During this historic battle of Wisconsin vs. Walker, the Governor's henchmen -- the Republican State Senators -- have exhibited the kind of crazy usually reserved for people named Bachmann, Angle and O'Donnell.
They fined the Fab 14 $100 a day for each day they were practicing Democracy in Illinois.
They held them in contempt and ordered them arrested.
They withheld paychecks.
They took charge of Democratic staffers' timecards and paychecks.
They regulated use of the Capitol copy machines and scanners.
They stalked the Fab 14's homes and churches.
Two words; starts with "Cluster." And yet, it got even ape-shittier today.
Today, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald emailed his caucus and announced that, despite the Fab 14 being back in the state and back at work, they were still in contempt, and as such, their votes would not be counted in committee hearings.
I kid you not.
Here's Fitzgerald's email:
Sen. Fitzgerald: Email re: Senate Democrat voting privileges in standing committees
3/14/2011
From: Sen.Fitzgerald
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 3:52 PM
To: *Legislative Senate Republicans
Subject: Senate Democrat voting privileges in standing committees
Dear Members,
With the return of the Senate Democrats this weekend, questions have arisen regarding Democrat members’ participation in Senate standing committee public hearings and executive sessions.
Please note that all 14 Democrat senators are still in contempt of the Senate. Therefore, when taking roll call votes on amendments and bills during executive sessions, Senate Democrats’ votes will not be reflected in the Records of Committee Proceedings or the Senate Journal. They are free to attend hearings, listen to testimony, debate legislation, introduce amendments, and cast votes to signal their support/opposition, but those votes will not count, and will not be recorded.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact my office.
Thank you,
Scott Fitzgerald
Senate Majority Leader
13th Senate District
Here's the link on WisPolitics.
This is the same idiot who, as 100,000+ cheered the Democratic Senators at Saturday's rally, released the statement saying, in part:
Today, the most shameful 14 people in the state of Wisconsin are going to pat themselves on the back and smile for the cameras. They're going to pretend they're heroes for taking a three week vacation.
If you think you can stomach the entire statement, read it here.
I'm trying to research more about this "contempt" charge as it currently stands, and how it affects the voting rights of 14 elected Democratic Senators. More to come...