Kudos to Jefferson County Republican Chairman Mark Wynn for the following Letter to the Editor in today's Indianapolis Star:
Duped for Mourdock? Not so, Sen. Lugar
The days of Indiana county political party chairs wielding power in smoke-filled rooms are long past. The ability to influence county jobs and collect revenue from license branches is no longer part of the Indiana political scene, and for good reason. The job now largely consists of recruiting candidates and making sure they have the financial means and grassroots support they need to win.
That's why I am more than a little surprised at the attention we have been getting recently in the Indiana Republican U.S. Senate primary. It was reported recently that Sen. Richard Lugar is reaching out by telephone to county chairs. This follows an email sent by a Lugar staffer claiming that those county chairs supporting Richard Mourdock in his primary bid have been "duped."
Well, consider me duped. My decision to support Mourdock is not based on tea party politics or strict adherence to conservative dogma. My decision is based foremost on my definition of representation. I believe that our elected officials should be available, responsive and responsible to the citizens they represent.
The number of times Lugar has been to Jefferson County in the past decade can be counted on one hand with fingers to spare. This isn't about contact with party officials. I don't need a phone call or to be courted, I simply need to know that you know our county exists and that you hear the concerns of our residents.
I need to know that you have talked to our farmers, our factory workers, our small businesspeople. I need to know that you have some sense of the struggles and the challenges they face. They need to know that you are responsive; they need to know that they can expect more than a form letter to their questions and a fundraising letter every six years.
Mourdock has been to Jefferson County multiple times in the past 12 months. I've talked with several of my fellow GOP chairs (not exactly at the heart of the tea party) who express the same frustration with Lugar and the same appreciation of Mourdock.
I question the ability of an elected official to represent the people of his state when he keeps them at arm's length. The arrogance of the "duped" email is indicative of the sense of entitlement that the senator and his campaign appear to be suffering from. The Indiana Senate seat is no more Richard Lugar's seat than the Massachusetts Senate seat was Ted Kennedy's seat.
Where so called "establishment" Republicans have been defeated, the media are quick to give credit to "extreme" wings of the GOP, or the tea party. I think it is much more likely that voters in those states suffered from the same feelings of disconnect that so many in Indiana are expressing.
Mark Wynn
Well done, Mark, albeit The War Eagle is very OK with "tea party politics" and "strict adherence to conservative dogma" as it's been a very long time since either have really been tried!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Our "new" State Representative Terry Goodin
Last Saturday, I went to the wrap up Third House meeting where State Representative Dave Cheatham was, but also attending was our "new" State Representative Terry Goodin. I don't know really why Goodin was there as the redistricting plan has not yet been implemented. Figure it was his first campaign stop though in the 2012 election.
I got there about 15 minutes late and there was not the crowd that there was last time (when ole Dave compared his walkout from the General Assembly to a soldier deploying to Afghanistan). There were only 2 teachers there this time and they were very excited about what ole Dave and Terry did in their walkout.
I waited a little bit and told Mr. Goodin I didn't share their excitement. In fact, I told him that I thought what he did was patently unconstitutional (I had a copy of the Indiana Constitution in my hand) and expected both in the future to either show up or resign. They both continued to espouse they were "doing this for the children."
Seems that Cheatham (retired teacher) and Mr. Goodin represent much more than our children. Cheatham obviously the teachers' unions but, per the following, Goodin represents his own interests. Should be an interesting 2012, Patriots!
March 14, 2011
newsroom@newsandtribune.com
SOUTHERN INDIANA — Last Friday, I participated in a town hall meeting at Floyds Knobs Elementary School. Several hundred people attended the meeting, which was organized by a parent group. I was on a panel with Republican State Sen. Ron Grooms of Jeffersonville, Republican State Rep. Rhonda Rhoads of Corydon and Indiana Department of Education Assistant Superintendent Dale Chu.
Many of the questions from the audience were about vouchers and charter schools. Both are important topics, but one issue that continues to receive scant attention is the formula that determines how state funding for K-12 education is distributed to schools. I shared some information about school funding, and many in attendance were surprised by the figures.
The state budget proposed by House Republicans would maintain funding for K-12 education at the current level of $6.25 billion, which is about half of Indiana’s entire budget. Not a penny would be cut.
The funding formula has been manipulated for years. The proposed budget would make major changes to the formula, resulting in some schools receiving more money and some receiving less. The pot of money would stay the same, but how it gets dished out would change.
Writing in this space two weeks ago, I cited the Gary Community School Corporation as an example of a district that would receive much less funding under the proposed formula. The Gary schools are receiving $9,525 per student in state funding this year, compared to $6,043 for the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation.
Total funding for Gary is $94 million, compared to $67 million for New Albany-Floyd County. By the second year of the budget, Gary’s total funding would be reduced by $20 million to $74 million. Over the same period, New Albany-Floyd County’s total funding would be reduced by about $1 million because of an anticipated loss of approximately 260 students. Of course, if there are more students, the corporation will receive more money. Regardless, per-student funding would actually increase slightly to $6,066, while Gary’s would drop to $8,166 – still a $2,100 advantage over New Albany-Floyd County.
In other words, Gary is currently receiving $27 million more than New Albany-Floyd County, and under the proposed formula, in the second year of the budget, it would still receive $9 million more. One important fact puts the discrepancy in further perspective: New Albany-Floyd County currently has about 1,200 more students than Gary, and in two years, the gap is expected to increase to about 1,700.
So why does Gary get so much more than New Albany-Floyd County? Politics. Pure and simple. And it’s time to put an end to it. To ease the impact on schools that have been receiving more than their fair share, the proposed formula would create a nine-year transition.
I don’t mean to pick on Gary. It’s a good example, but there are plenty of others, including some closer to home. The lead voice for Indiana House Democrats on education issues is Rep. Terry Goodin of Austin. Two years ago, in the 2009 budget, he came up with yet another way to manipulate the formula to redirect money to politically favored schools – a small school grant. This year, because of the grant, $15.6 million is being redistributed statewide from larger districts to smaller districts.
One of the recipients is the Crothersville Community Schools, a district with two schools — an elementary school and a combined junior-senior high school – and a total of 533 students. Crothersville is in Jackson County, about 35 miles north of New Albany. Because of the small school grant, Crothersville is receiving an extra $97,249 this year. If it weren’t for the small school grant, that money would be going to other schools, including those in Floyd County.
Crothersville may argue it needs the money because it has high overhead expenses relative to its size. Those overhead expenses include a $133,176 salary for its superintendent, who happens to be Rep. Goodin.
Crothersville is receiving $7,206 per student this year — $1,163 more than Floyd County. Under the proposed funding formula, Crothersville’s per-student funding would be reduced to $6,717 next year and $6,565 in 2013 — still $500 more than New Albany-Floyd County’s funding.
Crothersville Elementary School has an enrollment of 264 students. Only three of those students are non-English speakers. Fifty-seven of the 285 students at Fairmont Elementary School in New Albany are non-English speakers. Fifty-two percent of the students at Crothersville Elementary are on free or reduced-price lunch, while at Fairmont the number is 84 percent. Why should money be taken from Fairmont and given to Crothersville?
Not every small school corporation benefits from the small school grant. The Lanesville Community School Corporation, with 644 students, isn’t receiving any money under the grant. Current per-student funding is $5,507, and it would increase slightly to $5,529 in the second year of the budget.
As the walkout by House Democrats entered its fourth week yesterday, the time for debating education issues continued to dwindle. It’s a shame, because there are a lot of important issues that deserve full, public debate.
There can be no debate, however, over the need to get politics out of the school funding formula.
Interesting, huh, Patriots?
In freedom (still),
The War Eagle
CLERE: A formula for positive change
By ED CLEREnewsroom@newsandtribune.com
SOUTHERN INDIANA — Last Friday, I participated in a town hall meeting at Floyds Knobs Elementary School. Several hundred people attended the meeting, which was organized by a parent group. I was on a panel with Republican State Sen. Ron Grooms of Jeffersonville, Republican State Rep. Rhonda Rhoads of Corydon and Indiana Department of Education Assistant Superintendent Dale Chu.
Many of the questions from the audience were about vouchers and charter schools. Both are important topics, but one issue that continues to receive scant attention is the formula that determines how state funding for K-12 education is distributed to schools. I shared some information about school funding, and many in attendance were surprised by the figures.
The state budget proposed by House Republicans would maintain funding for K-12 education at the current level of $6.25 billion, which is about half of Indiana’s entire budget. Not a penny would be cut.
The funding formula has been manipulated for years. The proposed budget would make major changes to the formula, resulting in some schools receiving more money and some receiving less. The pot of money would stay the same, but how it gets dished out would change.
Writing in this space two weeks ago, I cited the Gary Community School Corporation as an example of a district that would receive much less funding under the proposed formula. The Gary schools are receiving $9,525 per student in state funding this year, compared to $6,043 for the New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation.
Total funding for Gary is $94 million, compared to $67 million for New Albany-Floyd County. By the second year of the budget, Gary’s total funding would be reduced by $20 million to $74 million. Over the same period, New Albany-Floyd County’s total funding would be reduced by about $1 million because of an anticipated loss of approximately 260 students. Of course, if there are more students, the corporation will receive more money. Regardless, per-student funding would actually increase slightly to $6,066, while Gary’s would drop to $8,166 – still a $2,100 advantage over New Albany-Floyd County.
In other words, Gary is currently receiving $27 million more than New Albany-Floyd County, and under the proposed formula, in the second year of the budget, it would still receive $9 million more. One important fact puts the discrepancy in further perspective: New Albany-Floyd County currently has about 1,200 more students than Gary, and in two years, the gap is expected to increase to about 1,700.
So why does Gary get so much more than New Albany-Floyd County? Politics. Pure and simple. And it’s time to put an end to it. To ease the impact on schools that have been receiving more than their fair share, the proposed formula would create a nine-year transition.
I don’t mean to pick on Gary. It’s a good example, but there are plenty of others, including some closer to home. The lead voice for Indiana House Democrats on education issues is Rep. Terry Goodin of Austin. Two years ago, in the 2009 budget, he came up with yet another way to manipulate the formula to redirect money to politically favored schools – a small school grant. This year, because of the grant, $15.6 million is being redistributed statewide from larger districts to smaller districts.
One of the recipients is the Crothersville Community Schools, a district with two schools — an elementary school and a combined junior-senior high school – and a total of 533 students. Crothersville is in Jackson County, about 35 miles north of New Albany. Because of the small school grant, Crothersville is receiving an extra $97,249 this year. If it weren’t for the small school grant, that money would be going to other schools, including those in Floyd County.
Crothersville may argue it needs the money because it has high overhead expenses relative to its size. Those overhead expenses include a $133,176 salary for its superintendent, who happens to be Rep. Goodin.
Crothersville is receiving $7,206 per student this year — $1,163 more than Floyd County. Under the proposed funding formula, Crothersville’s per-student funding would be reduced to $6,717 next year and $6,565 in 2013 — still $500 more than New Albany-Floyd County’s funding.
Crothersville Elementary School has an enrollment of 264 students. Only three of those students are non-English speakers. Fifty-seven of the 285 students at Fairmont Elementary School in New Albany are non-English speakers. Fifty-two percent of the students at Crothersville Elementary are on free or reduced-price lunch, while at Fairmont the number is 84 percent. Why should money be taken from Fairmont and given to Crothersville?
Not every small school corporation benefits from the small school grant. The Lanesville Community School Corporation, with 644 students, isn’t receiving any money under the grant. Current per-student funding is $5,507, and it would increase slightly to $5,529 in the second year of the budget.
As the walkout by House Democrats entered its fourth week yesterday, the time for debating education issues continued to dwindle. It’s a shame, because there are a lot of important issues that deserve full, public debate.
There can be no debate, however, over the need to get politics out of the school funding formula.
Interesting, huh, Patriots?
In freedom (still),
The War Eagle
My Tea Party discussion of Flee Party Representative Dave Cheatham
At our Tea Party event on Saturday, April 16, I gave the following speech about Indiana 69th State Representative Dave Cheatham which is on Youtube:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KODKArF_ovM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THpPfvnLZW4
Here's the text:
Thanks, Bulldog. I'd like to take this opportunity to let you Patriots know what the guiding principles of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty are - there are thousands of organizations like ours across this great country and all have common themes, ours are:
• public validation of the concepts of liberty; freedom; smaller, less intrusive government; and, the united states constitution.
• provide a public forum for the free and rich exchange of ideas. (The reason we are here today)
• raise awareness of corruption in government.
• not cease our relentless pursuit of those elected officials who have betrayed their oath or affirmation of office.
This is the purpose of my talk today.
We've generally confined our issues to national issues, but with the cowardly exploits of the Flee Party Democrats in avoiding their responsibilities in the Indiana General Assembly, I give you Indiana State Representative Dave Cheatham.
Now you've got to understand that Dave is a likeable fellow and actually ok on several issues - he's anti-property taxes and anti-illegal aliens, but he's shown his true colors in supporting liberal Representative Pat Bauer in walking away from their constitutional responsibilities in the longest walkout in the history of Indiana.
We had a radio ad to this effect trying to shame ole Dave to come back or resign. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBYpIfWVLSA&feature=related)
Rick and I even offered Dave a spot on our radio show to try to explain what he did - indeed it was not going to be a gotcha format but it was going to be with conservative representative Jud McMillan to be in a point-counterpoint format.
Dave's response:
"Thanks for asking me to be on the show. I e-mailed rick (the shorter) and let him know that I think the idea is good to talk about what is going on, so what I plan on doing is buying some time myself and having my own show with some guests from Jefferson County. I am not sure when yet, but will work on details." We haven't heard his show yet!!!!
When constituents emailed him to implore him to come back, ole Dave contended that he had the moral high ground:
"You are entitled to your opinion. You have no idea what kind of courage it takes to do something unpopular when it means defending 1 million school children in this state.
I did the only thing left for me to do to stop the tyranny of the republican party. The Republicans filibuster in the U.S. Senate when they don't get their way, as do the Democrats, why haven't you ever mentioned that? Because you're biased by your Republican ideology, [you] show little compassion for those less fortunate than yourself. I showed up for those children that need my voice the most, those Republicans that showed up at the statehouse are the ones who didn't show up for the most vulnerable ones in our state - the children.
I will give you a Bible verse: do not oppress the poor, the fatherless child, the widow, and the orphan. For their defender is the lord almighty. God will bring judgment on those who oppress the children. Be careful of the words you use (this is to the emailer), you might regret it someday."
Our Flee Party Representative contended that he has a constitutional basis to walk away from his job. He seems to confuse this at times with the filibuster in the United States Senate which actually has rules to allow a filibuster. Our State Constitution does not.
What our State Constitution does say in Article 4, Section 11 "2/3s of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may meet, adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members." Too bad they couldn't figure out how to do exactly that.
Well, ole Dave finally did deign to show up for a town hall meeting in North Vernon then the next week in Madison.
The North Vernon meeting was comprised of Democrat operatives and teachers sympathetic to ole Dave. I was there as well as my middle son. Sentiments unsympathetic to Cheatham were met with derision by the partisan hacks. Cheatham mistook sycophant applause for approval of his actions.
Flush with his success in North Vernon, Cheatham sought to stuff the audience in Madison with his own crowd. The following is from an email he sent to the Democrats in Jennings County:
"The Madison Courier reported Tuesday that I was still in Illinois and they weren't sure if I would be at the 3rd House meeting in Madison on Saturday. While this is completely untrue, I believe their purpose is to make people that support my stand believe that I won't be there so that our supporters won't come to the meeting. This looks like double-dealing and I don't like it. I hope that you can ‘cover my back' one more time and do all you can to get as many people from North Vernon to attend the meeting in Madison so we can show the public that people do support teachers and public education. Let's not let the Madison paper get away with this and have large numbers of supporters be there so we can duplicate the success of the meeting we had in North Vernon."
Now folks, the Madison Courier was slavish in putting anything Cheatham wanted in their paper before or after he gave this strawman argument. But he said they were ripping him. Ironic ain't it? This is collusion and a tad unethical as well. If you can't win with facts or ideas, stack the crowd. As Paul Ryan said of our "historic leader" (Obama), Churchill might have said about ole Dave "he's basically a pyromaniac in a field of straw men!"
The Third House meeting was memorable for one more thing that old Dave related. It was a story in his wife's first grade classroom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwixYYFmSHI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL)
Well, thanks to my 18 and 16 year old sons, we got this clip on youtube and it went viral. It was featured on Sean Hannity's show on the Fox News Channel as well as Human Events, National Review Online, Hotair.com; Michelle Malkin's Blog; the Weekly Standard; Townhall.com; and, many others. The weekend after the youtube was posted, I was at a camp with my 16 year old twins and their sophomore classmates. It was really cool to be updated on the progress of this from my dear friends, Rick Berry and State Senator Jim Smith.
The outrage from all these sources was quotable but I think the words of our blogger and fellow patriot, John Mustain summarize the disgust of all of us at ole Dave's incredible analogy:
"Dave Cheatham's little story has all the makings for a heart-wrenching, tearjerker of a tale. The problem is, whether the story is fiction or non-fiction (and I am leaning toward fiction), it is an unsound argument that seems plausible at first but fails the test of reality. Mr. Cheatham and his band of run-away democrats are frantically reaching for anything that might make sense of their walkout to their constituents. Unfortunately for Rep. Cheatham, his story is a barf bag worthy insult to American soldiers and their bravery.
I am a disabled American veteran. Like so many others, I bear in my body and on my mind the scars of my service to my country. I am not claiming bravery or heroism here. I am simply trying to illustrate that I understand the difference between running to a fight and running from one.
The American soldier to which Mr. Cheatham is referring is going off to war. He will see things no human should have to see. He will endure the harsh conditions of war. He will suffer sleepless nights and hellacious days. He will put his life in harm's way everyday he is in Afghanistan. He will feel the anxiety of patrolling the streets amid a hostile people. He will feel the emptiness of being without his family. He may even lose his life leaving his wife a widow and his son without a father.
Nevertheless, one thing is for certain, Mr. Cheatham, the American Soldier you reference will not desert his post. He will not go AWOL. He will stand and fight, and through his bravery and heroism, he will help secure freedom for all Americans.
Now let's see, Mr. Cheatham. You and your rebel band of weak and fearful Democrats left Indianapolis and traveled in your luxury cars to the comfort suites in Illinois. You slept in warm, soft beds. When it got hot, you turned on the air conditioner. When it got cold, you turned on the heater. You safely traveled at will from your hideout to your home. Hotel maids cleaned your room each day. You sat in big comfortable chairs and played on your laptops. Someone else prepared your meals…no C-rations or MRE's for you. You abandoned your post, your place of duty. You broke your sacred oath to not only all the voters in your district, but to all the voters of Indiana as well. How can you possible equate your cowardice with the American soldiers bravery?
The truth be told, Mr. Cheatham, your words and actions on Saturday, March 26, 2011, make you nothing more than an irritating pimple on that American soldier's behind. It is such a tragedy that you have stooped so low. Yes, Mr. Cheatham. You have insulted a gallant American soldier and all of our brave men and women serving in the middle east. You have insulted the people of Indiana by thinking them too stupid to see through your sophistry.
So my question is this: if you have so little respect for the Indiana General Assembly, the American Soldier, and the People of Indiana, why don't you and your fellow scamocrats resign and go home?"
Patriots, I can add nothing to john's eloquence other than to reflect that next year, Mr. Cheatham will be up for re-election. Whoever runs against him might have a slogan "Dave was AWOL, I won't be!" What say ye, Patriots, next year does ole Dave stay or does he gotta go?
God bless you all and God Bless the United States of America!
In freedom (still),
The War Eagle
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KODKArF_ovM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THpPfvnLZW4
Here's the text:
Thanks, Bulldog. I'd like to take this opportunity to let you Patriots know what the guiding principles of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty are - there are thousands of organizations like ours across this great country and all have common themes, ours are:
• public validation of the concepts of liberty; freedom; smaller, less intrusive government; and, the united states constitution.
• provide a public forum for the free and rich exchange of ideas. (The reason we are here today)
• raise awareness of corruption in government.
• not cease our relentless pursuit of those elected officials who have betrayed their oath or affirmation of office.
This is the purpose of my talk today.
We've generally confined our issues to national issues, but with the cowardly exploits of the Flee Party Democrats in avoiding their responsibilities in the Indiana General Assembly, I give you Indiana State Representative Dave Cheatham.
Now you've got to understand that Dave is a likeable fellow and actually ok on several issues - he's anti-property taxes and anti-illegal aliens, but he's shown his true colors in supporting liberal Representative Pat Bauer in walking away from their constitutional responsibilities in the longest walkout in the history of Indiana.
We had a radio ad to this effect trying to shame ole Dave to come back or resign. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBYpIfWVLSA&feature=related)
Rick and I even offered Dave a spot on our radio show to try to explain what he did - indeed it was not going to be a gotcha format but it was going to be with conservative representative Jud McMillan to be in a point-counterpoint format.
Dave's response:
"Thanks for asking me to be on the show. I e-mailed rick (the shorter) and let him know that I think the idea is good to talk about what is going on, so what I plan on doing is buying some time myself and having my own show with some guests from Jefferson County. I am not sure when yet, but will work on details." We haven't heard his show yet!!!!
When constituents emailed him to implore him to come back, ole Dave contended that he had the moral high ground:
"You are entitled to your opinion. You have no idea what kind of courage it takes to do something unpopular when it means defending 1 million school children in this state.
I did the only thing left for me to do to stop the tyranny of the republican party. The Republicans filibuster in the U.S. Senate when they don't get their way, as do the Democrats, why haven't you ever mentioned that? Because you're biased by your Republican ideology, [you] show little compassion for those less fortunate than yourself. I showed up for those children that need my voice the most, those Republicans that showed up at the statehouse are the ones who didn't show up for the most vulnerable ones in our state - the children.
I will give you a Bible verse: do not oppress the poor, the fatherless child, the widow, and the orphan. For their defender is the lord almighty. God will bring judgment on those who oppress the children. Be careful of the words you use (this is to the emailer), you might regret it someday."
Our Flee Party Representative contended that he has a constitutional basis to walk away from his job. He seems to confuse this at times with the filibuster in the United States Senate which actually has rules to allow a filibuster. Our State Constitution does not.
What our State Constitution does say in Article 4, Section 11 "2/3s of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may meet, adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members." Too bad they couldn't figure out how to do exactly that.
Well, ole Dave finally did deign to show up for a town hall meeting in North Vernon then the next week in Madison.
The North Vernon meeting was comprised of Democrat operatives and teachers sympathetic to ole Dave. I was there as well as my middle son. Sentiments unsympathetic to Cheatham were met with derision by the partisan hacks. Cheatham mistook sycophant applause for approval of his actions.
Flush with his success in North Vernon, Cheatham sought to stuff the audience in Madison with his own crowd. The following is from an email he sent to the Democrats in Jennings County:
"The Madison Courier reported Tuesday that I was still in Illinois and they weren't sure if I would be at the 3rd House meeting in Madison on Saturday. While this is completely untrue, I believe their purpose is to make people that support my stand believe that I won't be there so that our supporters won't come to the meeting. This looks like double-dealing and I don't like it. I hope that you can ‘cover my back' one more time and do all you can to get as many people from North Vernon to attend the meeting in Madison so we can show the public that people do support teachers and public education. Let's not let the Madison paper get away with this and have large numbers of supporters be there so we can duplicate the success of the meeting we had in North Vernon."
Now folks, the Madison Courier was slavish in putting anything Cheatham wanted in their paper before or after he gave this strawman argument. But he said they were ripping him. Ironic ain't it? This is collusion and a tad unethical as well. If you can't win with facts or ideas, stack the crowd. As Paul Ryan said of our "historic leader" (Obama), Churchill might have said about ole Dave "he's basically a pyromaniac in a field of straw men!"
The Third House meeting was memorable for one more thing that old Dave related. It was a story in his wife's first grade classroom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwixYYFmSHI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL)
Well, thanks to my 18 and 16 year old sons, we got this clip on youtube and it went viral. It was featured on Sean Hannity's show on the Fox News Channel as well as Human Events, National Review Online, Hotair.com; Michelle Malkin's Blog; the Weekly Standard; Townhall.com; and, many others. The weekend after the youtube was posted, I was at a camp with my 16 year old twins and their sophomore classmates. It was really cool to be updated on the progress of this from my dear friends, Rick Berry and State Senator Jim Smith.
The outrage from all these sources was quotable but I think the words of our blogger and fellow patriot, John Mustain summarize the disgust of all of us at ole Dave's incredible analogy:
"Dave Cheatham's little story has all the makings for a heart-wrenching, tearjerker of a tale. The problem is, whether the story is fiction or non-fiction (and I am leaning toward fiction), it is an unsound argument that seems plausible at first but fails the test of reality. Mr. Cheatham and his band of run-away democrats are frantically reaching for anything that might make sense of their walkout to their constituents. Unfortunately for Rep. Cheatham, his story is a barf bag worthy insult to American soldiers and their bravery.
I am a disabled American veteran. Like so many others, I bear in my body and on my mind the scars of my service to my country. I am not claiming bravery or heroism here. I am simply trying to illustrate that I understand the difference between running to a fight and running from one.
The American soldier to which Mr. Cheatham is referring is going off to war. He will see things no human should have to see. He will endure the harsh conditions of war. He will suffer sleepless nights and hellacious days. He will put his life in harm's way everyday he is in Afghanistan. He will feel the anxiety of patrolling the streets amid a hostile people. He will feel the emptiness of being without his family. He may even lose his life leaving his wife a widow and his son without a father.
Nevertheless, one thing is for certain, Mr. Cheatham, the American Soldier you reference will not desert his post. He will not go AWOL. He will stand and fight, and through his bravery and heroism, he will help secure freedom for all Americans.
Now let's see, Mr. Cheatham. You and your rebel band of weak and fearful Democrats left Indianapolis and traveled in your luxury cars to the comfort suites in Illinois. You slept in warm, soft beds. When it got hot, you turned on the air conditioner. When it got cold, you turned on the heater. You safely traveled at will from your hideout to your home. Hotel maids cleaned your room each day. You sat in big comfortable chairs and played on your laptops. Someone else prepared your meals…no C-rations or MRE's for you. You abandoned your post, your place of duty. You broke your sacred oath to not only all the voters in your district, but to all the voters of Indiana as well. How can you possible equate your cowardice with the American soldiers bravery?
The truth be told, Mr. Cheatham, your words and actions on Saturday, March 26, 2011, make you nothing more than an irritating pimple on that American soldier's behind. It is such a tragedy that you have stooped so low. Yes, Mr. Cheatham. You have insulted a gallant American soldier and all of our brave men and women serving in the middle east. You have insulted the people of Indiana by thinking them too stupid to see through your sophistry.
So my question is this: if you have so little respect for the Indiana General Assembly, the American Soldier, and the People of Indiana, why don't you and your fellow scamocrats resign and go home?"
Patriots, I can add nothing to john's eloquence other than to reflect that next year, Mr. Cheatham will be up for re-election. Whoever runs against him might have a slogan "Dave was AWOL, I won't be!" What say ye, Patriots, next year does ole Dave stay or does he gotta go?
God bless you all and God Bless the United States of America!
In freedom (still),
The War Eagle
Our First Post
Greetings Patriots!
Conservative blogging has always reminded me of the circular letters which I think started in Massachusetts in the 1760s and 1770s to inform patriots of that time of the important issues and events which eventually led to the Revolutionary War.
We are starting this blog on the Sons and Daughters of Liberty in the prayerful hope that we will be able to inform patriots at this important time in our country's history of many issues and events which confront us.
We have many fantastic, intelligent people in our steering group. It is my hope that I will not be the sole contributor to this blog. James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton all wrote under the pseudonym "Publius" in the Federalist Papers (a series of articles explaining and promoting the ratification of our present Constitution). While not trying to elevate our blog to the Federalist Papers, the issues we will be writing about are just as important as those confronting our great country a couple hundred years ago.
I am the "War Eagle." A dear friend of mine gave me that nom de guerre over 25 years ago. I believe that we indeed are on a war footing now - a war to return our country back to its moral and Constitutional roots as well as its God-given love of personal and national liberty which has allowed the freedoms we currently enjoy. This liberty we love is also the object of a not so subtle effort from the collaborative might of domestic enemies in Washington, DC, as well as Indianapolis and some even here in Jefferson County to relieve us of most if not all our liberties.
We want to appeal to the best thinking of our readers as well as stimulate constructive discussion in this battle in the domestic war against socialism, soft tyranny and governmental intrusion.
We also want to rally those folks who think they are actually doing something when they forward a forward of a forward. We want to rally those people to actually join the cause of liberty rather than sitting on the sidelines of history.
The election of 2010 heralded the beginning of a great reformation that will take America back for liberty. We will not rest in our vigilance to keep our elected officials from spending monies we don't have, for things we don't need. The premise of "If we don't spend it, somebody else will." continues to be wrong and morally reprehensible, whether we find this in national, state or local government.
This blog is in addition to our radio programs, town hall meetings, roundtables, open air events and anything else we can think of to harass, confound and confuse the enemy who would subjugate "We, The People."
All of our writing will be in keeping with the purposes of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty:
• The public validation of the concepts of Liberty; Freedom; Smaller, Less Intrusive Government; and, the United States Constitution.
• The provision of a public forum for the free and rich exchange of ideas.
• To raise awareness of corruption in government.
• Not cease our relentless pursuit of those elected officials who have betrayed their oath or affirmation of office.
God bless and keep you, our readers, and God bless this the greatest country in the world!
In freedom (still),
The War Eagle
Conservative blogging has always reminded me of the circular letters which I think started in Massachusetts in the 1760s and 1770s to inform patriots of that time of the important issues and events which eventually led to the Revolutionary War.
We are starting this blog on the Sons and Daughters of Liberty in the prayerful hope that we will be able to inform patriots at this important time in our country's history of many issues and events which confront us.
We have many fantastic, intelligent people in our steering group. It is my hope that I will not be the sole contributor to this blog. James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton all wrote under the pseudonym "Publius" in the Federalist Papers (a series of articles explaining and promoting the ratification of our present Constitution). While not trying to elevate our blog to the Federalist Papers, the issues we will be writing about are just as important as those confronting our great country a couple hundred years ago.
I am the "War Eagle." A dear friend of mine gave me that nom de guerre over 25 years ago. I believe that we indeed are on a war footing now - a war to return our country back to its moral and Constitutional roots as well as its God-given love of personal and national liberty which has allowed the freedoms we currently enjoy. This liberty we love is also the object of a not so subtle effort from the collaborative might of domestic enemies in Washington, DC, as well as Indianapolis and some even here in Jefferson County to relieve us of most if not all our liberties.
We want to appeal to the best thinking of our readers as well as stimulate constructive discussion in this battle in the domestic war against socialism, soft tyranny and governmental intrusion.
We also want to rally those folks who think they are actually doing something when they forward a forward of a forward. We want to rally those people to actually join the cause of liberty rather than sitting on the sidelines of history.
The election of 2010 heralded the beginning of a great reformation that will take America back for liberty. We will not rest in our vigilance to keep our elected officials from spending monies we don't have, for things we don't need. The premise of "If we don't spend it, somebody else will." continues to be wrong and morally reprehensible, whether we find this in national, state or local government.
This blog is in addition to our radio programs, town hall meetings, roundtables, open air events and anything else we can think of to harass, confound and confuse the enemy who would subjugate "We, The People."
All of our writing will be in keeping with the purposes of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty:
• The public validation of the concepts of Liberty; Freedom; Smaller, Less Intrusive Government; and, the United States Constitution.
• The provision of a public forum for the free and rich exchange of ideas.
• To raise awareness of corruption in government.
• Not cease our relentless pursuit of those elected officials who have betrayed their oath or affirmation of office.
God bless and keep you, our readers, and God bless this the greatest country in the world!
In freedom (still),
The War Eagle
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