They are called "union thugs" for a reason. The reason is simple: arm twisting, extortion and intimidation are the means they use to gain power. Remember "card check?" Obama promised the unions their precious card check law, and has failed to deliver. Card check would have allowed union goons to organize a workplace by intimidating workers into signing a card saying they wanted to join ... and not giving them the chance to express their true feelings - without fear of retaliation - in a secret ballot.

Now the unions are cranking up some intimidation tactics in Wisconsin. Members of the Wisconsin State Employees Union - AFSCME Council 24 - are now hammering Wisconsin businesses to support their so-called "workers' rights" campaign. Jim Parrett, a field representative of Council 24 for Southeast Wisconsin, is circulating a letter to businesses stating the following:

If businesses fail to comply, the letter says, "Failure to do so will leave us no choice but (to) do a public boycott of your business. And sorry, neutral means 'no' to those who work for the largest employer in the area and are union members...."

Comply? Comply with what? Comply with a union demand that these businesses put a sign in their windows .... Here's what the unions are telling the businesses who have said "no thanks" to these demands:

"It is unfortunate that you have chosen 'not' to support public workers rights in Wisconsin. In recent past weeks you have been offered a sign by a public employee who works in one of the state facilities in the Union Grove area. These signs simply said, 'This Business Supports Workers Rights,' a simple, subtle and we feel non-controversial statement gives the facts at this time."

This is union - goonion - thuggery at work. They are essentially running a protection racket. In this case you don't hand over a wad of cash to the mob thug who comes to your place of business ... you just take their sign, says "yes sir!" and post the sign in your window. As your reward the union will not organize and promote a boycott and try to run out of business.

Like I said at the beginning of today's notes ... it's a war.