Allyson Schwartz's 'Uh-Oh' Moment

Joe Geraghty from National Review Online has some news about the 13th Congressional District in Pennsylvania sure to shock the Northeast Philadelphia/Northern Montgomery County race.

Short version:  Allyson Schwartz is trailing challenger Dee Adcock in what was once considered to be a "safe" Democratic District in an internal poll of likely voters.

Schwartz, co-author of Obamacare, sponsor of the soda fat-tax, and who approved every spending item of the Pelosi-lead Congress since taking the gavel in 2006, is in the first real race for her political life.  Though she still enjoys better name recognition than Adcock, when it comes to issues - you know, the stuff that really matters - she trails the successful businessman.

Gulp.

Toomey and Adcock Rally the Troops



Times Herald photo


Pennsylvania Senatorial candidate Pat Toomey (R) visited a packed GOP Victory call center this evening to thank volunteers gathered in the Blue Bell office.  Joining Toomey was Abington's own Dee Adcock who is challenging the East Coast version of Nancy Pelosi, Allyson Schwartz, in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District.

 The Times Herald has full coverage.



Sanchez Shown the Door at CNN

Rick Sanchez has been let go by CNN after making a stupid anti-semitic comment on Thursday's Jon Stewart Show.  Unconfirmed reports say Sanchez will take advantage of his downsizing to travel to Iceland, to see volcanoes he never thought existed.

Dee Adcock's Star Rises to "Contender"

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has released a statement elevating Dee Adcock, in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District race against the East Coast version of Nancy Pelosi, Allyson Schwartz, to "contender" status.

I wonder if the author of Obamacare, sponsor of the soda "fat tax", and darling of the trail lawyers lobby - over $1.7 million dollars in campagin contributions - ever thought her seat would be targeted?

Abington Schools, No Place for the Constitution

Yesterday I had a face-to-face meeting with the Assistant Superintendent of the Abington School district. The purpose of the meeting was to share a pocket Constitution with the administration so they could determine whether it was worthy of distribution to the students to celebrate today, Constitution Day.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day were signed into law in 2004 by President Bush. Any school receiving federal funds is required by law to educate students about the importance of our founding document on this day.

Now, technically, it seems as though the Abington School District is following the letter of the law by, according to them, encouraging the individual schools and teachers to include the Constitution in their lesson plans today.

However, there is no district-wide effort to specifically focus the curriculum toward the greatest single document to guarantee liberty in human history.

The meeting was scheduled because I was interested in distributing these pocket Constitutions (with a copy of the Declaration of Independence) outside the High School this morning.

According to the District,

If you have pocket Constitutions that are printed without any affiliation to any political, commercial, or religious organization, we would be happy to review the document. If it conforms with Board policy, we would provide it to the schools for the students.

Problem. The pamphlets I was interested in distributing were produced by the Heritage Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan conservative think tank. As far as I'm aware, they do not contribute to political campaigns, they do not endorse candidates, they simply research policy.

The School District informed me yesterday afternoon, pieces produced by Heritage violate the above-referenced policy.

So, the very school district who (24 hours prior to the event) reversed a long-standing board policy restricting politicking on school property to allow Michele Obama (Spring 2008) and then-candidate Senator Obama (Fall of '08) to hold rallies at Abington High School, do not think those events cross the threshold of allowable political affiliation.

However, a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, produced by the Heritage Foundation, somehow does?

Tea Party and the "Palin Factor"

Aaron Proctor, in the Philadelphia Examiner, has an interesting take on the Palin effect in yesterday's victory by Christine O'Donnell in Delaware's Senatorial primary over Mike Castle.

GOP Senate primary 2010 winner
Christine O'Donnell
photo courtesy CBS News

While I agree, Sarah and Christine better be careful about any attempts to become the face of the Tea Party movement, I don't think either are the leaders of the movement, but examples of the influence the Tea Party concept with voters.  You can't say the endorsement of any singular entity pushed O'Donnell over the top, and Chris Christie (a Tea Party favorite) was on the other side in this battle.  It was all about voter dissatisfaction with the GOP's moderate, mainstream republican wing.

Readers know I'm a fan of the former Alaskan governor, but as a local coordinator for a Tea Party group, I want to be clear about Sarah's role in our movement - it's entirely overstated. While I like most everything about her, she's barely among the top 5 candidates I want to win the primary in 2012.  I doubt she's actually aiming for the title, but I can understand the thought process of those who do.

There are several organizations who would also like to be the face - Tea Party Express and Tea Party Nation to name a few - aggressively advertising themselves and enthusiastically endorsing candidates.  But they fail to understand one basic fundamental truth about our movement; a role I hope neither Palin nor O'Donnell are pursuing.

While they, and the has-been media, may want her to be the face of the Tea Party. As a natural course in real grassroots Tea Party organizations, once you establish yourself as the face of the movement, you no longer can be.

It's not about you, it's about us.

September 11th, a Tribute

page13news will never forget




...and will spend the weekend in Washington, reclaiming the brotherhood of spirit we all felt on 9-12.  The nation we can be again.

Obama Removal Kit

...and if you order now, I'll throw in 2 pocket Constitutions absolutley free. 



Works great on Astroturf Speakers of Da House too!!

Restoring Honor, Get It?

Quite frankly, even some of the supporters and attendees of yesterday's Restoring Honor Rally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, didn't quite get it.  Quite frankly, I'm not sure I do either.

view from the Washington Monument

It was partly an award show for several unsung American citizens, mixed with an American Hero version of the Emmy's or Grammy's, minus all the self-aggrandisement that comes from Hollywood.  It was sprinkled with recognition of what happened at this historic location 47 years ago.  And it was smothered with a heavy dose of God, faith (not religion), and a return to Divine Providence.

"Just who do you think you are?", Glenn Beck asked himself several times over the last several months including one visit to the steps where Dr. King inspired a generation of Americans with his dream.

Critics have asked the same question of Beck, but with a tone in their voice which seemed to indicate they were cocking their guns, ready to fire if he didn't pull off his plan to hold the rally.  He had no intention of putting Jack back in the box.  Despite threats of violence to himself and others who dared join Glenn on stage, he would not back down from this day.

Neither did the over 500 thousand who chose to stand with Beck around America's Reflecting Pool and, God forbid, reflect on His role in our lives.

Honor individual American citizens who make our country great; honor our brave soldiers; honor the legacy of Dr. King; honor God.  It was time we restored the meaning of honor and Beck provided the stage.

Though Tea Party groups from across the country provided logistical assistance (organizing over 1,400 bus loads of rally attendees), this was NOT a Tea Party.  It was NOT a political event.

Two weeks from now the political event takes place.  The 2nd annual 9-12 Taxpayer March on Washington will take place.  There will be signs, flags, and very clear messaging to our elected officials in D.C..  Beck didn't want this to be a political event and it wasn't.  Yes, Sarah Palin was there.  But not in her political persona, rather as a Mom of a soldier, honoring his service our country.

Glenn has spent the last year saying no matter what your political affiliation, if this country doesn't return to the fundamental principals which propelled it to the position as the world's guiding light, we are collectively doomed.  He has spent the last year educating his listeners about the Founders.  What inspired them?  What motivated them?

The answer:  Divine Providence.

page13news' perspective

The belief this country is destined to greatness because of the freedoms provided by a strong relationship - no matter which form it takes in your life - with the Creator.  The Creator who endows us to the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.  No government agency, no politician, can provide these rights.  If you think they do, you enslave yourself to them.

As he wrapped up the event, Beck offered an observation.  He told the audience at yesterday's rally, no matter what the number officially given to the massive crowd, it would be seen as a failure if it simply ended there.  If we didn't take this opportunity to reconnect with our Creator and change the priorities in our lives, the sun will set on the shining city on the hill.

Laus Deo

At the very top of the Washington Monument are two words facing the heavens - Laus Deo - Latin for "Praise Be to God".  No visitor can see these words because it's a message to the Creator.  Laid after the Civil War, at a time when our country finally rid itself of the scourge of slavery, it symbolized the mood of a nation during a time when it need healing.

What happens now is up to us, as it always has been, God willing.

A Pattern of Acting Stupidly

A teachable moment. 

The Obama administration admitted yesterday the firing of Shirley Sharrod over race-related comments without knowing the full extent of her comments we're a "teachable moment" for us all.

So let's learn, shall we?

Immigration Clash Over Cheesesteaks in South Philly

The Big Talker WPHT 1210 AM and Joey Vento, owner of Geno's Steaks at 9th and Passyunk in the heart of South Philly, hosted a fundraiser to support the State of Arizona as it defends against a lawsuit by the federal government to halt their recently enacted immigration law.

Hundreds of supporters and a few dozen protesters clogged the well-known intersection to let their voices be heard on the issue.  The pro-illegal group beat drums like this was some sort of tribal warfare, while the pro-Arizona crowd sang God Bless America.  A mix of professionally and homemade signs littered one side; American flags on the other.  While the supporters of lawlessness chanted obviously rehearsed phrases like "shame, shame, shame", those in favor of law and order chanted simply yelled back, "USA, USA, USA!" 

They barked at each other for 2 of the 4 hours Dom Giordano held his radio show, but the event was a good example of folks agreeing to disagree.  Hazelton, PA Mayor Lou Barletta and State Representative Daryl Metcalfe joined Arizona's John McCain and Jan Brewer on the radio to show their support. 

Several Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots activists were there to offset Obama's professional protesters from "Reform Immigration for America".  It's not the first time these two groups locked horns.  See their first meeting from July 4th here.

All but one major news organization covered the event (where were you NBC 10?).  Fox 29's report has more on the festivities.

There's a plaque on the sidewalk outside of Geno's which best-summarizes the evening's gathering.  Only in America can reasonable and ignorant people gather together and express their heart-felt opinions on such a hot topic.  God Bless Geno's and God Bless America!!

The $1 Sale of Washington's Crossing

Buried in Pennsylvania House Bill 2126 was a little provision with historical interest - the $1 sale of one of America's historical treasures, Washington Crossing State Park. The Bill sailed through the House and is headed to Committee.

While chairman of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, State Senator Chuck McIllhinney, has promised a public hearing on the issue, members of the Crossing Legacy Foundation say the hearing is nothing more than a dog and pony show.

You see, the Crossing Legacy group has promised to save the park by agreeing pay one million dollars to rent the historic location for 99 years; a move which would more than cover the costs of upkeep for the 500 acres. According to members of Crossing Legacy, they have been shut out of the process to this point.

According to the group's website, the one-dollar price tag is "grosely inadequate and legally insufficient". The buyer, a group known as The Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Association, Inc., intends to sell a portion of the park to developers who would be permitted by the zoning code to build condos on the site.

On July 4th, members of the Crossing Legacy Foundation attempted to hand out petitions to save the Park from the pending sale, only to be confronted by a few "friends" of the Bowman's Hill group and local police.  The police, accurately realized the petitioners had every legal right to be present there and refused to arrest any of the protestors.

The site has contact information for the local elected officials.  Contact these politicos and put a stop to this theft of an important piece of our history.

Philly News Ignores Black Panther 'Kill the Crackers' Comment

Only FOX 29 even bothered to mention that Tuesday the U.S. Department of Justice tossed out the voter intimidation case from the November 2008 election where the Black Panthers stood outside a polling place in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia with billy clubs in their hands as voters walked past.  The rest of the "news" organizations in the City of Brotherly Love ignored the story.

None, to my knowledge, have played the 'kill the crackers and their babies' video.  None.

For the real news...







Go on, search their websites; search their facebook pages.

Hi-Caliber with an Infiltration by Illstyle and Peace Productions

Here's video from the 4th of July celebration at LOVE Park held by the Phildaelphia Tea Party Patriots.

Conservative rap artist Hi-Caliber's performance is infiltrated by a quartet of dancers known as Illstyle and Peace Productions.  *cell phone video w/ enhanced audio from Hi-Caliber's 'Patriotic People' video*



Who says conservative tea-baggers can't Rock Da House??

Infiltrators Flip Out at 4th of July Tea Party Rally

It was a blistering 95+ degree noon-time Independence Day gathering at Philadelphia's LOVE Park. Several dozen Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots had gathered for a brief rally against oppressive government and for all that is good in our great nation, on the 234th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence.

A half dozen notables spoke about their love of country, frustration with Washington, and generally provided those in attendance with an upbeat message aimed to refocus our nation toward it's constitutional core principals.

The highlight of the afternoon, as well as the low light of the rally, were provided by two completely different types of infiltrators.

Our first infiltrator goes by the name Tom Stone of Jenkintown. Tommy is a professional protester.  How do I know?

This article from Philly.com shows Stone leading an immigration protest the day before.  Take note of the signs in the background.  The Spanish signs says (translated) "No human being is illegal".  However, the English sign is from a group known as "Reform Immigration for America".  Who's that?  Team Obama.  And based on Stone's actions, the militant wing of the Obama administration when it comes to immigration reform. 

What the elected officials wouldn't dare do, Tom Stone will.  Tommy likes to stir the pot by organizing pro-illegal immigration protesters and through infiltration of Tea Party events.  If he's lucky, maybe he could goat them into a fight.

A handful of rally attendees quickly surrounded Stone and a few heated words were exchanged; it was a blistering hot day.  But the young lad was quickly and peacefully escorted a few feet away by the lone police officer observing the proceedings.

On the flip-side, literally, was an impromptu dance performance from a group known as Illstyle and Peace Productions. 

As conservative rap artist - yea, that's what I said - and frequent Tea Party activist, Hi-Caliber, performed, these 4 infiltrators showed the young Stone a better way to flip out. 

Decked out in patriotic American flag shorts, the quartet wowed the audience with break dancing, moon-walking, and feats of acrobatics which seemed at times to defy gravity, and human possibilities.

The crowd danced, waved their arms in the air, and thoroughly enjoyed Illstyle's unanticipated contribution to their rally.  They were planned to appear at events up and down the parkway this Independence Day, but stayed for the remainder of our rally as Tea Party folks shared water and talked peace with our new friends.

To our other guest, the young and immature Mr. Stone: perhaps you and your friends in the White House could learn a thing or two from Illstyle and from the documents (I know, guys like you have a thing with papers) which were proudly display at the rally - The Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the Constitution.

 It's all about Peace and LOVE, yo!!

Let's Do the Time Warp Again

How many Pennsylvania State Representatives might we assume play the "per diem" game?  According to the grand jury investigating Pennsylvania's State House, quite a few.  But beyond that, the grand jury calls the practice a "time-warped way of abusing taxpayer monies" and one of the major indicators of needed reform in Harrisburg.

Per Diem is the "legal practice" which affords politicians the luxury of having meals paid for at taxpayer expense when traveling outside their district.  The Fox 29 report details a dinner meeting between Rick Taylor (D-151), Patrick Norton - Director of Government Relations University of Penn Medicine, and Anthony DeLuca (D-32), Chairman of the PA House Insurance Committee.  The meeting happened the day before a hearing on the Health Information Technology Act although, according to the report, Penn officially hadn't taken a position on the Act.






Tim Potts of Democracy Rising PA calls it extortion but Taylor doesn't think so.

Except Taylor paid his own way that evening.  Why?  Did he do so because he knew it would be politically dangerous in this re-election season against Todd Stevens (R)?  If it's wrong Mr. Taylor, why did you ask Penn to pick up the tab in the first place?

Tea Party Patriots to Pat Murphy, "Prove it"

Rob Boyson from Levittown, and Philadelphia Tea Party Patriot - Lower Bucks coordinator, has a question or two for Patrick Murphy, the incumbent Democrat Congressman from Pennsylvania's 8th district.

Boyson wants to know where exactly are the 3,000 jobs Murphy touted creating in two recent mailings to constituents of the district.  He also wants to know why some voters in the district were kept from receiving the save-the-date announcement of a "Community Job Fair" Murphy will host.

In a release from the Lower Bucks group and Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots, Boyson claims the targeted mailing aims to take advantage of Murphy's incumbent status by using tax-payer funded mailers to promote campaign events:

“ Think about it … can these two brochures be taken as campaign items use to promote an incumbent candidate’s 2010 re-election bid?”

If the mailings went to only Democrat voters, it sure seems like Patrick wants his 'jobs fair' to be anything but fair.

As for the 3,000 created...
According to the Department of Labor Statistics unemployment in Bucks County rose 16% (from 7.3% to 8.5%) between March of 2009 and March of 2010.

If you are creating jobs Mr. Murphy, you're doing a horrific job at it.

We Hail Cardinal Dougherty High!!

With faith that’s strong,

With courage bold,

We wave our colors high,

Unfurl our banner to the world,

Our cross against the sky;

For in this sign we conquer all,

For God and school and land,

With the Trinity and Mary’s love,

To guide our youthful hands.

Chorus:
Alma Mater’s garnet and royal gold,
Sons and daughters salute you with pride;
Pledging hearts to you in loyalty
We’ll bear your glory far and wide!
With wisdom and truth you nourish us,
With love our souls you fortify;
So dear Alma Mater,
Your sons and daughters hail!
We hail Cardinal Dougherty High!

Wasting $3 Billion for "Science"

From today's New York Times,

(June 26, 2000) Mr. Clinton said it would “revolutionize the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of most, if not all, human diseases.”

Gee, what a surprise, it yielded nothing.

The old-fashioned method of taking a family history was a better guide, Dr. Paynter reported this February in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

So much for the progressive approach to research.

But I'll bet those 'fat-cat' researchers probably had a few good meals on the public dime.

Pictures of the Day

Before...

...after!!!

H/T Tim S

A Primary 2010 Message

...for Tea-baggers only.

GOP's 13th Congressional Primary Debate

The one and only GOP debate prior to the primary election next week was held in Montgomeryville Wednesday night.  The event was hosted by the Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots as the challengers to Allyson Schwartz lined up to face each other and state their case for representing the party against the incumbent this fall.  Josh Quinter called for 6 debates with the two endorsed Republicans, Dee Adcock and Brian Haughton, before the May 18th contest.  He only got one, but took full advantage.

Quinter was predictably well-armed with solid arguments for most of the sometimes ridiculously-complicated questions from moderator Steve Highsmith.  The topics were seemingly convenient for the lawyer, lobbed right into Josh's wheelhouse.  His knowledge on issues such as the Georgian/Ukrainian oil pipeline effect on American on energy policy and the historical effect of the Monroe doctrine on American influence in the Western hemisphere forced this politically-interested commentator checking my Blackberry for facts on the subjects myself.  I doubt the average voter has knowledge of, let alone concern with, these obscure issues.  Still, Josh impressed.

Dee Adcock is the favorite in this race based primarily on his war chest and the endorsement of the Montgomery County GOP Committee which combine to give him a natural numbers advantage.  He's not a seasoned lawyer or politician - and he'll tell you that himself - but after months of practice and several town hall type events to polish his skills, Adcock seems a lot more comfortable in front of a crowd of politically saavy voters.  Last night Dee showed he's making progress.

Brian Haughton makes no bones about his lack of political acumen.  But what's refreshing is his acceptance of this fact.  When the Georgian/Ukrainian pipeline issue was raised, Haughton simply stated, "I'm not informed enough on the issue to give you an answer on that one".  The audience applauded Brian's honesty as though they realized the question came from the world of politically obscure issues few of them think about regularly.

All 3 candidates have their flaws.  Quinter still identifies with the lawyer crowd, sometimes talking down to the audience as he tries to impress them with his knowledge.  That will work in Blue Bell, but not in Mayfair.  Adcock must learn to trust his knowledge and speak more from his heart.  If he has any chance to be Schwartz, he needs to sharpen his responses and find the fire in his belly.  Haughton has the opposite problem from Quinter - his shtick works in Philly, but the suburban crowd needs to see him take this process more seriously.

While no official polling exists on this race (seen as safely in the D corner so no one is paying attention to it), Quinter seems to be surging at the right time.  But will he make enough of an impact to erase Adcock's natural advantage?  Doubtful. However, Haughton may be the primary beneficiary of Quinter's surge.  If Philadelphia republican voters turn out on Tuesday, Haughton's natural advantage there may be the key to the race.

Is there an upset in the making?  After all, it is a numbers game.

Ordering Pizza, after Obamacare

How much will Obamacare change our lives?

This may provide a clue...

'Nut-Jobs' and Civil Discourse

Some threw tomatoes to support the wife of fallen Philly police officer Daniel Faulkner. Others may throw eggs at a local campaign office.  Some will go so far as to rush a stage attempting to put a pie in Ann Coulter's face.

Civil discourse has many forms.

Some take a sledgehammer to a car in the parking lot at Lincoln Financial Field to show their opinion of the Dallas Cowboys.  Sure it's a violent form of civil discourse, but no one gets hurt. 

Commonwealth Foundation has an article about the civil discourse of 2nd Amendment supporters who want to take aim at an old car, covered in anti-freedom slogans, with their (brace yourself) guns.

Shocking, I know. 

But that's nothing compared to the reaction by the left, who would have you believe this kind of discourse is dangerous.  'Right-wing-nut-jobs', that's what Alan Colmes believes these people are.  Joe Hoeffel (progressive) says they can't talk straight while hoping they shoot straight.  Keith Olbermann thinks they lack an ability to read.

Name-calling and insults: what you turn to when you have nothing else intelligent to say.

Arcadia Hosts Tea Party Patriots Panel

Arcadia University held a Tea Party Patriots Panel on Thursday night.  National Coordinators for TPP, Jenny Beth Martin and Diana Reimer, joined Nate Wingham - Grassroots Activist, Jamal Greene - Journalist, Mike Gaske - Fundraising Director, David Webb - Editor Tea Party 365 and talk show host to discuss a variety of issues ranging from what unifies the TPP to their position on endorsements.

The event was well attended with well over 100 in the small theater.  A dozen or so students, most whom were there to challenge the organization's activities, joined the diverse audience of activists and local coordinators in a 2 hour question and answer session designed to inform the crowd about the movement.

Most of those in attendance were there to find out what inspired the grassroots effort, what they can do to help and how the movement plans to keep the pressure on Washington.

Some of the questions from the students seemed pointed to rehashing the Bush years.  They questioned the constitutionality of the Iraq war, wiretapping, and even defense spending.  While the panel appreciated and answered the questions, it was clear to most the students weren't interested in learning about the organization, but rather to fight old battles with the guests to the campus. 

To the students credit, they stuck around and engaged several people with political debate after the event was over.  While they have clearly bought the left's argument on several issues, they weren't obnoxious or completely dismissive - just uniformed.  Not unusual for young skulls full of mush.

The event wasn't aimed to be a rally to rail against a specific issue, it was meant to inform.  Hopefully the students in attendance saw a different side to the movement; unlike the portrayals by the main stream media of an angry, racist group.

The highlight of the evening was a re-reading of "Why I am a conservative" by Jamal Greene.  Greene's initial speech was a hit at the Tax Day Tea Party on April 15th - see the YouTube clip below - but there's nothing like hearing it in person. 

It made this Tea-Bagger proud!

Philly Tea Party Patriots Panel at Arcadia

The Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots will be holding a Grassroots Activists Panel, Thursday April 29, Arcadia University, 7pm - 9pm.

If you haven't attended a Tea Party event and are curious what the buzz is all about, this is a great opportunity to hear from members one of the largest grassroots organizations in the country.  National Coordinator Diana Reimer, featured in my prior post, will lead a panel which includes Jenny Beth Martin - TPP National Coordinator, Nate Wingham - Grassroots Activist, Jamal Greene - Journalist and grad student, Mike Gaske - Fundraising Director, David Webb - Editor Tea Party 365 and talk show host.

On a related note, the Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots have a new group forming in Eastern Montco.

An American Revolutionary

Diana Reimer, founder of the Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots and national coordinator for TPP, is featured in this article by Holly Otterbein at the Philadelphia City Paper following the group's February 'anti-reconciliation' rally at Rittenhouse Square.

I've had the pleasure of getting to know Diana and her husband Don over the past several weeks. I've seen a remarkable growth in their organization's reach since our initial meeting after their first event, last year's Tax Day Tea Party.  A year ago, they were self-proclaimed political amatuers.  But seeing how much they've accomplished and learned about the political process and coalition-building over the past year, I am in awe.  The energy, determination and passion both Diana and Don bring to the cause consuming their lives is inspiring.
The article is surprisingly fair to the movement.  While most news outlets portray Tea Party activists as racist hate-mongers, Otterbein offers quite a different perspective about Diana and others in attendence:

Robert Allen Mansfield, a broad-shouldered black man in his late 30s, stands up. He is wearing a black suit, tiny, round glasses and a blue tie, and props himself up with a cane. He strays from the topic at hand, talking about what it was like to be a sergeant for eight months in Iraq. He then orders everyone who has served in the military to rise for applause; more than half the men in the room jump to their feet.

It's a poignant moment. Mansfield's face crumples, as if about to cry. But suddenly he perks up. He's got something to say. "I wasn't going to do this, but," he says, pausing. "I'm running for governor."

The mostly white Tea Party members furiously clap and cheer and squeeze his shoulders.

Although Holly seems to be surprised by this public show of affection towards a black man, at least her mind is open to seeing the truth about these new-age radicals. 

They are peaceful, caring, American Revolutionaries.

Hide The Decline II

After threats from Penn State's Michael Mann to remove the original 'Hide the Decline' video, the creators came up with this as an alternative. 

No Laughing Matter Mr. President

President Obama is amused by the recent Tea Party protests regarding taxes. Former President Clinton wants everyone to believe we're in a pre-Oklahoma City bombing type of atmosphere, while encouraging leftist infiltrators to mix things up at Tea Party events.

Uh, fellas? One-fourth of the American people consider themselves a part of the Tea Party movement. Trying to categorize us as some fringe element who is capable of extreme violence while encouraging your own to mix it up is not only absurd, it's irresponsible.

Certainly, it's no laughing matter.

Obama the Nuclear Naive

Robert Costa from NRO asks former Reagan Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman, to explain why China won't cooperate with the President on Iranian nukes.

“Why should China pull our chestnuts out of the fire?” Lehman asks. “Iran is no threat to them. It’s naïve of the president to think that somehow he can create a common interest with China or somehow persuade them to bring pressure on Iran when Iran supplies a significant portion of its oil. When Iran is tying us in knots that actually suits the Chinese down to a T.”

Side note: a crescent moon as the symbol of this conference?

Fitzpatrick's Gathering Army

This past Saturday, I attended a volunteer meeting for the Mike Fitzpatrick for Congress campaign to get a feel for the organization and the energy of the crowd. A packed house, well over a hundred, met in one of three such meetings throughout Bucks county that day.

Mike spoke for about 30 minutes and handled several insightful questions and statements from the faithful in attendance.

A couple key issues struck a tone with this Tea-bagger...

First, Mike isn't afraid to admit he was part of the problem in Washington. Although I think the 2006 election had more to do with a tiring of Bush, Iraq and momentum against the GOP in general, at least Fitzpatrick recognizes he contributed to the mess: an important first step for a recovering politician.

Second, he reminds the supporters from a so-called moderate-leaning district that he isn't afraid to differ with his party. Except Mike needs to recognize that only a united Republican/conservative/Tea Party effort will overturn the continued hostile government takeover of private industries.

If Fitzpatrick plays to what he perceives to be the demographic middle, he makes the mistake of not recognizing the mood of the electorate, nor of his base. So-called moderate voters need to be educated about how moderates, like yourself, contribute to the problem.

In his defense, Fitzpatrick seems to get. At worst he's struggling to find the right balance between his record and his message. But he seems to be trending in the right direction.

Several supporters mentioned to me how much larger the crowd is at this stage of the campaign verses the same time in 2006. One note to Mike: take notice, there's a real reason why.

Democrat-lite is not an option. The people have had enough.

ACORN, Proud as a PCOC

A nut by any other name...

Who Exactly is Inciting Mobs?

Those of us in the Tea Party movement are purposely being labeled an angry mob by several different has-been news organizations. Their motivation for doing so can only be answered by them, but one thing is crystal clear - should a violent societal breakdown occur, in the media's mind, it will originate from the Tea Party movement.

Phone calls to several democrat lawmakers using threatening, hateful language have emerged and shared with the media. Dutifully, news organizations have tagged the callers as associates of the Tea Party movement or even the GOP. Neither the GOP, the majority of Tea Party activists, nor myself condone or support such actions. Those kinds of calls do nothing to advance debate or human dignity.


The media however seems perfectly comfortable making the accusation despite having zero evidence of who these people are or if they have any actual relationship with the Tea Party or the GOP. But why let a silly thing like that keep you from your agenda making?


This is no isolated incident; there's a storyline being presented. Take the following examples: Dr. Lamont Hill (FOX News), Chris Matthews (MSNBC), Courtland Milloy (Washington Times).


This isn't the first time they have purposely tried to associate the anti-government movement as hate-filled and racist. You may remember this video when MSNBC tried to tag those attending the health care town halls as gun-toting racists. Of course, the reality was quite different.


Now, let's contrast the Tea Party movement with the revolutionaries on the left and you tell me who exactly is the "angry mob" here? From the Obama administration: Van Jones, Ron Bloom, and Anita Dunn. From the 2008 election: ACORN members, Palin haters, and the Black Panthers.


Flash mobs aren't created by Tea Party activists either. Our movement doesn't need the element of surprise or intimidation because our agenda is transparent, unlike some in the political arena of ideas. While most of us support the 2nd amendment, we have no interest in violence; no interest in those who do. But drawing parallels between the Tea Parties and the recent string of flash mob incidents in Philadelphia, as one report did earlier this week, doesn't do anything but add fuel to the fire.


So to those of you in the news media I say: stop your incendiary rhetoric. Stop blaming the peaceful resistance of a hostile government takeover for violence which hasn't happened.

If there will be blood on any one's hands, it may well be yours.

A Trend of Disrespect??

Dr. Mark Lamont Hill is a frequent contributor to both FOX News and it's Philadelphia affiliate FOX 29. Rarely challenged on the local broadcasts, he spews hate of a more intellectual, post-racial (wink wink) kind. FOX 29 calls him a "social science expert".

Take this video from tonight's FOX 29 broadcast. Dr. Hill makes charges against protesters use of the "N" and "F" words in Washington D.C. this weekend which he cannot support with any actual evidence (that I'm currently aware of).

Dr. Hill wants to impose 'consequences' for such actions. Claiming a lack of such enforcement will lead to escalating violence.

“if we don't impose serious consequences...on people who engage is such acts of disrespect, the climate is only going to get worse and get more violent.”

Is he talking about the flash mobs from South Street this weekend? Coverage of that event conveniently book-ended this report.

So one question for FOX 29's 'social scientist' - can we consider your incendiary suggestion a threat Dr. Hill?

p.s. FOX 29 - your embedding video option doesn't work

It's Evening in America

Just before midnight, on the Christian sabbath, America as we knew her ceased to exist.

We now have a King, perhaps a dictator. After all, the President has given himself the authority to overrule any law he sees fit. He did this to 'win' the final votes needed to control the largest sector of the US economy any single politician has been able to capture.

Allyson Schwartz (D-PA 13) and democrats in the House of Representatives approved this control, thereby rendering themselves irrelevant to the political process. Bart Stupak (D-MI 1) was fooled into thinking the President could make such a promise, which would raise him to the level of a King. If the executive order is ruled unconstitutional, Stupak will soon see his promise cannot be upheld, opening the door for publicly funded abortions. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) has been lied to, but if he dares to mention it, he would also be admitting he was bought off. Not exactly brilliant positions to find yourselves in, eh?

It's evening in America. We are no longer the shining city on the hill. That designation belongs, according to the progressive left, to our Lord, Barack Obama. Sleep well comrades!!

Is Allyson Schwartz Nervous?

When Brian Haughton announced he would become one of the potential challengers to the 13th congressional district of Pennsylvania, currently held by Allyson Schwartz, calls from Washington were made to the Philly Firefighters union in an effort to get him to back off his candidacy. Haughton didn't oblige.

Yesterday, as reported by Josh Quinter via News Talk PA, three individuals challenged the petitions of each of the three remaining GOP contenders, Haughton, Dee Adcock, and Quinter. The law firm representing those challenging the petitions, per Quinter, has ties directly to the democrat machine.

Question is, why would Schwartz go to such extreme lengths to oust her competition? Could Allyson know something we don't? Is she nervous about a national movement against incumbents which could potentially include her own seat?

Democrats are attempting to pass health care reform without an official vote. Allyson is trying to ensure her re-election without a vote, by eliminating her challengers before the primary.

Desperation shot Allyson? Call it March Madness.

Obamacare - Our 'Thelma and Louise' Moment

President Obama stated Friday that the health care plan democrats are trying to force through congress has reached its 'Thelma and Louise' moment.



No argument here Mr. President.

Time's Ticking for Obama, the Amateur

Recently, President Obama demanded China revalue it's currency. The idea, as the President sees it, is that an undervalued Chinese dollar (the renminbi) puts the US at a competitive disadvantage.

Proving not only that Obama is starring in his own economic amateur night at the improv show, but also that he has lost any leverage against the Chi-coms, the Chinese have refused. As New York Times Roger Cohen points out, that puts the US exactly where China wants us.

Now what's the President's move? America is no longer where you go to get quality products at reasonable prices. As union wages and governmental regulations have made the cost of doing business here impossible, manufacturers have shifted their operations east, far east.

Obama and his union-based foundation have created this problem and their answer is to further punish the "fat-cats" they'd like us to believe are culpable for America's slide in the game of international competition. They want to blame BIG corporation, blame Bush, blame China. But the real responsibility, lies at their own doorstep.

As Coldplay's song "Clocks" (appropriate for Cohen's piece) wonders:

"...cursed missed opportunities. Am I, a part of the cure, or am I part of the disease? Singin'...YOU are."

Wanna take a wild stab at the answer, Mr. President?

Tip The Corner

Adcock Wins Montco Endorsement

Tonight was the first real test of political strength for a congressional challenger to unseat a proud progressive democrat, and Obama pawn, in a not-so-long-ago blue state. At stake was the Montgomery County GOP endorsement for Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional district and a chance to face Allyson Schwartz in November.

Six candidates were vying for the critical support of the suburban Republican committeepersons and the obvious edge it brings over any primary challengers.

After one round, Damian Dachowski and Dee Adcock were the only two candidates with enough votes to continue to round two; neither garnering the required 50% plus one needed to win the endorsement.

On the second ballot, Dee Adcock got the number he needed to win the critical support. Dachowski graciously joined Dee and the two embraced on stage. Dachowski stated his desire to ensure GOP victory in the fall campaign.

Dee's warmth and charm will contrast perfectly against the Washington insider Schwartz and Adcock has the kind of war chest Allyson hasn't faced in 6 years.

Overheard at tonight's event was that the Philadelphia half of the district is supporting the lone city resident on tonight's stage, Philly firefighter Brian Haughton. Whether this actually turns into a legit primary challenge isn't clear, but seems likely.

It forces both candidates to spend valuable money earning the primary vote, but it will also provide both candidates something they need - hard campaign experience.

Congresswoman Schwartz continues to act as though she has nothing to worry about. She's still proud to boast her influence in the Obamacare nightmare. She has no idea what she's up against. Tonight, the committee was clear - her days are numbered.

Cell Phone Bans Ineffective?

Oh really?

Just a mere week after Josh Shapiro finally persuaded the Pennsylvania State House to pass his hand-held cell phone and texting while driving ban, after 6 years of trying, comes this little story which may prove the need for his feel-good law unnecessary.

And what a surprise, it's buried in the "Wheels blog" section of the NY Times.

H/T Jack P

Allyson's Foes Lining Up

In the name of public service, I have sacrificed myself and attended both of the 13th Congressional District Republican candidate forums over the past week. Why? Because taking out the poster child of the progressive left, Allyson Schwartz, would be the pièce de résistance of a conservative-tea-bag sweep in November.

Six candidates are vying for the 13th district's seat and each brings their own set of endearing qualities to the table. Each possess the same conservative message which swept Steve Christie, Bob McDonnell, and Scott Brown to victories over the last 3 months. A couple hundred committeepeople and GOP die-hards came to see act two.

Here's how I see each of the contenders...

Damian Dachowski, a dentist from Huntington Valley, was first to enter the fray last summer and held the lone health care town hall in the district, at a time when the albatross of state-run care seemed inevitable. Allyson Schwartz knew better than to hold one of her own. Which gives Damian one thing the others can't claim: an early victory in this battle.

Dachowski is solid on the health care debate, but the issue may be DOA and irrelevant by the time the fall campaign is in full swing. He understands the importance of energy independence and its relation to events in the middle-east, but has yet to find his voice on some key issues. After being out in front, Dachowski's left room for others to make this a race. Will he capture the moment?

Charlie McIntyre has worked in sales for Unisys Corp. for 36 years and is a charming, likable fellow. Charlie is well-versed on all the issues and like any good salesman, is confident in the message he brings. That message is best summed-up by Thomas Jefferson, "any government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have". Amen!

Charlie's one weakness seems to be how his style will play in the Philly half of the 13th district. There may be a slight age gap issue. Will Charlie get Philly voters fired up enough to ditch Allyson in November?

Dee Adcock is from my home of Abington. Dee is a successful businessman (W.W. Adcock Inc. out of Huntington Valley) with the sole individual ability to make Allyson nervous about how much money will available to mount a serious campaign. Adcock's dulcitone voice and warm personality give him a commanding presence.

But when the heat is on in November, will Adcock be able to find the fire-in-the belly attitude needed to take out the skilled politician Schwartz? Dee could use some work on message delivery but his style contrasts perfectly against the D.C. insider he will have to battle.

Josh Quinter performed much better tonight than round one. His knowledge is broad and he has a firm grip on the major issues. He's a young attorney and has been tagged a "rising star" by the Pennsylvania Lawyer's Association.

Quinter is also endorsed by the Association of Builders and Contractors. Though he still needs to learn how to connect with an audience and, like Dachowski, seems at times to be struggling finding his voice, he too has got potential.

Lee Falgoust is the lone candidate who has been here before. He mounted a brief campaign two years ago, but when he didn't garner the Montco endorsement, he graciously tossed his support behind Marina Kats.

Lee is also a business owner and like the others, understands the problem lies firmly with an out of control government. What Lee needs to show is an ability to motivate people to get behind him: to rally the troops.

Brian Haughton is a Philadelphia firefighter and owner of SmokeEaters Pub on Frankford Avenue in Mayfair. He's the type of guy we would all love as our representative. He's got that Philly swagger which will endear him to many voters tired of politicians like Allyson talking down to hard-working constituents.

Brian's flaw may sound personal, but it really isn't. There are a good number of committee folks in the Montco half of the district who will not relate. His desire, passion, and wit makes him very likable, but his chances of winning the Montco endorsement seem like a long shot. But this year, in this political climate, perhaps he's exactly what the 13th needs.

____________________________

To win this race, voters need to be inspired to get out of their seats for you. Simply hoping they are angry enough with the progressive-left's agenda to pull your name along with the top of the ticket isn't going to be enough to win. Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district likes to pull levers on both sides.

At this stage, there is no clear front-runner. Each will need a strong organization, smart message building, and both the Philly and Montco GOP organizations firmly behind them if they have any shot to take out Schwartz. A couple have the potential to mount serious campaigns, but these are NOT seasoned political candidates. How refreshing!

One message I have for the contenders: now is the time to step it up another notch! Allyson Schwartz has proven she can win. She will pull another Bob Casey and run a Where's Waldo campaign until you find a way to get her out in the street for a good ol' Philly brawl. Which one of you is ready to mount that challenge?

February 8th is endorsement night in Montco. What better way for me to spend my birthday?

The First Amendment Joke?

Courtesy of Rambo Emanuel via Newsbusters.

If he were just the only one and it was in fact a joke, no problem. But as far as I know, he hasn't apologized or corrected the statement.

Additionally, we have our "Diversity Czar" who, as Newsbusters points out, believes the First Amendment is a "freedom that's all too often an exaggeration".

Voting Democrat Causes Cancer

Courtesy of American Thinker.

Voting Democrat is associated with over 150,000 cancer deaths every year, according to the Hoven Institute for Studies Just as Valid as Studies Cited by Democrats.

Dachowski Talks "Fair"

In response to Allyson Schwartz's remarks yesterday regarding taxing unearned income to help pay for Obamacare, potential GOP contender in the 13th Congressional District, Damian Dachowski, has fired back,

“It’s not ‘fair’ to concentrate on taxing the unearned income of families who have worked hard for what they’ve accumulated. Take away the unearned income of the federal government. That would be fair.

“Families face enough economic challenges without the government taxing the investments they’ve made in preparing for their futures,” he continued. “The tax burden this proposed healthcare plan imposes illustrates its inherent flaws. There are other solutions to improve health care,”

Exactly. Without stealing it from taxpayers the federal government earns nothing, creates nothing.

Congresswoman Schwartz suffers from the disillusioned concept that she decides who can be successful; who can own what without penalty. After all, she's smarter than the rest of us.

Schwartz Wants the Unearned

Allyson Schwartz on FOX Business Network today stated,

"We ought to look at all income, both earned and unearned. And that's the fairest way to do it."

She wants to tax this unearned income, like rental, dividend, or capital gain income, and use the this new revenue stream to help pay for Obamacare. This additional revenue will allow Democrats to bump up the base-level value of "cadillac" health insurance plans, exempting much of her union supporters who own superior plans.

Government generates no income of it's own unless they steal it from those who work hard for it. Dom Giordano, WPHT 1210am, insisted tonight one of Allyson's potential 13th congressional district opponents call her on this statement. I agree.