Citizen Journalist Arrested, Jailed for Asking Wisconsin Politician a Question

[Scuba]

Weird. Barca is thought to be one of the good guys, and was one of the "Fab 14".

http://www.nationofchange.org/citizen-journalist-arrested-jailed-asking-wisconsin-politician-question-1411084528

29 year-old Miles Kristan was on his way to Wisconsin State Assemblyman Peter Barca’s press conference when he ran into Barca on the way. Kristan asked him a simple question: was Barca aware that Robb Kahl -- a state assembly candidate Barca endorsed -- was a Republican who had once shared the stage with controversial Wisconsin governor Scott Walker? Barca is seen on video ignoring Kristan’s yes-or-no question, then sending a staffer named George Aldrich into the hallway to confront Kristan. The staffer refused to answer Kristan’s question on Barca’s behalf, and closed the door. Moments later, seven Wisconsin State Capitol Police officers arrived on the scene, some of them with their hands on the butt of their guns, and detained Kristan against his will, without telling him why. Kristan was then arrested and taken to the Dane County Jail and charged with criminal disorderly conduct and harassment.

Curiously enough, Kristan’s police report, which can be viewed here, directly contradicts evidence in Kristan’s video. Rep. Barca made a statement to Detective Meverden that Kristan forced himself into his office. However, in the video, Kristan never steps beyond the doorway. Another statement Barca made to Officer Navarre about the incident states that Kristan followed Barca into his office, shouting at him, while Barca asked Kristan to leave multiple times. Kristan’s video, however, shows Barca with his back turned to Kristan the entire time, walking into an entirely separate room, and ignoring Kristan’s question. George Aldrich, the staffer who spoke with Kristan before his arrest, is not mentioned in the report. Making false statements to police is a class A misdemeanor in Wisconsin, carrying a sentence of up to 30 days in jail.

Kristan’s story has gone largely untouched by progressive media publications in Madison, possibly due to Barca’s popularity with progressives. He was once rumored to be a possible candidate to challenge Scott Walker for governor in the 2014 elections. First elected to the assembly in 1984, Barca served a brief term as a member of U.S. Congress after a special election in 1993, in which his predecessor was appointed as Bill Clinton’s Secretary of Defense. Barca was once again elected to the assembly in 2008.

Barca, who currently serves as minority leader in the Wisconsin State Assembly, was once the majority caucus chairman when Democrats controlled the chamber. He faced criticism by the Wisconsin State Journal’s editorial board for not choosing a non-partisan redistricting plan similar to Iowa’s, instead gambling on maintaining a majority after the 2010 election and hoping to gerrymander districts to Democrats’ advantage. Kristan has previously asked Barca about his endorsement of Robb Kahl on video, with Barca angrily dismissing him.

[PeaceNikki]

1. Barca is a good man. Kristan has a 'past' as well.

http://bloggingblue.com/2012/04/miles-kristan-behaving-badly/

http://www.wxow.com/story/15476698/man-dumps-beer-on-lawmaker-at-madison-bar

[cali]

4. I'll say. dumping a beer over the head of a repub legislator- among other harrassing actions

[jberryhill]

7. Yeah but "Man guilty of assault on legislator" doesn't sound as outragey

[SorellaLaBefana]

6. "Good" men, can do bad things.

If events did unfold as described, then this Good Man has clearly done a bad thing by using his political power to retaliate and silence someone who asked a question he found uncomfortable.

The question itself is irrelevant, the use of Police power to silence someone is reprehensible.

One notes that many on the DU tend to condone repressive acts when done by the left, whilst condeming those same acts when done by the right.

[PeaceNikki]

9. we haven't heard Barca's side of the story yet. Kristan is well-known for doing bad things.

Barca is not. He'll have his day in court. I'll give Barca the benefit of the doubt.

[riversedge]

12. If this story pans out,

I am deeply disapp0inted with Barcca. Democrats in Leadership positions need to keep to the high group. See my post below with some background information.

[cali]

2. while what happened to Kristan is alarming, what the fuck to his question

So what if Barca "shared a stage with Walker"? they're both politicians in the same state.

[PeaceNikki]

3. The accusation was not even about Barca, but a guy he endorsed.

[riversedge]

8. good article here with details on Kahl and Progressive support

I found this article. Pretty good details and photos of Kahl at Walker's victory celebration

And yes,--he was elected.



Fake Democrat will be elected to the Assembly…a picture is worth 1000 words
October 29, 2012 / Scott Wittkopf

On August 9, 2012, Badger Democracy wrote a story questioning the legitimacy of former Monona Mayor Robb Kahl running as a Democrat for the 47th Assembly District. Kahl easily won his primary as a Democrat, and is expected to easily defeat his Republican opponent Sandy Bakk in next Tuesday’s General Election. Badger Democracy has obtained exclusive photos which every elector in Kahl’s District must see before casting their ballot.

The photos confirm that Robb Kahl has hoodwinked not only his future constituents; but every good progressive Democrat and organization who has endorsed him. While fraud may be too harsh a term, Kahl can now truly be called a “Dem-in-name-only.” Worse yet, his future constituents will have no idea who he will serve if elected. This writer’s advice – vote for the Republican. At least you will be certain what she stands for. Every progressive who has endorsed Kahl should withdraw their support, and he should be shunned as a self-serving opportunist.

On the night of November 2, 2010 most Democratic candidates and voters were overwhelmed by the nature of the GOP/Tea Party surge in Wisconsin. Most were experiencing emotions running the gamut from anger to depression to shock. Where was Robb Kahl? Celebrating at a victory party. The party was not for a Democratic candidate. Not Tim Cullen, or Kathleen Vinehout. Kahl was celebrating a Scott Walker victory. And he wasn’t celebrating in private. He was on stage – with Scott Walker.

The following photographs obtained by Badger Democracy show Robb Kahl in the back row, left hand side, as the victory confetti drops, holding his Scott Walker campaign sign over his head. He is above, and between Joel and Rebecca Kleefisch in the shot (sign is circled in black). This has been confirmed and is not photo-shopped:...................


http://bdgrdemocracy.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/fake-democrat-will-be-elected-to-the-assembly-a-picture-is-worth-1000-words/


I only glanced at this voting record --but seems to vote with the Dems. Another article said he admits he voted for Walker!--but seems to have had a change of heart once Walker's true agenda hit us!



http://votesmart.org/candidate/140622/robb-kahl?type=V,S,R,E,F,P,E,E,E,E,E#.VB1_TFc09V8



http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/politiscope/democratic-assembly-candidate-admits-voting-for-walker/article_b3477418-23a3-11e2-8e0e-001a4bcf887a.html

Democratic Assembly candidate admits voting for Walker

November 01, 2012 7:00 am • By Jack Craver | The Capital Times
(23) Comments

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/politiscope/democratic-assembly-candidate-admits-voting-for-walker/article_b3477418-23a3-11e2-8e0e-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz3DrVk02dM


...........Kahl says he has supported members of both parties in the past, but that his policy positions are more in line with Democrats. In particular, he cites his socially liberal views on abortion and gay marriage, as well as his opposition to the governor’s cuts to public education.

So why did he support Walker in 2010?

“He presented a better idea economically for Wisconsin going forth,” he says, referencing what he believed would be a business-friendly agenda, including initiatives such as the creation of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the quasi-governmental body that now works to spur business growth by offering millions of dollars in loans, grants and tax credits.

But Kahl says he has been turned off by Walker’s actions in office, particularly the education cuts and the near elimination of collective bargaining rights for most public employees.

“There’s a lot of people who voted for him and said, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t know he was going to do that,’” he says.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/politiscope/democratic-assembly-candidate-admits-voting-for-walker/article_b3477418-23a3-11e2-8e0e-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz3DrWCGsNk.....

[PeaceNikki]

10. OK, now Google Barca's history and record.

Like you noted, he endorsed someone who votes with Democrats in the Assembly. We need more of that in the WI legislative branch.

[riversedge]

13. I will

look up Barca's history--but later. I promise. I am going to canvass at 10 am in my area. I have had a fair experience canvassing last few Saturdays but still not sure these folks will actually vote. We get lists of folks who have 'dropped out-- meaning they have voted in the past but not last election (or more). Later

[PeaceNikki]

14. Thank you!! We really needs the Dem voters in MKE and Dane counties who skip midterms to VOTE!!

[tooeyeten]

17. No big deal?

Then why not answer, why the arrest? What's really going on here?

[cali]

20. I don't know but the guy's history is enough for me to question

his story.

[SorellaLaBefana]

5. Politicans and Police grow even closer in New America

Apparently any dissent or honest inquiry directed to even a local politician is to be treated as a crime.

It is sad when such censorship and repression of any hint of other than blind following spreads from, say, the censorship of comments about some politicians on some discussion boards on the internet, to the real-world by those who feel comfortable repressing other's speech.

Evermore people seem to wish to exist in a bubble of their own beliefs with no intrustion from those with other thoughts, other perspectives, other values or even from reality.

One can only hope that the ACLU will become involved - that being about the only organization left which tolerates and supports freedom of expression in society.

And, yes, one does know that the ACLU Board did have a problem with that a few years ago itself!

One of the most difficult and rare things in the world seems to be the ability to openly accept the expression of the views of others when they are not absolutely in line with one's own.

If the events did take place as described, then the local politico should be up on a misdemeanor charge.

One will not be holding one's breath.

[LiberalArkie]

11. Most politicians are interested in power. Power is manifested by the ability to make 1 phone call

and have someone arrested no questions asked. Party affiliation doesn't seem to make any difference.

[geomon666]

15. This man was smart to have a camera with him.

Imagine if he didn't. You already have people defending Barca, even with the video.

[PeaceNikki]

16. We have 'people' giving him the benefit of the doubt because they know the history of both.

That's edited (not raw and complete) footage.

Barca is still a good man and a great Democrat that we need in the WI Assembly.

[DesertDiamond]

18. A lot of Democrats rushed to condemn ACORN, and then it was proven that O'Keefe had selectively

edited the film footage. I'm not going to rush to condemn Barca till I see a little more of what went on.

[jberryhill]

19. "Man Guilty of Prior Assault on Lawmaker Removed from Capital Building"

Guess what happens if you don't answer this guy's questions.