AFL-CIO Leader Accepts Communist Party Award: ‘I Stand With Them’
- Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:02am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Those who doubt the connection between the communist party and the unions need only to read accounts of a recent awards ceremony to see how both groups view each other.
On Sunday, December 5, the Communist Party USA gave awards to a pair of labor leaders and a former state legislator and assistant attorney general.* Among the recipients was Connecticut AFL-CIO head John Olsen, who not only gladly accepted the award, but garnered “loud applause” when he said he stands with CPUSA.
CPUSA’s webzine People’s World reports Olsen was given the award at the Voices for Jobs, Equality & Peace – People’s World Amistad Awards Concert celebrating the 90th anniversary of the CPUSA.
“James Hillhouse High School auditorium was filled with the fabulous jazz sounds of Jeff Fuller & Friends, labor songs by Bill Collins of the Rabble Rousers, and poetry by Baub Bidon and Ken Brown,” the article describes the event. But besides offering a mental picture, it also gives a glimpse of Olsen’s acceptance speech, in which he says he will stand with the Communist Party:
“Anyone who stands with me for workers’ rights, I stand with them,” said John Olsen to loud applause as he acknowledged the Communist Party and took a strong stand against fear mongering and baiting, including the anti-socialist baiting of President Barack Obama.
The article goes on to praise the union for its work, and explains how important the union is in fighting for CPUSA causes:
The AFL CIO and local unions are now developing their legislative agendas. For the first time in 22 years, a Democratic governor was elected in Connecticut. It is widely recognized that union members made the difference in voter turnout.
However, especially with the state budget crisis, grass roots organizing will be needed to forestall cuts and layoffs and to demand expanded revenues by taxing the very rich.
Research shows that Olsen has been popular in the Democratic Party. In 2009 he gave a speech at the JJB Dinner, an annual Connecticut Democratic Party event, and was introduced by newly-elected senator, and state attorney general, Dick Blumenthal:
Olsen’s bio confirms he is currently a member of the Democratic National Committee and has served in numerous leadership roles for the Connecticut state Democratic Party including chairman.
Also of note, he served as a superdelegate at the 2008 Democratic convention, where he supported Hillary Clinton. And while in the video above it appears he has switched his allegiance to Barack Obama, now it appears he’s also willing to support the Communist Party.
The ceremony was held at James Hillhouse Public High School in Connecticut. Not surprisingly, members of the CPUSA’s youth organization the Young Communist League attended and even welcomed attendees to the event.
“It was politically and musically awesome!” Peoples World quoted one commenter as saying. “The food was excellent as well!”
“Not that long ago Americans openly rejected socialism and communism,” Jim Hoft writes. “Now the communists are holding awards ceremonies and concerts in public high schools and openly honoring state labor leaders.”
The Blaze contacted the high school but was not able to get a comment prior to publication.
*UPDATE:
Also receiving awards were Carmen Boudier, president of New England 1199, an SEIU branch, and Juan Figueroa, president of Universal Health Care Foundation. Figueroa is a former Connecticut legislator and Assistant Attorney General.
Here’s how the article describes their speeches:
Carmen Boudier was greeted with a standing ovation by a large group of striking Spectrum nursing home workers who have been on the picket lines for eight months. “I accept this award,“ she said ”on behalf of the workers and the struggles that we face.”
Juan Figueroa recounted his youth in Cialis, Puerto Rico where his father taught him about social justice. Figueroa was the first Puerto Rican to run for Governor in Connecticut. “If you followed my campaign,” he said, “That’s where I got those values.” He is now leading the effort for a public health care option in Connecticut.
(H/T: Gateway Pundit; P/Oed Patriot)
This story has been updated to accommodate new information.
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Comments (167)
Gas137
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:35amDoes Olsen know what life is like for workers in a communist regime? I was in the Berlin Brigade in the 1970s and worked at Checkpoint Charlie when East German workers would risk their lives to escape to freedom.
Report Post »drago
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:31amIt’s time to run the communist unions and its members out of this county, along with all the other communists…..
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:30amThey don’t even try to hide this fact any longer. The youth are being brainwashed into thinking this is the LIBERAL way they HAVE to be now, all this save the earth and care for ALL the world’s people. I wonder if they realize THEY will be the next generation WORKING themselves to death to PAY for all this? haha How will they live without all their goodies they won’t be able to afford, like ipads, iphones, blackberries, electronic games and HD tv’s? They better think about what might happen when they run out of other people’s money. It’s begining to look a lot like GREECE already, thanks to the unions. :)
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:26amUnions are made up of the Uneducated masses, and the single greatest concentration of stupid on the planet. That blind monkey humping the football, well at least he know‘s what he’s doing…..
Report Post »Conservo-Atheist
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:26amAdd your comments
Report Post »MikeinIdaho
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:25amWho is surprised by this? The unions have been communist controlled for many, many years!
Report Post »Union members, is this what you pay your dues for? Regain your freedom, NOW!
REVENANT
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:23amThe only good commie, is a dead commie.
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:28amYea, what he said.
Report Post »Conservo-Atheist
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:23amA spectre is haunting AMERICA—the spectre of communism.
Report Post »Silversmith
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:23amI used to think McCarthyism was extreme. Now, not so much.
Silversmith
Report Post »BQI
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:19amI use to associate union, more specifically union membership, as Americana and apple pie. To see a leader of an American anything, let alone a powerful union, praising a communist organization and accepting an award, I can only think that our country is in deeper trouble than I originally thought.
BQI is running a story on Ayn Rand today where she talks about America’s slide to socialism and a DICTATORSHIP. We believe this is a must see/ read story and video for all Americans.
http://www.blackquillandink.com
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:19amThese people have seriously got to go.
Where the hell is the bouncers…..
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:17amPick a side. All in moderation because I don’t play well with others I have been labled the blaze terrorist. Sorry I spoke my mind. OOPs
Report Post »Country
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:16amIt looks like he hurt his arm hurrying up there to accept that award. Democrat translate Communist.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:12amThe mask is off, but we’re divisive if we notice. It‘s another variation of the Emperor’s New Clothes. Only stupid and crazy people think Communism is a real threat.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:21amSo many people going about thier lives are not paying attention to these nuts. They think all is well and thier elected officials are looking after them and keeping the commies at bay. They need to wake up.
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:12amI don’t know why anyone would be surprised by the acceptance of Communism by unions which are socialistic at their base. The desturbing part is the open way they tout it these days, as if it were a good thing.
Report Post »Perhaps with the rats out of their holes we can get rid of them more easily.
Conserving Ink
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:11amYou have to admire his honesty…
Report Post »__________________________________
http://conserving-ink.blogspot.com/2010/12/30-day-and-half-full-glass.html
chickenlittle
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:37amI don’t have to admire anything about these roaches. They are just so convinced they have won already, they are now crawling out of the dark. What is a public school even allowing avowed enemies of this country to have celebrations in a high school auditorium paid for with tax dollars?
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:46amAh, I just realized why they are meeting in the auditorium… the school system probably had the cafeteria already booked for the Islamic Jihad meetings.
Report Post »River0
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:11amThis is excellent. They’re been hiding for a half-century, and are coming out of hiding now because they think this is their big chance to take over. We’ll be able to deal with and defeat them this time around.
Report Post »crossdraw
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:10amDick Blumrnthal. There’s a quality individual. He has an accounting coming for his lies about VietNam. Mr. Olsen, you would be well advised to govern yourself in a different way. Commies are not welcome here and that reality will come home to roost. There are patriots who are ready to do you and your Nazi buddies. America WILL NOT become ameriKa. Die in hell Swine
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:10amGood job, John Olsen.
Now kindly take your newfound Communist Passport and extradite yourself the hell out of my country.
If you don’t get out, we’ll put you out.
Report Post »912always
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:10amThis just proves that our education system has failed our children.
Report Post »Reagan/Demint.deciple
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:16amhuh?
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:32amSome folks just like to spout-off without having to read the article.
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:36amThe educational system hasn’t been teaching our children of the murderous history of Communism. It has never turned out well and never will. Even the 60s hippies, and their voluntary Communism of living in communes, didn’t last.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:08amThe sad part about this is, the leaders of the AFL and CIO were rabidly anti-Communist in the early 20th Century.
How far they’ve fallen…
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:22amNo, it is how easily they have been infiltrated and redirected. The workers need to disband the unions and get started over again into something else. Unions need to go the way of the dinosaurs, and stay buried forever.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:06amTHE POLITICAL SPECTRUM:
Fascism, Communism, Socialism, the Tribal Chief – Witch Doctor and King are simply different names for tyranny. The only difference is the title of the tyrant and the rhetoric. To see the real political spectrum, click on the following link: http://commonsense21c.com/political-spec.html
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:06amJOE MCCARTHY!!!! We need you!!!
Report Post »Reagan/Demint.deciple
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:26amYou said it ,brother…
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:40amMcCarthy was right !!!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 7:09amThe only reason he had bread & butter on his table was because of the Unions & the Demorat party. When did the Demorats & Unions come up with a business concept, risk their money and make those evil profits (by destroying the earth), which enabled the evil rich guy to employ his father?
Report Post »Reagan/Demint.deciple
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:06amI always love when they show themselves and their beliefs right in front of a camera for the whole world to see… I have a list going..
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:50amIt’s like Glenn Beck predicted: they will destroy themselves with their own words.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:56amWhat happened to the idea that communism is bad and capitalism is good?
Report Post »If there are union people out there can someone please tell me what are these ‘workers rights’ you are always demanding? I always thought a worker had a right to show up on time, do his work, punch out at the end of the day and get paid on Friday. If you don’t like the conditions the boss sets for your employment go work somewhere else. Unions are destroying the economy of this country, the USA can no longer compete with world markets. They are killing us and they don’t even pretend to care.
libertyordeath87
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:05amYes by showing themselves we will at least know who to aim at when the whole system breaks down.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:10am@NickDeringer
Just wait until they turn on each other to survive or become a top dog (chiuaua sized), and then the real fireworks shall begin. I pray it will just be kept to words, and nothing else.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:06amUnion members, stand together and put an end to this assault on the United States. You are being used by the union leaders for their personal gain and when they don’t need you anymore, or you beliefs differ from theirs, you will be discarded like yesterday’s trash. Please wake up before it is too late.
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:16amUnion members, stand together and put an end to UNIONS! Throw off your yokes! you are shackled to Communism! Your dues are going to support the destruction of a FREE AMERICA!!!
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:18amSo what’s new here? They have been helping the socialist and communist for over 50 years.
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:18amIf we don’t throw these people OUT now…like TODAY, there is going to be a serious problem.
I’ve seen this movie before, and it doesn’t end well at all.
We have to toss these folks out or ridicule and humiliate them into leaving or something.
They have to be driven out.
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:21amAgain, so what new here? The unions have supported socialist and communist for over 50 years. It’s what the do… what they have done, and what the will always do.
Report Post »79USMC83
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:47amUnions are a form of communism. You work not for the company, our yourselves but for the union. You pay dues to be in an organization , the bait and switch is a pension. Pensions are a Ponzi schemes like SSI. How many pay dues but quit,injured or die before they get to collect a pension. How many union steel workers lost ther jobs to China. We have labor laws now that protect workers. The majority of workers in this country are NON-union and are NOT being abused by employers Communism is the perfect form of government on PAPER. It has never worked because of on major factor. Men like this are into POWER and power leads to corruption. They preach about workers rights and the little person but in a communist country like North Korea the peasants starve and the elite have food!!!
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:51amPerfect analysis @ 79USMC83.
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:51amThe “new” is they now proudly tout their communist association.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:54am@Grandmaof5
Indeed, the union leaders and the communists are coming out of the woodworks in force now; they are just like the scavangers coming to battle over injured prey. The only difference is that our own people are not disabled – we still know how to fight back and will fight back. They push, we push back with a vengence.
Eventually these extremists from all sides will turn upon each other, and the people of the nation need to be wary and watching for the first warning signs of it.
Be also ready for the administration to declare some form of ‘internet emergency’ and clamp down on its usages due to the wikileaks matters.
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:04amJames Hillhouse High School was obviously named after JH. A Yale grad that served in the militia during the Revolutionary War. As a member of the Ct house of reps, once proposed secession of New England from the union in 1803 because of growing influence of Jeffersonian Democrats and the Louisiana Purchase. Today he would be appalled that they used his good name for a meeting of Communists. As a militia member he would be vilified as a Racist , Gun toting , white bigot. Can the Klan hold meetings in publicly owned school buildings?
Report Post »Sailor
thepatriotdave
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:07am“Connecticut AFL-CIO head John Olsen, who not only gladly accepted the award, but garnered “loud applause” when he said he stands with CPUSA.”
In laymens terms… he has just announced to the world that he is an enemy of the USA!
PatriotShops.com
Report Post »Dandylyon
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:16amUnions have always been communist run,look at the history.If you are just now finding this out it is no wonder the country is in the shape it is in.
Don’t expect any help from the members,they are brainwash very well.If we had the loyality to this country that the unions have from it’s members the problem would be fixed…………………but just don‘t pay your due’s when that seven day letter comes and see how fast you loose your job.
Report Post »Sondergard
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:20amwe need to cut all government funds to unions and get ready for a civil war
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:34amGood Call M31!
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:35amWhat gets me is that the UNION MEMBERS are so proud of being UNION. But when the UNION LEADERS jump in bed with COMMUNIST SOCIALISTS. Then you have to wonder if there not communist also. Believe me when I say if my boss was in bed with the communists I would be the first to blow the whistle on them. Where are the UNION MEMBERS outrage being in bed with Communists. Like the old saying “if you’re not with me, you against me”. The union members should shouting from their housetops denouncing this and demanding that their UNION LEADERS get out of bed with the COMMUNISTS.
Report Post »SemperCivis4Ever
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:36amCOMMUNISTS, SOCIALISTS AND ANARCHISTS—Lefties always accuse people of what they are guilty of. Its from their talking points and has seeped into their brains. “Order = Disorder, Logic is a complication, The truth is always false”
All part of the “Dada Manifesto” – After the Carnage of WW1 in Europe, Communist-Socialist-Anarchist thugs didn’t get much juice for their politic until they merged and adopted with the Dada Ant-Art movement and got the talking points and strategy to attack civilization
This video, by artist Marc Rubin, explains how they have worked people for 100 years: http://www.marcrubin.com/dada2.ivnu
THE META-FACTS OF HISTORY SINCE 3000 BCE is the Progressive “framework”. See how it emerged as a consequence of natural disaster and caused the first wars of civilization.Listen: Israel National Radio interview of artist Marc Rubin at http://www.marcrubin.com/judean-eve.ivnu
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:24pmBirds of a feather … sorry but most union members don’t have a clue as to how truly destructive the unions are …. or they just don’t care.
Report Post »Tamminator
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:23pmMy Union, AFTRA (an AFL/CIO member) destroyed all of the work in my town.
I joined FICORE, and now I can do Union AND non-union work, and my money can’t be used for political donations. I suggest other Union members look into it! http://www.ficore.com/
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:44pmTime to kill a Commie for Mommy?
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:19pmWe saw the Unions march together arm in arm with the CPUSA a few months ago in Washington DC along with the NAACP….. surprised ? … NO not at all.
It’s time to get rid of ALL the UNIONS the have ruined this country!!!
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:27pmJust sent an email to the school voicing my disapproval for allowing this group to meet on their campus. Others may want to do the same. Here is the contact information:
Report Post »http://jameshillhousehighschool.com/contact.html
wash1776
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:48pmConcise and well said!
Report Post »nvestnbrass
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:59pmI am a forced union member in West Virginia. I would opt out of the union immediately if the law here allowed me to maintain my employment. I try my best to educate my co-workers but they favor Socialism over Capitalism. Last year my union required a $25.00 donation to the democrats to attend the Christmas party that is already paid for by our activities fund. I am an outed conservative in a sea of liberal socialist as I was featured on the front page of our local newspaper at a tea party rally waving the come and take it flag. Trust me, You cannot reach the members. They are too far gone. They are part of the problem.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 5:26pmSlightly off subject..
I wanted to say a quick word about Glenn’s show that is on as I write this. He see’s the pooh hitting the fan right now and I must agree. Whenever he mentions the media please remember this from a little known, but powerful Communist…
“We asked for freedom of the press, thought, and civil liberties in the past because we were in the opposition and needed these liberties to conquer. Now that we have conquered, there is no longer any need for such civil liberties.”
-Bukharin, 1917
Report Post »wai2000.com
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 6:40pmOMG what is going on?
Report Post »TheAntiProgressive
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 6:50pmI think everybody here understands the problem.
The question is, what are we gonna do about it?
Report Post »ME
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 7:10pmI have come to the understanding that what ever puts food on your table and clothes your kids 99% of the population with put people in a oven to keep that food there. I have a brother in law that is still very active in the union and uncle both voted for Obama only because they what to keep there overpaid jobs, yes I was union at one time too. These people know what is right and will not vote for it, would you if it meant less on your table??? The Unions are a tool that controls though threat of putting your family at risk I can not blame them but to think they are some how without blame and only the leaders are to blame is to think that the SS Guards where only doing there jobs.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 8:12pmI agree with most of the post here…the unions are using my husband along with alot of Americans…it’s no longer the days of norma rae…these guys are going with communist now…besides the democratic party…unions are messed up and we need to get out of them…my husband can’t even work at the place he works at unless he pays this carpenters union 40.00 bucks a month..(basically)…..and he’s an electrician…what…
Report Post »Dont_TreadOnMe
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 8:50pm79USMC83 Nailed it right on the money.
Report Post »oscarito8675309
Posted on December 11, 2010 at 1:42amThe Unions are the place today where the Marxists are trying to “unite” the “proletariat” against the oppressive owners of the means of production. Where else would you start if you were an aspiring communist dictator?
Report Post »