SEIU invade private property to intimidate bank exec's teenage son

[RevDisk]

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/19/news/companies/SEIU_Bank_of_America_protest.fortune/index.htm

(FORTUNE) -- Every journalist loves a peaceful protest-whether it makes news, shakes up a political season, or holds out the possibility of altering history. Then there are the ones that show up on your curb--literally.

Last Sunday, on a peaceful, sun-crisp afternoon, our toddler finally napping upstairs, my front yard exploded with 500 screaming, placard-waving strangers on a mission to intimidate my neighbor, Greg Baer. Baer is deputy general counsel for corporate law at Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500), a senior executive based in Washington, D.C. And that -- in the minds of the organizers at the politically influential Service Employees International Union and a Chicago outfit called National Political Action -- makes his family fair game.

Waving signs denouncing bank "greed," hordes of invaders poured out of 14 school buses, up Baer's steps, and onto his front porch. As bullhorns rattled with stories of debtor calls and foreclosed homes, Baer's teenage son Jack -- alone in the house -- locked himself in the bathroom. "When are they going to leave?" Jack pleaded when I called to check on him.

Baer, on his way home from a Little League game, parked his car around the corner, called the police, and made a quick calculation to leave his younger son behind while he tried to rescue his increasingly distressed teen. He made his way through a din of barked demands and insults from the activists who proudly "outed" him, and slipped through his front door.

"Excuse me," Baer told his accusers, "I need to get into the house. I have a child who is alone in there and frightened."

When is a protest not a protest?

Now this event would accurately be called a "protest" if it were taking place at, say, a bank or the U.S. Capitol. But when hundreds of loud and angry strangers are descending on your family, your children, and your home, a more apt description of this assemblage would be "mob." Intimidation was the whole point of this exercise, and it worked-even on the police. A trio of officers who belatedly answered our calls confessed a fear that arrests might "incite" these trespassers.

What's interesting is that SEIU, the nation's second largest union, craves respectability. Just-retired president Andy Stern is an Obama friend and regular White House visitor. He sits on the President's Fiscal Responsibility Commission. He hobnobs with those greedy Wall Street CEOs -- executives much higher-ranking than my neighbor Baer -- at Davos. His union spent $70 million getting Democrats elected in 2008.

In the business community, though, SEIU has a reputation for strong-arm tactics against management, prompting some companies to file suit.

Now those strong-arm tactics, stirred by supposedly free-floating (as opposed to organized) populist rage, have come to the neighborhood curb. Last year it was AIG executives -- with protestors met by security guard outside. Now it's any executive -- and they're on the front stoop. After Baer's house, the 14 buses left to descend on the nearby residence of Peter Scher, a government relations executive at JPMorgan Chase (JPM, Fortune 500).

Targeting homes and families seems to put SEIU in the ranks of (now jailed) radical animal-rights activists and the Kansas anti-gay fundamentalists harassing the grieving parents of a dead 20-year-old soldier at his funeral (the Supreme Court has agreed to weigh in on the latter). But that's not a conversation that SEIU officials want to have.

When I asked Stephen Lerner, SEIU's point-person on Wall Street reform, about these tactics, he accused me of getting "emotional." Lerner was more comfortable sticking to his talking points: "Millions of people are losing their homes, and they have gone to the banks, which are turning a deaf ear."

Okay, fine, then why not continue SEIU protests at bank offices and shareholder meetings-as the union has been doing for more than a year? Lerner insists, "People in powerful corporations seem to think they can insulate themselves from the damage they are doing."

Other reasons why SEIU might protest

Bank of America officials dispute Lerner's assertion about the "damage they are doing," citing the success of workout programs to help distressed homeowners, praise received from community groups, the bank's support of financial reform legislation, and the little-noticed fact that Bank of America exited the subprime lending business in 2001.

SEIU has said it wants to organize bank tellers and call centers -- and its critics point out that a great way to worsen employee morale, thereby making workers more susceptible to union calls, is to batter a bank's image through protest. (SEIU officials say their anti-Wall Street campaign has nothing to do with their organizing efforts.) Complicating this picture is the fact that BofA is the union's lender of choice -- and SEIU, suffering financially, owes the bank nearly $4 million in interest and fees. Bank of America declined comment on the loans.

But SEIU's intentions, and BofA's lender record, are ripe subjects to debate in Congress, on air, at shareholder hearings. Not in Greg Baer's front yard.

Why the media wasn't invited

Sunday's onslaught wasn't designed for mainstream media consumption. There were no reporters from organizations like the Washington Post, no local camera crews who might have aired criticism of this private-home invasion. With the media covering the conservative Tea Party protesters, the behavior of individual activists has drawn withering scrutiny.

Instead, a friendly Huffington Post blogger showed up, narrowcasting coverage to the union's leftist base. The rest of the message these protesters brought was personal-aimed at frightening Baer and his family, not influencing a broader public.

Of course, HuffPost readers responding to the coverage assumed that Baer was an evil former Bush official. He's not. A lifelong Democrat, Baer worked for the Clinton Treasury Department, and his wife, Shirley Sagawa, author of the book The American Way to Change and a former adviser to Hillary Clinton, is a prominent national service advocate.

In the 1990s, the Baers' former bosses, Bill and Hillary Clinton, denounced the "politics of personal destruction." Today politicians and their voters of all stripes grieve the ugly bitterness that permeates our policy debates. Now, with populist rage providing a useful cover, it appears we've crossed into a new era: The politics of personal intimidation. To top of page

Gods.   Yes, THIS time they were "peaceful".   How in the hell do you protect your home against a "Black Hawk Down" scenario where you are being overrun by hundreds of savages?  Even the cops refused to assist.  Why the hell didn't they call for riot police like when old Tea Party grandmothers wave American flags?

If a reporter wasn't a neighbor and as thoroughly angry about this happening in his neighborhood, I think this would never have seen the light.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

did you mention the protestors got a dc police escort into md for the event?

[Regolith]

How in the hell do you protect your home against a "Black Hawk Down" scenario where you are being overrun by hundreds of savages?  Even the cops refused to assist. 

I believe that's what they invented belt-fed automatic weapons for.

[RevDisk]

I believe that's what they invented belt-fed automatic weapons for.

Which are not legal to buy or build new.  And the price for transferable ones has inflated well beyond reasonable levels due to government distortion of the market. 

Shame the executive wasn't a 2A nut.  It'd make an excellent case to throw against the feds for overthrowing the Hughes Amendment.  "My house was overrun and the feds are preventing me from exercising my RKBA of effective weapons in case they do so again."

[Regolith]

Which are not legal to buy or build new.  And the price for transferable ones has inflated well beyond reasonable levels due to government distortion of the market.  

True, but I bet this guy could afford one. Luckily, he didn't need it for this particular event.

Shame the executive wasn't a 2A nut.  It'd make an excellent case to throw against the feds for overthrowing the Hughes Amendment.  "My house was overrun and the feds are preventing me from exercising my RKBA of effective weapons in case they do so again."

I think his house would have actually had to of been vandalized or destroyed, and him or his family with it for that to work, though.   I don't think the court would be sympathetic to gunning down protesters for mere trespass.

[seeker_two]

I don't think the court would be sympathetic to gunning down protesters for mere trespass.

He should move to Texas.....not only can a homeowner defend himself, but his neighbors may also help out.... 

[RevDisk]

True, but I bet this guy could afford one. Luckily, he didn't need it for this particular event.

I think his house would have actually had to of been vandalized or destroyed, and him or his family with it for that to work, though.   I don't think the court would be sympathetic to gunning down protesters for mere trespass.

And exactly nothing stopped them from doing so if they wished?  They were already invading the man's property, obviously attempting to intimidate the man's home and family, etc.  Yes, gunning down unarmed protesters is usually bad.  But it could have easily gone that route and he would have been virtually helpless even if he bought the best weapons, carried an improbable amount of ammo and had the finest training from anywhere on the planet.   

The only thing that can stop a mob of savages outnumbering you several hundred to one is gunships, fixed defenses (landmines, claymores, etc) or a machine gun. 

Know why there's as many heavy crew served weapons on the NFA registry as there are?  Protection from unions.   There is a nickname for the M2HB other than "Ma Deuce", it is "labor relations".  Most folks are unaware of the terrorist tactics of the 1920's, 1930's unions.  Arson, train wrecks, murder, etc.  Coal companies didn't exactly stock up on US Army ordinance for entertainment.  Their company goons knew they'd be corpses unless they had heavy weaponry to hold off mobs.  Thankfully, BECAUSE they had heavy MG's, they were not often needed.

Do you think these SEIU goons would pull these intimidation tactics if they knew the average home owner could hold them at bay?  Whether said home owners owned MG's or did not is kinda besides the point.


This is not a theoretical "What If?" exercise.  The aerospace industry is well unionized.  A certain well known union (well known for intimidation) sent two goons to a coworker's house when he was working for a different company.  Two large well muscled "gentlemen" asking him why he dared to make anti-union comments and that for health reasons, he should stop doing so.  My buddy was single and made stupid bank, and happened to own NFA weapons.  He inserted the muzzle of a MAC-11 into the left nostril of the closer gentleman and escorted them off the property.  They did not come back.   

This wasn't 80 years ago.  It was about 5 or 6.

[Regolith]

Didn't say I disagreed.  I just said it'd take something a bit more than this to convince the court than this specific incident.  Unfortunately, they aren't quite as big a bunch of gun nuts as we are.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I was beginning to think I didn't really need my AR-15 and could sell it to buy other fun toys.

Maybe having one or two rifles with large magazine capacities isn't such a bad idea.

A belt-fed would be nice, but that's not really my style.  I'm better with semi-auto.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

the unions are trying to goad you into a bad act  never forget that. they train to provoke .  its very well organized and highly orchestrated

[longeyes]

Fun and games in the sandbox.  How long before one of the kids pulls a knife?  It's coming, and the Left will blame us, no matter what.

[just Warren]

Know why there's as many heavy crew served weapons on the NFA registry as there are?  Protection from unions.   There is a nickname for the M2HB other than "Ma Deuce", it is "labor relations".  Most folks are unaware of the terrorist tactics of the 1920's, 1930's unions.  Arson, train wrecks, murder, etc.  Coal companies didn't exactly stock up on US Army ordinance for entertainment.  Their company goons knew they'd be corpses unless they had heavy weaponry to hold off mobs.  Thankfully, BECAUSE they had heavy MG's, they were not often needed.

Is there a link or book you can point me to on this topic? So the weapons they owned were grandfathered into the NFA? Did purchases of such weapons decrease with the advent of the law? Was the law passed, in part, to keep companies from defending themselves?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

http://www.wvculture.org/history/minewars.html

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

the unions are trying to goad you into a bad act  never forget that. they train to provoke .  its very well organized and highly orchestrated

If an angry mob enters my house, I will definitely be provoked into a "bad act".

[vaskidmark]

If an angry mob enters my house, I will definitely be provoked into a "bad act".

If an angry mob actually crossed the threshold there should no longer be any doubt in anyone's mind about their intention to cause serious bodily harm or death.

I'd still like to be able to avoid the use of lethal force, but in that situation I just cannot see any way around it.  As long as they are still merely trampling the flowerbeds and keying the paintjob on the family transportation I'd be content trying to get as many pictures as possible and then filing lawsuits for damages, as well as warrants after the fact for criminal trespass.  None of that offers the immediate satisfaction of contemplating seeing them fall in winnrows, but it does allow me a little more time outside the correctional system.

If there is any concern that this spontaneous demonstration might be repeated, Mr. Baer might consider adding some fire mains and hose to strategic locations around his property.  I'll have to research Maryland law, but in Virginia it would be lawful to turn the hoses on them if they refused your invitation to "get off my lawn".

And to think that when I was a mere adolescent I actually though labor unions still served a meaningful purpose.

stay safe.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

If an angry mob actually crossed the threshold there should no longer be any doubt in anyone's mind about their intention to cause serious bodily harm or death.

I'd still like to be able to avoid the use of lethal force, but in that situation I just cannot see any way around it.  As long as they are still merely trampling the flowerbeds and keying the paintjob on the family transportation I'd be content trying to get as many pictures as possible and then filing lawsuits for damages, as well as warrants after the fact for criminal trespass.  None of that offers the immediate satisfaction of contemplating seeing them fall in winnrows, but it does allow me a little more time outside the correctional system.

If there is any concern that this spontaneous demonstration might be repeated, Mr. Baer might consider adding some fire mains and hose to strategic locations around his property.  I'll have to research Maryland law, but in Virginia it would be lawful to turn the hoses on them if they refused your invitation to "get off my lawn"

And to think that when I was a mere adolescent I actually though labor unions still served a meaningful purpose.

stay safe.

bet the house has a sprinkler system

[dogmush]

bet the house has a sprinkler system

That could be plumbed to a large tank of mace.


Actually, all kidding aside, If I were that executive I'd be looking at how to install 3 or 4 Repulsar IV's on my porch, wired to a panic button.  With a couple of decent fans, it should keep you're yard clear for a while.  Give them a warning, hit the fans, and then let'er rip.

[RevDisk]

Is there a link or book you can point me to on this topic? So the weapons they owned were grandfathered into the NFA? Did purchases of such weapons decrease with the advent of the law? Was the law passed, in part, to keep companies from defending themselves?

I'll have a look through my collection.

Remember, in 1934, when NFA was passed, $200 was a lot of money.  The tax stamp cost more than a lot of the weapons it restricted.  You could buy an old sawed off for $5-20 at the time.  Plus, it wasn't really uniformly enforced or publicized until the 1960's.  WWI and WWII vets brought home a LOT of hardware and most of them didn't register anything.  Folks just removed the bolts from the MG's and claimed it was a DEWAT.  They figured if they got in trouble, they'd pay the $200 and be done with it. 

For companies, $200 wasn't a concern and they were a bit more visible, so they didn't want to get hauled in front of a judge for threatening an angry mob with an illegal weapon.  So they just paid the $200 to be legit. 

NFA was officially passed in response to the Mob wars of Prohibition.   Which slammed to a halt exactly one year before NFA was passed.  Since Prohibition, not ONE now-legal alcohol manufacturer or distributor has gotten into a fire fight with a rival legal alcohol manufacturer or distributor.  Most sane (and cynical) folks believe that NFA was passed to give all of those Revenuers something to police instead of booze. 

A google search of "coal company automatic weapons" could give you plenty of hits.  Company goons had crew served, subguns, grenades, etc.  Pretty much anything in the US Army standard, a lot of companies had as well.  Had to.  Unions were not infrequently violent and destructive terrorists, and more than a few companies were complete and utter scumbags that played every trick in the book to shortchange their workers.

[gunsmith]

saw that on Glenn Beck, happened in MD ... right?  they have rotten laws there.
afaik without a fence and "keep out" sign there isn't much legally ( ianal though)
seiu is getting a lot of bad press though, perhaps there needs to be a demo at their houses too. We should fight fire with fire.

[taurusowner]

I was beginning to think I didn't really need my AR-15 and could sell it to buy other fun toys.

Maybe having one or two rifles with large magazine capacities isn't such a bad idea.

Do not sell it.  Ever.

Sure other guns may be more practical on an everyday basis.  A scoped bolt gun for hunting, a pump shotgun for HD against 1 or 2 thieves.  A few handguns for CCW.  AR-15s might just be a range toy 99% of the time, or more even.  But you never know when that one situation may come up when you really wish you had the ability to throw dozens of rounds downrange or you're a gonner.

If that was my neighbor I would have thrown on my IBA, grabbed my AR and probably stood on my porch for all to see in case they started to have a a mind for violence.  No brandishing or pointing, just standing there on my property to give them a moment of pause.

[Boomhauer]

The mob was "peaceful" (although i don't call invading a man's private property peaceful) this time. In the near future, they are going to be firebombing people's homes.

And not a damn thing is going to be done about it by local LE. Especially when the mobs are getting police support.

[Sindawe]

In the near future, they are going to be firebombing people's homes.

And not a damn thing is going to be done about it by local LE.

Supporters of such tyranny should remember that not all of their coworkers and neighbors are blind sheep.

If push comes to shove, they CAN be touched.

[KD5NRH]

I believe that's what they invented belt-fed automatic weapons for.

If you have to light up crew-served weapons in the house, it's pretty much a write-off anyway; might as well just grab the lawnmower gas can, set a candle next to it by the front door, and take cover in the next room with your shotgun.  The first ones through the door will regret it.

[HankB]

bet the house has a sprinkler system

That was my first thought when I saw pictures of the goons on the lawn . . .

That could be plumbed to a large tank of mace.

Or maybe that indelible ink the banks put into exploding dye packets of money?

[Jamisjockey]

Get off my lawn! Followed by a dose of this?

http://www.stungunshq.com/pepper-spray/large-volume-pepper-spray.html


 

Seriously, though, I'm actually revising my desire to purchase an AR.  I don't antcipate having my home invaded by SEIU THUGS, but will be living in the suburbs near Houston.  I remember Hurricane Andrew and the after party looting.