Government Unions and Bankrupting America

Here's a primer on public employee unions and what they're doing to the country:

Wisconsin Recall Elections and Obama

Obama and his political machine are meddling in Wisconsin politics.

Here's an e-mail from Obama's campaign operation:

Friend --

On August 9th, Wisconsin voters will go back to the polls to decide whether six Republican senators have failed to serve the needs of Wisconsin's hard-working families.

Senate Republicans broke the trust of Wisconsinites earlier this year when they forced drastic cuts in funding for schools, seniors, and the disabled to cut taxes for their own contributors.

Since then, hundreds of OFA Wisconsin supporters across the state have spoken up, saying they want to have an impact in the recall elections in August. So in the coming weeks, volunteers will be organizing their networks, working phone banks, and knocking on doors to get the word out about what's at stake on August 9th -- and this Saturday, there's an event in Glendale.

Can you make it? Here are the details:

What: Wisconsin legislative recall event

Where: 6807 N Green Bay Ave
Glendale, WI 53209

When: Saturday, July 23rd
10:00 am

If you can't make that event, find another one near you here.

Six Republican-held seats are up for grabs on August 9th -- and two more held by Democrats are up on the 16th.

While the campaign remains focused on re-electing the President, Organizing for America will provide support to OFA Wisconsin volunteers organizing around Democratic candidates in the recall elections.

I hope you can join the event in Glendale on Saturday. Sign up here:

http://wi.barackobama.com/Wisconsin-Recall-Events

Thanks,

Michelle

Michelle Kleppe
Wisconsin State Field Director
Organizing for America

Clearly, Obama considers Wisconsin to be vital to his own political future. It's no surprise that he's poking around in our state politics.

It's no surprise that Obama is waging class warfare and distorting what Governor Scott Walker and the Republicans have accomplished for Wisconsin's families.

Instead of being divisive and being a big labor hack, Obama should learn from Scott Walker and the Republicans.

"Wet blanket" Obama should observe the successes and reconsider his policies.

Dave Hansen Wins Recall

Dave Hansen, one of the Democrat senators who fled the state and ran to Illinois to avoid permitting the Wisconsin legistlative branch of government to function, has been rewarded.

He retains a seat in the State Senate.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Democratic state Sen. Dave Hansen of Green Bay was the first of nine state senators to face a final recall election, and he easily survived Tuesday.

Hansen won a lopsided victory over his Republican challenger, wind farm developer David VanderLeest of Green Bay, against whom Democrats and their allies have been hammering away on his personal and legal problems.

Watch Hansen and his comrades appear on Ed Schultz's show.

Nauseating.

This is a long, torturous video clip. The Dems appear at 3:15.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

DAVE HANSEN: I just wanted to say that as a former public employee I really appreciated what labor organizations did for me. I drove a truck for the city of Green Bay sanitation before I became a state senator. And without that we wouldn't have had any pay or any benefits, and that's what they're trying to do. They're trying to remove ANY right to bargain, negotiate, and remove collective bargaining that's been in place for 50 years. It is a sad, sad day, and it's ridiculous what those 18 Republican senators did today. And our Governor should be ashamed of himself.

Good grief.

Hansen retains his seat. That's not an upset given his opponent.

If I were a union hack/Dem, I wouldn't get too cocky.

Jonathan Steitz Wins Primary

Jonathan Steitz will take on AWOL Sen. Robert Wirch in the August 16 recall election.

From FOX 6 News:

Attorney Jonathan Steitz has won a Republican primary in a Wisconsin recall election, and now advances to challenge Democratic state Sen. Robert Wirch next month.

Steitz has 64 percent of Tuesday's vote, with 73 percent of precincts reporting. He defeated Fred Ekornaas,a retired Kenosha County sheriff and current county board vice chairman.

 

Robert Wirch, like his fellow AWOL Democrat senators, revealed that he's not fit to serve in the state legislature.

The first requirement: SHOW UP AND DO YOUR JOB.

Wirch, of course, did not. He ran to Illinois, refusing to fulfill his duty to represent his constituents.

Instead, he did the bidding of Big Labor, and was funded by national Leftist groups.

Back in March, while appearing on MSNBC with the vulgar and crazed and deranged and disgraced Ed Schultz, Wirch compared the passage of the Budget Repair Bill to the attack on Pearl Harbor.

ROBERT WIRCH: This is a day of infamy for Wisconsin workers. Tomorrow, they're second class citizens thanks to the Republicans who took that terrible vote tonight.

Video here.

Very inappropriate.

Wirch has shown he doesn't deserve the privilege of representing the people of the 22nd Senate District.

Jonathan Steitz is by far the superior candidate.

Wisconsin Recalls and Big Labor Money

The MacIver Institute reports that big money for the recall elections is flowing into Wisconsin from national liberal groups and individuals.

In the first eight days of July nearly three million dollars has been sent to Wisconsin by national liberal organizations and individuals, with more than two million dollars coming from large national las key operatives coming from out of state.

Big Labor has now sent more than six million dollars to finance recall efforts in Wisconsin according to a review of campaign finance reports conducted by the MacIver News Service. The figures only account for disbursements reported to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board; these organizations do not have to report expenditures made for efforts to communicate with their own membership.

The contributions can come in the form of monetary contributions like wire transfers and checks or in-kind contributions. Wisconsin statutes define “in-kind” contributions as a disbursement by a contributor to procure a thing of value or service for the benefit of a registrant who authorized the disbursement.

All told, Big Labor has spent more than $6,419,000 in the recall efforts this year, having delivered $2.2 million to the state since July 1.

The AFL-CIO sent $3,884,170 to the “We are Wisconsin” Super PAC in six monetary disbursements since May, the last one being for $778,431 on July 5.

As previously reported by MNS, The deceptively-named “We are Wisconsin” effort has a decidedly non-Wisconsin infrastructure, with well in excess of 90% of its funds and many of its key operatives coming from out of state.

I don't like the fact that national groups are pouring millions of dollars into Wisconsin.

This is our state government we're talking about, not the U.S. Senate.

Will all this outside influence and cash alter the outcomes of the recall elections?

I don't think so.

True, Big Labor has big influence with Democrats, including Obama.

But all that matters is how the people of Wisconsin vote.

The big money and organizers from out-of-state didn't get JoAnne Kloppenburg elected. They failed.

Next month, Wisconsinites have to go to the polls again to make sure that out-of-state, Leftist interests don't determine our future.

Wisconsin taxpayers need to send a message to Big Labor and the other national Leftist groups infiltrating our state.

The party is over.
________________

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports: Democratic incumbents bring in big bucks.

The Democratic Party, which supplied the information on the Democrats' campaign finance totals, did not furnish details on where the money came from or was spent. That likely will be available Tuesday from the state Government Accountability Board, which has not yet posted the full reports.

Gee, I wonder where the Dems' big bucks came from.

Wisconsin 14: Who Paid?

When Wisconsin's 14 Democrat senators fled the state earlier this year to avoid performing their duties as elected officials, they claimed they were paying for their expenses out of pocket.

Were they lying?

[A]t a recent national gathering of liberal activists, one prominent national group bragged about raising $200,000 to help keep these Wisconsin Senators out of state.

Democracy for America claims to have provided funds for the AWOL senators.

Someone isn't telling the truth.

I'm shocked. Shocked!

Video, from the MacIver Institute:

Collective Bargaining Law Takes Effect

It's been a long painful process and taken a long time but Governor Scott Walker and Republican legislators can finally say "mission accomplished."

The budget repair bill takes effect today.

From the Associated Press:

After months of heated debate, ear-splitting protests and legal maneuvering, Gov. Scott Walker's divisive collective bargaining law is finally set to take effect.

Secretary of State Doug LaFollette published the law in the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper on Tuesday. The measure goes into effect Wednesday, capping an ugly four months in Madison that saw state senators flee the state and massive protests at the state Capitol.

The 14 Democrat senators who fled the state to avoid voting on the bill couldn't stop it.

Thousands of protesters couldn't stop it.

LaFollette couldn't stop it.

Judge Maryann Sumi couldn't stop it.

The law takes effect today.

Everything seems to be OK.

Apocalypse not now.

Chris Liebenthal: Suspended

Finally, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter, union member and "willing partner" Dan Bice has provided his readers with information on public employee Chris Liebenthal's abuses on the job.

Bice writes:

Lefty blogger Chris Liebenthal was suspended for 10 days without pay earlier this year for using his county computer for personal purposes, recently obtained records show.

"It is clear that Mr. Liebenthal blatantly violated the Use of Technology Policy over the course of a year on numerous occasions and was in violation of the above Civil Service rules," wrote Geri Lyday, interim director of the Department of Health and Human Services, earlier this year.

The suspension cost Liebenthal - a social worker and official with the county employees union - $2,051 in county pay, said Mark Stein, an interim department administrator.

Bice doesn't tell his readers that "Lefty blogger Chris Liebenthal" is more than just an anti-Scott Walker crusader.

Bice doesn't mention the fact that Chris "Capper" Liebenthal is the author of Whallah! It's a despicable blog, founded on cruelty and harassment.

Tax dollars at work!

Bice continues:

Liebenthal became the target of allies of then-County Executive Scott Walker, now the governor, after a Walker aide resigned in May 2010 for doing political activity during work hours.

Citizens for Responsible Government, a pro-Walker outfit, urged investigators to decide whether Liebenthal, a county worker, had been using his taxpayer-funded computer to post on any of his various blogs.

After seizing his work computer, prosecutors found last year he had engaged in political activity at work but decided not to file charges, saying it was more of a personnel issue.

Earlier this year, Lyday concluded that Liebenthal - who goes by the name Capper in his anti-Walker blogs - had broken two rules, one for wasting time at work and the other for doing personal activities during the workday. The original recommendation was for a 15-day suspension.

Lyday said she found no evidence that the blogger had used county equipment to post on his blogs.

"Mr. Liebenthal acknowledged that he did use his County computer for personal use but that all activity has ceased," Lyday wrote.

In March, Liebenthal agreed not to fight the matter and to affirm that "the charges are well founded" in exchange for the suspension being dropped to 10 days, according to records obtained by No Quarter.

Bice makes it sound like Liebenthal was a victim.

"Liebenthal became the target of allies of then-County Executive Scott Walker, now the governor, after a Walker aide resigned in May 2010 for doing political activity during work hours."

Poor "Capper" became a target.

Why doesn't Bice put the emphasis on the fact that taxpayer employee Liebenthal "blatantly violated the Use of Technology Policy over the course of a year on numerous occasions and was in violation of the above Civil Service rules," rather than paint him as the victim of a political witch hunt?

Also, why did it take so long for Bice to get around to sharing the story of Liebenthal's suspension with his readers? Why did he provide that cover for Liebenthal? The timing of the revelations is strange.

Moreover, Bice doesn't acknowledge that he targeted Darlene Wink, a Scott Walker staffer at the time. He doesn't highlight his personal role in outing Wink and his significant role in her eventual resignation. That's a major omission.

I think it's interesting that the investigation into Liebenthal's online political activity being funded by taxpayers only took into account what he did last year.

Are we to believe that Liebenthal hadn't been engaging in this inappropriate activity for significantly longer?

I suspect the taxpayers have been funding public employee, union member, Democrat Liebenthal's "wasting time at work" for years.

And Liebenthal is still on the job.

Protests, WI Capitol, June 16, 2011

Here's video of the pathetic protesters at the Capitol in Madison on Thursday, the night the Senate passed the budget:



Fizzle.

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Vandalism

I was in Madison at the Capitol on Monday.

I was prepared for protesters.

With lawmakers poised to vote on the state budget this week, labor and community organizations said they will march at noon Monday from the Capitol Square to the headquarters of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, a few blocks east of the Capitol.

The group, Solidarity Roundtable, says it will hold the rally "to hold WMC accountable" for what it says is the business group's role in advancing Gov. Scott Walker's policies.

The protesters will leave from a tent city known as "Walkerville" at the corner of State and Mifflin streets.

When I got to the Capitol, shortly after 11:00 AM, I was surprised to see that "Walkerville," this tent city that has been receiving so much media attention, was so skimpy. It wasn't a "city." There are more tents pitched at Veterans Park on Milwaukee's lakefront for the July 3rd fireworks.

Inside the Captiol building, security was tighter. The Capitol police maintained a noticeable presence, in preparation for large crowds expected to descend once again as the budget is back on the front burner.

No protesters were around. It wasn't until noon that the "Solidarity Sing-along" began. A very small group of protesters gathered in the rotunda. They sang "We Shall Overcome" and pro-union songs, cheering briefly after completing each song.



I found it disruptive since it could be heard from behind closed doors as other business in the Capitol took place, but it was sort of amusing for its lameness.

Leaving the Capitol, I passed the offices of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Although no protesters were there at the time, I saw the vandalism.

The statue in front was defaced with "union fists." It looked like it was done with a muddy-colored paint. Very disturbing.

I wasn't aware the property had been vandalized. I hadn't read anyone's spin. When I saw it, I found it troubling.

So, when I read the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's PolitiFact write-up about it, I was disgusted.

WMC's assertion that it was attacked by vandals was deemed "barely true."

"BARELY TRUE"?

I saw it!

Here's PolitiFact's spin:

Let’s start with some definitions of "vandalized":

"Deliberately destroy or damage (public or private property)." Dictionary.com

"Willful wanton and malicious destruction of the property of others." The Free Dictionary.com

"To deliberately destroy or damage (property)." Merrriam-Webster.

Similarly, the definitions of the word "attacked" all include an element of violence.

After looking into the incident, the Madison police concluded it was no big deal.

The message written on the walkways around the building were in chalk, and "mud stenciling" was used for the fists and Walker pictures.

"There’s no permanent damage," said department spokesman Howard Payne.

The officer who investigated noted that the chalk and stencil material "was flaking off when she touched it," Payne said.

If the stenciling had used spray paint or permanent markers, a report would have been filed with the city agency handling graffiti-removal. No report was filed.

We asked WMC about their claim.

"It’s vandalism," said Jim Pugh, the group’s public relations director. "You can’t come onto private property and paint the building."

Pugh, however, acknowledged there was no permanent damage and said a crew was out cleaning the messages off the building and sidewalk that very afternoon.

I didn't see the chalk markings on the sidewalk, but the graffiti on the statue looked like vandalism to me.

So now the standard of graffiti vandalism is if the markings are made with spray paint or permanent markers?

It follows that it's no big deal to deface a structure as long as it's not difficult to remove.

Really?

Can I stencil stuff on private property, defacing buildings and sculptures, with impunity?

Really?

Would it be no big deal for me to stencil images of aborted fetuses on a Planned Parenthood building?

Would the liberal media consider that an "attack" and threatening? Would they call that vandalism?

I think so.

PolitiFact is a joke.
_________________

The MacIver Institute has video of the protest that took place at the WMC building on Monday afternoon.

Sumi Ruling Overturned

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has overturned Judge Maryann Sumi's ruling blocking the Budget Repair Bill.

Read the ruling here.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Acting with unusual speed, the state Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated Gov. Scott Walker's plan to all but end collective bargaining for tens of thousands of public workers.

The court found a committee of lawmakers was not subject to the state's open meetings law, and so did not violate that law when they hastily approved the measure and made it possible for the Senate to take it up. In doing so, the Supreme Court overruled a Dane County judge who had struck down the legislation, ending one challenge to the law even as new challenges are likely to emerge.

The majority opinion was by Justices Michael Gableman, David Prosser, Patience Roggensack and Annette Ziegler. The other three justices -Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and Justices Ann Walsh Bradley and N. Patrick Crooks - concurred in part and dissented in part.

From Reuters:

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday said a controversial measure that curbs the collective bargaining rights of public workers can go into effect.

The high court overturned a lower court, which had ruled Republican lawmakers violated the state's open meetings law when they passed the measure.

Well.

That's done.

Walker, Special Olympics, Protests (Video)

Although the Leftist, anti-Scott Walker protesters in Madison love to chant, "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME," it's clear that they are shameless.

These protesters thought it would be appropriate to target Governor Scott Walker as he gave a speech at a Special Olympics event at the Capitol in Madison.

Really? Disrupt a Special Olympics event to satisfy their own agenda?

The MacIver Institute is tweeting photos of the protest.


Union protesters picket the Gov. Walker's speech at a Special Olympics ceremony in Madison


Classy union supporter picketing Gov. Walker's speech at Special Olympics ceremony.Dozens of kids here


Pro-union Zombies protest Gov Scott Walker at Special Olympics event at State Capitol


As Gov Walker began speaking to Special Olympians, #wiunion zombie protesters walk in front of athletes

The protesters stepped in front of the athletes as Gov. Walker began to address them!

That is disgusting.

Why make the kids involved with Special Olympics suffer? Why disrupt their event?

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.

Here's video, from MacIver Institute:



Again, disgusting.

This really makes me sick. It's such an inappropriate display, incredibly selfish and thoughtless.

It truly reveals what these Leftists are all about -- THEMSELVES.

Someone on the Left should speak out against these disgraceful tactics and apologize for the actions of their comrades.

Support the Special Olympics.
________________

UPDATE, June 9, 2011: Protest organizers disavow Special Olympics demonstration

Opponents of Gov. Scott Walker were backing away from a demonstration against him held Wednesday at a Special Olympics event, even as organizers of the ceremony said the protesters did not disrupt it.

Also Wednesday, state Capitol Police removed a dozen protesters dressed as zombies from the office of Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) on Wednesday and arrested them.

Matt Guidry, a spokesman for the United Council of University of Wisconsin Students, which organized the Vos protest, said his group did not back the demonstration during the noon hour Special Olympics ceremony attended by Walker, though some of the same zombie demonstrators were involved.

"That was not associated with anything that United Council was doing," Guidry said. "That doesn't make us look that good."

...Rachel Grant, a spokeswoman for the Special Olympics, said officials were nervous when the zombie protesters first arrived but they turned out to be peaceful.

"We were all a little bit on edge, but it turned out for the best," Grant said. "Nothing was disruptive at all."

Kelly Kloepping, another Special Olympics official, said the protesters were respectful and did not diminish the excitement the Special Olympians felt about being in Madison to meet Walker and other leaders.

"We feel it's really about the athletes," Kloepping said. "We knew the protesters were there, but they were respectful of our athletes."

State Treasurer Kurt Schuller, a GOP official whose daughter was a Special Olympics competitor, denounced the demonstration in a statement.

"To be confronted by protesters, who will never understand the personal challenges that these Special Olympians face, who decided to politicize a nonpolitical event, shows a complete lack of civility when civility is something we should all be working toward," he said.

A few things--

---This story is national. Otherwise, I doubt protest organizers would distance themselves from this disgrace.

---It's amazing to me that the Journal Sentinel was able to dig up comments by Special Olympics officials practically praising the Zombies and other protesters.

"Nothing was disruptive at all."

"[T]hey were respectful of our athletes."

WHAT? They can't be serious!

That is very weird. Really bizarre.

How can standing between the Governor and the athletes be deemed respectful? How can that be deemed to be not "disruptive at all"?

I'd be very interested to know if the national office of Special Olympics has the same take as these "officials."

Walkerville Camp, Madison

People in Madison protesting Governor Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers trying to save the state of Wisconsin appear to have studied extreme Leftist Cindy Sheehan's 2005 playbook.

In the summer of 2005, Sheehan set up Camp Casey, in the name of her son killed in Iraq, to protest the war.

Sheehan's stunt lured protesters and the media to her Crawford, Texas tent city near President Bush's ranch. Naturally, the liberal media adored Sheehan and fed the spectacle.

The Leftists plan a similar stunt in Madison.

From the Wisconsin State Journal:

With lawmakers gearing up for a vote on the state budget, a “Walkerville” camp similar to the one that sprang up during the protests at the state Capitol earlier this year may be returning this weekend — this time to the terraces of Mifflin and Carroll streets.

We Are Wisconsin, an alliance of community groups, labor unions and others, has asked the city for a permit to set up the camp across from the Capitol to provide information about Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposals and efforts to recall Republican legislators who voted to eliminate bargaining rights for most public employees.

The city’s Street Use Staff Commission will have a special meeting Friday to consider the permit application for a state budget rally that would begin Saturday and continue through June 20.

David Boetcher, who is helping to organize the event, said an information station would be accompanied by overnight campers, who could number in the thousands on weekends.

The proposed camp area is North Carroll Street from State Street to West Washington Avenue, and West Mifflin Street from State Street to Wisconsin Avenue, including the “30 on the Square” cul-de-sac at 30 W. Mifflin St. and the Philosophers’ Stones area between the Wisconsin Historical Museum and Myles Teddywedgers Cornish, 101 State St.

Who could spend weeks camping outside the Capitol?

Who has that kind of time?

Teachers!

"How I spent my summer vacation..."

Fred Levenhagen is probably packing his gear right now.

Of course, the union thugs will probably be bused in from the surrounding area. And then there will be the aging 1960s radical contingent and the young wannabes.

There will be drums.

Families planning a June summer vacation that includes a trip to the Capitol might want to reconsider.

Tourism in Madison is going to take a hit.

Kloppenburg Deadline

The clock is ticking.

The deadline for JoAnne Kloppenburg to file a lawsuit challenging the final results of the absolutely senseless recount in her loss to Justice David Prosser in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race is today.

What will she do?

Will she call Justice Prosser and finally concede?

Does Kloppenburg have the decency to do the right thing?

Short answer: NO.

I would love to say I'm wrong. Later today, I would love to say I was wrong about Kloppenburg.
______________

UPDATE: Kloppenburg concedes.

Technically, I'm wrong.

Kloppenburg did have the decency to concede.

However, she did it in the most graceless way imaginable, whining about the mountain of "anomalies and irregularities and more" that allegedly tainted the results.

I suppose the whining was necessary to justify her demand to put the state through the idiotic recount.

At least she did concede.

Brat Fest 2011

Politics is part of the World's Largest Brat Fest in Madison this weekend.

It is unbelievably lame.

The great Wisconsin company, Johnsonville, is a major sponsor of the annual charitable event.

Some INDIVIDUALS connected to the business made contributions to Governor Scott Walker. Johnsonville, did NOT.

Nonetheless, the people who hate Walker decided to target Johnsonville. Boycotting the company's products includes boycotting the annual Brat Fest.

Of course, Brat Fest's success translates into charitable aid.

To the Walker-haters, punishing Johnsonville is more important than raising money for charities.

What self-centered people!

Politics and personal gain before all else.

From Channel 3000:

After weeks of protests at the State Capitol over a budget repair bill that would strip most state workers of most collective bargaining rights, you'd think a gathering that's primary focus centers around a Wisconsin staple would be welcomed.

But nowadays, politics can hang a cloud over even one of Madison's most talked about events.

Residents were making choices, go to the World's Largest Brat Fest like you may have done for as long as you can remember, or go get your bratwurst somewhere else.

"We tried the one on the Capitol Square, but the lines were too long, so we came to this one," said Jim Hollar, who attended Wurst Times event. "I wanted to avoid the one at the Alliant Energy Center."

"I guess it's kind of protest against Scott Walker and this is a way to show it," said Roger Bass.

"It seems kind of silly in the sense that it is guilty by association, but we wanted to avoid (Brat Fest)," Hollar said.

Those at the People Brat Fest didn't see it as silly, but rather a chance to draw connections to Johnsonville, a main sponsor of Brat Fest, and a company linked politically to the governor.

"I definitely oppose Walker and this seemed like a better way to support Madison rather than a big corporation," said Tom Ver Hoeve.

The event on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was billed as a Brat Fest alternative and those who were willing to wait for long lines were toting their opinions along with hunger.

Ver Hoeve said he preferred the downtown location because it felt more like a Madison event and he said it was nice knowing that proceeds would also benefit local charities.

...There is a fourth event will compete with Brat Fest on Sunday. Alt Bratfest will be held at Orton Park on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It's being held by the Weary Traveler Freehouse. Proceeds will also go to local charities.

Brat Fest organizers insist the alternative options have not had any impact.

"The turnout has been fantastic," Metcalfe said.

One thing we can say without debate is that each and every brat eaten this weekend will raise money for local charities and that generosity is what makes Madison such a great place to live.

It's great to hear that the politicized brat sideshows aren't impacting the main event.

As for the protest events, their organizers claim proceeds will go to local charities. So, that's good, too.

It's too bad that some people harbor so much hatred for Governor Walker that they refuse to support the annual event just because some of the INDIVIDUALS connected to Johnsonville made political contributions to Walker.

It's lunacy. It's so extreme.

In short, it's Madison.

Here's video:

Maryann Sumi Strikes Down Law

UPDATE, June 14, 2011: Maryann Sumi's ruling is overturned by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
_______________

I knew Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi was going to strike down the budget repair law. It was inevitable.

I'm sure her husband, the very anti-Scott Walker, pro-union, Democrat Carl Sinderbrand, and her very anti-Scott Walker, pro-union, Democrat son, Jake Sinderbrand, are happy.

What really bugs me is that Sumi took weeks, MONTHS, to make her decision.

I suppose once it became clear that JoAnne "I'm Ecstatic" Kloppenburg couldn't find a way to disenfranchise thousands and thousands of Wisconsin voters and that bit of recount chaos was no longer sucking the air out of the room, Sumi saw no point in dragging her feet any longer, particularly with the June 6, State Supreme Court date looming.

Besides, the Leftists needed something to celebrate this Memorial Day weekend, however temporary.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A Dane County judge has struck down Gov. Scott Walker's legislation repealing most collective bargaining for public employees.

In a 33-page decision issued Thursday, Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi said she would freeze the legislation because GOP lawmakers on a committee broke the state's open meetings law in passing it March 9. The legislation limits collective bargaining to wages for all public employees in Wisconsin except for police and firefighters.

"It's what we were looking for," said Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, a Democrat.

"It's what we were looking for."

No kidding.

Was there really ever any doubt it was what the Democrats would get?

Of course not.

...Steve Means, the number three official at the state Department of Justice, said the agency and GOP Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen have been surprised at Sumi's handling of the case and asked whether she would recuse herself from it.

"Obviously we're disappointed in the ruling. We do think it reflects a number of legal errors, but it's for the appellate courts at this point," Means said.

Means said Sumi had made her decision without holding a trial or making clear beforehand that no trial would be held.

...Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) responded in a statement. "There's still a much larger separation-of-powers issue: whether one Madison judge can stand in the way of the other two democratically elected branches of government. The Supreme Court is going to have the ultimate ruling, and they're still scheduled to hear the issue on June 6. This overdue reform is still a critical part of balancing Wisconsin's budget."

Ozanne agreed that the court case is still far from settled.

"It's not over yet. I'm positive of that," Ozanne said. "The supremes are the supremes. They can do what they want."

GOP lawmakers like Fitzgerald also have said they would consider passing the law a second time as part of the 2011-'13 state budget if it was necessary to ensure that it takes effect.

"Act 10 was passed and signed into law in accordance with the rules of the state Legislature," said Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), Scott Fitzgerald's brother. "I remain confident that the Wisconsin State Supreme Court will rule accordingly and Act 10 will become law."

Here's video and more information, from the MacIver Institute:

The judge who had been blocking implementation of Wisconsin’s public employee collective bargaining reforms has now struck down the law altogether, saying legislative Republicans failed to give proper notice before acting on the bill in committee.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi issued her ruling Thursday, writing that the law is voided because lawmakers failed to provide proper public notice of a Conference Committee meeting wherein the bill was amended.

“The court must consider the potential damage to public trust and confidence in government if the Legislature is not held to the same rules of transparency that it has created for other governmental bodies,” Sumi wrote.

Republicans argued that the Legislature, when in Special Session, is not bound by the law requiring a broad public notice.

“This was not the case in which proper notice was missed by a few minutes or an hour,” Sumi wrote.

However, GOP lawmakers asserted they did provide the minimum two hour notice justified by the the ‘good cause’ provision of the statutes, even though that was also unnecessary. Sumi disagreed.

“Act 10 was passed and signed into law in accordance with the rules of the state legislature,” said Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. “I remain confident that the Wisconsin State Supreme Court will rule accordingly and Act 10 will become law.”

Republicans are expected to immediately appeal the decision. Since an appeal would likely take time to be heard, they may also move to pass identical provisions as a part of the biennial budget next month.

Read Sumi's ruling.

The Supreme Court takes up the matter on June 6.

Hopefully, it will eventually put an end to this obstruction.

Prosser Declared Winner

Justice David Prosser has won the election for Wisconsin Supreme Court - AGAIN.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

State elections officials on Monday certified the results of the recount of the April 5 election for state Supreme Court, declaring that Justice David Prosser has been re-elected to another 10-year term on the court by 7,004 votes.

"I look forward to taking the oath of office and continuing to serve in a fair and independent manner as a member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court," Prosser said a statement.

Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg asked for the recount after narrowly losing to Prosser.

She now has the option of suing over the results if she wants to contest the election. Any legal action must be started by May 31.

Kloppenburg campaign manager Melissa Mulliken last week said Kloppenburg would spend the coming days deciding what to do. Kloppenburg has portrayed the election as including widespread anomalies.

In certifying the recount, Government Accountability Board Chairman Thomas Barland disputed that characterization.

“It was not a surprise that minor mistakes were discovered, investigated and corrected,” he said. “This happens in all elections.”

It's time to pull out the JoAnne "I'm Ecstatic" Kloppenburg victory speech.

Kloppenburg's decision to declare victory was one of the worst moves ever.

It showed she lacks any sense of good judgment and possesses no gravitas whatsoever.



Then came the absolutely futile recount.

Now, with the certified results of the recount essentially the same as the certified results of the election, Kloppenburg has another decision to make.

Will she and her allies continue to stick it to the taxpayers and drag down the state of Wisconsin?

Will she obstruct the will of the people?

Does Kloppenburg have the decency to finally concede?

If her past behavior is any indication, then no, she won't concede.

It will be beyond disgraceful if Kloppenburg sues, in effect attempting to disenfranchise over 7,000 voters in the hope of manufacturing a victory.

Bottom line: Kloppenburg's concession speech is long, long overdue.

If she won't concede, let's hope she's clueless enough to flee the state, thinking that would be an appropriate way to handle her defeat.
_________________


STATEMENT OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICE DAVID PROSSER, JR:

"I am grateful that the final results of the April 5th election have been confirmed today. I want to thank the good people of Wisconsin for their confidence in me. I look forward to taking the oath of office and continuing to serve in a fair and independent manner as a member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

I also want to thank the literally hundreds of local election officials and volunteers across the state's 72 counties who spent thousands of hours of their time in this recount. Their dedication went well beyond their normal "call of duty" and I know the state's residents who they serve share my appreciation for their great efforts in producing an accurate final result."

Will Kloppenburg challenge the "accurate final result"?

Not if she has an ounce of integrity.

AFL-CIO: Scott Walker and M&I

The unions continue to protest Governor Scott Walker via boycotts.

The AFL-CIO is cutting ties with people who do business with Governor Scott Walker. Just yesterday (Thursday), the union withdrew nearly $155,000 from M&I Bank. Union leaders are upset bank executives contributed to Walker's election campaign.

Video.



Bank at M&I.

Buy Johnsonville brats.



Mmm...sausage.

Kloppenburg Rejects Nuns' Ballots

JoAnne Kloppenburg and her campaign are disenfranchising nuns. NUNS!

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The recount for the state Supreme Court race has come to this: Votes from nuns have been thrown out.

The twist in the race between Justice David Prosser and challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg came during the recount in Sauk County. There, ballots of Cistercian nuns from the Valley of Our Lady Monastery in Prairie du Sac were rejected.

The nuns live a contemplative, monastic life and support themselves by baking and distributing altar breads, according to their website.

On Friday, during the recount, it was noted that witness signatures were missing from 18 absentee ballots from the Town of Sumpter, where votes from the monastery are counted.

"Eighteen applications did not have a witness signature," said Alene Bolin, assistant corporation counsel for Sauk County. "I don't think all 18 were from the monastery. I think it has turned into, there were 18 nuns but I do remember one of the ballots was not from the convent."

"They're cloistered nuns," Bolin said. "So the clerk (Donna Ziegler) dropped off an envelope with all the absentee ballots and applications with them. On the day of the election, she picked them up and dropped them off at the polling place. The absentee ballots were opened there and counted. During the recount it was discovered that there was no witness signature."

Because canvassers were unable to match the actual ballots to the voter, they took all 24 absentee ballots from the Town of Sumpter and randomly drew 18, which were then set aside and not counted. Of those ballots, Prosser had 14 while Kloppenburg had four.

The Prosser campaign made two appeals to have the ballots counted, including early Wednesday, but they were turned down by the board of canvassers, Bolin said.

Will tossing the votes of the nuns change the outcome of the election?

No, but that's not the point.

Considering the Democrats are always yapping about counting every vote and insisting that measures like voter photo ID are an unreasonable burden it looks horrible for them to reject the votes of the cloistered nuns.

Does Kloppenburg really want to be remembered for throwing out the nuns' votes?

I suppose it could be worse. I assume the nuns weren't harassed or threatened by Kloppenburg's allies, the union thugs. Their ballots were discarded but no physical intimidation took place.

The case of the Cistercian nuns from the Valley of Our Lady Monastery in Prairie du Sac is just another proud moment for JoAnne "I'm ecstatic" Kloppenburg.

Isn't it great our tax dollars are being spent to toss out the ballots of nuns in this idiotic recount?

Wonderful.
________________

UPDATE:

Statement of Brian Schimming, director, Justice Prosser's Recount Effort, regarding the disenfranchisement of votes of 18 nuns from the Valley of our Lady Monastery in Prairie du Sac, Sauk County:

"While we have been reluctant to make public comments during the recount period, the Kloppenburg campaign's attack on the votes of 18 nuns from the Valley of our Lady Monastery in Prairie du Sac is wrong at best and totally reprehensible at worst.

"This recount is costing Wisconsin taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars already. There is to date not one shred of evidence whatsoever that it will change the outcome of the election. To make this extremely costly and sorry spectacle even worse by challenging the legitimate votes of 18 nuns at a monastery is a breathtaking abuse of the recount process."

"I would simply ask Ms. Kloppenburg to act at the most basic level of decency; apologize to the 18 nuns who reside at the monastery for her campaign's interference with their right to vote, withdraw her objection and ask that the ballots be reinstated."

It's a legitimate and appropriate request.

Unfortunately, to date, Kloppenburg has not exhibited the character or the class that would lead me to believe she will do the right thing.

Professor Stephen Richards - UW Oshkosh

This is no surprise, but that doesn't make it any less disturbing.

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Professor Stephen Richards used class time to encourage his students to sign petitions to recall State Senator Randy Hopper.


Stephen Richards

This is how your tax dollars are being spent - funding a Leftist professor's political activities as he abuses his position of authority.

Richards is a criminal justice professor.

He seems to be challenged when it comes to understanding matters of justice.

From the Republican Party of Wisconsin:

A recording released by the Republican Party of Wisconsin exposes University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Professor Stephen Richards using class time to actively campaign for the recall of State Senator Randy Hopper, encouraging his students to sign recall petitions offered by circulators present in his classroom.

In the tape, recorded during a criminal justice class, Richards can be heard encouraging a female student to sign the recall petition even though she thinks she lives outside the district, and instructing students to sign using their campus address instead of their parents’ home address. He also tells students to look for petition circulators all around campus and “in the bars.”

...In the recording, Richards openly discusses his involvement in the recall effort, detailing organizational meetings he has attended, and using the term “we” to describe recall organizers.

As the Professor discusses the various reasons he supports the recall efforts, he promotes several falsehoods about the effects of the budget repair bill, saying at one point “It will be a lot less, um, rewarding to be in law enforcement, because they're gonna cut all the police unions."

"Either he’s purposely lying to students in an effort to provoke them to sign the petitions, or he is woefully misinformed and spreading severe inaccuracies along to students who rely on him for factual information,” says [Mark] Jefferson, [Executive Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin]. “Teachers and college professors have a responsibility to their students and to their communities. We trust them to deliver facts and stay above the political fray - at the very least when they are at the head of a classroom. This Professor has seriously failed his students. One has to wonder if this is an isolated incident or a more common occurrence in our state's classrooms."

The Oshkosh Northwestern reports:

Sen. Randy Hopper called for an investigation into the political activity of college professors along with the resignation of a University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh faculty member who encouraged his students during class to sign a petition to recall the Republican lawmaker.

The state GOP, college Republican groups and several lawmakers immediately demanded accountability for UWO criminal justice professor Stephen Richards Tuesday after a conservative radio host broadcast a candid recording of Richards encouraging students on March 7 to sign a petition to recall Hopper, R-Fond du Lac.

“Quite frankly, nothing short of this professor resigning will be adequate for the students and the parents of UW-Oshkosh,” Hopper said.

...The UWO professor’s actions raise more questions about irregularities in the recall petition process, Hopper said, calling the issue a “misuse of authority” that should not be tolerated.

“People send their kids to school to be educated not indoctrinated, and this professor took state-funded time to make a political stand,” he said.

One of Richards’ students made the audio recording and later released it to the Republican Party of Wisconsin, a spokesperson said. Conservative commentator Charlie Sykes of Milwuakee-based WTMJ-AM (620) broadcast the recording Tuesday with Senate President Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, demanding an explanation from the university.

UWO Chancellor Richard Wells issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying the issue was investigated after students complained, and corrective action as taken by the end of March. Students have since reported classroom conditions improved, according to the statement.

Kudos to the student for recording Richards' completely unacceptable behavior and busting the guy.

Richards has shamed the university.

"Corrective action" was taken.

Right.

Like what? A warning not to gather signatures during class?

If Richards is willing to do something as blatantly wrong as using class time to round up signatures to recall Randy Hopper, I'm sure he allows his political views to color his "teaching" on a regular basis.

Richards got caught this time, but I don't think his is an isolated case. This sort of misconduct permeates public institutions.

It's wrong.

Listen to the audio here.

Richards should not be talking about recalling Governor Scott Walker or shilling for unions.

He's lying to his students. This guy is a disgrace.

Sickening.

I also question the fact that Stephen Richards, a convicted felon, is a tenured professor at UW Oshkosh.

A jury convicted him of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana.

In 1984, Richards began serving a nine-year sentence. By the time he was released on parole three years later, he had been housed in nine federal prisons.

Richards isn't the only felon in the Public Affairs Department at Oshkosh.

Richards' colleague, Assistant Professor Michael Lenza, was convicted of MURDER.


Michael Lenza

From 1977 to 1990, Lenza served time in Missouri’s State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, also called “The Walls.” He was convicted of murder in 1975 after confessing to killing his first wife and mother-in-law, putting his mother-in-law’s body in a barrel and throwing the barrel into the Mississippi River.

Lenza says he had a happy childhood while growing up in St. Louis County. In fact, he credits his family for their unconditional love and for never giving up on him. He says he never could have made it through his incarceration without their support.

Although he refuses to speak of the murders (partly because he feels that while he can defend his actions, his victims cannot), Lenza says that when people are in their late teens and early 20s they don’t understand consequences and outcomes the way they do in later years.

“Things seem impossible, overwhelming. You don’t have a long-term view,” he says. He adds that his incarceration showed him the downside of violence.

“My years at Missouri Eastern Penitentiary, The Walls, which is one of the most violent societies in America, certainly showed me the futility in violence in solving issues. You have to find other ways,” he says.

Good Lord!

Lenza is a staunch advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. His wife of 12 years, Sherry Lenza, is no less steadfast in her views. “Executions don’t deter; they just brutalize the population,” she says.

Since his release from prison, Lenza has completed college, married, begun pursuing doctoral degrees and become a father. As Lenza takes his son, Michael Jesse, from his wife’s arms so she can answer the telephone, he says that “peace is its own truth” and today is a different day.

While he knows his past will always be part of his life, Mike Lenza concentrates on where he is now. “It’s not like you totally leave that behind,” he says. “It’s been almost 30 years. A lot changes in 30 years.”

Of course, Lenza opposes the death penalty.

Lenza was convicted of MURDERING his wife and mother-in-law.

If I were Sherry, Lenza wife #2, I would be a little nervous.

I also don't think that Lenza belongs in the classroom.
______________

UPDATE: Apparently, Richards didn't learn his lesson, in spite of UW Oshkosh taking "corrective action."

Charlie Sykes posts an e-mail he received from a student in Stephen Richards' class:

Hey Charlie,

I'm sitting in Dr. (I use that term loosely) Richards' class as I'm writing this. Just wanted to let you know that instead of apologizing for his actions and everything that has come out in the last couple days, he scolded us. He started by telling us that he has had a police escort all day due to death threats. He then proceeded to tell us that it is illegal to record a professor without his/her permission. He stated that "anyone has any smart phones or recording devices, to turn them off or leave." He then proceeded to tell us that he could have charged those students with some sort of BS crime and had us arrested and kicked out of school. His rant has been going on for the better part of 20 minutes now and isn't showing any signs of slowing down or stopping. Just like his political rants which take place multiple times per week, this is the kind of crap that disrupts our opportunity to learn at an institution of higher education.

I don't see the need to be scolded because this idiot finally got busted. As a criminal justice student graduating in May, this guy is a disgrace to me and the rest of the students in the program.

Just a heads up that absolutely nothing has changed since the "corrective action" that was handed down from Chancellor Wells. The guy is a joke and doesn't deserve his position.

Thanks for getting this story on the air. The CJ students really appreciate that our story is finally being heard.

Bottom line: "NOTHING HAS CHANGED."
______________

UPDATE, May 6, 2011: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh releases Stephen Richards' disciplinary record; professor encouraged students to sign Randy Hopper recall petition during class

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh officials said today they will not ask a professor who encouraged his students to sign a recall petition to resign, nor will they conduct a full investigation into the on-campus political activity of faculty as requested by some state lawmakers.

State Sen. Randy Hopper, Senate President Mike Ellis and the Republican Party of Wisconsin demanded the investigation and resignation of UWO Criminal Justice Professor Stephen Richards after an anonymous student released an audio recording on Tuesday of Richards urging his class in March to sign a petition to recall Hopper.

UWO Chancellor Richard Wells said during a Friday afternoon press conference that he respects the senators, but “we don’t always have to agree.”

UWO is standing by Richards.

I suppose that's because Richards is on the same page politically as UWO officials.

He's safe and he knows it. That's probably why he runs political rallies out of his classroom.

Here's the Statement of Professor Stephen Richards regarding comments of March 7

I would like to once again apologize to my students for not showing more restraint in the classroom. I regret that I crossed the line when I failed to comply completely with UW System policy concerning political discussion in the classroom. I am sorry that this may have tarnished the reputation of the university community. I wish all my students continued success in their studies.

Professor Stephen C. Richards

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

After "I wish all my students continued success in their studies," I think Richards left out "if they agree with me politically and do all they can to get Republican state senators and Scott Walker recalled."

Richards' apology seems extremely forced.

UW Oshkosh has made documents relating to Richards available online after a public records request by the Oshkosh Northwestern.