MAL Contends . . .

GOP Bets Heavily on the Appeal of Misogyny

2012-02-20T11:42:00.002-06:00

Photo that caught a nation napping as women are targeted

Update: See Opus Dei and the War on Birth Control: Neofascism Within the Catholic Church

Those failing to challenge Virginia's state-mandated (not just state-sponsored) rape of women are betraying humanity. The War on Women has been declared; whose side are you on?
---
The above-right shot is not a photo of a 16th century inquisition. This is 2012, and these men are going to engage in a discussion on WOMEN'S health, contraception, and family planning.

I'm not going to ask "What's wrong with this picture?"

We know what's wrong.

I'm asking how can this be happening in 2012?

By Progressive Eruptions

What I want to know is: Where are the women?” Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) asked the committee chairman, Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) before walking out. “I look at this panel and I don’t see one single individual representing the tens of millions of women across the country who want and need insurance coverage for basic preventative health care services, including family planning. Where are the women?”

More here.

From Politico:

"The image of men dominating the discussion about women’s health, say those on the left, may galvanize women voters in the way that the Senate Judiciary Committee's handling of sexual harassment allegations against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas did in 1991.That incident is widely credited with the election of a large number of Democratic women the next year.

'I think it is an Anita Hill comparison,' said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), who staged a walkout of Democratic women in protest of the chairman’s decision not to seat a minority female witness at the start of the hearing. 'I hope it will be just as galvanizing.' ”

More anti-woman legislation:

This time from the Commonwealth of Virginia, which just passed a bill that REQUIRES a doctor to give a transvaginal ultrasound (that is legislating vaginal penetration by the state) before a woman receives a legal medical procedure, even when the doctor deems it is not necessary. Democrats in the legislature tried to pass an amendment to the bill:

"An amendment by Del. David Englin, D-Alexandria, would have allowed medical professionals to determine whether images can be obtained without being penetrated by equipment used in the ultrasound."

The amendment failed.

Republican Governor McDonnell says he will sign the bill.

Got that?

Lord, you'd think there's less fools in this world

Virginia is poised to legislate forced penetration of a pregnant woman's vagina in order to obtain an image of the embryo or fetus and then the woman will be forced to view the image before she is able to receive a LEGAL MEDICAL PROCEDURE.

No exceptions under any circumstances whatsoever.

This monstrosity of a law forced on the women of Virginia by the party that wants government out of its lives.

The GOP has lost its mind; and certainly women's votes.

Here are some of the comments on the website announcing the legislation:

"Wake up Virginia! Wake up America! Virginia is about to pass legislation that requires women to undergo an invasive search of her body in an effort to gain permission from Republican legislators for her to obtain a perfectly legal medical procedure from her doctor.

Now, if anyone wants to liken this law to that of the Nazi regime, go right ahead."

*****

"Forcing women to be penetrated vaginally? Isn't that the equivalent of rape??"

*****

"An affront to all women everywhere!"

UPDATE:

From ThinkProgress:

"As Dahlia Lithwick explains, the effect of this bill would be to force most women to undergo a stunningly invasive procedure for no medical reason whatsoever. “Because the great majority of abortions occur during the first 12 weeks, that means most women will be forced to have a transvaginal procedure, in which a probe is inserted into the vagina, and then moved around until an ultrasound image is produced.”

Virginia mandate rape - nothing less

In case Lithwick’s description doesn’t completely drive home what this means, here is a depiction of the procedure that women would be forced to endure under the Virginia bill:"
"Simply put, it is difficult to distinguish a law requiring women to be vaginally penetrated by a long metal object from state-sponsored rape. Worse, discussions among lawmakers leave little doubt that its supporters understood just what they were trying to write into law — they just didn’t care. As an unnamed lawmaker told a fellow Virginia delegate, a woman already consented to being “vaginally penetrated when they got pregnant."(confirmed with Englin that this quote was accurate.)

"VIRGINIA IS FOR MORONS"

Charlie Pierce writing in Esquire: "Yes, and anyone who has had their earlobes pierced already has made the decision that, one day, the law would require them to have a tenpenny nail driven into their eye."

Koch Goes Public, Comments on Scott Walker

2012-02-20T07:31:00.002-06:00

David Koch/Scott Walker

UW-Madison alum, Stacey Singer, scored a rare interview with David Koch, writing an intriguing piece in the Palm Beach Post this weekend.

"We're helping him, as we should," Koch says of Walker. "We've gotten pretty good at this over the years. We've spent a lot of money in Wisconsin. We're going to spend more."

Koch's anti-union and rightwing political activity is detailed, as is his support and admiration for Scott Walker whom Koch describes as "very courageous."

Cancer

Lovers of the PBS science show, NOVA, typically are surprised to see David H. Koch mentioned at the beginning as a major contributor.

Singer notes Koch's "passion for fighting cancer" and his science background, which may explain Koch's support for the acclaimed NOVA, a favorite of educators and liberals across the world.

Archbishop works AGAINST sexually abused children; Gives GOP thumbs-up for averting its gaze

2012-02-16T08:07:00.003-06:00

Scott Walker should tell Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki to direct his energy towards helping the children abused and raped by Catholic Church priests. Then he and Sen. Ron Johnson should renounce the Church's crime against humanity, and offer some help.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki has found the chutzpah to advise Wisconsin about corruption, Scott Walker and the recall.

As Dan Bice writes:

In case you missed it, here is the eight-minute segment in which Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki sits down with WITI-TV (Channel 6) over the weekend to chat about Gov. Scott Walker, the possible recall election and church and politics.

The bottom line: Listecki gives his blessing to Walker but not the recall.

Survivors of the Church are outraged.

SNAP, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests has been working since 1988 to stand up for and help heal the sexually abused. It's mission is clear:

We expose predators and those who shield them. We build policies and practices within secular and religious organizations that protect children now and in the future.

SNAP finds that perpetrators, most infamously the Catholic Church—guilty of nothing less than mass rape and abuse of children—enjoy the company of collaborators covering up the crime, and compounding the crime by becoming the obstacle to healing the trauma of its predatory priests.

WISN reported:

Advocates for the sexually abused ... claimed the move was more about protecting church secrets than about money.

The head of SNAP, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, said the group is very interested in what will happen during the bankruptcy proceedings.

"The biggest we concern we have about the next step is, kind of much to our amazement, the archdiocese is going to be in court Feb. 9 and their lawyers will try to throw out the vast majority of victims they asked to come forward," said Peter Isely.

The Milwaukee archdiocese is the eighth in the U.S. [out of 32 archdioceses] to seek bankruptcy protection since the scandal in the Catholic Church came to light in 2002.

Now, the Catholic Church hiearchy has consolidated its political alliance with the Republican Party; and the GOP (see Is the Catholic Church Just a Super PAC in Robes?) is not particluar about the company it keeps if it helps the Party acquire power.

But decent people of Wisconsin should stand up for the betrayed children and demand accoutability from Listecki no matter how deeply into the black hole of nihilism the Church has veered. In return for averting its eyes from the Church's sins committed onto children and women, the GOP is assisting the Church's political maneuver stating repeatedly that President Obama is at war with religion, and blocking bills protecting children.

As Jimmy Breslin writes in his The Church That Forgot Christ (Simon and Schuster, 2004), after leaving the Catholic Church in disgust:

I know one thing. [Former Head of the Bishops Conference William D.] Gregory's church history cannot stand the light of a heavy candle. I issue mine [estimate of abused children] after doing what he and his bishops don't know how to do: walk the streets of the parishes and listen to Catholics who, slowly, reluctantly, but so surely, tell of atrocities by priests on the young.

If the desperate Catholic Church wants to dive further into American politics, so be it; the United States is often a free country.

But the Catholic Church—as the misogynistic and child-rapist protection racket that it has become—and its collaborators like Scott Walker, Ron Johnson and the Republican Party need to look into their conscience and stop, not make worse, the trauma that 100,000s of human beings carry with them until they die.

On corruption in the Walker administration

2012-02-15T08:14:00.007-06:00

How do Republicans believe they can get away with it?

The answer is secrecy and the GOP objectives of public inattention and distraction.

In September 2011, the MJS reports: "By far the biggest beneficiary of a move earlier this year to turn three dozen civil service jobs into political appointments is Cindy Archer, the one-time top aide to Gov. Scott Walker whose house was raided by the FBI last week." (Patrick Marley)

Yesterday, Marley reports that: "The head of a state agency late last year gave a political appointment - and a nearly $27,000 annual raise - to the wife of a Republican Party official without considering any other applicants, state records show." (Marley)

Another day in Scott Walker's regime.

As Republicans demonize teachers, fire department personnel and public workers generally, they plot against good government and the rule of law in Scott Walker's administration, in the Supreme Court, and in the legislature.

Corruption, an underground system of government, generally follows from a regime that sees the public as nuisance.

When Republicans ordered the removal and arrest of silent Wisconsin citizens holding and wearing the Bill of Rights from the Assembly gallery last year, GOP representatives scolded the gallery, saying the people of Wisconsin were "guests" of the Republican leaders.

At the time, I was surprised that this blatant disregard for even the idea of representative democracy did not get more play in the media.

That sense of entitlement, the idea that government is a tool for the Republicans' political benefit is at the heart of the recall movement.

We have the right to observe the politicians, to see if they are truly representing our best interests, to ensure they are protecting and defending the State and United States Constitutions, to evaluate them, and if necessary throw the bums out of office.

Republicans today disagree of course.

In another realm of public concern, as GOP officials fight to keep gerrymandering documents secret to further the election of more Republicans, they claim a legal shroud as a right inside of which the public has no business observing. Why are they trying to conduct the people's business under the cloak of attorney-client privilege—the people of Wisconsin are the client!

"Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity," wrote Lord Acton.

This idea of open government is one of the venerable traditions of representative democracy (in fact it's a necessity) and Wisconsin—until the Walker administration dropped its bombs with the imprimatur of the four GOP justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court—has led the nation in transparency, open meetings and records guarantees.

Why are Republicans so opposed to the idea of open government?

Because Acton was right. In public service, everything secret degenerates, including a once-proud political party that now governs hand-in-hand with corruption and an intimate co-conspirator—Fear.

Fear of 12-year-old girls in the Assembly gallery. Of the fabricated union thugs. Of the school teachers, and cooks in university dormitories.

Think of it. Without corruption (specifically Walker's allegiance to huge-moneyed interests and anti-democratic movements) and fear, what chance would Scott Walker have in Wisconsin?

To borrow from another great jurist, Robert H. Jackson, Town Meeting (1939): "Fear will cause a stampede among politicians just as it will among the nobler animals. The only cure for this is a steady and unfrightened public opinion strong enough and expressive enough to show that respect for civil rights is also good politics in America. We defend free speech and free press, not because we agree with those who need defense. Rather, it is because these fights are the very best protection of our system against violent or underground movements."

In a clean, fair election Scott Walker stands no chance, thus even voting is under attack.

Scott Walker will soon be on trial for past corruption, but his current dedication to anti-public movements will be on trial in the recall election, our power protecting us against this type of politician who believes he can get away with it.

Where is the outrage from the GOP?

2012-02-14T07:44:00.009-06:00

From the Brad Blog

Suppose that the long-time, top aide and confidante of a Democratic governor had been had been charged with stealing funds meant for the children of combat veterans.

Suppose that this very aide has a history of being "ethically challenged and someone to avoid," as described by established sources of his own party. [Murphy]

Suppose further that this top aide has been implicated in directing a secret e-mail system and a conspiracy set up to organize fundraising and political events, while avoiding the eyes of the Wisconsin people on whose dime the scheme was plotted and carried out.

There would, in this hypothetical, be howls of outrage from every Republican from Milwaukee talk radio to an obscure village board director.

Stealing from veterans' families: How low can you get

Corruption and secret I/T systems: Repulsive

Hiring tax-payer paid staff just to have them work on the secret system: Conniving and a slap in the face of Wisconsites everywhere.

But this is not a hypothetical. It's Walkergate: Arguably, the worst political scandal of a sitting governor is Wisconsin history. And these are the crimes and outrages of the Republican Party; so the order of the day is: Silence, deafening silence.

Walker jets around the country to fundraisers as he offers Biblical and religious justifications for his secret agenda with which he ambushed the Wisconsin people.

Fox News? Not a word of condemnation, has Walker as a frequent guest.

Editorial condemnation from GOP newspapers: Lame at best.

Milwaukee talk radio: Takes Scott Walker's side and has him as a frequent guest.

This is today's Republican Party. No ethics, no public accountability, just hypocrisy and venal corruption.

Not your parents' or grand-parents' Republican Party.

And certainly not the squeaky-clean image of Wisconsin's politics we used to enjoy nation-wide.

Running on a Mandate Is Small-d democratic in Wisconsin

2012-02-12T11:30:00.000-06:00

Kathleen Falk

Rejecting the Scott Walker politics of dropping "bomb(s)" on Wisconsin citizens and strong-arming secret agendas onto our families, Kathleen Falk comes out and makes a pledge and seeks an electoral mandate.

That's representative democracy.

In fact, the Wisconsin Recall movement is precisely a demand for representative democracy and a challenge to secret agendas such as Scott Walker's and his many power grabs and deals on which he refused to campaign, knowing he would never obtain an electoral mandate from the Wisconsin people.

GOP writers reject Falk's open approach to campaigns and public policy. "Personally, I tend to hew to the philosophy that the fewer hard-and-fast pledges a person makes, the better," writes the State Journal's Chris Rickert.

That's Rickert's right, but it sure isn't democratic.

A more democratic notion of candidates' seeking office is running on clear and open agendas, obtaining electoral mandates, and then governing for all the people.

There may be several excellent candidates running to replace Scott Walker. Rejecting his secretive and corrupt brand of electoral politics is precisely the first step in moving forward.

People Power v. Scott Walker

2012-02-12T08:51:00.004-06:00

When Gov. Scott Walker appeared on conservative commentator Larry Kudlow's CNBC show last week, the headline crawl asked regarding Wisconsin's recall: “Most Important Non-Presidential Election?”

By John Nichols

Every signal from Walker was that it is just that.

And that Walker, despite his $12 million campaign fund, is running scared. ...

Scott Walker's anti-mandate - Via PolitiScoop

Since the recall drive began, the only big-media advertising campaigns have been those paid for by Walker and national groups that back him. [See also Koch brothers all in to save Scott Walker (Sargent. Washington Post)]

After all that pro-Walker spending, polling shows that he remains vulnerable because of popular disapproval of his policies. Even in the most Walker-friendly recent poll, 55 percent opposed his attempts to limit the number of people eligible for the BadgerCare health assistance program and 65 percent opposed his reductions in state aid to public schools. ...

But what Walker (and Kudlow) said is true. The Wisconsin recall is the most important non-presidential election of the year, and the results will send a powerful message.

It will be a real fight, pitting two critical forces in American politics against one another: the big money that Walker is raising from across the nation versus the people power [whose right to vote the GOP has schemed to block] that collected 1 million signatures on petitions demanding the removal of an increasingly desperate governor.

Scott Walker's Latest Bomb to Drop: Raid Workers' Pension

2012-02-11T10:12:00.005-06:00

Scott Walker - Bought and paid for

Word is that after Scott Walker gets back from the CPAC in D.C., Walker plans to raid the state pension fund, and push legislation to force public workers into a 401(k) plan.

Putting aside for the moment the fact—inconvenient to Scott Walker's oft-repeated lies—that workers' pension plans are funded by workers' deferred salaries, money workers would have been paid as cash salary but chose to have placed in the state-operated pension fund (Rick Ungar, Forbes online; Feb. 25, 2011), this is yet another bomb Walker is desperate to drop before his four cronies in the state senate are recalled; before Walker is recalled, and before Walker is criminally charged as a co-conspirator in the John Doe investigation.

Even rightwingers like Waukesha writer, James Wigderson, acknowledge the political need for a public explanation from Walker as Cullen Werwie, former campaign manager for would-be Lt Gov. Brett Davis and now Walker's press secretary, and Brett Davis (now state Medicaid director) refuse to resign and Walker refuses to fire them, least they become modern-day John Deans and Alexander Butterfields.

But Walker is building up a massive recall campaign war-chest running around the country, and likely is so delusional is incapable of reading the political writing on the wall. Walker reminds me of recalled State Sen. Randy Hopper.

In all, Walker has gotten 57 individual contributions ... totaling about $3.1 million; about $2.5 million of this amount, or 80 percent, is from people in other states. [Lueders. Wisconsin Watch]

Walker's conversion of several dozen civil service jobs into high-paying, politically appointed positions comes with raising the tax payer-financed salaries so Walker's appointees don't need to worry much about their own pensions.

Stalling the Recall won't work for Walker (too many signatures), so his only option is to jam through the pension raid fast, and hope that not too many people notice.

Barry Goldwater on the Religious Right and Conservatism

2012-02-11T07:32:00.003-06:00

"Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them." (1994)

"The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom.... I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.' Just who do they think they are?... I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of 'conservatism.'" (1993)

CPAC and its White Nationalist panelist, Peter Brimelow, disagree.

Barry Goldwater, (1909–1998) was a five-term U.S. Senator, Republican Party nominee for President in 1964, Maj. Gen., US Air Force Reserves, and is author of The Conscience of a Conservative.

Weinstein's Right on Marine Scout Sniper-NAZI Icon

2012-02-10T08:34:00.004-06:00

Marine Scout Snipers pose with NAZI Icon

Update: Panetta calls for new probe into Marines posing with Nazi SS logo

Members of the U.S. Marine Corps 1st Recon Battalion, Charlie Company operating in the Sangin district, Afghanistan felt the need—for some incomprehensible reason—to use the Ancient Runic alphabet letters adopted by Heinrich Himmler's Schutzstaffel, the SS, as their own icon, placed next to the American flag in a picture for which they posed in September 2010.

Heinrich Himmler's Schutzstaffel, the SS

You fucked up. Renounce it and move on.

When you felt the need to mark your rifles with the SS symbol, you fucked up again. Renounce it and move on.

No one expects you to read Norman Cohn's analyses of the NAZIs in the middle of this bull-shit war known as Operation Enduring Freedom, especially your unit. No one expects you to know all of the particular idiocies of NAZI iconography

Jesus Christ, do you know what Himmler's SS means? Seriously, I would recommend no dishonorable discharge, not loss of anything as reportedly the U.S. military has already dealt with your imbecility internally.

"Those people. Those millions of people. I never knew it would come to that."
—"It came to that the first time you sentenced a man to death you knew to be innocent."
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)

Why would you use the ancient runic alphabet letters used by Heinrich Himmler's Schutzstaffel, the SS? Deliver a message to Islam that your unit is genocide-capable?

But think. Read the late Norman Cohn's The Pursuit of the Millennium: Revolutionary Millenarians and Mystical Anarchists of the Middle Ages (1957) and Warrant for Genocide: The Myth of the Jewish World Conspiracy and the Protocols of the Elders of Zion (1970).

The NAZIs did not just commit historical atrocities; they were idiots with whom no decent human being would want to associate himself.

Mother Jones reports:

Walter Plywaski, a survivor of the Lodz ghetto and Auschwitz concentration camp in World War II who later became a US citizen and Air Force veteran, expressed disgust at the Marines' behavior. "The photographs below roil my intestines and break my heart beyond words to express," he wrote in an email to Weinstein. "I wish I could really believe that these sniper teams innocently combined the view of the United States flag with the central symbol of the murderous SS!"

I had the pleasure of many exchanges with Walter over the last few years. Think he would be proud of a public renouncement by your unit. But renounce NAZIs for your selves.

As for Norman Cohn, I'll break it down for you: All the NAZIs required of the population and NAZI Party members is a “mood of passive compliance” as Hitler’s Holocaust coursed through Europe as he promised a return to “traditional values” and security for good German families,

MRFF Statement on SS Banner Flying Alongside U.S. Flag in Afghanistan

Marine sniper's rifle-stock sporting
Himmler's Schutzstaffel, the SS Icon

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation is absolutely sickened by the disgusting images of members of the U.S. Marine Corps 1st Recon Battalion, Charlie Company, proudly posing in front of the U.S. flag juxtaposed alongside a symbol associated with the unspeakable horrors of the Nazi Holocaust, the genocide of religious minorities throughout Europe, and the forces of white supremacist racial hatred.

Marine sniper's rifle-stock sporting Himmler's Schutzstaffel, the SS Icon The fact that United States service personnel were caught proudly posing with the emblem of the Nazi SS, which symbolizes the vile ideology of Hitlerian fascism, sends a menacing signal to religious minorities within the United States Armed Forces. The symbol’s usage conveys a message that the U.S. Military is an organization within which white supremacists can feel at home, free to espouse their murderous ideology and proudly don their symbols of hatred.

This brazen display of a symbol which is synonymous with death squads, gas chambers, and brutal occupation reflects a sociopathic, marauding attitude which violently jars with the supposed "nation-building" efforts which the NATO forces have embarked upon. It exacerbates the anti-Americanism felt by the people of the region who we claim to be helping in the context of a UN-mandated, NATO-led security mission.

Closer look at Marine scout sniper, right, with an "SS"
marked on his rifle in this 2004 photo

In short, this shameful display of SS "lightning bolts" by U.S. service personnel enrages our regional allies, emboldens the extremist Islamist forces with whom we are contending, and eviscerates good order, morale, and discipline within the U.S. Marine Corps. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation immediately calls for the leadership of the United States Military to condemn this stomach-turning display without equivocation or delay and severely punish ALL of those responsible.

Michael L. "Mikey" Weinstein, Esq.
Founder & President
Military Religious Freedom Foundation

Scott Fitzgerald's Laughable Challange to Citizen Recall

2012-02-09T09:15:00.003-06:00

Update II: GOP leader Fitzgerald sees recall elections moving ahead

Update: From Recall Scott Fitzgerald: "I'm not concerned about Fitzgerald's challenges. He had data entry problems, he reported single signatures multiple times, he falsely claimed we used the wrong map, etc. I've said for weeks that we have far more signatures than required, and I stand by that statement."

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (District 13) is going to be facing a Recall election from the people he is supposed to represent.

His challenge to the Recall signatures fed to the Journal-Sentinel is reportedly a joke, and a desperate Fitzgerald will not stop the people of Senate District 13 from electing their own chosen senator.

Fitzgerald's anti-citizens' recall allies are of course echoing Fitzgerald, saying they have found numerous errors in the Recall Fitzgerald petition.

Absurd. Noise. Distraction.

This folly is the focus of ridicule among Recall Fitzgerald volunteers who say with confidence that the GAB will accept the Recall effort that has gathered over 20,000 signatures, rigorously gathered.

Turns out Fitzgerald's allies in their self-proclaimed 'verfication' efforts made bone-headed errors, including duplicating the pages of the Recall petitions multiple times in their own data entry, and then absurdly claiming that the Recall petition submitted to the GAB is composed of duplicates. :) Nice work, guys.

From Recall Fitz:

"I concatenated the petition number and row number in their database [the PDF that Fitz's (allies) posted online]. Hundreds of the 'duplicates' were duplicates in their data entry. In other words, THEY entered petitions multiple times. Duh."
"There were also numerous cases of signers being left out of the database, including some of our volunteers! totally unreliable."

Just to remind folks, here's the 2011 video in which Fitz admits His Union-busting agenda is intended to hurt Obama's reelection, and promote the prospects of the GOP nominee for president. At the time, Fitz and Walker said their only concerns were jobs and the budget.

President Obama is no Vice-President Cheney

2012-02-08T10:58:00.007-06:00

When I read on May 1, 2011 that Bin Laden was killed, I wondered at first why the New York Times reported the roles of the CIA and SEALs, noting when President Obama "gave the final order for members of the Navy Seals and C.I.A. operatives to strike."

Is this too much information, "too many details of [special operations' missions being] leaked to the press," as John Miller [who worked with the FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence], said on "CBS This Morning" (February 8, 2012).

The loudest criticism [seen in the video below] is coming from a Christian Dominionist, Maj Gen James Vaught who also said a few years back: "Only Christian [is a] soldier is a good soldier. We know we (Christians) are not the enemy so you figure out who is."

It seems improbable that elite units such as Task Force 20 [whatever incarnation it operates as today]—a shadowy multi-service Special Forces unit reportedly composed of Marine Force Recon, Navy Seals, Army Delta Force and Rangers, and Air Force Special Operations personnel—would have their superiors speaking publicly on the composition and tactics of this combined services missions that take down high-value U.S. military targets like Osama Bin Laden, and rescue Hostages in Somalia, as in January.

Which is why I think reports of the composition and details of risky, spectacular successes are misinformation, and critics like Maj Gen James Vaught are likely off-target in a CBS News report in this video, as a new Poll finds broad support for Obama’s counterterrorism policies.

(CBS News)

Saddam caught by Task Force 20

Adm. Bill McRaven, the nation's top military officer for special operations forces like the Army Rangers and Navy SEALs, came under some not-so-friendly fire Tuesday, facing criticism that too many details of his troops' missions are leaked to the press.

Informed personnel say American media reports and even books on Task Force 20 and other special forces operations generally are rife with cover stories and misinformation.

In other words, when it comes to reports on special operations missions, don't believe too much beyond what appears obvious.

Like Maj Gen. James Vaught, as a good American, I don't want to know details of special forces operations anymore than I want public the exact route of President Obama to a public event. But I don't believe I do from press reports, even after a mission is completed.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members
of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against
Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011.
Seated, from left, are: Brigadier General Marshall B. “Brad” Webb,
Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command;
Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough;
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Standing, from left, are: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff;
National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; Chief of Staff Bill Daley;
Tony Binken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; Audrey Tomason
Director for Counterterrorism; John Brennan,
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; and
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
Please note: a classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Speculating, Gen. James Vaught's loud complaints sound a lot like part of a political black flag operation (a covert false flag operation) carried out by shills to deceive the public for an unspecified objective. In this case, this objective is to take the shine off the successes of President Obama in his role as commander-in-chief.

Does Gen. Vaught really believe President Obama is giving away secrets?

Vaught speaks his mind often: "Only Christian soldier is a good soldier. We know we (Christians) are not the enemy so you figure out who is." “Now is not the time to be politically correct.” (Nov. 3, 2003)

I worked for President Obama's campaign; I criticized President Obama; I voted for President Obama and will again, and believe me President Obama is no Vice-President Cheney.

I should note that I did wonder why a couple of days before bin laden was killed, my traffic on a high-traffic story on Task Force 20 and Islamophobia suddenly jettisoned into the number one piece for highest traffic of the week on my blog, in which the publicly viewed "Popular Posts" section indicated the movement.

Whatever happened in the April-May 2011 days prior to killing Osama Bin Laden, a lot people may have suddenly become interested in Islamophobia or some people were monitoring the Internet closely to see what showed up when entering "Task Force 20."

I did wonder: What's up?

CBS concludes in their report this morning:

What generates the kind of pressure that McRaven faced Tuesday is when classified information is leaked by congressional or White House staffers who can't tell which details are of tactical value, Miller said. Of course, with special operations forces carrying out missions at a rate of four or five a day for the past two years, the details of which don't come to light, McRaven's missions largely stay true to his troops' nickname of "the quiet professionals."

That seems true, and I think another political strike at President Obama just went up in smoke.

Scott Walker Gets to Decide If Tech School IDs Are Okay to Vote

2012-02-08T07:54:00.002-06:00

Tech School ID - Okay with Scott Walker?

Look for Scott Walker to allow technical school IDs to be used to vote in Wisconsin elections.

If Scott Walker uses his power grab—making him the final arbiter of administrative rules—to forbid technical school IDs from being used to vote in Wisconsin elections, Walker's corruption and bad faith will be on full display.

The power of Walker to veto administrative rules was gained by a 2011 Walker-called legislature special session that was supposed to center on job creation, as noted by Democrats and good government observers.

Look for Walker to allow technical school IDs to be used to vote in Wisconsin elections.

With the spotlight on Walker corruption and legal challenges to the voter obstruction law likely to result in its being struck down before November, Walker cannot afford more naked displays of corruption that can be easily prevented.

From the State Journal:

It's now up to the governor to decide whether technical school IDs can be used to vote in Wisconsin.

The Government Accountability Board on Tuesday approved a change in election rules that would add technical school IDs to the list of acceptable voter IDs.

That list includes state driver's license, state ID, university or military ID, passport, naturalization papers and tribal IDs.

Scott Walker Is Not the DA's Number One Helper

2012-02-07T08:04:00.052-06:00

Richard Nixon famously refused to 'help' the grand jury,
and abide by its subpoena in 1973. He resigned months later

A legal subpoena is an order and command to appear and/or produce what is sought by legal authorities.

A subpoena is not a request for help. It's an order and should be described as such by the press covering WalkerGate.

But Scott Walker continues to insist—well past the point of credulity—that he wants to help the Milwaukee DA in the John Doe investigation and is doing so voluntarily.

He's lying. And much of the political press, with notable exceptions, is not calling Walker out on his lies.

"After leading the public to believe that he was entering into meetings with corruption probe investigators as a matter of courtesy, Scott Walker is now acknowledging that prosecutors requested the meeting," notes Paul I. Tascoupe.

Scott Walker will meet with prosecutors after being requested to meet with prosecutors, who had issued a special kind of request. The kind of request to which had Walker said 'no thanks, guys,' Walker would be subpoenaed, commanded to appear and testify in this John Doe investigation resulting so far in multiple criminal charges against Walker's political inner circle.

This would be a PR disaster, and a political nightmare right as Walker faces the recall election.

Avoiding a PR disaster, not help is clearly Walker's objective.

Speaking of helping, it bears noting the Milwaukee DA subpoenaed Walker's campaign emails in 2010.

That help Walker gave the DA then was given with little choice: Help given or Walker's learning what contempt and obstruction of justice are.

But to listen to Walker, maybe the whole subpoena ordering the production of his campaign e-mails is Walker's idea in the first place.

Walker said during his rare five-minute quasi-press conference Monday that "we've provided" campaign documentation, failing to note the subpoena or the command nature of the subpoena.

No Walker, you were ordered to produce campaign documentation. You have no choice. The same with the entire cast of characters who were served with subpoenas.

"They would like to talk to us about it, but we voluntarily set it up," Walker said of the coming meeting the DA.

No, you either appear or you face the consequences.

If this meeting is voluntary, why don't you try telling the DA and then the presiding judge that you changed your mind and are through giving the probe your help? See what happens.

Scott Walker is lying to Wisconsin.

Last week, Walker announced he had hired two criminal defense attorneys whom Walker says are for providing still more help for the DA probe; this is pertaining to the Walker 2010 campaign emails that Walker and his campaign have been ordered to produce.

Walker is lying again.

The criminal defense attorneys are to help Walker from not becoming a target of the probe, and ultimately to stay out of prison.

I'm sure the DA appreciates Walker's alleged help. I'm sure the judge whom Walker would meet were he to fail to follow the commands of the subpoena appreciates Walker's help as well.

But let's call this help what it is: Abiding by the dictates and command power of the subpoena, or the threat of additional subpoenas.

And 'You are commanded to appear ... ' is the language of the John Doe subpoena that Scott Walker does not wish to receive.

Dan Bice reports:

Gov. Scott Walker acknowledged Monday that prosecutors initiated the meeting they will have with him as part of the John Doe investigation about activities that occurred during Walker's tenure as Milwaukee County executive.

"Up until now, we've provided written documentation (from the campaign)," Walker said during a briefing with reporters in Waukesha. "They'd like to talk to us about what they've found and what additional help we can provide."

Walker's idea of "help" is leaving the word without meaning.

For example, Walker recently took credit for helping the Family Care Program by lifting the enrollment cap on the state long-term care program serving the elderly and disabled.

Thing is, the federal government directed Scott Walker's administration to lift the enrollment cap.

By the way, word is DA John Chisholm has many qualities in common with the late Archibald Cox, Jr., known for his tenacity as special prosecutor during the Watergate scandal.

Walker is wise to lawyer up with all those defense attorneys.

And Walker's I-want-to-help message does play better than Nixon's I-am-not-a-crook. But the sound Walker may be hearing now is the clock ticking, marking his limited time he has before both facing criminal charges and being recalled from office.

Scott Walker Isolates Himself from Press, Citizens as WalkerGate Breaks Open

2012-02-06T06:57:00.007-06:00

"Scott Walker has made himself increasingly unavailable to Wisconsin media and has turned to [rightwing] talk radio for friendly interviews, appearing frequently each week with Milwaukee hate radio shills Mark Belling on WISN radio and Charlie Sykes on WTMJ radio," notes Daily Kos.

A press conference, an unscripted town hall with voters? A meeting with the Wisconsin people where we get explanations?

Not going to happen with Scott Walker, his friends are from out-of-state, or rightwing ideologues.

In another developing story, see $100,000,000 Bear Stearns’ executive, Nicholas Hurtgen given sweetheart bond deal. An old ally of Scott Walker and Tommy Thompson, "[s]oon after awarding the contract [to Bear Stearns], Hurtgen helped arrange two fundraisers for Walker worth $25,000," notes Political Capital in a December 2011 piece. For more background, see "Nick Hurtgen soared as a young Tommy Thompson stalwart, then scored with lucrative bond deals." [Gunn, Isthmus, 05/09/2006]

Via Capper

So who hired Kelly Rindfleisch? Scott Walker ain't telling.

Expect to see a lot more of this in the weeks and months to come, either in regards to Walkergate or the recall. [Easy to second-guess on-air interviews, but Mike Gousha should have followed up with, 'With all due respect, Governor, knock it off. Who hired Kelly Rindfleisch?']

Dan Bice notes the trademark Scott Walker hypocrisy:

In a 2006 news release, Walker blasted then-Gov. Jim Doyle when a state employee named Georgia Thompson was indicted on federal corruption charges.

"Unfortunately, we have a Governor and administration that condones unethical and illegal behavior," Walker said in a statement on Jan. 24, 2006. "The people of Wisconsin deserve better." ...

A three-judge panel later reversed the [conviction], saying Thompson had been wrongly convicted. One of the judges said that "the evidence is beyond thin."

Walker now finds himself under the microscope after four of his former county aides or appointees have been charged as part of an ongoing John Doe investigation into activities while Walker was Milwaukee County executive. The first-term governor announced Friday that he has hired two criminal defense lawyers and will meet with District Attorney John Chisholm on Monday.

Throughout the secret investigation, Walker has defended himself and proclaimed that he does not believe he is the target. But he has said little about the former and current aides caught up in the 20-month probe.

But back in 2006 when Thompson was charged by then-U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic - who now represents Walker's campaign - Walker went on the attack against Doyle, even though Thompson was a civil service employee who was hired in 2001 under Gov. Scott McCallum, a Republican.

"Today's indictment provides further confirmation that the Doyle administration is damaged and must be removed from the Capitol," said Walker, a Wauwatosa Republican, of his Democratic predecessor. "Governor Doyle needs to purge his administration of individuals who place politics and special interests ahead of the people of Wisconsin."

Walker went on to call on Doyle to adopt a series of reforms that the candidate was proposing.

"Little can be said to underscore the seriousness of this charge. I am hopeful that the people of Wisconsin will allow me the opportunity to clean up Madison with the same fervor that guided my reform movement in Milwaukee County."

So what should Walker do now if he is to be consistent with his criticisms of Doyle?

Romney fails to garner 50% in Mormon-heavy Nevada

2012-02-05T09:44:00.000-06:00

Intended Temple of Doom

As demographics change in multi-cultural America, Willard Mitt Romney is finding it difficult to round up a majority of Americans to get on his bandwagon, even a majority of Republicans.

By Michael Leon

Romney assures the minority of low-information American voters in the GOP primary: I love the religious right, parroting the ludicrous statement that Obama has declared "war on religion."

Romney acclaims he wants to bomb Iran, and America needs to follow the fascist-outlaw state of Israel.

One can go on. Any GOP nostrum—the more hateful the better—is there for the taking and Romney has taken them all. But Romney remains an under-performing frontman, unlikely to sufficiently expand the white working class vote from the South and Appalachia [and its political parallels in the 50 states] in the presidential general election.

Romney is a more intelligent version of former New York Congressman, Rick Lazio; he really doesn't believe in GOP imbecilities.

"There seemed to be nothing that he was finally and fundamentally and unalterably for, beyond the idea of Rick Lazio [in 2010 a stripped gear in the anti-Muslim rhetoric machine] becoming a senator [in 2000]," wrote Michael Tomasky in Hillary's Turn, (p. 186) [quoted in Sidney Blumenthal. The Clinton Wars, p. 693.]

Romney as analogue is obvious.

To win Romney needs to become a convincing hater and brilliant actor as acolyte-kinsman of the ignorant.

But no matter how many fellow Mormons have parked their careers in CIA black operations; how much voter obstruction future GOP allies accomplish [make that needs to be limited to the low millions of disenfranchised Americans]; no matter how much pandering Romney thinks he is capable of performing; how much money he has in Super PACs; he will under-perform with dumb white voters—a needed constituency for the GOP nominee that not even Joseph Smith, Jr. can enlighten to the glory of Willard Mitt Romney.

Not for any policy, ideological or even religious reason, Romney just does not come across as both a likable fellow and an American Ahab able to act as the carrier of white resentment.

Nevada Caucus Results

Willard Mitt Romney - 47.6%
Newt Gingrich - 22.7
Ron Paul - 18.6
Rick Santorum - 11.1

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On

2012-02-04T09:40:00.000-06:00

Marvin Gaye - Stop war ... forever

"If you cannot find peace in yourself, you will never find it anywhere else."

- Marvin Gaye, 1939-1984

Afghanistan: Out now

Peace: Now.

Thank you, Marvin and Obie.

What's Going On
By Marvin Gaye and Renaldo "Obie" Benson (May 21, 1971)

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby

Scott Walker Hires Two Top Defense Attys Just to Help Criminal Investigation

2012-02-03T21:00:00.000-06:00

Sign the petition, reveal Walker's
secret E-mail network

Scott Walker sure is a trooper, he just wants to help the Milwaukee DA.

Scott Walker has ... hired two attorneys, Mike Steinle and John Gallo, 'to insure that I am in the best position possible to continue aiding the [John Doe criminal] inquiry,' he said. (Reuters)

I think perhaps Walker owes the people of Wisconsin an explanation for why six of his top aides are facing felony charges. That might help him aid the people of Wisconsin whom he is supposed to be serving.

"Walker owes answers not just to prosecutors, but to the people of Wisconsin who expect clean government," said Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesman Graeme Zielinski.

Come on Scott, speak up.

Scott Walker Digging More Holes with Easily Revealed Evasions

2012-02-02T15:59:00.001-06:00

Scott Walker and Brett Davis - September 2009

Update: Walker summoned to meet with prosecutors on John Doe investigation

This past Sunday, on Upfront with Mike Gousha, Walker claimed that he had no idea his entire campaign apparatus was working to get Brett Davis elected as his running mate and said he hadn't even endorsed Davis.

Someone really needs to teach Scott Walker how to lie better if he is to hang onto to his job in the recall election.

By Jud Lounsbury

The picture above-right was on Scott Walker's facebook page dating all the way back to September 2009. Walker and then State Rep. Brett Davis are pictured yukking it up with Walker saying in the facebook caption: "I am proud to have the support of Representive Brett Davis."

Scott Walker is, of course, trying to minimize his long-standing close relationship Davis, because his county office was paying several staffers, including recently charged Kelly Rindfleisch, to work on Davis's Lt. Governor campaign on the taxpayer's dime. (And, if that wasn't bad enough, Davis campaign manager and current Walker spokesman, Cullen Werwie, was regularly ordering Rindfleish and other members of Walker's county executive staff to do the illegal campaign work at their government office.)

This past Sunday, on Upfront with Mike Gousha, Walker claimed that he had no idea his entire campaign apperatus was working to get Davis elected as his running mate and said he hadn't even endorsed Davis. There is, however, a mountain of evidence that contradicts that ascertion-- Walker may not have officially endorsed Davis for political reasons, but he was doing everything possible to leave Republican primary voters with the impression that Davis was his man.

On December 22, 2009 Walker went to Monroe to a campaign event hosted by Brett Davis. At the time the Monroe Times wrote this about the event:

State Representative Brett Davis, R-Oregon, who is publicly endorsing Walker, hosted the gathering. 'We share the same vision to turn Wisconsin around, to increase jobs and promote economic development,' Davis said. Davis said the office of lieutenant governor needs to be reformed with its focus on those two aspects of the state's economy, and that Walker wants a strong lieutenant governor with experience. Davis is considering running for the office of lieutenant governor, and said he will announce his decision in mid-January.

January 4, 2010 Brett Davis, says in an interview that the best qualification for Lt. Governor (him) should be:

"Who can be the best partner for Scott Walker?"

On March 15, 2010 Tim Russell and Brian Pierick, (members of Walker's inner-circle) sent out a mailer to GOP delegates prior to Wisconsin GOP convention with a Walker-For-Governor sticker where the return address should be located. Here is what was inside the mailer:

The letter was an invitation an event to discuss the importance of attending the Republican State Convention, the dates and locations of both.

The second paragraph was devoted to the importance of delegates supporting both Walker for Governor and Brett Davis for Lt. Governor. The exclusive event would be attended by Davis and Walker representatives and encouraged everyone to have a face to face discussion with Brett. There was a piece of lit included for both Scott Walker and Brett Davis.

On May 23, 2010 Brett Davis shows a campaign video at the Wisconsin GOP convention featuring footage of Walker and Davis together.

On April 27, 2010 Walker did a campaign event for Davis in Madison, which the campaign cryptically called "Scott Walker and Brett Davis Visit Madison." Here is a picture from the event, which features Walker and Davis signs in the backdrop:

Walker and Davis Campaign Event in April of 2010

Scott Walker and Brett Davis visit Madison - April 2010

On March 30, 2010 Walker sent out a statement praising Brett Davis for his actions to kill the high-speed train deal [$810 million in federal money]:

'I applaud Rep. Brett Davis and the members of the State Legislature for standing up for the taxpayers and fighting this wasteful project.'

On August 26, 2010 Walker sent out a campaign press release announcing that the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) had endorsed Scott Walker for Governor and Brett Davis for Lieutenant Governor. As is typical, the campaign provided quotes for members of the WGA, including:

'The Walker/Davis team will bring to Wisconsin what has been missing for a long time--a common sense approach to issues and the philosophy to not spend what we don’t have.'

September 15, 2010 Immediately after Brett Davis loses his bid for Lt. Governor, his campaign manager joins the Walker campaign as press secretary-- a position he still holds today.

December 2010 Walker announces that Brett Davis will be part of his cabinet as Medicaid Director.

There is no doubt Walker was backing Davis for Lt. Governor and was doing everything he could-- both legally and illegally to help him get elected. Which is why, of course, Walker is trying to distance himself from his support of Davis. After all, common sense dictates that it is much more plausible his county executive staff was illegally working to help Davis because that's what their boss (Walker) wanted them to do.

Recall Opponents Shameless, Disrespectful of Wisconsin Families

2012-02-01T08:59:00.007-06:00

Brett Davis, Scott Walker and Cullen Werwie

Ethan Schuh, a Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesperson, apparently has no shame, like his boss, Scott Walker, and too many Republicans now-a-days who seriously do not like Wisconsin families.

Tony Galli at WKOW did a piece, "Walker supporters claim host of recall errors" in which Republicans claim they have discovered recall "fraud," a contention they have repeated for months though only now are they actually examining the signatures.

An example of the fraud a Republican volunteer spotted on the petition: "A dead relative."

Made me think of my family that includes a dead relative who passed away in the last few months after signing the petition to recall Scott Walker.

My girlfriend's brother-in-law, Al Braund, signed the recall Scott Walker petition over Thanksgiving dinner, and tragically passed away from leukemia on Jan. 6, 2012.

Any Republican puke who wants to make an issue of that, I'm available; as our many good people in the Wisconsin Rapids-Port Edwards area of our state.

Al's mother-in-law, Irene Captain of Rapids [who proudly worked on the Wisconsin AARP legislative committee to help Senior Care get passed] told me, "I'm hanging on in this life long enough to see that little weasel, Scott Walker, get recalled. You bet ya."

It's not enough that Republicans want to keep legal Wisconsinites from voting like Ruthelle Frank, not enough that Republicans harassed and criminally threatened the recall circulators and signers, but now they want insult the families of Wisconsinites who passed away?

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, too often a Republican propaganda outlet has a new Republican feature out: Want to check recall petitions yourself?

"Let us know if you find signatures, names or addresses of people who signed the petitions that have issues. We will review submissions and post those that we can independently verify," says MJS calling the column a watchdog.

Well, this morning the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel watchdog has 16 entries that they have apparently "independently" verified.

A friend points out today in an e-mail that over a quick coffee within minutes, he saw the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is printing so-called "issues" that an elementary school student could knock down.

302 River Vew Drive; Winneconne, WI 54986

One checker claims "obvious false or out-state addresses" for lines 7 and 8 on page 998. But 302 River View Drive is a real address in Winneconne, Wisconsin. I even saw a picture of the house there on Google maps.
Another claims "obvious false names." But the name "Hietpas" is a real name. As a matter of fact there's a "Hietpas Realty" in Little Chute, Wisconsin and I bet Brooke and Britney Hietpas are twins, which is why their signatures are similar but not identical, as the MJS checker claims (and Vicki Hietpas is their mother, but the checker doesn't question the veracity of her surname - duh). Hietpas is a Dutch name, and many readers here know their family members as wonderful people. Perhaps the MJS checkers know better? I only checked a few of the complaints but each one was bs. Not sure who the MJS is appealing to with this feature, but evidently it's primarily morons, so far at least.

"All addresses on page 15 and 16 are the same and belong to the Milwaukee Housing Authority. Many illegible," reads another MJS-verified "issue." - Uh, yeah. It's an assisted living shelter; many otherwise homeless people. Maybe they should not be allowed to vote or sign recall petitions if Wisconsin citizens are older, or disabled, homeless or of course: Black. Here we go again. These are people! Somebody notify the John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy.
"Same person signed all of them," claims MJS checker of lines 1-4 on page GOV 000179. Nonsense. But facts are not the point for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, and other GOP allies.

The purpose of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel [and the Republican Party with its out-of-state $millions] is to sow confusion and generate as much noise and unverified speculation as they can about any signature that any two GOP hacks think is fishy. And as we have pointed out here use this out-of-state money to fight off Wisconsin citizens deciding what type of government we want.

As the Scott Walker scandal continues to unfold as more of Walker's top aides either are criminally charged or like Walker press secretary, Cullen Werwie, have been granted immunity in the John Doe investigation, look for the shameless attacks on Wisconsin families to blow back on this very worst of Wisconsin's governors.

By the way, there is another petition going around calling for the resignation of more of Scott Walker's cronies.

Subject: Davis and Werwie Must Go!

Dear Gov. Scott Walker:

You and your cronies are already burdening taxpayers with your campaign costs to try and thwart the will of more than 1 million Wisconsinites who signed recall petitions.

Now, the state has learned that two of your top staff -- Brett Davis and Cullen Werwie -- have been implicated in one of the biggest political corruption scandals in our state's history, involving the alleged illegal use of taxpayer dollars to operate a political campaign.

We think it's simple: "Davis and Werwie Must Go!"
---

Tell Scott Walker: "Davis and Werwie must go!"

Good idea. And Scott Walker you do know you're next.

Reveal Walker's secret E-mail network

2012-01-30T16:58:00.000-06:00

Sign the petition, reveal Walker's secret E-mail network

Pocan Cruises—1,300 Contributors Raise Over $150,000 this Quarter

2012-01-30T10:36:00.001-06:00

Mark Pocan

Mark Pocan has established himself as the frontrunner to represent the 2nd congressional district being vacated by Tammy Baldwin, his campaign report shows.

Madison - Mark Pocan's campaign released it's fundraising numbers for the end of year 2011 federal filing deadline. Throughout the campaign Pocan has raised contributions from 1,310 individuals and organizations.

"It's been a very encouraging quarter." Pocan said. "From the start, this campaign has been driven by the hundreds of grassroots supporters who believe in it. We based this campaign on the idea that we need to do more than just talk about our progressive values, we need to get things done for working people. It means a lot to me that that message is resonating at a grassroots level."

Over 80% of the donations recieved this quarter came in increments $100 or less. More impressively 97% of Pocan's donors are individuals.

From the Pocan for Congress website:

Mark Pocan has spent the last 13 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing one of the strongest progressive districts in the state. Yet his political roots took hold in blue-collar Kenosha, Wisconsin where he got his start at age eight delivering campaign lit door-to-door for his father, a long-time city alderman

Smoking gun on Scott Walker in John Doe criminal investigation

2012-01-29T19:12:00.000-06:00

Scott Walker e-mail shows complicity in illegal, secret e-mail system; timeline shows Walker directing cover-up to county executive's office campaign operation.

Jud Lounsbury's analysis of Scott Walker's e-mail to his former and criminally-charged deputy chief-of-staff, Tim Russell, is a blockbuster.

It has been widely spun that when Scott Walker sent the 'no more campaign work at work' email [found by the John Doe investigation of Scott Walker aides] to Tim Russell [who along with former county veterans official Kevin Kavanaugh is charged with stealing more than $60,000 in donations intended for Operation Freedom, an annual event honoring veterans ... both face multiple felonies] that the e-mail was directing Rusell in his oversight capacity as [Milwaukee County] Deputy Chief of Staff to reign in the illegal activity. However, Russell's official job in the county executive's office was Director of Housing, not Deputy Chief of Staff.

Russell had left the position of Deputy Chief of Staff on March 15, 2010 and the 'no more campaign work at work' email came two months later on May 14, 2010.

By Jud Lounsbury

In other words, at the time [Koch-brothers-loving] Walker gave the order to Russell, he had no official oversight capacity over the County Executive Office staff indicated in Walker's email-- his only role at the time was as the defacto head of illegal campaign operations in the County Executive's Office.

In fact, Russell wasn't even supposed to be in the county executive's office-- his official job was more than a mile away at the Health and Human Services Building.

Or, to look at it another way, if Walker truly had no idea what was going on and simply wanted to send out a directive ensuring no more illegal campaign activity why wouldn't he send the email to those officially in charge of oversight of his office: Chief of Staff Tom Nardelli [who "abruptly quit his (subsequent) state job with Gov. Scott Walker in late July (2011), pulling the plug on his $90,000-a-year position just days after accepting the post." (Steve Schultze. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Aug 23, 2011)] or Deputy Chief of Staff Kelly Rindfleish? [See also Veterans’ Funds Stolen by Scott Walker Cronies in Growing Scandal, first reported by Dan Bice in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel for more information in this Nixonion scandal.]

Clearly, Walker wrote to Tim Russell because he knew Tim Russell was in charge of the illegal campaign-at-work set-up. As the complaint clearly states, we know this email to Russell had great impact, because after Russell got it, illegal campaign-at-work activity took a sudden downturn. Why would campaign-at-work activity of people that Russell had no official oversight of take this kind of downturn?

The only logical explanation is that Russell was in charge of the campaign-at-work operation and, more importantly, Walker knew that Russell was in charge of the illegal activity.

And that, friends, is one of the biggest reasons that Scott Walker charges are just around the corner.

The complaint discuses the exchange of thousands—yes, thousands—of e-mails involving fundraising and political activity. Many of these e-mails from the deputy chief of staff who is now charged with four felony counts of misconduct in public office, Kelly Rindfleisch, and top political aides to Walker, including Keith Gilkes, who went on to serve as the governor’s chief of staff.

Walker has said that during the campaign he was in constant communication with Gilkes about fundraising and campaign strategy. [Nichols. The Nation, Jan. 26. 2012]

Scott Walker's Extremism Led to Shadow Government

2012-01-28T10:22:00.003-06:00

Scott Walker e-mail to aide Tim Russell, former Walker deputy chief of staff,
and Walker Housing Director for the Dept of Health and Human Services

"We can't afford another story like this one. No one can give them any reason to do another story."

The revelation that Scott Walker's inner circle was responsible for setting up a secret e-mail-computer system that was used to conceal illegal fundraising is a predictable outcome from this extremist and secretive bunch that literally locked the doors to the people's house of Wisconsin, the state capitol.

There is no commitment to representative democracy from this gang facing recall. That's why they feel no need to abide by Wisconsin Open Meeting laws, and feel entitled ordering the arrest of opposition representatives who try to gain entry into their own offices like in the Winter-Spring of 2010.

Scott Walker's Criminal Path to Power

Truth is these are not very bright guys as the John Doe investigation into Walker's tenure in Milwaukee County and his 2010 campaign is demonstrating, as each new arrest flushes out a new act of corruption, never mind jetting around the country bagging $millions in out-of-state campaign funds.

"This was a shadow government meant to further the political career of Scott Walker," said Graeme Zielinski, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. "All of them knew what was right and what was wrong, and they chose the crooked path."

Walker says he didn't know. Few take his assurances at face value anymore.

Scott Walker Email to Aide Tim Russell
Clearly by mentioning 'laptops' Walker is aware of the illegal scheme to do campaign work in the government office with campaign laptops and on a private campaign network.

The complaint also details how Rindfleish did fundraising for Lt. Gov. candidate Brett Davis, which the complaint states 'persons associated with the Friends of Scott Walker campaign committee generally favored Brett Davis over other candidates for the office of Lieutenant Governor.'

Here's the kicker, though: Even though Rindfleish has been under the investigative cross hairs for months, the Walker campaign had kept her on the pay roll up until a week ago!

Speaking of keeping people on the pay roll, guess who was Brett Davis' campaign manager aka the guy that was helping coordinate all this illegal activity out of Walker's government office? The governor's current spokesperson, Cullen Werwie. - Uppity Wisconsin

What did Walker mean in his e-mail on the secret system in which he says, "We can't afford another story like this one. No one can give them any reason to do another story."

Wisconsin citizens might be more assured had Walker written, 'What we are doing is wrong. This whole secret system is wrong and should not have been set-up in the first place; our commitment is to serve Milwaukee and Wisconsin and not Scott Walker.'

The Walker campaign has hired former U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic to respond to the request [subpoenaed emails by John Doe prosecutors], paying his firm nearly $110,000 over the past year, reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Two more former aides to Scott Walker charged with crimes

2012-01-26T12:17:00.003-06:00

Scott Walker

Update: Scott Walker'a inner circle was responsible for setting up a secret e-mail-computer system that was used to conceal illegal fundraising.

Wisconsin wonders if it can get a statement of condemnation from Scott Walker as his former aides keep getting charged with criminal acts.

Is Scott Walker in favor or against criminal acts? The circle is closing in on Recall target, Scott Walker.

By Chris Bowers

Already, District Attorney John Chisholm's office has charged Tim Russell, former Walker deputy chief of staff, and former county veterans official Kevin Kavanaugh with stealing more than $60,000 in donations intended for Operation Freedom, an annual event honoring veterans at the county zoo. Both are facing multiple felonies.

Russell's domestic partner, Brian Pierick, was also charged with two felonies for child enticement. [Bice, Umhoefer. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Jan 26, 2012]

Two aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker during his time as Milwaukee County Executive have been charged as part of an ongoing investigation of Walker staffers:

By Dan Bice: Two staffers who worked directly for Gov. Scott Walker while he was county executive were charged Thursday with illegally doing extensive political work while being paid by taxpayers to do county jobs.

Kelly Rindfleisch, deputy chief of staff to Walker in 2010, faces four felony counts of misconduct in office for working for then-Rep. Brett Davis' 2010 campaign for lieutenant governor while on the county clock. Davis, who lost in the Republican primary, is now Walker's state Medicaid director.[...]

Also facing two misdemeanors is Darlene Wink, Walker's one-time constituent services coordinator, who is accused of using county resources to raise money for Walker's 2010 gubernatorial bid. Wink, a former vice chair of the Milwaukee County Republican Party, resigned in May 2010 after admitting that she was spending part of her work day doing campaign work. [Wink is represented by a writer for the Waukesha, Wisconsin Freedom Weekly. Wisconsin's Pravda.]

MAL Contends . . .

GOP Bets Heavily on the Appeal of Misogyny

I'm not going to ask "What's wrong with this picture?"

We know what's wrong.

I'm asking how can this be happening in 2012?

By Progressive Eruptions

Koch Goes Public, Comments on Scott Walker

Archbishop works AGAINST sexually abused children; Gives GOP thumbs-up for averting its gaze

On corruption in the Walker administration

Where is the outrage from the GOP?

Running on a Mandate Is Small-d democratic in Wisconsin

People Power v. Scott Walker

When Gov. Scott Walker appeared on conservative commentator Larry Kudlow's CNBC show last week, the headline crawl asked regarding Wisconsin's recall: “Most Important Non-Presidential Election?”

Scott Walker's Latest Bomb to Drop: Raid Workers' Pension

Barry Goldwater on the Religious Right and Conservatism

Weinstein's Right on Marine Scout Sniper-NAZI Icon

You fucked up. Renounce it and move on.

When you felt the need to mark your rifles with the SS symbol, you fucked up again. Renounce it and move on.

Scott Fitzgerald's Laughable Challange to Citizen Recall

President Obama is no Vice-President Cheney

﻿When I read on May 1, 2011 that Bin Laden was killed, I wondered at first why the New York Times reported the roles of the CIA and SEALs, noting when President Obama "gave the final order for members of the Navy Seals and C.I.A. operatives to strike."

Is this too much information, "too many details of [special operations' missions being] leaked to the press," as John Miller [who worked with the FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence], said on "CBS This Morning" (February 8, 2012).

The loudest criticism [seen in the video below] is coming from a Christian Dominionist, Maj Gen James Vaught who also said a few years back: "Only Christian [is a] soldier is a good soldier. We know we (Christians) are not the enemy so you figure out who is."

Scott Walker Gets to Decide If Tech School IDs Are Okay to Vote

Look for Scott Walker to allow technical school IDs to be used to vote in Wisconsin elections.

Scott Walker Is Not the DA's Number One Helper

A legal subpoena is an order and command to appear and/or produce what is sought by legal authorities.

Scott Walker Isolates Himself from Press, Citizens as WalkerGate Breaks Open

Romney fails to garner 50% in Mormon-heavy Nevada

As demographics change in multi-cultural America, Willard Mitt Romney is finding it difficult to round up a majority of Americans to get on his bandwagon, even a majority of Republicans.

By Michael Leon

Marvin Gaye: What's Going On

"If you cannot find peace in yourself, you will never find it anywhere else."

- Marvin Gaye, 1939-1984

Afghanistan: Out now

Peace: Now.

Thank you, Marvin and Obie.

Scott Walker Hires Two Top Defense Attys Just to Help Criminal Investigation

Sign the petition, reveal Walker's secret E-mail network

Scott Walker sure is a trooper, he just wants to help the Milwaukee DA.

Scott Walker Digging More Holes with Easily Revealed Evasions

Update: Walker summoned to meet with prosecutors on John Doe investigation This past Sunday, on Upfront with Mike Gousha, Walker claimed that he had no idea his entire campaign apparatus was working to get Brett Davis elected as his running mate and said he hadn't even endorsed Davis.

Someone really needs to teach Scott Walker how to lie better if he is to hang onto to his job in the recall election.

By Jud Lounsbury

Recall Opponents Shameless, Disrespectful of Wisconsin Families

Reveal Walker's secret E-mail network

Sign the petition, reveal Walker's secret E-mail network

Pocan Cruises—1,300 Contributors Raise Over $150,000 this Quarter

Smoking gun on Scott Walker in John Doe criminal investigation

Scott Walker e-mail shows complicity in illegal, secret e-mail system; timeline shows Walker directing cover-up to county executive's office campaign operation.

Jud Lounsbury's analysis of Scott Walker's e-mail to his former and criminally-charged deputy chief-of-staff, Tim Russell, is a blockbuster.

Russell had left the position of Deputy Chief of Staff on March 15, 2010 and the 'no more campaign work at work' email came two months later on May 14, 2010.

By Jud Lounsbury

And that, friends, is one of the biggest reasons that Scott Walker charges are just around the corner.

Scott Walker's Extremism Led to Shadow Government

"We can't afford another story like this one. No one can give them any reason to do another story."

Two more former aides to Scott Walker charged with crimes

Update: Scott Walker'a inner circle was responsible for setting up a secret e-mail-computer system that was used to conceal illegal fundraising.

Wisconsin wonders if it can get a statement of condemnation from Scott Walker as his former aides keep getting charged with criminal acts.

Is Scott Walker in favor or against criminal acts? The circle is closing in on Recall target, Scott Walker.

By Chris Bowers

When I read on May 1, 2011 that Bin Laden was killed, I wondered at first why the New York Times reported the roles of the CIA and SEALs, noting when President Obama "gave the final order for members of the Navy Seals and C.I.A. operatives to strike."

Sign the petition, reveal Walker's
secret E-mail network

Update: Walker summoned to meet with prosecutors on John Doe investigation

This past Sunday, on Upfront with Mike Gousha, Walker claimed that he had no idea his entire campaign apparatus was working to get Brett Davis elected as his running mate and said he hadn't even endorsed Davis.