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Freedom Note - March 14, 2008
Greetings!
In this edition of First Freedoms Foundation's Newsletter:
1. Announcement of filing of Swaffer v. Deininger
2. An Article by Mike Dean , FFF General Counsel
3. WI Supreme Court Race Information
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Swaffer v. Deininger, et al.
On Tuesday March 11, 2008, First Freedoms Foundation filed a federal action against the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board and the Walworth County DA on behalf of a Town of Whitewater resident, John Swaffer, Jr. The complaint challenges state statutes regulating speech supporting or opposing ferendums. Working with Attorney Jim Bopp, FFF sued the Board in Wisconsin's Eastern District to enjoin enforcement of Wisconsin campaign laws which unreasonably burden and deny the political and free speech rights of ordinary citizens. Read More
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| "What's at Stake in 2008: Battle for the Wisconsin Supreme Court"
by Mike Dean
Deja vu all over again. The 2007 race for Wisconsin Supreme Court between Attorney Linda Clifford and Judge Annette Ziegler was the ugliest in memory, with unprecedented attack ads and record spending by the campaigns and independent groups. The 2008 race is becoming just as ugly, with challenger Judge Mike Gableman running to unseat Gov. Doyle's appointee, Justice Louis Butler.
On one hand, a bare-knuckles race is especially regrettable because it sends the message that courts are political prizes rather than dispassionate, deliberative institutions responsible for objective justice. And on a personal level, Gableman and Butler are both bright lawyers and competent judges with strong records of public service. Yet their characters are being smeared, their records challenged, and their views distorted - often by interest groups who don't even know them, much less have any particular commitment to the Wisconsin Supreme Court as an institution.
Thanks for the free clip-art to the Just A Touch Art Studio of Jonesboro, Georgia; www.justatouch.com |
| April 1, 2008 Wisconsin Supreme Court Election
Please remember to vote April 1, 2008 for Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. In 2004, Gov. Doyle appointed Justice Louis Butler to fill a vacancy. Judge Mike Gableman is challenging Butler for the seat. Supreme court justice is a statewide elected position in Wisconsin, and the winner will hold the seat for a 10 year term. This election is one of the most critical in years, so educate yourself and vote! Click on the pictures below to learn about the candidates.
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Who is First Freedoms Foundation?
 First Freedoms Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation whose mission is to defend historic civil liberties and constitutional principles through public interest litigation and education. FFF's goals are to defend core freedoms and constitutional principles in court and to educate the public about constitutional rights and principles, the impact of the judicial branch and court decisions, and the importance of judicial elections and appointments.
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| Swaffer v Deininger East. Dist. Case No. 08-C-0208 |
| Helgeland v DETF
Wis. App. Case No. 2005 AP 002540 |
| Johnson v Burmaster
Wis. App. Case No. 2006 AP 1380 |
| Bhandari v Nilsestuen
Dane County Case No. 2007 CV 2226 | |
