Its Not A 1st Amendment Issue

1st Amendment to the Consitution of the United States:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

4th Amendment to the Consitution of the United States:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

The Justice Dept's seizure of the phone records of AP reporters did not violate those reporter's 1st Amendment rights. No one at the AP was restrained or restricted in what they can print or say. The JD violated their 4th Amendment rights. If the JD wants to justify the seizure under the Patriot Act, then let them say so up front and defend that in court. Illegal wiretaps and requests for phone records fall under the 4th Amendment, not the 1st.

The IRS did not violate the 1st Amendment rights of anyone associated with a conservative advocacy group. No one was prohibited from associating, and no printing presses were seized. If you want to try and make the case that was the intent, you're gonna need a whistleblower to step forward and say, "We had a meeting. Our superiors told us if we make it harder for these conservative groups to get a tax-exempt staus, they might feel intimidated and stop what they're doing." That aint gonna happen.

They did however, violate numerous Tax Code regulations by releasing personal information they had no business asking for in the first place. They also violated about a half dozen Federal laws regarding privacy and definitely violated the 4th Amendment rights of the people submitting the applications for tax-exempt status and we know it was done for partisan reasons. It was politically motivated.

The IRS decides who is and who is not a tax exempt organization. They have criteria they use depending upon whether you're asking for a c3 or c4 exemption. Most advocacy groups fall under the c4 designation. Groups like CWTT, Soldiers Angels, Wounded Warrior Project, the USO and Fisher House are c3 charities because we take donations and pass that money thru to directly assist veterans and wounded. Gathering of Eagles is a c4 organization because it advocates for veterans rights and lobbies Congress for improvement of legislation affecting veterans and wounded.

The IRS is not guilty of violating TEA Party groups rights, an individual is. Someone had to compile the information and send it to ProPublica. Someone had to hit the SEND button. That someone needs to go to jail and anyone involved in the transfer, anyone who approved the release of the information needs to go to jail.

Back From CPAC2013

Dont hate me, but my BFF SKK and I, in less than 2 hours, met former US Representative Allen West and gave him a challenge coin. Then we listened to 3 current US Representatives, Paul Broun from Georgia, Louie Gohmert from Texas and a spitfire from Alabama (ROLL TIDE!!!) named Martha Roby speak to us about the problems they encounter while trying to adhere to the Constitution and get the business of the country completed. I wouldn't have their jobs for twice the pay.

The setting was a meeting room, very intimate and open to feedback and catcalls when needed.

Rep Broun has a 4 question test he uses when looking at legislation:

1) Is it Right/Moral?

2) Is it Constitutional?

3) Is it Necessary?

4) Is it Affordable?

Rep Broun is a former Marine and current Naval Reserve and a veteran of OEF. He's a doctor, not a lawyer. He understands limited government. Most assuredly, he is one of us and he will be seeking the Senate seat currently held by Saxby Chambliss.

I was most awestruck (and slightly smitten) by the Bamalama Spitfire, Rep Roby. (and I damn near swooned when she walked in and flashed me a smile)

Let me tell you about this Lady; Representative Roby embodies the spirit of the Founders Original Intent. Her story should be taught to every civics class starting with the 6th grade. A newborn in her arms she's watching TV and it hits her that things in Washington DC are screwed up and nobody is trying to fix it. She decides to run for Congress and wins. (Careful what you wish for, you might get it)

She understands the true role of government: make it easy for everyone to succeed and stay the hell out of our personal lives. She could teach Erica Cantor a thing or two about taking a stand. Watch this Lady. She's gonna piss some people off before this is over, which means she will be doing her job.

Rep Gohmert embodies the Texas spirirt. He explained the budget process and how its easy to get caught up in the system. Deals are made; promises made; suggestions of future positions from the leadership; all this and more, if you'll just go along with us on this or that.

"Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely"

I managed to catch up with my buddy, Katie O'Malley and gave her a proper hug. Met a young former Navy SEAL named Ben Smith with the National 912 Project PAC. We'll be hearing more from this Warrior, too.

Oh, and this Benghazi thing....stay tuned. Things are getting interesting.

Testifying!

 Amen!

Democrat Judge Targets Tea Party Group

Democrat Judge Targets Tea Party Group

and the closer we get to election time and GOTV efforts, the more of this we will see. This time, we need to be AWARE, BE VERY AWARE!!

Democrats have reportedly been targeting Tea Party groups for harassment since their emergence in 2010. The Texas-based judge has deep, overt ties to the Democratic Party. Deitz has been labeled “legendary” by Texas Democrats. In 2009, the Travis County Democratic online newsletter wrote that, “Dietz’s knowledge of court history in Travis County runs deep, and so does his commitment to the Democratic Party.” The Tea Party group is being represented by Hiram Sasser of the Liberty Institute, who promises to appeal. Meanwhile, Democrats seem to be pleased with their effort to undermine the group. Others have come to the aid of the Tea Party groups in general in this regard:

All of the candidates suck. Pick one.

So…..do they suck WORSE than Obama?

All of the candidates are politicians. ALL of them think that government has answers….YES, even Ron Paul. THAT’S WHY THEY ARE IN POLITICS.

Let’s see….

Romney is a front runner because he’s electable….except when he’s not. He’s conservative….except when he’s not. He’s a businessman….except when he’s not. He’s been running for office since the Last election. Desire for public office like this raises the hackles of many Americans. He’s a liberal Republican. Either we vote for him or Obama is elected and runs the nation into the ground like a meteor hitting the earth.

Gingrich is a front runner because he’s fighting back. He’s not electable….except he seems to have A LOT of support in many states. Is he a conservative? Depends on how you define conservative and to whom you compare it to……like the 1994 Democrats. Does he think government has the answers? Yep. If elected….he will use government power to enact “conservative” ideas, by HIS definition. This isn’t a secret and was, until recently, a point of attraction to many Republicans. Is he an insider? Yep. Is he a former philanderer? Yep. All of his scandals are common knowledge. Is that a point in favor or against his nomination? No one knows. Either we vote for him or Obama is elected and runs the nation into the ground like a meteor hitting the earth.

Perry is a front runner…or was. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to do well in the format that was chosen for this primary Charlie Foxtrot. His ideas, when presented, are huge applause lines. He’s consistent on message about downsizing the federal government. He’s pro-defense, pro-border enforcement, has executive experience, and has a record of improving business climates. According to some, he too, has grown government and his former “Democratness” is a liability, as his immigration stance. Either we vote for him or Obama is elected and runs the nation into the ground like a meteor hitting the earth.

Paul…..what can you say about Paul that hasn’t been said, refuted, argued about, refuted again, and repeated. His message about limited government is music to the Tea Party. His foreign policy, when more closely examined, is horrible. And his belief that America is the cause of all of our problems, his white washing of the fact that SOME governments across the world ARE evil…..is just the deal killer. Except he’s still better than another four years of Obama. Either we vote for him or Obama is elected and runs the nation into the ground like a meteor hitting the earth.

Bachmann should be the front runner. Face it…she would be historical….the first woman president. Of course we all know that’s only valid for liberal women. She’s the ideal of the Tea Party, seeking smaller government with libertarian overtones. She’s pro-defense and pro-border defense. She’s socially conservative. So…what’s holding her back? In my experience, something about her personality on TV grates on me. I’m sure that she is a wonderful person, but her TV personality seems shrill. And tactically, I think she’s weak. She continually emphasizes attacks on small points of her opponents, as “gotcha moments.” People are tired of “gotcha.” Either we vote for him or Obama ….you get the idea.

Huntsman should never have entered the race. What made him think that he could gain any traction?

Santorum has tried. Tried mightily to gain traction. And failed. If he gets any delegates, I’ll applaud. His conservative bonafides seem valid. But he does not connect with the voters.

So, since having a perfect candidate is completely ludicrous….do we stay home? Would McCain really have been worse that Obama? I don’t know. But is Obama BETTER THAN ANY OF THE ABOVE?

Some libertarians think so. Some are planning on voting for him as the lesser of two evils. They are hoping that a GOP dominated Congress will gridlock a President Obama that would not be checked by the need to get reelected. Or that Obama will get the blame for the upcoming disaster. Really? When has the GOP EVER stood up to the Democrat media and political machine? But I repeat myself. And Obama and the Democrats aren’t getting the blame NOW! The GOP ALWAYS gets the blame.

So, who of the above, if you plan to vote for a Republican candidate, will be able to withstand the liberal press and Obama?

Picture a President Obama without the need to get reelected and an establishment GOP in Congress. You didn’t think that the GOP is going to give the Tea Party any authority yet, did you?

Because it seems that we’ve already decided that our candidate will beat Obama. And we’re terrified what the assorted candidates might do. Or that we might get the blame if things go south. Have you thought that we might deserve the blame if we don’t even try and stay home?

Remember that old saying….”Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” First we have to beat Obama and its NOT going to be easy.

So go pick a freaking candidate. Don’t stay home. And then vote for the nominee.

You go to war with the army that you have. And this IS war.

Edit: cross posted and put on the Front Page at RedState!

The Difference Is Day and Night

By Dr. Thomas Sowell

The current occupy wall street movement is the best illustration to date of what barack hussein obama's America looks like. It is an America where the lawless, unaccomplished, ignorant and incompetent rule. It is an America where those who have sacrificed nothing pillage and destroy the lives of those who have sacrificed greatly.

Leaderless House

Budget blink-off is anyone's game --

Did you know that no one is in charge at the United States House of Representatives? Seriously. The Tea Partiers are going Benghazi over the budget, and they have conservative firebrands Mark Levin and Erick Erickson to back them up. Meanwhile, GOP leadership is trying to regain control by "shopping" around anonymous "hit jobs" on their earnest but annoying Tea Party juniors. This doesn't mean that Democrats have the game on lock, however!
According to Beltway gossip newsletter POLITICO, "The top two Democratic leaders in the House have twice split on whether to approve short-term government funding bills that cut billions from federal accounts. Senate Democrats haven’t put forward a long-term spending plan that can move through their chamber, and Democrats on both sides of the Capitol say they have no idea where the White House stands or who’s running the show." The score is zero-zero, basically, so the budget battle is still anyone's game.

NY-26 UPDATE

From Dan Maloney NYGOE

Why David Bellavia is the Right Choice for New York

March 12, 2011

The Republican and Conservative Parties made the wrong decision in New York in deciding to put money over principles in their choice for a candidate to run for the special election in the 26th Congressional District.

But it is about more than just principles.

Gary Berntsen Comes Out Swinging For Bellavia in NY 26

March 12, 2011
Afghan War Hero Gary Berntsen has come out full force behind David Bellavia, himself a decorated Iraq War hero, in David’s bid to capture the Congressional seat vacated by the resignation of the Republican Party choice, Christopher Lee.

Just Watch Your Car For New Dings

Well, the General Assembly has authorized the issuance of new car licenses for the TEA Party. Its good that folks want to display their support. Always nice to be able to pinpoint the friendlies, as it were.

However, recognition of your political and philosophical leanings also tend to fall under the jurisdiction of the "Law of Unintended Consequences"; to wit, there are stupid, cruel, vindictive people walking the planet, wasting valuable air and space. They tend to react stupidly and destructively when confronted with a sign or symbol indicating that the vehicle belongs to someone on the extreme right. And while a footprint in the dent on the hatch door of my Durango directly underneath my Protest Warrior bumper sticker is anecdotal, the vehicle was parked on Constitution Ave during a counter-protest.

So be prepared for an increase in "parking lot dings" after you hang that shiny new TEA Party license plate on your car.

SIT-REP NY-26

I checked in with my buddy Charlie up in Rochester. He runs Rochester Conservative and is an Air Force vet.

He reports this tidbit:
The Republican Party bosses seemed to be siding with Jane L. Corwin as she's wealthy and can fund her own campaign. That was the deciding factor when they chose Lee back in 2008, when DB tried his first run at the seat.

So the party apparatchik is deciding who gets to represent the good folks up in NY-26? I think not. Time for some TEA Party action.

FreeRepublic

Who Would You Rather Listen To?

or should the question be, "Look at while listening to?" Michelle Bachmann or Paul Ryan? I'm sure most of the X chromosone members would prefer Rep Bachmann. Just as The Hammer will keep your attention focused while she is speaking, Rep Bachmann will also keep your eyes front and your mind attuned.

Updated with Tea Party Express link

Tonight, the Tea Party Express, in conjunction with Tea Party HD, is proud to preseent Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's response to Barack Obama's State of the Union address. Members of the press and public are invited to view and broadcast her speech via the Tea Party Express website: http://www.teapartyexpress.org/

Bachmann's tea party rebuttal to Obama's State of the Union speech will begin immediately following comments by Republican Congressman Paul Ryan following the conclusion of the State of the Union address. Numerous television and radio outlets have already confirmed that they will also be broadcasting the stream of Congresswoman Bachmann's address to their viewers/listeners

Rep. Michele Bachmann: My State of the Union response is not a State of the Union response

“Michele Bachmann, just as the other 534 members of the House and Senate, are going to have opinions as to the State of the Union. Again, this is a process that happens every year, and I look forward to all comments,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor told reporters Monday. “But it’s Paul Ryan that’s giving the official Republican [response].”

In reaction to a question about why Bachmann is receiving a disproportionate share of attention for her response, Cantor responded, “Then maybe I should ask, why is that the case?” (See my guess below)

As for the content of Bachmann’s State of the Union non-response, you will just have to wait and see: an aide whisked the congresswoman away from reporters before she could say.

Read more

The reason Rep Bachmann is getting the attention is because the left views her as a more serious threat to their agenda and therefore she is the target. I'd vote for any ticket she was a part of.

Well Written and Right On Point

Time to dial up the rhetoric

The right should be commended for responding vigorously to the baseless accusations that the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, and conservatives in general inspired Jared Loughner to go on a shooting rampage that left six people dead and fourteen wounded. Yet the fact that this defense of conservatives had to occur at all is beyond disturbing.

There were two critical points that immediately sprang to my mind when I saw the left predictably blame the right for Loughner’s murderous rampage. I know that Rush Limbaugh has touched on these points and others may have as well. However, I want to offer my own take and explain why these points are so critical, and why it should be clear now that the differences between the left and right are irreconcilable.

The first critical point is that this is the latest example of a string of incidents over the past two years or so where someone who committed national-level violence (and who can more closely be identified with the left than the right) was said to be a conservative—or influenced by conservatives—and thus “proof” that conservatives are dangerous. Similar accusation were made about Joe Stack, John Patrick Bedell, James Von Brunn, Michael Enright, and Clay Duke.

The second critical point follows on the heels of the first. If the response to Loughner’s bloodbath is the kind of two-minute hate that the left drums up against the right when a leftist goes on a murderous rampage, what is going to happen once someone who truly can be identified with the right actually does do something violent that captures national attention? The answer is that the left will set in motion the process of complete criminalization of any opposition to the left.

Read more:

More Words of Wisdom

This time they come from that bastion of free expression and liberty, Cuba.

Fidel Castro: Giffords Shot to Hurt Illegal Immigrants; Tea Party Will Take America ‘Into the Abyss’

“As is known, the state of Arizona, a territory that was snatched from Mexico by the United States together with many other expanses of land, has been the scene of painful events for the hundreds of Latin Americans who die trying to immigrate to the United States in search of work or to join parents, spouses or other close family members who are there.

In that country, it is they who do the hardest jobs and live under the constant fear of arrest and forced deportation. Despite drastic measures, the number of people dying in the attempt is growing every year and those expelled to their countries of origin annually are in the hundreds of thousands.

The number of U.S. citizens opposed to that abuse is also growing, like those who supported and, for the third time, elected the young Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

On the other side, the Tea Party, constituted by the most reactionary and politically backward elements of society, is trying to drag the Republican Party into extremist and warmongering positions which, in the midst of the crisis and disappointment over the promises that Obama has not wanted or has been unable to fulfill, would take the country into the abyss. The relevant conclusions can de drawn from the debate that will obligatorily have to take place.”

Thats right, El Jefe' has weighed in on our treatment of illeagals and the Tea Party.

"The TEA Party Will Not Stop!"

This is spot on. He even looks like Pelosi.....

h/t Sean Linnane

The Meathead Speaks

Union Management Is the Problem

I doubt the rank and file feels this way.

CWA Union Boss Says Tea Party Advocates ‘Slavery’
by LaborUnionReport

Just when you thought the left-wing race baiting over the last year couldn’t get any worse, the Communications Workers of America chief honcho Larry Cohen has sunk to new depths attacking those who do not agree with his socialist agenda.

On Wednesday, the NAACP, in continuing its unfounded “racist” accusations of the Tea Party movement, had a conference call on which the CWA President participated.

According to Big Journalism writer Niger Innis, after the NAACP’s Ben Jealous continued his normal the-tea-parties-are-racist-harangue, his little buddy at the CWA threw the rhetorical grenade out on the call:

The most illuminating part of the call came when “progressive” ally, Larry Cohen of the CWA (Communication Workers of America) revealed the real agenda of the attacks on the Tea Party by the Left, “We disagree with the agenda of the tea party Movement… They advocate slavery,” and this classic gem, “We don’t need 19th century capitalism.”

Bill Whittle Explains the Basics

10 minutes you won't mind spending.

The The Tea Party Is the Successor to the Hippy Movement

Bob,....Bob!.....Remember your blood pressure, Bob.....

No, really.....Take a look.

The Electric Tea Party Acid Test

This is a memo to America’s hippies:

Tea Party values are hippie values.

You heard me right. The Tea Party is the one social movement in contemporary America that can rightfully claim to be the ideological heir to the original hippie movement that started in the mid-’60s. And because of this, all current hippies and ex-hippies should support the Tea Party, and by extension Tea Party candidates.

I’d like to have a private heart-to-heart talk with my fellow hippies here, so can the rest of you please stop reading now and leave us alone for a while? Thanks.

Let’s Rap

If you, as a hippie, think the thesis of this essay couldn’t possibly be true, you’ve been paying too much attention to the mainstream media. The Tea Party has been intentionally misrepresented, villainized and smeared by the powers-that-be. But this too is a feature that the Tea Party shares with hippies — the hippie movement was itself misrepresented and smeared by a different mainstream media over 40 years ago.

This essay will elucidate in a fresh way how Tea Partiers are the true heirs to the hippie ethos. When you’ve finished reading, you’ll see the Tea Party in a new light and (hopefully) understand that you may have been on the wrong side of the fence until now.

In short, the Tea Party and the hippie movement share four fundamental core values:

• A craving for independence;
• A celebration of individualism;
• Joy in the freedom offered by self-sufficiency;
• And an acceptance of the natural order of things.

Redstate Morning Briefing

1. On the Battle Between Midgets vs. Tigers
In the battle between midgets versus tigers, the midgets can win. But a few of the midgets must sacrifice themselves to distract the tigers.
This is precisely what is happening in the battle between the tea party and the establishment. The establishment controls the major party machines, the media, the fundraising tools, etc. The tea party is not in a fight against the Democrats or Republicans, but the establishment, which has grown out of touch with the people and is destroying the country. Democrat and Republican alike, the leadership of each is terrible and given voice by a media that is largely incapable of relating to the concerns of a group labeled fringe yet driving the election.
The tea partiers are the midgets. The establishment politicians and media are the tigers.
In Delaware, Christine O'Donnell is the midget sacrificing herself to the tiger of the mainstream media and establishment.
Because of Christine O'Donnell's willing sacrifice, the tigers are distracted. With only about twenty-two days left, the tigers are just now trying to refocus on Sharron Angle, Ken Buck, Mike Lee, Joe Miller, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Pat Toomey, and Ron Johnson. Meanwhile, for the past five weeks or so, these candidates have built up leads or drawn even with their opponents.
While the tigers have been taking out Christine O'Donnell, these candidates have surrounded the tigers and are preparing to slay the beasts.
Please click here for the rest of the post.


2. Are You Astroturf?
For the last year and a half the TEA Party movement has rallied Americans around the cause of bringing fiscal responsibility back to our Government. We have protested. We have made catchy t-shirts. We have raised awareness. We have confronted our liberal representatives and served notice that they will soon join the unemployed.
Each of those activities is important and has a place but now it's time to put your money where your mouth is: Protest must become action.
Winning requires action! It's politics 101 that if you want to make policy then you must win politically. The only way to do that is to get more of your people to vote than the other guy turns out.
On November 3rd, as we look back on this election, there will be no comfort in saying, "Well, we lost by 5% but check out those awesome signs and pun-ridden bumper stickers we had!!"
Please click here for the rest of the post.


3. David Frum and the Limits to Deviancy
NewsReal Blog has done an investigative piece into one of its former writers. The writer, Alex Knepper, now writes for David Frum.
Alex Knepper is a 20 year old adult who wrote longingly of CHILF's. You, like I, probably have no idea what that is. If you know what a MILF is (NSFW, but you can google it), substitute the "mother" for "child".
What makes this relevant, despite its sordid nature, is NewsReal Blog having tipped off Frum to his employee's behavior and other conservative sites giving this Alex Knepper character a forum. You'd like to think that had they known of his predilections, they would not.
Beyond this being a derivative and foreseeably byproduct of sexualizing teens like Mylie Cyrus and the whole Bratz phenomenon, the problem we have here is people like David Frum giving a 20 year old who goes on a gay teen forum to engage in fantasies about sex with underage boys a forum to espouse views that Frum and others characterize as conservative or libertarian, thereby giving him a legitimacy no one should.
Please click here for the rest of the post.


4. Turning the Lights On #2: Tim Walz & Nancy Pelosi's NRA Endorsements
By now, you've probably heard that the NRA has endorsed Nancy Pelosi.
Okay, so the NRA hasn't officially endorsed Pelosi, but it's leaders seem just fine with signing a Devil's Pact with her.
Having been a NRA member off and on for many years, like many, I too was a believer that the venerable gun-rights group was a firm defender in America's Bill of Rights-all ten of them. At least that's what I believed until recently. As it turns out, though, save the 2nd Amendment, the NRA no longer seems to care about the rest of the Bill of Rights at all.
Especially troubling about today's NRA is that fact that the organization has endorsed so many big-government Democrats in so many races, that gun owners might actually still take the NRA's endorsement seriously. This is especially the case when the NRA endorses certain Democrats who, like Nancy Pelosi, would just as soon use the Constitution as a piece of Charmin, as opposed to the guiding principles to which our nation should be governed.
Please click here for the rest of the post.


5. "Economic Treason" & the Confiscation of America
Over the last year (and longer), we've written on the union push to nationalize America's retirement system and how important the $165 billion union pension bailout bill is to union bosses and their lackeys in the Democratic Party. Moreover, for two years, we've written how America's health care system will be socialized medicine within three to five years. We've also forewarned, before it was too late, how "Wall Street reform" opens the door for unions to re-order America's companies into their own unionized image. We've shown how today's union bosses are wholly lined up with global socialists and you saw the Marxist March on Washington last weekend. And, finally, we've told you how unions or their allies may already be stealing the November elections.
Why has all of this been put before you? Very simply, to show you how unions and their minions in the Democratic party are stealing the nation out from under all of us.
Please click here for the rest of the post.

Links For Your Saturday Morning Read

IN THE NEWS:
REPORT: Dems Planted Tea Party Candidate In NJ...

The Coming Islamic Invasion

Feds May Ban All Phone Use by Drivers

MoveOn Website Misinforms the Voters About Social Security

Some Funny Stuff to Brighten Up Your Day

Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown Faces PR Disaster Over 'Whore' Remark About Whitman

Top 10 Movies Banned in the Middle East

Mike Pence says Supreme Court Will Overturn Obamacare

Blogger Blames Christians For Gay Suicides

Obama's Rolling Stone Interview Proves He's Out of Touch

Democrat Pollster: GOP Poised to Seize House and Senate