Shirl LaBarre, three-time failed Tea Party candidate from Hayward, WI, filed recall papers for Sen. Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) this morning at the Government Accountability Board Office in Madison, WI. A press release issued on right-wing talk show host Vicki McKenna’s blog states that Citizens for Responsible Government Network (CRG) affiliate CRG Northland will amend its exploratory PAC to become an official Recall PAC. They will back LaBarre on her efforts to recall Jauch after he and Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) introduced their own mining bill last month, which never made it out of the Joint Finance Committee. After a 17-16 vote in the Senate against the amended AB426, the Assembly version of the bill which was passed behind closed doors on January 26, this bill was also sent back to committee to languish.
Shirl LaBarre’s 2010 Campaign Contributions for her failed run against Rep. Janet Bewley (D-74)
LaBarre has a long history supporting mining, as well as having mining support her campaigns. Her last failed run for Assembly in 2010 was financed by several groups with special interests in the area, including Cline Mines, parent company of Gogebic Taconite (G-Tac), who recently announced that they were leaving the state after the mining bill was not passed. Another LaBarre backer is RGGS Land & Minerals, the company that is leasing the mineral rights to G-Tac. With the formation of a Recall PAC, these corporations will be free to donate unlimited funds for the recall.
On a recent Facebook page, LaBarre bemoaned that the tribes had contacted the Bureau of Indian Affairs back in February to investigate violation of Federal Treaty Rights. By law, Wisconsin Indian Tribes have the right to co-manage the ceded lands that will impact their reservations. As the failed mining bill made it through the legislative process, treaty rights were violated by both sides of the aisle. From the beginning, none of the tribes were consulted. LaBarre’s Facebook comments here, as well as those of Ashland Realtor Rick Nettleton and Green Bay businessman Don Scherschel reveal what some might construe as racial slurs and disdain for and avoidance of Federal law.
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In LaBarre’s rant about how unfair the mining legislation has been to her beleaguered search for “generational jobs,” she fails to mention that all public hearings about the mining bill were decidedly against, and that a mine in the Penokee Hills would create an environmental disaster for the Bad River watershed. Instead, with each piece of evidence brought forth by scientists, LaBarre falls back on the Tea Party rhetoric of claiming the science is just another “scare tactic.”
LaBarre’s baseless concerns brings to mind another failed Tea Party candidate Kim Simac, who ran against Sen. Jim Holperin (D-Conover) in his recall election last August and lost. During the campaign it came out that Simac was the author of a rant on a Tea Party blog comparing American public schools to Nazi Germany. She is also known for her children’s book, With My Rifle By My Side, which was “written for young children to encourage an appreciation and respect for appropriate firearm use.” Perhaps Simac felt her nine children needed protection from the Nazi’s they would encounter at public school.
LaBarre’s also touts her support of recalled Governor Scott Walker, seen here at a 2010 “Go Far With LaBarre” rally when both were still candidates. LaBarre believes that her “social media” driven recall efforts are well underway, when today she received 150 LIKES on her Recall Jauch Facebook page.
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Those of us who helped recall Walker will look forward to watching her progress, as she attempts to collect signatures throughout the 25th District, known affectionately as the “Madison of the North.”
Good luck, Ms. LaBarre, something tells us you will need it.
UPDATE: On April 4, 2012, WCMC reporter Barbara With visited the Recall Jauch Facebook page and noted several of her postings listed there. She authored another letter to LaBarre (the first was back in December 2011) and published it to Facebook, asking LaBarre to post it as well on the Recall Jauch page. Shortly afterward, someone sent WCMC an email informing us that Shirl LaBarre had posted this on her Facebook page:
**PRIVACY NOTICE:
Warning–any person and/or institution and/or Agent and/or Agency of any governmental structure including but not limited to the United States Federal Government also using or monitoring/using this website or any of its associated websites, you do NOT have my permission to utilize any of my profile information nor any of the content contained herein including, but not limited to my photos, and/ or the comments made about my photo’s or any other “picture” art posted on my profile. You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee(s), agent(s), student(s) or a…ny personnel under your direction or control. The contents of this profile are private and legally privileged and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law.
It is recommended that other members post a similar notice to this or you may copy and paste this one. Thank you.
We have removed the screenshot of LaBarre’s Facebook page where she is expressing impatience with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for stepping in to investigate possible violations to Treaty Rights, as well as the follow-up derogatory comments by two other community members concerning Native Americans. We have also removed the picture of LaBarre with Governor Walker.
The reporter for the story would like to invite Ms. LaBarre to post anything and everything found here, or on her personal Facebook page, to any of the LaBarre’s pages, blogs, emails, letters, or press releases. This includes but is not limited to photos, videos, “picture” art, or comments. This permission to repost articles, words, thoughts, images and videos extends to your family, friends, political representatives, employee(s), hair dresser, masseuse, your children’s teacher, your garbage collector, church member, your local plumber’s union, and your little dog, too.
Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative 
Well whoever feels I am a racist should look in the mirror. The left is using the race card all the time for political gain and has taken us a step backwards. If who ever wrote this article wants to tell me I am a racist to my face, I would be happy to debate racism with them. I have native friends, black family, white siblings, irish cousins, german cousins, and have no problem with any person of any race that is willing to pull their own weight. But when you pull the race card then you are the one with the problem. Look in the mirror. Be careful of what you write as somebody may slap a lawsuit for defamation on character.
So, not only are you denying the charge of racism, but your claim that anyone who accuses you of racism is racist. A rational person would have stopped with the denial; the countercharge shows that we are not dealing with a rational person.
If you cheer on racists and say racist things, a reasonable person might conclude that you are a racist. You’ve said nothing that would cast doubt on that conclusion.
Then let me rephrase the picture: The statements you made on Shirl LaBarre’s facebook page appear to be racist. “Cry, little indians, cry cry” as a response to the fact that this mining bill has violated Federal law by ignoring Bad River’s treaty rights makes it appear that you have no regard for federal law, or your neighbors at Bad River who stand to lose their lives if a mine goes into the Penokee Hills.
You are correct, this does not intrinsically prove that you are, indeed a racist. I agree. Perhaps it was a moment of passion, seeing those illusionary dollar signs dancing in your head. I understand.
If you perceive that me standing up for obeying Federal law is a race card, then you are right, we have much to learn.
SO while “cry little indian cry cry” does not prove you are officially a racist, it does prove that you are insensitive to a very real situation that will negatively impact us all, as well as apparently supporting Ms. LaBarre’s statement that the Feds should NOT step in to make sure the law is kept. For this reason, those of us who support obeying law and considering what will happen to our neighbors must make sure to stand strong and long to stop people who might make comments like this from erroneously succeeding in destroying our property values, our health, the air, the water and tourism over here. And all the denial on your part won’t change the facts.
My apologies.
As far as “eliminating the tribes” yes, you are right again. This is not a directly racist statement. Much like “eliminating the jews” could have had many meanings in Germany in the 1930s. When you are supporting illegal actions that break federal laws that will result in the destruction of Bad River and use the term, “eliminating the tribes” you risk being perceived as such.
Again, my apologies.
I was never contacted about the out of control spending plans the teachers unions were imposing on taxpayers – you pretty much did it behind my back. Does that make you and your teacher groups women hater’s. Your view on what constitutes racism its totally illogical.
FYI- Eliminate tribes is a great idea. . . and NOTHING like ‘eliminate the Jews’.
We have to be “German-Americans’, Hispanic-American’s, African-American’s, Italian-American’s, Polish-American’s (I could on and on) If anything THOSE labels are racist! Putting people into categories to separate them out from other’s is like SEGREGATION. The idea of these silly labels is a left wing ‘failed’ attempt to be politically correct. Your desire to label people is racist – it is not racist to suggest we remove the differences.
When will we ALL simply be AMERICAN’s?
The problem is that “eliminating the tribes” historically has been pretty much EXACTLY like “eliminating the Jews.”
What exactly do you have in mind? Passing laws against tribal identity? Reneging on the Constitutional obligation to honor treaties? Forcefully dissolving the tribes, violating dozens of national and international laws in the process?
The existence of the tribes is not an “issue” to be settled by debate. Nor are tribal rights. The tribes are there, they have rights, and that’s all there is to it, whether you like it or not.
No one is suggesting we ‘strip’ anyone of there heritage. But I do maintain that establishing differences – is racist. The differences that are in place (via law) keep the differences permanent. I don’t see why we couldn’t revisit the existing laws and try to unite rather than divide.
Establishing differences is racist? Hardly. You are different than I am. Bad River members are different than us. I would not want us all having to confirm to your world, even though that appears to be what the Tea Party would like.
Celebrating diversity is an art, one that you people who are pushing for the mine at all costs to the rest of us have no idea how to participate in. We would love it if you dropped the extreme mining position, looked into our eyes and stopped pushing your OUR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY agenda.
I have written and asked, why do you want to kill us? Why do you want to deny the truth in order to have this mine? It will ruin an ecosystem up here–environmental, economic, cultural–that has been cultivated and nurtured for a very long time. It will violate Federal law and take us into a long protracted court battle. Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas have co-managed the ceded territories for years. They have maintained a partnership with the DNR and already work together to make sure all three of the above mentioned aspects of living in the Lake Superior Basin are maintained. This has in turn added to the quality of my life and the culture of my town, La Pointe, Madeline Island. Without the clean water and air, and the silences and night sky and beauty here, we have no industry. Bad River’s rights protect mine too.
That they stand up for their rights, and when threatened with the violation of those rights at such great expense, like the desctruction of their wild rice beds, they call for help from the BIA. That is not racist in any way shape or form.
By “revisiting existing laws” do you mean claim that these pesky regulations that protect the water are preventing you from making more money? Do you mean, let’s forget all the treaties that maintain Bad River’s right to co-manage the ceded territory? If that’s what you suggest then be prepared to break the treaty, which means they should have the legal right to take the land back.
Any time any of you want to stop talking the lies and rhetoric of the far far far right extreme mining at all costs no matter who we hurt and what federal laws we break, and talk about a new vision for sustainable economic development, THAT will be what brings us together. Until then, I will continue to stand strong to forge a new economic vision for our communities that does not mean destroying my neighbors. You are welcome to join us.
I’d like to say one more thing here. Two days ago I was having a decent debate about unions with someone on Facebook. The union head of a company in Madison, jumped in on the conversation – I do not know him – but he decided to judge me, use vulgar and insulting language -actually some of his exact phrasing was that I was ‘spewing Fascist Fuckery” and that I was a ‘mouth piece for tea-party bullshit”…and that I should ‘tramp stamp a Swastika on my back’. How disgusting, to be verbally raped by this a “head” of a union?
How about I provide you with a screen shot of that conversation and several others – where you see that I clearly take the high road but the person with the liberal viewpoint is hostile.
If I provide you with those screen shots will you write a “Meet Mr. Blank – Union Boss -Madison WI” … will you Barbara??
Ester no but you should. Feel free to become a reporter for justice.
While I do not condone the use of the language, the ideas he was trying to communicate might be something I agree with: that I just saw the Tea Party and their hold on the republicans in my state vote lock step extortion into law their agenda without including the input given by the public or the democrats. They shut down open government, have been arresting people for exercising constitution rights and are dedicated to their corporate sponsors, like Cline Mines, and have abandon their oath of office to protect the people and resources of this state. If you read anything about fascism, it’s a textbook case.
That people like you are still spreading the lie that teachers are the enemy, when you refuse to look at what your leader is really doing. Right out of the gate Walker can give away tax breaks for corporations but teachers are the enemy now? Way to turn neighbor against neighbor, again a fascist tool…Walker and the Fitzgeralds have turned this state into a plutocracy (will it help if I don’t use the word “fascist” that merely means turning our government into a one party corporate that uses its power to pass laws that profit the corporations, not help the people and abide the constitution.)
Yes I will continue to report on that and people who support the fascist agenda. From what I can see, most of the Tea Party has demonstrated that in this state this year.
Eliminating the Jews would be murder. I never implied to eliminate the Indian people, just the tribes in a country that states one nation. If the tribes want the treaties then lets go back to them 100% and not pick and choose which rights we want. And for protecting the bad river look at the reservation first. Check the septic systems to begin with. then clean up the rusted and oil leaking vehicles on the reservation. Lead by example. And Barbara where did you see where I said cry indian cry? And tell me Barbara where does your income come from? How will this mine make people loose their lives? Do you use steel, copper, gas, brass, or any other natural resource. Like I say lead by example and quit using the products of minig companies then and only then should you complain. You are part of the problem if you support the industry with your dollar. Be part of the solution and find ways to make this work for all, not just a select few. Funny how Jauch is wanting to pass mining laws now. If it happens are you going to still support him?
“Time to eliminate the tribes and make this one country.” Even the most generous reading of what you wrote suggests that you believe that it is appropriate to strip people of their tribal identity– presumably against their will, as the idea hardly seems popular among the tribes themselves. Apart from the fact that your proposal would be a crime under national and international law, how, exactly, would your accomplish it against tribal resistance? With guns?
I understand that you don’t like being called a racist. Racism is a bad thing, a character flaw, and the very last thing any “conservative” of the Shirl LaBarre ilk will ever do is to take personal responsibility for a fault. The reasoning is “racism is bad. I cannot be bad. Therefore I am not a racist.” It follows that anyone who accuses you of racism must be wrong. Accusing someone who is incapable of thinking or doing anything bad is called Playing the Race Card.
Forgive us if we don’t follow this self-serving moral reasoning. Your words speak for themselves.
The two conservatives responding here have no problem revealing who they are…I’m not going to continue ‘bantering’ with an unknown entity – especially one who suggests racism and makes sick jokes around our 2nd amendment rights. “Hermatite” … if you stand behind your words then you shouldn’t be worried about using your real name. . . until then, I’m out of here.
Your “second amendment rights” to do what?
You are not a conservative. You are a teabagger. The first is a political philosophy, the second a perversion.
Esther, don’t waste your breath. I agree with you 100% about categorizing people by race…we are all AMERICANS…period! Hematite’s use of the term ‘tea bagger’ just goes to show you the mentalitly of those that oppose a constitutional America. I have yet to have a decent conversation with ANY liberal on ANY political issue without them getting personal and flinging ‘phrases’ at me. They’re only way to argue is to belittle. I really do feel bad for them.
This IS NOT a political argument. Political argument presupposes a level of rationality and information that is lacking among the kind of person who would support LaBarre. For example, your use of the term “constitutional America” reveals that you do not have a clear enough grasp of this issues being discussed here to form an intelligent opinion on them, as what Esther and others have been advocating is an unconstitutional unilateral abrogation of treaties. I have a lot of respect for authentic conservatives, and will not use the word to describe the incoherent piffle of teabaggers.
Richard I apologize, it was another friend of Shirl LaBarre, as you can see the comment above you, I mistakenly assigned to you. My apologies.
I make a large part of my income from the tourism industry on Madeline Island. Our season is short. Without it, we as a town are doomed.
As far as the “I use steel so I have to allow my water to be polluted, Federal laws to be broken, and my hometown to die a slow agonizing death from the impact of the mine in the Penokees” argument. How much of that steel goes for weapons of war? How much goes for all the people who think they need a new car every year? How much is just for GTACs profit margin? The US is a known abuser of how many of the world’s resources? What is it, something like U.S. citizens consume one quarter of the world’s global energy supply, at least according to a CNN article from 1999. Imagine what we use up now?
This is a time of great and needed change in our entire world culture. Stop making all those tanks, battle ships, drones, and waging war as a profit business, and our need for steel will drop.
Allow for competitive organic change and sustainability to grow here, rather than all economic potentials being suppressed so that mining looks like the only answer. Pay attention to what just happened in the legislature. I did. The republican tea partiers denied ALL economic development that the Dems brought forth last session. ALL of them. Not ONE jobs bill was allowed out of committee, for what I believe to be because of pushing this extreme mining agenda forward because GTAC paid to play.
Get your head out of extreme mining and work with those of us who want to get off the subject of mining as the answer and bring out all the other potentials that have arisen because we won’t allow mining here. THAT’S when we will all come together. We have tons of great new ideas we are asking both Jauch and Bewley to help us develop so we don’t have to kill our neighbors for your few jobs that will only bring the well known Boom and Bust economic cycles while destroying the Penokee Hills forever. But if you could look past your own perceived short term needs and ask what a mine will do for generations, you might let go of your tight hold of extreme mining as the only answer.
Jauch and Schultz did the right thing to stop this insane and awful bill. He listened. He knew it was wrong. Now he challenges walker to come out of his hidey hole and negotiate. He won’t because he is bought and paid for by the mining company among all the others who paid to play.
“Find ways to make this work for all, not just the select few.” Really? So no matter what people tell you—that this mine will kill our economy, our water, Bad River’s wild rice stands, our health, the air quality, tourism, on and on and on, you STILL insist its the only way? there you have it.
Hermatite, Well you think it would be agains international law to eliminate the tribes? How so? Why would the tribes fight this because of special rights. Give me special rights and see how you like it. Like I say if you want the tribes and treaties then lets do it 100% not pick and choose. And lets talk about self serving. This is ours, we have the rights to do certain things and you can’t, sounds pretty self serving to me. Racism will continue until we all agree we are equal and all have the same rights and benefits. By the way this is my native country and my parents and my grand parents. So don’t feel it is not. This is a great country due to American innovation and that is all americans not just a certain few. It is time to work together to make a better country and quit shipping jobs over seas. Eventually we will not be able to get financing from china and then people will wish they looked more to our own resources because we will be desperate.
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The rights that you object to are granted in treaties. The obligation to abide by treaties is stated in the US Constitution and recognized by international law. Thus when you propose “eliminating the tribes” you are advocating committing a crime, as there is no legal way your proposal could be accomplished.
Talking the long view, are you saying, “We as descendants of the white settlers have the right to kill all the tribes now today like our forefathers did before us?” Many of these treaties were written even as the US government launched an attack of genocide on the Native people that rivals the Nazi holocaust. In Germany, 6 million people were exterminated in concentration camps; in the US, by conservative estimates, the population prior to European contact was greater than 12 million. Four centuries later, the count was reduced by 95% to 237 thousand. So you are proposing to just take it the whole way and just eliminate them completely? We call that Imperial Colonialism.
I’d say maybe we should look at the comment “eliminating the tribes”. To put it in terms that many might not seem so “extremist”, it would be like the people of Wisconsin saying we should eliminate Canada and make them part of the United States, without giving them any say in the matter.
On the subject of “special rights”, eliminating treaty rights negotiated by the U.S. government with the SOVERIGN native nations would be comparable to the United States going over to the Philippines and saying that they are now a colonies of the U.S. because we don’t want to honor our granting them independence. Those so-called “special rights” are just terms that the U.S. government negotiated in return for ceding the ownership to most of northern Wisconsin. Or, to make it easier, it is kind of like those mineral rights the mining companies have on those properties that belong to all those people who would rather that their land not be ripped apart so that the mines can get their ore. (Are mineral rights “special rights”?)
I think that there are a whole lot of people who are living in northern Wisconsin that really need to study the realities of international and federal law on tribal sovereignty. They also might want to realize that they should just come to terms with it instead of spending all their time inciting tensions that only serve to foster misunderstanding and ill-will. In other words, we in northern Wisconsin are living in a complex situation where we share land, cultures, and resources between those who I’ll define as mono-national Wisconsinites and those duel-national Native AmericanWisconsinites who are tribal members. Get used to it.
There should be no problem whatsoever recalling Bob Jauch. He is David Obey, Jr., and we all know what an absolute disgrace Mr. Obey was (and still is).