[Vision2020] GOP & The Lack of Civility

[Tom Hansen]

Jus' a little something to give y'all a "sense" of Mr. Klingenberg . . .

http://moscowcares.com/031510_PubCom_KlingDayCare.htm

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho



On Thu, October 28, 2010 2:03 pm, Saundra Lund wrote:
> Visionaries:
>
>
>
> I don't know about anyone else other than Sue Hovey who referenced
> Klingenberg's diatribe here on the Viz, but I was quite taken aback at the
> language used by David Klingenberg in his recent letter to the editor of
> the
> Daily News explaining why he'd be voting straight GOP ticket.  For those
> who
> didn't read it, I'm pasting it at the bottom of this email.
>
>
>
> I found his language frankly irresponsible, particularly coming from a
> failed GOP candidate.
>
>
>
> It seems to me a reasonable question is:  where on earth have people like
> Klingenberg gotten the idea that such behavior is acceptable?
>
>
>
> The answer I've arrived at is that we regrettably need look no further
> than
> state & local GOP leadership.  Below please read an email sent out by
> LeeAnn
> Callear mere hours after PostcardGate.  Note that the GOP wasted no time
> in
> using PostcardGate as an excuse to further fundraise, which has become a
> classic GOP tactic.  (The original email had the now familiar scan of the
> postcard attached, but I've deleted it to keep from blowing up
> Visionaries'
> inboxes.)
>
>
>
> For those who aren't aware, LeeAnn Callear is somewhat of a bigwig in the
> Idaho Republican Party.  She serves as a precinct committeeman in
> Clearwater
> County, she's the Region II Chairwoman for the Idaho GOP, and she sits on
> the Standing Rules Committee for the Idaho GOP.  IOW, she's someone who
> knows better but doesn't care:  "nothing is too low in politics" is
> apparently the belief of people like her and those behind the anonymous
> mailings.  The fact that she and others like her are so eager to
> absolutely
> savage someone from their own party who served us in the legislature for
> so
> many years is beneath contempt.
>
>
>
> When GOP leadership sends out emails like this, is it really any wonder
> there's a distinct lack of civility in politics?  Contrary to
> Klingenberg's
> assertion, it seems to me a more accurate statement is that it's
> Republicans
> who have who have given up on trying to win on the issues when two of
> their
> local candidates are now too scared to answer questions from the very
> people
> they want to vote for them.
>
>
>
> Hmmm . . . now that I'm thinking about it, the email below is clearly
> campaign fundraising and lacks a financial disclosure, doesn't it?
>
>
>
> Saundra Lund
>
> Moscow, ID
>
>
>
> The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
> nothing.
>
> ~ Edmund Burke
>
>
>
> ***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2010 through life
> plus
> 70 years, Saundra Lund.  Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce
> outside
> the Vision 2020 forum without the express written permission of the
> author.*****
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: LeeAnn Callear <mailto:leeann at callear.org>
>
> To: undisclosed-recipients
>
> Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 9:02 AM
>
> Subject: Gresham Bouma for Idaho Senate attacked.
>
>
>
>
> Dear friends,
>
>
>
>   This is a press release and picture of the postcard mailed out in Latah
> County, (district 6). Only a small part of the ugly attack against some of
> Latah county candidates. Poor loser Gary Schroeder, and some of his
> amateur
> friends have written extremely childish editorials against Gresham and
> other
> candidates, including Raul Labrador.  These poor losers say in the press
> they are going to write in Vaughn Ward.   These are some who have for
> years
> have spoken of the "big tent" until someone other than a liberal in their
> own crowd  want in. They are extremely angry that new people would want to
> join the Idaho Republican party.
>
> They are writing letter after letter calling many of their candidates
> "teaparty" "Extremists" etc.
>
>
>
> Worst of all is the attack on people of faith. Gresham is a protestant,
> Isaac Young is a Mormon, and Dave McGraw is Catholic , they mention the
> Nazarene and other churches in the post card and letters to the editor
> ,but
> they are trying to make them all look the same ,as religious nuts. It
> couldn't be further from the truth.   I am not sure who is responsible for
> this mailing, poor losers, or democrats, but it is so much like the
> childish
> poor loserman behavior Schroeder has exhibited since the primary.  Also if
> Gary ,Berrett  Schroder and friends are not responcible for this latest
> attack , they have contributed to it by all of their childish attacks that
> preceded this one.
>
>
>
>   I can't believe this man actually served in the Idaho Senate, HOW
> EMBARRASSING!!!
>
>
>
>    Again, I am not sure who was responsible for this mailing, but they
> must
> answer it, and that takes money.   If any of you can please donate, ($5
> $10,
> $20 or more) to Greshams Bouma, Isaac Young and Dave McGraws campaign.  I
> really believe we can win this one. I believe if we can get the word out
> to
> Latah County voters, that this is an attack and not something Gresham
> Bouma
> mailed out, that most voters will find it so repulsive and react by voting
> against the opposition.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> LeeAnn Callear   208-476-0298   208-816-0368
>
>
>
> Date:  October 16, 2010
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> (Moscow, Idaho)
>
> This weekend, mailboxes in Latah County were filled with an inflammatory
> postcard purporting to be from "Friends of Bouma."  The Bouma campaign is
> alerting the authorities and requesting an investigation into the
> unapproved
> use of the campaign mailing address, the unauthorized use of the
> copyrighted
> picture, and the violation of federal and state campaign finance laws.
> Recipients are asked to use minimal handling, place the postcard in a
> plastic bag and hold it as evidence in case authorities require more
> samples.
>
> Gresham Bouma needs the voters and people of Latah County to be aware that
> this blatant attack against many groups did not come from the Bouma
> campaign. There is no such entity as "Friends of Bouma." This scandalous
> postcard with its despicable message does not reflect Gresham's personal
> views, nor those of his family. All who know the Bouma family and campaign
> will attest that the views expressed are not consistent with Gresham's
> character and values.
>
> "Since the beginning of the primary, we have run a clean campaign and have
> refused to engage in the dirty tactics that have become the norm for
> political campaigning. Those who oppose my candidacy are desperately
> trying
> to drown out my message with innuendo, lies, and personal attacks. This
> latest attack is yet another attempt to use doctrinal differences to
> divide
> those of us who have common political values. But I believe Latah County
> voters are intelligent, fair minded, and able to see through these slimy
> tactics.  Voters are encouraged to visit my website
> <http://greshambouma.com/> greshambouma.com for accurate information on my
> positions.  And I extend my gratitude to the many faithful supporters who
> alerted us to this disgusting mailing.  This multi-thousand dollar libel
> attack simply shows how effective our message is, and how scared and
> unprincipled those that sent the postcards really are."
>
> Gresham Bouma
>
>
>
>>From the Moscow-Pullman Daily News 10/25/2010:
>
> Protest the tactics
>
> My first thought when I saw the fraudulent postcard from the so called
> "friends of Gresham Bouma" was, "Wow, the Democrats have given up trying
> to
> win on the issues." At first this card was pretty successful. It drove an
> obvious wedge between Bouma's campaign and some Mormons. This card may
> even
> have had its intended impact on the election if it had been mailed on the
> last weekend before Nov. 2.
>
> Many Mormons were outraged and publicly stated they were no longer going
> to
> vote for Gresham. They then realized this was a fraud. Now everyone is
> outraged. This little stunt has undoubtably cost the Democrats solid
> votes.
> It surprises me that any Mormons fell for this disgusting trick. Bouma
> supported me, Rex Rammell and Isaac Young for political office. Each one
> of
> us is a Mormon. This would be like the KKK supporting President Barack
> Obama
> or the new Black Panther Party supporting Jerry Falwell. On a side note,
> my
> understanding is that Dave McGraw is a Catholic. The same fraud condemns
> Catholics yet endorses McGraw, I'm confused.
>
> The character attacks by the INKster and the Schroeders on Bouma are
> typical
> of Democratic operatives and sore losers. It's amazing that it is Bouma's
> fault that corrupt big government has skewed the farming process with
> subsidies and welfare. Then Bouma steps forth to try to change the system
> and gets condemned for partaking in it. The only way to satisfy the left
> would've been for the Bouma family to starve to death and his farm to go
> out
> of business. It is a Catch 22 that no person of principle can escape, and
> now Bouma is victim of this trap. On Nov. 2, I will be voting for the
> entire
> Republican ticket in protest of these tactics.
>
> David Klingenberg, Moscow ---
>
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"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown