{"id":810,"date":"2021-12-27T12:57:54","date_gmt":"2021-12-27T17:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rheagop.org\/?p=810"},"modified":"2021-12-27T12:57:54","modified_gmt":"2021-12-27T17:57:54","slug":"the-rhea-county-republican-january-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rheagop.org\/the-rhea-county-republican-january-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rhea County Republican – January 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE\u00a0<\/span>RHEA COUNTY REPUBLICAN<\/span><\/h1>\n

ADVANCING THE CONSERVATIVE CAUSE<\/span><\/h3>\n

Vol. 5 \u2013 No. 11\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 January 2022<\/em><\/p>\n

The original content of this publication is copyrighted.\u00a0 Requests for reprinting may be obtained by contacting the Editor and Publisher at: <\/strong>pyrope84045@mypacks.net<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n

Editorial <\/strong>———————————————————————-1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Where It\u2019s Made Act<\/strong>—————————————————— 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reflections on Pearl Harbor<\/strong> —————————————– –5<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Tribute to Bob Dole<\/strong>—————————————————-6<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mitchell Jones is Running for TN State Exec. Committee<\/strong> — 6 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Turn the Murderers Loose <\/strong>————————————- 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Race is On! <\/strong>————————————————————7<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remarks on the 2nd<\/sup> Amendment<\/strong> ———————————– 12<\/strong><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s Free! <\/strong>—————————————————————12\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

And The Loser Is<\/strong>——————————————————— 14<\/strong><\/p>\n

Comments from Representatives<\/strong> ———————————-15<\/strong><\/p>\n

Comments from Correspondents<\/strong>———————————–16<\/strong><\/p>\n

Legislative Report <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0—————————————————– 19<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rhea County Republican Party News <\/strong>—————————- 22<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lagniappe<\/strong>—————————————————————— 24<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact Your Elected Representatives Today!<\/strong>—————- 25\u00a0 <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Privet moi druzya!<\/p>\n

HAPPY NEW YEAR!<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EDITORIAL<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kris Bancroft, Editor and Publisher<\/p>\n

The Rhea County Republican<\/em><\/p>\n

A few months ago, we began seeing the brightly painted shoes of Enes Kanter, a star basketball player for the Boston Celtics.\u00a0 Those shoes carried messages quite unlike the anti-American memes displayed by LeBron James, and a few lesser known dissidents in the NBA.\u00a0 Quite to the contrary, Enes Kanter\u2019s shoes are emblazoned with messages about the oppression of minorities around the globe \u2013 the Tibetan Buddhists, the Uyghurs \u2013 but, mostly his messages are about the greatness of America.<\/p>\n

More recently, we have seen Enes Kanter on TV being interviewed about those statements illustrated on his colorful shoes, and we have learned that Mr. Kanter, one of our country\u2019s newest citizens, has changed his name to Enes Kanter Freedom.<\/em><\/p>\n

Still, in our \u201csound bite world,\u201d it is virtually impossible to gain a full insight of what has inspired Enes Kanter Freedom to take the stand he has taken, and to grasp the mission he has undertaken, but finally he was invited by The Atlantic<\/em> to write an Op-Ed.<\/p>\n

In reading Enes Kanter Freedom\u2019s words one may be compelled to ask:\u00a0 If people all around the world have so much admiration for the United States of America \u2013 the greatest country to ever exist on planet Earth \u2013 then why don\u2019t those of us who were lucky enough to be born in America understand and appreciate its greatness?\u00a0 There are many<\/em> answers to that question but, for now, reprinted for your reading enjoyment is:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WHY I BECAME AN AMERICAN<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Enes Kanter Freedom<\/p>\n

When I first arrived in the United States, I had to adjust to a new language, new norms, and new traditions. \u00a0But I was perhaps most stunned by a simple comment a teammate made. \u00a0He criticized President Barack Obama, which I feared could have landed him in prison. \u00a0He smiled and said: \u00a0\u201cThis isn\u2019t Turkey, brother. \u00a0You have the freedom to say whatever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Americans might find the thought absurd, but the threat of prison is all too real for those living under authoritarian rule around the world. \u00a0Since Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan\u00a0became president of Turkey<\/a>\u00a0in 2014, after more than a decade as prime minister, at least 12,881 people have been convicted of the crime of insulting the president.\u00a0 Thousands<\/a>\u00a0have been sent to prison,\u00a0including<\/a>\u00a0children, for offenses as trivial as posting something on social media that might hurt the feelings of an emotionally fragile dictator.<\/p>\n

Over the past five years, Erdo\u011fan has all but stamped out free expression in Turkey. \u00a0He\u2019s made Turkey one of the world\u2019s worst\u00a0jailers<\/a>\u00a0of journalists, imprisoning hundreds. Erdo\u011fan\u2019s regime has shut down more than\u00a0160<\/a>\u00a0media outlets and\u00a0hundreds<\/a>\u00a0of human-rights groups. \u00a0Turkey\u2019s dystopian new internet law gives the regime complete control over users\u2019 data and enables online censorship.<\/p>\n

A current proposal would\u00a0criminalize<\/a>\u00a0the spreading of so-called fake news online with up to five years in prison. \u00a0Erdo\u011fan has targeted every defender of freedom in my country. \u00a0His regime has persecuted, jailed, and even\u00a0tortured<\/a>\u00a0tens of thousands of educators, lawyers, judges, public officials, and activists after labeling them \u201cterrorists.\u201d And it has targeted me.<\/p>\n

Erdo\u011fan went after my family because I dared to speak up. \u00a0He forced my parents to publicly disown me. \u00a0The\u00a0words<\/a>\u00a0in a handwritten note from my dad in 2016 cut me to my core: \u00a0\u201cWith a feeling of shame, I apologize to our president and the Turkish people for having such a son.\u201d \u00a0My siblings were blocked from employment. \u00a0My dad was fired, later jailed, and then ultimately released in 2020. \u00a0But he emerged from his cell a completely different person, unable to speak about his experiences. \u00a0I have not seen or spoken with my parents since 2015. \u00a0Any contact with me could have them arrested.<\/p>\n

I could have fallen victim to Turkey\u2019s ruthless\u00a0campaign<\/a>\u00a0of transnational repression as well. \u00a0Erdo\u011fan\u2019s regime is infamous for hunting down dissidents across the globe. In 2017, on a basketball trip to Indonesia, I received a tip to leave the country immediately, to avoid a suspected kidnapping attempt by Turkish agents. \u00a0On the next leg of our trip, in Europe, I was informed by border control that Turkey had revoked my citizenship. \u00a0I would later learn that the regime had also issued an international arrest warrant against me.<\/p>\n

I was stranded. I had no family. I had no nationality. I had no home.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s when America welcomed me with open arms.<\/p>\n

This country has given me all the opportunities in the world. \u00a0Friends, teammates, journalists, politicians, and activists became my new family, united in our struggle for justice, equality, human rights, and democracy. \u00a0When I started the process of becoming an American citizen, I realized that life is bigger than basketball. \u00a0I decided to dedicate the power and privilege of my platform to the causes that matter\u2014to be a voice for the voiceless.<\/p>\n

I listened to victims and stood in solidarity with the oppressed. \u00a0I marched for Black lives. \u00a0I prayed with Tibetan Buddhists. \u00a0I stood by democracy activists from Hong Kong and Taiwan. \u00a0I heard from Uyghurs who had lost relatives or survived the torture of\u00a0China\u2019s concentration camps<\/a>. \u00a0I fought against all forms of hate. \u00a0I took to the streets. I took to the podium. \u00a0I raised awareness. \u00a0I used my platform. \u00a0I used my voice.<\/p>\n

Human rights and democracy are under threat. \u00a0Around the globe, authoritarian strongmen are\u00a0getting stronger<\/a>. \u00a0Yet far too many celebrities, athletes, and corporations still choose their money over their morals. \u00a0Speaking up for victims of authoritarian violence has somehow become controversial, just because it might alienate the perpetrators. It shouldn\u2019t take the\u00a0disappearance<\/a>\u00a0of a former No. 1 world-tennis star for some of us to make a statement. \u00a0Freedom is not about staying silent in the face of a tyrannical dictatorship that commits genocide against the Uyghurs because you prefer to preserve your business deals.<\/p>\n

For six long years, I was without a home. \u00a0I know what it\u2019s like for people to have their freedom stripped away. \u00a0And I know what it\u2019s like to have my own freedom stripped away. \u00a0But this week, I\u2019m reclaiming my Freedom. \u00a0I just became an American citizen, and I\u2019m making America and its freedoms a part of my very identity.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m overwhelmed with emotion just writing these words: \u00a0I, Enes Kanter Freedom, am proud to be a citizen of the United States of America, the land of the free, and home of the brave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

RANDOM THOUGHTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prior to Capitalism, the way people amassed great wealth was by looting, plundering, and enslaving their fellow man.\u00a0 Capitalism made it possible to become wealthy by serving your fellow man. \u2013 Walter E Williams (March 31, 1936 \u2013 December 2, 2020)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

WHERE IT\u2019S MADE ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kris Bancroft, Editor & Publisher<\/em><\/p>\n

The Rhea County Republican<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you made your holiday gift purchases in brick and mortar stores you may have noticed something a bit different about the packaging or labeling \u2013 it is becoming difficult (if not impossible), to determine where some product are made.\u00a0 As it turns out, it seems most difficult to determine the country of origin of a product if that product is made in China.<\/p>\n

Case in point:\u00a0 A few weeks ago I needed a part for a home appliance and went to my local \u201cBig Box\u201d store to purchase it.\u00a0 Several versions of that product were on display and all variations were hanging on the racks \u201cnaked\u201d as it were \u2013 unwrapped and unboxed \u2013 except one . . . the one that was the best fit for the application I had in mind.<\/p>\n

The part I needed was totally encapsulated in a heavy plastic package that required one to destroy the seal if they wanted a closer look.\u00a0 The country of origin was nowhere to be seen on the package.\u00a0 I was in a fix.\u00a0 It was getting late in the day.\u00a0 I was tired and frustrated.\u00a0 I bought the one in that was wrapped up tighter than Fort Knox.<\/p>\n

When I arrived home and (with extraordinary difficulty) destroyed the packaging to get to the part I had purchased I still could not see any markings that indicated the country of origin \u2013 nothing on the paperwork, nothing on the packaging material, nothing emblazoned on the part itself.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 I still don\u2019t know where the part was made.<\/p>\n

The point is this:\u00a0 When we buy a product, a part of the price we pay goes to the manufacturer.\u00a0 If the product is made in another country, some of the money we shell out goes to the government of the country of origin.<\/p>\n

Since I have decided to boycott Chinese-made goods (for innumerable<\/em> reasons), I always<\/em> check the label on anything<\/em> I buy because I do not want my money to go to a country whose government is guilty of genocide, uses slave labor to manufacture its products, and is dead set on overtaking the United States of America (and the rest of the free world!)\u00a0 In short, I don\u2019t want my money to finance the defeat of my country.<\/p>\n

The cryptic labeling scheme that so many countries seem to get away with has always been an issue for me.\u00a0 In the past, I have advocated that all Americans should buy American-made goods when possible, but certainly refuse products made in China.\u00a0 I have also urged my representatives to sponsor a bill that would change our laws to require any and all<\/em> products sold in our country to boldly<\/em> bear labeling that informs the buyer of the country of origin.\u00a0 I call it the \u201cWhere It\u2019s Made Act.\u201d\u00a0 If you agree, perhaps you could take a moment to let your elected representatives know that you\u2019re on board with the idea, too.<\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

REFLECTIONS ON PEARL HARBOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

James L. Holly<\/em><\/p>\n

Facebook Correspondent<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I have a Master\u2019s Degree in History and I did not know this.<\/p>\n

John Guy writes: \u00a0“What God did at Pearl Harbor that day is interesting and I never knew this little bit of history.<\/p>\n

Tour boats ferry people out to the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii every thirty minutes. We just missed a ferry and had to wait thirty minutes. \u00a0I went into a small gift shop to kill time.<\/p>\n

In the gift shop, I purchased a small book entitled, “Reflections on Pearl Harbor” by Admiral Chester Nimitz.<\/p>\n

Sunday, December 7th, 1941\u2014 Admiral Chester Nimitz was attending a concert in Washington, DC. He was paged and told there was a phone call for him. \u00a0When he answered the phone, it was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the line.<\/p>\n

He told Admiral Nimitz that he (Nimitz) would now be the Commander of the Pacific Fleet. \u00a0Admiral Nimitz flew to Hawaii to assume command of the Pacific Fleet. \u00a0He landed at Pearl Harbor on Christmas Eve, 1941. \u00a0There was such a spirit of despair, dejection, and defeat–you would have thought the Japanese had already won the war.<\/p>\n

On Christmas Day, 1941, Admiral Nimitz was given a boat tour of the destruction wrought on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. \u00a0Big sunken battleships and navy vessels cluttered the waters everywhere you looked. \u00a0As the tour boat returned to dock, the young helmsman of the boat asked, “Well Admiral, what do you think after seeing all this destruction?”<\/p>\n

Admiral Nimitz’s reply shocked everyone within the sound of his voice. \u00a0Admiral Nimitz said, “The Japanese made three of the biggest mistakes an attack force could ever make, or God was taking care of America. \u00a0Which do you think it was?”<\/p>\n

Shocked and surprised, the young helmsman asked, “What do mean by saying the Japanese made the three biggest mistakes an attack force ever made?<\/p>\n

Nimitz explained.<\/p>\n

Mistake number one:\u00a0 The Japanese attacked Sunday morning. Nine out of every ten crewmen of those ships were ashore on leave. If those same ships had been lured to sea and been sunk–we would have lost 38,000 men instead of 3,800.<\/p>\n

Mistake number two:\u00a0 When the Japanese saw all those battleships lined in a row, they got so carried away sinking those battleships, they never once bombed our dry docks opposite those ships. \u00a0If they had destroyed our dry docks, we would have had to tow every one of those ships to America to be repaired. \u00a0As it is now, the ships are in shallow water and can be raised. \u00a0One tug can pull them over to the dry docks, and we can have them repaired and at sea by the time we could have towed them to America. \u00a0And I already have crews ashore anxious to man those ships.<\/p>\n

Mistake number three: \u00a0Every drop of fuel in the Pacific theater of war is in top of the ground storage tanks five miles away over that hill. \u00a0One attack plane could have strafed those tanks and destroyed our fuel supply.<\/p>\n

That’s why I say the Japanese made three of the biggest mistakes an attack force could make or, God was taking care of America.<\/p>\n

I’ve never forgotten what I read in that little book. \u00a0It is still an inspiration as I reflect upon it. \u00a0In jest, I might suggest that because Admiral Nimitz was a Texan, born and raised in Fredericksburg, Texas — he was a born optimist.<\/p>\n

But any way you look at it, Admiral Nimitz was able to see a silver lining in a situation and circumstance where everyone else saw only despair and defeatism.<\/p>\n

President Roosevelt had chosen the right man for the right job. \u00a0We desperately needed a leader that could see a silver lining in the midst of the clouds of dejection, despair, and defeat.<\/p>\n

There is a reason that our national motto is, IN GOD WE TRUST.<\/p>\n

Why have we forgotten? PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY! IN GOD WE TRUST.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A TRIBUTE TO BOB DOLE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bob Dole was an American hero by any definition of the term.\u00a0 Fox News aired this tribute to his life.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/watch\/?v=287623276624963&aggr_v_ids%5B0%5D=287623276624963&notif_id=1638752838757272&notif_t=watch_follower_video&ref=notif<\/a><\/p>\n

Jonathan Robbins, a Correspondent from Indianapolis, IN offered the following observation on the remarks made about Bob Dole:\u00a0 \u201cTom Daschle just blatantly lied, in his eulogy for Bob Dole and it needs to be pointed out. \u00a0He said that Bob Dole \u2018broke ranks\u2019 to vote for both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That is a lie and historically false. \u00a0Bob Dole did not \u2018break ranks\u2019 to vote for those bills. \u00a0Bob Dole voted with his party, on those bills. \u00a0The vast majority of the GOP voted for those bills. \u00a0In fact, a higher percentage of Republicans, in the House and Senate, than Democrats voted for those bills. \u00a0Also fact is that Democrats filibustered both bills. \u00a0Neither of those bills could have come close to passing, without Everett Dirksen and the GOP.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MITCHELL JONES IS RUNNING FOR TN STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE<\/strong><\/p>\n

After much consideration and prayer, I have decided to run for a seat on the Tennessee State Executive Committee (District 9).<\/p>\n

I am a life-long Republican, I was born and raised in McMinn County.\u00a0 I’m a member of the McMinn County Republican Party, where I formerly served as the 2nd Vice Chairman until announcing my candidacy for elected office. \u00a0I\u2019ve also served of the Executive board for the McMinn County Young Republicans.<\/p>\n

I am also a member of Open Door Baptist Church in Sweetwater, TN. \u00a0I strongly support the 2nd Amendment. \u00a0I’m pro-God, pro-life, and pro-Trump.<\/p>\n

I am running for the forgotten men and women, the everyday working Men and Women who feel like they no longer have a voice in the Republican Party. \u00a0If elected I promise I will fight for the Integrity of the Republican Party. \u00a0I humbly ask for your support and your vote on August 4th, 2022. \u00a0I\u2019ll be on the Republican Primary Ballot Thank you, God Bless You, and God Bless the Great State of Tennessee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LET\u2019S TURN THE MURDERS LOOSE!<\/strong><\/p>\n

House Bill 1532<\/a> introduced by Dan Howell (R-Dist. 22, Georgetown) and SB0561 by Janice Bowling (R-Dist. 16, Tullahoma) in the Senate, seeks to reduce the amount of time that must be served for first-degree murder before becoming eligible for parole. For someone currently sentenced to life in prison with parole, the minimum time they must serve is 51 years. \u00a0If the bill passes the House and Senate and becomes Tennessee law, that time would be reduced by approximately half to 25 years.<\/p>\n

If you wish to voice your opinion on this bill, you may contact Senator Bowling at https:\/\/www.capitol.tn.gov\/senate\/members\/s16.html<\/a> .\u00a0 Representative Howell can be reached at https:\/\/www.capitol.tn.gov\/house\/members\/h22.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE RACE IS ON!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kris Bancroft, Editor & Publisher<\/p>\n

The Rhea County Republican<\/em><\/p>\n

As of December 2021,\u00a037<\/strong>\u00a0members of Congress\u2014six members of the\u00a0U.S. Senate<\/a>\u00a0and 31 members of the\u00a0U.S. House<\/a>\u2014have announced they will not<\/em> seek re-election in 2022.<\/p>\n

Twenty-two Members\u2014six\u00a0Senators<\/a>\u00a0and 16\u00a0Representatives<\/a>\u2014have announced their retirement.<\/p>\n

Five retiring Senate members are Republicans and one is a Democrat, and of the retiring House members, 11 are Democrats and five are Republicans.<\/p>\n

Fifteen Representatives are\u00a0running for other offices<\/a>: four Republicans and four Democrats are seeking seats in the U.S. Senate; one Republican and two Democrats are running for Governor; one Republican is running for Secretary of their State; one Democrat is running for mayor, and; one Democrat and one Republican are running for Attorney General in their home State.<\/p>\n

List of U.S. Congress incumbents who are not running for re-election in 2022 – Ballotpedia<\/a><\/p>\n

In the US Senate, five Republicans have declared they will not seek reelection:\u00a0 Richard Burr (NC), Pat Toomey (PA), Rob Portman (OH), Richard Shelby (AL), and Roy Blunt (MO).\u00a0 The Democrats have only one retiree:\u00a0 Patrick Leahy (VT).\u00a0 Following are details on the more prominent candidates:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n