The monstrosity of a largely -unread Health Care Bill is going before the Conference Committee probably as I write this, the Senate voted for cloture and sent this devastating 2000-plus pile of paper on it’s way to become the new law of the land.
Not only does the bill include fines and prison time for American Citizens who refuse to comply with it’s egregious and unconstitutional provisions, but just today we learned that only 3 minutes prior to the cloture vote, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) added an amendment that specifically excludes the construction industry (and ONLY that industry) from the small business exemption of mandated health care insurance for 50 employees or less. In other word’s this amendment requires construction businesses with 5 employees or more to insure its employees while other small businesses with fewer than do not.
For instance, suppose a small businessman has a four year-old company that employs himself, his two sons, one son-in-law, and two others. This person, who business has dropped 60 percent in a year, is struggling to stay afloat with the current construction downturn.Now, under this Senate Bill, he somehow must find money for health care insurance for his business to meet the new government mandates. He is faced with closing his business, firing some of his employees, or paying hefty fines and even possible jail time. This mandate will likely seal the fate of this small entrepreneur, who otherwise, might be able to weather the economic storm.
And the new tax credits for small businesses, which our senators both have boasted about, are so narrowly defined that few will qualify. And if they do, the credits only last for two years, making them little more than a slow bloodletting.
Many good people will be affected. There are over 4000 licensed construction businesses in Arkansas, alone, plus who knows how many other construction subcontractors, easily representing tens of thousands of our citizens whose livelihoods hang in the balance.
This is a crippling blow to an already devastated industry with a 20 percent unemployment rate in Arkansas. As one of my Democrat friends put it: “This is a slap in the face for the Democrats. It’s [the Merkley Amendment] a back door for the Unions.”
Instead of being able to focus on our families during this sacred holiday season, we Arkansans find ourselves, along with people across this nation, having to constantly chaperone and press our senators and congressmen as they prance around Washington playing reindeer games, holding secret meetings and stuffing their own stockings.
Senators Lincoln and Pryor each have broken their promise that we would have 72 hours to read the bill and amendments.
In a conversation with Senator Pryor’s office this afternoon I was told Senator Pryor was definitely concerned with this development (the Merkley Amendment) but that enough of his criteria had been met he would be voting for the bill. When told that if this amendment should pass the state’s construction industry is likely to implode a Pryor spokesperson replied: “that’s one way to look at it”.
Meanwhile, over at Blanche Lincoln’s office, she’s reported to also have had “enough of her goals met” and that she, too, would be voting to move the bill forward. Although her spokesperson did add the senator would have some reservations if the Bill came out of committee with this amendment still attached.
Shame on them for shady, back room politics and last-minute amendments that they had not read and don’t understand. But, shame on us if we have not faxed, emailed and called constantly to stop this travesty. Remember the admonishment from Edmond Burke: “All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to stand idly by and do nothing.”
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veterans Day!
There are a few times every year that rouse my esprit de corps, Veterans Day is on of those times. It has been a while since I have donned my US Navy EOD Diver uniform but the spirit, in which I joined the U.S. military, well over 20 years ago, is still alive and well today reminding me of the blessing I received in serving.
Tomorrow Nov 11th is Veterans Day 2009. I hope you gather with your family at some point tomorrow for a moment to think of and pray for those who have fought and are currently fighting to defend our freedoms, protect our liberties and secure our borders.
The horrific murders that occurred in Ft Hood, TX just a few days ago remind us of the incredible sacrifice that our soldiers make on our behalf. Please do not let tomorrow pass without making a conscious effort to celebrate and give thanks for our military. May God bless and protect each man and woman now wearing the uniform as well as each one who has worn it before them. I would also ask you to pray for each of their families, the constant thought of their loved ones being in harms way is especially heavy as we approach the holiday season.
I know that we are in some tumultuous times in our country right now, but I would submit, without equivocation, that we still live in the GREATEST country on planet earth, for which we should be enormously thankful. ~Thank you God for blessing me as an AMERICAN~God’s Speed~ Laurie
Tomorrow Nov 11th is Veterans Day 2009. I hope you gather with your family at some point tomorrow for a moment to think of and pray for those who have fought and are currently fighting to defend our freedoms, protect our liberties and secure our borders.
The horrific murders that occurred in Ft Hood, TX just a few days ago remind us of the incredible sacrifice that our soldiers make on our behalf. Please do not let tomorrow pass without making a conscious effort to celebrate and give thanks for our military. May God bless and protect each man and woman now wearing the uniform as well as each one who has worn it before them. I would also ask you to pray for each of their families, the constant thought of their loved ones being in harms way is especially heavy as we approach the holiday season.
I know that we are in some tumultuous times in our country right now, but I would submit, without equivocation, that we still live in the GREATEST country on planet earth, for which we should be enormously thankful. ~Thank you God for blessing me as an AMERICAN~God’s Speed~ Laurie
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
From Protest to Action
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.
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.
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.
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