Wisconsin’s Anti-Union Law “Published” in Spite of Court Injunction
George Orwell and Franz Kafka are alive and well and living in Wisconsin. Together with Abbott and Costello (“Who’s On First?”), maybe they could figure out what the fuck this article means.
OK — Previously on America versus the Koch Brothers:
Wisconsin’s “Destroy All Unions” legislation was passed by the legislature and signed by Scott Walker. Then the law was blocked by a judge because of the slippery — possibly illegal — tactics used in passing the law.
So far — clear and understandable. Then it turns into a script that Lewis Carroll couldn’t have thought of:
The Castrate-All-Unions law has now been published by the “nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau.” The fact that the law has been “published” means it can take effect — probably tomorrow.
So here’s what we have: Wisconsin’s Secretary of State cannot publish this new law because of the court injunction. But the Legislative Reference Bureau is required to publish every new law within ten days of being signed by the governor.
And the fact that the law has been “published” means the law can take effect tomorrow.
So what the fuck do we have judges for? Courts? Anyone???
Lewis Black should do one of his screaming hair-pulling rants about this.
Labels: Franz Kafka, George Orwell, Koch Brothers, Legislative Reference Bureau, Lewis Black, Lewis Carroll, Scott Walker, Who’s On First
posted by Tom Harper @ 4:16 PM
7 Comments:
That's a hell of a note, all right.
Maybe the judge who issued a stay wrote it in such a way that it could be interpreted as applying only to the secretary of state.
Those fighting publication need to seek a clarification from that judge or get a new order barring anyone from publishing the new law until the law regarding it is straightened out.
I can't wait for that vastard Walker to get recalled and thrown into the street where he belongs!
Destroy All Unions? My money's on Ghidorah.
It is not a new law until the judge rules on it having issued an injunction. Therefore...uh, hmmmmmmm. Wait...it doesn't have to be published because it is not a new law, yet. So, isn't the S of S in violation a court decree?
What the hell do I know. Insanity is alive, well, and rampant in this country.
No need for outrage my babies. I've been following this and all it means is the SoS(La Follette Dem) is the one and only one that can publish this in the official way to have the law be in effect. The republicans are trying to do an end run which won't be succeeding anytime soon. Even the LRB has said this is the step to get it to the SoS so he can publish it. Calm yourselves now, they are looking more stupid by the day in Fitzwalkerstan land.
SW: The linked article has been updated and has more details; now it sounds like all parties are confused. They quoted the Wisconsin secretary of state as saying "I think we're going to have to get some legal opinion on this."
Jack: Walker and his fellow Republicans all need to get swept out of there. I don't know what those voters were thinking last November but I'm glad they're finally getting some buyer's remorse.
Randal: Them commie unions won't stand a chance.
jadedj: That article seems to be saying nobody knows what the fuck is going on. SNAFU in other words.
Jess: Your interpretation makes sense. The article has been updated since I first linked to it yesterday. At first it was just a few sentences, and every sentence contradicted every other sentence. The new law has to be published. It can't be published. Publishing the law doesn't mean it's taken effect. Yes it does...
Randall, you reference one of my favorite movies of all time! Nicely done! 8-) Personally, I have to side with Mothra!
Yes, the Wisconsin Republicans definitely need an opinion from a judge on this. But it seems like they already got one, right? But they didn't like it, so they went ahead and published their law anyway? So if they get another opinion they don't like, they'll just defy it again, right? Of course they will.
Like many on the right are getting to be these days, these Republicans like the rules just fine, as long as they can make the rules work in their favor. If they don't like the rules or if the rules contain no loopholes to help them reach their goals, they will just defy the rules.
They obviously believe rules are made to be broken, as it seems they believe their mission is something greater than the common good. (The common good? Why, isn't that something like... "communism"?)
As their mission becomes more clear, they are gradually going to have a harder time convincing voters they aren't just in it to punish those people they don't like. I believe if recall efforts are mounted in Wisconsin, it would be at least successful enough to change the balance of power in that state's senate. Voter's remorse indeed! Bring on the recalls!
One problem is that for a number of similarly-minded state legislatures, Wisconsin may serve as an example of how not to go about things. Rest assured that in other states, GOP charlatans are busily working to find ways to ram the same kinds of crap down the collective public throat and to do it in much more sneaky ways.
Oh wait, did I say "collective"? Why... that's something like "communism" too, right? 8-)
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