Category Archives: press conference

Scott Brown election certification delayed for Health Care Bill vote?, Nancy Pelosi swore in Bill Owens early, Niki Tsongas precedent, William Francis Galvin, MA Secretary of the Commonwealth, State Ethics Committee, MA Election statutes

Scott Brown’s election certification will be delayed to allow temporary Senator Paul Kirk to vote for the Health Care Bill. Sound familiar? Nancy Pelosi did just the opposite in November 2009, to allow just elected Representative Bill Owens to vote for the House version of the Health Care Bill.

Reported here yesterday, January 9, 2010.
“From The Boston Herald, January 9, 2010.
“Scott Brown swearing-in would be stalled to pass health-care reform”
“It looks like the fix is in on national health-care reform – and it all may unfold on Beacon Hill.
The longtime aide and confidant of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who was handpicked by Gov. Deval Patrick after a controversial legal change to hold Kennedy’s seat, vowed to vote for the bill even if Republican state Sen. Scott Brown, who opposes the health-care reform legislation, prevails in a Jan. 19 special election.”
MA Democrats will delay Scott Brown’s certification

Nancy Pelosi chicanery from November 12, 2009

“John Charlton of The Post & Email just brought a breaking story to our attention.

“It looks increasingly that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in her zeal to get the Health Care Federalization Bill passed, may have sworn in an unelected candidate for the NY-23 Congressional District, in violation of the U.S. Constitution and New York State laws.

As a matter of fact, the Secretary of State of New York has not certified the election, in which Dough Hoffman and Bill Owens vied in a special election, nearly head to head, after Scozzafava retired in humiliation, having lost the support of conservatives in her district.”
“It turns out that Pelosi’s swearing-in of Owens had the political effect of garnering the addition Republican vote, of Cao, in the vote for the Health Care Bill, which passed narrowly, 220-215.  The election fraud therefore puts in doubt the legitimacy of that vote also.””
Nancy Pelosi swears in Bill Owens before he is certified

On November 19, 2009 we learn of election night irregularities and voting machine viruses

“We already knew there were election night irregularities in the New York District 23 congressional race between Doug Hoffman and Bill Owens and that Nancy Pelosi prematurely certified Owens as the winner. Now we find out that some of the voting machines had computer viruses.

From The Gouverneur Times, November 19, 2009.

“VIRUS in the VOTING MACHINES: Tainted Results in NY-23″””
New York voting machines had viruses

The Democrats have a history of using the voting process not as it was intended, to echo the will of the people, but to further their own agenda.

From CBS News, October 17, 2007.
“Niki Tsongas Wins U.S. House Race”
“Tsongas said Wednesday that she expected to be sworn in on Thursday, and was eager to participate in the House vote scheduled for that day to override President Bush’s veto of expanded funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance program.”

Read more:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/17/politics/main3376886.shtml?source=related_story
From Fox News, October 18, 2007.
“Massachusetts Democrat Niki Tsongas Sworn In as Congresswoman”
“Shortly after being sworn in to the seat her late husband Paul Tsongas held in the 1970s, she joined her Massachusetts colleagues in voting to override President Bush’s veto of a bill that would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. The effort failed by 13 votes.”

Read more:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303180,00.html

Here is a recent letter addressed to John Kerry, Niki Tsongas and Paul Kirk.

“Are Massachusetts Democrats planning to obstruct the voice of the people?

To:
Sen. John Kerry
Rep. Niki Tsongas
Sen. Paul Kirk

January 9, 2010

I read in today’s Boston Herald that the Massachusetts Democrat organization is now planning to delay the certification of the January 19th election to keep Scott Brown out of the Senate until a health reform bill can be rushed through Congress.

This is unacceptable and I hope that you will take a strong stand AGAINST it.

When Sen Brown wins the election, the people will have spoken, and their voice must be heard, not stifled underneath layers of obstruction.

Rep Tsongas was voting in Washington ONE DAY after winning her special election.

So why is Massachusetts Sec. of State Galvin’s office saying that they will not certify the Jan 19 election for 10 days because that is the rule for ALL special elections?

This is CLEARLY NOT TRUE.”

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?letter_id=4500181596

From the Massachusetts Election Statutes

“PART I. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE VIII. ELECTIONS”

“CHAPTER 50. GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO PRIMARIES, CAUCUSES AND ELECTIONS
DETERMINATION OF RESULTS
Chapter 50: Section 2. Results of election; determination
Section 2. In elections, the person receiving the highest number of votes for an office shall be deemed and declared to be elected to such office; and if two or more are to be elected to the same office, the several persons, to the number to be chosen to such office, receiving the highest number of votes, shall be deemed and declared to be elected; but persons receiving the same number of votes shall not be deemed to be elected if thereby a greater number would be elected than are to be chosen. Except as otherwise provided, this section shall apply to all nominations and elections by ballot at primaries or caucuses. Nothing herein shall derogate from the provisions of chapter fifty-four A.”

“CHAPTER 56. VIOLATIONS OF ELECTION LAWS
PENALTIES ON OFFICERS FOR OFFENCES IN THE CONDUCT OF PRIMARIES, CAUCUSES, CONVENTIONS AND ELECTIONS
Chapter 56: Section 12. Misconduct of officers; failure to perform duties
Section 12. An officer of a primary, caucus or convention who knowingly makes any false count of ballots or votes, or makes a false statement or declaration of the result of a ballot or vote, or knowingly refuses to receive any ballot offered by a person qualified to vote at such primary, caucus or convention, or wilfully alters, defaces or destroys any ballot cast, or voting list used thereat, before the requirements of law have been complied with, or refuses or wilfully fails to receive any written request made as thereby required, or refuses or wilfully fails to perform any duty or obligation imposed thereby shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months.”

Election Day Legal Summary by William Francis Galvin, MA Secretary of the Commonwealth

“Counting Votes
The process of counting the ballots differs depending on the type of voting equipment used. However, the basic requirements are the same. The clerk must record the final register number on the ballot box. G. L. c. 54, §§ 105, 105A (1998 ed.). A count must be made of the voters on both the check in and check out lists, and the voting lists must thereafter be sealed in an envelope. Id.; see also G. L. c. 54, § 107 (1998 ed.) (procedure for sealing voting lists and ballots; applicable to all of the materials required to be sealed as indicated below). The escrow ballots must be counted, placed in an envelope, the number placed on the outside of the envelope, and the envelope must then be sealed. G. L. c. 54, §§ 105, 105A (1998 ed.).
The election officers shall canvass and count the ballots if paper ballots are used, and otherwise, the election officers shall read the vote totals from the counting device after the polls close, either by a printer mechanism or otherwise. G. L. c. 54, §§ 105, 105A (1998 ed.). The ballots not able to be read by the machines must be hand counted. Id. Election officers may not hold a pen or any other kind of marking device during the counting of the ballots, except for the person actually recorded the votes. G. L. c. 54, § 80 (1998 ed.). Furthermore, such election officials may only use red pencils or red ink to record or tabulate votes. Id. For the purpose of ascertaining the results of a state election, city election, or a town election where official ballots are used, or of question submitted to the voters, the election officials must use the blank forms and apparatus provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. G. L. c. 54, § 104 (1998 ed.).
The unused and spoiled ballots must also be counted, placed in a container under seal, and the clerk must record the numbers. G. L. c. 54, §§ 105, 105A (1998 ed.). The counted ballots are placed into a designated container, which is then sealed a certificate is affixed thereto stating that only ballots cast and no other ballots are contained therein. Id. The total tally sheets are placed in an envelope, sealed, and the warden and clerk also sign the outside of the envelope. Id. In communities using a central tabulation facility, the ballots will then be transported thereto, and then transmitted to the city or town clerk who must retain them in a secure location. G. L. c. 54, § 105A (1998 ed.). In all other communities, the sealed envelopes and containers will be returned directly to the city or town clerk who must retain them in a secure location. G. L. c. 54, §§ 105, 105A (1998 ed.).”

http://www.medford.org/Pages/MedfordMA_BComm/ELECTIONSummary.pdf

From the MA State Ethics Committee

“Section 23 contains standards of conduct applicable to all public employees.” 
 
“Political Activity
Section 23(b)(2) provides that a public employee may not use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions of substantial value for himself or others.  This prohibition has been applied by the Commission to restrict a number of political activities involving, for example, campaign use of public resources, campaigning on the job, and certain types of solicitation and fundraising.”

“Section 23(b)(3)  Appearances of a Conflict of Interest”
“Section 23(b)(3) prohibits a public employee from knowingly, or with reason to know, engaging in conduct which would cause a reasonable person to conclude that any person or entity can improperly influence the employee or unduly enjoy his favor in the performance of his official duties, or that he is likely to act or fail to act as a result of kinship, rank, or position of any person.
For example, issues may arise under this section if a matter involving a non-immediate family relative, a close friend or business associate, or a civic organization in which a public employee is a member comes before the public employee in his official capacity, even if the public employee is not otherwise required to abstain under G.L. c. 268A, sections 6, 13 or 19.  The public employee’s private relationship with such an individual or organization creates an impression that he could be biased in his official actions as a result of the private relationship.”

“Supplemental provisions; standards of conduct.”
“Section 23. (a) In addition to the other provisions of this chapter, and in supplement thereto, standards of conduct, as hereinafter set forth, are hereby established for all state, county and municipal employees.”
“(3) act in a manner which would cause a reasonable person, having knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to conclude that any person can improperly influence or unduly enjoy his favor in the performance of his official duties, or that he is likely to act or fail to act as a result of kinship, rank, position or undue influence of any party or person. It shall be unreasonable to so conclude if such officer or employee has disclosed in writing to his appointing authority or, if no appointing authority exists, discloses in a manner which is public in nature, the facts which would otherwise lead to such a conclusion;”

 http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ethhomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Ieth
William Francis Galvin, MA Secretary of the Commonwealth, is responsible for elections

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/Ele/elespeif/senatorincongressma.htm

Given the MA statutes, state ethics laws and the precedent of swearing in Representative Niki Tsongas one day after the election, the Democrats have a major problem trying to perpetrate another illegal act, especially after they have advertised it ahead of time. 

January 2, 2010, Obama Got Pre Christmas Intelligence Briefing About Terror Threats, Obama had warnings all year from Kirk Lippold, Guantanamo, Gitmo, Islamic terrorists

Newsweek reports January 1, 2010.

“Obama Got Pre-Christmas Intelligence Briefing About Terror Threats to “Homeland””

“President Barack Obama received a high-level briefing only three days before Christmas about possible holiday-period terrorist threats against the US, Newsweek has learned. The briefing was centered on a written report, produced by US intelligence agencies, entitled “Key Homeland Threats”, a senior US official said.

The senior Administration official, who asked for anonymity when discussing sensitive information, said that nowhere in this document was there any mention of Yemen, whose Al-Qaeda affiliate is now believed to have been behind the unsuccessful Christmas Day attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to bring down a transatlantic airliner with a bomb hidden in his underpants. However, the official declined to disclose any other information about the substance of the briefing, including what kind of specific warnings, if any, the President was given about possibly holiday attacks and whether Yemen came up during oral discussions.

According to the senior official, the holiday threat briefing, one in a series of regularly-scheduled sessions with top counter-terrorism officials, was held in the White House Situation Room on December 22. Present were representatives of agencies involved in counter-terrorism policy and operations, including Attorney General Eric Holder, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and FBI Director Robert Mueller. The CIA and National Intelligence Directors Office were represented by deputy agency heads: CIA deputy director Steven Kappes, and David Gompert, the principal deputy to National Intelligence Czar Dennis Blair. Also present was Michael Leiter, director of the National Counter-terrorism Center, a unit of the Intelligence Czar’s office which was created after 9/11 to ensure that intelligence reporting about possible terrorist plots was shared quickly among all US agencies who might have some capability to do something about it.

The senior official said that beginning in early December, based on reports coming in from intelligence agencies, policy-makers had begun tracking a stream of information which alluded to a possible holiday-period plot against the US orchestrated from somewhere in Pakistan. However, the official said, this reporting later turned out to be “garbled” and it was determined that the threat probably was a washout. The official denied that the White House received any report, representing the concensus of US intelligence agencies, warning that a Holiday-period plot originating in Yemen and targeting the US homeland could be in the works.

In a background briefing for reporters on December 29, also attributed in an official White House transcript to a “senior administration official”, that official asserted that in the wake of the attempted underpants attack, it had become clear to the President and top advisors that before Christmas, the US government was in posession of “bits and pieces” of information, which, if they had been properly knitted together, “could have…allowed us to disrupt the attack or certainly to know much more about the alleged attacker in such a way as to ensure that he was on, as the President suggested in his statement, a no-fly list.” In the briefing, the official identified three rough categories of information that the government had which could have been relevant to foiling the attack: information about Abdulmutallab and his plans, info about Al-Qaeda and their plans, and info “about potential attacks during the holiday period.””

Read more:

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/declassified/archive/2010/01/01/exclusive-obama-got-pre-christmas-intelligence-briefing-about-terror-threats-to-homeland.aspx

Obama was warned all year about closing Gitmo (Guantanamo) and the increasing Islamic terrorist threat from Yemen. One of those warning Obama, retired Commander Kirk Lippold, has first hand knowledge of the threat that Yemen poses.

“Feb 6, 2009 – CMDR Lippold visited Fox and Friends to discuss the closure of GITMO and the decision to drop all charges on Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, the terrorist responsible for the USS Cole bombing, which killed 17 American sailors. “

Recently, Commander Kirk Lippold had this to say about Obama’s strategy:

Obviously, to get Obama’s attention, one has to be a leftist, socialist Czar.

Kirk Lippold, Retired Commander USS Cole, Obama, Gitmo, Yemen, Glenn Beck Show Fox, December 30, 2009, CIA whipping boy, Enemy combatants, War on terror, Keep Guantanamo open

Kirk Lippold, retired Commander of the USS Cole and David Katz CEO of Global Security Group were interviewed on the Glenn Beck Show on Fox, yesterday, December 30, 2009. Commander Lippold is an American hero and tells it like it is. He  blasts the last three administrations. Kirk Lippold has been warning about closing Gitmo and threats from Yemen all year. This is another case of Obama not listening to military experts.

Some of the issues Commander Lippold addressed directly and succintly:

  • Keep Guantanamo open.
  • Military commissions process works.
  • Not criminal actions. Terrorists are enemy combatants.
  • This is a war on terror.
  • Quit making the CIA the whipping boy of this administration.

 

“Feb 6, 2009 – CMDR Lippold visited Fox and Friends to discuss the closure of GITMO and the decision to drop all charges on Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, the terrorist responsible for the USS Cole bombing, which killed 17 American sailors. ”

Damage to the USS Cole

Our sincere thanks to Commander Kirk Lippold for his service and especially for speaking the truth boldly.

Parker Griffith announcement, Switches parties, Griffith Republican, Griffith leaves Democrat party, Health care bill bad for doctors

Representative Parker Griffith of Alabama announces his switch from the Democrat to Republican party.

Parker Griffith did not just vote against the Health care bill and other harmful legislation, he sent a strong signal that the Democrat party is not good for this country.

From CBS News blog, December 22, 2009.

“Parker Griffith, Democratic Representative, Switches Parties to GOP”

“Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, announced Tuesday that he is switching parties to become a Republican.

“I believe our nation is at a crossroads and I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt,” Griffith, 67, said at a press conference at his home, according to the Associated Press.

Some aren’t surprised by Griffith’s switch. He has voted against all major Democratic initiatives this year, including the stimulus, cap and trade and health care bills.

He’s also spoken out against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying that he would not vote for her to be speaker again.”

“A radiation oncologist, Griffith cited the Democrats’ health care plans as a reason for his switch. He was one of 39 Democrats to vote against the bill in the House last month.

“I want to make it perfectly clear that this bill is bad for our doctors,” he said at the press conference, according to the AP. “It’s bad for our patients. It’s bad for the young men and women who are considering going into the health care field.”

“The success of Republicans in the off-year elections last month also appears to be a reason for his decision to switch parties. Griffith told Politico then that he wanted to be called an independent Blue Dog, not a Democrat. “I should be nervous,” he added.”

“When a Member of Congress decides to leave a 258 seat majority to join a deep minority, it is a sure sign that the majority party has become completely disconnected from seniors, young workers, and families in America,” Cantor said in a statement. “We welcome Parker Griffith to the Republican Conference, and will continue to stand and fight against the damaging agenda of this Administration working in tandem with the Pelosi/Reid run Congress.”

“Parker Griffith is a dedicated public servant who has consistently put the best interests of his constituents first, and it is in that spirit that Republicans welcome him,” Boehner added. “With today’s decision, Congressman Griffith has added his voice to the growing chorus of Americans who have had it with Democrats’ wrong-headed policies and lack of leadership.””

Read more:

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/12/22/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6009974.shtml

Senator Ben Nelson Nebraska, STOP the Health Care Bill before Christmas rally, December 22, 2009, Senator Ben Nelson’s Office, Stubborn_Facts, Harry Reid unconstitutional bribes

Just in from Stubborn_Facts at Grassroots in Nebraska, December 22, 2009.

Grassroots in Nebraska
 
Stubborn_Fact-
sStubborn_Facts has invited you to the event ‘STOP the Health Care Bill Before Christmas! Rally’ on Grassroots in Nebraska!
 REMINDER!! RALLY TONIGHT AT 6PM + DON’T FORGET TO BOMBARD BEN ALL WEEK!
An interactive parking garage map of downtown has been added to the site!

 Time: December 22, 2009 from 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: Senator Ben Nelson’s Office
Organized By: Stubborn_Facts
Event Description:
NOTE ADDED 12/20 @7:00AM RALLY IS STILL ON!

For much more detail, visit THIS POST on the Grassroots in Nebraska website.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is pushing for a vote on health care before Christmas.

**So YES, it is rather NUTS to try to do a rally on 12/22 in <32 degree weather…in the evening.**

BUT…if there is ANY chance we can impact this bill, it really comes down to US in Nebraska –

Senator Ben Nelson, by all accounts is the KEY vote on this bill and has voiced his unwillingness to vote for it in its present form, including federal funding for abortion.

Sen. David Vitter (LA) an executive member of the Senate Republican Steering Committee, advised on a 12/17 conference call with grassroots organizers from several states that some large, visible rally in Nebraska with media attention may well have some impact on Senator Nelson. He is already under a lot of pressure.

He also said if we could get national media attention that would be very helpful.

The other organizers on the call offered their support by way of encouraging whoever could possibly come from their states, spreading the word, gathering national media contact information they have, and by donating money for us to run an ad campaign about the rally (see below).

Chris Comeaux from Tea Party of Louisiana has made plans to travel to Lincoln to help on Monday and Tuesday. I have heard from a couple of other organizers that they are trying to work things out so they can come also.

PLEASE – DRESS WARMLY!!

We already have….
Lights
Sound system
Gary!

So we need YOU and for you to drag as many people along as you can – and could use HELP, especially in getting the word out, and participating in flyer distribution we are arranging.

IF you want to help, leave a comment below.

If you need sign ideas, see this POST.

Facebook event
NOTICE
For this limited purpose we ARE trying to raise money to run ads on TV, radio, and print on Monday and Tuesday. There is a donate button on the Grassroots in Nebraska website for this purpose.
Once this event is over, the button will come down.

See more details and RSVP on Grassroots in Nebraska:
http://netcot.ning.com/events/event/show?id=2776060%3AEvent%3A9986&xgi=4jZ0mQbLf1CHZU&xg_source=msg_invite_event

Ben Nelson, Grassroots in Nebraska, December 22, 2009, Keep the pressure on Senator Nelson, Vote no, Health Care Bill, Harry Reid bribes

From Grassroots in Nebraska, December 22, 2009.

A message to all members of Grassroots in Nebraska
Bombard Ben Nelson

Let’s keep the pressure on Senator Nelson through Wednesday!

Besides the rally scheduled for Tuesday (see below), we need people to call, fax, email and make personal visits to his offices. Apparently, there has been a very orchestrated effort by groups who are in favor of the bill to bombard him.

YES you will have difficulty getting through but please keep trying.
If there is anytime when we are going to exert effort in the way it is NOW.

IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN COORDINATING AN ONGOING PRESENCE DURING BUSINESS HOURS (INCLUDING A PICKET LINE WITH SIGNS) AT THE LINCOLN OFFICE, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND WE WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU

Contact information:

Senator Ben Nelson

Website http://bennelson.senate.gov/ (includes Email contact form)

Omaha
7602 Pacific St.
Ste 205
Omaha, NE 68114
Tel: (402) 391-3411
Fax: (402) 391-4725

Lincoln
440 North 8th Street
Suite 120
Lincoln, NE 68508
Tel: (402) 441-4600
Fax: (402) 476-8753

Washington, D.C.
720 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-6551
Fax: (202) 228-0012

Scottsbluff
Tel: (308) 631-7614

Kearney
Tel: (308) 293-5818

South Sioux City
Tel: (402) 209-3595

This event is posted on Facebook

Tuesday’s Rally Event on…
PLEASE NOTICE FLYERS ATTACHED IF YOU HAVE TIME TODAY – PLEASE PASS SOME OUT
PLEASE Dress warmly for this evening!
Bring signs. Check out the Signs and Slogans tab on the website if you need more ideas.

Be sure to check out the YOUTUBE Video for the rally. Rally Video


This ad MAY run sometime today on radio or TV – with the situation on a short tether and so fluid, nailing pre-rally ads down has been a challenge.
If this ad doesn’t run, we will place ads for Wednesday that are generally aimed at Nelson’s decision.
Visit Grassroots in Nebraska at: http://netcot.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Parker Griffith Republican congressman, Griffith switches to GOP, Alabama representative Griffith at odds with Democrat Party, Health care bill, Huntsville AL district

From Politico, December 22, 2009.

“Rep. Parker Griffith switches to GOP”

“POLITICO learns Rep. Parker Griffith will announce today that he’s switching parties to become a Republican.”

“POLITICO has learned that Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, will announce today that he’s switching parties to become a Republican.
According to two senior GOP aides familiar with the decision, the announcement will take place this afternoon in Griffith’s district in northern Alabama.
Griffith’s party switch comes on the eve of a pivotal congressional health care vote and will send a jolt through a Democratic House Caucus that has already been unnerved by the recent retirements of a handful of members who, like Griffith, hail from districts that offer prime pickup opportunities for the GOP in 2010.
The switch represents a coup for the House Republican leadership, which had been courting Griffith since he publicly criticized the Democratic leadership in the wake of raucous town halls during the summer.
Griffith, who captured the seat in a close 2008 open seat contest, will become the first Republican to hold the historically Democratic, Huntsville-based district. A radiation oncologist who founded a cancer treatment center, Griffith plans to blast the Democratic health care bill as a prime reason for his decision to switch parties—and is expected to cite his medical background as his authority on the subject.”

“Signs of Griffith’s dissatisfaction with his party began to surface publicly during the summer recess, when he received an earful of criticism from constituents.
In August — one month after Republicans picked up his former state legislative seat in a special election — Griffith told a local newspaper that he wouldn’t vote for Nancy Pelosi to remain as House Speaker because she’s too divisive. He joked that if she didn’t like it, he’d provide her with a gift certificate to a mental health center.
He added that if the Democratic leadership wouldn’t commit to working in a more bipartisan manner, “perhaps we should look at altering that.””

Read more:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30896.html

Thanks to commenter Patriot Dreamer.

Nebraska Rally opposing Senate Healthcare Bill and Ben Nelson’s support , Emergency rally Omaha, Sunday, December 20, 2009, Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator Ben Nelson bribed, Harry Reid bribes, Grassroots in Nebraska

Just in from Grassroots in Nebraska, Sunday, December 20, 2009.

A message to all members of Grassroots in Nebraska
Please see the information at the bottom of this message regrading a rally in Omaha I was told about last evening.

Our rally is ON for Tuesday.
As most of you well know, Senator Nelson announced today he will vote the health care bill forward.
Senator Nelson did a special live radio show on 1110 KFAB, explaining his rationale. You can listen by CLICKING HERE.

REGARDING SENATOR NELSON’S STATEMENTS on Saturday:

It is clear that Sen. Nelson is doing what he so frequently does on controversial or unpopular bills; he grabs a lot of media attention regarding how he cannot vote for it, threatens to support a filibuster, maneuvers for some special interest group, pet spending projects, and ultimately votes for the bill, claiming how has improved it. Generally, this goes by with little attention from Nebraska media on the end result.
In this case, he did, by all accounts little to no good in regards to protecting life, secured provisions which would benefit insurance companies, and put the rest of America on the hook to fund Nebraska’s Medicaid expenses in perpetuity.

In this case, Senator Nelson “reserved the right” to vote against the final version of the bill should the agreement he reached with Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Chuck Schumer change in a “material way”.
In other words, Senator Nelson can claim he “I voted for it, before I voted against it”.

I do NOT think Nebraskans will be as easily fooled as Senator Nelson hopes. 67% OPPOSE the Health Care Bill.

A vote “YES” for cloture (to move the bill forward) is a “YES” vote for government run health care.
WHAT YOU CAN TO DO HELP WITH THE RALLY:
If you can do any of the tasks besides passing the word, please send an email and we will make arrangements, thank you.

* Most importantly – COME to the rally – and grab some friends. DRESS WARMLY. (Yes it will be cold…did the soldiers at Valley Forge go home?)
* IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU WOULD RSVP. PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL WITH SUBJECT LINE “YES 12/22 RALLY”
* Pass the word – let’s get as many people there as possible.
* If you are on Facebook, invite people to the event.
* Print some flyers in quantities of 50 – 100 and distribute them, or give them to someone who will. Please contact me and I will send you a PDF version of the flyer as soon as its available and / or make arrangements for you to give them to someone who is willing to distribute them if you cannot.
* Offer to distribute some flyers. (We will help think of ideas of where / how if needed.)
* Offer to print some handouts for the day of the rally.
* DONATE a few dollars to the “Chip In” that has been set up on the Grassroots in Nebraska home page to pay for some radio and TV ads to get the word out about the rally. Someone has stepped forward to offer some seed money for this effort so if we all add smaller additional amounts, we will be able to get some ads on the air.
* Offer to pass around clipboards on the rally day.
* Offer to figure out some way to do some hot cocoa / hot coffee efficiently at the rally.
* Offer to do some research on the version of the bill (if we ever get to see it!).

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE…
We have a sound system, lights, Gary (music), and speakers.
We have flyers nearly complete.
Are working on media efforts.

WE WILL KEEP EVERYONE POSTED ON ADDITIONAL NEEDS AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

** EMERGENCY RALLY IN [OMAHA] NEBRASKA **
WHAT: Rally opposing Senate Healthcare Bill and Ben Nelson’s support of it.
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 20th, 3pm, doors open at 2pm
WHERE: Omaha Music Hall, 17th and Capitol,
WHO: Governor Mike Huckabee
Congressman Terry, Auditor Foley and Sens. McCoy, Fulton, Krist, Price, Lautenbaugh to participate as well.

Visit Grassroots in Nebraska at:

 http://netcot.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Citizen Wells

Link to emergency petition to Senator Ben Nelson to vote no:

http://www.huckpac.com/?Fuseaction=Petitions.View&Petition_id=11

Ben Nelson caves in, Nelson backs Senate health care bill, Harry Reid, December 19, 2009, Last minute compromise

From Fox news, December 19, 2009.

“Reid Unveils Health Compromise, Wins Nelson’s Support”

“With a self-imposed Christmas deadline at stake, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid engineered a last-minute compromise that has won the support of the lone Democratic holdout and clinched the required 60 votes to pass a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. health care system.

Democratic leaders offered Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska a deal similar to the $300 million in Medicaid aid Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana got for her support, numerous sources told Fox News.

When asked about this, Sen. Kent Conrad, a key Democratic leader involved in the negotiations with Nelson, said, “Oh, it’ll be much more.”

The conservative Nebraska Democrat announced his support in a news conference Saturday, adding that he reserves the right to vote against the final bill if substantial changes are made by House and Senate negotiators.

Marathon negotiations with the White House and Senate Democratic leaders produced fresh concessions that will mean additional abortion restrictions in the legislation.

The compromise package Reid released Saturday also puts new limits on insurance company  profits.The measure would require insurers in the individual market to spend 80 percent of premiums on medical care. The requirement for group policies would be 85 percent.

That would limit overhead and profits. Children could not be denied coverage for health problems.

On abortion, the measure would let states disallow coverage in new insurance exchanges.”

“With Nelson’s vote, Obama’s Senate allies would have the 60 needed to overcome a filibuster by Republicans.

That gave Nelson enormous leverage as he pressed for concessions that included stronger restrictions on abortions to be covered by insurance policies offered in a newly overhauled health care system. Officials said he was also seeking to ease the impact of a proposed insurance industry tax on nonprofit companies, as well as win more federal funds to cover Nebraska’s cost of treating patients in Medicaid, the state-federal health care program for the poor. These officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said the administration and Democratic leaders had offered concessions on those points.

The Nebraska Democrat has already rejected one proposed offer on abortions as insufficient, and the presence in the talks of Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., indicated additional changes were on the table.”

“Gone is a government insurance plan modeled on Medicare. So is the fallback, the option of allowing aging baby boomers to buy into Medicare. The major benefits of the bill won’t start for three or four years, and then they’ll be delivered through private insurance companies.”

Read more:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/18/nelson-cites-real-progress-health-care-talks/

Obama speaks in Copenhagen, Socialist Communist comrades, Hugo Chavez, Global warming radicals, CO2, Carbon dioxide, Youtube video of communists socialists

From Americans for Prosperity, December 18, 2009, Obama speaks and panders to his socialist, communist comrades in Copenhagen.

Today, President Obama is at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. This morning he spoke from the same podium that Venezuelan socialist strongman Hugo Chavez used to decry the “silent and terrible ghost” of capitalism – to declare that “capitalism is the road to hell.”
The enraptured global warming radicals at the Copenhagen conference rewarded Chavez with a standing ovation for his anti-freedom diatribe, telling us everything we need to know about the modern radical environmental movement headed by Al Gore.
If you have any doubt that many global warming extremists are self-proclaimed communists and socialists – CLICK HERE for an AFP video showing these extremists marching through the streets of Copenhagen.
President Obama had an opportunity to stand up and defend the economic freedoms of our great nation, which have made America the greatest and most prosperous on earth.
Instead, he chose to pander to his adoring supporters abroad, saying: “America will fulfill the commitments that we have made: cutting our emissions in the range of 17 percent by 2020, and by more than 80 percent by 2050 in line with final legislation.”
Clearly, President Obama wants to join these radicals in signing a binding international treaty that will bring cap-and-trade-style energy taxes and energy rationing to our nation.
As you know, we were in Copenhagen last week for a briefing we beamed back live to 24 grassroots events across the United States (from Billings, Montana to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in between). Thousands more watched from home or work on our AmericansforProsperity.org website.
Without a doubt the most frustrating moment of the Copenhagen trip was sitting in the American pavilion at the convention center as Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency head, Lisa Jackson, gleefully touted the EPA’s new finding declaring that carbon dioxide endangers human health and welfare. The room full of mostly Europeans applauded wildly.
Ms. Jackson’s introducer, the U.S. ambassador to Denmark, talked about all she had done as in the director of New Jersey’s state EPA. What irony…New Jersey has one of the worst economies in the nation – people are really hurting – in part due to Lisa Jackson’s job-killing heavy-handed regulatory policies. Now the Obama administration hopes she “does for the United States what she did for New Jersey.”
So far, Americans for Prosperity activists have logged more than 13,000 comments telling EPA to obey its mandate and leave climate legislation to the people’s elected representatives. If you haven’t taken action yet, click here to help stop EPA’s power grab before the December 28th deadline.
We face a long hard fight to overturn or at least mitigate the potentially devastating impact of this EPA “finding” in coming months and years. Speaking in carefully coded environmental-speak, Ms. Jackson discussed what her 18,000 EPA bureaucrats have in mind for small businesses, large corporations and even families. We must and we will hold Congress responsible if they fail to stop what the EPA is trying to do.

I talked to many individual environmental leaders and activists from Greenpeace, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, members of the U.S. delegation, EPA bureaucrats, and activists from other smaller groups. They’re true believers. In their view only the government can step in and “fix” this problem by forcing individuals to dramatically change their lives, to pay more taxes for the privilege of using energy or creating jobs. Capitalism is THE culprit in their morality tale. Those with a different view are dismissed as ignorant simpletons or denounced as greedy robber barons who must be stopped.
There is no room for compromise in their world.
If we’re going to protect our freedoms and preserve a free market that has pulled generations from the muck and misery of grinding poverty, then we are going to have to defeat them in the public arena.
The good news – the American public agrees with us. Every poll shows support for cap-and-trade policies going downhill. The legislation is dead for this year, after most pundits thought it a done deal earlier this year.
The bad news – from what I saw firsthand in Copenhagen – our opponents have nearly unlimited financial resources, committed grassroots troops of their own, and deeply entrenched organizations that think strategically and act aggressively.
We’ve got to be innovative, aggressive, confident, strategic and on message. Most of all – we have to fight each and every day.
And, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

Tim