Wisconsin: Sen. Fitzgerald lets it slip, Capitol Arrests meant to Intimidate and Isolate

[Scuba]

http://democurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2013/07/sen-fitzgerald-lets-it-slip-capitol.html


Sen. Fitzgerald lets it slip, Capitol Arrests meant to intimidate and Isolate Politicians from the People.

This odd and very unsettling warning went out at the Capitol, reported in the Wisconsin State Journal like it was just another day in the park.

WSJ: Fitzgerald warns politicians to not get near protesters … Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald’s office sent a note to legislative offices warning staff not to congregate along the balcony during the protests. “If you are in the vicinity of the illegal demonstrations that have been taking place over the noon hour in the rotunda, you will be considered part of the protests and are subject to being ticketed,” the message said.

Fitzgerald is aware that even innocent bystanders at the Capitol are targets for arrest. For a majority party that says they’re trying to protect everyone’s right to visit the Capitol, that’s not what I'm seeing, and leaves no doubt that they're outright lying. What better reason for a judge to find the “protest permits” unconstitutional. It’s impossible to say whose there to protest, and whose just watching, unless that wasn't the point:

Joe Meiller, a Madison Metro bus driver who brought his two sons to watch the singalong Friday from the balcony, was upset that he was asked to leave by Capitol police. “We didn’t sing or clap once,” Meiller said. “If I observe a bank robbery nearby, am I a participant because I was nearby?”

[ewagner]

1. That's why I left

when I saw the Capital Police gathering

A week ago last Thursday, I was in town with my wife conducting business and took time to do my normal "seek and annoy" mission with my local Representatives...nobody was in so I decided to escape the heat outside and read my Nook book on the cool, marble benches in the capital rotunda.

An officer came up to me and I politely said hello...told him I appreciated the cool, marble benches and then said I thought summertime was a quieter time in the capital because there weren't as many school tours running around (they're wonderful and they're pretty noisy if you've ever witnessed two or three of them touring at the same time)...he asked who I was there to see...I told him I had stopped to visit my local Senator and Assemblyman...he asked me to name them...I did...and he them moved from pillar to pillar watching alternately the center of the rotunda for people suspiciously gathering and then back at me.

I got the distinct impression he thought I was part of a "flash mob" or perhaps a lookout or something along those lines....secretly setting up an "illegal assembly". Frankly I felt uncomfortable and looked around to see other officers dispersed and standing nearby...

I left and took my evil nook book and anarchist wannabe self back over to Starbucks on the square.

I talked to my local assemblyman (a repub) last Tuesday about the arrest of the singers...he said that they are a pain and they disrupt his peace and quiet (he's a rookie so he's on the first floor) ...he also said that he wouldn't mind it so much "if they were GOOD singers." Really....

When I related this story to a tea party associate...he said the singers needed to "get a job"..I told him they had jobs and just did the singing on their lunch hours...he said, "oh. I see. They're all UNION troublemakers!"

I'm getting really pissed...and a little depressed at the depth of the stupidity I'm encountering

Sorry for the rant.

[Scuba]

2. No apology necessary; I appreciate the rant.

[postulater]

5. I second your rant and raise you a WTF.

[Lefta Dissenter]

8. You were here

and didn't even say hello??? MEANIE!!!

[ewagner]

9. Tentatively scheduled...

to be down there again on the 15th....I'll raise a flag so you know who I am!!

[freemay20]

3. Actually he never said that and after reading the article, it NEVER even eluded to it.

I hate the man and the Republican BS going on in my home state. We must, however, not put words in someone's' mouth and act as the Republicans do.

[Scuba]

4. No one put any words in his mouth. But what he wrote made it clear ...

... that politicians and their staffs should avoid interacting - or even being near - the protesters or they may be arrested. It's no leap to conclude that is intended to intimidate and isolate both the protesters and the staffers.

[Blue Owl]

6. Focker's Fucked-up Fiefdom of Fascism

Meanwhile, Focker and his goons are all high on Koch and laughing as they rape Wisconsin's civil rights.

C'mon Wisconsin -- it's past time to throw out this moldy fake cheese product...

[hue]

7. WI Repukes are crazy nutters... K&R!!