Q. How does this person, Scott Walker - -
"I know that throughout my career - first in the Legislature, then as county executive and now for the last 10 months as governor - I live by the standards I got from my parents," said Walker, whose father was a Baptist minister. "Certainly, they got me to the rank of Eagle Scout, and I continue to have that kind of integrity."Q. Square with this person just a few years later - -
His sophomore year, Walker ran for president of the Associated Students of Marquette University (ASMU, the former title for Marquette Student Government). He was accused of violating campaign guidelines on multiple occasions.Q. To a reluctant Congressional witness forced to speak truthfully, under oath, before Congress - - Video here.
The Tribune reported then that he was found guilty of illegal campaigning two weeks before his candidacy became official. Later, a Walker campaign worker was seen placing brochures under doors at the YMCA. Door-to-door campaigning was strictly prohibited.
Walker initially denied this but later admitted to the violation, which resulted in lost campaign privileges at the YMCA.
Q. And who now sports this track-record - -
"PolitiFact" has given Walker "mostly false" ratings. or worse, in 66%, or 24 of 36 statements vetted - - an ugly track record and the most such negatives for a Wisconsin figure this year.
He even earned a "false" rating twice in three days about that claim to have openly campaigned on his plan to go after collective bargaining - - here and here - - and, consider this:
Walker is without a PolitiFact "True," or "Mostly True"-rated statement since May 8th - - that's for just a fer days short of half a calendar year, and more than half the time he has served as Governor.Q. All the way to the present-day Walker, with his GOP thumb on the scales, as an election of his own making looms:
* They [Republicans] ran phony slates of Democrats in the Senate recall elections to confuse the electorate and game the calender for scheduling and fund-raising advantages.Q. In other words, what happened to this guy - - The Boy Scout-turned Eagle Scout turned self-described deeply religious and devout Christian who, every day, as he told the Christian Businessmen's Connection in a 2009 talk about his faith, is motivated by his Christian values - - audio here.
* They are moving to add burdensome notarization requirements to help make Scott Walker's recall more difficult - - even though Walker benefited from a traditional, unfettered, Constitutionally-guaranteed recall system in 2002 to become Milwaukee County Executive prior to his successful run for Governor last year.
* Now the Republicans are rushing forward with a plan by New Berlin Senator Mary Lazich - - no surprise there - - to undo part of a just-passed GOP-crafted redistricting plan because they see a fresher way to adjust election schedules, again in their favor, to hang on to a one-vote Senate majority.
Some months ago, I wrote that no one likes a cheater in politics, and I believe the GOP will get what's coming to it when these manipulations - - and don't forget the exclusionary goals of the Voter ID law take effect next year, too - - help the Recall Walker Movement gets its signatures.
Q. How can that person be responsible for actions, and deceptions that sparked even news about the poor and least among us, like this - -
Budget trims tax credit for working poor
Critics say proposal amounts to tax increase for some families
By of the Journal Sentinel
Q. Should we have a Governor that much at war with himself?Madison — Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget would reduce a tax credit program for many of the working poor by $41.3 million over two years - a change that critics say violates his pledge not to raise any taxes...
Walker's proposal also would stop the adjustment for inflation of the homestead tax credit, a change that would cost low-and moderate-income workers $8.1 million over two years.
"He is increasing taxes on the working poor," said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. "Where is the shared sacrifice? The wealthy, as always, are coming out ahead."
A. The contradiction, and downsides, are too great.
The recall process beginning 11/15 is Wisconsin's Constitutional way to fix it.
I mentioned in a previous comment that someone (anyone?) should pressure Scott Walker to release his conduct and academic records at MU. I don't believe for a minute that he left to take a position at the Red Cross.
ReplyDeleteJim, you gave me a very understandable response. An investigation such as that would take time and media prestige. But can't citizens groups start making the same demand particularly during the recall process?
can we recall him AND take away his eagle scout badge?
ReplyDeleteOf course they can.
ReplyDeleteI heard through the grapevine that some media passed on the story earlier because they thought it was too old and irrelevant.
And could not find anyone on the other side wiling to make to talk on the record.
My point now is that it is a crucial biographical touchstone in the context of what we have seen from him as Gov.
Yes, and we should also ask for the release all of the POTUS academic records while we are at it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a two for one deal?
Why the fascination with the first African-American's grades?
ReplyDeleteYou constantly fall into conflation mode, RD. Weak intellectually.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
ReplyDeletePlease check you definitions... there is not any conflation here and they are certainly not distinctly separate. (I guess my year in College Debate are paying off)
Politician 1. Does not release his academic records which raises suspicion about his college activities and what he actually did or said while attending college.
Politician 2. Does not release his academic records which raises suspicion about his college activities and what he actually did or said while attending college.
Show me the conflation here. Please tell me which politician is Walker and which is Obama? They are identical statements. However, the original posters intent is to apply their judgement on the relevancy of these actions to only one individual. There is no confusing or combining distinctly different issues or ideas here, thus the conflation argument is invalid.
The correct fallacy found here falls under Double Standard, which I am finding to be more and more commonplace in individuals with signs of Walker Derangement Syndrome. -- Not that anyone here has that ;)
What is the suspicion about Obama. In the real world, where is there doubt?
ReplyDeleteHe's a proven high-achiever academically, so I guess you need to dirty him up by going for his strengths.
Walker left college, while Obama graduated and went on to Harvard Law and the editorship of the review.
And Walker left after a messy campus election and a candidacy for student government president in which admissions of rule-breaking were made, and discipline meted out.
That all raises doubts.
Where is the similarity - - other than in your own mind?
James,
ReplyDeleteObama has not released his papers or essays from college. I don't need to "dirty" him up. He is doing a fine job of that himself with Solyndra.
I don't know what is in his papers other than I find it strange that he would seal them... unless of course there is something there he doesn't want voters to see.
I'm not in office, but I would have no problem with anyone seeing anything I wrote while in college.
As for the argument about graduation, that is really a red herring. The issue here is the similarities between them holding executive political offices and neither of them releasing their academic records.
It is not about who graduated from where and with what degree.
To RD: Another weak comment. Find another blog on which to complain.
ReplyDeleteSince the guy lies so much do we have proof that he ever was an Eagle Scout.
ReplyDeleteNot complaining, just pointing out the double standard.
ReplyDeleteI've learned to live with it...