Darius
You have to remember, you're dealing with the 95% mentality in these blog sites. Most people don't realize that they're part of the problem because they don't think there is a problem with our culture. You are 100% correct. It starts at home with our kids. Most of the people in our communities today don't have a clue how to teach them right or wrong because they too are clueless in that category. Darius, I know what you stand for and I'm with you. Not everyone has the courage to do what's right. We'll be the example. Just for the record, this post doesn't apply to all. Those it applies to, you know who you are. Regardless of your position, God bless you all and we should all be praying for our country.

warm~
I'm not gettint into a personal debate in here with you. Here's my final post on this matter. How are you part of the problem? Easy answer. There are those that whine and complain to anyone who will listen when their freedoms are violated and things don't go their way. (The excuse makers) Then, there are those who choose to do something about it.
EXAMPLE:
My comment: "Our tv, video games, porn etc. has poisoned the minds of our future generations."
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Your comment: You forgot alchol, drugs, parents that don't give a crap, etc.
---WHERE DO YOU THINK THESE PROBLEMS START???
They start with the children we are raising! It starts at home! The parents raising the next generations were raised on TV and Video Games! The alcohol and drugs are a by-product of the lack of morals and values taught when the child was young and impressionable. People are born "smart" and taught to be "stupid". How can the parents teach their kids what's right when they have no clue?? IGNORANCE IS BEING ACCEPTED AS KNOWLEDGE!
We as a country need to get back to the root of the problem. FAMILY STRUCTURE! GOOD VALUES, MORALS AND ROLE MODELS. Sorry, but, nose rings and tattoos head to toe aren't role models, they're the modern intellects who have their own version of truth. (Notice I didn't say they were bad people?) You want to learn about truth, there's only one book you can turn to get that.... you figure it out from there. (This ought to be good!)

nutty~
You're a great example of the problem we face in society. People like you are called modern day intellects. Whatever works for you is good enough for everyone right? You go ahead and play your video games and leave the rest to us.

Mike Sheridan hasn't done a thing in his assembly position.

warm~
Be glad that there are people who give a rip about what's going on in the real world. This isn't some here today gone tomorrow deal. Remember, if people aren't willing to be part of the solution, they're part of the problem. Sorry, but, re-runs of ER and Married With Children aren't going to give you the education required to turn this thing around.

warm~
One other thing, NO, I'm not in the Militia of Montana! I'm part of a leadership development org. that is banding together and educating America. We are in a fight. Our fight isn't with guns and knives, it's with the media! Our tv, video games, porn etc. has poisoned the minds of our future generations. We need to get people educated and thinking again before it's too late. Do you think it's cool for our generations to idolize someone with tattoos all over their body and 10 nose rings? Do you think it's okay for our history to be erased and the sacrifices our hero's of war forgotten by the up and coming generations of American's? Mainstream American generations are living in a false reality and ignorance is starting to replace knowledge. It's happening on OUR watch! It's time to stand up and stop the bleeding.

warm~
anytime a person admits their faults and does it in an open forum such as this will always seem strange. Like I've said, I was at GM and had the GM mentality for a long time. My posts in here aren't intended to say "look at me". My sole purpose is to be an example for others that people can change. And with that change will come success if you are willing to humble yourself to learn, grow, love and serve others. For the most part, none of that exists in corporate America. I'm choosing to be different and low and behold, I'm getting different results! Just like my program said I would. Most people will scoff at that and I understand because I did the same thing. It's just a mindset. We are in pivotal times right now. There aren't going to be jobs to fall back on. It's either change or get left behind. Those are the two choices whether you or I like it or not. God bless.

I know nothing of Mike Sheridan the UAW leader. Maybe he is great. I know him as a legislator who threatened to "put the hurt" on a business that operates in his district if they decertified a union. He can't change hats from union rep to politician and be taken seriously.

Brad Dutcher is a good guy. Is he a leader is the question! Some people aren't cut out for that. A true leader makes a stand regardless of the consequences when he knows it's the right thing to do. No compromises. No negotiating. We've been doing that with our U.S. Constitution for the past 100+ years and look where it's getting us! Principles are supposed to be the foundation you build from. They've been compromised and that rock solid foundation we once had here is now turned to sand! Shame on us the people of this country for allowing that to happen. It's OUR country!

I am sure that Rick Wagoner did not look to contact Mike Sheridan prior to this announcement or agonize that Mike might be eating a gelato in Italy while Janesville was getting shut down.

Sheridan and ALL local union officials are inconsequential and irrelevant. Wagonoer may have contacted the national UAW to give them a heads up- but the union is powerless to stop it.

This is a great time to be in Italy-he should enjoy his time.

I know Mike, and I can tell you that the people criticizing Mike have no idea just how much he has done over the years to try to save those jobs. He has been a tremendous advocate for the rank-and-file and his leadership was a factor in keeping the plant operating in Janesville as long as it has - arguably five years longer than it might have otherwise. Instead of dumping on him, you should be thanking him.

Darius said
“People should have each other's backs in these times and not pointing fingers at each other.”
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I have worked with Mike Sheridan on some veteran related things. Although I am of a different political persuasion than he is and haven’t, nor will ever vote for him, I do respect him.
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The line that Darius put in his post is one of the best ones I’ve seen in any of these blogs. We are all in a tough situation here and need to set aside our differences to be able to get through it.

This article makes me curious......because he is not the head of the Union anymore. Brad Dutcher is........and I know Brad and think he is an awesome guy!

:c)

I apologize. I meant "then have at it".

I also count Mike Sheridan as a friend and my legislator. I know a lot of people but very few who can measure up to Mike in the areas of respectfulness, empathy, knowledge, sincerity, optimism and desire to help others. If those ripping into him think they can do better, than have at it. If not, then find something else more worthy of your criticism.

Presidents...whether it be corporate, union, or government...get too much credit when things go good...and too much blame when things go bad.

It's not Mikes fault. He didn't even buy his own car in the area.

I am a former GM employee. I knew Mike Sheridan before he was Union Pres. and I knew him after. People can cast their stones where they may. It's a free country. However, people's opinions are just that! OPINIONS!
Mike Sheridan is a quality man who put's his community at a high priority. He ran for office for all the right reason's! He wants to make a difference. You people need to realize, a person of integrity that comes into a whirlwind like Sheridan did isn't going to be exactly the most popular guy at city hall! I respect this guy so much because he chose to swim against the current and not give in to the powers that be. This plant closing couldn't have been prevented. This decision was made long before any of us even thought about having an clue it was going to happen! It's today's economy! We are in a global economy and like it or not, it's change. Take advantage of that change or let it take advantage of you. I would opt for the first plan! It's time to acknowledge the people that actually are willing to put themselves out on a limb and not be popular with the status quo! Mike Sheridan deserves better than that. People should have each other's backs in these time's and not pointing fingers at each other. I didn't see myself or anyone else in here running for Sheridan's position. It's time to unify not crumble! Thank you Mike for showing courage that most people wouldn't have the guts to do.

That's a nice stick in the eye to the fellow brothers of local 95. Thanks Mike for all your HARD work.

His wife is a doctoral student studying abroad, he is visiting her. Sounds like a great husband who cares about his family.

So, because Mike Sheridan is an assemblyman, the outgoing president of UAW Local 95, and a GM retiree, he is unable to take a pre-planned "vacation" with his wife? Just wanted to make sure I have this right before I started laughing at the stupidity of that logic!!
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Perhaps society would be in a better position overall if more people worried about what they could do to help instead of worrying about why their neighbors were not!

I think it is hillarious that the same people that complained about Mike Sheridan having two jobs last week are now upset that he only has one. Listen up! Sheridan retired from GM. No one member of Local 95 has ever been indispensable. The same goes for Sheridan. Doubly so now that he is retired. The complaints about Sheridan imply that the plant was only kept open because of his sheer will. That is laughable!

We should get rid of all political parties... read George Washington's Farewell Address to Union (google it)!!!

Class act, Mike Sheridan! Sipping fine wine in Italy while your brethren are receiving news that their lives are about to be turned upside down. You're really one of the regular working people, aren't you. How pathetic. Local 95 should throw you out on your hind end.

Hey wait...I thought these comments were supposed to be about the trip to Italy that Sheridan probably now wishes he had not gone on???

Doyle is a republican? GM has been going down hill for some time now so I don't think you can blame one party or the other for their ills. Nafta was spported by Bush I and Clinton. The fact of the matter is Gov. Doyle makes it hard to do business in Wisconsin from taxes to paperwork unless you are one of his "pay for play" buddies.

Great logic, mytake4u. Democrats=Radical Islamists.
We should just get rid of the Democratic party, and then everything would be alright. We've obviously been fluorishing as a society under the Republicans for a while now.
I LOVE that GM goes out of business under a republican administration, yet you somehow find the logic--or lack there of--to blame the democrats. Talk about not taking responsibility. I thought that was a democrats job?

GM would like probably like nothing better than eminent domain proceedings against it's property. The city can essentially take the property if it can demonstrate a public need for it, but it must reimburse the owner for the fair market value. Does anyone have a ballpark figure of what that might be? I have no idea, but a little research into the tax rolls should come up with a number for a starting point. In addition, if GM thinks the amount being offered is too low, it has the right to challenge with an appeal for for a higher price. They can hire independent assessors to come up with large numbers for a judge to rule on. In addition, if Janesville were to buy the property in this way, it would acquire all of the contamination issues associated with the site. This would be one very expensive water park, and not one that the taxpayers would appreciate.

mytake4u: Look at the situation we are in under Republicans! We are at war, our gas prices are the highest they have ever been. Oil companies continue to make record profits. We are in a recession yet you wonder how people can vote for a democrat? Let me hear your come back on how you are going to blame Clinton! Typical Republican! Let me guess you make 250000 a year and want the huge tax break? No wait maybe you are a religious right winger that only votes based on religious backround? If you want to know why GM is closing you better take a look at the current adminstration. It would be a welcomed change for our country, god only knows what another Republican would do in office. Maybe they would run up trillions of more dollars that the democrats will have to figure out how to pay for?

gm will not re-open the plant. if the dems win they will raise the corporate taxes sky high and they will not be willing to invest. i never have figured out why in the world unions back democrats. they are not the friend of the working class. they are the friends of the unwilling to work and the program leaches. why would any working person vote democrat? can you say surrender to the radical islamists???

Just remember this when hes up for re-election in the assembly.

it used to be "as gm goes, so goes the economy." now it is "as soudi arabia and all the thieving mid east oil rich arabs go, the us economy goes." a fine mess we are in for. recession, bunk. how about depression.

People of Janesville should get on with their lives. All this talk about getting GM to keep the plant open is just a bunch of talk. Like GM is going to listen to people from Wisconsin . They are the same as any other company they care about the people but, the bottom line is they are out to make money not loose it. That is why they are cutting 4 plants . It has nothing to do with Janesville it is a decission, that is made and I am 99% sure it not going to be changed by anyone here in Janesville. I hope the people here in Janesville can go and look to the future and create a better life , There is more to Wisconsin and Janesville then GM.

I thought I saw Mr. Sheridan shopping at Woodmans yesterday.....I guess it makes sense I was mistaken. Is Logli's an Italian name?

I said it before and I'll say it again. Sheridan did what politicians do best, use the people when it serves them then "get when the gittens good". Sheridan ran for office knowing that he was about to leave and used all the voters for two paychecks and served both positions halftime. Now, guess what, all GM workers who couldn't say enough to get him elected with the promise of protecting the GM workers will soon see. He can't save your jobs!!! But, he sure has a nice retirement job now no matter what happens to his PAST fellow employees. Hope he had a good time in Italy.

We as Wisconsin taxpayer should spend not one more dime on GM. Did the State give grants to the Mom & Pop stores that have gone out of business because of Wal-Mart and other huge chains? No. If GM doesn't want to spend the money to keep the GM plant here then good-bye. Not only that but many GM employees referred to their place of work when asked was "The Plant" as if it was "The Sun", "The Moon", "The Earth". Sorry the plant just self distructed.

Do people really think that taking vengeance on GM is the right thing to do? Will prospective businesses be more or less likely to want to locate here when they see how GM is treated? I understand the anger, but we need to look to the future and temper that anger for the future's sake.

jvltrnsplnt: I agree.
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The staff at the Gazette are busy folks, so I came up with a plethora of choices:
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halts, nixes, stops, shuts, closes, locks down, puts down the lid, ceases, finished, terminates....
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I wonder how the headline "The gears at GM plant to shift into park" would have went over.
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I did think their headline back in early May was creative: "GM puts on the brakes."

LongTimeGone - you are right about the EPA - GM is one of the largest polluters - nationwide - and Janesville was not spared. Go to Scorecard.org to see who the other local polluters are, call them and ask them to make changes in their business. Over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released into the US environment every year by industry. Maybe the City should file suit against GM to pay for cleaning up all the toxins they have dumped here over the years.

Once GM closes the plant they should have to pay for all the changes and things Wisconin, Rock County, and Janesville put in to keep them here.

"Sheridan said he will work with Gov. Jim Doyle and others on ways to keep the plant open..."
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Didn't the state build a new road for GM? Didn't the state extend a runway at Rock County Airport for GM? Did't GM already get free millions is retraining monies?
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What more can the state promise GM?
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Begin emminent domain court proceedings and take the real estate away from GM, or, the feds should unleash the EPA on the plant.
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Take the building down.

Hey Gazette Reporters - learn a new verb besides "shutter"! You've used that in several stories the last few days. Use your thesaurus!!