By Dustin Beilke

So yeah, the riots have continued in France. Indeed, it seems that virtually all activity except rioting has come to a halt in Paris. And France's president has resolved to arrest the "troublemakers." I think the French people have a higher tolerance for trouble than we do here.

This reminds me, do you already subscribe to the Labor Notes' "Troublemakers Blog"? If you don't you should.

Here in Wisconsin, the Moving Wisconsin Forward rally was a big success, with more than 1,000 people gathering to demonstrate on behalf of public services and against nihilism. All those who spoke also pledged to carry the enthusiasm with them as they go. That is what organizing is for: sustained engagement and commitment.

And the Washington Post has a new poll about federal workers that has a majority of people expressing a low opinion of them. This poll got a lot of attention--in the Post and elsewhere--because it contained human conflict and because it seemed to have portent for the upcoming elections. What I found interesting is that of the people who were polled who had direct contact with a federal employee, three out of four people rated it as a positive experience. Maybe federal employees need to get out more? Like school employees do?