Ken Schram: Don't punish the people over a nutcase
When is a state senator not a state senator?
When she happens to be Pam Roach.
Last week the State Senate settled a $1.75 million claim that had been filed because of alleged abusive behavior by Roach.
There will be no financial payout, but the settlement continues a ruling that limits what type of interaction can occur between Roach and Senate staff.
It's another political setback for the contentious Roach, who had been kicked out of the Republican state caucus because of what was described as abusive and violent behavior.
The only reason she was allowed back into the caucus was because Republicans needed her vote during a budget battle in the last legislative session.
There's no question that Roach is sometimes a contentious and divisive force in the senate.
But that should be a matter for the folks of her 31st District to deal with.
Voters there have sent her in Olympia since 1990.
She's up for re-election in 2014.
Senate Republicans may not like how she does her job, but she has been elected to do it.
By limiting and/or handcuffing how Pam Roach goes about serving as a state senator, the real impact will be felt by those she is supposed to represent.
Pam Roach may well be a nutcase, but there's got to be a better way to keep her in line so that the people of the 31st District don't suffer the consequences.
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When she happens to be Pam Roach.
Last week the State Senate settled a $1.75 million claim that had been filed because of alleged abusive behavior by Roach.
There will be no financial payout, but the settlement continues a ruling that limits what type of interaction can occur between Roach and Senate staff.
It's another political setback for the contentious Roach, who had been kicked out of the Republican state caucus because of what was described as abusive and violent behavior.
The only reason she was allowed back into the caucus was because Republicans needed her vote during a budget battle in the last legislative session.
There's no question that Roach is sometimes a contentious and divisive force in the senate.
But that should be a matter for the folks of her 31st District to deal with.
Voters there have sent her in Olympia since 1990.
She's up for re-election in 2014.
Senate Republicans may not like how she does her job, but she has been elected to do it.
By limiting and/or handcuffing how Pam Roach goes about serving as a state senator, the real impact will be felt by those she is supposed to represent.
Pam Roach may well be a nutcase, but there's got to be a better way to keep her in line so that the people of the 31st District don't suffer the consequences.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also connect with Ken on Facebook.
Ken you know very well that the leadership has a right and a responsibilty to punish or sanction any member who is disruptive or not behaving in a manner that is expected of an elected public official. They are very limited as to what they can do. Exclusion and the cold shoulder is about all that can be done to reign someone in. I just wish that democrats would punish some of their errant members instead of rallying around them and pretending that they are victims or courageous heros when they fly off the deep end. Dems have more than their fair share of "NUT CASES". Way more.
I always thought Ms. Roach was sexy. She reminds me of Kris Kardashian.
Hey Ken,
Calling this person a nutcase is no different than calling the Wis. anchor a fatso. Â As a professional, could you have written this article using terms that show you recognize the difficulties of mental illness and the effects it can have on a person's life? Â And how difficult it can be to treat? Â I'm all for her being defeated, but not because she's a "nutcase". Â I realize that part of your persona is to shock and be frank to the point of causing red faces. Â That's why I don't usually read or watch your pieces. Â People call you a liberal, and as a liberal myself, that offends me.
"The only reason she was allowed back into the caucus was because Republicans needed her vote during a budget battle in the last legislative session."
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Well, I guess that tells us all about Republican commitment and values: anything to win. What did they think she was going to do if they didn't let her back into the caucus? Vote Democratic?
The people elected her. Multiple times. Why not punish them?
I find it odd that Ken named this "Dont punish the people over a nutcase". If a "nutcase" uses a gun and kills someone then we "need" more gun control. Even though it will not prevent further "nutcases" from committing crimes, but does punish anyone who want to obtain a firearm legally by making them jump through more and more hoops. Fascinating.
 @KittySmasher Nice catch Kitty. It's just another example of the liberal mind set.
It's enough to make Justin Bieber vomit.
Not sure why Ken Schram thinks anybody values his opinion over anyone else's. Why KOMO gives this idiot a platform to spew nonsense is a mystery to me. At least give another person the same forum to express opposing view points. Yeah right. That will never happen.
Ken doesn't even write this crap. Some intern does. But if Ken says it's so by God it's gotta be so. I don't care about Roach. What I care about is how Ken says don't limit or handcuff Pam Roach - as he calls her a nutcase. Yet Ken tries to crucify Pacific Mayor Sun who Ken doesn't know a dam thing about. Ken couldn't even get Pacific's population right. And to think I used to actually listen to and think Ken knew stuff before I figured out he's nothing but a poser news preacher. Way to go Ken. Come on down to Pacific where we'd gladly give you our own version of a Shrammie in the ass
@711 Cares Not to defend Shram, but I think it's better if people stay out of Pacific....
AND ROMNIE ISENT SHOWING ANGER WHEN HES SAYS HES NOT WORRIED ABOUT LOW INCOME PEOPLE? oh yeah thats angery Ronmie
Romnie is a rich spoiled brat whose kids don't have to worry that they worked their rear off to get a college degree that in this economy and can't get a decent job that pays them just one year of what they and their parents spent for each year of college. Those brats just get to run to daddy. As for insurance it's crap. Even if the jobs out their now offer it it's soo expensive the young people can't afford it.Â
No, Ken.
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The people elected her knowing that she was bonkers. They elected her after she was thrown out of the republican caucus. They elected her knowing she was to be punished.
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They get what they voted for. Let them suffer the consequences. This is what democracy is all about.
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The democrats and republicans within her district had ample opportunity to put forth a more viable candidate, and the PEOPLE CHOSE stupid. The PEOPLE CHOSE crazy. The PEOPLE CHOSE ineffective.
Well if she's that offensive why isn't Ken telling her to resign or encouraging a recall? Maybe the voters put her in office because she's a b*tch and they figured that's what they needed to fight for them? No one seems interested in recalling her. Funny how that goes.
this is sad, scary and the last thing we need !
 @maggie112 One less ineffective republican? How is that a bad thing? She goes crazy, all republicans get a black eye, the crazy people of the 31st don't get representation - because they are so crazy they voted for her.
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The rest of the state gets to ignore her, because she is crazy and a republican.
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Sounds like a fair deal to me.
 @A.V. normal people would have their kids taken away if they show anger! toward schools for example ect. this lady continues to work for people? people that bust their as-"s working and paying taxes, who the heck is thinking what?
 @A.V.  @maggie112 Democrats are genius though right? Didn't they put pictures of Russia's Black Sea Fleet at their convention while Admiral Nathman was speaking.Â
 @maggie112 who the heck is thinking??? Please. These are republicans.
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The republicans don't like Pam Roach so much they sent her to Florida to represent Washington State.
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Or maybe it was because there was going to be a hurricane and she might get blown away. Remember that wicked witch from the Wizard of Oz that the house landed on?
Except, Ken, that she has repeated violated workplace laws by her browbeating, threatening interactions within even her own party. Or have you forgotten that onne of the plaintiffs is on the staff of the Washington State Republican Party?
The woman is a shrew who has repeatedly evidenced poor personal skills when she is told she can't immediately speak to an official that she feels she's entitled to speak to. Staffers have the job of managing their elected official's time. This is no different than a secretary in private business. Roach doesn't believe that she has to deal with staff, that they are, in effect, beneath her.
In a sense, she is the Washington State Senate's very own Dale Washam.
What is the point of a financial payout that won't happen? Did the taxes of her 31st district pay for this nonsense she inflicted to come to this penalty? Or did all of WA pay for that?  If she can't interact with the senate staff then how is she able to represent the 31st district?
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The senate sounds like the unions they hate so muchÂ
She can still cast votes. Whatever "handcuffing" is being done to her within the GOP caucus is irrelevant.Â
Sound like a real hell raiser.
Well like it or not she certainly isn't owned by the Republican party. Can't say the about Tennis Shoe Murray and Can't-do-well who sold their souls to the Democrats and soon after received the Dem-o-bot Lobotomy..
 @Truth Percolates Do you ever actually post anything? It seems all I ever see you do is call people childish names.
What a waste.
 @Fooey Patooey!  Just enjoy the old man yelling at clouds comic relief.Â
 @Fooey Patooey!  @caphillkid i think the 'Dem-o-bot lobotomy' is funny. lighten up - it's only politics...
 @caphillkid Oh, I do. It just sometimes amazes me so much that I have to say something is all.
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LOL!! Â They voted for this awful woman since 1990??? Â Â
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Nutcase doesn't even come close to describing this woman. Â
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You can always see it in the eyes. Â Look at her photo. Â
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Is it me or do republicans always look the part? Â
See it in the eyes? Wow. I'm sure they picked the most flattering photo. Your photo looks quite posed. See it in the eyes lol. Where's your foil hat.
Have you taken a look at "Crazy" Patty Murray?   So, yes, it is just you.
 @ButtercupSprinkles LOL, Andrew Bush speaks before he thinks most of the time! Typical BrownShirt.
@tism Youâre the one wearing the brown shirt.
If someone is sent to the legislative body, and that person serves as such a distraction that the members of that person's own political part disowns them, then there is the obligation of that legislative body to send a clear message to everyone that this person is unacceptable.
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People should applaud the republicans for kicking her out of the caucus.Â
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The problem with our two part system is that people are so caught up in "our team" vs. "your team" that they will defend the crazies just because they are on "our team."
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Member of the GOP should have been more vocal when Perry, Bachmann, and Cain were running to be president, and Romney would be in a better position now because he would have had to say a bunch of crazy crap to rally the crowd that those crazies appealed to.
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They can always go for an inaffective recall attempt like in Pacific ha ha ha
Disagree Ken.
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If this were her first term you might be able to make the case.
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But that she is volatile is not news. They knew who they were voting for and with that vote comes certain risks. This is that risk coming home to roost.Â
I agree Ken, this something for her voters in her district to decide. She should have the freedom to vet her viewpoints even if they do seem abusive at times.
another chance for you to criticize the republicans isn't it Ken?
 @makeadifference Naw. If Ken wanted to criticize the republicans he would have pointed out that Pam Roach was a delegate to the National Convention representing Washington State.
LOL. She must have fit right in there.
I have worked for a wretched human being like this before, I left.
Based on your nutty picture. It's in the eyes, you know. I would have fired you before you had a chance to just leave.
Get off the âputer and climb into your crypt Pam. You obviously need all the beauty sleep that you can muster.
Mrs. Roach is a sad dysfunctional lady with a dysfunctional family (If you want I can list things as I've done in the past). I just do not understand how the people of my area keep electing her other than the R or GOP next to her name.
Maybe because sometimes a crazy nutcase pitbull gets the job done better than a docile pooch?
You obviously believe that Pam. Breathe deeply Pam.
@thebigteacher: I for one would like to hear about it.
@maesmaze
While a 911 dispatcher daughter tried to use her moms influence to get favorable vacation/shift times. It worked at first until the Union had to step in. Daughter started extramarital affair with Trooper. Got pregnant. Trooper left wife to live with daughter. Investigation stymied. Son, addict, possession, drug-trafficking, theft issues, assault. DOC pressured to release him early despite warnings from community corrections officers that such a move would violate agency policy (mom again). Mom, hostile work place, aggressive behavior, rude and discourteous to staff, throwing fits and temper tantrums (like a 4 year old), reprimanded by own party, chastised by own party, caught reviewing staffâs personal e-mails, she has violated Senate rules on at least five occasions and a hand full of senators sent her a letter stating â..it is difficult to be in the same room with youâ. We have had to pay out state money at least twice for her unprofessional behavior. There is a lot more but I would rather not give her fuel, as it is there are a few things Iâve said that might clue her in to who I am. She is very vindictive.Â
 @711 Cares Touched a nerve didn't I. "Your a self deluded idiot", should be you're. You just called yourself an idiot. So at last we agree on something. As to the slave owner comment. I'm French Indian. Métis if you will. French and Onondaga Iroquois more precisely. The French and the Iroquois were not big on slavery.
Pam, Pam, Pam. Now calm down Pam. Breathe deeply Pam. Now even you should know that anything that looks like nepotism can be problematic Pam. Especially in the government Pam.
That's a load of crap. Your a self deluded idiot. You don't "manage" a family. And any parent would intervene on behalf of their children. Keep on topic of Roach and stay off the family. That's just not right. I'd love to get ahold of your perfect family going back generations. Probably some slave owners in your past. Daddy probably beat you into the big teacher. What a joke. If you'd list your real name the family could go after you for libel as the family has privacy rights.
 @711 Cares I disagree. It speaks directly to her ability to manage people and herself. I might feel differently if my family was riddled with dysfunction but I'm a firm believer that if you look at the children you get a view of the parents. Her family also comes into play when Pam directly attempts to intervene on their behest.
Anything her family has done is off limits. Attack her if you want, but you never go after the families. They didn't run for office and they are not fair game. You should know that. No matter what you say the family is up to. The candidate or elected official steps into the limelight and has reduced privacy, but the family well you are totally out of line.
So, basically, she is a good representative for the overwhelming majority of the people of the state, regardless of party... Some families just hide dysfunction better than others...
 @ButtercupSprinkles Can you please show me a family that is not dysfunctional?  Last time I checked, even the man occupying the White House has a pretty dysfunctional family (ie: his parents and his relatives living in the US illegally).  Â
 @sfvcyco  @ButtercupSprinkles Dysfunctional is like the Simpsons, not families that commit civil offenses. Anyway, Obama's aunt, (his only relative living in the US without a Visa) was given a legal pass by the INS.