American Spectator Slams Our Own Matt Collins

[BarryDonegan]

The situation wasn't as rude as this hit piece makes it sound. We thanked Zach Wamp for voting for HR1207 and Matt just refused to shake his hand on rhetoric alone.
Matt, then, as should any other grassroots activist in any party, expressed his current views on the governors race in his blog, using the 1st Amendment he is fighting to keep.

To be fair, Zach Wamp said we should do "more than Audit the Fed", which was good talk, but he's got a fresh bailout vote on his lips too, so you have to see some action before you give him strong approval. Holding the feet to the fire of your elected officials improves how they vote in the future.

This is also a win/win for the GOP in Nashville, as this city has been in Democrat control since the Civil War and if there is disapproval of the government rumbling here, which there is, this portrayal in the Democrat owned City Paper will actually make us look better. We will be viewed as young angry upstarts to the freshly disappointed Obama voter who still has no job.

 

[Matt Collins]

The situation wasn't as rude as this hit piece makes it sound. We thanked Zach Wamp for voting for HR1207 and Matt just refused to shake his hand on rhetoric alone.
Matt, then, as should any other grassroots activist in any party, expressed his current views on the governors race in his blog, using the 1st Amendment he is fighting to keep.

To be fair, Zach Wamp said we should do "more than Audit the Fed", which was good talk, but he's got a fresh bailout vote on his lips too, so you have to see some action before you give him strong approval. Holding the feet to the fire of your elected officials improves how they vote in the future.

Exactly, and as mentioned in my original blog, I even complimented Rep Wamp on his HR1207 position , thanked him for his support, and told him I appreciated it and I sincerely meant it. But one or even multiple positive acts do not make up for such a blatant violation of the Constitution and what is outright theft.

And for those who don't know Barry he is a good friend in the local liberty movement, a fellow Ron Paul Republican (he's a Director-At-Large of the Nashville GOP), and was the person who Rep Wamp apologized to regarding the bailout.

 

[Matt Collins]

I have a Google Alert set up for Ron Paul

Ahhh... that's how so many people found out. Apparently the American Spectator read by many. People I don't even know have been e-mailng and sending Facebook messages to me about this.

 

[Matt Collins]

If he had, he wouldn't have gotten any press on it and we wouldn't be talking about it. So in that sense, it's a VERY big deal.

At first I thought it was silly to not shake someone's hand; but now I see the genius behind Matt's political move. You're absolutely right, Deborah...had the hand been shaken, the message would have never been exposed.

Thank you for your compliments.

 

[Matt Collins]

I think not shaking someone's hand is immature. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

I see it as a matter of respect. I don't respect someone who has stolen money from me, violated the Constitution, broken the trust of the voters, failed to uphold their sworn oath, and then has the audacity to come back and ask for my vote to elevate them to a higher position of power.

Even though Matt may drive us nuts sometimes, and clearly "the establishment" guys, I have no doubt in his heart he works extremely hard for the TRADITIONAL republican principles.

Heh heh heh.... thanks for the compliment

Being a sheepdog of traditional republican values does not always mean you need to bear your metaphorical teeth.

I agree, but I also think it is time that we start drawing a line and putting our foot down.

 

[Matt Collins]

I think Matt is onto something.
I vow not to shake the hands of someone who has betrayed our constitution. Never. Nunca!

Heh... guess I've started something, eh?

 

[rockandrollsouls]

In my opinion, the refusal of a cordial handshake resonates more on a personal level than a political level.

Leave the issues for a debate or a discussion; you're not going to change minds by being blatantly rude.

Do you refuse to visit a family member because they have different political views? Do you look down on people because of their opinions? That's the vibe I get from many here.

You respect people for being human; there isn't a reason to be unfriendly, uninviting, and unapproachable. When respect is present, you can begin to change minds and make a difference.

Forgive me for being brash here, but being a complete and total jackass is counterproductive. I'm willing to wager that if I befriend someone, I can sway them much more easily than if we were on bad terms.

 

[pacelli]

 

[acptulsa]

Forgive me for being brash here, but being a complete and total jackass is counterproductive. I'm willing to wager that if I befriend someone, I can sway them much more easily than if we were on bad terms.

True, but this wasn't some civilian, it was a guy who took an oath and violated it. Someone who could very easily have ulterior motives in his rationale, and probably does.

Essentially, I agree that we should maintain all the civility and comity we can. That said, it's very educational to see one of us react to unconstitutional votes and oath breaking, which causes no outrage in the media, and then see them rise to a fevered pitch of indignation because someone didn't stick their hand out to be shaken. Strange priorities.

 

[LittleLightShining]

Matt, how are your local committee members reacting to this?

 

[Elwar]

From what I see, Matt has solidified himself as a Ron Paul Republican solely based upon getting a hit piece written about him because he stands up for his principles. In that way he is a "Ron Paul clone".

 

[torchbearer]

From what I see, Matt has solidified himself as a Ron Paul Republican solely based upon getting a hit piece written about him because he stands up for his principles. In that way he is a "Ron Paul clone".

+1.
They can't attack us on the issues, so they have to look for other things.

 

[rockandrollsouls]

From what I see, Matt has solidified himself as a Ron Paul Republican solely based upon getting a hit piece written about him because he stands up for his principles. In that way he is a "Ron Paul clone".

Acting like a rude little child isn't standing up for principles; that's not what the article was written about. It was written as a character attack, and it's completely justified and they have Collins hammered there.

You want a hit-piece based upon principle? He should challenge the candidate to a policy discussion, debate, or conference to discuss the direction of the party and his actions as a principled, staunch republican. In that way, Collins can be viewed as a torch bearer for truly republican ideals.

Rejecting a handshake and acting like a rude little kid is in no way, shape, or form standing up for republican ideals. Learn to differentiate .

 

[torchbearer]

Acting like a rude little child isn't standing up for principles; that's not what the article was written about. It was written as a character attack, and it's completely justified and they have Collins hammered there.

You want a hit-piece based upon principle? He should challenge the candidate to a policy discussion, debate, or conference to discuss the direction of the party and his actions as a principled, staunch republican. In that way, Collins can be viewed as a torch bearer for truly republican ideals.

Rejecting a handshake and acting like a rude little kid is in no way, shape, or form standing up for republican ideals. Learn to differentiate .

and you would have considered Ben Franklin an asshole, because he wouldn't waste his words on you if you said 'hello'. The man didn't believe in idle chatter.

 

[TruthisTreason]

Acting like a rude little child isn't standing up for principles; that's not what the article was written about. It was written as a character attack, and it's completely justified and they have Collins hammered there.

You want a hit-piece based upon principle? He should challenge the candidate to a policy discussion, debate, or conference to discuss the direction of the party and his actions as a principled, staunch republican. In that way, Collins can be viewed as a torch bearer for truly republican ideals.

Rejecting a handshake and acting like a rude little kid is in no way, shape, or form standing up for republican ideals. Learn to differentiate .

Yes, I have no problem shaking the hand of the enemy (rep.. hacks), it's the best way to get real close to them...

And they can't win without us, and we can't win without them.:o

 

[rockandrollsouls]

and you would have considered Ben Franklin an asshole, because he wouldn't waste his words on you if you said 'hello'. The man didn't believe in idle chatter.

And Franklin didn't accomplish his goals alone...not to mention you weren't around to experience his personality, nor was anyone else in recent history. He had some significant support....it seems like a lot of people don't like Matt and it's mostly because he comes off as a jerk.

 

[acptulsa]

Yes, I have no problem shaking the hand of the enemy (rep.. hacks), it's the best way to get real close to them...

And they can't win without us, and we can't win without them.:o

With the mentality that violating the Constitution isn't a big deal, but refusing a proffered hand is, though, we obviously have our work cut out for us demonstrating to them that we've drawn a line in the sand.

 

[Chester Copperpot]

Matt.. good stuff man really...

 

[Matt Collins]

Do you refuse to visit a family member because they have different political views? Do you look down on people because of their opinions?

Again, none of my family members are in a position to steal from me "legally".

I'm willing to wager that if I befriend someone, I can sway them much more easily than if we were on bad terms.

This isn't about swaying opinions, it's about keeping those who violate the Constitution from gaining more power by getting voted into a higher office.

 

[Matt Collins]

Matt, how are your local committee members reacting to this?

Not sure. We'll find out soon.