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December 07, 2006

Sorry, Ted, You're Wrong on Sizemore Again

Brad Cain's very brief AP article yesterday about Bill Sizemore's legal victory left a lot unsaid. In fact, it was so lacking in context that it looked more like an announcement that Bill Sizemore had been exonerated than it did like a report of how, on a technicality, the Court decided that he didn't personally have to pay the unions what his court-dissolved non-profit foundation owes them. If you don't believe me, head on over to Northwest Republican and see how Ted Piccolo is describing Brad Cain's "news" account. Better yet, read the comments of Ted's readers.

neener neener neener … The left came unglued at our assertion that Sizemore had been vindicated.

And another:

I think free speech is what probably decided the case, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Happily. Free speech is what Sizemore would like everyone to believe decided the case, rather than the fact that the case was all about illegal activity, but free speech had nothing whatsoever to do with it.

The Court was asked to rule in two separate cases. First, it was asked to reverse an October, 2006 ruling stating that Sizemore's Oregon Taxpayers United PAC (and, as its Chief Petitioner and Director, Sizemore himself) was not financially responsible for the racketeering actions of his Oregon Taxpayers United Education Foundation. I wrote about that decision back in October, and if you want to understand yesterday's decision, I strongly recommend you read what I wrote, as it provides the context that Brad Cain left out of his article. Yesterday the Court simply said it would not reverse that decision because even though the Foundation violated federal tax law by filling false reports, the unions who brought the lawsuit did not specifically make the case that the PAC, which was operated by the exact same individuals and worked in concert with the Foundation, should be held liable for the Foundation's debts. It was a technicality.

The second decision the Court made yesterday was a natural follow-on. It simply stated that because OTU PAC was not liable for the Foundation's judgment, then Sizemore could not be held liable for it either.

Those who are now rallying around Sizemore convinced that he was found innocent are not doing their credibility any favors. Because one must assume that either they do not care about his illegal activities, they do not know about them, or they have conveniently forgotten them. Nothing can be done to reach those who do not care. I urge all others to take the time to read through the daily reports of the trial and learn the truth - or be reminded of it. If you still want to say "neener neener neener" and be friendly with a known unrepentant liar and crook, that's your business. Just don't be shocked when the rest of us judge you by the company you keep.

Posted by Becky at December 7, 2006 12:41 PM