Scott Walker's Contempt for Veterans Gets NYT Coverage

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker explains
why he has granted no pardons to incarcerated
citizens with compelling cases.
"If you pick one there's thousands of other
examples out there of people who may not
have the media or other outlets behind them,
who would be in an equal position who
probably have a compelling case to be
made that we don't know about,"
said Walker in an interview with WKOW TV
(Madison, Wisconsin)

Updated--Two Madison, Wisconsin attorneys—David D. Relles and John R. Zweig—heard the story of an idealistic Wisconsin Marine just home (two days) from Kuwait and Iraq in 2004, and who late one night out at the bars reacted to a shouted death threat to his friend, saw movement to his right and threw a punch in Boscobel, Wisconsin.

Now, attorneys Relles and Zweig advocate for Marine Eric Pizer (2000-2004) [whose attorney in 2004 should have fought for a plea deal (a disorderly conduct civil citation)] from the office of current Grant County (Wisconsin) District Attorney Lisa Riniker and Asst DA Anthony Pozorski, overzealous, small-town jurists who damage the legal profession.

Instead, Pozorski insisted on a violent felony charge.

Pizer is seeking a pardon from Scott Walker.

Today, Dan Barry of the New York Times picked up the Eric Pizer story, noting Scott Walker's vow to never use the power to pardon under the Wisconsin Constitution (Article V, section 6 of the Wisconsin Constitution), a vow Scott Walker made in a sick twist of irony after Walker's aides and appointees were charged and later convicted of embezzling from veterans.

Pizer wants to become a police officer, and cannot because of this one incident, and Walker's public refusal to pardon Pizer stands in the way of a Marine who wants to continue to serve.

There are a lot of reasons to not vote for Scott Walker.

Walker's contempt for veterans is among them.

As for Grant County (Wisconsin) District Attorney Lisa Riniker and Asst DA Anthony Pozorski, this is the same office that charged a six-year-old boy with a felony for playing doctor with a five-year-old girl in 2011.

Not the brightest jurists in Wisconsin.

Walker said one of the reasons he will not consider a pardon for Pizer is because he does not want to undermine the legal system.

Writes the NYT's Barry:

Mr. Pizer was two days back from Iraq. A straight-up Marine, he had committed to the corps even before his high school graduation in 2000, and was at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina a year later when an officer interrupted a class on sexually transmitted diseases to share the latest from Lower Manhattan.

We got bombed, boys, the officer announced. We’re going to war.

Pizer didn't know it, and won't say it now, but his most obstinate enemy was to become the current Wisconsin governor, Scott Walker, after Pizer came home from serving his country he still loves.

Walker should listen to his betters, Eric Pizer for starters.

Scott Walker Dishonors Marine; Betrays 1,000s of Imprisoned Innocents in Dereliction of Duty

Update II: Scott Walker's Contempt for Veterans Gets NYT Coverage

Update: Help to Pardon Eric Pizer.

Actively seeking out the Wrongfully Convicted should be the norm.

The governor's refusal to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons is disgraceful.

Scott Walker is tough. He won't be intimidated, ask him. Even Walker has admitted 1,000s of Wisconsin citizens with compelling cases of innocence remain behind bars, and Walker does nothing.

Unfortunately for one Eric Pizer, Scott Walker does not know the difference between obtuse and tough.

"Marine Corps combat veteran Eric Pizer of Madison has commendations and medals, but feels his professional future hinges on something that's out of his grasp, so far: a pardon from Governor Walker," notes WKOW.

Scott Walker said he will not issue pardons or commutations.

Maybe that's because Walker secretly doesn't like veterans.

Two longtime Walker aides and appointees—Tim Russell and Kevin  Kavanaugh—were appointed to non-profit veteran organizations meant for families of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, from which Russell and Kavanaugh looted $10,000s, took two tropical vacations and a trip to help organize the presidential campaign of Republican Herman Cain, veterans and their families be damned. (Hall. Wisconsin State Journal; January 22, 2013)

All the while the John Doe Probe I was conducted Walker denied wrongdoing, his surrogates attacked the probe, and Walker refused to issue a public call for cooperation. So Walker is showing his toughness by not granting pardons? And this guy wants to be president?

Eric Pizer needs a pardon from Walker for an after-bar fight that occurred in 2004 on military leave, in order to join the Madison Police Force nine years later.

Pizer, an actual, honorable Marine veteran, got into a fight and the responding cop decided not to just break it up and tell everyone to take a taxi home, but rather hand out battery arrests like they were X-mas presents.

Tony Galli WKOW TV (Madison) interviewed Walker and Walker's response is unbelievable.

Walker said since there are 1,000s of cases for pardons and commutations, it follows that not a single pardon and commutation should be granted.

Galli has a scoop here on Walker's foolish and unjust intransigence. Innocent people sitting in prison are losing their lives, and their families and friends suffer.

Walker's quote (from Galli) is: "If you pick one [to be pardoned] there's thousands of other examples out there of people who may not have the media or other outlets behind them, who would be in an equal position who probably have a compelling case to be made that we don't yet know about."

If people have compelling cases, and the Wisconsin Innocence Project, Innocence Consultants and other Innocence groups confirm this, then pardons and commutations should be granted.

But this should also be the business of government, in the interest of justice.

I can confirm compelling cases of innocents in Wisconsin prisons and jails that Walker doesn't yet know about:

• Innocent ex-Green Bay cop, John Maloney,
• Penny Brummer 
• Keith Roberts (veteran)
• Eric Pizer (veteran)
• Don Miller - " I want to single out the Innocence Project for what they did; they never gave up."
• Here's some reading for Scott Walker to bone up on the topic.

Funny, but I thought government is supposed to act in the interest of justice.

Scott Walker has shown his true colors, and he is not fit to breathe the same air as Marine, Pizer from whom Scott Walker should learn something about justice.

Scott Walker Behaved Cordially in Radio Interview, Reports WKOW Scoop

Well-known broadcast reporter, Tony Galli, puts out more than his share of investigative reporting and exclusives for WKOW TV (Madison, Wisconsin).

But Mr. Galli's Inside Scoop desk is hitting the Summer news doldrums a little early this year.

Galli's current Inside Scoop story is headlined "Governor cordial during long-time critic Sly’s drive-by."

Since when is a sitting governor—an erstwhile presidential candidate—behaving cordially considered news, much less a scoop?

Is Galli setting the public service bar a little low for Scott Walker?

Walker intently avoids listening sessions with the Wisconsin people, an odd posture for a guy who fans the flames of political chatter on his presidential ambitions. Actually, Walker is just looking to cash in at Fox News, he won't be president anymore than our neighbor down the street.

All we have from Galli on this latest piece is a link to Sly's podcast.

Walker meanwhile remains in an undisclosed location.

WKOW: Anti-Recall Man Repeatedly Harassed Pro-Recall Residents at Their Homes

Recall Scott Walker
Fight Harassment

Update: Stoughton man cited for allegedly taking a swing at recall volunteer.

We can't ignore this. No matter that politicians see no need to protect this woman's sense of security in her own home.

Waukesha County man uses TV news video to phone and challenge recall signers at night. Police have been contacted.

“It’s 10:30 at night and there’s apparently somebody who knows where you live. It’s just a very unnerving and frightening feeling,” said Dane County resident and Recall Scott Walker supporter named Michelle.

By Tony Galli at WKOW News

A Hartland man told 27 News he used television news video to contact people who signed recall petitions against Governor Scott Walker, prompting at least one person to contact police.

“It wasn’t a harassing call by any means,” Kevin Stoll told 27 News.

A Dane County resident named Michelle, who asked that her identity be kept private because Stoll had already obtained some of her personal information, characterized a call she received from him Nov. 25 as harassing.

“It’s 10:30 at night and there’s apparently somebody who knows where you live. It’s just a very unnerving and frightening feeling.”

Michelle said Stoll was a stranger to her, refused to identify himself and challenged her to defend her decision to sign a recall petition.

“When this person seemed to be getting a little bit hostile, I ended the phone call and immediately contacted the authorities.”

Stoll told 27 News he used video from a 27 News story on the recall effort to get identifying information on people who signed petitions. The story was ninety seconds in length and included less than ten seconds of names, numbers and signatures on recall petitions, but that videotape was in motion and not highlighted.

Another Dane County resident, who also requested anonymity, said Stoll called her home three times shortly after the 27 News broadcast. The resident said she refused to answer Stoll’s final call, but an answering machine recorded it.

“You can’t even defend your position, now you won’t answer the phone,” the caller said in the recorded message reviewed by 27 News.

“You’ve signed a petition, where they put your name and number up on TV and you’re behaving like a (expletive) coward.”

Michelle said a Madison police officer conducted a preliminary investigation into the call she received and told her in the absence of the caller using abusive or threatening language or making repeated calls to her, the hands of law enforcement were tied. A Madison police spokesperson has yet to comment on the department’s handling of Michelle’s complaint.

Stoll indicated to 27 News he may be involved in verifying recall petition signatures, but provided no specifics and mentioned no affiliations with any political groups. Available online campaign finance records show Stoll contributed $400 to a republican district attorney in 2002.

Tony Galli: Randy Hopper's girlfriend leapfrogged others who formally applied for state job

When it comes to Scott Walker's cabinet hiring state public workers like Sen. Randy Hopper's (R-Fond du Lac) girlfriend, it's all about who you know and who you know.

From Tony Galli [widely regarded as the the best investigative journalist in Madison] at WKOW27 News:

State records released to WKOW27 News show candidates for various jobs in Governor Walker’s administration were passed over despite recommendations from high-level officials, while a woman with ties to Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) was hired to a position with an immediate salary increase, without formally being recorded as a job applicant.

Officials said Valerie Cass, 26, was hired to a limited term communications specialist position in the department of regulation and licensing last month at a pay rate thirty five percent higher than the worker she replaced because the position’s duties were expanded to include legislative outreach activities. Cass’ salary is equivalent to $42,328 annually. Sources confirmed Cass has a relationship with Hopper, who is estranged from his wife and in the midst of a pending divorce matter. Hopper has denied to WKOW27 News playing any role in Cass’ hire. ...

Cass’ resume released to WKOW27 News listed a journalism degree from Marquette University [Graduated 2007 from the College of Communication; with a Bachelor of Arts; Major in Journalism], a stint as an aide to former state senator Ted Kanavas, and positions with ties to republican political campaigns. A December email released to WKOW27 News shows Cass corresponded with then-transition director Keith Gilkes about procuring unspecified work with the governor’s administration.