torchbearer
Lizard King
- Joined
- May 26, 2007
- Messages
- 38,926
I am mistaken. It's the comment posted by "Anonymous" but at the bottom like I said. Actually, I'll just copy and paste it here:
"What is interesting is how many people have commented here, including the author, without watching any of the cell phone videos available on YouTube.
I’ve read several reports, and watched videos of the Rules Committee meeting and of the opening of the Convention. Here is a summary as I see it:
* At the LA Caucus on Apr. 28th, Ron Paul wins 111 of 150 delegates. The LAGOP State Central Committee gets to appoint an additional 30 delegates so Ron Paul has 111 of 180 delegates going to the state convention.
* Rules Committee delegates worked for about 1 month to develop the rules for the convention.
* The day before the Rule Committee meeting just prior to the convention, the executive committee of the LAGOP publishes 16 pages of “supplemental” rules that they say will govern the convention and all committee meetings. According to Ron Paul supporters, these new rules violate the LAGOP bylaws and RNC rules.
* The day before the convention at the Rules Committee meeting, the majority of the members of the committee rejected the new rules and 16 of the 21 members voted to remove the Rule Committee chairman, who was Scott Wilfong, the 2012 LAGOP Caucus Director, and voted to install Alex Helwig as the new Rules Committee chairman. The Rules Committee then met and adopted the rules for the convention. All actions were accomplished in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, which Mr. Wilfong had stated would govern the meeting.
* At the convention the next day, Roger Villere (Convention Chairman) calls for the report from the Rules Committee, and introduces Mr. Wilfong. A woman delegate then twice asks a request for information, but she is ignored by both Mr. Villere and Mr. Wilfong. Alex Helwig then attempts to tell Mr. Villere that Mr. Wilfong is not the Rules Committee chairman, that Mr. Wilfong was removed the day before. Mr. Wilfong then states that he is still the Rules Committee chairman. After some argument, Mr. Villere asks for Mr. Helwig to leave, and then asks the sergeant-at-arms to have him removed. As the off-duty police officers approach Mr. Helwig, he calls for a vote to remove the Chairman, which is immediately seconded by several people.
* As Mr. Helwig is escorted from the room**, Mr. Wilfong attempts to gives his report. But many delegates then start chanting “the chairman was removed” — clearly a message to Mr. Villere that Mr. Wilfong was not the Rules Committee chairman. While Mr. Wilfong is speaking, Mr. Henry Herford is nominated and then elected by an overwhelming (per voice vote) majority of the delegates. The majority of the delegates then turn their chairs around with their backs to Mr. Villere and proceed with the meeting. Mr. Herford runs the meeting for the majority of the delegates using a portable PA system, while Mr. Villere also continues from the dais with a smaller group. Mr. Villere then tells Mr. Herford to turn his microphone off. Mr. Herford does not, and Mr. Villere then asks the sergeant-at-arms to shut off Mr. Wilfong’s microphone and have him removed.
* After Mr. Helwig is removed*** by the off-duty police officers, the majority of the delegates then elect Connie Bernard as the new Chairman. They proceed with the convention.
Anyone have other information to add?
Leaving aside the issue of personal injuries (see below), do the actions of the LAGOP sound like they were proper?
I went to the Democratic candidates’ forum for Alexandria, VA City Council last week, and I was so appalled by what I heard that I was going to attend the Alexandria GOP meeting last night to see what Republicans are running. But I am rather disgusted with some of the Republican leadership at this point, so at the last minute I decided not to go. Maybe my vote, and my money, won’t go to the GOP this year, either.
** According to a statement released by the Ron Paul campaign, “Alex Helwig, Chairman of the Rules Committee who made the motion to remove the chair, was arrested by Shreveport police and released. During his brief detainment, some of his fingers were broken and when he returned to the event he was walking with aid of a cane.”
*** Also according to the Paul campaign, “Mr. Herford has a prosthetic hip and according to a doctor at the scene it appears as though the prosthetic was dislocated and may require replacement.” Herford’s injury can be seen on several videos on the web.
this is accurate.