On Scott Walker and the Walkeresque Rigging of the Wisconsin Dem Party Convention

'We have received so far, thirteen requests by Milwaukee County Democratic Party members to use this blog to let people know that under Rae/Nation, that the Chair of the Milwaukee County Democratic Party is choosing their delegates to the state convention based on how much they support Jason Rae for Chair'
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Recommend Jud Lounsbury's piece in Salon on Scott Walker today.

Lounsbury hits the aspects of Walker's psychology that explains why a policymaker would attack wide swaths of the state—aka constituents—whom Walker is supposed to be serving.

What kind of governor would attack and abridge freedom of assembly and the right of the people peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof?

The kind of individual hostile to the civil rights guaranteed in the Wisconsin and U.S. Constitutions.

Walker's palace guard at the Capitol became so hostile a federal judge had to intervene and order that Walker's Capitol police stop violating the Constitutional rights of Wisconsin citizens.

"The Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda functions, both literally and symbolically, as a city center and is fully utilized as a public space to which all have claim." - United States District Court Judge William M. Conley in Michael Kissick vs. Michael Huebsch and David Erwin. (Mal Contends)

Erwin had ordered the arrest of citizens for "spectating" before backing down under a hail of ridicule.

Democratic Party Opposition

Scott Walker can only garner some one in four votes of the electorate but because Wisconsin adopted four-year terms of the governor (in 1966) elected in off-years, a small handful of voters have elected this extremist and bizarre lifelong politician who believes God is parting the waters for his presidential run.

This makes a strong grassroots opposition Party crucial, and unfortunately Mike Tate (perhaps the nation's worst political operative) is gaming the election of a new Chair and Party team right when a strong Democratic Party and strong citizen movements are needed most. Tate has tried to rig the election of Jason Rae of Milwaukee where Tate conveniently sited the Democratic State Convention next weekend.

By Blue Cheddar

Democracy – noun de-moc-ra-cy
: a form of government in which people choose leaders by voting

: a country ruled by democracy
: an organization or situation in which everyone is treated equally and has equal rights.
Democrat – noun dem-o-crat    \’de-me-krat\
1. a:  an adherent of democracy
2. a:  capitalized :  a member of the Democratic party of the United States.

Under outgoing, current Chair Mike Tate, the DPW [Democratic Party of Wisconsin] went from supporting, at least to some extent, all its candidates for legislative office in Wisconsin, to hitting up all its legislative candidates for cash for the DPW itself. They spoke of a 72-county plan but instead they concentrated on the heavily populated counties of Dane and Milwaukee which contain the cities of Madison and Milwaukee, and largely ignored the rest of the state as well as those who bravely entered the political ring as Democrats.

In Wisconsin the Democrats are getting ready to practice democracy. In just over a week the Democratic Party of Wisconsin will be holding its annual, statewide convention. There they will ask their delegates to vote to select a new Chair, or leader, for the statewide party.

The firmly blue, democratic leaning city of Milwaukee is the site of the convention. Milwaukee, the city that is surrounded by a collar of white suburbs that voted in Scott Walker as County Executive and then backed it up by voting in Tea Party darling in democratic clothing, mouthpiece and pawn of the uber-right Bradley Foundation, Chris Abele.

Oh well, democracy is a relatively new concept and is not yet perfected. But still sometimes one has to wonder. Shouldn’t we be at least slowly moving towards a more perfect form of democracy? As I look around it seems that not only are we no longer moving towards a more perfect democracy, but rather that we are running and leaping away from a more perfect democracy.

Most people by now should know that it is possible to become President of the United States by losing the popular vote (the vote of the citizens of the U.S. who cast ballots in elections) and winning the vote of the electoral college. But that rarely happens so most people shrug it off. “That’s just politics” they say.

Most people by now should know that the combined Republican Party and Tea Party (or GOTea) has been working to prevent a great many Americans from voting. Or at the very least, making it very hard for non-White, upper class Americans to vote. This practice is called voter suppression and when you bring it up in discussion, most people shrug it off. 'That’s just politics.' they say.

Between extreme redistricting and voter suppression techniques, the GOTea has sought to create a playing field for itself so tilted in their own favor that they can’t lose. We have even seen them in Wisconsin pick their own judges in court cases who have allowed GOTea defendants to willfully destroy evidence and get away with it.

Washington General Democrats

Kind of like the basketball team, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. You are all familiar with the Harlem Globetrotters right? The Globetrotters are beloved and dazzle audiences as they…..well….trot all over the globe. Using trick shots, well practiced stunts and not to mention confetti, ladders, garbage cans and other props not allowed in the regular game of basketball, the Globetrotters delight their audience by essentially out-playing, out-tricking and out-cheating their perpetual counterparts, The Washington Generals.

The Globetrotters also bring to the show with them, their own referees who are part of the whole stage show. Referees who turn their back on the play off the game to watch confetti being sprinkled by one Globetrotter as the rest of the Globetrotters set a ladder up under the basket and practice a slam dunk, fire drill and score twenty points in five seconds. All the while their counterparts in the Washington Generals helplessly look on.

Everybody wants to join in the fun and be a Harlem Globetrotter. Nobody wants to be a Washington General. Except in Wisconsin that is. In Wisconsin there are some folks within the Democratic Party of Wisconsin who apparently have watched the Globetrotters decimate the Washington Generals by a typical score of say…..242 – 16. They watch and say, “man, it must be really nice to be a General!”

They probably don’t like the perpetual losing part as much as they love and adore the idea of having steady, lucrative work for life that doesn’t involve the risk of injury, the hard work and practice, the devotion required of players in the NBA.

They probably don’t tell themselves “I love to lose” but rather, they spin it into something like “It sure would be easy if all I ever had to do is show up and automatically end up in second place, just one step away from total victory.” In other words, they think they would like to pursue being perpetual silver medalists, to use an Olympics metaphor. They are refusing to realize that coming in second out of two is total and absolute failure.

And it is all about coming in second ... as in second class citizens. These would-be Washington Generals either haven’t thought about or don’t care about the people in Wisconsin who would become, have nearly become, second class citizens to the ultra rich and powerful.

And although there are five current candidates running for the office of Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, they are divided into two basic camps. Those who would learn from our past errors as well as the oppositions past victories and switch away from our previous losing ways in favor of a new winning plan.

And those who enjoy, indeed they profit from, the old status quo system. It may mean that the citizens of Wisconsin lose and lose big, but by golly their jobs are secure as the old two party system is the only game in town. Sure it may not have all the perks of winning every game, of being the Harlem Globetrotters. But it does carry incredible job security to be a Washington General.

Also recently, the DPW has had only had one simple piece of advice for its candidates for legislative office. And that message was “money, money and more money.” The only way to win the DPW would say was to outraise and outspend the GOTea candidates. Money was the answer to everything, the alpha and the omega.

One problem though, the GOTea has always been the party of corporate interests. At a time when the GOTea is pushing for a nationwide takeover of American and state governments by the corporations, how in the world do you expect Democrats to be able to outraise and outspend the Republicans??? Farmers and factory workers, teachers and union members have all been financially decimated by Republican policy. They can’t donate more than the trillion dollar corporations and their billionaire owners.

But still the DPW kept saying that big money was the only possible solution to the problem of big money in politics. Democratic candidates had to have big money to pay for professional campaign staffers to come work for them in Wisconsin where the shiny suits and New Jersey accents stuck out like sore thumbs. Folks in rural Wisconsin like anywhere else, don’t like people from out of state coming in and telling them how and who to vote for.

Mike Tate’s DPW kept telling candidates that big money for wardrobe specialists and hair stylists was the only way to win. Candidates would ask for the DPW’s VAN list, which is the list of democratic voters in their district and Tate’s DPW would say sure, for a couple of thousand dollars we will hit the print button on our computer for you.

Also the DPW kept telling candidates that they, like the DPW itself, needed the big money, corporate spin doctors of firms like Nation Consulting. A huge player in the public relations business if they wanted to win their elections, it was the only way. Pay our specialists, pay our consultants, pay our hairdressers and image people. Money, money, money and spend, spend, spend.

Guess how that worked out? All three branches of Wisconsin government are firmly in GOTea control. In other words, the big money, spend, spend and spend some more plan did not work. It did not work at all! In fact it worked so poorly that Mike Tate knew last year that he was going to have to step down as Chair of the DPW.

And so we will be saying goodbye to Mike Tate as Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. And in all honesty Mike Tate is a good person with a very democratic heart. Things just came apart under his watch, not all of it his fault by any means, but things really came apart for his party in Wisconsin.

But in some ways, depending on who wins the election to replace Mike Tate, it could end up as essentially we have a new Tate. Consider it Mike Tate version 2.1. We may be stuck with the status quo, to keep trying to raise big money to give to the consultants, campaign managers from out of state, old friends and career cronies. In other words we could all end up with a big plan to stay the same, which is to concede that the GOTea will always be the Harlem Globetrotters and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin should remain as it has, the Washington Generals of Wisconsin politics.

Jason Rae is Mike Tate II

And this is why a good many people are very concerned about the candidacy of Jason Rae. Jason Rae has been part of the big money, spin doctoring business. And Jason Rae has many people scared that he is going to copy Mike Tate’s plan from the last election. That seems to be how Rae plans on winning his bid for Chair of the DPW. Only this time there is a huge difference, this time focusing on Milwaukee County and forgetting completely about the rest of Wisconsin could actually work out for the Jason Rae big money machine.

You see, under the election rules of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, the Chair will be elected from among 5 candidates by plurality after a single round of voting. This means that getting 21% of the vote is all you need to win. And guess what? Under the current (but hopefully not the future) way that the DPW chooses delegates to vote for its Chair and other officers, Milwaukee alone has enough votes to take it all.

And so Jason Rae and the staff of Nation Consulting have been focusing on Milwaukee with a fevered interest. They know there is big money at stake for themselves in Milwaukee, even if it is only second place, Washington Generals money. Hey its the only game in town folks.

And a big part of the Rae/Nation machine has been focusing hard, daily, on claiming for itself, the Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. We have received so far, thirteen requests by Milwaukee County Democratic Party members to use this blog [the author’s blog – not the blue cheddar blog]to let people know that under Rae/Nation, that the Chair of the Milwaukee County Dem Party is choosing their delegates to the state convention based on how much they support Jason Rae. If you do not support Jason Rae and pledge to vote for Jason Rae, then you don’t become a delegate and you don’t get to go to the convention and vote for your candidate of choice.

Democracy? Democrats? Check the definitions at the top of this page again if you need to. Because these tactics hardly represent the concept of democracy or the mission of the Democratic Party.

Now technically by the bylaws, charter and constitution of the DPW, Chairs are allowed to subjectively screen party members to find the best, most active people and reward them with delegate/voting status at the convention.

The system was not meant to be used to push for one candidate and one candidate only. But the loophole exists and Rae/Nation is pushing it for all its worth to promote their own interests which are of course, going to be mostly financial in nature.

So under the current system, which most of the party seems to want to change to be more inclusive, our next Chair could be elected with the support of only 21% of the delegates over the opposition of 79%. This is not a recipe for party unity. This is a recipe for party implosion and even death. And that would mean the complete and final decimation of any reasonable quality of life for Wisconsin’s citizens for as far as anyone can see into the future.

And Nation Consulting and its people in the Democratic Party are out to make it happen. Big names in party politics, seemingly unconcerned about the DPW becoming the perpetual losers in Wisconsin politics, the Washington Generals of the badger state. They are looking after their own interests first and let the rabble be damned is what is happening if you judge them by their actions and not their professionally spin doctored words.

Not that Thad Nation, owner and bossman of Nation Consulting has reason to care about the Washington Generals, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin or any of the state’s citizens. Although Thad Nation is a known political insider to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, he is a huge financial supporter of the GOTea.

It sounds quite insane when you hear it altogether, doesn’t it? Get rid of Mike Tate because his plan didn’t work out at all but hire his Jason Rae to maintain the losing plan so that the big dogs and insiders can maintain a lucrative lifestyle. Why would anyone vote for that?

Let me ask you again …. why would anyone vote for that? There is no darn good reason to, not a one! At a time when Wisconsin is not only socially but economically and politically torn apart, now is the worst possible time to maintain the status quo, to stick with the plan that so far has never worked. Now is the worst possible time to stick with big money in government, special interests and shady, backroom deals.

Now is the best possible time to return to open and transparent politics in Wisconsin which are to the benefit of everybody. Now is the best time to return to politicians being held accountable for their actions and being made to work for all citizens of the state, not just their donors and the lobbyists. Now is the worse time to maintain the status quo as our state sinks lower and lower in the rankings, as our standard of living lowers, as our people flee to other states in search of work and security.
Now is the worst time to vote in favor of the recent status quo. Now is the worst time to give up on ever being a Harlem Globetrotter.

Thank you to the members of the Democratic Party of Milwaukee County who reached out to us and trusted us to write and promote this article, we hope we have done right by you all.

Resources:

• Thad Nation: “I run a firm with a lot of different clients. We work with both Republicans and Democrats and we employ Democrats and Republicans.” – Blogging Blue
• Wisconsin Democratic Chairperson Candidate Jason Rae Employed by Firm Founded by Individual That Provided Money to Koch-funded Organizations – Progressive Midwesterner
• Nation Consulting’s Ties to Republican Firms Run Even Further – Progressive Midwesterner

Scott Walker Loses, Free Speech Wins in Wisconsin Appellate Court

Wisconsin Capitol Police Manhandle citizens
opposing Scott Walker, frightening children
and abusing seniors. Photo: Dawn Henke

"The Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda functions, both literally and symbolically, as a city center and is fully utilized as a public space to which all have claim." - United States District Court Judge William M. Conley in Michael Kissick vs. Michael Huebsch and David Erwin

Scott Walker's assault on free speech at the Capitol has been dealt another body blow, as he amps up his fundraising project disguised as a serious run for the U.S. presidency.

A Wisconsin appellate court has sustained the First Amendment rights of the civil-rights-movement-singing Wisconsin Solidarity Singers or Solidarity Sing-Along (Facebook).

The case is State of Wisconsin v. Michael W. Crute (Appeal No. 2014AP659; Circuit Court No. 2010FO2108).

Mr. Crute was cited with a civil citation when he sang in 2013 and his case was dismissed by Dane County Judge John Markson last year, citing First Amendment violations by the state of Wisconsin.

The case represents a significant victory for free speech advocates, and another judicial slap in the face of Scott Walker who is going thorough the motions of launching a presidential run.

Walker would be subject to national scrutiny and ridicule were he to appeal the case to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, taking on the appearance of a petty, anti-free speech governor who cannot bear the airing of speech with which he disagrees.

In Wisconsin the state Capitol is recognized as a free speech, public forum area, a commitment discarded by Scott Walker when 100,000s of Wisconsin citizens vocally opposed him and his policies.

Crute is the co-host of the Devil's Advocates Radio.

"I feel vindicated today, I’m 2-0 against Scott Walker," said Crute. "In his State of the State address, Scott Walker said we should stand with the French, stand for freedom of press, stand for free speech. But this Governor would arrest those that protest his policies. He would have arrested the media that tried to to expose those unconstitutional arrests."

In fact, Scott Walker did arrest several journalists and those taping arrests, including Matthew Rothschild, the former editor of The Progressive Magazine.

United States District Court Judge William M. Conley issued a preliminary injunction stopping the capitol police from issuing mass citations for singing, looking at singers or 'spectating', in Kissick v. Huebsch (July 8, 2013), citing numerous Wisconsin state documentary sources and the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The Wisconsin state capitol grounds are a "public forum that has been at the center of public discourse," notes Judge Conley. "As explained in its official nomination for designation as a National Historic Landmark, which was granted on January 3, 2001: The soaring rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol is designed to induce its citizenry to be, as individuals, among the resources of Wisconsin.' Whereas some statehouses are maintained apart from the urban fabric, the Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda functions, both literally and symbolically, as a city center and is fully utilized as a public space to which all have claim."

Later an agreement was reached between Wisconsin citizens and the Wisconsin Department of Administration (overseeing the capitol) recognizing the facts of the capitol as a public forum space and the constitutional rights retained by American and Wisconsin citizens.

Recall the summer of 2013 Scott Walker administration orders mass arrests for expression of anti-Scott Walker sentiments, including arresting a Marine and stepping his flag into the ground.

Scott Walker and Amen Corner Were Wrong, First Amendment Prevails in Wisconsin

Michael Crute was arrested on July 24, 2013
for “unlawful assembly.” Photo by Erica Case.

Update: From The Progressive: "In State of Wisconsin vs. John B. Bell, (Judge) Markson wrote: “I cannot ignore any party - much less the State's - altering a document filed with the court so that it is different from the one actually served upon the other party (targeted Wisconsin citizens opposing Scott Walker). That this is wrong requires no explanation."

Scott Walker's effort to halt speech based upon content, a fact ignored in local coverage, was struck down this week by Dane County (Wisconsin) Judge John Markson in two rulings.

"Defendants Michael Crute and John Bell, among others, had challenged the constitutionality of the emergency rules, arguing their First Amendment rights under the WI and US Constitutions were violated. Markson agreed in a written decision issued (this week)," report Joseph Skulan and Jason Huberty.

So-called "emergency rules" were instituted in Wisconsin state properties, including the state capitol building, to deter, harass and unlawfully arrest anti-Scott Walker political activity.

Markson’s ruling could set precedent that would lead to the dismissal of ~300 charges issued under Administrative Code 2.14(2)(vm)(5) for 'unlawful assembly' last summer.

Michael Crute and his attorney Jeff Scott Olson issued a press release. 'This is Scott Walker’s "Bridge-Gate"," said Michael Crute.

Attorney Jeff Scott Olson states, 'I look forward to seeking civil monetary remedy against the State on behalf of my clients Mr. Crute and Mr. Salvia, due to their unjust and unconstitutional prosecutions.'

The two rulings, Wisconsin v. Crute and Wisconsin v. Bell (via Isthmus), establish other facts not mentioned: Wisconsin Capitol Police lied repeatedly and Scott Walker and his administration lied repeatedly for the purpose of suppressing speech deemed hostile to Scott Walker and Wisconsin Republicans.

And it should be noted, many liberal commentators and Democratic officeholders also did nothing to stop repeated First Amendment violations, a fact hailed by writer Steven Carlson and former Mayor Madison David J. Cieslewicz (2003 to 2011), and local Madison broadcast 'news."

One ruling reads:

"The rule Mr. Crute (Wisconsin v. Crute) is charged with violating is not narrowly tailored to the legitimate governmental interests it seeks to promote," Markson concluded. "It is not a valid time, place, and manner requirement. It is unconstitutional on its face. The citation must be, and it hereby is, dismissed." (Davidoff. Isthmus)

Scott Walker's Regime Drops Capitol Permitting Policy

From the ACLU of Wisconsin:

MADISON — The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin today announced a settlement in its federal lawsuit against the state Department of Administration concerning free speech at the Capitol.

As part of the settlement, the state must create a notice system, which allows groups to gather inside the Capitol without a permit.

“This is a victory because giving notice is significantly different from forcing people to ask the government for permission to exercise free speech,” said Larry Dupuis, legal director of the ACLU of Wisconsin. “Giving notice is very informal. The state can’t deny use of the Capitol to anyone giving notice, unless someone else has reserved the entire space by obtaining a permit for the same time.”

Under the former permitting rules, which the state adopted in November 2011, groups as small as four were forced to obtain prior permission from the government before engaging in expression “for the purpose of actively promoting any cause” inside the Capitol, a public building.

The new rules also prohibited people from gathering in the Capitol for any performance, ceremony, presentation, meeting or rally without a permit.

The ACLU of Wisconsin lawsuit, filed in February in U.S. District Court, charged that the state violated the First Amendment by requiring permits for demonstrations held inside the Capitol and by punishing protesters who gather there without a permit.

The ACLU of Wisconsin and Madison attorney A. Steven Porter brought the suit on behalf of Michael Kissick, an assistant professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. In the past Kissick sometimes participated in demonstrations inside the Capitol, including the Solidarity Sing Along.

Kissick ceased exercising his First Amendment rights inside the Capitol in September 2012, when police began arresting and citing people who exercised free speech there without a permit. In July, U.S. District Judge William M. Conley ordered the state to stop enforcing the permit rules for small groups. Last month, Magistrate Judge Peter Oppeneer held a mediation session between the parties, resulting in the settlement.

“I’m happy because this agreement allows the Solidarity Sing Along to continue as it always has,” Kissick said. “The group has effectively been giving the state notice all along, and has always deferred to events with permits.”

As part of the settlement, a person may give the DOA notice of a gathering of 12 or more people by phone, email, in person, or via a form supplied by the state. Notice must be given at least two business days and not more than 10 business days before an event.

Individuals and groups may also give notice for consecutive events, and there is no limit on how many notices an individual or group may provide.

“There isn’t any question that the old permitting system was unconstitutional,” said legal director Dupuis. “This settlement halts the state’s unwarranted punishment of individuals who gather inside the Capitol to exercise their free speech rights.”

Breaking the Walker-Erwin Chokehold

Here's a solution for Wisconsin citizens insistent upon exercising their rights under the U.S. and Wisconsin constitutions, and their Republican, police and Democratic opponents:

Recognize freedom ... The right of the people peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any department thereof, shall never be abridged.

How they used to do it in Alabama

How we do it in Wisconsin

The Solidairity Singers are out there for my freedom; and personally I can't risk stepping inside the Capitol as domestic responsibilities demand attention.

What I can do is play the Singers a song:

Nora Cusack on Getting Arrested at Wisconsin Capitol

Even the most obtuse might learn something from reading Nora Cusack's account of getting arrested at the Madison, Wisconsin capitol.

Anyone believing capitol police do not engage in targeted police action against people perceived to have the wrong kind of political leanings should read Ms. Cusack.

If we lived in a civilized society, thugs in blue would be under arrest. Damon Terrell
is the victim of Wisconsin capitol police turning vicious and more repulsive

Chief Couper: The Way Things Ought to Be

By Daivd Couper—Watch the video below and then take note of one very important thing: the officers have their helmets attached to their belts and NOT on their heads.

When police "suit up" too fast... take physical action too soon, it often lead to irreversible trouble.

This has profound implications on handling public protest, sporting events, and even "sing-alongs" in the Wisconsin State Capitol building.

I'd hire these officers any day. They get it!'
#
As Wisconsin citizens try to cool down the militarized Scott Walker police, how about the Capitol cops take a minute and have a look?

Repulsive in Madison; Cops Assualt Black Men at Capitol

We cannot count on the forbearance of the partisan, politicized police, nor the Republican DoJ, nor any word of consistent challenge and opposition from Democratic Party aides and representatives as Damon Terrell was attacked today by a gang of thugs

As James Rowen urges, it is time to contact the feds, U.S. Dept of Justice, Civil Rights Division and the US Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.The feds will listen,. and from outside it easy to not see what is happening to citizens systemically being attacked by Republican thugs in uniform.

You certainly are not seeing videos made by legislative aides belonging to the Democratic Party. The Dems give a green light to the cops.

United States Attorney's Office
Western District of Wisconsin
660 West Washington Ave,
Suite 303
Madison, WI 53703

From Noice of Rain—Scott Walker's palace guards are obviously getting frustrated, as the press is breaking less and less in their favor. Generally speaking, folks don't think that people should get arrested, handcuffed, dragged down the hallway, processed and fined or jailed merely for singing historical protest songs.

Former WI #AFL-CIO head David Newby was arrested today.

Instead of dialing their aggression back a little, the police went whole hog today, taking down two young African American singers, and dealing with one of them with a vehemence and force that can only be described as excessive.

Videos by Rebecca Kimble. Sick:

Judge Conley Should Hold DoA Sec. Huebsch, David Erwin in Contempt

Update: There is no doubt among any objective, fair-minded citizen that Capitol police arresting are observers of the Solidarity Sing Along, in direct contravention of federal Judge Conley's order. See also Blue Cheddar's piece noting that arrests of observers has become "normalized."

Attorney and writer Ernest A. Canning in a comment on a piece at The Brad Blog opines that through the action of Scott Walker's thugs, Mike Huebsch, David Erwin and the Capitol cops are in contempt in one respect of federal court, "(i)f it can be shown that the Capitol Police are (arresting) when the numbers are less than 20."

It is so shown, among calls for peace from religious groups.

Canning does not exclude targeting specific content of speech, which is of course what the thugs are doing as cause for contempt, but it it worth noting that arresting people for asking a question, for practicing journalism, and other non-actions clearly violate Justice Conley's order and clearly are in contempt of court. So, what are the ACLU and the Guild waiting for?

Please view this video by Arthur Kohl-Riggs of SSWIDTMS entitled, "Capitol Police Use Pain Compliance During Illegal Arrest of a Peaceful Demonstrator," every bit as repulsive as the title implies.

Madison Police Chief on Capitol Cops: When will we ever learn

David Couper - Human being

Madison, Wisconsin Police Chief (1972-1993), priest, author, and poet David Couper has a new post up on policing; and specifically about Scott Walker's Wisconsin Capitol police chief's new approach to stomping out (my words) the efforts of people expressing what they wish to do with their government.

Check it out:

Writes Couper:

"Since the days of the labor and civil rights movements and through the era of the protests against the war in Vietnam, we seem to have learned very little about the best way for government officials to respond to those who disagree with them."

Wisconsin Solidarity Schooled Scott Walker's Cops and Dave Cieslewicz

Solidarity Sing Along

Now that Scott Walker's cops have been put in their place by the Wisconsin community; viz: Walking, talking and observing is not grounds for arrest no matter what David Erwin, Walker's cop-in-chief believes, it's worth noting who in Madison besides Walker and Erwin blew this one.

Madison's ex-Mayor, Dave Cieslewicz screwed up again.

Cieslewicz has been hostile to the Solidarity Sing Along since 2011.

Faced with Walker and Erwin's escalating assault against free speech, Cieslewicz wrote in late July: "So, the singers had a couple of options. They could have kept their numbers below twenty or they could have gotten a permit. They chose to do neither I guess out of a sense of some sort of principle."

In a constitutional democracy, there are many more things in heaven and earth than dreamt of in Cieslewicz' politics.

Three points:

The singers are an organic group; no one knows who is going to show up. Often, it's just families with children watching and listening to the singing for a few minutes, applauding, laughing and passing through. Erwin of course wanted to arrest them too.

The second point is that Cieslewicz knows perfectly well the organic nature of this ever-changing group, in a word. Folks believe they have the right to walk to the capitol, express their thoughts and leave. This is what Cieslewicz derides as "some sort of principle."

Finally, Cieslewicz also knows perfectly well that if some other group has an event the singers will move outside and sing songs, a fact ignored by GOP media such as the Wisconsin State Journal ... and Cieslewicz.

As Republicans, with some rhetorical help from Cieslewicz, continue their appalling effort to cleanse Wisconsin history of the capitol as an open space, the people's cultural and political gathering area, one wonders what Cieslewicz has in mind for his next run at public office. 
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Just how around-the-bend were Erwin and Walker's cops?

See Officer Michael J. Syphard grab videographer Arthur Kohl-Riggs and throw him to the ground and inexplicably scream at him. Cieslewicz finds Kohl-Riggs "annoying," just as Syphard apparently does.

Walker's cops threatened citizens, knowing they had backing of Walker

Update: Two state representatives are requesting that Wisconsin Capitol Police release communication transcripts. A good bet is, if the transcripts are released, they will not reveal radio chatter with the words, 'We can't just arrest and intimidate people for political expression, observing political expression for god's sake. Call Walker and Erwin and tell 'em they're nuts. This ain't Russia, you know.'

The DOA Secretary has determined this is an illegal event; you could be subject to arrest for spectating.

Most people in Wisconsin watching the videos (through social media and non-traditional news sites) of cops threatening citizens for observing knew the GOP game was up.

Circling GOP police in the Wisconsin state capitol will not be mistaken for constitutional scholars or civil libertarians or for that matter:  Civic Americans.

Officer Syphard and two new hires. What are they afraid of?
Officer Michael J. Syphard grabbed a photographer and threw
him to the ground this week.Syphard was not on duty shortly after.Sloey, reached by phone said he cannot
comment on Syphard or related matters.
Photo by Craig Spaulding

Watching these enraged people in various police uniforms scream at people for filming arrests; accosting citizens; it's obvious a constitutional republic is not the favored society they wish to inhabit, and their police state actions would soon stop.

No, these GOP cops are not bright people; but they do know DoA Secretary Mike Huebsch (a GOP hack), Scott Walker and Walker's personal security guard now playing capitol police chief, David Erwin (a GOP hack) have their backs.

These are Republicans.

Walking up to women warning them away; stop watching or we'll arrest you.

Walking up to state representatives and saying; stop watching or we'll arrest you; literally scaring young children as parents hurry away from loud, disturbing cops.

Even the most obtuse news outlets finally began asking questions, pushing the DoA flack to announce that spectators will not be arrested, avoiding the questions; Where did the cops get this idea and why were they telling folks they would be arrested?

Getting a straight answer out of someone like Erwin, Huebsch or Walker is never going to happen.

Erwin, Huebsch or Walker live on lies. Ask anyway.

Republican efforts to cleanse Wisconsin history of the capitol as an open space and the people's cultural and political gathering area have been ongoing for the last two years.

The solidarity sing along and its support system have constantly moved away from other events at the capitol, as civilized, courteous people do.

Republicans should observe the solidarity sing along and learn what courtesy and rights in a constitutional democracy look like.

As for David Erwin, state capitol police chief, don't be afraid to give him a call or write a letter on matters with which he may assist you.
Phone: (608) 266-8797
Email: david.erwin@wisconsin.gov
Mailing Address: Wisconsin Capitol Police, B2 North State Capitol, Madison, WI 5370

Erwin writes on the Capitol website that it is "my honor and privilege to serve the people of the State of Wisconsin." 

Yes, it is. Try to remember this like ... now. 

Another Day of Walker-ordered Arrests at the Capitol

Update II: I recommend Eric Dolan's piece in Raw Story.

Update: Mostly, Veterans and tourists arrested today, Leslie Amsterdam reports.

Scott Walker continues to believe that the People's House, the Capitol, the splendid public open space is off-limits, and is just another Department of Administration property that Walker could sell, if he wanted.

Meanwhile, Scott Walker plays the lucrative I'm-thinking-about-running-for-president game.

Well, Tim Russell—Walker's personally appointed embezzler of veterans' money—should be out of prison soon, time enough to join the Walker for President campaign, if Walker is serious.

Blue Cheddar Live Blogging at the Wisconsin Capitol

Click this link to see live feed of Wisconsin state capitol as police persist in circling and warning those who "spectate."

Wisconsin Citizens: Film and Record Everything

Officer Syphard and two new hires. Officer Michael J. Syphard
grabbed a photographer and threw him to the ground this week.
Syphard was not on duty yesterday.Sloey,
reached by phone this morning said that he cannot comment on Syphard
or related matters. Photo by Craig Spaulding

Here's some contact information that some of you may find useful, from the Solidarity Sing Along:

Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 266-1212
Email: govgeneral@wisconsin.gov
Mailing Address: Office of Governor Scott Walker, 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702

Mike Huebsch, Secretary of the Department of Administration
Phone: (608) 266-1741
Email: mike.huebsch@wisconsin.gov
Mailing Address: Office of the Secretary, 101 East Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703

David Erwin, State Capitol Police Chief
Phone: (608) 266-8797
Email: david.erwin@wisconsin.gov
Mailing Address: Wisconsin Capitol Police, B2 North State Capitol, Madison, WI 53702

Scott Walker's Cops: Even Watching Means You Are Now Subject to Arrest

Wisconsin citizen holding sign inside state capitol
in the week of August 5 - Photo by Blue Cheddar

How I wish this headline were a Jonathan Swift reductio ad absurdum comment.

It's not, it's a fact.

Outrage and disgust at Republican Party grows as GOP cops now try to quell even watching, "spectating" as the circling cops say, other citizens singing.

Seriously.

"This event has been declared unlawful by the secretary (of the GOP's Wisconsin Department of Administration, Mike Huebsch,) You could be subject to arrest."


Such are the words of capitol cops, just following orders, circling the capitol warning families, children, veterans, legislators, anyone to stay away from their capitol.

It is only time before a Judge orders court-appointed marshals in to protect capitol visitors from the GOP's capitol police.

"Two journalists, Nicole Schulte and Leslie Peterson, were actually chased by police officers who tried to grab their cameras. They continued to film the arrests and were not themselves arrested. But Greg Kinsley and Jeremy Ryan were arrested for filming," reports Rebecca Kimble in The Progressive. "Every noon hour in the Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda feels a little bit different. Today it felt like a prison."

Just as the GOP intends.

These warnings themselves chill and prevent the First Amendment as well as the Wisconsin Constitution; no judge would fail to toss GOP-issued citations for breathing, walking and observing at the capitol. Or singing for that matter.

And that's what this is: A Republican effort to keep non-GOP people away from the capitol.

Cops have been filmed throwing a photographer to the ground for filming an arrest. (Check the link for his thoughts.)

Think this is hyperbole. Watch this videos, as the capitol police are walking around the rotunda, harassing people for "spectating" and declaring "you could be subject to arrest."

Here is a video of a lone woman, in her young 20s, being harassed by a capitol cop for reasons surpassing comprehension.

Now, capitol officers are patrolling the capitol rotunda walking up to lawmakers, staffers, state workers and families to ensure none are there to sing or watch, or "spectate."

Susan C. writes (via Rock Netroots):
"As I was walking out of the capitol today I overheard two women, shepherding four children, aged 6-10, talking about how 'horrible it was in there today.' I turned around and engaged them. It turned out they had to leave because one of the little girls was so scared she never wanted to go back in the capitol again. I asked, 'Afraid of the singers?' Her mom looked at me like I was crazy. She said, 'No, the police.'

Here's video of a capitol cop harassing a family (they look very dangerous, especially the young man of approximately 12-dangerous-years)

Wisconsin Rep Sandy Pope (D-Middleton) was threatened with arrest at Capitol for observing the Solidarity Sing Along, reports Isthmus.

Outrage is growing:

"My friend, a fellow veteran of the war in Vietnam who has, with due diligence, generally overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, fell after being handcuffed in the Capitol by Walker’s new cops (last week). My friend’s back was injured and he was taken to a hospital after this uncalled-for violence. He wasn’t physically resisting anything. He was—-he’d be the first to point this out—-politically and spiritually resisting unfairness, oppression, and intolerance. My friend has experienced those transgressions before and after his service as a decorated and wounded war veteran." 

Today through August 11 is the National Veterans For Peace Convention held in Madison. 

Look for more GOP cops to bust some veterans today for not being Republican. 

But this fight for democracy against the Republican Party has already been won by Wisconsin citizens.

Sen. Erbenbach Hits Capitol Police in Letter

Sen. Jon  Erbenbach (D-Middleton) ask for an explanation in a letter to the GOP's Police Chief Erwin.

Arresting people for the alleged equivalent of a municipal ordinance violation, physically attacking Wisconsin citizens?

What is the problem child police chief up to now?

Here's Video of What Wisconsin Capitol Police Find Acceptable

David Erwin - A disgrace

Update II: Rebecca Kimble's coverage in The Progressive of this crime is aces.

Update: We just phoned our state representative requesting a public statement condemning what is happening outside of our collective legislators' offices. This bunch of sworn police officers appear to be free of ethics, commitment to a democratic republic, and not a lack of restraint but rather an active and abiding hostility towards our citizenry. Please consider phoning your state representatives today. See Wisconsin State Reps, and Wisconsin State Senators for quick contact info.

The video below shows an appalling incident committed by Officer Michael J. Syphard within feet and full view of children, as clearly shown.

Time to go federal with a civil rights complaint against these, and let's be honest, punks in uniform. This bunch would do better gang-banging, kind of like their doing now.

"Capitol Police Chief David Erwin exhibits (appalling) judgment in allowing Officer Michael J. Syphard grab(ing) videographer Arthur Kohl-Riggs and (throwing) him to the ground without any kind of warning or request to move," for filming.

"According to on-line court records, last year Syphard was charged with the crimes of Disorderly Conduct (a misdemeanor) and Intimidate Victim/Use or Attempt Force (a felony). Those records indicate that he entered a guilty plea to the Disorderly Conduct charge and the other charge was dismissed. Records indicate that his case remains open, having been referred to the Deferred Prosecution Program," the Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative reports.

Suggestion: At the 42-second mark of this video, someone with screenshot capability should capture this instant as the children stand there staring open-mouthed, agasp at this crime.

Commenting by trolls is disabled; don't bother again.

Wisconsin Under Scott Walker: A Snapshot

Wisconsin citizen holding sign inside state capitol
Photo by Blue Cheddar

Update: "Officer Michael J. Syphard grabbed videographer Arthur Kohl-Riggs and threw him to the ground without any kind of warning or request to move," for filming. Look, assholes like Syphard feel empowered this is acceptable, and it is ... to Republicans.

The Wisconsin Capitol police continue their ludicrous crusade against citizen singers, on orders of Scott Walker.

What Erwin Knoll once called a "spasm of sanity" is as likely to be seized in Walker's brain as the Wisconsin Capitol police under David Erwin is going to launch a local version of the Blue Courage approach to policing in a civilized democracy.

Not going to happen, but it should.

Up north, we read the that armed militias are coming back to protect the poisoning of the land and water, including spreading asbestos around, but that the armed militias could be criminally prosecuted by Iron County corrupt DA, Martin Lipske.

Lipske should prosecute Bulletproof Securities for operating without a license, but won't.

• Mass arrests of citizens for talking to their own government
• Private (and government-protected) rightwing militias protecting corporations

This is what Scott Walker calls "leadership" to his Tea Party audiences out-of-state, while he refuses to face the Wisconsin people in even one question-and-answer session. Not one.

GOP Newspaper Keeps Up GOP Propaganda on Singing Citzens

Let-others-do-their-thing commitment by the solidarity singers puts lie to the GOP's stated rationale for targeting singers—GOP is trying to keep the capitol accessible for everyone

In gay-hostile Russia, singing citizens out-of-favor with the government (such as it is) are thrown in prison and treated like animals.

In gay-hostile Wisconsin (where the GOP holds sway), singing citizens out-of-favor with Scott Walker (wherever he is) are arrested and given $200 citations, handed out by the dozen.

It's pathetic for a GOP government to target its citizens systematically and fine them for perceived anti-Scott Walker sentiments.

Supporting this anti-American taxing requires a propaganda apparatus, which WMTV-Madison, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and the Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) supply for the authoritarian Republican Party's benefit.

Nothing is wrong with propaganda per se, but the Wisconsin State Journal, for example, should be straight with its readers and inform them: We support Scott Walker and the Republican Party and compose our newspaper accordingly, if the editors wish to be honest.

Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal features a banner headline "Experts dispute singers' defense" on the Solidarity Singalong.

The truth of the subject of the piece is quite different from the headline.

An honest headline would read, "Experts say GOP officials cannot target singers."

The piece is written by Matthew DeFour, a talented and reliably Republican writer, at least as his copy is run in the State Journal.

For some two years in Madison, meeting daily at noonish at the Capitol, some Wisconsin citizens sing civil rights anthems, among other anti-Walker expressions and miscellaneous songs.

The meeting is organic. Some folks come often, some folks drop by.

If some other group has an event the singers will move outside and sing songs, a fact DeFour ignores in his GOP propaganda piece today, repeated by omission in the State Journal's refusal to state this fact in its coverage.

This let-others-do-their-thing commitment by the singers of course puts the lie to the GOP's stated rationale for targeting the singers—that the GOP is just trying to keep the Capitol accessible for everyone—a falsehood stated as fact by DeFour this morning.

We Shall Overcome is a favorite of the singers', to the Republicans' chagrin.

Folks have been singing this anthem for decades in the civil rights movement, acclaiming the humanity of African-Americans and others who are oppressed, to the Republicans' disapproval. Singing is merely another form of exercising our first amendment right of freedom of expression. In Wisconsin, those who have sworn to uphold the Constitution are the very people who are violating it.

Republicans remain unhappy with Americans of color and their well ... breathing; in fairness breathing is okay as long as they breathe somewhere other than the Capitol building.

Madison Capitol police follow GOP orders, arresting and ticketing anyone per the GOP's David Erwin, Walker's former security guard now playing Capitol police chief (who began 'cracking down' on singing last year) and the GOP's Department of Administration (DoA) Secretary Mike Huebsch.

As usual, the State Journal spins, frames, and contorts this morning's copy to present the most GOP-friendly message to readers.

Buried on the inside (most readers don't read that far) of DeFour's piece in the State Journal are paragraphs admitting that the State through Scott Walker and DoA's Huebsch's (the Republican Party politico whom the State Journal refuses to identify as such) targeting of citizens because they are against Scott Walker is unconstitutional.

Also buried is the fact that Walker has been hostile to anti-Walker displays since he privately admitted he "dropped a bomb" on Wisconsin citizens whom he assiduously avoids today even as he pretends to run for president.

Will Williams, longtime Madison peace activist and Noon hour
singer at Wisconsin Capitol July, 31, 2013. Photo: Leslie Amsterdam

Walker, Erwin and Huebsch will continue the GOP's policy of cracking down on out-of-favor, singing citizens for the time they remain in office.

Citizens will insist on redressing their grievances, though I have heard young visiting families with children who are louder than the singers'.

Nothing wrong with that; we support families.

This is America; Walker, Erwin and Huebsch should grow up and realize that most people reject a Russia-like vision of government enforcing Party orthodoxy.

In the meantime, the least the GOP can do is stop arresting and handcuffing seniors in their 80s and veterans.

Failing that, the very, very least the GOP can do is: Stop  handcuffing and arresting 70-year-old Vietnam combat veterans, letting them fall down marble stairs while in GOP police custody and leaving them to lie on the stairs, to the GOP's officers' apparent contempt.

This is how people get hurt.

I'm not sure what unlawful and immoral activity the Wisconsin Capitol police would refuse to commit, if ordered. I posed that question to someone identifying himself as a Lieutenant in 2011. 

He refused to answer.