ThreadingWater

The wingnutblogosphere is all aflutter this afternoon over the sentencing of four Milwaukee men involved in slashing the tires of GOP 'Get Out the Vote' vehicles the night before the 2004 presidential election.

Judge Michael Brennan threw out the plea bargain agreement that was reached in January, 2006, and sentenced the men to jail time and fines of $1,000 each. (restitution in the amount of $5,317.45 had already been paid by the men)

The wingnuts can't wait to pounce on any liberal who might take issue with Judge Brennan's actions.  Well, you won't get what you're looking for here.

Interfering in the voting process is a serious crime and should not be taken lightly.  Whether it involves slashing tires, voter intimidation, physical tampering, doctoring of results, or any number of techniques employed to manipulate voter turnout or vote results - the public should be outraged by these actions.

In Milwaukee, a city that remains stubbornly racially divided, justice is seldom "blind."  The sentences imposed by Judge Brennan are not onerous, nor are the additional fines. Still, one has to wonder at the judge's own statement that, “This case has to be an example of what happens if you interfere in voters’ rights.” 

Nice sentiment.  Great ideal. I just have a difficult time believing in the universal "you" of the judge's wish to make this case an example for anyone who might interfere in the voting process. 

I guess if you're Katherine Harris, for example, you get to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.  If you slash van tires in Milwaukee, you go to jail.

Sounds about right to me.