Justice David Prosser is by far the best candidate. In every capacity, Prosser is JoAnne Kloppenburg's superior. Without question, he deserves to be reelected to the Supreme Court.
David Prosser recently compared the Wisconsin Supreme Court, of which he is a member, to a family. Families have their squabbles, he noted in an interview with WisconsinEye.
True enough, but this "family" does more than squabble. It's close to dysfunctional.
The state Supreme Court is riven with personal dislikes, petty jealousies and wide ideological divides. The court is split 4-3, with self-described judicial conservatives, including Prosser, most often in the majority.
Though Prosser, 68, shares responsibility for the court's divisiveness, we don't believe he is the problem. Prosser has been a capable justice who has shown the ability to work with his ideological opposites when the situation demands. He is a good writer, has an even temperament and is a hard worker. We disagree with him on disciplining of lawyers - he doesn't see major problems with the lax system the state now employs; we do. But this is not enough to disqualify him.
...All the justices share responsibility for decorum, but Prosser is right: The chief does have a special role to play. It's worth noting that fissures on Abrahamson's court are nothing new. Shortly after Prosser joined the court in 1998, a cabal of justices sought to depose Abrahamson, backing her opponent in her re-election race. Prosser supported her and says that over the years he has had a good relationship with her.
We encourage Prosser - and his fellow justices, especially Abrahamson - to repair their differences and focus on interpreting the state constitution fairly and modestly. Leave the sniping for the lunch room.
Kloppenburg, 57, is a strong candidate. She has degrees from Yale and Princeton and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin. She specialized in environmental affairs. But we believe Prosser is the stronger candidate this time.
We recommend that voters return him to the court for another 10-year term.
There's no question that Justice Prosser is a stronger candidate than Kloppenburg.
Governor Tommy G. Thompson Gov. Scott McCallum Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow
Retired Supreme Court Justices: Justice William Callow Justice Don Steinmetz Justice Louis Ceci Justice Jon Wilcox
Judges: Hon. Charles Pollex, Adams Hon. J.D. McKay, Brown Hon. Donald Zuidmulder-Brown Hon. Kendall M Kelley, Brown Hon. Mark Warpinski, Brown Hon. Don Poppy, Calumet Hon. Alan White, Columbia Hon. Patrick Fiedler, Dane Hon. George Glonek, Douglas Hon. Kelly Thimm, Douglas Hon. Leon Stenz, Forest Hon. Dale English, Fond du Lac Hon. Peter Grimm, Fond du Lac Hon. Richard Nuss, Fond du Lac Hon. Robert Wirtz, Fond du Lac Hon. James Beer, Green Hon. Randy Koschnick, Jefferson Hon. Paul Curran, Juneau Hon. John Roemer, Juneau Hon. Chad Kerkman, Kenosha Hon. Bruce Schroeder, Kenosha Hon. Wilbur Warren, Kenosha Hon. Mary Wagner, Kenosha Hon. Todd Bjerke, LaCrosse Hon. Scott Horne, LaCrosse Hon. Fred Karalski, Langlade Hon. Jay Tlusty, Lincoln Hon. Tim Duket, Marinette Hon. James Habech, Shawano Hon. Carl Ashley, Milwaukee Hon. William Brash, Milwaukee Hon. Jane Carroll, Milwaukee Hon. Dennis Cimpl, Milwaukee Hon. Jeffrey Conen, Milwaukee Hon. Pedro Colon, Milwaukee Hon. Joseph Donald, Milwaukee Hon. Tim Dugan, Milwaukee Hon. Clare Fiorenza, Milwaukee Hon. David Hansher, Milwaukee Hon. Daniel Konkol, Milwaukee Hon. Mary Kuhnmuench, Milwaukee Hon. Kevin Martens, Milwaukee Hon. Dennis Moroney, Milwaukee Hon. Daniel Noonan, Milwaukee Hon. Stephanie Rothstein, Milwaukee Hon. William Sosnay, Milwaukee Hon. Francis Wasielewski, Milwaukee Hon. J.D. Watts, Milwaukee Hon. Maxine White, Milwaukee Hon. Jay Conley, Oconto Hon. Michael Judge, Oconto Hon. John Desjardins, Outagamie Hon. Howard Froehlich, Outagamie Hon. Michael Gage, Outagamie Hon. Mark McGinnis, Outagamie Hon. Mitchell Metropulos, Outagamie Hon. Paul Malloy, Ozaukee Hon. Sandy Williams, Ozaukee Hon. Joseph Boles, Pierce Hon. Dennis Barry, Racine Hon. Faye Flancher, Racine Hon. Gerard Ptacek, Racine Hon. Gene Gasiorkiewicz, Racine Hon. Edward Lieneweber, Richland Hon. Daniel Dillon, Rock Hon. Michael Fitzpatrick, Rock Hon. James Welker, Rock Hon. Scott R. Needham, St. Croix Hon. Patrick Taggart, Sauk Hon. Robert Kennedy, Walworth Hon. James Carlson, Walworth Hon. Todd Martens, Washington Hon. Michael Bohren, Waukesha Hon. William Domina, Waukesha Hon. Donald Hassin, Waukesha Hon. Lee Dreyfus, Waukesha Hon. Mac Davis, Waukesha Hon. Patrick Haughney, Waukesha Hon. Ralph Ramirez, Waukesha Hon. Mark Gundrum, Waukesha Hon. Raymond Huber, Waupaca Hon. Greg Dutcher, Waushara Hon. John Jorgensen, Winnebago Hon. James Mason, Wood Hon. George Curry, Grant Hon. James Eaton, Barron (retired) Hon. Tim Vocke, Oneida (retired) Hon. Ed Zappen, Wood
Elected Officials: County Executive Dan Vrakas (Waukesha) Mayor John Antaramian (Kenosha--former) Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (Independent-Manitowoc) Rep. Tyler August (R-Walworth) Rep Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) Rep. Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz) Rep. John Murtha (R-Baldwin) Rep. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater) Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby) Rep. Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls) Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) Rep. Alvin Ott (R-Forest Junction) Rep. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay) Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon) Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg) Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) Rep. Jerry Petrowski, Jerry (R-Marathon) Rep. Warren Petryk (R-Eleva) Rep. Mike Endsley (R-Sheboygan) Rep. Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee) Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford) Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Beaver Dam) Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) Rep. Roger Rivard (R-Rice Lake) Rep. Mark Honadel (R-S. Milwaukee) Rep. Erik Severson (R-Star Prairie) Rep. Andre Jacque (R-Green Bay) Rep. Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh) Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) Rep, Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake) Rep. Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greenfield) Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake) Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend) Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) Rep. John Klenke (R-Green Bay) Rep. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) Rep. Joe Knilans (R-Janesville) Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson) Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) Rep. Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) Rep. Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids) Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay) Rep. Robin Vos (R-Caledonia) Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) Rep. Tom Larson (R-Colfax) Rep. Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay) Rep. Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade) Rep, Mary Williams (R-Medford) Rep. Michelle Litjens (R-Oshkosh) Rep. Evan Wynn (R-Whitewater) Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) Rep. Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River) Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) Sen. Michael Ellis (R-Neenah) Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) Sen. Frank Lasee (R-DePere) Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls) Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) Past-Rep. John Dobyns
Law Enforcement Community Milwaukee Police Association Sheriff David Clarke, Milwaukee Sheriff Dan Trawicki, Waukesha Sheriff John Gossage, Brown Sheriff Steve Helgeson, La Crosse Sheriff Bradley Gehring, Outagamie Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, Racine Sheriff Todd Nehls, Dodge Sheriff Paul Susienkea, Bayfield Sheriff Jerry Moran, Crawford Sheriff Mylan Fink, Fond du Lac Sheriff Dennis Smith, Dunn Sheriff Jerry Sauve, Marinette Sheriff John Andrews, Pepin Sheriff Dean Roland, Burnett Sheriff Dennis Richards, Columbia Sheriff Thomas Dalbec, Douglas Sheriff Mark Podoll, Green Lake Sheriff James Kowalczyk, Chippewa Sheriff Ron Cramer, Eau Claire Sheriff Jeff Rickaby, Florence Sheriff Keith Glover, Grant Sheriff Steve Michek, Iowa Sheriff Brent Oleson, Juneau Sheriff David Beth, Kenosha Sheriff Scott Pedley, Lafayette Sheriff William Greening, Langlade Sheriff Kim Gaffney, Marquette Sheriff Phil Malsack, Marquette (former) Sheriff David Kaminski, Rusk County Sheriff Michael Jansen, Oconto Sheriff Maury Straub, Ozaukee Sheriff Chris Schmaling, Racine Sheriff Randy Wright, Shawano Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, St. Croix Sheriff Gene Carey, Vernon Sheriff David Graves, Walworth Sheriff Terry Dryen, Washburn Sheriff Dale Schmidt, Washington Sheriff David Peterson, Waushara Sheriff Michael Brooks, Winnebago Sheriff Randy Roderick, Green (former) Sheriff Lewis Rosandisch, Clark (former) Sheriff James Kanikula, Marinette (former) Sheriff Randy Stammen, Sauk (former) Sheriff James Meier, Sawyer (former) Chief Randy Martin, RIO DA John Zakowski, Brown DA Mike Nieskes, Racine DA Richard Dufor, Marquette DA Brad Schimel, Waukesha DA Carrie Schneider, Outagamie DA Kurt Klomberg, Dodge DA Daniel Bank, Douglas DA Gary Luhman, Green DA Gerald Fox, Jackson DA Scott Southworth, Juneau DA Adam Gerol, Ozaukee DA Gregory Parker, Shawano DA Eric Johnson, St Croix DA John Snider, Waupaca DA Scott Blader, Waushara
Past State Bar Presidents Gary Bakke, New Richmond Pamela E. Barker, Appleton Lawrence J. Bugge, Madison R. George Burnett, Green Bay Gregory R. Conway, Green Bay John R. Decker, Evansville James D. Ghiardi, Shorewood Franklyn M. Gimbel, Milwaukee D. Michael Guerin, Milwaukee Donald L. Heaney, Madison Myron E. La Rowe, Reedsburg Gerald W. Mowris, Madison Gerald M. O’Brien, Stevens Point John Skilton, Madison Thomas S. Sleik, La Crosse Steven R. Sorenson, Ripon G. Lane Ware, Wausau
Associations/Groups Physicians for Responsible Government Wisconsin Restaurant Association Wisconin Realtors Association Wisconsin Builders Association Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Lawmakers, the legal community, and law enforcement all endorse Prosser.
JoAnne Kloppenburg's page of endorsements has lots of names, but they're simply alphabetized, without titles.
That's OK for the phone book, but it's a disorganized way to list endorsements.
For me, this race boils down to experience and judicial philosophy.
Kloppenburg lacks experience. I don't think she's qualified to be on the Supreme Court.
Experience Matters -- Prior to my 12 years on the bench, I served 18 years in the legislature, two years as Outagamie County District Attorney, and more than two years in the United States Department of Justice. In these roles, I have created, applied, and interpreted law -- and received high marks for my performance in every capacity.
Judicial Philosophy -- I present myself as a judicial conservative, devoted to the constitution and the rule of law. My job is to find the law and apply it properly, not to make it up to advance some ideological objective.
Judicial Record -- In 12 years, I have participated in more than 900 published Supreme Court decisions and have written opinions in almost every area of law. My record for impartiality and scholarship is well known to people who closely follow the work of the court.
A Supreme Court justice is expected to be an independent decision-maker who makes the correct call in tough cases. I believe I have earned a reputation as a fair and reasonable justice who will apply the law fairly, not legislate from the bench.
This race isn't a referendum on Governor Scott Walker.
It's not about unions and their thuggery.
It's not about the injustice of public employees demanding that middle class taxpayers like me be burdened with paying for my own health care and saving for retirement as well as footing the bill for their benefits.
This is about electing an experienced, qualified justice for the Supreme Court; someone who will interpret the law, not act as a legislator.
I'm not going to vote for an inexperienced, judicial activist like Kloppenburg.
Jay Leno continues to bombard his audience with political drivel from Leftists.
The latest Leftist to appear on the Tonight Show was Fareed Zakaria.
Naturally, Zakaria carried water for Obama. He kept yapping about Libya and the "smart diplomacy" of the Obama administration.
Yes, it's been absolutely brilliant.
Right.
As usual, Leno didn't challenge the Leftist Zakaria at all.
Leno really has changed. Since his prime time fiasco, he doesn't hesitate to reveal his personal political leanings.
He rarely books conservatives on the show, so any political discussion is incredibly slanted and annoying. There's no balance. Leno rarely plays devil's advocate. It's a liberal echo chamber.
Here's video, followed by some interview transcript:
FAREED ZAKARIA: I think Obama's weakness is he's a very smart guy but he's very cool, which is good. You're calm, you're collected, but there's almost too much cool. There's an unsentimental...
LENO: Unemotional.
ZAKARIA: Yeah, you think about the problem of Americans who are unemployed. You talk about 20 million, maybe 25 million Americans -- I think if there was some way that he could connect with them. I think they understand he can't wave a magic wand and do something about it, but he needs to in some way give voice to their feeling of hopelessness and frustration. He's not as good at that as he is at the pure analysis.
Oh, good grief.
That's all Zakaria could up with when it comes to Obama's weakness?
Obama's weakness is a lesser strength?
What a hack!
When Leno brought up the 2012 election and the Republican nominee, Zakaria stressed the Tea Party's influence, suggesting extremism. That's right out of the Dems' talking points and Chuck Schumer's big mouth.
ZAKARIA: The party has changed a lot. This is not Ronald Reagan's party. This is not Richard Nixon's party. This is a party animated by the Tea Party, by populism, by all these new forces. And so I think it's much less going to play by the old rules. And so when people look at a Sarah Palin and say, 'Well, she can't get it,' she energizes that base like nobody else does.
Then Leno set up Zakaria to take some shots at Glenn Beck.
LENO: Let me ask you something just to have some fun here. Glenn Beck -- what did he call you? An 'America-basher' and a 'useful idiot.'
ZAKARIA: Yeah, because I corrected his math. He went on a show with his chalkboard and, you know, explained how 10 percent of Muslims are all, are terrorists.
LENO: 9.8. Ten percent!
ZAKARIA: Ten percent, you know. And I just pointed out if you do the math that means there are 157 million terrorists around in the world, and by the State Department's counts there have been only, what, 10,000... you know, 1000 terrorist events. If you assume 100 people involved in planning, it's just the math doesn't make any sense.
So I just think, look, it's the easiest thing to call somebody when you disagree with them an America-basher. I'm an immigrant. I'm not an American by accident of birth as Glenn Beck is. I'm an American by choice. I came to this country.
LENO: (Laughs, applauds)
I can understand why Zakaria would want to respond to Beck's name-calling, and defend himself. That's fair.
However, Zakaria's remarks do serve to diminish those of us blessed to be born in America, as if he has some greater authority because he chose to be an American.
I don't like that argument.
I don't think of myself as "American by accident of birth." I'm just a proud citizen, grateful to be an American. My pride and gratitude are no accident.
Also, Zakaria derides Beck for calling him an "America-basher."
Will Zakaria condemn the protesters in Wisconsin and their comrades around the country for calling Governor Scott Walker Hitler and other hideous names?
Next topic: The Birther controversy.
LENO: You know I like Donald Trump. He's a friend of mine. He's been here. Why... You can't be president if you weren't born here. If it didn't come out before the election, what is this nonsense? Why does this keep going on?
ZAKARIA: Look, I think that some of this -- maybe there are people who feel genuinely worried about this -- I think some of it is being used by politicans as a coded way to talk about race and the fact that he's different from us, whatever that means. I think it's a great shame because first of all, it's unbecoming, it's un-American. Secondly, you know, look at this last census. What does it mean to be different for us? You've got 15 million Hispanic Americans. You've got a country that is increasingly a mixture of minorities. You know, look at us. We all have funny last names. Right? I mean, join the club.
And there's the race card.
I think Trump just wants publicity. He's shrewd. He's knows how to get it. Call Rosie O'Donnell a fat pig and question Obama's birth certificate, whatever it takes to get attention. It's about self-promotion. But that's not the issue. Zakaria is especially offensive when he calls Americans racists and bigots.
This code crap is silly. It's insulting to the majority of Americans who have policy disagreements with Obama and don't approve of the job he's doing as president.
While I'm sure there are some people against Obama because he's half black, most of us against Obama are critical of his policies and values, not his skin color.
This is the 21st century.
Another Leftist hijacks Leno's show. I blame Leno for handing over the controls.
Judge Maryann Sumi, mother of foul-mouthed, union hack Jake Sinderbrand, has ordered that the budget repair law is not in effect.
She issued the order this morning even though on Tuesday she said that would be a move she would not make. Sumi said, "I hesitate to do that at this point because testimony is not closed and argument is not closed."
Although no testimony whatsoever has taken place since she said that, Sumi issued the order anyway.
Why did Sumi no longer "hesitate"?
What changed?
Did her husband, Carl Sinderbrand, and son, Jake Sinderbrand, convince her to quit "hesitating"?
Did she receive promises of support from union bosses?
That would be a corruption of our legal system.
Something is rotten in Dane County.
A state law to sharply curb union bargaining by public employees is not in effect, a Dane County judge ruled Thursday, continuing the turmoil over a measure that sparked massive protests and prompted Democrats to boycott the Senate for three weeks.
Gov. Scott Walker's administration said it would comply and discontinue the implementation of the law.
"Based on the briefs of counsel, the uncontroverted testimony, and the evidence received at the March 29, 2011, evidentiary hearing, it is hereby DECLARED that 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 has not been published within the meaning of (state statutes), and is therefore not in effect," Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi ruled in a two-paragraph order.
...In response to the order, Walker's administration said it was halting action on putting the law in force.
"While I believe the budget-repair bill was legally published and is indeed law, given the most recent court action we will suspend the implementation of it at this time," said a statement from Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch.
"I am pleased that now we have a clear statement that the law is not in effect and that we have to straighten this out," said La Follette, a Democrat.
Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) said the order was needed because he said Walker's administration had ignored past warnings from the judge.
"This morning with her added order she has taken away their last excuse," his statement said.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) called the order "judicial activism at its worst."
"Once again, one Dane County judge is doing everything she can to stand in the way of our efforts to improve the economy and create jobs," said a statement he issued.
...Sumi's latest order is in sharp contrast to what she said two days earlier in court. Then, Ozanne asked her to issue an order declaring the law was not in effect, but Sumi declined to do so.
"That is yet to be determined," she said then. "I hesitate to do that at this point because testimony is not closed and argument is not closed."
No testimony has been taken since Sumi said that.
Clearly, Sumi is doing the bidding of the unions.
She pulled this latest order out of thin air, something she said she would not do.
Members of Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24, have begun circulating letters to businesses in southeast Wisconsin, asking them to support workers’ rights by putting up a sign in their windows.
If businesses fail to comply, the letter says, “Failure to do so will leave us no choice but (to) do a public boycott of your business. And sorry, neutral means 'no' to those who work for the largest employer in the area and are union members."
Jim Parrett, a field representative of Council 24 for Southeast Wisconsin, confirmed the contents of the letter, which carries his signature. But he added that the union was also circulating letters to businesses thanking them for supporting workers’ rights.
Parrett said that since the letters were sent out, he has received threatening phone calls as well as calls from people supporting the state workers.
"I've gotten a lot of threatening phone calls," Parrett said.
Parrett said he believed the letter campaign was going on in other parts of the state. His region includes Racine and Kenosha counties, as well as parts of Waukesha and Walworth counties.
“It’s going on in other parts of the state,” he said Wednesday.
...In the letter from Parrett to some businesses, he says that, “It is unfortunate that you have chosen ‘not’ to support public workers rights in Wisconsin. In recent past weeks you have been offered a sign by a public employee who works in one of the state facilities in the Union Grove area. These signs simply said, ‘This Business Supports Workers Rights,’ a simple, subtle and we feel non-controversial statement gives the facts at this time.”
..."The recent actions taken on the governor’s budget repair bill have taken more from workers than dollars. It took away our right to bargain things such as: sick leave and how it is used, vacation and how it is used, overtime and how it is ‘fairly’ distributed. Our grievance procedure has been virtually destroyed. These are things that make life working in a 24/7 facility tolerable,” Parrett wrote in the letter.
Parrett adds in the letter: "State employees fully expect to take some lumps financially in these tough economic times, we have offered and we will. But don't take away rights to what has kept workplace peace for half a century and has worked well."
...Asked Wednesday about the boycott effort, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said "that any nonviolent tactic used to get attention to the steamroller tactics it seems to me are reasonable. I encourage people to remain nonviolent and disciplined in their protests."
Asked if he supported boycott efforts in Wisconsin, Jackson did not directly endorse them.
He said: The best way to resolve conflict is when everybody is at the tabel and they can negotiate through some rational institutional process."
(Don't the professional journalists, union members, of the Journal Sentinel spell check their articles before publishing? What's a "tabel"?)
Originally, the union thugs targeted businesses that had some indirect connection to Governor Scott Walker. For example, if an owner or employee, as a private citizen, made a donation to the Governor, that business made the boycott list.
Now, the union thugs have expanded their targets. They are demanding that businesses with no connections whatsoever to Governor Walker and to political matters display political signs supporting the unions. In effect, the union thugs are making them an offer they can't refuse.
The thugs threaten that if the businesses don't display the pro-union signs, there will be consequences - PUBLIC BOYCOTT.
"And sorry, neutral means 'no' to those who work for the largest employer in the area and are union members."
This is disgusting. As a former member of AFSCME (against my will), I find these letters detestable.
The public unions have really gone off the deep end.
Remaining neutral is not an option, according to the union thugs.
INAPPROPRIATE!
The more the union thugs employ these strong-arm tactics against hard-working people just trying to make a living, the more my disapproval of these public union members, THUGS, grows. __________________
Note to self: Go to Sendik's and buy Johnsonville brats and Sargento cheese, then go to Kwik Trip.
