DEFENSELESS

    I have been asked to say a few words at a gun rally, and I've been thinking about what I want to say because, as I told the person who asked me to speak, I am not an experienced gun owner. I have only one gun that I purchased less than a year ago. As a TEA Party person, my entire argument against the recent attack on the 2nd Amendment is just that...a constitutional issue. He said, well talk about that! Why now?
   Until recently purchasing a gun was on my to-do list, but it was low priority. If the stars aligned someday where I had the money to purchase a gun, the imminent need for a gun, and the confidence that I was able to possess a gun responsibly...then I would buy a gun. The minute that the elitist gun grabbers started messing with my 2nd Amendment rights, my God-given instinct to protect myself and my loved ones, buying a gun became high priority. Why? First, because I am an American! You don't tell Americans that you have arrived to save us from ourselves and to do so you will be infringing on our rights. We don't like that, so I thought to myself...I am going to buy a gun. If I had the money I would buy 10 guns! How dare they!! I wasn't alone. So many guns were sold in the state of Maryland that they couldn't keep them in inventory. They couldn't keep up with processing all of the new gun purchases. WE ARE AMERICANS AND YOU DO NOT MESS WITH OUR RIGHTS! Clearly.
   There was another reason. Some of you know my story of losing my only sister to a maniac with a gun. I wrote about it in detail and you can read it here in Damaged Humans Kill--Not Guns: My Story: http://liberatedconservativewoman.blogspot.com/2013/01/damaged-humans-kill-not-guns-my-story.html. I am going to talk about it again, but not in detail. I want to tell the story differently and quickly in three scenarios: what happened, what would have happened under SB281 with all of the regulations that are in the bill and including the ones that we all were able to block, and lastly what should have happened.

Scenario #1: What Happened

    My sister, Teri, had been involved in a long drawn out bitter divorce with a man who had many issues. His issues started in childhood with a learning disability and speech impediment made worse by a cruel father. His issues worsened after Viet Nam when he came home with PTSD. In the separation and divorce process there were many "professionals" such as psychiatrists, social workers, and lawyers who were aware of his anger issues. Teri, could not get anyone to protect her. All of the professionals at the VA, law enforcement, psychiatric services, and lawyers could not protect her. That is an important subject for another time.
    On Father's Day in 1993 he came to her house to pick up their 4-year old daughter for a court-ordered visitation. Her fiance was in the living room reading the newspaper. Teri and her teenage daughter were in the kitchen. He carried a long box into her house and sat it on her dining room table. As she saw him take a shot gun out of the box she called 911. He shot her dead while she was talking to 911. Her fiancé ran for the door. He was shot in the back of the head and was killed on his way out the door. The daughter by now had picked up the phone and was talking to 911. He shot her. She fell to the floor and saved her life by pretending to be dead. She saw him point the gun at the 4-year old, shake his head no, then shoot himself dead. Teri was completely defenseless in her own home. The 911 operators couldn't save her. The police couldn't get there to save her. Governor O'Malley couldn't save her. Running couldn't save her. Defenseless.
   Her three children were without a mother. Our parents were heartbroken and were never the same. I raised the 4-year old and that has been bitter sweet. There was untold misery for our family, our extended families, and our friends. There were many "walking wounded" as a result.

Scenario #2: What Could Have Happened Under SB281 (as originally proposed)

   When my sister came to the realization that no one could protect her except for herself, and knowing that he would be coming to her house on Father's Day under a court order, she goes to her local gun shop to purchase a gun. Let's just say she survived the waiting period, had time to take a course, and even though she lived paycheck to paycheck, she scraped together the money for the course and the licensing fee. She has the gun.
    He carried a long box into her house and sat it on her dining room table. As she saw him take a shot gun out of the box she tells her daughter to dial 911 (as Maryland officials suggest). Teri runs to her gun safe, manages to remember the combination under duress, gets the gun out of the box and then runs to another safe where she has her ammo. She manages to remember the combination under duress and gets to her ammo and loads her gun. We all know that it would have the same outcome. Time is not going to stop for her to get her weapon in time. Under current Maryland law she is still...defenseless.

Scenario #3: What Should Have Happened

   When my sister came to the realization that no one could protect her except for herself, and knowing that he would be coming to her house on Father's Day under a court order, she goes to her local gun shop to purchase a gun. It is only the day before he is to come, but she is able to purchase a weapon for her self-defense and takes it home. She has her gun ready,with the safety on, hidden but within reach. She sees him taking the shotgun out of the box and just as he turns and points it at her...BOOM!
   She lived, and we all lived happily ever after. End of story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    WE CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO RENDER US DEFENSELESS! You can have an arsenal of guns, but if they are not on hand at the time when you need them because of laws that go against nature, the instinct to protect yourself, you will not survive an attack.
   This is the year to push back like never before. Go to every rally that you are able to manage. Write your state and U.S. elected officials and write them often. Support those elected officials that are fighting for our 2nd Amendment rights, no matter if they are in your district or not. We have a few political warriors who are fighting for us. We need to support them in any way that we are able.
   Make no mistake--they have rendered us defenseless and they are not satisfied. They will not be satisfied until it is illegal for law-abiding citizens to own a gun. Put up a fight! Push back!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OPPORUNITIES TO ACT:

1.) Hagerstown TEA Party Members Meeting, January 23rd at 7:00 p.m. The speaker will be Robert Bowman, a board member of Maryland Shall Issue (MSI), the primary sponsor of the 2A Tuesday rally in Annapolis, MD on Feb 4th.
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/hagerstown-tea-party-membership-meeting-registration-7132701101

2.) 2A Tuesday Rally in Annapolis, MD. The HTP is chartering a bus. Click on the following link for more information and to purchase your tickets for the bus.
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2a-tuesday-rally-bus-trip-tickets-9923365052

       

UPDATED! CHARLES LOLLAR FOR GOVERNOR SPEAKS ON ISSUES

 

 

   

 

 

* I just added a full length video of a campaign speech made on 3//26/14: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecGJ29kRP1c&feature=share&list=UU8nAHf9dn3neqKHeGgQPs2w

    I first became aware of Charles Lollar on January 13, 2010. I remember it vividly because it was at a TEA Party on a cold night in Annapolis. I think it was the only TEA Party that I have ever attended after dark. Lawyer's Mall was filled to capacity in protest of O'Malley's budget mismanagement and the anticipated new taxes to be proposed in that legislative session. The event had been organized by Americans for Prosperity, but I was there with the Hagerstown TEA Party. There were several dynamic speakers there that were able to tap into the fervor of the crowd, but none better than a man named Charles Lollar. As I heard him speak I began to work my way threw the incredible crowd hoping to see the man behind the charisma. I'm not going to pretend that I wasn't intrigued to see a black man who was a Republican and who seemed to "get" the TEA Party, especially since the movement had been maligned by Liberals and branded as racists. I was fascinated. Beyond that he was able to almost "preach" Conservative principles unscripted, intelligently, and with a passion that I am sure convinced all who were there that he indeed shared our principles, our concerns, and our hopes for going forward. I knew nothing more about him, but I felt right then and there that he would play an important role in the future of Maryland politics. Over 4 years later I have learned that he is not only a charismatic speaker, but that he is highly educated (Political Science, B.A. and an MBA), a decorated Marine (Officers Candidate School), a devoted family man (married 20 years with 4 daughters), and someone with a grasp on Conservative issues like no other.  I attended the Charles Lollar for Governor Meet and Greet last night and I was not disappointed.



Huge Rally in Annapolis in 2010

    The event was held in a trendy setting, where good food and drink were available, and cool music played in the background. It had all of the expected promotional materials like palm cards, signs, and T-shirts and even the expected raffle for a very classy hospitality basket. Team Lollar did a great job of organizing the event. I immediately noticed something different about this candidate's event, and that was that he was actually greeting and meeting with people for at least an hour before the event. I don't mean hobnobbing with Republican elected officials...he was going from table to table talking with regular people. When he came to my table I asked him several of my own questions about issues in addition to some that had been texted to me to ask on other's behalf. His answers were so forthright and succinct that it almost through me off task. I asked him if I could have a chance to talk to him again after he spoke and he said that he would be available. He was not introduced by Republican bigwigs or marched out with pomp and circumstance. He just grabbed a mic and did what Charles Lollar does. He spoke about issues.
    He started by saying that he believes that many people are asking the wrong questions. We are struggling in this state. There is a mad exodus of businesses from the state. People need jobs and they are over taxed and over regulated. Yet people are asking him what he is going to do about social issues. He couldn't have spoken a TEA Party precept more precisely if it had been dictated to him. Many people do not realize--because of the Liberal media smear campaign against the TEA Party--that although individual TP members may feel strongly about certain social issues, in the spirit of compromise and cooperation they have always avoided them as a group or organization. This is what he said:

"I am not running to be your priest. I am running to be your governor. There is a very real difference between those two occupations. If you want me to be your pastor and tell you  how to live then let's get out of the governor business and start a church and I will tell you how to live. My job as your governor, if I am honored enough to serve you, is to be held accountable for every penny that you sent to Annapolis. To make sure it is spent properly and what is not spent properly should go right back to you the taxpayer." 

Can I get an "Amen"?

    As if we needed convincing that this state is struggling, Lollar rattled off some statistics. In the last 5-7 years we've lost 40,000 jobs. We have lost 6,500 small businesses, taking with them $5.5B in revenue. [We historically lose revenue when taxes are excessive.] In one fiscal year the state budget has gone from $34.6B to $36.9B. That is an increase of $2.5B or 7.5%. In that same fiscal year the Consumer Price Index cost of living grew only 1.5%. "That means that your government grows at 5 times the rate of your pocketbooks...and why do we need 74 new taxes over 7 years? There is nothing left to tax!" Lollar then laid out his 5-part plan for economic growth:

1. Control Spending.

• Tax Payer's Bill of Rights- Legislatively ensuring that our government no longer grows faster than our CPI. 
• Return to Zero-based Budgeting- Starting with what we spent last year and not with a wish list for which we increase taxes in order to obtain all that we want.
• Hiring/Employee Budget Accountability by Department Secretaries..

"The governor of Maryland controls the budget. So whenever the governor decides to, he can make the hard decisions to balance it...whether he does so or not. Yes the legislators vote it up and down and they can propose taxes against it, but the governor controls it."

    2.   Regulation Reform. Create a Citizens Industry Review Board to work in conjunction with the EPA. The board will be made up of volunteers, so there will be no cost to the taxpayer. They will have experience in their respective industries and create common sense solutions that respects the environment, but does not senselessly burden the business owners, farmers, watermen and the economy as a whole.

"No longer will academia regulate any industry without experience."

    3.  Transparency.

• No appointed boards or commissions with the power to raise taxes and fees.
• No raiding the Transportation Trust Fund to balance the budget.
• This governor will understand that I work for you and you do not work for me.

"We will not allow non-legislative non-elected bodies or commission boards to increase your fees or your taxes going forward. That should be left to those who are elected, and not to those who are appointed."

    4.  Education.

• School Choice so that children are not trapped in a school that is operating below standards just because of where they live. Wherever the child goes to school his parent's tax dollars will follow, either by voucher or tax credit. Schools will be competing for your children!
• Internships in high school especially for those seeking a trade instead of a degree.
• Teacher training out of their districts and maybe even out of the country in order to expand their teaching experiences and perspectives.

"The often touted No.1 ranking in education is not based on standardized test scores. It is based on dollars spent per student as well as the number of teachers affiliated with or a part of our public union. They know that! What we need is less and less students needing remedial courses in order to get into college." 

  5.  Repeal taxes.

• Rain Tax
• Progressive Gas Tax
• Taxes on pensions of First Responders

"With the Rain Tax we are the laughing stock of our region."

    The following is a Q & A exchange with the audience (only parts appear on the video due to technical difficulties) and also from my interview. The answers are mostly paraphrased.

1. Q [Audience]: What will you do to make a college education affordable?
    A: Overall the cost of in-state tuition is quite affordable at just under $9,000 a year. Two things that can help:

• Educational Trust Funds. Start early saving for your children and grandchildren.
• Repeal or amend the Dream Act. You cantnot have one group of people paying into the system and another group not paying into the system (illegal immigrants) and then have both groups receive the same benefits. Somebody has to pay the difference between the in-state ($9,000) and the out-of-state ($28,000) tuition and it is the taxpayer. This has nothing to do with racism. It has to do with fairness and this act could lead us into financial trouble. We can't afford it.

2. Q [Audience]: How exactly do you propose to cut taxes?
    A: Poor spending decisions and wish-list budgeting has led to this tax burden. We plan to:

• Create a board to look at each one of the 74 taxes to determine how many we can eradicate.
• Enact a flat 5% tax rate across the board.
• Look at casinos for future tax revenue (when asked by the audience).

3a. Q: Do you feel as do some establishment Republicans that you need to distance yourself from the TEA Party?
      A. No. I have always identified with the TEA Party on issues. I have presented TEA Party principles to some very tough audiences...as you might imagine.
3b. Q: Why do you think establishment Republicans do not embrace the TEA Party?
      A: I think it threatens their status as career politicians. Politics was never meant to be a career. The founding fathers intended for elected officials to work jobs. They were to serve from January to March and then go home and work their jobs.
4.  Q: Do you think that Plan Maryland has adversely affected farmers?
     A: Yes. Plan Maryland seeks to target growth and resources towards an urban environment making it hard or in some cases impossible for farmers to sell their property or to get a loan against their property. I do not think that rural Maryland is being served by this administration.
5. Q: Where do you stand on fracking? Do you think that technology has now made this a safe industry?
    A:  "It is time!" We do not need to spend anymore taxpayer money on research and studies. It is being done successfully and safely in our neighboring states, and they are horizontally fracking and taking our resources and revenue. This could bring major economic growth to Western Maryland.
6. Q: Do you think that SB281 went too far?
    A: Absolutely. They have no right to define what kind of firearms our citizens may own. The 2nd Amendment is the right of every citizen to protect themselves with whatever firearm they choose to purchase.
7. Q: Hagerstown is a dying city. How can the state help revitalize our downtown?
    A: This administration does not want to help Hagerstown in a big way or they would have enabled fracking in Western Maryland, improved I-81, and created the highway by-pass that has been discussed for years. [I wish that I had been able to ask him to explain this further.] They are putting more state resources into the larger urban centers of the state and giving the rest of the state little to nothing.
8. Q: Hagerstown had been negotiating with a minor league baseball team to build a new stadium. The team has since decided to leave town, but the possibility of building a new stadium is still being considered. Do you think that public funds should be used to build stadiums?
    A: Absolutely not. "The day is over for taxpayer money for stadiums. The Governor is in charge of the budget. You will not see a stadium in my budget."
9. Q [Audience]: Would your administration make any changes to the pension plans of First Responders?
    A: I think that we can find ways to make a better life for our First Responders. I think that their pensions should be like my combat pay was in Kosovo...tax free.
10. Q: Where to you stand on increasing the minimum wage?
      A: I think that it inflates the whole system and winds up costing the wager earner and consumers more in taxes and increased costs that are passed down to the consumer. I think that lower taxes and smarter budgeting are the answers.
11. Q: What do you think of Common Core?
      A: "It is unconstitutional."  For a video of the full answer on Common Core go to http://youtu.be/F1rnB_e_NsQ.

   In the end, he asked for volunteers but only if they could be committed to sticking to the issues and resisting the urge for bickering and nasty campaign tactics. He admonished everyone to stick to the issues.  Privately I asked him about the rumors that his campaign team was "falling apart." He said that he cannot control every word that comes out of the mouths of 100 or more volunteers, but that once he was informed that one volunteer had used terms degrading to the developmentally challenged he took care of it and that person is no longer with the campaign. He said that his team is united and focused and moving forward. Based on the event that evening...I would have to agree with him.

You can see the video of his speech by going to http://youtu.be/CqPm_WP0r9E.

Visit the Charles Lollar for Governor website at http://www.lollar4governor.com/.

Also see: http://liberatedconservativewoman.blogspot.com/2014/03/meet-candidates-for-governor-of-maryland.html

RAY GIVENS FOR MARYLAND STATE DELEGATE, DISTRICT 1C

     Ray Givens is the go-to guy in the tri-state area for gun rights activism, or anything about guns for that matter, and I am delighted that he is running for Maryland State Delegate for District 1-C (Williamsport, Hagerstown west of Rt. 63, Clear Spring, Big Pool, Big Spring, Hancock, Flintstone, Little Orleans, Rocky Gap, and Cumberland). Ray does not hesitate to speak out on gun issues and boldly states his position on 2nd Amendment rights in his campaign literature:

 

“I strongly believe that the 2nd Amendment is the protector of all people, property, and individual rights. I also firmly believe, as did our first president, George Washington, that firearms are second only to the U.S. Constitution in importance.”

 

    We could not find a better candidate to represent Maryland gun owners in Annapolis, where they have overstepped their boundaries and passed an unconstitutional bill (SB 281, entitled The Firearms Safety Act of 2013) that infringes on the rights of law-abiding citizens. As the Legislative Representative for the Western Maryland Sportsman’s Coalition, an unfunded position, he made the long trip to Annapolis two or more times a week at his own expense during the presentation and debate of SB 281. He testified whenever the public was invited to do so.
    When the Hagerstown TEA Party hosted a Western Maryland Day of Resistance in opposition to this bill, he was a great support to me when I organized the event, assisting in reaching out and securing credible, knowledgeable speakers regarding all aspects of gun rights and ownership. He also publicly opposed SB 281 at a town hall meeting held at Fox45 TV in Baltimore where he was invited to be a part of a panel for discussion of the bill, specifically speaking out against the banning of magazines with a capacity of over 10 rounds, stating that time not magazine capacity affects the outcome of a mass shooting.

    That said, Ray Givens is not a one-issue candidate. He has spent a lifetime supporting and promoting core conservative principles of smaller government, lower taxes, less bureaucratic regulations, defense of the U.S. Constitution, and the individual rights and freedoms of all citizens. His background and work experience includes not only a knowledge of firearms and constitutional issues, but also years of legislative experience on behalf of Maryland sportsmen and experience in environmental issues. He retired from both the United States Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR) and United States Army Reserve (USAR) programs. He worked as a correctional officer in Montgomery County and as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Prince George’s County. He also has work experience as an Environmental Investigator, particularly in regards to water, equipping him to argue the environmental issues surrounding the clean-up of the bay that led to a septic tax and costly regulations to home owners in Western Maryland.
    Ray Givens is a member of Responsibly Armed and the National Rifle Association. He is a past president of the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, and a member of the South Mountain and North American Rod and Gun Club, the Western Maryland Sportsmen’s Club, and the Potomac Fish and Game Club.

    In addition to the organizations related to gun ownership and use, he also belongs to the following community and veteran’s organizations:  

·                 High school coach, JROTC

·                 Optimist International, Washington County Sludge Task Force

·                 Member of the American Legion (45 years)

·                 Member of AMVETS

·                 Lifetime member of Marine Corps League

·                 Former Chair and member of Washington County Republican Club Central

             Committee

·                 Member Washington County Republican Club 

 

For more information about Ray Givens for Delegate of District 1C, go to the campaign Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/RayGivensForMarylandHouseOfDelegatesDistrict1c.

 

He will soon have a website available, and I will post a link to it once it becomes available. If you want to volunteer or donate to his campaign, email Ray at raygivensfordelegate1c@yahoo.com.

DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE GUN RAFFLE...ONLY $5.00...TO HELP SUPPORT THIS VERY IMPORTANT CANDIDATE! (email Ray at the above email address)

 

 

 

 

NEIL PARROTT ANNOUNCES NO PETITION DRIVE FOR SB281

   I think that everyone who attended the MDPetitions.com Kickoff event thought that they were going to get their marching orders to start a petition drive for the new Maryland gun control law SB281. Instead, the surprise announcement was that there would not be a petition drive. 
   Delegate Neil Parrott, the chairman of MDPetitions.com, spoke to a crowd of about 150 people. Surrounded by one state senator (Edward R. Reilly), five state delegates (Michael D. Smigiel, Sr.; Nicholaus R. Kipke; Gail H. Bates; Tony McConkey; W.E. Cluster, Jr.; and Cathy Vitale), an NRA official, several leaders of sportsman's clubs, and the Western MD Sportsmen's Coalition legislative representative (Ray Givens), Parrott said:

"God has given us rights and these rights are recognized in the Bill of Rights. This law [SB281] attempts to deny us that right [2nd Amendment right to bear arms]. This is an issue that was given to us and granted to us by God and the U.S.Constitution...we will not stand for this law."

   At this point I was expecting that he would go on to announce the petition. I think we all  were poised to applaud as soon as we heard the official call to arms, until Parrott went on to say: 

"We do not tax a right. We do not license a right. Yet this bill attempts to do both. A right is not subject to a public opinion vote. This is why we will not petition this bill for referendum."

   Wait, huh? I thought I heard him wrong for a minute. I saw everyone else glance around the room wondering if they too had heard it wrong. Then Parrott finished by saying,

"We acknowledge that this is already given to us by God, by the Constitution, and by our government. This will be settled in the courts and we expect SB281 to be overturned."

   I understand the concept of not voting on a right. It makes sense, but I'm not sure that I trust the court system, especially if a decision would get delayed long enough for President Obama to place another Liberal judge or two on the Supreme Court. I was not alone with this concern. As I walked around the room attempting to take the temperature of the crowd in response to this announcement I heard this concern repeated along with others. 
   Many thought that we should pursue both the petition and litigation. If ever there was a law that could be successfully overturned by referendum this would be it. Second Amendment advocates had united and fought hard against this bill and were prepared to work even harder to have it overturned. Ray Givens, in his remarks,  said it well:

"I stand with Neil on this decision because I understand it. However, had he decided to do a petition I know that we would have had 100,000 people not only sign it but work hard doing whatever they had to do to make the petition a success. But, instead of working the petition, these same 100,000 people will be working as hard as they can to make sure that those who voted for this bill will no longer be in office after the next election."

   I kind of had a selfish motive for wanting the petition drive. I have not seen an issue that has united people and energized grassroots activism on this level since Obamacare was first introduced. Conservatives took a few hits since then and people were getting frustrated and tired. SB281 woke everyone up again and compelled people to get out of their comfort zones and become active in the political process again. I have met many amazing people who I came to know only because we shared a passion for liberty, our Constitution, and our God-given rights. I saw people using talents that they had forgotten that they had or never realized they had them until their zeal for liberty brought them out. I think a petition drive would have kept the momentum going for this issue and other Conservative causes.
   I recently saw the rise of a fantastic organization called Responsibly Armed. There are two new Campaign for Liberty (C4L) groups, one in Frederick County and one in Washington County. The Frederick County Republican Club is on fire with a smart and energetic group of people  that are engaged in educating and advocating for Conservative issues. There is new interest in reorganizing a Frederick County TEA Party. Just over the border in Pennsylvania, the Franklin County 912 Group is very active and has been a strong supporter of the Hagerstown TEA Party. I am reading intelligent and inspiring  blogs such as the the Potomac Tea Party Report by Ann Corcoran. I appreciate those who are keeping us aware and teaching us our Constitutional history and what it provides for us in its purist form. I am really excited about the new breed of candidates I see who are going to run campaigns for 2014. 
   Yes, I thought a petition drive was necessary to get back what what stolen from us by SB281. Yes, I wanted another excuse to work with the amazing people and groups I have come to know and appreciate because of this issue. But I understand that if we allow a public vote to return a right, we could also see more rights taken from us by a public vote. I don't think we want to start down that path. Besides, I am confident that this new resurgence of zeal, talent, and dedication to our causes will continue. In fact, I get the sense that these things are all the laying of a new foundation for an important movement in Western Maryland towards defining our future as a region with strengths that other parts of the state just can not understand or appreciate. 
   OK Neil...what IS going to petition? 


   
 

 

Western Maryland Day of Resistance: A Compilation

This compilation includes links, photos, videos, documents, clip art, and media reports related to the Western Maryland Day of Resistance held on February 23, 2013, in Hagerstown, MD. The rally was hosted by the Hagerstown TEA Party. 

EVENT FACEBOOK PAGE 

 https://www.facebook.com/WesternMarylandDayOfResistance

DAMAGED HUMANS KILL--NOT GUNS--MY STORY 

http://liberatedconservativewoman.blogspot.com/2013/01/damaged-humans-kill-not-guns-my-story.html?

m=1

HAGERSTOWN TEA PARTY

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hagerstownteaparty/

MEDIA

HERALD MAIL LINK: http://www.herald-mail.com/news/hm-more-than-100-take-part-in-western-maryland-day-of-resistance-rally-20130223,0,1782187.story

HERALD MAIL VIDEO LINK: http://www.herald-mail.com/news/hm-video-ted-weaver-sr-speaks-at-day-of-resistance-rally-20130223,0,6739488.premiumvideo

BBC LINK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21562050

RALLY SUPPORTERS: THANK YOU!

1. Mike Guessford. Didn’t hesitate for a minute before agreeing to allow us to kick off the rally at Applause Caterers and at a great price. He is also owner of Always Ron’s on Burhan’s Blvd in Hagerstown. Let’s give him our business!

2. Mike Malone. Owner of Cancun Cantina/Barefoot Bernies has allowed us to meet in his lot and in his building for FREE. Let’s give him our business today.

3. Ted Weaver, Sr. from Responsibly Armed for his wisdom, advice, and encouragement. He handed out our fliers in a 100-mile radius.

4. Steven Watcher. Firearms instructor at Watcher's OnTarget Firearms Instruction; board member of Washington County Maryland Izaak Walton League of America; and in sales at Hendershot's Sporting Goods. He has worked tirelessly promoting the rally by handing out fliers, sending out emails, and talking to people.

5. Barbara Moran and the Franklin County 912 Group for promoting the rally in PA.

6. The Forgotten Men on WFMD for promoting the rally on their program.

7. Every speaker who was willing to publicly stand with the 2nd Amendment movement. 

8. Charles Mayes of Hagerstown, MD Portable Toilets and Septic Systems for donating the portables for free.

9.  WaCo Commissioner Jeff Cline for paying for Applause Caterers.

10. The Hagerstown TEA Party board for taking this project on!

(All photos by David DiFonzo)

Jim Coyle, HTP Secretary

Regis Gamble (left)

Jim Warner

Scott Strzelczyk 

Ann Corcoran 

Denny Stouffer, HTP Board Member

The Coyle Family

Russia Today, media

Art Thomm

Art Thomm

Lynda Givens Evans, VP & Event Organizer

Ray Givens

Ted Weaver Sr., Responsibly Armed

Chris Fiora

Don Hineman, President

Senator Chris Shank

Senator Chris Shank

Senator Chris Shank

Ted Weaver, Sr., Responsibly Armed

Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young

Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young

Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young

Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young

Jim Simpson, Investigative Reporter

Jim Simpson, Investigative Reporter

Jim Woods, Responsible Armed board member

Jim Simpson, Investigative Reporter

Carroll County Commissioner Richard Rothschild

Jim Simpson, Investigative Reporter

Carroll County Commissioner Richard Rothschild

The Coyle Family

Scott Strzelczyk

Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young

VIDEOS: SPEAKERS

JIM WARNER http://youtu.be/jzNiX4TtqaM

SCOTT STRZELCZYK  http://youtu.be/nJp_QfpsQrQ 

ART THOMM http://youtu.be/cpLmfXZzpHo 

TED WEAVER, SR http://youtu.be/Ry3X9vRS_QU

JIM WOODS http://youtu.be/LiLX7Lmj5bw

RAY GIVENS http://youtu.be/TMxGDqiDHhs

SENATOR CHRIS SHANK PART 1 http://youtu.be/x5XwGTMdT9Y

SENATOR CHRIS SHANK PART 2 http://youtu.be/UcfboD1CZ14

COMMISSIONER BLAINE YOUNG http://youtu.be/Cpa5gWqLMVI

JIM SIMPSON  coming soon

COMMISSIONER RICHARD ROTHSCHILD coming soon

SPEAKERS BIOS

Session 1:

JIM WARNER is a local war hero. He enlisted in the Navy in 1964, and was accepted into the Naval Aviation Program in 1965, where was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. On October 13, 1967, he was shot down over North Vietnam just north of the Demilitarized Zone and was captured by North Vietnamese forces. After five years and five months as a POW, where he spent 13 months in solitary confinement, he was repatriated on March 14, 1973. He left the Marines in October 1973 after several months of being treated for his injuries sustained in captivity. He was awarded the Silver Star medal and two Purple Hearts. He returned to college where he obtained bachelor's degrees in Economics and Philosophy in 1976, and a law degree in 1978. He served as a domestic policy advisor to President Ronald Reagan from 1985 until 1989, has worked as a corporate attorney, and as a patent lawyer for the National Rifle Association.

SCOTT STRELCZYK (pronounced Strel Zick) is the producer and co-host of The Forgotten Men radio show, a board member of the organization Redefining the Role of Government, an activist in local and state issues, the owner of a provocative blog called "A Citizens View", a contributor to well-known sites like American Thinker and the Tenth Amendment Center, and a leader in the liberty movement. He is also teaching a class on the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Union (Articles of Confederation and the Constitution), the Bill of Rights, and specific classes on certain amendments…hosted every 3rd Wednesday at Ledo’s in Eldersburg, MD by the Carroll County 912 Group.

ART THOMM has had a passion for firearms since he received his first rifle at the age of 7. He has spent most of his adult life sharing his knowledge and passion for firearms with others, beginning with US Air Force Combat Arms Training and Maintenance, to establishing a National Defense Systems firearms training academy. He is an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor and a WV Department of Natural Resources Certified Instructor. He is Vice President and Eastern Panhandle Representative for the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, which is the LARGEST Pro-Gun Lobby.

TED WEAVER, SR. was a long- time resident of Maryland, 1955-2004, before moving to Spring Mills West Virginia. He worked in property management and property development for over 20 years. He designed and built residential homes and commercial projects. He owned and operated an Environmental Testing Company in Maryland, called Nestletosh LLC, from 1993 – 2010, and worked as a Community Development Coordinator for the town of Hancock, Maryland. He retired in July 2012 and formed Responsibly Armed Citizens of America in late July 2013. He has Served as a board member of several non-profit agencies over the years, including the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center in Hagerstown, Maryland.

JIM WOODS is a life- long citizen of Maryland. He is a retired law enforcement officer with 30 years of service, and also served in the military.

Session 2:

CHRISTOPHER B. SHANK

Maryland State Senator

Republican, District 2, Washington County

Biography:

Member of Maryland House of Delegates 1999-2011

Member of Maryland Senate – 2011 to Present

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE FOR SB 281

Minority Whip, House Republican Caucus

Member, Ways and Means Committee

Member, Transportation Subcommittee

Member, Rules Committee

Member, Legislative Policy Committee

Co-Chairman, House Republican Slate

Past Chairman Quad-State Legislative Council

Member, American Legislative Exchange Council

State Legislative Leaders Foundation, Emerging Leaders Program, University of Virginia

Member, Maryland Advisory Council for Virtual Learning

Member, Joint Committee on Federal Relations – Mental Health Access Advisory Committee

Community:

First Christian Church, Hagerstown, MD – Personnel Committee, Elder, former Deacon

Member, Sharpsburg Lions Club

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Board of Directors, Horizon Goodwill

Board of Directors – Safeplace of Washington County

Board of Advisors – University System of Maryland – Hagerstown

Advisory Board, Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Member, Washington County Farm Bureau

Member, Boonsboro Historical Society

Member, Sharpsburg Historical Society

Save Historic Antietam Foundation

Hagerstown Community Advisory Committee – Holcim, U.S.

Personal:

Born in Hagerstown, Maryland June 30,1972

South Hagerstown High School, 1990

B.A., The Johns Hopkins University, B.A. (history) 1994

George Washington University, M.A. (political management) 1998 (valedictorian: Howard Paley Academic Excellence Award)

RAY GIVENS is the Western MD Sportsman's Coalition Legislative Representative, and is past president of the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (2004 -2011). He was elected to the Washington County Republican Central Committee in 2010.

BLAINE R. YOUNG is the President of the Board of County Commissioners of Frederick County. He lives in Monrovia with his wife Karen. They have four children.

 He was born and raised in Frederick County, Maryland He is a graduate of Frostburg State University with a degree in Mass Communications.

 At the age of 26 he was elected to the Board of Aldermen for the City of Frederick. His career in communications began at the local radio station, WFRE / WFMD.

 As an on-air personality for 930 WFMD for over 16 years, he hosted and co-hosted several features and shows including The Blaine Young Show, which he still hosts Monday

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through Friday from 3pm - 6pm. He helped start the tea-party movement in Frederick County utilizing his radio program.

 He authored a column for The Gazette newspaper for two years addressing issues at the local, state and national level. He currently writes for the tentacle.com bi-weekly.

 He currently owns and operates Interstate Mobile Advertising, Inc. He also co-owns Yellow Cab of Frederick, Brunswick, Thurmont and Mount Airy; Classic Limo and Sedan; and Classic Detail and Wash. Their companies consist of over 100 personnel.

 Very active in the community: He is a life member of the National Rifle Association, a member of the Monocacy Pistol Club, the Izaak Walton League, the Fishing Creek Rod and Gun Club, and the Sons of the American Legion. He is a member of and attends the Frederick Church of the Brethern. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Frederick County Builders Association, and the Rotary of Southern Frederick County. He is also an honorary member of Junior Fire Company #2.

JAMES SIMPSON is an investigative journalist, businessman, and former economist and budget examiner for the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Since 1995, he has written non-fiction articles for various periodicals based both on his experiences in government and business, and a longstanding avocation in public policy.

Mr. Simpson is best known for his exposé on the Cloward-Piven Strategy of Manufactured Crisis. His work provided background for Glenn Beck’s TV series on the subject. He is featured in Curtis Bowers’ award winning documentary Agenda: Grinding America Down, Agustin Blasquez’s new work, Connecting the Dots, and is a frequent guest on radio talk shows.

Mr. Simpson’s work has been published in the Washington Times, WorldNet Daily, American Thinker, Accuracy in Media, Breitbart, Fox Nation and many others. Jim is a regular contributor for Examiner.com. His blog is Truth and Consequences.

RICHARD ROTHSCHILD is a Carroll County Commissioner of Maryland District 4. He also currently has 16 profitable years of experience in a real estate management, investment, business advisory and financial services; and also negotiates informal mediation of real estate / business disputes. He has fourteen previous years of experience with a Fortune 100 high-tech company in sales, marketing, sales programs management, and operations. Additionally, he served as a location manager and saved jobs by downsizing 200,000 square feet of office space; implemented one of the first and largest telecommuting programs in the U.S.; and personally identified cost saving measures that reduced hard (actual) costs by hundreds of thousands of dollars, including selling off corporate aircraft. He has three years of experience as a digital systems engineer with a large defense contractor.

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Education: MBA-Loyola College 3.8 GPA ; B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland; two-day seminar on U.S. Constitution

Community associations, involvement:

 Acting Chairman, Governor’s Science and Technology Education Task force (1991);

 Judge, P.G. County Science and Technology Competitions 1991-1993;

 Member National Association of Realtors 1996 to present.

 Vice-chair HFM Project of Carroll Foundation

 Member NRA

 Popular speaker on the subject s of Plan Maryland and Agenda 21.

Professional associations: Member of Maryland and National Association of Realtors 1996 to present; and author of Quickstart Investment Workshop.

SENATOR SHANK'S LETTER (handout)

MISCELLANEOUS VIDEOS

Dual Highway

Barefoot Bernies

~UPDATED INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN~

The rally will go on RAIN OR SHINE! We will only cancel the rally if there is a snow emergency alert in effect. We want to remain outside for as long as possible for visibility. BRING YOUR UMBRELLA AND DRESS WARM. LAMINATE YOUR SIGNS IF POSSIBLE.

The FIRST SESSION OF SPEAKERS (12:00) WILL BE INDOORS AT APPLAUSE CATERERS. The room only holds 200 people. Once it is full, those who could not get in can begin lining up along Dual Highway. 

The SECOND SESSION OF SPEAKERS (2:30) WILL NOW BE HELD INDOORS AT CANCUN CANTINA. For those of you who do not know the layout of this establishment, it is a restaurant (Barefoot Bernies), a night club (Cancun Cantina), and a conference and event center (Hager Hall)...all at the same address of 901 Dual Highway. You must enter by the front door for Cancun Cantina! Do not try to parade through their restaurant! PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF THE RESTAURANT ENTRANCE. LEAVE THOSE SPACES FOR THE RESTAURANT CUSTOMERS. PARK PAST THE POTTED TREES AND ALL THE WAY TO THE REAR NEAR HAGAR HALL.

CANCUN CANTINA will hold 700 people. There is a stage and a lecturn for the speakers. There are not 700 chairs. Many will have to stand, but outside everyone would have to stand and be wet and cold too. 

FOOD AND DRINK: Cancun Cantina will have a bar open for business for you to be able to purchase refreshments. You also will be able to order food from the restaurant if you want. GIVE THEM YOUR BUSINESS. THEY HAVE ALLOWED US TO USE THEIR FACILITY FOR FREE! THEY DESERVE OUR BUSINESS. 

BATHROOMS: During the rally, until 2:30 when we are allowed to meet inside Cancun Cantina, please use the two portable toilets located in the restaurant lot near the Dual Highway or public restrooms along the road. 

DON'T TREAD ON ME!

Check our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WesternMarylandDayOfResistance for weather related updates or call 301-992-6943.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!!! WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

I need a group of people, who are physically able to walk quite a bit, to contact me to volunteer to be crowd control. You will be given a Hagerstown TEA Party T-shirt to wear to make you visible and identifiable. Your job will be to walk the crowd beginning in the city lot, along Dual Highway, and at Barefoot Bernies (or be assigned a portion of an area) to make sure that people are staying on public property or in the designated area at Barefoot Bernies. You will just gently remind people to not block traffic and to not block pedestrians. ANYTHING MORE SERIOUS you just report it to me or another board member. 

PLEASE CALL ME ASAP TO VOLUNTEER! IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE ENSURE THAT WE REMAIN CONSIDERATE, LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS! THIS GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS EVENT. 

CALL ME at 301-992-6943 or EMAIL ME at justlynda59@yahoo.com.

LET’S PROVE IT BY OUR BEHAVIOR AT THE RALLY!

Folks, let’s not give our detractors anything to use as proof that we are anything but considerate, law-abiding citizens!

1.  The parking lot where the Academy Theater is located is owned by the City. PLEASE DO NOT CONGREGATE OR RALLY THERE.  We must stay on public property at all times during the rally.

2.  Applause Caterers holds 200 people. If it becomes full, please go directly to E. Franklin Street and E. Washington Street and begin to line up along both sides of Dual Highway heading away from town.

3. When lining up for rally along both sides of Dual Highway (between Applause Caterers and Barefoot Bernies), stay on public property.

4.  Do not block or impede traffic in any way.

5.  Do not block pedestrians.

6.  Treat the businesses along Dual Highway with respect. GIVE THEM YOUR BUSINESS, but do not engage with their customers and leave your signs outside.

7.  Park in the city lots or parking garages, or in any public parking lots along the Dual Highway. This is not a march! You can line up anywhere along the sides of the road.

8. IMPORTANT: Barefoot Bernies has graciously allowed us to use their lot FOR FREE. GIVE THEM YOUR BUSINESS! Please only park where they direct us and do not engage with their customers! Leave your signs outside if entering to eat or drink. Only enter the building if you are planning to eat or drink…unless invited due to bad weather. 

9.  Do not allow yourself to be baited into an argument…or worse. This is a peaceful protest. There may be people there who came solely to provoke you. DO NOT TAKE THE BAIT.

10.  Before you leave Hagerstown, look around you for trash. Bring a bag with you to pick up any trash around you before you leave. This is good ol’ traditional TEA Party behavior!

11. LEAVE YOUR GUNS AT HOME. OBEY CURRENT MARYLAND GUN LAWS.

12. Be prepared to use your phone camera and video recorder to document rally…for fun and for protection!

~INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY~

The rally will go on rain or shine!  We will only cancel the rally if there is a snow emergency alert in effect. We want to remain outside for visibility, but if it is raining we will be able to go inside Barefoot Bernies. WAIT TO BE INVITED IN. The room will hold 700 people. Check our Facebook page for weather related updates.

UPDATED SPEAKERS LIST AND TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

1. Chris Shank, MD State Senator

2. Blaine Young, Frederick County Commissioner 

3. Richard Rothschild, Carroll County Commissioner

4. Scott Strzelczyk, Producer of the Forgotten Men radio program (WFMD)

5. Jim Warner, local war hero, retired NRA lawyer, and former Senior White House Domestic Policy Adviser

6. Ray Givens, Western MD Sportsman's Coalition legislative representative, past president of the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (2004 -2011) 

7. Jim Simpson, freelance investigative journalist

8. Art Thomm, WV Civil Defense League

9. Ted Weaver, Sr., Responsibly Armed, founder

10. Jim Woods, 30 years of experience as a retired Law Enforcement Officer and board member of Responsibly Armed

12:00-1:00pm SPEAKERS:

Prayer & Pledge of Allegiance

Jim Werner (10-15 minutes)

Scott Strelczyk (15 minutes)

Art Thomm (15 minutes)

Jim Woods & Ted Weaver, Sr (8-10 minutes)

2:30-3:30 or 4:00pm SPEAKERS:

Senator Chris Shank 

Ray Givens (10 minutes)

Blaine Young (15 minutes)

Jim Simpson (15 minutes)

Richard Rothschild (15 minutes)

~LETS MAKE SIGNS~

FREE DOWNLOADABLE SIGNS FOR WESTERN MARYLAND DAY OF RESISTANCE! 
PLEASE only download signs that can not be interpreted as threatening. 

Print these signs on 8 1/2" x 11" or 17" x 22" paper

Download Suggestion: I download signs onto a thumb drive and take it to Staples. They print them out on card stock and laminate them for just a couple of dollars. The smaller ones I staple (industrial staple gun) to paint sticks and the larger ones to garden sticks. LAMINATE FOR POSSIBLE WET WEATHER.

http://www.askmeaboutmygun.com/free-gun-rights-protest-signs/

Other Sign Suggestions:

An arrow with This Guy Does Not Speak for Me (for those in the crowd who are inappropriate!)

Honk if you support 2nd Amendment Rights! (engages passing traffic)