Monday, 25 May 2009
2008 Precinct Caucus Form As
These links will take you to the information on 2008 Precinct Caucus Form As I will have a followup post titled
Which will have Samples of Form As
And a discussion on the ones filled out correctly, the ones almost correct and some that are way off base.
Why this is so and the implications
Marion Precincts Linn County Precincts |
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Memorial Day
A Moment of Silence and Peace for the Next Few Days in Respect for the Fallen
Arlington (Trace Adkins)
SOME GAVE ALL
Fallen
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from
time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants
Operation USO Care Package
PO BOX 8069
Topeka, Kansas 66608
1-877-USO-GIVE
Everyone But Us
I have in previous posts described the ways by which those of us who have attended Linn County Central Committee Meetings on a Regular Basis over the years, discovered that we were no longer going to meet where we were accustomed.
There was the surprising revelation that a flyer was passed out one weekend in March the 27, 28 & 29th at an NRA Gun show informing the PUBLIC of a new meeting location.
But by no attempt via the normal Email List, nor the Social Network Facebook Linn County GOP Website,
Did the Executive Board EVER enlighten us on these matters or give us a location until just shortly before the meeting.
Actually many former members did not even get an email announcement before the meeting and there was quite of bit of Internet chatter getting the word out to the Uninformed.
Indeed it was after a silence of Two months that the rationale was finally given,
IMO grudgingly and with all the ease of pulling teeth from an unwilling attack dog.
But I will have to say my latest discovery is surprising to me,
Despite the fact that the present record has been replete with unwelcome surprises,
I ran across this post Updated: Linn County Republicans switch leaders
on a website called., Essential Estrogen,
Which by the way in my opinion would be an informative website, no matter what the gender of the reader,
I recommend it without any reservations whatsoever.
But to get back to my main point, The post begins
Updated to list the full Linn County GOP executive board:
Chairman -- Tim Palmer
Co-Chairman -- Mark Hudson
Treasurer -- Brent Schulte
Secretary -- Dawn Brown
None of the previous members of the executive board were re-elected. That being said, I'm not sure if all incumbents were seeking another term. From what I've been able to find out through text messages, e-mails and the local Twitter feed, the newly elected leaders (described by Renee Schulte as "young professionals") will be making some changes in the near future that will likely begin with a new meeting location.
Note the date March 18, 2009 7:05 AM
That children is the MORNING AFTER THE ELECTION.
This lady had been previously informed of these changes,
But were those who normally ATTEND Meetings informed?
Not until MUCH later.
Why that might have AFFECTED the Voting.
I ask you.
Was there ANYONE in Iowa who did NOT know about these matters before WE did?
Doesn't appear to be the case .
Just more of that Unifying Communication that we are becoming accustomed to.
Rise Against - Behind Closed Doors
Time out, let's stop and think this through,
We've all got better things to do,
Than talk in circles, run in place,
Answers inches from our face.
[Chorus]
Black eyes, broken fingers,
Blood drips and I let it run,
down my lips into my swollen gums,
When hope is non-existent,
Our instincts all scream "Run",
We never turn our backs or even bite our tongue.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice
Brothers and Sisters We are indeed Blessed.
In addition the the duties formerly pursued by the Linn County GOP Central Committee there has been added the Onerous Task of Shepherding the Moral Purity of our Flock.
Yes as part of the explanation of why exactly the venue for the Monthly Meeting had been changed, the Executive Board revealed to the Body that INTOXICATING beverages are known to be dispensed at the Longbranch.
As a result, it seems there are some who might refrain from frequenting such a Den of Iniquity, including a few, we were informed Who have been aching to line our pockets with golden donations, if only they could attend a Meeting in safety.
Why one gentleman rose and addressed the Body, to solemnly inform us there are those who refer to the Longbranch as the Longbranch Saloon.
To which one member replied that the correct title was the Longbranch Hotel and Convention Center.
I am certain that individual meant well, but has been misled.
We must pray for him.
But on reflection, it may be that he is blameless.
Some of our Body have lived Sheltered Lives, they are not knowledgeable about Worldly Matters.
Now myself?
I must confess, with Deep Regret, in my Youth, I was wont to Sin.
Indeed, it is to my Eternal Shame that often, I rather enjoyed it.
So I have a breadth of knowledge that may be lacking in this person, and others of our Body.
So let me reveal, that along with Intoxicating beverages, in Hotel rooms there are frequently enacted acts of sensual depravity that would shock the very core of any decent person.
As to CONVENTIONS?
I-- I cannot bring myself to utter a description of what can occur during them,
These after all ARE the Lips I kissed my Mother with.
So we have been rescued, Dear Friends from Venal, if not Mortal Sin.
When one considers that children were brought to those meeting, even the young innocent daughters of some families, sitting, without realizing, while on the other side of the wall of the room they were in the Fires of Hell were Flaming.
One gets a queasy feeling just thinking about it.
Narrow is the Path, and confusing at times.
I try, I really do.
I support Fiscal Responsibility
I oppose Raised and Punitive Taxation
The Attack at Present upon the Capitalist Foundations of Our Society by Socialism.
I support a Strong and Vigorous Defense against the Worldwide Forces which seek to either Destroy or Enslave us.
I uphold the Sanctity of Marriage and it being Union between a Man and a Woman.
I support the Rule of Law and wish Action be taken against the current invasion of Illegal Aliens who have no regard for our Law.
I am for Clean and Untainted Elections
and I stand Square against the Murder of Babies
But just like a Computer Game, where as you think your have arrived victoriously at the End, only to find.
NO
You have only reached a
Higher Degree of Difficulty.
I realize that I am lacking
Despite all of the above and even despite the fact that I have not touched a drop of liquor in Lo these twenty odd years.
I am lacking
You see, I fear it does not matter to me if the person sitting beside or across the table from me, has not only coke in their glass, but Demon Rum as well.
As long as they don't slobber on my sleeve, throw up on my pants leg, or pass out under the table, of course.
So I suppose under the new strictures laid down these past two months
I have been Weighed in the Balance
and Found Wanton.
I have pondered this matter and endeavored to think of some way to Redeem myself.
I realize it must be an extreme and not token action,
Maybe I should propose at the next Meeting that a Curtain be placed down the length of the Room.
To prevent the Men and Women attending from being Distracted by Impure thoughts?
For unless I can discover a means to redeem myself I remain a Pariah and Outcast
One If By Land
Two if by Sea, and I on the opposite shore shall be.
Is a statement about Communication.
As is this, about Communication, Retrograde, Incomplete, Absent and Shutdown.
Communication has been all of the above of late.
Quite by accident about 2 months ago we learned that where the Linn County Central Committee had for quite some time been having it's meetings had been changed.
Did we find this out by an announcement via email to the mailing list that had been a form of communication for sometime?
No
Did we find this out by an announcement on the Linn County GOP Central Committee Face book website, which had been set up to utilize current Internet social networking?
No.
It came to our attention because the Executive Board had been passing out handouts at a NRA Gun Show, informing the Public that
The Linn County Republican Central Committee Meeting for April would be a Post Tax Tea Party at a local Church,
The Public was informed of this but no attempt was made to inform the Body.
When inquiries were made on the Central Committee Face book site, we were informed that they had not made a determination as to the location of the April meeting, but when that had been decided, the Body would be informed.
We did receive, or some of us did, but many did not, information that the April meeting was to be held at the Kirkwood Continuing Educational Center, at the far southern end of the County.
Which was not a meeting, but a Rally so no questions from the floor could be raised.
Now a response could be made that the members of the Executive Board stood ready to answer any questions put to them before, during and after that Rally on these issues.
That is beside the point,
The Body of the Central Committee has a RIGHT to have it's Leadership inform them as a Body of the decisions and actions taken by the Executive Board in the Central Committee's Name.
When these and other questions and statements appeared on the Linn County GOP Face book Comments and Discussion website.
Input there came to a SCREECHING HALT. Comments from the membership were totally Shutdown. I am not even certain they use
it now at all, the May Meeting doesn't seem to be in the Events.
Now there WERE plenty of questions raised at the May Meeting.
The Executive Board when questioned about the change in venue and the increased costs of the New Meeting location, did inform the Body
AFTER TWO MONTHS OF SILENCE
That it was their intention to have meetings in a Kirkwood facility situated a few blocks from the previous meeting location, but that facility was not always available
and
By the way we are not spending that much more money,
Because we closed down the Permanent Linn County GOP Office.
It was further stated that among the reasons for the change was because some people would not attend meetings if it were held at the Long Branch, including some large financial donors.
One gentleman from the floor termed the former location the Long branch Saloon.
Point of information. We were at a Linn County GOP Central Committee Meeting not in Gun smoke and the City is called Cedar Rapids, Iowa, not Dodge City, Kansas and the year is now 2009, not 1873.
As to the donor who abhors the Long branch? I was always impressed with the good treatment this Committee received from the owners, mangers and workers of the Long branch.
My Daddy taught me better than to walk out on a friend because some Pharisee offered to toss 30 pieces of Silver in my palm.
When I asked the floor if there was anyone in attendance that would NOT have been so, if the meeting had been held at the Long branch.
There was dead silence, even from the gentleman who thought he was an actor in the Gun smoke TV serial.
I find the abhorrence of a meeting place on those grounds to be ludicrous and juvenile.
It invokes in me THIS image of their version of the Republican Party
Some people use the phrase "
paper tiger" as an aspersion of disdain, They are not even "paper elephants."
The thought of someone squirming with unease because a room or two away or EVEN GASP on the other side of the Wall someone is being served LIQUOR and THAT might keep them away from a meeting or making a substantial donation is so puerile, that my immediate reaction is.
Come back when you grow up.
What are we going to do, I wonder if it should dawn on these tender sensitivities that the person
SITTING NEXT TO THEM
Might be drinker, might drink after the meeting might EVEN have had a drink before the meeting
and be breathing toxic alcohol fumes into the very air they are breathing?
Should we issue Arm Bands with a Yellow B for Boozer on them
so the pious are not contaminated?
Despite the fact that I have not touched a drop of Liquor in more than 20 years
I would proudly don one and take my Stand among the Unclean.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Motion For Compliance
Here is the First Draft of the Motion I intend to enter into the Record during the June Linn County GOP Central Committee Meeting.
Input, suggestions and critique is welcome the Comment Section is Moderated but I will attempt to post them in a timely manner
Whereas: the Result of the Point of Order and Law raised in this years February meeting placed the Membership List of the Linn County GOP Central Committee in Dispute, because the appointment of Members had not been in Compliance with The State Election Code, nor with the Constitutions of the State and County Party and By-Laws
and
Whereas: The Ad-Hoc Committee assembled to rectify this situation by compiling a List of Members from the Precinct Caucus Form As, exceeded their Authority by giving Voting Rights not in Compliance with the Election Code, Constitutions and By-Laws
I Move: That a Quorum of Duly Elected Central Committee Members whose names appear on the Precinct Caucus Form As as having been Elected to that position be assembled.
For the Purpose, if they so choose
By a Majority Vote of their Quorum to,
Fill any Vacancies of Committee Members in Precincts
Appoint Assistants for each Precinct
In accordance with the provisions of the
AND by a majority vote of their Quorum, if they so choose
Affirm all Actions, Elections and Votes that have takenplace in the interim as
The Will of the Body of the Linn County GOP Central Committee
What we got here
Have you ever looked around and had the uncanny feeling that you were part of a Movie?
Recently I have had the odd deja-vous impression
What we got here is... failure to communicate
Or at least that is what seems to have been the case for the last two months, there was however extensive communication at the May Central Committee Meeting, to say the least.
Before I get into the present I wish to make some comments on the past.
I first started making County Meetings just prior to the 2006 Elections. No reflection on the Executive Board at that time I was impressed with Dan Abolins drive and dedication, but things were a total mess.
When the next Executive Board took over, the Committee was broke and had to clear up some serious financial reporting issues that took the better part of their two year term , but they accomplished that goal.
We ended up with a strong IMO system of sub-committees for volunteer organizing and fund raising and were so successful, that unlike most of the Counties in Iowa, we paid for the entire 2008 Election, the Election Victory Offices, had established a Permanent Linn County GOP office, with some equipment staffed by volunteers, we had set up a social network webpage on Facebook for speedy communication AND we had about $5000 in the Bank.
Then we voted in a new Executive Board. What has transpired since?
The Sub-committees? Do not Exist anymore.
Our Permanent Office? Does not Exist anymore.
Our Meeting Location? Changed to the far end of the County.
But we were informed we MAY be meeting in a more Centralized Location, sometimes.
We Do have a Coffee morning rotating around the County, the First Friday of each month and that IS a good addition,
The Communication during the May meeting was
The Issue of using the NRA logo, without their permission, was raised and the Body was informed that an apology had been made, but when requested that the Body be informed as to who that had been delivered to the answer was vague.
The issue of using the name of the Tea Party organization for the April meeting without consulting with them or getting their approval was raised and there was a commitment made to refrain from that in the Future.
There was a LOT of communication on the minutes of the last two months and those issues are to be worked out.
The issue of illegal proxy votes at the March Election was raised and the Executive Board was tasked with an inquiry.
The Issue of the termination of the Permanent Linn County GOP Office was raised and the point of order was, by what authority did the Executive Board terminate the Lease and eliminate the Office, since it had been established by a Vote of the Body of the County Central Committee.
The answer seems to have been that the Executive Board felt they did not need to return to the Body for that decision and could make it themselves,.
Now THAT does appear to this writer as a direct violation of the Linn County Republican Party Constitution.
Which states
The general management of the affairs of the party in Linn County is vested in the Linn County Central Committee
and
The Executive Committee shall transact the routine business
of the Linn County Central Committee during the interim of the meetings of the Linn County Central Committee
. Any business transacted or action taken shall be reported to the Linn
County Central Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
The Executive
Committee is subject to the orders of the Linn County Central Committee, and none of its acts
shall conflict with actions of the Linn County Central Committee.
Others may disagree, but I do not think voiding Lease Agreements and Closing down Offices, that have been established by a Vote of the Central Committee constitutes "routine business" and it is my opinion that the Executive Board exceeded their Legal Authority when they took this action.
The Body of the Central Committee is the Legal Authority for General Management and cannot be overruled by the Executive Board
Now their INTENTIONS may be in Good Faith, but Good Faith as I have stated in one of my previous articles does not endow Legal Authority.
While your Heart may be as Pure as the Driven Snow, and your Cause Just and Righteous, you are either in Compliance with the Rules of the State Election Code, the Constitutions of the State and County GOP or you are NOT.
Which brings us to the subject dear to my heart. We are in my opinion STILL not in compliance as regards Voting Members,
When I asked if there was a Quorum present, I was informed there was, BUT that count included what was termed Alternate Committee Members and as far as I can tell
There is NO repeat NO such designation in the Rules and Election Code as an Alternate Committee member selected during the Caucus Elections.
This Category does not exist, AFTER a duly Elected Central Committee is convened they may appoint Assistants who have Voting Rights in the absence of the Elected Committee Members, the Elected Committee Members may also Fill Vacancies by a majority vote.
But we never did this, The entire result of the Issue that David Chung raised at the February meeting is that until we have a quorum of Elected Committee Members assembled we cannot fill any vacancies nor appoint Assistants.
The only Legal Authority the Ad Hoc Committee formed to deal with this issue had, was to find and recognize Elected County Committee Members, using the Form As as a resource.
They exceeded their brief when they gave Voting Rights to persons appearing on the Form As described as Caucus Chair, Co-Chairs, Secretaries or Alternates.
In one case , the duly elected Committee Member was prevented from voting because their name did not Appear on the Form A and one of the persons responsible for seeing that the Form As were filled out, who had not attended a Committee Meeting for most of the previous year voted instead.
The Solution to all this is simple and I will submit a written motion to the Committee for the next meeting.
Assemble just ONE TIME a Quorum of Elected Committee Members, they can Recognize ALL of the people should they wish, who have been given voting rights, to Fill Vacancies in Precincts and to be appointed as Assistants for Precincts to Vote in the Elected Committee Members absence, AND they can adopt as the Will of the Body ALL Decisions that have been voted on during the recent past.
If we do this we will be in FULL compliance with the Election Codes and our Constitutions and By-Laws.
It has been presented to me that we should just let things ride until the Next Election Caucuses.
That says to me
Just pretend we are in compliance with the Law,
Who cares?
Well I care.
How about YOU?
So we have serious Issues in Linn County,
Which in my eyes have simple solutions.
Obey the Election Code of the State of Iowa and the Rules outlined in the State and County GOP Constitutions and By-Laws
Friday, 15 May 2009
Dotting the Eye of Sauron
Anyone who, knows me, or has been following the articles on this website recently, should realize that I stand firmly for making sure the Is are dotted and all the Ts are crossed.
The entire thrust of most of my posts has been on issues where I believe we have not, in the local GOP apparatus, done everything in compliance with State Election Code and the various State and County Constitutions and By-Laws.
So you might understand, how I felt when upon arising to get ready for work recently, I received a phone call from the
Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
Not the sort of thing, one expects, or enjoys before one's first cup of coffee.
The Long and Short of it is. I and a few others placed a small Ad in the Marion Paper opposing the passing of the Local Option Sales Tax. AKA LOST.
It seems someone filed a complaint with the State Ethics Board because the Ad did not list any personal identification.
Now I wish to thank the person who brought this matter to our attention, because I DO wish to ensure that anything done, that I am involved with ,that has a political nature, is done in the correct manner and in compliance with the Laws of the State of Iowa.
A person who SUPPORTS Raising Taxes, of course, has a perfect right to use any tool that the legal system holds to try to silence opposition to that position.
I would find it perfectly understandable if a Progressive Democrat had pulled such a maneuver. I might even give them grudging respect, as it was a clever move.
What surprised me was that this action was taken by a member of the
Linn County GOP Central Committee.
Since our first meeting in April was advertised as a Linn County GOP Central Committee and TEA Party Rally, I was not aware that the official position of the County GOP Central Committee was to support the LOST agenda of raising taxes.
If this was not the case then, why, I wonder would someone on the Central Committee make an issue of our small Ad?
We live in interesting, albeit occasionally confusing times.
It is written that in the End Days there will be Signs in the Heavens.
It is almost eerie that in 2005 the Hubble Space Craft took a photo in the constellation Piscis Austrinus that is the exact image of the "the Great Eye of Sauron".
This photo was taken in 2005, compare it with this screen saver from 2004.
The photo taken by the Hubble is of the Star Fomalhaut. In ancient Persia, this star announced the arrival of autumn weather.
The End of the Season of Life and the Harbinger of the Cold, Bleak, Dark Season of Winter.
Fitting, when one considers the election results since the Eye of Sauron opened 3 years ago.
But to return to our present Saga. The results of the Inquiry by the
Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board was?
Not much of anything really. We have to buy another Ad stating that we sponsored the first. But the even better news is that we now have an excellent resource in Des Moines who has been very helpful giving us detailed advice and instruction on how we should precede with this issue and any other matters, we may wish to pursue.
So we actually owe the person who complained to the State Ethics Board a debt of gratitude, their efforts have been very helpful to us.
And yes I am quite aware of their identity, I have in my possession an email from Des Moines informing me of exactly Who and How this Action was initiated.
But in the interest of keeping to Principles instead of Personalities
until the Fullness of Time is appropriate I will only refer to them as Smeagol
That seems fitting somehow.
I don't mind opposition, I expect my opponents to be passionate in the defense of their position, it does sadden me that someone in the GOP Leadership found it necessary to take such drastic action as filing a complaint in Des Moines in response to an Ad that
Opposed Increased Taxation,
So I send out the Call
AWAKE! ARISE THE WEST! TO ARMS
For the Hosts of Mordor Gather!
The Great Eye of Sauron has opened
and it's corrupting influence has found fertile ground.
Even among our own Ranks
Friday, 8 May 2009
The Worm Ouroboros
The Worm Ouroboros (1922) is a heroic high fantasy novel by Eric Rücker Eddison. The book describes the protracted war between the domineering King Gorice of Witchland and the Lords of Demonland in an imaginary world that appears mainly medieval and partly reminiscent of Norse sagas.
Though triumphant, the Demon lords find that victory is bitter because there are no more enemies worthy of their heroism, no more great deeds to perform. The Lord Juss says to Queen Sophonisba:
| “ | Thou O Queen canst scarcely know our grief: for to thee the blessed Gods gave thy heart's desire: youth forever, and peace. Would that they but give us our good gift, that should be youth for ever, and war; and unwaning strength and skill in arms. Would that they might but give us our great enemies alive and whole again. For better it were we should run hazard again of utter destruction, than thus live out our lives like cattle fattening for the slaughter, or like silly garden plants. (page 392) | ” |
Sophonisba, gifted by the gods with the power to grant wishes, returns the world to how it was four years ago; and so, with a blare of trumpets, an ambassador from Witchland arrives, "craving present audience," and
the story starts over again.
Now, I am of course not saying that the Republican Party WANTED things to go back to the way they were, but that does seem to be the Human condition, after Great Trials, Adventures and Adversity, the Ultimate Evil is Vanguished and then
Everything returns to the way it was before and the process starts all over again.
If we look at the ebb and flow of power between the Democratic and Republican Parties over the years we see this repetitive pattern over and over again,.
Indeed the most extreme reverses seem to follow the Greatest Victories.
Let's take a look at a graph of Republican Seats in the Senate over the past 50 years I have two lines for 40 and 60 seats with over 60 you can end a Filibuster, less than 40 you cannot maintain one,.
Now does the balance of power in the Senate look, THAT much worse now than in the past?
What about the House? I placed a line at 218, the House has 435 members if you have 218 Seats, you have a majority.
Ok you can see the whole pictue and to tell the truth I would prefer it be a different one, but I don't see it as that much worse than what has gone before.
Do you?
One thing history has taught us about Politics, whatever the situation whether in our favour or against it, we can be certain of only one thing
This too shall Pass.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
The Rumors Of Our Death
Upon being informed that a newspaper had printed his obituary, Mark Twain is reported to have said
The rumors of my Death have been greatly exaggerated.
I am beginning to feel that way about the GOP.
We are continuously hearing about the demise of the Republican Party.
GOP - DOA ?
Are the reports of the death of the GOP, to paraphrase Mark Twain, "Greatly exaggerated?" Or are we seeing the inexorable demise of a doomed beast -- like seeing the last wooly mammoth go down in tar pits of La Brea?
The defeats suffered in the 2006 mid-term and 2008 Presidential elections, combined with the recent defection of Senator Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party, certainly left a whiff of lingering death in the air. Was Specter's decision a mandatory 10-count that will allow the Republicans to get off the mat and fight on? Or was it the final knockout roundhouse?
I am sorry but there is quite a bit of exageration here. The 2006 Election was the average outcome of a second term bielection. It is true that the Democrtic Party did much better than the Republican Party in that election, but there was nothing out side of the normal range.
House of Representatives
Senate
All of the above looks daunting, I will be the first to admit that, but if this portends the demise of the Republican Party shouldn't it be as bad or worse than what has gone before???
Let's just take a look and see how the present state compares with say the 1976 Election?
Party summary
Senate
TOTAL members: 100
House of Representatives
TOTAL members: 435
Now I might be biased but I don't see much difference in the balance of power in the Senate and the distribution of House seats looks better today than after the 1976 Election.
But what about one might ask the overwhelming victory of the Democratic Presidential Candidate?
Was it really that overwhelming??
1976 Jimmy Carter against Gerold Ford
Carter won with 50.1% of the vote to Ford's 48%
2008 Barack Obama against John McCain
Obama won with 52.9% of the vote to McCain's 45.7%
2008 was better than 1976 but neither compare with 1964
Johnson had 61.1% of the vote to Goldwater's 38.5%
No any prediction of the demise of the Republican Party
needs to explain why it did not curl up in die during the last
40 some years when things looked as bad as they do now or even'
worse.
Whatever became of that Carter fellow anyway?
Oh I remember now
..
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