Wisconsin Republicans Order Forceful Removal of Citizens for Wearing First Amendment Shirts

Update: See What is Happening in Fitzwalkerstan IS ILLEGAL! and Bill would allow police to arrest people for violating administrative codes at the Capitol, i.e. shirt with the Bill of Rights visable, ala Atwater v. City of Lago Vista (99-1408) 532 U.S. 318 (2001).

Madison, Wisconsin—This is the life of citizens under the Republican Party rule: Armed officers ejecting citizens from public meetings.

And this is Republican rule not representation, having people silently sitting in the state assembly gallery forcefully removed as some 10 capitol police banish Wisconsin citizens to repeat: For wearing shirts!

What are Republicans afraid of?

Will any Republican object? Do they even pretend to believe in liberty?

Now, Republicans are ordering that they not be filmed. Watch and listen below. Republicans believe citizens are "guests" and not citizens.

Wisconsin State Statue 19.90 - Whenever a governmental body hold a meeting in open session, the body shall make make a reasonable effort to accommodate any person desiring to record, film or photograph the meeting.The Republican state assembly says: No.

From Debi Johnson-Champ:

Representative Frederick Kessler, (D-Milwaukee) from the 12th District, took to the floor and calmly but emphatically placed on the record:

'Mr. Speaker I just noticed that moments ago another person was removed from the Gallery for wearing a sign. And I have to say, in my opinion, the First Amendment is pretty absolute. The right to petition the government is a freedom that’s guaranteed by our First Amendment. And I’m deeply troubled when I see people being removed from the gallery for not speaking but merely wearing a sign. Those are First Amendment rights that are absolute, they’re absolute in the context of petitioning the government and I strongly object to people being removed from the Gallery because they are wearing items that express political opinion. Thank you Mister Speaker.'

Representative Terese Bereau, (D-Madison), District 76, then took the floor and questioned the need of “10 officers at taxpayers’ expense” to escort quiet spectators out of the Gallery for wearing t-shirts with messages taped on them, when many visitors are allowed to remain in the Gallery with t-shirts containing printed messages on them.

Perhaps one of the most interesting, if not bizarre, confrontations took place between a woman and two officers that informed the woman that she would have to either remove her t-shirt or leave the Gallery. She demonstrated that she had not used tape but had sewn the top of the message onto her t-shirt and the befuddled officers left without any additional action being taken.

She pondered the idea that a piece of string was the only difference between her and the ones that were removed. One has to ponder what the hell is happening in Wisconsin on almost every given day under the Walker administration.

GOP Buys Up Ron Kind Net-Domain Names

The Wisconsin GOP won't have U.S. Atty Stephen Biskupic around to do their dirty work in the 2010 election.

But they don't need him to take the low road.

Here's a sign of the campaign we should expect.

Apparently, the Republican Party of Wisconsin is buying up the Internet domain names to trip up a Congressman Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) run for Governor in 2010.

The Republican Party of Wisconsin's mob has reserved the following sites:

RonKindForGovernor.com (WhoIs.net)
KindForWisconsin.com (WhoIs.net)
KindForGovernor.com (WhoIs.net)

What do these guys think they are accomplishing by this cheap stunt?

Is the GOP really that afraid of a fair and open election? Pathetic.

Assembly Passes Budget; 5:07 A.M. GOP Says NO

Update V: Democratic sources say the members stood together in torpedoing the many GOP budget amendments.

Update IV: State Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison): "After months of public debate and scrutiny, during an incredibly difficult economic crisis, I am proud to say we passed a budget that holds true to our values. This budget makes tough spending cuts, protects working families from tax increases, and preserves our commitment to job growth, health care, education, and public safety." - via WisPolitics

Update III: WisPolitics: Assembly passes its version of the budget after all-nighter. All Republicans vote 'no,' see roll call vote at WisPolitics. On to the Senate where Democrats hold an 18-15 majority.

Update II: The three people cited in the Gallup poll on the leaders of the Republican Party: Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney and Newt Gingrich top the list with 29%; 46% of Republicans say they can't name a leader or asserted there isn't one.

Remember Linda Blair’s reply to ‘who are you?’ in The Exorcist: "Eno-on-ma-I." Translation: I am no one.

Maybe we should get GOP star Bobby Jindal in Madison to perform an exorcism on these guys. Seems fitting for these nihilistic strangers possessed of strange personalities, mean-spirited inclinations and anti-social tendencies.

Update: 4:59 A.M. and the GOP says ... No.

From the Democratic Convention last night in Green Bay, Tom Kertscher of the Journal Sentinel reports:

‘I don't think anyone knows what (Republicans) are offering’ on issues such as education and health care, [Gov.] Doyle said. ‘All we have been getting from them is the same refusals and the tired political tactics that go nowhere.’ ... As for the budget cuts, 'Wisconsin Democrats know it takes hard work, not playing politics, to go forward,' Doyle said.

At the Capitol the GOP picks off a few Democrats and at 1:00 A.M. Saturday, one could watch Wisconsin Eye and the Grand Obstruction Party blocking the people's budget.

Maybe the budget should include less money for health care, less public education, and more government control over women's bodies. That might shut the Republicans up and get this thing passed.

The GOP is digging its hole deeper. Women, Latinos and working families will not forget.

GOP Attacks Can Be Laughed off Now

The Wisconsin GOP is a lot like the national GOP except it is dumber and more disingenuous.

Even now, the Wisconsin Republicans think the path to a McCain victory is to rebrand Obama this late in the game with the tired "Who is Barack Obama?" attack.

Pathetic, but come election night after work: Fun times. Check out the new GOP mailing above.