Scott Walker Loses, Free Speech Wins in Wisconsin Appellate Court

[midnight]

"The case represents a significant victory for free speech advocates, and another judicial slap in the face of Scott Walker who is going thorough the motions of launching a presidential run.

Walker would be subject to national scrutiny and ridicule were he to appeal the case to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, taking on the appearance of a petty, anti-free speech governor who cannot bear the airing of speech with which he disagrees.

In Wisconsin the state Capitol is recognized as a free speech, public forum area, a commitment discarded by Scott Walker when 100,000s of Wisconsin citizens vocally opposed him and his policies.

Crute is the co-host of the Devil's Advocates Radio."

http://malcontends.blogspot.com

[Scuba]

1. He may very well appeal. First, he knows he would win ...

... as the State Supremes are not just stacked on his side but have sworn allegiance to him.

Plus, his base would love seeing the Soldiarity Singers smacked down as they're just a collection unworthy takers and their liberal elite snobs anyway. At least in the "minds" of Walker's backers.


Do not underestimate this guy.

[postulater]

2. To Walker Free Speech means whoever paid him the most gets to talk to him for free.

[hue]

4. Yup, Wanker is a prostitute: will do it for money...

[hue]

3. Too true! The KKKoch operation is so tight in WI with contol on every level.

Do not underestimate the 1 % and their goals. As the Kochs announced recently, "We're just getting started."

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/charles-koch-were-just-getting-started-114567.html

[midnight]

6. They have been putting all their ducks in a row for several decades.

'For decades, they were under the radar. They and their father had amassed an incredible fortune, mainly in the oil business. Their privately held company revenues last year were estimated at $100 billion. Each brother is worth $21.5 billion. That is a very big “B” in both cases.

For many years, they have been involved in politics but not terribly open or transparent about it. It is true that David Koch ran as vice president on the 1980 Libertarian ticket, to the right of Ronald Reagan. According to New York Times columnist Frank Rich, “his campaign called for the abolition not just of Social Security, federal regulatory agencies and welfare but also of the FBI, the CIA, and public schools.” Since the Libertarian party’s 1 percent showing in 1980, David Koch has very much been behind the scenes, until now. [See who donates the most to your member of Congress.]

Jane Mayer, of The New Yorker, in her 10,000 word piece last August, peeled the cover off the onion of the Koch brothers' empire. And she focused not only on their personal wealth and family, but on their political empire building.

It was not, and is not, easy to get the details on the extent of their tentacles. They funnel money through 501c3 tax-exempt foundations, and they give money to other foundations, lobbying organizations, and right wing think tanks. They have PACs; they support candidates. Only a small portion of what they control do they divulge."

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/peter-fenn/2011/02/02/tea-party-funding-koch-brothers-emerge-from-anonymity


They are dismantling our schools right now.

[Lefta Dissenter]

5. This is huge, because

between the other cases under appeal and those for which the presiding judges have said they'd wait until after this decision, over 100 cases will be impacted!

So now the State needs to decide if they're going to continue to waste resources in pursuit of these cases, most of which are forfeitures of roughly $200 apiece. Really? Appeal to the State Supreme Court to chase a citation for singing or holding a sign?

Does it make Walker look tough, or does it make him look wasteful and petty?

[hue]

7. More: Appeals Court Rules That Requiring Permit For Solidarity Singers Was Unconstitutional

http://www.wpr.org/appeals-court-rules-requiring-permit-solidarity-singers-was-unconstitutional

State Capitol Police Made Hundreds Of Arrests In 2013 During Series Of Sing-Alongs

A Wisconsin appeals court ruled on Thursday morning that a state requirement for singers in the state Capitol to obtain a permit was unconstitutional.

The ruling by Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg of the 4th District Court of Appeals appears to be the last word on the matter, which became a hot-button issue during the summer of 2013 when Capitol Police arrested hundreds of protesters for singing in the Capitol rotunda without a permit.

Protester Michael Krute brought the legal challenge after he was ticketed for singing in the rotunda in July of 2013. Crute argued the regulations violated his free speech rights. A Madison judge tossed out his ticket in February. Kloppenburg upheld that decision on Thursday, ruling that the regulations hadn’t been narrowly written to further a significant state interest.

Jeff Scott Olson, Krute's attorney, said the ruling means hundreds of other citations that have been hold for more than a year will likely be dismissed.

“I am very gratified for the judges of the circuit court of Dane County, who now don't have to conduct several hundred individual trials in these cases,” said Olson.

The rule requiring a permit was changed after a legal challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union in the fall of 2013. Now protesters can simply inform the Capitol Police when they plan to sing in the rotunda.

An email from the Department of Justice says the state say is considering whether or not to appeal. However, Olson said because the rule no longer exists, it's unlikely the Department of Justice will appeal the case to the state Supreme Court.