"How to vote, and what NOT to vote for"...

Staunton, VA.

Stopped by the African-American Festival in Staunton, VA. today and found a nice size crowd with many interesting booths and some great smelling food. Also found the local Republican booth that provided information on the candidates and issues for the upcoming November election.

As I walked the festival I also found the Democratic booth located in another tent across the way. What I found interesting was I noticed the above “Voter Registration” booth just a few booths down from the Democratic party booth and there was a lady at this booth to answer questions and provide literature. Along with a friend I walked up to the “Voter Registration” booth and picked up a piece of literature explaining the 3 amendments that will be voted on in November. I then said to the woman working the booth “So what do I have to do here?”. At this time the woman advised me that the first amendment “Is already in the constitution so you need to vote No for that one”. She also advised me to vote no for the second amendment but at this time I asked again about the first amendment which is the “Marriage Amendment” issue. The woman working the voter registration booth once again stated that the first amendment was already in the constitution and did not need to be voted on. I then asked the woman “But don’t we need the amendment so that judges cant rule against the law and interpret they way that they want?” The woman then agreed that judges now can interpret the law they want. I said “Then I need to vote Yes for this amendment to prevent that” at which times the woman said “Yes you do, that is what I meant to say…” It seems that once the woman realized that I knew the issue and amendment she then changed her suggestion from voting “NO”, two times in a row to suggesting she “meant to say Yes” once I challenged her on the issue…

Maybe the most interesting thing about this incident is when the friend I was with identified the woman that was working the “Voter Registration” booth and who had made the above comments. Turns out he went to school with her daughter and knows the mother well.

I found it even more interesting to learn that the woman who made the above comments is a member of the local Election Board and that she made those "Suggestions" on how I should vote the amendments...

This “Voter Registration” booth was just two tables away from the Democrats booth and please note the sign on the table next, and between the Democrats table and the voter registration table…

As Drudge on the Drudge Report would say: “Developing Story”…

For information on the marriage amendment issue and why it is important that we pass a amendment to keep marriage between “One Man and One Woman”
Go to: http://www.va4marriage.org/

Fireman Bob Beckwith

Flora,
I found the photo that appeared on the front page of the N.Y. Post and is now framed and on the wall of my office. I also found a good description of this incredible moment and included it here also. Somebody asked a good question about these photos and incident. Knowing what you know now, with all the debates, and with 5 years of history since then. Can you picture Al Gore, Bill Clinton, or John Kerry standing on that pile with Fireman Beckwith? I can't...


On 9/11, he was 69, retired seven years. His family told him he was too old to report for duty. But he knew the father of a missing fireman, and three days after the attacks, he grabbed his old helmet and gear, drove into the city and talked his way into Ground Zero.
Then he heard the president was coming. For a look, he stood up on a fire engine that had been pulled from the wreckage. A man (Bush political adviser Karl Rove, Beckwith later learned) came over and asked him to jump up and down to see whether the firetruck was stable. Satisfied, he dusted off a spot next to Beckwith and told him a VIP was going to stand there; when he got up, Beckwith should get down. The VIP was Bush.
The fireman helped the president up and began to step down as instructed. But Bush said, "Where you goin'? ... Stay here."

Beckwith continues to support Bush and the president's pursuit of the war on terrorism: "I like the guy - he's a real man. ... I think he's doing a good job."

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/911-put-anonymous-faces-on-front-page-of/20060908074909990009?cid=1976

Incredible moment...

New York City

"I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us."

President George W. Bush with Fireman Bob Beckwith...

Freedom Relief Ride...

FREEDOM RELIEF RIDE V

SHENANDOAH HARLEY-DAVIDSON/BUELL

OCTOBER 1, 2006

JASON REDIFER A YOUNG MAN RAISED IN AUGUSTA COUNTY WAS ON HIS LAST MISSION IN IRAQ BEFORE RETURNING HOME FROM DUTY. HE WAS ONLY TO BE OUT FOR A FEW HOURS.
JASON’S MISSION AND THAT OF TWO OF HIS COMRADES ENDED TOO SOON THAT DAY AND AS HIS MOTHER, RHONDA WINFIELD WROTE IN
HER BOOK “ WHEN JOHNNY DOESN’T COME MARCHING HOME” ANOTHER
BRIGHT YOUNG AMERICAN FULL OF LOVE FOR HIS COUNTRY AND HIS
FAMILY AND FRIENDS PERISHED IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM.

WHILE ALL OF OUR FREEDOM RELIEF RIDES HAVE BEEN MEAN-
INFUL AND WE HAVE HONORED AND AIDED FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS AND
VETERANS THIS ONE HITS CLOSE TO HOME. THIS YOUNG MAN GREW UP
JUST MINUTES FROM OUR SHOP AND MAYBE YOUR HOME. I AM QUITE
SURE THAT JASON PAID SOME VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN HE WAS A TEENAGER. HIS SMILE AND MANNERS WERE THE TYPE YOU DON’T FORGET.

WE WILL GATHER AT THE DEALERSHIP SUNDAY MORNING 10/1/06
BEGINNING AT 8 A.M. AND RIDE OUT AT 9 A.M.. WITH POLICE ESCORT.
OUR ROUTE WILL BE RT. 11N TO ROUTE 250E THEN ROUTE 340N TO RT. 33S
& RUCKERSVILLE. WE SHOULD ARRIVE IN RUCKERSVILLE AROUND 10 A.M. WHERE WE WILL MEET ANYONE WAITING AT THE SW CORNER OF RT.29 AND 33. WE LIKELY WILL ONLY MAKE A PIT STOP FOR THE BATHROOM SO PLEASE SIGN UP WITH WHOMEVER WE HAVE THERE WHEN YOU RIDE IN AND BE READY TO RIDE OUT SHORTLY AFTER WE ARRIVE. OUR NEXT STOP WILL BE IN GAINESVILLE FOR GAS. IT WILL BE ORDERLY AND SAFE. WE WILL PROCEED UP 29N TO RT 66E AND ON TO ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

WHEN WE ARRIVE AT THE CEMETERY WE WILL ALL PARK IN A
DESIGNATED AREA AND PROCEED TO THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER. THIS IS A PLACE OF REVERENCE AND CALM, A PLACE WHERE
A YOUNG SOLDIER WHO’S FAMILY NO ONE KNOWS LIES IN PEACE.
AFTER THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD WE WILL PROCEED TO JASON’S
GRAVESITE WHERE HIS FAMILY WELCOMES US AND HIS PRIDE AND
SURPRISE AT OUR VISIT WILL BE ECHOED BY HIS MOM. AFTER OUR VISIT
WITH JASON WE HOPE TO HAVE LUNCH AND BE ABLE TO VISIT SITES
PERSONAL TO EACH OF US. A RELATIVE, A FRIEND, JOHN F. KENNEDY, THIS IS YOUR TIME.

WE WILL REASSEMBLE AT 3 P.M. AND RIDE BACK
THROUGH CHARLOTTESVILLE AS SOME OF THE POLICE HAVE ANOTHER
EVENT. FROM THERE YOU ARE ENCOURAGE TO RIDE SAFELY HOME OR
ELSEWHERE KNOWING THAT YOUR DAY WAS NOT WASTED AND THAT
INSTEAD YOU TOOK THE TIME TO HONOR NOT JUST ONE YOUNG MAN
AND HIS FAMILY BUT IN A SENSE EVERY SOLDIER WHO HAS GIVEN THEIR
LIFE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FREEDOM.

THIS IS A FEE RIDE, $20.00 FOR THE RIDER AND $10.00 FOR A
PASSENGER. 100% OF THE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO FUND A SCHOLARSHIP
WHICH ALREADY EXIST IN JASON’S NAME AND IS GIVEN TO A NEEDY AND
WORTHY STUDENT. BECAUSE WE ARE HOPING TO ARRANGE LUNCH WE
HAVE TO HAVE A HEAD COUNT SO PLEASE EITHER EMAIL COURTNEY@SHENHD.COM OR CALL NINON AT 540-213 AND SIMPLY LET THEM KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE RIDING.

OUR RIDE WILL BE SAFE AND ORDERLY, WE WILL COVER ROAD
RULES AND HAND SIGNALS BEFORE RIDING OUT AND JASON’S STEP
DAD SCOTT ALONG WITH JASON’S YOUNGER BROTHERS WILL BE IN A CHASE TRUCK WITH AN EMERGENCY TRAILER.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A DAY OF HONORING A LOCAL YOUNG MAN
YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD OF EVEN WITHOUT HIS SACRIFICE AND
A DAY WHEN WE REMEMBER OTHERS WHO’S DEATHS HELPED PROTECT
OUR LIVES.

VETERANS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO RIDE NEAR THE FRONT AND
ANYONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN ON A MAJOR RIDE WILL FEEL SAFE AT THE
SPEEDS WE TRAVEL AND WITH THEIR FELLOW RIDERS. NO ONE WILL BE
LEFT BEHIND. ALL BRANDS OF MOTORCYCLES ARE WELCOMED SO PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD.

IN CASE OF RAIN WE WILL HOLD THE RIDE ON OCTOBER, 16, SAME
TIMES, PLACE AND ROUTE. PLEASE COME HELP US RIDE FOR FREEDOM
AND REMEMBER OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN’S MANY SACRIFICES.


RIDE SAFE,


BOB LADD

Work in Afghanistan...

For those who say we have forgotten the war in Afghanistan.

Here is a copy of an e-mail received by a Strong and Proud Augusta County Republican family member...

If you don't think our military pilots earn their pay ... you need to take a look at this picture . and then look again and realize what you're seeing.


This photo was taken by a soldier in Afghanistan of a helo rescue mission. The pilot is a PA Guard pilot who flies EMS choppers in civilian life. Now how many people on the planet do you reckon could set the ass end of a chopper down on the roof top of a shack on a steep mountain cliff and hold it there while soldiers load wounded men in the rear??? If this does not impress you nothing ever will. . God Bless our military!

Contrast in memorials...

There were numerous memorial ceremonies marking the 5th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. One of note was held at the Pentagon were Vice-President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld attended.

“We honor the men, women and children whose lives were taken so suddenly and so coldly,” Cheney said. About 100 family members of those killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11 attended the ceremony. Cheney said that the events of Sept. 11, 2001, created “a day of national unity.”

At the event, Rumsfeld said that “the highest tribute we can pay to them is to commit ourselves to doing everything possible to fight the extremists wherever they are, to making every effort to stay united as a country and to give our truly outstanding men and women in uniform all that they need to succeed.”

At a ceremony held in Arlington Virginia Democratic Representative Jim Moran of Virginia had a few things to say:


Moran then maneuvered into more sensitive ground, suggesting that the country was not safer and intimating that the Bush administration's foreign policy was headed in the wrong directions. “More people hate us,” Moran said, a comment that drew an outburst from the crowd. “My brother died on 9/11 - don't make this political,” a woman in audience cried out.

http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2006/09/11/arlington/news/nws868.txt

Rudy...

Rudy 2006

Five Years ago...

Congressman Bob Goodlatte and 9/11...

Staunton 2006

All of the Delegates at the Grand opening of the Augusta County-Staunton Republican headquarters on Saturday took the opportunity to reflect on the five year anniversary of the attacks that happened 11 September, 2001.

Republican Delegate Ben Cline described how he was with Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte (V.A.) in his office in Washington D.C. on September 11th. Cline was working as the Chief of Staff for the Congressman and they first heard of the attacks in New York City and then could see the smoke from the Pentagon attack from the window of the Congressmans office. Congressman Goodlatte immediately sent his entire staff home and away from the Congressional office. After the staff had left the office Cline asked the Congressman if he was leaving and was told that he was staying because the people needed to know that the government was intact and operating. Congressman Goodlatte and Cline both stayed in his congressional office taking phone calls from his constituents assuring them that the government was in control. Delegate Cline also described the reception that he got from a Officer when he returned to the office building from lunch. Cline stated that he was stopped by the Officer who advised him that nobody was allowed back into the building and that everyone had to leave. Cline requested the Officer to call the Congressmans office so that the Officer could talk to Congressman Goodlatte. Cline described the look of surprise on the officers face when Congressman Goodlatte answered the phone and then when the Officer advised Congressman Goodlatte that he should not be in the building and had to leave. Delegate Cline also described the change on the face of the Officer once the Congressman started to talk to him on the phone and the Officer replied numerous times "Yes Sir, Yes Sir, Yes Sir": The Officer then looked at Cline and said "Go ahead in" and allowed Cline back into the Congressional office building .

Ben ended his remarks by encouraging all Augusta County Republicans to work hard this fall to re-elect strong leaders like Bob Goodlatte and George Allen to office...

S.W.A.C. Headquarters Opens...

9 september 2006


Grand opening for the Republican Headquarters in Staunton was started off with comments from many of the elected Republicans in Augusta County and the city of Staunton. Here Delegate Chris Saxman reminds us of why the valley is strong GOP and the many positive things that have happened in the past 6 years. He spoke of the strong economy, a lower crime rate, unemployment at it's lowest average for the past 3 decades and more. He spoke of the integrity of the Republican party and members such as Senator George Allen and Congressman Bob Goodlatte...

There was a good turnout for the opening and many people were interested in getting signs and starting the neighborhood walks to rally the valley... Signs were flying out the back door and many people were expressing the high level of interest for signs by their neighbors. South River district has picked up numerous high visibility locations from word of mouth and LARGE 4x8 signs are appearing all over the county...

Delegates Ben Cline, Chris Saxman, and Steve Landes all attended the Grand Opening and met with the workers who will bring it home for Senator Allen and Congressman Goodlatte in November.

All of the Delegates spoke about the attacks on September 11th, 2001 and spoke of the strong support for the war on terrorism by Senator Allen and Congressman Goodlatte. They also spoke about supporting the troops who are fighting this war and the importance of supporting the military families at home. It is evident that the S.W.A.C. Republicans support the President, the troops, their families, and this very important war on global terrorism. Our elected Republican officials in Washington and Richmond have shown that they support the ideas and values of the Reuplican Party and will fight for what is right and keep the United States and the Valley moving forward in the future. We are fortunate to have fine representatives like these and we will do our best to keep them in these positions to keep the country, the state, the valley, and our neighbohoods safe and secure...