Dirty politics - OH GOP to Rep. Jim Jordan: Toe party line or you're finished

mydailynews.com

Can we all agree that politics can be dirty business?   The seedier side of it visited Ohio yesterday in the form of alleged threats to Rep. Jim Jordan, a conservative lawmaker who is the Chairman of the Republican Study Commission (RSC).  The Columbus Dispatch reported: 

"Jim Jordan's open defiance of Speaker John Boehner's efforts to solve the debt-ceiling crisis could cost the Urbana Republican his safe House seat in next year's election.

Two Republican sources deeply involved in configuring new Ohio congressional districts confirmed to The Dispatch today that Jordan's disloyalty to Boehner has put him in jeopardy of being zeroed out of a district. "Jim Jordan's boneheadedness has kind of informed everybody's thinking," said one of the sources, both of whom spoke only on condition of anonymity. "The easiest option for everybody has presented itself." [emphasis added]

As a result of the most recent census, Ohio will lose two Congressional seats.  Nearly everyone, including Rep. Dennis -I see UFO's - Kucinich himself, believes Kucinich will be the first to go. Rumors of other scenarios have run the gamut, with none of the GOP-proposed scenarios squeezing out a powerful Republican in a "safe" district.  Until yesterday, when Jordan refused to budge and encouraged others to follow his lead.  In a heated conference with RSC members, Boehner told them:

"I have fought for you and I didn't do that and expect to turn around and not see an army behind me so get your asses behind me."

Payback time. Some members at the conference chanted "Fire him! Fire him!" (at Jordan, not Boehner) (I know, right?)

And so we have a big, fat, GOP quagmire.  Should a legislator, like Jordan,  be free to follow his  conscience, even if it means going against The Party?  Should he be free to encourage others to do likewise?  Did he take a vow to defend and protect the GOP or the Constitution?  These are all important questions and Jordan is not backing down from his core beliefs.  In a press release he explained why he cannot support the Boehner plan:

“While I thank the Speaker for fighting for Republican principles, I cannot support the plan that was presented to House Republicans this afternoon.”

“The credit rating agencies have been clear that no matter what happens with the debt limit, the U.S. will lose its AAA credit rating unless we produce a credible plan to reduce the debt by trillions of dollars. Cut, Cap, and Balance is the only plan on the table that meets this standard. Only a Balanced Budget Amendment will actually solve our debt problems."

“Washington wants a deal. Americans want a solution. The Senate should resume debate on the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, amend it if necessary, and pass it, so we can provide the American people a real solution.”

He's got plenty of company.  Congress members Rand Paul (R-KY), Jim Demint (R-SC), Connie Mack (R-FL), Louis Gohmert (R-TX), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), David Vitter (R-LA), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Michele Bachmann (R-MN) all oppose the Boehner plan.  So do Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Heritage Action, and the Club for Growth.  And the Cato Institute informs us that the Boehner plan's spending cuts are the stuff of fairy dust and unicorns - they're all imaginary.  So it's not like Jordan is some wing nut out on a limb all alone.


That didn't stop a Dispatch "source" from conspiratorially whispering :

"He doesn't know it, but he solved a problem for Republican line-drawers by (figuratively) standing up and saying, 'I'm a jerk and I deserve to be punished.'"

Jordan, a former champion wrestler, didn't take it lying down.  He posted a link to the Dispatch article on his social networking sites, with this comment:

"I would be interested to hear your comments on this article, suggesting that my vote will result in my congressional district being eliminated."

I must say, I admire his restraint. Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, a longtime burr the the Ohio GOP saddle, wasn't so restrained.  He tweeted:


kenblackwell J. Kenneth Blackwell 
If Boehner eliminates @Jim_Jordan's district, we will finally have a proven conservative running for the US Senate: http://bit.ly/p3wcVp

Both Blackwell and Jordan recently announced that they would not run for the senate seat currently held by Sherrod Brown, clearing the way for State Treasurer Josh Mandel.  It's unlikely that would change, but Blackwell wanted to remind the Ohio Republican Party that a costly primary would not be in anybody's best interest. 


Boehner almost immediately distanced himself from the Dispatch article and the allegation that he would ever in a millions years threaten Jordan, because, they're like, BFF's and all:

"Jim Jordan and I may not always agree on strategy, but we are friends and allies, and the word retribution is not in my vocabulary. I look forward to continuing to serve with him in the U.S. House after the redistricting process in Ohio is complete."

http://dyn.politico.com/

So we have a case of he-said/he or she-said from the Dispatch. If the story is true, it would be a disgrace and an embarrassment for the Ohio Republican Party and for Boehner, who carries a lot of influence and pulls a lot of strings in this state's party politics.  It's also a miscalculation.  


Rep. Jordan has earned a reputation as a staunch, principled conservative.  He's an evangelical Christian who is the kind of leader we want and desperately need more of in Washington.   He's wildly popular with the Tea Party because of his consistent fiscal conservative votes over the years and because he puts principal above party.  A move to redistrict him out because of his vocal opposition to Boehner would be off the charts on the political slime scale.


This whole sordid episode calls for an immediate explanation from Ohio GOP officials involved in the redistricting process. Secretary of State, Jon Husted and State Auditor Dave Yost are both on the Redistricting Commission, as is Gov. Kasich.  Senate President Tom Neihaus (R-New Richmond) is on the commission and recently appointed the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting that will oversee the redistricting "feedback" from the public.  House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) also appointed members from the House. Since the Dispatch article cited "two Republican sources deeply involved in configuring new Ohio congressional districts," any and all of these men could have been the unnamed "sources" threatening Jordan. Ohio Republicans deserve to know who they are.  We need to start draining our own swamp. 

Who let the Moonbats out? Democratic demagogues on the House floor

The House debated (in theory) the rules for the debate on the Boehner plan for raising the debt ceiling.  In reality, the debate was mostly Democrats lambasting the GOP for their unwillingness to compromise (read: do exactly what the Dems want).   The speeches devolved into absurdity and demonstrate the deep divide in ideology between the two parties.  One party believes that we must reign in spending and demonstrate to our creditors and the markets that we are fiscally responsible. The other side believes that we must provide an equal share of the American Dream for everyone.  Inequality is a greater evil than massive federal debt.   The primary debate tool for the Democrats is fear-mongering.  Throwing nursing home residents into the streets.  Holding social security checks hostage.   Throwing veterans under the bus. 


No one knows what cuts will be made under Boehner's plan.   The buck has been passed down the road to the hands of the joint committee formed by this bill.   So the threats made by the Democrats are completely speculative, at best.  Nevertheless, they persist in scaring seniors and the most vulnerable to sway public opinion, a tried and true strategy. 


Here are some choice quotes form the speeches on the floor of the House this morning:

"We have the Constitutional power to create money and invest in jobs"  Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH).  

This, my friends, is the root of the problem.  Congress has no power to "create" money (presumably, out of nothing) unless Kucinich is just straight-out talking about printing currency, which technically, Congress may do under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.  Is he proposing that we go Weimar Republic?  Note that Kucinich claims to have seen aliens on more than one occasion, so the thought that he can create money out of thin air isn't a stretch for him. It's a good thing he's a Moonbats and no one listens to him. 

~~~~~

From the Groundhog Day file...

"Heads up America! This isn't just about raising the debt limit.  This is about fundamental change about all the things that we hold dear here in America. If you care about Medicare for your parents or you happen to be 65, pay attention to what's going to be on this floor in the next couple of hours. If you think social security's important to you or to your parents and to your future as the foundation of your pension, pay attention to what's going on here. Because have no doubt America that the Republican Party is putting forth using the debt ceiling as a lever putting in place fundamental change in Medicare basically looking to terminate Medicare as we know it and changing the social security so that it's no longer the foundation for your pensions. Heads up America because the Republican party is going right at the very heart of the stable and most important part of every retirees future. Pay attention. Pay attention.  Because this is a critical moment"  Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA).

Perhaps the Congressman got this speech mixed up with his speech in opposition to the Paul Ryan budget plan?  

~~~~~

"Yes, we absolutely must avert the looming crisis that could force the Federal government to default and put our ailing economy into a tailspin" David Dreier (R-CA).

Please stop saying that. No one believes that we will default on our debt obligations unless the President irresponsibly, for political reasons, chooses to do so

~~~

"After a hundred years, almost, of protecting the full faith and credit of the United States, by raising the debt ceiling without pause, the majority has decided to hold the debt ceiling hostage to drastic cuts and place the burden squarely upon the shoulders of the middle class.  This unprecedented effort to put ideology above country has led us to the brink of default, a prospect that is all too real as we vote today."   Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY)

Because of course, the Democrats have no ideological skin in this game. They are in this game for purely altruistic reasons and they're all about compromise and bipartisanship:

"Compromise is part of the democratic way....Let me me read the roll why senators are not voting - the other body is not voting. Democrats recognize this is not the way to go:

•  You will lose your Medicare.

• Pell grants will not be available for young people.

• Medicaid will see in its loss seniors being put out of nursing homes. 

• And then we'll have Social Security, our nation's safety net, being trampled on. 

• The loss of America's savings. The DOW went down 200 points yesterday. Just wait 'till we do it again and again.

• The American dream of buying a home will be lost. 

• And all of our mobility systems - America's railroads, airports and airlines will be jeopardized.

"Pay our bills! And if we cannot pay our bills Mr. President, use our Constitution and use the 14th amendment if we cannot pay our bills.  For my friends on the other side of the aisle, many of us have already voted for a clean debt ceiling.  We're willing to do it again, but we will not suffer the idea of a one-sided government that takes away entitlement, that caps spending for those who are in need and that balances the budget on the backs of those who are suffering from devastating disasters like states like Missouri, states like Alabama with all of the flooding.  This is not the way to go. Vote 'no' this rule and vote 'no' on the underlying bill.  Pray for America"  Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

Even the liberal San Francisco Chronicle doesn't buy that fear-mongering, offering this assessment:

"Both plans would dump all the hard decisions on taxes and entitlements on a bipartisan super-committee that could end up just as deadlocked a few months down the road....Republicans will have sacrificed a rare chance at entitlement reform to freeze in place a terrible tax code and save a bloated and overextended military. Democrats will have protected an out-of-control Medicare program from even the slightest trims and sacrificed domestic spending on real investments in transportation, education, the environment and the rest of the domestic agencies that are not the source of chronic deficits. President Obama, who talked the game of deficit reduction from his first days in office but was AWOL at every turning point -- most especially when he dismissed the findings of his own Bowles-Simpson deficit commission -- will emerge not as the centrist savior he hoped to be, but a weakling to his own faithful."

Beermageddon coming to Ohio

As if Ohio didn't have enough union problems, what with Governor Kasich's bold reforms aimed at curbing the burgeoning budget and the ensuing protests, complete with a referendum repeal effort that gained enough signatures to earn a place on the November ballot.

Marvin Fong - The Plain Dealer

Now we learn that the Teamster's union is threatening to cut off Ohio's beer supply in the midst of the hottest Ohio summer in recent memory.  PR Newswire reports:

"More than 300 delivery drivers and warehouse workers employed by Heidelberg Distributing throughout Ohio put up informational pickets at key distribution facilities around the state today to warn the company and the public of labor problems that could cut off Ohio's supply to beer and wine products during the busy summer season."

What this means is that it is conceivable that Ohioans could have to tough it out through all those miserable, interminable political commercials without the benefit of their favorite alcoholic beverage.  And they may have to cast their votes without the comfort of their favorite brew.  And how will they ever drown their sorrows if their side loses?  

And perhaps most troubling is the stress this may cause in the Ohio legislature when the Teamsters are unable or unwilling to stock the full service bar in the Statehouse.  Bad things are likely to happen, such as lawmakers crossing state lines to drink and drive. 


As for me and my house, we may feel slightly inconvenienced if our supplies of IBC Root Beer and Monster energy drinks are cut off.  There are some benefits to being teetotalers. 


Aside from that,  this may turn out to be an early Christmas present for Kasich and Co.  Unions holding citizens' favorite beverages hostage during this blistering summer in the months leading up to a critical union referendum doesn't seem to be a brilliant strategy.   

Which party gave us the corporate jet tax loophole? Guess again.

Paul Ryan (R-WI) was on Fox News' Greta Van Susteren show last night to talk about  - what else - the debt ceiling circus.  I've been rather surprised that Ryan, the House Budget Committee Chairman has been mostly absent from the talks and debate.  He's been squirreled away in a dark room holding Medicare hearings.  Certainly, important work, but I'd love to see him out front on this issue because as a numbers guru, he's able to explain and articulate the rationale for the GOP's strong stand on cutting spending and not raising taxes. I'd much rather have him give the GOP response to Obama's  pep rally press conference pep rally tomorrow than Boehner. 


Finally, someone let Ryan out of the dingy House hearing room tonight and even though he coughed and cleared his throughout the interview with Greta, he brought up an important point that someone needs to scream from the rooftops.  Namely, that the so-called "corporate jet loophole" was a part of the Obama stimulus package. No kidding - it was the DEMOCRATS WHO GAVE US THE CORPORATE JET TAX LOOPHOLE!


Ryan told Greta:

'It was in the stimulus package. None of us voted for the stimulus package.  This was called accelerated depreciation. It's a tax policy that the president put into his stimulus package and passed. Now he's saying that it's a corporate jet loophole. It  applies to lots of things, airplanes included. What I find interesting about this one particular issue was it never came up in our debt negotiations, it never came up in discussions. The first time I heard about a corporate jet loophole, which was in the stimulus package, was when he mentioned it six times in a press conference. "

In February, 2009, Fox News reported:

"Just a few months after lawmakers scolded auto executives for flying to Washington in private jets, Congress approved a tax break in the stimulus package to help businesses buy their own planes. The incentive -- first used to help plane makers recover from the 2001 terror attacks -- sharply reduces the up front tax bill for companies who buy assets like business planes.

The aviation industry, which is cutting jobs as it suffers from declining shipments and canceled orders, hopes the tax break in the economic-stimulus bill just signed by President Barack Obama will persuade more companies to buy planes and snap a slump in general aviation that began last year.

"This is exactly the type of financial incentive that should be included in a stimulus bill," said Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., in an interview. His state lost at least 6,900 jobs at Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft, both based in Wichita."

Of course, rather than taking responsibility for the loopholes, Obama looked into the teleprompter and read, "It's the Republicans' fault, it's the Republicans' fault, it's the Republicans' fault."  Six times Obama repeated the fib about Republicans wanting to protect that tax loophole for millionaires. Apparently, TOTUS is stuck on that line. 



Paul Ryan expressed his frustration with the stalemate:

"Look, I understand it plays for good politics and class warfare and makes it look like all we care about is that corporate - who cares about that corporate jet loophole? It's - we want to get rid of all those loopholes in tax reform. And what people don't tell you is our Republican budget? That's exactly what we proposed doing! We're saying clear out the brush of loopholes and lower everyone's tax rates so we can create jobs in the economy.  That way the government doesn't lose any money but we clean up the tax code and we're not picking winners and losers in the tax code.  General Electric paid no taxes but made a lot of money.  UPS, another big company, paid about a 34% tax rate and their competitor, DHL, paid 24%. So there's something wrong with the fact that we're taxing a lot of our employers more. "

Everyone clear on that now?  Obama?  Obama? ....?  

Where are the rhetorical rock stars in the debt ceiling debate?

Freshman Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) was on the Rush Limbaugh show yesterday to discuss the looming debt ceiling "crisis" and the monstrous federal deficit.  Hands down, the 40-year-old junior senator from Miami possesses the best rhetorical skills in the senate.  Whether on social or fiscal issues, Senator Rubio articulates conservative values eloquently, yet without the high-pitched rancor that others bring to the conversation.  Here are some excerpts from his conversation with Rush yesterday [emphasis added]:

SENATOR RUBIO: "The debt limit is a symptom. It's not our problem. The core problem is our debt and the fact that our government borrows 40¢ out of every dollar and has no idea how it's gonna pay it back...

"...[I]nstead, we've got this President's obsession with raising taxes -- and what bothers me the most about it is not just that it will kill jobs and is bad for our economy. What bothers me the most is there isn't a single tax package out there that's reasonable and realistic that would even put a dent on this debt crisis. I mean, people have no idea what you'd have to raise in taxes in this country to just to begin to make a difference. Of course you never can raise it to that level because you won't be able to collect them because, you know, people aren't dumb enough to work for free. I mean, if you're gonna tax all their money they're not gonna keep working. So these are the things I just don't get and I wish we had done a better job earlier of outlining these choices to the American people..."

"...By every measure that you can measure a president by, things have gotten worse, and significantly worse, and that's what he has to be measured by, and part of it I think is a flawed ideology. His view of government and the people in his administration is a flawed view that takes us away from the things that have made America exceptional and part of it is, quite frankly, incompetence. I honestly believe, and I don't say this with any disrespect, I really don't know him, I have nothing personal against him but I honestly think there's a lack of competence in terms of being able to do the job and the ability to lead on some of these critical issues and the result is being paid by, you know, millions of Americans who can't find a job or are working twice as hard to make half as much, who see their country being bankrupted and no serious solutions being offered..."

"...But let me tell you one thing, Rush, that no one said yet or maybe they have, the fact that payments on Social Security and Medicare may stop is a stinging indictment and a wake-up call. What Americans should realize, "Hold on a second, my Social Security check and my Medicare benefits are borrowed? The money that you're using to pay for my Social Security are borrowed? I thought I paid into a trust fund. I thought I worked my whole life to pay into some system and now you're paying my money back and you're claiming that the money is being borrowed?" That's what they're basically conceding when they're saying this."

RUSH: Yeah. You know, that's exactly right. We always thought Social Security was in a lockbox.

SENATOR RUBIO: "Well, maybe a Chinese lockbox because that's what we're borrowing the money from. The point is if that comes to pass or he's threatening to do that, then the wake-up call and the message to Americans is, hey, your Social Security benefits, your Medicare benefits, what we're paying soldiers in the field, all these things that are being cut off, this is borrowed money. This is not money we have or money we saved for you. This is money we are borrowing from your children and your grandchildren, and we have no way of paying it back, and that alone should send a chill up the spine of millions of Americans."

I don't pretend to know the inner workings of the Congress - how someone like Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) maneuvers his way into the position of Speaker of the House and how someone like Sen. Mitch McConnel (R-KY), who seems to some observers to be weak and  ineffective, gets to be the senate minority leader.  I do know that when I hear Sen. McConnell trying to defend the GOP position on the debt ceiling debate I cringe and know that the battle is mostly lost.  And when I see Rep. Boehner trudging to the microphone looking like he's walking The Green Mile,  I wonder if he's going to burst into to tears, out of sheer despondence over the plight of social security beneficiaries whose checks will surely bounce if he doesn't make a deal with Obama. 


Neither of these leaders has the rhetorical skills needed to win this debate that is playing out before the eyes of the American people.  It brings to mind the Nixon/Kennedy debate, where Nixon "lost" in the court of public opinion because he hadn't mastered the art of television. 

So now again, the GOP is sending the Spirit of Nixon to the plate to fight for the economic survival of our very Republic.  Day after day, as McConnell drags himself to the floor of the senate and gives speeches that no one listens to and as Boehner tries (rather unconvincingly)  to convince us he's "in it to win it," we're plunging further into this economic suicide pact.  


Meanwhile, we have rhetorical rock stars in the House and Senate who can go toe to toe with Obama and win this battle of ideas.  Sen. Marco Rubio. Sen. Rand Paul.  Rep. Paul Ryan. Rep. Allen West.   Of course, most of us know in our hearts they're not on the same page as Boehner and the GOP establishment.  They stand with the American people who are tired of these backroom deals and fantasy bookkeeping tactics.   Which is why Boehner, et al cannot afford to hand them the microphone and give them a voice in this debate.  

How about instead, we start doing what's right?

(HT: Erick Erickson)

Full-service bar coming to the Ohio Statehouse

The Dispatch reports:

"The first full-service bar will appear at the Statehouse on July 11 when the reinvented Capitol Cafe reopens in the lower level of the landmark state building. The cafe is closed for 10 days to accommodate a change in operators, to Milo's Catering and Banquet Services from Catering by Design.

"The big change will be the addition of a full-service bar, "complete with flat screen televisions," according to the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, the state agency responsible for the Statehouse and grounds. The bar will host special events and "private happy hours," but it also will be open to the public at times to be designated."

The big question is whether lawmakers will feel the need to liquor up before or after casting their votes.  Maybe both. 


So, who came up with this bright idea? We may not know where it originated, but authority to conduct operations in the Statehouse lies with the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB).  The board is made up of 13 members, five appointed by the governor (including his Chief of Staff);  two members each from the House and Senate, one from each party, appointed by Speaker of the House and President of the Senate; a former House Speaker and Senate President (again, appointed by the current respective leaders); the clerk of the Senate and the clerk of the House. 


It's not a stretch to say these are political appointments, though board members receive no benefits or salary. Governor Kasich appointed his friend, lobbyist Robert Klaffky, to the board in May. The Ohio Revised Code gives the board, "sole authority to regulate all uses of the capitol square. The uses shall include, but not be limited to, the casual and recreational use of the capitol square."  In other words, the board has very wide latitude over use of the capitol grounds. 


Executive Director of the CSRAB, William Carleton, in his annual report to the Senate Finance Committee,  explained the main purpose of the board's operations on behalf of the capitol:

"The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) was created in 1988 to renovate and maintain the historic character and integrity of the Capitol Square complex while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in and visit the complex. "

Well, yes, I suppose providing booze right there in the Statehouse would be a "convenience" to those who work there.  We wouldn't want them stumbling across the traffic on Broad Street following an afternoon of binge drinking at the Hyatt, would we?  


Carleton also briefed the committee about the capitol's visitors:

"The Statehouse continues to be a place for all Ohioans to come and see their government in action. In 2010 alone, there were nearly 75,000 students and visitors who participated in guided tours. In addition, 111.230 individuals attended 422 special events held at the Ohio Statehouse. And an additional 300.000 individuals visited our Capitol to meet with their legislators. attendhearings or participate in an advocacy day. This is a testament that Ohio’s citizens want to visit the "People’s House” and see their government in action."

Will the student tours now include a stop at the bar to see their "government in action"?

It's not like these concerns are unfounded.  See here and here for a list of lawmakers with drunk driving arrests. This seems to be a true bipartisan effort. 

Included in the list is State Rep. Louis Blessing (R) who was arrested for drunk driving in 2002, and State Rep. Robert Mecklenborg (R), who was picked up in Indiana earlier this year for DUI. 

www.stopthemadness.org

Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder has thus far taken no action to discipline his friend, Rep. Mecklenborg, instead, issuing a concerned statement which includes:

"We are working with Representative Mecklenborg to find a solution that is in the best interests of the representative, his family and all concerned."

I'm not sure exactly what solution would be in the "best interest of the representative," who risked the lives of his passenger and perhaps hundreds of others on the roads, but I'm thinking that keeping the guy  away from the bottle might be a good start.  On the other hand, if he could just walk down the hall to the bar in the capitol, it might keep him off the roads. 


Incidentally, Speaker Batchelder is on the CSRAB and likely voted to put the bar in the Statehouse, so maybe that is his solution after all. 


This is just an all-around bad idea. Aside from the fact that lawmakers have a difficult enough time making good decision, and that the place is usually crawling with children,  the Statehouse should be a place of sobriety. Not just in terms of the absence of alcohol, but a sobriety of attitude.  Important and weighty matters are being considered and legislated in that building.  The atmosphere should reflect the seriousness of the task at hand.  Having a state-sponsored bar a few feet from the important government business being conducted will only serve to give Ohioans one more reason to suspect their government is not working for them. 

Contact information for CSRAB board members: 

Richard H. Finan, Former Senate President and CSRAB Board Chair  email 614.621.7762
Tom Niehaus, Senate President   email   (614) 466-8082
Bill Batchelder, Speaker of the House of Representatives email  (614) 466-8140
Jo Ann Davidson, Former Speaker of the House of Representatives email  (614)224-0777
Eric Kearney, Senator  email  (614) 466-5980 
Stephen Slesnick, House of Representatives email  (614) 466-8030
Beth Hansen, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor 614-466-3555

Laura Clemens, Clerk of the House of Representatives   (614) 644-6721

Vincent Keeran, Clerk of the Senate

Tom Fries, Representing Ohio Building Authority   email  (614) 628-6937
Neal Zimmers, Representing Ohio Arts Council   email  (614)286-2586
Robert F. Klaffky, Representing the Public-At-Large   email   (614)224-7000
Roderick H. Willcox, Representing Ohio Historical Society  email  (614)334.6146

Caylee's Murder: 3000 Times Every Day

The verdict is in.  A jury found Casey Anthony not guilty of murdering her daughter, 2-year-old Caylee.  People from every spectrum of life are outraged, feeling like she got away with murder. A quick glance at what's trending on Twitter shows a plethora of impassioned responses; people are shocked and incredulous:

S_Ayrelle - S A P H I R E =) Casey didn't win . She has a dead daughter , a guilt conscience , a society that hates her , and a date with the devil. 

SerenSnow Seren Snow Mike Vick can kill dogs and do time but Casey Anthony can kill a child and get away free? #caseyanthonyverdict

JustaPyt Just a PYT #caseyanthonyverdict is a prime example of why r country resorts 2 violence since US judicial system brings forth no justice 4 the innocent.

OhMyNickJay karen ❁◕‿◕❁ I'm still so frustrated. I can'


t believe Casey Anthoney was found INNOCENT. I can't even... #caseyanthonyverdict

taramedina823 Tara Medina Proof that life isn't fair... ppl get away w/ murder and innocent babies pay the price for eff'd up parents. #shameonyou 

"People get away with murder and innocent babies pay the price...

" Every single day in this country,  3000 preborn Caylees are killed at the hands of doctors, with the consent of the mothers (and sometimes fathers).  They also enjoy the approval of the State.  There are approximately 1.2 million legal abortions per year - 33,000 of them in the state of Ohio alone.  

It's ironic that people have been so fascinated with the case of Caylee Anthony, whose decomposing body was found stuffed in a trash bag and dumped in the woods. The media made a huge circus of the case, televising daily updates, live courtroom drama, and hour-long specials.  The image of the precious, beautiful baby captured the hearts of Americans and made her name a household word. 

Most of these same people who are crying out for justice for little Caylee never give a thought to the thousands of mothers in their own neighborhoods surgically murdering their babies in a sterile clinic funded by the government. 

Wayne Grudem, in his book, Politics according to the Bible,  explains the potential consequences of our country's near-unlimited legal abortion:

"The Old Testament contains sober warnings to a nation that allowed people to put their children to death. In imitation of the practices of other nations, some of the people of Israel had begun "to burn their sons and daughters in the fire (Jer. 7:31), which referred to putting their live children into a fire to sacrifice them to Molech and other pagan gods. For allowing this practice to continue, God issued a severe warning of judgment through the prophet Jeremiah: 

"For the sons of Judah have done evil in my sight, declares the Lord...And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind.

Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when it will no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter; for they will bury in Topheth, because there is no room elsewhere. And the dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the air, and for the beasts of the earth, and none will frighten them away. And I will silence in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, for the land shall become a waste" (Jer. 7:30-34).

God, forgive us for allowing this evil practice to continue. May we strengthen our resolve to fight for justice for babies like Caylee and for the millions of unborn children whose precious faces we'll never see on television. 

Planned Parenthood caught lying about Indiana healthcare

Those hip and brainy kids over at Live Action have released their latest sting video, exposing more lies and deception at Planned Parenthood.  Recently, Indiana, in effect, defunded Planned Parenthood, cutting off funds to abortion providers that receive state funds.  

The Obama Fed Thug Machine rolled in and threatened to defund ALL the the Medicaid clinics in the ENTIRE STATE to assure that the abortion mills wouldn't stop. 

Abortion pushers howled, whining that Planned Parenthood is the only place that women can receive well checks, birth control, mammograms, and STD testing.

Turns out, that's not even close to being slightly true.  The truth is, Planned Parenthood only accounts for 1% of Medicaid clinics. Undercover phone calls by Live Aid found time after time after time that Planned Parenthood clinics were able to refer women to nearby clinics that provide the exact, same services, sans abortion:

Don't miss that the Obama Fed Thug Machine is willing to shut down every Medicaid provider in the state of Indiana to keep the 1% that offer abortions open.  Now that's some shared sacrifice, isn't it? 

Encouragement for Aspies

Today I'm going to change gears a bit to share a blog that is sure to bless you.  Caleb joined our homeschool co-op the same year our family did and he and my son, Ryan, have been friends since 8th grade.  They both just completed their freshman year of college.  


Caleb has Asperger's syndrome (an autism spectrum disorder) and shares some of his struggles and triumphs in his blog. In his most recent entry, he shares how difficult it was -agonizing at times -  for him to complete assignments throughout middle school and high school and how, by God's grace and with the help of his family and teachers, he graduated from high school and completed his freshman year at Kent State University with a shiny 3.89 GPA! 


[Caleb, if you're reading this, I don't remember you ever missing assignments in my history class!]


If you have a child or family member with Asperger's or know someone who is affected by it, you will find encouragement in Caleb's blog. He writes:

"Throughout most of my academic career, I almost always found myself relying on the grace of luckily-placed people, and the incredible patience of my teachers and parents. It is by nothing less than God’s grace that I even managed to graduate high school. This is a humbling memory for me, and makes me realize that I really am powerless without God’s intervention.

"A year later, I have finished my first year at Kent with a 3.89 GPA, and have earned respect from a lot of my classmPe claim came from my own hard work and effort, I owe to my creator. Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Caleb has a wonderful family, and his struggles were shared by all of them. I imagine if they had been able to read this blog post by 20-year-old Caleb when he was 10-years-old and things didn't look so rosy, it would have brought incredible encouragement to their hearts!


If you have a child with a disability or one who is a little different than what the world considers "normal," take heart! God knows and loves your child even more than you do.  Your first priority is to teach your children what Caleb's parents did: trust in the Lord.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).