Category Archives: Family

Leo Haffey, Arrested, Nashville TN, Obama thugs, Judge Dumas agenda, No bond, Suspicious affidavits, Traci Horst, Brent Horst, Nashville District Attorney office, Batya D Wininger, Nashville corruption

I was first notified of attorney Leo Haffey’s arrest on September 19, 2009. Here is the email I received:

“Why is Leo the Lawyer in Jail in Nashville?
Leo the Lawyer (Leo Haffey) is an attorney from Nashville, TN who is a tireless patriot familiar to many of us on the Internet and various blogs.

The official charges are assault. His bond was revoked. No one has been injured and there are serious questions about the political motives of his accusers who are politically powerful liberal Democrats.

Attempts are being made to administer anti-psychotic drugs to Leo even though Leo says there has been no diagnosis established.

He was not allowed to call his wife or daughter in his defense, however the prosecution has called them as witnesses for the prosecution.

I don’t know enough about this case to speak authoritatively but I do smell a rat.

I established this blog as a showcase for some of Leo’s writings and to provide an information hub for his family, friends, and supporters.

If you would like to post articles, comments, or good wishes to Leo please contact Aristotle the Hun”

 
http://freeleohaffey.blogspot.com/

I spoke to Haffey’s wife a few days later and another time.  She gave me an overview of what had transpired. At no time did she ever express that she was afraid of her husband. She emphasized that she and her family had been pressured and threatened by people in Nashville, neighbors and people in the legal profession who were Obama supporters. A fellow blogger with a background in marriage and family counseling and related court cases,  Aristotle the Hun,  has been in touch with Leo Haffey and his wife. This gentleman and I have been in regular contact including a lengthy conversation today.

So far, everything I have been told by Haffey’s wife and  Aristotle the Hun has been proven true. A complaint was filed with the Nashville District Attorney’s office regarding pressure put on the Haffey family by local legal professionals. Today I called the Nashville DA’s office and spoke with Natalie Broadway, who was allegedly contacted via email to initiate an investigation. Ms. Broadway could not answer my questions and passed me on to her boss. I left a voice message and have not received a response.

This whole matter has smelled badly from the beginning and now smells even more. I am presenting below some documents and information on this case that will help clarify it.

Three affidavits below echo what I was initially told, that the incidents involved neighbors and that no one was hurt. It never made sense that Leo Haffey was held on no bond under these circumstances. It makes less sense now unless the judge who was apparently recused was indeed biased, politically motivated or very misinformed. I do know that Leo Haffey was evaluated soon after his arrrest and found to be no harm to himself. He also is being held in a minimum security facility.

As the old saying goes, there are two sides to every story, we will not make this a witch hunt. However, something is wrong with this picture. We need to help Leo Haffey get out on bail and be allowed to have adequate representation by himself or another impartial attorney.

As you read the following affidavits, be reminded that Leo Haffey and his two accusers are neighbors. They live in a condominium complex and apparently share parking access. Also the term prosecutor means the person filing the charges.

WARRANT NUMBER: GS436425  04/30/2009 19:27:51
Filed by Traci Horst, who is apparently the wife of attorney Brent Horst.

“On 4/30/9 at approximtely 1715 hours, Ms. Horst arrived home and went to the back of her vehicle to assist her child out of the back seat. Mr. Haffey, on a 2001 Black Honda CMX Motorcycle [5696ZV] pulled up behind Ms. Horst’s parking space, pointed his motorcycle in her direction and began “reving” the engine repeatedly. Mr. Haffey then eased his motorcyle in her direction as she was assisting her daughter out. Ms. Horst told him that he was scaring her but he continued. Mr. Haffey then slowly followed them to the exterior stairs with his motorcycle. Ms. Horst stated that a similar incident occurred on 12/10/8 [08-847049] in which Mr. Haffey swerved his vehicle at her vehicle in the parking lot of their condominiums.”

LeoHaffeyGS436425

WARRANT NUMBER: GS438504  05/12/2009 14:53:58
Filed by Batya D Wininger
It is believed that this is the corresponding short bio for Ms. Wininger from her UPositiveBlog:
“About me

Nashville, TN, United States
UPositive is my business: I am a life coach specializing in, but not limited to, the creative process. I am also a licensed psychotherapist, and am certified in past-life regression therapy. Nonfiction writing is as much a passion as is writing songs, short stories, and murder mysteries. Read more about my work at UPositive.com. Yes, I keep busy!”

“On Wednesday April 29, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. the prosecutor was driving on Higland Park Dr. when the defendant who was driving in the opposite direction did knowingly and recklessly swerve towards the prosecutor’s vehicle. The defendant was looking directly at the prosecutor just prior to swerving and then honked his horn immediatly after. The actions of the defendant put the prosecutor in fear of imminent bodily injury. The prosecutor has had numerous confrontations with the defendant who is her neighbor. The prosecutor believes that the defendant is intentionally intimidating her because of prior conflicts between them. This event took place on Highland Park Dr. in Nashville (Davidson County) Tennessee.”

LeoHaffeyGS438504

WARRANT NUMBER: GS438505  05/12/2009 14:55:32
Filed by Batya D Wininger

“On Monday 05/11/2009 at 12:20 pm The defendant was sitting on his porch with his dog when the prosecutor (who lives in the condo next to the defendant) attempted to leave her parked car and enter her residence.The defendant, along with his dog abruptly stood up and walked toward the prosecutor in an “aggressive” manner. The dog was reared up on it’s bag legs straining against it’s leash and barking. The defendant let the dog get to within approximately 1 foot of the prosecutor before pulling it away from her. The prosecutor has had numerous confrontations with the defendant in the past and felt like the defendant was going to have his dog bite her. The prosecutor believes that the defendant is intentionally intimidating her because of prior conflicts between them. The defendants actions put the prosecutor in fear of imminent bodily injury. This event took place at 6954 Highland Park Nashville (Davidson County) Tennessee.”

LeoHaffeyGS438505

There is some interesting reading at Batya D Wininger’s blog:

http://upositiveblog.blogspot.com
One thing should be obvious, this should fall into the category of he said she said. However, the more one examines the details, it becomes increasingly apparent that something is wrong with this picture.

The link for the cases and affidavits can be accessed here with this input:
Leo Haffey Birth date 01/07/1951
http://ccc.nashville.gov/portal/page/portal/ccc/caseSearch/caseSearchPublic/caseSearchPublicForms/

Leo Haffey being incarcerated wihout bond for the controversial, minimal infractions, has troubled me. There has been some controversy as to the reason. A recent inquiry made to the Nashville jail indicated that the bonding company withdrew. However, from the evidence I have, it appears that the original judge, Gloria A. Dumas, ordered no bond. It was pointed out to me that Judge Dumas may have a feminist agenda. I have no corroboration of that as yet. However, Leo Wrote a motion on a scrap piece of paper from his jail cell. In the motion he asked for judge Dumas to be recused. That apparently has happened. Here is a copy of the handwritten motion.

LeoHaffeyJailMotion
Leo Haffey not only spoke out about Obama, he wrote of corruption in Nashville, Tennessee.

It is apparent that Leo Haffey should be released on bond. If not, a Writ of Habeas Corpus should be filed.

The withholding of bond, coupled with the suspicious affidavits, coupled with the charges against legal professionals who support Obama, coupled with Leo Haffey speaking out against Obama, makes this a case we must get an answer to. It certainly appears that an American patriot has become a political prisoner.

We must demand answers and justice.

I am not through with this case.

I am not through examining the two affidavit filers.

I am not through examining Nashville corruption.

Oh, and by the way, I am not through with Judge Gloria Dumas.

It seems Judge Gloria Dumas has a little attitude problem.

From News Channel 5,  Nov 11, 2008:

“Judge Admits ‘Issues With Being Late'”

“For more than three months, our NewsChannel 5 Investigates team watched the Metro courthouse, and one judge left people waiting more than any other judge.

That judge, Gloria Dumas,  has been a General Sessions judge for 10 years. Her responsibiities that include issues affecting Nashville’s neighborhoods.”
“Still, when NewsChannel 5 Investigates set up surveillance, we discovered how she really sets her schedule. Often the last to arrive, she’s sometimes the first to leave.

“I’m not going to tell you I don’t have issues with being late,” Dumas admitted to Williams. “I’m not going to tell you I haven’t all my life had issues with being late. It is something that I have problems with, always have had problems with.”

In fact, while she leaves everyday working folks waiting, we discovered Dumas often doesn’t leave her elegant Oak Hill home until well after she’s supposed to be in court.

Usually, she arrives at the courthouse at least 30 minutes late, taking another 30 minutes or more to get on the bench.

“Am I saying that’s my big old flaw? Yeah,” she added. “If you’re looking for perfect, you need to throw me out because I am not perfect.”

On Sept. 10th, Dumas left her neighborhood at 9 a.m. — 30 minutes after court was supposed to begin.

By the time she was outside the courthouse, she was almost 45 minutes late. Then she stopped to talk on the phone.

She talked and talked — until finally, at 9:51, she pulled into the garage — almost an hour and a half late.

“If you have trouble having the discipline to be on time, do you have the discipline to be a judge?” Williams asked.

“I think I’m a very good judge,” Dumas replied.

“Even if you are chronically late?””

Read more:

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9332811#

It appears that Judge Gloria Dumas has a total disregard for the law

From News Channel 5, March 30, 2009:

“Judges Hire Family in Violation of Ethics Rule”

“A lot of people are looking for jobs these days.

But a NewsChannel 5 investigation discovered that you never had a shot at some jobs in the Metro courthouse.

That’s because some judges hired their relatives — despite judicial rules that actually prohibit nepotism.”

“In Judge Dumas’ case, she hired her daughter, Kim Levitan, in late 2005. Levitan was a college graduate with a degree in fine arts.

“And what made you think that she could do the job?” Williams asked her.

“‘Cause she’s very smart,” Dumas replied.

“Did she have any experience?”

“Did she have any experience in being in the courtroom? No.”

For 10 months, Levitan worked in her mom’s court. The salary at the time: $44,000 a year.

Still, Dumas admits she knew that there were rules against nepotism.

“Because I was bringing her in on a temporary basis, I just did not think it was an issue,” she said.

Williams asked, “If a defendant told you, ‘Judge, I violated the law, but I only did it on a temporary basis,’ would you accept that?”

“I don’t know how to answer a question like that,” Dumas said.

But Cunningham didn’t hesitate.

“Well, I know how to answer it — and I think anybody would know how to answer it. You don’t allow favoritism on a temporary basis or on a permanent basis or on any kind of basis.”

The rules that prohibit nepotism also say that judges have an obligation to report other judges who may be engaged in misconduct.

Yet, instead of speaking up, these judges say their colleagues kept their mouths shut.

Read more:

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=10098493

Acorn, Catholic Bishops Report, Catholic bishops cut off ACORN funding, October 20, 2008, embezzlement, Wanderer Forum Foundation warning, Alinsky style, Democratic Socialists of America, DSA, New Party, Treat the poor as exploited units of human capital

The Citizen Wells blog began reporting about Acorn corruption, voter fraud, contributions to  mortgage meltdown and strong ties to Barack Obama on August 21, 2008. Since then we have produced numerous articles on Acorn and Obama, in fact, more than enough to prevent Obama from winning the presidency if the public or the MSM had been paying attention. Hat’s off to Michelle Malkin, Larry Johnson and other great journalists who paved the way with extensive research on Acorn and their ties to Obama.

Here are what I consider the top 4 articles on Acorn corruption and how Obama fits in:

October 8, 2008 – Straight from the horse’s mouth

“ACORN Report
The ACORN Report is published by ACORN’s National Office and contains up-to-date information. We have ACORN Reports indexed by date and topic available.”

“City Limits February 1999
During its 15 years in New York City, ACORN has helped squatters claim derelict city-owned property, forced bankers to invest in low-income communities, and organized a war against the city’s workfare program.

It’s also developed a reputation for no-holds-barred tactics—getting results through adversarial campaigns against bankers, politicians and bureaucrats using confrontation and concession rather than consensus. ACORN, unlike most social service non-profits, scorns charity. Their goal is to help poor people seize power.”

This comes straight from the Acorn national office.
Note the following:

“Their goal is to help poor people seize power”

It does not say, as John Mccain or Ronald Reagan would say, help poor
people to better themselves and their economic condition, but rather
“seize power.”

Oct 8, 2008 Acorn National Office report reveals radical agenda

October 8, 2008 – Catholic Bishops report on Acorn, Democratic Socialists of America, New Party.  Obama’s ties

“Barack Obama attended and participated in meetings of the Chicago New Party and the Chicago DSA, the local affiliate of the Democratic Socialists of America.”

“Most New Party members hailed from the Democratic Socialists of America and the militant organization ACORN. The party’s Chicago chapter also included a large contingent from the Committees of Correspondence, a Marxist coalition of former Maoists, Trotskyists, and Communist Party USA members.”

Catholic Bishops report on community organizing, Acorn

“Introduction: This commentary is submitted to the Catholic Bishops of the United States with respect to their possible consideration of changes in the organization, funding, and structure of the Campaign for Human Development (CHD). It is essential to note, however, the limited purpose and scope of this commentary:”

“COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: During the funding period of 1992-1995, CHD gave significant grants to community organizing efforts that implement many of the organizational techniques recommended by Saul Alinsky.”

“The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) which is also patterned on Alinsky’s organizational recommendations, recruits individual members.”

“To be eligible to receive CHD funds, a program must be run by the poor, benefit the poor, and change social structures that harm the poor.” However, in light of the politically oriented thrust of ACORN’s activities, it is fair to ask whether the CHD subsidies to ACORN are advisable and commensurate with the purposes of CHD.”

“This commentary does not oppose CHD funding of genuine, grassroots community organizations, run and supported by individual members of a parish or diocese. There is potential value and virtue in the collective voice. However, when the CHD funds Alinsky-style, church-based community organizations as in the best interest of the poor and supports organizations which advance other agendas, it divests the poor of their right to an authentic voice. This process tends to treat the poor as exploited units of human capital, rather than as human beings created in the dignity of God’s image.”

“There are alternative, self-determined organizations of the poor, which are supportive of life. Those alternative, grassroots community organizations do not merely serve their constituency but rather they are their constituency. They do not use community organizing to further an additional agenda.”
“It would be reasonable for the bishops to consider:

The immediate cessation of all CHD funding to Alinsky-style, church-based community organizations.

To accomplish its goals, as outlined in the People’s Platform, ACORN has developed a political alliance with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Together with others, ACORN and the DSA have formed a political party, the New Party.

National ACORN president, Maud Hurd, along with Dr. Cornel West (honorary chair of the Democratic Socialists of America) and a representative from the Reproductive Rights Coalition Fund, are listed as New Party supporters.”

Oct 8, 2008 Acorn, Catholic Bishops report, New Party, Democratic Socialists of America

October 10 2008 – Obama lied about Acorn

“Obama lied about his connections to Acorn:

  • Obama helped Acorn in organizing of “Project VOTE” in 1992.
  • Obama was a community organizer.
  • Obama represented Acorn as attorney, ACORN vs. Edgar.
  • Obama was involved in Acorn leadership training sessions.
  • Obama, Annenberg Challenge, William Ayers, Acorn.
  • Acorn, New party endorsement of Obama.
  • February 25th to May 17th 2008, Obama camp paid $832,598 to Acorn.
  • Acorn Voter fraud.
  • Obama may have stolen the nomination through Acorn voter fraud.”

Oct 10, 2008 Obama long time strong ties to Acorn

October 13, 2008 – Acorn contribution to mortgage crisis

“FOR years, ACORN had combined manipulation of the CRA with intimidation-protest tactics to force banks to lower credit standards. Its crusade, with help from Democrats in Congress, to push these high-risk “subprime” loans on banks is at the root of today’s economic meltdown.””
““Instead, Democrats like Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Reps. Kennedy and Waters allied with the Clinton administration to broaden the acceptability of risky subprime loans throughout the financial system, thus precipitating our current crisis.

ACORN had come to Congress not only to protect the CRA from GOP reforms but also to expand the reach of quota-based lending to Fannie, Freddie and beyond. By steamrolling the GOP that March, it had crushed the last potential barrier to “change.”””

““ACORN’s alliance with the Democratic Party is at the root of the current financial meltdown. And Barack Obama has stayed true to ACORN’s ways.””

Oct 13, 2008 Acorn and Democrat allies built mortgage crisis

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)  suspended funding for Acorn in October 2008. This is hardly a right wing organization. Where was the media? Where was Congress?

We will provide more details about research done for the Catholic Bishops, much of it done and reported by 1997, and certainly mountains of evidence available in 2008. This is criminal that Obama was given a free ride on this by the main stream media and allowed to continue his pattern of lies and deception.

Stay tuned for more details.

Washington DC Tea Party Express, September 12, 2009, Big government protest, Health care reform, Obama lies

Patriot Dreamer, a real American patriot from this blog, attended the Tea Party Express, big government protest in Washington, DC on September 12, 2009. First of all, I would like to thank Patriot Dreamer and all of the concerned Americans that voiced their displeasure with big government. Here is a YouTube video I assembled from photos taken by Patriot Dreamer. The photos are high quality and present well with the Youtube full screen option.

From commenter prairie

9.12

The Calvary has gathered,
To face the raging storm.
On the Eve of Revolution,
The enemy is warned.

Thunder echoes through the mountains,
The shore beats back the sea.
Above the cannon’s roar…
A call for Liberty.

The Calvary has mounted,
Red, White, and Blue they wave.
The wind rips at her seams,
As they cross the burning plains.

Her stars and stripes are bold,
In contrast to the sky.
Against a cloud of smoke…
Defiantly, she flies.

The Calvary advances,
Upon the Perfect Storm.
Embattled but not broken…
Patriots reborn.

A colorful horizon,
Beckons from the East.
The light of dawn is breaking…
Tyranny retreats.
                            Prairie

“Inspired by Beck- who used the phrase Saturday “The Calvary is gathering.”  I loved it and could not get it out of my head.”

Washington DC, Tea Party Express, September 12, 2009, Video, Thousands protest big government, Health care reform, Pennsylvania Ave NW and 9th St N W, Webcam

Here are some webcam images from Washington, DC at Pennsylvania Ave NW and 9th St N W. Thousands of Americans are present from the Tea Party Express and just concerned Americans. These images were just captured around 11:30 AM. God bless these American patriots and God bless America.

Vermont Auditor Tom Salmon switches to Republican Party, September 8, 2009, Citizen Wells interview, US Navy Reserve, Iraq, Salmon CPA, Tom Salmon announcement at Vermont State Capitol, Montpelier, VT, Video

I was fortunate to be at the Vermont State Capitol in Montpelier, VT, today, Tuesday, September 8, 2009, when State Auditor, Tom Salmon announced that he was switching from the Democrat to Republican party. The Citizen Wells blog has posted a longer video coverage of the event and here is an article from Vermontbiz.com that provides more background information on Tom Salmon.

“Vermont Auditor Tom Salmon switches to Republican Party”

“Vermont Auditor of Accounts Tom Salmon, who was rebuffed by the Democratic leadership last spring, announced today that he was switching parties and will join the Republican Party. Salmon won the position of state auditor as a Democrat in 2006 when he beat one-term incumbent Republican Randy Brock. That race saw Brock apparently win re-election in a very tight race, before a re-count gave the race to Salmon by 102 votes. Salmon cited the lack of fiscal responsibility among legislative leaders during the debate over the state budget. Salmon had offered to mediate discussions between Republican Governor James Douglas and the Democratically controlled Legislature, but was turned down by Speaker of the House Shap Smith. He said the Republicans are better able to manage the fiscal matters of the state, as represented by Governor Douglas.

Salmon further said he will likely run for re-election for Auditor, but there is “a 10 percent chance,” he will run for governor or lieutenant governor instead. Several Republicans are deferring their decisions on 2010 until Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie decides what, if any, position he will run for. Dubie has indicated he is considering a run for governor. Douglas has already stated he will not seek re-election and will not run for any office in 2010. Salmon made his announcement at the State House shortly after 11 am on Tuesday September 8, 2009.

Salmon, 46, has served in Iraq for long tours of duty in the US Navy Reserve while also holding the post of auditor. Thomas M Salmon is the son of the former Vermont Governor Thomas P Salmon, who served from 1973-1977 as a Democrat. The elder Salmon served as a surrogate during his son’s re-election campaign because serving military cannot also campaign for office. Salmon met little resistance in being re-elected last year.

“Vermont Business Magazine conducted a Q&A with Tom Salmon December 2007 with Robert Smith. In that interview he explained why he ran for auditor:

“I ran for state auditor, because as a Rockingham Selectman, I had moved from a simmer to a boil about how fiscal management was occurring in the state. I really didn’t think that anyone was taking responsibility for the fiscal management of the parts of the state. Prior to being a selectman, I go back to December 2005. I’m a Navy Reservist, a Seabee, construction battalion, dirt sailors – we’re never on a ship, so when people see us in our greens they say, ‘Look mommy, it’s an Army man!’ I was in Gulfport, Mississippi, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. That situation moved me to want to commit to public service. I decided when I came home that I was going to run for the select board in Rockingham. The finances were a mess, the morale was not good, the divisive situation over buying the dam – you were here so you know.””

Here is a copy of the letter Salmon sent to his supporters:

“September 5, 2009

Dear Friend,   

It is an honor to serve  as Auditor for the State of Vermont. In 2006, I was elected as a Democrat. In 2008, I was re-elected on the Democratic/Republican ticket. 2010 will be different.

I am changing my political affiliation to align myself with the party closest to my core beliefs. It is my belief that the VT Republican party is closest to accepting the realities of our times; and is therefore the party best equipped to manage the very real and troubling economic and social conditions which confront us not only today, but in the coming decade.

As many of you know, in the face of the enormous fiscal crisis, I have sounded the alarm for new thinking, responsible budgeting, meaningful long-term planning and painful prioritization.

When I returned home from Iraq, I witnessed first-hand a budget process rife with deficiencies and dysfunction.  There was little balance in the debate.

As a Certified Public Accountant, I recently completed my required Ethics course for re-licensing.  The Professional Code of Conduct demands that I act with integrity, objectivity and independence. As Auditor, I have preached that Vermont is on an unsustainable track we cannot tax ourselves out of. 

I believe the majority of Vermonters do not want to see tax increases as a consequence of poor planning.  However, without major restructuring of human services, corrections management and public education (which together account for some 75% of our expenditures) we are going to find that situation unavoidable. Removing even greater sums of capital out of our job-creating private sector and the budgets of Vermont families will only hasten the ill effects of the current crisis. 

We all watch a healthcare reform movement focused on increased access rather than A) addressing the root causes of the problem B) fixing Medicaid and Medicare or C) promoting incentives and personal responsibility.  The big losers are our young people, the vulnerable elderly population and the viability of Vermont’s 1778 motto of “Freedom and Unity.”

I am a believer in the America of hard work and “get oneself upstream” with a combination of personal commitment and external support.  

I’m not a believer that all of our future tax dollars should go to interest on debt or “education, medication and incarceration.”  In the current form of these primarily government-controlled expenditures, this is a path leading to a dangerous imbalance of our “Freedom and Unity.”  Economic freedom is an essential component in achieving and maintaining political freedom.  Over the more than 200 years of our nation’s founding, too many of our fine soldiers have died for the protection of these freedoms. 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you with full commitment and transparency. I promise to do my best to perform the job Vermonters have elected me to do.

Thomas M. Salmon CPA

Vermont State Auditor””

Read more:

http://vermontbiz.com/news/september/vermont-auditor-tom-salmon-switches-republican-party

 

Senator Bernie Sanders Vermont Labor Day speech, September 7, 2009, Health care, Burlington, VT, Vermont Workers Center, Health care a right?, Video

The Citizen Wells blog covered the Senator Bernie Sanders Labor Day speech in Burlington, VT, today, Monday, September 7, 2009. The event was hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center. Here is the announcement:

“Burlington Labor Day Celebration & Benefit Concert
September 7, 2009 – 12:00pm – 3:00pm
WHEN: 12 noon – 3pm, Monday, September 7
WHERE: Battery Park, Burlington
WHAT: Senator Bernie Sanders will join hundreds of working families for the 8th Annual Burlington Labor Day Celebration sharing in a community potluck, music, street theater and ice cream. This year’s celebration is being sponsored by the Vermont Workers’ Center, a community-based workers’ rights organization who has been building a statewide grassroots organizing campaign called the “Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign” that over that past couple of years has been redefine healthcare as a public good. There will also be a special tribute to the contributions and struggles of working families from Jennifer Henry, the President of the Fletcher Allen nurses union and United Professions of Vermont/AFT. Music will be performed local Burlington busker John Holland and Rik & Bec, a new local duo of Rik Palieri and Rebecca Padula.
“Labor Day is a day to celebrate and remember both the work we all do day in and day out and the long struggles of working people who fought hard for the eight hour day, for Social Security, the end of child labor and even the weekend,” said James Haslam, Director of the Vermont Workers’ Center. “But more than ever, use should use Labor Day as a reminder that we need to be carrying on this tradition by organizing in our workplaces and our communities. This is a time re-commit to the current struggles for more livable wage jobs, fair retirement, strong and healthy communities, and re-defining quality healthcare as a fundamental human right for everyone.”
BACKGROUND: The Vermont Workers’ Center was started in 1998 as a workers’ rights and social justice organization, and have been involved in campaigns to improve working conditions and win livable wages in hundreds of Vermont workplaces across the state. In 2008, they launched the Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign to build a statewide grassroots network of Vermonters committed to redefining healthcare policy to establish healthcare as a basic public good for all.
MORE INFO: www.workerscenter.org
www.workerscenter.org/healthcare
802-861-4892″

The speech is presented here unedited and without commentary. A followup article will be presented with commentary and analysis. The only comment I will make at this time is that they appeared a little surprised that I was there and that the event had the appearance of being staged. I will also state that I was treated with courtesy for the most part.

Burlington VT, Labor day celebration, September 7, 2009, Citizen Wells live coverage, Senator Bernie Sanders, Vermont, Health care a human right?, Vermont Workers’ Center

Today, Labor Day, September 7, 2009, the Citizen Wells blog will attempt to cover live, a Labor Day celebration in Burlington, Vermont. There are two major reasons that I chose to cover this event. First, Senator Bernie Sanders will be there and I hope to catch his comments on health care reform. Second, Vermont Workers’ Center, a community-based workers’ rights organization will be there to promote their stance regarding health care as a human right. I hope to clarify what they mean by human right.

To watch the Citizen Wells coverage, go to this link. When I am not broadcasting live, a video will play. Remember, this is my first attempt at this and I will be flying by the seat of my pants. A right click on the screen will allow you to zoom in for a larger viewing area.

http://www.livevideo.com/liveshow/citizenwells

Here is the announcement of the event:

“Burlington Labor Day Celebration & Benefit Concert
September 7, 2009 – 12:00pm – 3:00pm
WHEN: 12 noon – 3pm, Monday, September 7
WHERE: Battery Park, Burlington
WHAT: Senator Bernie Sanders will join hundreds of working families for the 8th Annual Burlington Labor Day Celebration sharing in a community potluck, music, street theater and ice cream. This year’s celebration is being sponsored by the Vermont Workers’ Center, a community-based workers’ rights organization who has been building a statewide grassroots organizing campaign called the “Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign” that over that past couple of years has been redefine healthcare as a public good. There will also be a special tribute to the contributions and struggles of working families from Jennifer Henry, the President of the Fletcher Allen nurses union and United Professions of Vermont/AFT. Music will be performed local Burlington busker John Holland and Rik & Bec, a new local duo of Rik Palieri and Rebecca Padula.
“Labor Day is a day to celebrate and remember both the work we all do day in and day out and the long struggles of working people who fought hard for the eight hour day, for Social Security, the end of child labor and even the weekend,” said James Haslam, Director of the Vermont Workers’ Center. “But more than ever, use should use Labor Day as a reminder that we need to be carrying on this tradition by organizing in our workplaces and our communities. This is a time re-commit to the current struggles for more livable wage jobs, fair retirement, strong and healthy communities, and re-defining quality healthcare as a fundamental human right for everyone.”
BACKGROUND: The Vermont Workers’ Center was started in 1998 as a workers’ rights and social justice organization, and have been involved in campaigns to improve working conditions and win livable wages in hundreds of Vermont workplaces across the state. In 2008, they launched the Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign to build a statewide grassroots network of Vermonters committed to redefining healthcare policy to establish healthcare as a basic public good for all.
MORE INFO: www.workerscenter.org
www.workerscenter.org/healthcare
802-861-4892″

From their website:

“Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign

The Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign, a project of the Vermont Workers’ Center (VWC), aims to change what is “politically possible” in the healthcare debate through grassroots organizing and a strategic reframing of healthcare as a basic human right and the healthcare crisis as a human rights emergency.

Our Goals

Our long-term goal is a universal system in which health care is recognized as a public good and provided collectively, rather than as a commodity sold in a marketplace, and where the human right to health of all residents of the state is fully recognized, regardless of race, gender or gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, nationality or immigration status. Financing must be based on principles of universality, equity, and social solidarity, such as a single-payer system. The only legislation that has been introduced into the Vermont State Legislature for the 2009-2010 session that meets these standards are H.100 and S.88.

What It Will Take

This will not be an easy struggle. In order to win such fundamental reform, we need a strong, statewide grassroots network that will be able to put enough pressure on the legislature and governor to force them to stand up to the insurance industry, those employers who will oppose such a system on ideological grounds, and other powerful interests vested in the status quo. This effort requires:

  • strong organizing committees throughout the state
  • diverse leadership
  • a mass base

What We’ve Done

Since the launch of this campaign in April 2008, the Workers’ Center has conducted a Human Rights Healthcare Survey of over 1400 Vermonters, over 95% of whom recognized that healthcare is a human right. We have held seven Human Rights Hearings around the state, in which hundreds of Vermonters have told their healthcare stories to panels of community and faith leaders. Based on the surveys and hearings, we have put together a report and video Voices of the Vermont Healthcare Crisis: The Human Right to Healthcare. And we organized one of the largest rallies for fundamental healthcare reform in Vermont history in Montpelier on May 1st, 2009.

Where To Go

Since May 1st, we have been working to:

  • consolidate our local organizing committees in major population centers throughout the state
  • deepen the understanding of human rights principles for healthcare throughout our base
  • strategize with local organizing committees about the best way to hold elected officials accountable to human rights principles.

If you would like to learn more or get involved in this grassroots movement contact us at info@workerscenter.org, or (802) 861-2877.

View a list of organizations endorsing “Healthcare is a Human Right”.

This campaign is supported by the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative.”

     

Tea party express, Tea parties, Taxpayer revolts, Washington DC, September 12, 2009, CNN orwellian spin, grassroots tea party movement, Youtube video

I don’t do it very often, it is hard to stomach. However, it is necessary to know what the enemy is up to. This morning I watched CNN, Communist News Network, for a few minutes and sure enough they were crafting their usual Orwellian spin on Obama’s speach to students and resistance to Obama’s health care agenda. They briefly interviewed 2 people for their opinion of Obama’s speach to students. The first was affiliated with a law school and he thought it was a good idea. The second was just a normal lady in a car from KY or TN. The intent was obvious. The silly regular American can’t possibly know what they are talking about. Once again, the elitist Orwellian approach is used.

They also mentioned health care reform and radicals getting media attention. These pious, biased, in Obama’s pocket jackasses do not get it. Well as Bill O’Reilly said on Fox News last night, Fox’s viewership is skyrocketing despite the attempts of liberals like Dan Rather to stem the tide.

Resistance to big government and government health care is real. It is a non partisan grass roots effort. The following video bears this out.

“This video focuses on the continuing grassroots tea party movement against our out of control government which is continuing to destroy our Constitutional Republic at a rapid pace.

The Taxpayer March on Washington D.C. – September 12th, 2009.”

 

Thanks to commenter twe.

Obama speaks to students, September 8, 2009, Obama internet speech, Parents outraged, Hitler Youth, William Ayers, Annenberg, Obama radicals

Parents and citizens across the US are outraged that Obama will speak to many of the American students on September 8, 2009. The Citizen Wells blog is urging everyone to contact their state and local school officials to voice your concern about Obama imposing his agenda on our students. Adolf Hitler brainwashed the German students by indoctrinating them in the Hitler Youth. When you contact your school officials ask them 2 questions.

1. Do you plan to take part in the Obama speech presented to your students?

2. Are you going to allow opposing views?

Most citizens of the US that were not already aware of the real Obama and his past associations and agendas are awakening to the spectre of extremely radical appointments to Obama’s cabinet and especially as Obama Czars. Many are also shocked and incensed that Obama is trying to ramrod government health care down our throats in a non transparent, non partisan manner. So, why should parents be so concerned about their children listening to an Obama speech. Sounds innocent enough, right? Dead wrong.

If you are not awakening to how Obama conducts his agendas or what he is really about, consider the following. As you read below weigh rhetoric versus past performance and actions. Adolf Hitler used flowery words to seduce the German people, but his actions betrayed his motives.

Announcement of plans to speak to students

From ServiceWire.org, August 21, 2009:

“OBAMA TO DELIVER NATIONALLY BROADCAST ADDRESS TO STUDENTS ON SEPT. 8”

“The President will deliver a speech about the importance of persisting and succeeding in school on Sept. 8, the first day of school for many children across America. The Department of Education is encouraging educators, students and parents to use this opportunity to help students get focused and begin the school year strong. The speech will be broadcast live on www.whitehouse.gov at 1 p.m. EDT.”…Read more

Announcement from US Dept of Education August 26, 2009
“LEAD & MANAGE MY SCHOOL
Letter From Secretary Arne Duncan to School Principals
August 26, 2009

  
 
Please note that the time of this speech has changed to 12:00 noon eastern standard time.

Dear Principal:

In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 — the first day of school for many children across America — he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.

Since taking office, the President has repeatedly focused on education, even as the country faces two wars, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and major challenges on issues like energy and health care. The President believes that education is a critical part of building a new foundation for the American economy. Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures.

This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation’s school children about persisting and succeeding in school. We encourage you to use this historic moment to help your students get focused and begin the school year strong. I encourage you, your teachers, and students to join me in watching the President deliver this address on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. It will be broadcast live on the White House website www.whitehouse.gov 12:00 noon eastern standard time.

In advance of this address, we would like to share the following resources: a menu of classroom activities for students in grades preK-6 and for students in grades 7-12. These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives. We are also staging a student video contest on education. Details of the video contest will be available on our website www.ed.gov in the coming weeks.

On behalf of all Americans, I want to thank our educators who do society’s most important work by preparing our children for work and for life. No other task is more critical to our economic future and our social progress. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to continue improving the quality of public education we provide all of our children.

Sincerely,
Arne Duncan”

Read more

Sooner or later the real agenda emerges. Revisit the following paragraph. Notice the mention of health care and “Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures.” This means, in everyday, non Orwellian doublespeak, that Obama and his radical associates know what is best for you and they will it explain it.
“Since taking office, the President has repeatedly focused on education, even as the country faces two wars, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and major challenges on issues like energy and health care. The President believes that education is a critical part of building a new foundation for the American economy. Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures.”

Obama and his radical associates’ actions speak far louder than their words.

Citizen Wells article of September 6, 2009:
“Michelle’s Boot Camps For Radicals
 INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY”
“Barack Obama was a founding member of the board of Public Allies in 1992, resigning before his wife became executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies in 1993. Obama plans to use the nonprofit group, which he features on his campaign Web site, as the model for a national service corps. He calls his Orwellian program, “Universal Voluntary Public Service.”

Big Brother had nothing on the Obamas. They plan to herd American youth into government-funded reeducation camps where they’ll be brainwashed into thinking America is a racist, oppressive place in need of “social change.””

“But its real mission is to radicalize American youth and use them to bring about “social change” through threats, pressure, tension and confrontation — the tactics used by the father of community organizing, Saul “The Red” Alinsky.”

“”It’s a lot of talk about race, a lot of talk about sexism, a lot of talk about homophobia, talk about -isms and phobias.”

One of those -isms is “heterosexism,” which a Public Allies training seminar in Chicago describes as a negative byproduct of “capitalism, white supremacy, patriarchy and male-dominated privilege.””

“The gall of it: The Obamas want to create a boot camp for radicals who hate the military — and stick American taxpayers with the bill.””…Read more

Glenn Beck, “Obama’s radical followers”

“Obama said, quote: We have got to have a civilian national security force that is just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded as the military. Public Allies, Chicago chapter. Founding, founding member, Barack Obama. Executive director, Michelle Obama. Listen to the words in their speeches. It is all code language. It is all the language of the 1960s radicals. They have their they have their tentacles into an organization that does good things but also teaches that heterosexism is a byproduct of capitalism, white supremacy, patriarchy and male dominated privilege. Heterosexism!”…Read more

Wall Street Journal Online – Obama and Ayers Pushed Radicalism On Schools

“Despite having authored two autobiographies, Barack Obama has never written about his most important executive experience. From 1995 to 1999, he led an education foundation called the Chicago Annenberg Challenge (CAC), and remained on the board until 2001. The group poured more than $100 million into the hands of community organizers and radical education activists.

The CAC was the brainchild of Bill Ayers, a founder of the Weather Underground in the 1960s. Among other feats, Mr. Ayers and his cohorts bombed the Pentagon, and he has never expressed regret for his actions. Barack Obama’s first run for the Illinois State Senate was launched at a 1995 gathering at Mr. Ayers’s home.”

“The CAC’s basic functioning has long been known, because its annual reports, evaluations and some board minutes were public. But the Daley archive contains additional board minutes, the Collaborative minutes, and documentation on the groups that CAC funded and rejected. The Daley archives show that Mr. Obama and Mr. Ayers worked as a team to advance the CAC agenda.”

“The CAC’s agenda flowed from Mr. Ayers’s educational philosophy, which called for infusing students and their parents with a radical political commitment, and which downplayed achievement tests in favor of activism. In the mid-1960s, Mr. Ayers taught at a radical alternative school, and served as a community organizer in Cleveland’s ghetto.

In works like “City Kids, City Teachers” and “Teaching the Personal and the Political,” Mr. Ayers wrote that teachers should be community organizers dedicated to provoking resistance to American racism and oppression. His preferred alternative? “I’m a radical, Leftist, small ‘c’ communist,” Mr. Ayers said in an interview in Ron Chepesiuk’s, “Sixties Radicals,” at about the same time Mr. Ayers was forming CAC.

CAC translated Mr. Ayers’s radicalism into practice. Instead of funding schools directly, it required schools to affiliate with “external partners,” which actually got the money. Proposals from groups focused on math/science achievement were turned down. Instead CAC disbursed money through various far-left community organizers, such as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (or Acorn).

Mr. Obama once conducted “leadership training” seminars with Acorn, and Acorn members also served as volunteers in Mr. Obama’s early campaigns. External partners like the South Shore African Village Collaborative and the Dual Language Exchange focused more on political consciousness, Afrocentricity and bilingualism than traditional education. CAC’s in-house evaluators comprehensively studied the effects of its grants on the test scores of Chicago public-school students. They found no evidence of educational improvement.”

“Mr. Ayers is the founder of the “small schools” movement (heavily funded by CAC), in which individual schools built around specific political themes push students to “confront issues of inequity, war, and violence.” He believes teacher education programs should serve as “sites of resistance” to an oppressive system. (His teacher-training programs were also CAC funded.) The point, says Mr. Ayers in his “Teaching Toward Freedom,” is to “teach against oppression,” against America’s history of evil and racism, thereby forcing social transformation.”…Read more

Obama, Ayers and Mike Klonsky

MikeKlonsky

 

Meet Michael Klonsky, Obama’s “social justice” education expert.

“With what little media oxygen there has been sucked out by the largely uninformative discussion of Ayers (and his wife and Weather Underground ally, Bernadine Dohrn) — in which the mantra “unrepentant terrorist” has been a pale substitute for the critical matter of the Ayers’s ideology that Obama plainly shares — much has been missed. Significantly, that includes another key Obama contact, Mike Klonsky.

Here’s what you need to know. Klonsky is an unabashed communist whose current mission is to spread Marxist ideology in the American classroom. Obama funded him to the tune of nearly $2 million. Obama, moreover, gave Klonsky a broad platform to broadcast his ideas: a “social justice” blog on the official Obama campaign website.

To be clear, as it seems always necessary to repeat when Obamaniacs, in their best Saul Alinsky tradition, shout down the opposition: This is not about guilt by association. The issue is not that Obama knows Klonsky … or Ayers … or Dohrn … or Wright … or Rashid Khalidi …

The issue is that Obama promoted and collaborated with these anti-American radicals. The issue is that he shared their ideology.

Klonsky’s communist pedigree could not be clearer. His father, Robert Klonsky, was an American communist who was convicted in the mid-Fifties for advocating the forcible overthrow of the United States government — a violation of the Smith Act, anti-communist legislation ultimately gutted by the Supreme Court. In the Sixties, Klonsky the younger teamed with Ayers, Dohrn, and other young radicals to form the Students for a Democratic Society. It was out of the SDS that Ayers and Dohrn helped found the Weatherman terrorist group.

Klonsky took a different path, albeit one that led inexorably to a new partnership with Ayers, which Obama mightily helped underwrite. Upon splitting off from the SDS, Klonsky formed a Maoist organization, first known as the “October League,” which ultimately became the “Communist Party (Marxist Leninist).”

Klonsky was CP(ML)’s chairman. He was so highly thought of by Mao’s regime that he was among the first Americans invited to visit Communist China. When he was feted there in 1977, a year after Mao’s death, the communist leadership hailed Klonsky’s party as “reflecting the aspirations of the proletariat and working people.””

“After getting his doctorate, Klonsky eventually made his way to Chicago and hooked up with his old SDS comrade (and self-professed “small ‘c’ communist”) Bill Ayers. Together, they co-founded the Small Schools Workshop in 1991. The goal — as Ayers has repeatedly made clear, most prominently in a 2006 speech before Hugo Chavez at an education forum in Caracas — is to bring the same Leftist revolution that has always galvanized them into the classroom.

The concept may be called small schools, but Klonsky and Ayers uniquely grasp the force-multiplier effect. In a small class, the teacher preaching the “social justice” gospel that American capitalism is a racist, materialist, imperialist cauldron of injustice can have greater impact on the students he seeks to mold into his conception of the “good citizen” — and on the teachers he is teaching to be preachers. Writing trenchantly about how this system of “critical pedagogy” short-changes the basic education needs of disadvantaged children, the City Journal’s Sol Stern observes that theorists like Klonsky and Ayers:

nurse a rancorous view of an America in which it is always two minutes to midnight and a knock on the door by the thought police is imminent. The education professors feel themselves anointed to use the nation’s K-12 classrooms to resist this oppressive system. Thus … teachers [are urged] not to mince words with children about the evils of the existing social order. They should portray “homelessness as a consequence of the private dealings of landlords, an arms buildup as a consequence of corporate decisions, racial exclusion as a consequence of a private property-holder’s choice.” In other words, they should turn the little ones into young socialists and critical theorists.”…Please read the entire article

Report from Fox News September 02, 2009

“Critics Decry Obama’s ‘Indoctrination’ Plan for Students”

“A suggested lesson plan that calls on school kids to write letters to themselves about what they can do to help President Obama is troubling some education experts, who say it establishes the president as a “superintendent in chief” and may indoctrinate children to support him politically.”

“Obama’s critics say the lesson plans and the president’s calls for a “supportive community” are troubling on many levels.

“In general, I don’t think there’s a problem if the president uses the bully pulpit to tell kids to work hard, study hard and things like that. But there are some troubling hints in this, both educationally and politically,” said Neal McCluskey, associate director of Cato Institute’s Center for Educational Freedom.

Among the concerns, McCluskey said, is the notion that students who do not support Obama or his educational policies will begin the school year “behind the eight ball,” or somehow academically trailing their peers.

“It essentially tries to force kids to say the president and the presidency is inspiring, and that’s very problematic,” McCluskey said. “It’s very concerning that you would do that.””…Read more

Michelle Malkin on Obama’s speech to public school students

Once again, we are reminded by history, something our teachers should be aware of, of attempts to control the minds of our young people. Adolf Hitler created the Hitler youth, brainwashed them and encouraged them to turn in their parents for non doctrine behaviour. George Orwell watched Nazi Germany play out and incorporated the brainwashed Hitler youth into the children of “1984.” We cannot afford to let history repeat itself again. Speak up against this mind control attempt. The future of our children and this country is at stake.

Citizen Wells

Las Vegas Tea Party, August 31, 2009, Tea Party Express, First Amendment Rights, US Constitution, Citizen journalism, Video

I have never gotten so much satisfaction assembling an article as I did producing this one. This article is the culmination of efforts of concerned Americans across this country and certainly those that participate on this blog. A special thanks goes to commenter JoyceAZ, who cared enough about this country to travel to the Las Vegas Tea Party, take photos and write a report. Thank God that she did. The story was barely touched by the local media in Las Vegas and the Main Stream media nationwide.

“CW,  We arrived at the park 8:45am.  This area was large.  The parking lot filled up by 10:30.  People were coming and going for 2-3 hrs.  People were very warm and friendly.  WE WERE UNITED. The people were from Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho…… (licenses plates that we noticed).
All day long people gave each other the thumbs up.  We The People are UNITED IN OUR MARCH TO WAKE UP THE GOVERNMENT.
We just want to be heard.  Our Freedoms are being tread on.  OUR FLAGS SAY: Don’t Tread On Me.  We will not be UNHEARD.
 
We did not see any riots.  No screaming, yelling or fighting.  We did not see any opposition,….. ACORN, SEIU, or other pro-Obama voices.
Several cars stopped and ask us what was happening,…. as they had not heard of this project on the local tv channels.  I told them that it was 98% created thru the internet and twitter and such.  The NEWS MEDIA is DEAD!  Even those would stop and go sign up for information on OUR PROJECT. 
The Las Vegas Review-Journal quoted that the count was 800-900.  I truly feel is was much larger than that.  The parking lot was filled at all times….. people would be waiting for a parking spot.  People arriving faster than leaving.
I don’t think I would be exaggerating to say it was closer to 1500+.  I am sending a few articles from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.  They have some interesting articles about dirty harry. He is not very popular at this time. 
 
JoyceAZ”

I hope that the actions of JoyceAZ were as inspiring to you as they are to me and will inspire more people to take action. We cannot depend on the modern day media to do so.

I sang the song that plays in the video when I was young.

It moved me deeply then and even more now.