Why does it take 16 months to convict vote-obstructors in Wisconsin?

[BlackDragon24]

I don't think any humor was found when some locals up here waged a campaign to jam the Democratic phone lines in New Hampshire, (in a get out to vote campaign), they await sentencing for jail time, 7 years, over those actions (obstructing voters rights) and liberal members in this very forum, and nationwide, ranted and raved about those "underhanded and illegal" actions. I don't recall you or anyone else saying "take out the supply lines" and all is good.
Funny how it's never a two way street.

Actually it was a joke.....

[jacdswen]

Actually it was a joke.....

I kinda figured that you meant it jokingly, and if one were to look at either case in a not-so-serious light, they were pretty good low-key attempts at messing with the other guys, I just kinda shook my head at both and snickered a bit too 'cause it seemed so frat-boyish, but the courts sure are taking it dead serious and aren't laughing at all, at least in the case here for sure.

[jrhvball]

I find it somewhat comical (and sad) that the defense seemingly offered in this forum is either "*that* isn't a felony" or "well, no rights were denied, so no foul".

It's to be expected that news folks will fill their column with hyperbole, the direction of which varies with their own beliefs, but let's just step back for a second here.

One, it isn't one of us "right wing" forum members who decided it was "felony property destruction". That is the job of the prosecuting attorney and I wager such a charge would not be lofted if the circumstances didn't match up with statute. You may disagree about whether or not it should be a felony, but that's apparently how it is classified by Wisconsin law.

Second, the lefty replies all but say nothing should come of this. Baloney. This is the embodiment of much of what's wrong with politics, on both sides of the aisle. It's crap, plain and simple, and to suggest it should be brushed aside, isn't a big deal, etc., is ridiculous. Do we no longer have any standards for conduct?

This was very deliberate, explicitly targeted maliciousness. It should be dealt with as such. It should not be tolerated, much less condoned, no matter who is doing it or what party they represent. And personally? If I was a Democrat I'd be seriously PO'd that bozos like this claim to act in my behalf. It's an affront to civilized behavior.

This is probably one of the few times I'll EVER agree with you.

[myv65]

Aye, jrhvball, there's hope for ya yet. LOL

[myv65]

Well, for anyone keeping score the results are in. Four of the five pleaded "no contest" to misdemeanor charges. The fifth was acquitted after the plea deal for the four. (Isn't "no contest" legal speak for "you've got us by the gonads, please be lenient"?)

To the prior questions of "felony", the damage exceeded the threshold of $2500 moving it up from a misdemeanor.

For those who want the quick summary, the four who pleaded had others testify about them bragging of their deeds. The fifth apparently was smart enough to have kept his mouth shut, and absent direct evidence the jury acquitted.