'Celebrate America' Rally to counter Pres. Obama visit

This event is also being called the Maumee Conservative Rally and I'm hearing rumors that the Mitt Romney bus is planning to stop by...

Press Release:

Ohio Conservatives to Provide Counterpoint to Obama Visit

Ohio conservative groups will host the 'Celebrate America' Rally on Thursday, July 5, as a counterpoint to President Obama's scheduled visit to the Maumee area. The rally will showcase conservative groups from across the state, as well as notable speakers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet regional and state candidates and representatives, speak with their campaigns and be informed on the issues.

The event will be held in Downtown Maumee, Ohio at the corner of Conant and E. Broadway, and will begin at 10 a.m. Attendees are advised to come early, as crowds are expected.

Also this message relating to the event:

Join your friends and neighbors as we celebrate our great nation. Come and visit with conservative groups from around Northwest Ohio, hear great speakers and brush up on the history of America. You'll come away inspired with the principles of Liberty and Freedom! Bring lawn chairs and ice cold water.

Where's Marcy? Congresswoman fails to show for health care meeting with constitutents

I thought about calling this post, "Where in the world is Marcy Kaptur" - with apologies to Carmen Sandiego, but I realize that not everyone is familiar with the children's character.

But with recent events, it's certainly a good question to ask about our Congressional Representative.

According to numerous reports, here is what occurred:

* The week of March 22nd, President Barack Obama's Organizing for America sent out an email that Marcy Kaptur would be holding a meeting to answer questions about the health care bill. The email indicated that the meeting would be at 2 p.m. at the Toledo Lucas County Library downtown branch.

* Several members of the local tea-party-like group, Children of Liberty, who are on the email list, decided to share the notice with the group, encouraging people to show up and take advantage of the opportunity to have their questions about the bill answered.

(Side Note: many of these members have been trying to months to get answers about the health care bill from Marcy...)

* Several media outlets mentioned the meeting.

* The meeting, however, was not to be.

* Children of Liberty member John recounts his efforts to find out about the cancelled meeting:

I got word at around 8:50am that the event was canceled!!! . WWWHHHHHTT?

I called the Library at 9am, the room was reserved by Rep Kaptur, and the attendance estimate she gave to the Library when she reserved the room was 15 people.

Over the next ½ hour, I had several calls from people who were also planning on attending. They had called Rep Kaptur’s office and the Staff told them, “there wasn’t anything on the schedule and they didn’t know anything about it”.

What’s the deal?

I checked back with the Library about 9:30am, I was told that someone from Rep Kaptur’s office had just called and canceled the room (Hhmmm, I wonder if there’s a cancellation fee?)

I told the Library that we had several people coming from all around town and it would be impossible to let them know of the cancellation. I then asked if I could have the room, and we could at least continue some of the meeting without Rep Kaptur.

I indicated that I would be more than willing to pay for the room at its usual rate, and I’d be more than happy to accept the room set up for the original meeting; The Library will check into it.

An hour later (About 10:30am), I checked back with the Library, They’ll let me have the room, no problems. I indicated that I anticipated approximately 50 guests, but due to the Cancellation confusion, it could be less. (They need the guest count so they can supply the correct number of pre-paid parking passes)

At noon, when the Library opened, I meet with the Library Staff, they showed me the room (McMaster), and I signed the contract.

In reviewing the contract with the Library Staff, they made it clear that because this is a public facility, this cannot be a private meeting, and any meetings held in this room are automatically open to the public.

I arrived back at the Library at 2pm, where I found several people waiting to get in for the original 2pm Meeting that Rep Kaptur scheduled. None of these people were aware that Rep Kaptur had canceled.

I briefly explained that for some unknown reason, at 9:30 this morning, Rep Kaptur canceled the meeting and the hall.. At 10am, I reserved the room and planned on continuing the Health Care Q&A, but unless Rep Kaptur showed up, there wouldn’t be any “A” portion of the “Q&A”.

* Absent the Congresswoman, her constituents recorded the questions with the intent of sharing the video with Kaptur and getting answers to the questions.

* While she couldn't made the event she'd scheduled, a member of her staff was present and 'furiously taking notes.'

* Several reports after the fact had staff from her office claiming that the scheduled meeting was a 'private' one.

I can only wonder if this is the modus operandi for those who voted for the atrocious health care bill: meet only with people who agree with your vote while ignoring and avoiding the majority who opposed this measure.

Should the group receive any answers to the questions posed on the video, I'll report that, as well. But I'm not holding my breath!

Random Thoughts on TGIF

* The Toledo Police Patrolman's Association rejected contract concessions but the Firefighters approved them. According to media reports, the concessions included having the members pay 3% of their portion of the pension that the city is currently 'picking-up' as well as deferring overtime compensation until next year.

The overtime deferral will only buy the city and the Bell administration some time because, eventually, the money will have to be paid. This is part of the problem we have this year with a $48 million deficit - because former mayor Carty Finkbeiner and City Council accepted temporary concessions in 2009 knowing full well that the reduced levels would go back up this January...and they did.

In an interview on WSPD when I was hosting Eye On Toledo, I asked TPPA President Dan Wagner what I thought was a very pertinent question: Given the choice between keeping members employed by taking concessions or keeping existing benefits for only some members, what will the union do? His response was very telling. He said that, given his past experience, he feared they'd vote to keep existing levels and sacrifice the younger members (who would be the lowest in seniority and most likely to be laid off).

And given that choice this week, the TPPA did exactly as Dan expected. So much for unity and an 'all-for-one' approach.

* Erick Erickson at RedState.com has an excellent commentary on the fallout over the health care bill and the threats/violence directed against members of Congress:

Acts of violence against congressmen for behaving as congressmen are wholly inexcusable. We should be vigilant to police our own side because as we’re already seeing through a series of breathless and inaccurate reports, the press and Democrats are going to be quick to run most any story and the retraction will never be as significant as the initial report.

But let’s not act surprised. The only people surprised by the rage are the ones who refused to venture outside Washington to understand first hand what the voters were actually thinking before congressmen voted.

Frankly, after all the leadership threats and bullying against swing Democrats to vote for leadership, I think it is a bit ironic Democratic leaders are now decrying threats and bullying of swing state Democrats by their constituents who very clearly did not want them to vote as they did.

Full post

* It was a great debate last night that the Children of Liberty hosted for the GOP Congressional Primary. My compliments to the group for their format, their questions, their enthusiasm and the polite way in which everyone behaved.

* A quote on why our founders gave us the structure that has led to our long success as a nation:

"In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." ~ Thomas Jefferson

Children of Liberty to host Libertarian night

Via a press release:

What is the Libertarian Party about? Who is a Libertarian?

Are libertarians Conservative? Liberal?

Come join The Children of Liberty as we bring Libertarian Experts, Kevin Knedler, Scott McClure and Brian Wilson to give us the low down on all things libertarian.

The follwing canidates will be at the meeting to introduce themselves and take questions:

Ken Matesz - Gubernatorial candidate
Charlie Earl - Secretary of State candidate
Mike Howard - Auditor of State candidate
Jeremy Swartz - US Congress District 9 candidate
Joe Jaffee, US Congress 9 candidate
Joe Kolby, State Central Committee candidate

Come join the Children Of Liberty as we continue to educate ourselves

March, 15 2010 @ 6 pm
Maumee Library
501 River Rd
Maumee, Ohio 43537
RSVP at meetup.com/the-children-of-liberty

'No more RINO candidates' movement gains ground in Ohio

Conservatives are not happy with what is going on in the Ohio Republican Party.

Yesterday I highlighted Tom Blumer's post on his blog and at Pajamas Media which detailed the goings-on in the Ohio GOP to maneuver former Senator (and loser) Mike DeWine into an endorsement for the state Attorney General. Those back-door deals have repercussions in other races with the decision of leading AG candidate and lawyer Dave Yost's decidion to run for Auditor when Seth Morgan, conservative and a CPA, was already in that race.

With all this, things are heating up and conservatives are are making their voices heard.

Kimberly Fletcher, of Homemakers for America, issued this video urging Ohioans "stop party corruption and support Seth Morgan" for Auditor.

RightOhio makes fun of DeWine's 'F" grade from the NRA as part of the reason he doesn't qualify as 'moderate.'

The Buckeye Firearms Association comes right out and calls him 'anti-gun' and published a poster detailing DeWine's anti-Second Amendment stances.

Cleveland Tea Party Patriots think the maneuverings are more personal, but agrees that conservatives are the ones being hung out to dry due to internal party politicking.

Today, Blumer posted an email calling for a protest at GOP Headquarters:

We outlined for you the mess that the State GOP has made in the Yost/Dewine race, and most of you know that David Yost did in fact bow to pressure from Mr DeWine and backed out and is now challenging Seth Morgan, a CPA, for State Auditor. Many of you wrote letters and voiced your frustration for this type of “politics as usual” behavior from the GOP.

The information below represents what began as a request to make calls to the State Central Committee of the GOP and has escalated to a full scale protest within 24 hours.

The committee is meeting in Columbus on Monday (tomorrow) to determine what to do about this situation. First – call them please, and let them know how you feel about the Yost/Dewine situation- putting in the local contact Ive just received via Dan Lilliback of the Cincinnati Tea Party. Second- This situation has escalated to a protest in person ….

Following is information I received regarding a call for people to join a protest tomorrow:
“NO MORE RINO ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATES!”

We are mad as hell and we are not going to take it anymore!! Will you join Ohioians from across the state who are angry over Kevin DeWine’s (the Ohio GOP Chair) dirty underhanded political tactics that pushed Dave Yost (a strong conservative) out of the Attorney General’s race in favor of his second cousin R.I.N.O., Mike Dewine?

On Saturday we learned that the State Central Committee for the Ohio Republican Party (your area representatives at the state level) are meeting on Monday, Feb 1st to discuss this Yost/Dewine mess in the Attorney General Race. They currently have not endorsed anyone, but it is clear their lack of statement benefits, 2nd ammendment killing, free market stifiling, liberal Republican Mike Dewine.

…. Do we really believe in principles over party?!? If something doesnt happen, we are going to be left with a choice between Dewine or current AG, Richard Cordray, who left Joe the Plumber hanging to the Obama administration.

WE NEED YOU to do two things.

1st. – Contact your Republican State Central Committee reps and let them know we will no longer tolerate the GOP propping up liberal R.I.N.O.s. We want sound conservative, constitutional candidates!! We are tired of voting for the lesser of two evils!!

Some Central Commitee Members may choose to call into this meeting instead of attending in person. That is why is it vital that you contact them before the protest!

2nd – Show up with your signs, blasting Kevin DeWine and the GOP propping up RINO Candidates, at the Ohio Republican Party Headquarters, this Monday Feb 1st well before 6 pm if possible. (The Central Committee is meeting at 6). Here is the link showing the headquarters location.

One of the organizers of this protest is coordinating a RALLY POINT and FURTHER DETAILS. We will share this with you as soon as we get the information.

Insider information leads us to believe that Kevin Dewine is brushing off concerns about his tactics regarding Yost and attempting to quiet conservative voices within his own Party!! We must show him and other establishment RINOs that Ohio Patriots will not be silenced!! OHIO VOTERS DESERVE BETTER!

I also received this email from our local Children of Liberty group:

Greetings All,

So it seems that the State GOP is up to it's old tricks. Down in Columbus there has been some wheeling and dealing to allow the Former Senator Dewine to run unopposed for state AG.(read below) We must contact our local State GOP reps and let them know that they should not endorse before the primary has been held, that is what primaries are for and allow the best candidates to step forward and earn our votes.

Below are our local State GOP reps, I encourage you to give them a call and tell them that you want them to vote AGAINST suspending the party rules against endorsing candidates before the primary, against endorsing Mike DeWine, and against David Yost who abandoned his campaign for Attorney General enabling Mike DeWine to run unopposed. If you are as sick as I am of the Status Quo Party back room dealings then let your voice be heard.

Jonathan Binkley Toledo Ohio (Home) 419-472-1912 (Cell) 419-206-6550
Joanne Wack Toledo Ohio (work) 419-482-0506 (cell) 419-320-7746
Paul Hoag Holland Ohio (Work) 419-259-2252 (Cell) 419-340-6740
Dee Talmage Ottawa Hills Ohio (Home) 419-535-1605 (Cell) 419-304-9321

Here is another option to stand up the the State GOP, They need to understand that we are not mad at the D's we are mad at politicians and Parties that put there own interest ahead of WE The People! The R's MUST earn our vote not expect it, if the R's lose in NOV, it will be because they did not earn it and continued the status Quo of party politics.

The Tea Party groups are exercising their newly-formed structures and coordinating opposition to what set them off in the first place - individuals and politicians who think they know better than 'we the people.' (Of course, this opposition to what's going on in the Ohio Republican Party flies in the face of leftist, liberal and media claims that tea parties were just extensions of the GOP, but facts were not important to those people...)

Fellow Alliance blogger Matt Hurley at Weapons of Mass Discussion has in-depth reports on why DeWine isn't the best candidate, which go right along with Tom Blumer's.

WMD also targets exactly what is at the core of the issue: The problem that the Ohio GOP now faces is that the activists weren't just pro-Yost, they are anti-Mike (DeWine).

He continues:

"...the Tea Party movement has already enacted their Precinct Project getting "average Joe's" in to the political process. Why? Because the rank and file are sick of the political elites making decisions -- like this one -- for everybody else."

The purpose of the ORP is to elected Republicans to office. Often, the state party doesn't define 'republican' but relies upon voter registration. That's part of what sets off conservatives and many who are attracted to and motivated by the tea party movement.

In making these decisions on the state offices, I'm certain that party chairman Kevin DeWine (Mike's second cousin) believes he's doing what is best for the state party. He's fielding good candidates (except DeWine, though Mike can raise money) in all offices, he's conserving campaign cash and other resources by not having contested primaries, and he's hoping to maintain control of the state's Apportionment Board which determines district boundaries - always a good goal for a political party.

But as Hurley says, and I agree: "The problem is that what is right for the party is not always the best thing for the conservative movement..."

Now, activists across the state are speaking out. They realize that what's good for the conservative movement is good for both individuals and the state itself, because limited government and individual responsibility are what lead to liberty and growth.

And they've lost all patience waiting for the ORP to 'get it.'

Other bloggers covering the movement:

Buckeye Rino

Children of Liberty to premier movie "Not Evil, Just Wrong"

This in via email:

The Children of Liberty to host “Cinematic Tea Party” October 18th

(Toledo) The Children of Liberty is proud to present “Not Evil Just Wrong”, a world premier film event.

What: World premier of the film “Not Evil, Just Wrong,” which takes on the conventional wisdom on global warming. We are coordinating with the filmmakers and hundreds of other groups nationwide.
When: On October 18, 2009, at 8pm
Where: Maumee 18: Cinema De Lux which is located at 1360 Conant Street, Route 20
Who: The Children of Liberty
Cost: Donations appreciated
RSVP: Call 419-705-3702 or respond directly at the following link http://tinyurl.com/y9js3nd
For more information visit: www.meetup.com/the-children-of-liberty

Global warming remains one of the most controversial issues of our times. Some, like Al Gore, President Obama, and many environmentalists, believe that radical action to curtail emissions must be undertaken immediately; regardless of the impact such actions will have on our economy and way of life.

Others like the makers of “Not Evil, Just Wrong” question the science behind human-caused global warming, but even more importantly question whether solutions to other, more immediate challenges must be sacrificed in order to minimally impact a supposed problem that has not been directly linked to the death of a single person.

“Not Evil, Just Wrong,” explores the science of global warming with a skeptic’s eye, but it also links the current “crisis” of global warming to other supposed crises that mankind has faced in recent memory. Some like “Y2K” and Africanized honey bees making their way over the Mexican border created temporary panics, but did not really damage our society. Others, like the banning of the pesticide DDT without ample scientific evidence have resulted in millions of unnecessary deaths among the most impoverished peoples on the planet.

“This is the movie Hollywood doesn’t want you to see,” says Ann McElhinney, one of the filmmakers. “It’s not a mainstream Hollywood documentary. It features real people, and the real impact on their lives. We are going to distribute it the same way we shot the film-premiering it simultaneously all across the country”

Come out and enjoy the film, but more importantly, take the film to heart and take action!
###

No town halls for Kaptur during recess; group asks her to be accountable

I had a very nice conversation with a staff person in Rep. Marcy Kaptur's office about her schedule during the August recess. I wanted to know if she had any forums, town halls or public meetings scheduled where she would be talking about the health care bill and other legislation.

I was very disappointed to learn that she doesn't plan on having any such meetings in Ohio District 9. While she has accepted various invitations to speak to specific groups, the policy of the office (as a result of federal security regulations) is to allow the individual groups to announce and advertise those events. Some of those speaking engagements may be open to the public, the staffer said, and she suggested several media outlets that post community events on their calendars as a way to learn about those events.

I understand the security regulations, so I don't object to the policy. But I do object to having significant issues and no opportunity to meet with my representative about them.

And I'm not the only one. Today, the Children of Liberty released the following open letter to Kaptur:

An Open Letter to
Representative Marcy Kaptur,
9th Congressional District of Ohio

Dear Ms. Kaptur,

It is with deep respect for the Constitution of the United States and the legislative branch that it establishes that we, the people of the 9th Congressional District of Ohio, submit this open letter.

In each Congressional election of the past twenty-seven years, the people of this district have entrusted you with the distinct honor of being our Representative. While many of us did not vote for you, the nature of our representative republic gives you the honor of representing all of us. We have been patient over these many years, and have exercised our right to speak by contacting your office with our thoughts and concerns, even when no reply was forthcoming. Last year, even though many of us might normally disagree with you, we encouraged and thanked you as you stood steadfastly against President Bush’s bank bailouts. Your speeches on the floor were thought provoking, and you stood on principle.

However, it seems that the commendable fiscal oversight that you exercised in that vote did not carry over to votes thereafter. With the Stimulus, the Spending Omnibus, Cap and Trade, and other legislation, government spending is out of control. We do not have enough money to pay for this out-of-control spending. Our children’s liberty and prosperity are being gambled away on federal deficits and the inflation that follows from printing more money to pay them.

The Declaration of Independence clearly states that the authority of the government comes from the people: “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.” As concerned citizens, we do not consent to these actions, and we hold that the government is not maintaining the system that the Founders established.

Representative Kaptur, we believe that you are no longer representing your constituents in accord with the Constitution; and to that end, we are openly holding you accountable for your votes and actions. Therefore, we respectfully submit the following grievances:

• You have failed to openly and honestly debate issues with your constituents, and have instead opted to hide behind staff and form letters.
• You have voted on legislation without personally reading its content.
• Your recent votes have contributed to trillions of dollars in federal deficits, and enslaved our children to increased taxation, inflation, and debt.
• You allowed “czars” to assume unconstitutional powers in the Executive.
• You voted for government ownership of American industries at the price of jobs, personal property, and liberty. In doing so, you moved America toward socialism.
• You voted for “Cap and Trade” which will raise our already exorbitant taxes and energy costs while crippling our industries.
• You cast this vote in exchange for $3.5 billion of our tax money to fund another new federal bureaucracy.
• You are about to vote for a healthcare bill that threatens our right to life and the liberty to maintain our health care as we choose. This bill would forever undermine the quality and efficiency of healthcare, lead to government rationing, and move America toward euthanasia and taxpayer funded abortion.

Representative Kaptur, we have not come to this decision lightly. We respect our Constitution and the government it created. But, as Thomas Jefferson wrote of the People in the Declaration of Independence: “But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

While we do not want to throw off the Government, we must question those who represent us. We hired you with our votes, and as your employer, it is our right to hold you to standards that are both ethical and constitutional.

Frankly, we do not doubt your passion for the good of our region. However, a large portion of your constituency is disenfranchised, and we respectfully request a townhall meeting with you during your recess, so that you may explain your positions in person, and hear our concerns as citizens and business owners.

Representative Kaptur, the time has come to forgo automated form letters, website updates, and quarterly newsletters. We have reserved the following dates at different branches of the Lucas County Library: August 13th, August 18th, August 25th, and August 31st. We would like to begin a meeting at 6:30pm and have approximately two hours of your time. Please respond by email to thechildrenofliberty@yahoo.com or call 419-705-xxxx(admin edit) to schedule a time.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Scott and Anna Allegrini
On behalf of your Constituents, the Citizens of the 9th Congressional District of Ohio

I applaud this group for requesting the meeting and for reminding Kaptur that she works for us. Would you tell your boss that you were too busy to meet??

Apparently, this is a national issue and American Thinker has details on just how far Congressional reps are willing to go to ignore the will of the voter - and to use the force of government against those who disagree with them.

I'll keep you posted.

Local activists plan 'recess rally' at Kaptur's office

This just in via email:

For Immediate Release

Who: The Children of Liberty
What: Nationwide Recess Rally
Where: Marcy Kaptur’s Toledo Office
When: Saturday, August 22, 2009
Time: 12pm

In Association with: American Liberty Alliance http://recessrally.com/

Why: To send Representative Kaptur a clear message that the citizens of the 9th congressional district of Ohio say NO to the nationalized healthcare bill, as proposed by President Obama and the United States Congress.

Toledo, Ohio: On Saturday, August 22, The Children of Liberty will sponsor a local recess rally outside Marcy Kaptur’s office. We will gather at 11:15 at International Park and march, together, to Marcy’s Maritime office. We are calling on ALL citizens in Marcy Kaptur’s districts in Lucas, Erie, Ottawa and Loraine counties to come together and show our discontent with the healthcare legislation. We will not stand for socialized, government controlled healthcare and this staged protest will say loudly, “Marcy, we said NO! Once arriving at her office, we will have speakers regarding healthcare issues. And, a healthcare “town crier” will also be present to read a summary of the bill aloud for all to hear. For more information, contact The Children of Liberty at thechildrenofliberty@yahoo.com or call 419-705-3702.

# # # #
Contact: Scott Allegrini, founder of the Children of Liberty
Email: thechildrenofliberty@yahoo.com