Anybody can run for office and anybody can say anything,  -- almost.

Ieshuh Griffin is an independent candidate, running to represent the east side of Milwaukee and parts of Glendale. in the Wisconsin state Assembly. She wants to describe herself on the ballot as "NOT the 'whiteman's bitch.'"

The Associated Press reports --"State law allows independent candidates to have five words describing themselves placed after their names on the ballot as long as it's not pejorative, profane, discriminatory or includes an obscene word or phrase."

Last month, an all-white panel of retired judges on the board that regulates elections said no. Maybe they aren't hip? The retired judges ruled the phrase "whiteman's bitch" to be a racially charged. (Could be considered sexist too.)

Candidate Griffin criticized the all-white panel for not appreciating the significance of her proposed ballot slogan. (If there was a more diverse panel, with, say, a couple of African-American church ladies, Candidate Griffin may have received a sermon.)

Anyway, Candidate Griffin said, the phrase was the phrase she wants to use, and she has a right to use it, because the phrase is protected free speech. So she filed a suit in the federal court. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa, dismissed Candidate Griffin suit, not on the merits, but because, Candidate Griffin filed " a habeas corpus action and those require the person bringing it to be in custody. (She must have her self for a lawyer). Judge Randa said Candidate Griffin's claims should be brought in a civil rights lawsuit. Yesterday, Thursday, Candidate Griffin filed a motion to get Judge Randa replaced due to "judicial disability." (What? He's doesn't understand colorful, earthy street speak? So he's disable?)

Candidate Griffin said of the judge, "He doesn't have the authority to tell me what to file or when to file." (I think she is her own chief adviser too.)

Candidate Griffin said that she has kept her option open to file a civil rights lawsuit after the Nov. 2 election, "if she's not able to get the ballot language approved". In the meantime, the AP reports, "she appealed the judge's decision rejecting her habeus corpus action, (and she said) a lot of people are telling me they support my stand.."

I wonder how many are a lot.