Attorney General Paul Morrison made the right decision Friday in announcing his resignation, effective Jan. 31. He noted that “because of my actions in my personal life, many people have stopped believing in me, which is damaging the office, my staff and the state.â€
He again apologized for violating his marriage vows but disputed other ugly accusations of official misconduct made by his former lover, including blackmail and sexual harassment.
Multiple investigations of Morrison’s conduct are pending, but clearly his effectiveness and credibility have been compromised. It’s also evident that he brought this mess upon himself through serious and serial lapses of judgment.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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84 Comments
Of course, the religious rech-wing will never let this die.
I would have still supported AG Morrison had he NOT decided to resign. What he did was stupid, not criminal.
I cannot wait for Gov. Sebelius to appoint his replacement. Can anyone say “Attorney General Chris Biggs”?
We get the last laugh on Snoop Dod Kline!
Of course, the religious rech-wing will never let this die.Posted by: Apophis | December 14, 2007 at 07:41 PM
You would be incorrect once more.
If there is nothing else involved, i.e. no other legal problems involved with Morrison, as far as I’m concerned the issue is done.
I’m not going to kick dirt in his face, I’m sure he is feeling badly enough as it is.
Incorrect? Once more?
The troll has again pronounced himself an “expert” in another field!
DNFTT!
Actually Apophis, the term troll suits you better than on me or anyone else here.
I would say at least 90 percent of your posts are an ad hominem or calling someone a name.
You write very little in these blogs that have anything of substance.
Therefore, you are the troll because of your constant attack mode and should call yourself a troll.
His Craig manuever sucks. He is waiting until the State House and Senate reconvenes in 2008 so he can get them to reinstate him and he bows to their personal agendas and will refuse to back us, the citizens, and will only Rubber Stamp all their rapes of our constitution and rights. We got sc%ew*d hard and we need to remove Sebelius instead of waiting for her 3 year choice we cannot buck. Why, she choices, we loss. We lost our vote because her recommended choice followed thru and sc^w*d us hard. Dictatorship prevails. 3889 soldiers have been killed in Iraq to stop Dictatorship and we thank them by bowing to a couple of them here. We pulled the trigger on 3889 soldiers because we suck!!!! Herbert West III, Publisher/Journalist. west.herb@yahoo.com Sorry Soldiers, Morrison D*$k is more important than your lives. Ask the Kansas Government, they are sleeping with your spouces and kids while your getting killed.
that’s new —- all along we’ve been told it’s Al Qaeda / insurgents killing our troops —- bring em home we found the culprit — it’s Morrison — he we can find and jail
Stan Hazlett is the Disciplinary Administrator. He is a great speaker. All lawyers in Kansas must have 2 hours of ethics every year and he is often the presenter. It is my experience that Stan and his staff are highly professional. They use volunteers from the across the state as investigators. Morrison did not merely have an affair with a subordinate, she also has filed the EEOC complaint that he tried to use information he received from her to subvert a criminal investigation. These are very serious charges. Her complaint with the EEOC is under oath. If she lied about it all she will probably serve jail time for perjury. She is not Martha Stewart and she will not get a sweetheart deal like Martha. I am sure her attorney has explained all of that to her and she still signed that complaint. She must have some kind evidence to back up her story and Morrison knows it. He is a jerk and a womanizer. However this is much deeper and darker than that. She is accusing him of using information from her work at the JoCo prosecutor’s office to tip off the clinic in KC as to potential investigation of crimes. This is very serious because if those allegations are true you get into violation of federal laws against organized crime. The KBI probably has forensic accountants on his personal bank accounts already. it will be the luck of CS if they are pulling our agent off our case to handle that one. If they find any money trail at all that goes back to that clinic he is looking at time in Leavenworth. Kline was not likable obviously. I think Morrison surmised that he could use the public distaste for Kline as a screen for what he was doing. It is way past what Kline said or did. This is about Morrison’s actions. Maybe he will dodge this bullet but making things right with his family is way at the bottom of the list of his problems. I think that wife has taken this kind of behavior her whole married life. Now he is trying to use his children as the reason he is resigning. Yea sure. If he was running a high powered and work intensive job for the past 15 years PLUS keeping women on the side, his kids probably did not see much of him. He is not the warm and fuzzy type. It is all pretty interesting. We will see how it turns out. My next prediction is that he will surrender his law license to head off the investigation by Hazlett.
Thanks Joco — seems to put context to it all ….
HERB, take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds and slowly exhale… repeat a few times… until you feel better. it just isn’t worth blowing out an artery. Those people don’t care about you.
I always find it interesting that many of the people who oppose the war because of the death of soldiers support the killing of unborn children. Go figure… HERB, HERB, go back to the first paragraph and practice your breathing exercises. Relax now.
Besides, who really cares about Morrison’s situation. He isn’t the first and he won’t be the last to sleep with someone other than his/her spouse while in office. He’s done just like Kennedy and Clinton and other politicians (and regular people) have done.
Kansas/Republican/Republikhan/JM/Commentater/”_”…………….
You have the audacity to call me a “troll”!?
Anyone who is NOT a reichwing nutcase knows it is YOU who is the troll. You disagree with the mainstream opinions of science, politics and social issues in general. You can’t stand the fact that I support the progressive causes. You loathe those like me; admit it.
However you slice it, YOU are the troll here.
How about a $25,000 bet I am not Comment Tater?
Oh wait, I forgot, you’re on a Public School Teacher salary.
As usual, you are misguided, misdirected and very wrong.
I can’t stand the fact is that you use misguided ad hominem to address people who don’t adhere to your ideology.
So, you do want people of your ilk do, you attack them with untruth and ad hominem.
Typical Lib tactics.
At least I can hold a job troll-boy.
Don’t you live off of the government’s welfare? Don’t you rant and rave about how there should NOT be social programs for the disadvantaged?
ad hominem!
ad hominem!
ad hominem!
ad hominem!
Bill Clinton!
Bill Clinton!
Bill Clinton!
Bill Clinton!
You are one lazy, worthless troll.
I’m waiting for the typical troll response.
Don’t dissapoint us troll-boy!
Come on Kansas,
Lay off. Picking on Apophis is like poking a dog through a chain link fence.
He’s not right. Just ignore him.
Another reich-wing nut coming to the troll’s aid…………..typical!
Hank thinks ID is science……………the Earth is only 6000 years old……..dinosaurs were vegetarians while on “Noah’s Ark”
Any credibility there Hank?
I think NOT!
here is the really SAD part………….Hank claims to hail from Winfield.
If Hank grew up in Winfield, it must have been “on the wrong side of the tracks”.
Interesting,
Can you attribute any of those accusations to me? Can you find anywhere that I’ve said the earth is only 6000 years old?
Can you find anywhere where I’ve equated ID with science or that it should be taught in school?
Can you find a post by me that I’ve even mentioned dinosaurs?
Nope, you are merely making an ad hominem attack based on nothing more than your preconceived, bigoted notions.
Nitwit
There was a ‘wrong side’ of the tracks in Winfield?
Nitwit
ad hominem!
ad hominem!
ad hominem!
ad hominem!
Bill Clinton!
Bill Clinton!
Bill Clinton!
Bill Clinton!
You too are a waste of my time Hank.
I’m done for the day.
You are worse than a nitwit old man.
Besides, I don’t think I’ve ever claimed to ‘hail’ from Winfield, whatever that means. And why is it sad?
Nitwit
Oh dear,
I hope we didn’t run the school marm off!
Nitwit
I have relatives in Winfield, one working for the police department and 1 for the county. My cousin went to Winfield High School and College, Cowley College first I think.
Yes Apophis that’s right, welfare or as the Department of Defense call it, retired military, you know like Ken who is on this blog. Is Ken on welfare too? :)
Since I’m probably twenty years or more older than you are Apophis, my time of holding jobs are in my past due to injury mostly, but due to chronology.
But do please continue on showing your true “colors” :)
Doesn’t it just infuriate you Hank that a liberal, left-winger like me is “indoctrinating” our children with those terrible progressive ideas? I hope you lose sleep over that thought every night.
I’m sure you grew up in the white, gutter-trash part of Winfield. You know such places exist. I grew up in one of the better parts of that town.
troll…….I am a graduate of Winfield High School. So what’s your point.
You give no proof that you ahve a “military disability”. You spin so many tales, no one believes anything you say other than your fellow reichwing, bush apologists here.
troll-boy…………..there is no “Winfield College”
There is a “Southwestern College”; a liberal arts college affliated with the Methodist Church.
At one time, there was also a 2-year (later 4-year) institution called St. Johns. They were affliated with the Lutheran Church.
Face it, you’re just blowing smoke again.
Dear Apophis,
I think that it is good that a “liberal, left-winger” like you is ‘attempting’ to indoctrinate our children. It teaches them early not to believe every thing an adult in authority says.
Some of the crap in school is so off the wall that I’m sure most children have nitwits like you figured out before they get out of grade school. The minority that are to stupid to figure your BS out grow up to be democrats.
No, Apophis, my friend, I lose very little sleep at night over nitwits like you. Especially nitwits like you.
It sucks to be you hank.
You’re right Hank, Apophis is not worth wasting time or sleep on.
Just some bitter school marm, complaining about everything he can complain about.
Dear Apophis,
I asked you three very basic questions about claims you made in your ad hominem attack on me.
Care to address them? Or are you just a nitwit and a liar?
Nitwit
troll-boy…………..there is no “Winfield College”
There is a “Southwestern College”; a liberal arts college affliated with the Methodist Church.
Posted by: Apophis | December 14, 2007 at 09:20 PM
Poor Apophis…
It’s just a phrase commonly used to say someone went to college in such and such town.
Like my father went to college in Wichita as his Dad (my grandfather used to say.) Since there are Universities, one can make a guess which one is the actual one he referring to.
It’s like saying my friend is going to college in Boston or New York. Nothing wrong with saying that.
…unless your Apophis and desperately grasping at straws to earn blog points. :)
Hey Kansas,
How long have you been retired? As of January 1st I will be retired longer than I served.
Twenty one years, day for day.
Kansas has no business commenting on anyone’s salary.
Being as he lives off the government dime.
Oh and Apophis may be a bit extreme.
I’ve never seen him threaten to kill anyone.
“kansas” did threaten to shoot me.
Hank,
Medically Retired in 1993, although I was pretty much a desk ornament for about 1.5 years while on Active Duty due to injury.
Kansas is now desperately trying to figure out how to answer Hank’s question since he’s really the old geezer JM but as Kansas, he’s much younger.
This should be interesting.
He’ll probably claim he enlisted when he was 12 . . .
I’ve never seen him threaten to kill anyone.
“kansas” did threaten to shoot me.
Posted by: J R | December 14, 2007 at 09:38 PM
Yeah right J R. If you are so convinced, take your statement right now down to the Police, Sheriff, State Police or FBI – your choice.
I’ll wait here while you get laughed out of the respective departments for being a kook and and idiot.
Do NOT drag me into this — I still work
Well good night friends. It’s been fun but I got to get my beauty sleep.
Hank
I consider your threats impotent “kansas”
Much like you.
You did make them.
I merely point them out that readers understand you’ve no business judging anyone.
yeah that’s right Capn.
At least Hank, Nathan, Ken, XXX, Vaughn and I served in the military.
You (Capn), J R and Apophis can’t claim that can you? None of you were man enough to serve your country were you? So you attack those to do.
Capn go to Iraq and make one of your statements in front of a bunch of Marines serving and you will get to test your running skills. :)
gn Hank
Here’s one for you J R, I’m cleaning my twice barrel.
Glad to see Morrison finally used some common sense and resigned…it was the right thing to do. People who have been elected to public service are expected to be honest, moral, and trustworthy. If they fall short of those expectations, they deserve everything they get.
Did you know – Phil Kline’s 13 yr old daughter is named Hillary.
13 years ago….Hillary and Bill were taking office…interesting.
this is not a thread about manliness or military service — those that did not serve made a choice — as you did — it is not a matter of manliness — they love our country as much as you do, to say otherwise is to show a narrow mindedness
note — he speaks for himself
So let’s do the math on this–
Kansas said he bought a house in college when Carter was President, that’s ‘76 to ‘80. So let’s say he was 18 in ‘78. That means he was born in ‘60.
He joins the Air Force after college–that would be ‘82–and serves until right after Operation Desert Storm in ‘93. So he was in a grand total of 11 years.
Now he’s “retired,” and he’s only 47 years old.
It’s possible, but not all that likely, is it.
You’ve no proof you served in the military “kansas”.
And you lie about everything else.
You are not even consistent about your military service if any.
Morrison did the right thing. He handled his scandal with some dignity. His former flame, Linda Carter, has no dignity and will never have any. Since when does a woman sleep with a man and then sell him out? I think we all know the answer to that. Weaker sex? You be the judge.
Capn — all of you need to “man-up” as they say quit acting like bullies in a playground –
they love our country as much as you do, to say otherwise is to show a narrow mindedness
note — he speaks for himself
Posted by: ken | December 14, 2007 at 09:52 PM
I can show hundreds of their statements to show they (Capn, J R, etc.) do not love their country. They crucify it on a daily basis and show their desire for pure socialism like Cuba. They do that on a daily basis several times a day.
None of them would lift a finger to defend the U.S.
why is it so hard for all of you to ignore each others taunts
That’s one thing about you Capn, everyone’s private life is supposed to be an open book on the blog but yours right.
Until you post your entire private life on the blog along with your name, then butt out of mine.
Or Capn, continue to be the coward that you are.
Ken–
I don’t feel that holding someone accountable for their posts is “taunting.”
I didn’t MAKE Kansas reveal all the personal anecdotes he chooses to share on a public WEBlog.
But once he does, I’m not going to read it like a numbskull and not point out the obvious contradictions and inconsistencies.
I served in the Army and I encounter many guys in their late 30’s and 40’s who express some regret about not serving. Some do. Some don’t. I certainly feel good about having served. How this applies to Morrison, I have no idea. Hell, Al, is not even my birth name.
why is it so hard for all of you to ignore each others taunts
Posted by: ken | December 14, 2007 at 09:56 PM
I’ve tried ken, but Capn, J R and his crew will come across any topic and post their ad hominem against me.
They did so for 8 months straight, day after day and nothing was ever done.
Tell J R and Capn to stop bringing my private life up on the blog and I will stop.
Brownlee has already showed his bias by not banning them.
I do it once as a joke and get banned.
They do it daily and nothing happens to them.
I challenge any person who feels they are truly tough and manly to join me and the other 60+ men and women who work out in the FitnessBootcampWichita program. We all were studs at age 18 but how do measure up at 40 or 50? Fitness Bootcamp is the real deal. I should know.
I’m sorry ken.
I know it’s distracting.
I like the forum to have integrity.
“kansas” has been known by more nics than anyone can keep track of.
There is a reason for that. He frequently posts in a way that makes him look quite ill or even insane. SO he switches nics.
He would like the whole blog to be that way. He has even threatened to “destroy the blog” or “make it into hell”.
I busted him for what he is or pretends to be.
I’ll let him rant now without answer.
Raise your hand – who on this blog has a fat ass from being an armchair intellectual?I am gueesing there are many fat asses among us?
Wow, why so defensive, Kansas?
People who don’t lie don’t need to be so defensive.
I don’t lie, so I can explain all my past statements.
JR doesn’t lie, CF2K ditto, Hank Price, even Econ, completely honest as far as anyone can tell.
The only person who doesn’t square is the amazing “Forrest Gump” who’s been everywhere and done everything.
Kansas,I support you.
I’m out for the evening.
Ciao, comrades.
Heh
I know I said I’d be quiet.
“Econ” does NOT belong on any list of the honest.
sissy
Perhaps the reich wing should fear the fact that the person replacing Morrison will be a liberal and not terribly objective when it comes to their antics.
kansas – largely agree. He made the right decision. And January 31 makes sense – give the Governor time to make a good decision on a replacement. As for “Herbert West III, Publisher/Journalist. west.herb@yahoo.com” – tell me; just how are Morrison and Sebelius responsible for the war in Iraq????? And no, they will not reinstate him. Ain’t gonna happen.
LOL
I am, HONESTLY, laughing!
Each State thru the Governors appointed Adjunct General gives reports for the need of SAoldiers for Civil Defense in each respective State. If she is given 1000 Troops and only needs 100 to stay then 900 go to WAR. The 900 were needed in other States, but Bush wants to pad the need for Troops to Pad the need for funds to launder. The Governor and AG refuse to set the record straight. They refuse to properly communicate with those other States who are short on National Gaurd and other Military personel. This fuels the false need for Troops in Iraq. Herbert West III, Publisher/Journalist. west.herb@yahoo.com
Okay, Morrison did the right thing; all you public officials and businessmen/women who are or have been sleeping with subordinates, the ball’s in your court now. when will we be seeing your resignations?
“Of course, the religious rech-wing will never let this die.Posted by: Apophis | December 14, 2007 at 07:41 PM
Kansas: “You would be incorrect once more.
“If there is nothing else involved, i.e. no other legal problems involved with Morrison, as far as I’m concerned the issue is done.
“I’m not going to kick dirt in his face, I’m sure he is feeling badly enough as it is.”
Apophis’ reply:”Incorrect? Once more?
“The troll has again pronounced himself an “expert” in another field!
“DNFTT!”
Apophis, I am sorry, but you started this one. Kansas does regularly post trollish comments, and he made plenty in this thread, but the above was not trollish. Your response, on the other hand, was.
Here is a suggestion. Debate people based on what they say at a given point in a thread, not by the label you assign them, or for that matter assign themselves. Kansas was speaking for himself with regards to Morrison, apparently because he sees himself as a member of the Christian Right (although there have been times when he has said that he is not, and in his defense, he appears to have some nuanced views when he isn’t just trolling).
For example, my response to what Kansas said would have gone something like this:
“I am glad that you are willing to let the Morrison thing rest. I suspect that Phill Kline, on the other hand, as well as some other CR activists, will try to mine it for all that it is worth. It’s just their nature.”
From my point of view, Morrison was very stupid, and he may well get into some trouble yet. He must have felt terribly vulnerable having an affair with a woman who continued to work for Phill Kline, and his reaction to this might well have constituted harrassment. Kline’s appoinment to the Johnson County District Attorney’s office was an incredibly spiteful, and I think politically stupid, act by the JC Republican Party (and hopefully it will cost these nitwits during presinct committee elections). However, when Linda Carter stayed on, Morrison must have been as paranoid as hell.
Like others have said, Morrison needs to be investigated. However, a fanatic, anything goes for the cause creep like Phill Kline should have nothing to do with the investigation (includiing appointing a ’special investigator’, except as a witness.
ksagnostic
There are rules and proceedures for these things.
IF Kline thinks HIS OFFICE was violated, Kline DOES have a say in how to handle that.
Public law enforcement officials are not required to give their enemies a “Pass” on “conflict of interest” grounds alone.
We have laws on search warrants, arrest warrants, trial by jury, jury panel selection, judicial disqualification, etc.
Kline is not perfect.
However, Kline has a job to do. As far at the Morrison/Carter mess is concerned, so far:
Kline’s conduct appears to be professional and appropriate.
The reason why Kline is not Attorney General is because his conduct was not professional. He has used his office to pursue his own political obsessions with regards to abortion and fundamentalist Christian politics. He did it as a legislator, as AG, and he immediately set about doing it as JC DA. The very reason why Kline is DA has to do with personal politics.
Given the strongly adversarial relationship between Kline and Morrison, and Kline’s previous record, IMVSO the professional and appropriate thing to do would be to let outsiders conduct any investigation of Morrison, and to stay as far away from it as possible.
ksagnostic
BULL!
By your standards, nobody that you disagree with can investigate anybody with whom you happen to agree.
Kline has a duty to protect his office.
If Morrison was trying to get details, from his mistress, on cases that Kline was involved with, in the JO DA’s office, the responsibilty rests with KLINE to act on that matter.
I think Kline has acted: he publicly asked the JO Cnty Commissioners to pay for a special prosecutor. The JO Cnty Commissioners agreed with Kline and funded that request.
I’m not a Kline fan but think that he has acted professionally here. The county commissioners looked at the situation and 6-1 voted to fund an investigation. If there is nothing to be found it will go away. If evidence exists such as numerous phone calls to her cell phone as has been alledged then this will come out.
I wish Kline would find a small obscure church to lord over and go away.
“ksagnostic
“BULL!
“By your standards, nobody that you disagree with can investigate anybody with whom you happen to agree.”
I did not say that, and your rush to say that is just a sign of your knee jerk partisanship, write before you think nonsense.
“If Morrison was trying to get details, from his mistress, on cases that Kline was involved with, in the JO DA’s office, the responsibilty rests with KLINE to act on that matter.”
As I said, I think it should be investigated, but Kline should recuse himself from the investigation. Appointing a special prosecuter is a start, but Kline should also delegate the role of appointing the special prosecuter.
“I think Kline has acted: he publicly asked the JO Cnty Commissioners to pay for a special prosecutor. The JO Cnty Commissioners agreed with Kline and funded that request.”
Yes they have. I still stand by my comments about Kline’s history of “prefessionalism”, and about his need to stay out of the investigation except when his input is requested by independent investigators. I’ve already indicated that there is reasonable suspicion that Morrison’s conduct, probably arising from paranoia about his mistress working for his political enemy, may have been more than just an ill considered affair.
Lets all admit that the entire conflict, between Morrison and Kline, is fit to be the basis for a good book, or movie.
Hell, maybe a series, like “Brotherhood” or “Sopranos” or something.
Hey ksagnostic,
Just read your 9:41am post. I agree with you about 80%. With Econ 101 about 50%.
I don’t like Kline. I don’t like him for some of his past prosecutions of some very fine people that I thought were mostly political and self serving. I’m not objective when it comes to him.
I’m rather ambivalent when it comes to Morrison. At least he had the decency to change party affiliation before he got caught fooling around.
That being said, what we can’t lose sight of is that Morrison’s problems are a little larger than the religious right being after him. He’s stepped into some bad doodoo with the EEOC.
jocnomo’s post last night pretty much says it all. It ain’t the religious right against the forces of darkness. It ain’t the self serving massagenous Kline defending sanctity of his office. It’s much simpler and more serious. The feds are involved in this little love fest.
Have they selected the Special Prosecutor in JoCo yet?
Cardinal said:Did you know – Phil Kline’s 13 yr old daughter is named Hillary.
13 years ago….Hillary and Bill were taking office…interesting.
Wrong only in this: the kid is about 16 now.
The question the Cardinal raises is a golden one: Note that Hillary is a rare spelling, most spell that rare name Hilary.
Evidence supporting Thomas Frank’s assertion that Kline was a RINO before he discovered how easy it was to sell the Kline-Aid to the CR.
Ignore this Kansas journalists, such investigation is far beyond your abilities. (See Morrison whitewash)
SEEEEEEEEEEEE YA! NEXT?!!!
Okay, Morrison did the right thing; all you public officials and businessmen/women who are or have been sleeping with subordinates, the ball’s in your court now. when will we be seeing your resignations?
Posted by: Jed | December 15, 2007 at 04:25 AM
I am a judge. I am sleeping with the court clerk. In fact, she probably has the job because she sleeps with me. Oh NO! Terror or Terrors! Employee Harrassement! Sexual harassment! OMG! Oh wait, she is my wife! Hope that’s okay.
Yeah, I know, it was cheap, and stupid,and only midly humurous, but one must occassionally take humor where one can find it.
Morrison was being stupid. Morrison was being dishonest. I voted for Morrison. I never voted for Kline. Morrison is still not the dufus the Kline is, but he did the right thing by resigning. Thank you for regaining your composure,and your reason, Mr Morrison.
I too think that Morrison did the right thing by stepping down. However, I’m curious. How can a woman have an affair with a man for 2 years, and later say it was sexual harrassment? I can’t wrap my mind around that one. If she is an adult and willingly involves herself with a co-worker, even if he is her superior, again, how does that constitute sexual harrassment? Maybe it’s a legal thing that I don’t understand, and it has nothing to do with common sense.
BTW, you boys and your bickering is confusing. For a while there, I was having trouble remembering what the blog was supposed to be about.