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Remove Gableman? Not so fast!

Remove Gableman? Not so fast!

I have been cheering for Rep. Kelda Helen Roys’ - D-Madison resolution calling on our WI State Assembly to remove Michael Gableman from our WI State Supreme Court. Having read the Wisconsin State Journal's Editorial, "Don't like Gableman? Try Gundrum." YIKES! Forewarned is forearmed! What do YOU think?

Rep. Roys is an OUTstanding young (the youngest) member of our WI State Assembly. She is the Madison Dem for the 81st Assembly District. She is a real leader in the Assembly having now been elected by her Dem colleagues to be the Chair of the Dem Caucus for the legislative session which convenes next Tuesday, January 17, 2012. I urge you to get acquainted with her by reading her legislative website, Representative Kelda Helen Roys.

I was HAPPY to read the news of her resolution calling on our WI State Assembly to remove Michael Gableman from our WI State Supreme Court. That action can be taken with a 2/3 vote. The REPUBLICAN majority of the Assembly makes such a vote HIGHLY Unlikely. An alternative would be that WE THE PEOPLE of WI could RECALL Gableman.

I have been enthusiastically supporting the removal of Michael Gableman from our WI Supreme Court.

NOW I have second thoughts because of the REALITY of our WI State process by which a WI Supreme Court Justice would be replaced. I read with gratitude for the information, the Wisconsin State Journal’s Editorial yesterday, “Don't like Gableman? Try Gundrum.”

I urge YOU to read it so you too are informed as to the LEGAL PROCESS which will be followed if Gableman were removed from our WI Supreme Court through Rep. Roys’ resolution. NO THANKS! HELP!

If you want more information about how WE THE PEOPLE of WI are able to confront Gableman, I suggest you read the article, “Wisconsin Lawmaker Introduces Resolution To Remove Ethically Tainted Justice Michael Gableman” on the U.S. Judicial Corruption website which asserts it is dedicated to "Exposing Corrupted Courts, Judges, Politicians, Offices, Agencies and Elected Officials, Corporate Involvement and the Federal Reserve and Banking Fraud." Check out some of the many informative articles on this website.

FORTUNATELY, Roys’ resolution does NOT have a chance of passing! After you have reviewed the legal process, YOUR comment. What do YOU think?

The WSJ editorial provides a STARK SCENARIO in terms of what COULD happen! Review the report on Mark Gundrum. NO THANKS! What do YOU think?

I myself agree with the WSJ’s editorial as it asserts the BAD NEWS of the situation: “Here's the point: Wisconsin's broken system for selecting members to its highest court favors partisanship and political connections when justices are appointed by governors — with zero oversight — to fill vacancies. And when elections actually do occur, Wisconsin's system for selecting its top judges favors campaign skills and special interest backing.”

I agree, “Lost in the process is the need for experience, independence and impartiality.

That's why Wisconsin should replace high court elections with merit-based appointments that rely on a citizen panel insulated from politics. Governors would no longer be able to pick whomever they want for the court, as governors routinely do now. Instead, a citizen panel would create a list of the best jurists in the state, based on experience, reputation and their record of independence. Governors would then have to choose from the list to fill vacancies.”

Sad and true, UNfortunately, “Many liberal and conservative activists would rather continue to fight for control of the court in expensive, mud-slinging elections. But Wisconsin deserves and needs a high court with honor, one that doesn't favor either political party, one that makes decisions based on the law regardless of the political fallout.” Yes, liberal and conservative activities! Dems and Reps! NO THANKS!

We do need to proactively advocate for, “Merit selection is the best answer to Wisconsin's embarrassing and dysfunctional state Supreme Court,” as the WSJ’s editorial urges. What do YOU think?

NOW, I did read the comment about my references with LINKS to the Wisconsin State Journal, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Washington Post, New York Times and other newspapers with references to The Janesville Gazette WITHOUT LINKS. WHY? The bottom-line is the Janesville Gazette’s own policy which PROHIBITS me (all community bloggers) from posting a LINK to any online resource. So, IF you want more references with LINKS to The Janesville Gazette, I suggest that your COMMENTS react to The Janesville Gazette’s policy. IF you want to send an e-mail, send to Editor Scott Angus (sangus@gazettextra.com).

Here we go…

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 The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.