As Isthmus reports in this week's "Watchdog" column Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi has received dozens of mostly critical emails and letters over her decision to block publication of Gov. Scott Walker and the Republicans' "budget repair bill." The report included a handful of examples; here are some more.
"I would be interested in knowing how much money this judge was paid by union bosses. ... Was she bribed?. Email from Tim Malinas, address unknown.
"She should be disbarred. If you fail to do anything about it, you yourself are just as liable for disbarment and/or impeachment...." Email from Greg Crews to a Dane County deputy clerk he believed to be a judge.
"The law is the law. Uphold it don't remold it to fit socialism or big union bosses." Email from Frosty Woolridge, Detroit, Mich.
"I will fight you until I get my First Amendment right of association back." Postcard from Daniel Gautschi, Tacoma, Wash.
"Tyranny is epitomized in the action of political judges [like Sumi]. It is time for the American people to take over our courts from there public union political hacks from the LEFT. These Dem Party hand-picked Leftist lawyers, who sit on the bench, like snakes ready to strike against the people when a political fix is needed." Email from "Richard."
"It seems to me that you and others like you, are pressing your liberal agenda, to the point of giving away the country. Why don't we just feed, clothe and house everyone?" Letter from R.J. Maloney, Flushing, Mich.
"Why don't you do something about the people who willingly and maliciously did so much damage to your state capitol. They acted like a bunch of hippies at a rock concert. ... Many of us here in Arizona support Gov. Scott Walker and the people who passed this bill." Anonymous letter.
"You are a disgrace to the bench." Letter from Maria G., Hialeah, Fla.
"[It is] quite apparent that you have decided to prostitute yourself to the unions in Wisconsin." Letter from attorney Brent Moody of Phoenix, Ariz.
"Undoubtedly, you feel completely justified in whatever convoluted and twisted logic has allowed you to disenfranchise the majority of Wisconsin citizens to accomplish you obviously partisan objectives. You are a disgrace to your profession." Letter from Chet Barraclough of Santa Clara, Calif.
"You Madam are a disgrace to your robe, the political system and the state of Wisconsin!!" Fax from Dr. Raymond Bauer.
"The American tax payer is sick of these unions, union bosses. WE ARE BROKE WHAT IS THERE NOT TO UNDERSTAND THEY HAD THE GRAVY TRAIN LONG ENOUGH WE WERE BLACKMAILED SCOTT WALKER DID THE RIGHT THING. ... I am a disgusted American." Anonymous letter, postmarked Triboro, New York.
"I sincerely hope there is an ethics investigation into your corrupt court." Anonymous letter.
"It should be unlawful for taxpaying citizens to be held hostage by union demands. Unions are corrupt, dishonest, self-serving and bad for the country." Letter from Don Ney, who included a phone number with a Texas area code.