December 31, 2011
Tangled web
Sir Walter Scott: "Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive."
As the Gableman-Michael, Best web unfolds, a number of flies have been caught and others are hovering around the web. The Gableman saga really began with the WMC effort to take over the Wisconsin Supreme Court. WMC learned by observing the purchase of courts around the country with Texas and Mississippi among the leaders.
We have suggested reading The Appeal and again urge you to read it. The big money folks came to the realization that purchasing, through campaign contributions, a state supreme court took much less effort and much less money than buying a majority of a state legislature or a single governor. So WMC, and its members and allies, supported Annette Ziegler and David Prosser--big time. If they could defeat Louis Butler, appointed to the bench by Jim Doyle, they would have the majority on the court. Lookout, here comes tort reform, vouchers, and on and on.
It was regarded as a sure thing that Butler would be re-elected, but Gableman put a negative TV spot on the air accusing Butler of finding a "loophole" so a prisoner could be set free. And, wouldn't you know, the released prisoner committed another crime! "Loophole Louie," he was labeled. One problem--the ad was false! OK, enough, you have heard it 10 times. But Gableman was quickly put to the test. And he came through. First, he voted with the new majority that a Supreme Court Justice could not be required to recuse himself or herself even if WMC appeared in court having contributed lots of money to one or more justice's campaign. This ruling protects Ziegler and Prosser, WMC favorites. Second, he voted to overturn judge Sumi's decision that the collective bargaining scheme was invalid because the Legislature violated the Open Meetings law. This decision was key. Had the vote been to uphold Sumi, Walker would have been forced to negotiate.
That vote prompted the Dane County D.A. last Friday to ask the Supreme Court to vacate that decision now that we have learned that Michael, Best gave Gableman two years of representation at no fee while working with the Walker administration to protect the law.
To force a review, four votes are necessary, and that seems unlikely. Nevertheless, Ozanne believes he has a duty to try. Stay tuned.
Gingrich: Maybe I am a jerk, but I was not moved by his tears. Knowing what an SOB he is, did he really pull a Boehner? Or was practice required?
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It is the logical result of Capitalism run amok. Why bother with all that messy campaigning etc. when you can just buy that damned election?
Had some folks down here in New Mexico ask me what the hell happened to Wisnotskin. I hardly knew what to say but just told them I was glad I Escaped Wisconsin.
The state has a long road back to normalcy and decency but the odds aren't good. Short of physically removing the malefactors I fail to see where any group has the manpower or money to regain some decent government.
The froggies are in some truly hot water and it all happened before they knew what was really going on. Now they are well and truly cooked.
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | (Glad) I Escaped, WI. | December 31, 2011
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