THE RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN
ADVANCING THE CONSERVATIVE CAUSE
Vol. 5 – No. 10 December 2021
The original content of this publication is copyrighted. Requests for reprinting may be obtained by contacting the Editor and Publisher at: pyrope84045@mypacks.net
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HANUKKAH
| Table of Contents
Editorial ———————————————————————-1 At Some Point the Excuses are Revoked ———————— 5 The Absence of a Father ———————————————- –6 The Many Faces of Dr. Fauci – Part III——————————8 Governor Lee Signs the Partisan Elections Bill————— 10 New York City Then and Now ————————————— 10 Momma Bears Wake Up ———————————————–11 Good News From Chester County——————————— 13 Comments from Representatives ———————————-15 Comments from Correspondents———————————–17 Legislative Report —————————————————– 21 Rhea County Republican Party News —————————- 26 Lagniappe —————————————————————– 30 Contact Your Elected Representatives Today!—————- 32 |
EDITORIAL
Kris Bancroft, Editor and Publisher
The Rhea County Republican
Following the legislative process is often dull and boring almost to the point of being painful. It is such drudgery, in fact, one may almost be inclined to think some of our elected representatives contrive to make it that way so the voters will lose their focus on what the heck they are doing. One may be inclined to think their gambit is to wait until the voter blinks or yawns, or nods off, and then spring into action to pull a fast one.
That is, of course, merely satire . . . (ahem).
There are, however, some amongst us who enjoy following the legislative process, reading comments as legislation is considered, watching the process in committee chambers, listening to the debates on the floor, reading the text, and observing who voted how. Those who pursue this effort often write about what they’ve seen.
In the LEGISLATIVE REPORT feature of this publication, as it is in many similar publications, the reader will find commentary on some of the more remarkable bills, including information in the way of both opinions and analysis. This feature is designed to serve two purposes: first is to inform the reader about those bills which would have the greatest impact on our lives and, secondly; to inspire readers to TAKE ACTION in the way of letting their elected representatives (and like-minded contacts), know how they feel about those bills. Only when voters voice their opinions to their elected representatives can one hope make a difference!
In following legislation one may see trends come and go. In more recent years, there has been a trend toward crafting and passing bills that are bigger, and bigger, and bigger, both in terms of both cost and numbers of pages! The costs we (sort of) understand but the growing numbers of pages . . . ?
From the days of our nation’s founding, it has always been the practice for legislative bodies to “compromise” on legislation – to add or subtract pertinent features in a bill in order to gain consensus and support – but now we are seeing entire “stand-alone” bills being incorporated into other bills, making them ever larger.
One of many recent examples of an incorporated bill is S 3066 Battery Material Processing and Component Manufacturing Act of 2021 (Catherine Cortez-Masto, D-NV, 14 pages). The stated purpose of this bill is to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a battery material processing grant program and a battery manufacturing and recycling grant program. Ms. Cortez-Masto’s bill was so flawed it failed to even receive a cloture vote. Besides that, S 3066 was seemingly a gift to those who would have received the grants. But, ultimately, it (along with numerous other bills), was fully incorporated into the text of the 1039 page H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the bill that Mr. Biden signed into law on 15 November 2021. And now S 3066 is also the law of the land.
So, how did such a flawed bill get added to H.R. 3684?
Most likely, as Mr. Biden’s “Infrastructure” bill was wending its way through sundry committees, there arose serious doubt as to whether it would survive a vote in the Senate. Since Chuck Schumer needed all the support he could muster, he capitulated to Senator Cortez-Masto, and wrangled Nancy Pelosi into agreeing to throw S 3066 into the mix (right along with all the other pork projects that persuaded thirteen Republican House Members to capitulate). Still not confident that H.R. 3684 would pass in the Senate, Mr. Schumer capitulated again, this time to the eighteen Republican Senators who also voted to pass Mr. Biden’s bill.
But that wasn’t the end of the creation of this 1,039 page hodgepodge of pork barrel compromises.
While H.R. 3684 should never have included legislation that deals with battery manufacturing, for that matter, H.R. 3684 neither should it have included legislation requiring “pollinator-friendly ‘practices’” on roadsides and highway rights-of-way (See Subtitle E – Section 11528), or programs to eliminate invasive plant species (See Subtitle E – Section 11522).
Perhaps the biggest and most egregious boondoggle in this bill is Subtitle D – Climate Change. In this Section, we see allocated nearly two billion dollars to subsidize electric vehicle charging stations. No one seems to have asked why should a person driving a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle be required to subsidize charging stations for the individual driving an EV? But, there’s more!
At the bottom of the following link, one can learn the numbers, titles, and sponsors of all one hundred and nine – 109! – bills that were incorporated into H.R. 3684. This makes it easier to understand why thirteen Republican Members of the House and eighteen Republican Senators voted to pass it. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) – GovTrack.us
It is true that a few Republicans brought home some “bacon” to their constituents but, in the end, the Democrats scored a triple victory: Ms. Pelosi was happy, Mr. Schumer was happy, and Mr. Biden was happy, all because they could now claim that H.R. 3864 was a bipartisan piece of legislation. This means, for all time in eternity, when people speak of just how rotten this “Infrastructure” bill truly is, the Democrats can justifiably blame the Republicans for passing it, too!
In the future – most likely sometime in 2023 – the full negative impact of H.R. 3684 will hit home. The Middle Class will be faced with higher taxes, stagnant wages, and skyrocketing inflation. At that time, those who voted to pass H.R. 3684 will hopefully be challenged by their constituents as to why they signed a bill that did so much harm to America. They will evade those uncomfortable questions but if they are honest, they will admit they never read the bill.
Should there not be a law that when an elected representative votes to pass a bill that they should only do so after taking an oath that they have read and understood the text?
There is no such law on the books!
Another troubling trend becoming more common through the years is the passage of bills before receiving an official cost scoring from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Would any rational person obligate themselves to paying for something when they don’t know how much it will cost? Apparently, Congress doesn’t see this as so much of a problem.
To those who dare claim it is not necessary to obtain a CBO score before passing a bill, one might ask whether they would make out a check, sign it, and let the recipient fill in the amount. If they are honest, however, they would admit it would be foolish to do so. This hypothetical scenario provides the premise for the argument as to why representatives should be required to take an oath that they have read and understood the impact of the bill they voted to pass and that they knew the CBO score.
Along with our elected representatives taking an oath that they have read and understand the text bill they have voted to pass, and its impact on our country, does it not seem equally rational that, those to whom we have given our trust should take an oath affirming their full cognizance of the costs of that legislation?
Again, there is no such law on the books.
As of the date of publication of this edition of The Rhea County Republican, the CBO still has not released its official scoring for H.R. 3684, but they have informed us the cost will be somewhere between $1.2 Trillion and $3.6 Trillion.
Jamming everyone’s pet projects and personal interest bills into one gigantic piece of legislation that no one has read (much less understood!) is dangerous. Signing off on a piece of legislation that no one understands how much it will cost is, at best reckless as well as unethical. This trend must be reversed but doing so requires “We the People” speak with one voice to DEMAND that it happens.
Be advised: When one makes the commitment to make their demands known, they will most likely be confronted with two false claims:
The first is the scare tactic of “What about national emergencies and attacks from foreign powers?” The answer to those situations are already covered by: The National Emergencies Act and the War Powers Act (along with similar legislation). https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title50/chapter34&edition=prelim,
and
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title50/chapter33&edition=prelim
The second rebuttal (excuse) is “We could not pass as much legislation if we had to read everything we voted on and know how much it will cost.” The response to the second rebuttal is a resounding YES! If the legislative process moved more slowly and so would the numbers on the clock at this link: https://www.usdebtclock.org/
RANDOM THOUGHTS
Someone requested 718 absentee ballots to be sent to one address. Don’t you think Congress should pass the Voter Integrity Act?
RANDOM THOUGHTS
Canada ships coal to China. China burns coal to generate power, uses that power to manufacture solar panels, sends the solar panels to Canada, on ships burning oil. In Canada, we install those solar panels and call it “emission-free” electricity. That’s creative accounting at its best!
AT SOME POINT THE EXCUSES ARE REVOKED
Kris Bancroft, Editor and Publisher
The Rhea County Republican
Were it not for the political philosophies, and other aspects of their profiles and past histories, the members of Mr. Biden’s regime – Cabinet, as well as numerous other of his appointees – might remind us of some surreal clown show from some bizarre circus. Closer scrutiny, however, compels us to accept the fact that Mr. Biden’s choices are not the product of a deranged mind; Mr. Biden is clearly using his authority to destroy our Constitutional Republic.
In the November issue of The Rhea County Republican was an article entitled “Mr. Biden’s Disguise Is Fading;” it covered, among other items, his choice for the powerful post of Comptroller of the Currency at the Federal Reserve – Dr. Saule Omarova. This transplant from the former Soviet Union has advocated for “an end to banking as we know it,” which translated to mean she advocates an end to privately-owned banks in favor of a centralized banking system. Looking more deeply into Dr. Omarova’s background we learn that she has also advocated for centralized control of the petroleum industry. Centralization of industry and businesses was the hallmark of Soviet Russia. During her testimony to the Senate, she refused to denounce socialism.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/who-is-saule-omarova-controversial-nominee-for-bank-regulator
For those who may not be aware, the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC) oversees 1,125 National Banks whose assets total $14.9 Trillion. To perform this function, the OCC supervises a crew of 2,388 OCC Examiners and, in fiscal year 2021, was allocated an annual budget of $1.095 Billion. The OCC holds a very powerful position. https://www.occ.treas.gov/about/index-about.html
Prior to Dr. Omarova’s testimony, Janet Yellen, Mr. Biden’s Secretary of the Treasury said she “deserves a fair hearing.”
Although Jay Powell, current Chairman of the Federal Reserve was nominated for a second term, Lael Brainard, Mr. Biden’s nomination for Vice Chairman, has repeatedly refused to declare whether she was a capitalist or a socialist.
https://yournews.com/2021/11/20/2255633/bidens-fed-pick-cant-answer-whether-shes-a-capitalist-or/
Another disturbing position held by Ms. Brainard is her advocacy that the United States should do away with paper money and transcend to a system using only digital currency. The use of digital currency would enable the government to track every financial transaction made by Americans. It would also enable the government – through the Internal Revenue “Service” – to restrict a Citizen’s ability to buy or sell whatever they may choose. A digital currency system enables the government to instantly, and without notice or cause, to close down one’s ability to conduct business and cancel their access to their own money.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?512017-1/federal-reserve-board-member-lael-brainard-digital-currencies
What happens in a cashless society?
- A Central Bank has full control of every penny in circulation
- Every transaction you make is indelibly recorded
- All your movements and actions are traceable
- Access to your money can be blocked at the whim of government..
- You will have no choice but to declare – and be taxed on – every penny in your possession.
- The government will decide what you can and cannot purchase.
- If your business dealings are in any way deemed “questionable” by those who define what questionable is, your money will be frozen “for your own good.”
In the past, many have claimed the government simply does not have the available personnel to carry out such an operation. If Mr. Biden has his way, that will change. Mr. Biden has proposed to add 85,000 Auditors to the IRS, virtually doubling its size, and funding them with an additional $80 Billion.
An interesting note was reiterated by Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), on Larry Kudlow’s TV program (22 November 2021): Along with all its other equipment, the IRS has an arsenal of 5,000 guns and 5,000,000 rounds of ammunition. No one seems to wonder why.
THE ABSENCE OF A FATHER
Dr. Rosemary Biggio, PhD
Williamstown, NJ
To be fatherless has a dramatic effect on both sexes whether through death, divorce, abortion or life style choice. However, I will focus on males.
The late Senator Patrick Moynihan of New York issued his research in 1965 under the title “The Negro Family: The Case for National Action,” now commonly known as “The Moynihan Report.” Moynihan’s report fueled a debate over the proper course for government to take with regard to the economic underclass, especially blacks. Although, the report the report was issued it was largely ignored.
Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” created welfare programs that were intended to help disadvantaged women and children. These programs encouraged men to leave the household because benefits were more generous when not a male was not in the house, which destroyed the nuclear family of all races. The father was not important anymore to be replaced “Big Daddy” of the federal government. Gone was the wisdom of “Father Knows Best” or “Leave it to Beaver.”
The absence of dads as role models for a boy’s achievement was gone. Over 40% of all boys live in a fatherless home. America leads the industrialized world in this domain of fatherless families.
Boys were raised to believe emotions were for girls, tears for women crying. Boys were called “sissies.” Males learned to stuff their emotions or compartmentalize them until they felt irritation or anger. Like Atlas, boys and men carried the world on their shoulders. Many men are unable or incapable of sharing our true thoughts or burdens with others who might give relief to them. The cost is that they end up suffering incredible stress and strain.
We note that too many of our young men are failing academically, socially, and even sexually. They are performing poorly in school at all levels, dropping out at alarming rates, unable to carry on civil conversations with women, to befriend them, and even to find sexual satisfaction in romantic/erotic relationships. Many have reported in a large-scale recent survey that they find their lives meaningless, without focus or purpose, lacking a sense of personal identity and self-worth. They feel they can’t compete with girls and women in school.
So, what are our boys doing instead of schooling and socializing? Some are retreating into technology, becoming dependent on video games, which are designed to become ever more enchanting, and on the side also becoming addicted to freely accessible online pornography. Many replaces father by joining a gang.
Boys from fatherless homes are more likely to be poor, become involved in drug and alcohol abuse, drop out of school, and suffer from health and emotional problems. Boys are more likely to become involved in crime.
Children in father-absent homes are almost four times more likely to be poor. In 2011, 12 percent of children in married-couple families were living in poverty, compared to 44 percent of children in mother-only families. For many American homes there will be no father figure. We’re suffering from an epidemic of fatherless homes, and it is getting worse every year. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Children’s Living Arrangements and Characteristics: March 2011, Table C8. Washington D.C.: 2011.
The percentage of African-American children living in fatherless households in 1960 was 19%, but jumped to 29% by 1970. By 2005, the number was up to 56%, and now it is a whopping 66%. Most of us know that the consequences for the black community have been terrible. Over this same time period, the stigma associated with unwed pregnancy began to disappear. While black communities have a problem partly caused by the welfare state, a whole new group of fatherless children has been created for other reasons. Since men contribute a half of DNA but, it’s only a woman’s choice by The Supreme Court. Watch Roe v. Wade.
There are increasing numbers of single white women voluntarily choosing to raise children without a father. The percentage of white children in single-mother families was 6% in 1960, rose to 18% in 2005, and now is 25%. Consider the “millennial” generation. They were born in the 1990s, graduated from high school starting in 2007, and reached adulthood starting in 2011. These Americans are now 18-28 years old. In this generation, one quarter of the young white men were raised without fathers.
Have lower grade-point averages & score lower on standardized tests. Scores of the SAT college entrance exam have been dropping over the same time period that white single-mother families have been increasing. Violent teen behavior is correlated with number of single-mother families in a community. They are 3 times more likely to commit crime, are at higher risk for depression, drug & alcohol abuse. twice as likely to commit suicide. Teen suicide rates have been increasing over the same period that white single-mother families have been increasing. This is where things become very disturbing.
THE MANY FACES OF DR. FAUCI – PART III
Sharon Johnson
Williamstown, NJ
“Fear can be useful when it helps people avoid behavior that puts them at risk for AIDS, on the other hand unreasonable fear can be as crippling as the disease itself.”
- Everett Koop, Surgeon General USA
Dr. Fauci reported he had appeared before congress over 200 times trying to get money for AIDS research. Representatives Phillip Burton and Ted Weiss introduced the first legislation to allocate funding for AIDS research and treatment in September 1981, it died in committee. It wasn’t until May 1983 that Congress first dedicated funding for AIDS research and treatment. In October 1984 Dr. Fauci gave a lecture at the NIH, moderated by Dr. Linda Reid, in which he blamed the press for spreading hysteria among the heterosexual population, causing them to think they could get AIDS by casual contact. But where did the press get such an idea?
Going back in time to May 6, 1983, four articles on AIDS appeared in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). Three of those articles were clinical studies with statistics, graphs, and summaries. One article was an editorial.
On May 5, 1983, one day before the editorial appeared in the journal, the Associated Press in Chicago cited Dr. Fauci as the source of an editorial to be published Friday (May 6) in the Journal of The American Medical Association.
A headline in the May 6th edition of the New York Times read: Family Contact Studied in Transmitting AIDS, a reprint of the AP column from 5 May. How did the AP get this information before the article appeared in the journal, knowing the date that it would be published?
Dr. Fauci wrote that editorial, choosing to cite Dr. Olesky’s infants with AIDS in homes of at-risk groups, instead of Dr. Rubenstein’s infants with AIDS from the womb of the mother. Why would he choose an article that was bound to scare the heterosexual community, rather than one that did not? Especially since the CDC reported in the summer of 1981 that there was strong evidence to suggest that AIDS in infants was caused by an infectious agent that could be transmitted by blood and from the mother to child.
“He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes habitual.” – Thomas Jefferson.
“Many things you hear out there are what I call anecdotal reports . . . if you really want to know if something works, you have to do the kind of trial that you get the good information with.” – Dr. Anthony Fauci
Dr. Fauci was appointed Director of NAIAD November 3, 1984. He held numerous interviews, gave lectures, and attended conferences wherever he could talk about AIDS. In each of those appearances he consistently talked about finding a vaccine that would kill the HTLVIII virus. The controversy surrounding AZT began in September 1984, when the National Cancer Institute asked Burroughs-Wellcome to submit any suitable compounds that could be tested for their effect on the AIDS virus.
In February 1985 Burroughs-Wellcome found an old drug called AZIDOTHYMIDINE (AZT), they took off the shelf after 20 years and mixed it with other agents and called it “Compound S.” They sent that compound to Dr. Samuel Broder director of the National Cancer Institute. Test tube trials with animals looked promising, Dr. Fauci became obsessed with this drug and Interferon.
AZT is a powerful drug and highly toxic, there were risks in using it in trials but the consensus of opinion was the benefits outweigh the risks. In the words of Anthony Fauci: “A risk worth taking.”
The study was greatly flawed and, by Fauci standards, should not have been approved. Described by NIH as a double blind study there were a number of problems. Problem number one: the investigators knew who was getting the AZT by the blood test on the report. It was supposed to be whited out, but it wasn’t. That opens the study to bias, did patients get treated differently once the doctors knew who was or wasn’t getting the drug? The patients knew who was getting the drug by the taste and were able to get the drug from their friends.
There were many problems in this process but, in spite of them, the alphabet government agencies were all in on further testing and pushed the FDA to approve its use on seriously ill patients.
At that time it took eight to ten years to get approval for a new drug. Immense pressure was put on the FDA to act. There was an intense climate of fear and anger in the general population. But where did all that fear and anger come from?
For years and years, no one cared about the “Gay Disease.” In January 1987, 11 top AIDS doctors met at the FDA to consider fast-tracking the highly toxic drug. There was a lot of uncertainty and discomfort with the drug. Dr. Itzhak Brooke, the panel leader, was quoted as saying “the data is just too premature, and the statistics are not really well done.” Another panel member, Dr. Calvin Kunin, said “on the one hand, to deny a drug which decreases mortality in a population such as this would be inappropriate, on the other hand, to use the drug widely, for areas where efficacy has not been demonstrated, with a potentially toxic agent, might be disastrous.” Another Committee Member was concerned that once the drug was approved, there was no telling how it could be abused.”
Even though panel members were uncomfortable with the study, they passed it 10 to 1. Dr. Brooke was the only one to vote against it. Why did 10 doctors who clearly had issues with the AZT study cave and vote to approve? The price of the drug was staggering. A year’s worth would cost the users up to $10,000. Year after year after year these doctors, far removed from the day to day treatment of patients who were dying, focused all their attention on finding ways to kill the virus, to slow down its replication, while PWA’s (people with AIDS), painfully died. How many of those poor souls may have survived if they had only listened to treating doctors and used known safe antibiotics to treat the PCP folks.
The decision to go a different route was made early on. In an interview on the MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour August 1982, Dr. Bijan Safai, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, was asked if there was anything they could do to treat someone with AIDS? His answer: “Obviously one of the approaches is to treat the opportunistic infections with antimicrobiotic agents, but we have taken another direction, and that is to use what is called now “BIOLOGIC RESPONSE MODIFIER;” a good example of that is INTERFERON, we have been treating several of these patients with interferon and to date we have some promising results . . . this direction seems to be very promising.
As it turns out, he was right, both promising and profitable. Guess how many patents Dr. Fauci has on Interferon Alpha and AZT? Are government researchers and pharmaceutical companies too cozy? Is it ethical, even though legal, for government researchers to get big bucks for the use of their patents? Perhaps it is time for Congress to re-look into that arrangement.
GOV. LEE SIGNS PARTISAN ELECTIONS BILL
On 12 November 2021, Governor Bill Lee signed into law HB 9072
This bill giving local communities the ability to hold partisan school board elections passed both the Tennessee House and Senate on Friday, though without the full support of Republican lawmakers.
The bill passed the House in a 52-39 vote and the Senate approved the measure 20-10, just over the 17 needed to pass in the upper chamber. Several Republican lawmakers spoke out against the legislation, ultimately voting against it.
NEW YORK CITY THEN AND NOW
Lisa Schiffren
The Bronx, NY
Weird. There are 2 TV channels in NY that play old movies all the time. Tonight, the 8 p.m. movie on both of them is … The French Connection, filmed half a century ago.
It is well worth watching if you want to know what NYC was like in 1970. Not much wealth. Dirty, littered streets. Great restaurants on really shabby blocks. No amenities. The docks were still up and there were zero bike paths and not many trees. Gritty. The cops beat the hell out of anyone, especially if black.
Nothing had been renovated, ever. Zero gentrification. Not much building going on. The newer buildings were all dead ugly, brutalist modern. There were more vacant, unbuilt spaces, mostly strewn with garbage. None of it was filmed in the charming neighborhoods.
The daylight was always blue; though maybe that is just the movie. The drug trade wasn’t reliable, because the Chinese hadn’t taken over yet. Heroin — organic, unlike Fentanyl. Brought in by the French — of all things. No Asians on the streets. Whites, ethnic mostly, and blacks. The city hadn’t yet been invaded by the Third World immigrants who now make up a huge percentage of population. All the coats were wool; no one was particularly fit, or fat; and the adults looked like adults.
In reality it only got worse for a decade. Homelessness became a problem in the 80s. The gentrification and beautification didn’t start till the Reagan era money started rolling in. In real life, most of the drug conspirators got off easy.
Are we headed back there? No. It’s a different this time. There is more money floating around, regardless of how many rich people leave the region. Material standards are higher. The rioting is deliberate, and staged by left wing politicians. The demise through which we are living is purposefully planned by those who would rule us and destroy our society. Despicable, unnecessary, and doomed to the sort of failure that nevertheless entails unnecessary misery for millions.
The only other movies as brutally realistic about the decayed state of NYC in those years are Three Days of the Condor, and The Taking of Pelham, One Two Three. They look innocent compared to what’s going on now.
MOMMA BEARS WAKE UP
Dr. Dan Eichenbaum, M.D
Murphy, NC.
The maternal instinct to shelter and defend her young is an integral part of every mother’s DNA. Although not expressed in a similar manner by all species or individual animals, protecting the young from harm and death is a survival advantage in the natural selection process. Even species normally considered “flight” animals like horses, deer, and some birds, become aggressive to frighten or kill predators when their young are in danger. Human beings have the mental ability to recognize non-physical risks, and, constrained by morality, we can react using communication and non-aggressive behavior to protect our children.
A child’s education begins at birth. A baby’s brain is ready to absorb information from all the child’s senses and learns from the stimulating environment in which a baby lives. Interactions with family, especially the mother, have a lasting effect on the child’s mental development and create his or her future attitude about life. While no two children learn in exactly the same manner, a child’s first teachers are those who surround them in the home during the early years of life.
Most parents believe that the education of their children is a personal obligation and responsibility, one over which they expect to have meaningful influence. Dictators, however, understand that brainwashed children are the essential core of an obedient and compliant populace, and children must be removed from the potentially mutinous atmosphere of the home as early as possible.
Most parents believe that the education of their children is a personal obligation and responsibility, one over which they expect to have meaningful influence. Dictators, however, understand that brainwashed children are the essential core of an obedient and compliant populace, and children must be removed from the potentially mutinous atmosphere of the home as early in life as possible. These competing concepts are now at the heart of the recent and intensifying “parent revolution” in America.
[Editor’s Note: This is the underlying reason for the advancement of pre-K “education” currently being promoted by the Left.]
It is generally accepted that control of public education falls almost entirely upon state and local governments. The U.S. Department of Education is constrained by Section 103[b], Public Law 96-88 as follows:
No provision of a program administered by the Secretary, or by any other officer of the Department, shall be construed to authorize the Secretary or any such officer to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum, program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any educational institution, school, or school system, over any accrediting agency or association, or over the selection or content of library resources, textbooks, or other instructional materials.
There has been, nevertheless, a relentless effort by the collectivist elite to force local school districts to adopt a curriculum that indoctrinates children from pre-kindergarten to high school in the progressive “Woke” agenda. Young pre-adolescent students are taught that they can choose among numerous genders and sexual options for themselves with explicit visual aids. The Climate Change hoax is taught as scientific fact without allowing the presentation of opposing views and restrictive rules involving word usage, micro-aggressions, and verbal offensiveness ignore the constitutional right of free speech and defy reason.
Most outrageous is the teaching of Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project. Both ideologies promote the idea that America was founded on racism and slavery, that white Americans are inherently privileged and racist, and that America is an evil nation that must be destroyed. Classroom lessons involve censorship of speech, thee humiliation of white students for being white, and forcing white students to take responsibility for the sins of the past hey did not personally commit.
These programs are designed to create racial discord, dividing the people of America along racial lines. Original Marist theory was based on the conflict between capitalists and workers with the only possible result being revolution. When that failed, the American Progressive Movement seized on race to create an easily recognized societal chasm, in spite of the historic improvement in race relations since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and Johnson’s Great Society social programs. Using old words given new meanings (e.g. “social justice, “diversity” and “inclusion”), the collectivists promote a “new” Marxism, based on identity politics and fabricated racial hatred. We can all see the results in the streets of our cities.
The wealthy respond by sending their kids to expensive private schools and some families choose homeschooling if they are able. Both options allow parents more control over the curriculum. Most students end up attending government schools, a system in which education is run by teachers, teachers’ unions, and locally elected school boards.
In the run-up to the November 2021 election, parental arguments with school board members at public meetings have occurred with increasing frequency. These irate confrontations indicate that parents have lost confidence in the government’s ability and desire to provide quality education to their children. They recognize that their children are being indoctrinated instead of being educated. Moreover, the obvious arrogance of school board members and teachers fuels parent’ anger and creates an urgency for parents to take back control of their children’s education.
Dr. Dan Eichenbaum hosts a radio program “Dr. Dan’s Freedom Forum,” that airs on WJRB, 95.1 FM, each Saturday at 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM, and on Sunday at 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM. Livestream his program at this link: https://www.radio.net/s/wjrb
[Most recently, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, solicited the aid of Attorney General Merrick Garland, who dispatched the FBI to “investigate” parents who protested against the teaching of Critical Race Theory, and other anti-American doctrines. Reference links below. – Editor]
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/oct/14/garland-blasted-unleashing-fbi-school-board-squabb/
https://nypost.com/2021/10/06/liberals-are-losing-crt-in-schools-time-to-call-in-the-fbi/
GOOD NEWS FROM CHESTER COUNTY
Mr. Paul Martin, Secretary of the Chester County GOP reports:
The Chester County Republican Party recently approved and sent to the Tennessee Secretary of State, Mr. Tregatt, (with copies to our TN state Senator and TN state representative), a letter asking for a change in the methodology for processing absentee ballots.
As we all know, fraud with absentee ballots is the biggest single issue with election integrity in our country. In Tennessee, the decision on the validity of signatures on Applications for an Absentee Ballot and on the Absentee Ballot Envelope is 100% up to the county elections office.
The attached letter asked that the signature validation of Applications for an Absentee Ballot and the Absentee Ballot Envelopes be re-assigned to the county’s Absentee Ballot Counting Board.
Presently, all the Counting Board can do is open the Absentee Ballot Envelope after the polls are closed on Election Day and simply count the ballots – as they must operate under the presumption that each Absentee Ballot Envelope is valid. This new proposal requires that a member of the Counting Board FROM EACH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY validate the Application for an Absentee Ballot and the Absentee Ballot Envelope by adding their initials in the appropriate places on those documents.
While slightly more cumbersome than the present process, this methodology does away with a huge gap in the integrity of our elections.
We must ensure that Tennessee is truly a model state for how elections should be conducted. And we want to encourage each county GOP to prepare their own letter to Mr. Hargett and to their elected legislators to make this necessary change.
RANDOM THOUGHTS
First, the Left asks for tolerance, then acceptance, then they demand you celebrate their push for full “Social Justice:” indoctrination is in every classroom in America. – Matt Schoenfeldt
RANDOM THOUGHTS
As seen on Facebook:
The IRS sent my tax returns back to me after I apparently provided an incorrect answer to one of the questions on their form.
In response to the question: “Do you have anyone dependent on you?” I wrote 9.5 million illegal aliens, 1.1 million crackheads, 3.4 million unemployable parasites, 80,000 criminals in more than 85 prisons, and 650 idiots in Washington DC.
The IRS auditor said my answer was unacceptable.
I wrote back and asked: “Who did I leave out?”
RANDOM THOUGHTS
The American’s Creed –
I do not choose to be a “Common Man.” It is my right to be uncommon. I seek only the opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me – not merely security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the State look after me. I want to take the calculated risk: to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence: the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid: to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations, and to face the world boldly and say: This, with God’s help, have I done.
All this is what it means to be an American.
[Thanks to my friend Harrison Lapahie, Shiprock, NM; one of the greatest Americans I know.]
RANDOM THOUGHTS
Are there any countries who tax their citizens and send some of the money to Americans? [Thanks to Ed Stewart, via Joni Bryan, 917 Society – Editor]
RANDOM THOUGHTS
Mr. Biden’s “Build Back Better Act” would be a boon to the IRS; it would increase the number of IRS Auditors by 87,000, this would enable to IRS to conduct 1.2 million more audits each year. Nearly half of those audits would focus on families less than $75,000 per year. – Office of Kevin McCarthy, R-CA.
COMMENTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
Elected representatives from all States and all levels of government are encouraged to share their thoughts, opinions, ideas, and announcements by emailing them to pyrope84045@mypacks.net . Your constituents want to hear from you! – Editor
Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN)
Many of you have expressed concerns about President Biden and the Democrats’ so-called “Build Back Better” bill that would completely reorient the American economy toward socialism and government dependency. I share those concerns. I wrote a letter to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and author of the Democrats’ radical tax-and-spend package, seeking an explanation of several concerning immigration provisions that benefit Big Tech corporations to the detriment of American workers. These provisions would allow Big Tech companies across America to employ a limitless supply of cheaper foreign labor in place of willing, able, and qualified American workers. I was just in Memphis meeting with community leaders about the new Ford mega site and discussing ways to encourage middle and high school students to focus on STEM education. I can think of nothing more dispiriting than telling an entire generation of young Americans, who are set to graduate from school and have had to endure the travails of the pandemic, that some of America’s best and highest-paying jobs aren’t available to them because Big Tech secured a corporate carve-out for unlimited foreign labor in the reconciliation bill.
I still haven’t heard a word from Bernie Sanders on these radical provisions that hurts young people, Black, Hispanic, and female workers more than anyone. Their silence makes it evident that Democrats don’t know what’s in their own bill and they certainly don’t want you to know.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
November 17, 2021
Dear Kris,
Thank you for contacting me regarding S.2747, the Freedom to Vote Act. I always appreciate hearing from Tennesseans.
Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced S.2747 on September 14, 2021. This broad bill would fundamentally alter the constitutional right to free speech, as well as the primary responsibility provided by the Constitution for states to determine the times, places, and manner of holding federal elections. In October 2021, the Senate voted on a procedural motion to proceed to the consideration of the Freedom to Vote Act, but the motion was opposed by a majority of Senator and failed by a vote of 49-51. I voted to oppose S.2747 because it undermines election integrity, states rights, and seeks to federalize elections.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I am cosponsor of S.13, a bill to establish an advisory committee to make recommendations on improvements to the security, integrity, and administration of federal elections. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced S.13 on January 6, 2021, and the bill currently awaits consideration by the full Senate. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will keep your thoughts in mind should any legislation that effects our constitutional rights come before the suff Senate.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. If you would like regular updates on my fork for Tennessee, please sign up for my weekly newsletter or follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Sincerely,
Marsha Blackburn
United States Senator
Scott DesJarlais
This administration is more focused on jamming through another 2,300 page bill full of political payoffs rather than taking the time to address the economic crisis plaguing our Nation. Inflation is at record highs, gas and grocery prices are skyrocketing and this year will mark the most expensive Thanksgiving in our country’s history.
Even a generous score from the Congressional Budget Office proved that the bill was not paid for and that it will add hundreds of billions more to our nation’s debt – despite President Biden and Speaker Pelosi’s claims to the contrary. All the while adding over 87,000 new IRS agents to wage war on middle class families, create tax incentives for millions of illegal migrants and allocate $550 BILLION for the Green New Deal.
Over the past few months, I have spoken with numerous people in Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District. All have expressed deep concern over the direction our country is headed in and the economic hardships they are facing. Numerous calls, text messages and emails have flooded into my office asking that I vote no on the Build Back Broke Act.
Today House Democrats may have won, but millions of Americans lost. The citizens of our great Nation have made it clear over the course of this last year that they want less government in their lives and for their tax burdens to be lowered.
I will continue to fight back against President Biden’s progressive agenda and continue to work with like-minded lawmakers to produce meaningful legislation that helps hardworking Americans.
Bruce Griffey (R-Paris TN)
I worked tirelessly for 2 years sponsoring legislation and advocating for Constitutional Carry in TN! There is simply no reason the government should ever be able to tax us to exercise a constitutional right! This year was a big step forward in defending and protecting our right to bear arms with the passage of Constitutional Carry in our spring legislative session. I will NEVER stop being a 2nd Amendment advocate. #ProtectGunRights
COMMENTS FROM CORRESPONDENTS
You are invited to become a Correspondent and share thoughts, opinions, ideas, and announcements with subscribers to this newsletter. Please state your city, state, or country in your submissions and email them to: pyrope84045@mypacks.net . Your fellow Conservatives want to hear from you! – Editor
Adam Laxalt, Las Vegas, NV & President & Founder of Morning in Nevada PAC has worked tirelessly for Conservatives his home State, as well as for our country. He has been a good friend to The Rhea County Republican, in the way of sharing information from Nevada. He has thrown his hat into the ring for U.S. Senate by way of this announcement:
“Why am I running for U.S. Senate? Because we need to fight for what’s right. That’s what Americans do. That’s the legacy we have a duty to protect.
“After 9/11, I volunteered to serve in the Navy, and served in Iraq during the surge, together with other men and women of all races and backgrounds. We were all Americans, doing our part. Defending this great nation from those determined to destroy it.
“As Attorney General of Nevada, I fought for our Constitution and the American way of life, stood up for rape and human trafficking victims who couldn’t stand for themselves, and went after guardianship abuse and the opioid crisis.
“But the battle to keep our country free doesn’t end. If anything, the stakes are higher now than they’ve ever been in our lifetime.
“This campaign will only be possible with the generous support of grassroots conservatives like YOU.” I hope you’ll join us by making a contribution right now.
Thank you for your time,
Adam Laxalt
Donate Today! | Laxalt for Senate (winred.com)
Jim Clarkson, President of Resource Supply Management, of Columbia, SC offered a comment on the recent “Climate Summit,” held in Glasgow, Scotland
Green Hypocrites Of The World Unite!
And they did, in Scotland. While they advocate restricted air travel they traveled in satanic gas-spewing private jets. They urge that we eat bugs. But did they set a good example? No. They dined on rain forest-killing beef. Amid all the scary speeches on horrible futures for the world, various government spokesmen made impossible promises. After days of debate on the best ways to take away our freedom they unanimously agreed to have more meetings.
Jonathan Robbins – Indianapolis, IN analyzes the lessons learned from the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.
Folks, let’s distill this down to its purest form. Call it pot still reality.
Here is what happened; a young man was put on trial for murder. Unlike many of these cases, there was a mountain of video evidence. 12 Americans looked at that evidence, and sworn testimony, and exonerated Rittenhouse, acknowledging that he acted in self-defense, and within his rights under God and law.
If you truly analyze what those who are distraught and angry over the ruling, are saying, you have to realize what they are actually, consciously saying. They do not believe that the American justice system got it wrong. They believe that the American justice system ITSELF, is wrong.
So what is it that they believe our justice system should look like? It’s not hard, folks. They don’t even try to hide it anymore…but you still have to consciously recognize it to be true, or you tend to gloss over the reality, because it’s hard to believe that other people, who were born here, believe this. They believe that they have the right to riot, burn, destroy, steal, and assault, without consequence and for whatever reason they choose, and if YOU resist or defend yourself against them, in any way, then it is YOU who deserves life in a gulag or death. Curiously, at least to me, not many seem to connect all the dots, here.
Stalinism, folks. These people are Stalinists. Joy Reid, Don Lemon, Nicole Wallace, Eric Michael Dyson, all of them…that’s who they are. What I described above is as Stalinist as it gets. Thousands, probably millions, of pages of literature have been written, describing this belief system, and all of its branches. It is beyond my comprehension that so many, even on our own side, cannot, or refuse to see these people, outside that courthouse, for what they are.
It’s like we, or at least too many of “we,” think that if the other side is victorious, in their quest for absolute, unbreakable power and control, that things will only be a little bit different, and that you’ll just be able to change the channel and it goes away, and you’ll just vote it out, next time. No, folks. No. Don’t let it take the mob kicking in your door, to wake you up. They will do so, gleefully, if we don’t stop them, now. They’re not going to decide to stop themselves. They are not going to reach a point where they stop and think “yeah, this is far enough.” That’s not at all how Stalinists think.
Lastly, there is hope. As the veil gets lifted, and more and more people wake up to this reality, there will be those who flee that side. We may not agree with them on every issue, but right now, agreeing that we do not want those people running the show, should be enough. It has to be enough, right now. Open the tent, to these people. Once they get a peek inside, all the falsehoods begin to crumble. It takes some time, but I’ve seen it myself, with my own eyes, and in my own circles…many, many times. Numbers matter, and ours are growing. Just be assholes to the right people. You can find them chanting in the streets, holding signs.
Cyril Ostiguy Chairman of the Carroll County Republican Party, tireless Patriot and Conservative Friend shared this message from the Chester County Republican Party.
The National Republican Congressional Committee for the House announced today, Wednesday, November 3, 2021 that it is adding 13 Democrats to the previous list of 57 Democratic lawmakers targeted for defeat in the 2022 election, after Glenn Youngkin’s victory in the Virginia governor’s race.
One of the 13 Democrats on the updated list is Jim Cooper (D-TN05).
We need a solid commitment from the TN GOP and each and every county GOP for a dedicated and sustained and all-out effort to turn the TN 5th Congressional District (Nashville / Davidson County) from Blue to Red.
Let everyone of us commit to doing our fair share and more in this effort – with our time and our money.
“In a cycle like this, no Democrat is safe,” said Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., who is chairman of the campaign committee. “Voters are rejecting Democrat policies that have caused massive price increases, opened our borders and spurred a nationwide crime wave.”
For those who might be interested, the Democrats added to the target list are: Reps. Greg Stanton in Arizona, Ed Perlmutter in Colorado, Joe Courtney in Connecticut, Darren Soto in Florida, Sanford Bishop in Georgia, Frank Mrvan in Indiana, David Trone in Maryland, G.K. Butterfield in North Carolina, Annie Kuster in New Hampshire, Teresa Leger-Fernandez in New Mexico, Madeleine Dean in Pennsylvania, Jim Cooper in Tennessee and Jennifer Wexton in Virginia.
Robert Passons, Orlando, FL offered these observations on the Kyle Rittenhouse case.
I didn’t know that Kyle put out a dumpster fire that was being rolled down to a gas station to blow up, with people all around.
I didn’t know that the police were told to stand down as businesses were destroyed.
I didn’t know that Kyle’s dad, grandma and friends all lived in Kenosha, 20 minutes from where he resided with his mom part time in Illinois.
I didn’t know that Joseph Rosenbaum knocked him down twice and then attempted to kick him with lethal force to the head.
I didn’t know that Huber had hit him in the head 2x with a skateboard.
I didn’t know Gaige Grosskreutz, a felon in possession of firearm, aimed his gun at Kyle first, as he admitted on the stand.
I also didn’t know that in the state of Wisconsin, it is legal for Kyle to have a gun, even at 17 (which was why the gun charge was dismissed).
I didn’t know that Kyle did not cross state lines with a gun he wasn’t supposed to have. The rightful gun owner did, as he was legally permitted to do.
I also didn’t realize that Rosenbaum was a 5 time convicted child rapist and that Huber was a 2 time convicted woman beater.
I didn’t know that Grosskreutz was a convicted Burglar with an assault on his record also.
IF THE MEDIA DID THEIR JOB… we would ALL have known this!
Stop believing the media lies.”
Dr. Merrily Salyer, Sterling, VA shared a link to an article by Mimi Nguyen Ly, a reporter from The Epoch Times, entitled “Virginia School Boards Association Quits National Association, Cites ‘Persistent Pattern of Dysfunction.’” The article exposes the backlash from state School Board Associations, in response to the National School Board Association’s (NSBA), President Randi Weingarten solicitation of Attorney General Merrick Garland. In October 2021, she asked AG Garland to declare parents who oppose their children being indoctrinated to accept as fact the teaching of Critical Race Theory, as “domestic terrorists,” and to dispatch the FBI to harass them.
The solicited overreach of the FBI has most recently been met with a vigorous response from the Virginia School Board Association (VBSA), in the way of its total withdrawal from the NSBA. Virginia has joined 26 other states in distancing itself from the NSBA. A link to the referenced article is provided below:
[NOTE: In early November, Attorney General Merrick Garland was called to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, in regard to accusations that he had used the FBI to harass private citizens who had protested against their local School Boards, regarding their adoption of Critical Race Theory (CRT), and other anti-American curricula. During his sworn testimony, AG Garland was asked about his son’s involvement (ownership) of Panorama Education, a firm which markets CRT lessons to public schools. Along with his evasiveness in response to questions about his classifying parents who oppose CRT and dispatching the FBI to harass parents who argued against it, AG Garland denied – under oath – that his actions were intended to benefit his son’s business interests. https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/garland-son-in-law-panorama-school-contracts – Editor]
Wallace L. Garneau via Steve Wachter, Havasu City, AZ
A quick economics lesson on electricity production and renewables, as California celebrates Thanksgiving with rolling brownouts…
The production of electricity on an electric grid must always exactly match consumption. This means that production must be constantly adjusted around fluctuating demand. If production and consumption are off by even a tiny amount, the grid fails, things blow up, and there is no electricity at all for an extended period – months, not days.
It is relatively easy to adjust production with coal, nuclear, and natural gas. Wind and solar, on the other hand, fluctuate uncontrollably, as the wind and the level of sunshine are constantly changing.
Coal, nuclear, and natural gas are so easily adjusted that not only can they be adjusted around consumption, but around a certain level of variation in production too. We can get around 10% of our electricity from wind and solar, and the grid can still adjust production to constantly match consumption without any issues.
As you move wind and solar beyond 10% of total production, the ability to adjust production to match consumption starts to fall apart, and the greater the proportion of electricity generated by wind and solar gets, the more difficult it becomes to balance production with consumption.
What California is now often forced to do is to balance consumption to match production instead, and that can be done, but to make it work you have to look at the variability of consumption, along with the level of variability you cannot control for in production, and you have to adjust production so that it is always less than demand by enough that the variation in production will not suddenly spike beyond demand and take down the grid.
In other words, California cannot keep up with demand, as doing so would destroy their energy grid.
California instead uses rolling brownouts to fluctuate consumption around the natural variation in production, and unless it changes course, it will never create enough electricity to support all of those who want to use it, ever again.
RANDOM THOUGHTS
The welfare of the People has always been the excuse of the Tyrants. – Albert Camus
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
The Legislative Report provides information on some of the more remarkable bills that have been introduced in Congress. Its purpose is to provide the reader with information about pending legislation that may prompt the reader to contact their representatives to express their views.
In the emailed version of the Legislative Report, you will see markers + and + on certain bills. The red icon is placed to encourage the reader to contact their representatives and ask them to vote against the legislation. On bills marked with the green icon, the reader is encouraged to contact their elected representatives and ask them to support the legislation. The reader is always encouraged to keep informed about all legislation from other sources so they may be aware of bills that effect our lives. Decide today that you will make your voice heard. If you remain silent, your representatives will never know your thoughts! – Editor
++++ HR 3684 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Peter DeFazio, D-OR, 1036 pages).
This bill may also be cited as the “Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act or the INVEST in America Act”
Approximately 11% of the $1.3 Trillion outlay for this bill – $143 Billion – actually addresses infrastructure in the classical definition of the term. Of that amount, funds are allocated to provide federal-aid for highway, transit, highway safety, motor carrier, research, hazardous materials, and rail programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Among other provisions, the bill:
- extends FY2021 enacted levels through FY2022 for federal-aid highway, transit, and safety programs;
- reauthorizes for FY2023-FY2026 several surface transportation programs, including the federal-aid highway program, transit programs, highway safety, motor carrier safety, and rail programs;
- addresses climate change, including strategies to reduce the climate change impacts of the surface transportation system and a vulnerability assessment to identify opportunities to enhance the resilience of the surface transportation system and ensure the efficient use of federal resources;
- revises Buy America procurement requirements for highways, mass transit, and rail;
- establishes a rebuild rural bridges program to improve the safety and state of good repair of bridges in rural communities;
- implements new safety requirements across all transportation modes, and;
- directs DOT to establish a pilot program to demonstrate a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee to restore and maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund and achieve and maintain a state of good repair in the surface transportation system.
Having passed the Senate, the bill passed in the House by a vote of 228-206, and will be forwarded to Mr. Biden for signature.
NOTE: Six Democrats voted against passage while thirteen House Republicans and eighteen Senate Republicans voted to pass the bill.
The House Republicans who sided with Nancy Pelosi are: Reps. John Katko (R-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Fred Upton (R-MI), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Don Young (R-AK), Tom Reed (R-NY), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), and Rep. David McKinley (R-WV).
The Senate Republicans who sided with Chuck Schumer are: Roy Blunt (MO), Richard Burr (NC), Shelley Capito (WV), Bill Cassidy (LA), Susan Collins (ME), Kevin Cramer (ND), Mike Crapo (ID), Deborah Fisher (NE), Lindsay Graham (SC), Chuck Grassley (IA), John Hoeven (ND), Mitch McConnell (KY), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rob Portman (OH), James Risch (ID), Mitt Romney (UT), Dan Sullivan (AK), Thom Tillis (NC) and, Roger Wicker (MS).
Had those thirteen House Republicans and eighteen Senate Republicans not voted to pass the bill, it would have failed.
This bill was signed into law on 14 November 2021.
+ HR 5658 DHS Roles and Responsibilities in Cyber Space Act (Don Bacon, R-NE, 5 pages).
This bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report on the cybersecurity roles and responsibilities of the Federal Government, and for other purposes.
It appears the Department of Homeland Security has not been gaining ground in its efforts to protect U.S. interests from foreign hackers. The report required by this bill would reveal the extent of the problem as it currently exists and enable U.S. entities to define and develop effective safeguards. Along with HR 5615 Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Act (Val Demings, D-FL, 5 pages) bill, which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a plan to make Federal assistance available to certain urban areas that previously received Urban Area Security Initiative funding to preserve homeland security capabilities (and for other purposes), perhaps DHS will put forth the appropriate efforts to disarm those countries who intend harm to the United States.
+ HR 3035 GOOD AI Act of 2021 (Gary Peters, D-MI, 7 pages). This purpose of this bill is to establish the “Artificial Intelligence Hygiene Working Group,” and may be cited as the “Government Ownership and Oversight of Data in Artificial Intelligence Act of 2021.”
Regardless of our thoughts on the advancement of AI, it is here to stay; there is nothing we can do about it. That said, it does seem that Senator Peters has some inclination toward protecting the rights of Citizens in that his bill calls for some significant oversight with respect to how AI is used and managed, to wit: Paragraph C of the text calls for input from the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board; relevant interagency councils, such as the Federal Privacy Council; the Chief Information Officers Council, and the Chief Data Officers Council; other governmental and nongovernmental privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties experts, and any other individual or entity the Director determines appropriate.
+ HR 2838 Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act (Rob Portman, R-OH, 16 pages.
This bill would require the Director of the Government Publishing Office to establish and maintain an online portal accessible to the public that allows the public to obtain electronic copies of all congressionally mandated reports in one place, and for other purposes.
HR 4350 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (Adam Smith, D-WA, 3268 pages).
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2022 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
The federal budget process occurs in two stages: Appropriations and Authorizations. This is an authorization bill, which directs how federal funds should or subject of the appropriations bills.) Authorizations are typically made for single fiscal years (October 1 through September 30 of the next year) but are often renewed in subsequent laws.
This bill was passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 316-113 and has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
+ S 2699 American Cybersecurity Literacy Act (Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, 4 pages).
This bill would establish a cybersecurity literacy campaign that would teach users how to recognize phishing and insecure websites, and how to avoid hacking on computers, WiFi stations, and devices.
+ S594 Anti-Spoofing Penalties Modernization Act of 2021 (Susan Collins, R-ME, 2 pages).
This bill would double the existing penalties for the provision of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information. In other words, it is a crime to spoof someone else’s phone number on a caller ID device and, if enacted, this legislation would double the imposed fines for doing so.
[Even a broken clock is right twice a day. – Editor]
+ HR 5781 National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act (Zoe Lofgren, D-CA, 33 pages).
“Tugboat Zoe” is like most liberals who can’t see the forest for the trees. For years, the environmental whackos have passed legislation to prevent proper forest management. They have outlawed common sense fire prevention methods, e.g. the cutting of fire breaks, removal of deadwood, clearing of tree limbs around powerlines, prescribed burning of underbrush, and other tried and true fire prevention measures. Their rationale has always been to protect certain “endangered” species. They never seem to calculate how many of those endangered species are killed off by the absence of proper and practical forest management techniques. Spending a few billion dollars in an attempt to justify the existence of more than sixteen federally-funded organizations tasked with solving a problem that has long ago found a practical and economical solution is another waste of taxpayer’s money.
+++++ HR 5376 Build Back Better Act (John Yarmuth, D-KY, ~3036 pages)
The stated purpose of this bill is to provide reconciliation pursuant to Title II – Senate Continuing Resolution 14. The actual purpose of this bill is to destroy the Constitutional Republic of the United States and ultimately replace it with full-blown Communism.
At first glance it is obvious this is one of the most “pork-laden” bills to ever be hatched by Congress. The giveaway is the omission of a Table of Contents for the text, which aids in obfuscating its contents. Also, there is no Congressional Budget Office score for the bill that tells the reader precisely how much money is allocated and how that money will be generated. The one thing we do know is the IRS gets an $85 Billion boost to virtually DOUBLE the number of Agents who will be tasked with violating our rights under the 4th Amendment and destroying anyone who may be identified as a political enemy of the Left.
In just a cursory examination of the text we find in Section 11001, a total of $19.69 Billion is allocated to “The National Forest System restoration and fuels reduction project” on Federal land. Then, in Section 11002, a total of $12.36 Billion for non-Federal land. (The latter portion of which is a bailout to the State of California that neglected its forests for decades, which has resulted in nearly annual devastating wildfires.) Finally, in Section 11003, a total of $4.35 Billion is allocated for State and private forestry conservation programs. A total of $35 Billion is allocated
In Subpart C, we find $1.7 Billion of our tax dollars will be allocated to subsidizing serial failures in the form of providing grants to small colleges that have historically failed to provide their students an education that would place their graduates on a competitive footing with graduates from other schools.
The full text of this bill may be found at the following link Text of H.R. 5376: Build Back Better Act (Preprint (Rule) version) – GovTrack.us
On November 18th, the bill passed along party lines with the exception of one Democrat, Jared Golden, who represents the 2nd Congressional District of Maine. Scott Perry (R-PA, 10th District) did not vote. The final vote tally was recorded as 220 yeas – 212 nays.
It was a notable experience to have watched the reactions of the Democrats when the vote tally was read; they literally danced and cheered for the better part of a minute.
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
Robert Rector and Jamie Hall, analysts at The Heritage Foundation, have done a deep dive on Mr. Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan – a plan conjured up by people who have never built anything in their entire lives – and in doing so have revealed some shocking facts.
RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY NEWS
Rhea County Republican Party Executive Committee
Bitsy Gryder – Chairman Kris Bancroft – Vice Chairman
Judy Bancroft – Secretary Ted Engel – Treasurer
Marvin Keener Sr. – Vice Treasurer
The Rhea County Republican Party Monthly Meeting
The next meeting of the Rhea County Republican Party will be a regular meeting, held on 6 JANUARY 2022, at 7:00 PM, at the Sheriff’s Training Center, 711 Eagle Lane, Evensville, TN 37323. JOIN US & BRING A FRIEND!
Minutes from the Executive Committee Meeting – 11 November
RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes for November 11, 2021
Chair Elizabeth Gryder called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Reagan Day Dinner: Kris Bancroft reported the following:
- A check for $1000 was delivered today to Rhea County High School for rental and deposit.
- The High School Choral Director, Mr. Bright, has twelve singers who will perform the National Anthem a cappela.
- Col. Johnston will provide four cadets from the High School to present colors.
- The Custodial Department at the High School is planning to assist in their usual capacity.
- Evelyn Hawkins has agreed to do the catering again and has provided a menu.
- Donna Taylor and Bonnie Doss have agreed to lead the Decoration Team.
- Lebron Purser has agreed to emcee.
- Scott Dejarlais is a definite as a speaker and Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty and Governor Lee are possibilities. Candidates for all office levels may also speak. Time limits were discussed.
- Plans are for teams of members to facilitate various aspects of the Dinner. The Hospitality Team should include all of us.
Kris Bancroft brought up the idea of presenting plaques or framed certificates to the speakers. Elizabeth Gryder will contact someone she knows who may be able to provide these.
Kris also suggested we look into obtaining equipment for processing ticket payments by credit card.
Ted Engel will contact an insurance agent he knows about providing a liability policy for us at the High School for the night of the event.
Republican of the Year: Elizabeth Gryder is working on this decision.
Veterans Luncheon: Kris Bancroft reported that $100 was donated to the Rhea Herald News in the name of the Rhea County Republican Party for their Veterans Luncheon held on November 10th.
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.
Judy Bancroft, Secretary
Minutes from the Previous Meeting for 11 November 2021
Chair Elizabeth Gryder called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
Kris Bancroft offered prayer and Tom Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes: Judy Bancroft read the minutes for the meeting held October 14, 2021. RCRP meetings schedule was clarified. Motion made by Ted Doss and seconded by Elizabeth Gryder to accept the minutes. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Ted Engel presented the Treasurer’s Report. Motion made by Bill Bastenbeck and seconded by Donna Taylor to accept the report as read. Motion carried.
PAC Report: Kris Bancroft stated that the balance remains the same. Motion made by Ted Engel and seconded by Bill Bastenbeck to accept the report as given. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
Reagan Day Dinner: Kris Bancroft reported on plans for the Reagan Day Dinner, to be held April 2, 2022 at the Rhea County High School. (Information for the Dinner from the November 11 Executive Committee meeting minutes has not been duplicated in these minutes.)
In addition:
- George Thacker has agreed to provide the sound system.
- A silent auction and door prizes are in the planning. There are no plans for a live auction in order to allow more time for speakers during an election year.
- The menu was discussed and decisions made. Members will make desserts to be sold separately.
- Ticket prices were discussed. Motion made by Tom Taylor and seconded by Bill Bastenbeck for tickets to be $60 for individuals and $300 for a table of six. Motion carried.
- A suggestion was made to encourage the buying of tables.
- Another suggestion was to host a welcome for table buyers a half-hour before the dinner. Pictures could be made with office holders.
- Billboard advertising for the Dinner will be pursued, as discussed below. Elizabeth Gryder is notifying surrounding counties of the Dinner.
Kris Bancroft will be asking people to serve on teams to carry out various functions. There will be teams for greeters/ticket processors, security, decorations, desserts, set up/take down, silent auction/donations and hospitality. The hospitality team needs to include all of us. Team leaders should preferably have an understudy.
Marvin Keener, Sr., and Ted Doss have agreed to take care of the silent auction, including obtaining donated items. Ted Doss and Elizabeth Gryder will provide a letter to be used to solicit auction items.
Sheriff’s Toy Drive: Elizabeth Gryder reported that a photo has been taken of the Executive Committee providing a check for $500 to the Sheriff and staff for their Christmas Toy Drive. Kris Bancroft will send the photo and names to the Rhea Herald News for publication.
School Board and County Commission Meetings: Elizabeth Gryder recommended that, at our January meeting, we ask someone to begin attending School Board meetings, now that our future meeting schedule has been changed (see below).
2022 Political Candidate List: Elizabeth Gryder reported that a candidate list will not be available until after the filing deadline of January 17th.
Billboard Advertising: Ted Doss reported information from two billboard-advertising companies. Ads could be used for the Reagan Day Dinner, elections and promoting Young Republicans. A motion was made by Elizabeth Gryder and seconded by Bill Bastenbeck to first proceed with advertising for the Reagan Day Dinner and to pay $250 to Plain View Company, for an ad to be displayed in the first 2 to 2-1/2 weeks of March. Motion carried. Kris Bancroft will contact Plain View to let them know of our definite interest and that we will contact them again with details after our January meeting.
Telephone For Use By Chairpersons: A motion was made by Ted Doss and seconded by Judy Bancroft to purchase a mobile phone which can be passed from Chair to Chair, thus maintaining a consistent phone number for the Party. A maximum of $100 will be spent for the phone plus initial costs and a maximum of $30 for monthly fees. Motion carried. Kris and Judy Bancroft will pursue this directive and let Ted Engel know what the costs are.
Increasing Attendance: Kris Bancroft asked for suggestions on how to bring more people into our organization. Ideas put forward were:
- Invite Guest speakers
- Increase advertising of meetings
- Limit business portion of meetings to provide more time for programs
- Executive Committee could take care of business items as much as possible, with all Party members invited to attend their meetings. Meetings could be held on Zoom. Present items to be voted on at general meetings, along with regular reports from Executive Committee meetings to keep membership informed and connected.
- Chili suppers
- Summer outdoor movie nights
- Bring friends to meetings
NEW BUSINESS:
Meetings Schedule: After discussion, there was a motion by Elizabeth Gryder, seconded by Ted Engel, to change our general meeting time to the first Thursday of the month and to resume meeting every month, beginning in January. Motion carried.
Several members volunteered to contact members not here this evening to inform them of the changes.
Candidate Meet & Greet: A suggestion was made to hold a meet-and-greet event for political candidates, probably in June, after the Republican primary in May. The Rhea County Welcome Center was mentioned as a possible venue. Members were asked to be thinking of ideas for such an event and let Kris Bancroft know.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Kris Bancroft shared that Marvin Keener, Sr., is to be congratulated on being presented with a Lifetime Achievement award at the Lions Club meeting this evening!
Elizabeth Gryder announced that a fundraiser for Rhea County Homeland Security will be held on November 13th at the Welcome Center.
The next meeting will be held January 6th at 7:00 pm at the usual location. Donna Taylor volunteered to bring refreshments. Kris and Judy Bancroft were thanked for providing refreshments for tonight’s meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.
Judy Bancroft
Secretary
RANDOM THOUGHTS
While it is sad to observe, I refuse to be surprised by the growing number of people whose only self-validation comes from finding an excuse to be offended so they may then be recognized as a victim.
LAGNIAPPE
Fox and Friends aired an interview on 21 November with another emerging hero in the struggle against turning public schools into indoctrination centers for our youth. One of the many topics covered was the strategy used by public schools to disguise Critical Race Theory (CRT) – making it look innocuous to the casual observer.
If parents were aware of the deviousness and deception used by those whose goal is nothing less than to destroy our Constitutional Republic, they would be: taking drastic measures to expunge anything vaguely resembling CRT from school curricula; be making strides to destroy the tenure arrangements in public school systems and purge those system of all socialist, communist, Marxist, and other CRT theorists, and; teaching the values that made the United States the greatest country to ever exist on planet Earth! Maybe – just maybe – the public schools could find time to raise their standards and prepare our youth to regain our nation’s prominence on the world stage.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science/
Below is an article by Olivia Cavallaro that appeared in The Christianity Daily. Please read it to decide what you can do to defend our country from those who would destroy it and share it with your friends and neighbors.
Moms for Liberty spokeswoman Quisha King was met with overwhelming applause and a standing ovation when she took part in a panel discussion last week themed “Fighting Indoctrination on a National Scale.” The panel was part of the Family Research Council’s annual Pray, Vote, Stand Summit, which took place at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia.
“This is not going away,” King said of critical race theory in public school classrooms, as reported by Faithwire. “The enemy has no chill… These people are serious. They want to silence us and shut us down. I really think, at this point, the only thing to do is have a mass exodus from the public school system.”
King argued that critical race theory is founded on the idea that America is an “intrinsically racist” country, asserting that such teachings are “anti-biblical,” “un-American,” and simply “a flat-out lie” that’s “just not true.” She declared, “You cannot have a country that has been moving towards racial reconciliation literally from its beginnings – if you really, really dig into the history – and say that America is intrinsically racist. Those two things just don’t go together.”
The Florida mom also expressed her worry over the fact that parents do not seem to be very concerned on how “pervasive” critical race theory is in public school classrooms, which is why she is suggesting a “mass exodus.” King believes that the U.S. government also has a hand in the proliferation of such ideologies in public school classrooms.
King’s comments on critical race theory comes after U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland sent out orders to the FBI and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to crack down on alleged threats towards school board officials from parents who oppose critical race theory and other racially charged school curriculum.
Asra Nomani, the vice president of investigations and strategy for Parents Defending Education, has opposed Garland’s new orders, accusing the Attorney General of “[declaring] a war on parents.”
She took to Twitter to reveal that Garland has a connection to Xan Tanner, the co-founder of Boston-based Panorama Education, a company that does research on kids by collecting social and emotional data from students in the K to 12 levels, the New York Post reported. Tanner was revealed to be Garland’s son-in-law because the executive was married to Garland’s daughter, Rebecca.
Nomani decried Garland’s obvious conflict of interest with Panorama Education, arguing that the education research company stands to benefit from the U.S. Attorney General’s “outrageous silencing of parents who are challenging its data mining of K-12 students.” She also campaigned for an ethics investigation into the company for its conflict of interest, especially when the Fairfax County Public Schools in northern Virginia raised its contract budget for Panorama Ed to $2.4 million.
Meanwhile in Florida, House Bill 57 was filed in September to ban critical race theory from the state’s 12 public universities, 28 State Colleges, all state agencies, county and municipal governments, and private government contractors, WTXL Tallahassee reported.
CONTACT YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TODAY!
Regardless of where you live in the United States, you can find your elected representatives at any level of government by visiting the following link. Remember: While they might be fairly bright, none of them can read your mind, so it is your obligation as a citizen to express your thoughts (and to urge all your friends and family and like-minded folks to do the same!) https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Here’s a handy guide for Tennesseans in the 4th Congressional District:
| Joseph Robinette Biden (a.k.a. the “Big Guy”)
The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington D.C. 20500 Phone: (202) 456-1414 Fax: (202) 456-2461 e-mail http://www.whitehouse.gov |
U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty
Russell Senate Office Building Suite SR-B11 Washington D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 244-4944 Fax: (202) 228-3398 e-mail: https://www.hagerty.senate.gov |
| U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn
357 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3344 Fax: (202) 228-0566 To contact visit website: |
U.S Representative Dr. Scott DesJarlais
2301 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-6831 Fax: (202) 226-5172 |
| Governor Bill Lee
Tennessee State Capitol Nashville, Tennessee 37243 Phone: (615) 741-2001 Fax: (615) 532-9711 e-mail: http://www.state.tn.us/governor |
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
https://www.speaker.gov/contact Link above provides all methods of contact. Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader |
| State Representative Ron Travis
301 Sixth Avenue North Suite G-3 Nashville, Tennessee 37243 Phone: (615) 741-1450
|
State Senator Ken Yager
301 Sixth Avenue North Suite G-19 Nashville, Tennessee 37243 Phone: (615) 741-1449 Fax: (615) 253-0237 |
