Radio Ads Target GOP "Loyalty Oath"
The Alabama Values Coalition recently released radio ads taking Alabama Republican leaders to task over their recent decision to require GOP legislative candidates to sign "leadership pledges", or as some have dubbed them "loyalty oaths". Phillip Rawls at the AP has a good summary of the issue if you haven't been following it closely.I don't know that much about the Alabama Values Coalition, but from a perusal of their website they seem to be trying to provide a counterweight to conservative Christian groups. For example they advocate constitutional reform, environmental protection, and a host of other positions that an organization like the Christian Coalition probably wouldn't find kosher.
The Alabama Values Coalition is getting involved in the 2006 election cycle early with the release of two radio ads criticizing the AL GOP for their recent adoption of leadership pledges. The ads identify the maneuver as a ploy to force Republican candidates to "swear allegiance" to "Republican bosses". You can download and listen to the ads directly from the AVC's site.
The ads make an interesting listen and mark an early kickoff to the media blitz that will certainly accompany the 2006 elections.
posted by PoliSciZac | 7:07 AM
102 Comments:
I am glad all of you are liking my AEA/NEA ads purporting to be about "Christian Values" when they are really about "confuse voters and get them to elect Democrats masquerading as Republicans." My plan to elect "RINOS" (Republicans In Name Only) will work if the Alabama GOP is as dumb as I have alwys considered them. Big NEA pro-liberal money will assist me in defeating the pro-GOP tide in Alabama.
Your enemy (and Alabama's),
Paul
isnt this values group run by sandra lane, the half wit nutcase in montgomery? they are a front for roy moore, so it is no surprise they dont like oaths. Moore relieved himself all over his oath to uphold the Alabama & US Constitutions.
Nice play on words talking about whether Christians would find something "kosher!"
Zac has in his hands devastating info on the real aganda of this far-left, AEA/Seth Hammett group. Those ads will prove disastrous for whoever approved them when the compost hits the fan.
im glad your not joe perkins, geeze, we dont need the fbi hanging out in here!
I think it's funny that someone here referred to the Alabama Values Coalition as a "far-left" group. I went to the site, and it looks like they're advocating policies that are in line with what Jesus taught.
If "not joe perkins" believes this group really is far left, then is he willing to stipulate that Jesus must be a lefty? Because, I don't see any heated rhetoric. I see calls for compassion, understanding, and honesty. That's what Jesus commanded us to do.
I think it's funny that the "pro-Jesus" Republicans are getting miffed that a group is out here advocating policies in line with Jesus' teachings. I like this group, and I will support them.
Hey anoynomous . . .do you think Earl Hilliard might be a tad to the left? How about Red China? Because the person behind the so-called "Alabama Values Coalition" has close ties to both "Pro-Libya" Earl AND Red China. Quite a pair there . . .
If you think Libya and Red China are on the right track, you should LOVE the "Alabama Values Coalition" If you have any gray matter at all, you'll detest this radical group and their deceitful ads.
Well, I know the guy you're attacking. He is a Democrat, but he's certainly not a radical. He worked as an intern in Hilliard's office when he was a REPUBLICAN student. And he voted for Bush in 2000. It was only after he came back from seeing the GOP in action in DC that he became a Democrat.
As for China, I think it's funny that people would attack someone who went to teach English in China. He's certainly not a communist or a socialist. In fact, I know for a fact that he wrote an anti-communism essay while he was over there. I've spoken with him at length about his time over there, and he talked about how fulfilling it was bringing American culture and values to his students in the classroom. Isn't that the type of behavior we should encourage?
As for his more recent activities, he has spent his time working on WMD nonproliferation security issues and have made three trips overseas on behalf of the US government. Which happens to be run by a Republican. And he's also worked on agricultural security issues for the Alabama government, which is headed by a Republican. It may be fun to paint him as some type of partisan hack, but his record reveals national security bona fides under Republican administrations. That's pretty impressive, especially for a Democrat.
I have two major problems with this discussion. First, it seems the Republicans, or conservatives, are intent on attacking the messenger because they can't go after the message. How sad. I guess Christians have to be pro-George Bush and conservative, or else they can't speak on public issues, right?
Wrong. I am a Christian, and I don't support Bush. I am also not a Republican. I'm glad that there is someone out there speaking up for non-conservative Christians.
Second, can someone explain to me how "honest abe" thinks the Alabama Values Coalition is dishonest and not truthful? I looked at their website, and all they claim to be is an organization that supports public policies in the model of Christ's teachings. They certainly don't appear to be an arm of either political party. So, can honest abe point out a policy they advocate that doesn't align with the teachings of Christ? Jesus said to care for the poor, to be good stewards of the earth, and to treat others fairly. It seems to me that's what they're saying. I don't see anything different.
It's the standard GOP line. Attack the messenger when you know the message has you beaten.
Sadly many people can be diverted from the truth by these red herring buzz words of the narrow-minded right that many like to throw out to discredit someone. There they go again...Red China, Pro-Libya, gay marriage, ... The truth is the Alabama Republican Party is on thin ice with their oath and they know it. The old saying fits very well here...A bit dog will yell the loudest. If it takes someone such as this group to call attention to the Republican Party bosses unsavory push to keep their legislators from voting for the people of Alabama and in lockstep with the party bosses so be it. Congrats on the good ads Alabama Values Coalition and for calling this ugly tactic what it is...a disgrace and an insult to the people of Alabama.
Be afraid Blake - be very afraid.
It is plain that the Alabama Democratic Party, AEA/NEA, and assorted other groups scrambling like crazy to maintain the status quo in Montgomery have stooped to a new low (and boy is that saying something) in an attempt to keep the GOP from gaining majorities in the Alabama legislature.
I could care less if you are a Democrat, a Republican, a Communist, or an anarchist. The clumsy idiotic attempt by a Democratic operative to meddle in the internal affairs of the Alabama Republican Party is reprehensible, especially since he deliberately posed as a "conservative, religious right Republican" to do it. This effort was dishonest by any objective standard and every Democrat on this board knows it.
C'mon Demos. I bet there is at least one Demo out there that sees this as the low dirty political move it is.
I am a Democrat. I worked in Bobby Bright's campaign to unseat Emory Folmar's Nazi regime in Montgomery, and helped Roger Monroe in every campaign he has run except for that abortive GOP one he did a few years ago.
I have to agree that there is no doubt that the radio ads are misleading at best and outright lies at worst. They definitely seem to insinuate thet the people behind them are Republicans. Is this a first in politics in Alabama? No. But I don't think I have ever heard this blatantly dishonest an ad this early in a statewide campaign before. As a Democrat for 35 years, I don't like it and I will tell anyone I know in the party that.
These ads are meant to sound like they are from Republicans? What? The group pretends it is conservative? What?
You guys are nuts. Anyone with half a brain who visits the website can tell that it is a website that promotes public policies in the mold of Christ's teachings. Newsflash conservatives: you don't own Jesus. Never have. Never will. If a non-conservative organization wants to talk about the role of Jesus and public policy, I support it.
I've looked at the website, and I don't see anything misleading at all. I've also listened to the ads, and I don't believe they give any impression that the group is aligned with Republicans. Someone noted that this is meddling in internal affairs of the Republican Party, but, again, NEWSFLASH: what happens in the GOP primary affects everyone in Alabama. If the candidates sign the stupid pledge and get elected, their loyalty is to the GOP, not the voters back home.
That's what's at issue here, and the Republicans know it. They want to attack the messenger, but their attacks are off-base. Say what you will, but the Alabama Values Coalition is right on track. It hasn't pretended to be anything other than what it is.
Republicans need to learn that GOP does not equal GOD.
I call shenanigans, previous poster. If the website is not meant to be misleading, why is only ONE PERSON'S NAME (SCOTTY COLSON) MENTIONED AT ALL ON THE ENTIRE WEBSITE???? Why not stand up and be counted? Because your website is a farce and a lie, that's why!
You've been outed.
I find the lack of ANY information about ANYONE associated with this group on the website interesting also. If this group has the considerable resources to buy statewide radio advertising, why are they so vague about who they are? No board of directors, hmm? Smells very funny. Smells like election-year dirty tricks.
Hey dude - if you think it smells funny NOW wait until it hits the Sunday news cycle. All the principals involved in this - from Seth Hammett to Paul Hubbert to the democrat foot soldiers - will be running for cover like crazy.
This may be one of the biggest election year mistakes ever by the Alabama Democratic party - at least the biggest since the Graddick fiasco in 1986. And they screwed up this time months before the PRIMARY election!
I thought the previous (a few posts up) poster's attacks on Republicans for "attacking the messenger" highly suspect.
In fact, it appears that the Democrats on here are in a feeding frenzy to attack anyone who questions the highly questionable motives of "Beijing Blake" Pritchett.
Democrat Hypocrisy - as omnipresent as Paris Hilton.
OK - here is a fact, Democrats:
The jig is up. You can go home. You can cancel the rest of the media buys. Chalk up the money spent on the ads by the "Alabama Values Coalition" to experience. Expensive experience, yes, but you should get something in return for all that money.
The bottom line is that all the advantage you hoped to get by posing as a "religious right organization" is not only lost, but has resulted in the Alabama Democratic Party being exposed as a dirty-tricking, lying, stupid tool of the biggest special interests in this state.
Wanna argue? Go ahead. But the bottom line is this: the so called Alabama Values Coalition cannot credibly pose as anything other than a democrat/leftist organization (and if you look at its website you can see that the whole idea was for it to be a pseudo Christian Coalition-type organization that might have assisted liberals in stealing religious votes even in the fall elections this year).
What was attempted has been lost. The damage control is a loss in and of itself.
Have a great weekend waiting for more dispatches from your failure, Democrats!
Did a poster actually assert that "the Alabama Values Coalition hasn't pretended to be anything other than what it is"???????????????????????????
Man - that is just sick. There is zero doubt that the Democratic and liberal activists behind this lie deliberately tried to mislead voters. Stop insulting us! We aren't as dumb as the idiots who thought this would work! No mention that it is a democrat/liberal front. No disclosure of the principal's political history as radical left activists. No disclosure of where the money came from.
LIES LIES LIES. Alabama Values Coalition = LIES!
After reading all of the posts I went to the AVC website to check it out for myself instead of taking what's being posted here at face value. Boy am I glad that I did.
How many of you people have bothered to check out their site before posting comments?
I didn't find the first partisian comment anywhere. But I can say that after reading that they believe in and support the following Alabama values:
1. Honest pay for honest work.
2. Equal rights under the law.
3. Economic success and a genuine qualtiy of live for future generations.
4. Protecting the Earth, one of God's greatest creations, for future generations.
5. Making sure every person has the right to practice their religion in a free and just society.
I will be joining and supporting the organization. Thanks everyone for giving me the incentive to visit their website!!
I don't have a dog in this fight, but it looks like the Republican types are a lot more literate.
While the previous poster (a few posts up) was visiting the AVC website, did he/she/it encounter NAMES of anyone or any group supporting it?
I'll answer that. No, the previous poster did NOT, with the sole exception of one Scotty Colson, aide to crooked Birmingham mayor Bernard Kincaid.
No one appears willing to show their face in support of this sham organization. Of course, on the web, where anonymity is guranteed, the legions of AEA/NEA minions, the state employees union, and all the other liberal special interests can do their level bests to attempt to make wrong right.
Won't work guys. Too much truth has seeped into the conversation.
The bottom line (hopefully) is as follows: any intentional misleading of voters by the Alabama Values whatever is over as their liberal democratic supporters have been thoroughly identified.
I suspect that exposure to public scrutiny was NOT what the supporters of the Alabama Values thing wanted. Protests of their supporters to the contrary, if they had wanted people to know they were Democrats, they would have told them right away.
I think that now that the motives and the inclinations of the supporters of this particular effort are known, it will be more difficult for them to succeed in future efforts to lie to voters. And that is a good thing.
Are you guys trying to give the impression that only Republicans are Christians? If so I can tell you that you are so wrong!!
I am proud to say that I am a Christian and also a Democract. What does that make me?
And oh by the way,from what I understand, Billy Graham (some of you might have heard of him)is a Democract!!
Am I missing something here?
Are you people implying that only people who are uninterested in politics would belong to a Political Action Committee?
Aren't PAC's required to file public disclosure papers with the Secretary of State's office? If so the organizers of the Alabama Values Coalition would be on record, wouldn't they? Also doesn't the website have an e-mail address and a mailing address?
So why all of the comments about trying to deceive the public by keeping the organizers a secret?
Here is a challenge to the Republican/conservative trolls here tonight:
Find one misleading thing on the AVC website. Show me once where they pretended to be conservative. Show me once where they pretended to be a Republican organization.
If you can't provide any evidence, then that speaks for itself. I am a supporter of the AVC, and I think anyone reasonable person who looks at the website (sidenote: have any of you yet?) would never consider this group part of the Republican Party. The truth is that they are standing up for those of us who are not held hostage by the religious right - those of us who know that God is not a Republican or a Democrat.
Boy, you guys must be scared. You're busy attacking the messenger, but you haven't disputed anything in the ads.
Let me ask another question. How many of the posters here support the Republican pledge? How many people here think democracy is strtonger when people put party loyalty above loyalty to the voters? Is this what you learned in your civics classes in school? I'm sorry, but where I come from, legislators are supposed to be answerable to the people first, and the party somewhere down the line.
Consider the flip side. Assume you are represented by a Democratic legislator. Would you be happy if he or she pledged loyalty to the party leadership first and to heck with your input? No, I doubt you would.
Even though we live in a partisan system, I suspect that somewhere, deep down, we hope our elected representatives care about our opinion, even if we are from different parties. I know I do. Don't you? Would you honestly be happy if the Democrats pulled a loyalty oath stunt like this? No, you would likely attack them. So, why is it ok from the Republicans? I don't understand this.
Again, I go back to my original question. A few people on here have suggested that the AVC misled the voters of Alabama. Ok, well, prove it. Show us, on this blog, where the AVC once indicated that it was a conservative group or aligned with the Republican Party. Show us and I'll shut up.
The fact is, you can't. I have been to the website. And in the following post, I will post relevant parts from the website. Show me how this is misleading. If someone can show this, I'll shut up.
OK - for those who haven't been to the website (which, from the looks of things, amounts to a few conservatives):
From the homepage:
The Alabama Values Coalition is a grassroots organization dedicated to the teachings of Jesus Christ as reflected in the New Testament. Nearly 2000 years since the death and resurrection of Christ, his words are as applicable to today as when they were spoken.
We believe that, as Christians, our primary responsibility is to conduct our daily lives in a manner that honors Christ. This includes pursuing a public policy agenda that rests squarely in the model of Christ and seeks to apply his teachings to governmental and public affairs.
Our organization is dedicated to defending the principles of Christianity and supporting positive public policy that works to serve the interests of the people of the State of Alabama.
This site serves as an information hub for the Alabama Values Coalition. It contains information on our values, our principles, and the issues that are of importance to the people of our state. Please use the information provided as a tool to promote honest, responsible policies with your friends, family, colleagues, and congregation members.
The first step toward a better tomorrow and a better Alabama begins today. And it begins with you.
-- What we value matters.
As a people of great faith, compassion, and love, we recognize and understand that the values we possess are the means by which we make daily decisions. They are the guiding lights that define what is right and wrong in our state, our nation, and our lives. The values of the Alabama Values Coalition are anchored in the teachings of Jesus Christ as reflect in the New Testament, and we are dedicated to applying his teachings to our daily lives.
The Alabama Values Coalition was founded upon the Biblical notion that faith without works is dead. Thus, the Coalition was formed as an organization dedicated to putting faith into action. As an Alabama-based group, our mission and focus is to promote responsible policies that fit the mold of Christ and reflect his teachings. Our values are not simply Christian values. They are Alabama values.
Members of the Alabama Values Coalition come from diverse walks of life, backgrounds, income, and religious perspectives. But as an organization, we realize that we are not defined by our differences. Rather, we - like the State of Alabama - are a product of the things that unite us. We are true believers in Christ and find enormous inspiration and motivation in the spiritual path that he walked 2,000 years ago.
As the 2006 election cycle approaches, the people of Alabama are going to be faced with deciding the future direction of our state. The role of the Alabama Values Coalition in this process and beyond is to ensure that our fellow citizens are armed with the most accurate information on the election process.
To facilitate this end, the Coalition is working to promote awareness on key issues that affect our citizenry. Debate on Alabama public policy needs to be as uplifting as it is useful. The hardworking men and women of Alabama deserve an electoral process that honors them, their lives, their contribution to Alabama, and ultimately, the teachings of Christ.
The issue links on the right sidebar are a selection of the urgent topics currently facing Alabama. The Alabama Values Coalition is proud to promote our advocacy of them and welcomes an open, honest, frank dialogue on the future of our state and nation.
Collectively, we as a people have the power to change the current course of our state. We as a people have the power to set a new public policy agenda. We as a people have the power to change the direction of our government. We as a people have the right to demand accountability from those in the halls of power. We as a people have the power to demand better for ourselves, our children, and our future.
We have the power. But we must begin exercising it.
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You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5: 14-16
The Alabama Values Coalition is united in the following values, and we are dedicated to advancing them in the public square. We believe that Alabama values include:
Honest pay for honest work.
Equal rights under the law.
Economic success and a genuine quality of life for working families.
Protecting the Earth, one of God's greatest creations, for future generations.
Making sure every person has the right to practice their religion in a free and just society.
Alabamians from every walk of life deserve an opportunity to contribute to society, provide a good life for their family, and succeed economically. The Alabama Values Coalition is working to ensure that they have that chance.
We believe that some of our highest callings as people of faith are to assist those in need, to give a leg up to those stricken by poverty, and to protect the rights of the poor just as we would the rights of the wealthy and powerful.
In keeping with the example in the New Testament set by Christ, who ministered to thieves, lepers, and tax collectors along with everyone else, we believe that our purpose is not to judge those in adverse circumstances but to aid those who recognize their mistakes and truly want to build new lives as productive citizens.
Many of these people want only to be given a chance to rebuild their lives, get jobs and re-establish themselves as functioning members of society, and we feel a moral and spiritual obligation to do our best to ensure that they get that chance.
As we've seen in the newspapers and on TV, too many religious leaders today spend too much time working on making sure that government promotes their particular religion, and not enough time making sure that their followers and parishioners do.
We believe in a government that has a limited yet powerful role in the personal and spiritual lives of the people it serves. Government can set an example for putting spiritual values into action in the way it serves its people, but the primary responsibility for following the teachings of Christ and implementing these values rests with individuals, families, and churches.
Just as we do not believe in government that tells us how to live, we don’t believe in a government that tells people how to pray. We view religion and spirituality as values too important — and too personal — to be the subject of governmental regulation or promotion.
Jesus Christ calls his disciples and followers to live as good stewards who promote justice and care for "the least of these." Unfortunately in Alabama, our tax structure does the exact ooposite. It fails to follow the basic tennants of Christianity as it fails to provide for the least in our society.
Our systems of taxation dates back to the early 20th century, a time when white supremacy ruled state and national politics. Our tax structure was designed to protect the wealthy interests in our society - property owners who happened to also be legislators. Our tax system was not constructed as one that taxes the working poor, the middle class, and the wealthy at fair rates. Rather, it was intended to place much of the burden of taxation on those least able to afford it.
It has succeeded in doing so spectacularly.
While our taxes remain among the lowest in our nation - something of which our lawmakers often boast - it also has the dubious honor of being one of the least fair. For example, a working family of four that earns as little as $4,600 pays income tax, which is the lowest taxable amount in the United States. In Alabama, the sales tax on baby formula is higher than the tax on cattle feed. Additionally, homeowners are are forced to pay higher rates of taxation than the influential and entrenched timber interests who wield vast influence over state government.
The question before us in addressing our inadequate and morally bankrupt tax structure is how we, as Christians, can tolerate such an unjust system. The answer is, of course, we cannot. Because the working poor of our state spend almost all of their weekly earnings to afford the cost of living, sales taxes affect them particularly hard. A working family that is contributing to society and playing by the rules should never be forced to choose between buying schoolbooks and medicine or paying rent. By working hard for a living, they have upheld their bargain of the social compact. It is now our time to do our part.
Tax reform has been endorsed by the United Methodist Church, the Alabama Southern Baptist Convention, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Episcopal Church, and many associated with the Roman Catholic Church. Now is the time to spread the message of tax reform across the state. Our faith as Christians demands it.
Protecting our environment should be a primary goal of every Christian. Jesus commanded his followers to be good stewards of the things with which we have been entrusted.
Certainly, this includes protecting the Earth created for us by God. By protecting the environment, we actively honor God by demonstrating true respect for one of his most marvelous creations. Environmental responsibility also leaves a better world for our children and future generations to enjoy. It is a compact with both the past and the present.
The Alabama Values Coalition believes that destroying the environment or reckless extracting its resources and creatures fails to follow Jesus' commandment of responsible stewardship and is a failure to honor God, to whom our oceans, mountains, streams, and air truly belong. The Coalition recognizes the need to utilize the resources of the Earth to meet the demands of life, but we also recognize that resource utilization can be done in a responsible, measured way.
As citizens of the great State of Alabama and brothers and sisters in Christ, we all share our state's mountains, forests, rivers, seas, and air. These wonders are an amazing gift from God and are one of the legacies we leave to our children. As dutiful stewards bound to preserve and protect one of God's greatest gifts, we share an obligation with our fellow people to demand public policies that preserve the natural riches of our state and nation for the public good. It is one positive way in which we can bring glory to God.
We are bound by our faith in Jesus to follow his commands. Protecting the Earth is one easy way to follow a Christian walk and enjoy divine, real fellowship with Jesus.
Reforming Alabama's archaic and undemocratic constitution should be a priority of all Alabamians. Although some in our state may not initially view this as a moral issue, an examination of the document and the circumstances surrounding it demonstrate clearly why it is a moral imperative.
Our current constitution - one of the longest in the world - was enacted in 1901. Opposed at that time by African American leaders and white populists, the main purpose of the document was to disenfranchise poor blacks and whites. This, clearly, deviates from the teachings of Christ.
A document based in racism, the 1901 constitution was also fraudulently enacted. The final vote for ratification was approximately 82,000 opposed and 109,000 in favor. Oddly, the margin of victory came from the Black Belt region of Alabama - the very area with the most to lose from ratification. It seems unlikely that people went to the polls to deny themselves the right to vote, but that's the official story.
In 1900, there were approximately 230,000 registered white voters and 181,000 registered black voters. After this document was enacted, those numbers dropped dramatically. By 1908, only 3,700 blacks and 41,000 whites were able to vote.
Racism and fraud are not the only problems with the 1901 constitution. The document also prevents local governments from addressing local problems, as all real power is concentrated in the hands of the legislature. During the 2002 legislative session, about 40% of the legislative agenda was spent on local issues because of this concentrated authority. No home rule bogs down other important issues that our legislature should be considering.
Our constitution has other flaws. It protects special interests and weakens the ability of citizens to influence their government. Also, our constitution keeps in place a flawed tax structure that punishes the working poor. It fails Jesus' basic commandment to provide for the least of these. Alabama needs a tax code that treats all workers and working families fairly and equitably, but that is unlikely to come without constitutional reform.
The Alabama Values Coalition recognizes that Alabama must address this vestige of our divisive past and promote a new era of equality and compassion centered in the philosophy of Christ. Reforming our constitution is one step in the right direction.
OK - I posted all the excerpts from their website. Here's your chance, critics. Show from some of that one instance where the coalition has pretended to be something it is not. Show me one example where they pretend to be aligned with the Republican Party.
If you can't, then all readers of this blog know you're full of hot air.
NOTE: I don't really expect you to answer any of my questions. You'll just continue attacking the messenger, especially because you know they are right. And that must get at you.
I agree with one of the posters from before. Billy Graham is a Christian. He is a Democrat, too. For that matter, so am I.
I'm sorry, did someone say that the republicans were a lot more "literate", surely I read that wrong????
There are a lot of interesting posts tonight.
But it seems pretty clear to me that the Republicians are the ones with the "misinformation" with their attacks on the AVC.
Why would someone who went to China and taught the english language be called "Red China"? Does that kind of thinking/reasoning by Republicians mean that they think that no one should ever leave the United States? Or if you do, that you are not ever entitled to an opinion about anything political in the United States? Oh Pleeaassee
Just like to say that if anyone from the media is following any of this blogging sure hope you point out that the republicans seem to be attacking the "messenger" rather than the message. Wonder why?
I agree with the previous poster. The Republicans have danced around the issue all night, but they have refused to answer whether or not they suppor the pledge.
So, what is it? Do you support the loyalty pledge - the pledge that places allegiance to the party over the voters? Is that what you're behind?
Or, do you agree with the Coalition? Do you believe that members of the legislature need to answer to the voters first, and the party second (or third?)? It probably kills you inside to know that the Coalition is right. But that's ok. I don't necessarily expect you to admit it.
But at the end of the day, I know that you won't debate the pledge because you know it is wrong. You hope it goes away as quickly as possible.
If not, here is your space. Please tell us why you favor the pledge. The space is available here, and there's a lot of it. So, come on... tell us why you believe in the pledge.
Yeah, talk about the pledge. If there is a Republican on this blog that supports the pledge, please write a coherent response detailing why. Failure to do so will be understood as rejection of the pledge. It is difficult to come to any other conclusion.
Time for a gut check. Do Republicans support the pledge?
You asked why the GOP supports the Pledge. Here you go:
There are several members of the Alabama Legislature at present who are elected as "Republicans" but who are, in fact, DEMOCRATS. You want names? They run as "Republicans" because they live in conservative, Republican districts. But they have voted - provably, by actual voting records - as Democrats for years.
So how do these RINOS (Republicans in Name Only) manage to get elected in Republican districts? Dr, Paul Hubbert of AEA recruits and finances candidates to advance his agenda in Republican districts.
Dr. Hubbert's HUGE campaign warchest (over $10 million at last count for state legislative races alone) allows him to buy large numbers of would-be Republican seats. This money, by the way, comes DIRECTLY FROM YOUR TAX MONEY. Dr. Hubbert deducts money DIRECTLY FROM TEACHER PAYCHECKS TO PAY TO ELECT RINOS TO THE LEGISLATURE. AEA RINOS routinely spend 3-4 times as much as Real Republicans in primary elections, helpibg them hoodwink voters.
The BEST weapon Real Republicans have to eradicate this cancer from the party is to essentially insist that Republicans be Republicans at LEAST when voting for the LEADERSHIP. The Pledge does NOT require alll GOP legislators to vote together on every issure. That is a LIE, Blake. It will require them to vote for a Republican for Speaker of the House - just like Republicans in EVERY OTHER STATE IN AMERICA ALREADY DO.
RINOS and Speaker Seth Hammett are very threatened by the Pledge. It will make it much more difficult for phony Republicans to win seats in Republican districts, and it will make it much more difficult for the very partisan, very liberal Seth Hammett to be reelected Speaker. That is true.
But the Republican Party is a CONSERVATIVE PARTY. That is WHAT IT UNDENIABLY IS. It is NOT about PROTECTING LIBERAL SPECIAL INTERESTS LIKE AEA/NEA.
Blake Pritchett wants the Republican party to "represent everybody in the district." Well, Republican l;egislators also must REFLECT THE CONSERVATIVE VALUES AND WISHES OF THE VOTERS WHO ELECTED THEM. They have a choice, Beijing Blake: they are free to vote for a liberal Democrat in the fall. You have no business trying to trick voters into supporting liberals clad as conservatives.
And neither does Paul Hubbert.
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Posted 07/10/2003
America was not founded as a Christian nation. Need proof? Ok.
Let's begin our journey with the first amendment, which clearly says is that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This concept leads into the notion of separation of church and state, which first came in a letter from President Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association. The DBA wanted clarification on the first amendment, so Jefferson explained it by saying that the first amendment set up a "wall of separation between church and state." As one of the primary authors of the Constitution, Jefferson makes it abundantly clear what the first amendment means.
Keep this in mind. Whether or not the actual words "separation of church and state" appear in the amendment does not matter. The effect is still the same. The phrases "right to privacy" and "separation of powers" do not appear in the constitution, yet these, too, are well established constitutional principles.
In 1797, President John Adams signed the Treaty of Tripoli, which states: "The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." President James Madison shared the same sentiments of Jefferson and Adams, stating that "a just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate liberty, does not need the clergy."
I’ve also listened to a lot of people point out how American currency reads “In God We Trust.” Let’s place this in historical perspective. That phrase did not appear on paper currency until 1956 under the era of McCarthyism. It had previously appeared on some coins, but so did phrases like "mind your own business" and "be thrifty." Different phrases were often popular. If we're going to talk slogans, don't forget the one chosen by Benjamin Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams -- “E Pluribus Unum,” which means "Of Many, One." It was the original national motto, and it's a much more fitting slogan.
Blake Pritchett
blakepritchett@hotmail.com
ESL Instructor
Anshan, China
I would like to thank the previous poster. I think it says everything.
If you are a liberal, you'll love where Blake and AVC stand. If you are a conservative, you will wholeheartedly disagree.
I think maybe we can close this whole discussion by stating unequivocally that AVC is, without any doubt, a pro-Democratic Party, liberal organization. Perhaps they should point that out on their website and in their radio ads. That would be honest.
I get a kick out of all these ACLU-AEA liberals pretending to be "conservative Christians." Let me let you in on a little secret. You're like the guy with the hairpiece that everyone laughs at, and he thinks no one notices.
What is funniest of all is how badly miffed the right wingers are in this discussion. Clearly the ad hit a nerve and you're all proving how devastating it was. All I can say to the algop is, BOO HOO HOO!! ha ha HAAAAAAAAA!
I think that if the boo-hooing previous poster wants to see devastation, just wait until January 31 when the financial contributors to this sham organization are revealed. Of course, Dr, Hubbert and Joe Reed and Speaker Hammett will attempt to hide their funding, but the lack of ONE SINGLE REPUTABLE INDIVIDUAL DONATION (you heard it here first) will show conclusively the moral bankruptcy of this fraud upon the people of Alabama.
You know, I'm a Christian, and I'm a moderate. I don't belong to either party, although I tend to lean Dem in national elections and Reep in local elections. Then again, it all just comes down to who I think will do the best job.
But let's look at the comments posted, here. I'm actually ashamed to say that I consider myself to be a supporter of Republicans in local elections.
Why is it that nearly all of the comments from the Republican supporters (with one exception) seem to say very little about the subject matter of the ad and instead try to attack the founder of the organization sponsoring the ad? Here's a question: Who cares? The question you should be asking is this: Was the information in the ad true? If so, and apparently it is, then the person who said it should not matter. It doesn't matter if the information came from Jesus Himself or from Adolf Hitler. It doesn't matter who founded what organization or whether or not they lied about it or mislead. What matters is whether or not the information in the ad is correct. If it's true, it's true, and the origin of that information makes no difference. Period. Get over it.
Now, if anyone wants to throw dirt to the tune of who started what organization, at least allow me to level the playing field. When was the last time anyone visited the websites for the "wonderful" Christian Coalition or the AFA? There is little, if any, mention as to the foundation of either organization, which are tied to radical "Christian" extremists like Pat Robertson and Jerry Fallwell. Now, I don't know what your definition of "Christian" is, but I will never support a group founded by a man who referred to Methodists and other non-Baptist denominations as "the spirit of the Antichrist" (Robertson) or suggests that we should kill people "in the name of God" (Fallwell). Sounds suspiciously similar to some of the things I've heard from certain fundamentalist Muslim extremists. (By the way, our current president just so happens to BE A METHODIST!!! With that kind of reasoning, I'm suprised that Robertson and the organization that he founded has yet to denounce the president as the Antichrist. Goodness knows, he's said plenty of other crazy things, lately.)
On that note, I wouldn't trust a "voter guide" that came from any group, regardless as to its affiliation. If you look at them, they are ALL so clearly biased that a first-grader cold figure it out. There so is more to an issue than a simple support/oppose answer can supply. (Any group could easily twist Sen. Sessions recent vote against the anti-torture bill as a vote against a defense appropriations bill.) You'd be much better off by simply calling the campaign offices and asking the questions yourselves.
judging by these posts, its clear the alabama democrat party and the alabama republican party are still being run by the romper room/teletubbies crowd.
Yall dont drink so much cocola and you wont be so hyper and get fewer zits.
For Jen: you said the info in the radio spot "(was) apparently (true)." You are dead wrong on that.
According to numerous published sources, the pledge is ONLY about leadership and organizational votes. It is NOT about - and has NEVER been about - legislative votes as the ads very directly (and falsely) imply.
The ads are lies. That is the real story here. They are lies and the scam artists behind it should be taken to task.
I am amazed. These false radio spots have been exposed for the lies thay are on the AP wire and in every major media market in the state, and there are idiots on here (or possibly Democrat shills) who still insist that the spots are true.
Can you people READ? Did you read the text of the ads and the text of the pledge??? They are in DIRECT CONTRADICTION to each other. The ads are LIES. Have someone who understands simple english read and explain the pledge to you, Jen.
They don't seem any less misleading that any other political ad that has been released. While the ad does not specifically say that the oath is for Republican leadership, it does not say anything that is specifically false. Want to know how I found out? I called a ALABAMA REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIAL whom I still highly respect so that he could explain things to me. It's interesting how two minutes on the phone can really clarify things for you, but I guess most people don't even bother. And before you get into, the whole argument that "unless someone tells the whole story, they are lying" bit, let's take a gander at the analysis of political ads on FactCheck.org for a minute. It doesn't take long to figure out that BOTH SIDES, including the precious Reeps, do this quite frequently.
If you want to talk about lying ads, fine, but let's not forget the infamous "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" before we throw stones. Just leveling the playing field, friend.
And I wouldn't refer to myself as a "Democrat shill" as the last poster so graciously put it. If anyone here had so much as done about three seconds worth of background checkgin on me (HINT: Read my freaking blog!), you would know that I heavily support Gov. Riley (R), Sen. John McCain (R), and Rep. McClendon (R) and that I have a lot of negative feelings toward Sen. Kennedy (D), Rep. John Rogers (D), and Larry Langford (D). Those only name a few. I'm a moderate, meaning that I really don't care about party affiliation, unlike certain other people. I don't mind being called a RINO or a DINO, because frankly, I wear both badges with honor, but I WILL NOT stand to be labeled as a brainwashed partisan drone.
So NOW, let's talk about reading and understanding English.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Let me clarify before I am misunderstood, and I apologize for the typos...
Leadership VOTES. (I cut out a word by mistake. Sorry.) Meaning, votes about leadership, etc. But saying that the oath limits itself to that is not necessarily true. There's a whole bigger picture here, that neither the ad nor the Republican party seem to be acknowledging.
There is an article regarding this that appeared on al.com on 1/3/06, but I can only seem to find it in a Google cache, now. Allow me to directly quote the article:
"Republican legislative candidates who began qualifying Tuesday had to sign a first-of-its-kind pledge to support the choices of the House and Senate Republican caucuses for leadership positions in the new Legislature."
THAT does not limit itself to the internal workings of the Republican party. It's talking about leadership within the Alabama legislature. And we have all seen how well a shift to one-party rule in government has worked out for our federal system...
And then there's this statement:
"Rep. Todd Greeson, R-Ider, signed the pledge Tuesday because he said he had no choice, but he didn't like it."
That alone should tell you that there is something horribly, horribly wrong with this.
The link to the Google cache. Here's hoping that it can still be found.
And here, from the algop.org website, is the text of the Republican Oath:
I, _________________________, pledge to the Republican voters of Senate/House District ___ (number) of the Legislature of the State of Alabama and to all Republican voters of this state that I will vote for the Republican Caucus choices for the leadership positions of the legislative body to which I seek to be elected. I further pledge to these voters that I will vote for the Republican Caucus choices for the operating rules of the legislative body to which I seek to be elected. This pledge shall remain in force and effect during the entire term to which I seek to be elected.
Jim McClendon is a RINO (Republican in Name Only) who has sided with Democrat Speaker Seth Hammett. So if he's your buddy, Jen, that says a lot about your motivation
I know Todd Greeson, mentioned by a previous poster, personally. The idea that he opposes the GOP pledge on principal is a total joke.
Todd Greeson is NOT A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS. He did NOT quit over the pledge issue, but left last year when he was disciplined by the party for aligning with Democrats. Greeson has been a solid DEMOCRATIC vote for the last 8 years, and defines "RINO." He is on the payroll of both Paul Hubbert and Milton MacGregor.(LITERALLY - HUbbert got him a job at a junior college- created just for Greeson to thank him for his pro-liberal votes in the legislature).
So YES Todd Greeson opposes the pledge. It was directed at HIM.
Whether you like or dislike what Todd does in the legislature, his opposition to this plegde is ENTIRELY based on his personal situation. It is NOT about convictions. He hasn't got any.
If Jen and the other people on here who dislike the pledge (and you can count ME among them too - I don't like loyalty pledges)would be intellectually honest (I know that's a stretch from your previous posting, Jen: I mean, you claim to see no dishonesty in obviously misleading ads), everyone would have to realize that political parties all over America and in Washington DC do exactly what the Alabama GOP is curently doing. In fact, the Alabama pledge is a mirror image of a pledge used in Georgia a few years ago by the Republicans there.
The Republican pledge in Georgia led to a GOP majority in both houses of the Georgia legislature, and THAT is the real source of all the fuss on this issue. Paul Hubbert and Seth Hammett fear the pledge because they fear loss of liberal majorities in the Alabama Legislature.
Previous poster has it right: the Georgia situation is why the Alabama Repubs are going with this pledge, and it is why Paul Hubbert and the Alabama Demos want to kill it so badly.
It is highly unusual for one party to attack the qualifying rules of the other party. But the so-called "rinos" are Speaker of the House Seth Hammett's lifeblood. If he can't get GOPers to vote for him for speaker, that makes him a lame duck tomorrow. That is why this issue is so important to him. His power is gone from the moment his rinos sign that pledge. He cannot be speaker without rinos.
This is an actual "cut and paste" direct quote from Jen's webpage, if any of you were wondering about her political persuasion:
From the day following the 2004 Presidential election:
"To those who voted for Bush, I have this to say. What were you thinking?"
By the way, according to Jen's own profile, her fave movie is "Bowling for Columbine" by that master of the pseudo documentary, Michael Moore.
Oh wait - now it makes sense as to why Jen doesn't think the radio spots are "lies." She thinks Michael Moore is "truthful."
Ya know . . .all these Democrat activists coming on this board trying to post as "average Joes" (or "Jens")to attack this little loyalty oath thing proves two points:
1) The Democrat power structure that employs these foot soldiers is scared crapless about this pledge
2) Democrat staffers are STUPID. They leave obvious paper trails (and internet vapor trails) for anyone looking to discredit them. Jen even leaves a link to her webpage complete with liberal anti-Bush rantings.
I think it is quite telling, by the way, that Jen made a point of saying she was supportive of all these Republicans earlier when all you see on her webpage is left-wing stuff.
Guess "misleading" is second nature to Jen.
Wonder if she knows Blake? :-)
Oh yes, georgia, let's be "intellectually honest" with each other. I'll even quote myself. I believe that I specifically said that the ads were misleading but that there was nothing specifically false in the ads. That's completely different from being "dishonest". It's a matter of interpretation. You see, the phrase "operating rules of the legislative body" is pretty darn open. Considering how many lawyers are involved in politics, I doubt that this was a mistake.
And FarenheitJen and DLM... I didn't start my blog until March of 2005, as the history shows. I'd like to know, then, how I managed to make a post on this blog in November of 2004. Perhaps I've developed a time machine of some sort. (I also happen to list "Left Behind Series", "Chronicles of Narnia" and "Family First" among my favorite books. Big freaking deal.) Since you seem to like quotes so much, how about this gem from July 27, 2005:
"I'm finding good things to say about President Bush."
Oh, and how about this one from July, 20, 2005:
"I'm about to actually PRAISE President Bush."
Or this one, from August 24, 2005:
"Would that be the same way that NARAL's ad attacking John Roberts was misunderstood?" (in sarcasm. I was actually defending Roberts.)
That doesn't even count the countless disapprovals of Langford, Smoot, and Rogers, just to name a few. Gee, I really tow the liberal line, huh? You're going to have to do better than that. Perhaps it would be more efficient for you to actually READ the blog before you post about it. Your carelessness only proves one thing: You're so desperate to shut me up that you've resorted to outright lying. A quick scan of the first page would easily show that I support I&R reform. (Give Montgomery back to the voters and get it out of the hands of lobbyists, what a shocking idea!) cheap trick, but I call "toadie" on you. Or is that Jeff Sessions personally writing some of these comments for you?
So what exactly is it that makes me a liberal? Could it be that I'm an expectant mother (posted), or completely for fiscal responsibility in government as well as personal lives (posted), or a Dave Ramsey loyal (posted), or a capitalist (posted), or a UMC employee (posted)? Maybe it's my consistent cheers for a McCain/Graham or a McCain/Lieberman ticket in 2008... Oh, I know! I'm a liberal because I criticized Ted Kennedy (also posted)! That must be it! Yeah, you really did your homework, FJ. Must be proud.
I guess the Reeps must really be ashamed of someone like Jim McClendon, who supports legislation that tries to get teens off of cells while driving, supports I&R reform, and supports horrible things like (GASP!) actually listening to voters who DON'T want their tax dollars to go toward the stupid Birmingham dome project. Yeah, that's a really bad guy!
And you know, I'm fully aware that the Dems actually have had a loyalty pledge, too. It got them into just as much hot water. I would do them the same favor it they got out of hand, and those who have actually read my work (instead of pretending to) can . The only reason why you guys are attacking me is because I've dared to say something other than the Republican mantra and leveled the playing field. I've actually dared to say that, if you call this ad dishonest, then you have to admit to the dishonesty of Republican groups as well. Golly gee-whiz. What a liberal idea.
Oh, it just hit me!!! It's because I specifically said in my blog that abortion as a form a birth control was an insult to women!!! THAT must be what makes me a liberal!!!
By the way, I actually do have a quote in my blog that criticizes people for voting for Larry Langford (a Democrat). Matter of fact, I believe I've criticized him a lot more than Bush. Occasional criticism of Bush or watching Michael Moore films, by the way, does not a liberal make. My film choices, if they mattered, have a tendancy to include COMEDY, which is why I also listed several View Askew films in the mix. Doesn't mean that I'm a comic book junkie. I happen to think that Michael Moore and Kevin Smith are humorous.
Jen - I also found the quote mentioned bashing Bush and Bush voters from YOUR webpage. It is on the "supayoda.net" page that you list as your personal webpage if you click on the link you provide on this page. If you go to the section that you have labled sometin