Comical: Occupiers Crash Rose Parade With Giant Octopus Float

I am surprised Nancy Pelosi wasn't riding on top. 

Via WZipper:

Cave: Wisconsin Marathon County Labor Council to Allow Republicans in Labor Day Parade

The Marathon County Labor Council was going to be forced to pay the insurance and police costs for their Labor Day parade if Republicans were excluded. They caved. It's always about the money with unions.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WLS) - The Marathon County Labor Council has reversed a decision that excluded Republican politicians from participating in the Labor Day parade in Wausau.

Labor Council President Randy Radtke earlier said Republican elected officials were not invited because they supported changes to collective bargaining for public employee unions. Wausau Mayor Jim Tipple responded by threatening to withhold financial support for the parade unless everyone was allowed to participate.

WSAW-TV says Radtke released a statement Wednesday which said the Labor Council didn't want community groups and school bands affected, so Republicans will be allowed in the parade.

Tipple told WLS Radio's Bruce Wolf and Dan Proft show Tuesday that the city provides an insurance premium, a stage setup and police traffic control for the parade. Tipple said the city would have required the Labor Council to reimburse the city for those expenses if it didn't reverse its decision. Keep on reading...

Payback: GOP Banned From Labor Day Parade in Wisconsin

This is a constantly evolving story. It was originally reported as follows:

Organizers of Wausau's Labor Day parade say Republican lawmakers aren't welcome in this year's event.

The Marathon County Central Labor Council sponsors the September 5th parade. The council includes about 30 local unions from the Marathon County area.

Then, the Mayor claims the event must be non-partisan because the city pays part of the costs.(emphasis is mine)

August 29, 2011- The City is a co-sponsor of the Labor Day parade event, because we provided the payment for the insurance premium for the event, and we agreed to erect a stage and provide city services at no cost to the Marathon County Central Labor Council.

The banning of a political party from participation at any event co-sponsored by the City is against public policy and not in the best interest of all the citizens of the City of Wausau. And therefore, we encourage the event organizer to invite all interested parties, or reimburse the city for other costs.

Spreading The Wealth: Obama is Mocked During Parade

The small town of Scandia, Minnesota sent President Obama a message during a parade. A man wearing a donkey head is on a John Deere tractor pulling a manure spreader labeled with "spreadin' the wealth."



More pictures at The Right Perspective.