Time for EXPULSION! WI State Assembly on trial.
Integrity of WI State Assembly at Stake! I agree totally with Rep. Steve Nass (31st Assembly District) that our WI State Assembly MUST move NOW with all deliberate speed to EXPEL Rep. Jeffrey Wood (67th Assembly District) from its membership. IF this does NOT happen, the INTEGRITY of our WI State Assembly will be severely undermined, as I see it. What do YOU think?
WHY? There has been intense discussion about the issue of driving while intoxicated, with the amazing outcome headlined, “Assembly vote unanimous on tougher drunken driving measures” as reported by the Wisconsin State Journal on September 17, 2009.
NOW, our WI State Assembly is challenged to deal with a member who has NOW been charged again with OWI and with a September 23 charge of inattentive driving with prosecutors reviewing additional charges on the books. Wood has previously been found GUILTY of OWI in COURT twice before (1990 and 1991). The Wisconsin State Journal reported, “Assembly’s Jeff Wood arrested again for OWI.”
The latest report is that Rep. Wood does NOT intend to resign. I would accuse Rep. Wood of trying to dodge being expelled by “promising” NOT to run in 2010.
WHY the delay? Yes, Wood wants to protect his State Assembly PAY with PERKS until the end of the present term. WHY should WE THE PEOPLE – voters & taxpayers – continue to support Wood?
Let’s take a look at actions to EXPEL! In general, there is STRONG SUPPORT among WE THE PEOPLE for the IMMEDIATE EXPLUSION of students from schools who break the law and rules. I am puzzled that this level of NO TOLERANCE is NOT being followed by our WI State Assembly now vis-à-vis one of its own members. WHY NOT?
Readers of this blog, WE THE PEOPLE tend to be JANESVILLE area voters and taxpayers of the 44th WI State Assembly District which is served by the SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY MIKE SHERIDAN. Speaker Sheridan has been dragging his feet since Rep. Nass filed a Resolution for the expulsion of Rep. Wood.
WHY SPEAKER SHERIDAN? I urge readers of this blog to CONTACT SPEAKER SHERIDAN’S OFFICE (phone - 608-266-7503 or 888-947-0044 OR e-mail: Rep.Sheridan@legis.wisconsin.gov first thing this week.
WCLO News (1230 AM) has been running a news actuality with Rep. Nass asserting that the WI State Assembly ought to take the action for EXPULSION before the Fall Floor Session ends on Thursday, November 5, 2009. I AGREE! Do YOU?
I assert that this is one of those situations in which the POLITICIANS will play POLITICS rather than fulfilling the solemn duties of protecting WE THE PEOPLE (voters and taxpayers) UNLESS WE THE PEOPLE speak up NOW. Remember: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!”
This week we are moving through the last days of October this week with Halloween next Saturday, 10/31 – so, let me ask Speaker Sheridan for a “TREAT” (move on expulsion, I am NOT assuming the outcome, but I do EXPECT the Speaker to take FORTHRIGHT IMMEDIATE ACTION THIS WEEK to set up the Hearing Committee to PROCEED with ALL DELIBERATE SPEED to bring a recommendation for action before the Assembly adjourns on Thursday, November 5.
If no such “TREAT,” what can we do to “TRICK” the Speaker and his colleagues in our WI State Assembly? Remember: They are ALL – each and every single one of the 99 – up for election just over a year from now – Tuesday, November 2, 2010. “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!”
Here we go…
Mr. E.
POSTSCRIPT – Re. Obama and Nobel Peace Prize. Glad to read an interview report with the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee in today’s New York Times, “Peace Be With You.”
As readers continue to review and evaluate the decision of the committee to award the NOBEL PEACE PRIZE for 2009 to US President Barack Obama, I hope you will consider the comments of the former Prime Minster of Norway now the Chair of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee. Mr. E.
John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of Janesville Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the Janesville Gazette staff or management.
Oct 31, 2009 at 5:27 p.m.
Oct 31, 2009 at 11:05 a.m.
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Once again the Eyster solution - more government is the answer to bad government
Oct 31, 2009 at 4:16 a.m.
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We NEED to follow developments on Rep. Steve Nass' Resolution for the EXPLUSION of Rep. Jeff Wood from our WI State Assembly. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!" I realize that readers apparently do NOT continue to follow a topic/issue days after the original posting.
In spite of that observation, I am adding this comment today with the LINK to Patrick Marley's post on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's "All Politics Blog" posted last Tuesday (10/27), http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/66658....
The blog cites Rep. Wood's statement that he will not run for re-election next year but will not resign. NOT ACCEPTABLE to me! This is just a delaying tactic to protect his OWN INCOME to complete next year with FULL LEGISLATIVE PAY. As a taxpayer and citizen, I feel that Rep. Wood is INappropriately trying to keep income - GREED?! - in spite of NOT working. One ought to note that while the Assembly was in session last Tuesday, Rep. Wood was ABSENT! Our WI State Assembly has REQUIRED ATTENDANCE except when a member is excused by the Speaker! So, Speaker Sheridan, are you supporting Rep. Wood in his manipulation of the system to keep his $$$ from WE THE PEOPLE - voters and taxpayers?!?!
Yes, DUE PROCESS is part of the LEGAL PROCESS. The definition of DUE PROCESS is variable. I wonder what DUE PROCESS ought to REALLY MEAN in terms of the PRIVILEGES and REPONSIBILITIES of a member of our WI State Assembly. Is there NOT appropriate DISCIPLINE which is put in place IMMEDIATELY? Suspension without pay pending investigation? School districts impose IMMEDIATE EXPULSION after a hearing. The hearing is DUE PROCESS. So, why the delay in our WI State Assembly? I wish Speaker Sheridan would explain to WE THE PEOPLE - voters and taxpayers! Where is the JOURNALIST who will put Speaker Sheridan ON THE RECORD for this information for voters and taxpayers?!
How about a TREAT or we TRICK you, Speaker Sheridan? Why not? What do you - readers - think?
Here we go...
Mr. E.
Oct 28, 2009 at 7:08 p.m.
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The Eyster solution reminds me of the time a lawyer recommended hiring a lawyer to sue another lawyer. The taxpayer always takes the hit. Here we go again.
Oct 28, 2009 at 3:33 a.m.
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SPEAKER SHERIDAN's appointment letter for the Special Committee on Ethics and Standards of Conduct is posted on today's THE WHEELER REPORT (basic source on WI State Government - www.thewheelerreport.com) - the URL is: http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases....
COMMENDATION & GRATITUDE to SPEAKER SHERIDAN! Now, however, the key issue is whether the special committee moves ahead with all deliberate speed so that a recommendation will be taken to the floor of our WI State Assembly before the FALL FLOOR SESSION adjourns on Thursday, November 5, 2009. JUST A WEEK TO GO!
Mr. E.
Oct 28, 2009 at 2:23 a.m.
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THANK YOU SPEAKER SHERIDAN!
Today's Wisconsin State Journal adds more information on the latest arrest of Rep. JEFF WOOD, including a video of that arrest. The URL to read and see is: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/c...
Very disappointing to read and hear in the media that Rep. JEFF WOOD continues to maintain that he will NOT RESIGN from our WI State Assembly.
VERY GOOD NEWS to read that SPEAKER MIKE SHERIDAN did appoint the special committee to hear REP. JEFF WOODS' case. THANK YOU, SPEAKER SHERIDAN!
The end of this FALL FLOOR PERIOD of our WI State Assembly is one week from tomorrow - Thursday, November 5, 2009. HOPE the WI State Assembly will move WITH ALL DELIBERATE SPEED NOW.
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!"
Mr. E.
Oct 27, 2009 at 9:36 p.m.
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That was very funny actually, DGriz. But I didn't recognize Wolfman or Frankenstein?
Oct 27, 2009 at 9:21 p.m.
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The greatest corrective action would be for the State Legislature to cease being a "full time" job though they actually meet for precious few hours. Wisconsin government has been on an ethical decline and a spending increase ever since it was redefined into the full time political profession it was never intended to be. Our Wisconsin government is decadent and has enabled the behavior of those like Mr Wood. Just like Washington in the Clinton impeachment, why spend more money on a legislative process to remove him? This should be a voter's decision at the next election. They have the kind of government they voted for.
Oct 27, 2009 at 7:55 a.m.
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I thought Jeff Wood should have resigned after the drunk Russian Roulette he played with a car last year. He is human like everyone else, but should be held to a higher standard as an elected official. As a state elected representative, his actions do nothing to further this state in a positive manner. He was also allowed to make the tie breaking vote with the 2009-2010 budget. We need to have a clear set of standards for public officials, so we don't have to wait for a repeat OWI offender to make a good judgment call.
Oct 27, 2009 at 3:19 a.m.
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HAPPY to read the letter from SPEAKER SHERIDAN & Minority Leader Fitzgerald telling Rep. Jeff Wood that the hearing committee "will be named in a timely fashion." You can read the full text via The Wheeler Report http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases....
Speaker Sheridan, WHAT IS A TIMELY FASHION? Will there be follow-up with FLOOR ACTION before the end of this Fall Floor Session coming on November 4, 2009? IF NOT, WHY NOT?
Mr. E./John
Oct 26, 2009 at 6:17 p.m.
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I stopped reading your articles but I couldn't help but notice EXPLUSION in the link title. Apparently your spell check doesn't look at words in ALL CAPS - another reason you should seek help to break your annoying habit.
Oct 26, 2009 at 3:38 p.m.
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Consider Mr. Wood's seat open in Novemeber and let him run for it, even if it's not yet time to do so.
Oct 26, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.
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marienburg - I agree with your point, but suggest that there are different governments involved. One is our WI State Government and our Assembly. The other is our US Congress. Correct? So... let's deal with the state government in this case. We can, of course, take up the issues of FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL accountability as a separate discussion and campaign. Okay? John
Oct 26, 2009 at 1:40 p.m.
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It's a shame the writing or message must be condescendingly served up with inappropriate capitalization. (You know, we're all too stupid to find the important stuff ourselves...must have it POINTED OUT.)
I pop in, check to see if yet again the rampant capitalization is present then go on to something else. It'll be refreshing if someday I am pleasantly surprised to find a more professionally presented article. One where emphasis can be placed on its content rather than the difficulty reading through a jerky commentary full of capitalization speed bumps.
Oct 26, 2009 at 12:28 p.m.
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I've given up trying to read your blog. You just don't want to listen to your readers who are trying to help you write better.
Oct 26, 2009 at 12:26 p.m.
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Why stop with Rep. Wood? Let's also include Congressman Rangel (tax evasion), Congressman Murtha (bribes & kickbacks for government contracts); Congressman Pat Kennedy (multiple instances of substance abuse and driving while impared); and Secretary Geithner (tax evasion). More are certainly missing from the list, but the point is made.
Oct 26, 2009 at 12:19 p.m.
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WWI-Writing while intoxicated?
Oct 26, 2009 at 11:41 a.m.
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C'mon Gazette, get someone on here we can read. I refuse to try to navigate this mess. This guy was a teacher?
Oct 26, 2009 at 10:34 a.m.
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Eye stare makes my eyes hurt. Like others, I can't even get through the article because the spelling and random capitalization are so annoying. I know you're reading this John! Why do you continue to write this way? It totally detracts from whatever your point is supposed to be.
Oct 26, 2009 at 8:34 a.m.
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What IS the deal with this GUY and his COPLOCKS and speeling problems?
Oct 26, 2009 at 7:09 a.m.
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Yet another Eyster Eysore.
Oct 26, 2009 at 6:15 a.m.
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Mr. EYSTER, with all due RESPECT, you get a FEW DEMERITS HERE for misspelling the words "politicians" and "unless". I MIGHT NOT have even noticed these transgressions if you hadn't CAPITALIZED THEM in an AWKWARD way. Otherwise, not A BAD blog.
Oct 25, 2009 at 10:42 p.m.
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In my country, they used to wait until a person was convicted of a crime before punishing him.
Darn old Bill Of Rights is annoying to the far, far left, I imagine.
Oct 25, 2009 at 8:14 p.m.
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I think it's up to the people that voted for him whether he stays, or goes.
Oct 25, 2009 at 7:18 p.m.
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Explosion + Expulsion = Explusion?
Nice portmanteau!
Oct 25, 2009 at 6:50 p.m.
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I find it incredible he doesn't have the self worth to resign. Expulsion seems the reasoned response to this conduct. By the way Mr. E., well written and said, but the capitals for emphasis take away from your message rather than support it.
Oct 25, 2009 at 6:45 p.m.
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It's all Obama's fault!
Oct 25, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.
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Just do'nt replace him with a dem
Oct 25, 2009 at 4:25 p.m.
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Explusion?
Oct 25, 2009 at 3:47 p.m.
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I read the article on Obama from the NY Times. Besides the first question it gives no reasons for President Obama being given this award. I personally think he may one day be worthy of one, but is he really on the caliber of Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandella? I didn't read your blog. I got to the first "IF" in caps and quit. It actually hurts to read your blogs with all the random capital letters.
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