June 22, 2014

Politics is local, and "Gov. Walker serves up meal at local farm event."

This is Scott Walker at "Breakfast on the Farm" in Sheboygan. Don't miss the slide show, especially photo #5, which I'd like to caption: Stirring the shit.

Anyway... part of the meal Gov. Walker served up was some quotes about the recent document dump by the order of the federal court in the civil rights case against the prosecutors in the John Doe investigation:
“The folks [have said] over and over again, ‘Hang in there, we’re behind you, we support you,’” said Walker.
Asked about the documents that attracted mainstream media headlines about his central position in a "criminal scheme" and the supposedly important email he sent to Karl Rove, Walker said:
"That email’s pretty straight forward.... I was helping get the message out about what the senators did as they were heading into recalls and that’s completely legal."...

"I think in the end, people are going to see that despite the initial reaction, the bottom line is that what we’ve done is completely legitimate and right."
So, that's Walker in Sheboygan. But Walker's also doing national mainstream media — if Fox News counts as mainstream — here, last Friday on "Fox and Friends":



Here's the transcript, at Poltifact, which does a fact check and declares it "false." See if you can find the falsehood:
"You’ve had not one but two judges -- a state judge and a federal judge; a state judge (who is) a well-respected court of appeals judge, and a federal judge more recently -- have both looked at this argument. And in the past, not just recently -- remember this is not new news, it’s just newly released yesterday because documents were opened -- but no charges, case over.

Both judges said they didn’t buy the argument. They didn’t think that anything was done that was illegal, and so they’ve gone forward and not only said, we don’t buy it, they actually shut the case down, both at the state and at the federal level.

So, many in the national media and even some here in Wisconsin are looking at this (case) backwards. This is a case that’s been resolved, that not one but two judges have said is over. And we’re just learning about it because it became open in a document yesterday. But there is no argument there."
See it? "Resolved." There is only a preliminary injunction in the federal civil rights lawsuit against the John Doe prosecutors and it is before the appellate court right now,  so it depends on how you resolve the meaning of the word "resolved." The John Doe proceeding is enjoined, but if the civil rights plaintiffs (the targets in the John Doe proceeding) lose on appeal, it is conceivable that, if freed from the federal court injunction, and if the state court case is also eliminated as an obstacle, the prosecutors (the defendants in the federal court case) might resume the investigation.

How dead must the investigation be before Walker's entitled to use the word "resolved"?

Ask the folks in Sheboygan!

Let's see Walker opponents get out there in the state and assail Walker for the outrageous deception of using the word "resolved" to refer to the state and federal court interventions thus far.

Meanwhile, I'm here in Madison, being a professor in the law school, and my instinct is to look up the word "resolve" in the (unlinkable) Oxford English Dictionary. The verb "resolve" comes from the Latin word resolvere, which means "to loosen, undo, unfasten, to unravel, solve, to unbind, to release, to separate into components, break up, to reduce to liquid, melt, dissolve, to soften, reduce to pulp, to make less tense, relax, to weaken the nerves of, paralyse, to make less strict or disciplined... to put an end to, finish, settle, to cancel, nullify, to refute, rebut...."

The oldest meanings of the word have to do with liquefaction, dissolving, melting, softening, and decomposing, and unbinding. The OED has 26 definitions for the verb "resolve," many with multiple subparts, so you'll have a hell of a time trying to pin Walker with that one word.

The set of meanings that seem most apt in this context has to do with unbinding: "To untie; to answer, solve; to decide, determine," especially "To answer (a question); to solve (a problem of any kind); to determine, settle, or decide upon (a point or matter regarding which there is doubt or dispute)." For example, from Henry Fielding's "Tom Jones": "Whether Mrs. Honour really deserved that Suspicion... is a Matter which we cannot indulge the Reader's Curiosity by resolving."

Have I resolved the meaning of "resolve"? I'm only trying to loosen it up and liquefy it, so that perhaps it looks like whatever it is those farmers are stirring in Sheboygan in photo #5. Because I'm here in Madison, cloistered in the academy, where we should delight in stirring the shit, and nothing can ever be fully resolved. Why, we've been talking for 500 years about "O that this too too sallid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolue it selfe into a dewe."

This John Doe business melted and thawed, it's resolving, and it has resolved itself into — if not quite yet a dew — a doo.

Adieu. It's Breakfast on the Farm time in Wisconsin.

89 comments:

lonetown said...

It seems to me the media hacks are blowing it for "their side".

The case they refused to cover and report, now has been covered and they have been corrected.

campy said...

Nothing is resolved until the right side — i.e. the left — wins.

Bobber Fleck said...

Since this issue is political, anything is possible. Thus it follows that it will never be "resolved" in a sense that satisfies Politifact.

It is amusing to watch the John Doe investigation being recycled over and over again to generate hit pieces against Scott Walker. Now that the breathless headlines regarding the ever-so-serious allegations are over we have to put up with the high minded editorials that serve as supplemental hit pieces.

Sometimes I forget it's not whether the charges are true, it's the seriousness of the charges.

Bob R said...

What the heck are they stirring up in photo #5? The caption says something about ham and eggs, but that looks about the color of peanut butter. If it were Louisiana, I'd say they were starting a roux for gumbo, but I don't think they do that in Shaboygan.

The Crack Emcee said...

Walker even LOOKS like a criminal in the video still.

Richard Fagin said...

Gov. Walker's legal issues will be "resolved" if and when he declares he will not run for President, or loses reelection as governor. He's too strong a candidate for the Dems not to continue throwing [expletive] balls at him until he is no longer a national electoral threat to them.

Beta Rube said...

We like it when the resident Black Guy decides which whitey LOOKS like a criminal.
Because diversity and tolerance and whatnot.

Drago said...

Crack: "The Crack Emcee said...
Walker even LOOKS like a criminal in the video still."

He must have been wearing a hoodie.

Heyooyeh said...

Yawn, you're desperate Althouse. But great job at definitely not being cruelly neutral.

JD said...

Nothing is resolved, why he is so foolish to even say that is simply whistling past the graveyard, or ravado to keep the donations from drying up.

Meade said...

"to keep the donations from drying up."

To cause donations to dry up is precisely the purpose of the "investigation".

JD said...

The purpose of the investigation is because it appears there was collusion, illegal in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has strict campaign finance laws, which is too bad for Walker.

The Crack Emcee said...

Beta Rube,

"We like it when the resident Black Guy decides which whitey LOOKS like a criminal.
Because diversity and tolerance and whatnot."

Stop playing the victim, white people, it doesn't suit you.

I ain't playing,...

campy said...

Yes, Hillary is just quivering in fear at the prospect of running against Governor Dropout. LOL

Mr. Forward said...

"Imagine how absurd it would be if states were split up whenever people in one section of a state thought the people at the other end were deranged. I'd be living in a state, in the southern half of what is now Wisconsin, and I believe that state would be named LaFollette."

We could call the northern half LaWallet because somebody has to pay for LaFollies. So, no change really.

Curious George said...

"The Crack Emcee said...
Walker even LOOKS like a criminal in the video still."

Why, did he look like Obama's son...if he had one?

Ann Althouse said...

"Walker even LOOKS like a criminal in the video still."

Yeah, if you're walking down a street at night and see him coming toward you, cross to the other side. If you're in your car, hit the lock button. It hurts his feelings when he hears it lock, but it's best to be on the safe side.

Ann Althouse said...

"The purpose of the investigation is because it appears there was collusion, illegal in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has strict campaign finance laws, which is too bad for Walker."

You mean, Wisconsin's law was given a broad interpretation by the prosecutors, which the court rejected because it would criminalize constitutionally protected speech.

That is the basis of the lawsuit, which stopped the investigation and exposes the prosecutors to damages.

But you are right that the prosecutors were using Wisconsin law, so it left untouched the same behavior when done by the Obama campaign (noted in the Wall Street Journal editorial I blogged yesterday).

Ann Althouse said...

"The purpose of the investigation is because it appears there was collusion, illegal in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has strict campaign finance laws, which is too bad for Walker."

You mean, Wisconsin's law was given a broad interpretation by the prosecutors, which the court rejected because it would criminalize constitutionally protected speech.

That is the basis of the lawsuit, which stopped the investigation and exposes the prosecutors to damages.

But you are right that the prosecutors were using Wisconsin law, so it left untouched the same behavior when done by the Obama campaign (noted in the Wall Street Journal editorial I blogged yesterday).

Drago said...

crack: "I ain't playing,..."

Of course, you "ain't" not playing either.

Drago said...

Ann Althouse: "But you are right that the prosecutors were using Wisconsin law, so it left untouched the same behavior when done by the Obama campaign (noted in the Wall Street Journal editorial I blogged yesterday)."

Democrats/leftists understand full well that they are not bound by the laws they pass for everyone else and the right can be attacked/prosecuted for actually operating within the bounds of laws passed because "right wing".

Even now, today, on this blogsite, in this thread, where the genesis of this "investigation", the actions of the prosecutors and the judges involved and the relevant law have been amply discussed for clarity to have taken root, we still the same lefties pretending things are not what they are.

Objective truth, reality, common sense, etc are always casualties when the left exercises raw political power.

I am Chilled said...

What's not resolved are the civil cases against GAB and the assorted DA's. Those cases are just getting started.

The O’Keefe v. GAB case lays out the circumstances of "illegal coordination" (some may say a criminal conspiracy) between the GAB staff and the Milwaukee DA’s office to circumvent GAB’s statutory requirements. I can't wait for that John Doe probe to be leaked.

Beta Rube said...

Not sure how you got victim out of that Crack. But good morning.

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

Ann Althouse said...
if you're walking down a street at night and see him coming toward you, cross to the other side. If you're in your car, hit the lock button. It hurts his feelings when he hears it lock, but it's best to be on the safe side.


This seems prudent, given that he is a dropout under criminal investigation.

drywilly said...

Odd that Wisconsin State Journal and Milwaukee JS have mostly failed to report on the Lerner emails until the Koskinen testimony.

The Crack Emcee said...

Ann Althouse,

"Yeah, if you're walking down a street at night and see him coming toward you, cross to the other side."

I do that for whites on GP - who needs whatever their problem is?

They're scared.

They're scared but got something to prove.

They're scared but got something to prove - to themselves.

They're scared but got something to prove - to their girl.

They're scared but got something to prove - to their friends.

They're scared but don't want to let on they're scared,....

Anonymous said...

Terrible Reading Comprehension Guy says:

Althouse writes "Let's see Walker opponents get out there in the state and assail Walker for the outrageous deception of using the word "resolved" to refer to the state and federal court interventions thus far." I think Althouse's blatant encouragement here of the prosecutors and their supporters is bad form, and only serves to make a convoluted situation worse.

The Crack Emcee said...

So what happened to that woman, busted campaigning on public time, who Walker abandoned?

Or have you supporters forgot what a stand-up guy you're behind?

He looks like a criminal,...

garage mahal said...

To cause donations to dry up is precisely the purpose of the "investigation".

So a Republican lead prosecutor and two Republican County DA's are trying to dry up Republican fundraising? Interesting theory. The call is coming from inside the house!

Ann Althouse said...

"So a Republican lead prosecutor and two Republican County DA's are trying to dry up Republican fundraising? Interesting theory. The call is coming from inside the house!"

1. Were the Republicans that got included RINO-types?

2. If the Democrats who started it saw the need to include Republicans, isn't that evidence that they saw a need to launder out the appearance of partisan abuse of the prosecutorial process?

The Wall Street Journal editorial said:

"This is typical of the behavior of Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm and Assistant DAs Bruce Landgraf and David Robles from the beginning. The Democrats hired Mr. Schmitz, a nominal Republican, as special prosecutor to put a nonpartisan gloss on an investigation that the DAs realized would be seen for the political prosecution it was.

"In a 2013 petition to Judge Barbara Kluka (the John Doe judge before Judge Peterson), the five district attorneys involved in the Doe ask the judge to appoint a special prosecutor for fear that the "partisan political affiliations of the undersigned elected DAs will lead to public allegations of impropriety." Democratic prosecutors will be painted as conducting a "partisan witch hunt," they wrote, while Republican prosecutors would be accused of "pulling punches." The District Attorneys then recommend that Judge Kluka specifically select Mr. Schmitz as the "independent" special prosecutor. This document remains under seal, but we've obtained a copy.

"In his own affidavit in response to another lawsuit, this one in state court, Mr. Schmitz acknowledges that the real work in the Doe investigation was handled by the prosecutors who appointed him. "While I have assumed the responsibility for the investigatory decisions made in the John Doe proceedings, I myself have not made application for any form of subpoena, subpoena duces tecum or search warrant from the John Doe judge.""

Doesn't that sound off to you? You're using the typical sarcasm repeating this talking point, trying to make the accusation of partisanship sound crazy, but what do you say about my questions.

Go to a deeper level here, take it seriously, or you're likely to be disregarded as a political hack.

If the tables were turned, and Republican DAs had initiated this against a Democrats, would you say the same thing? I don't know how I could believe you if you said yes.

Ann Althouse said...

The WSJ piece requires a subscription, but if you google some of the text I've given, you'll get a link that will take you into the editorial.

Obviously, "This is typical" refers to material I haven't quoted.

Curious George said...

"Ann Althouse said...
Go to a deeper level here, take it seriously, or you're likely to be disregarded as a political hack."

Are you new to this blog? Welcome!

Diogenes of Sinope said...

KANGAROO COURT
1
: a mock court in which the principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted
2
: a court characterized by irresponsible, unauthorized, or irregular status or procedures
3
: judgment or punishment given outside of legal procedure

Diogenes of Sinope said...

The MSM (main stream media) are Liberal. The MSM are political advocates for the Left.

Curious George said...

"garage mahal said...
So a Republican lead prosecutor and two Republican County DA's are trying to dry up Republican fundraising? Interesting theory. The call is coming from inside the house!"

You keep saying he is a Republican...he has never run for office. He claimed that he voted for Walker in the recall, which cannot of course be verified. This was AFTER he was named special prosecutor, and was specifically requested by that fucking grifter Chisolm.

As usual, just a lying hack.

Anonymous said...

So all the Republicans on the GAB, which unanimously voted for the investigation are RINOS trying to destroy the GOP's ability to raise funds. The two Republican DA's who are involved are deep moles, planted years ago by the DNC just for this moment. And Francis Schmitz committed perjury in order to put a big bow on the whole package.

And they would've got away with it, if it wasn't for you meddling kids!! Looks like this mystery is finally resolved.

garage mahal said...

1. Were the Republicans that got included RINO-types?

A real Republican wouldn't investigate a fellow Republican?

2. If the Democrats who started it saw the need to include Republicans, isn't that evidence that they saw a need to launder out the appearance of partisan abuse of the prosecutorial process?


The investigation started when the GAB got a tip. The GAB is a panel of retired judges who approved the investigation unanimously. The reason why County DAs are involved is because that's where state races were held that are also under investigation. That's what Walker was bragging about in the email to Karl Rove.

Anonymous said...

If the Democrats who started it saw the need to include Republicans, isn't that evidence that they saw a need to launder out the appearance of partisan abuse of the prosecutorial process?

Or it could be evidence that they were following Wisconsin state law which says that campaign finance violations can only be prosecuted in the counties where defendants reside.

Anonymous said...

The MSM (main stream media) are Liberal. The MSM are political advocates for the Left.

Does that include the mainstream media in Wisconsin that endorsed Walker twice for Governor?

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

Ann Althouse said...
Go to a deeper level here, take it seriously, or you're likely to be disregarded as a political hack.


I am not sure how many people regularly read the WSJ and its editorials in particular. I read it most days. When you are reduced to quoting WSJ editorials you have already waded deep into political hack waters. They are, if anything, more partisan than their equivalents on the NYT.

garage mahal said...

As usual, just a lying hack.

I'm a lying hack because I take a Republican at his word? In a battle of integrity between Francis Schmitz and Scott Walker, I would take Schmitz every single time. The tough on crime guy is now smearing crime fighters. That's our Guv!

The Crack Emcee said...

garage mahal,

"A real Republican wouldn't investigate a fellow Republican?"

Dude, they'll say anything at this point - reasoning and facts be damned.

Even Ann's bought in to the Right/Left nonsense, now slinking down to someone must be a RINO to justify her claims.

It's just more apocalyptic-minded, conspiracy theory, claptrap.

Hey - they want to protect what they see as a boy scout - that's pretty normal for whites.

So's the discovery they're wrong for doing so:

Stay tuned,...

Anonymous said...

You keep saying he is a Republican

Other than your deep rooted emotional need for Schmitz to be a lying hack, what evidence do you have that he really isn't what he says he is? Is there something in his past which leads you to believe that he committed perjury with his sworn statement to the court in regards to voting for Scott Walker?

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Making fun of dropouts who didn't graduate college today are we? Is that the left's new line?

A certain fat divorced man in Wisconsin who didn't graduate college either may be upset.

Curious George said...

"garage mahal said...


The investigation started when the GAB got a tip. The GAB is a panel of retired judges who approved the investigation unanimously. The reason why County DAs are involved is because that's where state races were held that are also under investigation. That's what Walker was bragging about in the email to Karl Rove."

That's bullshit. The investigation was started by the fucking grifter John Chisolm.

"Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm launches a second secret John Doe investigation focusing on Gov. Scott Walker's campaign."

http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/timeline-john-doe-ii-investigation/html_1fac3180-e698-11e3-8653-001a4bcf887a.html

Every case you make starts with a lie. Why is that?

Freder Frederson said...

So an case is resolved before appeals are adjudicated?

Who knew.

Guildofcannonballs said...

"...you're likely to be disregarded as a political hack."

Ironic the long response to someone likely to be disregarded.

I think that's the jig. Fascination with being part of eliciting a reaction.

Any reaction of any sort will do.

I am Chilled said...

"So all the Republicans on the GAB, which unanimously voted for the investigation are RINOS trying to destroy the GOP's ability to raise funds."

It never got to a vote, which is a violation of WI statute. Do your homework.

Lnelson said...

So progressive talking points are now laying out the "dropout card". What next, the bald spot in back?

Go to a deeper level? Indeed.

Alex said...

Not illegal, but not ethical either.

Oh and Crack, you definitely look like a criminal.

Alex said...

garage a political hack? Tell me something I didn't know.

Alex said...

madisonfella - guess what still no indictment. You just can't wait until Scott Walker is frog marched out of the capital, not gonna ever happen BUD.

Alex said...

Garage - don't forget about the fake Koch Brothers call when Scottie all but admitted to engaging in brutal anti-union suppression.

cubanbob said...

Doesn't that sound off to you? You're using the typical sarcasm repeating this talking point, trying to make the accusation of partisanship sound crazy, but what do you say about my questions.

Go to a deeper level here, take it seriously, or you're likely to be disregarded as a political hack."

You had a doubt?

I'm not from WI but from reading this blog over the years its pretty obvious this is a politically driven hunt. Could the WI public sector unions and the various anti-Walker groups pass a laugh test when it comes to co-ordination? Why aren't they being investigated by the prosecutors?

garage mahal said...

GAB approves investigation

JD said...

Walker should be careful what he wishes for.

Mark said...

Let's face it, if you're a lawyer and you're hired to find evidence of misconduct, you aren't likely to get many paychecks if you come back with "move along, nothing to see here."

For that matter, what does "While I have assumed the responsibility for the investigatory decisions made in the John Doe proceedings, I myself have not made application for any form of subpoena, subpoena duces tecum or search warrant from the John Doe judge" actually mean? It would appear he was hired to rubber-stamp everything put in front of him.

To counter that, I'd love to see some actual documentation on activities he vetoed or even those he suggested. Something tells me he'd invoke client-attorney privilege on that request.

I am Chilled said...

"GAB approves investigation"

Contrary to WI Statute, hence O'Keefe v. GAB.

richard mcenroe said...

Walker only went there to make sure the poor folks didn't get enough food.

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

"A real Republican wouldn't investigate a fellow Republican?"

We know that a Democrat will not investigate a fellow Democrat if there's any possibility that the investigation will help the oppo. Everybody takes this as a given.

Opus One Media said...

Perhaps Walker will resolve himself into the backwaters of the GOP and live out his term and career in the ignominy he so richly deserves.

CWJ said...

Althouse makes a patient reasoned response to Garage, far more patient and reasoned than many of us would do, and the response was like whacking a bee hive. Suddenly, I saw many of the usual suspects buzzing and stinging. A great deal of noise and energy, but little or no actual reasoned response to her points.

I think I understand Althouse a little better today. She looks to the right and thinks "I don't like your positions." She looks to the left and thinks "I don't like how you think and argue."

I'm not ideologically there with her, but I think I can respect it.

Lnelson said...

Whatever happened to the "No controlling legal authority" card?
It worked like a miracle for Algore the Great.

Campaign financing is nothing more than buying advertising for your brand, no?
Advertising does work on the low info voters (just like those $19.99 specials on the 800 number), but it doesn't work on partisans whose minds are made up, or voters who religiously parse out the issues.

Most polls ever done have shown journalists to be overwhelmingly progressive and the newspapers and their editorial pages in most big cities are progressive.
Is that like free advertising for democrats that republicans do not get?

So the news industry, in which the messages of both parties is funneled through, is overwhelmingly democrat.
Should campaign finance laws, which try to restrict the buying of messages, be extended to the press somehow?

I am no expert, and maybe my perspective is flawed. Where am I wrong?

Birkel said...

On the march to Full Fascism unconstitutional laws must be followed by all political adversaries of The Left. Failure to follow all unconstitutional laws which have been defined by your political adversaries will result in secret investigations and punish with or without trial.

What am I missing?

Birkel said...

Larry Nelson,
You are not wrong but your thinking leads to unconstitutional results that cannot stand. The collectivists must be stopped on their march to Full Fascist. The Constitution is the only thing keeping them from their goals.

The answer is to compete in the marketplace of ideas and never be cowed.

damikesc said...

Politifact has also said that an ad indicating Thom Tillis cut $500M from education when education spending increased was half true.

They claim that Obama's promise to make the VA a national leader in health reform, noting that there were some improvements overshadowed by that whole long wait times leading to deaths thing is a promise "stalled".

They rate the removal of troops, which Obama now claims wasn't his doing, was him keeping his promise.

They rate his promise to restrict warrantless wiretaps was compromised, not broken.

Their opinion on issues is largely meaningless.

Campaign finance laws are a horrible idea. They are enforced far too haphazardly and none of the penalties are enough to really stop it.

Chuck said...

The Fox News Channel is national media. It's not "mainstream" media. Thank goodness it is not mainstream. We had 50 years of nothing but mainstream media and look where it got us.

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

Trooper York said...
Making fun of dropouts who didn't graduate college today are we?


This is a fair criticism. In general I respect the non-Ivy League types more than the Ivy Leaguers. I thought Althouse went over the top in her complaints about the treatment Walker was receiving. If he doesn't like politics he can always go back to what he was doing before, oh wait that was also politics. Just once it would be nice to have someone come up who hasn't spent a lifetime actively seeking to be bought and sold by wealthy people.

Lnelson said...

Birkel said...
Larry Nelson,
You are not wrong but your thinking leads to unconstitutional results that cannot stand.


Birkel,
You are correct, and although poorly illustrated, I only meant to point out the power of the press.
I don't think we should limit campaign financing.
I would just like to see full disclosure of all campaign donations.

Alex said...


Guy Benson ‏@guypbenson Jun 20
More
Context: Walker never close to indictment, let alone conviction. Probe shut down by 2 judges. Prosecutors facing lawsuit for misconduct.


Oh snap!

Garage, your side is royally humped.

Opus One Media said...

Can we all agree that Walker may or may not get what he deserves?

In the mean time, perhaps the State legislature should consult the law school so that they might write better laws.

As an alternative, perhaps Wisconsin should bar the political types from emailing Rove or taking phone calls from folks who portray themselves to have the last name Koch....or have we forgotton that?

Gahrie said...

Hey - they want to protect what they see as a boy scout - that's pretty normal for whites.

Tell that to Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Make sure Sharpton and Tawana are there too.

Anonymous said...

We know that a Democrat will not investigate a fellow Democrat if there's any possibility that the investigation will help the oppo.


"John Chisholm, is a Democrat, but contrary to the "selective prosecution" allegations, his office has pursued campaign finance charges against multiple Democrats in recent years. In fact, Chisholm's office levied a $20,000 fine for campaign finance violations against Walker's opponent in the 2012 recall election, Tom Barrett. Allegations that Chisholm and other prosecutors ignored campaign finance violations by Democrats or liberal groups are false."

http://tinyurl.com/ktb55k8

Rusty said...


Campaign finance laws are a horrible idea. They are enforced far too haphazardly and none of the penalties are enough to really stop it.

I agree. Ban corporations from donating at all. That would keep unions out of the loop, but make it so that any individual can donate as much as they like. This would eliminate bundling.

Anonymous said...

make it so that any individual can donate as much as they like

Including citizens of another country? As it stands now the rightwing is playing shell games with their donations, shuffling money from one front group to another before handing it over to their candidates. Who knows where the money is originally coming from. Is it just a coincidence that Walker signed a new law that makes it easier for overseas investors to purchase land in Wisconsin right after he came back from an overseas junket?

Everyone who signed the recall petitions has their name and address listed online, while the Walker supporters hide behind fake organizations and no-name PO Boxes. Makes me wonder what they are ashamed of and what they are trying to hide.

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

Rusty said...

Campaign finance laws are a horrible idea.


No they aren't. They are the only way to stop the march from republic to oligarchy.

Alex said...

Notice how libs are dominating the comment section. They are feeling the fear!

Rusty said...

AReasonableMan said...
Rusty said...

Campaign finance laws are a horrible idea.

No they aren't. They are the only way to stop the march from republic to oligarchy.

Too late.

Rusty said...

Let anyone contribute as much as they want.

If you can vote in an election in the United States, then you can donate as little or as much as you'd like to any and all candidates.

I agreee. With the caveat that all donations and donors are made public.

Nichevo said...

Mad or whoever you are, it is the very definition of gall to take that line after your hero turned off credit card verification opening up his coffers to every Zhang, Vlad and Hamid who could push a button. I don't have to look to know that the only response from you was 'right on' so please don't even pretend to care about foreign influence.

Meanwhile, ZOMG foreigners can spend $USD in the US! Eleventy! OMG the Chinese are going to buy Fond du Lac, then they'll dig it up and ship it to Shenzhen!

Rest assured that if any foreigners, you know, like the ones you want to cross the border to take American jobs and votes, jump salty while in possession of US stuff, we will expropriate them as necessary. No Chinese takeout of American soil!

And what would people be trying to hide? Whatever gets them audited, John Doe'd, baseballs thrown in their yard, tires slashed: that's your guys.

You don't seem to understand, or maybe you do, that you are picking a fight you would not win. You may think it's worth it to bring this country down in blood and fire, and you've been successful because your victims fear that. See how long that lasts.

Anonymous said...

With the caveat that all donations and donors are made public

Exactly. And that is what this John Doe is investigating. Did Scott Walker have control over funds from anonymous sources, which is a direct violation of state law.


@Nichedragekil or whatever your name is: Anyone who says two wrongs make a right is a mere child whose opinion should be automatically dismissed. Obama should have been impeached and arrested for his election shenanigans, and Walker deserves no less fate for what he did.

Shame on you for your tacit support of their illegal and slimy actions.

Anonymous said...

"I agreee. With the caveat that all donations and donors are made public."

I might have agreed with this a few years ago.

But seeing now what the IRS and Democrats have done when they've discovered who the donors are? That disturbs me.

Now that I've seen such evil, I've changed my mind. If some guy who works for Mozilla wants to donate, privately, to a campaign for traditional marriage and not be intimidated by his donation becoming public?

I'm all for it.

Alex said...

madisonfella thinks he found the smoking gun that will have Walker frog-marched out of Madison.

Alex said...

All donations should be made public so union thugs can intimidate regular people. That's the American way!

Hyphenated American said...

Everybody remembers when Obama's 2008 campaign disabled all credit card protections in order to get illegal donations.
And nothing was done about it.

Which is why campaign finance laws are designed to help liberals, who mostly break them at will.

Nichevo said...

Madisonfella, if you can't read, I can't help you, nor am I inclined to try.

Where were you in 2008 when they turned off the CVV? Supporting it. I don't have to ask. The criminality of this was so blatant that no further conversation is possible if you don't agree. Tu quoque, please, tu me fais rire.

Nichevo said...

Oh excuse me now you're a rock ribbed Republican who wants Obama impeached? Really? REALLY? Do you truly think that everyone you're arguing with was born yesterday?

Rusty said...

Alex said...
All donations should be made public so union thugs can intimidate regular people. That's the American way!


Corporations also means unions

Hyphenated American said...

"@Nichedragekil or whatever your name is: Anyone who says two wrongs make a right is a mere child whose opinion should be automatically dismissed. Obama should have been impeached and arrested for his election shenanigans, and Walker deserves no less fate for what he did."

The law which looks away when one party break the law, and punishes the other party is obviously not a law, but rather a tool.

Moreover, answer this - why no prosecution investigated Obama's shenanigans, while the Wisconsin prosecution used all the means (including some of them illegal) to attack Walker? Given these facts, your support for the prosecution of Walker is support of an unjust system, which is non-democratic.