The GAB says this is now a felony. I’ll challenge them.
The Wisconsin Government Accountability board is the agency in charge of enforcing election based rules in Wisconsin. Kevin Kennedy, the Director, used to lobby for Accenture systems and, in 2005, came under harsh scrutiny for offering Accenture a $13.9 million contract for a project Minnesota completed for under $5 million. Additionally, Kennedy has stated that it is a felony for any poll worker to hand count ballots to verify the machines as it “takes away from the confidence in the voting machines.” Furthermore, some of Wisconsin’s election integrity activists have been told they will be handed out felony chargesif they continue simply requesting that county and city clerks hand count the ballots to verify the machines.
While it is true the GAB is supposed to be non-partisan, it is not a stretch to think anyone would want to protect a former employer. Accenture Systems was bought out, by ES&S, but many of the same people are still on board. It would also not be a stretch to think Kennedy may have actual money in ES&S due to his loyal work for Accenture. Many people have wondered if Kevin Kennedy is truly non-partisan. There are signs to point either direction, both sides of the political spectrum have asked for his resignation. Perhaps the reason he can play the non-partisan card is that he truly is, but has a vested interest in making sure the election systems stay as proprietary and insecure as they are. This would, in fact, explain a whole lot and put Kennedy not on a partisan spectrum, yet simply on the side of whomever is screwing the elections. If people found out how insecure our machines really are, Kennedy may be out some money. Or even worse, Accenture could be holding something (a dirty secret perhaps) over his head threatening to release it if he doesn’t continue to protect their bottom dollar. While we don’t know for sure what Kennedy’s motives are, protecting ES&S does not seem like much of a stretch.
Yesterday, on May 26, Kevin Kennedy made an announcement. The announcement was that posting your ballot on Facebook or Twitter is a Class I Felony. That’s right folks, posting your ballot online can now be considered a felony. The law is Wisconsin State Statute 12.13(F) and it states:
(f) Shows his or her marked ballot to any person or places a mark upon the ballot so it is identifiable as his or her ballot.
The intent of the law was to make it so people could not “sell” their votes. Some may say Kennedy is just reminding people of the law. He is not, in fact, reminding them of the law, he is strategically bringing out a red herring. Not a single person has been prosecuted under this law in the state. It is, in fact, a law many would call invalid due to a person’s First Amendment rights to free speech. But the issue goes deeper than that. It is a power grab intended to eliminate any shred of ability to show who voted for whom. Many elections have passed since this law was put in place. Never once has the GAB even mentioned it. The intimidation, however, seems to have worked. Both the Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Chair, Mike Tate and St. Croix County GOP Chairman Jesse Garza both removed pictures of their ballots upon finding out it may be illegal.
While the problem here is the GAB and intimidation tactics, there are also raised First Amendment concerns. When I get my ballot I assume that it is mine. It is my right to make any political statements I so well choose, even if that means proudly displaying my ballot for all to see. It is MY ballot, not the GAB’s and it is important now more than ever to stand up for this. With elections about as insecure as a paper lockbox, we need to be able to make the choice as to whether or not we want to post our ballots. The more power grabs we respond to, as Tate and Garza did, the less secure our elections become. I have decided to fight back. I posted a picture of my ballot (absentee) and encourage you all to look at it. I also took the liberty of filing a complaint against myself which you can find here. Surely if the GAB wants to bring the law up they must plan on enforcing it. This law is unjust and threatens our very freedoms. It has to be challenged.
With rights violations at an all time high and many police and government agencies making power grabs, it is up to us to stand against this. I am perfectly willing to go on trial for felonies, and argue this law as unconstitutional. So far I have been to court for over thirty-two arrests, one was a conviction, one was awarded in default (multiple court dates a week and you’re bound to forget one). Every single other offense I have been arrested for has been dismissed, over thirty arrests dismissed because they were unconstitutional. I am sure this one will follow suit. We must be ever vigilant as we continue fighting their many attacks.
One day longer! One day stronger!
Jeremy Ryan
jryan@jeremyryan.net
Segway Jeremy Ryan has become a full-time member of the protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Formerly a businessman, he gave up his business to join the fight for the middle class in the State of Wisconsin. He rides a Segway due to a heart condition. Through videos and writings he has informed hundreds of thousands of people about what was going on at the Wisconsin State Capitol once the mainstream media had mostly abandoned the protests. He has been arrested over 31 times for silently filming or holding up a sign in the Capitol. He is also running for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 76th District.
Anti-Protester Yellow Journalist Clay Barbour States the Truth ‘Doesn’t Matter,’ A Call to Action
The news came as a shock to the people actually involved in the protests in Wisconsin. One by one on Twitter and Facebook, protesters who formed the Wisconsin uprising seemed baffled. Some, myself included, were even heavily offended. The news was that the Wisconsin State Journal was considered a Pulitzer Prize finalist for coverage of the protests. Very few thought that the State Journal, who had endorsed Scott Walker, even deserved to be considered. The truth is even more menacing and deserves a call to action.
The Wisconsin State Journal, like almost all of the mainstream media in Wisconsin, had turned their back on the story. What they did instead was propel the same garbage lines and ignore the important news. Ever since Scott Walker has taken office it has seemed the press has treated him extra nice, knowing that holding him accountable could lose them press access to him. The Pulitzer must be mistaken as the Wisconsin State Journal has done more to support the fascist regime in power than it has to cover the story. But the big problem doesn’t really come from their regular writers. It comes from two writers who used to be considered more “liberal,” now left to become the “bitch” of the Administration, pressing GOP talking points and press releases, paraphrasing them, and calling it news. These two writers are Clay Barbour and Mary Spicuzza.
Today I will focus on Clay Barbour, yellow journalist and propagandist extraordinaire. Until September of 2011, Clay Barbour had stayed mostly under the radar, his political bias not so evident. On September 21, 2011, however, Clay Barbour issued a hatchet job piece on myself and several other members of the “ground crew.” The ground crew refers to a smaller group of activists who returned to the Capitol day after day to hold the GOP accountable and to cover the attacks on the working class as the mainstream media (including Clay) had failed to catch most of the story almost every time. In his front page story titled “Wearing Out Their Welcome: Protesters Still at Capitol, Irking Lawmakers,” Clay rips on the protesters and makes it seem like news that some still remain. The only thing decent about the story, however, was the magnificent photography. The article even starts out with a clear slant:
When news broke that a protester had poured beer over the head of a prominent Republican legislator last week, staffers and lawmakers immediately began playing a game of “guess who.”
Was it “Segway Jeremy” or “Pink Slip Miles?” Maybe C.J. or Arthur or Bridgette? Certainly, most agreed, it was one of the usual suspects.
Thousands of people descended on the state Capitol in February and March, crowding the streets and filling the rotunda in opposition to Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining bill. But in the past six months those crowds have given way to a small but dedicated band of 20-something protesters who routinely disrupt meetings, harangue individual Republican lawmakers, stage publicity stunts and take video of nearly everything they do.
The group — led unofficially by about a half-dozen “regulars” — has exasperated Capitol law enforcement and Republican lawmakers. But they also have frustrated Democratic lawmakers, interrupting their speeches and getting into shouting matches with them during committee meetings.
He then goes on to hand select representatives who had already criticized the protesters and picked and chose the best quotes he could to “stick it to the protesters.” Later, Clay and Mary wrote an article falsely claiming that Arthur Kohl-Riggs had violated Assembly Rules when he filmed Joel Kleefisch (R-ALEC) voting for absent members on the Assembly floor. This revelation had been ignored by every member of the mainstream press for years, Barbour seemed upset that Arthur caught it instead. For months we wondered why Clay made such stretches. We must wonder no longer as Clay made it very clear why his stories are so full of right wing propaganda. It turns out their problems in reporting is due to a common issue. The truth “doesn’t matter.”
In a segment caught by John “Sly” Sylvester, of Sly in the Morning, Barbour goes on to say that normal people would not find the recent video in which Scott Walker identifies his plan to “divide and conquer” shocking, which is why. Mary and Clay both go on to state all these reasons why they didn’t think the video and the truth about it mattered. Later in the segment, Clay Barbour states that we are at a point in history where “truth does not matter.” Really? Truth does not matter? Well it sure as hell matters to me. And it should to you as well.
I am asking everyone to please write the Pulitzer and thank them for not awarding the Wisconsin State Journal with the prize but also kindly requesting they remove the Wisconsin State Journal as a listed finalist due to their clear bias. Clay and Mary are the main Capitol reporters for the paper. You can reach the Pulitzer at pulitzer@pulitzer.org or 212-854-3841. Also please ask that Clay be removed from Capitol and political reporting by contacting:
- Smalley, John, editor, 252-6104, jsmalley@madison.com
Together we can fight the media machine. Little by little just share this story on Facebook, Twitter, Google +1. Make a phone call or send an e-mail. Together we can fight the yellow journalism machine. One day longer! One day stronger!
Jeremy Ryan
Segway Jeremy Ryan has become a full-time member of the protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Formerly a businessman, he gave up his business to join the fight for the middle class in the State of Wisconsin. He rides a Segway due to a heart condition. Through videos and writings he has informed hundreds of thousands of people about what was going on at the Wisconsin State Capitol once the mainstream media had mostly abandoned the protests. He has been arrested over 31 times for silently filming or holding up a sign in the Capitol.
Adam Kind, “Castle Doctrine” Killer of Bo Morrison Says “F*cken N*gger” In Finally Released 911 Call
The date was March 3, 2012 in the wee hours of the morning. The town was Slinger, a small town, almost all Caucasian. A group of people gathered to have drinks and share stories, celebrating the life of a friend they had recently lost. In that group was Bo Morrison, 20 years old. Bo was well liked by many, he had high hopes for the world. Bo believed, as I have heard so many times from people who were close to him, that he could help change the world, that everyone could. He has been said to have been in the process of joining the Marines and he was a college graduate in Carpentry. He was a soft, gentle man, a cuddler as many of his friends have said and as is evident looking through his Facebook profile. Bo was under 21 and when the police came to break up the party, hid on the neighbor’s porch.
The media seems to highlight the fact that he was drinking underage and hiding from police. But this all becomes irrelevant quick as the story continues. The truly relevant portions are enough to sicken even the tamest of souls. Adam Kind, the neighbor had previously gone to confront the party goers. He banged on their window and yelled to turn the music down. He left his doors unlocked for this. Another fact that the media seems to ignore is that he is reported to have told the people in the car “You’re gonna pay” or something to that effect. He went back home and later in the night was called by police. They stated there was a party but that all should be good and it had been broken up. The police remained right across the street as, in less than five minutes, he went to bed, talked to his wife, got his gun from a case in the closet, loaded it, checked the front, checked the kitchen, went into the porch, confronted Bo Morrison, and shot him dead.
The timeline alone doesn’t make sense and I am in the middle of compiling a story with even more inconsistencies. Despite all of this, the highly partisan and clearly incompetent Washington County DA continues to stall justice and insist that this was self defense and “Castle Doctrine” despite the fact that Bo was not armed and self defense REQUIRES equal or lesser force. He continues to spit on the family and name of transparency, refusing to release tapes from the officer’s car (who called Adam Kind from his car before the killing) and until almost two months later, refused to release the unedited 911 call. Finally the call was released. But what was hidden speaks volumes as to the extent the DA is willing to go to sweep this case under the rug.
Originally, the call was edited and today one of the portions edited out is released. In this portion (of which I have tweaked the audio so you can hear better), you can clearly hear Adam Kind call Bo Morrison both a “Stupid F*cken Kid” and later, a new developement, “F*cken N*gger”. This new development shows clearly and without a doubt why the Washington County DA can no longer handle this case and why this needs to see a jury. The justification behind not trying Adam Kind is spotty at best. With these new developments it is clear that race may have had more to do with it than anything. In the State of Wisconsin we cannot take a persons life or liberty without a trial, and even then we can only take their liberty not life. But Bo Morrison lost his life and his liberty. Without a crime. Without a charge, warrant, or trial. His killer, Adam Kind, still runs free. Please share this and demand justice for Bo Morrison.
Jeremy Ryan
Executive Director
Defending Wisconsin PAC
jryan@defendingwisconsin.org
Segway Jeremy Ryan has become a full-time member of the protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Formerly a businessman, he gave up his business to join the fight for the middle class in the State of Wisconsin. He rides a Segway due to a heart condition. Through videos and writings he has informed hundreds of thousands of people about what was going on at the Wisconsin State Capitol once the mainstream media had mostly abandoned the protests. He has been arrested over 31 times for silently filming or holding up a sign in the Capitol.
I keep trying, but I just can’t stop thinking about events as of late. I sat in the hearings as the horrible “Castle Doctrine” passed the legislature. I listened to legislators warn of how this law will just legalize murder. I watched the Republicans try to pretend like this was purely a bill for people to defend their lives. And then there was Tuesday, a rally for Trayvon Martin and Bo Morrison. Most of the nation by now knows what happened to Trayvon Martin. This is good, everyone should know. Most people who hear are absolutely sickened. The only way these laws can change is by people knowing what happened and speaking up. A slightly less covered story, but equally as sickening is that of Bo Morrison. Bo was 20, and he was at a party to celebrate the life of a friend who had recently passed away. The party was held the night of March 2nd into early morning of March 3rd. The party was in a detached garage. As is quite common in any city, many of the people at the party were drinking underage.
As is also common with parties, it was a bit loud. I will refer to the original report from the Washington County District Attorneys office for background. The neighbor, Adam Kind, woke up and went to a car and told the people to turn the music down. He pounded on the window and told them to turn it down and they complied, Bo was not seen in the car at all. He then went back home and called the police. Of note is that he felt it safe to go confront the teenagers in the car and therefore leave his wife and three kids (two which were his and one who was sleeping over) alone. The police came out and saw a gentleman run in as soon as they were spotted. They did hear music. The police tried to get in but were unable. They eventually left and parked a short distance away, about 100 ft from the neighbor’s house, the other a block away. They knew who was throwing the party and were planning on issuing citations to them the next day.
At about 1:50 am the police officers called the homeowner and stated they would take a complaint from him in the morning. This call lasted about four and a half minutes. His next call was to the homeowner who was at work. She stated that her husband was woken up and would take care of the two daughters and the party. The officer advised her to inform him to wait in the driveway and not make contact with the party, so that they would not flee. She was not able to relay the message and the father (other homeowner) yelled that the place was surrounded by police. As is normal in this situation, several people fled, among them Bo Morrison. He decided to hide in the three season porch of the neighbor. It was a move anyone could have made. The neighbor and killer, Adam Kind, then heard a noise, likely the father banging on the garage. Kind then retrieved his pistol, loaded it, and went to investigate. At this point Kind himself said he could not recall exactly when and how everything happened.
Nonetheless, Kind ended up in the three season porch and saw something out of the corner of his eye. That something was Bo Morrison. It is also worth noting that Slinger Wisconsin, where this occurred, has less than a 1% minority rate. According to the 2010 US Census, Morrison was one of 168 African-Americans in a town with a Caucasian population over 8,000. As we know, in many small white towns, racial profiling still exists. But after Bo was spotted he put his hand up and stepped forward. He was shot immediately according to Kind. One shot to the chest killed him. At the rally a very close friend of Bo’s spoke. She said he would often put his hand or hands in the air when he sensed tension just to say everything was alright. Then, if he knew you he would give you a bear hug. The Washington County District Attorney’s Office indicated this shooting was legal. But as was pointed out by Politiscoop, there are many questions left unanswered and/or inconsistencies.
The problem with this timeline is that Mr. Kind claims to have hung up and went to the bedroom. Where was the phone located? Assuming it took him 30 seconds to hang up and walk to the bedroom, we are at 1:56 am. He heard a noise and retrieved his revolver and loaded it, claiming the revolver was in a box in the closet. We can assume that, at a fast pace would have taken about 1.5 minutes. (no call to 911 by his wife)
Approximately 1:58 a.m he goes in search of a possible intruder in the dark and shoots and kills Bo Morrison 1 minute before his wife calls 911. Now the homeowner states he spoke to Morrison, asked him one or two questions and also indicates time taken to walk into the 3 season porch and Morrison stood up, raised his hands and took a step towards Mr. Kind.
The Washington County Sheriff indicates the wife stated that she called immediately after the shooting occurred. The details describe a very fast chain of events, not to mention the Kind’s own a dog who was not even barking at the time of the 911 call, nor were kids crying about being startled from sleep by a gun shot in the home. What is missing is chaos that coincides with such a traumatic event.
In the report, the homeowner gave conflicting statements; that after receiving the phone call from the Slinger police officer, he went back to bed and spoke with his wife. He then heard a loud noise. The homeowner stated that he heard banging coming from the back of his house and he was not exactly sure what it was.
If that is true, it would be impossible to fit in the timeline unless Mr. Kind ran from where the phone was located to jump into bed, have a very fast conversation with his wife, heard a noise, leap to the closet, loaded the gun, searched for the intruder, located the intruder, spoke to the intruder, shot the intruder and all in less than 5 minutes.
Indeed there are many questions left unanswered. But the most important story, Bo’s, will never be able to be told. And much like George Zimmerman, Adam Kind still walks free long after killing Bo Morrison in the wee hours of the morning March 3rd. To stand by a law like this is to stand by the repeal of one’s right to life or liberty. To stand by a law that let’s Kind go free equates to destruction of the judicial system. A person can murder 100 people in Wisconsin and cannot even be sentenced to death by a judge and jury. But Bo Morrison was guilty of nothing more than possibly trespassing and underage drinking, civil offenses, and he was able to be killed without a judge and without a jury? What kind of sick world do we live in where this is justice? Adam Kind deserves to have his name posted everywhere. He is a murderer and he is at large. He and George Zimmerman should be in jail for a long time. I didn’t know Bo or Trayvon. To the best of my knowledge, I don’t even know anyone who did, despite the fact that he did come to Madison and had many friends here. But this is all irrelevant. Every person I DO know could have been them. And still could be. Had Adam called the police they would have been on site in less than a minute. They would then search the house and subsequently the porch with flashlights. The fact he called AFTER killing Bo is also very much relevant as calling the police would have made sure his porch and the perimeter of his house were safe without any “risk”. I also don’t find it coincidental that the State Senator for that district is Glenn Grothman who has authored many racist bills. One even to end equal pay. The fact Bo was African American likely has more to do with why the DA felt he reasonably felt intimidated than anything. Nothing Bo did would reasonably invoke a gun shot.
To this day, some reports on the incident just list him as the homeowner. But I realize people feel very passionate about this issue and I think the time is now to make sure everyone knows who Adam Kind is. Furthermore, I think people should be able to tell him themselves what they think. His lawyer and the DA are claiming this fits under self-defense laws not just the “Castle Doctrine”. This is, of course, a lie as prior self-defense laws required equal or lesser force be used. It is a FACT Bo had no weapons. He was killed by a gun. Equal or lesser force would be to step forward and raise a hand himself. But instead he shot and Bo is dead. A family and multiple communities full of friends grieve a life that should not have ended. And as always I do not endorse or support using information given for harassing or threatening purposes. But outside of that I truly do believe he needs to hear from the people. Anyone and everyone can be the next victim. So I am leaving some dox for people to address their grievances. I suggest this only be used for legitimate and decent conversation at decent hours. And please share this and tell everyone who Adam Kind is. A judge and jury should decide if this is legal or not. But they can’t so if you need to ask questions to judge for yourself what kind of safety threat he is at large, here is his info (all of which is public and was found via public search):
Name: Adam M Kind
Home Phone: 262-297-1319 *Has since been disconnected. GREAT! HE doesn’t deserve to go back to a convenient life. He should have to change his number and leave the country!
Cell Phone: (262) 689-2429 *Voice mail now states wife’s name. Still a good place to ask questions.
If you want to send him a letter, please send to:
Letters To A Killer
P.O. Box 260080
Madison, Wisconsin 53726-0080
*I will not post his address but will forward any letters sent to the above address to his home address. There are children at his house and my intent is simply to see justice. That doesn’t involve anyone going to his house. But I do have his address and I promise to forward any letters sent to the above address.
Together we can make sure that people keep talking about Adam Kind and George Zimmerman. Together we can petition all of our representatives and make sure people pledge to repeal these laws or vote against them if your state doesn’t have them. Together we can spread the word and eventually, we should be able to bring justice. It may take several years but we must make sure any laws repealing these “castle doctrine” or “stand your ground” laws also include punishment for those who have already killed. Also please sign and share the petition for justice found here. Together we can continue fighting. One day longer! One day stronger!
Jeremy Ryan
Executive Director
Defending Wisconsin PAC
jryan@defendingwisconsin.org
Segway Jeremy Ryan has become a full-time member of the protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Formerly a businessman, he gave up his business to join the fight for the middle class in the State of Wisconsin. He rides a Segway due to a heart condition. Through videos and writings he has informed hundreds of thousands of people about what was going on at the Wisconsin State Capitol once the mainstream media had mostly abandoned the protests. He has been arrested over 31 times for silently filming or holding up a sign in the Capitol.
Death Cannot Even Change Breitbarts Horrible Legacy
I woke up, like many yesterday, to the news that Andrew Breitbart had passed away. My first thought was that the world would now be a much nicer place. My second thought was that he must be shocked to find that, in hell, there is no cocaine nor is there gay hookers. Now some may call me insensitive, but to them I say this. First, I would never wish death on a living person. But second, when a man who made a living off making hateful comments happens to die, I, and I’m sure many others am left with only two options. One would be anger at having even had to think about them. But this would be a negative emotion. Instead, I just use humor and honesty. I was also relieved, as for once, I could see an article with his fat face and not read some hateful comment. The arrogance and hate that was bred by this man is now gone.
But as I reflect deeper I feel slightly bad for the man. As I have gone through my life with a life threatening heart condition (which has caused multiple cardiac arrests), I think a lot about legacy. To me, legacy is important for many reasons. I believe that every human being has the potential to leave the world a better place than when they arrived. Look throughout your lives. Most ordinary folk can remember random people throughout our lives who never amounted to much of anything publicly but have changed us. And that statement would hold true for both negative and positive ways of change. And when we die, our words and actions form our legacy.
I sympathize for Andrew Breitbart because no matter how some people try to “pretty it up” or make him look like a good man, the facts remain. Andrew Breitbart was a miserable man and a drain on society. That is the only legacy he will ever have. When this is all looked back on, the media and clowns like Breitbart will be viewed in a group. A group of people who were miserable and filthy rich. For this, they attempted to justify ideas that would previously been thought inhuman and, in a way, “legitimized” lack of compassion for other people. He will be painted as just another racist bigot. I had the chance to meet this man once and even I could not find anything to say. I looked him in the eyes and I could tell he was three things, drunk, depressed, and miserable. For this reason, I could not even find it in me to really rail on him. He was so low of a human being it seemed inhumane. But I managed to get this:
At the end of the day two truths still remain. The world is better off without Andrew Breitbart. And perhaps, of even more comfort to his “fans”, Andrew Breitbart is likely better off without the world he loathed so much. And nothing anyone is going to say will really change that!
Jeremy Ryan
Executive Director
Defending Wisconsin PAC
jryan@defendingwisconsin.org
Note: Segway Jeremy Ryan has become a full-time member of the protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Formerly a businessman, he gave up his business to join the fight for the middle class in the State of Wisconsin. Through videos and writings he has informed hundreds of thousands of people about what was going on at the Wisconsin State Capitol once the mainstream media had mostly abandoned the protests. His full-time activism is completely funded by the people. If you would like to help out please click here.
Wisconsin And National Dem and GOP Party Destroy Democracy and Presidential Election, More States to Follow??
Today started out quite strange. I woke up like normal and found that there was a GAB (or Government Accountability Board) meeting to decide who goes on the Presidential ballot and who doesn’t for the primary. Wait? A meeting to decide who can and cannot run for President, that doesn’t sound very Democratic to me. But sure enough there was such a meeting at noon in the Governor’s Conference Room. As I glided in on my Segway, one of the Governor’s waterboys (he brings him water during meetings), greeted me by name which was rather peculiar. Even more peculiar was the friendly tone. Before the meetings started an Officer told me that I had to go to the basement to talk with them after the meeting (I am being investigated for allegedly breaking into the Governors private office, but more on that later). The meeting got off to a quick start with GAB Director, Kevin Kennedy noting that this was the first time one of these meetings was actually on time.
They appointed a chair to run the meeting who was not a legislator or party staff. There were people there from the Democratic National Committee, Republican National Committee, Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Republican Party of Wisconsin, and a few Senators and Representatives. I had never been to one of these meetings and didn’t even know it existed, likely putting me in the same boat as most Americans. But what happened in this meeting both astounded and sickened me. It was pure shredding of Democracy plain and simple. This meeting was to decide who can and cannot run for President in Wisconsin. The qualifications are treasonous. If you have been recognized by national media you are basically a shoe in, if you have not, you cannot run. That was the gist of the entire thing. They pulled up lists of everyone who is registered to run with the Federal Elections Commission. The Republicans allowed only the names of those in the Iowa Caucus to go through.
The Democrats, however, being represented by Chair Mike Tate, would only allow Barack Obama on the ballot despite the fact that many people had registered and completed all of the requirements to run outside of gaining support/attention from the national media. There were other candidates on the list like Aldous Tyler and Darcy Richardson. Darcy will be on the New Hampshire ballot so has already shown he is serious about this, but is unable to be on the WI ballot. Why? Well I asked Mike Tate in this video and all he could say is because he has never heard of him. But he is on the list. He has registered with the Federal Elections Commission, FACT! He is going to be on the NH ballot, FACT! He has a much more progressive platform than Obama, FACT! He has even mustered NATIONAL media attention, FACT! But the citizens of Wisconsin will not have the chance to even consider him a candidate as Mike Tate destroyed our Democracy by shooting down anyone but Obama. Is this what our country has come to? Party heads choose who does and doesn’t run for office?
This system may have been in place for years but it needs to go. America was founded on the principle that anyone could run for office, not just the people the party likes. To not allow American citizens these options is both treasonous and against the Democracy or Representative Republic in which we live. In WI the party has no control over who runs for any other office. Why should they for President? As Americans we complain about the two party system, yet we allow systems like this meeting to reinforce it. People say that we cannot have a primary against Obama because that would allow a GOP candidate to potentially win and would create division. So we are willing to throw out the power of the people to choose who represents them and Democracy to gain unity? Isn’t that hypocritical? Obama promised us a lot in 2008. He had a democratic congress and could have technically passed just about anything he wanted in his first two years. But he didn’t. Shouldn’t the people have a choice? What does it say about our system when the only way someone can win for sure is by rigging the system? Is he really the man we want for President if he cannot even bounce back from a primary and still win the general election?
The answer to these questions is plain and clear. Mike Tate, as well as the DNC, RNC, DPW, RPW, Senator Miller, Representative Barca, Senator Cowles, and Representative Fitzgerald, all undermined Democracy today. And this is unacceptable. Call it strategy, call it whatever you want, the FACT is that this is not the process our founding fathers intended. The constitution was made so that all people have a say whether you agree or not. Are we any better than the Republicans if we have to go out of our way to stifle opposition just to win? I value our Democracy. Although I will likely and begrudgingly vote for Obama, I would rather have a Tea Party candidate than have the voices and options of American voters stifled. We wonder why our choice in every Presidential election is bad versus evil and this is why. Because the parties choose who runs and who doesn’t. Obama is by far a moderate. He has allowed the violation of rights by continuing the Patriot Act. He has caused thousands of people suffering by raiding medicinal dispensaries out west. He has signed the NDAA, eliminating 1st and 4th Amendment rights. He half assed health care. And the list goes on.
Sure he is better than the candidates on the other side, but is that really saying much? Have we really resorted to thinking that mediocre is okay? Do we really want anyone to be President if they cannot win a fair and even process for everyone? The fact of the matter is that the Democrats have the easiest and best job right now. They get to watch the nation get destroyed and sometimes even vote for its destruction and still be viewed as the good guys. They can win elections simply by striking fear of losing in people. They can acquire sheep, people who blindly vote for them just because they are Democrats, something the left has always struggled to do. Why? Because look at our other options. But I won’t settle for this. Anyone who supports the system we saw in the meeting is giving away Democracy for an illusion of victory. The same illusion Obama promised us in 2008 when he had a congressional majority of which he could have done nearly anything he wanted. But that is all it has ever been, an illusion.
When the meeting got over I was told by Mike Tate that the only way I could change this was to sue him. Here is video of this exchange and the entire 10 minute meeting where Democracy was destroyed for political gains. I asked him only about Aldous Tyler, unaware at the time that he had ended his campaign and thrown his support behind Darcy. My objections to Mike Tate still hold true in the case of Darcy. I don’t fault Mike Tate or the people representing the DNC for supporting Obama. I do fault them for saying that their opinion and strategy is above anyone elses and that just because they want Obama to win, they will not allow anyone else to run, whether or not they have a legitimate campaign. Fact is that this system is the reason people need millions of dollars to become President. If they don’t have it the American people are never allowed to consider or vote for them because the party will just not allow them on the ballot. If we really want to change the way the Office of the President works, we must change this system. And anyone who complains about us never having the right person for President or complains about having to choose the lesser of two evils, cannot support this system in ANY way. There are other choices we could push for. Maybe even something like Direct Representation, but we must remember this moving forward with whoever we put in office. End this system in any state that uses it. Democracy means sometimes you have to fight a little harder to keep your seat but its worth it. And feel free to criticize or even boycott the party itself if you are as disgusted with this system as I am. There are plenty non party run organizations people can donate to.
I was upset, so I vented to a gentleman who was at the meeting and headed to the basement to see why I was under investigation. It turns out my business card ended up ON the Governor’s private desk and they suspected I had broken in. What they failed to realized was that whether I did or didn’t break into his office (how likely would that be anyway with no signs of forced entry anywhere?), complaining about my card turning up on his desk just proves how scared they are of me. I explained to the police my side of the story and offered a witness. I do not deny that my business card was, in fact, put in his office by me, but I do deny that I actually broke into his office to accomplish this. No criminal conduct occurred. As for how my card got on his desk, that is for everyone to wonder and for Walker’s staff to fear. As I finished with my meeting with the Capitol Police, they asked why I decided to put my card in his office anyways. My response was that I wanted him to know we are still watching. And I wanted to make a statement. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! They then instructed me that there was no need for my card to be in his office, his staff knows full well who I am. I got a brief chuckle then continued on. But in all actuality I simply slid it under his door as his door was locked in the conference room which is public. How it got on his desk I have no clue but suspect the janitors. One day longer! One day stronger!
Sincerely,
Jeremy Ryan
Executive Director
Defending Wisconsin PAC
jryan@defendingwisconsin.org
[Editor's Note: Donations made through this post go to the author, not the website]
Note: Segway Jeremy Ryan has become a full-time member of the protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Formerly a businessman, he gave up his business to join the fight for the middle class in the State of Wisconsin. Through videos and writings he has informed hundreds of thousands of people about what was going on at the Wisconsin State Capitol once the mainstream media had mostly abandoned the protests. His full-time activism is completely funded by the people. If you would like to help out please click here.
Upset About The NDAA?? Excercise Your Rights and Make Some Calls!!
I have been mostly silent on the NDAA, recently signed by President Obama. Part of this is because I didn’t understand it, another part because I myself have seen the abuses of power that happen, becoming a victim of Homeland Security and being put on the “no-fly” list due to my activism. But the bill is passed, I am no longer going to hide from its reality. Detention (even if not indefinite, for some time) for mere exercise of First Amendment rights is a real possibility now. While it is true, the bill that passed is better than the original, the fact is that the President now has the ability to override the justice system. So what if the bill doesn’t say clearly that US Citizens could be detained indefinitely, they can still be detained, outside of normal procedure. How does a year sound? Maybe four? That is not indefinite. And having had my ability to fly already taken away for nothing more than asserting my rights, I decided I do not trust the President or anyone in the Government with this power. They may or may not take any one of us activists at any time. But if they do or don’t I am going to once again assert my First Amendment rights and condense public information for all concerned.
I was upset when the NDAA passed, having seen the abuses that take place in the Government and having them not yet even tried to rectify the abuse of the Patriot Act I sustained. I have yet to hear of one case where the Government actually compensates for these violations of rights. So even under Obama, I do not trust this power and ability. I am therefore publishing information of Senators or closest known relatives and maybe a representative or two who voted for this horrible bill. A note of caution, I do not condone harassment or threats just simple petitioning of government by the most direct means possible. All of these numbers were found by searching “NDAA Dox” on google, I just tested them and picked only the ones that worked. We have a right to address our grievances, we should not fear our government, our government should fear us. These people have voted to betray the Constitution, they deserve to be contacted. Here is a list of some of the people who voted “Yea” on the bill and the personal number for either them or their closest known associate. Once again, I only condone peaceful addressing of grievances, not harassment or threats. I have tested every number and as of this posting it is active and attached to the person involved in some way. These people cannot run from us, we must hold all accountable. And a special thanks to Anonymous for providing much of this information.
504-304-9814 – Mary Landrieu (LA)
612-378-7236- Amy Jean Klobuchar (MN)
307-682-9260- Enzi (WY)
423-265-7151- Corker (TN)
704-333-3310- Watt (NC)
And special thanks to Officer G. Gaddy of the Department of Homeland Security Federal Inspection Service for teaching me that, even under Obama, we cannot trust our government to uphold our rights. And when someone acts out of line, we cannot trust our government to hold them accountable either. This isn’t about me, this is about all of us. We can sit back as they prepare to potentially take us. Or we can fight back, peacefully and legally, exercising what little rights we have. I know I will keep fighting. One day longer! One Day Stronger!
Sincerely,
Jeremy Ryan
Executive Director
Defending Wisconsin PAC
jryan@defendingwisconsin.org
[Editor's Note: Donations made through this post go to the author, not the website]
Note: Segway Jeremy Ryan has become a full-time member of the protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Formerly a businessman, he gave up his business to join the fight for the middle class in the State of Wisconsin. Through videos and writings he has informed hundreds of thousands of people about what was going on at the Wisconsin State Capitol once the mainstream media had mostly abandoned the protests. His full-time activism is completely funded by the people. If you would like to help out please click here.
