Brad Friedman: The unlikely hero: Thank you, James Sensenbrenner

[babylonsister]

Tuesday, Aug 6, 2013 11:32 AM EST
The unlikely hero: Thank you, James Sensenbrenner
Wisconsin Republican becomes unlikely champion of voting rights, stepping up to his own party's shameful leadership
By Brad Friedman

This piece originally appeared on The Brad Blog.



Full disclosure: We have not been shy in calling out Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., for some fairly outrageous stuff over the years.

Who can forget, for example, the time when, as chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in 2005, he shut down the microphones and lights in the middle of an oversight hearing on the Patriot Act when he did not approve of the testimony offered by witnesses called by Democrats?

It was outrageous, it was inappropriate, and we reported it as such at the time, just as we did in 2011 when, in a bit of déjà vu, he similarly shut down a town hall event in Wisconsin after protesters there expressed outrage over the Republicans’ radical anti-union law recently adopted in the state.

So it is with much sincerity and great appreciation that we “call him out” today, not for outrageous behavior, but for his outspoken and unwavering support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, after the very heart of that landmark civil rights legislation has been violently carved out by a 5-to-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June.

snip//

We never thought we’d say it, but: America, please listen to James Sensenbrenner! And, yes, the BRAD BLOG thanks you, Congressman!


more...

http://www.salon.com/2013/08/06/the_unlikely_hero_thank_you_james_sensenbrenner_partner/

[Fuddnik]

1. As the saying goes, "Even a broken clock can be right twice a day".

In ole Tex Sensenbrenners case, maybe once a month. Maybe.