It wasn't a Republican event. It wasn't a Democrat event. It wasn't a Libertarian event. It was an American Freedom event and it was great.
No profanity. (Edit: Well..maybe one or two. Sorry. I just listened to some video.) No fights. No name-calling. Just an opportunity to unite with other like-minded freedom-loving citizens to say that our country is headed down the wrong path toward socialism and it is NOT what our founding fathers had in mind when the Declaration of Independence was signed and the United States Constitution was written.
And we've had enough already. I cannot sit quietly while our pay is garnished, in the form of taxes, to not only pay for "pork" that is not the function of our federal government, but to shamefully pay for the taking of innocent lives in abortion.
A word to those who serve us in congress: We don't care WHAT political party you are affiliated with - if your voting record supports the current "tax and spend" policies that include the use of tax dollars to pay for abortion, then we will not support or vote for you when that time comes.
Is socialism too strong a word? Consider one of its definitions from dictionary.com and tell me it is something other than Obama's economic philosophy: "A theory or system of social reform which contemplates a complete reconstruction of society, with a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor." ~ Cal Thomas, World Magazine
It's seems obvious to me that the Obama campaign is all about Obama and what Obama says he will do for you, but the McCain campaign is all about the people and preserving democracy. Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder are excellent examples of that difference.
Other resources for making an informed and educated decision...
Emily commented that it looks so patriotic driving down the road toward our home - with our neighbor's flag pole (he's Puerto Rican) outside his barn and the fence at the corner of our pasture that is covered with signs.
Greer Calls on Mahoney to Resign, Citing Abuse of Power and Corruption
Stuart, Florida--Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer released the following statement today regarding Congressman Tim Mahoney (CD-16). Chairman Greer, who held a press conference outside the Congressman's Stuart office this morning, called Mahoney to request that he come out and address the questions and concerns of his constituents. After waiting a period of time and still receiving no response from Mahoney, Chairman Greer released this statement:
"The last chapter of Tim Mahoney's political career has been written, and it is titled 'Violation of the public trust.' Now, it is time to close the book on Congressman Mahoney and restore the public's trust.
"Today, I call upon Tim Mahoney to resign his office as a U.S. Congressman and allow the citizens of CD 16 the opportunity to have their faith and trust restored in this public office."
Shortly after Joe Negron was chosen to replace Foley on the ticket in the 2006 District 16 Congressional race, we had an opportunity to meet Negron and his lovely wife Rebbeca.
One of the issues I discussed with Mr. Negron was the importance of living a life of integrity before the generations that follow - young people like my daughter Emily who has a keen interest in government and the political process and was devastated by the revelation of Foley's obvious character flaw and disgusting behavior.
Public trust in government officials is never going to be restored when those in power continue to violate that trust with the kind of despicable behavior Representative Tim Mahoney (who narrowly beat Joe Negron in that congressional race two years ago) has admittedly participated in and was uncovered earlier this week.
Just as we prayed for Mark Foley, his family, and those involved in his transgressions two years ago, we are praying for Tim Mahoney, his wife, daughter, and others affected by his deplorable behavior. Unfortunately, unlike Mark Foley, Tim Mahoney does not appear to be resigning from his office and will be continuing his campaign against the Republican candidate, Tom Rooney.
Emily is thrilled with her position as the Hendry County chairperson for the Rooney for Congress campaign, but she isn't doing so with blinders on. When Mr. Rooney approached her in July about taking on this position, he told her to do her research first and make certain she could support him on the issues. She has been behind him ever since. Even so, she made the following comment a day or so ago...
An issue came out about Mr. Rooney's rival, Tim Mahoney, today. It's disgusting, and I feel sorry for Mahoney's family and all involved. Something about District 16, it's not cool. Hopefully Mr. Rooney stays grounded, otherwise I'm done with politics.
That's what I meant when I encouraged Joe Negron to remember the next generation. If we want young men and women of integrity - like Emily - to be inspired to be the future leaders of our country, then today's leaders need to live lives of integrity before them.
We have not only been impressed with Tom Rooney's conservative stance on the issues, but with what we have seen of his character. It was several weeks after Emily accepted her position with the campaign that we realized that Tom Rooney is the grandson of Art Rooney, founder of the Pittsburg Steelers. I am confident a person with the clout and influence of Tom Rooney could have chosen any number of people - also with clout and influence - to be his representative in this county, but he trusted this opportunity to a 17 year old from a rural middle class family. I think that speaks volumes for his character.
Hearing Governor Palin speak yesterday reminded me of Peggy Noonan's comments following the VP debate last week...
"She killed. She had him at “Nice to meet you. Hey, can I call you Joe?" She was the star. He was the second male lead, the good-natured best friend of the leading man. She was not petrified but peppy.
The whole debate was about Sarah Palin. She is not a person of thought but of action. Interviews are about thinking, about reflecting, marshaling data and integrating it into an answer. Debates are more active, more propelled—they are thrust and parry. They are for campaigners. She is a campaigner. Her syntax did not hold, but her magnetism did. At one point she literally winked at the nation.
As far as Mrs. Palin was concerned, Gwen Ifill was not there, and Joe Biden was not there. Sarah and the camera were there. This was classic 'talk over the heads of the media straight to the people,' and it is a long time since I've seen it done so well, though so transparently." "Palin the Populist" Peggy Noonan [The Patriot Post (PatriotPost.US)].
Two of my favorite moments from yesterday's rally...
Shortly after the crowd stopped cheering long enough for Governor Palin to speak, a protester began shouting insults at her. Turning to the heckler, Palin said with a smile, "You know, bless your heart, sir, my son is in Iraq fighting for your right to protest right now." (HUGE applause)
It sure blessed my heart to watch Governor Palin's cheerful interaction with the crowd of young people (including Emily, who took most of yesterday's photos by the way) that listened to her speech near the stage and gathered for an autograph or greeting as she slowly and patiently left the arena. It was encouraging to watch the way she connected with and inspired them and the enthusiastic response from this future generation of leaders.
One rather interesting media take on yesterday's rally surrounds comments made by Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott...
Apparently the MSM and the Obama campaign think it was wrong of Sheriff Scott to include Obama's middle name and now we have something called the "Hussein" card. Honestly. I thought nothing of it and doubt most of the other 8,800 people at the rally thought anything of it, either. Our response to Sheriff Scott's statement had nothing to do with his use of Obama's first, middle and last name, but to the implication that McCain will win and Obama will lose.
Our Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, will join the Florida Ticket for Road to Victory Rallies on October 6th in Clearwater and Ft. Myers and on October 7th in Jacksonville and Pensacola.
For more information, please call (850) 391-4219 or visit http://florida.johnmccain.com/Florida.htm. Please allow plenty of time to clear security.
Clearwater Rally Road to Victory Rally Date: Monday, October 6, 2008 Location: Coachman Park 301 Drew Street Clearwater, FL 33756 Doors open at 6:00 a.m. EST
Tickets may be picked up between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. beginning on Thursday, October 2, 2008. Tickets are available at the following location and will be available at additional victory offices on Friday, October 3, 2008.
Pinellas County REC Victory Office 4707 140 Avenue Suite 2008 Clearwater, FL 33762 (727) 539-6009
Ft. Myers Rally Road to Victory Rally Date: Monday, October 6, 2008 Location: Florida Gulf Coast University, Alico Arena 10501 FGCU Blvd. South Ft. Myers, FL 33965-6565 Doors Open at 12:00 p.m. EST
Tickets may be picked up between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. beginning on Thursday, October 2, 2008. Tickets are available at the following location and will be available at additional victory offices on Friday, October 3, 2008.
Ft. Myers Victory Office 7250 College Parkway Ft. Myers, FL 33907 (239) 321-9574
Jacksonville Rally Road to Victory Rally Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 Location: The Jacksonville Landing Two Independent Drive Jacksonville, FL 32202 Doors Open at 7:00 a.m. EST
Tickets may be picked up between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. beginning on Thursday, October 2, 2008. Tickets are available at the following location and will be available at additional victory offices on Friday, October 3, 2008.
Pensacola Rally Road to Victory Rally Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 Location: Pensacola Aviation Center 4145 Jerry L. Maygarden Road Pensacola, FL 32504 Doors Open at 11:00 a.m. CT
Tickets may be picked up between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. beginning on Thursday, October 2, 2008. Tickets are available at the following location and will be available at additional victory offices on Friday, October 3, 2008.
Pensacola Victory Office 6565 North W. Street Pensacola, FL 32505 (850) 969-0097
Like most Americans who are paying attention to current political events, Sarah Palin's nomination as John McCain's VP was a frequent topic of conversation in our family this past week, as we carried on with a not-so-leisurely schedule that left me with little to no time for commentary.
That's not necessarily bad - for someone as opinionated as I can be. Time away from my keyboard has allowed me to be more prayerful and thoughtful before writing something I wish I hadn't, and for that I am most grateful.
It didn't take long for me to be convinced that Governor Palin was more than qualified to assume the responsibilities for which she has been chosen. I am thrilled with her strong conservative record on the issues and the enthusiasm her nomination has brought to the McCain ticket, but I needed to reconcile those notions with other long held beliefs about the role of mothers of young children (not women) outside the home.
While I was away from my keyboard, my delightful and intelligent friend Holly (mother of 8 children at home, by the way) was busy linking to excellent resources ***and sharing her own insights which has proved most valuable in helping me to clarify my unqualified support of Gov. Sarah Palin's nomination. As I commented to Holly, these are exciting, fearful, awesome times we have been privileged to live. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
***PLEASE NOTE: I do NOT share Doug Wilson's opinion of McCain, only his thoughts regarding Sarah Palin's authority to be a VP.
It's been a long 4 days for Emily. Most of the people we know who volunteer to work during elections, were too busy running their own campaigns to help Emily with the Rooney for Congress campaign. There were only a handful of people available to help Emily with making phone calls over the weekend, and I was the only person available on election day to help her at all.
We logged in just under 200 miles in the car yesterday, stopping at every precinct polling place in the county. We traveled down rural roads to communities I never knew existed and killed a gazillion mosquitoes every time we opened the door.
Six hours after our precinct trek began and we returned to town, Emily intended to wave signs at one of the busiest intersections in town during the late afternoon rush hour, but those plans evaporated when thunderstorms rolled in.
It was a painfully long night. Emily was exhausted, but couldn't sleep until she knew the election results were in. She would have loved to watch the results from Rooney's Victory Party in Stuart, but we live too far away to travel late at night and then be home for Gavin early this morning.
It was a nail-biter. The Republican Party had 3 excellent candidates running against each other. When we went to bed some time after midnight, results from the Florida DOS Division of Elections indicated that Tom Rooney held a slim lead over Florida Representative Gayle Harrell. This morning, the Palm Beach Post is reporting that...
Attorney Tom Rooney edged state Rep. Gayle Harrell on Tuesday in a three-candidate GOP congressional primary that carried national implications.
Former Palm Beach Gardens councilman Hal Valeche finished third in the Republican primary for U.S. House District 16, with 100 percent of precincts from eight counties reporting.
Rooney will challenge freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney of Palm Beach Gardens in November in what is expected to be one of the most competitive congressional races in the nation.
The results in our county were particularly exciting for Emily, with Rooney receiving over 54% of the votes - the highest percentage of any county in District 16.
Hendry County Republican leaders, candidates and volunteers at the Grand Opening of the Clewiston Victory Office July 24, 2008
Following the Victory Office Grand Opening, the Republican Party of Hendry County hosted a reception for local Republican candidates in the "Sugar and Spice" hall at the historic Clewiston Inn.
United States Congressional District 16 Republican Candidate Tom Rooney addressed the audience attending the Primary Candidate Forum at John Boy Auditorium in Clewiston July 24, 2008
Tom Rooney with Hendry County Property Appraiser Kristina Kulpa
Emily with Tom Rooney's Press Secretary Jeff Ostermayer
Mel Karau, Emily, and Tom Rooney
Kudos to Emily. She worked hard to organize a TARS (Teenage Republicans) club in Hendry County, but most high school students have no interest in government and politics. Though the lack of interest in other teenagers has been discouraging, Emily has remained determined to support candidates who represent the conservative values that she believes in, has volunteered numerous hours, and has continued to participate in local and state Republican Party activities. Earlier this month, as a result of her dedicated participation, she was offered the opportunity to be the Hendry County Chairman for the Rooney for Congress Campaign and Co-Chair of the McCain for President Campaign.
I believe the next few months we are going to be quite busy.
