UPDATE II: Clinton Letter to Dauch: What the F&*K is Going On In Detroit

Yesterday, families and strikers mounted a rally in Detroit to highlight American Axle's desire to screw their workers while continuing to reap huge profits and dishing out million dollar bonuses to CEO and other executives.

And despite more than 37,000 workers off their jobs, 3650 American Axle Workers on strike, more than 30 plants shut AND 3 different countries affected, we still have nothing From Obama, Clinton and Mr. No-Right-To-Work-tax-your-benefits-anti-EFCA-McSame.

Not a    F   U   C   K   I   N   G     Word. Not one!

So, the union and other allies, families and friends, put together a rally.  And then things went horribly bad.

So, I got this e-mail this morning (really early) and I needed to share and vent at the same time.

I went to another American Axle rally for Rich today. It was a great success through most of it. I was astounded and appauled by this site right before us.
This woman, an AAM employee, asked to "jay walk" along with other women. As she did a Detroit officer put her in a "chokehold" and litterally dragged her backwards to his cop car and arrested her. I was completely amazed. This woman is an older lady - I am told she is 65 with a heart condition - and she didn't do ANYTHING!

Now, ya all know me. I am not one to keep quiet and I told Officer McGain this (the officer who did this to her). I am writing papers, tv stations and any parties connected with the Detroit Police force.

But don't take my word for it, take a look at the pictures

This isn't the time of Pinkertons killing strikers and locked out workers.

This is the 2nd incident with Detroit Police; police  represented by a union as well.  The first incident happened earlier in the strike.

Traditional media barely works.  They haven't been covering this, at all.  But that means that WE have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of American Axle workers.  Our neighbors, friends, countrymen.  Isn't it time to make a difference?

UPDATE
There is something you can do to help. AND YES, they have been accepting DONATIONS for the striking families.  Food, money and your help on the picket line.

   

To show your support contact the UAW.

   You can also contact UAW locals 262 and 235  as well as Region 1.

   Local 262
   12432 ECKLES RD
   LIVONIA, Michigan 48150-1037
   Phone #: [phone]

   Local 235
   Address: 1840 HOLBROOK ST
   Detroit, Michigan 48212-3442
   Phone #: [phone]

   Region 1
   27800 George Merrelli Drive
   Warren, MI 48092
   TEL: [phone]
   FAX: [phone]

UPDATE II

I just got a letter in my e-mail from Clinton.  It's from April 2!!

I would have liked stronger and more coverage of it, but, there's a letter.

Anyone find one from the other two Senator's yet?

•  solidarity jar

  Wish it weren't 9pm. These pictures speak volumes.

  by Bendygirl on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:16:28 PM PDT

  •  I am saddened by this.

    I can't figure out why no one is talking about Detroit either.

    by kate mckinnon on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:18:05 PM PDT

    •  If Obama were to actually go there and give

      a speech, i think it would secure him the nomination, but he would HAVE to be the first one to go.

      by wargolem on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:05:08 PM PDT

      •  Someone on his campaign ought to send this to him

        I don't know if it would necessarily 'secure the nomination' but it's certainly the right thing to do!

        by DelicateMonster on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:25:18 PM PDT

        •  The Campaign is aware of this situation

          as of right now.

          by MikeHickerson on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:44:06 PM PDT

    •  I had no idea this strike was even happening.

      Admittedly, I don't watch television which might have some effect on that, but it sounds like the TV news hasn't been covering this strike. I do listen to NPR all the time and they haven't covered this that I have heard. I will say that NPR HAS been covering the election, but they are covering it with a complete Hillary bias. I couldn't believe the other night after the PA primary when they came out and said that Hillary won with a 10 point margin.... They are still saying that on call-in shows until someone calls in and corrects them.

      Solidarity.

      by Democrat on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 05:20:37 AM PDT

      •  sorry you'd missed all my AAM diaries

        but if you search google, you'll likely find mine and Joe's.  
        http://uniongal.blogspot.com/

        http://anti-union.blogspot.com/

        http://unionreview.com/

        and many others.

        Also, NPR did a piece on this not too long ago as well.

        by Bendygirl on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 05:56:42 AM PDT

        •  thanks for your diary - update too

          >>>we still have nothing From Obama, Clinton and Mr. No-Right-To-Work-tax-your-benefits-anti-EFCA-McSame.

          Hillary responded April 2 - WTG Hillary!

          by katz5 on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 10:21:03 AM PDT

      •  Agree with the bias observations

        Yea, I've heard the same bias on NPR as well. They are clearly not being neutral which I thought would be required seeing how they are

        NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO!!!!!!

        You know, we can't count on ANY non-biased news anymore. Makes me really sick.

        Thanks for confirming my suspicions!

        Does anyone think that the current state of the Media would be a good thing for Obama to clean up when he gets in office? He has been the victim of the bias during his campaign. Do you think he might try to get some integrity back in journalism and media broadcasts?

        by karma13612 on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 06:34:44 AM PDT

  •  Why is the World...

    Socialist Website the only media covering this strike????  Certainly mainstream media should be covering these events, and I haven't read about this at all, not one word!

    I hope these pictures and video were forwarded to both Democratic Party campaigns.  The protests themselves show how people can make "change" but unless someone out of local media is paying attention (is even local media paying attention?) people power is oppressed.

    by LtdEdishn on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:49:51 PM PDT

    •  WE have to be the media we seek.

      If the traditional system is broken, build another, better one in it's place.

      This is a beginning.

      by bablhous on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:56:31 PM PDT

      •  The traditional media is not broken.

        It works better than ever. The only thing is, it is busy spinning the message for its sponsors.

        by Krum on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:11:25 PM PDT

      •  We're trying

        We're short-staffed, we work for chickenfeed as nonprofit employees.

        But we're trying to cover this stuff with the meager number of folks we have, along with all the other unreported and ignored news in Michigan.

        See for yourself, had someone at American Axle yesterday.

        GM is blaming its slip from first place in auto sales on the UAW strike at American Axle.  What a crock.  As if the first thing that pops into a car buyer's mind is, "Whoa, I can't buy a car now, American Axle's not supplying product because of the strike..."

        We'll try to do a roundup piece on coverage of the strike tomorrow, pointing out such fallacious logic.  And I'm willing to put up a slide show of photos like these the diarist posted here if I can get permission.

        by Rayne on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 11:27:01 PM PDT

        •  "blaming its slip from first place" on strikers

          It couldn't be because GM made all those SUVs and trucks that aren't selling.  Shitty design?  Completely ignoring what consumers want?  Nope. It's all the strikers' fault.

          /snark

          by Buckeye BattleCry on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 04:29:43 AM PDT

          •  It's not the first time Buckeye.

            Back in the 70's, if GM and Ford would have listened to Nader, Toyota and Honda might never have been born.

            by tribalecho on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 11:29:50 AM PDT

        •  inventory

          so, AAM is partly to blame, but when I did read the GM story, it didn't come across as a slap at the workers, the quote made me think that their pissed at Dick Dauch.

          It's possible that Chrysler will also soon be affected.  AAM supplies them with axles and other parts as well.  The operations in Mexico can't bring in enough of the product to make a difference.

          Also, the strike is affecting the ability of GM to meet their customer's needs in the hot selling cars like Malibu and some of their trucks.  

          So, I take it as GM is finally taking notice and I think that's a good thing.  They just need more pressure on them to turn it back onto Dick dauch.

          by Bendygirl on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 06:00:48 AM PDT

          •  Is GM's slip really an inventory problem?

            I haven't seen anything yet that clearly points to inventory being the cause of GM's decline in comparison to Toyota's sales volume.

            It's a LOT easier for GM to say it's AAM when their loss of marketshare might really have more to do with Toyota's sales of vehicles.

            And the other hidden factor: how many GM cars do UAW workers buy?  

            Enough to encourage a slip in marketshare?

            by Rayne on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 06:06:30 AM PDT

            •  that's the claim yesterday

              GM

              A nearly two-month strike at parts maker American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. probably has cut into General Motors Corp.'s first-quarter fleet sales, a GM sales executive said Wednesday.

              Mike DiGiovanni, GM's executive director of global markets and industry analysis, said the strike may have cost the automaker sales of 7,000 to 10,000 vehicles to fleet buyers. He said GM hopes to make up the sales once the 58-day strike is resolved.

              DiGiovanni said the walkout has reduced GM's inventory in a weak U.S. market.

              They can't meet the Fleet sales demand.

              by Bendygirl on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 06:21:43 AM PDT

              •  Keep in mind, GM's got their own labor pains

                Local 602 and 2300 workers here in Lansing has been out for more than 2 weeks, due to local issues involving implementation of the national agreement that was signed in September. The plant makes the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook crossover vehicles. Other locals that have 5 day notices are in Fairfax KN (chevy malibu) and a stamping plant in Wyoming MI. The Warren transmission plant is continuing negotiations without a contract. That one will shut down most of GM if it escalates. We expect more plants to threaten action as well.

                The UAW has action against other vendors as well. Alliance Interiors is out here in Lansing as well as Comprehensive Logistics, a local parts distributer and trucking firm.  There's plenty of blame all around aside from American Axle.  It's not all due to that action.

                by dougymi on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 10:59:07 AM PDT

                •  yes, they have

                  and I actually have a post up on some of the locals and their respective issues with GM.  You'll also note, I'm not a big fan of the local agreements (except for really local type issues).  For instance, in Parma, the issue was categorizing workers and GM's (or Parmas) desire to pretty much re-classify almost everyone. Parma had to negotiate on this.

                  Local agreements go toward lowering the ability of the union to negotiate with the company, especially a company as large as GM.

                  Now, what about pensions and other benefits at the non-union plants.  How would I go about finding out what those issues are?  I'd like to cross reference these issues in same states and see what we come up with.  Has anyone already done this that you know of?

                  by Bendygirl on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 11:04:44 AM PDT

        •  Hey Rayne...great blog you got there.

          I especially liked the Ben Stein write up.

          Best I've seen yet.  And I've seen a lot.

          by tribalecho on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 07:50:54 AM PDT

          •  Thanks much -- but I can't take the credit

            Michigan Messenger is a really great team of committed citizens who sincerely believe in providing coverage of news that the mainstream media ignores.

            I'm just their chief cook and bottle washer.

            by MichiganMessenger on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 12:46:42 PM PDT

    •  In spite of the razzing Dems give em

      Sometimes the Socialists will get it together. Case in point.

      They're quite reliable on social justice issues, as you can see.

      Is there injustice in spite of the Democratic Party? Yes. In spite of all the Parties in power at this time. Most certainly. It would be so very nice to see the tenets that the Constitution put forth and the Democratic ideals of this country fulfilled for once. It favors the people, last I recall. Not the police force. The people.

      May 1st coming soon... International Workers Solidarity Day. Expecting 10,000 here.

      Indymedia still lets you self-publish, for those who are tired and disillusioned by the MSM.

      Stuff like this happens LITERALLY EVERYDAY.

      Baltimore, MD. A 7-year old kid got arrested for sitting on his bicycle.

      A 92 year old lady got shot and killed because they raided the wrong house.

      And of course, Sean Bell.

      No one should wonder why it is that we demand more from our country and our elected officials. Maybe it's because sometimes you wonder who exactly elected them.

      by mahakali overdrive on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:32:15 PM PDT

      •  Boo Hiss

        The socialists are right on every issue unless you're really rich, Healthcare (social insurance), stopping imperialist wars, worker protection and safety, consumer protection and safety, prison reform, cradle to grave education, etc etc.

        Look at the true liberals in the democratic socialist Scandanvian countries. Norway has a higher standard of living than we do. Is it because they have oil? Only partly. The US is extremely rich in natural resources. We just allow it to be squandered to create a wealthy super class.

        The socialists do have it together. We just need to get past the demonization of the term "socialism" and adopt democratic socialist principles-you know, the ones FDR carried out. That is a problem of the modern day Democratic Party, not socialists.

        by Blueslide on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:28:43 PM PDT

        •  Jesus Christ was the first radical socialist

          activist.  The last shall be first and the first shall be last.  What you do for the least of these you do for me.
          Also Wright was Right.  Wright meant God damn the ruling class of the USA for destroying and stealing the future from the American people.  and every word he said was true

          by object16 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:41:58 PM PDT

        •  I'm afraid

          Blueside far too many slept through their government classes and believe that communism and socialism are one and the same.

          by fugwb on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:46:00 PM PDT

          •  'Americanism vs Communism' was a required course

            when I was in high school. The first question to the teacher was usually "What the hell is Americanism?"  The best answer: thems with the gold rules.

            That answer seems to cover a variety of -isms, just change the names to protect the guilty.

            by Rogneid on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:33:02 PM PDT

            •  Americanism:

              1.  Profit-based society where the primary aim of its individual citizens is to pursue financial gain whatever the sacrifice.  The measure of success being the sum total of acquired wealth:  a secure, lucrative and steady stream of income, the amassing of properties, securities, material possessions and miscellaneous trappings.

              2.  A national aim to protect the afore mentioned profit-based society at whatever geopolitical cost.  The relentless pursuit of global economic empire.  These aims are accomplished primarily through global, multi-national corporate strength and otherwise foreign investment.  More recently, economic "interests" are advanced by military invasion, occupation, economic sanction and the ability to threaten invasion, aerial bombardment or "strategic military intervention" via permanent troop deployments in the region.  Surgical missile strikes, political sabotage, election tampering, trade embargo, and political assassination may also be employed at the discretion of the American president.

              by Flippant to the Last on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 12:32:08 AM PDT

              •  I'd rec you again if I could.

                You've accurately described Americanism in today's world.

                by rontun on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 12:40:56 AM PDT

                •  Sad, isn't it?

                  Thanks.  When one imagines what better uses the tremendous wealth generated by the US could accomplish...(education, health care, scientific research, alternative energy exploration, and so much more) well, it gets even sadder.

                  by Flippant to the Last on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 12:48:43 AM PDT

              •  And if you summarized socialism

                or communism with the same tone and intent, you'd have something that you would HR in a second.

                Arguing in bad faith is the mark of someone who doesn't actually believe in the rightness of her, or his, cause.

                by khereva on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 02:12:48 AM PDT

              •  Nonsense

                If there is one thing that we all should be able to agree upon it's that each and every human being is distinctive. For way too long I've seen people categorized to the exclusion of accepting they may not all fit in the same trick bag. It acts as a barrier to the negotiation of differences. We've all seen that scene played time and again over the past 8 years.

                So when you attempt to define Americanism as unabridged greed and military aggression you fall into the same narrow minded approach that many people  are trying to replace. All businessmen are not evil, all socialists are not good and all liberals and conservatives are somewhere in between the two.

                If you wish to marginalize yourself, you will only serve to reduce your impact on the vast majority of Americans that disagree with your definition.

                by tharr on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 04:13:16 AM PDT

              •  But still Flip, I hate to say this in this

                atmosphere, but there ARE good things about capitalism that I would hate to lose.   It's just real hard to remember that in times like these. (the CEO of Countrywide made $10.4 million this quarter.)

                by tribalecho on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 12:09:45 PM PDT

                •  Wasn't writing a tirade against capitalism...

                  Rather trying to craft a working definition of "Americanism" in the world today.  Of course.  All economic systems have their merits.  Yet.  Does anyone really think that the warmongering mantras in the air for war (or military strikes) on Iran is about casualties among American soldiers?!!

                  by Flippant to the Last on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 12:26:42 PM PDT

            •  Best method of wealth redistribution: capitalism

              It's not perfect, but there has never been another method proven to work more efficiently.

              by i8pikachu on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 01:45:49 PM PDT

        •  Theres one reason we're Democrats

          and NOT socialists.

          Socialism is authoritarian. It is to the left what fascism is to the right. It has noble goals and pure hearted principles. But in the end hardcore socialism relies on a distrust of the individual and a controlling centralised authority.

          We leftist democrats support individual liberty. Something to be proud of.

          by cdreid on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 03:31:19 AM PDT

          •  asdf

            I think you have defined communism rather than socialism.

            by Joe in NC on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 05:19:02 AM PDT

            •  Not really

              Hardcore socialists claim not to want a tyranny. But they do want absolute control in order to get their ideals set in stone.

              by cdreid on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 09:25:30 AM PDT

              •  asdf

                And hardcore capitalists don't?

                by Joe in NC on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 09:48:20 AM PDT

                •  Er

                  I didnt know this was a "Oh ya well yours is worse than mine!" conversation.

                  I'm NOT a capitalist. Capitalism by design feeds off of the misery of 5% and the enslavement of 30%. It isnt a "so there! U suxxor" thing it is logical analysis of reality.

                  Hardcore socialism requires tyrannical control.
                  Hardcore capitalism is little more than slavery laced with rampant corruption.

                  False choices are always foolish choices.

                  by cdreid on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 02:32:43 PM PDT

        •  you might want to ask Kongsberg Automotive

          about Socialist Norway.  They've locked workers out in Van Wert Ohio because they want to cut their $15 pay to $9. They also moved profitable operations from one of their Swedish plants to Poland for a savings in labor, environmental standards and tax.  So, Norway has it's greedy capitalists, too.

          by Bendygirl on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 06:24:13 AM PDT

          •  Noone is arguing perfection

            Within the term democratic socialism you immediately subvert some Marxist theory. Everything is a balancing act, most of all decent public policy and government. There has never been a pure socialist country nor has there been a real "free market". Both Hayek and Marx were utopia enthusiasts.

            Norway needs to remain vigilant about their capitalists. I think it's more telling that their industries are going to Ohio and Poland to abuse workers - rather than Norwegian capitalists are acting like - well, capitalists.

            by Blueslide on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 10:10:21 AM PDT

            •  Tell that to the Ohio workers who have jobs...

              I'm not seeing any of them complaining that they got a new factory.

              by i8pikachu on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 01:47:13 PM PDT

              •  ohio workers didn't get a new factory

                Poland did. The Ohio workers have been locked out and the company, Kongsberg Automotive is bussing in scabs to take those jobs.

                by Bendygirl on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 10:45:46 AM PDT

                •  Where are those scabs coming from?

                  Certainly not Poland, but other people from Ohio who need work.

                  by i8pikachu on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:12:47 AM PDT

                  •  Van Wert is on the line

                    they could be bussed in from Indiana, for what we know.

                    What they're doing is taking jobs away from workers who simply rejected a 50% pay cut.

                    But hey, don't worry, when Krongsberg is done, they'll move production to Eastern Europe, that's where the money is now.  Sure, they'll lose money for a few years, but the savings in the Environmental standards and the tax rate, well, it's all good for for former Teleflex employees in van Wert.

                    BTW, the stagging area for the scabs has been moved 7 times now because the community has rejected it at every spot they've tried to do it.  From the fair grounds, to an old factory and even a Wal-Mart parking lot, everyone of them has said no. Seems as if the only person supporting scabs is you and oh, the executives at Kongsberg.

                    by Bendygirl on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:29:49 AM PDT

        •  The main thing I don't like about socialism...

          no balance of power.  Unless you're real, real careful.  Maybe
          ......or not.

          Or maybe.

          by tribalecho on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 11:41:18 AM PDT

          •  It's equal: it makes everyone poor

            Except for the super-elite in the ruling class.

            by i8pikachu on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 01:48:53 PM PDT

      •  May 1st: The union makes us strong...

        I've never tried this before, I hope it doesn't autoplay.;-)

        by aufklaerer on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 02:10:17 AM PDT

        •  Solidarity forever!

          Nice!!

          by Bendygirl on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 06:25:59 AM PDT

    •  I get these because of my blog

      I've been covering American Axle for a while now.

      And I'm tired of having to do it.  The Writer's strike was everywhere, but a strike that affects way more communities and families and homes, and silence.  We're too overwhelmed with the horse race to look up and see what's happening.

      I think all the campaigns are watching.  And enough Senate staff read my blog and the other union blogs for us to know they're looking for the info and at least reading it, but that seems to still be where it stops.

      So, forward this info.  Drop the local a line, drop the media a line.  What ever you choose to do will help.  It will help.

      by Bendygirl on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:37:35 PM PDT

      •  Please crosspost.

        Just click on my link.  I'll put it on the front page.

        by djtyg on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:46:18 PM PDT

      •  We aren't the only ones who are "overwhelmed

        with the horse race" - don't expect:

        Obama, Clinton and Mr. No-Right-To-Work-tax-your-benefits-anti-EFCA-McSame

        to do a damn thing about this or anything else right now, they are too busy trying to "win." One thing we keep forgetting is that they are, each one of them only POLITICIANS, and they have other priorities, always will in this system.

        by armenia on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:52:53 PM PDT

        •  Post this information on the Obama blog

          Create an awareness within the Obama community. The more people are made aware and the voices that are raised, the more apt candidates will be to engage the issue.

          by rontun on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:40:13 PM PDT

      •  Please email me

        My email address is in my profile. I am a frontpager at MichiganLiberal.com and I will take responsibility for engaging the MichLib community on this one. But I need content...

        by PerfectStormer on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:55:13 PM PDT

        •  already did

          thanks.  The strikers will be glad to know this is getting out.

          by Bendygirl on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:00:59 PM PDT

          •  And now it's viral!:)

            by djtyg on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:22:19 PM PDT

      •  Great work on publicizing the strike

        The capitalist politicians don't really care about workers, or this kind of thing would be among the first topics of their speeches.

        Regarding the cops, they are not the friends of unions or the working class (despite the fact they have their own union); they "serve" the owners of big business when called upon. They will use violence on even an unarmed old woman.

        Think I'm too radical (not you Bendygirl, but anyone reading this), then simply look at the documentary evidence above and read any history of the labor movement.

        The day will come when working people will have their own party that will fight to make their cause number one. Until then, they will beg for scraps from the political table of the big business liberals. Even the best of the latter, someone like Obama, falls far short of what workers need.

        The institution of private property over the major resources and industries of the world is totally irrational. Belief in market mechanisms is leading to war and the starvation of millions around the world right before our eyes.

        It will take starvation and worse in this country before the mass of people wake up and break the stranglehold of the two political parties over the acceptable discourse of what is possible in society. I don't want it that way. That's just the way it's going to happen.

        by Valtin on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 08:01:48 AM PDT

    •  Don't ask questions with over obvious answers

      Why have the major candidates not weighed in on this matter and a hundred other relevant situations is an equally a wasted question.  

      We don't have a democracy or a free press any more. I'm getting tired of pretending as if we do and thereby giving even a shred of legitimacy to the Plutocracy running the country and raping the citizenry.

      I'm sick of a Globalism pretending to be any thing but a system corporate world wide economic imperialism. I'm sick of the fiction that our government which has been hijacked by a corporate plutocracy is bringing democracy to Iraq or anywhere else including here.

      by Bobjack23 on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:26:47 PM PDT

      •  Any responding?

        McCain has responded by saying he's staying out of it. And we all know he is just like a Bush Jr. He will not help the UNION if he gets elected...God help us all.
        Clinton has written a letter to Dauch asking him to end the strike quickly while providing fair wages to the employees.
        I don't how the other one stands on this issue but I am assuming he isn't standing tall or behind any of us. When was the last time he was in Michigan anyway?

        by AAM WORKERS UNITE on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:19:39 PM PDT

        •  I'm guessing

          this is my source for pics!!

          I posted the Clinton letter above.

          As for Obama, he has a long history supporting unions, I just want to see him make this his issue now.  Personally, I'd like Clinton to do the same thing.  We all know where McSame stands, for the right to not work.  So, we need to hold Clinton and Obama accountable, including the need for stronger statements cause that Clinton letter's "deep concern" sure doesn't say much at all.

          by Bendygirl on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 06:38:46 AM PDT

          •  It says something

            which is more than the others can claim right now.

            by Unduna on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 08:13:40 AM PDT

    •  As if the Democratic Party really cares

      about the working man, any more than the Republicans do.

      It's just another constituency to be lied to and manipulated for votes and manpower.

      by LivinginReality on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:53:42 PM PDT

      •  The Democratic party candidates have forgotten

        about the New Deal. They have forgotten where they came from.

        Only Edwards seems to understand that the Democratic party  is the party  of the working man and women. If the unions don't stand together , they will fall apart.

        by lindalrs on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:01:20 PM PDT

    •  I grew up near American Axle

      And I have visited the strikers quite often when the strike first started in February. I haven't been by there in weeks. This is the first time I have ever heard about this incident. The Free Press and Detroit News has become the Kwame Kilpatrick "Textgate" network, we really don't hear of any pertinent news here in the area.  There is no way that this story should have been ignored.

      by unionboy on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:22:19 PM PDT

    •  I actually stopped watching all media

      Except Kieth Oberman.. and daily show.. Thats it anymore... CNN lost its last shred of integrity when the Liar Tony Snow was added to thier lineup..

      A so far feel happy about it.

      by hangingchad on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:58:04 PM PDT

      •  That's about it for me too

        Add Charlie Rose, Bill Moyers, and NPR radio .. yes, I watch my radio .. lol .. Occasionally CSPAN is in the mix too and for the totally corporate flavor I do CNBC.

        I thought I heard something this week about AAM from one of those sources but it was probably CNBC talking about GM profits.

        by lns1122 on Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 08:09:56 AM PDT