Kent Snyder on WHO radio (Iowa) now!!

[dspectre]

I'm not here to justify bad actions. I really can't stand people being rude.


But to expect the number of people on the internet to just act "nice" is ridiculous and unrealistic. It's like going to the bad part of town and crying about it when something bad happens to you. No it's not right, but you are the one who went to the bad part of town.

If 10,000 people are calling and emailing this guy statistically, there are going to be a bad few in the bunch. That goes with our culture.

This Failor guy is in politics, he needs to take some responsibility. Can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

 

[MsDoodahs]

mdh...

If someone would actually think it was appropriate to call someone at their home, seems to me they have already broken the boundary of what is ethical. I guess we'll never know for sure, but I cannot dismiss the likelihood that some of the calls were harrassing.

Exactly.

Hell, I was harrassed for expressing my view that calls to their homes at 10pm at night was not a good idea.

 

[LibertyCzar]

Personally, I don't think anyone should be called at home. It is enough that the office is flooded. If we can prevent this group from essentially functioning, that is sufficient.

From what I've seen of Ron Paul's campaign, it is high on excellent etiquette. If we are to take action on Ron Paul's behalf, it should come close to the example set by Ron Paul.

 

[Dave]

Jan Mickelson at WHO won't have his podcast up until later this afternoon so here's a summary from my notes. My notes aren't perfect so don't take anything as gospel until you hear the podcast. Forgive me for not trying to dress this up and make it look nice.


Kent explained to Jan that this isn't a debate - more of an ongoing program of speakers - a platform.

Kent described the defensiveness and hostility toward HQ inquiry about being included. HQ genuinely thought they must have misplaced the invite since they get so many invites to events now.

Jan says he has helped promote these 2 sponsors and is shocked. Didn't know these orgs were in the business of excluding bona fide candidates.

Kent says some of the supporting organizations are shocked. Reminds hims of the MI stunds (Saul Azunis).

RP has been named Taxpayers Best Friend by Taxpayers Union.

Jan: these are 2 respectable orgs and they will lose some credibility if they exclude RP. Assistant is trying to reach Scheffler right now and will try to purse ITR. Say Iowa folks deserve an explanation for this.

Jan then asks about this story of a relative working for RP and asks if that's unethical. Kent acknowledges one of RP daughters is the office mgr in Clute, TX. Says you must divide the stated $ by 7-8 years so it's not much $ at all. Says it's not unethical and is common, not illegal. She's quite capable and paid modestly. Kent considers this a compliment - if they're not attacking you then you're not dong much.

Ed Failor calls in (Jan has a HUGE audience and things like this happen all the time). Says we invited dems and reps alike (EF sounds nervous - voice is trembling) They drew a line of viability to manage the event and decide months ago - to get the most credible.

Jan - so if mccain or hillary calls and wants to come you'd say no?

EF - (fumbles, tries to evade) that's a hypothetical. We would discuss it. But they were invited.

Jan - that is a LAME excuse!

-news break-

Jan - political wrinkle has happened and it's making national news. Turning spotlight on these 2 orgs that neglect...

If you mission is tax reform i think RP would be the 1st person you would ask!

EF - Were a 501(c)3 so we can't use a political angle to base invites on. We are 2 private orgs - we can do whatever we want. Hy-Vee (grocery store) isn't obligated to offer all kinds of pop (soda to you people outside of IA). In the Mason-Dixon poll PR was <1% a few months ago (Gilmore was higher? - who has since been replaced with Hunter). We don't have to offer to all.

Jan - I agree but now things have changed.

EF - people from out of state are calling my home and saying awful things to my wife and kids (he's mad - wouldn't you be?) Jan doens't condone this. EF says only 1 in 40 were from an Iowa number and that person didn't leave a message so he thinks they're doing a good job in representing the wants of Iowans.

Jan - if you're tring to present a good forum then why exclude? EF - because the decision was made months ago.

? - RP doesn't merit Iowans consideration at this time.

EF - people are trying to hack and break into our servers...we made the right call. Fringe type people are supporting RP.

EF somehow agrees that RP has a wonderful record.

Kent - this guy is talking in cirlces. There were 10 candidates in every natl debate and RP won all the online polls afterward. Saying RP is not credible is nonsense. A few months ago Tancredo was just an exploratory committee. Gilmore and Hunter were included. Why is RP excluded? They have right to invite whoever they want but the issue is for them to explain why RP excluded. ABC just confirmed RP will be on the AUG 5 debate in Des Moines. RP tops chart after every debate. The support from Iowa with $ and volunteers is overwhelming.

Jan - rank and file of these organizations should be asking.

EF - RP not only one excluded. Cox, Klein, Gravel were not invited.

Jan - it's a low blow for people to harass you.

EF - campaign encouraged this. Kent denounces negative tactics.

EF - You printed a lie when you said we wouldn't answer you...lacked scruples.

Jan - I like RP and I'm thinking this is all unnecessary and now it's been made personal but that's a waste. These 2 orgs are compatible with RP. If you can't accomodate 1 extra candidate how can you deal with the real world?

? - You're negative

Jan - This is a no-brainer...(something)...Bull Hockey!

EF - something about if we said no but now change our mind and say yes then we lose credibility. RPHQ (Lew Moore) was yelling at me. Cox was a gentleman.

Jan - your (orgs? credibility?) is legendary but RP is the #1 tax reliever. You should give him a purple robe and a limo!

Kent - RP just spoke at Natl Taxpayers Union and rates top. EF - I'm on the board.

Jan - just relax and invite the guy.

EF - It's not going to happen.

My notes end here because I was on the phone with Jan's people and trying to get on as an Iowa RP supporter who denounces negative tactics and has given to ITR in the past. They ran out of time to get me on.

 

[hells_unicorn]

Well, stick to your guns, unicorn. By all means. We will also end up with NONE of Ron Paul.

I did not nor do I condone calling this man's house, despite the fact that I was frustrated at not being able to get a message into his office voice mail, but you are assuming that:

1. Failor is telling the truth, which we have no evidence of.
2. That the calls were actually threatening, which we have no evidence of.
3. That if one or two people overreact that everyone needs to apologize for it or be worried.

I can guarantee you that despite Ron Paul's grandeur in the face of the horrid way he is being treated in the Republican Party, he will be getting him zero respect with his enemies. Perhaps I should thank them for being so ridiculous in the things they do because it is bringing attention to the campaign, but these people will continue to pull this crap until they are called out, and the fact that a few novices went too far should not take the wind out of our sails.

 

[LibertyEagle]

dspectre...

I agree and I am going to let this whole thing drop, because it's all in the past now. But before I do, I want to suggest that we do everything in our power to use good judgement when posting things to DIGG, blogs, or anywhere else, requesting action from the general public and not put anything in those posts that will encourage actions that will reflect poorly on the good doctor's campaign.

 

[ARealConservative]

I threatened his staff.

I went their yesterday. I told them if we were not happy with the explanation giving, we would be outside their building with signs. We would be outside their forum with signs, and we would make people understand who is right and who is wrong. I said it isn't too late to change course.

I called back 10 minutes ago, said I listed to the program, and know who lied. He asked how I know. I said because I called you yesterday, I emailed you yesterday, and I dropped in your office yesterday. You are an outright liar and will be exposed for this.

 

[BLS]

Jan Mickelson at WHO won't have his podcast up until later this afternoon so here's a summary from my notes. My notes aren't perfect so don't take anything as gospel until you hear the podcast. Forgive me for not trying to dress this up and make it look nice.

Thanks Dave for the breakdown.

 

[randolphus maximus]

Thanks for the blow by blow Dave, nice job! It makes me want to look for the podcast later on this afternoon.

 

[mdh]

Jan - it's a low blow for people to harass you.

EF - campaign encouraged this.

That says it all with regards to how much credence we can lend to any accusations this man made.

 

[LibertyCzar]

Jan then asks about this story of a relative working for RP and asks if that's unethical. Kent acknowledges one of RP daughters is the office mgr in Clute, TX. Says you must divide the stated $ by 7-8 years so it's not much $ at all. Says it's not unethical and is common, not illegal. She's quite capable and paid modestly. Kent considers this a compliment - if they're not attacking you then you're not dong much.

If she did work in the role of an employee, what is wrong with getting paid?

 

[PatriotOne]

I threatened his staff.

I went their yesterday. I told them if we were not happy with the explanation giving, we would be outside their building with signs. We would be outside their forum with signs, and we would make people understand who is right and who is wrong. I said it isn't too late to change course.

I called back 10 minutes ago, said I listed to the program, and know who lied. He asked how I know. I said because I called you yesterday, I emailed you yesterday, and I dropped in your office yesterday. You are an outright liar and will be exposed for this.

Whoot! Blowback is a bitch isn't it Ed? Glad to know that your support group is taking up the cause. If nothing else, we need to send a really strong message to all future organizer's that this will not be tolerated and we will make them regret censorship and shenanigan's publically. In reality, this is the battle we face.

 

[akalucas]

ARealConservative is there meetup group there or know more supporters in that area so guys can go as a group to the office. If so how many people could u rally up to head there.

 

[Seamaiden]

I threatened his staff.

I went their yesterday. I told them if we were not happy with the explanation giving, we would be outside their building with signs. We would be outside their forum with signs, and we would make people understand who is right and who is wrong. I said it isn't too late to change course.

I called back 10 minutes ago, said I listed to the program, and know who lied. He asked how I know. I said because I called you yesterday, I emailed you yesterday, and I dropped in your office yesterday. You are an outright liar and will be exposed for this.

Good to know that there is someone in Iowa who's taken action!

However, I feel I must reiterate, if we can gauge behavior online to be anything at all reflective of what we see on the phone (and it is a good measure, both are relatively anonymous -- dialing *67 blocks your number from being viewable by caller ID) then I will accept wholeheartedly that Failor received threatening phone calls. To assert that we need proof of human nature is just a wee bit naive, and to me it makes us appear as unwilling to see or know the truth as anyone else. As for the hacking, well, we host our own website (completely unrelated) on our own home server, and people try to hack us all the time. This is definitely not outside the realm of reality or plausibility in my opinion.

Oh yes, thanks Dave for posting the notes! My Gentoo Linux platform is problematic with many players (yes, I intend to make the switch to Ubuntu very soon), and I cannot utilize a podcast, either.

 

[MsDoodahs]

That says it all with regards to how much credence we can lend to any accusations this man made.

Um....WE are the campaign.

The meetup groups ARE the campaign.

Also, Kent sent out the call yesterday for calls to be made - though Kent did NOT in any way request that these people be HARRASSED AT HOME.

So, you see, as unfortunate a situation as this is, the guy is NOT making any FALSE accusations there, mdh.

 

[LibertyEagle]

There is now an Iowa coordinator. His name is Joe Seehusen.
[email protected]

 

[jj111]

I think that the next step is to call the corporate sponsors and tell them RESPECTFULLY who Ron Paul is, what his level of support is, that he has been in 3 national televised debates and is invited to the next one as well, and why this decision by ITR is WRONG, UNFAIR, and reeks of political favoritism and dirty politics. I think the corporate sponsors now need to be asked THEIR stance on this. Are they going to make a public statement about whether they want Ron Paul invited or not. We tell them why being involved in a scandle about the fairness of this forum is not in their best interest. We ask them to consider either
1) Making a public statement asking that Ron Paul be invited
or
2) Making a public statement saying that they support Ron Paul's exclusion from the debates.
or
3) Withdraw their co-sponsorship of the debates.

Money talks.
Businesses care very much about their public relations and their repuatations.
I say that at this time, the people to talk with are the corporate co-sponsors of this event.
I do not think it is time for the Ron Paul supporters to roll over and play dead.
I say we should continue to assert ourselves, and now spread our message to the corporate co-sponsors.
ALWAYS be nice, professional, courteous....
NEVER be mean or discourteous.
Ask them questions.
Ask them if they are aware of all these issues?
Ask them if they are aware that this controversy was just aired on Iowa radio?
Ask them if they understand why Ron Paul continues to be refused an invitation to this forum?
Ask them if they think this is fair?
Ask them if they think it is going to be good PR for their company to sponsor such an event that has generated so many questions about fairness, bias, and conflicts of interest.
I think the next step is take this to the corporate co-sponsors.
Let's see what they have to say.

 

[jj111]

I have listed some information about the corporate co-sponsors of this event on the longer thread about this event, posted about an hour ago. I am going to call the corporate co-sponsors at least once a day until I get some sort of official statement from them about this.

 

[Spatch67]

Greetings all! I've been at work and unable to follow along on all the latest. Just wanted to pass out a thanks to Dave and everyone else for the updates!

 

[JoshLowry]

Keep your eyes open here: http://www.mickelson.libsyn.com/

That's where it will be posted.