A man named Michael Allen Ogle from Kansas, who previously pleaded guilty to a violent crime, is now running for the 2nd District seat that will be left vacant by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner.
It’s often referred to as trickle-down politics.
A man from Topeka with a history of violence submitted the required paperwork to run for Congress just a few hours before the deadline on Monday.
According to KSNT, Michael Allen Ogle, a recent entrant in the presidential race, stated that a significant portion of Kansas would most likely vote for a convicted criminal as their leader. Ogle further added that he decided to take his chance and run for the presidency, stating that voters could even choose to vote for two candidates if they wished.
Ogle’s summation of a cynical and dangerous campaign strategy is spot on. What was once considered unacceptable in politics is now being embraced as a badge of honor, particularly after Donald Trump’s convictions in the New York hush money trial. Unfortunately, the bar for acceptable behavior in American politics keeps getting lower and lower. It’s a worrying trend that could lead to disastrous consequences if it continues. As the saying goes, if the bar gets any lower, we’ll all be in the gravel pit with Cricket.
Five Republican candidates, including Ogle, are competing for the open 2nd District seat previously held by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner who has decided not to run for re-election. The district encompasses most of eastern Kansas, except for certain parts of the Kansas City metropolitan area and Lawrence. Meanwhile, two Democrats are also in the race, including Nancy Boyda, who previously held the seat for one term until 2009.
According to court records, Ogle admitted to committing aggravated domestic battery and interference with a law enforcement officer during a drunken Christmas morning domestic dispute in 2019 at his residence in Topeka. Law enforcement officials were alerted to the situation by a family member who reported that Ogle was inside with children, had access to a handgun, and was making threats. Reports indicate that police used rubber bullets to subdue Ogle during the arrest, and one of his dogs was unfortunately fatally shot because it was deemed a threat to officers.
According to the website of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1650 in Topeka, Ogle is a retired Major from the Kansas Army National Guard and a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. As the service officer, he recently addressed a drunken domestic dispute that occurred on Christmas morning in a KSNT interview. He attributed the incident to his struggle with transitioning to civilian life after serving overseas.
Despite multiple attempts to reach Ogle for comment, they did not respond to my requests to discuss the incident.
In a recent post on social media, he challenged the accuracy of KSNT’s reporting.
In a video shared on Facebook on June 5, Ogle clarified the news report by KSNT that accused him of choking his wife. He stated, “Yesterday KSNT news reported that I had choked my wife. I did not say that. What I said was the physical evidence did not match up with me choking anybody on Christmas morning of 2019 given the fact that I am, or was, a United States Army combative instructor.”
The question arises, if his intention was to choke someone, would they have suffered severe injuries or even lost their life? Unfortunately, the video does not provide any further clarification on the matter. It seems as though there is no expression of regret or responsibility. His admission of guilt appears to have been solely for the purpose of resolving the legal case and reuniting with his children.
In the video, Ogle expressed the difficult decision he had to make during the COVID pandemic and the suspension of both the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Kansas. He emphasized that departing from the Constitution imposes harsh realities and people are forced to make tough choices.
Ogle claimed in the post that corruption exists not only in New York courts but also in courts across the board.
Although he didn’t explicitly state that his case was corrupt, the implication was evident. He pleaded guilty, but the insinuation was that he wasn’t truly guilty. He simply couldn’t fight against the system and took the fall for the sake of his children.
According to court records, Ogle was incarcerated for 55 days and received a two-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty. He was made aware of the ban on carrying firearms and was released from probation a year earlier than expected. Ogle expressed his desire for his record to be expunged in an interview with KSNT.
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, individuals with state or federal felony convictions are prohibited from voting in Kansas unless they have had their civil rights reinstated upon completion of their sentence. While felons are not disqualified from running for federal office, the U.S. Constitution does not mention any disqualifications based on criminal history. As per Article 1, representatives must meet specific criteria, including being at least 25 years old, having been a citizen for seven years, and residing in the state they aim to represent.
In 2013, Ogle made a bid for Topeka mayor as a Libertarian candidate and secured 32% of the vote. Despite not winning the election, the Libertarian Party of Kansas deemed his performance as a victory. It is worth noting that Ogle has prior experience running for office.
According to Al Terwelp, the state party chairman, Mike’s campaign was a remarkable example of professionalism, enthusiasm, and organization under the guidance of his campaign manager Bob Cooper. Terwelp also added that the Ogle campaign did the LPKS proud, and Mike’s platform of issues demonstrated the positive solutions that Libertarians can offer to local government.
Ogle’s decision to switch parties must have been a relief for the Libertarians.
Ogle’s GOP campaign is devoid of any signs of professionalism or a solid platform based on issues. Rather, he has clung onto the politics of resentment and attached himself to the decline of democracy.
Although there have been instances of corruption among some courts and judges, even in Kansas, it would be unfair to label all American courts as corrupt. In 2016, Bill W. Lyerla, a magistrate judge in Galena, was found guilty of embezzlement. However, it is important to acknowledge that the American judicial system, while not perfect, is still the best hope for justice that we have. Accusing the entire institution of corruption, as some political candidates have done, is not only intellectually lazy but also panders to certain individuals and groups. Such accusations may lead to political chaos, a problem that is all too common in other parts of the world.
Losing is never an enjoyable experience. It doesn’t matter if it’s a political election or a legal dispute, the consequences can range from mildly annoying to downright catastrophic. However, it can be a learning opportunity if we allow it. The problem arises when there is no agreement on a set of shared rules. If political candidates start to claim that the electoral or judicial system is rigged and that the only fair competition is one that they win, they are eroding the very foundation of democracy. Democracy is built on the principles of a shared set of rules that we all agree to follow in order to govern ourselves.
In a recent Facebook post, Ogle assures his followers to stay tuned for updates. He explains that the authorities are attempting to destroy his reputation and are resorting to desperate measures.
Who does that remind you of?
It’s highly likely that Ogle will face defeat in the primary on Aug. 6, possibly at the hands of Derek Schmidt, the former Attorney General of Kansas and a known Trump supporter who is the most recognizable candidate in the race. However, the real damage has already been inflicted, as convicted felons who feel sorry for themselves have been empowered to run for public office, even in the relatively uneventful state of Kansas. Although it may seem improbable at this point, there is still a scary chance that Ogle could come out on top in the primary and ultimately win the seat.
If you wish, it is possible to cast your vote for two felons.
It’s important to differentiate between violent felons, such as Ogle, and the countless individuals who have been charged with felony offenses for nonviolent crimes that don’t involve a victim, like possession of marijuana in Kansas. If you bring back that Rocky Mountain high from Colorado, you could lose your right to vote if you’re convicted.
Eugene V. Debs is a glaring example of historical figures who were incarcerated solely for expressing their beliefs. It’s a tragic reminder of how the freedom to speak one’s mind can be stifled by oppressive forces.
Debs, a co-founder of the Wobblies, was a Socialist, pacifist, and labor activist who ran for president five times. One of his most renowned speeches was given during his third presidential campaign in 1908 in Girard, Kansas.
Deb spoke of a time when partnership will thrive without the need for control or domination. A time when people will no longer enslave each other, but rather stand together hand in hand as friends.
Debs delivered his speech in Girard, which was the birthplace of the Socialist newspaper, Appeal to Reason. The newspaper had a massive following of over 500,000 subscribers in 1910, and it featured prominent writers such as Upton Sinclair, Jack London, Mother Jones, and Helen Keller. Although its readership waned after World War I, the Appeal to Reason had a significant impact on American political thought during the early 1900s.
President Woodrow Wilson labeled him a “traitor” due to his stance against America’s participation in World War I.
In 1916, Debs delivered a speech at Canton, Ohio, where he encouraged people to resist the draft.
According to Debs, the notion that it is a patriotic duty to go to war and blindly follow the commands of those in power has always been ingrained in us. He highlights the fact that the working class, who bear the brunt of the sacrifices and shed their blood in wars, have never been given a say in the decision to go to war. Their voices have been silenced, and their opinions ignored.
Debs faced charges of sedition and was ultimately convicted.
During the hearing where he was being sentenced, Debs made an emotional appeal.
He stated to the court, “I am not begging for mercy nor seeking immunity. I understand that justice must ultimately prevail. At this moment, I have a profound understanding of the intense conflict between the forces of greed and the uprising group of freedom. I perceive a brighter future of humanity approaching. The masses are stirring, and they will, in due time, claim what is rightfully theirs.”
Debs had acknowledged his connection with all living beings and had come to the realization that he was no superior to the least of us, as he stated years ago.
He famously stated, “I am in the lower class, and as long as it exists, so do I. I am part of the criminal element, and while there are souls imprisoned, I cannot consider myself to be free.”
After being sentenced to 10 years in prison and stripped of his voting rights for life, Debs still managed to run for president from his jail cell at the federal pen in Atlanta. Impressively, he was able to amass approximately one million votes. Eventually, in 1921, President Warren G. Harding commuted his sentence and invited Debs to the White House. It was there that the two met and discussed Debs’ time in prison.
At the age of 70, Debs passed away due to heart failure in 1926.
In the early 1900s, Socialism was a topic of discussion among many Americans, including those in Kansas. Regardless of personal opinions on the matter, it’s worth noting the impact of public statements made by individuals being prosecuted for speaking out. One such individual asked for no immunity or special treatment, but instead used the opportunity to plead for his philosophy.
In contrast to the measured and rational arguments presented by the prosecution, Trump’s statements during the trial were characterized by whining, self-serving, and grievance-filled rhetoric. He repeatedly claimed that the trial was rigged and that the election was stolen, without providing any evidence to support his claims. Trump even went so far as to assert his own innocence in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. His words were those of a political Grendel, seeking to sow chaos and exact vengeance on those who had opposed him. Despite the mounting evidence against him, Trump and his supporters continued to claim that all was corrupt, ignoring the reality of the situation.
On Thursday, Ogle took to Facebook and wrote, “Donald Trump can be a source of inspiration for felons. It’s essential to stand up for yourself and assert your self-worth, regardless of who tries to undermine you.”
What is an inspiration?
The letter penned by Martin Luther King Jr. during his imprisonment in Birmingham remains a powerful source of inspiration. Similarly, the final letters of Aleksei Navalny, written during his time in a Russian prison, are deeply moving. In contrast, nothing Donald Trump has said or done can even come close to matching the profundity, originality, or emotional impact of these writings. His tweets are often embarrassing, his speeches incoherent, and his actions frequently abhorrent.
To rid ourselves of the political monsters lurking in the shadows, we must expose them with the power of truth. It’s essential to acknowledge that the 2020 election was not stolen, and Trump’s trial was not rigged. Regarding Ogle, it is my sincere hope that he finds solace from the inner demons he may have encountered during his deployment. However, it’s undeniable that someone who has admitted to committing the felony of aggravated battery by choking his spouse doesn’t belong in Congress.