Opinions are Like @#%&$@&$

Cash Flow Problems State GOP reforms needed

This is the same newspaper that failed to send a reporter to the State GOP Convention they criticize due to bad economic times at the Parkersburg News & Sentinel, now telling us how to raise money....lol. You will pardon us if we don't jump to your suggestions. Stick to what you do well, if you find it.

State GOP Chairman Appeals for Support

Charleston Daily Mail

GOP chair gives ultimatum to step up fundraising

"These are people who are leaders of the party,'' he said. "Some people seem to think that just showing up for the meetings fulfills their obligations to the party.''

While several executive committee members helped pay down the debt and have already maxed out their annual contributions, McKinney said such is not true for all 130-plus members.

Some Republicans were taken aback by the letter, while others said they sympathize with McKinney's frustration.

"I think he's just trying to get people's attention,'' said David Tyson, a Huntington lawyer and former state GOP chairman. "It's hard to raise money for a party as opposed to a candidate.''

The nonpartisan National Institute on Money in State Politics estimates that West Virginia's Republican Party attracted only $3,162 for its state elections fund during the 2006 cycle -- by far the lowest amount raised by any other state committee for either major party. Montana's GOP had the next-lowest total, $18,916. The average was $4.5 million.

Parkersburg News & Sentinel

State GOP may fold

Lockhart, noting the massive debt from 2004, said the state party is in better shape that it has been.

"I look at where we were; the debt our party was in," she said. "To take it seriously that the party will be dissolved, I don't think that will happen is this state. ... I don't think he has the authority. I don't think the rank file members will allow that."

Bob Fish, a member of the state's executive committee, declined to comment, referring questions to McKinney.

"I think the comments that Doug made are probably the best thing from the party," he said.

The Charleston Gazette

GOP chairman gives ultimatum

About 30 percent of West Virginia's 1.17 million registered voters are Republicans. The state GOP racked up unpaid bills during the 2004 election cycle that topped $190,000 at one point, and has spent the next few years wrestling with that debt.

Elected chairman in mid-2006, McKinney announced last month that the remaining vendors owed money had agreed to settle for lesser amounts. The FEC must still sign off on those deals, he noted Wednesday.

But the party now needs about $160,000 to pay staff, maintain its South Charleston headquarters and assist this year's candidates. It ended March with about $25,800 in its state and federal funds. The state Democratic Party had about $151,000. Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1 in the state.

The Herald Dispatch

GOP chair gives ultimatum

"If contributions do not increase, the only way the WVGOP can avoid deficit spending is by dissolving the Party in West Virginia," McKinney wrote.

"You read correctly," the letter continues. "The WVGOP is in danger of ceasing to exist if we do not get more financial support from you and other concerned Republicans."

Editors note: Some will answer the call while others will criticize. If you can help Chairman McKinney and the State GOP please click the link provided: Help the WV GOP
130+ members on the State Executive Committee @ 1000 each= 130,000 per year! Sounds like a plan.

Democrat Participation in WVGOP Conventions Apparent

A very interesting thing seems to have happened to the Republican Party on our way to the 5 February 2008 State GOP Convention in Charleston. We borrowed a bunch of DEMOCRATS! It appears, at least in Wood County that between 120 and 200 of our local Democrats changed their registration to Republican by the 30 November deadline to be eligible to vote in our county GOP conventions or online, then most switched back in time to vote again in the upcoming 13 May Primary on a Democrat ballot.

On 21 September of last year we had steadily grown to 21597 Republicans, by 4 January that number shot up to 21694, enough to overtake the Democrats by 30. However, today we have gone back to 21586, 11 voters shy of our 21 September number and the Democrats have regained the lead with 21784, a margin of 198.

I have requested a detailed run from voter registration of everyone who has changed their voter registration from D to R within the last year, surprisingly some 1380 names. It will be interesting to see who changed and when, what impact they had if any in our Convention process and where they are in our party today, if at all.

Legacy of Bob Hammond

Many of you may have never heard of or much less seen this elusive individual, since he has only been to one (1) meeting in the last 4 years, but oh what an influence his emergence left us with back in 2006. The "Hammond Effect" prompted the West Virgina State Legislature to enact SB 607 during the 2007 Legislative session. No longer will Executive Committees be influenced by folks who haven't run for their position in years, or in many cases even live in the Precinct, County or State. These folks can no longer be located, manipulated and directed to determine elections and the future course of business. Better late than never!
I was told all my life that nothing good ever becomes of ill begotten gains. This has become the most instructive example of this that I have personally been a part of. I want to thank everyone involved for this experience. It has reinforced my ideals and way of dealing with situations, the ends do not always justify the means, even in politics.
I will be attending the Republican National Convention as a voting member of the West Virginia Delegation. Most all die hard political folks want to at least attend a National Convention once in their life. I was fortunate, in Charleston at the State GOP Convention I was the beneficiary of events. Life has a way of making things right if you stay focused and do the right things. Thank You one and all for these experiences and those yet to come!

Huckabee Delegates Bring Your Sleeping Bags to St. Paul

Selection of alternate delegates will differ this year from the past

From: The Republican Gazette

In recent history, Republicans elected as delegates to the national convention were empowered to select their own alternate delegates, and most people were under the impression that the situation was the same this year.

But as detailed Saturday by Chairman Doug McKinney, the state party changed the format in 2006, when the details for the presidential convention were approved.

At least 18 of the WVGOP's 30 delegates to the convention will be representing Mike Huckabee, based on Huckabee's win at the Feb. 5 convention in Charleston. But rather than being able to select their own alternative delegates, the party will instead choose those positions at its June 21 convention in Flatwoods.

State law says at-large delegates will choose their own alternates -- unless the party has a contrary plan of its own on file with the Secretary of State's office.

In fact, the GOP does have such a plan on file, received by the SOS office on Dec. 19, 2007, which states, "Alternate National Delegates as defined by the National Party Rules shall be elected by the State Republican Convention to be held during (the) months of June, July or August of the Convention Year."

The GOP convention referred to in that rule is separate from the presidential convention, and is held every four years to attend to such business as writing the party platform, determining the five individuals who will serve on the Electoral College from West Virginia, hearing from statewide candidates, and dealing with other party matters. Four years ago, the convention was held at Tamarack in Beckley.

***********************************

Many helped formulate the plan that Mr. Abernathy refers to and are well aware of it's content, but more importantly, it's intent. This will be another opportunity for several in our party to demonstrate their integrity or lack there of. Very important information for future planners, many of whom were out on Saturday like sharks circling their prey.
Stay tuned.

Former Arkansas Governor Call for United Party

News Release: Mike Huckabee Crosses Finish Line in Presidential Run

Huckabee said, “Not only have we fought the good fight and finished the race but more importantly, we have kept the faith. I would rather lose an election than lose the principles that got me into politics in the first place.”

Ditto Heads Propel Huckabee to Victory

I want to thank those folks in advance who took Limbaugh's advice and voted for Hillary. If enough of you did so today then Huck could pull one out tonight. Not what Rush had in mind probably, but a result none the less. Or is it?

No Surrender

Totals will be updated after Texas and Ohio

Delegate count: McCain has 960/877 of the 1191 needed to secure the nomination.
He must have 231/304 of the remaining 888 /961 or 26%/32%.
In the latest results, McCain has been awarded 73 Unpledged RNC Delegates and 10 of the Washington Delegates that are still in dispute which is why I have two totals, one with the assumptions and one without.

Huckabee and Paul, who is from Texas, the largest prize remaining, need but to garner enough votes to deny the needed Delegates to secure a first round nomination. Then, as in Charleston, once a clear winner isn't produced in the first round, who knows what might happen in round two and beyond. Sounds much more achievable when worded that way.

Please plan on voting in the West Virginia Primary May 13th, don't be disenfranchised by those who would have you believe the race is over. We have 9 additional Delegates that will be elected in May. Vote and let your voice be heard.

Of the States Senator McCain has secured it is worth noting that many are "blue states", such as New York and California which will likely go Democrat in November regardless of the candidates.

Here is a State-by-State breakdown:

State
Date
Delegates

Texas
4-Mar
140

Ohio
4-Mar
88

Rhode Island
4-Mar
20

Vermont
4-Mar
17
WTA

Mississippi
10-Mar
39

Pennsylvania
22-Apr
74
Closed

North Carolina
6-May
69

Indiana
6-May
57

Nebraska
13-May
33

West Virginia
13-May
9

Hawaii
16-May
20
Closed

Kentucky
20-May
45
Closed

Oregon
20-May
30
Closed

Idaho
27-May
32

New Mexico
3-Jun
32
Closed

South Dakota
3-Jun
27
Closed

There They go Again

"READ MY LIPS"

John McCain is a Real Conservative

Bush delivering the famous line at the 1988 Convention

Bush "41". who many conservatives feel ushered in 8 years of Bill Clinton isn't finished. The former President, who many may remember referred to Ronald Reagan's economic ideas as "Voodoo economics" has proudly jumped on Senator McCain's straight talk express.

Best Representation Money Can Buy

With Romney's nod, only Huckabee keeps party from uniting
Huckabee is painting his continued presence in the race as somehow providing a service to all the states that have yet to vote, including Texas and Ohio on March 4. But no one outside the Huckabee campaign can see it that way.

Gary Abernathy
Thompson/Giuliani/McCain Supporter

McKinney says GOP convention a success, urges a united front
Now, it’s time for everyone to rally around the Republican nominee for president.

Doug McKinney

What kind of treatment are the Huckabee Delegates going to the Republican National Convention to expect, skunk at a lawn party comes to mind. Chairman McKinney is looking for peace and growth within the Republican Party while others are looking for work. I don't need a PR firm to tell me what makes a good Republican.

Media Manipulation.....again!

In case you missed this: I turn on the radio and I hear more whinning about the West Virginia GOP Convention, brought to you by..... Who else Steve Adams, need I say more! This time carrying Modesitt water.

So Rick says the Political Party's need legislative oversight. I might point out that our County Commish serves on the local Wood County Republican Executive Committee and has for many years, as well as being appointed to an at-large slot and serving at the pleasure of the Chairman on the State Committee, as he has for many years. There's nobody in Wood County that is privy to more Republican Party workings, at all levels, than Rick.....Just ask him!

Let me get this straight: So the newspaper says it's the Party's fault for not getting the word out, even though we own no printing press, and now our party leaders are requesting oversight by lawmakers over who....themselves, party leaders.

We all sat through the meetings for the last 18 months as this Convention came together. How can we plan and work with leadership that will sell us out in the media, and for what!
Maybe our party needs to take a look at who is building and promoting the party and who isn't and realign our leadership, where needed.


For comparison sake: WV Democratic Convention
My understanding of the Democrat Convention is that:

• It will be held in June 13-14
  
• All WV Democrat National Delegates will be chosen at the State Convention, none in the May Primary
• All Delegates to the State Convention will be proportioned or appointed by county committee

I hope our concerned media and reps are as quick to act!

Politics 103: Handed the Anvil

Why are so many Republicans and some conservatives endorsing John McCain?

Senator McCain has been handed the anvil, an often used tactic for the next generation, wave or wing of the party who discover that they can't persuade, stop or otherwise prevent a colleague from running for or capturing a nomination/coronation where he can't win the General election. This is often used with powerful career politicians who for various reasons win at home while developing insurmountable political baggage.

Senator Bob Dole comes to mind. Jack Kemp is lurking around the McCain camp as some economic guru. He very well may draw the short straw and be asked to take another one for the team and be McCain's VP.

Many Republicans felt that Bill Clinton was a lock for reelection in 1996. It was his turn and Bob Dole was nominated, drug to the November general election and defeated. Senator Dole was heavily criticized by the conservative political pundits of the day as is Senator McCain today. The self proclaimed Maverick of the Senate will be given his proper condolences by his fellow Senators as he heads back to Arizona to think "what if" forever.

Senator McCain may have well secured his place in future political trivia quizzes and written his own political epitaph as Obama becomes the first African-American President or Hillary becomes the first woman.

In the world of politics there is more than one way to move up. Many will lament over their "good friend from Arizona's defeat", as they scramble to grab a share of the political power void.

12 February 2008 US Senate floor

I can only imagine

The Month We Were One

This is the first link I placed on my blog some 2 years ago. This video is about 8 minuets, but if you have not viewed it please take the time to just once. Many of the items you will see were on display when I visited the Smithsonian Institute the following year with my son's 6th grade class. It was rather moving and emotional for some who were viewing the display, to say the least.

America Attacked
Never Forget!

PS: Unfortunately, whenever I hear the music used, I remember this video.

Welcome Aboard!

I will miss you folks on May 13th at the West Virginia Primary
Yes there is one, and we need POLLWORKERS!
We have plenty of work between now and then.
I encourage all concerned to come by and lend a hand, we conduct the business of the Party 365 days a year, not just when we make news. Again, welcome aboard!
Local Republicans registered over 300 voters in Wood County in 2007 and 97 alone between 1 October and 1 January 2008, surpassing the local Democrates for the first time in over 75 years!

Greg

NOTICE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING - WOOD COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M., FORT BOREMAN CONFERENCE ROOM, JUDGE DONALD F. BLACK COURTHOUSE ANNEX, MARKET STREET, PARKERSBURG, WV

WOOD COUNTY REPUBLICAN

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING NOTICE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008

7:30 o’clock p.m.

JUDGE DONALD F. BLACK COURTHOUSE ANNEX

FORT BOREMAN CONFERENCE ROOM

MARKET STREET, PARKERSBURG, WV

It is our vision and our goal to further the Republican Principles and Philosophy throughout our area and to be the torch bearer for our City, our County, our State and our Nation. Come, join us and contribute to the furtherance of our vision and goals as we jointly strive together to blaze new trails for the Republican Party.

BEVERLY G. LOCKHART

Chair

Wood County Republican Executive Committee

(304) 424-7041 Hm.

bgl49@earthlink.net

Huckabee Challenges Washington Caucus Results

Washington State Republican Party Chairman Luke Esser announced late Saturday that McCain had won the 2008 Republican caucuses in the state with 87.2 percent of precincts reporting. McCain had 25.5 percent over Huckabee’s 23.7 percent in that race.

Esser issued a statement congratulating McCain on a “hard-fought win,” and Huckabee on a “strong second-place finish.”

entire story

Broken Record

Thumbs down

To the West Virginia Republican Party for the confusion caused by the party’s Super Tuesday convention in Charleston. The objective—of having West Virginia have a say on Super Tuesday as opposed to waiting until the May primary—could be considered a success as three of the four GOP candidates visited Charleston. However, the event was not explained well enough to the Republican voters in the state, many who showed up at their voting precincts because they believed they were voting in the primary.

Actually, it was a poor job on the media's part for not reporting our local activities as we worked and prepared for the convention. I might add that our local newspaper didn't even bother to send a reporter, they picked the story up off the wire. Last time I checked the Republican Party doesn't have a newspaper or television station.

Jim knows as well as I that this will do more to interest folks in our Grand Ole Party and he is trying to make a good thing into something bad. Over 30 local High School students participated.
Anyway, this is the same editor that gave us this story less than a week ago Presidential race reaches Final Four, so consider the source. Either he can't count or he has an agenda.

Mitt Quits

I would like to congratulate Governor Mitt Romney and his campaign staff for their hard fought and sincere effort to become the next President of the United States. I look forward to working with any and all Mitt's folks!

Locals find GOP convention exciting

Lockhart said she has received many phone calls from people who were not happy with the convention’s outcome. ‘‘There were many people who were very passionate,’’ she said. ‘‘I am going to make sure I take the time to call each one. I want them to know that as the chair, I care. I want to know what they are thinking and to tell them that every vote counts at election time.’’

Lockhart said she is still planning on supporting Romney until there isn’t a reason to support him anymore. However, she plans to support the party into the primary, the national convention and beyond.

‘‘I think it was a wake-up call for many people around the state,’’ Smith said. ‘‘We are here. We are your friends, neighbors and co-workers. We are constantly working on things, not just the presidential election. Party chairmen can return to home counties and garner growing support for Republican causes, he said."

entire story

I would like to add to my comments in this interview that many of the people who are upset with our results may have confused a convention with a coronation where everyone meets to anoint a preselected winner. If you didn't come to the convention with a plan for the second round of voting then you were unprepared and at a distinct disadvantage. As I told a local radio host: We have a winner, the folks have spoken and it's time to move on. Nice to say it rather than hear it. Let's see how well folks practice what they preach!

Let me also send out my sincere Thank You to the 23 Wood County Delegates (a majority) that voted for the winner, Mike Huckabee. I appreciate your passion and support for Mike despite the contempt that was shown for us. I know it's customary and proper to receive a congratulatory call from those who lost but don't hold your breath fellow Hucksters, our battle moves forward.

Inside the GOP Convention

New York Times

Mr. Huckabee’s supporters said they saw the feud between his two chief rivals as their chance to capitalize.

“We’ve got as good a chance as anybody, given how nasty everybody’s been,” said Greg Smith, a delegate who voted for Mr. Huckabee.

Welcome to Politics

Quote of the day?

There will be tons of competition for this distinction as the day (and night, and early next morning) proceeds, but here's the early front-runner.

It comes from Bob Fish, a heretofore obscure Republican Party official in West Virginia, and was given to ABC News. Fish was asked to respond to the aggrieved charges of unfair play coming from the Mitt Romney camp after he lost Super Tuesday's first battle, the fight for the Mountain State's 18 GOP delegates.

The Romney backers were upset, understandably, that Mike Huckabee's come-from-behind win resulted from an alliance -- tacit or not -- between Huckabee supporters and those who initially had voted for John McCain.

Said Fish of the bellyaching: "Welcome to politics."

You can read the rest of the ABC story here.

-- Don Frederick

I might add that the help and personal integrity of the Dr. Ron Paul supporters was what got the deal rolling. I wish every Republican could have been in on the conversation when Mitt Romney's staff started screaming and calling folks lairs and other things, as they offered FIVE (5) Romney National Convention Delegates to the Ron Paul crowd for their vote....even I was taken aback. The despair, nastiness and strong arm tactics did more to help Huck than anything we could have every done on our own. Again, thank you to all the Ron Paul folks who stayed and helped.

Amid deal-making claims, W.Va. GOP pleased with convention

Greg Smith said Paul supporters accepted the offer after rejecting a promise of five national delegates from Mitt Romney's camp.

We Have a Winner

County Huckabee / McCain / Romney

Barbour 4 / 0 / 12

Berkeley 16 / 2 / 23

Boone 10 / 0 / 2

Braxton 9 / 0 / 1

Brooke 2 / 0 / 11

Cabell 31 / 0 / 8

Calhoun 5 / 0 / 0

Clay 11 / 0 / 8

Doddridge 1 / 0 / 5

Fayette 9 / 0 / 9

Gilmer 6 / 0 / 0

Grant 3 / 0 / 5

Greenbrier 15 / 0 / 15

Hampshire 14 / 0 / 5

Hancock 10 / 3 / 9

Hardy 9 / 0 / 6

Harrison 19 / 0 / 16

Jackson 12 / 0 / 15

Jefferson 17 / 1 / 9

Kanawha 28 / 0 / 45

Lewis 13 / 0 / 8

Lincoln 5 / 0 / 5

Logan 9 / 0 / 7

Marion 3 / 0 / 19

Marshall 16 / 0 / 6

Mason 6 / 0 / 3

McDowell 0 / 0 / 1

Mercer 15 / 1 / 11

Mineral 17 / 0 / 11

Mingo 1 / 0 / 0

Monongalia 14 / 0 / 18

Monroe 2 / 0 / 2

Morgan 12 / 0 / 2

Nicholas 14 / 0 / 9

Ohio 5 / 1 / 22

Pendleton 5 / 0 / 10

Pleasants 13 / 0 / 7

Pocahontas 4 / 0 / 5

Preston 16 / 0 / 10

Putnam 11 / 2 / 17

Raleigh 25 / 0 / 12

Randolph 10 / 0 / 10

Ritchie 9 / 0 / 11

Roane 8 / 0 / 13

Summers 15 / 0 / 3

Taylor 4 / 0 / 11

Tucker 10 / 0 / 5

Tyler 5 / 1 / 11

Upshur 5 / 0 / 21

Wayne 21 / 0 / 5

Webster 3 / 0 / 2

Wetzel 1 / 0 / 6

Wirt 8 / 0 / 7

Wood 23 / 1 / 22

Wyoming 8 / 0 / 5

TOTAL 567 / 12 / 521

In the first round, Romney received 464 votes; Huckabee, 375; McCain, 176; and Paul, 118. A total of 1,133 delegates voted.
In the second round we had 1100 voters: Romney gained 57, Huckabee 192 and McCain retained 12. 33 Delegates left or chose not to vote.

The Audacity of Huck

The Religious Right roils the establishment by backing one of its own.

January 28, 2008 IssueCopyright © 2007 The American Conservative
by Michael Brendan Dougherty

If you would like more information on Mike's campaign please contact me, we have several meetings Statewide.

Democrats Loose Majority in Wood County

Parkersburg- The Wood County West Virginia Republicans officially are the majority political party.

Republican: 21694

Democrats: 21674

Momentum

The numbers speak for themselves Today

Who Would Have Predicted This

As the National Presidential political winds blow so do ours in West Virginia. The long campaign and subsequent early commitments by many prominent Republican Party officials and office holders has made for an unanticipated situation by many in our State. As a result of Mike Huckabee's recent surge, many who have gotten on board with a candidate early now find themselves in a dilemma, stay with someone falling in the polls or go with someone else. As the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries come and go the momentum will focus on one or two individuals as will contributions.

As the West Virginia GOP Convention approaches it's still any body's guess who will win the 18 Delegates to the Republican National Convention that will be up for grabs on 5 February 2008, Tsunami Tuesday as it is being called this time. Starting 1 January and continuing through the 14th, West Virginia Republicans will be electing delegates to our State Convention. Once this process is completed a list of elected delegates will then provide a much clearer picture of the distribution of delegates that will actually take part on the 5th of February.

I remained uncommitted until after the completion of county delegate registration on 30 November, I then officially went with Huckabee. I have been assisting his efforts since October, for those of you who like to browse through Federal Candidate Campaign filings, but chose to remain uncommitted until the filing closed.

I hope the best man wins, for our sake. The Democrats will bring up everything they can on whoever wins, so as painful as some of this is to watch we need a winner that can withstand this and more from the left and win in November.

Merry Christmas to All

Divided We Fall

Ron (President Reagan) said there would be times like this.

Groups hope to give push to GOP

New club in Town

It was just a few short months ago when myself and others were lectured about how divisive and counter productive so called groups and organizations like this are to the "team" effort by many of those who are now actively involved in these outfits.

Elections are held every four years and party leadership is chosen by the voters, for better or for worse. We have a State Executive Committee that consists of 150 + members from virtually every walk of life that were elected to do a job. This State Committee includes ALL 55 Republican County Chairman and many of our elected State and local Representatives. If they truly need this much outside assistance then we have much deeper problems than our debt.

The Democtrats must be enjoying this.

"You help me, I'll help you".

Shaffer files precandidacy for assessor position

There are so many things about this that must be said, and will be. We deserve no less!

BREAKDOWN

Three Bomb Threats Prompt Dismissal of PHS
PHS Bomb Threats Cancel Some Homecoming Events
No Bomb, But No Homecoming, Either
PHS cancels homecoming parade
Students question postponing dance
Bomb threats close Parkersburg High
Another Bomb Threat at PHS
PHS Dismisses School on Monday After More Threats
PHS Student Reactions to Threats
PHS Students Head Back to Class
PHS enacts strict rules after bomb threats
Bomb Threats Create Problems At 911 Center
Officials discuss recent threats
PHS Back to School...Without a Threat
More bomb threats at PHS
BREAKING NEWS: Bomb threat at PSHS
Parkersburg South Threat Procedure
Parkersburg South Principal Speaks Out About Bomb Threat
Bomb threat at South
Bomb Threat at Parkersburg South High School
Parkersburg South H.S. Given "All Clear"
Students, parents adjust to increased security at PHS
Increased security slows start of day at PHS
Wood County BOE Reactions
Somebody should try to slap my hands.
Two arrested in connection with bomb threats
Two arrested in bomb threats
If these kids had committed a "tobacco violation" their names would be "on the record"
City offers $10,000 reward
Two Bomb Threat Arrests
WTAP, Worst Television Any Place continues editorializing the news. "15 year old Man arrested" according to Daybreak
$10,000 Dollar Reward Established
Location of Wednesday PHS Bomb Threat Call Released
Youths won’t be tried as adults

Large Bureaucracies have a difficult time with situations like this. Some folks are finding out for the first time how little say they have over their children when dealing with the public education system. It's a shame to see how many folks are using this as an opportunity to lecture others on how everyone should respond to this type of situation. Parents and some Administrators are choosing sides and publicly chastising parents who exercise personal control over their children, while others are shamelessly using this to get face time and tell us how we should live.

What can we realistically expect though from an organization who only strives to graduate 80%, and less than half of those make it to college. Some kids fall through the cracks, while others are forced out the holes. The saying: the more things change, the more they stay the same certainly applies here, it just cost more and more every year. Thankfully, we in Wood County have options when it comes to this mess.

Who REALLY Represents You

Fun and Enlightening exercise forwarded to me by a local political friend.

http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460

If you want to know how mine came out, email me with your results and I will share mine.

This Democrat Wants to be Your President

A Picture is Worth a Thousands Words

Hillary With a Crook

Hillary With A Patriot and Hero

The Chair Speaks

Political fighting hurts troops

In Jean Grapes’ letter of Sept. 9, she wrote, “The election of 2008 must not be about emotional or moral issues, even though they are important.” You will always find emotional and moral issues when you contemplate the governing of our nation, as did our founding fathers. Morals, values, principles and ethics play an important role in our electoral process. Republicans and Democrats alike have not adhered to the above. I am not happy about that, as I am sure the Democrats are not appreciative of their own who have fallen from grace.

As to Walt Auvil’s letter of Sept. 16, bringing our entire troops home is his solution. MoveOn.org along with the aid of media outlets portrayed Gen. Petraeus as a liar and a betrayer. His character assassination was of epic proportion. Neither letter gave an alternative. Everyone can have an opinion; the kicker is to come up with a workable solution. A viable alternative has not come from the national Democrat Party or its leadership in Congress.

I have never seen hatred for a man as projected toward President George W. Bush from various media outlets and books. No doubt this will bring a hailstorm of responses from both sides of the aisle. When entering the military an individual swears allegiance to the commander in chief. In an effort not to jeopardize my progeny’s military mission, let me say I am more aware of what is at stake for our men and women. I would get a little heated over the messages that were being sent to our men and women. Then I would hear, “Don’t forget, Mom, I am fighting for their freedoms, too.” I do not know if I could be as gracious.

Media outlets have gone from reporting the news as it happens to making the news then reporting on it. Making a decision from information provided by the media is a thing of the past. The integrity of some of our media outlets has come into question. The phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword” was never meant to have evolved to this. I believe all media outlets have a responsibility to report the news truthfully, without bias .

Beverly G. Lockhart, Parkersburg

EDITOR’S NOTE: Beverly Lockart is chairman of the Wood County Republican Executive Committee.

Registration Update

Update on the voter Registration in Wood County:

Republican: 21597

Democrat: 21621

Also you can take another one from the D and put it under the R. I was checking on an individual who I had helped him and his wife switch a few months ago and he had not been properly updated in the system, imagine that! So that brings the difference to 22.

Many of us remember when we were 2500+ behind just a few short years ago. Something is happening that the local media is ignoring, we Republicans just aren't as much out of public favor as some would like you to believe.

*If you know someone who has switched registration please follow-up and ask them if they received a new Voter Registration Card from the County Clerk. That's how I caught this one.*

I'm Speechless...for now

Hoppy's Commentary For Friday

--State Republican Party Chairman Doug McKinney confesses he would vote for Democratic State Supreme Court Justice Spike Maynard in the General Election if there were only one Republican on the ballot. Two seats are open in 2008. McKinney adds that fellow Republicans may “throw me out of the party for that, but you have to give the guy his due.” McKinney says “history will prove him to be the best Supreme Court Justice West Virginia has ever had.”

My thoughts: Maybe our Chairman will prove to be a great prognosticator.

The Rumors are True

Fred Thompson campaign announces state director for West Virginia

An exciting challenge and a change of pace

"Naturally, these new duties require me to sever my official ties with the state party and the state GOP convention."

"My biggest hope is that Republicans in West Virginia can come through this process without creating bitterness or divisiveness, and that we all rally enthusiastically behind the eventual nominee."

Gary Abernathy

My thoughts: I haven't really decided what I think about the way things are beginning to play out here in West Virginia with the change to a convention, but let me say it is starting to remind me of intra-squad scrimmages back in my football days. Most of us couldn't wait to play the opposing team and really put it to them, but then there were always a handful of individuals that just loved to show off for the coach and beat up on one another. We have ten teams choosing up sides within our own larger team. I hope everyone makes it through practice and to the real contest in November.

Cut and Run Crowd Wrong!

Neville Chamberlain was wrong in 1938 and so are the cut and run crowd in 2007.

The head of the Wood County Democrat Committee is on a long rampage again in yet another letter, this one in the September 9th paper. She even quoted one of the great 20th century "intellectuals" Pat Buckhannon and the loser John Kerry.

I supported President Bush in 2000 and 2004 and still do! I can only count our blessings that the challenges of the last six years were not faced by the likes of Gore or Kerry! The President made mistakes, so did other war presidents--Washington, Lincoln, FDR, et al. War is not only hell it is also almost unmanageable. I took Military Science and always thought it was an oxymoron.

The President is fighting the Islamo-Fascists on all fronts he can (and where the Dems don't block him). The primary job of the Federal Government is National Defense. Practically everything else should be left to the local governments and the people.

Al-Qaeda is our enemy, not President Bush. Wake up or we'll all be in deep doo doo, Madam Chairman! What chutzpah by the Dem chair to write her letter the week of 9-11.

Allen Ross
Parkersburg

Bush PR can’t alter Iraq facts

Will the local GOP folks elected to represent the Party please respond!

Walt Auvil is the Chairman of the Wood County Democrat Executive Committee, which the News conveniently omitted. The time for hand holding and singing in Wood County is over, we need ACTION. We on the Wood County Republican Executive Committee need to wake up, before we measure our losses at the ballot box in a few short months.

Bush PR can’t alter Iraq facts

On Sept. 10, Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, began delivering his much-ballyhooed report to Congress and the nation of the state of the “surge” in Iraq and his view of the way forward there. Except—as usual with this administration—the whole thing was a stage-managed fraud, cooked up by the Bush PR machine. A fraud most major media outlets echo and perpetuate.

If only Bush’s opponents in Iraq were as spineless, toothless and gullible as the major U.S. media we would have achieved “mission accomplished” there long ago. Iraqis—and our troops—however have the misfortune to largely be in Iraq—outside the convenient bubble of unreality surrounding the U.S.

The Iraq they live in has lost 2.5 million of its citizens—refugees from the violence, of whom less than a thousand have been accepted into the U.S. Two million more have been “internally displaced,” which means driven from their homes by ethnic cleansing and/or U.S. attacks, but lacking the means to escape the country. Thirty percent of equipment the U.S. has issued to Iraqi “security forces” is unaccounted for, including 110,000 AK47 assault rifles and 80,000 pistols. And, 655,000 Iraqis are dead due to the violence as of mid-summer 2007.

Despite the fact one in every $10 spent by the U.S. government is spent on Iraq (approximate total projected bill of $1 trillion; $200,000 a minute) Baghdad “enjoys” approximately 1-2 hours a day of electricity (with heat not less than 100 degrees during the summer). There were four complete nationwide blackouts during July. Of 17 major power lines to Baghdad, two are operating. Two-thirds of all Iraqis have no access to clean drinking water.

No amount of PR can alter the facts for those living in Iraq. The cost of deploying a U.S. soldier in Iraq is $390,000 a year. The cost in human suffering for our troops, Iraqis and the families of both is incalculable. And one more: The cost of bringing a U.S. soldier home is $627.80.

Walt Auvil -- Parkersburg

*My thoughts: I'm actually disappointed with Walter. This diatribe could have been concocted from any Moveon.org piece of propaganda. Walt is beginning to sound like a George Soros clone.