Drawnlines Politics

Who Built the Great City of Teotihuacan? -- National Geographic

2013-10-14T16:22:00.001-04:00

Who Built the Great City of Teotihuacan? -- National Geographic

by (your first and last name) of Drawnlines Politics:

POST BODY

Chaos & Confusion - The Kennedy Assassination

2012-02-01T03:09:00.000-05:00

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

Newly-released audio archives give listeners a behind the scenes glimpse at the confusion and stress surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy in November 1963.

According to CBS News, "The complete audio record of the flight back to Washington was lost for years until the estate of JFK's top military aide, Army Gen. Chester "Ted" Clifton Jr., sold his copy of the tapes to The Raab Collection, historical document dealers, which gave a copy of the audio to the National Archives."

It appears the White House Communications Agency edited out 42 minutes of the footage in a previously-released version of the tapes. Conspiracy theorists suggest this was done to cover up "the real story" of the assassination. Others say it was done to protect code names, confidential whereabouts and other sensitive information for national security purposes. You can decide on that for yourself.

Most striking in the tapes is the primitive communication between Air Force One, the White House and other government officials. The channels routinely went out and interference caused rampant miscommunication. It is a wonder that everyone kept their composure and got their job done that day.

History buffs often wonder about the intensely chaotic time between the grassy knoll and the return to the White House that fateful day. With the release of these tapes, the whole world can be a fly on the proverbial wall. Immerse yourself in these historical moments and feel the tension as word came that our president was dead.

Dear Gays: Vote Republican

2012-01-30T02:01:00.000-05:00

Florida Agenda: Should GLBT voters support a Mormon Republican? You might be surprised.

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

If you believe in equality under the law, it might surprise you when I say that a Mormon Republican is our best bet for president in 2012. Take a deep breath and keep reading.

Let me start by saying that Republican candidates want gay votes. They just don’t think they are going to get them. In Republican circles, it can be an uphill battle to get candidates to campaign in gay and minority areas. On the surface, it might seem that they don’t want your vote, but that’s simply untrue.

There was a time when the Republican Party was outwardly hostile toward gays. This isn’t 2004, and George W. Bush isn’t president. Countless examples exist of the Democratic Party’s history of discrimination and repression, but I’ll forego that lesson for now. Just know that today’s Republican Party would truly surprise you if you gave it a second look.

It’s often said that demographics are the future of partisan politics. Growing numbers of Latinos, blacks, and gays are supposed to wipe out the Republican majority forever. But what these pundits don’t count on is the core of the Republican coalition. They don’t know that today’s Republican Party is flooded with the ranks of two groups: young people with an intense Libertarian streak (and lots of gay friends with fabulous weddings to attend), and former Democrats who have been turned-off by their party’s Obama-Pelosi wing of big, intrusive government. You know these as the Tea Party.

In New Hampshire several weeks ago, GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney was asked, “When was the last time you stood up for gay rights?” The moderator repeated Romney’s own words, “I think the gay community needs more support from the Republican Party, and I would be a voice in the Republican Party to foster anti-discrimination efforts.”

Romney did not back down from his pledge. He said, “If people are looking for someone who will discriminate against gays, or will in any way try and suggest that people that have different sexual orientation in this country don’t have full rights, they won’t find that in me.” When was the last time he spoke out for gay rights? “Right now,” he proclaimed among Republican challengers in a Republican audience. That Republican audience’s reaction: thunderous applause.

Gays are not one-issue voters. Many of us own businesses: we don’t want them killed by over-regulation. Many of us have children: we don’t want to leave them with a mountain of debt. All of us pay taxes: we don’t want them drown our family budgets. Many of us still vote Democrat, because that’s what gays are supposed to do.

South Florida LGBT voters led the way in 2010, swinging a full third of our votes to Republicans. With Mitt Romney at the top of the GOP ticket, I’m confident that this November will pave the way for a brand new Republican coalition that stands for liberty for all. If LGBT voters are willing to look forward, that will be the legacy of today’s Republican Party. If you want to see real progress, take a chance on a Mormon Republican who has an open mind. Or, you can support a Democrat who takes your vote for granted.

This op-ed originally ran in the Florida Agenda.
Don't miss a beat! Get Drawnlines Politics insider alerts by email.

"Estoy" Ad Leverages Hispanic Heavyweights for Romney

2012-01-26T00:42:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: Romney's surrogates seem to be closing the deal for him. According to a poll, Florida Hispanics now prefer Romney over Gingrich by 15 points - a huge gain in support over 2008.

In a Spanish language radio ad, Mitt Romney is using his support from influential Republican leaders to turn out Hispanic voters in the Florida GOP primary. Although many Cuban voters have expressed adulation for Newt Gingrich, ads like this could make them think twice before casting their ballots.

Four years ago, Romney was swamped by John McCain in Dade County and other Latino-rich parts of the state. Even a modest shift toward Romney among this voting bloc could tip the Primary in his favor. Listen to "Estoy" and decide for yourself:

Translated Script For “Estoy” (Radio:60), via Race for 2012

CONGRESSMAN MARIO DIAZ-BALART: “I am Mario Diaz-Balart. Republicans should elect the best candidate to go up against President Obama, the candidate with the plan to get our economy going and create jobs. I am convinced that Mitt Romney is that candidate. That is why I am with Romney.”

CONGRESSWOMAN ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN: “I am Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Mitt Romney will fight against the despotic efforts of Castro and Chavez. He understands the urgency to stop them and increase our support for the valiant heroes who fight for democracy in Cuba. The policy of Obama has failed. We need the leadership and conviction of Romney to change course in our hemisphere. That is why I am with Romney.”

FORMER CONGRESSMAN LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART: “I am Lincoln Diaz-Balart. The presidential election this year will be decisive for the cause of liberty. We have an obligation to confront Barack Obama with the candidate who has the greatest opportunity to win. That is why I am with Romney.”

VOICEOVER: “Paid for by Romney for President, Incorporated.”

MITT ROMNEY: “I am Mitt Romney. I am running for President and I approve this message.”

Florida GOP: Time to Come to Jesus

2012-01-25T23:39:00.000-05:00

Bloomberg: Florida is Romney Country

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

Florida Republicans need to know what's at stake when they cast their ballots next week.

We cannot afford to throw an electoral temper tantrum, or allow a purity test to cast our Party into obscurity. It's time to come to Jesus.

If we nominate Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum, Republicans will be on the wrong side of a landslide in November. Obama could keep the White House and take out a whole lot of down-ballot Republicans with him. We can kiss the House goodbye.

Think you're afraid of disappointment with Mitt Romney? Think about four more years of Obama. Think of handing the Speaker's gavel back to Nancy Pelosi. That's how seriously Floridians need to take their vote on Tuesday.

Nicholas Stone, Vice President, Broward County Young Republicans, Fort Lauderdale

This editorial originally ran in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

A Vote of Conscience

2012-01-25T09:12:00.000-05:00

CNN: Senator Mary Haugen (D-WA) votes against herself, for her constituents

By: Jessica Osman

Washington is one step closer to passing a measure allowing for marriage equality in the state. The measure was proposed by Governor Christine Gregoire and just received the last vote it needed to begin moving through the Legislature. Senator Mary Margaret Haugen was the vote that got the marriage bill over the first hurdle. It is important to note that Haugen believes that marriage is between a man and a woman, yet she has announced support for the bill.

In a statement she released, Senator Haugen states that this was not an easy decision for her and she spent much time listening to her constituents on both sides of the issue. Her decision is based not on her own beliefs, but on respect for others and an understanding that her individual beliefs should not decide what others should believe and or deny them rights simply because that belief is contradictory to hers. Haugen is voting for marriage equality “to allow all men and women in [Washington] to enjoy the same privileges that are so important in [her] life”.

What I find striking here is that Senator Haugen is able to put aside her personal beliefs and vote according to her constituents, which is how it should be. She is able to put aside her personal beliefs and vote opposite of them because she sees that the best interest for her constituents (and the state) is to actually vote against her beliefs.

The issue of marriage equality aside, this is a great example of how a representative of the people should act. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that elected officials’ titles and job descriptions are the same: representative. I fear that too often our leaders focus on their own beliefs (or on the beliefs on their biggest donors) rather than what their constituents want. During campaigns it’s all talk about “being one of you” and “I’ll be your voice in the Capitol”, but once elected so many forget that they are representatives and ignore (or don’t even bother to find out) the feelings of those they are supposed to be representing.

Senator Haugen took her beliefs out of the equation, weighed both sides of the issue and voted according to what would be best for the people of Washington. That’s a true representative of the people and a leader. I hope that all of our leaders will follow Senator Haugen’s example when they cast their votes and show support for measures, not only for marriage equality but for all issues they face while governing.

You can read Senator Haugen‘s full statement here.

Santorum to FL: Conservatives Ousted Speaker Gingrich

2012-01-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

Newt Gingrich has taken some sharp jabs on the campaign trail recently - not from rival Mitt Romney, but Rick Santorum.

In Coral Springs this weekend, Santorum launched his Florida campaign by taking Gingrich to task over his short tenure as Speaker of the House. Broadsiding Gingrich from the Right, Santorum said it was conservatives that wanted Gingrich fired as leader. “When Newt was speaker of the House, within three years conservatives in the House of Representatives tried to throw him out and in the fourth year they did. Why? Because he wasn’t governing as a conservative!” Santorum said.

Rick Santorum had an alarming take on Newt Gingrich's "conservative" record:

Santorum on healthcare: “For 20 years, Congressman Gingrich has demanded and encouraged and fought to get a mandate from the federal level – the very thing that the attorney general in this country is fighting for at the Supreme Court,” Santorum said. “Up until last year, Speaker Gingrich supported that mandate.”

Santorum on pandering: “We don’t need someone who sits on a couch with Nancy Pelosi – I mean it’s not as bad as sitting with Debbie Wasserman Schultz, but it’s close,” Santorum said, to loud cheers. “I’m not gonna sit on the couch with anybody!”

Santorum on rhetoric and record: “He didn’t live up to all of the hype. If you look at what he tried to do and what he accomplished, it just didn’t match with what he said.”

For his attacks on the media and rhetoric against Romney, Speaker Gingrich certainly sounds the dog whistle for conservative voters. His record, however, is cautionary at best. Florida Republicans should take a serious look at Gingrich's past before they cast their ballot. Historians often recall that Gingrich's greatest accomplishment as Speaker was securing a second term for President Bill Clinton. Is that the legacy we want repeated?

Florida Republicans, you decide...

The Iron Lady, An American Hero

2012-01-17T04:13:00.001-05:00

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

Republican presidential contenders have found plenty of ways to distinguish themselves from the field, but they all sing from the same hymnal on one point: channeling Ronald Reagan. Drawnlines readers have already gotten an ad nauseum spiel about the greatness of The Great Communicator. But we often forget the things that made Ronald Reagan a great president were also evident in his closest ally abroad. As Reagan led the fight to unleash the American spirit by unleashing Americans, Lady Margaret Thatcher was just as busy putting Britain on the move by putting the British people in the driver's seat.

Reagan and Thatcher personified the great relationship every bit as much as Roosevelt and Churchill, and the stakes of their success in the world community were every bit as high. Where the two nations came together to face Nazi expansionism during WWII, so they stood together against Communist expansionism in the 1980's. Domestically, the two great leaders championed a massive roll-back of the nanny state that empowered citizens to take ownership of their own futures and allowed the freedom to prosper or fail based on one's merits and labor.

What a truly special bond indeed.

The new movie The Iron Lady lends an occasion to fondly reflect on the 1980's, a time of British rebirth and exceptionalism. Examples of her heroic leadership range from the Falklands War to the bombing at Brighton, denationalization of British industry and ironically, the Poll Tax that abruptly ended her term as prime minister. She was never afraid to do what was right, however unpopular. Lady Thatcher reminded her countrymen to be strong in the face of adversity, to believe in themselves and to invest in the future of Britain by investing in the success of Britons.

Lady Thatcher wasn't just a great leader to her own countrymen. She was also an unwavering and inspirational friend to British allies. She stood beside President Reagan in reassurance that his policies of strength and freedom put America on the right side of history. It is for that reason that both Americans and Britons feel a great sense of national pride as we honor the legacy of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, The Iron Lady.

She is, for many Americans, a national hero. She is, forever, a world legend.

Tribute to Jon Huntsman

2012-01-16T02:44:00.003-05:00

According to campaign aides, Fmr. Utah Governor Jon Huntsman will drop out of the Republican presidential race and endorse rival Mitt Romney (R-MA) on Monday. Governor Huntsman served his country honorably as Ambassador under presidents of both parties, as governor of Utah, and as citizen. Jon Huntsman is an honorable man, a good Republican, and a great American. We tip our hat to his energetic and spirited campaign, and wish him well in his future endeavors.

This Young Republican is Voting for Mitt Romney

2012-01-13T10:34:00.002-05:00

Mitt Romney for President 2012

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

Am I the only one who thinks Republicans have a lot to be proud of this campaign season?

With a field full of accomplished conservatives running for president in the GOP race, you'd think Republican voters would be like kids in a candy store, with too many goodies in sight to pick just one. Indeed they are finding it hard to choose a candidate, but that's because they don't find anyone particularly appealing.

Seriously?

"Jesus isn't on the ballot," quipped one Christian conservative leader. And surely the Republican candidate will be a mere mortal, with battle scars, decisions that alienated someone, and a few past mistakes. So we're going to have to slap ourselves into reality a little bit. But that is no reason to fret our field, especially compared with President Obama's dismal record.

For me, I've found my comfort zone with Mitt Romney. His background in the private sector proved he knows how the real economy works (for better and for worse) and his experience as governor proved he can effectively move the wheels of government (ditto).

Many pundits worry aloud that if Mitt Romney is the Republican nominee, staunch conservatives won't be fired up enough to go to the polls in November. Really? Even if they are not over the moon about Mitt, they should at least be fired up about thwarting a second Obama term. The elusive group of Independent voters are quite warm to Mitt and appear ready to cross Obama off their dance cards if the right suitor comes around. And for crossover appeal, their only choices are Romney or Paul. That should be a very easy choice.

Mitt is the clear winner on the questions of electability, leadership and pragmatic conservative governance. He is steady, sure, and 100 percent pro-America. He has earned my vote.

But hey, those other guys aren't bad either.

Romney's One-Two Knockout Punch

2012-01-04T11:15:00.001-05:00

Reuters: Ann and Mitt Romney Appear Confident Ahead of IA Caucus

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

It's full steam ahead for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney after a razor thin margin of victory in the Iowa Caucus Tuesday night.

The former Massachusetts governor originally intended to downplay Iowa and focus on victory in New Hampshire's primary, held next week. But as other candidates billing themselves as the anti-Romney rose and faltered in Iowa, Romney found himself within striking distance in the Hawkeye State. Romney's campaign became tempted to seriously compete in Iowa and possibly win both of the first two contests, setting up a delegate lead and reinforcing the impression of his inevitability.

Feeling confident about his standing in the caucuses, Romney predicted victory early this week, causing pundits to recoil or even predict an upset. But the candidate closed strong, focused on the message that Iowans should pick him as the most likely Republican to beat President Obama in November. As returns flowed in from caucus sites, a three way tie for first place quickly formed between Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney. Paul eventually fell behind as his eastern strongholds concluded their tallies. That left Romney and Santorum jockeying back and forth for a photo finish across the rest of the state.

Looking forward to New Hampshire's first primary next Tuesday, Romney appears strong. He has improved his lead in state polls and secured nearly every major endorsement in the state. Today, he is expected to receive the endorsement of local prodigal son John McCain, whose campaign came from behind to win the Republican nomination in 2008. New Hampshire's significantly less-evangelical makeup could prove problematic for Santorum, who counted on religious conservatives to propel his Iowa victory. Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman could prove formidable competitors, as NH voters have a history of skewing pragmatic (rather than ideological), libertarian (rather than socially conservative), and rebellious against inevitable candidates.

The Romney campaign has plenty to smile about as they have most surrogates and precinct captains locked up, resources in place, and a strong rapport with Granite State voters. Indeed, Romney appears poised for back-to-back victories as primary season charges ahead.

Obama The Tax Man

2011-12-06T04:53:00.001-05:00

Check our our first ad of the 2012 election cycle: "The Tax Man"

He ran as a "Moderate Democrat" in the mold of Bill Clinton. He promised unequivocally not to raise taxes on Middle Class families. But President Obama's tax and spend record is just the same old liberal agenda, packaged as "change." In this ad, we take Obama to task.

Please share with your friends and neighbors.

Florida Redistricting Reshuffles the Deck, or Not

2011-12-01T01:21:00.001-05:00

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics:

The Florida Senate recently released redistricting proposals for the next decade. Reviewing the congressional proposal, several items caught my eye. Partisan voter data doesn't appear to be available yet but a careful review of the map is highly telling. Here is a quick rundown of political leanings by Congressional District as I see them:

North Florida Proposal

Central Florida Proposal

South Florida Proposal

Current FL Delegation: 19(R)/6(D) [25 Total]
Proposal: 18(R)/7(D) 2(toss-up) [27 Total]

Partisan leanings by Congressional District:
CD 1 - Safe Republican
CD 2 - Safe Republican
CD 3 - Safe Democrat (Majority Black)
CD 4 - Safe Republican
CD 5 - Safe Republican
CD 6 - Lean/Safe Republican
CD 7 - Lean Republican
*CD 8 - Toss-up/Slight Republican
CD 9 - Safe Republican
CD 10 - Safe Republican
CD 11 - Safe Democrat
CD 12 - Safe Republican
CD 13 - Safe Republican
CD 14 - Safe Republican
CD 15 - Safe Republican
CD 16 - Lean/Safe Republican
CD 17 - Safe Democrat (Majority Black)
CD 18 - Lean Republican (Majority Hispanic)
CD 19 - Safe Democrat
CD 20 - Safe Democrat
CD 21 - Safe Republican (Majority Hispanic)
*CD 22 - Toss-up/Slight Democrat
CD 23 - Safe Democrat (Majority Black)
CD 24 - Safe Republican
CD 25 - Safe Republican (Majority Hispanic)
CD 26 - Safe Republican
CD 27 - Lean/Safe Democrat (Majority Minority)

Summary:

If the goal of redistricting was to create more competitive districts, the project was a miserable failure. I could only find two districts which have a truly competitive landscape (CD 8 and CD 22). All other districts have a clear partisan bias toward one Party or the other.

If the goal of redistricting was to create more compact districts, the project was largely a success. The new map is significantly more contiguous and intelligible than current districts, and follows county lines as a general guide for map making. The Tampa area was very well divided between districts, though the Orlando metro was sliced apart with a Ginsu knife. Districts 8 and 27 intertwine like two mating snakes, which appears more partisan than practical in its effect.

If the goal was to toss incumbents under the political bus, the project had mixed success. John Mica, Dan Webster and Allen West all got hosed by either having their districts blue-washed or having themselves mapped out of their districts entirely. Many other incumbents (Corrine Brown, Alcee Hastings, Debbie Wasserman Schultz) still have dream districts.

The new map is a step in the right direction. It obeys the Voting Rights Act while attempting faithfulness to the principles of the "Fair Districts" Amendments from 2010. From a partisan standpoint, the results are mixed. Democrats could complain that conservative Democrats in North Florida will become extinct, while Republicans could counter that Broward and Palm Beach Republicans will go from endangered to near extinction. The two newly created districts are split evenly between a predominately white, right-leaning district northwest of Orlando and a majority-minority, left-leaning district southeast of Orlando.

On balance, not half bad for government work.

Broward GOP Chairman to SOE: Reconsider Early Voting Sites

2011-11-30T23:55:00.001-05:00

An Open Letter to Dr. Brenda C. Snipes

Regarding Broward 2012 Early Voting Locations

Released November 29, 2011

TO: Dr. Brenda C. Snipes, Supervisor of Elections, Broward County, 954-357-7050

FROM: Richard DeNapoli, Chairman, Broward Republican Executive Committee

d/b/a Republican Party of Broward County, 954-941-7775

Dear Dr. Snipes,

I am writing to you regarding early voting locations for the 2012 elections. I understand that it takes time to set up early voting locations, which is why I am writing to you almost one year prior to the November 2012 elections and in advance of all the scheduled elections for 2012.

At a meeting you held recently at one of your Supervisor of Elections offices, you informed attendees that there would 16 early voting locations in Broward County. These locations were listed on the enclosed flyer (CLICK HERE TO VIEW). After reviewing this document it appears there would be no early voting locations in the current State Senate, District 25 represented by State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff or in the current State House, District 91 represented by State Representative George Moraitis. The Republican Party of Broward County is respectfully requesting that early voting sites be placed in the geographical area currently represented by these districts. This geographical area corresponds largely to those areas in Broward County represented by elected Republican officeholders.

According to the Florida Division of Elections Book Closing dates for the October 2010 elections, there were 107,592 registered voters in State Senate District 25. This corresponds to 10.3% of all the 1,041,641 registered voters in Broward County at that time. There were 42,686 registered Republicans in State Senate District 25, which corresponded to 17.3% of all the 246,714 registered Republicans in Broward at that time. Voter turnout per your office's statistics for all voters in this district was 46.7%. This is higher than the countywide average of 40.99%. If there are to be 16 early voting sites, we find it hard to believe that not even one is placed in this State Senate district. While there are early voting sites near the current State Senate District 25, and might even be early voting sites within the district after redistricting, it seems that early voting sites have increased in heavily Democratic areas since 2010. Furthermore, the former early voting sites nearby Federal Highway from the county line to Sunrise Boulevard have been eliminated. We know this is the heavily Republican area of Broward County.

Not having early voting locations in this area serves to disenfranchise all voters in this area, while especially disenfranchising the Republican voters. All registered voters in this geographic area would have to drive a further distance than most other voters throughout Broward to find the nearest early voting site. This clearly makes it more difficult for these voters to vote early.

I know that you have stated on numerous occasions that you would like to increase voter turnout for all voters. I applaud this effort because voting is a sacred right and your office has done a great job with voter outreach. As I reviewed the Florida Statutes, I came across Chapter 101.657 which requires that early voting "sites must be geographically located so as to provide all voters in the county an equal opportunity to cast a ballot, insofar as is practicable" (emphasis added). This law also states that the "supervisor may also designate any city hall or permanent public library facility as early voting sites."

There are multiple locations available in this geographical area or a few blocks west of Federal Highway to place an early voting site and they include the following:

Hillsboro Beach City Hall
Lighthouse Point City Hall
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea City Hall
Beach Branch Library
Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center
Imperial Point Branch Library, a former early voting site
Deerfield Beach Percy White Branch Library, a former early voting site
Pompano Beach City Hall, a former early voting site

Research in numerous scholarly journals has shown that the greater the distance from a voting site, the greater exists the likelihood of nonvoting. The incidence of early voting is highly sensitive to the location of the early voting location.

The Republican Party of Broward County has previously requested that early voting sites be placed in this area during the last election cycle. Past Chairwoman Cindy Guerra and current Republican National Committee Co-Chair Sharon Day, who is also Florida's National Committeewoman and Broward's State Committeewoman, both requested that early voting locations be placed in this geographic area in 2010.

We have often heard the argument that Republican voters do not utilize early voting compared to Democrat voters. Republicans are in fact taking advantage of early voting more frequently, and research has shown that distance has an undeniable impact on the voter's method of voting. If early voting is more convenient for all registered voters on the east side of Broward, they will use it more often.

Once again, Florida Law requires that early voting sites be allocated geographically so that all voters are provided an equal opportunity to cast a ballot, insofar as is practicable. We do not feel the allocation is fair to all registered voters in this geographical area of Broward County. Since the early voting sites have increased from 13 to 16 since the 2010 election cycle, I would have thought that early voting sites in this geographical area would have also increased due to the higher-than-average voter turnout in Senate District 25 in 2010.

I know that everyone's philosophy is to increase voter turnout and I hope you can explain how we can increase it in this geographical area of our county.

The Republican Party of Broward County respectfully requests your assistance in helping to increase voter turnout in this geographical area. As I previously stated I hope that we can work together and comply with Florida Law and give all voters in Broward an equal opportunity to cast a ballot in the upcoming 2012 elections.

Sincerely,

Richard DeNapoli, Chairman

Broward Republican Executive Committee

Attachments

cc: ALL MEDIA SOURCES

Broward Republican Executive Committee Board Members

Broward Republican Executive Committee Members

RNC Co-Chair, National Committeewoman, and Broward State

Committeewoman Sharon Day

State Committeeman Ed Kennedy

Broward Republican Executive Committee Legal Counsel

Cites & Research:

Florida Statute 101.657

Dyck, Joshua J. and Gimpel, James G. 2005. Distance, Turnout and the Convenience of Voting. Social Science Quarterly, Volume 86, Number 3.

Anthony Man, Fewer Early Voting sites in Broward and Palm Beach counties, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, August 2, 2010.

Greedy Unions Tarnished the last Legacy Airline

2011-11-30T05:34:00.001-05:00

Heritage: Big Labor Drags American Airlines into Bankruptcy

by Nick Stone:

In the wake of the 9-11 terror attacks and the ensuing aviation industry downturn, every major American airline filed bankruptcy to reduce costs and reorganize their balance sheets. Every airline that is, except American Airlines.

American Airlines takes pride in its position as America's defacto flag carrier and reputation for innovation, like the first frequent flyer program. The company is also known for good relations with employees. American's website proudly boasts, "For our progressive and fair-minded policies and employment practices, American Airlines is the only airline in the nation to earn a perfect 100% score four years in a row by the Human Rights Campaign for its Corporate Equality Index (CEI)."

Management has moved heaven and earth to work in good faith with employees while achieving productivity and cost containment goals. Indeed, wages and benefits for AA employees significantly exceed their counterparts. But financial analysts have urged the airline to do more to bring labor costs down in the face of flat revenues and high fuel prices. AA has been in stalled contract negotiations since 2006 and recent talks have found the union unwilling to help avoid financial disaster. In need of a game changer, yesterday American's holding company (AMR) declared Chapter 11 reorganizational bankruptcy.

According to PBS Nightly Business Report, the move was "brought on by the carrier's sky high labor costs." Bankruptcy gives the carrier muscle in negotiations with unions.

American Airlines employees are in for a rude awakening put off for too long. Unable to avoid sacrifices faced by their counterparts at other airlines, American's unions decided they would rather take down the company than agree to sacrifices for their members. Unfortunately, those employees may go down with the ship.

Of course, airlines and autos are the two go-to example industries where union intervention has strangled companies and resulted in disaster. For a few extra bucks and slightly looser work rules, unionized employees often face unfortunate consequences. When high labor costs force their company into bankruptcy, massive pay cuts and layoffs are often the result. Worse yet, the company may dissolve leaving everyone jobless.

The Heritage Foundation summed up the situation at AA perfectly: "American’s unsustainable losses forced bankruptcy, which in turn could have a negative impact on creditors, employees, retirees, shareholders, and consumers. And though American may emerge stronger after bankruptcy, it will not be without a steep price paid by all parties involved."

In a hard hit industry and a poor economy, the notion that the union would hold American Airlines hostage is reckless. It is reckless because their decisions will result in more drastic pay cuts and layoffs than would have been required through cooperation. It is also reckless because it permanently tarnished the final legacy airline in America.

Romney's Victory Path Goes Through Miami

2011-11-29T05:32:00.001-05:00

WaPo: Romney Secures Key Miami Endorsements

by Nick Stone:

South Florida is the most liberal, reliably-blue part of the Sunshine State. But it's also home to the state's three largest groups of Republicans.

Miami-Dade County is home to Florida's actively partisan Cuban community and some 367,500 registered Republicans. Their votes can be strategic in offsetting more rural, conservative parts of the state. Just ask John McCain.

Four years ago, John McCain's Florida victory paved his way to the GOP nomination by squeezing past Mitt Romney in the primary and taking all of Florida's delegates. McCain swamped Romney in Miami by a margin of 76,356 to 24,189 - more than enough to offset Romney strongholds in Southwest and Northeast Florida.

This year, Romney has called out the heavy artillery to put Dade County in his column. His campaign made an astute move by hiring Miami native JC Hernandez as Florida Field Director. At a Miami campaign stop this morning, Romney will announce endorsements from Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart as well as former Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart. This heavy hitting trifecta will use their Cuban-Republican bona fides to tip the scales in Romney's favor between now and January.

The "Other" Miami Factor: Jeb Bush.

Four years ago, former Governor Jeb Bush did not officially back a candidate in the Florida primary. Behind the scenes however, Bush urged his close allies to "take a look" at Mitt Romney. As we previously wrote, "Many did just that" and several Bush allies joined Team Romney. As Texas Governor Rick Perry edged past Romney in polls earlier this year, Bush was found not-so-subtly praising Romney to conservative journalists. Jeb's support, either behind the scenes or on the front lines, could be the deciding factor in Miami and across Florida.

The winner of the early Florida primary is likely to seize momentum and win the Republican nomination for president. Mitt Romney knows his path to victory goes right through the heart of Miami.

(updated post)

Shop Small & Support Local Business

2011-11-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

by Nick Stone:

American Express is asking Americans to support local economies by "shopping small." November 26 will mark the second annual "Small Business Saturday" where Americans pledge to patronize a small business in their community.

The Shop Small movement is interesting for two reasons: First, that it is sponsored and promoted by American Express, a huge company. Second, that it is an example of the free market at work. With the help of zero politicians and zero taxpayer dollars, Americans are going out and pumping life into local economies. Of course, many politicos have spoken out in support of the idea. Even President Obama has encouraged Americans to spend in mom and pop stores this weekend. But the true genius of the movement is it's basis in free markets, without government intervention.

Amex is banking that shoppers will join the cool kids in support of a small business this Saturday and use their American Express card while they're at it. To sweeten the deal, they're offering a $25 statement credit if you register your card in advance and use it to purchase items from a small business. The consumer feels good about helping their local economy and the creditor gets the cha-ching of the cash register - plus interest in some cases.

Don't have an American Express card yet? Well, well, well. The good folks at Amex would be more than happy to sign you up as a happy and loyal customer. You tell yourself you're helping a greater cause. They know you're a fish in a barrel.

But feeling good about yourself isn't the only reason to shop small this Saturday. According to Forbes, there are five good reasons to participate. With the Facebook guide to shopping local, it's also easy to find the hidden gems in your community. Not only is American Express helping you find a new favorite store, they're also helping local business owners find you with free marketing materials.

Support local jobs, local products, and good old fashioned American entrepreneurship. Take the pledge and join me in shopping small this Saturday.

Share Your American Experience

2011-11-25T03:45:00.001-05:00

PBS - The Presidents: Clinton premiers this February.

By Nick Stone:

Next February, PBS will introduce the next episode of American Experience: The Presidents. In this chapter, the presidency of Bill Clinton (1993-2001).

Part of The Presidents series is an online forum, Share Your American Experience. Tell them who your favorite 20th Century American President was and why.

I don't have to tell you that PBS has a decidedly-left tilt and their audience reflects it. This would be a great opportunity to add some conservative voices to the conversation about our great presidents. Let's remind America how much the Republican Party has to offer next year by reminding them about the great GOP legacy. In President Clinton's case, part of his greatness was working with the Republican Congress to reform welfare and unleash a wave of economic prosperity.

When you read viewer comments about how great Jimmy Carter was, I know you will feel compelled to speak up. Please remember that the point is to revisit Republican achievements, not just trash Democrats.

Onward to victory!

Proclaiming A Day of Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:59:00.001-05:00

RONALD REAGAN'S FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

NOVEMBER 12, 1981

America has much for which to be thankful. The unequaled freedom enjoyed by our citizens has provided a harvest of plenty to this nation throughout its history. In keeping with America's heritage, one day each year is set aside for giving thanks to God for all of His blessings. On this day of Thanksgiving, it is appropriate that we recall the first Thanksgiving, celebrated in the autumn of 1621. After surviving a bitter winter, the Pilgrims planted and harvested a bountiful crop. After the harvest they gathered their families together and joined in celebration and prayer with the Native Americans who had taught them so much. Clearly our forefathers were thankful not only for the material well being of their harvest but for this abundance of goodwill as well.

In this spirit, Thanksgiving has become a day when Americans extend a helping hand to the less fortunate. Long before there was a government welfare program, this spirit of voluntary giving was ingrained in the American character. Americans have always understood that, truly, one must give in order to receive. This should be a day of giving as well as a day of thanks. As we celebrate Thanksgiving in 1981, we should reflect on the full meaning of this day as we enjoy the fellowship that is so much a part of the holiday festivities. Searching our hearts, we should ask what we can do as individuals to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all He has done. Such reflection can only add to the significance of this precious day of remembrance.

Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role in making this a great Nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people. Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 26, 1981, as Thanksgiving Day. In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand this twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and sixth.

Date: November 12, 1981

By: Ronald Reagan

H/t: Broward GOP

Debt Deal Collapse Good for GOP, America

2011-11-22T03:43:00.001-05:00

News broke yesterday that the so-called Deficit Supercommittee failed to reach an agreement to cut $1.2 trillion over the next decade. But is their failure really so bad?

Readers will recall the supercommittee was created as a stipulation for raising the debt ceiling last summer. With the goal of finding deficit cuts, the bipartisan group would either find consensus or suffer a politically unacceptable alternative: deep entitlement and defense cuts, triggered automatically.

The Problem - Revenue vs. Spending:

This chart from the Heritage Foundation clearly shows the relationship between federal spending and tax receipts since 1960, projected to 2021. While revenues have remained near an average of 18% of GDP, spending has risen well above its historical average of 20.3% GDP. So does the government tax too little or spend too much?

Democrats have argued for "increased revenues" (read: tax hikes) on grounds that receipts have been below average during the recession. But projections show that they will naturally return to historical levels as the economy recovers. Alarmingly, the American tax burden is already rising to it's highest level in history. Allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire, Americans will pay 20.6% of GDP in taxes by the end of the decade. Making the Bush-era rates permanent, revenues will still break records by 2035. This is an ominous trend for the folks that pay the bills in this country.

Spending on the other hand is already well above historical averages and growing without end in sight. It is worth noting that discussed "cuts" to federal programs are cuts in projected growth, not actual cuts. The Boston Globe had this to say:

"Sequestration — the triggering of automatic spending cuts if the supercommittee’s required deficit trims don’t materialize — will barely slow the spending train. Between 2013 and 2021, the federal budget is expected to grow by another $1.7 trillion. And if the sequester trigger is pulled? By another $1.6 trillion. If that’s “brutal,’’ I’m Katy Perry."

"Other governments (and earlier administrations) have done it. Under Prime Minister Jean Chretien in the 1990s, Canada slashed spending across the board, reduced its federal payroll by 45,000 jobs, and privatized the national railway and air traffic control system. The result, as Fred Barnes recently chronicled in National Affairs, was an economic rebound. A deficit of nearly $37 billion turned into a $3 billion surplus, and a national economy that had been growing at an anemic 1 percent kicked into overdrive, expanding by an annual average of 3.4 percent between 1994 and 2006."

The Political Aftermath:

Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa) sees an upside to the supercommittee failure. "The silver lining is that we are going to get the spending cuts anyway." However he added, "the mandatory cuts in defense programs could jeopardize our national security." Human Events points out that concern is shared by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, a Democrat.

Automatic spending cuts aren't the only upside to the supercommittee collapse. The process has made Democrats look really, really bad. With tax projections surpassing historic highs and spending at mind boggling levels, they appear petty and hyper-partisan refusing to cut spending growth and instead preferring to hoover more money out of taxpayer wallets. Perhaps the most precious prize of all was the clear and emphatic reversal by President Obama on his pledge to raise absolutely no taxes on middle class families. He will surely have to answer for that next year.

Committee Co-chair Jeb Hensarling (R-Tx) penned in the WSJ, "Republicans were willing to agree to additional tax revenue, but only in the context of fundamental pro-growth tax reform that would broaden the base, lower rates, and maintain current levels of progressivity. This is the approach to tax reform used by recent bipartisan deficit reduction efforts such as the Bowles-Simpson fiscal commission and the Rivlin-Domenici plan. The Democrats said no. They were unwilling to agree to anything less than $1 trillion in tax hikes—and unwilling to offer any structural reforms to put our health-care entitlements on a permanently sustainable basis."

Without a deal, the deficit will narrow automatically by cutting spending without raising taxes. This is a better deal for Republicans than even the most conservative plan floated by the committee. For America's future, the collapse may be the best deal imaginable.

Angry Democrats Who Try and Brainwash People

2011-11-18T03:27:00.001-05:00

By Ira Geiger | Young Republican Network:

In April, I wrote an article about how the Modern Democrat Party has gone dramatically to the left http://raquelokyay.com/political-blog/2038/just-how-socialist-can-the-modern-democrat-party-get/. The individual who is one of the big ringleaders of spreading liberal socialist ideals is the Chairwoman South Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.

In January after the tragic shooting of Arizona Congressman Gabriel Giffords, I wrote an article, “Using Tragedy for Political Gain” in which I refer to Wasserman-Schultz as “a passive aggressive individual who is power hungry.” Things just continue to worsen by the days as we prepare to attempt and take our country back in the 2012 elections. http://yrnetwork.com/media/news.aspx?uid=3917

Chairwoman Wasserman-Schultz continues to attack the Republican Party and the tea party and frankly use her influence to destroy our constitution and country. On the first day of the session of the 112^th Congress in January, she adamantly refused to participate in being on the floor of the House of Representatives and read a part of our constitution. In response she said, “It is a stranglehold on the tea party”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPTaGIZwW0c&feature=player_embedded Yet, this is the document that our elected officials swear an oath to.

Furthermore, in a private meeting on May 23 with Matt Brooks the chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she called for “partisan unity on matters of Israel policy” http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0511/Jewish_GOP_official_blasts_DWS.html?showall. Mr. Brooks responded by saying, “It’s unprecedented and inappropriate that the chairwoman of the DNC would take advantage of a meeting with a visiting head of state and ask him to put a gag order on Republicans,”. Israel does need to be in a debate when it comes to campaign issues. We have been involved in a war on terror since September 11, 2001. With the Muslim Brotherhood trying to take over Egypt, and with whats going on in Libya, we need to keep Israel up as a campaign issue.

President Obama sat idyll by when french President Nicholas Sarkozy refered to Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “liar” , during the G20 Summit in France on November 3. He responded to the French President, “You're fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day." http://theweek.com/article/index/221244/calling-netanyahu-a-liar-how-damaging-was-sarkozys-gaffe

Chairwoman Wasserman-Schultz continues to deny that there is any rift between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. http://yrnetwork.com/media/news.aspx?uid=3903

Another issue is the mandate on The Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare). There is a lawsuit going through the courts with several states indicating that the federal government has overstepped their bounds by requiring that every American must have health insurance or face penalties. On Tuesday November 8, Ohio voters overwhelmingly rejected the mandate as it was a question on the ballot. http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/health-care/9722-ohio-votes-to-nullify-obamacare In response, Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz said on MSNBC, that a DC District Court Conservative Judge said the law was constitutional, and it would ultimately be decided in the US Supreme Court. While this may be true she was basically saying screw the people let the courts overturn what they say. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drErFBH-a64

With all this being the case I really find it totally unbelievable that she remains so popular with the constituents in her South Florida Congressional District. Recently, at a town hall meeting with them she mentioned a Hebrew phrase “Tikkun Olam” repairing the world and that she is committed to doing it and that it is truly wonderful how she and President Obama have been given the opportunity to improve our situation over the last three years. She said that Republicans on the other hand have been “essentially crossing their arms, sitting back, and hoping for the economy to remain stagnant.” http://shark-tank.net/2011/11/03/21312/ I am totally at a loss for words at how many of her constituents remain loyal to her. They are truly brainwashed. As a Jew and as an American I am downright offended by her actions.

Defeating Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

I have spoken to many people about various congressional House seats Republicans need to pick up in 2012. One of the most important is the South Florida Congressional seat currently held by DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. There are four individuals running for the Republican nomination to take her on.

1. 2010 nominee Karen Harrington - http://www.karenforcongress.com/
2. Joe Goldner - http://www.joegoldnerforcongress2012.com/
3. Joe Kaufman - http://www.kaufmanforcongress.com/
4. Osvaldo (Ozzie) Defaria - http://ozzieforcongress.com/home/

Obama's 2012 Chances

2011-11-16T00:30:00.001-05:00

by Nick Stone:

Daily headlines spell either inevitable doom or smooth sailing for President Obama's re-election. To clear the confusion, we decided to assess Obama's campaign and found that logic and history show an uphill climb to a second term.

False start. Let's look back to where we began in 2008. Obama was at the peak of his prestige at the historic moment of his election. But while the world clamored for Obama, only 53 percent of Americans pulled the lever and voted for him.

So we start with 53%. Does anyone really believe Obama hasn't lost a mere four percent of his support, putting him below the halfway mark? Of course not. Indeed according to Real Clear Politics averages, Obama has been treading below the 50% mark since November 2009, two full years ago. Modern presidents want to see their approval ratings well north of 50% a year out from Election Day to avoid disaster.

Nowhere to run. Polls show erosion of Obama's progressive base, but he can't run much further Left to appease them. Obama can't count on winning 52% of Independents (Democrat presidential candidates rarely win this group) or picking off 20% of conservatives like 2008, and he can't run Right to get them back. So the president is in precarious posture heading into the election.

Bush-whacked. The electoral map looks much worse for Obama than it did four years ago. Census figures show electoral votes leaving reliably blue states for red states, so even if he won on exactly the same turf, the president would have 6 fewer electoral votes than in '08. But he won't win many of those states. The president faces serious headwind in the 2004 Bush states he previously picked off. Indiana, Virginia and North Carolina will most certainly swing back into the GOP column and Ohio and Florida are likely to follow suit. Take away the one elector Obama won from Nebraska and Obama's electoral math is down to 272.

The GOP is committed to strong campaigns in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin which together put 46 electors in play. That brings Obama down to 226 firm EV's. If Mitt Romney emerges as the GOP nominee, New Hampshire's 4 EV's go almost immediately into the Republican column. That's only 222 firm EV's for the president. Looking west, Republicans will certainly put Colorado and Nevada (both Bush states) back into play next year, forcing the President's count down even further to 207. Obama is unlikely to win any states he hasn't previously won, though the campaign has deluded itself into thinking that Georgia and Arizona are in play. We say No Way to that assertion.

An objective analysis of the Electoral Map puts Obama at 207, "Republican" at 219 and 112 EV's in play.

Bad News Barry. Economists say there is a looming chance of a second recession. The Supreme Court is likely to overturn Obamacare in the middle of campaign season. Administration scandals, scandals and more scandals keep surfacing. Americans aren't any better off economically than they were four years ago. If the Carter-like onslaught of bad news keeps piling up, voters are increasingly likely to take a chance on a new president.

History. The record isn't kind to incumbent Dems. Only FDR and Bill Clinton have been re-elected in modern history. The others have been killed, lost their election bids or chosen not to run at all. Yes, it's really that bad.

Divide and Conquer. Ironically, voter frustration may be the Ace up Obama's sleeve. Perhaps the only chance Obama has to secure victory in 2012 is to divide the field into a three-way race. Like Perot's candidacy allowed Bill Clinton to win with only 43% of the vote in 1992 and 49% in 1996, Obama could conceivably carry some 40+ percent of the vote and find his way to the magical 270 if Americans become so unimpressed by the major parties that many support a third candidate. Without a tiebreaker, the metrics don't look great for Obama.

Happy Veterans Day

2011-11-11T16:28:00.001-05:00

If you value your freedom, thank a vet today.

Happy Veterans Day

from Drawnlines Politics

Gingrich-Cain Debate Shows American Statesmanship

2011-11-08T09:55:00.000-05:00

Chron.com: Cain and Gingrich Share a Laugh at Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and business mogul Herman Cain squared off in a Lincoln-Douglas style debate in Texas on Saturday. It was the first of several one-on-one debates the men are expected to participate in during the primary election cycle.

Cain and Gingrich drew little distance from one another as they discussed health care, Social Security and Medicare. With great poise and respect, the two allowed each other to explain their ideas fully and elaborate where necessary. Not only did the competitors completely avoid any "gotcha moments", but they actually gave one another a great deal of latitude and support.

Though the two men largely agreed on policy, the debate was hardly a yawn. Speaker Gingrich reminded the audience about a few historical points of interest: unintended consequences from wage and price controls beginning in 1943, and budget gimmicks which took Social Security funds to decrease the budget deficit beginning in 1968. Mr. Cain used Social Security reform as one more reason to implement his famous 9-9-9 plan. At the end of the debate, Cain pinned Gingrich to the wall by asking him a hilarious question only two men with such camaraderie could appreciate.

Where the two competitors did disagree, they invariably did so without being disagreeable. As true statesmen would, they kept differences strictly to policy without veering into the personal realm and kept the conversation polite and productive. Speaking from the heart on matters of the day, the two candidates showed mastery of policy and purity of conservatism. They spoke boldly about a fundamental shift in the relationship between the people and government in their America. The conversation was both intriguing and inspiring.

Let us hope for the good of America that future debates look more like the Gingrich-Cain debate and less like the soundbite slugfests typical of a presidential campaign. This is how democratic debate is supposed to work.

More great recaps from the Gingrich-Cain debate are available from The Week and Human Events. The statesmen took the occasion one step further by participating in a joint interview with Neal Boortz after the event.

MS Initiative 26: More Than Just About Abortion

2011-11-07T07:34:00.001-05:00

By: Jessica Osman

On Tuesday, November 8 Mississippians will head to the polls and, among other things, vote on the controversial Initiative 26 which, if passes, would amend the state constitution. The wording is as follows:

Be it Enacted by the People of the State of Mississippi:

SECTION 1. Article III of the constitution of the state of Mississippi is hereby amended BY THE

ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION TO READ:

SECTION 33. Person defined. As used in this Article III of the state constitution, “The term ‘person’ or ‘persons’ shall include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the functional equivalent thereof.

So what does this mean? In its simplest terms, the moment a sperm enters an egg that would now be a person under the eyes of the law. However, Initiative 26 is far from simple. If it passes then it will certainly open Pandora’s Box. Yes, the amendment will outlaw abortion, but it goes beyond that. First, all abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, will be made illegal. Most people that take a pro-life stance usually allow for these to be the exception, but that would no longer be the case in Mississippi where victims would now be forced to have their attacker’s children. Second, Plan B, an emergency contraception more commonly known as “the morning after pill”, would be illegal as well because even though a woman is not considered pregnant yet, the egg is fertilized and under this new amendment it would count as abortion rather than pregnancy prevention, which is the purpose of contraception. Pregnancy tests don’t even show as positive until after implementation of a fertilized egg in the uterus so why should the government suddenly decide that pregnancy and life now begin at fertilization instead?

Due to Initiative 26’s ambiguous wording there could be a slew of potential lawsuits. In ectopic pregnancies and other cases where the mother’s life is in danger we hit a gray area. There is no wording to protect for these situations. Proponents of the amendment claim that a doctor is required to do everything they can to try and save both, but in the cases where there isn’t viability then the doctor would save just the mother. Well, who decides if a doctor did everything they could or not?

IUDs would also be made illegal. Again, because of the ambiguous wording we can’t know where this will lead. What happens to women that already have them? Are they supposed to be tracked down and lined up at a doctor’s office to remove them? What about if a woman wants to move to Mississippi? Will women now be stopped at the border and asked if they have an IUD?

What about tubal ligations and vasectomies? What about birth control pills and diaphragms and even condoms for that matter? Could people be charged as accessories to murder for responsible family and preventing fertilizations? Who is to say? Again, because of the ambiguity of the bill the door is open to lawsuits and several interpretations. If you think that in our litigious society that this is ludicrous and would never happen remember that there was a day when nobody thought someone would sue a company because they spilled coffee on themselves. Why would we think that with something as serious as life that people wouldn’t sue? Even Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has expressed concern over the ambiguous wording in Initiative 26.

If Mississippians want to abolish abortion and a woman’s right to choose then they need a bill that states just that. Initiative 26 is not that bill. It is not just anti-choice, it is anti-assault victim, anti-responsible family planning and it is government going way too far. As if that was not enough, it will also have a harmful snowball effect to other states with the upcoming 2012 elections. Mississippians must vote NO on Initiative 26.