"Waiter, there's still a gadfly in my soup." Alachua activist gets respect.

[madfloridian]

Well, a little at least. Here is what I posted when Charlie Grapski's case was thrown out of court because it was ridiculous.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/649

And Charlie's picture that day.


Here is the Gainesville Sun editorial about Charlie's case....

http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061122/EDITORIALS/211220301/1096/editorials

It took Judge Buck Curtin almost no time at all on Thursday to dismiss the felony wiretapping charge against Charlie Grapski and short-circuit a trial that would have been a mockery of justice.

It's clear that Watson was infuriated and personally offended by Grapski's allegation that improprieties had occurred in the election. What's not clear is why State Attorney Bill Cervone even bothered to bring this turkey to trial. It should embarrass Cervone that a judge so quickly threw the case out of court. It is difficult to argue with a straight face that Grapski was guilty of covert taping when his recording device was in plain sight during his meeting with Watson, a public official.

A suit has been filed alleging election improprieties. Perhaps that litigation will ultimately vindicate the city or show that Grapski had good reason to worry about the integrity of the election. Either way, here's some advice for Alachua city officials: Stop running the election out of city hall.

Alachua is growing up and its citizens shouldn't have to wonder whether their elections are being conducted in a professional manner. Alachua ought to do what Gainesville did a long time ago; contract with the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections to run its municipal elections."

Very few took interest in this case, but it is still an ongoing investigation into election problems.

Now I am no fan of Jake Fuller's cartoons, but I must give him kudos for this cartoon.

Clovis Watson is not happy with Charlie.


I wrote a more complete post about Charlie much earlier.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/432

It goes into a lot of the background. Kudos to Charlie, he is a longtime DFA activist. I believe he has spoken at every DemFest.

[madfloridian]

1. A little more about Charlie....

Some pictures from DemFest last year. Charlie's speaking about half way down, next to the picture of Jim Hightower..more further on of the Dean brothers and Molly Ivins, Richard Morrison, Van Os and others.

http://sf4dean.com/gallery/Posted-by-David-A-Stevenson

[madfloridian]

2. Video of Charlie talking to the Alachua City Commission.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/689

About Operation Red.

[jjem]

3. Yes

Yes, Charlie has spoken at all previous DemocracyFests. He will be speaking at the 4th Annual DemocracyFest too. In Manchester, NH, June 9-10, 2007.

And as a bonus, June 9th is Charlie's Birthday! It's going to be a great Birthday Party!

[madfloridian]

4. They have really treated him badly there in Alachua.

Sadly I am afraid my state has more places like that. I was relieved to see the editorial and cartoon...sounds like someone there gets it.

Jake Fuller's cartoons are very right wing as a rule, and they border on just being plain nasty...so this one is sort of compliment to Charlie.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi jjem!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: