Bold Colors

Response from OH Attorney General on Vote-Switching Machine

2012-12-10T18:32:00.001-05:00

More than a month after Election Day, I finally received a response to my complaint about the vote-switching I witnessed as a poll worker. I personally witnessed a TXS voting machine change votes from Republican candidates to Democrats. I contacted Attorney General Mike Dewine, Secretary of State Jon Husted, The Wayne County Board of Elections, The Ohio Republican Party, and the Republican National Committee. DeWine's "Constituent Services" letter is the first (and only) response I have received.

DeWine's letter says that, "The Secretary of State, as is normal practice, has directed that county board of elections to also conduct a post-election audit to make sure that the voting equipment functioned properly. They will also review your other concerns as addressed in your correspondence to the Attorney General's Office."

Raise your hand if you think this will be a serious investigation. If they were serious, the machines in questioned would have already been secured and investigated. Sounds like business as usual.

December 10, 2012

Dear Paula,

Thank you for contacting the Ohio Attorney General's Office with your concerns about the malfunction of voting machines and other suspicious activity at you're Ohio voting location.

All voting machines that are used in the State of Ohio are certified by the State Board of Voting Machines Examiners.

This board tests and certifies both the hardware and software. Before voting machines are used, they go through an extensive testing called Logic and Accuracy testing. This makes sure that the machines properly function and accurately record any vote that is cast. The Secretary of State, as is normal practice, has directed that county board of elections to also conduct a post-election audit to make sure that the voting equipment functioned properly. They will also review your other concerns as addressed in your correspondence to the Attorney General's Office.

If you have any additional questions regarding the tests done on the machines, you can contact the State Board of Voting Machines Examiners within the Ohio Secretary of State's Office at 614-466-2655. Questions for the Secretary of State can be directed to the Secretary of State at, 1-877-767-6446

Again, thank you for contacting our office. If we can ever be of assistance to you in the future, feel free to contact us.

Very respectfully yours,

Mike DeWine
Ohio Attorney General

Paula K. Armentrout
Director of Constituent Services
614.644.2329

-----Original Message-----

Paula Bolyard
15952 McCallum Drive
Doylestown, OH 44230

November 13, 2012

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine
30 East Broad Street 14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Mr. DeWine,

This past Tuesday, November 6, 2012, I was a Precinct Election Official (PEO) and Republican Presiding Judge in Chippewa Twp., Ohio, Precinct 2 and witnessed the following incidents:

Voter “D” (identity withheld) announced that the machine upon which he was casting his ballot (Unit 0) had changed his vote from Mitt Romney to Barack Obama. At his request, I investigated, along with Democratic PEO Doris Jones. We saw that the machine showed a vote for President Obama. There was no way to determine at that point whether or not the machine had done this on its own or whether the voter had inadvertently touched the wrong spot and voted for Obama. We cancelled his vote and gave him another encoder card, allowing him to vote again. He proceeded to vote without incident and I called and reported the problem to Sue Ann Donahoe at the Wayne County Board of Elections. She said that it may have been a problem with his long sleeves brushing against the touchscreen and changing the vote. She said they had been having some issues with men with big sleeves. I was instructed to turn off the unit it and turn it back on, which I did. Voters continued to use it without further issues.

Not long after that incident, I was on the phone with the Sue Ann working through a problem with a printer on Unit 2. “T”, who was voting on Unit 1, alerted me to a problem with her machine. I again called Doris Jones to assist. The voter said that the machine would not allow her to choose any Republican candidates. Every time she would touch a box for a Republican candidate (including Mitt Romney) the machine would deselect her choice and place an “X” in the box for the Democratic candidate. I was on the phone with Sue Ann throughout this incident, so she heard the entire conversation. I asked the voter to uncheck all the boxes and try again. She repeated her attempt to vote for Republican candidates, only to have the machine change all of her votes to Democrats, this time with two poll workers watching and a board of elections official on the phone. We cancelled the vote and allowed her to cast her ballot on another machine. The malfunctioning machine was immediately closed, along with the first machine that had reported problems. The board of elections sent two new units to replace them. The events were documented on our precinct event log, which Doris and I both signed; Sue Ann said she had also documented it.

While I will not speculate on the reasons for the vote switching, as a Wayne County voter, an Ohio resident, and a Precinct Elections Official, I would like to ask for a formal inquiry into the incidents and request examinations of the two affected machines in my precinct as well as any other machines in the state that received similar complaints. The machines should be immediately secured and kept in a safe location until a time that they can be examined by independent analysts under the supervision of bipartisan witnesses and the board of voting machine examiners.

Confidence in the integrity of our elections is a matter I take very seriously in my capacity as a Precinct Elections Official. I work hard to project the confidence I have had in our system through professional conduct in my precinct on Election Day. Tuesday, my confidence in that system was shaken after seeing a voting machine changing votes before my eyes. I have no idea if it had happened before the reported incidents or if it had happened on other units in our state and that has made me question the outcomes of very important races and issues that our state voted on this week. It’s vital that you thoroughly investigate to determine what went wrong and that you find out how widespread the vote switching was so that you can assure Ohio voters that the problem has been fixed and that it never happens again.

Sincerely,

Paula Bolyard

Ohio Poll Worker's Account of Vote-Switching Machine

2012-11-11T15:12:00.000-05:00

On Election Day, November 6, 2012, I was a Precinct Election Official (poll worker) and Presiding Judge in Wayne County, Ohio. I personally witnessed an electronic voting machine switching votes from Republican candidates to Democrats. Early Friday morning I sent the following letter to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. I sent an identical letter to Nancy Hamilton, Director of the Wayne County Board of Elections. While I don't have any expectations that it will change the outcomes of any of the elections in Ohio, I am very concerned about the reliability of the voting machines and want to see a thorough investigation into the matter. For the record, I'm not speculating about the cause of the vote switching, only testifying to the fact that I saw it happen. And I'm urging the Secretary of State to launch an immediate, thorough investigation.

Letter to SOS Husted/Vote-switching machines

Report: Pres. Obama May Win Ohio Based on Fake Auto Bailout Numbers

2012-10-30T04:00:00.002-04:00

Fact-checking the Ohio Auto Bailout Claims

President Obama and other Democrats are staking Ohio on the auto bailout. If they win here, it will be because they convinced Ohio voters that the economy is improving on President Obama's watch and that Ohio is leading the way as a result of the auto bailout. They're willing to give him another four years to do the same with the rest of the country.

Obama and his Democratic cohort in Ohio have made some bold claims about the success of the $80 million federal bailouts of General Motors (GM) and Chrysler. President Obama told an audience in Dayton that, "If Mitt Romney had been president when the auto industry was on the verge of collapse, we might not have an American auto industry today." In a campaign speech in Toledo in September, Obama said that, “The American auto industry supports one in eight jobs in this state.” This number has been so widely reported that it is never questioned. In a campaign ad, Sherrod Brown claims that the bailout “helped protect 848,000 Ohio jobs” and in a recent debate, he credited the auto bailout with Ohio’s improved unemployment rate, saying, “These are real jobs and real people that's [sic] a big part of the reason that before the auto rescue, well in early 2010, the unemployment in this state was over 10.5%, now it's under 7%."

Not everyone agrees with these rosy jobs reports. In a September interview with the New York Times discussing the improvement of Ohio’s unemployment numbers, Ohio Gov. John Kasich said the Democrats’ numbers are inaccurate:

“But you look at the numbers. I mean, it’s like 700 direct auto jobs. Give them the benefit of the doubt — throw in a couple thousand. But we’re almost at 100,000 new jobs. So I’m glad the auto jobs are here, but let’s not try to paint a scenario that’s not accurate.”

On October 23rd, Kasich told Greta Van Susteren on Fox News that the state had actually lost automotive jobs:

“If you want to look at the auto jobs, we’re actually down 500 auto jobs. So of the 112,000 jobs that have been created, we’re thrilled with the auto industry, that it’s here, there’s been investments, and that even though the footprint is smaller, it’s still strong. I love that. But the numbers just don’t bear out and people should understand that.”

Since the country’s most coveted swing state may be won or lost on the issue of the auto bailout, it’s important that we weigh the numbers in the campaign speeches against the published data related to the auto industry.

Democrats are Cooking the Books on Ohio Jobs Numbers

Claim #1: The Auto Industry Would Have Collapsed Without the Auto Bailout

The president claimed that “The auto industry was on the verge of collapse,” and claims in his Ohio campaign ad that, " "Without President Obama's rescue of the auto industry, Ohio would have collapsed." The fact is that only GM and Chrysler were on the verge of collapse. Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, BMW and Mercedes Benz managed to navigate the same economic conditions GM and Chrysler were laboring under without needing bailout loans. In May of 2008 GM and Chrysler accounted for one-third of auto sales in the U.S.

Auto jobs certainly represented a large percentage of the industry and their “collapse” would have had a serious impact on the economies of auto-dependent states. But saying (or implying) that the entire auto industry was on verge of collapse, or worse, that "Ohio would have collapsed" is an enormous exaggeration. In addition to the implication that all auto manufacturers would have been affected rather than just those representing one-third of U.S. auto sales, the statement also implies that the automotive sector would have collapsed and disappeared completely. That wasn’t an option being discussed at the time. If the bailout had not occurred, Chrysler and GM would have gone through a structured bankruptcy and like other companies who find themselves overextended and heavily in debt, they would have been forced to make some painful decisions, many of them at the expense of union members and pensioners. The bailout avoided many of those difficult decisions, or rather, kicked them down the road for now.

Regardless, Chrysler and GM would not have vaporized into thin air under the traditional bankruptcy scenario. Ohio Senator Rob Portman wrote an editorial in the Cleveland Plain Dealer last week defending Mitt Romney's structured bankruptcy plan for the auto giants: “Romney's goal was to see these companies shed excess costs, clear out old debts and regain their competitive edge, so they could keep building cars and making payroll.” The former president of Chrysler recently said that Romney's plan would have left the companies "better positioned to provide the long-term job security for their employees that only true competitiveness can guarantee, and to grow, adding thousands of new high paying American jobs." Under either scenario, GM and Chrysler would not have gone out of business, though it is fair to debate how they would have been impacted under the various bankruptcy proposals.

Fact: The "entire auto industry" was not on verge of collapse and the entire state of Ohio would not have "collapsed" but for the federal auto bailouts as structured by President Obama.

Claim #2: The Auto Industry Supports One in Eight Jobs in Ohio

The next claim is that the “American auto industry supports one in eight jobs in this state.” As previously stated, this statistic is cited frequently by campaigns, politicians, and the media and is never questioned. However, the numbers just don't add up. According to a September, 2012 Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services report, “Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased ... to 5,187,600 in August.” So we know there are around 5.2 million jobs (total) in Ohio. One in eight of these 5.2 million jobs would be 12.5%, or 650,000 jobs that the auto industry would support if the “one in eight” claim were correct. A February, 2011 report on The Ohio Motor Vehicle Industry from Jobs Ohio said, “The Ohio motor vehicle industry directly employed almost 120,000 workers – 1.8 percent of all employees in the state.” This is far below our target number (650,000), but then the report goes on to list a cluster of industries related to capital equipment, parts, materials, and facilities:

An estimated 37,400 workers in Ohio made goods incorporated into motor vehicles, bodies, trailers and parts, or that were used in the process. Examples of the former include windshields and windows, springs, nuts, bolts, bearings, valves, electronic parts, paints and metal coatings, adhesives, and sealing devices. These were often made of steel, aluminum, glass, rubber, plastics or other chemical products. Examples of the latter include capital equipment and paperboard products.

About 4,100 more non-manufacturing goods-producing jobs – notably in construction – depended on presence of the motor vehicle industry here. Altogether, 161,400 goods-producing jobs in Ohio – 2.4 percent of the total – were directly and indirectly related to motor vehicle production.

Jobs Ohio then adds service sector jobs that are tangentially related to the auto industry:

“An estimated 237,100 – 3.6 percent of all workers – were in service industries related to motor vehicles goods, notably including (but not limited to) transportation, warehousing, wholesale and retail trade, financing and insurance, and repair.”

The report concludes that “Combining the impact of the manufacturing and service clusters means that a total of six percent of all Ohio workers –398,500 of 6,615,100 – were directly and indirectly depended [sic] on the motor vehicle industry cluster for their livelihood.”

So at most, 398,500 jobs (120,000 directly related) are affected by the auto industry rather than the claims of 650,000 (one in eight). The number is inflated by over 250,000.

The 2011 Jobs Ohio number for “all Ohio workers” is much higher than the 5,187,600 cited in the ODJFS report as “nonfarm wage and salary employment,” so we cannot make an exact comparison. But even if we use the lower ODJFS number of 5,187,600 total jobs in Ohio, with 398,500 of them being auto-related, the Democrats' numbers don't add up.

Fact: The highest possible percentage of jobs related to the auto industry in Ohio is 7.6%, far below President Obama's and other Democrats' claims of one in eight jobs, which would be 12.5% of jobs in the state, or around one in thirteen.

Claim #3: The Auto Bailout Protected 800,000+ Ohio Jobs

Next is Sen. Sherrod Brown’s claim that the auto bailout “helped protect 848,000 Ohio jobs.” The concept of protected jobs is an elusive target. There is no way to know what might have happened under a scenario than never actually occurred. Anytime a claim is made that jobs were “saved” or “protected” it’s important to view the claim with the understanding that there is no way to prove whether or not it is true. And at the time of the bailout there was no scenario being proposed that would have resulted in GM and Chrysler completely disappearing from Ohio. It's important to also consider that GM and Chrysler only accounted for 30% of the auto market, so at most, 30% of auto-related jobs (119,550) would have been affected (see previous point).

Fact: There are at most 398,500 auto-related jobs in Ohio, so the claim of 848,000 saved jobs is wildly exaggerated on its face. Even if Sen. Brown were to include all auto-related jobs in the state, no reasonable person could conclude that all the jobs related to the non-GM/Chrysler 70% of the market would have disappeared if Chrysler and GM had not been bailed out, even under the bizarre scenario of both of those companies completely disappearing from the state.

Claim #4: The Auto Bailout is Responsible for the Drop in Ohio's Unemployment Rate

Democrats, journalists, and political pundits have bandied about various versions of Sherrod Brown’s claim that, “a big part of the reason that before the auto rescue...the unemployment in this state was over 10.5%, now it's under 7%.” Ohio has enjoyed a lower unemployment rate (it’s actually 7.2%) than many other parts of the country, though it is still too high, with 400,000 Ohioans still out of work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides historical employment data for the automotive industry, so we can at examine how the industry was affected during the period of the government bailout and the aftermath. The BLS does not calculate all the jobs that are indirectly connected to the auto industry, but their statistics give us a snapshot of the conditions in the state:

State: Ohio Area: Statewide
Supersector: Durable Goods Industry:
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
Data Type:    All Employees, In Thousands
State: Ohio Area: Statewide
Supersector: Durable Goods Industry:
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing Data Type:
All Employees, In Thousands

In January, 2008, at the height of the auto bailout crisis, when GM and Chrysler were negotiating the terms of their bankruptcy with the federal government, there were 99,800 jobs in Ohio in the motor vehicle manufacturing and parts sectors. By August of 2012, the number of jobs had decreased to 74,700, a loss of 25,100 jobs. Again, this number does not include indirect jobs related to the automotive industry, such as insurance companies, auto repair shops, retail establishments, etc. But it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where motor vehicle and parts manufacturing jobs decreased and gains were realized in other sectors of auto-related jobs. There is no reasonable way to conclude that automotive jobs (and therefore the auto bailout) are improving the state’s unemployment numbers when the state has actually lost 25,100 jobs in this sector.

Fact: Claims that the state’s unemployment numbers have improved due to gains in the automotive industry as a result of the federal auto bailout are false.

Claim #5: Mitt Romney Would have Let the Auto Industry Go Bankrupt

This claim isn't a result of the Democrats' poor math skills, nevertheless, it has been an important factor in the Battle for Ohio. A centerpiece of the Obama campaign in Ohio (and other Democratic campaigns in the state and across the country) has been that Mitt Romney would have let GM and Chrysler go bankrupt. An ad running in Ohio says just that, leaving out the fact that the car companies did, in fact, file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy:

Man #1: "Without President Obama's rescue of the auto industry, Ohio would have collapsed."

Man #2: "Mitt Romney would have just let us go under. Just let 'em go bankrupt."

Mitt Romney: "That's exactly what I said. The headline you read which is 'Let Detroit go Bankrupt.'"

Woman: "For him to say, 'Let 'em fail...'"

Man #2: "How you say something like that is just beyond me."

Narrator: "Mitt Romney. Not one of us. "

This has been a grand deception in Ohio. For starters, the headline "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt" in Gov. Romney's editorial was actually chosen by New York Times editors, likely to cast Romney in a negative light. Since then, Democrats have led voters to believe that while Mitt Romney would have let the auto companies go bankrupt, by omission they have led voters to also believe that President Obama's auto bailout did not result in bankruptcy. This is completely false, but most voters don't know it because Democrats don't use the words "bankruptcy" and "auto bailout" in the same sentence unless they are attacking Gov. Romney. Further, they have falsely led the public to believe that Romney did not favor any government role in the restructuring of the auto companies.

Sen. Rob Portman dispelled these myths his Cleveland Plain Dealer editorial last week titled, “A Tale of Two Bankruptcies.” Portman wrote:

“The fact is that in spring 2009, President Obama actually did take General Motors and Chrysler into bankruptcy. So when the president claims that Mitt Romney wanted the carmakers to undergo bankruptcy, he's describing his own policy... "...To save those jobs, Romney proposed a restructuring plan -- backed by a government safety net -- that would have put GM and Chrysler back on their feet. He called for new management and cuts in executive pay and perks. And he proposed that the federal government provide a path forward for the carmakers by backing up loans to help them after bankruptcy filing and assuring car buyers that warranties would be honored.”

FACT: The Democrats have been deceiving voters on the issue of the auto bailout bankruptcy for months and continue to do so. They do this despite the fact that even the liberal-leaning PolitiFact has debunked it.

Conclusion

Ohio is Ground Zero in this year’s presidential race and also has several of the country’s most contested congressional and senate races. Part of the Democrats’ strategy in the state has been to convince Ohioans that the state would have been devastated without the auto bailout, which President Obama, Sen. Brown, and nearly every Democratic congressional candidate supports and which Gov. Romney, Senate candidate Josh Mandel, and most Republican congressional candidates have opposed. Moreover, some candidates and many in the media have claimed that the state’s improved economy and plummeting unemployment rate should be attributed to the auto bailout. For the most part, Republican candidates have not argued with these assertions. Governor Kasich has been one of the lone voices in the wilderness saying that the claims and numbers are overstated.

In studying government reports on jobs in the state, the only realistic conclusion is that the Democrats are overstating and, in some cases, wildly exaggerating their claims. Worse, many of their claims are outright deceptive. While the state would have certainly been negatively affected by a traditional bankruptcy for GM and Chrysler (without the $80 million government bailout), the imagined doomsday scenario in which the companies would have been vaporized, along with 800,000 jobs, is the stuff of magical campaign thinking. Or perhaps good old-fashioned fear-mongering. In the worst case scenario (a scenario never proposed by Gov. Romney) if both GM and Chrysler had disappeared completely and taken with them every last auto-related job corresponding to their 30% share of the market, around 120,000 jobs would have been lost. Most certainly, this would have been devastating for the state and individual families. But it is irresponsible to prognosticate that an entire industry (or an entire state) would have collapsed with the loss of these jobs. In addition, Gov. Kasich claims to have added 112,00 jobs since taking office in 2010, so the state may not have been significantly worse off in raw job numbers.

Democrats are using the auto bailout to take credit for the improved unemployment numbers in Ohio when the jobs statistics tell a completely different story. This has created a false narrative that may affect the outcome of campaigns across the state, including the outcome of the presidential election, which could have dire consequences for our country.

Words and numbers matter, and in this case, they don’t add up.

Cross-Posted at RedState

Elitist Republicans Trash Black College Dropout Appointed to State School Board....Oh, Wait...

2012-06-22T22:44:00.000-04:00

Of course it wasn't the Republicans. We all know better than that. Actually, it was NPR and their liberal buddies:

"Ohio Gov. John Kasich has appointed a television sports commentator and former Canadian league football player to the state Board of Education. "Stanley Jackson, a Republican from Marion, attended Ohio State University and played football there, but does not appear to have graduated, Ohio State spokesperson Amy Murray said."

Kasich appointed Jackson, 37, to replace Dennis Reardon on the 19-member board and serve the final six months of an at-large term. Six months! For this he has incurred the wrath of the Left. The Raw Story carried this headline:

Ohio governor appoints dropout quarterback to state Board of Education

...and then went on to parrot the talking points of Greg at the left-wing Plunderbund blog. I'm guessing Greg has his spandex bike shorts all in a twist because,

"Jackson is not shy about expressing conservative Christian values. "

The blogger managed to dig up a bio on Jackson from...well...he doesn't say and he doesn't provide a link, but it's from a fundraising dinner Jackson attended in April. The bio says that Jackson is the founder of a charter school (if you're keeping score at home, that's two liberal strikes against him). Though the Ohio Department of Education has no charter school fitting the description in Jackson's bio, Jackson gave an interview to WTVN on Friday and explained:

“I have been working on a charter school for over two years now. It’s a process that’s taken a while, it’s not something that you rush through.We are in place to be open in the fall of 2013, so for all the folks that are talking about that, that’s obviously not true as well.”

Strike 3 in Plunderbund's little game is that Jackson has not provided a resume to them. Or offered one to the Grand Liberal Resume God. Note the snarky, elitist comment at the end of the article:

"While we’re sure that “shares the governor’s vision on education” is the only qualification Jackson needed to meet Kasich’s approval, we’re super excited for the big reveal of the OSU star’s resume detailing his educational experience (maybe from his seven years in Canada?) and revealing the Paterson, NJ, athlete’s connection to Governor Kasich. ..Let’s just hope they didn’t entrust the resume to Josh Mandel’s office…" [emphasis added]

This seems to be an obsession with Plunderbund. If you can't win the war of ideas, bury 'em in paperwork. They've been demanding resumes from 35 staffers in State Treasurer Josh Mandel's office. As if no one on their side as ever hired anyone without a resume in hand. Mandel is running against liberal darling Sherrod Brown for the U.S. Senate. Plunderbund has been running a non-stop smear campaign against Mandel. Basically, Ohio's version of Media Matters.

But I digress. The real, actual third strike is that Jackson will be replacing SBE member Dennis Reardon, former executive director of the Ohio Education Association, the state's largest teacher's union. We all know that Ohio Democrats don't believe the maxim that "elections have consequences" and so they will fight tooth and nail to make sure the Republican agenda is defeated, even while we have a Republican governor and majorities in the legislature. The Dispatch reported:

“On any board you want some diversification,” Kasich said, speaking of Jackson’s background and not his race as an African-American. “You want some people who will take a different look at things. The other thing about Stanley, he’d be very impressive going into a lot of schools in this state.”

"Republican state education board members Debe Terhar, Angela Thi Bennett (who was previously appointed to her seat by Kasich), and Republican Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo all called TheDispatch yesterday afternoon to express their support for Jackson. Ohio State football great Archie Griffin, who is president of the school’s alumni association, provided a statement hailing Jackson as a “leader on and off the field” with “strong values” and someone who “champions a team approach.” “Stanley has a wealth of varied experiences that bring a unique perspective that is healthy to any organization,” Griffin said."

Lifetime politician, Democrat Tom Sawyer, stroked his chin in concern, looked down his nose, and added:

“This is certainly something I suspect people will want to take a closer look at. He may be a very qualified person. His background doesn’t sound like historical qualifications for the position, but there are no specific qualifications except a willingness to work hard.”

??? Doublespeak much ??

State Senator Tom Sawyer with Former Ohio State Football Coach Jim Tressel

Sen. Edna Brown of Toledo sniffed that she would “expect a person appointed to serve on that board would have a little more of a background in education.”

Look...something shiny!!

Suddenly, on Wednesday, Plunderbund had a change of heart. It wasn't the black guy's fault, after all. It was all Kasich's fault. Wednesday's headline:

Lay off the QB – Jackson didn’t appoint himself to the State Board

Really, I am not making this up.

"[M]any news outlets have used our information as the source for their own stories (uncredited, as usual). But in a strange round of I-can-dig-up-more-dirt-than-you, Jackson has become the target of unfair attacks on his own character by mainstream media outlets."

(In an interesting twist, Third Base Politics blog had rightly called out the Dispatch for repeating Plunderbud's talking points practically verbatim.)(Like I said, Media Matters of Ohio.)

In other words....STOP BLAMING THE BLACK GUY!! We're liberals, for crying out loud! We can't start sounding like The Man.

BLAMEKASICHBLAMEKASICHBLAMEMANDELBLAMEMANDELBLAMEBUSH...
BLOOD IS SHOOTING OUT OF MY EYEBALLS!!!!!

And besides, no one, I mean NO ONE, disses a former OSU football star in this state.

But of course, Plunderbund was the one who started the trashing in the first place with the snarky little blog post. And in the follow-up post, even implied that his association with a charter school was part of the vast right-wing conspiracy. Something like that.

Here's the bottom line for me. The work of the State Board of Education is difficult and complicated. Much of it is tedious. I've attended SBE meetings and have met with board members and I know how hard board members work. More power to anyone who would willingly take on that job.

But it's not rocket science. It's a completely different animal than rocket science, in fact. As a homeschooling mother (with only a two year degree) I learned how to read and understand the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Administrative Code. I figured out how the legislative process works in Ohio so I could advocate for my children at the state and local level. While a degree in political science or accounting or education may have been helpful, it's not necessary to understand the process of governing our schools. A college degree does not guarantee that one is educated any more than a lack of a degree means that one is uneducated.

I believe that a parent with skin in the game can be a better, more effective school board member than a half dozen others with advanced degrees who are there for the wrong reason. According to Ohio law, all that's required is for this appointee to be a qualified elector who resides in a rural district. In my book, if Jackson is reasonably intelligent, cares about Ohio's children and has the courage to stand up to the demands of the unions and the hissy fits of liberals, he will do a fine job as a member of the State Board of Education.

And one thing we can say with 100% certainty: If Stanley Jackson supported the liberal agenda and a conservative dared raise the issue of his lack of a degree, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would be on the first plane to the Akron Canton Airport.

I'll let you know if there are any sightings in the area. Or if Sasquatch shows up.

Cross-Posted at RedState

Life is Good! Doctors Remove Baby's Tumor In Utero

2012-06-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

What a miracle! A routine ultrasound discovered a tumor the size of a tennis ball growing outside the mouth of Tammy Gonzalez's tiny unborn baby, Lyna. Doctors feared the tumor would continue to grow and cause bleeding, leading to the death of little Lyna. They performed surgery to remove the giant tumor when Lyna was at 17 weeks gestation.

Lyna is now 20 months old and perfectly healthy. Doctors don't anticipate any complications as a result of her prenatal tumor removal.
I do have to make a comment about how completely awkward the anchorwoman sounds at the beginning of the clip saying,

"Doctors are celebrating the first successful removal of a tumor growing from a fetus's mouth."

Really. It's a baby. Just say it.

This is Why People Hate Libertarians

2012-05-25T23:24:00.000-04:00

Politicians send troops abroad to die. Then they bestow fake honor on them at home. It's called Memorial Day. Chances are EVERY member of Congress will be back in their district, pontificating and posing as a patriot, who values the sacrifice of the fallen. Yet... Last week an amendment to end legalized kidnapping failed in the House, 182-238.

And so began a long, detail-pregnant e-mail about Downsize DC's Repeal Indefinite Detention campaign. I understand that it's an issue people have legitimate concerns about, but that's not the point of this post.

The point is that you don't use deceased soldiers, some of whose bodies are still warm, to hustle your issue in a MEMORIAL DAY e-mail!

There are real families who have lost real loved ones and who are in real mourning this Memorial Day. Calling the Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars, and Medals of Honor "fake" is crass and gratuitous and spits in the face of each and every Gold Star Family.

May God protect each and every one of our troops as they "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." And may God grant comfort and the peace that surpasses all understanding to the widows, the mothers, the fathers, the brothers and sisters and the friends of our fallen heroes, especially on this weekend that we honor the brave men and women who "gave the last full measure of devotion" for their country.

And may we all take some time out of our busy weekends of barbecues, baseball, and fun-in-the-sun to thank a veteran and a military family and to remember that the freedom we enjoy comes with a great price.

Then, on Tuesday, we can get back to our Black Ops e-mail blasts about our pet bills.

Cross-Posted at RedState

Male, female, or something different? Obama for America wants to know

2012-05-12T01:29:00.001-04:00

It's not that complicated. Or it shouldn't be. But if you want to apply for a prestigious "Obama Organizing Fellowship," perhaps you should really wrestle and thoughtfully consider your answer to the question below. Even if you think you already know the answer because God gave you certain equipment at birth that makes the answer quite obvious to anyone with eyes and a lick of common sense, you might not know the answer. And lest you think that it's an easy test because there are only two possible answers, understand that Democrats live in a very complicated, confusing world. And as we've seen with Elizabeth Sacagawarren at Harvard, they like it that way because it benefits them and furthers their agenda of dividing our country into a million special interest groups, each with its own special rights. Here's what young would-be community organizers are asked when they sign up to be Obama Organizing Fellows:

Your response to the following question is strictly voluntary and will not be used to promote or discriminate against, among, or between, any potential candidates:

What is your gender?

Female Male Something different Prefer not to answer

I haven't spent a lot of time worrying my pretty little head about this today, but my 40+ years on this earth apparently have not equipped me with the experience or knowledge base to construct a viable answer to the question of what "something different" might be. I probably don't want to know.

What the Democrats and race/gender/class/disability/ethnicity baiters cannot grasp is the complete contradiction in their commitments to both diversity and equality. They cannot mutually co-exist - at least not through artificial manipulation of the system. Obama for America's application makes this obviously clear:

"Obama for America is committed to diversity among its staff, and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. Obama for America is an equal opportunity employer and it is Obama for America’s policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or physical disability, or any other legally protected basis. Obama for America will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited."

How exactly can an organization hire "without regard to sex, race, age," etc. and at the same time consciously be "committed to diversity among its staff" and "retain a diverse staff?" If Team Obama (or any other organization with a similar policy) is color-blind, gender-blind, sexual orientation-blind (?), and not regarding any of these characteristics in its hiring practices, we must ask how they're even aware that they're diverse.

The answer, of course, is that they are not blind to any of the differences between their fellow Americans. Indeed, they seek out the differences, as the question above demonstrates, because they win elections by continuing to divide our country and pit us against each other. For all the talk of wanting everyone treated equally, without regard to race or fad minority status, the professional left is the least likely to treat all equally and without regard to their "status" of one kind or another.

We need to make an issue of this intellectual dishonesty and remind voters that our side is the side that champions equality for all "without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin," as stated in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (a Republican bill, let's not forget). It is the ultimate conservative value to fight for liberty for all. The Democrats and professional left have owned this, illegitimately, for too long.

Cross-Posted at RedState

Free the Cleveland 5 - Occupy Cleveland Supports Its Own

2012-05-08T00:11:00.000-04:00

Despite their statements to the press and on their website attempting to distance the group from the five suspected terrorists who were members of Occupy Cleveland, their presence in court on Monday sent a different message. Members of the Occupy Cleveland community showed up in force today to support the "Cleveland 5" for their first day in court. According to Scene (a local hipster publication):

"By the time the hearing got moving, the rows in the courtroom were at capacity, the overflow against the walls. In the half hour or so before the proceedings began, the hallway outside the chamber was filled with about 60 people. And although adults were sprinkled throughout the group, the majority were young, most hovering around 25 and looking the part. "It could have been a crowd waiting for a college lecture to start, coming in all the twentysomething shapes and sizes. Their haircuts ranged from tidy salon chops to slam pit shaves, ropey dreads to the watercolor shades of a kitchen dye job; beards both undergrad wispy and woodsy thick; skate shoes and loafers; a pair of handmade “Free the Cleveland 5” shirts; heart-a-gram decorated jean jackets; discount bin sport coats studded with slogan buttons; baggy graduation suits that would have fit a few years back; new dress shirts still vertically creased from where they were recently folded on a store shelf."

In addition, more evidence has surfaced tying the suspects to the group in substantive roles. Anthony "Tony" Hayne signed the lease on the $600/month, 2400 sq. ft. warehouse space the group had been leasing to shack up when they were not working a shift at the tent on Cleveland's Public Square (before the city revoked their permit this week). Tony, the self-proclaimed anarchist, who posted as "Anthony8547" on the Occupy Cleveland Forum in February offered to pay the utilities himself, providing the group followed his strict rules (a neo-anarchist?):

RULES: 1. Dry camp 2. no more than 16 hrs at a time there.(resident occupiers will be doing 8 hr shifts at the info tent) 3: Clean up after yourself 4: Non- Violence

Good anarchists are hard to find these days. You can't make this stuff up.

Here's a video of Tony Hayne facilitating a "General Assembly" on 2/13/12. Tony, on the left hand side of the screen, wearing a black stocking cap and holding a cup of coffee, tells the group that they "got the warehouse" and that "today I brought the checks to the guy":

Below is a video showing bombing suspect Brandon Baxter leading a General Assembly on April 11th. The nice young man/community organizer has been keeping up on all the local protests, including those for Trayvon Martin, Justice for Janitors ("a cool day for us to be down here"), striking Red Cross workers, and three tax day protests (RED ALERT! He's a Tea Party member!!). Unfortunately, the sound cuts out about 5 minutes into the video, but it's clear that young Brandon is a leader of the pack:

As I documented here last week, these two have been members and leaders of this group from the beginning.

Note that Occupy Cleveland is featuring a video of Brandon Baxter's arrest as a member of Occupy Cleveland on the front page of its website. I also noted here last week that Cleveland City Councilman Brian Cummins has been in cahoots with Occupy Cleveland since Day 1 of the protests. He admitted last week that he not only knew the bombing suspects, but he worked alongside them. Now, he is attempting to distance himself from the men and the movement itself, saying:

"This is a horrific example in terms of the arrests of how the movement itself failed to identify and understand the dangerous potential of people affiliated with it."

Doesn't he mean it's a horrific example of how HE failed to identify and understand the dangerous potential of people HE was aiding and abetting? No word on whether Cummins was in attendance at the court hearing for the bombing suspects or if he is sporting a "Free the Cleveland 5" t-shirt at Cleveland City Council meetings.

Cross-posted at RedState

Cleveland Bombing Suspect Featured Today on Occupy Cleveland Website

2012-05-02T15:34:00.000-04:00

Although Occupy Cleveland has a nice little statement on its website attempting to distance the group from the terror suspects who were active members of the group, directly below the statement is a video hailing the actions of suspected would-be bomber and Cleveland Occupy leader Brandon Baxter for his March 5th arrest. From the Occupy Cleveland site:

"On the morning of March 5th, Occupy Cleveland, in conjunction with labor and community organizations, marched from Public Square to the Justice Center. Every Monday morning, in a room on the first floor, there is a sheriff auction of foreclosed properties. Our aim was to shut it down. 5 very brave young men (Peter, Jonnie,Brandon, James and Ston) waited in the room where the auction was taking place for their cue...All five were arrested before they finished the mic check, but the demonstrators outside picked it up and made so much noise that people inside couldn’t hear what was going on. The demonstrators were eventually moved from the area right outside the sale, to the sidewalk, but we rallied on that sidewalk for approx. 2 hours. We may not have been successful in shutting it down completely, but we definitely brought a lot of attention to the issue, handing out flyers to everyone who walked by. The 5 were eventually cited for disorderly conduct and released. We celebrated their release, shouted “See ya next week!” to the Sheriff’s deputies, and marched back to the tent."

The Plain Dealer reports that Baxter was arrested for disorderly conduct, skipped his court appearance, and was arrested again the first week of April. He later pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 200 hours of community service. What? Occupying isn't considered community service? Couldn't fellow-Occupier, City Councilman Brian Cummins work something out? Baxter said at the time:

"I took the risk of getting arrested because I feel the powers that be, whoever they might be -- on all levels of government and those who hold corporate power -- are not listening because not enough people are actually taking a stance" against foreclosures. "I was hoping that this would be a great way to get Cleveland more involved by showing the potential that a small group of dedicated people can have in making an impact. Even though we are not in any government position or in Congress, we do have the power."

Apparently, Occupy Cleveland is so proud of their leader and his arrest for their cause that they don't mind featuring him on their front page along with their denouncement of his tactics. Ironic, isn't it? Below are screen shots of the current Occupy Cleveland front page and the section of the YouTube video where Baxter appears (at the end). I've also embedded the full YouTube video of the protest at the end.

Brandon Baxter addresses the crowd

Cleveland City Councilman Worked With Terror Suspects in Occupy Camp

2012-05-02T00:18:00.003-04:00

Cleveland Magazine has just posted an interview from the tents at Public Square in Cleveland with the shell-shocked reaction of the remaining Occupiers on receiving news that their comrades had been arrested for plotting to blow up an area bridge. As I posted earlier today, the men have a clear link to the Occupy Cleveland movement and this article confirms that all five men were regular visitors to the Occupy Cleveland tent in downtown Cleveland.

“I know all those gentlemen – I don’t want to call them gentlemen anymore,” said movement member Robin Adelmann. Some of them spent time with him, manning the tent. “I never really expected that from any of them.”

One Occupier disputes the FBI account of the night of the October 21st arrests, when the FBI says the bomb plotters were trying to stir up violence in the crowd:

"Matthew Revelt, a Cleveland protester who said he was in Public Square on Oct. 21, said the affidavit’s description was accurate, except that the anarchists didn’t advocate violence. “They wanted to get people to get rowdy. They wanted to get people to get loud. They didn’t ask people to act destructive. We might’ve all turned on them [if they had]. They wanted people to get arrested that evening. They wanted to encourage that.”

Cleveland's New Channel 5 reports on the high level of their involvement:

What is perhaps most disturbing is that Cleveland City Councilman Brian Cummins, a vocal and active Occupy supporter, admits that he knew and worked alongside the suspects, even admitting that he knew they were anarchists:

“They wore their anarchist beliefs on their shirt much more than anyone else did,” Cummins said. Baxter and Stafford didn’t talk to him, probably because he was an elected official, Cummings said. “None were very much involved with the strategy of the movement,” Cummins said. “They were more fringe members of the group. People were perturbed with them occasionally.” Like the guys in the tent today, Cummins had begun hearing that Hayne was a “troublemaker, a pain in the ass.” The councilman noted that the Occupy Movement’s open, often leaderless nature makes it hard to kick people out.

Cummins, a member of the Green Party, has been an integral part of Occupy Cleveland's activities since the movement began. He was present on the first day of the "Occupation," offering advice about dealing with the city's laws and regulations and helping them to secure the required permits. In October he invited his Occupier comrades for a personal visit to Cleveland City Hall (I wrote about the field trip here):

"According to #OccupyCleveland, they were personally invited to Cleveland's weekly city council meeting last night by Ward 14 councilman Brian Cummins. He is the only non-Democrat among the 19 council members — he is a Green. According to #OccupyCleveland, "Members of the group received a tour of the grounds and sat in on a City Council meeting that turned out to be mainly about them. The group received a rousing round of applause, as well as the endorsements of many key Council members.

"Cities are going into default, states are going into default, and yet when people go to Congress we're not too big to fail, only banks are too big to fail," says Westbrook.

"The #OccupyCleveland folks shared, "Councilman Cummins made sure to highlight the group’s excellent working relationship with the Cleveland Police Department and its relentless commitment to the consensus process. Councilman Jay Westbrook of Ward 16 expressed his delight to see such a diverse group engaging in their First Amendment rights. Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell of Ward 6 said that she is inspired by the way the movement is engaging in democracy. Councilman Zach Reed of Ward 2 stressed that Cleveland is an important place to see this movement prosper. He was especially impressed with #OccupyCleveland’s steadfast dedication to nonviolence and peaceable assembly."

"Mayor Frank Jackson was also in attendance, seen shaking hands and smiling for #OccupyCleveland’s live feed of the event. The group later received endorsements from Council President Martin Sweeney of Ward 18, Councilman Matt Zone of Ward 15 and Councilman Joe Cimperman of Ward 3."

Apparently, though, the FBI doesn't see any connection between the Occupy groups and the terror suspects:

"Let me be clear, the FBI and Department of Justice are not conducting an investigation of any specific group," said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. "We do not investigate movements or groups, we investigate individuals."

Personally, as someone who sends her husband to work in Cleveland every day, I would like them to be a bit more curious...no...a LOT more curious about what is going on in these camps and how many more violent anarchists they are harboring among them. Someone needs to be asking the leaders of Occupy Cleveland a few basic questions about exactly what level of violence they are willing to tolerate and at what point they would be willing to contact the authorities. Would they have called authorities if they knew what "Tony, Connor, Brandon, Doug and Skelly" had been considering? I'm not convinced that they would have. I must repeat what I posted in my earlier post: there are known members of the group who are vocally opposed to turning criminals over to the police. From the Occupy Cleveland forum:

"Some of us are morally opposed to handing someone over to the cops and consider it a violent act…I can tell you for a fact that at least one other prominent Occupier is strongly opposed to calling police, for the same reasons stated here. Even when someone has committed violence, this person says, putting them through the criminal justice system only imposes more violence.”

And that terrifies me.

Occupy Cleveland Turns to Terror

2012-05-02T00:13:00.000-04:00

Meet Cleveland Occupier Brandon Baxter. A few weeks ago he was one of the few remaining protesters manning the shabby Occupation tent on Cleveland's Public Square. Today he was arrested for plotting to blow up a major bridge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area.

Anthony Hayne is another member of Occupy Cleveland. He was highlighted in an October, 2011 story in the Lakewood Patch about his work trying to spread Occupy Cleveland to the suburb of Lakewood.

This is my home turf. I grew up not far from the bridge they plotted to blow up and my husband works in downtown Cleveland, very close to the other potential targets this group discussed. I attended the original Occupy Cleveland event and reported it here at RedState and also reported the rape of a teen girl in the camp and the group's field trip to Cleveland City Council, where their received a hero's welcome. This is personal for me. Make no mistake. These individuals were associated with Occupy Cleveland and the self-proclaimed anarchists have the EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS as the Occupy movement. The FBI complaint, which contains conversations between the suspects and an undercover agent are filled with the language of the Occupy movement and in fact, the suspects were originally identified at an Occupy event in Cleveland. Here are some details taken from the FBI complaint:

[CHS = Confidential Human Source UCE = Undercover Employee]

"Based on an initial report of potential criminal activity and threats involving anarchists who would be attending an event by a protest group, the Cleveland FBI directed the CHS to attend that event. On October 21, 2011, approximately 6:30 pm, and while the CHS was attending the event, the CHS identified four suspicious males with walkie-talkie radios around their necks. Three of the four men had masks or something covering their faces; one man did not. The men were wearing black or dark colored shirts, had black backpacks, carried the anarchist flags and acted differently than the other people in attendance. The four males were subsequently joined by three more males wearing scarves or towels around their heads. The whole group appeared to be together and was constantly moving throughout the crowd expressing displeasure at the crowd's unwillingness to act violently. During a briefing between the protestors and organizers, the organizers explained who would be arrested emphasizing that they wanted to conduct peaceful civil disobedience. One of the original four men turned away and said "f-k that" before the group of men walked away."

Here's a clip of the 10/21 protest in Cleveland (no time stamp):

Twenty protesters were arrested that night for violating the city's ban on overnight camping. Though I have been unable to track down the names of those arrested (The Cleveland Plain Dealer did not think it was newsworthy to report the names), there was a photo of the criminals when they appeared in court:

Are the terror suspects among those arrested? I don't know, but a couple of them bear a resemblance to those charged in the terror plot.

After the informant made contact with one of the anarchists he met at the 10/21 Occupy Cleveland event, he set up meetings with Doug Wright, and eventually, the other suspects. Here is some of the information gleaned from the investigation:

"Wright explained to the CHS that he and a group of anarchists Wright recruited had been discussing plans involving violence and destruction to physical property in a variety of ways in order to send a message to corporations and the United States government."

"The group of five to six men...wanted to knock the bank signs off the tops of the larger buildings in downtown Cleveland....they needed to make sure everyone knows that the actions was against corporate America and the financial system, and not just some random acts."

"Wright and Baxter decided that doing some kind of attack during the opening of the new Casino in Cleveland would make a good statement. Baxter went on to talk about the G-8 in chicago and the Republican convention in Tampa."

BAXTER: “Taking out the bridge in the business district would cost the...um...would cost the corporate bigwigs a lot of money not just because of structural damage to the bridge but because it’s going to stop a lot of people going to work.”

The conversation then switches gears on March 31st when Baxter, obviously distracted by his work as an Occupier/Community Organizer, complains about the City of Cleveland denying his request for a permit. He makes clear that there is overlap between the anarchists and the Occupiers:

"Baxter then discussed the fact that he believes the city of Cleveland is going to give him a difficult time about acquiring a permit for an upcoming festival. He wants to march on city hall. Baxter said, “I’m going to straight up tell the city we are not playing by your f--king rules.”

"He continued by saying he knew the city was trying to shut them down and that, “if you shut it down we will blow it wide open.” Baxter was also upset because he is presenting the festival as a family friendly event and the city will not support them. When asked about comments Baxter previously had made about how the last few days of the festival were going to get crazy, Baxter replied, “Yea, but they don’t know that.”

At an April 7th meeting, the group discussed blowing up a Klan or Nazi headquarters. The informant said he thought there was one in Wooster or Lodi, which is in "Southern Ohio," 45 minutes away (I will refrain from making comments about the state of public education in Ohio!). The group decided this wouldn't help their cause. Baxter "advised that it would not stop money flowing to the One Percent."

"Wright suggested getting a car that they can drive into the Federal Reserve Bank with C4, and blowing it up. Upon hearing Wright mention blowing up the Federal Reserve Bank, Baxter advised this is now higher scale, and wanted everyone to agree this was an open discussion."

Up twinkles if you agree this is a good idea?

The next meeting was on April 10th and they discussed other targets. They decided against the Cleveland Justice Center because they didn't want to harm "inmates" and anyways, there would be too much security. The next idea was to blow up a cargo ship in Lake Erie so they could "f--k up" some merchandise.

The group thought the Occupy May Day protest would provide not only a good distraction (police would be so busy with that nonsense they wouldn't notice a few random terrorists), but also an alibi:

“He suggested doing it during the “fest” or May 1st, because police will be downtown and not around the bridge. In order to create an alibi, Wright suggested they could be downtown and be seen, then get to the river to blow up something, and then go back downtown.”

Note that they understood that they would be "seen," implying that those at the protest would recognize them and later report they had been in attendance at the rally.

Much more damning is Baxter's confidence that he could lead the crowd away from the site of the explosion:

“Baxter stated that he is rallying in May Day so he could act as a decoy or diversion and move the crowd away from the river so that the police are removed away as well. He agreed that he could move them to another place such as city hall after Wright’s suggestion.”

Baxter was planning to use his position as a leader in Occupy Cleveland to divert attention away from the planned terror attack.

"Baxter stated that they may not have to drive downtown that day because there is talk about setting up a tent city."

In fact, Baxter and his fellow Occupiers were so enmeshed in the culture of Occupy Cleveland that they had to postpone the original pick-up time for the explosives in order to attend an Occupy "festival" in the city:

“Wright further told the CHS that the time of the delivery [of the C4] needed to be changed to either before the start of the festival on Saturday, or sometime on Sunday, April 29, 2012. Wright said that he, Baxter, and C.S. wanted to attend an event associated with the festival and could not make the meeting previously agreed upon.”

Ultimately, the group decided to blow up the bridge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreational Area.

Their plan was to use the May Day Occupy protest as their alibi:

“Wright said that Baxter, (C.S.) [Connor Stevens] and he would be downtown at the festival and should be seen there to help establish an alibi.”

On April 29th, they met at a hotel and purchased what they though was a duffel bag containing enough plastic explosives to take down a massive bridge:

"Approximately twenty minutes after Wright called the UCE, the UCE arrived at the location and the meeting was recorded. In sum and substance the UCE arrived and asked Wright, Baxter and Hayne for the money. Wright gave the UCE $450 and counted it quickly in front of him. The UCE gave Wright, Baxter and Hayne a duffel bag containing the vests, smoke grenades and gas masks. The UCE then opened the two black boxes containing two inert IEDs. "

Occupy Cleveland has the following statement on their Facebook page:

"While the group arrested Monday evening by the FBI were associated with Occupy Cleveland they were in no way representing or acting on behalf of Occupy Cleveland or the event that was planned for later today at the GE Lighting building. The May Day Event that was sponsored by Occupy Cleveland, the North Shore AFL-CIO, Cleveland Jobs with Justice, Fight for a Fair Economy and SEIU Local 1 has been cancelled because of the alleged actions of the autonomous group arrested last night. Occupy Cleveland has had affirmed principles of non-violence since its inception on October 6, 2011."

Of course, coming from a group that cannot arrive at a definition of "violence," a declaration that they are dedicated to "non-violence" gets lost in the noise. For example:

"Some of us are morally opposed to handing someone over to the cops and consider it a violent act...I can tell you for a fact that at least one other prominent Occupier is strongly opposed to calling police, for the same reasons stated here. Even when someone has committed violence, this person says, putting them through the criminal justice system only imposes more violence."

While I'm not at all suggesting that everyone associated with the Occupy movement is a terrorist or that many (or even most) are not dedicated to non-violence, it's now clear after today's event that it can and does harbor anarchists in its midst. Spend some time on their Facebook pages (and check out the profiles of the commenters) or read through their forums and you'll find that you can't swing a cat (or a dog if you're a Democrat) without hitting an anarchist. The Occupy movement's penchant for accepting everyone's viewpoints as equally valid and its unwillingness to say anything is wrong (except the 1% and the Republicans), creates a virile breeding ground for the kind of people who plot to blow up the bridges my husband drives over on his way to work in the morning.

We have to ask, how long before before one of these plots is successful? Though our law enforcement officials did an excellent job of conducting this investigation, it seems like it's only a matter of time until one of them succeeds. When a group like Occupy Cleveland considers turning violent criminals over to police an act of violence itself, they must be considered complicit in whatever results from their inaction.

Pro-Life Senators Stand in the Way of Ending Nearly All Ohio Abortions

2012-04-24T20:20:00.000-04:00

The year was 1985. I was working as a store manager at a shopping mall and after years as a party girl, had begun to take my Christian faith seriously. Whenever I did paperwork in the back room, I would listen to 640 WHLO out of Akron, which at that time was a Christian station. As 20-year-old young woman who had been raised in an agnostic, union-Democrat home, I had never—not even once—considered the issue of abortion in a serious way. Of course, like most girls my age, I had been taught in public school health class that abortion was a way to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy, and as such, it carried with it approximately the same moral implications of birth control pills. That is, approximately no moral implications.

That all changed for me when I was confronted with the horrific truth that abortion snuffs out a human life. That an actual baby, created in the image of God, dies in the process. I first heard that message from Dr. Jack Willke, who in 1985 had (if I'm recalling correctly) a weekly radio program that was syndicated and broadcast on WHLO. Dr. Willke didn't have a powerful speaking voice or impressive rhetorical skills, but his message could not be clearer: abortion stopped a beating heart and killed a human being. Dr. Willke carefully explained both the biblical and the scientific reasons that abortion is a crime against humanity. I was instantly transformed from being agnostic on the abortion issue to being pro-life. Instantly.

All these years later, Dr. Willke is still fighting the good fight, trying to save unborn babies. This week, he has taken to the newspapers in Ohio, fighting for the Heartbeat Bill:

"I'm now 87-years-old and thought I would never live to see the end of abortion. I have renewed hope. After 40 years in the wilderness, we are a senate vote away from the Promised Land of protecting babies whose heartbeat can be heard—more than a school bus full of children each day, tens of thousands of Ohio babies each year. Only one thing stands in the way of the most pro-life bill in America: those who call themselves "pro-life!"

The Heartbeat Bill passed the Ohio House last June. Since then, it has been stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. Republican senators who ran on pro-life platforms and are now refusing to bring the bill to a vote.

Unfortunately, Ohio Right to Life, a de facto wing of the GOP establishment, has been complicit in blocking this bill (see my previous diary on this topic), preferring to regulate abortion, saying that the bill would not hold up to a Supreme Court challenge and that there would be a danger of reaffirming Roe v. Wade.

Dr. Willke, an Ohio Right to Life Board member disagrees:

“While I used to believe there was a danger of reaffirming Roe v. Wade by passing such a protective bill, after 38 years of abortion on demand, I no longer believe that would be the result. Whether Roe is affirmed or not, the results are the same: Unborn babies are killed for any reason virtually any time until their birth. We must not wait any longer to protect babies in our state."

The Heartbeat Bill has widespread support both in Ohio and across the nation. The list of supporters includes Congressmen Jim Jordan and Steve Chabot, State Treasurer (and Senate candidate) Josh Mandel, Dr. James Dobson, Janet Folger, Ken Blackwell, Frank Pavone, Rep. Newt Gingrich, Sen. Rick Santorum, Gov. Rick Perry, Rep. Michele Bachmann, Rep. Louis Gohmert, Rep. Steve King, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Jay Sekulow, Tony Perkins, Gary Bauer, Grover Norquist....on and on. The bill's supporters say it is the most supported bill in America.

The Ohio Senate now has the opportunity to pass historic legislation to make Ohio the state that pushes the first domino that topples the 40 years of reign of terror upon unborn babies in the United States.

The current makeup of the Ohio Senate is 21-12 in favor of the Republicans.

Only 17 votes are needed to pass the most consequential, monumental law related to human life since Roe v. Wade. Pro-life Republicans are holding up the legislation.

Dr. Willke reminds them:

"Because they told us they would end abortion, we sacrificially wrote checks, tirelessly stuffed envelopes, made calls, knocked on doors, distributed ballot cards, and voted these legislators into office. We didn’t elect them to regulate abortion, but to end it. Ohio Senate Republicans can no longer call themselves “pro- life” while refusing to pass the fully protective Heartbeat Bill!"

Dr. Willke poignantly adds:

"At 87, I may not have long to live, but unborn babies with beating hearts have even less time. While the Republican Senate delays bringing this to a vote, babies die. Talk is cheap and abortion regulation is woefully inadequate."

There is also a move by some in the senate to completely neuter the bill by changing it to a mere informed consent law. This would completely cut the "heart" out of the Heartbeat Bill.

Republican senators who are blocking the bill (or trying to neuter it), while claiming to be pro-life, need to be called, emailed and held to account right now. As Dr. Willke said, babies are dying while these senators are strutting around crowing about what a great job they've done at "regulating" abortion.

Now is the time for political courage.

Contact the Ohio senators below and urge them bring the bill to a floor vote immediately. If your senator is not listed, you can find the contact information here.

Senate Pres. Tom Niehaus......614-466-8082   niehaus@ohiosenate.go

Pres. pro tempore Keith Faber........614-466-7584   faber@ohiosenate.gov

Whip Shannon Jones..614-466-9737 jones@ohiosenate.gov

Floor Leader Tom Patton........614-466-8056 patton@ohiosenate.gov

Scott Oelslager...614-466-0626 oelslager@ohiosenate.gov

Peggy Lehner.....614-466-4538   lehner@ohiosenate.gov

Dave Burke........614-466-8049 burke@ohiosenate.gov

Troy Balderson...614-466-8076 balderson@ohiosenate.gov

Kris Jordan........614-466-8086   jordan@ohiosenate.gov

Rubio Supporters Vent Their Frustration

2012-03-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Sen. Marco Rubio might be rethinking his endorsement of Mitt Romney about now. Yesterday, Rubio posted a couple items to his Facebook page, which had nothing whatsoever to do with Romney. The first was a video explaining the importance of repealing Obamacare. It was posted around 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. At first the comments were about Obamacare and the thread was a veritable Rubio love-fest:

Barbara Bannon DeNapoli Hobbs Keeping up the good work for your State of Florida and for the Citizens of the USA. We appreciate all that you have done, are doing, and will do in the future. Bless you Marco Rubio.

Wednesday at 19:36 · · 2

Jose Heinsen Future American President right there, mark my words....
Wednesday at 19:43 ·

Alison Fleming Mr Vice President!! And in 8 years Mr President - I can only hope, pray, wish!!!

Wednesday at 21:35 · · 2

Then, suddenly, during Hannity's show, as Rubio is making his announcement to endorse Romney, the tone changed. No more VP talk:

Ruth Saldana Rohr Bought by the establishment Marco, huh? I thought you were bold and fresh. Lost respect for you. Latinas for Santorum!!

Wednesday at 21:47 ·  ·  8

Ruth Saldana Rohr How much did RINO Romney pay you? What did he promise you?

Wednesday at 21:47 ·  ·  12

Joe Butner Marco Rubio, You have damaged your brand by supporting a Democrat like Mitt Romney, who always seems to struggle to tell the truth. I thought you were smarter than this! I am extremely disappointed in you. You should have never endorsed Etch a Sketch. He can NOT beat Obama!

Wednesday at 22:01 ·  ·  11

Chris Crosby Marco, you just committed political suicide right before out TEA Party eyes!!!
How you can profess that O'CommieCare must be repealed, then endorse the GodFather of it [DNS's words, not mine] is beyond my comprehension... Very, very disappointed in you...

Wednesday at 22:02 ·  ·  15

Karen Sanders Bill Clinton is more conservative than Mitt Romney. What the heck are you thinking?
Wednesday at 22:10 ·  ·  10

The thread weighed in at 248 comments, most of them complaining about Rubio's decisions to endorse Romney. Then on Thursday, Rubio posted a message in support of Ohio senate candidate, Josh Mandel:

Marco Rubio Just 2 days left and we have reached 58% of goal! Support Reclaim America PAC in its efforts to raise $20,000 to help elect Josh Mandel to the United States Senate. https://donate.reclaimamericapac.com/josh-mandel/

Unfortunately for Mandel, this message was lost in the 161 comments, almost of all of them expressing anger, disappointment, and rage at the endorsement. The most commonly used words were RINO, establishment, disappointed, and money.

I removed a few of the comments that were either off topic or used "salty" language, but pasted most of them below. Notice how few of them support this endorsement (you can also count the 'likes'). Many of them make reference to the Tea Party and express their sense of betrayal that their guy could do something like this. More than a few think there is money involved.

Whatever you think about this endorsement, I think we can all agree with the comment above that said Rubio has damaged his "brand" with this move. For all his lofty, Reaganesque speeches, the curtain has now been pulled back and we see that the Wizard of Oz is really a politician, just like most of the rest of them.

On some level, at least to me, this disappointment is a little more profound because the Florida GOP and Charlie Christ played this same establishment extermination game against Rubio in 2010. He understands the game better than most and is willingly playing for the E-Team now.

History will tell if Rubio, the shrewd politician, risked too much with this endorsement. For the sake of the country, I hope his instincts are right this time. For now, his constituents and fans don't think so.

- Adam Amick Sorry, Senator, but your endorsement of Mitt Romney leads me to believe that you/your PAC are not worthy of my money.
  
  11 hours ago · · 12
- Philip Durnin After last night, No.
  
  11 hours ago · · 11
- Brennan Boyack ‎^^LOL
  
  11 hours ago · · 3
- Phil Severin Screw you Marco
  
  11 hours ago · · 6
- Brennan Boyack Yeah Marco, I liked your page cuz I thought you supported liberty. Now I see you support Romney, sigh. *un-liked*
  
  11 hours ago · · 1
- Mary Snyder-Nava I was never a fan of boehner and my previous posts in 2010 show this. I called his office and asked if he was being blackmailed. Honestly, I think all of them are. On Alex Jones show, yesterday, if you can believe Robert (Bob) Fletcher, he bears out my suspicions. saying, in part, 'writing to your congressman is comedy' to them. i might agree as when the non establishment people were sent to the House, the establ. about had a cow. The newbies hadn't been 'compromised' yet and could not be controlled.
  
  11 hours ago · · 3
- Mia Frederiksen What Kevin said!
  
  11 hours ago · · 5
- Ruth Saldana Rohr Sorry, since you turned moderate/lib and turned your back on the base that elected you, you can't be trusted.
  
  11 hours ago · · 8
- Debbie Worthman Maritato Why not give him some of the money Mitt just gave you. This poor guy should walk away from your support, you just showed your true colors!
  
  11 hours ago · · 5
- Jim Gregory Marco is the greatest!
  
  11 hours ago · · 5
- Deborah Owings Googe Would you rather have Obummer again Brennen?
  
  11 hours ago · · 5
- Kevin Delaney Ask Mitt, maybe he has some money for you....I don't.
  
  11 hours ago · · 10
- Deborah Owings Googe Not a tremendous fan of Mitt myself, I want Obummer out of DC!
  
  11 hours ago · · 4
- Maria Mcginnis I dont live in Florida,but after picking Mitt,I would have to think twice,,Romney will not be able to debate Obama,,
  
  11 hours ago · · 5
- Rich Scarpati Romney-Rubio 2012!
  
  11 hours ago · · 5
- Brennan Boyack Deborah, YES!!! A wolf in wolfs clothing is easily protected against. A wolf in sheeps clothing is a lot more dangerous
  
  11 hours ago · · 1
- Andrew Coffield Disappointed by your presidential nod, but I still support Mandel. If anyone else does, go to jobs.joshmandel.com to donate.
  
  11 hours ago · · 1
- William Eisentraeger You as VP will seal the deal..
  
  11 hours ago · · 2
- Jack Bratton Jr I am severely disappointed in you Mr. Rubio. You are no friend of the Tea Party. Nominating Romney is a vote for Obama.
  
  11 hours ago · · 11
- Brennan Boyack I am planning on writing in Ron Paul....
  
  I am also considering just voting Obama... since all the other neocon loons are a lot more scary then him.
  
  11 hours ago · · 2
- Maria Mcginnis You should have supported a better Pres,candidate,,Someone like Newt,he is smart an would have Obama sucking his finger during a debate!!
  
  11 hours ago · · 4
- William Eisentraeger Oh please,Romney will mop the floor debating Obama..
  
  11 hours ago · · 2
- Gavin Rozzi Ruck Fomney
  
  11 hours ago · · 1
- Stephanie Brown Wow, people! He has a right to endorse a candidate! It does not change the great work he is doing! The ultimate goal is to defeat Obama! Get over yourselves and look to the greater goal! Can you actually say any of the nominees are the perfect candidate or who you wanted to be running? I can't. Senator Rubio sees that having this thing drag out to August is a bad thing for our party and our chances of defeating Obama. We can not afford another 4 years of obama executive ordering his way through with the opportunity to destroy this country for a lifetime by appointing 2-3 more supreme court justices. I will happily, Contribute, Senator. I also hope you are tapped for the VP nominee and I hope you accept!
  
  11 hours ago · · 7
- Judy Hensley Purkey You guys do not know what u r talking about. Marco is good for America NOBama is not wake up!!!
  
  11 hours ago · · 2
- Mike Kaiser Rubio, how can you sell us out by supporting that RINO Romney? A MA Republican is still a Democrat by most of the rest of the country. Santorum is the only one deserving the nomination and the seat in the White House!!
  
  11 hours ago · · 6
- Brennan Boyack The ultimate goal is NOT to defeat obama *smh*
  
  11 hours ago ·
- Adam Amick This is REAL simple... You should wait and endorse the nominee the PEOPLE choose, rather than trying to sway opinion of your TEA Party supporters to back the Moderate/Liberal cum Conservative Romney.
  
  After all... He either LIED to the people of Massachusetts to get elected in arguably the most liberal state in the country, or he's lying now... Either way, Mitt Romney is a LIAR!
  
  11 hours ago · · 6
- Kevin Sliwa if you think romney can beat obama you are delusional.
  
  11 hours ago · · 4
- Chuck Reichmuth Reclaim America? Lets see...Rubio voted yes to extend the Patriot Act, voted yes for NDAA, co sponsored PIPA/SOPA, Voted yes for 30,000 US drones. The best way we can reclaim America is to get idiots like this out of office!!
  
  11 hours ago · · 7
- Zak Hill This is the PAC that supports Maobomney the Massachusetts socialist!!! Do Not support it!!!!!
  
  11 hours ago · · 3
- James Denney Ithought you were a conservative. How could you endorse RINORomney?
  
  11 hours ago · · 9
- Debbie Worthman Maritato what happens now Mr. Rubio, the tea party was instrumental in getting you elected, you turned your back on them, who is going to help you in the next election, you better hope Romney offers you a job if he ends up winning, if not possibly there is something for you at Bain
  
  11 hours ago · · 9
- Theresa White Not if he shares your immigration views. Marco, you had me until you spouted your legalization views. NO WAY
  
  11 hours ago · · 3
- Jason Crisp I heard that bogus baloney you were spewing this morning about what a sharp contrast Romney is to Obama. What a crock.
  
  11 hours ago · · 9
- Eagle's Stare You are a sellout by endorsing BIG GOVERNMENT Romney. It looks like you made a deal with the devil by returning the endorsement he made for you. Don't forget you were elected into office by the tea party, and you just alienated your gravy train.
  
  11 hours ago · · 9
- Stephanie Brown Get real, Adam! Also, Romney does have a conservative record. He was able to balance the MA state budget with an 86% dem legislature w/out raising taxes! He understands the difference between states rights and fed rights... If ultra conservative Ann Coulter can not only come around and support Gov Romney, but also right all about the good things he has done, then I can too. He knows how to turn over a failing business - and YES that means shutting down departments and cutting costs! He is the right man at the right time. We can keep him on the right by sending reinforcements to the Senate so conservative bills get sent to the Presidents desk.
  
  11 hours ago · · 1
- James Mertens Thanks for endorsing Goldman Sachs.. Obvious where you stand. People will remember this. Hope you thought about it before doing so. If you are second guessing yourself, you should be.
  
  11 hours ago · · 5
- Ruth Saldana Rohr Good Job, Marco Rubio. You have united- Ron Paul's, Rick Santorum's, and Newt Gingrich's followers. ha ha
  
  11 hours ago · · 2
- Cleta Goerl Brookstein I'm deeply disappointed that you nominated Mitt Romney. I do not feel I can donate anything to you now.
  
  11 hours ago · · 7
- Theo Arechiga Marco, if you hadn't endorsed Romney I would have donated.
  
  11 hours ago · · 8
- Stephanie Brown Sometimes you need to think past the immediate moment.
  
  11 hours ago · · 2
- Ta Mauney I hope he does not back ROMNEY !!
  
  11 hours ago · · 2
- Pat Richesin Maria look at it this way, should Rubio be on the ticket with Romney, Obama can not debate him, Rubio will kick his butt, just like Palin did. And a Romney-Rubio ticket would be a winner, no matter what.
  
  11 hours ago · · 3
- Wendi Tanisha Crain GOOD JOB RUBIO. Nothing wrong with choosing who you think will do the best! Shame you are criticized for your freedom to choose and not be BULLIED by those who have diff OPINIONS! Can you come to CA... we need you LMAO
  
  11 hours ago · · 4
- Diana Downs What a bunch of cry babies. Rubio knows that we have to stop running against each other if we hope to defeat Obama. Anyone with half a brain knows that. Romney is the only one with a chance at the nomination now and the only one with a chance to win in November. Thank you Senator for putting country first.
  
  10 hours ago · · 4
- Sean Riley I really wish you hadn't supported Mitt Romney.
  
  10 hours ago · · 7
- Kelly McKay Hey Rubio. I thought you were conservative. Then I year you came out for Romney. That doesn't sound conservative to me.
  
  10 hours ago · · 10
- Stephanie Brown Romney will be able to debate Obama... So much ignorance on this thread..
  
  10 hours ago · · 4
- Arlene Matush very dissapointed in you Rubio.
  
  10 hours ago · · 6
- Helene Henkel It's a shame you endorsed Romney. Oh well.
  
  10 hours ago · · 7
- Robert L. Bryant Wow, people sure are crazy these days. Look, I'm a Santorum supporter, and if Rubio thinks Romney is better for the job of POTUS, then he and I have a disagreement. You know what though? It's one of the very, very few things that we disagree on. Here's a news flash: no two people are going to agree on everything!
  
  10 hours ago · · 2
- Donna Mauney I am disappointed in your support of Romney too!! I could never donate or support you in any way after THAT endorsement! You just lost all conservative credentials IMO!
  
  10 hours ago · · 2
- Christopher L. Biagi Sr. Mitt Who? Marco Who? Tell you what ask your buddies Mitt or Obama for some cash... oh wait Obama won't have flexibility until after the election... But I bet Mitt greased your palms real good... I would not send any PAC affiliated with you a penny if my own life depended on it.
  
  10 hours ago · · 4
- Ruth Saldana Rohr Yes Oromney will be able to debate Obama, and when Mitt attacks Obamacare,.........
  
  10 hours ago · · 1
- Jesse Cole Penick Sellout
  
  10 hours ago · · 3
- Michael-Daphney Cordeiro Sorry Marco, you betrayed those of us who thought you were a real warrior for liberty. By endorsing Mitt and his Big government libreral ways, its obvious you wussed out so you could gain acceptance by the RHINOS of the Republican party. Being a warrior means to say things that are true, even if its hard.
  
  10 hours ago · · 8
- Karen Smith It seems to me that if people really want OBOOGER voted out, and Americans really want to take their country back... Wouldn't it make sense to drop your doubtful attitudes, because you're candidate is not at the top, and get behind the candidate that is? If we swallow our pride,and bite our tongues, can you imagine what message WE could send to OBOOGER?
  
  10 hours ago · · 2
- Karen Lindsey Now Mr. Rubio you will learn what happens when you dont listen to the people and accept payoff money from Romney. How much did he pay you?
  
  10 hours ago · · 1
- Ryan Forkel As with many people here, I am so disappointed you chose to endorse Romney, Mr. Rubio. Why do people think that he has been so up and down in the polls? Because people are looking for someone besides Romney. Anybody but Romney...And if he does become the nominee (which I hope does not happen) and if he offers you VP, don't do it.
  
  10 hours ago · · 3
- Alan Russell Hope for a brokered convention. I can't believe that after the tea party rally's of 2009-10, the republicans did there best to not put up a Conservative. I don't know what I will do if there is not a brokered convention and a Conservative put up as the nominee. Ryan, DeMint, Several Governor's might do. If not, I don't think I will vote and just take the 4 more years of obama and the death of America...
  
  10 hours ago ·
- Jeff Eyssallenne Wow. The Ron Paul supporter with 30 Facebook accounts is busy today! Go Rubio! Go Romney!
  
  10 hours ago · · 4
- J Alex Hart Rubio can't do it on his own so he's sucking up to the money train. Rubio???? If you need 20,000 why isn't your buddy Romney stepping up? Ha, even he knows you are impotent and neutralized by selling out to the left every time you vote in chambers.
  
  10 hours ago · · 2
- Ginger Sides Springer When you sold us out to Romney, we learned you can't be trusted either! Just like the rest of them that we were counting on! You have all betrayed us!
  
  10 hours ago · · 4
- David Tolias When the debt bubble bursts,like Ron Paul has predicted and a depression sets in, these politicians who caused this mess are gonna catch hell. Rubio, get a real job.
  
  10 hours ago · · 1
- Ruth Saldana Rohr Loving the unity RINO Rubio is bringing to the party.
  
  10 hours ago · · 3
- Kevin Martin Trouble in coocooville??? I LOVE IT!!!! Muhahahaha :-)
  
  10 hours ago ·
- Rebecca Lakerfan Ask Romney to give some of his money.
  
  10 hours ago · · 2
- Jean-Michel Ormand lol, People are getting tired of wasting money on coocoos like Marco Rubio!
  
  10 hours ago ·
- Roy Wallen I loved Marco Rubio, but I question him seriously now, after a Conservative like him endorsed Romney over Santorum.
  
  10 hours ago · · 1
- Linda Womack Woods Forget what you have heard on TV about the the Republicans not liking who they have to choose from. I think we have alot of good canidates to choose from!! It is hard to support just one they all have good qualities. Romney will be great to get us all back to work. Jobs will improve all the other problems. If I can't have Newt, Romney is wonderful !!
  
  10 hours ago ·
- Roy Wallen I seriously lost respect for Rubio when I heard he backs Romney which is the same as Obama!
  
  10 hours ago · · 5
- Hyam Solomon Tea Party turncoat .
  
  10 hours ago · · 7
- Brian Huggins Just browsing through the comments here and It's sounding more and more like the complaints of whiny liberals (which is usually the case on facebook). Sack up guys. The point is to get obama out of office. You guys sound like a bunch of whining libs.
  
  10 hours ago · · 2
- Roy Wallen Linda, Do you're research! Romney was the CEO of a company in Kansas City, MO, and he completely bankrupted the company and the company completely went under, yet Romney wrapped all his wealth in overseas accounts and made out like a bandit!
  
  10 hours ago · · 2
- Joshua Collins I for one applaud his decision to endorse Romney.
  
  10 hours ago ·
- Aloha Sue Reclaim America and you back Romney?? Kind of an oxymoron, isn't it?
  
  10 hours ago · · 11
- Thom Brasuell ‎@ Stephanie Brown I am not sure where you get your information from, but Taxes increased in MA over $700 Million with Romney as Governor. Additionally he took over $500 million in federal tax dollars (from me and you) to start ORomneyCare! Senator Rubio, big mistake!
  
  10 hours ago ·
- Hyam Solomon The RINO's just wants to nominate anothe eunuch like McCain and Rubio is one of them .
  
  10 hours ago · · 7
- Kerrick White Thanks for supporting a RINO like Romney, after everything we went through and accomplished the last 3 years with the new awakening among conservatives. Sell out traitor! Just like the rest of the liars in Washington!
  
  10 hours ago · · 6
- Brian Huggins I find it hard to believe that so many of you complaining on this thread think its such a GREAT idea to do what Newt and Santorum have made clear is their plan which is to have it out on the convention floor 2 months before the big day... Let's get real folks.
  
  10 hours ago ·
- Denise Bussey Wendi shame on the elite establishment Republican leadership and media for shoving Romney down our throats. Trying to convenience us he is the only one. Taking down good people one by one during this primary race. Dirty underhanded lies all over the place and Mitt "Oh I don't have control over that.".... Well then you are not our leader thanks for exposing your self now as having poor leadership qualities. Rubio you have been like a Judas Iscariot. There is nothing I distain more than someone who says they are one thing but turn into the opposite once they have what they wanted from you. I hope you enjoy the vote I gave you it will be the last. How do you look yourself in the mirror? Shame Shame Shame. Those of you on here that referred to Ron Pauls people saying these negtive things you wish it was so. Rubio need to enjoy his benefits now. He won't be re elected.
  
  10 hours ago · · 2
- Richard S. Traegler Jr. Just another phony liar. Save the rhetoric and good luck going down in flames as Romney's VP. Florida is apparently full of BS artists and you are the king of all. Sad, sad sad.
  
  10 hours ago · · 4
- Robert L. Bryant Hey, conservatives, just because he supports Romney doesn't make Josh Mandel any less of a good candidate himself. Good grief. I'm embarrassed by those on here that call themselves conservative.
  
  Politics have become ridiculous.
  
  10 hours ago · · 2
- Brian James Don't expect Rubio to back his constituents when making decisions, as we can see today he only follows the money.
  
  Wonder how much Goldman Sachs paid him for that Romney endorsement.
  
  9 hours ago · · 5
- Eric Armetta Why did you endorse Mitt Romney? You were to be the new, fresh different guy. Not going with the estiblshed elite. I'm very sad.
  
  9 hours ago · · 7
- Stephanie Brown Eric - and who of the current candidates is "new" and "fresh." Get a grip!
  
  9 hours ago · · 1
- Ruth Saldana Rohr I'm so embarrassed that I was so impressed with you. Bold and Fresh my foot. You are an establishment RINO.
  
  9 hours ago · · 7
- Shawn Campbell Showed your true colors with your moderate mitt endorsement. I will not be supporting anymore of your endorsements or your next bandwaggonjumping campaign.
  
  9 hours ago · · 8
- Isabel Matos Marco, Im from Miami and I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR ROMNEY. I know you dont have "un pelo de bobo" but remember this: You got where you are based on your merits not on DC insiders. There is nothing wrong with political aspirations but you dont owe the Bushes anything! They need you more than you need them. Dont let ambition blind or make you forget that We-the-People are the the BOss. Not them. The future of the Republican Party is at stake. There is no appetite for any type of corruption. Give whatever they gave YOU back! THe GOP who has started a war v. us and the TEA PArty wil push back and watch you closely. If you associate yourself to the Progressive agenda (Jeb BUsh, Romney) it will tarnish your brand.
  
  9 hours ago · · 8
- Oscar Gonzalez Disapointed in your endorsement of Romney.
  
  9 hours ago · · 8
- Michael Marty Matarazzo will he support newest Dream Act scam!
  
  9 hours ago · · 1
- Briana Sams Wow, am I disappointed in YOU Mr. Rubio! Mitt Romney shouldn't even be on a republican ticket but I truly thought you belonged there. WRONG! Nice fake job! I hope you don't plan on Tea Party support ever again. (I'm sure MoneyBagsMitt made up for that for now) Enjoy your day on TV while it lasts. Your days as a NON public servant are numbered fella.
  
  9 hours ago · · 8
- Jackie Lewis Melton ty rubio for endorsing mitt..santorum is big government,not a true conservative.mitt is the true conservative in the race !
  
  9 hours ago ·
- Michael McMillin ‎....and to think, I was seriously considering a donation after payday tomorrow.
  
  9 hours ago · · 5
- Ruth Saldana Rohr Michael mcmillin, please give your donation to Santorum. He needs it to fight RINO Rubio, and the rest of the GOP establishment trying to take our vote away from us. I'll be making another donation to Rick tomorrow.
  
  9 hours ago · · 6
- Steven Eddings I wIll not vote for anyone endorsed by rubio...you have demonstrated a pIss poor judgment
  
  9 hours ago · · 5
- Janet Gilbert You all might want to wake up to the fact that the republican party has to win the Senate, keep the House and take the Oval office, or it WILL be over for conservatives of all degrees in this country and maybe around the world. Romney may not be your cup 'o tea, mine either, but I'll damn sure take him over obama. And if you choose to vote 3rd party< if Romney is indeed the rep. candidate, let me thank you ( tons of sarcasm) in advance for putting obama back in. And I fear it would not be for only 4 more.
  
  8 hours ago · · 1
- Briana Sams Santorum is ridiculous as is Mitt Romney. Want a true conservative with a proven track record Newt is the man with the proof and the ability. But I just figured out Rubio isn't interested in Conservative values. He proved that by backing a liberal that can't get elected.
  
  8 hours ago ·
- Kathy Kennedy O'Brien ‎@Janet I will hold my nose and vote for Romney and I agree that Romney would be better than Obama, but just barely. I resent the fact that once more the GOP establishment has shoved another RINO down our throats like McCain. And we all know how well that worked last time. I share your fear that we would be stuck with Obama for more than 4 years. I think he would just appoint himself king for life. It's too bad that the spineless Republicans who are supposed to be representing (like Marco Rubio) us have sold us out.
  
  8 hours ago ·
- Gloria Donley Being a politician is a job so Rubio is just climbing up the ladder by endorsing Romney. What is so special about Rubio anyway?
  
  8 hours ago · · 5
- Kathy Kennedy O'Brien I was shocked and saddened to learn of your endorsement of Romney. You are a big disappointment Senator Rubio. I have been talking you up to all my friends and family and saying that you are the hope for the country's future. But you are just another RINO whose principals can be bought. Or maybe you had us all fooled and you never had any to begin with. I am done with you. Such a shame - you had so much potential.
  
  8 hours ago · · 6
- Camille Larsen Governor Romney is focused on restoring American greatness and making Barack Obama a one-term President. Senator Rubio, your endorsement is a major milestone in that effort. THANKS FOR STANDING WITH MITT!!!
  
  8 hours ago ·
- Steven Eddings ‎@janet.... voting for the lesser of two evils has worked so well in the past right? I for one am tired of voting for the best of two douchenozzles...this time my conscience will be clear, ron paul or nothing
  
  8 hours ago · · 2
- Catherine Walker I vote according to my core convictions which I thought you shared. The GOP doesn't speak for me. Get the message: "We Don't Want Romney!" But, thank you for showing who you really are...it will be good to know the next time I vote. a Floridian Conservative.
  
  8 hours ago · · 9
- Vincenzo Greenbay Packers Barone Keep it up Go Mitt
  
  8 hours ago ·
- Wendy Crisp Unliking your page for you supporting Mitt Romney the RINO. So disappointed in you.
  
  8 hours ago · · 1
- Connie Kanakanake Ledford I hope that Floridians remember all the "outsiders" who got elected for NOT being establishment and then endorsed the Boston RINO lib Romney. Remember them when they come up again for elections ... Rubio, Atwater, Bondi, etc ...
  
  7 hours ago · · 7
- Ellie Jean Bryan WIlliard Mitt Romney?? We do Not want or need a Moderate Liberal. You just ruined your self Marco Rubio.
  
  7 hours ago · · 4
- Corlana McCartney Can't believe you sold out to RINO Romney. What a waste. I'm "unliking" your page. Santorum 2012 Rick Santorum is a genuine conservative.
  
  6 hours ago · · 4
- Mitch Feldman I lost a lot of respect for you, if you are a true Conservative how could you endorse a liberal like Romney over Santorum.
  
  6 hours ago · · 4
- Julie Schwartz I've lost all respect for you. How could you turn your back on the Tea Party, which elected you? I bet you're hoping to be Mitt's VP, and that's why you endorsed him. Shame on you.
  
  5 hours ago · · 2
- Jeff Morgan Thanks, but I will NOT be supporting this. Maybe Josh is tremendous, but after that horrific Romney endorsement of yoursm all other endorsements are suspect.
  
  5 hours ago · · 2
- Joe Butner Yeah Marco, I wouldn't give you a dime my man! You should go ask your Sugar Daddy "Mittens" for an allowance.
  
  4 hours ago · · 3
- Francine Flood So disappointed in your endorsement of Romney! Rick is the one true conservative that can beat Obama! Santorum 2012!
  
  4 hours ago · · 4
- Charles Manning You're joking right? You endorsed the most liberal presidential candidate!
  
  4 hours ago · · 2
- Lynn Metzger I was so proud to see your speech at the SBA dinner a very good one too..and I had hoped you would endorse the people's choice (Rick Santorum) instead of the media choice (Romney)...Romney is not as well liked by the people and I"m sure you think you are helping...however, look at the voting map...go watch Rick Santorum campaign...I would LOVE to see you be his running mate...but alas, I am very, very disappointed in your choice of endorsement. I will be voting for Rick Santorum for many reasons...the one being he is a true conservative who lives out his conservative values and we the people trust him...he wins way more counties than Romney does in every state primary! I really hope you change your mind b/c many Santorum supporters are disappointed in your choice.
  
  3 hours ago · · 3
- Donna Corvino I am very, very disappointed in you on your endorsing Mitt!!! Are you crazy??? What ever happens to the People's choice & not the media choice??? I am guessing you would like to see ORomneycare shove down our throats too!!!! I hope wake up & see Rick Santorum is the best choice!!! Now I won't be supporting you for any of your re-election campaign!!! I WILL STILL BE VOTING FOR RICK SANTORUM ALL THE WAY!!! SANTORUM 2012!!
  
  3 hours ago · · 2
- Eric Armetta at Stephanie, he is that guy. Read my comment again.
  
  3 hours ago ·
- Hyam Solomon to the extent Romney is capable of focus perhaps Camille . Not acceptable . Romney is always a half shaken etch a sketch . He is cluelessly naive and has the sincerity of McCain , the last RINO king . . Booo Marco .
  
  3 hours ago ·
- Briana Sams I sure don't know where you folks get off calling Santorum a conservative. He likes raising taxes as much as Mitt. The only true conservative (documented proof) in this race is Newt Gingrich. I'm still not over my shock and disappointment with Mr. Rubio. But I've seen a few people flip as well that really shocked me.
  
  3 hours ago ·
- Karla Jerry AndSons I saw you on TV a while back saying that you do not believe in Endorsements, that you think that the people need to make the choices, I thought, wow ,there is smart man. Now you come with this late endorsement???? Anyone endorsing at this point is just to please the establishment. The plan right now is to put pressure on the candidates so you can close the deal for Romney. If you had endorsed before the Florida vote, it would had been fine. Right now, you are just proving that you are more for the republican party than for the people.
  
  3 hours ago · · 5
- Bob James Wait a minute...why are we working to elect conservatives if you are supporting Mitt Romney? That doesn't make sense!
  
  2 hours ago · · 1
- Shirley Ramsey So...why would he NOT support Mitt Romney...I know, when this all started "everyone" was more conservative...as it turns out and the true stories come out, turns out Gov. Romney is the most conservative...and HONEST!!! Honesty and experience are great virtues, he has been highly successful at EVERY endeavor in his lifetime...It' time people got over whatever the heck bothers them about Romney (stupid stuff like "he doesn't connect", Rich, Mormon, etc. and look at his CREDENTIALS!!! Much better than the other two who have LIVED off their DC Cronies since QUITTING and Being VOTED OUT!! Take the time to actually READ about Romney...not just repeat what you "heard"!!
  
  2 hours ago ·
- Reyesmontiel Pedro Como esta Marco? espero que todo este bien, le deseo suerte en la justa que se aproxima. Yo por ahora estoy en Afghanistan sirviendo al pais, soy SGT en el army. Me da gusto que este apoyando a Josh mandel, yo lo he estado apoyando tambien. cuando fui de vacaciones aproveche para votar.
  
  2 hours ago ·
- Shirley Ramsey Oh, and By the Way...THANK YOU MARCO RUBIO....I know you don't take your endorsement lightly!!!!
  
  2 hours ago ·
- Jeff Dimmick So sorry to hear that you are endorsing the truly non-conservative candidate Mitt Romney. Many of us had hoped that you would take a stand against the GOP country club establishment and the main stream media's choice Mitt. You promised in the past not to become a part of the Washington "establishment", but by your endorsement you have compromised your principles. If Mitt does in fact become the GOP candidate you will watch a repeat of 2008 and wish that you had stood beside a true conservative instead!
  
  2 hours ago ·

We Haven't Been Giving Obama Enough Credit for Creating Jobs

2012-03-25T01:00:00.001-04:00

Today I watched a few episodes of Doomsday Preppers and Doomsdays Bunkers and realized we haven't been giving President Obama enough credit. He and his cronies and co-conspirators have created an entire industry based upon people's fears that our country is heading toward either an impending total financial collapse, #OWS-style anarchy resulting in a collapse of the social order, or a terrorist attack. In a recent survey of 1007 Americans, more than half said they feared one of these events. The delicious irony is that the prepper movement is causing a Capitalism-driven boom in industries catering to those preparing for the Obamapocalypse.

Doomsday Preppers shows families installing massive underground bunkers the back woods of their properties. Some of these units are impressive. A company called Vivos offers luxury models for individual families and groups:

In addition to the bunker, you need other necessities like generators, waste disposal, food, water and, of course, weapons. LOTS of weapons. If your plan for the Obamapocalyps is to glom off of one of these families, think again. Most of them have impressive arsenals. Oh, and some of them have massive, impenetrable doors, made to withstand a direct nuclear missile attack.

One episode showed a restaurant supply store that expanded its operations because it's now selling large quantities of food to preppers. Lehman's Hardware, in Kidron, Ohio, began as a store selling primarily to Amish; they carry a wide variety of non-electric supplies. Now, in addition to the Amish, they are selling composting toilets and other supplies to those who want to live "off the grid" and they're actively marketing to them. There is also a market for gas masks, firearms classes, camouflage gear....the possibilities are endless. The 1007 who were surveyed were also asked,

Which of the following, if any, have you ever done to prepare for a potential catastrophe?:

Ca-ching!! Somebody is making all of this doomsday equipment, trucks are delivering it to stores, and sales people are selling it, in addition to all the associated overhead processes associated with commerce. Then there is all the labor involved in installing the bunkers, including cranes, concrete trucks, and various contractors. All this translates into jobs.

Sure, pending doom is a non-traditional jobs plan, but a job is a job in these difficult times. So, on behalf of Americans everywhere, including our friends in the Prepper Movement, I say, "Thank you, Mr. President, for creating all these jobs."

Cross-posted at RedState

Robocalls Target Rush and Members of Congress

2012-03-09T01:37:00.000-05:00

I thought when March 6th passed we would be done with the relentless robocalls. Romney has become Public Enemy Number One around here for disrupting breakfast, lunch, dinner, and American Idol with his nasty calls. Unfortunately, someone else has picked up where his attacks left off - The Women of the 99%. Of course, we all know 99% is code for "liberals who want stuff for free" and these women are backing Sandra Fluke, who went to Congress to beg for free birth control for her 1%'er friends at Columbia Law School.

"Hello, this is a message from Women of the 99%. Congressman Jim Renacci is condoning the war on women led by Rush Limbaugh, who has become the de facto leader of the Republican party. Call Congressman Renacci at 330-xxx-xxxx and ask him why he remains silent while Republican spokesman Rush Limbaugh insults, degrades, and verbally abuses women. Tell Congressman Renacci that it's just plain shameful that he that he allows Rush Limbaugh's behavior to continue. We are the Women of the 99% and we won't be silent anymore. "

Apparently, unless you are throwing a public temper tantrum about Rush's inappropriate and malicious comments, you are "condoning" them. By this standard, 99% of the country is guilty.

Renacci wasn't the only member of Congress who was targeted with these calls. Michigan Congressman Dan Benishek was also targeted and I suspect others were as well. We should all feel great compassion for the poor souls who had to answer the phones and listen to the angry rants that resulted from these robocalls.

The angry woman on my answering machine said it is "shameful that Congressman Renacci "allows Rush Limbaugh's behavior to continue." Exactly what is she implying here? That she wants some sort of Congressional action to remove Rush from the airwaves? Of course, if you're playing Alinsky Ball, that's considered a fair hit from the team with the blue shirts.

Don't be surprised to see some new version of the Fairness Doctrine rear its ugly head in coming days. Remember, for committed Leftists, abortion and birth control are religious sacraments, as important to them as religious liberty is to our side. They think they have the ball on the goal line and they're going to throw all they've got into winning this game.

The Romney Smear Machine in Ohio

2012-03-05T21:12:00.002-05:00

In a way, you have to feel sorry for Mitt Romney. His record is nothing to brag about. He was the Founding Father of Obamacare, his fiscal record in MA is a mixed bag, and he's flip flopped on nearly every issue that conservatives hold near and dear. In some ways, he's become the GOP's affirmative action candidate. Everyone knows he's not at the top of the conservative class, but because he can (allegedly) attract the underrepresented independents and moderates, he is given a pass on his shortcomings and a leg up from the GOP establishment and many in the media.

And so, all eyes are turned on the battleground state of Ohio tomorrow. If you live here you, like me, you probably want to throw something every time you hear the name "Mitt Romney." That's because he has outspent Rick Santorum 12-1. My phone has been ringing constantly the past week—up to 8 times a day— almost all of the calls from the Romney campaign or his superpac, Restore our Future. The calls are nasty. Many of them start with, "I have an urgent message about Rick Santorum..." They have the feel of teenage girls gossiping about the head cheerleader at school.

The TV ads are even worse. In one, quotes from Santorum about Title X are taken out of context to give the impression his pro-life credentials are not to be trusted. This was rolled out the weekend before the primary, too late for Santorum to respond.

The ads from Camp Romney have been overwhelmingly negative attack ads against Santorum. Romney is not trying to convince us to vote for Romney—he's trying to convince us to vote against Santorum. Judging by recent shifts in the poll numbers, it appears this vicious carpet bombing strategy is working. Yay for Romney.

I'm not sure how Romney's defenders can defend this. To me, it is a reflection of the candidate's character. Romney's squeaky clean image stretches the bounds of credibility when his almost single-minded campaign strategy is to severely disparage and destroy his opponents. The ability to perform a severe character assassination is not a characteristic I'm looking for in a president. This is the domain of the Left. Our side should be better than this.

If you live in Ohio, I'm asking you to vote for Rick Santorum. Others have made the case for why Santorum is the best candidate here and here. But on the eve of the Ohio primary, as a simple matter of strategy, we must vote for Santorum to stop Romney from being the nominee. Newt has no chance of winning Ohio or any of its delegates. He hasn't campaigned here, I haven't received a single call from his campaign, not a single mailing, and there are no Gingrich signs in Ohio.

A vote for Gingrich is a vote for Romney. Don't waste your vote.

Komen Flap Not About the Loss of Four Kills Per Day In Funding

2012-02-07T21:09:00.000-05:00

Last week in Komen vs. Planned Parenthood, we saw a new episode on the ongoing turf war between two teams that are competing for different turf. One team, the pro-life side, is fighting for the lives of unborn children, whose inward parts are being knit together in their mothers' wombs (Psalm 139:13). The other team claims they are fighting for money. But it's much deeper than that. Let's look at the numbers for a moment.

Planned Parenthood stood to lose around $680,000 in grants from the Susan G. Komen Foundation. In 2010, Planned Parenthood killed 329,445 babies through legal, surgical abortion. At an average cost of $451 per abortion, the organization raked in a stunning $148,579,694 just from abortions. So to make up the loss of that $680,000, Planned Parenthood would only need to increase its "kills" by around 4 per day or 28 per week. How hard could it be to convince 4 more young, vulnerable, poor women per day that the blobs of tissue leeching nutrients from their bodies are going to ruin their lives? The grant from Komen is just a drop in the bucket of Planned Parenthood's $1.04 billion dollar budget. It's not about the money.

It turns out, it's also not about breast exams. In a conference call with the media after the original decision to defund 19 Planned Parenthood affiliates was announced, Komen Chief Executive Nancy Brinker revealed that three would continue to receive funding. The L.A. Times reported that:

"[T]hree Planned Parenthood affiliates, including the one representing Orange and San Bernardino counties, will continue to receive Komen money because they provide services that cannot be replaced through grants to another organization in their area."

In other words, Komen had found other area service providers that could provide the breast exams, so Planned Parenthood's claims that women were going to go without needed exams were bogus.

What this is really about is forced conformity with the choice bullies. They don't just want our money, they want our acceptance. They want every American to affirm that they're right and good and virtuous. They see their mission of loading up children with contraceptives (and disposing of the contents of their wombs when the contraceptives fail) as the highest form of humanitarianism. If you dare to disagree...well...as liberals often do, they redefine the terms. "Choice" means that you choose to agree with them. See how easy this is?

Anu Kumar at the Huffington Post whined that the negative stigma of abortion forced Komen's hand:

" Was it about fundraising? Women's health? Politics? I suggest it is about stigma, specifically abortion stigma that has been deliberately attached to a beloved national institution and household name, Planned Parenthood."

Moreover, they're terrified that the Supreme Court will strike down Obamacare and it's associated abortion and birth control mandates. Dr. Peggy Drexler in the Huffington Post admits that Komen is "Small Potatoes":

"When the Supreme Court hears the constitutional challenge to the ACA, these important protections and advances for women will be a passenger in the considerations. There has been considerable conjecture about the outcomes. Judging by the areas the Justices agreed to hear, they could uphold the law, strike down just the controversial coverage mandates, or go beyond that and rule on other parts of the Act, such as denial due to preexisting conditions. Women are at risk in every possibility. With Komen, klieg lights shone on an attempt to subvert an organization that has long borne the mark of the beast for the religious right. With the Supreme Court, there will be no such illumination -- just lofty discussions of constitutionality. Depending on the results of those discussions, women will win big or suffer badly. Like Komen, the debate will have little do with their needs, or the quality of their care. Unlike Komen, the stakes are universal. The Planned Parenthood flap will come and go in a couple of news cycles, instructive, but ultimately harmless. If the gains for women in the ACA go down with the ship, it may take decades to get them back, if we can get them back at all."

It all needs to go down. The ship, the potatoes, the mandates and the forced contraceptives for Catholics. Let's hope the Supreme Court doesn't collapse like a house of cards the way Komen did under pressure from Planned Parenthood.

The Soulless Nanny State

2012-01-30T22:01:00.000-05:00

Tricia was just trying to take her little boy to preschool when the tentacles of the Nanny State invaded her car and terrified her little boy. The young mother of two little boys, whose husband died suddenly and tragically barely a year ago, has courageously blogged about her journey as a widow. On this day, she was trying to get her son to preschool on time when she went through a yellow light, resulting in flashing lights and an unplanned visit by a police officer:

"Ma'am, obviously I pulled you over for running that red light."

"Yes, I see that. I'm sorry about that."

"License, registration and proof of insurance, please."

I retrieve them all from the glove box. Robb has taught me faithfully to keep them at my fingertips when driving (although I don't think Mr. Citizen of the Year ever needed to call upon them at a moment's notice).

"Ma'am, are your plates expired?"

I recall the sticker that came in the mail.

"No, they're current."

"Well, your registration has expired. This form expired in 2011."

(I wanted to say, and we are roughly 23 days into 2012. Happy New Year.)

"Well, my insurance is up to date, but I think I forgot to put the new card in my car." My husband always did that for me.

"Ma'am, your insurance card is expired as well, but I'm talking about your registration right now."

I can't really listen to what you're talking about right now. Because all I can see is my husband handing me the new insurance card, four months before the old one expired, reminding me to keep both of them in the glove box, just in case.

Oh, how I drove him crazy with my carelessness about such things. "Robb, it's February. I don't need that until April."

"Tricia, put it in there, please. Just... please."

On day three of my forgetting, he would move it from the kitchen counter to my glove box. Just in case.

"Officer, my husband died one year ago. This is a detail he took care of for me. It, um, this one apparently slipped through the cracks. I assure you - everything is current."

"Well, I will need to make sure of that. Do you know that it is a summonsable offense to drive a car with an expired registration? I take people to jail for this."

I could practically hear Tyler's eyebrows shoot through the ceiling as she walked back to her cruiser.

He was terrified. He has one parent left, and this police officer just threatened to take me to jail. I cried. Not because of the threat, not because of the pending ticket, not because I was pulled over at all. I cried because I missed my husband. Tyler asked a million questions.

"Mommy, why did she take your stuff with her?

Where did she go?

Is she coming back

Are you going to jail?

Am I going to school?

Why are you crying?

Are you crying because you're going to jail?"

I'm crying because this is the 'just in case' Robb tried to prepare me for. The officer returned to my window. "Ma'am, I called the DMV, and your registration is in fact current." (I told you it was.) I nod. "But that phone call is not my job, ma'am. That's your job."

Add it to the list. Everything is my job now. [emphasis added]

The police officer added a cherry on top by lecturing her about how short life is and warning her about the dangers of running red lights. As if she didn't know about the fragility and brevity of life on this earth.

Of course, we can argue that the police officer was "just doing her job" and following the state traffic laws. She was. But the patronizing editorializing and threats of jail time for a questionable traffic violation belie an attitude of arrogance that bureaucrats of all stripes seem compelled to lord over their subjects. The Czars of the Administrative State hold the freedom and liberty of the rest of us in the files and computers in their dingy government offices.

Now imagine these same soulless bureaucrats running our healthcare. You'd better hope your papers with the Ministry of Bureaucratic Nighmares are in order at all times lest that emergency heart cath be denied by some faceless paper pusher at the other end of the phone. The only question will be whether you are merely denied coverage or you're also threatened with jail time for not complying with the Department of Obamacare's Nine Circles of the Nanny State requirements. It's a terrifying prospect.

Cross-posted - Redstate

Best Answer in Any Debate Yet

2012-01-27T00:42:00.000-05:00

Rick Santorum had an excellent debate tonight. He left Romney curled up in the fetal position sucking his thumb after his take-down of Romneycare and while Romney and Gingrich were scratching each others eyes out, Santorum stepped in and reminded them that there were actual, real, important issues in the campaign. He was the adult in the room with the squabbling brats.

But there was one moment near the end of the debate where Santorum clearly defined the differences between what we, as conservatives, believe and what Obama believes. Wolf had asked the candidates how their faith would affect their decisions as president. Santorum pointed to our founding documents:

‎"Faith is a very important part of my life and it's an important part of this country. The foundational documents of our country-everyone talks about the Constitution, very important-but the Constitution is the 'how' of America. It's the operator's manual. The 'why' of America, who we are as a people, is in the Declaration of Independence. 'We hold these trust to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.' The Constitution is there to do one thing, to protect God given rights. That's what makes America different than every other country in the world. No other country in the world has its rights based in God-given rights, not government-given rights. And so you say, well, faith has nothing to do with it. Faith has everything to do with it [applause]. If our President believes that rights come to us from the state, then everything government gives you, it can take away. The role of the government is to protect rights that cannot be taken away. And so the answer to that question, I believe in faith, in reason in approaching the problems of this country. But understand where those rights come from, who we are as Americans, and the foundational principals by which we have changed the world." [bold emphasis added]

Can we just stop for a minute and imagine what Obama's pathetic rebuttal to that might be? Because that's at the heart of the debate we need to have in this country.

I think declarations that Newt is the one and only candidate who can take it to Obama in a debate have been both premature and misguided. Santorum has turned in several strong debate performances; the more time he's given, the stronger he gets. And he's able to articulate conservatism without apology. I've said in previous diaries that Newt is an unstable and untrustworthy candidate. I think we saw tonight that he's beginning to crumble under the pressure. I would like to see Santorum given a shot at the title now, before it's too late and we're stuck with one of these other two poseurs.

Cross-posted RedState

Are We Electing a Pastor in Chief?

2012-01-21T04:12:00.001-05:00

When Governor Perry dropped out of the race on Thursday and endorsed Newt Gingrich, he had this to say:

“Newt is not perfect, but who among us is? There is forgiveness for those who seek God, and I believe in the power of redemption.”

Who could argue with that, especially those of us who are Christians? Well, forgiveness isn't really the issue. Newt has not wronged me or most who will read this. We have not personally met him or anyone in his family and his past marital infidelities have not personally affected us. There was no need for him to ask for your forgiveness or mine. Certainly, just as when a pebble is dropped into a pond and there is an ever widening circle of ripples, Newt's adultery and associated bad behavior affected many, many people in his life, so it is likely that there are many people he should have begged for forgiveness when he came to the point in his life where he had a religious conversion (2009) and repented of his former misdeeds.

Pastor John MacArthur explains the difference between a mere apology and repentance:

"Genuine repentance always involves a confession of wrongdoing and a willingness to make things right. An apology often takes the form of an excuse.

"The word apology comes from the Greek apologia, which literally means "a speech in defense of." Apologies are often nothing more than self-defense: "I'm sorry if you took offense, but . . ."

"Genuine repentance is properly expressed in an admission of wrongdoing and a plea for forgiveness: "It was unthoughtful of me to say that. Will you forgive me?"
Be wary of using merely apologetic language in place of genuine repentance."

For what it's worth, wife #2 in this sordid saga, Marianne, has said that she is still waiting for an apology from Newt.

Gingrich told the crowd at the S. Carolina debate on Thursday, “Let me be quite clear. The story is false. Every personal friend I had in that period who knew us said the story is false." He said this in response to CNN moderator John King's question about the "open marriage" allegations Marianne leveled against him in her Nightline interview.

And here's where we get to the distinction between "presidential candidate Newt" versus "husband Newt." Obviously, in almost any divorce situation, there will be a certain amount of 'he said, she said.' The conversation about whether Newt asked his wife for an open marriage was most certainly not made in the company of "every personal friend" Newt is hiding behind in his denial, so his denials are not credible, unless, based upon Gingrich's reputation and trustworthiness, we believe him to be a truthful person. The same goes for Mariannes allegations.

And therein lies the crux of the problem. Newt tells us he's a changed man. He tells us he's had a religious conversion. He tells us that we can believe what he says. Only what he says seems to change from year to year and even week to week and he demonstrates behavior that is inconsistent with the devout Catholic he proclaims to be.

So it's not a matter of whether we forgive Newt. It's a matter of whether we trust him.

While I'd like to take him at his word and I ardently hope for his sake and the sake of his family that his repentance and conversion are sincere, I have serious suspicions that the New Newt has much in common with the Old Newt.

I have previously documented Newt's flip-flops in recent years (sometimes within the same week) on stem cell research and when life begins and on climate change. Here are a few more:

Paul Ryan's budget plan
Health insurance mandate
No fly zone in Libya
Criminal court trials for suspected terrorists
Publicly criticizing Freddie/Fannie while personally profiting as a ~~lobbyist~~ historian
Endorsing liberal Dede Scozzafava

It's not being uncharitable or judgmental to ask why Newt has flip-flopped so often (and so quickly) on so many important issues in recent years. Francis Beckwith, a Catholic professor (and admirer of Gingrich) wrote that he would not endorse him for president. Though he believes that Newt's conversion is sincere, he says his Catholic doctrine teaches that,

"...absolution of sins does not eradicate all the effects and consequences of those sins on the shaping of one’s character. This requires ongoing conversion, including detaching oneself from those things that may provide an occasion for sin.

"It seems to me that a man whose sins arose as a consequence of the pursuit of political power and the unwise use of it after he became Speaker of the House should not be seeking the most powerful office in the world."

Which brings me back around to Marianne. While the CNN debate made for a good show and we all enjoyed watching Newt gnaw off John King's shin, Newt's actual words betrayed a man who has an ugly underbelly. As he was finishing up King's shin and moving up to his kneecap, he said this:

"Every person in here knows personal pain. Every person in here has had someone close to them go through painful things. To take an ex-wife and make it two days before the primary a significant question for a presidential campaign is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine."

For whatever reason, Newt chose not to acknowledge that he was the one who caused the "painful things." He seems to place his adulterous affairs in the same category as losing a loved one to cancer or having a child with a disability. To make it worse, he rips CNN for using "trash like that" in a presidential debate.

Bob Walker, Gingrich's senior political adviser said in advance of Marianne's interview, “That was a very bitter divorce, and you’re talking about somebody who is still, probably, very bitter.”

I don't know what kind of religious counsel Newt is receiving, but the fact that a woman he was married to for 18-years is still so bitter all these years later as a result of his sin against her should cause him great sorrow. As John MacArthur said, true repentance includes "confession of wrongdoing and a willingness to make things right." Instead, Newt lashes out and refers to her story as "trash like that" to level a blow against moderator John King and gain the approval of the crowd. There is no cause for cheering and scoring points when discussing adultery and the death of a marriage.

Doug Wilson, perhaps said it best (the entire blog post is well worth reading) when describing Newt's response to King:

"Newt, in bellicose mode, wasn't having any and said to him, on the contrary, "your network decided to lead off with this question, and it was Disgraceful, Appalling, Reprehensible," or whatever words of high dudgeon he used. "How dare you bring moral indignation into a presidential debate! I'll show you moral indignation." The audience was at first agape, and then it roared to its feet. Is he not whacking a liberal? What's not to like? Despicable is not serial adultery. Despicable is asking about it."

For many, these serious character issues will not be a problem. For me, it's a problem. I want a president who I can reasonably believe will do what he promises to do. One who our allies believe they can trust. Is it too much to ask for a man of character in 2012, or is that an outdated notion? When the history of the next presidency is written, will it tell the story of another Lyndon B. Johnson, or will we elect a Reagan?

Peggy Noonan, in an essay about President Reagan, for whom she was a speechwriter, said this:

"In a president, character is everything. A president doesn't have to be brilliant; Harry Truman wasn't brilliant, and he helped save Western Europe from Stalin. He doesn't have to be clever; you can hire clever. White Houses are always full of quick-witted people with ready advice on how to flip a senator or implement a strategy. You can hire pragmatic, and you can buy and bring in policy wonks.

"But you can't buy courage and decency, you can't rent a strong moral sense. A president must bring those things with him. If he does, they will give meaning and animation to the great practical requirement of the presidency: He must know why he's there and what he wants to do. He has to have thought it through. He needs to have, in that much maligned word, but a good one nontheless, a vision of the future he wishes to create. This is a function of thinking, of the mind, the brain. But a vision is worth little if a president doesn't have the character--the courage and heart--to see it through...."

We are the greatest country in the world. We're not electing a Pastor in Chief, but moral character is an important element in leadership. Moral failure in a president will not only damage the Republican party for years to come, it will demoralize and harm the country I love. Newt is not a risk worth taking.

Cross-posted at RedState

Perry's Path to Victory: WWRRD?

2012-01-10T16:12:00.000-05:00

"I want to let you know that I am one of the many thousands of young people who are working hard to elect Ronald Reagan president of the United States. Our country needs the changes Governor Reagan has proposed. And we surely can't afford four more years of national decline under Jimmy Carter. I would appreciate it if, as a favor to me and to America, you will vote for Reagan for President on November 4."

Erick has occupied considerable bandwith in recent weeks telling the Perry campaign it's time to reboot. Beyond his suggestions for staff adjustments, this diary offers some more specific, strategic suggestions. But let me begin by saying I have no special expertise* except that I'm the mother of a Hillsdale College student who is active in his school's College Republicans (currently a Perry supporter) and another son who is a high school senior who will cast his first vote on Super Tuesday in Ohio. Both were homeschooled for the majority of their education. I've also worked as a volunteer on a lot of campaigns, both old school grassroots and new media, in Ohio, an important swing state, for what that's worth.

WWRRD - What Would Ronald Reagan Do?

In a 2007 article at the Media Research Center, Brent Bozell III described President Reagan's astounding success among young voters and the GOP's subsequent decline with this age group:

"In a [1984] pre-election poll taken for Time magazine, voters aged 18 to 24 said they were backing or leaning toward Reagan by a margin of 45 points – 63 percent to 18 – a lead nearly ten points wider than in any other age bracket....

"... But since then, young voters have swung dramatically and solidly toward the Democrats. CNN exit polls in 2004 showed that John Kerry beat Bush only among voters under 30 (by a 54 to 45 percent margin). In the 2006 elections, young voters gave Democrats a whopping advantage of 60 to 38 percent, far more than any other age group. "

Clearly, the Republicans have a lot of ground to regain. The U.S. Census Bureau tells us there are some 21 million 20-24 year olds in this country - 7% of the population (no details on whether this includes only eligible voters). Most of these weren't eligible to vote in 2000 and many are not yet registered voters.

Reagan recognized the advantage of courting this age group and used their enthusiasm (and manpower) to his advantage. Time is short, but with modern technology, Governor Perry can replicate Reagan's efforts and gain an advantage over his competitors that could provide a path to the GOP nomination.

“There is a new patriotism spreading across our country. So when you're put there, set your sights high . . . Then go for it! Do it for yourselves, for your families, for your country and . . .do it for the Gipper.”

The "Millennials" flocked to Obama in the last presidential election because he offered them hope and change and an iconic vision for the future. In many ways, it's similar to what Carter offered the country after the scandal of the Nixon administration and the leftover frustrations of the Vietnam War. Carter didn't deliver on his promise of a kinder and gentler world. Malaise and the Cold War wasn't what America signed up for. Reagan came along and inspired and encouraged an entire nation and the youth he won in 1980 continue to vote Republican today.

Currently, Ron Paul is the only GOP candidate actively courting young voters and he's attracting libertarians, disenchanted Obama voters, anti-war activist, and new voters who aren't really sure what they believe. While many of Paul's followers are surely ideological purists, much of his success in the polls and in Iowa can be attributed to a group of young voters who just want someone (or something) to believe in and a movement they can belong to or a way to make their world a better place.

Conservatives can and must take back the youth vote and I believe Gov. Perry is the one who can do it. Both his personal charisma and his straight-talking, authentic style will appeal to young voters and on substance, there is room for Perry to convince this generation that conservative, free-market principals are the way to make the world a better place and to inspire them to see, as Hillsdale College's President Dr. Larry Arnn is fond of saying, the good, the true, and the beautiful in America.

So what did Reagan do and What Would Reagan Do in 2012?

In 1986, Reagan was halfway through his second term and mindful that the GOP still needed to court the youth vote. The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote:

"The President plans to meet with groups of high school and college students about once a week for at least the next two months to maintain his special relationship with them and to preach his conservative philosophy. On May 13, for example, he met at the White House with a group of high school seniors from North Carolina, and last week he met with another group of students in a session that was televised live to high schools across the country."

The Inquirer continued with some comments from then-White House Communications Director Pat Buchanan, who said that apart from a desire to establish "a conservative dynasty," Reagan was fond of doing question-and-answer sessions with young people.

"We're working with various formats and testing them out, and when we come to the ideal one, we may do it on a more regular basis. It's something the President likes. He has great rapport with young people."

Dennis Thomas, another senior presidential assistant, said that the administration was trying to "redefine the role of government" and that young people may be the most receptive to Reagan's philosophy of less government involvement:

"If we can achieve a national philosophy that is more in line with Ronald Reagan's view of the world, then we'll have a continuing and a more permanent legacy. That's the purpose of what we're trying to do with young people."

Gov. Perry can do this, too. Of course, he doesn't have the luxury of hanging out on college campuses seven days a week, but he can recruit scores of students who do have that luxury. He can recruit them by speaking on campuses and surrounding himself with young supporters. Begin to change the narrative that Ron Paul and Meghan McCain represent the youth wing and the future of the GOP. It's not true and their loudmouthed followers shouldn't get to define that for conservatives.

The Perry campaign should immediately use part of whatever is left of his cash stash to hire someone to contact the College Republicans (CR), Students in Free Enterprise and every other group of conservative young people they can think of at every school, beginning with S. Carolina and Florida. Secure invitations through these groups to speak at as many schools as possible between now and Super Tuesday (I'm partial to Hillsdale!), but most important, reach out to them. Find students who would be willing to join a special "Students for Perry" team that would receive special emails and text alerts .(My inside expert tells me twice a week is perfect). Let them know they will be receiving special assignments and - this is very important - don't drop the ball. This age group is looking for authenticity, so do what you say you will do.

Ron Paul's people are already doing this because they understand that this age group is not watching TV ads, they do not read mailers, and they are not watching the debates. They are hearing about candidates on Jimmy Fallon and Jon Stewart right now. But Perry can change that if he starts speaking to them directly and creating a volunteer network across the country that will engage in grassroots campaigning via new media targeted to their age group (see Obama: 2010). Imagine if every college campus - or even 20% of them - had a "Students for Perry" group with Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. The impact could be enormous.

A word on messaging...

A 2010 Pew Forum study on religion, politics and social issues found that the Millennial generation is less likely to attend church than their parents, more likely to approve of gay marriage, and more likely to approve of big government solutions to social problems.

So, should Perry change his positions to win their votes? No, silly, that's Romney's job! As Reagan did, Perry should "redefine the role of government" so that "young people may be the most receptive to our philosophy of less government involvement." He should look them in the eye, and as he does better than any other candidate in the race, explain to them that they live in the greatest, most exceptional country in the world and then teach them how we came to be that way.

This generation appreciates and understands stories and narrative rather than charts, graphs, and statistics. They must be taught about "Peace through Strength" by telling them a compelling story of a child suffering in E. Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. They must learn about life before the Cold War ended by hearing stories of American children crouching beneath their desks practicing for the nuclear holocaust in Texas and families digging bomb shelters in their backyards in S. Carolina. Most of them never learned that in school and don't understand that the doctrine of "Peace through Strength" makes America - and the world - a safer place.

That's how we win back the young Ron Paul supporters in the arena of ideas and the way we lure the #Occupy kids out of their tents in the streets.

Finally, the sweatshop of the conservative movement...

A couple years ago my son, Ryan, and I attended a Leadership Institute Youth Leadership School. They were kind enough to let me tag along for free, since I was the driver. First rate organization, first rate training. I learned more useful campaigning skills that weekend than I had in 20 years of active campaigning. Adam Guillette, who led our class that weekend said this:

"Homeschoolers are the sweatshop of the conservative movement."

Now, an overly sensitive homeschooler might have been offended, but Ryan and I knew it was true. We had worked in the trenches on campaigns with other homeschoolers and we knew about this valuable resource. In fact, not long after that class, we worked with a bunch of homeschoolers to help run a primary campaign for a congressional candidate. He didn't really stand a chance against a millionaire car dealer, but we put up a decent effort with almost no money and 5 competitors. My son, then in high school, ran the youth campaign and he and his friend, also in high school, designed the website (yes, shameless bragging).

It seems Rick Santorum learned this secret and used it to his advantage in Iowa. There has been an explosion of homeschool graduates in the past several years and studies have shown that they are more likely to vote, attend public meetings and work on campaigns. Clearly, they tend to be awfully good at reproducing (see: The Duggers) and have much more control over their time than families with kids in school. [Important note: don't even THINK about trying to get your grubby paws on the mailing list. Even if you get it, if you spam the list it will backfire in ways approaching biblical proportions. Ask Michele.]

So while Gov. Perry's youth liaison is working on tracking down those groups, he should have someone tracking down the leaders of homeschool groups in important states. The conversations should go something like this:

"I'm a former homeschooler and I'm with Gov. Perry's campaign. I understand that you may not have made up your mind about this election but I'd like to invite you to join his special email list for homeschooling leaders. As you may know, Texas is one of the most free states in the country for homeschooling. A President Perry would love to spread that message of freedom for homeschoolers across the country. And by the way, we've prepared a packet of educational material and coloring sheets about the primaries for the kids. Would you like us to email it to you and your members?"

[Ryan suggests they should offer coloring sheets on firearm safety...I didn't raise no dummy!]

Then send a personal invitation to Perry's next nearby town hall to that leader and all 9 of his children. Congratulations. You have just launched the "sweatshop of the conservative movement" in that city.

These suggestions may seem counter-intuitive in this day and age of huge, expensive media buys and the traditional path of mailers and coveted endorsements. Courting the youth vote doesn't involve a huge financial investment, but, rather, a change of mindset and vision. As author Suzy Welch recently said on Piers Morgan:

"People end up voting on the the humanity of the candidate. They look at the two people and they say, 'Who do I trust more to get us out of the mess we're in?'"

This is more true of young people than of any other age group. And if they can be inspired, find causes or candidates to believe in, they will walk across hot coals or sleep in tents on city streets for them. When my 20-year-old watched Gov. Perry's rousing speech from the Hannity's Freedom concert he was inspired. Perry's American exceptionalism spoke to him as Reagan's spoke to me when I cast my first vote in 1984, not knowing then whether I was a Republican or a Democrat. I believe Perry can do for the conservatism what Reagan did for it in the 80's. I hope he doesn't let the opportunity pass him by.

Ryan Bolyard contributed to this diary.

*Disclaimer: I'm an Ohio delegate for Gov. Perry.

Instead of a debate, Mitt and Newt should settle this like men

2011-12-23T12:36:00.000-05:00

I would like to suggest a good, old-fashioned dance competition. Last man standing wins the delegates from Guam.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Who Hates Rick Santorum?

2011-12-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

For those not familiar with the name, Dan Savage is a homosexual activist and cyber-bully who spends a pathological amount of time trying to take down Rick Santorum and other social conservatives. He has engaged in rampant, vile cyber-bullying and has even publicly threatened to kill and rape them - all in good fun, of course.

He has hijacked Santorum's name and created a sexually oriented website that is the first search result for "Santorum," thanks to Google bombing - all in good fun, of course.

Savage also supports public outing of his political enemies, including the outing of an 18-year-old who worked on Tom Tancredo's campaign in 2007. All in good fun, of course.

Molotov Mitchell at Worldnet Daily, an avowed "Ron Paul guy," whose "second choice is "Rick - Santorum, that is," thought it might be a good idea to expose "the hollow life form known as Dan Savage."

"Dan Savage is the perfect representative for the gay lobby. A filth-spewing hate activist that claims same sex marriage is beautiful, but then actively brags to the New York Times how he cheats on his spouse. He's a miserable creature, Dan Savage, and in 2003, he went after Rick Santorum."

All in good fun, of course.

UC Davis Pepper Spray Incident - What Really Happened

2011-12-07T22:59:00.001-05:00

Mic check...
Mic check...
If you let them go...
If you let them go...
We will let you leave...
We will let you leave...
From Davis, to Greece, F*** the police!

We've all seen the video clip of the UC Davis police officer calmly hosing down "peaceful" student protesters with pepper spray, as if he were spraying weed killer on his flower beds on a lazy Saturday morning.

What we haven't seen are the events that led to this police action. When seen in context, it's clear that the police used disciplined restraint and it's incredible that nobody was seriously injured.

The protesters had been warned the day before that their tents were illegally occupying the quad and were ordered to remove them. The next day, the protesteres were again ordered several times to remove the tents. When they refused, police proceeded to remove them:

This was clearly a volatile situation. The dozen or so police, who were in riot gear and carrying pepper guns, were seriously outnumbered and being challenged by the protesters, who were constantly in their faces with cameras and were refusing to comply with police orders. The hundreds of students who were swarming the encampment area could have easily overwhelmed the police and one loon in the crowd with a weapon could have turned the situation into a tragedy of Kent State proportions.

Several protesters who attempted to impede the police action were arrested, which angered the protesters. The chanting resumed:

I propose...
That we pass a resolution...
To demand the cops...
Off the quad...

Apparently proper English usage is not a priority at UC Davis.

The group then marched en masse to the area where the students who had been arrested were being held and surrounded the police. The jeering mob attempted to "negotiate" with their hostages, saying they would allow the police to leave if they released the students who had been arrested.

At this point the situation had escalated far beyond a peaceful protest to an angry mob that was threatening the police. The officers were armed, but it was clear throughout the video that they had no desire to harm (or even arrest) the protesters. They waited an excruciatingly long time before they proceeded to use pepper spray on the students and continued to warn them of the consequences if they refused to move.

It was also clear that the students wanted the situation to escalate in order to make the police look bad. Upon being warned that the next step would be pepper guns, one student shouted, "Are you going to shoot students?" which set off angry chants of, "Don't shoot students! Don't shoot students!" One student in the crowd [11:50] says, "Who's got their own?" It's frightening to think what could have happened.

You can imagine what must have been going through the minds of the police officers at that point. I'm sure some of them are parents, perhaps some with children the same age as the protesters. No doubt they've been trained to de-escalate these situations and to use the least amount of force necessary to get everyone out safely while maintaining law and order. At the same time, they've got cameras in their faces recording every word and every move. One wrong move and they'll find themselves on YouTube or worse, in court. They have to make split-second decisions while they are surrounded by an angry mob of students who are screaming and jeering at them.

What could go wrong?

Fortunately, the occupiers decided to release their hostages (as if they had the right to detain them in the first place):

We are willing...
To give you a brief moment of peace...
So that you may take your weapons...
And our friends and go...
Please do not return....
We are giving you a moment of peace....
We are giving you a moment of peace. ..
You can go....
We will not follow you.....
We will let you leave...

These students are too young to remember what happened at Kent State University on May 4, 1970 and who knows what, if anything, they're being taught about that event at UC Davis. Four college students were killed and nine wounded when National Guard troops fired on protesters in the midst of a raucous protest.

A review of history recalls that the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) had spent the months leading up to the Kent State shootings organizing, agitating, and occupying on the KSU campus. The campus had been radicalized in part, through propaganda spread by an SDS manual called "The New Radicals in the Multiuniversity," which laid out the plan:

"The next stage of the movement is the most crucial and delicate -- the formation of a Student Strike Coordinating Committee. There are two pre-conditions necessary for its existence. First, there must be a quasi-radical base of some size that has been developed from past activity. Secondly, either a crisis situation provoked by the administration or a climate of active frustration with the administration or the ruling class it represents must exist. The frustration should be centered around a set of specific demands that have been unresolved through the established channels of liberal action. If this kind of situation exists, then a strike is both possible and desirable."

The result of course, was a campus that became a powder keg. The shootings were the culmination of months of escalation by radicals disregarding the rule of law and provoking police and university authorities. Whether or not the National Guard members were justified in firing on the students is the subject of another discussion. However, the lesson of Kent State remains: intentional escalation by radical activists can lead to volatile and sometimes dangerous situations. Backing the police into a corner and detaining them in order to flex your muscles is not an exercise of your first amendment rights.

The students at UC Davis seem oblivious to the fact that they are putting everyone involved in danger. They are laughing and joking, acting as if nothing could possibly go wrong in this angry mob scene. History tells us otherwise when the rule of law is ignored and radicals take over.

Students lob a tear gas canister back at Ohio National Guard troops on May 4, 1970, the date that four students were shot and killed and nine others wounded|Chuck Ayers/Kent State University Archives

The Arrogance of our Republican Overlords

2011-12-06T09:00:00.004-05:00

The Ohio Republican Party (ORP) is in the midst of a public squabble that is not only causing division within the upper echelon of the party, but is exposing the arrogance of those who consider themselves to be the upper echelon of the party.

It's no secret that ORP Chairman Kevin DeWine and and Governor John Kasich are not the best of friends. Both Kasich and House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) called for his resignation shortly after Republicans swept into office in 2010, taking over the House, Senate, and all statewide offices. Batchelder and Kasich had accused DeWine (cousin of former Senator and current Attorney General Mike DeWine) of not putting party resources behind some incumbents and not supporting Kasich.

DeWine refused to resign and the party tensions continued to ferment. During the heat of the battle over Kasich's union reform law repeal this past fall, DeWine played host to Mitt Romney, who visited a call center where Romney made one of the biggest blunders of his campaign, refusing to support Kasich and the union reforms. Romney reversed himself the next day. Some have blamed DeWine, speculating that the event was either a ploy to embarrass Kasich or incompetance on DeWine's part.

This week things finally came to a head. Party Chairman Kevin DeWine, knowing that Republicans were working behind the scenes to unseat him, went public. He complained to the entire State Central Committee that he was being targeted by Kasich and in a speech posted on the ORP website, blamed the divisions on the desire for "profit, arrogance, and the petty pursuit of power."

Speaker Batchelder shot back with a memo to the House Republican Caucus, condemning DeWine's public rant (and listing his failures as leader of the ORP).

This is a lot of inside baseball, especially if you don't live in Ohio. But there was a line in DeWine's speech that stood out to me. It really gives us some insight into how these people think and why we are stuck with ineffective RINO's year after year after year and why we conservatives feel like we are hitting our heads against a brick wall. DeWine said this:

"The only people who can dash Barack Obama’s hope to slip back into office are the people here in this room."

Did you know that? Did you know that the 66 members of the Ohio State Central Committee are the ONLY people who can stop Barack Obama? I, for one, had no idea that Kevin DeWine, et al were so powerful. If I had known, I would have been in Columbus kissing rings and paying homage to our Republican Overlords.

This is the all-powerful Ohio Republican party that chooses our candidates for us and slaps fake Tea Party endorsements on their mailings and picks winners and losers before the primaries. Kevin DeWine, thinks we are too emotional and not bright enough to figure these things out for ourselves. When challenged before the 2010 primary, he wrote this:

"Finally, I've seen and heard a lot of ridiculous accusations lately about the role of the Ohio Republican Party in this primary election. Understandably, much of it is motivated by the heightened emotions of political primaries and too often spread with little to no accountability through email, blogs, and social media sites. Unfortunately, most of it is flat out false, and it's typically generated by people who find the truth just too inconvenient for their agenda. I want you to know you can always contact my office or email me directly if you want answers to any rumor or accusation about something we're doing. This election is too important to let "noise" distract us from the real goal of winning in November."

So we, the people, are the "noise" and they, the Overlords, are the only ones who can save us from Obama. They know what's best. We just need to be quiet and go along with their grand plans for our state.

Got that? Now who is going to save us from our Republican Overlords?

Cross Posted at RedState