Joe Voiland Fundraiser Tonight

State Senator Alberta Darling is hosting a reception for Joe Voiland, candidate for the Ozaukee County Circuit Court.

Voiland is challenging incumbent Judge Tom Wolfgram.

Troubling revelations about Wolfgram's judgment have made this race very important.

Here's a message from Alberta Darling:

There are things that are worth remembering like anniversaries, holidays, and when to pay your taxes. Then there are things that you’d like to forget. For example, the long-abandoned New Year’s resolutions and the cost of gas just last year.

Here in Ozaukee County, there’s one more thing we’d all like to forget - the unjustified recall efforts against Governor Scott Walker and Senator Alberta Darling.

Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge Tom Wolfgram has a really good reason he hopes you’ll forget the recall: he signed the recall petition against our Governor Walker and now wants to be reelected on April 2nd.

But it’s too soon to forget a misguided effort that cost taxpayers at least $14 million, especially when a sitting judge believed it was a good idea, and when his decisions - now more than ever - may impact our County and our families.

Joe Voiland is offering you a better choice.

Joe Voiland is challenging Tom Wolfgram because he believes that Tom Wolfgram crossed the line between law and politics. Judge Wolfgram claims that signing the recall petition “wasn’t a political comment”. And according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Judge Wolfgram claimed, "I did not fully understand the proposals” and he needed more time to study them. Did a sitting judge really not understand what a recall petition is for? Or did he not understand what Act 10 did? Or did he not understand the lawsuit reforms, and other proposals that the Governor and the Legislature put into place? Most people in the county don’t know that Judge Wolfgram took part in the recall, as the media largely ignored his participation.

Joe Voiland is a military veteran who served in Operation Southern Watch-Iraq, a well-respected attorney and former special prosecutor, a father of three, and a strong member of our community. He’s ready to serve Ozaukee County as your next Circuit Court Judge. That’s why he’s earned my endorsement, as well as the endorsement of Assemblymen Jim Ott, Dan Knodl, and Duey Stroebel. We hope he’ll earn your support as well.

That's an impressive list of endorsements.

As Sen. Darling writes, "Let's elect Joe Voiland to ensure the line between the judiciary and legislative branches is a solid one."

Wolfgram needs to be held accountable for his actions.

His explanations for signing the recall petition are ridiculous.

I'd have more respect for Wolfgram if he would just admit he wanted Scott Walker out of office and he believes it's appropriate for a judge to take a public political stand by signing a recall petition.

This all boils down to Wolfgram's judgment. It's poor. He doesn't deserve to be reelected.

I agree with Alberta Darling, Jim Ott, Dan Knodl, and Duey Stroebel. Joe Voiland would make a marvelous judge.

Here are the details on tonight's reception, from Alberta Darling:

I would like to invite you to join me, along with State Representatives Jim Ott, Dan Knodl, and Duey Stroebel to a reception in support of Joe Voiland for Ozaukee County Circuit Court

Monday, March 18
5:30 - 7:30pm

River Club of Mequon
12400 North Ville Du Parc Drive
Mequon, WI 53092

Suggested Donation: $25

Platinum Host: $500
Gold Host: $250
Silver Host: $100

RSVP on Facebook
Or contact Laurie Wolf:
414-352-7499
lauriegob@gmail.com

Mary Hoglund Spits in Romney Supporter's Face

We in Wisconsin have seen just how ugly the Leftists can be.

We've put up with so much from these extremists, such incivility and boorishness. Since early 2011, and the campaign to attack Scott Walker began in earnest, some Leftists have been truly out of control.

Yesterday, at a Women for Mitt Romney campaign event near Appleton, Mary Hoglund, Planned Parenthood supporter, showed the insanity on the part of the Left continues in Wisconsin.

She disrupted the event, business as usual. But then, the woman actually spit in the face of a Romney supporter.

That's horrible.

I suppose if you don't have a problem with killing the unborn, spitting in a woman's face isn't that big of a deal.

From the Post-Cresent:

A bus tour event on behalf of Mitt Romney turned ugly Friday afternoon when a protester interrupted a rally and spit in a supporter’s face.

The event featured Wisconsin state Sen. Alberta Darling and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.

During Darling’s remarks, the protester, Mary Hoglund, 83, of Appleton, interrupted the event to ask about Republican opposition to Planned Parenthood.

A local Romney supporter began arguing with Hoglund, who then spit in her face. Hoglund was escorted out, and received medical attention for a scratch she received on her neck.

The supporter declined to give her name as she left the event, but said she was unharmed.

...Romney protester Kathy Lefebvre, of Green Bay, was escorted out with Hoglund.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that before, to me it’s unacceptable,” Lefebvre said. “Getting upset is one thing, but (Romney supporters) attacked Mary.”

Mary Jones, of Oneida, attended the event and was standing in the crowd of two dozen people near the altercation.

“It was very disrespectful,” Jones said. “One woman decided to be rude and was politely asked to leave. It was shocking.”

Here's video:



Good grief.

Clearly, the woman on the receiving end of Hoglund's inexcusable behavior was not about to take such treatment.

The entire incident was really shocking.

I certainly didn't expect a Women for Mitt event to include something like that.

These were elderly women involved.

Mary Hoglund, 83, spit in the face of a woman attending the small rally.

Unbelievable.

Hoglund is 83, and thanks to her foul actions, she's having her 15 minutes of fame. I guess 15 minutes of infamy is more appropriate.

Hoglund, the spitter, deserves every minute she's getting.

Kim Simac: Recall Outcome Statement

Kim Simac, a newcomer to politics, has dramatically more class than DEMOCRAT Sandy Pasch.

Pasch still hasn't been seen after her loss to Alberta Darling a week ago. She still is in isolation somewhere, making no comments.

Unlike DEMOCRAT Pasch, Kim Simac released the following statement:

Eagle River, WI - Kim Simac released the following statement following the results of Tuesday’s recall election against Jim Holperin:

“I want to thank each and every one of my volunteers and supporters, and the people who voted for me today. There was an unbelievable amount of energy and enthusiasm here, and I hope Jim Holperin remembers that above all he is accountable to all the voters of this district."

“Unfortunately, the special interests spent millions of dollars to distract away from the real issues in this race. We need more jobs and a better economy, not more personal attacks and the same old politics.

“I’m disappointed, but I’m proud of the positive, issue-based campaign we ran, and truly touched by all the support.”

Holperin's win is a loss for the working families of Wisconsin.

Creating a hostile business climate and raising taxes is no way to strengthen Wisconsin's fiscal health.

By fleeing the state with his DEMOCRAT comrades last February, Holperin showed he's a union puppet. Public servants are elected to serve, not avoid their responsibilities.

Congratulations to Kim Simac for stepping up and taking on Holperin.

As for Sandy Pasch--

Where are you?

Sandy Pasch Disappears

Sandy Pasch, defeated Democrat candidate for the Wisconsin State Senate, where are you?

 

From FOX 6 News:

An energetic speech in front of hundreds of supporters is the last the media has heard from Democratic State Representative Sandy Pasch. Shortly after her last speech, a campaign spokesman tells us the candidate is reviewing numbers and will make no more comments on election night.

At the end of the evening, there's no concession speech to Democratic supporters. Pasch's opponent State Senator Alberta Darling does say Pasch congratulated her on the phone. "We talked about working together for the people of Wisconsin," she said.

We visit Pasch's headquarters the day after she lost the recall election. Neighboring business workers tell us someone was in the back earlier in the day, but left.

We also go to Pasch's Whitefish Bay home and her daughter answers. She says, "We're going on vacation and she already left."

So a campaign with so much energy and enthusiasm seems to end with the candidate leaving without saying so much as a word to voters.

Pasch's campaign did put out a very brief statement in the early hours of Wednesday morning, reading in part, "We fell short of our desired result, but tonight was a victory nonetheless."

We still have yet to hear from Sandy Pasch herself, who is still a state representative.

It's very strange that Pasch has made no public appearance since election night. It's bizarre.

We never saw her concede. That's classless.

Pasch should man up, not run away and go into hiding. Such behavior smacks of being wimpy and a very sore loser.

When will Pasch surface? Will she comment on her defeat after her "vacation"?

I'm sure Alberta Darling would have made a public statement if she had lost the election. She wouldn't just disappear.

What's wrong with Pasch?

Should we fear for Pasch's safety? You never know what those union thugs might do.

Sandy Pasch Concedes

There was a good deal of confusion in the TV coverage of the outcome of the Alberta Darling - Sandy Pasch recall race.

It was reported that Pasch did not concede. She went home for the night and would make no further statements until the morning.

The Democrats had the audacity to accuse Kathy Nickolaus of "dirty tricks" and tampering with Waukesha's results.

The wild-eyed Graeme Zielinski, Democrat party spokesman, made outrageous accusations.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A state Democratic Party spokesman accused a Republican official Tuesday night of tampering with votes in the tight 8th Senate District recall race.

With 10 of 11 Waukesha County wards still out -- including all of those in Menomonee Falls -- party spokesman Graeme Zielinski said, "We believe the election in this contest has been tampered with by Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus.

"She’s sitting on votes. We believe that right now, there are severe irregularities in Waukesha County once again. We believe the very fate of the Wisconsin Senate hangs in the balance and is in the hands of a woman who has already shown extreme incompetence.”

“We believe there’s dirty tricks afoot.”

Democrats are demanding an investigation or at least an explanation, Zielinski said, and he added the party’s legal team is looking into it.

What a fool!

The accusations were baseless. Zielinski really made an ass of himself.

Wisconsin Dem party chairman Mike Tate also made an ass of himself on live TV, bashing Kathy Nickolaus and talking about bringing in the lawyers.

Were union bosses giving Zielinski and Tate their marching orders? Was it the DNC? The White House? Perhaps Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz?

In any event, Tate eventually did a 180.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Wisconsin Democrats are backing off charges of vote-tampering in the 8th Senate District recall, less than 1-1/2 hours after they leveled those accusations.

"Though we believe that Sandy Pasch was able to battle Alberta Darling to a virtual tie, on her turf, we will not pursue questions of irregularities. Those heat-of-the-moment statements came in light of the uncertainties that arose from a recent election, known too well," state party Chairman Mike Tate said in a prepared statement early Wednesday morning.

What a disgrace!

In effect, Tate quickly issued a press release saying to just forget about all those horrible accusations.

And Pasch didn't battle Darling to a virtual tie. That's like saying the Steelers battled the Packers to a virtual tie in Super Bowl XLV. It didn't happen that way. Getting 54 percent of the vote doesn't amount to a virtual tie.

Zielinski and Tate need to apologize to Kathy Nickolaus. She has made mistakes, big ones. The Dems exploited that. It seems they had a plan in place. They used Nickolaus' past problems as a strategy to call into question the results when the numbers went against Pasch.

It was really a sleazy move. Unfortunately, it's what we've come to expect from the Democrats.

Another classless move was Pasch's sudden departure for the night without conceding or declaring victory. Running away like that was weird.

Her people were still talking about gathering the lawyers at that point.

It wasn't until later, after AP called the race for Alberta Darling, that we did find out Pasch had conceded. Darling was being interviewed by TMJ4's Charles Benson when she said that Pasch had called her to concede and congratulate her.

As the race turned against Pasch, the Dems went into their routine of questioning the validity of the election.

At least, Tate admitted that was the wrong approach.

And Pasch eventually did call Darling.

Pasch and the Democrats did not lose gracefully at all.

It's so much better to lose in a dignified manner than to lose like a jerk.
____________________

Here's FOX 6 News video of an interview with the victorious Alberta Darling:

Alberta Darling: Good for Wisconsin

It's "We, the people," not "We, the unions and liberal special interests."

Wisconsinites did the right thing when we put Wisconsin on a path to prosperity last November.

What a mistake it would be to let that slip away!



Alberta Darling did what we wanted - balanced the state budget without raising taxes.

Success!

"My opponent believes taxpayers should work for the government. I don't. I believe that government should work for the people."

Well said.

Vote for Alberta Darling on August 9th.

Then celebrate your vote with some HONEST barbecue, not the illegal, pro-Sandy Pasch stuff.

John Chisholm. Calling DEMOCRAT Milwaukee County District Attorney, John Chisholm.

Wisconsin Jobs Now and 'Block Parties'

Wisconsin Jobs Now! has been hosting "block parties," offering free food and prizes.

But there's no such thing as a free lunch.

In this case, Wisconsin Jobs Now! was asking for participation in its absentee voting drive.

From the MacIver News Service:

Two events held in Milwaukee today aimed at rewarding absentee voters could run afoul of Wisconsin law a state election official said today.

The group, Wisconsin Jobs Now! describes itself as a “coalition of community groups, neighborhood associations, faith based organizations and labor united in an effort to bring good jobs to Wisconsin now.”

At two events in the city Monday, Wisconsin Jobs Now! offered free BBQ and prize drawings to people who participate in their absentee voting drive. They promoted the events on their website, action.wisconsinjobsnow.org.

Wisconsin statutes forbid “election bribery,” under 12.11. This includes giving or offering anything of value in exchange for going to the polls.

Steve Pickett, an elections specialist with the Government Accountability Board, told the MacIver News Service that whether this event is legal or not could come down to timing.

“If they walk in with a sticker that says ‘I voted ‘that’s one thing, but if they eat before they vote that’s a problem,” Pickett said. “It’s still a questionable practice one way or the other.”

...[The Wisconsin Jobs Now!] website has been highly critical of Republican Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), and in addition to the get out the vote parties, the organization has been organizing and shuttling voters to Milwaukee’s city hall.

Earlier on Monday, the Republican Party of Wisconsin filed a complaint with the GAB alleging illegal coordination between Citizen Action of Wisconsin and the campaign of Sandy Pasch (D-Millwaukee), Darling’s challenger.

The RPW complaint comes on the revelation by Media Trackers that Pasch sits on the board of directors of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. The Republican Party asked the Government Accountability Board to conduct investigation into whether Sandy Pasch’s membership on the Board of Directors for Citizen Action of Wisconsin violated Section 11.06(7) of the Wisconsin statutes concerning illegal coordination between candidates and independent expenditure organizations.

Apparently, the Leftists and union thugs don't have much faith in Sandy Pasch to deliver.

If they did, if they had confidence in her, there would be no need to engage in these questionable, possibly illegal, tactics.

Pasch's campaign is steeped in corruption.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's coverage of the "block parties," the events are given a jaw-droppingly ridiculous spin.

State election authorities are questioning whether a liberal group broke the law by offering both free food and free rides to vote in a hotly contested Senate recall election.

Although no formal complaint had reached the state Government Accountability Board by Monday afternoon, a spokesman for the agency said it would not be legal to combine free food and transportation to the polls in the same event - even if, as the organization contends, people could take the food without boarding the buses.

Local law enforcement authorities are reportedly looking into the get-out-the-vote "block parties."

Five such parties were sponsored by Wisconsin Jobs Now, a coalition of community and labor groups led by the Service Employees International Union. The coalition describes itself as a nonpartisan organization, although its blog posts have been highly critical of state Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), who is defending her seat against Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) in the Aug. 9 recall vote.

Wisconsin Jobs Now held three parties last week and two Monday, all on Milwaukee's northwest side. Each party offered free food, prizes such as t-shirts and stuffed toys, face-painting for children, drawings for school backpacks - and free shuttles to Milwaukee City Hall, where voters could cast absentee ballots in the 8th Senate District contest.

Janet Veum, a spokeswoman for Wisconsin Jobs Now, described the events as "a celebration of voting," aimed at making it easier to vote for low-income and minority groups who might face more challenges under the state's new photo identification law.

...State law prohibits anyone from offering a voter any inducement to vote or not vote. Veum said her group believed it was complying with the law because no one was required to take the rides or vote to get the food and prizes.

But "that's a distinction without a difference," said Reid Magney, spokesman for the accountability board. He said it was legal to offer rides to the polls, or free food at picnics to talk about issues, but not in the same event.

Magney said his agency had not received any complaints about the parties and that enforcing the law would be up to the Milwaukee County district attorney's office.

A "celebration of voting"?

Oh, good grief!

Clearly, the "block parties" were staged as an inducement to vote.

This is sickening.

Such "inducements" are utilized by the Leftists again and again here in Wisconsin, probably because they know they can get away with the tactics.

It's a disgrace.

But Connie Milstein would be proud.
_________________

From Media Trackers:

Milwaukee- Media Trackers filed complaints this morning with the Government Accountability Board and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office alleging illegal election and electioneering activities on the part of Wisconsin Jobs Now!

"We are confident that the GAB and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office will take our complaints serious," remarked Brian Sikma, communications director for Media Trackers. "The evidence that we reported on our website and that our sources gave us all point to multiple violations of election law on the part of Wisconsin Jobs Now! It is time for Wisconsin Jobs Now! to be held accountable for such flagrant violations of the law."

"Because the actions of Wisconsin Jobs Now! are so despicable, we are calling on the Sandy Pasch and Alberta Darling campaigns to also file complaints with the GAB and the Milwaukee County DA's office," stated Sikma. "What took place yesterday is an affront to both campaigns and, more importantly, to the voters in Senate District 8." Sikma continued saying, "If the candidates truly wish to state their frustration with these illegal actions and distance themselves from such tactics, they should file complaints calling for a formal GAB investigation of Wisconsin Jobs Now!"

WisconsinJobs Now! on the afternoon of August 1st hosted two events in northern Milwaukee County where voters were given a free barbeque chicken dinner and raffle tickets in exchange for showing up to vote. Participants were transported to the Milwaukee City Hall in vans with Wisconsin Jobs Now! logos on the side. Once at City Hall, volunteers wearing Wisconsin Jobs Now! t-shirts stood inside the Milwaukee Election Commission office and explained how the voting would work. Media Trackers secured first-hand reports and evidence of these activities.

Christopher Branski

I know I shouldn't be shocked by the foul-mouthed, hate-filled attacks by liberals against conservatives.

Spend a little time on the Internet and you can't miss the Left's ugliness. However, much of that is spewed under the assumption of anonymity.

When someone sends a vicious e-mail to an elected official and the individual has no qualms about having his name attached to it and his identity known, I do find it rather shocking.

Christopher M. Branski, a student at Madison Area Technical College, sent State Senator Alberta Darling an absolutely horrible e-mail.

Charlie Sykes shares the message:

WARNING * OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE * WARNING

From: Christopher M Branski [mailto:CBranski@matcmadison.edu]
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2011 12:35 PM
To: Sen.Darling
Subject: You are Revolting
Importance: High


Soon to be ex-Senator Darling:

Last night when you decided to cut the state EITC credits to working poor families in order to provide no-strings-attached tax breaks to corporations you showed your true colors: you're not on our side and you have no heart.

Instead of cajoling you to change your mind, I'm just going to tell you what you are: you're a useless f**king c*nt that has no redeeming value. There are not enough words to describe how much I hate you and the rest of the f**king scum in the Wisconsin GOP. You're parasites and you contribute nothing. Enjoy getting recalled you useless f**king dried up c*nt.

Christopher Branski

Wow.

Branski is truly scary.

He's doing more than attacking Sen. Darling. He's attacking women.

NOW should come to Sen. Darling's defense. The organization would condemn Branski if it were true to its alleged mission rather than serving as a political front group.

Democrats and other self-proclaimed feminists would express their outrage over Branski's e-mail and his inexcusable treatment of Sen. Darling.

But they don't.

Be proud, Leftists. Branski is your brother. Embrace him.

Solidarity.

Disgusting.

MADD: Neutral on Drunk Driving Proposals

Senator Alberta Darling and Representative Jim Ott, both Republicans, have proposed measures to strengthen Wisconsin's drunken-driving laws.

The reaction from the national office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is "neutral."

NEUTRAL?

My reaction to MADD's reaction is most definitely NOT neutral.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

An official at Mothers Against Drunk Driving says his organization has taken a neutral position on two drunken-driving proposals put forth by Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon).

On Friday, the two legislators held a press conference to announce they were introducing two bills they said would strengthen the state's drunken-driving laws.

One bill calls for a first drunken-driving offense to be a crime if the person has a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 or higher.

Current law makes a first offense a municipal violation. Current law also makes it a criminal offense if the driver has a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher and there is a child 16 years of age or younger in the car.

The other bill would make a third and fourth drunken-driving conviction a felony. Currently, the fourth arrest for drunken driving is considered a felony if it comes within five years of the third offense.

But Frank Harris, state legislative affairs manager for the national office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said in an email to Darling and Ott that, while their bills are well intentioned, MADD wants laws that make drunken driving a misdemeanor at 0.08 as opposed to 0.15. Additionally, Harris wrote, MADD wants laws that require an ignition interlock for first time offenders who have a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or greater.

"MADD applauds your leadership on keeping the streets safe from drunk drivers in Wisconsin," Harris wrote in the email, which was also sent to the Journal Sentinel. "MADD supports making a third offense a felony but is neutral on the proposal to make a first conviction with a blood-alcohol of .15 or greater a misdemeanor.

That's nuts.

Strengthening current laws is an improvement. MADD should be supporting the efforts of Darling and Ott.

"Making a first OWI conviction a misdemeanor at .15 BAC is not a step and this does not represent progress against drunk driving."

Added Harris: "This .15 BAC bill sends a mixed message on what the illegal level of drunk driving is in Wisconsin exactly and will not send any message or deterrence necessary to stop drunk driving or the majority of drunk driving deaths in Wisconsin caused by drunk drivers with no prior convictions. The only benefit to this legislation is that more drunk drivers may refuse and thereby receive an ignition overlock."

The bill doesn't send a mixed message at all.

Harris isn't making sense. Increasing penalties for drunk driving is a deterrence. It's certainly better than doing nothing at all.

I really don't understand why MADD would choose to be "neutral" rather than strongly supporting any and all steps taken to save lives.

I find MADD's position extremely troubling. Something is not right here.

The organization is not living up to its mission statement.

I'm through making financial contributions to MADD.

Budget Hearing: SHAME, SHAME, SHAME

What a stunning turn of events!

People/protesters were upset that they ALL couldn't speak at the budget hearing held at State Fair Park yesterday.

They started chanting, "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!"

Where have I heard that before?

For one, I heard the Democrats in the Wisconsin State Assembly scream it.



From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

It was the third of four hearings around the state held by the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee on Walker's proposed budget. And like earlier hearings in Stevens Point and Superior, the turnout was in the hundreds, rather than the thousands that some expected.

Only hundreds, not thousands?

Is the movement losing steam?

In all, about 270 speakers signed up before registrations to speak were cut off about 12:30 p.m., according to Ted Blazel, Wisconsin Senate sergeant of arms.

Though committee co-chairs Rep. Robin Vos (R-Burlington) and Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) had said they planned to end the meeting by 6 p.m. - a plan that drew criticism from Democrats - testimony was allowed into the early evening, and everyone who signed up to speak had done so by 6:30.

A crowd of hundreds of people who had rallied outside the expo center came in late demanding to speak, but they had not registered by the noontime cutoff, and Vos adjourned the meeting after hearing from all of those who registered. As he and Republican legislators left the room, there were shouts of "let us speak" and "shame."

Vos said he had to end the meeting because he was scheduled to attend a Wisconsin Conservation Congress meeting in his district.

No hearing would have been long enough to satisfy the Democrats and their union allies.

It was guaranteed that they would complain about not being heard.

This "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME" chant is getting to be a joke.

Their rallying cry is akin to a tantrum that's lost its effectiveness, like when the parent simply ignores the screaming child and he finally quiets down.

Acting with some decorum would be a smarter move. Calm and controlled is better than crazed.

As Rep. Robin Vos said, "While many people wanted to speak, and we gave an opportunity to several hundred, many more are going to be able to testify through written communication or electronic."

He's absolutely right.

Time is finite. It's unreasonable to expect public forums to go on indefinitely. Everyone who wants to speak can't always be accommodated. That's not trampling on democracy. It's what we call the earthly limits of time.

Citizens do have other ways of communicating their concerns to elected officials.

Back when Russ Feingold held elected office, he didn't allow his listening sessions to go on forever. The former senator had a strict policy - "up to an hour." Read the rules here. Dems didn't complain then. The union thugs didn't erupt.

Of course, Democrats Chris Larson and Lena Taylor had their lines rehearsed. Whenever the hearing ended, they would object. The chants would begin. The fists would be raised.

Larson and Taylor would ratchet up the rhetoric once again.

Larson tweets:

Public hearing shut down. Republicans sneak out the back to shouts of "shame" from the 100s in crowd

And this:

Pictures of people who showed up but not allowed to testify are being put up on empty chairs.

Like that bit of theatrics was just spontaneous. Sure.

More from Larson on Facebook.

Also on Facebook, Taylor wrote:

To Milwaukee and Wisconsin waiting at the budget hearing to heard:

"Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Right.

Rage, rage, shame, shame, shame, rage, shame, rage, shame, shame, shame, shame, rage, rage, rage, shame, rage, shame TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!

Video, from FOX 6:

 

MPS Residency Requirement

This is a little awkward.

Normally, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and public sector union leaders are allies on issues.

When it comes to the residency requirement for MPS teachers, Barrett and the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association part ways.

From FOX 6:

State lawmakers held a hearing Wednesday to debate Senate Bill 34, a proposal that would drop the residency requirement for teachers in Milwaukee Public Schools. The rule got its start in 1978.

SB34 is supported by the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association. Union leaders say they simply want their members to be able to live wherever they wish.

Republican State Senator Alberta Darling believes eliminating the residency requirement would increase the pool of qualified teachers that MPS can recruit. Darling also says the residency requirement often puts families in a predicament. "There are many teachers who have husbands and wives in other professions and they need to live in different places for different reasons," said Darling.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett does not support the proposal. He says eliminating the residency requirement would have a detrimental impact on the city.

...Milwaukee and Chicago are the only two major cities in the United States with a residency requirement for its teachers.

Barrett insists that eliminating the residency requirement for public employees would decimate Milwaukee's tax base and the city would go the way of Detroit.

That would only be the case if Milwaukee were a place people would want to flee. If the city provides a good quality of life, it won't be affected by dropping the residency rule. Why would people leave? Why would they want to move away?

Democrat Barrett claims to be pro-choice, but he's not when it comes to supporting public employees' right to choose where they want to live, and certainly not when it comes to school choice.

There's something very strange about hearing the mayor of a city argue that if workers are not forced to live within its limits, then there would surely be a mass exodus.

He's saying that he knows the city is such a hellhole that workers would choose to leave Milwaukee if given the chance. Obviously, Barrett doesn't have faith in the city and he doesn't trust public employees. He's so certain that if a rule isn't in place to compel MPS employees to live in Milwaukee, they won't. Apparently, Barrett doesn't believe in the city. He finds it necessary to keep the wall in place that forces people to stay.

Have union leaders organized protests against Barrett because he's in favor of preventing city employees from having the right to choose where they want to live? Have they planned to show up at his home and march and chant? Where are the 'Barrett is Hitler' and 'Recall Barrett' signs? Are throngs of protesters wearing matching t-shirts, red-faced and angry, screaming "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!" at Barrett?

When will Jesse Jackson show up and join with teachers to fight for their basic human right of choosing a place to live? When will Michael Moore come to Wisconsin to stand in solidarity with the public employees and rally them against Barrett?

Doing away with the residency requirement is really a civil rights issue. Barrett's opposition to granting workers the freedom to choose where they live is wrong.


Video, from FOX 6:

 

Alberta Darling: Standing Up for Families

WI Senate Dems Leave State

This is a disgrace.

Rather than doing their jobs and letting the wheels of democracy turn, the Wisconsin Senate Democrats reportedly are in hiding out of state to avoid voting on the budget repair bill.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Law enforcement is now searching for Democratic senators boycotting a Senate vote on Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair plan Thursday in an attempt to bring the lawmakers to the floor to allow Republicans to move forward with action on the bill.

One Democratic senator said that he believed at least most of the members of his caucus are in another state. At least one, however, Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) said he was still in his Capitol office listening to constituents.

...Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) confirmed Thursday that Democrats are boycotting the Senate action on the bill in efforts to block a quorum and keep the measure from passing. Because 20 senators of the 33-member house are needed to be present to pass a fiscal bill, the body's 19 Republicans will not be enough to pass the budget repair bill without at least one Democrat present.

"They can't pass this bill if there's not a Democrat in the chamber," Cullen said.

Cullen said he believed at least most of the Democrats were now outside Wisconsin, though he declined to say where.

"I think they're all out of state. I am anyway," Cullen said.

Speculation in the Capitol pointed to Illinois as the state where Democrats had headed.

This isn't how democracy works.

Elected officials don't run away like this.

What an embarrassment for Wisconsin Democrats!

Man up, Democrats!

From Jay Sorgi, Newsradio 620 WTMJ:

The State Senate has convened in Wisconsin to discuss, debate and possibly vote on Governor Scott Walker's controversial budget bill, but not all the Senate members are there; all Democrats in the Senate are absent.

Law enforcement officials are looking for at least one Democratic senator to bring in for a quorum required for a fiscal measure, but River Hills Republican Senator Alberta Darling claimed to Newsradio 620 WTMJ that all the Democrats got on one bus and left the state.

What are the Dems doing in Illinois? Shopping at Gurnee Mills? Hanging out at the food court?

Truly disgraceful.

Snarlin' Marlin Schneider

Rep. Marlin Schneider asked for it, and he got it.

From Dan Bice, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

When you've rightly earned the nickname "Snarlin' Marlin," it's probably not a good idea to start lecturing people about incivility.

But that's what state Rep. Marlin Schneider was planning to do.

In a recent e-mail to all of his legislative colleagues, the Wisconsin Rapids Democrat asked for help in putting together a piece on the subject.

"The uncivil state of political discourse in these times I alluded to earlier . . . has got me thinking that I'd like to write my monthly newspaper column on the topic," Schneider wrote last month. "Have any of you received recent correspondence that exemplifies this phenomenon?"

It's a legitimate topic.

The problem is Schneider himself provides examples of incivility in political discourse.

Within minutes, a staffer for state Sen. Alberta Darling fired back two nasty notes that his office had received in the past.

The first, written in 2005, was entitled "my final wishes":

"If I am ever found to be in a persistent vegetative state, void of all brain function, it is my profound wish that my loving wife, should I be fortunate (enough to) find another, with the support of my friends, prevent me from becoming a Republican leader in Congress."

The second, sent to all Wisconsin lawmakers just before Christmas 2003, was a lengthy rant about the supposedly contradictory things Republicans believe on such issues as Iraq, former President Bill Clinton and talk-show host Rush Limbaugh.

For instance, it said, Republicans think "being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers."

I suppose Schneider's tasteless e-mail about being in a persistent vegetative state relates to Terri Schiavo. It was in 2005 that there was national debate over Terri Schiavo's husband successfully fighting to have her dehydrated and starved to death even though she wasn't terminally ill.

Whether or not that case was the impetus for his Republican-bashing message, Schneider shows a remarkable lack of tact.

The message referring to Limbaugh, about Republicans thinking that "being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host," is also disturbing.

Schneider's history of nastiness certainly doesn't put him on the high ground. He's in no position to spearhead a movement to promote civility in political discourse.

What is Schneider setting out to do? Is he doing a sort of self-intervention? Is he trying to repent and reform himself?

Is this his "I have sinned" moment?

Is Snarlin' Marlin being a hypocrite, blind to his own offenses?

Schneider can't condemn others without being willing to admit to his own political incivility.

This is another illustration of how one's e-mail messages can come back to haunt an individual.

If you send it, it will resurface. An e-mail is forever.

..."I just never deleted them," said Jay Risch, the aide to Darling, a River Hills Republican. "Turns out it came in handy when a guy who routinely torches Republicans via e-mail then asks us to send him examples of uncivil e-mails."

But Schneider took the response in good humor.

"I guess what goes around comes around, huh?" he replied a day later to Risch.

I don't know if I'd call Schneider's response good-humored. When caught red-handed as an author of "nasty-grams," what else could he do but try to save face?

Moral of the story: Pot, beware of calling the kettle black.