NOTE: Please also read my Jan. 11 diary, Exclusive Interview w/ Pulaski (WI) Band Director: Union Maid, a Conspiracy-Theory, and a Correction. The account I published below on January 3 was based on incomplete information; I'd have written a very different story had I known what's been revealed since then.

= = = = = = = = =

The Pulaski High Marching Band, of Pulaski Wisconsin, made an awesome statement in yesterday's Rose Bowl Parade.

It was quite an honor for the Red Raiders from this small town (pop. approx. 3000) northwest of Green Bay to be marching in 80-degree weather in Pasadena, while their proud community looked on from windy 18-degree Wisconsin.

The TV coverage started as they marched along playing "On Wisconsin," looking properly Badger-like in their red uniforms.

And then they got to the grandstand, at about 1:15 in the YouTube ... listen to what happened.

There once was a union maid, She never was afraid

Of goons and ginks and company finks

And the deputy sheriffs who made the raid

She went to the union hall, When a meeting it was called

And when the company boys came round

She always stood her ground

Listen to the announcers -- they have no idea what's going on, what the tune is, what statement is being made here. "They just stopped in the middle, this band, and they're gettin' down!" says the announcer. Oh yes, they're gettin' down -- to Union Maid, written by Woody Guthrie!

Oh, you can't scare me,

I'm sticking to the union

I'm sticking to the union,

I'm sticking to the union

Oh, you can't scare me,

I'm sticking to the union

I'm sticking to the union

till the day I die

The cheers as they finish the song are great. I bet there were more than a few people in the crowd who realized what had just happened. "The crowd likes them!" declares the announcer, blissfully unaware.

I hope it was the musicians themselves who selected this song, who planned this action. It would be reminiscent of the students from East High in Madison who determinedly marched out of school down East Washington last February to swell the protests at the Capitol.

My favorite verse of the song is one that was added in the 1980s, and is included in the Solidarity Singalong songbook.

You women who want to be free

Just take a tip from me

Break out of that mold we've all been sold

You got a fighting history

The fight for women's rights

With workers must unite

Like Mother Jones, bestir them bones

To the front of every fight!

The struggle continues here in Wisconsin. Two more weeks to get those recall signatures -- rumor has it that we're over the top with the Walker sigs, but we're not stopping now! Onward to a million!

P.S. UPDATE BELOW THE SQUIGGLE!