Chaz for Rockingham Clerk of Court

Jim Riley at Virginia Virtucon has posted Chaz for Rockingham County Clerk of Court about our friend, Chaz Haywood, who is running for Clerk of Court in Rockingham/Harrisonburg. Chaz formerly worked as the local representative for Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Senator George Allen.

Others with posts supporting Chaz's campaign:

- Elle at Inpolitically Correct: Chaz Best Choice for Clerk of Court
- Joe at NoVa Townhall: Rockingham County's Rising Star
- John at Journal of the Civilized Man: Right Man for Clerk of Court

Check out his website for more information.

"Courage is contagious...."

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened."

--Billy Graham, American evangelist

"I'm Tired"

Received this from a friend today. How very appropriate....

"I'm Tired"

Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq , I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my tour.

I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired.

I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican, who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.

I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they "Support the Troops" by wanting them to "Cut and Run" before victory is achieved.

I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are having on the battlefield.

I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy over night.

I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament.

I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.

I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen soldiers. A family who's loved ones gave their life in a just and noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.

I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom -- Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks through to victory.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.

Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.

Sincerely,

Joe Repya,
Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army
101st Airborne Division

Bloggers respond to sleazy campaign tactics.... Updated

Riley Not O'Reilly at Virginia Virtucon posts Hanger Supporters Sink to a New Low. In it he says:

They make suggestions that Sayre should perform lewd sexual acts. It is really quite incredible and one of the sleaziest things I’ve ever seen in Virginia politics.

UPDATE # 1: Jim has updated his post tonight ... and he has banned Republitarian from his site because Republitarian threatened him. I'm glad to see one of the ethical bloggers stand up to this guy who has been a bully on the blogs as long as I've been posting.

Emmett Hanger needs to publicly denounce and distance himself from Myron Rhodes. There is no room in Virginia politics for this type of behavior or mud-slinging. Families should be off-limits in campaigns. Republitarian has threatened another blogger and threatened exposure of more information if his "demands" aren't met. In my book that's called blackmail.

Spank That Donkey has Desperate Is As Desperate Does where he said:

But it doesn't stop there. Now the Hanger camp is attacking members of Scott's family.. via the blogs.... Soundly beaten on the issues, they attack a candidate that has run a clean campaign. This is a guy who won't let me put up a "Least Wanted Poster" in campaign HQ....

Then there's Signs of Desperation in Hanger Camp?

I find it incredible that someone would stoop to this. Who's next? Campaign workers? Their families? Volunteers? There's always someone who wants to win at any cost....

UPDATE # 2: Carl Kilo at Spark It Up! has Myron Rhodes Hits Rock Bottom and Bloggers4Hanger Retreat.

Memorial Day 2007 ... "We rededicate ourselves to freedom's cause"

"Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended." --President George W. Bush, September 11, 2001

"If our country does not lead the cause for freedom, it will not be led." --President George W. Bush

On a small knoll overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains a plaque honors and memorializes one of Augusta County's own ... Lance Cpl. Jason Redifer ... a local fallen hero.

"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle." --Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S. Commander of Operation Desert Storm

“On Memorial Day, we rededicate ourselves to freedom's cause. In Iraq and Afghanistan, millions have shown their desire to be free. We are determined to help them secure their liberty. Our troops are helping them build democracies that respect the rights of their people, uphold the rule of law, and fight extremists alongside America in the war on terror. With the valor and determination of our men and women in uniform, I am confident that we will succeed and leave a world that is safer and more peaceful for our children and grandchildren. ... We also pay tribute to Americans from every generation who have given their lives for our freedom. From Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, brave men and women have given up their own futures so that others might have a future of freedom. Because of their sacrifice, millions here and around the world enjoy the blessings of liberty."

--President George W. Bush, Memorial Day 2007

Memorial Day ... we remember

In memory of three Augusta County Marines
who made the ultimate sacrifice
during Operation Iraqi Freedom....

Lance Cpl. Jason Redifer, 19, KIA January 31, 2005

Lance Cpl. Daniel Bubb, 19, KIA October 18, 2005

Lance Cpl. Daniel Morris, 19, KIA February 14, 2007

For those who have fought for it
Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

Semper Fi.

Fear is the path to the Dark Side....

Fear is the path to the Dark Side.

Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.

-- YODA, Star Wars
Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Memorial Day ... Vets for Freedom

For those who have fought for it
Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

From Vets for Freedom.com

This Memorial Day weekend, Americans across this great country will join together in remembering those soldiers who gave their lives in defense of freedom. From the blood-soaked beaches of France to the bombed-out back-alleys of Fallujah, the American G.I. has fought - and died - opposing that which is evil and oppressive, and defending all things decent and free.

Memorial Day is not about partisan politics or divergent ideologies; it's about remembering the fallen on the battlefield and passing their collective story to the next generation. These stories, and the men that bear them, are the backbone of this American experiment and must never be forgotten.

The minute, excuse me - the second - we believe our freedoms "inevitable and immutable," we have ceased to live in history, and have soured the soldier's sacrifice. He died in the mud, so we could enjoy this holiday.

Today, and every day, only a deep appreciation for our freedom - purchased on the battlefield - will suffice. It is with abiding reverence for America's fallen heroes - and belief in our mission ahead - that I assume the position of Executive Director of Vets for Freedom.

We hope to honor the fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan by redoubling our efforts in pursuit of the mission they died for. Led by Al Qaeda, radical Islamists - waging a global insurgency - have declared war on America and now seem poised to declare victory in Iraq. We cannot allow this to happen!

Thankfully, we have a new General in Baghdad, with more troops and a new strategy, and reports are promising. But General Petraeus and our soldiers must be given the time necessary to implement the new strategy.

That is where Vets for Freedom comes in. Under the excellent leadership of Wade Zirkle, Vets for Freedom has been a strong and consistent voice for veterans who believe in the need for success in Iraq and Afghanistan. With Wade still on board, I hope to build on this foundation and amplify the Vets for Freedom message.

To this end, we have adopted a succinct mission statement: mobilizing veterans to communicate America's strategic objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The "is the surge working?" debate is coming in September, and Vets for Freedom intends to ensure the pro-mission, pro-surge message is included. Through television, radio, print, and a major yet-to-be-announced event, Vets for Freedom will ensure the voice of the vast "silent majority" of pro-mission troops is heard.

However, one thing stands in our way: money. Running an organization takes substantial resources, and Vets for Freedom needs your help. Please, before you head out for the weekend, consider a generous donation. We need it!

I'm eager to get started and look forward to the challenges ahead. But more importantly, today - and every day - I'm proud to have known men that we remember this weekend. Men who, without their sacrifice at the altar of freedom, would have shared this day with us, but instead, live forever as heroes.

God bless this great country,

Pete Hegseth
Iraq War veteran

Read more about Pete at VetsforFreedom.org/about

Newspapers play games with headlines....

How many times have you read a newspaper headline only to get into the article and discover the headline didn't accurately reflect the news story? I've seen it many times including the headings over letters to the editor.

In today's Staunton News Leader it happened again. The title says, "Sayre: Anti-tax, anti-immigrant." If you read no further you would leave thinking Scott Sayre was anti-immigrant. But knowing that was not true, I read the letter and found it said he was anti-illegal immigrant.

There's a big difference in what was written in the letter and what was implied by the title.

The News Leader should print a retraction and owe up that Scott Sayre is totally for legal immigration but opposes using tax dollars to reward those who disregard our laws.

It's time for newspaper to stop playing games with headlines.

"For God & Country: Faith on the Battlefield"

Tune in tonight, May 25, at 8:00 PM on WAZT-TV and see “For God and Country: Faith on the Battlefield.” SWAC's own SSgt. Herb Harman will be featured.

Dean Welty with the Valley Family Forum writes...

Monday is Memorial Day, which has been observed nationally since 1868, right after the Civil War. It is an opportunity to honor the more than one million men and women in the Armed Forces who have given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is a sobering reminder that “Freedom is never free.”

Our guests will be Lt. Col. Jeff White and Staff Sergeant Herb Harman. They both take their faith and their call to arms seriously, soldiers who stand ready to defend our freedoms. And as a good friend regularly reminds me, “For those who have fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.”

We will ask them what “God and Country” mean to them. Under what conditions is war justified? What does the Bible teach about war? Who and what are worth fighting, and dying, for? And what in their faith compels them to leave their families for the battlefield, and then sustains them on the field?

We will also be asking their wives, Jocelyn White and Jan Harman, about their concerns for their families when their husbands go to war. Mrs. White was once an Army officer herself, so we will ask how that compares to being a full time homemaker and home-school teacher to her three children. Her answer will surprise you!

God calls all of us to obedience in different ways, and we can be deeply grateful for those who continue to put themselves in harm’s way, “Brave men who stand ready to do acts of violence so we can sleep safe in our beds.” Memorial Day is a time to reflect, to be grateful to all our men and women who stand in the gap for us, and to pray for peace in America and around the world.

Jan told me the wives didn't talk much because the husbands has so much to tell ... it sounds like an interesting program ... just what you need to head into the Memorial Day weekend.

Torture? Terrorists kill American soldiers

Don't even begin to complain to me about America "torturing" prisoners of war when we continue to find our American soldiers tortured and killed by terrorists in Iraq.

The body of Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr, 20, was found yesterday floating in the Euphrates River near Baghdad. He was one of three soldiers kidnapped in an ambush by terrorist insurgents on May 12.

Pfc. Anzack's body had head wounds and whip marks on his back.

How does that compare with underwear on someone's head? Or waterboarding?

We don't kill prisoners of war. Our enemy does.

Could the MSM run headlines about this please? Where's the Staunton News Leader? Tell Americans how their soldiers were tortured by the enemy -- make it as prominent as they did Abu Graib and Guantanamo when they accused American soldiers of "torturing" Iraqi prisoners of war.

Citizen's response to illegal immigration

[This is making the rounds on the internet billed as a real letter to his senator. It make some good points....]

The Honorable Tom Harkin
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510

Dear Senator Harkin:

As a native Iowan and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from US Citizen to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has be en in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years.

I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out. Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine.

Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.

Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year.

Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as well as "instate" tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.

Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver's license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college age children driving my car.

If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative. Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,

Donald Ruppert
Burlington, IA

"Honey ... there's a bear in the storage shed...."

One reason I live west of Staunton is it's less populated and more nature. We certainly see our share of wildlife -- emphasis on wild -- in our neighborhood.

Our neighbors were awakened Monday night by a ruckus coming from their storage building. Upon investigation they found a 200-pound black bear trying to break in, presumably trying to access corn that was stored there. The neighbor turned on the lights and yelled and ran the bear off.

Only problem was ... he came back. He recognized a smogasboard when he saw it ... yum, tasty corn ... and this time he could not be persuaded to leave until the neighbor fired a warning shot.

It's not unusual to see bears in our neighborhood but they're generally not a nuisance. They are usually just passing through or stopping by the neighbor's pond.

Two weeks ago another neighbor found what she described as a mountain lion in her yard at 5:00 in the afternoon. Yep, they've been sighted out there for years. The odd thing was that two nights ago when I was turning into the neighborhood in the wee hours of the morning something tan-colored and long and not quite like a coyote but too big to be a cat or dog crossed the road a ways ahead of me, just at the outer edge of my headlights. I couldn't figure out what it could be and wondered if it could have been a mountain lion.

Meanwhile, to prevent a bear causing massive damage, the neighbor moved the corn out of the storage building....

President showed leadership in standing up to Congress on Iraq

Democrats Drop Troop Pullout Dates From Iraq Bill - NY Times

Congressional Democrats relented today on their insistence that a war spending measure sought by President Bush also set a date for withdrawing troops from Iraq. The decision to back down, described by senior lawmakers and aides, was a wrenching reversal for some Democrats, who saw their election triumph as a call to force an end to the war. A Democratic effort to include timelines prompted Mr. Bush’s veto of the original bill last month, producing a political impasse.

Thank you for the leadership, Mr. President.

U.S. Congress honors Rev. Jerry Falwell today....

A Republican "Special Order" will be hosted this afternoon on the House floor by Congressman Bob Goodlatte when he and other members will remember Rev. Jerry Falwell. It will be carried live on C-SPAN as early as 5:30 or as late as 7:30 p.m.

In addition to Congressman Goodlatte, confirmed speakers include House Republican Whip Roy Blunt, House Republican Deputy Whip Eric Cantor, Congressman Virgil Goode, Congressman Randy Forbes, and Marilyn Musgrave.

Thousands say farewell to Jerry Falwell

Jerry Falwell

1935 - 2007

"When you met him it was like he had been waiting to see you and instantly you became old friends."
-- Scott Sayre, 24th District Senate candidate

When we pass from this world, a measure of how much of an impact we had can be seen in how many friends, family members, and colleagues turn out for our funerals.

Jerry Falwell had a huge impact on the world ... and the testament to that was the upwards of 30,000 people who planned to attend his funeral today in Lynchburg. That, my friends, is quite a statement.

Loved by his followers and savaged by the mainstream media, he influenced thousands of college students who attended his conservative Liberty University and law school. He built Thomas Road Baptist Church into a 24,000-member congregation. He impacted Republican politics by championing the Moral Majority in the 1980s.

And that is why I am grateful to Jerry Falwell. He shook conservative Christians by the shoulder and made them pay attention to the political process.

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Among those attending are evangelist Billy Graham's son, Franklin Graham, who will be one of the speakers; televangelist Pat Robertson, founder of Regent University in Virginia Beach; former Virginia Republican senator and governor George Allen; Ralph Reed, first executive director of Robertson's Christian Coalition; and Roy Moore, the "Ten Commandments judge" who was removed from office as Alabama's chief justice.

This is a man who will be missed.

Hanger says we're "extremists" ...?

Emmett Hanger has been heard more than once calling those who oppose his tax-hiking policies "anti-tax, anti-government extremists."

Extremists?

Those "extremists" are members of the community who work hard for their money and don't like to have taxes raised.

Those "extremists" are ...

... military members, pastors, stay-at-home moms, truck drivers ...

... insurance agents, school teachers, company owners, retail employees, farmers, college students ...

... home builders, house painters, realtors, community volunteers, hospital employees, restaurant workers, factory workers...

Extremists, Mr. Hanger?

These are your neighbors ... these are your constituents.

Mr. Hanger has lost touch with the grassroots....

Sen. Hanger -- raising taxes on citizens to pay for illegals

I have one question for Senator Hanger--just who are you representing? Obviously not the voters in the 24th.

Here's a prime example: SB 1204. On the surface it looks innocuous enough, saying that in-state tuition is prohibited for illegal immigrants. But when reading further you notice these caveats:

"any person shall be eligible for in-state tuition who: (i) has resided in Virginia while attending high school; (ii) has graduated from a public or private high school in Virginia or has received a General Education Development (GED) certificate in Virginia; (iii) has resided in the Commonwealth for at least three years on the date of high school graduation; (iv) has registered in an institution of higher education; (v) has provided an affidavit stating that he has filed an application to become a permanent resident of the United States and is actively pursuing such permanent residency or will do so as soon as he is eligible; and (vi) has submitted evidence that he or, in the case of a dependent student, at least one parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis, filed, unless exempted by state law, Virginia income tax returns for at least three years prior to the date of enrollment."

I notice that he puts in the bit about requiring them to pay state taxes for three years. But that won't even come close to covering the costs of a four year education. Illegal immigrants should not be rewarded financially for their illegal status. Illegal immigrants are openly breaking the law. They have no regard for the rules that govern our country. So why does Hanger want to reward them?

Thankfully, the House had enough sense to delete most of this nonsense. The bill as it stands now reads:

"An alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, and therefore ineligible to establish domicile pursuant to § 23-7.4, shall not be eligible on the basis of residency within Virginia for any post-secondary educational benefit, including in-state tuition, unless citizensor nationals of the United States are eligible for such benefits in no less an amount, duration, and scope, without regard to whether such citizens or nationals are Virginia residents."

Hey Senator, I thought we had a transportation crisis--isn't that why you consistently vote to raise our taxes? Tell you what--let's save some money by NOT rewarding illegal behavior and put it towards this so-called crisis.

[Reprinted from In-Politically Correct, February 16, 2007]

In memory of Lady Olivia....

Lady Olivia and Katy Rose

May 5, 2007

This is in memory of Olivia who died Sunday night or, as her owner put it, "crossed over the rainbow bridge."

Olivia was Trixie Averill's dog ... but somehow calling her a "dog" seems insensitive ... because to Trixie she was so much more.

She was Trixie's companion ... her friend ... her travel buddy ... her GOP champion when she was campaigning, riding with her from one end of the Sixth District to the other.

Anyone who knew Trixie knew how much she loved Olivia. She once called my house before leaving Roanoke to ask about a babysitter for "Olivia" -- this was before I knew Trixie very well. I thought she was referring to a child! She explained and said Olivia would be no trouble so I agreed (with some inner hesitation) that she could stay at my house with my daughter while we went to our meeting.

Anyone who knows me knows I like animals ... but they're animals. To agree to have this dog come stay in my house was a big thing. But she was a perfect lady and was never a bother whenever she came to visit. She had that kind of demeanor.

Last summer Trixie's family gave her another Westie, Katy Rose, for her birthday -- a new little squirt of a dog. Just what she needed, I told her -- it would be like having a toddler in the house all over again. But Katy Rose became acquainted with Olivia and they bonded ... sisters, so to speak ... and quite frankly I'm glad Trixie has Katy Rose at this time.

This one's for you, Trixie. I'm sorry for your loss. I know you're hurting and will miss Olivia ... we'll miss her, too.

Del. Chris Saxman subject of editorial on school choice

Delegate Chris Saxman is featured in today's editorial in the Bristol Herald Courier talking about his school choice bill. The editorial begins:

Chris Saxman is a man on a seemingly paradoxical mission: to improve Virginia’s schools by giving parents more choices.

The conventional wisdom is that school choice programs – particularly those that provide vouchers or tax credits for use in private schools – will destroy the system rather than making it stronger. Saxman doesn’t buy that argument.

"Competition makes schools better. Look at higher education in Virginia. It’s diverse, accessible and affordable," Saxman said. "Everyone supports choice in higher education, but not in K-12."

SAXMAN ISN’T new to the school choice fight. The 41-year-old Republican delegate from Staunton has introduced school choice legislation for the past four years. The result is predictable. Defeat.

It's a very good piece about why we need school choice. Read the entire editorial here.

[The defeat of school choice comes from the Senate where Del. Saxman's own 24th District Sen. Emmett Hanger didn't vote to let his school choice bill out of committee in the 2007 General Assembly session.]

H/T to Carl at Spark It Up!

Radical MoveOn.org recruiting paid anti-war organizers....

MoveOn.org, that most radical of radical liberal groups that has moved into the Shenandoah Valley, is recruiting college kids for paid positions to organize anti-war rallies.

Where is the media to report on this? George Soros and liberal Hollywood money is being poured into tearing this country apart ... yet the MSM remains silent.

I've organized many Support the Troops rallies but I've never been paid for any of it. In fact, everything I do is volunteer. Everyone who helps does the same -- it's something they believe in and they give their time and money to help. Many are military families who don't have that much time or money to spare in the first place ... but it's important to them that America stand united.

Along comes MoveOn.org -- again -- to throw around their billions of dollars to buy people into positions to go up against our country.

They should be called Anti-America paid positions.

Keep in mind this is the group Augusta County democrats Lee Godfrey and Cliff Garstang defend. Ms. Godfrey even has her name in the hat to run for Augusta County Board of Supervisors.

Here is the MoveOn.org email announcement that is circulating around college campuses.

----------------------------------------
MoveOn.org Email Ad:

Iraq Summer - Political Organizing Job Opportunity

Are you or someone you know passionate about ending the war in Iraq and interested in a paid position to work toward this goal?

This summer, the Americans Against Escalation in Iraq coalition (AAEI) plans to deploy 110 organizers to the districts of critical members of Congress who still support the president's disastrous policy in Iraq. Called the "Iraq Summer" project, this campaign will work toward getting every one of these legislators to take a stand and break their ties with Mr. Bush's war.
Working Assets, together with MoveOn.org, USAction and Americans United for Change are helping to recruit competent, motivated people to execute this project.

We need your help in finding the best of the best.

Do you have a friend or family member who is politically savvy, energetic, and driven - maybe a recent college graduate or someone looking to make a career change? If you do, please pass along this fantastic opportunity and encourage them to apply.

Candidates must be tough, ready to work long hours, go wherever they are needed, devote themselves completely to the task, have use of a car, and be passionate about ending the war. They will report for training on June 15th and must be available through Labor Day (September 3rd).

Those who are hired will receive a $400 per week stipend, expenses, housing with a host family and the best organizer training in the country. Organizers will be supervised by experienced field directors. (See below for further details.)

Interested parties should submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to demcampaigns@aol.com by June 7, and a campaign recruiting rep will be in touch as soon as possible to schedule a phone interview.

To put this kind of operation in place by mid-June, we have to act quickly, so please apply now or share this message with anyone you know who may be interested in joining the Iraq Summer campaign.

Thank you for working to build a better world.

Nicole Batdorf, Grassroots Organizer
Working Assets

AAEI Iraq Summer Job Description: Career-minded political organizers needed for summer campaign for safe redeployment out of Iraq, targeting House and Senate war votes in selected states/districts. Job involves organizing direct legislative pressure on members of Congress all summer long, on a series of votes related to bringing our troops home safely. You will be assigned a region or state in which to organize community and state leaders, students, churches, veterans, etc. Training will be provided in political messaging, earned media, legislative tracking, grassroots organizing, visibilities and other tool of a public campaign.

This is an incredibly meaningful campaign, with real results. For those wishing to further a career in politics, the timing and training involved is a great opportunity to situate oneself for the 2008 races as an experienced campaigner.

Additional Qualifications: Applicants must have access to a car for the duration of the campaign. Good communication and public skills are necessary, as well as good political instincts, organizational capabilities, and a commitment to democratic ideals. Applicants must have the ability and expectation to fully apply themselves to the campaign for the duration, and must be prepared to work in "campaign mode" (7 days/week, long hours). Second languages are a major plus. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply: Hiring is underway and will continue through the end of May, possibly longer if necessary. Applicants should e-mail resume, a short cover letter, and three professional or academic references to demcampaigns@aol.com as soon as possible, and a campaign representative will call to schedule a phone interview

LTE: "President Bush Wins Citizen's Admiration"

[This letter writer voices my sentiments ... and those of many people I know. If the MSM would report a balanced story of Iraq to America there wouldn't be the anti-war sentiment running through the U.S. such as we have now. The playbook is called "Vietnam" - it was successful for the libs once; they're determined to make it successful again by losing the war on the homefront. This letter to the editor is in today's Richmond Times-Dispatch.]

Editor:

We keep reading and hearing that the American people are fed up with the war in Iraq and that the majority favor getting out. This may be true. However, I find this attitude absolutely incomprehensible.

As the war grows in unpopularity, my admiration for President George Bush grows. He is trying to keep all of us safe from the cold-blooded, murdering, terrorist nutcases who have declared war on all Americans. Have we forgotten 9/11? Have we forgotten al-Qaida's publicly stated goal of killing all the infidels (that means us)?

It amazes me the number of Americans who have apparently chosen to stick their heads in the sand. We are at war. It's a different kind of war with a more shadowy, covert enemy, but it is a war nonetheless, and every bit as important to our national security as any war our country has ever fought.

Do those cut-and-runners think al-Qaida and the other cowardly terrorist groups are going to leave us alone if we leave Iraq? That is a miscalculation of enormous proportions. Such a withdrawal will only embolden those maniacs -- who will view a pullout as a victory. It will leave Iraq in shambles and provide a launching ground for terrorists to plan, prepare, and carry out attacks on our soil.

It seems a great many Americans are in a state of denial. We need to rally behind the President. Our safety and lives are at risk, and we should thank our lucky starts we have a President with the gust to stand by his convictions in the face of mounting criticism from the citizenry and the Democratic Party.

T.C.
Glen Allen

LTE: "Democrats support troops in odd ways"

[This guy nails it in a letter to the editor in today's Richmond Times-Dispatch.]

Editor:

It is always comforting to hear the Democrats telling us how they support the military. We have certainly seen the evidence of their support in the past.

In 2000 the Democrats supported the military by going to court to make sure many of the troops' absentee ballots in the presidential election didn't count.

They have also supported the military by demanding rights for terrorists at the expense of the safety of the military and the public.

Certainly the military was ecstatic when Dick Durbin (the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate) accused the military of behaving like the Nazis who murdered 6 million Jews. Not one Democrat demanded Durbin's removal from leadership.

Perhaps the ultimate demonstration of the Democrats' support of the military has been their three-year commitment to the United States' defeat in Iraq.

J.S.
Chester

Is Jimmy Carter senile? What an embarrassment to the U.S.

What is it with Jimmy Carter? The man used to be president so he of all people knows how it feels to be in that hotseat day after day.

Why, then, has he constantly taken pot shots at President George W. Bush throughout his presidency? Why has he lowered himself to the level of the common liberal MSM journalist?

In other words ... Jimmy Carter does not act presidential. He's an embarrassment to the U.S.

Carter lived through 9/11. He knows our country is at war. He should understand the difficulty of sitting in the Oval Office and making decisions to protect the American people. He knows the rest of the world is watching ... does he think it's good for national security to criticize a sitting President?

With all due respect ... Jimmy Carter needs to shut up.

Indoctrinate enough and poll results will be what you want....

The headlines splashed across the top of the News Leader today proclaim an Associated Press poll: Pessimism shadows America.

Well, duh! The past four or five years have been like spoon-feeding propaganda to the American public through the mainstream media and democrat leadership. Tell it long enough and in a consistent manner ... and then take a poll ... and voila! The results will be exactly what you want.

Where are the headlines proclaiming the booming economy during the Bush administration?

Where are the headlines from American troops at war saying we're winning in Iraq and making a difference?

Where are the headlines saying America is the greatest country in the world to live?

Where are the headlines shouting how much help America gives to the rest of the world?

Where are the headlines praising the President for his leadership in the war on terror after an act of war was taken on our country?

Where are the headlines proclaiming America has been free of terrorist attacks for the past five years ... ever since 9/11?

Propaganda. The MSM specializes in it. They have been handed the playbook by the liberal democrats and are going along in lockstep to bash the President, bash Republicans, bash America.

Now they splash a headline about Americans' pessimism. No wonder America is pessimistic. They've had it pounded into their heads by the MSM.

It would be nice if the mainstream media told us the good news for a change.

Here's a hint to the AP: I don't know where the poll was conducted ... but go to middle America, to the heartland, to rural areas ... and you may have a different result.

"Win the War" signs at President's Crawford ranch....

Received word over the weekend that two of the SWAC area "Win the War" signs had made their way to President Bush's Crawford, TX, ranch. We are honored.

Back from 1864 ... the Battle of New Market

Battle of New Market ... May 15, 1865

Reenactment of famous battle an hour north of Staunton that featured the cadets of Virginia Military Institute.

My daughter and I spent today in 1864....
We had been on field trips to New Market Battlefield in the past. Today, however, showed it more as it would have been on May 15, 1864, when the blue and the grey went after each other. The grey won, the blue retreated ... and the War Between the States lived to see another day.

Cannon stand ready for battle....
Bushong house stands in background....
The Confederate Army....
The first sensation upon approaching the battlefield this morning was the smell of wood smoke from the camp fires burning outside white pup tents lined up in rows all over the area. The southern end of the battlefield had the Confederate Army; the northern end had the Union Army.
Union Army lines up for battle....
Today was glorious for such an event although the weather for the original battle was overcast and rainy. The sun was warm but there was a stiff breeze all day and, just before the 1:30 p.m. battle was to begin, clouds moved in and made the temps a little more comfortable for the hundreds of reenactors in wool pants, jackets, and vests.


Confederate Army backs up the retreating Union forces....
At the invitation of friends we visited the camp of the 5th Virginia Infantry Volunteer Regiment, Company E, of Longstreet's Corps ... the "Augusta Greys." Some were napping ... some were reading ... some were preparing for battle in one way or another. All were in period costume. All had been there for the weekend, sleeping in tents, cooking, reenacting everything about life in 1864.
After the battle, quiet returned to the Valley....

(Photos by SWAC Daughter & SWAC Girl)

Blogosphere....

Check these blogs for the latest on the Sayre race....

- In-Politically Correct: Predictament for Hanger in Augusta County
- Spank That Donkey: From Extremist to Heretic
- Right-Wing Liberal: Nice Try, Andy

Alex Davis receives award at 6th District Gala

Congratulations to Alex Davis, secretary of the Staunton Republican Committee, who received the EAGLE award tonight at the 6th District Gala in Lexington. The EAGLE award is presented annually to one volunteer in each unit who has contributed to Republican principles by working long hours.

It is good to have so many young Republicans in our ranks. Our thanks to all our grassroots volunteers.

HQs Buzzing on a Saturday....

Busy at Sayre headquarters....

Jarrett Ray, President of the College Republicans, is working the phones, and other CRs are walking the neighborhoods.

Other volunteers are going out into neighborhoods, making phone calls, putting signs together, and doing everything necessary to get this win. The grassroots are rolling.

Heading out to walk.... More later.

Breaking News ... Sayre receives endorsement from 7th GOP Chairman

Scott Sayre receives overwhelming endorsement from Greene County Republican Committee

This morning a debate was held at the monthly Greene County Republican Breakfast between Scott Sayre and Emmett Hanger. Word from those who attended was that Sayre did an outstanding job of presenting his issues and offering a fresh new choice of leadership for the 24th District.

After the debate the Committee overwhelmingly voted to endorse and support SCOTT SAYRE in this race. In addition, Chairman Gary Lowe also publicly endorsed Scott.

This is unprecedented. Never before has any candidate in the 24th Senate District received the endorsement of 7 of the 8 Republican unit chairs as well as most of the grassroots leadership from those committees before a Primary.

Rockbridge County's chairman has indicated she will remain neutral.

When reached by phone Scott Sayre was very grateful to the grassroots in Greene County and throughout the District for the support.

Bloomberg calls FOP a "fringe organizaton"

From the NRA newsletter comes this....

Bloomberg Calls Fraternal Order Of Police A "Fringe Organization"

Anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) is at it again. A recent New York Post article detailed how, at a breakfast sponsored by Ladies Home Journal, he took a swipe at the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for its support of the Tiahrt Amendment, which prohibits the disclosure of confidential firearm trace data except in the course of a bona fide criminal investigation. "It is one fringe organization," charged Bloomberg.

"I would say resident within the Fraternal Order of Police is far more expertise with the administration of justice than Mayor Bloomberg’s limited experience in that area," shot back James Pasco, the group’s executive director.

In a recent "Memo to Executive Board, Board of National Trustees, State Lodge Presidents, Secretaries and Officers on Tiahrt Amendment," FOP National President Chuck Canterbury said, "The Fraternal Order of Police has been on the receiving end of numerous politically-oriented attacks by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his 'law enforcement spokesperson' John Feinblatt because of the FOP's support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on the issue of disclosure of firearms trace data."

"Further," Canterbury wrote, "it is important to note that at no time prior to the attacks made on the FOP did Mayor Bloomberg or any member of his administration reach out to the FOP to hear our perspective. Given the Mayor's comments and his general attitude, we can only assume this is because the FOP is a labor organization."

Just last week, we reported on the one-sided hearing that took place in the House Oversight & Government Reform Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, which was used by anti-gunners as a platform for pushing anti-gun restrictions. In that hearing, Feinblatt, "Criminal Justice Coordinator" for Bloomberg, seized the occasion to blast the Tiahrt Amendment - the critically important provision in the Justice Department appropriations bills that protects the privacy rights of law-abiding gun owners, the safety of law enforcement officers, and the integrity of criminal investigations by preventing inappropriate release of federal firearms trace data.

Both the FOP and the ATF have recently written in support of the law.

$2,500,000,000,000 + for amnesty bill....

Jerry at From On High delves into the economic burden to taxpayers for the Kennedy-McCain amnesty bill for illegal immigrants. Staggering.

SSgt. Herb Harman: "God and Country: Faith on the Battlefield"

For those who have fought for it ... freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

A must-see program ... mark your calendars for Friday, May 25, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. on WAZT-TV. This weekly program, hosted by the Valley Family Forum's Dean Welty, will feature Augusta County resident SSgt. Herb Harman and his wife, Jan, in a program titled "God and Country: Faith on the Battlefield."

Just in time for Memorial Day, the program will go into the background of the war, then into the justification for war since that is still a big issue with many folks, and conclude with the personal experiences of the guests.

Also appearing with Herb will be Colonel Jeff White who heads up the ROTC program at James Madison University and who will, himself, be deploying to Iraq in June. His wife, Jocelyn, who was active military before having children, will also appear.

This is a great opportunity to hear from American soldiers and their military family members ... those American heroes who protect us on a daily basis.

"American soldier, an American ...
With my brothers and my sisters I will always take a stand,
When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right,
I'm out here on the front line so sleep in peace tonight,
American soldier ... I'm an American soldier."

Americans blasting Capital Hill after immigration vote....

Phones are ringing off the hook. Emails are flooding into legislative offices. Talk show hosts have irate Americans backing up on the phone lines waiting to blast Congress.

Hello ... Washington? America is calling!

Reaction to the illegal immigration vote was swift as angry citizens began speaking up. I hope Washington is listening because it is a growing issue and a growing concern ... illegals driving drunk, crashing, and killing innocent citizens ... illegals swarming in the streets demanding "rights" ... proposals (and in some cases it's already available) for illegals to receive free tuition, free health care, subsidized housing ... illegals obtaining drivers licenses, credit cards....

Illegal immigrants are getting a pass for things that tax-paying Americans would be arrested for doing. Legal immigrants spend years following the rules to enter this country by the law. Others who are trying to become citizens are deported by our government for technicalities. And, yet, millions have swarmed across the borders and now the government wants to turn its head and allow them to stay.

Something is terribly wrong.

National Review
American Spectator
NewsMax

Elle in 24th: "Are Breeden's, Pyles' Hands Tied?"

Are Breeden's, Pyles Hands Tied?
By Elle at In-Politically Correct (5/18/07)

The 24th District Senate race is heating up. In Rockingham County, Mr. William Hrovat of Churchville, announced last night his intention to seek the Democratic nomination. According to the Daily News Record, Hrovat is a retired power plant operator for Dominion Power. The addition of Mr. Hrovat, adds more spark into an already tense race.

As has been widely reported, the Republican primary took an interesting turn in April, when Emmett Hanger sought the endorsements of local elected officials. We are all aware of the comments made by Hanger at that event which prompted the endorsements of grassroots party leaders for Scott Sayre.

However, just when the dust began to settle, a Democrat enters the race. The obvious question people are asking is, which Republican do the Democrats have a better shot of winning against?

I think that Jeff Mellott with the Daily News Record raises an even more interesting question--who will Rockingham Democratic Board of Supervisor Mike Breeden ultimately endorse? Back in April, Breeden had stood side by side with his fellow supervisors in their endorsement of Senator Emmett Hanger.

Breeden is not the only Democratic elected official caught in this bind. As SWAC Girl discusses on her blog, Augusta County Board of Supervisor Tracy Pyles has endorsed Hanger as well. Will Breeden and Pyles break with their party and continue to stand by Hanger, or will they rescind their endorsement and walk lock step with their party faithful?

24th District race heats up even more ... read these posts....

There are a number of bloggers now writing about the 24th District race between Scott Sayre and Emmett Hanger. Scott has an excellent chance of taking down Hanger, a 12-year incumbent who lined up with Potts and Chichester in the senate, voted to increase taxes over loud objections from his constituents, voted to allow in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, didn't work to help Chris Saxman's school choice bill, proposed raising gasoline taxes.... The list goes on and on.

Check out these posts for the latest in this red-hot race:

- Spark It Up!: Hanger vs Sayre: Doers vs talkers
- V*CAP: Does Senator Hanger Deserve Re-Election Strictly Based On Seniority?
- Conservative Viewpoints: Hanger, Sayre Speak to Splintered Staunton Republicans
- James Atticus Bowden: Pathetic Weak Rino Response on Basic Econ
- Spank That Donkey: I Was Wrong: 6 of 8 Chairs Support Sayre (be sure to read the comments)
- Bloggers4Sayre: 14 bloggers and much information about Hanger's record

Is seniority a reason to continue the same old leadership?

Jamie at V*CAP has posted Does Senator Hanger Deserve Re-Election Strictly Based on Seniority? She makes some very valid points including:

... Senator Hanger voted for a $1.4 billion tax increases, voted for a Transportation Plan that raised taxes and fees on his constituents while doing nothing to help Truck Route-81 (Sayre jargon) in his District, voted to increase the gax tax by 5% (that is right folks, you could be paying upwards of $3.50 or more for your gas right now if Hanger had his way), supports giving illegal aliens in-state tuition to our state colleges, and kills all school choice bills.

Democrat candidate in 24th?

If the dems put up a candidate in the 24th District, we'll have a three-way race this fall. Two variables are known: Mr. Democrat and Mr. Sime, the Libertarian. The unknown variable: which Republican will carry the nomination....

In the Republican Primary, if democrats come out to vote, will they go for the person they perceive as being the "weaker" candidate to go up against their candidate? Would that help Scott Sayre?

If the dems run a candidate (and nothing definite has been said yet), who would Supervisor Tracy Pyles support? He is on record as a supporter of Sen. Hanger. Only problem is ... Mr. Pyles is a dem ... and since Emmett Hanger is a Republican, would Mr. Pyles support the person he came to the dance with ... or would he switch partners because of party loyalty?

Also, in the Riverheads supervisor race, Sen. Hanger was endorsed by Nancy Sorrells (I), from Riverheads District. With a Republican candidate, Michael Shull, now certified to run against her, who will Emmett Hanger support? The Independent (dem)... or the Republican?

The plot thickens....

Sean Hannity & Chris Saxman at Presidential Debate

Delegate Chris Saxman with Sean Hannity
at Presidential Debate in SC
May 15, 2007

Delegate Saxman Addresses National Republican Group in Advance of Presidential Debate
GOPAC invited Saxman to address its members on a panel of "Rising Stars in America's State Legislatures

Delegate Chris Saxman (R-Staunton) travelled to Columbia, South Carolina, Tuesday to address GOPAC's members at the 2007 Spring Charter Meeting and Presidential Debate. He participated in a panel discucssion of state legislators on Republican successes in the respective state legislatures.

GOPAC is a political action committee dedicated to electing Republicans to local and state offices and growing the Republican national grassroots network. Former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele is chairman of GOPAC.

Delegate Saxman was joined by Speaker Mark Rubio (Florida House of Representatives) and Delegate Leroy Myers (Maryland House of Delegates) at GOPAC for the panel on Republican successes in the statehouse. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, former RNC Chair and current RPV Chairman Ed Gillespie, and various other elected officials across the nation were in attendance and addressed the meeting.

"I was humbled to be considered for this panel and enjoyed discussing the proud history of success Virginia Republicans have experienced over the past decade," Delegate Saxman said. "The Republican Party is growing stronger because of grassroots networks such as GOPAC, and it is important to continue to build upon our successes."

In April, Delegate Saxman went on GOPAC's radio show "Leading the Majority" with Rick Tyler and Vince Haley, where he discussed recent successes in the 2007 General Assembly and his role as chairman of the Cost Cutting Caucus to reduce state spending.

The GOPAC Spring Charter Meeting began Tuesday with panel discussions followed by a "First of the South Presidential Debate" and continued through Wednesday.

It's a "correction," folks....

The dems are salivating at "news" that Republicans are having issues amongst themselves. I hate to burst their bubble ... but it wasn't unexpected. After two major losses -- Kilgore and Allen -- many felt Republicans had lost their conservative message ... so that issue and others are being addressed.

I liken it to a "correction," kind of like the stock market does every so often.

And don't think the dems don't have this, too ... ha! They could show us a thing or two about political in-fighting! It's all part of the game.

So calm down and don't gloat so much. It's business as usual....

End the war? Voted down 67 to 29 in Senate....

Democrats broke ranks when the rubber met the road....

As reported in today's Washington Post, a "symbolic" measure to set a timeline for U.S. troops to leave Iraq was overwhelmingly defeated by a vote of 67-29 in the Senate.

In the nearly four months that Congress has debated the U.S. military role in Iraq, both parties have demonstrated remarkable unity. The vote yesterday represented an unusual departure for Democrats, who otherwise overwhelmingly agree that Congress must place legislative restrictions on Bush's war authority. But unlike in the House, where a large majority of Democrats would push Bush much further than he wants to go, the more moderate Senate includes many Democrats from the South and Midwest who remain unwilling to dictate specific terms for how and when the war should end.

So the dems who voted to defeat the measure are, perhaps, listening to their constituents instead of the radical MoveOn.org types?

Are the dems weakening America for another attack?

Al Qaida attacked the U.S. on 9/11 because we were perceived as weak and not willing to fight back. That presuption was assumed after numerous successful terrorist attacks that included the U.S.S. Cole and the first World Trade Center where the U.S. either didn't or barely responded.

America appears to have returned to her pre-9/11 slumber, as noted by Bernard Lewis who is a professor emeritus at Princeton University, in Was Osama Right? He questions whether we are setting ourselves up for another terrorist attack because of democrat leadership (or lack of leadership) in Congress in the War on Terror.

He writes of al Qaida's plan:

Stage One of the jihad was to drive the infidels from the lands of Islam;

Stage Two - to bring the war into the enemy camp, and the attacks of 9/11 were clearly intended to be the opening salvo of this stage.

The response to 9/11, so completely out of accord with previous American practice, came as a shock, and it is noteworthy that there has been no successful attack on American soil since then. The U.S. actions in Afghanistan and in Iraq indicated that there had been a major change in the U.S., and that some revision of their assessment, and of the policies based on that assessment, was necessary.

More recent developments, and notably the public discourse inside the U.S., are persuading increasing numbers of Islamist radicals that their first assessment was correct after all, and that they need only to press a little harder to achieve final victory. It is not yet clear whether they are right or wrong in this view. If they are right, the consequences - both for Islam and for America - will be deep, wide and lasting.

We publicly squabble over the war, over the troops, over funding ... the democrats want in the war, out of the war ... they say they support the troops but then tear down the President.

People! The world is watching....

... but what's even scarier is that al Qaida is watching.

Ann Coulter loved Jerry Falwell....

"Jerry Falwell -- Say hello to Ronald Reagan!"

Ann Coulter is a hoot. I love her writing and her in-your-face honesty ... and the fact she actually used the above title for this article.

It's obvious from her article that she loved Jerry Falwell as a friend ... and she's not ashamed to say so. In fact, she stands up for her friend at a time when others "qualify" their love and respect. She begins by saying:

No man in the last century better illustrated Jesus' warning that "All men will hate you because of me" than the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who left this world on Tuesday.

Separately, no man better illustrates my warning that it doesn't pay to be nice to liberals.

Falwell was a perfected Christian. He exuded Christian love for all men, hating sin while loving sinners. This is as opposed to liberals, who just love sinners. Like Christ ministering to prostitutes, Falwell regularly left the safe confines of his church to show up in such benighted venues as CNN.

He was such a good Christian that back when we used to be on TV together during Clinton's impeachment, I sometimes wanted to say to him, "Step aside, reverend — let the mean girl handle this one." (Why, that guy probably prayed for Clinton!)

For putting Christ above everything — even the opportunity to make a humiliating joke about Clinton — Falwell is known as "controversial." Nothing is ever as "controversial" as yammering about Scripture as if, you know, it's the word of God or something.

She will be crucified by the lefty bloggers and libs for standing up for her friend.

You go, Girl.

Pelosi: "Partnership ... not partisanship." Oh, really?

Nancy Pelosi's pledge when elected Speaker of the House was to work with the Republican minority. She promised "partnership ... not partisanship."

Oh, really?

As reported by Rush, Hannity, Drudge, and others ...

After losing a string of embarrassing votes on the House floor because of procedural maneuvering, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has decided to change the current House Rules to completely shut down the floor to the minority.

The Democratic Leadership is threatening to change the current House Rules regarding the Republican right to the Motion to Recommit or the test of germaneness on the motion to recommit.

This would be the first change to the germaneness rule since 1822.

In protest, the House Republicans are going to call procedural motions every half hour.

Partnership? Not partisanship?

After 185 years, Nancy Pelosi is redefining the word "partisanship."

H/T Spark It Up!

They're still missing....

Three American soldiers are still missing in Iraq, feared kidnapped by insurgent terrorists. This is a time for America to pull together and hold these families close....

In the same attack four were killed including 21-year-old Pfc. Christopher E. Murphy of Lynchburg. He was part of Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment which is part of the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, NY.

A quiet young man, Chris was described as cheerful, someone who could make family and friends smile. High school teachers remember him as a hard worker, someone who followed an assignment to the "t." He played football and was part of William Campbell High School's 2002 championship team. Home on leave a few months ago, he was considering making the military a career. His family is setting up an educational scholarship in his name.

Chris and three others are gone ... the others are still missing. America bows her head in prayer for these soldiers and their families....

1st Senate District follow-up: Stall endorsements....

James Atticus Bowden at Deo Vindice reports Poquoson GOP endorses Tricia Stall:

By a unanimous vote, the Poquoson City Committee, RPV endorsed Tricia Stall to replace Marty Williams as the Republican candidate for the 1st Senate District.

More to come....

McGuire: "Sadrists Play MSM for Suckers"

MSM needs to investigate stories before reporting lies

D.J. McGuire at The Right-Wing Liberal is very knowledgeable about the middle east and the various factions in that area.

His latest post, Sadrists Play MSM for Suckers, hit home with me because I had read the MSM's account of Iraqi MPs wanting a timetable for America to leave Iraq. He proves the MSM's report was a lie. Thanks, D.J.

Dr. Jerry Falwell ... we will miss him....

I just called a friend in Lynchburg who attends Dr. Jerry Falwell's church. I had read the news reports and wanted to confirm ... that Dr. Falwell had passed away. Sadly, it's true.

Say what you will about this man ... he did wonderful things for this world.

My daughter and Maxfield attended a concert at Thomas Road Baptist Church three weeks ago, a free concert by Signature Sound, a group of young men who sing patriotic and uplifting songs. The church was packed ... and standing there greeting folks was Jerry Falwell ... the host, the patron, the pastor.

This is a sad day indeed....

The British Jihadist ... from fish-&-chips to burkas & shoe-bombers....

This lead-in to an article titled "Londonistan Calling" by Christopher Hitchens in the June 2007 Vanity Fair caught my eye:

The London neighborhood of the author's youth, Finsbury Park, is now one of the breeding grounds for a new phenomenon: the British jihadist. How did a nation move from cricket and fish-and-chips to burkas and shoe-bombers in a single generation?

Recalling the 7/7/05 bombings that rocked London, killed 52, and showed the world that Britain was also suffering the same terrorism issues as America, I started reading. The takeover by Muslim radicals has occurred quickly. This article offers insight into what to expect in America if we don't clamp down on these people....

Democrat Congress approval down to 29%

Latest Gallup Poll....

Democrat Congress Approval Ratings - 29%

Marty Williams off ballot....

[Following is a press release and the minutes by James Atticus Bowden explaining that Sen. Marty Williams' petitions were disqualified tonight by the Republican leadership in the 1st Senatorial District. That leaves Tricia Stall as the Republican candidate.

In the 24th District that would be the equivalent to Sen. Emmett Hanger being disqualified, leaving Scott Sayre as the candidate. This is a significant development.]

I, William Kennedy, as the Acting Chairman for a called meeting of the 1st Senatorial District Republican Meeting of Virginia report to the Virginia State Board of Elections that sixteen (16) petitions for Sen. Marty Williams for the Republican Primary for the 1st Senate District nomination on June 12, 2007 are declared invalid/decertified because the entire purpose section containing locality, election type, and date of the event, was left totally blank on each petition. Furthermore, the those petitions signed by Ruth A. Gerringer and A. Harper Gerringer where it is proven that signatures were fraudulently gathered and signed by either individual are declared invalid/decertified.

Therefore, by unanimous vote of the 1st Senatorial District Republican Committee State Senator Marty Williams is decertified from the June 12, 2007 ballot because disqualifying the petitions invalid or collected fraudulently, leaves him with less that the 250 signatures required for certification as a candidate.

The 1st Senatorial District Republican Committee requests that the State Board of Elections remove State Senator Marty Williams name from the primary on June 12, 2007.

Respectfully, William Kennedy, Hampton City, Acting Chairman John Anderson, Poquoson City Joseph Broyles, York County List all attachments – include the call, minutes, copies of petitions, emails, etc.

CALLED MEETING OF THE FIRST SENATORIAL DISTRICT REPUBLICAN DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF VIRGINIA May 14, 2007 Poquoson Public Library 500 City Hall Avenue Poquoson, VA 23662

Present: Bill Kennedy (Acting Chair) Hampton City; John Anderson Poquoson City, Joe Broyles York County, James Bowden 1st Cong. Dist Vice-Chairman and State Central Representative, Mike Wade 3rd Cong. Dist Chairman and Hampton City Chairman. Visitors from the public were present.

GENERAL OPENING: Acting Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order. He read the Call. John Anderson lead the invocation. Joe Broyles lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Mike Wade read the Republican Creed of Virginia. Bill. Kennedy appointed James Bowden as the secretary. Bill. Kennedy appointed Mike Wade as the parliamentarian.

Mr. Kennedy asked for the roll call. The Newport News representative and Chairman Dr. Henry Rothfuss was absent. John Anderson produced a Unites States Postal Service envelope indicated the mailed call to Dr. Henry Rothfuss was refused as unsolicited mail and returned to John Anderson. Bill Kennedy said that Henry Rothfuss had not answered his phone calls or emails.

DISCUSSION OF ERRORS ON CANDIDATE FORMS FOR MARTY WILLIAMS: John Anderson related step by step how first known discrepancies were reported to members of the 1st Senate District Legislative Committee and members, including John Anderson immediately tried to get a meeting with the Dr. Rothfuss. Dr. Rothfuss sent the petitions in question to the State Board of Elections (SBE). When the SBE returned the petitions to Dr. Rothfuss, John Anderson requested again to Dr. Rothfuss for a meeting. There was no answer from Dr. Rothfuss.

John Anderson got 16 petitions for Marty Williams from the Poquoson Registrar.

John Anderson showed the committee how the petitions’ purpose section was not filled out. It was completely blank. The city, county, event or type of election, and date of election were all left blank. Persons signing the petition knew they were signing for Marty Williams but there was no indications for what election or when.

It was reported that in the 8th Senate District this sort of errors had petitions thrown out by the Legislative District Chairman by both candidates when only part of the purpose block wasn’t filled out.

DISCUSSION OF ILLEGAL GATHERING AND CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATE CERTIFICATION FORMS FOR MARTY WILLIAMS: John Andrson said persons who signed some petitions, certifying that they had collected the signatures personally, in fact did not collect some signatures. This a felony violation of the Virginia Code – voter fraud.

Specifically, on petition 10B (numbered by the registrar) Marilyn Schempf signature is present. Her husband, Bryan Schempf was present outside the Poquoson Post Office when she signed and said a young woman in her late 20s or early 30s accompanied by a young man got Mrs. Schempf’s signature. The person signing the form, Ruth A. Gerenger is an elderly woman in her 80s who usually is confined to a wheelchair.

John Anderson said one person who had the petitions signed wasn’t a resident of the 1st Senate District.

Several petitions signed by Mrs. Gerrenger have signatures from different localities on the same day. In other words, instead of one form being filled out from one location and then another, several petitions may have several signatures from one location and then another on the same day. This is highly irregular for one person to have voters sign multiple, different petitions in the same location on the same day.

Bill Kennedy said Dr. Rothfuss wouldn’t return his call.s He produced a copy of an email where Sen. Marty Williams said he wouldn’t tell Dr. Rothfuss to have a meeting of the 1st Senate Legislative Committee. Based on Bill Kennedy’s experience as a secretary to an electoral board, he said Dr. Rothfuss was derelict in his duties. Furthermore, Anna C. Moore showed the same irregularities of several petitions being out and signed in the same and different locations on the same day. It suggests that persons other than Anna C. Moore circulated some of the petitions.

John Anderson said he tried to reach Dr. Rothfuss electronically and by mail. Sen. Marty Williams responded to John Anderson’s email. He didn’t desire to meet with the 1st Senate District Committee. In another email, Sen. Marty Williams said, "I’m not going to instruct a grown man to do anything", in reference to having a meeting on the certification.

Mike Wade said he contacted Dr. Rothfuss in his capacity as the 3rd District Chairman, but got no response. He noted that Jane Pendergrast, who works at the retirement home where Mrs. Ruth A. Gerenger resides, said she signed a petition for Marty Williams being circulated by Sarah Gerenger, the granddaughter of Mrs. Ruth Gerenger. Sarah Gerenger is Sen. Marty Williams’ legislative assistant and does not live in the 1st District, which is a felony violation of the Virginia Code – Voter Fraud.

NEW BUSINESS: The following motions were moved, seconded and passed by unanimous vote: 3-0.

Motion 1: That petitions 1-16 be declared invalid/decertified because the entire purpose section containing locality, election type, and date of the event, was left totally blank on each petition.

Motion 2: To declare as invalid/decertify those petitions signed by Ruth A. Gerringer and A. Harper Gerringer where it is proven that signatures were fraudulently gathered and signed by either individual.

Motion 3: Move to decertify and remove State Senator Marty Williams from the June 12, 2007 ballot because disqualifying the petitions invalid or collected fraudulently, leaves him with less that the 250 signatures required for certification as a candidate..

Motion 4: That the findings associated with Motions 1-3 should be immediately sent to the Virginia State Board of Elections, Attorney General, Chairman, Republican Party of Virginia, 1st District Chairman, Commonwealths’ Attorney (Newport News and Poquoson),and 1st Senatorial District Chairman.

ADJOURNMENT: The motion to adjourn was moved, seconded and voice voted into adjournment.

Respectfully Submitted, James Atticus Bowden

Sayre headquarters ... still humming at midnight....

Downtown Staunton tonight is Partyland U.S.A. with hundreds of people enjoying the Bullrun celebrities and exotic cars, partying and walking the streets even now at midnight.

In Sayre headquarters we are still humming along. The campaign manager and Staunton City GOP chairman just left a few minutes ago ... I'm finishing up after a successful day of phoning, signs being delivered, organizing lists, and more.

A typical campaign headquarters, we are getting crowded with signs and materials as they are delivered for use in the SWAC area. More sign locations are being found on a daily basis ... and the northwestern corner of Augusta County has proven to be an area of discontent for former Hanger supporters. Twenty-two signs were delivered there yesterday, and we expect to deliver more tomorrow.

We are down to four weeks ... and we will not slow down until we cross the finish line....

President Bush visits Jamestown....

"The advance of freedom is the great story of our time,
and new chapters are being written every day."

President George W. Bush
Jamestown, VA - May 13, 2007

I would love to have been in Jamestown yesterday to see President George W. Bush. It's no secret I admire the man and value his leadership in the War on Terror in this country.

Jamestown was an important part of every Virginia school child's history lesson when I was growing up, and I can remember my 4th grade class visiting the recreated area where I was particularly intrigued by the glass blowers.

A few years ago a group of home school parents from the Valley took our children for a field trip to Jamestown. A home school field trip involves the entire family including mom, dad, and siblings. It was fun to watch our children react as we had years before when climbing on board those what-seem-to-be tiny replicas of the ships that sailed from England to America and watch, amazed, at the glass blowers. They, too, climbed into the hollowed-out canoe where we took photos that we've enjoyed in the years since.

It was also interesting to see Jamestown from an adult perspective, wondering how anyone survived harsh Virginia winters in those buildings, and pondering how a grown man could travel for months in a cramped "ship" where they were packed like sardines while crossing the ocean.

I wandered away from our group and spent a while gazing out over the James River, thinking of those adventurers and how much courage it would have taken to head out to an unknown land with unknown dangers so far from home.

The irony is that tobacco was the crop that saved Jamestown, and now 400 years later, it is under assault all over the United States.

Jamestown. Happy Birthday, America.

Happy Birthday to my home, the Commonwealth of Virginia!