THE RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN
ADVANCING THE CONSERVATIVE CAUSE
Vol. 5 – No. 12 February 2022
The original content of this publication is copyrighted. Requests for reprinting may be obtained by contacting the Editor and Publisher at: pyrope84045@mypacks.net
| Table of Contents
Editorial ———————————————————————–1 Redistricting in Tennessee ——————————————– 3 Merrick Garland Is Guilty and So Is Mr. Biden —————– –4 Too Many Tennessee Politicians are Serving Two Masters 6 Comments From Candidates —————————————– 9 Comments from Representatives ———————————-10 Comments from Correspondents———————————–10 Legislative Report —————————————————– 13 Rhea County Republican Party News —————————- 16 Lagniappe—————————————————————— 20 Contact Your Elected Representatives Today! ————— 22 |
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EDITORIAL
Kris Bancroft, Editor & Publisher
The Rhea County Republican
Should you have any shadow of a doubt that the Conservative movement has been reborn in America, please know you are not alone. Based on my observations and communications from around the country, Conservatives everywhere are gaining enthusiasm about the 2022 election. The majority of those I hear from are describing what they see as a Huge Red Tsunami coming in 2022.
Most of the Conservatives say they became convinced when the Republican, Glen Youngkin, was elected to serve as Governor in Virginia, a Blue State that had elected such Left-Wing whackos as Ralph Northam and Tim Kaine. Some friends in New Jersey have been quick to remind me that a relatively unknown Republican, Jack Ciatarelli, very nearly succeeded in giving their Democrat Governor, Phil Murphy the boot. (Word has it that those who supported Murphy have already expressed their regrets for having done so!)
On the night of the Youngkin victory in Virginia, a huge bell alarm began clanging in the heads of Democrats, everywhere. Since I published the article “The Race Is On,” in the January issue of this newsletter, the number of House Democrats who have declared they will not seek reelection this fall has grown to 29. https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-01-18/2-more-house-democrats-say-they-will-not-seek-reelection
If the current level of enthusiasm continues, the Republicans will wipe out the Democrat majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and that will produce two wonderful results: On the day those Republican majorities are sworn in, the advancement of Mr. Biden’s anti-American agenda will hit a brick wall, and; the road to electing a Republican President with majorities in both Houses in 2024 will be paved.
All those Democrats who assumed the “run and duck mode” have manufactured an array of excuses – most of which are nefarious – but we Conservatives know the truth: The Democrats are scared; they’re scared that they will get walloped if they seek reelection because they, too, see that Huge Red Tsunami coming their way.
It’s not only the offices in Washington DC that will be affected by this Huge Red Tsunami.
In addition to what happened in Virginia – and what nearly happened in New Jersey – voters in States and cities all across America have begun signaling their discontent with the Democrat (a.k.a. socialist), style of government. One of the more notable examples is the mandate delivered by the people of Minneapolis, rejecting the city’s proposal to “reimagine” their Police Department. https://www.fox9.com/news/minneapolis-police-ballot-question-results
This Huge Red Tsunami will not be confined to national – or even State – elections: As voters express their intent to vote Republican all the way down the ballot, we are seeing the trend for local politicians in the county and municipal offices abandoning their ties with the Democrat Party. I am seeing it and you are seeing it and we are cheering it on. Some Conservatives might say these life-long Democrats’ abandonment of their party is merely an act of self-preservation but I would prefer to think the fact is; they’ve seen the light.
Let us not miss this opportunity to restore the Conservative values that have made the United States of America the best country to ever exist on planet Earth!
With a vision toward the 2024 elections, let us first do our homework to find the most Conservative candidate for every office being contested in our State, our County, and in our city or town and then campaign vigorously in support of those candidates. With a truly Conservative majority at all levels of government, we can realize our dream of Making America Great Again!
RANDOM THOUGHTS
What is “The Great Reset?”
What Is the Great Reset? – Imprimis (hillsdale.edu)
REDISTRICTING IN TENNESSEE
Redistricting is taking place in Tennessee. The District lines for our State Representatives and State Senators are being redrawn, as well as the District lines for our Members of the U. S. House of Representatives, in Washington, DC. Fortunately, the folks in Rhea County will continue being represented by Scott DesJarlais, in the House of Representatives, and Ron Travis will continue to serve Rhea County in Nashville. Rhea County will lose State Senator Ken Yager, but there are currently two new candidates vying to represent us.
Across the State, some Tennesseans are happy with the way the redistricting is going (it looks as though Democrat Jim Cooper will be out of a job), but others are not so happy with the way the District lines have been redrawn.
The changes that are taking place seem difficult to grasp and for that reason, The Rhea County Republican reached out to Mr. Scott Golden, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, asking that he explain the rare phenomenon in Tennessee elections in 2022. He was kind enough to respond with the following:
“As the New Year approaches and the countdown begins and everyone anticipates the dropping of a ball, a peach, an orange, or even a guitar, thoughts logically start thinking of the opportunity of the coming year. We get a clean slate with a chance to improve on the mistakes of previous years and a promise to make our lives, our family, and our country a better place. In 2022, Tennesseans will have that opportunity, especially at the ballot box.
“There are four political events in Tennessee in 2022 that have never collided before in our history and as such will lead to the largest number of Republican candidates seeking office than ever before. The first is the Constitutionally mandated redistricting that occurs every 10 years so that our elected representatives reflect an equal population. Changing districts means new opportunities for some and hopefully, new candidates will take advantage. Second, every eight years the entire judiciary will be on the ballot so voters can choose who best reflects their philosophy. Next, every local official from Courthouse to County Commission will be on the ballot. Republicans have always believed that the government that is closest to you has the most impact and importance. The last time all three of those elections occurred in the same year was 1982! And finally, for the first time in history, school board elections will be held in a partisan manner. Before this year, candidates had to seek office as ‘independents.’ Now, thanks to our efforts candidates will have a choice.
“Democrats in Washington have made their agenda clear: defunding our law enforcement, liberal judges and prosecutors, critical race theory in our classroom, high taxes and welfare, and government in complete control of our lives. The Framers of the Tennessee Constitution believed that the people should have the right to determine for themselves what kind of representatives should be elected and made sure to allow you to have the final authority at the ballot box.
“The Tennessee Republican Party and our county Parties are working hard to get candidates on the ballot that you can feel confident in voting and supporting. But democracy is a participation activity and safeguards require you to get involved. Come to a meeting, call the HQ, support a candidate of your choice, and please make sure you vote and let that be your New Year’s resolution for a better country for you and your family.”
Scott Golden
Chairman, Tennessee Republican Party
MERRICK GARLAND IS GUILTY AND SO IS MR. BIDEN!
Kris Bancroft, Editor and Publisher
The Rhea County Republican
The current occupant of the Oval Office swore an oath in January 2021:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_office_of_the_president_of_the_United_States
So, what are the duties of the individual occupying that Office? Well, Article II of the Constitution enumerates the powers and responsibilities of the President of the United States. It names the president as the head of the Executive Branch, as well as Commander-In-Chief of the [Military]. It requires the President to provide updates on how the country is doing – known as the State of the Union. Finally, it provides that the President and Vice President should be removed from office through impeachment if they commit “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
https://constitution.findlaw.com/article2/annotation16.html
https://www.naag.org/attorneys-general/what-attorneys-general-do/
As prescribed in Article II of the Constitution, the President appoints a Cabinet of individuals – Secretaries – who serve in the Executive Branch of Federal government. They each take an oath of office and the President instructs them on what they are to do. The President is directly responsible for their actions and culpable for their failures and misdeeds. One of those Cabinet Members is the U.S. Attorney General.
The role and purpose of the U.S. Attorney General is to supervise the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice includes many important federal law enforcement agencies, such as:
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI
- The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF
- The Bureau of Prisons
- The Office of Justice Programs
- The U.S. Attorneys
- The U.S. Marshals Service
- As the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government, the Attorney General serves many vital roles. The Attorney General:
- Represents the United States in court cases and legal matters
- Gives legal advice to the President and the Cabinet
- Appears before the Supreme Court in important legal matters involving the nation or federal government
https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-us-attorney-general-history-role-purpose.html
So, the Attorney General supervises all the Federal law enforcers, as well as all the judges who try cases in Federal court. The role of law enforcement is to investigate crimes, to determine who perpetrated those crimes and, ultimately to arrest individuals who are suspected criminals then present the evidence collected in a court of law.
Attorney General Merrick Garland, like all Attorneys General have done in the past, swore an oath on entering office:
“I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3331
However, it is blatantly obvious that Mr. Garland has failed to honor his oath of office when it comes to supporting and defending the Constitution.
The Biden regime is failing in innumerable ways to uphold our nation’s laws and one of Mr. Garland’s most glaring failures is in the area of prosecuting people who illegally enter our country, as well as failing to prosecute those who aid and abet them.
Like his boss, Attorney General Garland’s failures are not due to his ignorance.
Specifically, Mr. Garland is failing to honor his oath of office in the way of violating Title 8 – US Code, Section 1324, and guilty by dereliction of his duties in enforcing Title 8 – US Code, Sections 1322, 1323, 1324, and 1325.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1322
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1323
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1324
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1325
As Gene Hamilton, Vice President of America First Legal and General Counsel recently stated: “The Biden Administration is knowingly releasing hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens on an annualized basis into the United States with absolutely no intention of ever deporting them, even after an immigration judge orders their removal from the United States and despite clear direction from Congress in our immigration laws to enforce such orders. We are a nation of laws, but the Biden Administration is turning us into a nation of lawlessness.
“Last night, the Biden Administration submitted documents to a court in ongoing litigation related to the Migrant Protection Protocols. Those documents show that the Biden Administration knowingly released more than 42,000 illegal aliens into the interior of the United States last month: in October 2021. And that number does not include the enormous number of aliens who evaded detection because the Biden Administration was too busy directing the men and women of DHS to release aliens into the United States.
“The Biden Administration is aiding, abetting, and accelerating the worst invasion of America’s southern border in history. They have made “catch-and-release” the only operative immigration policy in the United States, eschewing their duty to protect and defend America’s borders.”
The effects of Attorney General Garland’s failure to honor his oath of office extend into other areas; one of which is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
David P. Pekoske, who runs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and reports to Alejandro Mayorkas, DHS Secretary. Mr. Pekoske has confirmed that he has been instructed to allow illegal aliens to board flights using their arrest warrants as identification.
While not attempting to draw any moral equivalencies, unfortunately, Merrick Garland is not the first Attorney General to fail to honor his oath of office, and it is highly likely that he will not be the last, but we can only deal with the present.
TOO MANY TENNESSEE POLITICIANS ARE SERVING TWO MASTER
By William Haupt III Tennessee Watchdog Journalist, Columnist, Author, and Citizen Legislator –
Speaker Tip O’Neill once told us, “Since most every politician starts their political career in local government all politics are local.” This is such an epic statement it ought to be etched on the wall of every U.S. classroom. No student should graduate who can’t answer this right on their civics test.
County government is the oldest and most tangible governing body in our union. They are the 1st administrators for the state and responsible for enforcing their laws. Management and execution of all core functions in our lives emanate from county government. One would think we’d only elect those with the highest degree of integrity and trust to run county governments? Well—think again.
How many working stiffs would like to write company policy, give themselves raises, pocket two paychecks from the same business each week, have dual pensions and an unlimited source of tax revenue to pay for this? Believe it or not this takes place every day in our local governments.
Nepotism, (Latin nepotem) first appeared in the 17th Century. Popes would anoint their nephews as cardinals who in turn would choose the next pope. This was contagious and it crept into global politics. Today it thrives in politics everywhere, especially in Tennessee local county governments.
This is simply referred to as favoritism, cronyism, and patronization. In the South, it’s the “good ol boy’s curse”. But a spade is a spade, and by any other name it is nepotism. Any form of nepotism abrogates democracy. And nepotism is the most destructive and well-hidden form of malfeasance.
Most states have laws to prohibit “double dipping”; an illicit practice of obtaining income from two mutual sources, such as two paychecks from the same government. This is more than a conflict of interest. It can easily lead to pandering and the patronizing of special interests, and outright abuse. In Tennessee, county commissions are filled with commissioners who also get county paychecks.
There is an absolute conflict of interest for every county employee who serves as a commissioner. The actions of the commission directly affect the duties, salary, promotional opportunities and other aspects of county employment. Therefore it isn’t possible to serve multiple county masters equally.
The perception of favoritism and “insider dealing” will always be present within the commissioner employee scenario, whether it is real or not. When the public loses confidence in the integrity of government at any level, the effectiveness and rectitude of a government is forever in question.
A county employee is paid to serve the people by doing the county’s business. The commissions determine what that business is, how it is to be conducted, how it is budgeted, and how employees are compensated. These are decisions only representatives of the people should make; not county employees. These decisions are always dubitable with county employees on county commissions.
Unlike a commissioner who is employed outside county government in the private sector, a county employee who receives a paycheck from the county government, and is also serving as a county commissioner is being paid to do conflicting jobs with our tax dollars. Taxpayers are being cheated when a county employee is focused on commission business rather than the job they are paid to do as a county employee. The taxpayer is not getting what they paid for and that is unacceptable.
The questionable practice of employee-commissioners violates the core concept of representative government. If government is allowed to represent itself, instead of the people who own it, then the people are at the mercy of government’s appetite for money, power and control. When government controls laws and policies instead of citizen representatives this breaches our democratic contract.
“A county is a political subdivision of the state, and therefore it obligates that county commissioners are accountable to the same standards of integrity and moral virtue as other state elected officers. For example; most all state employees have had to quit state jobs to run for elected State Office.
In 2015 one citizen lawmaker wrote legislation to end this nepotistic practice in Tennessee; HB 985 Rodgers and SB 466 Bell. The bill disqualified any county government employee from serving as a member of the county legislative body. Current members of the county legislature were exempted!
Unfortunately the bill was amended to “only prohibit” a member of a county legislative body from voting on matters which they have a conflict of interest; “which nullified the entire intent of the bill!”
Lobbyists successfully convinced committee members that this bill denied government employees their right to run for office like every other citizen, yet that was not true. Anyone has the right to run for an elected office but they do not have a right to create a conflict of interest in doing so. This bill did not limit any government employee from running for any office in any other county in the state!
County employees and county commissioners serve county citizens in mutually incompatible ways.
It is a citizen’s right to have a county commissioner who will conduct the county’s business without conflict of interest. If a county employee has a desire to enter into public service, that individual can seek employment in any position they desire that does not erode public confidence in government.
County commissions are the farm systems for state government. Many state officials cut their teeth on county commissions. These are the same people we eventually send to Washington. Therefore the people we elect as county commissioners must meet meritorious standards and have the same moral integrity we expect in state government, as well as in those that wish to run for federal office.
While everyone in America is focused on the continual abuse of our Constitutional and State rights by Washington progressives, our county commissions are adding “liberal” county employees every election. With the biggest threat to our democracy coming from the lowest form of government – the “direct democracy” that “we the people” have the most control over, and that “we show the least interest in.”
“All politics are local!” The lower down the food chain nepotism exists, the more dangerous it is. Since local government incubates our future state and federal officials, purifying local government is the only way to insure we have unbiased conservative representative democracy in Tennessee. Strong county governments create a better state. Since county government has the greatest effect on our lives, it is time we disallow county employees to serve on the county commissions they work for.
“People expect humility and honesty from public servants. Public employees can never be effective public servants since public servants are paid to serve the people, not themselves.” –Amit Kalantri
William Haupt III is a retired professional journalist, author, and citizen legislator in California for over 40 years. He got his start working to approve California Proposition 13. His work also appears in The Center Square, The Western Journal, Neighbor Newspapers, KPXJ 21 (Shreveport, LA), Killeen Daily Herald, Aberdeen American News, InsideNova, Kankakee Daily Journal, Monterey County Weekly, Olean Times Herald, The Greeneville Sun and more. Follow William on Twitter @iii_haupt.
COMMENTS FROM CANDIDATES
David Shinn is a candidate for Rhea County General Sessions Judge and has shared this biography in requesting your support.
Local Assistant District Attorney David Shinn is running as a republican candidate for Rhea County General Sessions Judge. Shinn has spent the last thirty years serving the public, taking pride in helping protect the citizens of Rhea County. Shinn came to Rhea County in 1992, as a probation officer for the Tennessee Department of Corrections and later earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration followed by a law degree from Nashville School of Law. After law school, Shinn handled cases involving personal injury, domestic relations, contracts, and criminal defense. He was later appointed Assistant District Attorney by District Attorney General Mike Taylor, where Shinn has proudly served six counties for the last thirteen years.
During his time as Assistant District Attorney, Shinn has earned a reputation as a successful trial lawyer who values hard work and dedication. He is well known for his extensive knowledge of the law and his ability to analyze and decode the facts of each case. This recognition has led community leaders, elected officials and local residents to encourage Shinn to pursue the General Sessions Court Judge seat in the 2022 election. Shinn is honored to pursue this opportunity to serve residents of the Rhea County community in a new capacity.
David understands that those who come before the General Sessions Court Judge are seeking answers to legal problems which are paramount in affecting their lives. Those legal issues span from criminal to family to civil, all areas in which Shinn has decades of experience. If elected, David will ensure all who come before the court receive respect, fairness and judicious decisions.
David has been a member of the Republican Party since he proudly cast his first presidential election vote in 1984 for Ronald Reagan. He is a member of the Federalist Society and the National District Attorneys Association. David is married to Kim Shinn, his wife of 33 years, and they reside in Dayton, Tennessee.
Bradley Sherman is a candidate for Circuit Court Judge and has invited you to view a link about his campaign.
Home | Bradley Sherman for Circuit Court Judge (shermanforcircuitjudge.com)
RANDOM THOUGHTS
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. -William James, psychologist (11 Jan 1842-1910)
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
Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) offered the following comments on HR 5746
“Once again, Democratic leadership is attempting to circumvent the will of the American people by ramming their disingenuous ‘voting rights’ legislation through the House.
“I firmly believe in protecting the right to vote for all Americans. This legislation does nothing to protect that right. Rather, this legislation will undermine the United States Constitution by disregarding state voter ID laws and nationalizing elections. I stand firm in protecting our states’ rights against the Biden Administration’s latest attempt at an unconstitutional power grab and will vote NO on H.R. 5746.”
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
Diane Bederman, a good friend in Ontario, Canada has recently penned an excellent article: “Death with dignity! How about life with dignity?”
We have heard a great deal about death with dignity. It really got a push in the 1990’s. People have a right to end their lives with some dignity. OK. I understand it, but don’t like it. I don’t like the idea of government involvement in killing its citizens. Slippery slope comes to mind. I have watched as abortion went from aborting babies because of rape or incest, to first term abortion to abortion at birth.
What will prevent government from encouraging death with dignity; in the name of the greater good? Well, Germany, in the name of protecting the most fragile, will not allow people to access euthanasia without first being vaccinated against Covid!
In 2021 Canada passed Bill C-7. The bill amends the Code provisions on MAID, medical assistance in dying, by establishing a separate set of procedural safeguards for individuals whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable and making some amendments to the safeguards that apply in the case of individuals whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable. “Under the Liberal government’s amendment, medically assisted death will automatically be expanded to cover those with mental illness in 24 months.” Minors with mental illness must be mature before they can request assisted suicide. The Bill will not go through right away. Much needs to be discussed.
What if the government promotes the idea that some of our elderly are burdensome? Think of the cost of caring for these people! And it would be in their best interest to encourage them to end their lives with dignity? A sort of patriotic duty? What if the government, in the name of the greater good, gives incentives for this encouragement?
And don’t scoff at that idea.
After all, the government had little push back when dividing our citizens into essential and non-essential during COVID, despite the fact that although the COVID-19 pandemic has infected approximately 1.5% of the world’s population of about 7.75 billion persons, it has killed a much smaller fraction of a percent of that population. To put these numbers into perspective, the global population in 1918, during the Spanish Flu was about 1.8 billion persons, suggesting that about 30% of the world’s population was infected during that pandemic and that it killed about 2.7% of that population. Despite the relatively low COVID numbers, we allowed our government to shut us down and silence us. Separate us from our elderly grandparents, especially the weakest, who needed us the most.
We have now established a track record of bending the knee to government.
But I digress.
https://dianebederman.com/death-with-dignity-how-about-life-with-dignity/
[Diane Bederman is the author of several books worthy of your time. Her works include
The Serpent and the Red Thread Anatomy of FakeNews in the Era of Donald Trump
Back to the Ethic : Reclaiming Western Values
www.dianebederman.com – Editor]Top of Form
George Schirtzinger of Monrovia, CA shared a reminder:
The donkey told the tiger, “The grass is blue.”
The tiger replied, “No, the grass is green.”
The discussion became heated, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration, so they approached the lion.
As they approached the lion on his throne, the donkey started screaming: ′′Your Highness, isn’t it true that the grass is blue?”
The lion replied: “If you believe it is true, the grass is blue.”
The donkey rushed forward and continued: ′′The tiger disagrees with me, contradicts me and annoys me. Please punish him.”
The king then declared: ′′The tiger will be punished with 3 days of silence.”
The donkey jumped with joy and went on his way, content, and repeating ′′The grass is blue, the grass is blue…”
The tiger asked the lion, “Your Majesty, why have you punished me? After all, the grass is green.”
The lion replied, ′′You’ve known and seen the grass is green.”
The tiger asked, ′′So why do you punish me?”
The lion replied, “That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because it is degrading for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with an ass, and on top of that, you came and bothered me with that question just to validate something you already knew was true!”
The biggest waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn’t care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions. Never waste time on discussions that make no sense. There are people who, for all the evidence presented to them, do not have the ability to understand. Others who are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and the only thing that they want is to be right, even if they aren’t.
When IGNORANCE SCREAMS, intelligence moves on.
Jonathan Robbins, Indianapolis, IN
Exploding crime, over 2 million people having crossed the southern border in the last year, or war in Ukraine? Seems pretty clear what the media and DC want to talk about, and what they don’t.
So now we have this bumbling fool, fake President leading us towards another war in Europe. Thanks to his projection of weakness, it’s probably unavoidable now. I will pray for Ukraine, but no way in Hell I’ll ever support sending American troops into this disaster. I’d love to see a poll on the level of support for that. Of course, Biden has said that that will not happen. What neither Biden, nor anyone else knows is how the situation will evolve, and that’s where the real danger comes.
I don’t know how far Putin intends to go. I guarantee you that he will be carefully gauging the response of NATO. I also know that the age old adage about the Russians has proven true more than not…that they will continue to open doors and walk in until they meet resistance. Only then will they back off. Does anyone really think that Biden can or will offer such resistance? What will NATO’s reaction be? Will economic sanctions stop Putin? Will Ukraine simply be the next Crimea? Obama and Biden couldn’t stop that. How easily can mistakes be made that expand this beyond Ukraine? So many questions, and only a demented old fool to provide answers.
Listen…you hear that, off in the distance? Those are war drums, folks. The media is starting to beat the drums. The military/industrial complex is starting to beat the drums. The political elites, the globalists, whose children will watch any war from their Ivy League campuses, and never face a bullet fired in anger, are starting to beat the drums. If they weren’t godless, they should pray they don’t end up facing a ballistic missile fired in anger. Already we’re hearing words like “preemption.”
Never, ever forget how much all of those I just mentioned love war. The worst part, now, is that as a collective unit, those people are bloodthirsty enough, foolish enough, and evil enough, to lead us right into a global conflict, the like of which have not been seen on this Earth. The next one won’t stop with just 2 mushroom clouds. Are they really that stupid? I guess we’re going to find out.
Lloyd Banner Surprise, AZ
I’m writing to express my appreciation for our Congresswoman, Debbie Lesko.
I was in the club house having a discussion with my golfing buddies over at Desert Springs and we were talking about how the Biden administration had been mishandling our tax dollars. All my golfing friends are really fed up with the Democrats, and especially Joe Biden.
The next day, I was eating over at the China Buffet, and overheard some people talking about the very same thing! It seems the people at the restaurant had some good news though.
I learned that Debbie Lesko, our Congresswoman, started a letter that more than a dozen representatives have signed demanding answers as to why Joe Biden diverted more than two billion dollars from the COVID fund to pay for housing for the millions of illegal immigrants he has allowed to enter our country.
I’m not a lawyer but I think Biden should be investigated for misappropriating funds. I also think Biden’s use of the money to house illegal aliens is probably the reason why we’ve run short of COVID testing kits and other related material.
VOTE FOR DEBBIE!
[After reading Mr. Banner’s letter, I did some research on the topic and found the following link that provides more information on the letter he mentioned. – Editor] Bottom of Form
https://lesko.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx%3FDocumentID%3D2669
Chad McNabb of Clinton, TN informs us the IRS now requires drug dealers to report their income. The IRS has released the following statement:
“Income from illegal activities, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8z, or on Schedule C (Form 1040), if from your self-employment activity.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2000354793489708&set=pcb.2000355226822998&__cft__[0]=AZWZSvvZ-_rp21uqgpBJBvwqFl8N3h8IjSMXl6aiAzR3MaSgxnEmoWS-T9fQRwWxzmrdWxGrTtqR6ssAi-BG3xaabGp4G6-ZI_WAD5rpb2YpqyLtotJ4EEXakvJG8rev_Q9OgzLXYBTcwFLWkhmvj8qqfuUXa2HVEsdgXHUrXjlviA&__tn__=*bH-y-R
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 affect our lives. Decide today that you will make your voice heard. If you remain silent, your representatives will never know your thoughts! – Editor
+ HR 2471 Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative Act (Hakeem Jefferies, D-NY, 18 pages).
To measure the progress of post-disaster recovery and efforts to address corruption, governance, rule of law, and media freedoms in Haiti.
Mr. Jefferies begins the text of his bill with the assumption that “it is the policy of the United States to support the sustainable rebuilding and development of Haiti,” a position that has never been approved by the taxpayers of the United States. However, after his opening remarks, his text goes on to suggest that Haiti is an “independent, self-reliant, and sovereign” nation(?), but, his bill goes on to demand that the Haitian government submit periodic reports, explaining how they used the >$13 Billion that has been sucked out of the U.S. Treasury.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/08/world/haiti-foreign-aid.html
IF Mr. Jefferies is truly interested in determining where our money has gone, might I suggest that he also investigate the Clinton “Foundation,” which reportedly raked in hundreds of millions of dollars off of various scams in Haiti.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/06/13/did-the-clinton-foundation-raise-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-for-a-hospital-in-haiti-that-was-never-built/ and https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37826098 and https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/11/haiti-and-the-failed-promise-of-us-aid
+ S 3436 Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Implementation Act (Ted Cruz, R-TX, 12 pages).
If you’ve been wondering why natural gas prices have doubled, the price for gasoline for your car has risen by more than 50%, and why WTI crude oil is currently more than $84 per barrel, please recall, among the first things Mr. Biden did when he stumbled into the Oval Office was to stop construction of the Keystone Pipeline (which had already been paid for and which put 11,000 Americans in the unemployment lines), and halted domestic exploration on public lands, which put even more Americans out of work.
To exacerbate his blunder that changed the United States’ status as an energy-independent nation and a net exporter of energy, he then relieved the sanctions that had been placed on the Russians use of the Nord Stream Pipeline.
The bill introduced by Senator Cruz would require the [re]-imposition of sanctions with respect to entities responsible for the planning, construction, or operation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and their corporate officers and to apply congressional review under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act to the removal of sanctions relating to Nord Stream 2, and for other purposes.
+++++ HR 5746 Freedom to Vote: The John R. Lewis Act (Donald Beyer, Jr. D-VA, 760 pages).
A bill claiming to amend title 51, United States Code, to extend the authority of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to enter into leases of non-excess property of the Administration, but a bill actually intended to destroy the 10th Amendment by federalizing elections in the United States failed a cloture vote in the Senate, and is provisionally dead.
The bill can be reintroduced under a new title.
S 3480 A Bill to Prohibit the Use of Funds to Reduce the Nuclear Forces of the United States (John Hoeven, R-ND, 6 pages).
The purpose of this bill is to prevent the Biden regime from capitulating (even further) to the wishes of China, Russia, Iran, and other enemies of the United States by reducing our nuclear arsenal.
S 3542 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Pat Toomey, R-PA, 10 pages).
This bill ensures that State and local law enforcement may cooperate with Federal officials to protect our communities from violent criminals and suspected terrorists who are illegally present in the United States.
S 3460 Keep Kids in Schools Act (Marco Rubio, R-FL, 4 pages).
This bill would prohibit local educational agencies from obligating certain Federal funds when schools are not providing full time in-person instruction.
S 3455 Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act (Tim Scott, R-SC, 4 pages).
Of the many egregious violations of our individual rights proposed by the Biden regime is its plan to double the size and budget of the IRS in order to shred our rights under the Fourth Amendment. Senator Scott’s bill would prohibit the implementation of new requirements to report bank account deposits and withdrawals.
S 3463 Sarah’s Law (Joni Ernst, R-IA, 6 pages).
This bill would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take into custody certain aliens who have been charged in the United States with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person, and for other purposes.
S 3453 Protect American Taxpayer Dollars from Illegal Immigration Act (Thom Tillis, R-NC, 4 pages).
A bill to prohibit the payment of certain legal settlements to individuals who unlawfully entered the United States.
S 3459 A bill to prohibit a Federal agency from promulgating any rule or guidance that bans hydraulic fracturing in the United States, and for other purposes (Kevin Cramer, R-ND, 4 pages).
The application of hydraulic pressure to oil and gas-bearing formations to enhance production (known as “fracking”) has long been proven to cause no harmful effects to the environment and it has proven to be the single-most enabler of making the United States a net exporter of energy while driving domestic prices for petroleum and gas products down. This bill would prevent the anti-American faction in our government from promulgating laws and rules that would severely limit – if not outright destroy – America’s energy independence for the foreseeable future.
S 3466 SCRIPT Act (Ted Cruz, R-TX, 8 pages).
A bill to prohibit the use of Federal funds for the production of programs by United States companies that alter political content for screening in the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes.
S 3464 National Right-to-Work Act (Rand Paul, R-KY, 6 pages).
A bill to preserve and protect the free choice of individual employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, or to refrain from such activities.
S 3469 Multilateral Aid Review Act of 2022 (James Risch, R-ID, 18 pages).
This bill establishes a review process of how taxpayers’ money is spent on foreign aid. It would hopefully decrease the amount of money “We the People” give to countries who hate us and basically want to bleed us dry. The review should be conducted by an independent non-government entity but it is left to the OIG.
+ HR 4521 Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021 (“Eddie” Johnson, D-TX, 27 pages).
The stated purpose of this bill is to provide for a coordinated Federal research initiative to ensure continued United States leadership in engineering biology. In actuality, this bill is nothing less than another one of Ms. Johnson’s schemes to funnel money to her supporters.
Buried deeply within the bill (Sec. 4(c) “Expanding Participation”) lies the true purpose of Ms. Johnson’s bill: to allocate enormous “grants” to colleges and universities that never have, and most likely never will, contribute anything of value to science or humankind.
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 3 FEBRUARY 2022, at 7:00 PM, at the Sheriff’s Training Center, 711 Eagle Lane, Evensville, TN 37323. JOIN US & BRING A FRIEND!
RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes for January 13, 2022
Chairman Elizabeth Gryder called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM. She reminded the Committee that the membership has asked that the Committee take care of as much business as possible to afford more time in the general meetings for program activities.
Scott Golden, our State Republican Party Chairman, was introduced. He was present to share information about the process when candidates change Parties. Also, redistricting is in progress, required as a result of population changes from the 2020 Census. Rhea County would likely move from the 12th State Senate District to the 9th District and would then have a new Senator.
Reagan Day Dinner Kris Bancroft stated that tickets will be printed around February 15th, after speakers are finalized. Two or three more team leaders are needed, as well as team members. A couple of vendors will be invited to sell tee-shirts, bumper stickers, etc.; the vendors will be asked to purchase a couple of tickets. Plaques or certificates will be presented to guest speakers and others. A photographer will be located. Budget considerations were discussed. A minute-by-minute program schedule was provided. New members are encouraged to volunteer.
PAC Discussion was begun about the need to decide on a budget for the distribution of PAC money. There will be a larger number of candidates this year. Marvin Keener, Sr., reported the PAC balance.
Letter Approval was given for the reimbursement of $7 for mailing a letter to Scott Golden.
Guest Speakers Elizabeth Gryder stated that people are needed to plan for guest speakers.
Meet ‘n Greet Elizabeth Gryder stated that people are also needed to plan for a Meet ‘n Greet event for political candidates, to be held in June or July. She will contact the Dayton Chamber of Commerce to schedule the event.
Discussions will continue on the above items at the next Executive Committee meeting, to be held January 30th at 2pm. The meeting adjourned at 6:42pm.
Judy Bancroft, Secretary
RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
Meeting Minutes for January 13, 2022
Chairman Elizabeth Gryder called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Marvin Keener, Sr., offered prayer and Joe Gryder led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Elizabeth Gryder congratulated Ron and Laura Travis on their 32nd wedding anniversary and announced the return of Joe Gryder after a lengthy absence due to illness.
Elizabeth Gryder welcomed Scott Golden, State GOP Chairman, and each of the other guests. The names and positions sought by the 22 candidates present tonight are as follows:
John Stanberry—State Executive Committee Representative
Missy Willis—Chancellor
Justin Angel—Circuit Court Judge, Part 3
Shannon Garrison—General Sessions Judge
John Cameron—Circuit Court Judge, Part 2
Bradley Sherman—Circuit Court Judge, Part 1
Andrew Cunnyngham—Circuit Court Judge, Part 2
Jace Cochran—General Sessions Judge
Teresa Hulgan—Register of Deeds
Dr. Henry Reid—County School Board, District 9
John Mincy—County School Board, District 1
Perry Massengill—County School Board, District 3
Neva Webb—County Trustee
Jamie Holloway—Circuit Court Clerk
Mike Neal—Sheriff
Dennis Beavers—State Senate
Courtney Lynch—District Attorney
Jim Vincent—County Commission
Ted Engel—Public Defender
Ron Travis—State Representative
George Thacker—County Executive
Adam Lowe—State Senator
As part of the redistricting required due to population changes, Rhea County will have a new State Senator and new State Executive Committee representative.
At the end of the meeting, Ted Engel re-introduced each candidate and everyone was given the opportunity to speak to the group.
Minutes: Judy Bancroft read the minutes for the Executive Committee meeting of November 11, 2021. Motion by Marvin Keener, Sr., and second by Laura Travis to accept the minutes as read. Motion carried.
Judy Bancroft read the minutes for the general meeting of November 11, 2021. A correction was noted for the political-candidate filing deadline to be February 17th, rather than January 17th. Motion by Laura Travis and second by Donna Taylor to accept the minutes as corrected. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Ted Engel gave the report. Motion by Laura Travis and second by Jace Cochran to accept the report as read. Motion carried.
PAC Report: Marvin Keener, Sr. reported that the beginning and ending balances are the same.
Refreshments: Elizabeth Gryder thanked Donna Taylor, Marilyn Engel, Bill Bastenbeck and any others for bringing refreshments. Next month, there will be a refreshments potluck.
Executive Committee Meeting: Elizabeth Gryder reported that the Executive Committee met just before this meeting but will meet again on January 30th to finish the agenda. The Reagan Day Dinner was discussed. Kris Bancroft needs team volunteers; please contact him if interested. Members will please bring homemade desserts to be sold separately. Tickets should be available starting February 15th. Laura Travis has offered to manage all ticket sales.
Also discussed was the need to plan a Meet ‘n’ Greet event for political candidates, to be held in June or July, most likely at the Welcome Center.
OLD BUSINESS:
Bylaws: Scott Golden reported that we will be hearing from the State Republican Party shortly about approval of our amended Bylaws. One correction will be needed.
Young Republicans: Ted Doss suggested that we have booths at events, such as the Strawberry Festival and Shake the Lake, to attract potential young Republicans. Materials such as questionnaires could be provided. We will continue this discussion at our next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Political Candidate Party Declarations: On December 28th, County Trustee Neva Webb, Sheriff Mike Neal and Circuit Court Clerk Jamie Holloway declared affiliation with the Republican Party. Tonight, General Sessions Judge Shannon Garrison and School Board members John Mincy (District 1), Perry Massengill (District 3) and Dr. Henry Reid (District 9) also declared affiliation with the Republican Party.
Dale Harris, School Board member for District 7, announced that he is unable to run for re-election due to a conflict-of-interest and encouraged other Republicans to seek the position.
Candidate Issues: State GOP Chairman Scott Golden thanked all candidates for running for office, in view of the issues at stake in this election. He stated that 2022 is a record year for the number of Republicans running for office in Tennessee. Mr. Golden explained the standards for candidacy, including fees in certain situations, as outlined in the State Republican Party Bylaws.
State Representative Ron Travis thanked Scott Golden for attending our meeting and for the work he is doing.
Credit or Debit Card: Ted Doss suggested that we consider applying for a credit or debit card, which could be used by those conducting Party business. This topic will be placed on the agenda for the next Executive Committee meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Elizabeth Gryder asked that all candidates wishing to speak at our next meeting contact her at least a week ahead.
John Stanbery, State Executive Committee Representative from District 9, announced that he has copies available of information on election security and voting integrity issues.
Elizabeth Gryder announced that our next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 3rd, at 7:00 pm.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Judy Bancroft, Secretary
RANDOM THOUGHTS
We are no longer accepting the things we cannot change. It is now time to change the things we cannot accept. – Ensi Bennett
LAGNIAPPE
I’ve always been a fan of science fiction movies. One of my all-time favorites is a movie made sometime around 1936 that starred Raymond Massey (who was also famous for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln), in a movie entitled “Things to Come.” This movie was based on an H. G. Wells novel entitled “The Shape of Things to Come,” and it was a book decrying the tragedies associated with endless wars. (We’ve had plenty of those, haven’t we?)
While H. G. Wells gave us many great novels – he has always been one of my favorite authors – as I grew older, I sadly discovered that he was a member of the Fabian Society, an organization set on establishing a worldwide socialist government. While I have grown to detest H. G. Wells’ politics, I still greatly appreciate his science fiction works which expressed his capacity to look into the future.
Looking into the future is something we all must continually do!
If we turn a blind eye to the horizon, we will surely get walloped by something we could have avoided, whereas if we have some information about what the future holds, we might be able to work to prevent it altogether, or at least develop a contingency plan to minimize its effects on our lives.
One of those things that is coming our way at present is the appearance of electric-powered vehicles, or “EVs.”
EVs require frequent recharging. Currently, the maximum range is about 233 miles.
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/electric-cars-with-the-longest-range. This number may well increase in the future but, for now, it is what it is.
Now, please consider that each EV has an onboard computer that “talks” to the charging station from which it derives power. The computer informs the charging station of its serial number and the charging station can inform a third party of the EVs location and amount of charge it is receiving.
Yes! You read that correctly; the charging station can report to a third party the location of the EV it is charging, which essentially means, the third party knows the location of the owner. If you own an EV, the government knows where you are, and how many miles you’ve driven.
So, let’s say there’s an energy crunch and you have an EV. If a “third party” decides you’ve been driving too much lately – or that you’ve driven to a location you’ve not been authorized to go – that “third party” can cut off your electricity and the authorities can come and impound your EV . . . and you!
If (when) this becomes the norm, there will be some innovative and clever persons who will black market devices that will fool the charging stations into not recognizing the identity of an EV, but some legislator will write a law prohibiting such activities and invoking penalties for those who break the rules. Eventually, those rule breakers will be caught, too and they will be punished even more harshly.
How will the rule breakers be caught? I’m glad you asked.
Eventually, the EV owner will need new tires or some other service and the total miles will be reported. That number will be calculated against the number of recorded charges and if the numbers don’t line up, the owner will be penalized.
But what if I do my own maintenance?
Another trap will be laid when the EV owner buys new tags or takes the EV to a safety inspection station for a new decal.
Ultimately, as EVs replace petroleum-fueled vehicles the government will track our movements and another of our freedoms will be forever lost. This is “The Shape of Things to Come.”
Until next time, think about what your life will be like when all currency is digitized.
RANDOM THOUGHTS
In his new book, “Red Handed,” Peter Schweizer details how the Biden family were paid $31 Million by the Chinese government. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-handed-peter-schweizer/1140863725
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 Marsha Blackburn
357 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3344 Fax: (202) 228-0566 To contact visit website: |
| 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 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 |
