June 21, 2005
Paul Berendt, "Drug" Addict
On Friday I mentioned that the Democrats are asking to be reimbursed for some of their costs in the litigation over the governor's election. Today's Seattle Times has an article on the topic -- "Democrats want GOP to pay some court costs". As the Times points out, the election contest statute says that:
"If the proceedings are dismissed for insufficiency, want of prosecution, or the election is by the court confirmed, judgment shall be rendered against the party contesting such election for costs, in favor of the party charged with error or omission."
[see
RCW 29A.68.060]
Of course, the Washington State Democratic Central Committee voluntarily intervened in the case and was never charged with error or omission, so there's no reason why they should be awarded any costs. Berendt's response?
But Berendt said Democrats "were essentially drug into it."
"
Drug into it"? Sorry, Paul, the past tense of "drag" is "
dragged", not "drug".
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at June 21, 2005
10:48 AM | Email This
1. Bout time you got this posted.
This is just a PR ploy by the Ds. I hope the Rs have a good counter. Yours seems easy to tell in a 10 second soundbite, so I hope it works.
And, it is not like there weren't any problems with the last election as Berent and other Ds seem to forget. They should just move on.org.
2. The question is, will Washington State voters remember all of this ridiculousness in 2006 and 2008? One would hope, but I for one won't be holding my breath.
Someone needs to start a website that simply tracks and highlights the broken promises, crazy statements, and absurd quests of politicians—of all flavors.
3. it says in that article that they received their $730,000 for the recount "with interest". Please tell me they didn't get 12% interest like they wanted. nothing is yielding 12% right now.
4. Rex, No they didn't get the 12%. They got the actual interest earned by the deposit, around 2% if I remember right.
5. Paul Berendt is the Party Chair of ABSURDISTAN (aka Seattle).
The R's would be wise to consistently and strongly point that out.
I wouldn't crucify all of KingCo but Seattle is obviously the breeding ground for LEFTIST PINHEADS and it attracts LEFTIST PINHEADS from around our globe as well as faraway planets!!!
The Rest of The State vs. SEATTLE
That's the battlecry.
Will it work??
YUP
6. They need all the money they can get to pay their fines for their illegal campaign finance problems.
But it isn't about that. It's about trying to take the money from the Republican Party to hurt the Republican campaigns this fall.....
They may well get their bucks from Judge Bridges, but were they charged with error or omission?????????? I don't think so.
7. Well, this just shows the people how the Democrats spin a situation to try to obtain money that they are not entitled to!
Kind of like what they are doing with our taxes!
I expect Paul Berendts and Gregoire to announce an emergency clause to charge the Republicans for legal expences... I noticed the Democrats are trying to bring the county auditors into the "I'm a victim so you need to pay me" mentality!
Notice how haughty the State Democrats are about the election contest outcome? They are in complete denial about the election problems, errors and fraud uncovered in the trial - and are trying to muster some fake outrage at the Republicans for exposing it! Incredible!
The liberal Democrats hunger for money will NEVER be satisfied.....and they will ALWAYS squander it on their elitist fantasies. Soon - even the decieved union workers in this state are going to say "ENOUGH!"
I think the Dems have squandered their campaign funds for Sims and are now resorting to this nonsense.....Let's leave them high and dry folks!
8. Rex:
Actually, interest on judgments and some other things are done at the state usuary rate, which is around 12% right now, and that was the basis of the party's claim. However, the Secretary of State did not pay that, but 3% or so.
ss minnow: You should read your own earlier post. The Dems site to a case that allows intervenors to get their costs pursuant to the statutes in election contest.
Again, you seem awfully selective about when you want the law enforced.
9. It would serve the sore-losing Rossi and his GOP sillies right if they had to pay money to the Democratic Party.
They perpetrated a sham trial on the state and deserve to have to pay. The statute appears to be pretty clear and open and shut.
10. It is time for Judge Bridges to become an activist Judge. He needs to make the state pay both parties for all of their expenses. Maybe then the dumb legislators and the dumber Secretary of State will get the message that elections are important and it is critical that they are done openly, fairly and correctly.
11. Make the state pay? Don't you mean me? If anyone should pay it is King county...
12. What is it about liberals and grammar? I still think Berendt's most hilarious error was from a fundraising letter:
"... help me stop Rove’s mignons in their tracks."
Oh the horror! You must help the Democrats stop Rove's delicious, yet eeeevil, steaks!
13. It was far from a sham trial.
The Democrats planned to use their wholly-owned subsidiaries in the MSM to act as a screen between the public and the misfeasance of King County Elections. Without the challenge, that tactic would have worked, leaving the public ignorant of the black deeds of Dean Logan & Co.
As it was, the discovery process and the fine work of Stefan Sharkansky shone bright lights where the MSM did not wish to go, and the shambles of Logan's department was clear for all to see. The election challenge was no less than a major public service for all citizens concerned about cleanly run and reliable elections.
If anyone should pay court costs, it should be the Democratic Party, which in King County is wholly responsible for the performance of its appointed Director of Elections and the chaos of its vote-counting processes.
14. Nelson, your brain conveniently forgot something. Basically the Dems acted as the defense on that trial and did the yomans work on defending the County/Sims election machine. So you may call Rossi a sore loser but I don't see where the D's were above getting in the mud on this one.
15. Even though there are about 800 'stuffed' ballots in heavily democrat King County plus uncounted and thrown-away Rossi-area ballots, we're supposed to just sit there and take it. The Rs did what only made sense to do. The Ds didn't have to jump in. They believed they were so in the right. They could've saved a bunch of money and just let the real defendents handle it. You'd think they would just marvel at the theft and skulk away into the night with the 'goods' and go enjoy their spoils. But no, they have to be sore winners, too.
16. YES, Cliff!
I mean YOU! and me, and every other tax payer. The money can be taken straight from the Secretary of State's Budget.
Then maybe the rest of the voters/taxpayers will get up off of their butts and demand that the legislators pass no-nonsense laws.
17. I thought Republicans were all for tort reform? Well, one tried and true method of tort reform is to make losing parties pay costs. Why the sudden change of heart on behalf of conservatives? Let's hope that this experience will give republicans pause before they promote future tort reform measures designed to limit access to the courts.
18. If the tort is committed by the Government, as it was by the King County Election Department, the 'loser pays' penalty has no redeeming social benefits - since the judiciary branch sings backup for the executive branch, and the plaintiff fights an unfairly uphill battle.
19. Mr. Sensitive,
According to conservative thinking, the social benefit of tort reform is that it discourages baseless lawsuits by penalizing those that bring them. Here, Rossi clearly brought a baseless lawsuit that, by his own admission, was intended as a publicity stunt. Thus, applying the conservative thinking, Rossi should pay and this would discourage him and others from misusing the court system.
20. Maybe the $$$$ SHOULD go to KCE, to pay for...
1. Staff enhancement training and special retreat. Since everyone is so down in the mouth, ashamed, etc., etc., let's get some rainbows and bubblegum! Cheer everyone up!!! Get happy!!!!!
2. How to get happy? Have someone make a pinata of Dean Logan, put the bubblegum and rainbows inside the pinata, and let these folks beat the !@#$ out of it.
3. Please invite me when the party is planned.
Besides, if I have to pay $300 a year extra on my car tabs until I am 96 to pay for 10 people a day to go from West Seattle to Ballard, heck, let's pi$$ some more money away!!!
21. rusty at yahoo- tell me exactly again how this court case fits the tort reform agenda.
I think the Rs had a good case. The judge could have gone either direction even with the tough standard. He didn't.
The tort reform is for frivolous lawsuits, like the McDonald's coffee case or the retire for life settlements plaintiffs get.
22. Personally I have mixed feelings about 'loser pays'. But Rusty, it's always the left who's AGAINST loser pays. Now suddenly you've had a change of heart???
23. Swatter:
Perhaps you need to look up the meaning of the word frivolous. In the McDonald's case, McDonald's was found liable for causing third degree burns to the groin and legs of a woman in her 70s. It was shown that McDonald's had been warned several times that they serverd their coffee too hot and that the lids came off to easily. Finally, the jury award was equal to McDonald's profits in the US for three days of coffee sales. That award was latter reduced by the judge.
In the elections contest, the Republican's lost on every ground.
Now, which case was frivolous?
24. Someone sent me this, and I don't get it:
I am sofa King!
Wee Todd did!
Can anyone here fill me in?
25. JDB---I know where it came from. Howard Dean.
26. JDB - If it was frivolous, why didn't the judge throw it out? If it was frivolous, why didn't the judge chastise the Petitioners in the case? If it was frivolous, why did the judge severely chastise KC for the "culture" that led to the myriad of problems in the 2004 General Election. I don't believe that a case is "frivolous" just because the party that brought the "suit" lost. Is that how you define "frivolous lawsuit"? I don't know that a judge would agree with your definition either.
27. "Drug into it?" Hmmm.
Poor Home Training? Another product of the public education system? Union's Best Foot Forward? Left's Shining Light? Time to mayle my ass-en-tee ballot, youze guys.
28. JDB,
She was given that money because McD "can afford" it and no other reason. The poor old lady against big corporation. If you can blame anyone for using their crotch as a driver's cup holder, never mind for a hot cup of coffee (BTW, coffee is a HOT drink, not a tepid drink!) other than the person doing it you have an odd sense of responsibility and justice.
29. THe GOP should pay the court fees by proposing a bill that retroactively forces them to pay, but also requires all future losers to pay court fees. Loser pays tort reform is not just for frivilous lawsuits, it's for ALL lawsuits. Let's be consistent here, if you lose you pay. If you don't think your case is strong enough....DON'T FILE A LAWSUIT. The GOP is missing a great opportunity to call the DEMs out on this. How many businesses have been "drug" into lawsuits?
30. Jkap,
They also need the insurance in there that the fees are paid back retroactively plus, say, 12% interest, if the law is repealed in any way, shape, or form.
31. As much as I don't want to give the Dems money, the statute and the legal precedent from the state Supreme Court are clear. The Dems are legally entitled to the money.
But I do think Berendt is on drugs. How else to explain the weeping when Judge Lum violated federal law in his favor?
32. "In the elections contest, the Republican's lost on every ground."
So the judge said that all those votes were illegal votes means the Republican lost. It showed that the laws are such that you can steal an election in KC. Just like Chicago they ran the city as such to ensure Democrats always win. It was call UNIONS. Washington State has the same problem. When UNIONS take control and own the government THey will do all they can to maintain that control. It only takes a handful of people to steal an election. Espicially a close one. IT is that the burden of proof is so high. If you voted a dozens times would you violate you Constitutional rights and tell the court that Sure I voted more than once. IT is self incrimination. YOu see the court found that all those votes were illegal. Guess what over 10 times more illegal votes than the contest win. What is the guess all those illegal votes went for ROSSI. Funny thing all those votes where in precints that had an extremely high Democratic vote. Maybe Rossi took those precincts is was the illegal votes that made the precinct go for the democrats. IF you say there are 1800 illegal votes. The odds are you are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. THere could be thousands of more illegal votes. KC withheld a lot of information used delaying tactics. IF it was an honest election they would want to talk to the lawyers to show they had nothing to hide instead it was delay delay delay. These delays prevented further investigations on what was uncovered when they were questioned. KC knew they had problems so instead of honestly reporting they had issues they hid the fact. That means you are guilty of something. Coverup issues and mistakes means you are guilty after the fact for fraud. Too bad we dont have an honest Prosecuting Attorney's office to go after those who voted illegally. Why do you think the Democrats were blocking getting the listing of legal aliens from the Feds. Could it be that thousands of non US citizens voted. Dont know because the Democrats sued to block the release and comparision of the lists. So how many illegal votes were there? Be honest. Think about what I just said. There are problems when you hide the errors. We are a free society. It is one vote per US Citizen of AGE. Our elections should not be determined by a city in China, or a City in India. We are Americans. Only AMericans have a right to vote. IF you are an illegal alien or a legal alien and you voted. No US Citizenship for you or your family ever. Harsh but that is the only way we can clean up the elections. And when Democrats are saying but this is an under represented group in our election system. THen I know for a fact that they allowed non citizens to vote. Maybe we had 10,000 illegal votes. I dont know. Why because we dont have a list of legal and illegal aliens to compare against the voting rolls. Say conservatives are scaring away voters. Yes if they are not US Citizens they should not vote. I will scare away any non US citizen and do my best to prevent them from voting. If possible bring them to court.
33. yes, biteme, it was a frivolous suit. Just because she got some burns doesn't mean it is a suable offense. Does that mean that the tiny piece of bone I crunched down on with my Big Mac which caused my tooth to chip can now be used to pay all my dental bills till after I die (aka the Democrat way) and then extra money for fretting.
34. JDB-
I'll "fill you in"...
Ifda shoofits, howdey feline??
Oh, and...
Bite me.
35. If the Democrats are successful in getting this back with interest, my questions are:
1) Will all the individual contributors to the recount effort get their money back, or will the party keep it?
2) If they get back, will they too receive interest?
36. Drig, drag, drug. Pretty simple really...
"I gonna drig dis ho into ma 'room"
"I drag her der yesterday"
"I have drug her anudder day"
37. You're a knowledgable guy on many things Stefan, and I agree with you on most, but your Full of Shit regarding Dragged/Drug. Drug for past tense and past participle is perfectly acceptable, and said by a large percentage of Northwesterners. Don't tell us how to talk Foreigner! I'm not impugning your state or country of origin, just your condescension in ATTEMPTING to tell the natives how to speak.
38. Oh, and in my post above, 'your', meaning 'you are' should have been spelt 'yer'.
Stick to politics, not local dialects.
39. elitist fantasies? Like Health care, Public Education, and good roads.
40. Well, this just shows the people how the Democrats spin a situation to try to obtain money that they are not entitled to!
If they're not entitled to it, why are you worried? The court will decide what they're entitled to.
As for the interest on their recount deposit, the Dems withdrew their request for 12%. I think they felt it wasn't worth the cost in attorneys or the bad PR.
41. "If they're not entitled to it, why are you worried?"
Because it is every conservatives job to ensure that 'rats don't take more than they are entitled to, silly...
42. With all due respect, Paul Berendt shows his stupidity once again and is suffering from delusions of grandeur - what a doofus ! The 'Rats have no shame and lie to their buddies of the MSM to get their way. Like hell, they were drug into the lawsuit - they chose to participate - end of story.
Leftist Rats behave like spoiled brats, used to having their own way and lie and cheat if they have to -in order to get it. Playing fair is not in their repetoire. Republicans believe that since they play fair, then the Dems would do that - but they don't - they never do - because they pride themselves in being the Sneaky Party.
43. It's a sure sign that you have a weak argument when the best you can do is make fun of the other side's grammar. And by the way, with Baby Bush as your Pretender and Thief, I wouldn't exactly start throwing those stones. NO ONE and I mean NO ONE mangles the English language like that draft-dodging, drunken fool!
44. Scott says:
"I wouldn't exactly start throwing those stones."
Scott, why did you unnecessarily insert the word "exactly" in your quote? Why did you unnecessarily insert the word "those"? You have made your sentence unnecessarily long as most LEFTIST PINHEADS are prone to do. You PINHEADS obviously get paid by the word. Bush may at times mangle the English language. You on the other hand, speak eloquently at times BUT SAY NOTHING!
45. And it's a surer sign when you introduce irrelevancies into the dialogue (especially thimble-brained ad hominems such as yours).
But then, you're not about dialogue, just endless (& pointless) Bush-bashing.
How droll....
46. This guy strikes me as one of the fat kids that got beat up a lot in middle school and cried all the while upside down held by his ankles over a swirling toilet-bowl. Boo-hoo. Poor lil Paul.
47. Even if this fails, look at the intent. Thank you Democrats for showing us all exactly what kind of totalitarian dictatorship you intend to run. One where nobody dares challenge the liberal "machine" (which includes the courts) to try to get real justice. Nothing scares people more than the prospect of being cleaned out of their hard earned money. Better to let the status quo continue than risk losing everything. GREAT! That'll teach us to challenge their unlimited authority!!! Welcome to the Democrat view of the world.
Has anyone read "We the Living" by Ayn Rand? It's about the period 5-10 years after the socialist "victory" in taking over Russia; when collectivists in "The Party" were really in high gear to implement their socialist utopa, (kind of like Washington Democrats now). Rand was prophetic in her view of a future controlled by people a lot like Paul Berendt, Christine Fraudoire, and Ron "Tax to the Max" Sims.
Be afraid Washington, be very afraid. These people are not fooling around. They're coming after your property and your freedom.
48. mark1--LOL
right on mark; "Drug" just may be right--anyone in King County or elsewhere who will vote these jokers back into office (after our last 'election') is obviously using a drug; anyone who will tolerate this level of elections incompetency and "any-bank-would-envy accuracy" needs a drug--or at least some "home training;"
49. As a few others have noted, while "drug" as a past tense of "drag" may sound funny, it is in the dictionary:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?drug
Main Entry #3: drug
dialect past of DRAG
You just had to look a little harder.
50. "As a few others have noted, while "drug" as a past tense of "drag" may sound funny, it is in the dictionary..."
As an anachronism, yes. Same as "democrat".....