January 7, 2012

AUSCS exposes ANOTHER "madrassa" in Arkansas

http://ktlo.com/wire/newsfri/01596_national_organization_sends_letter_on_Sen_Key_preschool_072102.php
National organization wants MH preschools operated by Keys to stop religious activities or forfeit state grants

snip
The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports today that Americans United for Separation of Church and State sent a letter yesterday to the Arkansas Department of Human Services explaining what it believes are constitutional violations at Open Arms Learning Center and Noah's Ark Preschool in Mountain Home.
snip
The two preschools have received just over $1.2 million in Arkansas Better Chance grants since the 2007-08 schools year, according to the Human Services Department. The grants provide funding for low-income, prekindergarten pupils to attend preschools. This school year, 298 preschools in the state received $102 million in grants through the program.
The letter mentions only 2009-2010 state funding of $291,600 to the two preschools.
Earlier, the preschool operated by state Representative Justin Harris of West Fork and his wife Marsha came under scrutiny from Americans United for Separation of Church and State for religious instruction at their preschool which has received $2.6 million in state grant funds since 2005. Harris acknowledged the religious instruction saying if necessary they would move it until after the school day.

How the RWers would have us spend our precious tax dollars...

January 6, 2012

Listen To Me! Demands Womack on his Listening Tour (of one Town Hall)

http://brummett.arkansasonline.com/index.php/2012/01/06/an-instructive-incident-in-fayetteville/#comment-2408

John Brummett's excellent opinion piece in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette shows the arrogance and disdain for his constituents. Read John's column!
snip
A young woman named Kelly Eubanks, identifying herself as a mother who worked two jobs and attended college, rose to inquire of her freshman Republican congressman. She wanted to know why Womack favored continued subsidies for oil companies but voted, on at least one occasion, to cut Pell grants so vital to her pursuit of higher education.

It was a perfectly fair question. It represented the very kind of interaction that a congressman’s town hall meeting with constituents ought to produce.
snip
So the young woman kept interrupting him to say he wasn’t answering her question. So he kept talking a little louder to say he would answer if she would please consent to listen.

Someone in the audience told Eubanks to get a job, maybe at Wal-Mart, and there was laughter. But she had previously explained that she had not a job, but two. And this mindless heckling reflected the meanness and insensitivity of the chronically rude and huffy modern right wing in American politics.

Afterward Eubanks appeared shaken as she told a local television station that Womack had not answered her question and basically advised her to join the military.

Brummett's article links to a video of the event.

*****
So here we are, in the heart of the 99% with a Congressman who only addresses the issues of the 1%...ironically Walmart/Womack tells the young mother that HE got government help and if she wanted the SAME government help he received, she must do it his way! So what if as a mother, she couldn't go off one weekend a month and drink with the "boys" and march around in pretend war.

Oh my, and that was only ONE question from the many hands that were waving like crazy. This incident was simply the only one shot by the news photographer. He had just set up his camera for that best angle moments before she began to speak.

The one hour Womack allowed for the 50 or so people in the room to speak ran out and over as he lauded his own efforts at "protecting the unborn" with his introduction of an odious national bill that was struck down as a state bill in red Mississippi; his support for the XL Pipeline (with the continued and debunked lie that 20,000 jobs would be created.) No, he didn't address the ecological harm.

Steve Womack either loves the sound of his own voice, or he's afraid of what anyone else will say if he allows them to speak. Either way, he allowed only a few questions and comments. There was no discussion about how to address the "already-born" needs, except to say there is no money for them. Handlers in the crowd tried to grab the mic after initial questions, a couple of lucky people were able to elude them and pressed for answers. Kelly Eubanks got bullied by the Congressman for her efforts. But I do think she got her answer. Vote Democratic. I'm sure she just became an ardent supporter of Her next Congressman, Ken Aden. www.Aden4Arkansas.com ... check him out for yourself!

Steve dropped little nuggets of Republican strategy. He did promise the Republicans won't try for the next government shut down until September, 2012. Get ready for more Republican mischief in the fall...perhaps their "October Surprise"? Newscasts are too short to include full exchanges and even this short "listening tour" was too long to show Womack slipping in the Republican drumbeat for war. This time, the neoCons are scheming on Iran. What part of NO MORE WAR don't the Republicans understand asked another constituent? Of course, there was no answer to that.

I can't stress strongly enough that we MUST all find our candidate and work diligently every day. We only have 300 or so days left of this hateful regime if we organize and mobilize. People First and Victory 2012!

December 25, 2011

Please give the future a Christmas Present!

It costs no money and takes less than a minute!
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/campaigns/4286

Ken Aden (www.Aden4Arkansas.com) is running for Congress in REDDEST 3rd District of Arkansas.

Ken is the most progressive candidate to run for Congress since Lynn Woolsey in the 3rd District of California about 30 years ago. I'm so excited about his campaign!

The northwest corner of Arkansas is a contradiction of Waltons and the 99%. The hold the republicans have had for the past 40 something years is about to crack open and out will burst the NEW DAY of People First!

But, to get there, Ken needs help! YOUR help! 30 seconds worth of help. Go here http://www.democracyforamerica.com/campaigns/4286 and become his supporter.

Click on become a supporter...give money if you can, but PLEASE give our grandchildren their Christmas in 2050! http://www.democracyforamerica.com/campaigns/4286

We're at 86 supporters this morning. Can't we get at least 50 more out our 150,000 membership of progressive Democrats? Okay, you don't even have to be progressive; you'd still love Ken Aden

December 22, 2011

PLease help us elect a real Democrat

We are in the last days of the 4 th quarter and these stupid numbers mean something. SO PLEASE donate to Ken Aden. www.Aden4Arkansas.com

Also, he needs supporters on DFA. We need to get over 150 by the end of the month. DFA would like to help Ken, but they need to see that people support him. http://www.democracyforamerica.com/campaigns/4286-ken-aden-for-congress This only takes about 1 minute and costs nothing.

December 19, 2011

We're coming to the end of the 4th quarter and Ken Aden needs HELP!

There are many ways to help our progressive democratic candidates and today I'm asking for you to go to Democracy for America and support Ken Aden.

We need over 100 supporters by the end of the day. Can you help? Please keep kicking and rec'ing for the best hope for Arkansas.

We have a stranglehold of Rove plants in our state and we are shaking them off this year. Please do this one small thing. Vote up Ken Aden
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/campaigns/4286-ken-aden-for-congress

Your children and mine need him and many more in Congress.

December 14, 2011

Womack (R-AR) Endorses Citizen's United

Womack is such a terrible and mean tool of the 1%. He's so terrible that he is even alienating his base! I didn't know Republicans could feel shame or remorse or empathy, but many people are turning away from him and towards his Democratic opponent (in a district that has been republican for over 40 years.)

So, here's the story:
Ms. Vivian (Chair of the Benton County Democratic Central Committee) has been hounding Womack for months about the Citizen's United decision, demanding that he support legislation to overturn the SCOTUS decision. Yesterday he sent his reply. It's shocking in its direct support. Steve may be the first in Congress to be so blunt.

Here's an excerpt from Womack's letter:
I believe that the Citizens United decision strengthens the fundamental right to free speech afforded to all Americans by the First Amendment. In the same way that individual Americans and political groups are able to speak out during election season, corporations should be allowed to have their voices heard. They are now allowed to use the same media outlets that as large political and interest groups are allowed to use…Corporations are comprised of Americans too and it is important that we uphold the Constitution without selectively granting First Amendment rights. - Steve Womack/R 3rd District ARkansas
http://bluearkansasblog.com/?p=8254


Even Womack's father, who owns a hate speech radio station (KURM-AM/Rogers Arkansas) and is a TBagger disagrees with Steve.

Here's who the district is turning toward...our PROGRESSIVE Democratic candidate opposing the 1% is Ken Aden www.Aden4Arkansas.com Come and check out the future of our state. Of course you can help get him in Congress by donating to his campaign through his website.