Race should eschew politics

In this country we 've had respect for the judiciary, because we know judges endeavor to be impartial. Judges apply existing law and cannot change or make new laws, in spite of those who speak of "activist judges. " To label one an "activist judge " due to dislike of his or her decision is disingenuous.

Reliance upon different political beliefs as criteria for the selection of judges is a terrible way to select people who are supposed to be impartial. Whether they are Republicans, Democrats, Greens or whatever should not be a factor. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court election has turned into a political mudslinging contest, especially distressing since both candidates are capable, dedicated jurists with integrity and excellent reputations.

Wouldn 't it be good to return to when nonpartisan judicial elections were just that, and we expected impartial justice regardless of how a judge thought politically? Even better was when we had no idea of their politics.

Justice Louise Butler has been a good Supreme Court justice. He has bipartisan support, the support of the judiciary, the law enforcement community and the Wisconsin Education Association Council. He should not be removed from office simply because of politics.

-- Ron Ylitalo, Grantsburg

Please stop referring to the "Wisconsin Judicial Campaign Integrity Committee " as "independent. " It is not.

It should come as a surprise to no one that this committee is loaded with former Democratic leaders and Doyle supporters. Several members or their wives have ties to the Louis Butler campaign. Former Democratic Gov. Tony Earl donated to the Butler campaign in 2000. No members have ties to the Gableman campaign.

E-mails between members obtained through an open records request by Wisconsin Club for Growth show a clear bias toward the Butler campaign. From now on, when the "independent " WJCIC scolds Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Michael Gableman, please consider the source.

-- David A. Lunde, Cottage Grove

Gableman's view of justice disturbing

Three times in one morning I watched and heard an ad supportive of Judge Gableman for the Supreme Court state, "Victims, not criminals, deserve justice. "

In my opinion, everyone coming into our court system deserves justice. Justice includes the conviction and punishment of the guilty as well the recognition of victim 's rights. It also encompasses acquittal, if dictated by the facts and the law.

Part of what makes our system worthy of our respect is the care it takes in reaching any adjudication and the respect it shows all citizens. A definition of justice that does not include those charged with or convicted of a crime does not reflect a primary principle of American 's legal system. Such a stunted view of justice concerns me.

-- Moria Krueger, Madison, retired Dane County Circuit Court judge

Pick Gableman, not 'loophole Louis'

We need Mike Gableman as a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. He is good at enforcing the law, which is why many police officers and judges approve of him.

His opponent, Louis Butler, is a typical liberal Doyle appointment. His conduct has caused people in some circles to refer to him as "loophole Louis. "

Gableman is honest and follows the law and Constitution. We do not need to re-elect someone who apparently only wants to please Gov. Jim Doyle.

-- Cal Voight, Lomira

Let's prove going negative won 't win

The new low point in the Supreme Court race comes courtesy of Judge Michael Gableman who decided he wanted to win so badly that he abandoned all pretense of judicial integrity. Even the most venerated job in the state is now all about winning, and to win you go negative, race bait and lie about your opponent.

This conduct alone should disqualify Gableman from a job that requires integrity, impartiality and lack of agenda. But it won 't, and that 's our fault. We voters have been suckered so many times by the "tough on crime " harangue that you 'd think we 'd have learned. We haven 't -- negative wins elections.

We vote based on sound bites and vague perceptions gleaned from our TVs at night. Our sucker quotient has become so bad that current suggestions include denying citizens any role in electing justices.

All it would take is a resounding defeat by voters of the likes of candidate Gableman to convince future candidates that we won 't stand for this insulting pitch to the citizens of this state.

-- Eric Farnsworth, Middleton

Gableman campaign recalls Ziegler 's

Michael Gableman 's supporters are using the same uninspiring campaign tactics they used for Annette Ziegler: Television ads with police sirens blaring, reminding us that sexual predators and career criminals are poised to take over society. And that Gableman 's election to the Supreme Court is the only thing that will save us.

Running these ads shows a stunning lack of originality, and they are effectively a poison pill for the Supreme Court. If Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce is successful with this fear tactic, there will be two justices, Ziegler and Gableman, who will be asked, because of campaign donations, to sit out important cases, giving us only 70 percent of a Supreme Court.

-- Mike Bunch, Prairie du Sac