highlight local food products. It's that angle that's bringing back the People's Bratfest, says organizer Bill Fetty of the Autonomous Solidarity Organization, a group devoted to community building and voter education."

If you can untangle that!

Ann Althouse said...

You can't eat a fucking hot dog around here without it being about Scott Walker.

rhhardin said...

Stand with women

It's the end of progress.

MadTownGuy said...

At the real Bratfest there were folks with clipboards soliciting voter registration... with Recall Walker stickers on the back (visible) side of the clipboards. Does that violate electioneering laws? We were at the fest for only a short time and when we came back out they were all gone.

The Bratfest Ann attended was the alternative (Johnsonville-free, dontcha know) celebration.

Simon Kenton said...

The question of whether a Brat is adequate for elk was answered definitively by two friends, who established that with careful, expert placement of the quarters, 2 bulls could be fitted into the back of one of the little Subarus. But, like a .410 shotgun, it is an expert's unit; novice nimrods need not apply.

MadTownGuy said...

There were a few pro-Walker stickers on the cars in the parking lot, including one with Hawaii plates(!) Must have been a long drive. I've still seen more out-of-state cars around Wisconsin with Recall Walker bumper/window stickers.

The Drill SGT said...

Simon Kenton said...
The question of whether a Brat is adequate for elk was answered definitively by two friends, who established that with careful, expert placement of the quarters, 2 bulls could be fitted into the back of one of the little Subarus


given that an average Elk is 700+ pounds, you are talking about 3/4 ton of animal.

got shocks?

Original Mike said...

" These events were sparked at first by unease in some quarters regarding Johnsonville's financial backing of Gov. Scott Walker's campaign."

Pathetic. I haven't been to the Brat Fest since they moved it. Might have to stop by tomorrow.

Wince said...

They should rename it the Doughy, Bloated, Vericose, Pasty-White Alopecic Thigh and Calf Exposed by Man Shorts Fest.

Petunia said...

Looks like there was hardly anyone there.

Nevertheless, this city sucks. Hoping to move within the year. Will miss my end of the block and the big Verona dog park. Won't miss much else.

FedkaTheConvict said...

Is that Meade with the Camelbak?

jungatheart said...

"Thus many of the descendants of the ancient Germanic Peoples do not speak Germanic languages, as they were to a greater or lesser degree assimilated into the cosmopolitan, literate culture of the Roman world."

http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Germanic_peoples

Michael K said...

I wonder if the "Recall Walker" signs will disappear after his landslide win next month. I saw Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers for years after 2004.

edutcher said...

Ann Althouse said...

You can't eat a fucking hot dog around here without it being about Scott Walker.

If it isn't fucking, can you eat it then?

Danno said...

No cracks on the brats, but it is always amusing to see live coverage of the freakshow we know as Madison.

Michael Haz said...

Stand With Women

An organization called Lie Down With Women wold attract more, much more interest. But then, in a college town, that's what bars and parties are for. They support Lie Down With Women.

Peter said...

Almost as much of a sausage party as the typical nightclub.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

You can't eat a fucking hot dog around here without it being about Scott Walker.

Certainly not if you're Violated

kcom said...

"Stand with Women"

Is it true what I heard, that in a war on women smart bombs are useless?

Palladian said...

You can't eat a fucking hot dog around here without it being about Scott Walker.

Especially that women who has erotic dreams about him...

His hot dog makes her lose control...

David said...

Johnsonville brats?

Don't these people realize that Johnsonville is the exclusive purveyor of bratwurst to Wal-Mart?

If I want a good bratwurst here in South Carolina, I go straight to Wal-Mart.

If these reflex lefties were not so ignorant, they would find this very confusing.

Don't tell them. It would really ruin their day.

Carnifex said...

Ann Althouse said...

"You can't eat a fucking hot dog around here without it being about Scott Walker."

Freud would say that "Sometimes a large black cigar is just a good smoke."

And I fully endorse Standing With Women. Especially behind 20'ish co-eds wearing daisy dukes, or those little gym shorts advertising that they are "juicy". Yes, yes you are.

Or maybe 3/4 behind if they have got a tee top on and you're getting good "side" cleavage.(God bless juicy co-eds)

(sometimes I hate myself) :-)

ndspinelli said...

Living in Madison the Recall Walker bumper stickers are ubiquitous. However, I went to a Brewer game their last homestand. I only saw ONE..ONE Recall bumper sticker and I was looking for them.

wyo sis said...

Man, it's hard to be an ideologue. I, as a conservative, can't listen to Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, or The Dixie Chicks or go to most movies, but liberals have to give up Johnsonville Brats!
Sacrifice!

ndspinelli said...

The Mighty Wind photo looks like a scene from a Cohen Brothers, no..a Fellini flick.

Fen said...

Do we get a Recall Walker sign as a souvenir? Seems fair since, ya know, we are the ones who paid for them.

frank said...

wyo sis said...
Man, it's hard to be an ideologue. I, as a conservative, can't listen to Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, or The Dixie Chicks or go to most movies, but liberals have to give up Johnsonville Brats!
Sacrifice!

Is this tragedy or comedy sis?

Anonymous said...

When I was in Madison in the summer of 2008 (of course, I was there for the Obama-Biden greatest team), I attended this weekend festival. The big issue for me was there was not a single vegan brat available. My GF at that time was a meat person so she had a great time. I did not. So, I took upon myself to campaign harder to teach the Badgers a lesson: Never ever disappoint an Obama volunteer. He is going to be on Mt. Rushmore. Why not help his staff?

Paddy O said...

Video of the Mighty Wind-like band?

frank said...

America's Politico said...


I have a vegan brat for you AP. Succelent, juicy, loaded...just the way you likem'.

MadisonMan said...

The chicken chipotle sausages that Johnsonville donated to the original Brat Fest (where I got to shake Tommy Thompson's hand!!!) are delicious. Nom Nom Nom.

So what would you say to Tommy Thompson at the Bratfest if he came up to shake your hand? I just asked if he was enjoying his brat. I didn't tell him I thought Erik Hovde was a better candidate, which is what I was thinking.

MadisonMan said...

Althouse, I notice no one in those images is actually eating bratwurst. What kind of lame Bratfest is that?

Original Mike said...

"What kind of lame Bratfest is that?"

A lefty Bratfest.

wyo sis said...

frank
Comedy for me. Tragedy for them.

Chuck66 said...

The Roundy's empire of grocery stores has Johnsonville brats for $4.49 in tomorrows ad (got a peak in an early Sunday edition). They will sell thousands of these in Wisconsin and Minnesota tomorrow.

A boycott by a few lefty Madison wackos will not even make a scrape on their numbers this quarter. Actually, I think I will go and get a pack.

Cindy Martin said...

IWW. What a bunch of commies. Do we end up drawing straws to see who has to work down in the coal mines?

Alex said...

OMG, Althouse said "fucking". End of world.

Methadras said...

Stupid leftards.

lol, wv = rear oppress.

Chip Ahoy said...

If you will try your hand at making your own mustard I think you will be impressed, I certainly am. I did not think there would be much difference but there is and it is not so much my own opinion as the opinion of others who react much more strongly than I did myself, and I was mightly impressed. At this point I wouldn't think of anything else.

* 1 tin of mustard powder 1.37oz
* 1 tablespoon white vinegar
* water to desired consistency

* mustard seeds, I included these for interest but I do not think they're necessary.

* the powder continues to absorb water after you think it's finished so you might have to keep adding it. At least it does that where I live.

Just try it. You'll thank me. What could go wrong? No salt, no pepper, no nothing. You'll notice a strong horseradish component and an odd sweetness.

I'm trying to help you with your brats. See? I'm a giver.

hawkeyedjb said...

You may think it's political now, but the wurst is yet to come.

Rusty said...

wyo sis said...
Man, it's hard to be an ideologue. I, as a conservative, can't listen to Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, or The Dixie Chicks or go to most movies, but liberals have to give up Johnsonville Brats!
Sacrifice!



The trick is to enjoy things for what they are. None of those people are any more intelligent or insightful than anyone else in the world. But unlike Bruce Springsteen , who never had to labor, Bob Seeger actually did work in an auto assembly plant.

jfm said...

Have there been any significant anti-Walker protests outside of Madison?

Were the anti-Walker protests really the product of Madison, a location which has a lot of people with a lot of free time?

Jason said...

The best lack all conviction. But the wurst are full of passionate intensity.

Jason said...

Blue Meanies of the world, unite!!!

lemondog said...

EDH said...
They should rename it the Doughy, Bloated, Vericose, Pasty-White Alopecic Thigh and Calf Exposed by Man Shorts Fest.

Madison has its share of chunko's.

Blow-up to life-size a couple of those photos and place them up high so people can see what others see. May create an incentive to move rather than to seat and bellyache.

Rather than wolfing down 'brats' would a 10k 'Recall Walker' theme motivate the flab?

Patrick said...

CHARLIE MURPHY'S COOKING JOHNSONVILLE BRATS!!!...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H_2mzLVa2o

lemondog said...

'Recall Walker' message obliterated from Hawkcam parking lot.

Patrick said...

I have a rule against crocs, like the Professor's rule against shorts for men. The Dude violationg both rules is pushing me to the "no shorts" side of things.

MadisonMan said...

@lemondog, rain does that to chalk.

Phil 314 said...

Gosh, Madison is so tiresome

madAsHell said...

All I see is fat, lazy women...and a few guys that are still trying to pick that wedgie from the 3rd grade out of their ass.

Rusty said...

Chuck66 said...
The Roundy's empire of grocery stores has Johnsonville brats for $4.49



$2.99 at Meijers. We had some last night. This weekend is playing hell with my diet.

Charlie Martin said...

Didja see lots of nice buns?

james conrad said...

As i have never eaten a "brat", i decided to pick up a pack of Johnsonville Brats & give them a try this holiday weekend. VERY GOOD! Next time i need to get some kraut though to go with them.

Tibore said...

So... is the takeaway lesson that protestors are so arrogant that they're willing to subvert a social festival to soapbox their views? Thereby acting in a socially annoying manner and deserving the same sort of censure that talking politics at a wedding dinner or holiday would draw?

Or is it that they might as well be at a food festival because their protests are actually so shallow they come off as no different than a Coke ad or football game announcement?