Walker Defies Court Order, Locks Out Public

[Skip_In_Boulder]

Republican "Rule of Law" - When we like the law we follow it, when we don't, we don't.


Defying a court order, Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) has locked out most of the public from his budget speech delivered at the state capitol where he announced $4.2 billion in cuts

(snip)

In a letter Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin urged DOA Secretary Michael Huebsch to open the statehouse to the public. “Prohibiting protestors on either side of the debate from entering the Capitol during normal business hours or during legislative hearings or sessions, while allowing others with ‘business’ in the Capitol to enter, is manifestly content-based and, hence presumptively unconstitutional,” read the letter. - Wisconsin State Journal

(snip)

There were unconfirmed reports on Twitter that while the general public and protesters were denied access, Republican loyalists and some Tea Party members were allowed entry through an access tunnel to give the illusion of popular support for Gov. Walker’s proposal, despite a majority backing unions.

http://newsjunkiepost.com/2011/03/01/walker-defies-court-order-locks-out-public/

[snacker]

1. Court hearing going on right now...

can follow it here:
http://twitter.com/analieseeicher

[Viking12]

40. also @ACLUMadison

http://twitter.com/ACLUMadison

[Liberal Gramma]

2. Contempt of court? Custodial sentence.

[drm604]

3. He defied a court order?

Shouldn't that be grounds for impeachment? Of course, the Republican controlled legislature won't impeach. Is there some other way that action can be taken against him? He's not frigging God after all. If governors are allowed to defy court orders then there's no rule of law and they're essentially dictators.

[Skip_In_Boulder]

then there's no rule of law and they're essentially dictators

And therein is the truth in their actions. We need to start calling this what it is, Fascism.

[Hannah Bell]

23. that's sure what it sounded like: walker giving his speech to a hand-picked audience

of tea party types while the general public is locked out.

[Horse with no Name]

39. I just wrote that it sounds an awful lot like a coup.

Doesn't it?

[rbixby]

4. Are their provisions in Wisconsin law about

Governors facing criminal charges? Would he have to step down to face a trial? Would a conviction end his term in office? Anyone know?

[EFerrari]

5. Amy covered this and she said that the thousands of people chanting

outside could be heard inside the chamber.

[drm604]

8. I'm glad to hear it.

That still doesn't solve the issue of the Governor ignoring a court order.

[EFerrari]

17. Yep. He's in contempt of Court. n/t

[bemildred]

6. Arrest him. Let's do the perp walk.

He is not a King.

[UnDued11]

7. Are we surprised? Nope.

His goals are simple.

get protesters OUT of the building ..do it ASAP

deal with "court-stuff" later..

He knows that the media will eventually tire of the whole thing, and sooner or later the democrats will have to start coming back, and once they do, he wins "officially".. He has already "won" because he is and will keep doing exactly as he pleases because he has the numbers to back him up.

He knows that a recall could happen, but not until November '11, and unions will be in disarray & the Koch-buddies will be there for him.

He's a bully..and bullies are always bullies until the day they get the split lip & bloody nose.

For now, he's fine and he knows it. He does not mind having people pissed off at him.. He likes it.

[Lyric]

9. Once upon a time, Gov. George Wallace defied a court order.

In response, President Kennedy took control of Alabama's National Guard and implemented the order by physically confronting Wallace and ordering him out of the way.

What are the odds that our current Democratic President would do this? I'm thinking not terribly high. :(

[drm604]

10. I'm pretty sure that in that case it was a federal court order.

I don't think the President has jurisdiction to enforce the orders of state courts.

[Skip_In_Boulder]

14. What are the odds that our current Democratic President would do this?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Ikonoklast]

30. The President has NO STANDING to do so.

He would be violating the Constitution in using Federalized troops in a state legal issue.

Seems some people here have no problem with having a dictator, if he's a Leftist.

Fuck that noise.

[Skip_In_Boulder]

35. Well then I guess Kennedy was a dictator, huh?

Funny, history failed to record that.

[Ikonoklast]

36. What federal law has Walker broken?

Has it been legally determined that he has ignored an injunction issued by a federal judge?

The answer to that is 'no'.

[Skip_In_Boulder]

37. Well, you're right there, it hasn't gone federal yet but

that is just a matter of time. But even then will Obama stand up for the people? I don't think so, it's not in his interest.

[coalition_unwilling]

38. Obama could federalize the Wisconsin National Guard to force

open the doors of the Wisconsin Capitol in order to protect Wisconsinites' first amendment rights of free assembly and free speech (and their implicit 14th amendment right to due process, meaning Walker's defiance of a duly issued court order denies Wisconsites due process).

Of course, that assumes Obama isn't the tacking and triangulating corporatist\imperialist he has revealed himself to be.

Oh well.

[Ikonoklast]

41. Has it been adjudicated that what you think is happening, has actually happened.

President Obama isn't an idiot, even though you want him to act like one.

I'll ask again, has it been determined in Federal Court that the protester's constitutional rights have been violated?

Not your opinion, a federal judge's opinion, please.

[coalition_unwilling]

42. Since when is it required that there first be a determination in a

Federal Court that citizens' constitutional rights are being violated in order for a President who is sworn to uphold said Constitution to take steps to uphold that Constitution?

The Wisconsin chapter of the ACLU certainly thinks Walker is violating Wisconsinites' civil rights but, as far as I know, it has not yet been litigated in federal court.

Again, though, I ask where it is written that Obama can only act after a federal court ruling? Not trying to be snarky. Just generally curious. All Obama really would have to do to move the issue, imho, is threaten to federalize the Guard to enforce the U.S. Constitution.

[Ikonoklast]

43. You just don't get it.

If President Obama acts in the manner you describe, articles of impeachment would be brought before the House by the end of that week.

And they would be justified in doing so.

[coalition_unwilling]

46. Dems control the Senate still, so impeachment really is a non-starter,

a toothless gesture.

As to whether impeachment would be 'justified,' the Constitution prescribes it for "high crimes and misdemeanors." Granted, the phrase is vague, but I fail to see how Obama federalizing the WI guard to enforce a Wisconsin's court's order that doors be opened can be turned into a 'high crime or misdemeanor.'

[Poboy]

11. Protests surge as Wisconsin Capitol lockdown extends to downtown Madison

Protests surge as Wisconsin Capitol lockdown extends to downtown Madison
Kristian Knutsen on Tuesday 03/01/2011 8:32 pm

When the Capitol lockdown started Monday morning, following a successful gambit by protesters to remain ensconced inside the Rotunda the previous night, it was all but certain that the limits on access to the building would seep outside its walls Tuesday. Demonstrations have been building these last two weeks towards Gov. Scott Walker's budget address this afternoon, which would unveil a whole new set of cuts spreading the pain of austerity far beyond public employees. Though a temporary restraining order required the Department of Administration to unlock Capitol doors and open access to the public Tuesday, the state did not alter its rules to get in, claiming that they met legal standards. The matter wound up in court by afternoon, continuing long enough to prevent public access inside the building in advance of Walker's speech, the unstated goal of these policies in the first place.

Amidst the legal dispute, crowds of people gathered outside the King Street entrance to the building all day long, queuing and clustering in an attempt to gain entrance. As their numbers grew through the afternoon, so too did the enormous law enforcement operation in place at and around the Capitol. Around mid-afternoon, a set of concrete traffic barriers was unloaded at the top of West Washington Ave. and set in place at the driveway leading up to the Capitol. More barriers, the standard orange-and-white reflective type, were placed to divert traffic from the Square, as they have been now since the large protests started on Valentine's Day.

One block to the west, an orange mesh snow fence was placed at the top of the steps leading from State Street to the Capitol, blocking off access to most of the plaza outside the building's doors. A line of uniformed officers, mostly state troopers and sheriff's deputies from out-state departments, stood in a line inside this barricade, serving as a human deterrent to access. This type of barrier, rarely seen in protests on the Square, was last used a week ago Saturday to separate the small group of pro-Walker counter-protesters from the massively larger demonstrations surrounding it, and before that, to perform the same function at a neo-Nazi gathering held on Capitol grounds in August 2006.

Two stories above the State Street doors, the curtains to the Assembly chambers where the governor delivered his address were completely drawn. That didn't stop the thousands of assembled demonstrators from cheering and chanting as loudly as they could, in hopes of making their presence heard inside. The "Shame! Shame! Shame!" and "Whose House? Our House!" chants were ubiquitous throughout, and as the speech drew to a close, the crowd joined in chorus to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner," echoing a similar rendition of the national anthem at the colossal rally this past Saturday.

FULL-
http://www.isthmus.com/daily/article.php?article=32565

[socialist_n_TN]

12. Who's guarding the doors?.....

Will they stand down and let people who don't mind getting arrested into the capitol? It's time to up the ante.

[gkhouston]

16. Arresting somebody is exactly what Walker is hoping to do. How is that going to up the ante? n/t

[socialist_n_TN]

18. Depends on how many are arrested now doesn't it.........

There have been some BIG demonstrations in Madison. If 10% of the turnout from this past weekend were will to be arrested, that's 10k people. All of them ask for a jury trial. Remember, WALKER is the one defying the court order.

[gkhouston]

20. If thousands of people get arrested, it's just a bunch of "union thug" video. What

good does it do them to gum up the justice system by asking for a jury trial months from now when they're trying to influence public opinion today? There are already people in the Capitol willing to be arrested but they're not seeking that as a goal. As for disregarding the court order, the smartest thing the protesters could do is to continue to peacefully protest while the hearing continues. If you've been following the tweets, you'd see how bad the testimony thus far looks for Walker and the DOA. Person after person has emphasized that the protest has been peaceful and civil and not a significant disruption. I don't see Walker's side getting away with this 1-in-1-out-barricaded building bullshit at all. I'm just hoping they finish up today.

[sixmile]

13. The only good activist judges are our activist judges!

Arrest him. Try him. Convict him. Incarcerate him. Shun him. Forgotten.

[Bandit]

15. What has any of this to do with activist judges?

It is in the Wisconsin Constitution for Christ's sake..

[Skip_In_Boulder]

19. Really, we don't need activist judges on either side

We need judges and politicians who follow the law.

[Blue Owl]

21. Scottie Perp Walker

This little POS has become Wisconsin's very own "The Decider" hasn't he?

[EnviroBat]

22. This son-of-a-fuck has got to go...

Wisconsin needs to begin impeachment proceedings against this cross-eyed maggot right now.

[cui bono]

24. From what I've heard they have to wait a year. But only for him, not for congress critters. nt

[drm604]

25. Not true.

They would have to wait a year for a recall, not for impeachment.

[cui bono]

27. Yep, sorry, I have "recall" on the brain right now.

Impeach now!!!

:)

[Myrina]

48. " a year in office" for anyone -- the critters up for recall have all been in ..

... office at least a year already. Newly elected ones aren't 'eligible' for recall until next Jan.

[cui bono]

50. Thank you. n/t

[Jmaxfie1]

26. Sounds like Walker's fixing to pull an ol' George Wallace ;) n/t

[CrownPrinceBandar]

28. Hooo! Shit just got real!........

So much for respecting the "rule of law".

[SpiralHawk]

29. He thinks he and his RepubliCronies, Inc. bought it and own it

ain't got no use for American citizens...

[CrownPrinceBandar]

32. I agree with Rachel Maddow on this...........

the R's have already lost this fight and are now doing serious damage to their credibility and the credibilities of any one who is associating with them. Expect some defections and ship-jumping soon. Its game over in Madison, AFAIC.

[Drale]

31. Now let me ask something

I'll probably be vilified for it, because I know the protesters would never do this but....What if they broke the doors down? Could they be arrested for breaking and entering since there is a court order saying they need to be allowed inside. I suppose they could be arrested for damaging public property.

[Skip_In_Boulder]

33. It probably would not be a wise move to make at this time. n/t

[Lastactiongyro]

34. As much as I like the Idea of Storming the Bastille and

Heck the guillotine. Remember the media is controlled so any sort of violence would be twisted to suit Rethug purposes. For now no violence should occur, there are still avenues to keep the war hot before we are forced in another direction.

[DirkGently]

44. This guy is doing a great doomed Mid-East dicator impression.

[Sanity Claws]

45. Grounds for impeachment

so the citizens don't have to wait for a year to recall him

[PeaceNikki]

47. LOL, are you familiar with our Lt Governor?

Bible Spice, Jr. is an equally terrifying thought.

[lonestarnot]

49. So the gov violates a Court Order. Does he have immunity because he's trying to be in session?

:rofl:

[Wednesdays]

51. Rule of law! Rule of law! Rule of law!

Oh, wait. That only counts when the legalities involve a Democrat.
:eyes:

[femrap]

52. King John Kasich

was quoted in our Sunday Dispatch/Disgrace as telling Walker: "Don't worry about it Scott. Just do what you want to do."

"Just do what you want to do." Maybe we should all take that advice and see how society fares.