The day had been filled with congratulations and thank you’s , which is awesome and greatly appreciated. However I truly don’t deserve all the credit or accolades. The scores of TEA Party people that worked diligently to hand out flyers, make phone calls, write letters to the editor, rally, attend meetings, formulate and pay for ads and You Guys, the 6000 people that took time out of their days to go be a part of the solution by voting deserve the credit and recognition for all your efforts.
The people of Fayetteville from all sides united to say ENOUGH! Even though the district was able to solicit endorsements from the City Council, the Mayor’s office, the AFSCME Union, the Chamber of Commerce and the local paper which carried story after story, after editorial, after endorsement. They sent a blizzard of studies, fact sheets, robo calls, mass mailings, letters home with students and even personalized home meetings all around our city to convince people that we needed to spend $116 million plus that much in interest to build a high school for the children. Even after all of that, the PEOPLE were able to examine the facts they presented, which were surprisingly few, and say No, we have not been given nearly enough information to hand over any more of our hard earned money in such tough financial times for everyone.
Yesterday’s election was the largest school election ever held http://bit.ly/251IK5 in Washington Co.. That in itself is a huge achievement! I hope what is accomplished by this historic milestone is that people all across our state realize the power for common good that is generated when a community unites, when concerned people become informed and engaged in the process afforded us to insure our freedoms and liberties.
For the TEA Party movement to continue to be effective we must move from the Protest to Action phase. Use the momentum and credibility we have gained thwarting EFCA (card check) and healthcare, facilitating the resignation of Van Jones, the gathering of millions of Americans from April 15th, July 4th and 9/12 to our first local victory by defeating an outrageous millage increase to now move to sustained action implementing change in our communities. We all need to send a clear and continuous message to our elected officials at every level : We will no longer sit idly by and watch as you leverage our futures and the futures of our children with unresponsive, arrogant, over-reaching and over-spending tactics. Get together now and begin tomorrow joining forces with others in your neighborhoods, churches and offices. Pleas start attending public meetings i.e. school boards, city councils, quorum courts etc. Let them see you are there and interested. Begin to listen and even investigate what is happening in your own back yard, where your voice is the loudest. Also let your legislators know in a civil manner that that they are on notice, that we the people are here to watch and speak - and we aren’t sittin’ down anymore.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
So Much going on in AR Politics
The Senate race is becoming quite crowded. When I went to Little Rock to meet with Senator Pryor last week I also met with Conrad Reynolds, candidate for U.S Senate, seemingly a nice man. The fact that he is a veteran, a colonel, was very appealing, being a vet myself. He told me then that he would be hiring K. Ryan James as his communication advisor. K Ryan is a blogger who I have followed for several months now and is really an asset to Reynolds in my opinion.
Several weeks back I met Curtis Coleman, another candidate for U.S. Senate, he strikes me initially as a very capable and convicted person. When he was asked- "how do we know that when you go to Washington you won't do what everyone else has done and cave", his response "you don't". Man I love a guy who can tell the truth instead of trying to blow smoke up your fanny. I do know that his wife is definitely a resource. Their one of those couples you really like to go to dinner with knowing the conversation will always be interesting and high energy. Here is what Jason Tolbert has on Coleman http://tolbertreport.com/2009/05/27/curtis-coleman-launches-website-for-us-senate-campaign/
Then there is Tom Cotton, whom I have never met but also heard good things. He is a veteran and my understanding is that he served in Afghanistan and has just recently returned to Arkansas. Hopefully I will be able to meet Mr. Cotton in the not so distant future. Here is a blog post by David Sanders with some other details- http://arkansasnews.com/2009/08/12/cotton-uproven-but-has-good-story-for-politics/
I saw on Jason Tolbert's blog that Tom Cox's Communication Director, Stefani Buhajla resigned today apparently over a dispute regarding some comments Cox made over the weekend. I never really considered Cox a contender, since the first time I talked to him on the phone I got that hinky feeling, ya know the one like, what is he really saying?
Gilbert Baker has entered the race although for months now he has been telling people he wouldn't run and his campaign manager was working for Conrad Reynolds and I guess is now back working for Baker....
I know that there are some other candidates out there, I have even heard that there is a Democrat that will run in the primary against Senator Lincoln, whose numbers are plummeting. I am sure there is no correlation between her numbers and the fact that she has yet to meet with her constituents or that she continues to vote against the wishes of the people of Arkansas She does have 3 townhall meetings scheduled this week .... Pine Bluff, Russelleville and Jonesboro...umm ?
All of this to say that the 2010 election season should be interesting and I highly encourage you to watch the players on the field, I know each of them will have plenty of opportunities for you to "meet and greet", at least as long as they are all still candidates.
Several weeks back I met Curtis Coleman, another candidate for U.S. Senate, he strikes me initially as a very capable and convicted person. When he was asked- "how do we know that when you go to Washington you won't do what everyone else has done and cave", his response "you don't". Man I love a guy who can tell the truth instead of trying to blow smoke up your fanny. I do know that his wife is definitely a resource. Their one of those couples you really like to go to dinner with knowing the conversation will always be interesting and high energy. Here is what Jason Tolbert has on Coleman http://tolbertreport.com/2009/05/27/curtis-coleman-launches-website-for-us-senate-campaign/
Then there is Tom Cotton, whom I have never met but also heard good things. He is a veteran and my understanding is that he served in Afghanistan and has just recently returned to Arkansas. Hopefully I will be able to meet Mr. Cotton in the not so distant future. Here is a blog post by David Sanders with some other details- http://arkansasnews.com/2009/08/12/cotton-uproven-but-has-good-story-for-politics/
I saw on Jason Tolbert's blog that Tom Cox's Communication Director, Stefani Buhajla resigned today apparently over a dispute regarding some comments Cox made over the weekend. I never really considered Cox a contender, since the first time I talked to him on the phone I got that hinky feeling, ya know the one like, what is he really saying?
Gilbert Baker has entered the race although for months now he has been telling people he wouldn't run and his campaign manager was working for Conrad Reynolds and I guess is now back working for Baker....
I know that there are some other candidates out there, I have even heard that there is a Democrat that will run in the primary against Senator Lincoln, whose numbers are plummeting. I am sure there is no correlation between her numbers and the fact that she has yet to meet with her constituents or that she continues to vote against the wishes of the people of Arkansas She does have 3 townhall meetings scheduled this week .... Pine Bluff, Russelleville and Jonesboro...umm ?
All of this to say that the 2010 election season should be interesting and I highly encourage you to watch the players on the field, I know each of them will have plenty of opportunities for you to "meet and greet", at least as long as they are all still candidates.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Visit with Senator Mark Pryor
Bob Porto and I (along with my 15yr old daughter) met with Senator Pryor and four of his staff members today and here a couple of observations, I will expound later-
The conversation was pleasant. The Senator and his staff were welcoming.
We talked a while about how can the people of Arkansas become accurately informed and effectively engaged. How do we help our elected officials to accurately represent the people when they return to Washington to vote on bills that affect our everyday lives?
Senator Pryor agreed that things were moving to fast and that he was thankful for the slowing down and the involvement of THE People. He assured me that when the final health bill was written by the “Conference” that he would let the people of Arkansas know what was specifically in it and would be open to genuine feedback.
Neither the Senator nor any of the four staff people present (Randy, Tate, Mike and Lauren) knew or had ever heard of Van Jones (Green Czar), the Apollo Alliance or John Holdren (Science Czar). We asked who these people are, who they are accountable to, and are the allegations we are hearing about their past as far as being closely tied to radical revolutionary organizations true? We asked if they are on the government pay roll? while they were unable to answer these specific questions, Tate, Senior Legislative Assistant, said he research it and would let me know what he found out.
The Senator reminded us that President Obama is not the first President to have Czars, to which we agreed but still expressed concern about many of the people, with seemingly dubious backgrounds, that President Obama is seemingly surrounding himself with.
As we discussed the healthcare issue the Senator said that there would be efforts to include tort reform in the senate's healthcare bill, which is contrary to what was expressed at Senator Lincoln’s office. I was personally encouraged by that.
We asked if he supported a Public Option, he replied that he would have to see how it was framed and what form it was written, we all agreed we did’t really understand the coop option.
The Senator said that he had recently talked with a Senator from Rhodes Island, Sheldon Whitehouse, and that Rhodes Island had a “public option” that was working. When we asked is it self sustaining he said he did not know.
When we talked about the public options that we already have such as Medicare/Medicaid the Senator considered those programs were successful because they “helped the poor”, but he did agree that they were “unsustainable”.
I asked specifically if he would vote for EFCA, he replied that EFCA would not be dealt with this year and most likely not next year either.
We were there for just over an hour and appreciated the Senator’s time. We hope that this is one of many open dialogues that the Senator is willing to have with his constituents.
The conversation was pleasant. The Senator and his staff were welcoming.
We talked a while about how can the people of Arkansas become accurately informed and effectively engaged. How do we help our elected officials to accurately represent the people when they return to Washington to vote on bills that affect our everyday lives?
Senator Pryor agreed that things were moving to fast and that he was thankful for the slowing down and the involvement of THE People. He assured me that when the final health bill was written by the “Conference” that he would let the people of Arkansas know what was specifically in it and would be open to genuine feedback.
Neither the Senator nor any of the four staff people present (Randy, Tate, Mike and Lauren) knew or had ever heard of Van Jones (Green Czar), the Apollo Alliance or John Holdren (Science Czar). We asked who these people are, who they are accountable to, and are the allegations we are hearing about their past as far as being closely tied to radical revolutionary organizations true? We asked if they are on the government pay roll? while they were unable to answer these specific questions, Tate, Senior Legislative Assistant, said he research it and would let me know what he found out.
The Senator reminded us that President Obama is not the first President to have Czars, to which we agreed but still expressed concern about many of the people, with seemingly dubious backgrounds, that President Obama is seemingly surrounding himself with.
As we discussed the healthcare issue the Senator said that there would be efforts to include tort reform in the senate's healthcare bill, which is contrary to what was expressed at Senator Lincoln’s office. I was personally encouraged by that.
We asked if he supported a Public Option, he replied that he would have to see how it was framed and what form it was written, we all agreed we did’t really understand the coop option.
The Senator said that he had recently talked with a Senator from Rhodes Island, Sheldon Whitehouse, and that Rhodes Island had a “public option” that was working. When we asked is it self sustaining he said he did not know.
When we talked about the public options that we already have such as Medicare/Medicaid the Senator considered those programs were successful because they “helped the poor”, but he did agree that they were “unsustainable”.
I asked specifically if he would vote for EFCA, he replied that EFCA would not be dealt with this year and most likely not next year either.
We were there for just over an hour and appreciated the Senator’s time. We hope that this is one of many open dialogues that the Senator is willing to have with his constituents.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Events of the Day
Directly after spending 13hours in a car with 4 teenage girls on the heels of 10day in Florida makes a person appreciate civility (and sleep), hence my cumbaya moment.
Friends, I cannot express to you the over whelming positive response I have received about our showing today! I tell you this, that because of our unwavering dedication to our beliefs accompanied with our self control and civil demeanor we have gained the respect of Senator Lincoln, her staff and all those in attendance at today’s event~ We have just solidified the meaning of American Patriot.
From the beginning of The TEA Party movement the mantra has been “it is not about left or right it is about America”. Today at Senator Blanche Lincoln’s fund raiser in Bella Vista, AR no truer words were ever spoken.
I was unable to attend the event today but thanks to advanced technologies i.e. facebook, twitter, email, and cell phone uploads I was able to piece together the tesserae of a fine mosaic. Imagine if you will a beautiful park laid in the depths of an Arkansas forest with a babbling brook running through the center and huge boulders as the back drop on an August evening at the end of summer; insert hundreds of citizens from every political persuasion gathered under very conspicuous circumstances, saddled with incredulousness over the most controversial issue facing a nation, and what would you expect? Well that was the scene. Over 150 people (mostly TEA Party People) lined the entrance to Blowing Springs Park this afternoon with signs displaying fears, concerns and downright frustration of the much debated Healthcare issue, while others, perhaps as many as 50 Tea Party people and the remainder democratic supporters walked through what could be described as a conga line to attend a Democratic Fund raiser. For more than 3 ½ hours in close proximity R’s, D’s, L’s, and perhaps even some C’s and G’s sat or stood side by side without incident as Senator Lincoln and others presented their program.
Though there were some early tensions and perhaps some bad decisions made around the table, the day ended with a new found appreciation for civility.
I received this text this evening around 8:30-"Laurie...I just wanted to say that your group was orderly and respectful...you should be proud of the way they conducted themselves" Robbyn Tumey, Former Chairman of the Benton Co. Democratic Party
May God bring a new understanding to Americans as we move forward.~ God’s Speed
Friends, I cannot express to you the over whelming positive response I have received about our showing today! I tell you this, that because of our unwavering dedication to our beliefs accompanied with our self control and civil demeanor we have gained the respect of Senator Lincoln, her staff and all those in attendance at today’s event~ We have just solidified the meaning of American Patriot.
From the beginning of The TEA Party movement the mantra has been “it is not about left or right it is about America”. Today at Senator Blanche Lincoln’s fund raiser in Bella Vista, AR no truer words were ever spoken.
I was unable to attend the event today but thanks to advanced technologies i.e. facebook, twitter, email, and cell phone uploads I was able to piece together the tesserae of a fine mosaic. Imagine if you will a beautiful park laid in the depths of an Arkansas forest with a babbling brook running through the center and huge boulders as the back drop on an August evening at the end of summer; insert hundreds of citizens from every political persuasion gathered under very conspicuous circumstances, saddled with incredulousness over the most controversial issue facing a nation, and what would you expect? Well that was the scene. Over 150 people (mostly TEA Party People) lined the entrance to Blowing Springs Park this afternoon with signs displaying fears, concerns and downright frustration of the much debated Healthcare issue, while others, perhaps as many as 50 Tea Party people and the remainder democratic supporters walked through what could be described as a conga line to attend a Democratic Fund raiser. For more than 3 ½ hours in close proximity R’s, D’s, L’s, and perhaps even some C’s and G’s sat or stood side by side without incident as Senator Lincoln and others presented their program.
Though there were some early tensions and perhaps some bad decisions made around the table, the day ended with a new found appreciation for civility.
I received this text this evening around 8:30-"Laurie...I just wanted to say that your group was orderly and respectful...you should be proud of the way they conducted themselves" Robbyn Tumey, Former Chairman of the Benton Co. Democratic Party
May God bring a new understanding to Americans as we move forward.~ God’s Speed
Friday, August 14, 2009
Public? Town Hall? Rally? Where?
Over the last twenty-four hours there has been quite the brouhaha over Senator Blanche Lincolns Non-Town Hall, Town Hall meeting. After making calls to the senator’s office consistently over the past two weeks and being repeatedly told she was not having a public forum on healthcare, you can imagine my surprise when the following came in an email from Organizing for America on Thursday around 6pm:
Benton Co Democratic Party Event in Rogers with Sen. Lincoln(Health Care Public Event)
I wanted to send you an urgent invitation to an important public meeting with Sen. Blanche Lincoln this Saturday, August 15th. She'll be talking to constituents and gathering feedback -- this is an ideal opportunity to make sure your support for health insurance reform is seen and heard at exactly the right time.Our congressional representatives are back home this month, and they're facing more and more pressure from special interests on health insurance reform. It's critical that we get out there and show them where we stand.
What: Public meeting withSen. Blanche LincolnWhere: Samaritan Community Center 1211 W Hudson RdRogers, AR 72756 When: Saturday, August 15thArrival Time: 3:30 p.m.Start Time: 4:30 p.m.Our representatives are under attack by Washington insiders, insurance companies, and well-financed special interests who don't go a day without spreading lies and stirring up fear. We need to show that we're sick and tired of it, and that we're ready for real change, this year.Please come to the meeting, and make sure that the most powerful voices in this debate are those calling for real reform, not angrily clamoring for the status quo.Thanks,KyleKyle SimonArkansas State DirectorOrganizing for AmericaP.S. -- Before the event, please print off a flyer to display and make sure that your support is visible.
After making a few calls we (Arkansas Unite) decided that we would like to have a chance to participate in what seemed to be the only chance we would have to address our senator with questions and concerns we have on the healthcare issue…being this was a “ Health Care Public Event”
We began to facebook, twitter and email our members across the state this message, http://bit.ly/qjBr4,notifying them of our opportunity to address our senator.
Around noon today (Friday) I received an email from Debbie Rambo, Executive Director of the Samaritan Community Center which read in part:
It has come to my attention that an organization entitled Arkansas Unite has recently sent out an e-mail that states that Senator Blanche Lincoln has scheduled a town hall meeting on Health Care Reform that will be held at our building on Saturday evening .
Please note that this information is NOT correct... I have been repeatedly assured by the event organizer that this is not a town hall type of forum, and there will not be questions and answers… Please note that I have also notified the state director of the Arkansas Democratic Party, as well as the state director for Organizing for America (Kyle Simon) that this is NOT a public (or private) healthcare forum and requested that this information be removed from the Organizing for America website immediately.
**As of right now Friday at 10:47pm OFA’s site reads - Benton Co Democratic Party Event at Blowing Springs Park with Sen. Lincoln (Health Care Public Event)- note the change in location
Around 4pm today (Friday) I received another email from Ms. Rambo stating, “Please note that the Democratic Rally scheduled for tomorrow evening at the Samaritan Community Center has been cancelled.”
Boy the stuff was really beginning to hit the fan. So I decided to do a little google search I found this-
http://politicsinarkansas.com/2009/08/lincoln-event-wont-be-health-care-forum/
Lincoln: Event won’t be health care forum
— Posted by John Lyon on August 14th, 2009
U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln wants everyone to know that an upcoming rally in Benton County is not a public forum on health care.
In a news release, Lincoln’s campaign said today that Saturday’s annual Benton County Democratic Rally was incorrectly described in e-mails issued by the Washington-based group Organizing for America as a “health care public event.”
“The Benton County Democrats have planned this event for months and Sen. Lincoln believes it is unfortunate that the erroneous e-mail by Organizing for America has misstated its purpose,” Lincoln’s campaign manager, Steve Patterson, said in the release.
Well now we can all understand how a mistake like that can be made but then up pops this jewel http://bit.ly/KcYPQ from MoveOn.org:
Real Voices for Change Action
Samaritan Community Center in Rogers, 1211 Hudson RoadRogers, AR 72756Saturday, August 15th, 4:30 PM
Let's keep the momentum going! Please sign up for this gathering right away!
Please join us at the Benton County Democratic Committee Summer Picnic/Rally as we ask Senator Lincoln to support a strong public health care option. To enter this event, you must purchase a ticket, but we will be holding signs out front. Tickets are $5 to enter and $10 if you would like a meal. If ...(more)you're interested in buying tickets, please contact any of the following people ASAP. Carole Westby, 876-… c:640-….; Charles Aldrich, 636-….; or Bill Millager, 636-…..
Lincoln: Event won’t be health care forum
— Posted by John Lyon on August 14th, 2009
U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln wants everyone to know that an upcoming rally in Benton County is not a public forum on health care.
In a news release, Lincoln’s campaign said today that Saturday’s annual Benton County Democratic Rally was incorrectly described in e-mails issued by the Washington-based group Organizing for America as a “health care public event.”
“The Benton County Democrats have planned this event for months and Sen. Lincoln believes it is unfortunate that the erroneous e-mail by Organizing for America has misstated its purpose,” Lincoln’s campaign manager, Steve Patterson, said in the release.
Well now we can all understand how a mistake like that can be made but then up pops this jewel http://bit.ly/KcYPQ from MoveOn.org:
Real Voices for Change Action
Samaritan Community Center in Rogers, 1211 Hudson RoadRogers, AR 72756Saturday, August 15th, 4:30 PM
Let's keep the momentum going! Please sign up for this gathering right away!
Please join us at the Benton County Democratic Committee Summer Picnic/Rally as we ask Senator Lincoln to support a strong public health care option. To enter this event, you must purchase a ticket, but we will be holding signs out front. Tickets are $5 to enter and $10 if you would like a meal. If ...(more)you're interested in buying tickets, please contact any of the following people ASAP. Carole Westby, 876-… c:640-….; Charles Aldrich, 636-….; or Bill Millager, 636-…..
One might argue that Organizing for America could send an “erroneous email” and get is wrong, being that they are supposedly an arm of the Obama Administration, but to try and convince me that an organization with an impeccable reputation for facts such as MoveOn.org got it wrong is a whole nother matter. What really strikes me as peculiar is the names at the bottom of the email from MoveOn.org, Carole Westby, Charles Aldrich & Bill Millager. Umm I have seen these names somewhere before…where was it? OH! I know here http://www.bentoncountydemocrats.org/ on the Benton county Democrats’ site on Aug 4th announcing the “Summer Rally/Picnic”
Good Times Are Here!
Written by Bill Millager
Tuesday, 04 August 2009 08:39
Join Senator Blanche Lincoln and other Distinguished Speaker at our Summer Rally/Picnic Please buy your tickets well in advance from Carole Westby, 876-…. c:640-….; Charles Aldrich, 636-….; or Bill Millager, 636-….
Now am I supposed to believe that the contacts being the same for both organizations (Benton County Dems and MoveOn.org) had a miscommunication between themselves? Well let’s just say I “report, you decide”.
I am not saying this happened (and I am not, not saying it either) but it looks like what might have been a plan to STACK a meeting with friendlies and perhaps have a very favorable Town Hall for the news media got just a little out of hand.
Not only did the email from Organizing for America say it was a “public” event, they had a link for attendees to print off a sign and encouraged people to “make sure that the most powerful voices in this debate are those calling for real reform”. While the Benton County Dems, oops I mean, MoveOn.org’s email stated “we will be holding signs out front”. One might tend to think with that kind of verbiage there was going to be a little more going on than just sippin ice tea, eatin watermelon and listenin to the good ole fashion political rhetoric.
At around 9 pm this evening, we received word from a source that in fact the meeting has not been cancelled but moved to a different location. You think they did that on purpose? I am beginning to get the impression they don’t want anyone who might disagree or have questions that challenge the senator’s logic supporting the current health care bill to not show up, YA think?
All that said, I am sure that Senator Lincoln and the Democrats of Arkansas, specifically Benton County never intended to shirk those of us that disagree with her stance on the pending healthcare bill and have every intention of letting us know in the morning of the current location (*wink* we already know), so that we will have a chance as voters, constituents and concerned citizens to address our senator before she heads back to Washington to cast her vote impacting the lives of all Arkansans, especially those who oppose this egregious proposed healthcare legislation.
I am not saying this happened (and I am not, not saying it either) but it looks like what might have been a plan to STACK a meeting with friendlies and perhaps have a very favorable Town Hall for the news media got just a little out of hand.
Not only did the email from Organizing for America say it was a “public” event, they had a link for attendees to print off a sign and encouraged people to “make sure that the most powerful voices in this debate are those calling for real reform”. While the Benton County Dems, oops I mean, MoveOn.org’s email stated “we will be holding signs out front”. One might tend to think with that kind of verbiage there was going to be a little more going on than just sippin ice tea, eatin watermelon and listenin to the good ole fashion political rhetoric.
At around 9 pm this evening, we received word from a source that in fact the meeting has not been cancelled but moved to a different location. You think they did that on purpose? I am beginning to get the impression they don’t want anyone who might disagree or have questions that challenge the senator’s logic supporting the current health care bill to not show up, YA think?
All that said, I am sure that Senator Lincoln and the Democrats of Arkansas, specifically Benton County never intended to shirk those of us that disagree with her stance on the pending healthcare bill and have every intention of letting us know in the morning of the current location (*wink* we already know), so that we will have a chance as voters, constituents and concerned citizens to address our senator before she heads back to Washington to cast her vote impacting the lives of all Arkansans, especially those who oppose this egregious proposed healthcare legislation.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Why won't they talk to us?
As the news of "crazed" town hall meetings dominates the news, we here in Arkansas are finding it hard to even get a return phone call or an email.
Monday morning August 3rd I received a call from a friend letting me know they had contacted Rep. Vic Snyder's office and asked if he was going to hold any Town Hall meeting during his recess,the answer...NO!
So facebook, emails and twits went flying, appox. two hours later there surfaced a release that Rep. Snyder was going to hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday night the 5th of Aug at 6pm. with the Central Arkansas Labor Council. Once again the facebook, emails, blogs, and twits zoomed through cyber space. Approx 10 am yesterday morning (Tuesday, August 4th) we were told that it was a private meeting and that we would not be allowed inside. One more time we hit the keyboards to spread the message that it was a closed meeting but we should still attend to let Mr. Snyder know that we are very interested in having some time with him while he is home.
About 2:30 that same day while in a meeting my blackberry went into convulsions, in a matter of just a few minutes i received myriad texts, emails and facebook messages that the meeting had been canceled, perhaps moved to Arkansas Children's Hospital.
I know this is getting repetitive but this is the story, one more time we notified everyone. Below is the final statement we sent out. It is our sincere hope that our elected officials will find time while they are home on recess to openly discuss with the people of Arkansas the decisions they have been making while representing us in Washington.
I know that I am willing to listen intently, ask concise relevant questions in a respectful manner and convey in a civil tone my concerns.
Our Statement:
Friends
We found out this afternoon due to scheduling conflicts, Vic Snyder’s office is canceling the town hall meeting tomorrow night at the Central Arkansas Labor Council on Enmar Drive.Since then we have been informed that Representatives Snyder and Ross will be at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital at 2 pm for a town hall meeting. Our question would be why would our elected officials choose a hospital filled with children and hurting families for a political forum? We have waited for months for our elected officials to return in able to have an opportunity to respectfully address their decisions in Washington. To involve ill children and their families seems to be once again an extremely poor choice.Given these circumstances are beyond our control, we encourage you to be mindful of the situation and of the innocent families involved and to refrain from attending. Please keep those children and their families in your thoughts and prayers. As always, we encourage everyone to be firm and assertive but civil. We are honorable people who are sympathetic to the hurts of our fellow citizens.Hopefully, we will have an opportunity to have an open dialogue with our representatives during their recess. Please let them know in a considerate manner that we would like some of their time. Stay informed, engaged and empowered
Monday morning August 3rd I received a call from a friend letting me know they had contacted Rep. Vic Snyder's office and asked if he was going to hold any Town Hall meeting during his recess,the answer...NO!
So facebook, emails and twits went flying, appox. two hours later there surfaced a release that Rep. Snyder was going to hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday night the 5th of Aug at 6pm. with the Central Arkansas Labor Council. Once again the facebook, emails, blogs, and twits zoomed through cyber space. Approx 10 am yesterday morning (Tuesday, August 4th) we were told that it was a private meeting and that we would not be allowed inside. One more time we hit the keyboards to spread the message that it was a closed meeting but we should still attend to let Mr. Snyder know that we are very interested in having some time with him while he is home.
About 2:30 that same day while in a meeting my blackberry went into convulsions, in a matter of just a few minutes i received myriad texts, emails and facebook messages that the meeting had been canceled, perhaps moved to Arkansas Children's Hospital.
I know this is getting repetitive but this is the story, one more time we notified everyone. Below is the final statement we sent out. It is our sincere hope that our elected officials will find time while they are home on recess to openly discuss with the people of Arkansas the decisions they have been making while representing us in Washington.
I know that I am willing to listen intently, ask concise relevant questions in a respectful manner and convey in a civil tone my concerns.
Our Statement:
Friends
We found out this afternoon due to scheduling conflicts, Vic Snyder’s office is canceling the town hall meeting tomorrow night at the Central Arkansas Labor Council on Enmar Drive.Since then we have been informed that Representatives Snyder and Ross will be at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital at 2 pm for a town hall meeting. Our question would be why would our elected officials choose a hospital filled with children and hurting families for a political forum? We have waited for months for our elected officials to return in able to have an opportunity to respectfully address their decisions in Washington. To involve ill children and their families seems to be once again an extremely poor choice.Given these circumstances are beyond our control, we encourage you to be mindful of the situation and of the innocent families involved and to refrain from attending. Please keep those children and their families in your thoughts and prayers. As always, we encourage everyone to be firm and assertive but civil. We are honorable people who are sympathetic to the hurts of our fellow citizens.Hopefully, we will have an opportunity to have an open dialogue with our representatives during their recess. Please let them know in a considerate manner that we would like some of their time. Stay informed, engaged and empowered
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Rules we need to know
Today in my husband Mike's column in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette he laid out the Chicago extremist Saul Alinsky’s 1971 “Rules for Radicals.” I along with many others believe this is crucial information We must understand what we are up against and the mindset of the people who are pushing so hard to turn our country inside out.
Please read this carefully, as you do think about all the arguments you have heard as of late...things will begin to fall into place, and where you thought you might be going absolutely stark raving mad you will realize- "no I was right, I/we are being manipulated and played".
I know for me this read shed a much needed light on- how, what, where, when and why we got to this point.
Someone today emailed me after reading Mike's column and said they needed time to digest, "healthy eating here".~ Read on~
Below, Craig Miyamoto of Public Relations Strategies cites Alinsky’s dozen rules for duping and using the honorable citizens of the country, a.k.a. “the enemy.” What better way to achieve Alinsky’s dream than to make us dependent by eliminating free enterprise and individual liberties?
The effective way to counteract such calculated subversion is for the hardworking, tax-paying so-called enemies to arise and become radical activists for preserving the Constitution and individual liberty. Alinsky’s rules: Power is not only what one has, but what the enemy believes one has. It is derived through money and people. Those without power must build it from flesh and blood. Both are in ample supply. Government and corporations always have difficulty appealing to people. They usually resort to economic arguments.
Activists should never exceed the expertise of their people. Doing so results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to anyone’s backbone. Organizations under attack wonder whyradicals don’t address the “real issues.” This is why.
Whenever possible, go outside the enemy’s expertise. Find ways to increase his insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty. Watch how many organizations under attack are blind-sided by the seemingly irrelevant arguments they are forced to address. In other words, create a crisis.
Make the enemy live up to his own rule book. “If their rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all their own rules.” “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.” The object is creating anger and fear.
Use tactics your people enjoy. “They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones. Radical activists . . . are no different than any other human being. We allavoid ‘un-fun’ activities, and but we revel at and enjoy the ones that work and bring results.” “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag. . . . Even radical activists get bored. So to keep them excited and involved, organizers are constantly coming up with new tactics.” Keep pressure on a target. “Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.” Attack repeatedly from all sides, “never give the reeling organization a chance to rest, regroup, recover and re-strategize.” Reminds me of the inexplicable rush to pass stacks of unread, bad legislation.
Any threat usually proves more terrifying than the thing itself. The enemy’s imagination and ego can dream up more consequences than any activist can when perception is reality. Large organizations always prepare a worst-case scenario. The demoralized organization “will expend enormous time and energy conjuring in its own collective mind the most dire conclusion.” “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence on the part of the other side “can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog. Unions used this tactic. Peaceful (albeit loud) demonstrations during the heyday of unions in the early to mid-20th Century incurred management’s wrath,” often in the form of violence that created brought public sympathy.
“The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative. Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.” Activist organizations have an agenda, and their strategy is to hold a place at the table and a forum to wield power, so they should have a compromise solution. Anyone else thinking of all those federal favors to ACORN?
“Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.”
Just FYI (from his most dedicated fan) you can get an online superscription to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette online with Mike's column every Tues, Saturday, Sunday.
Please read this carefully, as you do think about all the arguments you have heard as of late...things will begin to fall into place, and where you thought you might be going absolutely stark raving mad you will realize- "no I was right, I/we are being manipulated and played".
I know for me this read shed a much needed light on- how, what, where, when and why we got to this point.
Someone today emailed me after reading Mike's column and said they needed time to digest, "healthy eating here".~ Read on~
Below, Craig Miyamoto of Public Relations Strategies cites Alinsky’s dozen rules for duping and using the honorable citizens of the country, a.k.a. “the enemy.” What better way to achieve Alinsky’s dream than to make us dependent by eliminating free enterprise and individual liberties?
The effective way to counteract such calculated subversion is for the hardworking, tax-paying so-called enemies to arise and become radical activists for preserving the Constitution and individual liberty. Alinsky’s rules: Power is not only what one has, but what the enemy believes one has. It is derived through money and people. Those without power must build it from flesh and blood. Both are in ample supply. Government and corporations always have difficulty appealing to people. They usually resort to economic arguments.
Activists should never exceed the expertise of their people. Doing so results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to anyone’s backbone. Organizations under attack wonder whyradicals don’t address the “real issues.” This is why.
Whenever possible, go outside the enemy’s expertise. Find ways to increase his insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty. Watch how many organizations under attack are blind-sided by the seemingly irrelevant arguments they are forced to address. In other words, create a crisis.
Make the enemy live up to his own rule book. “If their rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all their own rules.” “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.” The object is creating anger and fear.
Use tactics your people enjoy. “They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones. Radical activists . . . are no different than any other human being. We allavoid ‘un-fun’ activities, and but we revel at and enjoy the ones that work and bring results.” “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag. . . . Even radical activists get bored. So to keep them excited and involved, organizers are constantly coming up with new tactics.” Keep pressure on a target. “Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.” Attack repeatedly from all sides, “never give the reeling organization a chance to rest, regroup, recover and re-strategize.” Reminds me of the inexplicable rush to pass stacks of unread, bad legislation.
Any threat usually proves more terrifying than the thing itself. The enemy’s imagination and ego can dream up more consequences than any activist can when perception is reality. Large organizations always prepare a worst-case scenario. The demoralized organization “will expend enormous time and energy conjuring in its own collective mind the most dire conclusion.” “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence on the part of the other side “can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog. Unions used this tactic. Peaceful (albeit loud) demonstrations during the heyday of unions in the early to mid-20th Century incurred management’s wrath,” often in the form of violence that created brought public sympathy.
“The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative. Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.” Activist organizations have an agenda, and their strategy is to hold a place at the table and a forum to wield power, so they should have a compromise solution. Anyone else thinking of all those federal favors to ACORN?
“Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.”
Just FYI (from his most dedicated fan) you can get an online superscription to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette online with Mike's column every Tues, Saturday, Sunday.
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