Monday, 1 December 2014
Consensus Versus Rule of Law
It is said that when leaving the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked
“Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?”
He is said to have replied
“A Republic, if you can keep it.”
That for over 200 years has been the question.
Whether we will remain a Constitutional Representitive Republic where the Rule of Law Limits Government and protects the Rights of the Individual
Or whether we will bow to the Tyranny of the Majority ie the Rule of Consensus.
I have been told I have at times been too picky about Constitutions, ByLaws and Rules of Order
I stand GUILTY of that Charge.
I believe in the Rule of Law and given a choice between turning a blind eye to Violations in pursuit of what do they usually claim?
"moving forward as a unified committee with a shared vision"
I find that personal priniciples and integrity require me to stand up against Violations of Constitutions ByLaws and Rules of Order
And since Robert's Rules of Order happen to be part of our ByLaws I demand they be respected as well despite the attitudes of some who say
"arguing points of Roberts Rules of Order in such manner as to stop meaningful conversation, or in order to try to set someone up for failure."
Hint when someone violates Robert's Rules of order NO ONE is setting them up for failure they have BROKEN the Rules.
That is the difference between me and those who think
"If you want to see something positive you will have to
remove and exclude those who chose to not work with
others."
I say follow the Constitution, ByLaws and Rules of Order or accpet the consequences
THEY say do as we tell you to do and stay silent or be removed for not thinking the same as we do.
Consensus Uber Alles
Friday, 28 November 2014
I Don't Think That Word Means What You Think It Means
I Don't Think That Word Means What You Think It Means
People sometimes have problems with meanings.
Particularly when they need certain meanings for expediency.
When it is too much trouble to just do things the proper way
Toward the end of the November meeting of the Linn County Central Committee, just before the well choreographed rush to adjourn, an announcement was made that there would be a Party rather than a Meeting in December.
My initial reaction was, well everyone knows that, but under what authority has this been done?
You see, the Body needs to VOTE on these things or they have no legal standing,
I mentioned this to a friend who was attending one of the Exec/Advisory Board meetings and he brought it up.
He was informed that the Body did not need to give permission because
1) The Constitution only requires 6 meetings a year
And
2) The Chair Calls meetings.
Those facts ARE True.
What is also True IS
1) The Full Body has voted to have a MEETING each 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00PM at the Long Branch unless modified by a vote of the Full Body
And
2) Along with the Chair, meetings may be called by the Co-Chair, 20 Members of the Central Committee and at times the Secretary.
There is nothing in the above Truths that gives any person or group authority to over ride the Vote of the Full Body EXCEPT the Full Body PERIOD.
So we have two options, either these people think the members of the Central Committee are so STUPID that they will accept any explanation for violating the County Constitution, ByLaws and Rules of Order without question,
OR
They themselves are so clueless that they actually think their rationale justifies their actions.
Which might actually be even more alarming.
What is painfully obvious as well, is they are very shaky on the meaning of the words advisory and advise.
They seem to think it means make decisions.
Maybe the Secretary should bring a copy of Webster's Dictionary to the Next Business Meeting?
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Truth Or Consequences
You know about the only thing I everr wanted was for the Linn County Republican Central Committee to follow the Truth, it's Constitution, ByLaws and Rules of Order.
Is that so much to ask?
Well it would appear the answer to that is-- Yes.
I stood during the November meaning to a Point of Order.
To wit there is a procedure laid down in the ByLaws detailing the method of removing an Officer.
I did this because there was a Motion on the Floor that was Illegal and Improper,
Two things transpired that the Body needs to dwell upon,
The Chair did NOT Rule the Motion Out of Order AND
After I spoke the gentleman CONTINUED to make his Illegal and Improper Motion,
Ignorance of the ByLaws can be excusable and curable, BUT coninued action after the Rules are explained can mean only one thing.
We have people on the Central Committee who do not CARE what the County Constitution, the ByLaws or the Rules of Order SAY.
If it gets between them and what they wish to accomplish,
It is my opionion and I stated as much in an email tjhread that such people should not be put in a position of power and authority,
I further think that which is necessary to remove them needs to be done if it applies and is proper.
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
The Night I Learned I Did Not Exist
I have been a member of the Linn County Central Commitee for a little bit over a decade.
I have in that time donated my time, my effort and of my income for what I deemed a worthy cause.
In order to fulfill my commitment to attend meetings I take one vacation day a month, since I work nights.
I have been honored to contribute as a member of the Communications Subcommittee and the last few years as County Parliamentarian.
So any sensible person might understand the thoughts that went through my head Tuesday night, when a Pariliamentary Question was asked from the Floor and the Chair Announced that there was No Parlaimentarian in attendance.
You would think in respect for my years of service the Chair might have considered informing ME of this situation BEFORE the Meeting?
I guess not.
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Kipling Updated
Help for a patriot sullied , a spotless spirit hurt,
Help for an honourable clan sore trampled in the dirt!
From Washington to Frisco Bay, oh, listen to my song,
The honourable gentlemen have suffered grievous wrong.
Their noble names were mentioned -- oh, the burning black disgrace! --
By brutal Right Wing Pundits in the Benghazi shooting case;
They sat upon it for a while, then steeled their heart to brave it,
And "coruscating innocence" the learned Media gave it.
Cleared in the face of all mankind beneath the winking skies,
Like phœnixes from Phœnix Park (and what lay there) they rise!
Go shout it to the seas -- give word to America now,
Her honourable gentlemen are cleared -- and this is how: --
"Our friends believe"? -- Of course they do -- as sheltered women may;
But have they seen the shrieking soul ripped from the quivering clay?
They! -- If their own front door is shut,
they'll swear the whole world's warm;
What do they know of dread of death or hanging fear of harm?
If black is black or white is white, in black and white it's plain,
You're only traitors to the Nation and betrayers of the Slain.
If print is print or words are words, the Media perpends: --
We are not ruled by murderers, but only -- by their friends
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
My Name Is Dan
Do You shun the Light of Day?
Do You cringe at the sight of this image
As if it were Garlic or Silver?
Suffer Alone No More Dear Friend
TA is HERE FOR YOU!
(NO it means Teaparty Anonymous, get your mind out of the gutter)
Here you will meet others who are like minded and learn to Cope with Your Afliction,
They will share how to react when confronted by a Liberal
Do NOT respond with a Litany of Logic and Scientific Fact or you will be accused of being Gushingly Forward, Offensively Familiar
And of course Evil
If you remain your usual Silent Self you will only be thought to be Surly and Stupid
In Extremis you MAY respond with what I choose to call Progressive Truth
AGREE with them and repeat what in their Hearts they Know is your True Malevalent Self
Look them the eyes and Say
It is because I am a Souless Money Grubbing Automaton, Clinging to My Guns, Thumping My Bible and have not the Slightest Spec of Decency that
I want Governments to Fall, People to Die in the Streets without Medical Care, The Rain Forests to Wither and Die and Baby Polar Bears and Residents of the West Side of the Cedar River to Drown
And if I had the tiniest morsel of Compassion, Tolerance, and Empathy that you do
I would realise that All I Have or Hope to Have is the Result of the Common Effort of Mankind and I have no Personal Right to It.
It should instead be placed in the Benevolent Hands of Our Public Servants whose duty and privlege it is to Guide and Guard us
And that My Fair Share is whatever you decide you want it to be.
Now I cannot Promise they will be moved to Love and Respect You, but i can Priomise that it will be a Lot of Fun
So Come Right in the Meeting is about to START
My Name i s Dan and I Am a TEA PARTY MEMBER
HI DAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Topic for Today is
Simon Say Vote NO March 6th
Sunday, 19 February 2012
You Can't Always Get What You Want
The words of the Song go, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try real hard, you just might find, You can get what you need."
Of course there is a problem sometimes, telling wants from needs.
There are public needs and as citizens it is our responsibility to satisfy them.
But there seems to be a problem with this.
Each year we send more money than the year before to our Public Servants to acheive this and each year they spend more than we sent them and ask for more.
There does not seem to be an end to this bottomless process.
On March the 6th there will be yet another request to add more and more to what we have so far provided.
Yet another Local Option Sales Tax Extension will be on the ballot.
We are told this is "needed". If true one might ask why it was so necessary to have the extra expense of a Special Election, instead of placing it on the June Ballot?
That, folks is a symptom of people whose only reaction to public wants is to spend more and more money and then ask for yet more.
Another example is their insistance that we must under go the astronomical expense of Removable Floodwalls, because we are told that permanent ones would be Ugly.
That friends is not true. But we are dealing with folks who can only spend money.
No problem is unique and surely other communities have had this same issue.
One which has used some creative thought is Pacucah, Kentucky,
They live on the Ohio river and have a permanent floodwall, but instead of something ugly they have made it an example of Art and Beauty,.
Paducah's History on Floodwall Murals
by Dafford Muralists
Their floodwall has historical murals of the community, They sell Posters, Signed & Numbered Prints, T-shirts and Postcards.
People make a living giving Tours of the Floodwall. It has become a Landmark and Tourist attraction.
But in Cedar Rapids the only answer has been to spend millions of dollars and, raise our Taxes.
Before we vote to give the City more of our hard earned income, We need to see that they can spend what we have already given wisely
Eveyone know we "need" Flood Control but do we really need the millions and millions of extra expense and higher taxation that they want?
Ask yourself that in the same manner that you might in these difficult times looks at your own needs and wants to create a budget for your household
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Turn This Ship Around
I really like this video
Nope I don't Exist to Serve the State either
AND I will also Add, I don't exist to serve the Chamber of Commerce
Vote NO March 6!
Saturday, 11 February 2012
That Sucking Sound
For Generations
The Public has sent the Government
More Money each Year
Than the Year Before
For Generations
The Government has spent
More Money than We sent them
And Wanted More
Where Does it Stop?
Vote NO March 6
When they talk to You about the Local Option Sales Tax Extension
Ask then why we needed the Extra Expense of a Special Election
Rather than doing it on the June Ballot
Vote NO March 6
Because
That Sucking Sound You may be hearing is
Your Paycheck going down the Drain at City Hall
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Linn County, Iowa 2012 Precincts
Cedar Rapids Precincts
Cedar Rapids Precincts Effective January 15, 2012 Marion Precincts
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Linn County Precincts
Linn County Precincts Effective January 15, 2012
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