Joe Conason: Silent Running: The Burgeoning Wisconsin Scandal That Major Media Ignored

[deminks]

http://www.opednews.com/populum/linkframe.php?linkid=151332

If the Wisconsin recall is truly second in importance only to the presidential race, as many media outlets have trumpeted lately, then why have those same outlets so badly neglected one of that election’s most salient aspects?

As millions of dollars in dark right-wing money pour into the state to preserve Gov. Scott Walker from his progressive opposition, it seems relevant that he and many top aides are under investigation in a campaign finance and corruption scandal that has been growing for two years.

Yet the national media have largely ignored the fascinating details of that probe—which has already resulted in indictments, convictions and cooperation agreements implicating more than a dozen Walker aides and donors. Only readers of the local newspapers in Madison or Milwaukee would know, for instance, that law enforcement documents have emerged in court during the past few days suggesting that Walker stonewalled the investigation in its initial phase

(snip)

But the suspicions have been stoked by actual events, not campaign propaganda, including guilty pleas, immunity deals and home raids by law enforcement officials. (Last September, a team of sheriff’s deputies and FBI agents raided the Madison home of Cindy Archer, a former top county official who served as the governor’s deputy administration secretary until going on extended “sick leave” in 2011.) And Walker’s associates stand accused of felonies that go well beyond the mere misuse of campaign funds.

(end snip)

I think I may refer to him as Gov. John Doe from now on.

[Fawke Em]

1. I keep wondering why that's being ignored, myself.

[BlueCaliDem]

3. No need to wonder. Corporations looking out for corporations - against the people.

This has been going on since 1986 and made worse through Michael Powell's presence in the FEC where he weakened the consolidation rules against monopolizing. This is the result. All bad news for Democrats. All good news ONLY for the Republicans.

The American media: propaganda at its worst.

[freshwest]

6. +1,000

[wilt the stilt]

2. $$$$$$$$$$

does that answer your question?

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, deminks.

[yellerpup]

5. Media reaps big profits

from billions spent on advertising. Hard for them to decry the influx of corporate money when they are the main beneficiaries of it.

[railsback]

7. Corporations are people, my friend

and these people stand to make a ton of (more) money with a President Romney slashing their taxes even further. Being honest about Walker's corruption investigation would make the GOP look (even more) corrupt and seriously hamper that possibility.

[abelenkpe]

9. Corporations are people, my friend

A caller on Stephanie Miller's radio show said that the other day. He was saying Unions (made up of groups of workers) lobby and campaign are seen as people and therefore corporations (made up of groups of workers) are too.

Difference is Unions lobby and campaign to stand up for workers, their working conditions, pay and benefits. Corporations lobby and campaign to abuse workers, their working conditions, pay and benefits. (and pollute the water they drink and the air they breathe)

Why workers on the right want to take away the only thing standing between them and those who actively seek to abuse them is beyond me. What gives?

[railsback]

10. What the Right fails to understand

is that unions are mini-democracies. They vote for their leadership, vote on their platforms, whereas a corporation does no such thing.

[lobodons]

8. The Sad Truth

The sad truth is that after Gov. John Doe is indicted, the new Gov. will b e Kleefisch.

[spanone]

11. and they will dutifully keep that story under wraps...that's the news bidness these days.

[Scurrilous]

12. K & R

[KharmaTrain]

13. Lots Of Smoke...Lots Of Smoke...

...but no fire. That's the problem. While the John Doe story wasn't on the national corporate media radar it has been featured in the Wisconsin media and it appears the lack of an indictment (so far) is what made it a non-issue. Wanker's supporters have called the investigation a political witch hunt and without an indictment with Wanker's name on it it looks like others have bought that explanation as well.

Remember, this election only means Wanker gets to serve the remaining two years of his term and we'll see in that time if he does get indicted. Again, a lot of smoke but these type of "squeeze up" investigations take time and depends on many of Wankers former associates in dropping the dime on him. We'll see if they've gotten folding green to keep quiet. Stay tuned...

[barbtries]

14. NPR to my knowledge

did not report on it at all. i am so disgusted with their political "coverage" at this point it's depressing.