You may remember that I submitted an Open Records Request to the Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice, Shirley Abrahamson. This stems from comments she made about two months ago to a group of Milwaukee area police chiefs. He comments regarding Chapter 980 sexual predators was inappropriate, especially since she knew she would have this issue come before the court this year. You can follow the link above for all of the links to the background on this subject.

I have received a response from Justice Abrahamson, she claims to “have no records responsive to the request”, so I guess I join Alderman Olson in the Abrahamson Stonewall, but this fight is not over yet!

As I said above, Chapter 980 issues would be coming before the court, as a matter of fact, today, there were oral arguments in the Shawn D. Schulpius case. Follow that link and you can listen to the oral arguments as Schulpius’ lawyer argues to Abrahamson and the court why her client should be released into our community. In the meeting with the police officials, it was reported that Abrahamson said that she believed that the courts would step in and force Milwaukee County to house these Sexually Violent Persons (Ch. 980). Someone tell me how this is not a conflict of interest!

Schulpius, for those that don’t know, has repeatedly molested children, including his sister, neighborhood children and a 4 year old boy he was babysitting for. He was put on probation for a time, but was imprisoned because he repeatedly broke probation rules, including having pornographic material. Schulpuis was declared to be a Sexually Violent Person.

Public Service Message

Citizens for a Safe Wisconsin -Advocating for Tougher Sex Offender Laws
Update October 2005

Thanks Andy!

Kevin Fisher had some really interesting reports about the 240 Katrina victims living in the Tommy G. Thompson building in Milwaukee. Unfortunately I don’t have the audio, but I made a few notes, enough to make it interesting. So here is a short overview of what Fisher reported today on WISN radio.

• Local media is not allowed access to the State Fair site.
• Residents must have a photo ID at all times. (Good enough for them, but not our elections)
• Jim Doyle has one of his aids at the center every day.
• Each resident has their own private room. 3 meals a day and food available all the time
• 20 to 30 computers available 24-7, parties live bands, trips around town etc.
• All health, dental, eye glasses and mental health needs are covered.
• No alcohol allowed on site, so they set up a beer tent outside for them to drink.
• Free taxi rides for any reason.
• There are reports of drug trafficking and prostitution on site, but the Governor has stopped police from investigating because it is an invasion of their privacy.
• The State taxpayers will provide them all with one year free rent.

I am glad that we have been able to help people in need, we will keep doing it, but there must be some oversight. It is clear that almost all are grateful for what has been provided to them, but it is clear that a small percentage are taking advantage of this. We can’t afford to be irresponsible! And why is the governor personally blocking the press? What is he hiding from us?

More great fun from your Wisconsin Bloggers!

I hope the death penalty is still in effect for espionage. A spy caught while we are at war, and a member of the Service to boot…

ABC News: Espionage Case Breaches the White House
Both the FBI and CIA are calling it the first case of espionage in the White House in modern history.

Officials tell ABC News the alleged spy worked undetected at the White House for almost three years. Leandro Aragoncillo, 46, was a U.S. Marine most recently assigned to the staff of Vice President Dick Cheney.

“I don’t know of a case where the vetting broke down before and resulted in a spy being in the White House,” said Richard Clarke, a former White House advisor who is now an ABC News consultant.

Federal investigators say Aragoncillo, a naturalized citizen from the Philippines, used his top secret clearance to steal classified intelligence documents from White House computers.

In 2000, Aragoncillo worked on the staff of then-Vice President Al Gore. When interviewed by Philippine television, he remarked how valued Philippine employees were at the White House.

“I think what they like most is our integrity and loyalty,” Aragoncillo said.

Here is n update on the Delaware anonymous blogger story. The Bloggers have won their case before the State Supreme Court.

www.newszap.com
The Delaware Supreme Court dismissed a Smyrna councilman’s attempt to unmask an anonymous Internet poster Wednesday, reversing a lower court’s decision.

Smyrna Town Councilman Patrick J. Cahill and his wife Julia alleged in a September 2004 Superior Court suit that four anonymous posters to a Web log — or blog — defamed him by claiming he had an “obvious mental deterioration” and implying that he was homosexual.

The Internet free speech case is the first decided by any Supreme Court, which could give it national importance, said the attorney representing one anonymous poster.

“The Delaware Supreme Court recognized the importance of the issue and gave respect to the First Amendment interests involved,” said Wilmington attorney David L. Finger, who represented one of the bloggers, identified as John Doe No. 1.

“The public’s interest is being able to express their opinions anonymously.

“This is likely to be influential in other state and federal courts dealing with similar issues.”

Top ‘o the hat to my favorite member of the media, ML