The Rhea County Republican – June 2018 – Rhea County Republican Party

June 2018, Vol. 2 – No. 4

RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Keith Flatness, Chairman Bitsy Gryder, Vice Chairman

Donna Taylor, Secretary Larry Pendergrass, Treasurer

Linda Pendergrass, Vice Treasurer Marv Keener, Chaplain

Gary Drinkard, Parliamentarian Jim Murphy, PAC Chair

JUNE MEETING

The June meeting will be held on this month on WEDNESDAY, 6 June, at 7:00 PM, at the Rhea County Sheriff’s Training Center, 711 Eagle Ln, Evensville, TN. We look forward to seeing you there!

MINUTES FROM THE APRIL MEETING

Chairman Keith Flatness called the April 5, 2018 meeting of the RCRP to order at 7:03 PM. Marvin Keener led us in prayer and Joe Gryder led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Flatness recognized our guest, Liz Holloway, District Chairwoman, and her husband Charles.

Secretary Donna Taylor read the minutes from our March meeting and Kris Bancroft moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Joe Gryder. The motion carried.

The Treasurer’s report was given by Larry Pendergrass. Bitsy Gryder moved to approve the report, Marvin Keener seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Jim Murphy gave the Pac report. Bitsy Gryder moved to accept the report, seconded by Kris Bancroft, and the motion carried.

Previous Announcements:

On April 25, 6:30 – 8:00 AM, there will be a Prayer Breakfast at the First Baptist Church. A table of 6 will cost $65, and individual tickets are $8.00. Marvin Keener moved to by a table for the RCRP. Joe Gryder seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

The Bledsoe County Reagan Day Dinner is scheduled for June 16, with Scott Golden as the keynote speaker. Other details will follow.

Joe and Bitsy Gryder and Linda Pendergrass wrote thank you notes to the various individuals who helped make the RCRP Reagan Day Dinner a success. Chairman Flatness thanked everyone for all they contributed.

Kris Bancroft gave the Legislative Report and provided information on numerous bills that had been introduced in Congress.

Chairman Flatness opened the floor to those candidates that wished to address the RCRP. Laura Travis, candidate for County Executive, spoke on the outstanding debt owed by Rhea County, and other areas of concern she has for the county.

Joe Gryder gave a full report on the successful RCRP Reagan Day Dinner. There were 46 tables filled with guests and 276 people attended. Thanks to Bitsy and Joe for all their hard work as Chairpersons.

New Business:

Early voting starts on April 11 at the Election Commissioner’s office.

Roane County Reagan Day Dinner, in Kingston, TN, will be held on April 19 [We have since been informed that the Roane County Reagan Day Dinner has been rescheduled. – Editor.] Bitsy Gryder mover to buy a table at the Roane County event, Laura Travis seconded, and the motion carried.

Gary Drinkard spoke on the “Blue Wave” (Democrats) making a push to win more elected offices currently held by Republicans. Representative Ron Travis will have a Democrat opponent in the upcoming election.

Chairman Keith Flatness read his “Joke of the Month,” and the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM.

Donna Taylor, Secretary

JUNE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Randy Boyd, candidate for Governor, will host a “Meet & Greet” on 1 June, from 8:00 – 9:00 AM, at the Rhea County Welcome Center, 107 Market Street.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

One hundred and twenty-five years ago we didn’t have to purchase the right from government to collect rainwater on our own property, go fishing, own a property, start a business, renovate our home, build a home, use a transportation vehicle, get married, go hunting, own a weapon, cut hair, sell a product, protest, grow food on our own property, set up a lemonade stand. Today, you can do practically nothing without being extorted by the government and asking their permission first. If you think you’re still free, you’re deluding yourself! You are living on a “tax farm” as free-range humans. – David Avocado Wolfe.

COMMENTS FROM OUR REPRESENTATIVES

Representative Scott DesJarlais, (R-TN, 4^th District) offered the following statement following President Trump’s withdrawing from the JCPOA:

“The Iranian nuclear deal was a bad deal for the United States, which is why the Obama Administration bypassed the American people’s representatives in Congress to pursue it, never a formal treaty under our Constitution. In addition to clear constitutional problems the deal created, it released billions of dollars the Islamic regime is spending to fund its military, terrorism, and human catastrophes in Syria and also Iran, where democratic protestors experience daily political persecution and violence. Far from making the world a safer place, the agreement increased Iranian aggression in the region, sparked a nuclear arms race there, and sent a message of appeasement to threats such as North Korea.

“Not only has Iran already violated the terms of Barack Obama’s weak agreement, the regime has flagrantly violated U.N. resolutions restricting its ballistic missile tests and taken more American hostages, while others remained imprisoned. President Trump rightfully withdrew from the JCPOA, and we will work together to hold Iran to account for its nuclear program, terrorism and attacks on our allies.”

Representative Scott DesJarlais, (R-TN, 4^th District) recently addressed the House of Representatives favoring the full funding of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and offered the following comment:

“During my visits to Arnold Air Force Base, Redstone Arsenal and the Y-12 National Security Complex, civilian and military personnel alike have underscored the need for a consistent commitment to high-tech defense research and testing. We must not simply keep pace with China and Russia, but instead must make sure the United States always has superior ability on the ground, at sea, in the air and in space.

“Leading from behind, the previous administration’s strategy, led to a deterioration of our military, while foreign adversaries took the opportunity to assert themselves across the globe. Russia, China and Iran advanced in their regions. North Korea and Islamic terrorism became more aggressive, filling the vacuum that our retreat from global leadership created.

“With a new Commander-in-Chief and Congress, working to Make America Secure Again, we are on a path to greater safety and prosperity for the American people. Today’s defense bill reaffirms our commitment to our friends and allies in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia, and partner nations depending on U.S. assistance to stop threats. National security is our government’s number-one duty, and I am honored to provide necessary resources to the brave men and women, including many Tennessee Volunteers, protecting the United States.”

READERS ANNOUNCEMENTS & COMMENTS

This section is provided for our readers to make announcements about activities in their area or offer commentary on current events. Readers are encouraged to do so. Please e-mail your announcements or comments to pyrope84045@mypacks.net – Editor.

Harrison Lapahie, a reader from Ship Rock, NM offers this for our consideration: If you are pronounced “dead” when your heart stops then why are you not pronounced “alive” when it starts?

Gary Drinkard, Parliamentarian for the Rhea County Republican Party shares this gem:

A man named Tom Nicholson posted on his Facebook account the sports car that he had just bought and how a man approached and told him that the money used to buy this car could’ve fed thousands of less-fortunate people. A guy looked at my Corvette the other day and said, “I wonder how many people could have been fed for the money that sports car cost.”

I replied, “I am not sure; it fed a lot of families in Bowling Green, Kentucky who built it, it fed the people who make the tires, it fed the people who made the components that went into it, it fed the people in the copper mine who mined the copper for the wires, it fed people in Decatur IL at Caterpillar who make the trucks that haul the copper ore. It fed the trucking people who hauled it from the plant to the dealer and fed the people working at the dealership and their families. BUT, I have to admit, I guess I really don’t know how many people it fed.”

That is the difference between capitalism and welfare mentality. When you buy something, you put money in people’s pockets and give them dignity for their skills. When you give someone something for nothing, you rob them of their dignity and self-worth.

Capitalism is freely giving your money in exchange for something of value. Socialism is taking your money against your will and shoving something down your throat that you never asked for.

I’ve decided I can’t be politically correct anymore. (I never was, actually.)

RANDOM THOUGHTS

A free people ought not be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government. – George Washington.

Marvin Keener, RCRP Chaplain shares the following:

In their infinite wisdom, the United States’ founders created the Electoral College to ensure the STATES were fairly represented. Why should one or two densely populated areas speak for the whole of the nation?

The following list of statistics has been making the rounds on the Internet. It should finally put an end to the argument as to why the Electoral College makes sense.

There are 3,141 counties in the United States; Trump won 3,084 of them, and Clinton won 57.

There are 62 counties in New York State; Trump won 46 of them, and Clinton won 16.

Clinton won the popular vote by approx. 1.5 million votes.

In the 5 counties that encompass NYC, (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Richmond & Queens), Clinton received well over 2 million more votes than Trump. (Clinton only won 4 of these counties; Trump won Richmond). Therefore these 5 counties alone, more than accounted for Clinton winning the popular vote of the entire country. These 5 counties comprise 319 square miles.

The United States is comprised of 3,797,000 square miles. When you have a country that encompasses almost 4 million square miles of territory, it would be ludicrous to even suggest that the vote of those who inhabit a mere 319 square miles should dictate the outcome of a national election.

Large, densely populated Democrat cities (NYC, Chicago, LA, etc.) DO NOT and SHOULD NOT speak for the rest of our country! But that 319 square miles are where the majority of our nation’s problems foment.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

There is no greater failure than to never have tried.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Audie Murphy’s parents had died. He fed and clothed himself by sharecropping and picking cotton. He enlisted in the Army when he was 16. At age 19, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for single-handedly holding back a Company of German soldiers with only a machine gun, and leading a successful counter attack while wounded. He remains today as one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. history. The other day, I saw where a 20 year old college student was seeking treatment for PTSD because he had heard too many “offensive” words and couldn’t find a “safe space.” Do you think we’ve got a problem here America?

BOOK OF THE MONTH

So, what if you could be a spy? What if you could infiltrate the enemy and know their plans? Wouldn’t that be cool? Well, you can, and here’s how.

Through the years, many heroes, men and women whose names we’ll mostly never know, have done just that! And you can do it too, but don’t worry, you won’t have to even leave the place where you are (comfortably and securely) sitting right now to understand how your enemy thinks and what they’re trying to pull off. All their plans are right there at your fingertips and, as Sun Tzu, that great Chinese philosopher taught us, we must “know our enemies.” It’s all spelled out for us if only we care to open our eyes in a book entitled “Rules for Radicals,” by Saul Alinsky. It’s all there and free to be downloaded by simply going to any of the following links, and then copying and pasting the entire text into a document of your word processing choice.

https://chisineu.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/saul-alinsky-rules-for-radicals-1989.pdf

https://archive.org/details/RulesForRadicals

There’s even a shortened version for those who aren’t into reading books:

https://www.cheatography.com/davidpol/cheat-sheets/saul-alinsky-s-12-rules-for-radicals/pdf/

No, this is not a book any rational person would recommend to a child for, as we know, children are often impressionable, but it’s almost for certain that someone who has significant influence over your children or grandchildren is either using it to indoctrinate some kid you know, or their minds have been altered by someone who read this book.

The only reason why a conservative would recommend this book is for the purpose of cluing in their fellow conservatives on what they should look out for. Of course, that begins to become obvious when one reads Alinsky’s dedication; he dedicated his work to none other than Lucifer.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Only full employment can balance the budget, and low taxes can pave the way to that employment. The purpose of cutting taxes now is not to encourage budget deficits, but to achieve the more prosperous expanding economy which can bring a budget surplus. – John F. Kennedy, 1962 (Thanks to Ted Carrigan, a reader from Rialto, CA for sharing this.)

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

NOTE: Recently, a reader asked why recently introduced legislation is included in your newsletter and the question deserves an answer: Certainly, there are many bills that are being introduced – too many for the average citizen to keep up with – and that is why those bills that have the greatest impact on our country and its citizens are included for your review. Therefore, I hope you will please peruse these bills and if you see one (or more!) that concerns you, you can then contact your elected representatives to let them know whether you support the legislation or prefer that they vote against it. It’s almost a guarantee that you will not hear about these bills anywhere else! – Editor.

HR 4451 Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Wenstrup, R-OH) – 3 pages – was ordered reported on 8 May. The bill amends Title 38, US Code, to provide for a five year extension to the homeless veterans’ reintegration program and to provide for clarification regarding eligibility for services under such programs.

HR 5044 Service-Disables Veterans’ Small Business Continuation Act (Chabot, R-OH) – 2 pages – was ordered reported on 8 May. The bill amends Title 38, US Code, to clarify the treatment of certain surviving spouses under the contracting goals and preferences of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

HR 5520 VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018 (Waltz, D-MN) – 4 pages – was ordered reported on 8 May. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use the authority of the Secretary to conduct and support research on the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis.

HR 5674 VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Roe, R-TN) – 230 pages – was ordered reported on 8 May. The bill establishes a permanent community care program for veterans, establishes a commission for the purpose of making recommendations regarding the modernization or realignment of facilities of the Veterans Health Administration, improves construction of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and makes certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to the home loan program of the Department of Veterans Affairs

HR 5105 BUILD Act of 2018 (Yoho, R-FL) – 78 pages – was ordered reported on 8 May. The bill enables U.S. corporations to invest private capital to facilitate private sector development and economic growth in less developed countries through the provision of credit, investment capital, and other financial support. BUILD is an acronym for “Better Utilization of Investment Leading to Development.”

HR 5433 Hack Your State Department Act (Lieu, D-CA) – 8 pages – was ordered reported on 9 May. The bill requires the Secretary of State to design and establish a Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) to improve Department of State cybersecurity and a bug bounty program to identify and report vulnerabilities of internet-facing information technology of the Department of State.

[During the month of May, more than 18 bills designed to improve the medical treatment and other assistance to veterans have been ordered reported, passed, or signed into law. In the same month, more than 31 bills have been introduced, ordered reported, passed, or signed into law that are intended to reduce the opioid crisis in the U.S. – Editor.]

HR 5175 Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (Upton, R-MI) – 3 pages – was ordered reported on 9 May. The bill requires the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program relating to physical security and cybersecurity for pipelines and liquefied natural gas facilities.

HR 5240 Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act (McNerney, D-CA) – 6 pages – provides for certain programs and developments in the Department of Energy concerning the cybersecurity and vulnerabilities of, and physical threats to, the electric grid.

HR 5515 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Thornberry, R-TX) – 60 pages – was changed in the Senate and returned to the House for review. Upon its return to the House, numerous amendments were added and will be voted on again before the summer recess.

HR 5242 School Resource Officer Assessment Act of 2018 (Higgins, R-LA) – 3 pages – was passed by voice vote in the House and has been forwarded to the Senate. The bill would require the Attorney General and Secretary of Education to conduct a survey of all public schools to determine the number of school resource officers that are needed at such schools.

PN 1857 On the nomination of Gina Haspel, of Kentucky, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. 17 May. Vote: 54/45. Both Senators Alexander and Corker (R-TN) voted to confirm the nomination.

[A flurry of bills have been introduced that would, if passed, amend Title XIX, and other laws concerning the Social Security Act. These bills seem focused on measures to address various aspects of drug addiction. One bill that was most interesting is numbered HR 5789, which would provide Medicaid coverage for pregnant and post-partum women who are recovering from drug addiction. – Editor]

HR 2 Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. (Conaway, TX-R) – 644 pages – failed to pass the House mainly due to “nay” votes from the Freedom Caucus. The intent of the bill was to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, but many conservatives withheld their support due to Speaker Paul Ryan’s refusal to address DACA.

HR 5682 FIRST STEP Act. (Collins, R-GA) – 84 pages – was Ordered Reported on 9 May. The bill is intended to reduce recidivism rates among prisoners being released from prison by numerous measures e.g. incarcerating prisoners close to their families, expanding employment opportunities by prison industries, evidence-based treatment for opioid and heroin addiction, de-escalation training, and other measures.

NOTE: Votes on bills concerning illegal immigrants are scheduled for a vote during the week of 17 June. Two of those bills were sponsored by Republicans! It is crucial that you contact your elected representatives to let them know your thoughts on the numerous bills under consideration (e.g. chain migration, DACA, the so-called “Dreamers,” etc.) prior to that week! – Editor

EDITORIAL

June is finally here and school is out for summer. Families will be going on vacation and participating in summertime activities. It’s a time for family bonding; a time to share time with our children and grandchildren.

Meanwhile many folks who are keen on politics are discussing the mid-term elections headed our way this November. Among conservatives, apprehensions about the dreaded “Blue Wave” are being countered (and somewhat assuaged) by mentions of the swelling of a “Red Tide” that will, hopefully, bring conservative voters out in droves. There are, however, some facts that everyone seems to be ignoring.

Republicans seem too quick to point out that they are continuing to win over Democrats, as evidenced by the 2016 “Trump phenomenon.”

While it may be true that at least some of the traditionally Democrat voters, e.g. those of the Kennedy era, have become disenchanted with the vision held by those at the top of the DNC – the dread of higher taxes, more give away programs, the coddling of illegal aliens, and the Democrats continual disagreeing merely for the sake of disagreeing – those now running the DNC don’t seem concerned that their unsavory programs may be causing them to lose the support of some of that blue collar Democrat faction. After all, those disenchanted “traditionalist” are getting older and the far left Democrats are now courting the younger, more energetic crowd, whom the DNC have managed to convince that the world owes them everything their hearts desire – all for “free.”

If we take time to look, we might notice the demographics for Republican voters indicate that very little in the way of younger voters are joining their ranks. The average age of those who describe themselves as “conservatives” is 50 years of age while the most recent polls indicate the average age of Democrat voters is 41. It is crucial to also mention that the average age of voters who identify as Socialists or Communists is 30, and these are the primary targets of the DNC!

I thought it might be informative to look online to see what programs are available from the RNC that are centered on younger people. To my dismay, the most recent posting I could find was a user-hostile site posted way back in May of 2014, and it showed nothing that indicated the GOP were courting children and teens.

https://www.gop.com/rnc-launches-victory-365-program/

To be fair, there is a thing called the GOP/RLI program, but that’s geared for college students. Here’s the address if you or someone you know might be interested:

https://gop.com/republican-leadership-initiative/

Meanwhile, the Democrats have outsmarted the Republicans once again. They have working on their creation of a generational change by co-opting public education, and when they have get-togethers, they are quick to embrace youngsters for they know well how to manipulate impressionable minds.

Predictably, the challenge of bringing youngsters into the light of conservatism is left up to us, with no guidance, vision, or financial support from that “Grand OLD [Emphasis mine.] Party.” But I think I might have found something that would be of benefit to those who want to be a positive influence on younger children. It’s the “Rush Revere” series of books, produced by Rush Limbaugh. This is NOT an endorsement, but you might find this site interesting – and helpful:

https://www.rushrevere.com/

Finally, you might consider inviting some younger folks to your group’s meetings. It’s always a boost for anyone’s ego to be welcomed into a group of friendly folk where one feels free to express their feelings and thoughts without fear of being criticized.

LAGNIAPPE

The Logan Act has recently been mentioned in the news but very few people understand what it’s all about. Following is some information that may help.

The Logan Act, named for George Logan, a state legislator from Pennsylvania, was introduced by Roger Griswold, a Connecticut Federalist, on 26 December 1798 (Yes! On the day after Christmas!), and signed into law by President John Adams, on 30 January 1799.

This law defines unauthorized negotiations between an American citizen and a member of the government of any foreign country as a felony.

At the time of its passage, the penalty for violation of the Logan Act carried a fine of $5,000. In 1994 – the only time the Logan Act has been amended – the penalty was changed to read that violators “may be fined under this title.” (Title 18, US Code, Section 953.)

George Logan’s offense was described thusly: Upon his arrival in Paris, he met with various French officials, including Talleyrand. During these meetings, he identified himself as a private citizen, discussed matters of general interest to the French, and told his audience that anti-French sentiment was prevalent in the United States. Logan’s conversation with Merlin de Douai, who occupied the highest political office in the French republic, was typical. Logan stated that he did not intend to explain the American government’s position, nor to criticize that of France. Instead, he suggested ways in which France could improve relations with the United States, to the benefit of both countries. He also told Merlin that pro-British propagandists in the United States were portraying the French as corrupt and anxious for war, and were stating that any friend of French principles necessarily was an enemy of the United States. Within days of Logan’s last meeting, the French took steps to relieve the tensions between the two nations; they lifted the trade embargo then in place, and released American seamen held captive in French jails. Even so, it seems that Logan’s actions were not the primary cause of the Directory’s actions; instead, Logan had merely provided convenient timing for the implementation of a decision that had already been made. [Kevin M. Kearny, “Private Citizens in Foreign Affairs: A Constitutional Analysis,” Emory Law Journal, Vol. 36 – Winter Edition.]

Logan could not be punished under the law bearing his name because the U.S. Constitution does not allow ex post facto convictions (convictions for crimes that weren’t technically crimes at the time of commission), and since its passage, only two persons have been charged with crimes relating to the Logan Act, and even then, neither were convicted.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

In 1962 we killed the foundation of Western Civilization when we allowed the Democrats to outlaw prayer in our schools. 56 years later we are beginning to understand what it means to reap what we sow.

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES

President Donald Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington D.C. 20500

Phone: (202) 456-1414

Fax: (202) 456-2461

e-mail

http://www.whitehouse.gov

president@whitehouse.gov

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building