What's in a Name?

What’s in a Name?

Here in Wisconsin, a certain group of folks are trying to gather as many signatures as they can to recall the state Governor. The deadline for petitions is coming up in just under two weeks.

Petition-wielding Badger State denizens are standing outside their parked cars in public places in the balmiest Wisconsin weather for January, holding up placards and urging motorists to stop and sign in.

Intriguingly, this petitioning process has become something of a sticky widget. The Governor’s people have even filed court complaints.  It seems some of the signatories have names that bear more resemblance to famous folks, past and present (or even pretend) than to real state residents.

How did Wisconsin’s petition circulators get folks like Adolf Hitler, Mickey Mouse, Donald Trump, Walt Disney, Mary Poppins and John Wayne to sign?

Taking Names

With clipboards in hand, they patrol.

Outside on the sidewalks, they troll.

“Please sign on the line.

No need to decline.

Just pick any name for the roll.”

Petitions fill up overnight,

As fictional characters write.

Celebrities pen

Again and again,

But never on our turf alight.

The deadline approaches to file,

With turmoil both sides of the aisle.

Political games

Include taking names

Along every country mile.

c2012 by Linda Ann Nickerson

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Image/s:

Petition Gathering

Creative Commons Licensing Photo

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