Monday, February 6, 2012

The Wreck Of The Governor Walker

Scott Walker, Train Wreck. Click The Photo(Updated: Originally posted Sunday, Feb. 4, 12:01 a.m.) I've had this picture (click on it for a surprise) out on my blog's home page for about a year labeled "Scott Walker, Train Wreck" - -  - and now I see in it a possible route to understanding the unfolding Scott Walker political scandal and its core "what-were-they-thinking?" question.

What's needed is the same kind of go-back-to-the-beginning analysis that federal investigators use to figure out why a plane went down or a train derailed or 50 vehicles collided on an interstate highway. The goal is not to punish but to inform the public, ascertain the facts, and help prevent similar disasters down the road.

I spent years covering transportation catastrophes at the old Milwaukee Journal, and without exception, the official post-mortems would find that a disaster's earlier roots nurtured a more complex, causal web of cause-and-effect.

For example, when Midwest Airlines flight 105 crashed on takeoff in Milwaukee in 1985, killing 29 people, federal investigators almost immediately found a piece of metal on the runway that indicated an engine part called a "spacer" had broken.

But the cause-and-effect wasn't as simple as 'part broke, engine failed, plane crashed.'

The final investigative report into the crash of Flight 105 by the US National Transportation Safety Board and released after a lengthy probe said the tragedy's probable cause was the flight crew's having inputted an incorrect rudder command when the engine failed that "led to an accelerated stall and loss of control of the airplane."

A contributing factor, investigators said, was "a lack of crew coordination in response to the emergency."

So, yes, an engine spacer had failed on takeoff, and the pilots hadn't responded appropriately  - - but the NTSB also noted the Federal Aviation Administration had recommended, but not mandated, that the problem spacer that failed be upgraded on an accelerated schedule even though 15 similar spacers had previously failed elsewhere.

And the final report questioned the adequacy of the airline's cockpit coordination and management plans and the FAA's approval of those plans, so in addition to a section on causality, the NTSB also:

issued two recommendations on flightcrew training in response to emergencies during the initial climb phase and one recommendation on qualifications for [FAA] Principal Operations Inspectors.
So, yes - - the engine failed and the plane went down - - but foundational and institutional events and decisions elsewhere contributed to the crash.

Likewise, after the fiery derailment of a Central Wisconsin train in Weyauwega, WI in 1996, NTSB investigators again first pinpointed something broken - -  a crack in a rail - - but subsequently ruled that earlier issues were related to the probable cause:
"the switch point rail broke due to an undetected bolt hole crack that progressed from improper maintenance because Wisconsin Central management did not ensure that the two employees responsible for inspecting the track structure were properly trained.
Why not apply this type of detailed, look-in-the-rear-view-mirror methodology to the crash of Scott Walker to look for ways to prevent a recurrence, and also answer questions like:

*  If after a mere ten years after the caucus scandal in Madison - - when Scott Walker had been in the Legislature, and presumably read the newspapers - - and after which public officials went to jail for directing and using public resources to manage partisan campaigns, how could Scott Walker's former Milwaukee County Executive and campaign staffers have put themselves in a position, or been directed, to commit caucus-scandal-style offenses with which they are now being charged?

*  And after a much-bigger scandal brought down President Richard Nixon in 1974 - - when a secret campaign apparatus was established to raise and spend money illegally with the approval and direction of the White House - - how could some former Walker aides set up and use in his County office suite what the Milwaukee County John Doe says was a secret and illegal communications system to illegally coordinate political events and raise money for partisan campaigns?

So the issue is more than what the John Doe has alleged,  or may expand.

The issue is: are there clues in Walker or his inner circle's past that can shed light on events now?

Here's where I think there is paydirt:

During the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, The National Journal cited the Marquette student paper when noting that Walker's sophomore-year run for Marquette student body president imploded over university ethics and campaign rule violations.

The Marquette Tribune wrote in 2010:
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.

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.

In the run-up to election day, the Tribune’s editorial board endorsed Walker’s opponent John Quigley, but said either candidate had the potential to serve effectively.

However, the Tribune revised its editorial the following day, calling Walker “unfit for presidency.” The column cited Walker’s distribution of a mudslinging brochure about Quigley that featured statements such as “constantly shouting about fighting the administration” and “trying to lead several ineffective protests of his own.”

The revision also expressed disappointment in Walker’s campaign workers reportedly throwing away issues of the Tribune after the endorsement was initially made.

Walker dismissed this, saying he had no knowledge of what his supporters did, according to a Tribune article from February 25, 1988.
So what, if anything, got started, strengthened or weakened at Marquette University, where Walker and some of his long-time associates all went to school?

Were the seeds of Walker's current political breakdown sown in that troubled campus campaign nearly a quarter-century ago? Were there cracks in the track or the first signs of inept cockpit management already propagating, but we're still not seeing them, their connections and their full consequences?

The brakes on the Walker express are failing and the train is heading for a steep curve - - his sit-down with the same John Doe probe that has already charged Walker donors, former County employees and political operatives.

How did the Walker train get so far down that track? What did we miss about the crew, and especially the engineer?



19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rowen, you're an idiot.

James Rowen said...

When I post comments like these, I think you might be right.

Anonymous said...

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"

Anonymous said...

I believe his derailment started with his upbringing by a strict fundamentalist Baptist preacher.
Self-loathing was followed by an over-compensating need to take risks, break rules and even the law to prove to himself his superiority and invulnerability. He is as addicted to this behavior as some are addicted to gambling or pornography.

I am not a psychologist, but I have watched many episodes of "Law and Order".

Boxer said...

@Anonymous 8:30 pm:

Even if you disagree with James' conclusions and opinions, you really can't be saying that the Walker administration is going well????????

You can sling all the names you want, but it tells everyone far more about you than it does about James. It's not even clever.

Reagan's Disciple said...

Boxer,

Yes, it is going well. Unless of course you are a democrat.

Boxer said...

Rayguns:

You have a vastly different definition of 'well' than most people.
Walker is facing an unprecedented recall. Two GOP legislators were recalled last summer, and 4 more recalls are coming, PLUS his Lt. Gov. He is despised locally and nationally. He's human-miked and protested wherever he goes, including his own home. He's been caught on tape discussing the merits of planting disruptive elements into peaceful protests. One of his campaign contributors was found guilty of making illegal contributions. (That's saying alot in this atmosphere of extremely liberal campaign fundraising laws.) Three of his close aides or campaign staffers have been charged with felonies, and the boyfriend of one charged with child pornography. One of his aides has been granted immunity--I'd really worry about that one. Walker's hired criminal defense attorneys and will be meeting with the Milwaukee County DA. There is evidence that Walker was involved or knew about some or all of their crimes and no one has yet said that these are the only charges that will be filed. Nearly every single one of his legislative 'wins' has been challenged in court with outcomes to be determined, raising the distinct possibility that after a year of turmoil and illegal activity he will have zero accomplishments. He lies with impunity and regularity, as accounted for by our mutual friend, James Rowen, here in this blog.
Can you say that any single ONE of the things noted above has ever happened to you? Not to me, not to most normal people.
Walker's situation is not a teaspoon of hot water, but a large boiling vat of it over which his entire administration, legacy and personal integrity is suspended. It does not look good.
So what is going well?
If you really think that things are going "well" for Walker, you're beyond delusional and into involuntary-commitment-to-a-mental- institution territory.
I challenge you to defend your outrageous statement. Use facts.

RD said...

Balnced budget, check
Conceal Carry, check
Voter ID, check
Employees being allowed to chose whether they belong to a union or not, check.
Public employees chipping in for their lavish benefits and pensions, check.
Budget controls being given back to local communities, check
no tax increases to balance the budget, check


The fact is, all of these "unprecedented" problems that you speak of are directly related to the childish behavior of those on the left because they are not getting their way and have no ability in how to handle it.

There were equally as many republicans disgusted with Doyle's actions. However, we didn't act like petulant little children. Everyone should understand by now that elections are done for a reason. We disagreed, but didn't throw a tantrum, and yes that is what this is, a tantrum.

Despite your cries, nothing Walker has done has been ruled illegal.
Even IF Walker were to lose a recall election, the budget repair bill is NOT going away. Tom Barrett even used Walker's tools in Milwaukee! If Walker were to lose, CCW is NOT going away. Public employee pension and health contributions are NOT going away. Voter ID is not going away. The democrats couldn't win the Supreme court, they couldn't take over the state senate and they certainly will not take over the assembly.

In the end those other elections really don't matter because Walker is going to win any recall election quite simply because the majority of Wisconsinites agree with his policies. Whether you or your friends dislike him and sign a recall petition is really pretty irrelevant.

PS. You are a either being completely disingenuous or lack all rational thought if you are really trying to relate the child pornography charges of a boyfriend of an aide, to Walker.

That is whats called, grasping at straws. I guess in a way it is similar to the behavior of all lefties this past year.

Anonymous said...

Terrific analysis. In light of the obvious illegal shenanigans going round in his office, I would be interested in hearing a supporter explain why Walker is worth keeping. That is, if any of the Walker supporters can come up with anything a little more elucidating than calling the author of this article an "idiot."

Anonymous said...

The Marquette University Law School published a poll a couple weeks ago. It showed Walker with between 46-52 points against each of the probable candidates. Each of the potential challengers showed between 15-42 percent. At first blush this would suggest that the Governor is in pretty good shape. However, when you look at the follow-up question how much do you know about each of the challengers, Barrett is the only name with greater than 30% recognition. So, what putting the two sets of questions together, the poll shows that 40% of likely Wisconsin voters would vote for a brown paper bag rather than Walker. That is not such good news for republicans.

Anonymous said...

Quote: "PS. You are a either being completely disingenuous or lack all rational thought if you are really trying to relate the child pornography charges of a boyfriend of an aide, to Walker.

That is whats called, grasping at straws. I guess in a way it is similar to the behavior of all lefties this past year."

For what it's worth, the guy was using the handle "Walker04" to hit up underage kids online. Just saying, he kind of related it himself.

Reagan's Disciple said...

@ anon 10:34

Under your theory we should relate every person who voted for someone to their campaign?

If I were to commit a crime should I be linked to the Reagan presidency? Your lack of common sense is astounding.

Keep grasping!

Anonymous said...

Looking at the comments here and elsewhere it is obvious that Walker could be indicted by the John Doe probe and many, many people will not care and would vote for him anyway because he's "one of theirs". It's the same thing as watching a serial adulterer that leaves his wives when they need him most, being the darling of the Christian right. All is forgiven if your views are my views. And that is unbelievably sad.

Reagan's Disciple said...

William,

I hope you are not referring to Newt as the "darling" of the Christian right, because he is certainly not, nor will he be.

Also, what are you attempting to say with the phrase, "It is obvious that he could be indicted," mean? If it is obvious, then he will be indicted, not could be. If he could be indicted, then it is certainly not obvious. Here is a bit of information for you. He will not be indicted, nor should he.

The lefties are completely unhinged in wanting to throw a man in jail for having political differences with them.


Speaking of men who leave their women when they need them the most. How is John Edwards doing these days?

Anonymous said...

@ Reagan's Disciple

I really admire how much you jump through hoops. It was a joke. But it is funny to me that the guy thought it would be a good idea to pick up kids using that handle and now it's come out in the John Doe.

But you know what, I don't really want to waste any more of the taxpayers' money by provoking you into commenting on this.

Boxer said...

RD said...

Balnced budget, check. Boxer says: Not the first or only Gov to balance a budget. The first to balance it on the backs of secretaries, technicians, and the other lower-paid workers that make our state tick while giving away millions to out-of-state corporations and his campaign contributors.
Conceal Carry, check. Boxer says: This will last until someone, prob Rep Kramer, shoots himself in the leg -- or God forbid, someone else -- and then guns will be banned in the capitol, leading to bans elsewhere, as it should be.
Voter ID, check. Boxer says: Wisconsin's law has already attracted one lawsuit. Other ALEC-sponsored, voter ID laws in other states are being challenged. National legal challenges also likely.
Employees being allowed to chose whether they belong to a union or not, check. Boxer says: No one has been forced to join a union. Legality of the State forcing its rules on municipalities and local school boards under challenge.
Public employees chipping in for their lavish benefits and pensions, check. Boxer says: Public employees had already agreed to make contributions, despite having 'paid' for their perhaps-better-than-average-but-certainly-not-lavish benefits by foregoing salary increases in previous years, but watch for legislation to make contributions more equitable, so that a Scott Walker pays in at a higher rate than the capitol janitor, and including previously excluded groups such as police and fire. (Lavish is your spin on it. If it's too much, why don't you ask your school teacher wife to give it back? Or her healthcare that you won't admit to taking advantage of?)
Budget controls being given back to local communities, check. Boxer says: Semantics, and spin, again. Local communities have had vastly more local control prior to Walker, before intrusive state mandates, drastic revenue-sharing cuts, and one-size-fits-all budget tricks forced them into negative financial positions.
no tax increases to balance the budget, check. Boxer says: Lies, as documented in the Journal Sentinel and here.

If Walker and his flying monkeys manage to hang on to half of their extremist agenda through the legal challenges, I guarantee that those remaining will be tempered by future administrations and legislative bodies.

Of course this doesn't include any of the illegal shenannigans from his tenure at Milwaukee County and his two campaigns that is eroding his credibility by the day. You conveniently ignored all that.

Checkmate.

Reagan's Disciple said...

Employees being allowed to chose whether they belong to a union or not, check. Boxer says: No one has been forced to join a union.

That is simply not a factual statement. In many public employee positions an individual is forced to belong to a union.


Legality of the State forcing its rules on municipalities and local school boards under challenge.

Anything can be challenged. Call me when it is reversed


Public employees chipping in for their lavish benefits and pensions, check. Boxer says: Public employees had already agreed to make contributions, despite having 'paid' for their perhaps-better-than-average-but-certainly-not-lavish benefits by foregoing salary increases in previous years, but watch for legislation to make contributions more equitable, so that a Scott Walker pays in at a higher rate than the capitol janitor, and including previously excluded groups such as police and fire. (Lavish is your spin on it.

They only agreed after Walker was elected. They worked for several years without a contract under Doyle because they would NOT concede anything in negotiations.
They then tried to force the contract through at the last minute. Thankfully some democrats saw through their shenanigans and put a stop to it.

If it's too much, why don't you ask your school teacher wife to give it back? Or her healthcare that you won't admit to taking advantage of?).

I think I have mentioned his before, but we do not use her the healthcare plan available to her. We are on my employers plan.

Local communities have had vastly more local control prior to Walker, before intrusive state mandates, drastic revenue-sharing cuts, and one-size-fits-all budget tricks forced them into negative financial positions.

Again, lets not confuse yourself here. Walker has given the local communities the tools they need to balance their own budgets.

If you do not believe me on this one, please call Tom Barrett at 414.286.2200 and he will surely verify that these budget fixes did in fact work.

Apparently you do not play chess, because when Walker wins, that will be the checkmate.

Anonymous said...

Reagan's disciple. Yes that's right I only think Newt is ethically challenged because he's a Rep. and John Edwards is fine because he's a Dem. Really that's the world you live in? Edwards and Newt will both wind up in the same place and they won't be playing a harp. And yes Newt's numbers were WAAAY better than Romney's among evangelicals. Once Santorum got some traction and Romney's PAC money came into play they went down. But polls and interviews I saw showed the Christian right was looking right past his adultery.

And I wonder how you can make the statement "nor should he be" indicted when you don't know the facts yet. Unless you just don't care what they are. If so thank you for reinforcing my first post.

Anonymous said...

RD,

They only agreed after Walker was elected. They worked for several years without a contract under Doyle because they would NOT concede anything in negotiations.

No, they worked without a contract because Doyle would not direct his DOA Secretary and OSER appointees to settle - and I would know I was there. The unions were ready to settle in March or April of 2010, and in fact the Nurses did just that in June. Notice their contract didn't get a vote because OSER wouldn't bring it forward. Doyle was no freind of any union not named WEAC. Oh and contrary to popular belief State employees couldn't strike and couldn't go to arbitration so ultimately they had to take what the State gave them.

And no people do not have to belong to unions. In many cases they have to pay partial dues and have them automatically deducted. And I'm conflicted on that. I have real problems with union leadership and how they take their frontline members for granted. Perhaps now that they have to fight to keep dues paying members and show their worth the union model will go back to what it was.

The conflict comes when there are no other large sources of money on the non-conservative side. And with Citizens United those with money will continue to buy more and more politicians of either stripe (think Barney Frank's not in the pocket of the bankers?) and will rig the game in their favor. If you liked the economic and regulatory system of the early 1900s that's where we're headed if we stay on this path.