Wis. GOP sends state troopers after Democratic senate leader

[azurnoir]

Source: Strib

Republicans in the Wisconsin state Senate have asked the governor to send state troopers after Democratic leader Mark Miller.

Senate Democrats are boycotting a Senate vote on a bill that would sharply curtail public sector workers' collective bargaining rights. They have been missing from the Capitol for a day and a half.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he has asked Gov. Scott Walker to send two state troopers to Miller's home in Monona. He says he believes the troopers are en route.



Read more: http://www.startribune.com/local/116472743.html

[Raven]

1. Can someone explain to me why this is being done? Are they

going to arrest this man? For what? Is WI now a police state?

[somone]

2. They cannot touch him, even in Wisconsin

A member of the Legislature can only be arrested for a felony, treason or for breaching the peace, said Andrew Welhouse, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/191763/

[midnight]

3. Good to know this, but why doesn't the Republican legislature know this?

[roguevalley]

10. because they are stoopid. :0)

[rayofreason]

6. If..

...you are an elected representative you have a sworn duty to discharge your responsibilities of office. If you refuse to attend the legislature as a means of bring to a halt the public business by preventing a quorum you may be compelled to attend (arrested and brought to the capitol). You can still refuse to participate, but you would be listed as in attendance and abstaining.

Imagine a situation if the Republicans had 50 senators and the Democrats had 50 (a situation that was, thankfully, avoided in November). Democrats would win every party-line vote because Biden as VP would break the tie. That is unless the 50 Republicans took off and hid, in which case the constitutionally mandated majority for a quorum would not be present, and in fact the Senate would not be able to conduct any business. Under those circumstances Obama could order Federal Marshals to find at least one Republican senator and bring him into the chamber so that the vote could be held.

The way to defeat legislation is not to obstruct the legislature. The way to do it is by winning elections so that you have the votes to make the laws.

[roguevalley]

11. on a show yesterday they talked to someone who went through the

laws and they said they cannot be arrested for not being there. There is no law to support it.

[unkachuck]

17. governor mubarak....

....and his Wisconsin Gestapo can go to hell....

"The way to defeat legislation is not to obstruct the legislature."

....the way to defeat 'fascist legislation' is any way you can....

[Justitia]

21. What a bunch of BS. When our Dems did it in TX, they were representing their constituents

and keeping us from getting railroaded by an illegal gerrymander.

The quorum break was done to buy time to allow a federal review.

Your comments about the "way to defeat legislation" assume the integrity of RW tactics, when there is none.

Get a clue.

[plumbob]

23. Someone with legal standing must go to court for a writ of mandamus.

Likely won't get it, because I don't think it can be shown that the duty commanded is imperative.

But definitely, the governor can't just order it.

[MilesColtrane]

8. It is simple intimidation.

Governor Fuckstick is abusing his power.

[WolfoftheWild]

4. news flash: He's not at his house, Morons!

[CBHagman]

20. ROFL!

By the way, I love that picture...and sentiment.

[WingDinger]

5. I hope they beat the man on video. It is time to start throwing down.

[madrchsod]

7. he`s probably in the land of lincoln..lol

[onehandle]

9. How long before Walker requests assistance from Homeland Security? nt

[greiner3]

12. Like the Texans did a few years ago!

[boppers]

19. How'd that turn out in Texas?

Didn't it eventually not make a difference?

[Justitia]

22. It blew up in Tom DeLay's face. He tried to use the FAA illegally.

And not only is he no longer House Majority Leader or a US Representative, he is, in fact, a convicted felon.

[boppers]

24. Ah, I was thinking about the reason they left (the gerrymandering).

But you're right, there were a few positives that came out of it.

[Justitia]

25. Split verdict on redistricting. SC upheld redistricting, but struck down a district as illegal

racial gerrymandering in violation of Voting Rights Act.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_United_Latin_American_Citizens_v._Perry

[bobthedrummer]

13. Walker just "chose" the father of the State's two most powerful Republicans to head

the Wisconsin State Patrol-this is another not so subtle move towards corporate fascism here.

Steve Fitzgerald picked to head State Patrol (by Mary Spicuzza/2-8-11 Wisconsin State Journal)
http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/article_5ce0c778-33a9-11e0-9e67-001cc4c03286.html

[bobthedrummer]

14. ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^

Then there is Adjutant General Dunlap head of "our" National Guard-he won't be promoted to Brigadier General due to whatever various ONGOING DoD investigations have revealed.
General Dunlap article from 2-11-11
http://friendsofwdva.blogspot.com/2011/02/wisconsins-national-guard-leader.html

[bobthedrummer]

15. They're a tightly knit "closed family" with their own family values-unlike US...n/t

[Nossida]

16. Police State tactics.

These little groveling maggots love
the use of force. Even when they are
in the wrong. Iraq should have shown
you that.

Republicanism is a Cancer.

[reformist2]

18. I was just about to say this too.

This makes the GOP kind of look like Nazis, forcing individuals to report to official posts against their will.