Lunatic Fringe: Meet the nullifiers
Caught in a crossfire of attacks from Democratic Party and affiliated groups and selective media presentation of token extremists, the Tea Party movement is hemorrhaging public support nationwide. According to a recent poll by Rasmussen, only eight percent of those surveyed identified themselves as being part of the Tea Party movement, while forty-nine percent of respondents held a negative view of the Tea Party movement.Moments like that which followed a recent press conference by those wanting South Carolina to "nullify" Obamacare legislation might explain why people have soured on the Tea Party movement.
Upwards of sixty screen captures of Facebook commentary by some of those in attendance at the event were sent to the Blogland earlier this evening. While most of them consist of repetitive and shop-worn criticisms of Republican Party leaders, most notably House Speaker Bobby Harrell, House LCI Chair Bill Sandifer and Charleston County GOP Chair Lin Bennett, several screen captures went over the lunatic fringe, including threats of violence. We've been told that SLED agents are looking into these messages to determine if the threats have any merit.
Frankly, we think the statements are likely big talk from attention-seeking cowards, but that's no reason to take the statements lightly.
The stand-out Facebook bully in the commentary which was reviewed was Jeff Mattox. Mattox is known for being a lightning rod in Midlands politics, most notably for "liking" a Facebook posting entitled "What Should You Shoot a Cop". We've also talked with those who've alleged that he's threatened them.
Mattox remains active with the Kershaw County Patriots, where he recently re-defined the practice of DUI checkpoints as county residents being "forced to pay for their own enslavement by those who claim the opposite."
Another comment warned that Harrell "hasn't 'come to Jesus' on how dangerous some of his position will or have become. Yet."
You're welcome to figure that one out for yourself.
Another person expressed the view that State House security uses facial recognition software to warn legislators to avoid certain people during their visits to the State House.
The Blogland shared these screen captures with a number of Tea Party activists and leaders around the state. Every response expressed a clear rejection of the statements made by these activists, as well as any kind of violence.
Mike Murphree, a former member of Dorchester County Council and a leader of the Charleston Tea Party group, called for Tea Party activists to reject violence and threats:
The Tea Party movement can only survive, through the love of your fellow man, be an advocate for Freedom and show your follow man through more Freedom, anything is possible.
A rope and a tree and all we need is Bobby, will only reinforce what the progressive world has labeled you. Don't prove them right.
Allen Olson, one of the Tea Party pioneers in the Midlands, also criticized the comments in the screen captures:
It's comments like these that blackens the eyes of majority of those in the grassroots movement and helps give credibility to the Left when they demonize us as extremists.
We'll keep you posted about any developments with the investigation or response to these comments.
I attended the Nullify ObamaCare rally & press conference Tuesday. Obviously I can't personally vouch for all of the 400+ activists who attended, but don't recall any threats or suggestions of violence during the event, or in any discussions I've participated in leading up to the event. Publishing random Facebook screenshots, most of which appear to have nothing to do with the rally or H3101 "South Carolina Freedom of Health Care Protection Act", while characterizing the activists attending the event as "violent, lunatic fringe" seems like a desperate, hackneyed attempt to discredit a populist republican movement. Even SCGOP chairman Chad Connelly has publicly endorsed the nullification of ObamaCare in South Carolina. Do you intend to report him to SLED?
I wouldn't worry too much about the Tea Party's poll numbers. After all, the US congress has an approval rating of around 8% according to some recent polls, and it certainly hasn't slowed their ability to advance legislation.
And my representative seems to be able to avoid me without utilizing any hi-tech gadgetry.
As to the point about 8%, that's an interesting and amusing take on it. But the reality is that it has become a weapon used by Democrats to get their candidates elected. That should concern you that something which you and I have both defended has become so toxic in the minds of voters.
As to your elected officials ignoring you, do what I do. Work around them. Don't let The Man drag you down.
Rep. Bill Chumley (H3101 sponsor) spoke about nullifying ObamaCare at our Spartanburg County Executive Committee meeting last month. There was close to 100 in attendance, and virtually everyone signed a petition in support of the bill. Committeeman Doug Cobb called Chairman Connelly during the meeting with a rules question. While they spoke, Chairman Connelly asked Doug to tell everyone in attendance that he was behind Rep. Chumley's efforts to nullify ObamaCare 100%. Chairman Connelly couldn't make it to the rally, but he sent Alex Stroman to speak & show support on behalf of SCGOP. I checked the SC House website this afternoon, and H3101 already had over 20 cosponsors. US Rep. Jeff Duncan appeared on a local upstate radio show this afternoon and said he supported the ObamaCare nullification effort as well. I'm glad to hear you're on our side of the issue, Mr. Capps. Thanks for the advice. And please, call me Robbie.
It's just how I am. If only the current administration saw citizens in the same light.
The FairTax legislation had 67 people sign on and it didn't get out of committee. Just as eight percent isn't a guarantee things can't be done, so it having a lot of people sign on to a bill.
My vote is for the Repeal Amendment. I think there's a lot of potential harm in allowing every state to pick-and-choose legislation. That was why the Articles of Confederation didn't work. But give states the right to band together to overturn oppressive and/or burdensome laws, like Obamacare, through a repeal amendment and I think you've not just solved the immediate problem, but you've really achieved something important towards addressing the balance of power in this country.
The Constitution is both a framework for governance as well as a story of our resistance to injustice (the 2nd Amendment being but one of those Amendments). Enacting a Repeal Amendment not only allows us to roll back bad laws, but it also can help us remind future generations that, yes government can do bad things no matter how much we think times have changed for the better and, yes you have the power to resist. Many think that modernity has made government a better servant, but you and I both know the truth on that one.
I find your article a bit humorous. Especially where you speak about the "attention-seeking cowards". I am a personal friend of Mr. Mattox and although he may be seeking attention, merely to get people to see the wool being pulled over their eyes by the politicians, he is hardly a coward. He has done more to fight for the freedom of others and been persecuted more than anyone I know. As for coming to Jesus, these politicians need to learn that one day they not only have to face the people they are robbing and piliaging but also their maker who will in no way be pleased at the tyranny they wish to impose. Mr. Harrell was the 2009 chairman of one of the most socialist organizations around, the Council Of Governments or COG of the southeastern region of the US. This is where the federal grants with the promise of money, your hard earned dollars, and lots of strings attached in an effort to deprive everyone of their rights and property.
As for the nullify rally, I leave you with a recent article by Mr. Mattox on the subject. http://www.kershawcountypatriots.com/hospitals-face-bankruptcy-after-haley-decsion/