MINUTES OF CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS

8 MARCH 2011

 

Meeting held at Golden Corral, Morehead City, NC

Meeting called to order 6:05 PM by President BOB CAVANAUGH

Pledge of Allegiance led by JENNIFER HUDSON

Invocation by LYN BAKER

No. in attendance – 31

 

A Freedom Works Rally will be held at 9:00AM tomorrow in Raleigh to support the override of the Perdue veto on Obamacare. JENNIFER HUDSON, Republican Women’s Club member gave directions on how to get to Jones Street in Raleigh. Requested we contact all our senators (all except one who is currently out after having heart surgery). There is a list on the web of names to contact.

 

BOB CAVANAUGH reminded us about the meeting/seminar with Joe and Henri McCleese as guest speakers (training on how to become a lobbyist). It will be held at Parker’s Barbecue in Greenville at 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM. HOWARD and PEGGY GARNER, KEN and DIANE LANG, and BOB CAVANAUGH said they plan to attend.

 

BOB asked if anyone had seen Michelle Bachman on the Sean Hannity show reporting that when the Obama Healthcare was voted on, it was unknown that included in the bill was authorized funding (thus stopping the conservatives from defunding the bill). She was requesting the House not vote on any resolution until that $105 billion was refunded and taken out of the bill.

 

BOB reported that the Senate will be voting on the House Continuing Resolution (CR) this week. This is the CR that the GOP passed through the House and cuts $61 billion from the budget. Now we all know that $61 billion is NOTHING, but the Democrats in the Senate want the cuts to be EVEN LESS! We might have a small chance of pressuring the Democrats into voting for this bill so everyone please call the following senators:

Republican

CLAIRE MCGASKILL (MO) – 202-224-6154

JOE MANCHIN (WV) – 202-224-3954 (He said today that the teeny tiny 1.6% in cuts that GOP want is “TOO BIG”.

BEN NELSON (NE) – 202-224-6551

OLYMPIA SNOWE – 202-224-5344

JON TESTER (MT) – 202-224-2644

JIM WEBB (VA) – 202-224-4024 (He has stated that he wants to right the fiscal ship)

Independent

JOE LIEBERMAN (CT)

Democrat – Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak to

each of the following:

 

JEFF BINGAMAN (MN)

KENT CONRAD (ND) – (labeled a ‘fiscal moderate’)

BILL NELSON (FL)

BEN CARDIN (MD)

SHELDON WHITEHOUSE (RI)

BOB CASEY, JR. (PA)

AMY KLOBUCHAR (MN)

SHERROD BROWN (OH)

MARIA CANTWELL (WA)

DEBBIE STABENOW (MI)

DIANNE FEINSTEIN (CA)

 

Message to say when you call: “Stop playing games with our future. I get it and the American people get it. $61 billion in discretionary cuts is certainly not ‘draconian’ and if you want to be seen as someone who is serious, and who truly cares about the future of this nation, you will make no excuses and vote YES on HR1 and cut the $61 billion.

 

NOTE: Points to make:

• Over the last four years discretionary spending has risen by more than 24%
• $61 billion in cuts accounts for only 4.7% of discretionary spending! That means that the increased spending from the last four years would still amount to roughly a 20% increase in spending.
• $61 billion in cuts accounts for only 1.6% of the entire budget. The entire budget right now is a massive, whopping $1.3 TRILLION.
• The federal deficit for the month of February 2011 – alone – was $223 billion.
• $61 billion in cuts is equal to less than 8% of the stimulus package.
• The Democrats’ budget leaves in place 99.72% of the current spending – while 95% of the American public want the deficit reduced and a majority favor spending cuts over tax hikes.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

$1,300 currently in treasury.

 

APRIL RALLY

Don’t forget our rally at the Newport Flea Mall April 16. FRED DECKER said he had talked to Norman Sanderson and he looks forward to attending and speaking. Attempted contact with Americans for Prosperity but no response as yet. Reported that it will cost us $326.00 plus tax (about $360.00) fare for Rev. Montague to attend our rally. Last year when he was here he told us he was hoping to get a Black Conservative Group up and going. No one in attendance could report on anything about the group. All agreed that Rev. Montague was an excellent speaker and would contribute to the rally. Motion to pay his expense to get to Newport was made, seconded and voted approved.

 

WOUNDED WARRIORS

BOB said a lot of our newer members were not aware of our connection or relationship with the Wounded Warriors Project. He informed us that $8.00 from every shirt we buy or sell

goes to this worthy cause. Since many of us were unaware of their mission, he had asked a recipient to talk to us about his involvement.

 

Our guest speaker was injured in battle in 2008, paralyzed from his neck down, and was returned to his home base (MCAS, Cherry Point). Qualifying as a wounded warrior, he was reassigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion in Camp Lejeune. Since this move did not qualify as a regular military transfer to another base or state, the military was unable to pay for his relocation. Also, in the process of being returned to the states, his pay records were lost and the military was unable to pay him even his regular pay, therefore; being a Cpl, with funds extremely limited, he was unable to afford the expense of being moved. Since the military frowns on and gives those who do not pay their indebtedness a black mark on their record, he did not know where to turn to for help since he was unsure if he would ever be able to pay back any debts he would incur. Enter the Wounded Warrior Project program with support and rescue. They totally paid for his movement from Cherry Point to Camp Lejeune. The program gave him gift cards for food, gas and necessities for a month and a half, until his pay could be reinstated, without asking for repayment. If not for the Wounded Warrior Project he believes that he would have become a helpless and homeless cripple. Since being assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion, he has received the medical attention he needed and given (at no cost) a special dog to help him. Each of these canines is specially trained to assist in walking, getting in and out of the shower, retrieving items needed, and many other necessary functions required. It costs $50,000.00 per dog to receive this special training. The dog is a gift to the recipient for life. If anything happens to the dog, the wounded warrior is given another canine help mate. These dogs usually come from the pound, are given biblical names, and extensive training. Our speaker said the best thing that had ever happened to him was receiving his canine best friend. (Example: when he was learning to walk again, the dog could sense any

unusual situation – like possibly losing his balance – then bracing his legs would ensure the warrior had something to catch himself on, giving him the confidence he needed to continue his therapy and provided help not only physically but mentally. He referred to his companion as the left side of his brain (which no longer works as it should). At one time our speaker did not even remember his mother’s name and was reading at the third grade level. He also said that the Wounded Warrior Project personnel liaison with the battalion and let them know of any activities or events (example handicapped Olympic competitions) that they might be interested participating in, with the Wounded Warrior Project footing the bills. They also help the warrior regain some of his previous interests’ abilities (ie. Skiing, golf, swimming and other sports). Our warrior’s prior enjoyment was ball room dancing.

 

He had surgery on his spine about a year ago and was in a coma for a week. He is now able to run and walk on his own, but has some speech, memory problems, and nerve damage. However, he helps with a local fire department (unable to lift or pull on hoses and equipment, but still does anything he is capable of). He also helps a local business with cleaning the guns used in their business. He is currently trying to hold down three jobs to the best of his ability. (This is more than many healthy people I know – secretary’s notation.)

He was asked what the TEA Party could do to help, other than buying more shirts. He recommended that we get permission to go aboard Camp Lejeune and visit with the residents of the battalion. Maybe we could have a cookout and get to know them. Most people just come by, have their pictures taken with the warriors, sometimes just to get their pictures in the paper, leave, and that’s the end of their help. We need to become their family and be there for them when they need someone.

 

He said he would try to get the owner of the dog training business in Wilmington, and maybe also a hospital psychiatrist to come and speak with us in the very near future. He also said he owes the Wounded Warrior Project more than he could ever repay. He thanks them everyday of his life, and prays they will always be around to help others.

 

BOB reported that he has gotten the permit for the April rally and will turn it in Friday. He also emailed Alex about helping with the sound system, but had not heard back. DENNIS TOMASO wanted to know what kind of advertising we planned to use: posters, banners, newspaper, radio (maybe the Swap Shop)? Probably will use all.

 

BOB reported that the Insurance company had reimbursed the TEA Party $200.00 for the items we lost in the fire.

 

RUTH PARKER reported she had collected $175.00 in donations from local businesses.

 

ERIC BROYLES announced that since time was getting late, he would appreciate everyone taking a copy of the handout, read and familiarize themselves with it and we would discuss it at our next meeting.

 

Meeting adjourned.

 

Minutes submitted by PEGGY GARNER, Secretary