Sheriff David Clarke; The Real Story
by Bob Dohnal, Publisher of the Digest
August 5, 2005

It's tough being a Conservative, the Liberals actually hate you, and the press magnifies that hate. Liberals really believe that they are the salvation of mankind and the goal of all of us should be the secular/socialism of Europe. And if you happen to be a Christian, it is even worse. Even though only 17 percent of the residents of Wisconsin considers itself Liberal, the magnifying effect of the teachers union and the press make it seem like they are in charge. They aren't, and that's the problem.

The Liberals have lost two of their bastions of power, the root of a lot of patronage jobs for the "good old boys in the democrats club"; the Sheriffs office and the Milwaukee County Executive's office. People like the "bobsey twins", Milwaukee County Supervisors John Weishan and Gerry Broderick are apoplectic. These "ankle biters" attack Scott Walker over the silliest things. For instance the recent partisan fine of $5,000 from the State Elections Board for Walker forgetting the "authorized and paid for " on some radio ads. This is the most common violation of election law that results from an inadvertent oversight of a staff person.

This happens all of the time yet the normal fine for such a thing is $50, not $5,000. But, the campaign for Governor and control of the $54 billion budget is on, so you get people with "half a brain" like Weishan and Broderick on the loose attacking everyone who does not fit into their gang.

It's the same with Tom Reynolds, the State Senator from West Allis and one of the finest stand-up guys in the Legislature. Reynolds is honest, straightforward, ethical, and dedicated to preserve the rights of taxpayers in that "pork heaven" in Madison. Reynolds, because he is "horror of horrors" Christian and also Conservative is being attacked for the silliest of things. They can't attack his record so they go after his family or his little printing business. These are real courageous people.

And so it is with sheriff David Clarke, a god fearing man and dedicated public servant for decades. He started out as a beat cop, worked the tough districts in Milwaukee, even walked a beat on the third shift, alone, in dangerous areas. Clarke worked his way up to Captain and is very well respected by all — that is until he was appointed Sheriff and became by necessity, a politician. Worst of all he is a Conservative Democrat, not one of the "good old boys", not a backslapper, or the BSer that other sheriffs have been.

Clarke is not arrogant as the Liberals like to complain, but as the head of a quasi military unit he exudes a military bearing that lets people know he's in charge. He is, and people need to realize that. Clarke firmly believes that the Sheriff's office has a mission to fight crime, not just setup speed traps by the airport. He is in the process of revamping the department and installing a disciplined staff that works for the people. Part of that is the book's requirement for officers to show respect for each other. What kind of a unit can you build if the foot soldiers can go around mocking and accusing of cowardice the officers in the unit? For such activity one can get himself suspended. When a bailiff, not the hardest and most dangerous job in the world accuses a fellow officer, that has walked the beat, of cowardice , something has to happen. If this is allowed, can the deputies union hold hostage any officer they don't like in the press?

What kind of a mess would you have if that is allowed? For his punishment, the deputy is rewarded with a bus ride, down to the troubled areas of the city and asked to walk around and ask questions of the citizens. Wow, that's really bad. He has to ride the bus. I thought that's what the liberals wanted, Ride the bus and leave the driving to us. He has to follow the mailman, the delivery boys and the mothers with kids, during the day in the "hood" and check it out. That is really tough. The only mistake Clarke has made is that, after the recent spate of murders in the area, he should've sent all available officers down there. They can do some real good. And, that's what the debate should be, should we have the Sheriff and his deputies work the crime areas or set up speed traps? You decide.

Liberal political hacks like Bill Christofferson and others of his ilk have brought out their long knives to slice up Conservatives. Tagging along nipping the heels of these character assassins are silly characters like Weishan and Broderick, leaders of the "fill my own pockets" gang on the County Board. You can expect a lot more of this petty ante political fighting in the near future. The Liberals can't defeat the Conservatives on merit or ideas, so they have to resort to anything that they can. They are the epitome of the old adage, Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.

Very honorable people like David Clarke, Tom Reynolds and Scott Walker will be pummeled from now to election day. You have to make the choice on what is right.

Bob Dohnal, Publisher
Wisconsin Conservative Digest