Scott Walker lauds sex offender as example of Wisconsin’s ‘improving economy’

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Raw Story

Scott Walker lauds sex offender as example of Wisconsin’s ‘improving economy’
By Arturo Garcia
Thursday, January 23, 2014 16:58 EST

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) blamed a lack of background research after it was revealed that one of the people he lauded as a symbol of his administration’s success is a registered sex offender with three drunk-driving convictions, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported.

“They did not do a full scale background check, which is why (he) slipped through,” Walker said of 32-year-old Christopher Barber, who was photographed being applauded by Walker during his State of the State address on Wednesday. “Obviously, we would never had this person up if that was the case.”

Barber, who currently has a seasonal welding job for the snowblower and mower manufacturer Ariens, has had his probation revoked for two separate convictions, including a 2005 conviction on third-degree sexual assault charges. He has also been convicted of forgery, battery and drunk driving. His last drunk-driving conviction was in 2011. On Wednesday he joined a group of people standing onstage near Walker as the governor praised them for being able to find work during his tenure as governor.

“Each of these people were looking for a job, or a better opportunity, over the past three years,” Walker said. “They represent the people and the families behind the numbers. These are the faces of an improving economy in our state. Wisconsin is going back to work.”


Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/23/scott-walker-lauds-sex-offender-as-example-of-wisconsins-improving-economy/

[Half-Century Man]

1. A hallmark of Gov. Walker's administration.

Broad sweeping statements without doing (or suppressing) background data. I hope search engines and Wikipedia comes to Wisconsin soon.

[1StrongBlackMan]

2. A swing and a miss, RawStory ...

Call me silly, but Barber's criminal history, is hardly relevant to Walker's claim.

What IS relevant is:

Barber, who currently has a seasonal welding job for the snowblower and mower manufacturer

Does Walker really want to have a guy that, after 3 years, has finally been able to find SEASONAL work, to be the face of his improving economy?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

3. He's lucky to find that.

I wouldn't let him anywhere around me with that track record.

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. The job? Or, the Garndstand? ...

If it's the job ... I must ask, are convicts never to be "allowed" to work?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

6. Absolutely they are.

And I'm "allowed" to keep my employees free from the dangers of a sexual predator.

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. Okay ...

even without knowing the circumstances of his conviction ... think that through: you wish to turn a "sexual predator" into an economic-based predator?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

9. Don't put words in my mouth.

He chose to sexually assault someone, not I. I have no compassion for predators. He served his time and found a job, good for him. There is a reason sex offender registries exist however.

[1StrongBlackMan]

10. Very, very liberal of you there ...

He served his time ...

Exactly!

There is a reason sex offender registries exist however.

Largely, because of the prejudice that you display and anything involving sex has special significance in America.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

11. You're right

It was probably one of those rare instances where sexual assault was justified.



I've never claimed to be a liberal, but I am a leftist, and my concern is for the powerless and the victims, not the abuser.

[1StrongBlackMan]

14. Let me tell you a story ...

I have a close friend who is ... gasp ... a convicted sex offender.

His crime ... he met and dated (and became sexually active with) a 17 year old girl (he was 21 year old college freshman, at the time). She is white, he is Black. He came from a working class family, she was the only daughter of a politically connected "power broker." They are celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary next month.

Point being ... you do not know the circumstances behind this guy's conviction ... and the designation of "sex offender" does not differentiate. Secondary, but probably more important, point: prejudicial opinions are what leads us down some very dark paths.

On a related note, I think you would benefit by googling: Rawls + Veil of Ignorance (and attempting to understand the concept) ... it'll transform your Leftist POV, vis-à-vis Social Justice (I know it did for me!)

[ForgoTheConsequence]

15. I'm more than familiar.

You shouldn't talk down to people when you're the one defending sexual predators.

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. Familiar, but do not apply? ...

I'm not talking down to you ... as I don't know what you are familiar with. I do know that your comments indicate that you do not apply the concept.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

18. My comments reflect my own past experience.

And a disdain for a culture that feels worse for the abuser while the abused get forgotten and neglected.

[1StrongBlackMan]

19. I understand ...

"We all stand, where we sit." Our life experiences inform our POV on issues.

Please understand, and know, I, in no way, wish to promote the rape culture but we must strive for Justice for all ... the abused, that we/they can heal, and the abuser, that they be rehabilitated.

[davidthegnome]

33. Apples and oranges.

"Barber, who currently has a seasonal welding job for the snowblower and mower manufacturer Ariens, has had his probation revoked for two separate convictions, including a 2005 conviction on third-degree sexual assault charges. He has also been convicted of forgery, battery and drunk driving. His last drunk-driving conviction was in 2011."


The designation of "sex offender" may not differentiate, but a man with THREE drunk driving convictions, third-degree sexual assault charges... battery. Hmm, you know, it seems to me like he might possibly just be an asshole who doesn't deserve a second, third, fourth, or tenth chance. This person isn't the friend you mentioned in your post.

I often hear these stories of "Well, my buddy was 18 and the girl was 16 and one thing led to another and my buddy is now a registered sex offender.." do you know how often any one of them has proven true after a little digging? In my experience, not once. While I don't doubt that these things occasionally happen, they are far more rare than some would have us believe.

The idea that sex offenders in general deserve a second chance, or the tolerance or sympathy of society - is absurd. There are instances in which society overreacts, yes, but for the most part, convicted sex offenders do not have my sympathy, my empathy, nor even a measure of my respect. Most of the people on that list are there because they deserve to be despised and avoided by decent people.

There are a whole lot of us out there who were abused as children - and the people who did the abusing have no value to humanity. I don't care about their skin color, religion, or background. I care that they were contemptible fucking monsters that preyed upon children. Given the option, I would gladly see them all executed.

This particular prejudice has it's roots in severe suffering - in hatred and anger that have been well earned and are well deserved. Social justice? Explain your theories of social justice to a twelve year old girl sold for sex. Explain them to the parents of a molested child.

The contempt that the vast majority of people have for sex offenders is well placed. They do not rehabilitate. They do not suddenly become nice people. And it has never been - at it's core, about sex. It's about power.

[El_Johns]

41. So what do you want people with convictions to do for a living?

[Scuba]

4. Give the guy a break. It's not like any of his other backers are law-abiding citizens.

[Julian Englis]

7. We all know this was clearly a mistake

If Governor Walker knew about his background, we all know Walker wouldn't have ever picked him as an example of Wisconsin's putative economic recovery.

Walker would have named him to his cabinet to class it up a bit.

[okaawhatever]

21. Ooohhh...good one..... nt

[warrant46]

22. Absolutely !! His fake interview with one of the Koch Bros

Was another One of his outstanding Moments

[sybylla]

12. Lame. Everyone from WI knows you don't need to do a full scale background check.

You just need to check the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access program to search their court record data.

http://wcca.wicourts.gov

Wouldn't that be step one.

Lots of results out there for several Christopher Barbers about the same age. But asking his date of birth could have sorted this mess out long before he got to the SOS.

What a bunch of first class idiots.

[Myrina]

13. A dude with seasonal employment - no bene's, no 401k, etc - is a symbol of Walker's "success" ??

Or is he a symbol of the Koch's success in squashing the working class into serfdom?

[ejbrush]

17. I'm sure that Walker's staff looked into this guy's background...

And ran his name through the recall petition signature database.

[Julian Englis]

26. No doubt true. N/T

Sad but probably true

[Bandit]

20. Isn't Wisconsin still ranked 47th in job production?

How many teachers were standing beside him during his speech?

[warrant46]

23. No teachers were there

He hates people who are smarter than he is dropout that he is (except his masters)

[yellowcanine]

24. “They did not do a full scale background check, which is why (he) slipped through,”

Takes about 5 minutes on a computer to check registered sex offender lists and drunk driving convictions.
It is public information and readily available. No "full scale background check" is necessary, Scotty.

[hrmjustin]

25. Typical of Walker.

[bobthedrummer]

30. Yep & it continues hrmjustin Here's a Daniel Bice Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel post from today

Aide's complaints "not a factor" in Scott Walker calling out porn-viewing teacher
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/242494251.html

Julie Lund is a deputy press sec-then there is Rove/Pentagon mentored protege Jocelyn Webster, she is der Gauleiter's Director of Communications-Lund's boss, she also worked for Chris Christie

Jocelyn Webster articles by Brenden Fischer (a contributer to The Center for Media and Democracy-try searching her & all things WALKER)
http://www.sourcewatch.org

Walker Enlists Karl Rove Protege to Promote New Protest Policy (12-17-11 via Common Dreams)
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/12/17


Meet Gov. Scott Walker's New Political Hit Women (Brenden Fischer 2-5-12 Alternet post)
http://www.alternet.org/story/153979/meet_gov._scott_walkers_new_political_hit_women

[bobthedrummer]

27. Many of us living here in Wisconsin were convinced that WALKER et al would be indicted for a number

of things, many of us worked to get him and others RECALLED. This hasn't happened.

For those of you that don't live here in this modern Gauleiter's realm, below are 3 hyperlinks that will document that sex offenders, child enticers, adulterers, drunks, spouse arsonists (yep-set spouse on fire), thieves and all kinds of other EVIL SCUM are part of his VILE CRIMINAL ADMINISTRATION.

Revelations on Walkergate: 3 former Scott Walker aides charged for theft, fraud, child enticement (1-5-12 post, blue cheddar-takes awhile to download, it's updated regularly, well worth it!)
http://www.bluecheddar.net/?p=17460

The down fall of Dennis Smith (posted by Bruce Murphy 10-10-13 Isthmus)
http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=41118

Corruption Probe Into Wisconsin Recall Elections Involves Aides Of Scott Walker (by DSWright 10-22-13 Firedoglake post)
http://news.firedoglake.com/2013/10/22/corruption-probe-into-wisconsin-recall-elections-involves-aides-of-scott-walker

Gauleiter page (Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauleiter

[bobthedrummer]

28. Some more history of what WALKER considers an improved economy, employing racist mercenaries.

I've read the exchanges about the convicted Sex Registry Offender Mr. Barber up thread which just continues the division used to disrupt effective opposition to tptb that support WALKER imo. They are big on privatized corrections, that's part of the Gauleiter WALKER's Master Plan using codes to disguise the racist eugenics "policies" it has operationalized here (Wisconsin is open for business...) oh yeah.

WALKER has quite a history as an ALEC tool, a history that includes the use of, literally, hired guns like the former Wackenhut (now GEO Group) and it's UK subsidiary G4S for a variety of employment here in Wisconsin.

G4S (Wikipedia page)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G4S

GEO Group (The Center for Media and Democracy/Source Watch)
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/GEO_Group

Another case of this can be found in the use of racist mercenaries dba Bulletproof Securities from Arizona in the continuing battles over the proposed Gogebic Taconite mine in NW Wisconsin-Bulletproof Securities was operating illegally until the Gauleiter und der GOP got them a license.
Militarized Mining in Wisconsin (Al Gedicks 9-27-13 Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative post)
http://wcmcoop.com/2013/09/27/militarized-mining-in-wisconsin

More about this was posted on James Rowen's The Political Environment blog on 7-10-13
http://thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot.com/2013/07/mining-company-aped-repeated-gopwalker.html

I hope readers find this informative, thanks for starting this thread Judi Lynn.

[bobthedrummer]

29. WALKER might run for POTUS. Kick. n/t

[bobthedrummer]

31. Dan Ariens, CEO of where Mr. Barber welded, has been named to be the head of Wisconsin Manufacturers

and Commerce, in 2011 WALKER appointed Dan Ariens to the Board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp-he is now a VP there.
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (Source Watch page)
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Wisconsin_Manufacturers_and_Commerce

WALKER may run for POTUS.

[bobthedrummer]

32. Scott Walker headed to Texas fundraiser at billionaire's mansion

(Daniel Bice Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel post 2-3-14)
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/243370011.html

The Gauleiter's host, Harlan CROW, is a Bohemian Club member and co-founder of the Club for Growth. CROW is a Board member of The American Enterprise Institute.

His mansion has a collection of idols of dictators and murderers! CROW networks with individuals and groups that have financed the legislation of the worst RW policies everywhere.

CROW is worthy of a couple of links for those of US that care. Have a safe, profitable Texas trip mein Gauleiter! Make a date for Mr. Barber at this year's Bohemian Grove get together too-why don't ya.
Harlan R. CROW (Wikipedia and SourceWatch pages)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlan_Crow
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Harlan_Crow

[bobthedrummer]

34. Republican Party fires staffer with 2010 child porn conviction (Daniel Bice 2-5-14 Milwaukee

Journal-Sentinel)
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/243688721.html

[bobthedrummer]

35. WALKER is still lbn, kick n/t

[bobthedrummer]

36. Kick for visibility. While der Gauleiter is down South lots of extreme RW scribes are trying to

prevent the public release of emails gathered in JOHN DOE 1 here. We're talking big time extremist RW scribes like David RIVKIN "working" to keep evidence seized in the first John Doe investigation (involving der Gauleiter of Wisconsin) from we, the people and the press.

Unnamed parties sue in state Supreme Court over John Doe campaign probe: Court issues first order but seals it from public view(Patrick Marley, Jason Stein & Daniel Bice 2-14-14 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/unnamed-parties-sue-in-state-supreme-court-over-john-doe-campaign-probe-b99205761z1-245560071.html

Mein Gauleiter ist um so besser!

[Herself]

37. am I the only one that reads these articles and posts on their facebook walls?

I pose questions and I quote them with their own words when I can.

Am I alone in that?

[bobthedrummer]

38. That's worth another kick, Herself. n/t

[bobthedrummer]

39. Florida lawmaker urges Walker officials to ditch new sex offender director (2-18-14 Daniel Bice post

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) Mein Gauleiter ist nicht krank!
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/245902421.html

[UTUSN]

40. R#19 & K nt

[bobthedrummer]

42. a John Doe email release kick n/t

[bobthedrummer]

43. Scott Walker's administration fires new sex offender administrator (Jason Stein&Daniel Bice 2-20-14

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-looking-to-fire-new-sex-offender-administrator-b99209079z1-246164901.html

Und Mein Gauleiter's ScottForGov.com website (which WALKER personally approved) was run by convicted longtime WALKER staffer Timothy D. Russell's boyfriend Brian Pierick.

Das ist nicht sehr gut, ja?