Posted on 03/03/2011 6:36:49 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
A judge weighing whether state officials overstepped their bounds by restricting protesters' access to the state Capitol nearly ordered all the demonstrators out on moments' notice Wednesday evening before state and union attorneys talked him out of it.
Dane County Circuit Judge John Albert has been listening to two days of testimony on whether he should make a temporary court order ensuring full public access to the building permanent. He is expected to rule on the matter Thursday.
He told the packed courtroom shortly after 6 p.m. that he wanted to test the state Department of Administration's contention that building access would return to normal quickly if the protesters who have spent the last two weeks sleeping overnight in the rotunda left. He presented a draft order that would have forced anyone who was still in the Capitol after its regular 6 p.m. closing time to be out by 8 p.m. and said he planned to have DOA officials hand one to each protester.
"It's worth a try," a weary-sounding Albert said as he massaged his temples. "They should be out of the Capitol because it's closed to business."
The order would have given the 100 or so protesters still camping out in the Capitol only minutes' notice and potentially set up confrontations with the multiple police agencies that have been guarding the building.
Assistant Attorney General Steven Means, who is representing the DOA, urged Albert not to do it. He said the order wouldn't be fair because the protesters didn't get a chance to be heard. Union attorney Peg Lautenschlager pointed out that the protesters may not take the order seriously because she contends the DOA has ignored the temporary court order to fully open the building.
"If you do the order, I don't know how people in the building will react," she said.
Albert reluctantly relented and decided to resume the hearing Thursday afternoon.
The protesters are among tens of thousands of others who demonstrated in and around the Capitol for two weeks against Republican Gov. Scott Walker's plan to strip most public workers of nearly all their collective bargaining rights. They've had free run of most of the building and the grounds for days, staging massive rallies, pounding bongo drums and spending the nights on the Capitol's floor on air mattresses and in sleeping bags. They even set up their own makeshift day care center in the building's north wing.
The DOA announced Friday that everyone had to be out by 4 p.m. Sunday so crews could finally clean the building. Agency Secretary Mike Huebsch testified Wednesday that protesters jammed the Capitol at 4 p.m. that day hoping to get arrested, going so far as to write their attorneys' phone numbers in marker on their arms.
Huebsch said he decided not to have police remove the protesters by force because he wanted to avoid confrontations between protesters and police.
[snip]
"Normal people don't sit cross-legged on the floor and bang on drums," he said in court. "It's an uncivil situation."
Huebsch said he believes access could return to normal quickly if the overnight campers would leave.
"These restrictions are meant to be short-term," he said.
Curtailing the demonstrations is the last thing Democrats and unions want. The protests have been one of their most effective weapons against the bill, helping them drawing national attention to the debate.
Three unions won a temporary court order Tuesday to keep the Capitol completely open during normal business hours. The DOA didn't change its policies, however. Agency officials said they believe the building is open.
HUH?
WTF?
Just WHO is Means representing, the DOA or the Unions?
Kinda hard to tell the good guys from the tools when you get these kind of signals.
With that sort of attitude, no doubt Means is in line to go to work for the MOST corrupt Attorney General EVER, "It's my people" Holder.
Me and my Cobray Street Sweeper could have the building cleared in no time.
thanks for posting this. please check on Wisconsin State Journal on friday if you desire. Probably have the decision.
I believe the DOA wishes to do what is right and Peg Lautenshrager former AG wants to have the protests to continue indefinitely thus disrupting the state. another article i saw was many legislators are doing meetings outside the Capitol Building. here will be another issue the Rats will use against Walker and Republican legislators claiming secret meetings. The situation is beginning to get worse and the Rats will use the courts to wrangle it more and more. Using Obam’s playbook welcome to the Democratic socialism that Obama wants as democracy. America is a Republic not a democracy, there is a big difference.
Peg Lautenschlager was an AG whom had difficulties controlling her consumption of liquor received at least two citations for DUI in a state vehicle.
Same thing I was wondering. Where is the Fire Marshall in all of this?
Fire Drill. See if the fire department does
a better job of emptying out the building.
The police have refused to follow orders.
Why again is the state of Wisconsin putting up with this? Oh, that's right, the unions are specially privileged citizens who have rights beyond those of normal citizens.
The teachers' union needs to be charged for the cost of the additional security and for repair to the capitol building walls. And, the teachers' union need to be liable for the cost of daycare, lost wages, and any other costs incurred because of their refusal to do their jobs. The teachers have an implied contract with the people of Wisconsin and they've not fulfilled their obligations.
This entire situation has become ridiculous. Wisconsin is being held hostage by union thugs. Allow the thuggery once, and you guarantee that it'll be back.
“I think the fastest and simplest way to clear them out would be to allow the homeless to join them and sleep next to them.”
There’s a headline,
“Union Thugs Deny Shelter to Area Homeless”
“Rent a pair of big conference rooms at the Marriot...” Then lock doors so the protesters couldn’t get out.
The Fire Department is no doubt Union.
-—Normal people don’t sit cross-legged on the floor and bang on drums——
Missing from this protest are the large moonbat puppets supported by several long poles. Perhaps the species goes south for the winter.
They seem a bit sensitive about being called "slobs." They should worry about people thinking they're a few fries short of a happy meal.
First video he interviews 2 guys who are a hoot.
Second video they're down to granola bars and want food sent in and they must send food by postal mail (as they must accept) and if they refuse tell them that you won't vote for them next election. Sounds like jungle drums.
Anarchy rules the day at the WI capitol. It’s pathetic, for law abiding citizens to see the double standard applied...all in the name of gaining some kind of PR advantage. What about law and order?
I was under the impression that the teachers strike was illegal in Wisconsin.
What we haven’t heard much about are the SEIU 1199 members. Do they have a presence in this strike or are they holding back? It is my guess that those doctors who handed excuse notes to the strikers were probably SEIU 1199 members.
Who's going to enforce THAT order? Seems to me, no order, no "closed for business" rule, counts, in Madison, Wisconsin.
On the other hand, if the judge's orders do work, then I suggest an aggressive proactive stance, and litigate EVERYTHING. Sue the absent DEM senators, sue the trespassers (at least for cleanup and security costs), etc.
What state are you in? I’m trying to find someone who find out whether SEIU Health Care workers are taking part in this strike. The doctors that handed out the excuse notes were probably members, but do we have any health care professional actually out there, striking and protesting? It would be very telling concerning the future of an SEIU unionized health care industry.
If you desire to see the Progressive agenda, Go to Capital Times (Wisconsin State Journals sister paper). You can read the articles written by a John Nichols.
My belief is always be informed read the oppositions Voice. In Madison it is the Capital Times. If you desire to have your blood boil and eyes pop out of your head. You will see the call for democracy. Now people will see what Obama desires - usage of the tool Peg lautenschlager (see Nichols other aricles) - you will get a better picture and see how the Progressive Agenda will start its flames of anarchy in Madison Wisconsin.
Keep in mind I am not a liberal, I am a conservative and it is only my desire to inform. Other FRs may be interested. I am unable to post, Voice activated program (Dragon naturally Speaking) does not allow posting. I am learning the program so it probably does but I have not figured it out yet.
No, you walk in with buckets of water and bars of soap and watch them scatter! ;)
I doubt they have because they are too busy saying the Tea Party is hurting civil debate.
Duh forgot the article John Nichols: Why Sheriff Mahoney refuses to Serve as Walkers ‘Palace’ Guard. tJohn Nichols other articles are there for anyone to read. read them yourself.
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