October 3, 2014

"Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has declined to defend the Government Accountability Board in the latest 'John Doe' legal challenge..."

"... citing among other things the 'tenuous legal positions' taken by the agency in the investigation."
Assistant Deputy Attorney General Daniel Lennington said in a letter to the agency Friday that the Department of Justice has a conflict because it is representing John Doe judge Gregory Peterson in other challenges. In January, Peterson quashed subpoenas sought by John Doe prosecutor Francis Schmitz, saying he was not convinced that the campaign coordination under scrutiny is illegal....

"In the Attorney General's view, Judge Peterson's order reflects a correct interpretation of the Wisconsin Statutes," Lennington wrote....

41 comments:

Tim said...

Secret routers, FTW!

Curious George said...

He should have shut the thing down years ago.

garage mahal said...

The CRG is suing the GAB, which has five Walker appointees, and one Doyle appointee. The call is coming from inside the house! Republican witch hunt!

BarrySanders20 said...

The AG should always defend an attack on a state statute.

This is different because it is an attack on the motivations of the prosecutor who is pushing his own interpretation of what the statute allows or prohibits. I can understand staying out.

Brent said...

You people in Wisconsin are sorely messed up. You do realize the rest of the nation it's laughing at you, don't you?

Curious George said...

"garage mahal said...

The CRG is suing the GAB, which has five Walker appointees, and one Doyle appointee."

You do know that Walker, or any Governor, appoints from those nominated. The GAB is filled with Democrats.

You are just a dishonest person.

Rusty said...

Brent said...
You people in Wisconsin are sorely messed up. You do realize the rest of the nation it's laughing at you, don't you?

No. Illinois still has that distinction.
Yet another governor under investigation for corruption.

garage mahal said...

With the latest appointment, the board now includes five members appointed by Walker. The sixth member was appointed by former Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat.

Anonymous said...

"The GAB is filled with Democrats"

Link please

Birkel said...

The GAB seems intent on suppressing civil rights. That's just fabulous in "garage mahal"'s fevered brain.

Meanwhile, this is a non-partisan issue. Jackasses like John McCain and Lindsey Graham want to suppress the freedoms of speech and association.

I say to hell with anybody who is in favor of suppressing civil rights. I hope they are remembered like other Democrats who opposed civil rights. Like Democrat Bull Connor. Or Democrat Bull Connor.

Birkel said...

Just so everybody knows, the "garage mahal" link says that the options Walker had were limited. This appears to support Curious George's contention that the board is, in fact, majority Democrat.

The problem with crying wolf is everybody ignores you when the wolves actually arrive.

Anonymous said...

Can anyone please show how one gets from A (the options Walker had were limited) to B (the board is, in fact, majority Democrat)?




Anonymous said...

The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board is made up of six members who are all former state judges and who must be non-partisan. Potential G.A.B. members are selected by a panel of Appeals Court judges. The Governor then nominates a judge, who must be confirmed by the State Senate.

http://gab.wi.gov/about

The Board consists of six members, all former state judges, who serve staggered, six-year terms. Board members are appointed by the Governor, and serve part-time, receiving per diems for each meeting they attend.[1] The Governor of Wisconsin nominates a judge to fill a vacancy from a roster of potential Board members previously selected by a panel of Wisconsin Court of Appeals judges; and the nominee must be confirmed by the Wisconsin State Senate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Government_Accountability_Board

traditionalguy said...

This is terrible news. That will mean millions of dollars in lawyer fees will not stimulate the lawyers economy, eventually leading to closing law schools.

Gusty Winds said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gusty Winds said...

Abe Lincoln could have been investigated for coordinating with abolitionists.

What a bullshit set of laws.

Original Mike said...

"The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board is made up of six members who are all former state judges and who must be non-partisan."

The law says the members must be non-partisan. That's precious.

Original Mike said...

"Quash" is a great word.

Unknown said...

------The Governor of Wisconsin nominates a judge to fill a vacancy from a roster of potential Board members previously selected by a panel of Wisconsin Court of Appeals judges-----


...selected by a panel of liberal Court of Appeals judges…

The WI legislature will need to adjust this process so conservatives can also serve on the board.

garage mahal said...

One loopy conspiracy after the next. Makes you wonder how some people make it through the day.

Gahrie said...

One loopy conspiracy after the next. Makes you wonder how some people make it through the day.

It's comments like this that make me think garage is just a response program. Surely no living human could show such a complete lack of self awareness and irony?

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

What did anyone expect of a secret investigation into secret routers? Anyone but garage, that is.

Anonymous said...

So nobody can show how one gets from A (the options Walker had were limited) to B (the board is, in fact, majority Democrat)?

That's precious.

Mark said...

Plenty of time to take our Gay Marriage case to the Supreme Court where VanHollen already acknowledged they fully expect to lose.

Interesting priorities.

Bruce Hayden said...

The AG should always defend an attack on a state statute.

This does seem to be the trend though. A couple years ago, the CO AG not only refused to support the state law against single sex marriage, but took the other side. And the legislature had to hire outside counsel to counter this. I don't think that is their job, deciding which laws they like and which they don't. Carried to an extreme that would mean a highly politicized justice system - oh, wait, I forgot Eric Holder. Still, what is good for the goose, is good for the gander, and the left started this sort of thing. They are now seeing the cost.

Birkel said...

madisonfella (Inga) wishes everybody would deny the population of lawyers is overwhelmingly Leftist. From the ABA to law school faculty to political donation patterns by occupation: Deny the obvious Leftward lean!

Now follow along, madisonfella (Inga)... "garage mahal" made the statement that the GAB was filled with Walker appointees. Everybody admits this is true.

Then, "garage mahal" alleged this fact supported the idea this was a "Republican witch hunt" and made a silly movie reference. "garage mahal" has not provided evidence of the political leanings of the GAB members.

Therefore, I am mocking his unsupported assertion.

Fritz said...

"Rusty said...
Brent said...
You people in Wisconsin are sorely messed up. You do realize the rest of the nation it's laughing at you, don't you?

No. Illinois still has that distinction.
Yet another governor under investigation for corruption."

Nonsense, we can laugh at multiple states. California is always good for a few laughs.

Curious George said...

The GAB members background:

Eau Claire - Eau Claire County Circuit Court, 1967-2000

Appleton - Outagamie County Circuit Court,1981 to 2011

Rhinelander - Vilas County Circuit Court Judge, 1979 - 1983

Shorewood - Milwaukee County Circuit Court, 1987 to 2008

Shorewood - Milwaukee County Circuit Court Court, 1993 to 2012

Madison - Dane County Circuit Court, 1988-2004.

garage wants to content that these members, most from Democratic strongholds, are "Republicans".

He wants to contend that Judge Timothy Vocke is a Republican. Except that he has won office in the past as a Democrat. Ooops.

The majority of these members are liberals. Walker has no part of the nomination process, and either to dumb to know or too dishonest to care. Same with the Penguin.


garage mahal said...

The majority of these members are liberals.

You're a fucking liar.

Curious George said...

madisonfella said...
So nobody can show how one gets from A (the options Walker had were limited) to B (the board is, in fact, majority Democrat)?

That's precious.

10/4/14, 3:01 AM"

The info was posted 4-1/2 hours ago Penguin. Here, I'll post it since you seem incapable of the simplest functions:

"Unknown said...
------The Governor of Wisconsin nominates a judge to fill a vacancy from a roster of potential Board members previously selected by a panel of Wisconsin Court of Appeals judges-----


...selected by a panel of liberal Court of Appeals judges…

The WI legislature will need to adjust this process so conservatives can also serve on the board.

10/3/14, 10:24 PM"

I think it's funny that you post at three in the morning saying no one has responded to a prior point. That makes you a pussy. The fact that someone has makes you an idiot.

Curious George said...

"garage mahal said...
The majority of these members are liberals.

You're a fucking liar."

Let's recap:

garage contends that all but one member is a Republican.

Because you know Walker appointed them.

I bring to light that Walker is forced to select from a nominated group.

I point out that they most come from Democratic strongholds, Milwaukee, Madison, RHinelander, and Eau Claire.

I point out that one of garages "republicans" was elected to office as a Democrat.

And I'm the liar. LOL

Strong rebuttal there Corky. But where's the beef?

garage mahal said...

Here is a link to the GAB Board so anyone can take a look and check their bios. Curious Cultist conveniently left that out.

You can see that at least three ran for office as a Republican.

A fourth was appointed by Tommy Thompson as County Circuit Court Judge.

The fifth was appointed by Walker after he had the choice to renew the appointment of board member Michael Brennan.

Once again I am right and once again CG is lying through his teeth.

Curious George said...

"garage mahal said...
Here is a link to the GAB Board so anyone can take a look and check their bios"

That's the GAB board now. Not 2012. I made the same mistake. But two of your Republicans were appointed by Doyle, I'm thought that made them Democrats?

Beyond the judges making up the GAB, you have hundred of staff members and directors, like Kevin Kennedy, David Buerger, and Reid Magney.

Anonymous said...

You can see that at least three ran for office as a Republican.

B-b-b-but Curious Birkel told us that the board is filled with Democrats!! It must be true because he called me a "pussy" and and an "idiot" while doing so and everybody knows that excessive name calling is the mark of an honest man. So those judges must have previously ran as Republicans as part of the vast left wing conspiracy to take Walker down now.

Thank goodness the Blue Emu was here to sound the "THEY ARE ALL DEMOCRATS AND THEY ARE ALL COMING TO GET YOU!" alarm or everybody may have been caught flat-footed.

/sarc

This latest spin of his is even more absurd that his constant shouting that there been zero, nada, zilch convictions coming out of the John Doe probe.

damikesc said...

So nobody can show how one gets from A (the options Walker had were limited) to B (the board is, in fact, majority Democrat)?

In other words, WHY IS HONG KONG PROTESTING?

THEY HAVE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE THEIR LEADERS, PROVIDED CHINA APPROVES OF THEM FIRST!!! IT'S TOTALLY FREE ELECTIONS!!!

Or...HOW CAN ANYBODY CLAIM THAT (fill in shithole country in history with a dictator in power) DIDN'T HAVE FREE ELECTIONS? SURE, THE LEADERSHIP PICKED AND CHOSE CANDIDATES, BUT THE VOTERS DID VOTE FOR THEM! GERMANS REALLY DID SUPPORT THE NAZIS BY A 95%+ MARGIN! DITTO THE USSR CITIZENS IN REGARDS TO SOVIETS!!!

I'd be embarrassed to BROADCAST my ignorance to garage or madisonfella's level, but they are special.

damikesc said...

This latest spin of his is even more absurd that his constant shouting that there been zero, nada, zilch convictions coming out of the John Doe probe.

Ken Starr got more convictions in less time than these John Doe cases did.

And Starr's actually were involving people who were actually close to Clinton.

...just sayin'.

Anonymous said...

Yes, in China only the Communists are allowed to nominate candidates that can then be chosen. No link is needed to prove that.

But you're going to have to show a link that proves in Wisconsin only the Democrats are allowed to nominate candidates than can then be chosen. Or is that one of those super secret laws that the shadow government (which lives on the moon) enacted and us regular people aren't supposed to really know about?

damikesc said...

Yes, in China only the Communists are allowed to nominate candidates that can then be chosen. No link is needed to prove that.

And to see if he gets the analogy...

But you're going to have to show a link that proves in Wisconsin only the Democrats are allowed to nominate candidates than can then be chosen. Or is that one of those super secret laws that the shadow government (which lives on the moon) enacted and us regular people aren't supposed to really know about?

Nope, he didn't. Sad.

Walker has to choose nominees from a group NOMINATED BY A CENTRAL AUTHORITY. It's not HIS choice.

It's a choice amongst options offered by somebody else.

It's not a free choice at all.

No, there isn't a need to further express how little you get the point. You've made it clear so far and it's a little depressing watch you fail so spectacularly.

damikesc said...

If somebody who opposes Communism in Hong Kong votes for any member put up by the Chinese Communist Party for leadership, it doesn't mean that they person they voted for ISN'T A COMMUNIST. It means they voted for the least bad person they could.

Just a tip for ya there.

garage mahal said...

Bill Clinton should have sued Ken Start to stop that investigation. Blow jobs are free speech!

cubanbob said...

Mark said...
Plenty of time to take our Gay Marriage case to the Supreme Court where VanHollen already acknowledged they fully expect to lose.

Interesting priorities.

10/4/14, 4:01 AM"

You do understand the difference between defending a statute and defending a rogue prosecutor. He has his priorities right.