Kentucky Senate ignores Constitution....unbelievable.

[madfloridian]

Even some of the Republicans were appalled.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/005763.html

Saturday, January 08, 2005
KY Senate Ignores Constitution

Dana Seum Stephenson did not meet the constitutional qualifications to run for the office of senator in her state; however, today she was sworn in as the newest member of the Kentucky State Senate. A judge had already ruled that Stephenson did not meet the state's residency requirements—she has not lived in Kentucky for the required six years. Yet Senate Republicans quickly swore her in and hung her engraved brass nameplate as a show of their power.

At a judge's urging, the State Board of Elections certified (Dean Dozen member) Virginia Woodward the winner, and she took the oath of office on Jan. 1. But Stephenson asked the Senate to decide the race.

Democrats protested the decision to seat Stephenson. Democratic Senate floor leader Ed Worley said "I refuse to participate in what I believe to be the greatest single act of pure, raw, ugly politics as I have ever seen take place in our Capitol."

Even non-Democrat members of the senate were disgusted by the decision—Republican Sen. Bob Leeper threatened to resign over the debacle. Virginia Woodward has challenged the validity of this senate vote and asked the Franklin County Circuit Court to stop Stephenson from undertaking any senatorial duties. The court will hold a hearing on Monday....."

[CTLawGuy]

1. The Republicans

are so arrogant, they believe they can get away with anything. They are without morals or ethics.

Let's hope this gets straightened out.

[bluedonkey]

3. They're CAN get away with this

because the Democrats let them!Time and Time again!

It's high time to stand up to these bullies!

[GetTheRightVote]

2. So the ugly head of the Republican Party appears again....

I am amazed at the Repubs who are concerned with it, they built the machine they are riding on, their party is out to destory the constitution not up hold it. That is one of many reasons I am so passionately against the ring wingers now. They hope to destory all that our forefathers built.

[madfloridian]

4. More about this...Where you sit is no accident.

Where you sit is no accident. If you have these connections, you don't have to meet the requirements of residence.

http://www.kypost.com/2005/01/08/york010805.html

SNIP.."Democrat Virginia Woodward hoped to join Carroll in the front row as the Senator for the 37th district. She and her Republican opponent, Dana Seum Stephenson, who is the daughter of Sen. Dan Seum, R-Louisville, danced to the tune of an elections contest board through the week. Stephenson won the popular vote on Nov. 2. But Woodward challenged on grounds Stephenson didn't meet residency requirements.

The chair this week sat empty for the most part. On the first day of the session Woodward came in to claim the chair, which had not yet been marked with a nameplate, but was promptly asked to leave.

Stephenson watched from a seat high up in the Senate gallery. The Senate overruled a motion from a contest board and seated Stephenson. The body refused to hear a motion to call a special election from Sen. Bob Leeper, R-Paducah, prompting him to walk off the floor, leaving his seat empty....."

Here is a picture of Virginia Woodward being sworn in.



Stephenson watching from gallery.

[madfloridian]

5. One GOP senator threatens to resign.

http://www.whas11.com/topstories/stories/WHAS11_TOP_Woo...

SNIP..."Sen. Bob Leeper of Paducah, a former Democrat who switched to the GOP in 1999, said he planned to resign. Leeper said in a breaking voice that he had “tolerated a great deal up here,” then left the Senate chamber and went behind closed doors.

“They exhibited the arrogance of power,” said Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, the chairman of the special committee appointed to review the election contest.

Woodward said after the proceedings she would contest the matter in court. She had been successful in having a court declare that Stephenson was not a Kentucky resident for the required six years, but a judge refused to order Stephenson to drop her request that the Senate decide the outcome of the election....."

[madfloridian]

6. Turning into issue of courts or senate...judge today let Stephenson stay.

This is amazing, it is amazing what they can get away with. I think it was 2 of 6 years residency requirement met by Stephenson....totally illegal, declared so by a judge.

http://www.whas11.com/topstories/stories/WHAS11_TOP_Seu...
At first, this was a dispute over who was qualified to hold the state senate seat for District 37. Democrat Virginia Woodward, who got fewer votes, or Republican Dana Seum Stephenson, who one judge has ruled wasn't qualified to run. Now, it's developing into an issue of who can make that decision: the courts or the state Senate.

Judge William Graham says he will not stop Dana Seum Stephenson from acting as a member of the Kentucky Senate, at least for now.

Stephenson was sworn in Friday even though a judge and a Senate committee have ruled she didn't live in Kentucky long enough to run for the office.

“She is absolutely a full fledged member of the state senate and has been since Friday,” says attorney Paul Salamanca. “She is Senator Stephenson.”...."END SNIP

Woodward being sworn in.


Stephenson in the gallery watching proceedings.

[Bake]

7. How disgustingly typical of the pukes!!

The next time one of them talks about the "rule of law," I swear to God I'm gonna kick them in the fucking balls!! If they have any!!

Bake

[WMliberal]

8. well, it's the same stte that elected someone who is senile...

why not someone who's LEGALLY incapable of being elected too?

[RBHam]

9. Unbelievable?

See Florida 2000, Georgia 2002, Ohio 2004...

Unbelievable?

Hardly...