G-Tac message to Wisconsinites; We'll shoot you.

The odd thing about this story; both the mining company and security company had absolutely no response. Big surprise from two out-of-state companies with nothing to lose.

For me this is the next step in what I fear is the bizarre and threatening business take over our state. Heck, country. And it won’t be long before this armed solution spreads out from the north woods.

I have to admit, I’m still a little taken aback by this militaristic response. This can't be happening. From WISC Channel3000:

WSJ: Two members of the Wisconsin Legislature are asking Gogebic Taconite to remove masked security guards who are toting semi-automatic rifles and wearing camouflaged uniforms at the mining company's site in Northern Wisconsin.

Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, said the guards are from Bulletproof Securities, an Arizona company that boasts a "no compromises security force.""I'm appalled. There is no evidence to justify their presence," Jauch said … he was especially concerned that the guards are carrying high-powered rifles more appropriate for fighting wars than for guarding construction equipment in a scenic forest that draws scores of hikers and vacationers in addition to mine protesters. Do they have the authority to use those weapons? If so, on who?" Jauch said.

Gogebic Taconite spokesman Bob Seitz didn't return phone calls. Bulletproof Securities officials in Scottsdale, Ariz., couldn't be reached for comment. 

You've heard stories of vandalism, yet only one person has been charged with taking a camera:

Protests have been peaceful, said Iron County Sheriff Tony Furyk.

My gut tells me G-Tac was encouraged by our fine Republican legislators to do what it took, especially after they did their job in defiance of Wisconsinites everywhere. Hey folks, like the new direction?:

The company's website says "Complacency is no longer an option when a breach can result in excessive amounts of lost time, money and additional liability for your firm."

Paul DeMain, editor of the Hayward-based News from Indian County, said local residents aren't happy. “Some of the local people are wondering, what the heck? It’s come to a sad situation when you've got to have a machine gun to protect a business that people around here don’t want,” said DeMain, an opponent of the mine who posted video online of a guard and a semi-automatic rifle on the seat of a truck at a drilling site. Kimberlee Wright, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates in Madison, said “It’s pretty scary. We don’t want anyone to shoot anybody.”

Here's the letter sent by our state lawmakers (Democrats of course. Republicans see this as another way of governing):