Update II: Defending Wisconsin - New Website to start Recall Petition launched. Pass it on.
Update: Madison Police Chief Noble Wray Thursday asked Gov. Scott Walker to explain his "troubling" and "unsettling" statements captured in a secretly recorded phone conversation that he "thought about" planting troublemakers among the thousands of peaceful demonstrators at the Capitol. (Dee Hall, Wisconsin State Journal)
In summary, Gov. Scott Walker can't do this to us.
This letter was dropped off Thursday; this is still America.
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United States Attorney's Office
Western District of Wisconsin
660 West Washington Avenue, Suite 303
Madison, WI 53703
February 24, 2011
I am writing to ask for a criminal investigation into the actions of the office of Governor Scott Walker.
I refer to the recently publicized tape of a phone call in which Gov. Walker responds to a caller’s (pretending to be David Koch) suggestion (vis) [“But, uh, what we were thinking about the crowds was, uh, was planting some troublemakers.”] to place agents provocateur among the citizens protesting the Wisconsin budget bill, to which Walker replies, “You know, the, well, the only problem with that — because we thought about that. The problem — the, my only gut reaction to that is right now the lawmakers I’ve talked to have just completely had it with them, the public is not really fond of this” [A.G. SULZBERGER; New York Times, February 23, 2011. “Walker Receives Prank Call From Koch Impersonator”].
My concern is that—as presumably the “thought” Walker referenced was not conveyed telepathically—the Walker administration discussed planting “troublemaking” agents provocateur at the rallies that I have attended, along with members of my family. Such discussions merit an investigation.
I would like what Gov. Walker said and to whom he spoke on this matter of planting agents provocateur at political rallies held in Madison investigated under suspicion that Walker conspired to disrupt protected political activity.
In point of fact, apropos to the tape referenced above, members of David Koch’s organization, Americans for Prosperity, were bussed in on Saturday, Feb. 19, according to numerous media reports; and labor organizations and supporters were widely warned to stay away from Koch’s group and not “engage” them. Several law enforcement agencies were reportedly aware of the possibility of violence.
It is not relevant to my concern that the David Koch impersonator turned out to be a journalist. What concerns me, again, is Gov. Walker’s taped statement that Walker said he presumably discussed planting “troublemaking”agents provocateur at political rallies, rallies which continue today.
The price of my exercising my First Amendment rights ought not to be dread that my governor is conspiring to plant “some troublemakers” when I petition my elected representatives on pending legislation and peacefully assemble to protest that legislation.
Would you please forward this letter to the appropriate investigative unit?
Yours truly,
Michael Leon
cc U.S. Rep Tammy Baldwin
cc Special Litigation Section, U.S. Dept of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Go Mike!
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteGreat letter! I hope others in Wisconsin have also written such requests of our the U.S. Attorney. We all know impeachment of Governor Walker is out of the question, but an federal indictment looks to be a very good alternative.
www.PhoenixJustice.com
An excellent, and civil, response.
ReplyDeleteHow about starting a recall petition?
ReplyDeleteSee http://www.causes.com/causes/580953-recall-sheila-harsdorf
ReplyDeletehttp://malcontends.blogspot.com/2011/02/recall-eight-gop-senators.html
We have wait until Jan 4, 2012 to begin recalling Gov. Walker.
On FaceBook Ben Masel and Ben Manski have the latest on developing Recall info and resources.
Everyone,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words.
Center for Media and Democracy and Michael Basford on facebook also typically have the latest on recall. So far, the following still aplly:
See http://www.causes.com/causes/580953-recall-sheila-harsdorf
http://malcontends.blogspot.com/2011/02/recall-eight-gop-senators.html
We have wait until Jan 4, 2012 to begin recalling Gov. Walker.
On FaceBook Ben Masel and Ben Manski have the latest on developing Recall info and resources.
Update II: Defending Wisconsin - New Website to start Recall Petition launched. Pass it on.
ReplyDeletehttp://defendingwisconsin.org/