January 25, 2010
Bopp on top!
Years ago, Bob Newhart suggested that if you had an "infinite number of monkeys in front of an infinite number of typewriters, eventually, they will type all the great works of literature." Good for laughs, and it comes to mind as we try to cope with the Supreme Court's awful decision that corporations, unions, and ideological groups have a right to spend as much as they want supporting or opposing the election of candidates. WMC Gone Wild!
If not challenged vigorously, I see it as the end of democracy. The only hopeful note I have seen appeared on our site yesterday, where the always hopeful idealist and regular GuestBlogger Bill Kraus found a silver lining. "Granny D" was not so hopeful. She says, "The court now opens the flood gates to usher in a new tsunami of corporate money into politics." She is right--unfortunately. Kraus is not.
We have written about James Bopp of Terre Haute, Indiana, who has given his professional life to the notion that we are better off if unregulated corporations rule America. (Bopp represents Judge Gableman.) Bopp also represented Wisconsin Right to Life, and a front-page story in today's New York Times gives him the credit for this awful FEC decision. (You must read the article.)
Now, the NYT says the "next step is to roll back the disclosure rules." Bopp says, "Groups have to be relieved of reporting their donors if lifting the prohibition on their political speech is going to have any meaning." Huh? (So much for Bill Kraus's silver lining.) His approach would have defeated Julie Lassa in her action against Todd Rongstad. Then he and his infinite number of attorney-patrons will go to court and try to eliminate the application of libel laws to political campaigns. They have an infinite amount of money and computers--not typewriters.
(I suggest that Bopp probably thinks you should be able to shout "fire" in a crowded theater just for fun. The First Amendment be damned!)
Bopp got started in William F. Buckley's Young Americans for Freedom, supported by newspaper owner M. Stanton Evans. He was a soul-mate of Fulton Lewis III, and supported HUAC (Joe McCarthy types)! He hasn't changed, but now he has big money to pay all those lawyers.
Whoa Nelly! We are in for a ride.
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Full disclosure is just part of the solution.
Are people so afraid of being identified that they must hide behind a corporation or any other group? Have we become a nation of masked snipers waiting to take pot shots and then run?
Those who are afraid to take a stand without full disclosure are gutless wonders and no more.
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton | January 25, 2010
I'm amazed that the Gang of Five on the Supreme Court haven't injured themselves as they twist their logic like pretzels.
"Corporations have all the rights of human citizens."
Get ready for the next decision:
"Everyone has the right to anonymous free speech."
It will be quite a show to see the blitzkrieg of misinformation coming from sponsors wearing masks. The future belongs to "Harry & Louise", pretend people delivering false messages paid for by unknown powers.
-Tim | Maple Grove, MN | January 25, 2010
The New York Times story about Mr. Bopp should be a cautionary tale to never underestimate the skill and intelligence of those who desire the oppression of the people and the elevation of the new corporate feudal aristocracy. A fearful level of long-term strategic thinking is at work in the Bopp camp and anyone who hopes for a progressive uprising will be sorely disappointed if calm, methodical planning is not begun immediately.
Who will help me call a meeting?
-Lex Tinker-Sackett | Eau Claire, WI | January 25, 2010
Maybe about 1,000 of us should go to Madison on the appointed day and proceed to the appropriate State of Wisconsin office and tell them that we demand they make all of us individuals into corporations.
After all, it just seems logical that if corporations can be considered to have the same rights as individuals then individuals should be able to get corporate status with all the legal protections inherent in that particular status.
Whaddaya say Ed? You are always telling us we have to do something but you live down there and you are the lawyer. You can be first in line and refuse to move until they do it for you. We'll follow.
Name the date and time Ed. It's be there or be square folks.
-Griebnotz Doerkpfester | Egg Harbor, WI. | January 25, 2010
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