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Continue Your Support of Good Local Government
January 09, 2016 by Bill Hennessy in Jefferson City, Missouri, Municipal Courts
You have another chance to improve government and fight petty tyranny by supporting Senator Eric Schmitt's latest bill to hold local government accountable. Last year, Senator Schmitt became the champion of responsible local government with SB-5, a bill designed to end "taxation by citation" in local governments.
This year, Senator Schmitt is back to close a loophole that some cities are exploiting to suck more money out of residents who can least afford it. SB-572 applies caps to revenue raised through tyrannical enforcement of local ordinances and building codes, some of which written explicitly to generate revenue outside the state-permitted tax laws.
Before I post my written statement to the Senate Committee, here are some of the things you can do to promote this bill
Write your State Senator and Representative asking them to support SB-572. (Click here to look up your legislators)
Promote the bill to your friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media
Submit a witness form supporting SB-572 before the hearing on Wednesday, January 13. (Click here for witness form)
Here is my testimony:
WRITTEN TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM T. HENNESSY, A RESIDENT OF EUREKA, MISSOUIR, IN SUPPORT OF SB-572 TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT GIVEN JANUARY 9, 2016
To the Committee:
I strongly support SB-572, and I urge the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government committee, the Missouri Senate, and the Missouri House of Representatives to pass the bill. I urge Governor Nixon to sign it.
Governments exist to promote the safety, liberty, and pursuit of happiness of those they govern, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. Everyone understands these simple truths, but we sometimes ignore them when thinking about local government. But history shows that tyranny can happen at any level of government. Let's call this "petty tyranny." Here are a few examples:
* In Hazelwood, Missouri, two schoolgirls were cited for selling Girl Scout cookies illegally from a stand they had constructed outside their home. These aspiring Bonnie Parkers were in violation of a city ordinance that bans the sale of commodities from people's homes.
* In Burnsville, Minnesota, a man named Mitch Faber was charged with a building code violation and placed under arrest for failing to finish a siding project on his house, a project that had been stalled by financial troubles. After receiving an ultimatum from the city, Faber spent $12,000 on a stucco façade to cover up the partial work that had been done, only to be told by a city inspector that this was not good enough. This visit was followed up by another from the police, and Faber was taken into custody and charged with the heinous crime of remodeling his home in an unacceptable manner.
* In San Juan Capistrano, California, a town that was founded in the 1700s as a religious mission, Chuck and Stephanie Fromm were fined several hundred dollars for holding private Bible study meetings in their homes without a "conditional-use" permit. The statute that was applied prohibits religious organizations from holding services in residential neighborhoods.
* Washington, D.C. resident Patricia White has so far racked up fines totaling over $2,000 for not recycling her cat litter, which she makes at home from newspapers and junk mail. District of Columbia laws require that cat litter always be put in a recycling bin, even though Ms. White's homemade variety is not really suitable for salvage. Employees of the Department of Public Works have discovered her violations of the rule while picking through the trash in the waste bins outside her apartment building, which is apparently something they are instructed to do at random locations throughout the city as a part of their regular duties.
* In New Orleans, volunteers from the Hope Church in Metairie, Louisiana, were stopped from handing out free water bottles with the church's name and address imprinted on them during the most recent Mardi Gras celebration. The reason? It was because they did not have an occupational license and had not registered to pay sales tax. An agreement was subsequently negotiated that allowed the church to distribute free hand sanitizer outside of temporary porta-potties instead.
* Three young girls in Midway, Georgia, were busted by the police for selling lemonade from a homemade stand without first acquiring a business permit. In justifying the crackdown on the nefarious activities of these aspiring arch-criminals, the chief of police stated that "we were not aware of how the lemonade was made, who made the lemonade, and of what the lemonade was made." Jack Webb as Joe Friday couldn't have explained it more concisely.
The list of examples of petty tyranny could go on for hours.
I understand the need for ordinances that promote safety, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But I also recognize that city governments are often seduced by the easy money from fines--taxation by citation, as Senator Eric Schmitt calls it. In our work in Ferguson and St. Louis County in 2014 and 2015, my friends and I discovered disturbing patterns of petty tyranny that drove a wedge between residents and the justice system. By treating citizens like ATMs for government, some cities in the area have built walls between government and people. People come to distrust all authority and determine to take back whatever they can. Petty tyranny kicks off an endless cycle of fines, resistance, and anger.
SB 5 was a major first step on the road to better government and freer people in Missouri. SB 572 is the logical and necessary next step on that journey.
I urge this committee to recommend SB 572 to the full Senate.
William T. Hennessy
Thanks to Senator Schmitt for continuing his work for good government and against petty tyranny.
January 09, 2016 /Bill Hennessy
Eric Schmitt, municipal courts, SB-572
Jefferson City, Missouri, Municipal Courts
Eric Greitens' Shocking Revelation Could Shatter People's Faith
July 14, 2015 by Bill Hennessy in 2016 Election, Missouri
Were you shocked when you learned that Navy SEAL, author, humanitarian, and charity founder, Eric Greitens, was born and raised and voted Democrat? I was.
Sure, I'd heard the rumors. The whispers spread by some Republican campaign operatives. But I've learned to trust those campaign operatives about as far as I fund the national debt.
Then, Senator John Lamping sent me a link to this Fox News story:
Former Navy SEAL: Why I am no longer a Democrat
So, the rumors were true. Eric Greitens was a Democrat.
Obviously, I read all of his confession.
I was raised as a Democrat. I was taught that Harry Truman was the greatest president ever because he was strong, stood up to the communists, and most important, he was from Missouri. I was taught to stand up for the little guy, and that bigger government was the best way to do that.
But the worst was yet to come.
I registered to vote as a Democrat, and several years ago some Democrats even tried to recruit me to run for Congress.
Shocked?
Reading Greitens's words on Fox News, I realized that this story will likely shatter some people's faith. How could it not?
Imagine growing up in the Millennial era, born after about 1981. By the time you started paying attention to things like politics, Bill Clinton was President. The federal budget was balanced. Unemployment was impossibly low. Ordinary people were building McMansions with oversized garages for wintering their express cruisers. Peace and prosperity abound. Two interns in every pot.
Your mom and dad might have been Republicans or Democrats, but all your favorite teachers were Democrats. So were the cool kids. And they all sort of laughed at the few geeky kids who admitted they were Republicans. Or, funnier still, conservatives.
Then, of course, came George W. Bush and, like, thank GOD you told everyone you were a Democrat. I mean, ya know. Right?
Now, you read this. A guy who's like the Avengers version of every good quality you were raised to admire writes, "I am a conservative Republican, but I didn't start out that way."
Wa-Huutt?
You google this dude and everything SCREAMS Democrat. He went to Rwanda and Croatia to help the people Republicans hate, right? And he worked with homeless kids in Bolivia. And with Mother Teresa. And then he turned down a bunch of money from hedge funds and investment banks to start a charity. Does that sound Republican to you?
I mean, sure, he was a Navy SEAL and all. And he was a championship boxer in England, too. But he was a Rhodes Scholar with degrees in philosophy.
How could a role model be a . . . Republican? And call himself a conservative?
OMG! What if I'm . . .?
You read on, hoping that whatever turned this Greitens dude Republican doesn't infect you.
As I got older, I no longer believed in their ideas. Even worse, I had concluded that liberals aren't just wrong. All too often they are world-class hypocrites. They talk a great game about helping the most vulnerable, with ideas that feel good and fashionable. The problem is their ideas don't work, and often hurt the exact people they claim to help.
Weird. Still talking about helping people. (I thought he was a Republican?)
It's not that I doubted their intentions. But good intentions are easy. Even easier when you're spending other people's money.
Okay. That sounds pretty Republican.
I became a conservative because I believe that caring for people means more than just spending taxpayer money; it means delivering results. It means respecting and challenging our citizens, telling them what they need to hear, not simply what they want to hear.
Well, duh. Of course, caring for people means results. Like how many Facebook likes you get, right?
I was raised to stand up for the little guy, for working families and the middle class. I am committed to that principle today more than ever. And if I thought the Democratic Party had the right ideas to do that, I'd still be one of them. But they don't. And if I trusted career politicians to fix the problems they created, I'd still be standing on the sidelines. But I don't.
So Eric Greitens lost faith—in the Democratic Party, in liberalism, and in career politicians. Because each of those had a heavy hand in creating the very problems he recognizes need fixed before his kids get old enough to deal with them.
At this point, some people's faith will shatter. Not the faith of people who've been praying for a leader like Eric Greitens—but the faith of people who blindly followed the mob into the great abyss of liberal "caring" and establishment selfishness.
I believe Greitens's testimony will shatter some lifelong Democrats' faith in their party. It will shatter some casual voters' faith in selecting the "lesser of two evils." Eric Greitens will shatter the revolving door through the parties rotate to advance their interests and their friends interests at the expense of good government.
I am reminded that Ronald Reagan was a Democrat until he delivered his famous speech for Barry Goldwater in 1964, "A Time For Choosing." In his opening remarks, Reagan said, "I have spent most of my life as a Democrat. I recently have seen fit to follow another course."
Reagan was born in 1911; he was 53 when he converted. Eric Grietens needed only about 40 years to reach the same conclusion as the Gipper. (Maybe all that book learnin' did Eric some good after all.)
Some of us "craddle conservatives" might question Greitens' bonafides. That's fine. I suggest they find someone who served with Greitens—in Rwanda, in Croatia, in Iraq, or anywhere he's served his country and his fellow man. Ask those who've been in the line of fire if Greitens has the steel to carry through on his mission.
And what is that mission?
So what would I do? I believe in limited but effective government. I believe in replacing ObamaCare with something that actually works. I believe in putting working families and job creation ahead of special interests. I believe that in a free society we have to defend religious liberties and the 2nd Amendment, and protect innocent life, so everyone has the freedom to pursue happiness. I believe in reforming welfare, so every person can have a chance at a life of dignity, purpose, and meaning. And I believe America's public schools should be the best in the world
In other words, I believe we have a lot of work to do.
Not a long list, but people with long agenda seem never to get around to accomplishing the first item. Ronald Reagan came to office with an even shorter list: fix the economy, shrink the government, and restore respect for America around the world.
As for me, my faith in the political establishment was shattered long ago. I've had too many career politicians lie to my face about matters both specific and general. (You know who you are.) I've seen career politicians seduce and corrupt wide-eyed activists with promises of access to famous people and campaign jobs.
My faith in government was shattered when I realized the war on poverty has taken $22 trillion out of the economy and into Washington—the spoils of war distributed between academics, bureaucrats, and crony capitalists while poor neighborhoods deteriorated, poor families lost whatever pride they once had, and "caring" became synonymous with handouts to "keep the rabble quiet."
Something's gotta break.
I hope Eric Greitens's op-ed on Fox News shatters some people's faith. We need some converts. We needs some reinvigorated craddle conservatives. And we need a leader whose entire life is defined by action and results, not promises and excuses.
We need a leader whose actions speak for him.
We need a leader whose actions say simply, "follow me."
Please consider using the social sharing buttons below to spread the word.
Providence and Hope in Missouri
Why Hope Beats Anger
I am a Coward
The Greater of Two Goods
The SEAL, the Race, and the CEO
Approaching Excellence
Then, watch this video
Democrat, EricGreitens, Former Democrat, Governor, missouri
2016 Election, Missouri
Check Out The Missouri Torch
August 08, 2014 by Bill Hennessy in Missouri, News
If you don't get The Missouri Torch delivered to your inbox every day, you're missing out.
Duane Lester has built a fantastic blog. The Missouri Torch captures the most important Missouri political news every day and sends you a convenient link list.
Plus, Duane's original pieces are crisp, smart, witty, and dead on. And, like Rush Limbaugh, Duane is almost always right 99.872% of the time. Plus, the site design is elegantly miminalist, easy to navigate, and easy on the eye.
Good work, Mr. Lester.
P.S. I am not a paid sponsor and no one asked me to write this.
Missouri, News
Surprised? Transportation Empowerment Act Was Ronald Reagan's Idea—In 1967!
July 28, 2014 by Bill Hennessy in Missouri
Last week I blogged that Ronald Reagan would love the Transportation Empowerment Act (TEA). I included audio of Reagan talking to Bill Buckley on Firing Line about the burden on states from onerous federal taxes and grants. Forgive me, but that was sort of a tease. Here's the meat: Reagan wrote a proposal for the Republican Governors' Conference of 1967 to allow states to keep about 2 percent of all federal taxes raised in the state. Ninety-eight percent would still go to Washington for defense and studies of monkey sex lives and whatever they do with money up there, but the states would retain two percent.
Here's the Gipper:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv2jLDiD51g?start=276]
Now, please call Ann Wagner's Ballwin office and ask her to co-sponsor TEA. It'll help her Heritage Action Score.
The Transportation Empowerment Act is the right way to deal with Missouri's overwhelming bike path problems and provides a smart alternative to the biggest tax increase in Missouri's history.
Transportation Empowerment Act, Transportation Sales Tax
2 Awesome Military Stories for Independence Day Weekend
July 04, 2014 by Bill Hennessy in Military, Missouri
I love this video. And I'm going to ask you a small favor for my son Jack, so please read all. WARNING: Strong Language
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj6AXvkBnv4
What's So Great About It?
You have to love this American Army sergeant telling the Iraqi police how it is in strong language. Perhaps if the Iraqi police had listened, they wouldn't be defending Baghdad against the Islamic State right now.
But they are.
I know some of you might object to this sergeant's direct assault on these men's manhood and character. Don't be. Like Patton, this sergeant knows these men need to grow spines and to take responsibility for themselves, their comrades, and their country. Not because it's cool, but because evil men will try to take their country--and their lives--from them.
This sergeant deserves a medal.
If You Don't Get the Sergeant's Speech, You Don't Understand War
People who've never served might not understand that war is violent. The purpose of war is to break an enemy's will to fight, to break down an enemy's psyche so thoroughly that the enemy society cannot function without assistance from the victory.
Like the Democratic Party, the propose of war is to make a whole race of people completely dependent on others.
Unlike the Democratic Party, the US military tries to rehabilitate the vanquished society, restore its dignity, and help its people become independent, functioning, proud citizens of their reformed nation.
That means just war is morally superior to the Democrat Party, which Alexis de Tocqueville perfectly described 176 years ago:
Above this race of men stands an immense and tutelary power, which takes upon itself alone to secure their gratifications, and to watch over their fate. That power is absolute, minute, regular, provident, and mild. It would be like the authority of a parent, if, like that authority, its object was to prepare men for manhood; but it seeks on the contrary to keep them in perpetual childhood: it is well content that the people should rejoice, provided they think of nothing but rejoicing.
Independence Day isn't a furniture sale. It's a commemoration of a nation's rejection of the arbitrary rule of other men. July 4th symbolizes a bold American spirit that, like the sergeant in this video, will risk everything to live as free people, free from the tyranny of unlimited state power.
And some risk more than others.
Now My Real Purpose of This Post
That's why I spent nine years on active duty and nearly three years submerged on a submarine—to preserve and protect our republic and her people.
And that's why I'm so proud to tell you my son Jack is re-enlisting today, July 4, on board the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Congratulations, Jack. And congratulations to the US Navy and to the United States.
Now for that small favor.
Would you mind leaving a short note to Jack in the comments of this blog post?
Military, Missouri
How Missouri Republicans Made Jay Nixon Look Like a Statesman
June 05, 2014 by Bill Hennessy in Crony Capitalism, Missouri
You know how reckless and tone-deaf Obama is about Army deserters? Missouri's House and Senate Republican leaders are just as clueless and irresponsible about money. Yes, I said it: the Missouri Republican legislature is about as conservative and principled as Susan Rice on a Sunday talk show.
By going on a votes-for-cash spending spree on the last day of the General Assembly, the House and Senate handed Jay "Idiot" Nixon a PR prize worth its weight in pork.
I'd itemize the garbage that our Republican legislators crammed into the budget, but Jay Nixon already did it for me, as quoted in The Missouri Times:
"While this Friday free-for-all will benefit a select few special interests, its far-reaching fiscal impact has thrown the budget dangerously out of balance," Nixon said. "From special breaks for fast food restaurants to power companies, the only thing these giveaways have in common is that they were not accounted for in either the state budget or in the budgets of the cities, counties, and fire districts they would affect. By going on a $776 million special interest spending spree, members of the legislature have broken their own budget, and I'm prepared to fix it."
Jay Nixon will veto those outrageous giveaways, and I support that veto.
This Is How Majorities Are Lost
Think no one cares about the Missouri budget? Think again.
I was talking to a relative last week. "What's going on with the Tea Party?" he asked. So the conversation shifted to politics. As I was telling him about our Tea Party/Heritage Action Social coming up on June 19, he interrupted.
"What the hell are those guys doing in Jefferson City?" he said. "It's like a bunch of Tom Delays."
BOOM! The idiotic spending and special favors that helped bring down the GOP majority in Congress in 2006 has infected Missouri Republicans now. And people know it.
Corruption Knows No Party
Missouri has about three fiscal conservatives in the Senate. Maybe a handful in the House. The free market folks in the Senate have some power to enforce principled fiscal responsibility. They're outgunned and under-appreciated, but they do what they can. They're likely to block a veto override on their own party's folly.
The House is a different story. Because of House rules, members can either sell their votes to the highest bidders, as House leaders often demand, or they can sit out their sentences in feeble obscurity. In the Republican House, money talks and principle walks.
Arrogance Abounds
A friend of mine told me a story about his conversation with a former Republican State Representative. The Rep listed all the great pork projects and special tax breaks he'd managed to shove through for friends and donors. My friend was appalled.
"How is that different," my friend asked, "than the Democrats doling out welfare for votes? How is what you've done not transferring wealth from one citizen to another?"
The Rep looked perplexed, as if my friend had asked, "since when is two plus two four?"
The Rep took a breath and said, "The difference is, we spread the money around to the right people."
That's the arrogance of power among Jefferson City Republican "leaders."
They're In It For The Wrong Reasons
Last year at a lobbyists' reception for the Missouri House GOP contingent, a former Republican staffer (turned lobbyist) told a story.
He referred back to a time a decade or more earlier, when the GOP was struggling to take and hold the Legislature. A new class of Republican freshmen gathered in Jefferson City for orientation. Someone asked the group what their goals were in politics.
"One said he hopes to be Speaker," the lobbyist said. "Another said Governor." Some laughs. "One even said 'President.'"
The speaker paused for effect. "Then someone said, 'a hundred and nine elephants.'"
Pop the champagne! The crowd goes wild! The Republicans assembled went ridin' into the bar, a-whoopin' and a-stompin'. "A hundred and nine elephants! That's a good one."
Does it bother you that not a single member of that freshmen class of Republicans in the Missouri House expressed an ambition or vision that bigger than himself?
Wouldn't you expect at least one member of every Republican class would say "make Missouri great?" Or "freedom?" Or "fairest tax state in the country?" Or "help my district?" Or "keep Washington off our backs?"
Nope. Not a one. Apparently, the Missouri Republican House members have no room for duty, responsibility, or altruism. Only for cynical self-interest. Their motto should be, "What's in it for me?"
Reagan Never Left the Democrat Party
Before you bring up the 11th Commandment, consider this:
When Ronald Reagan made his famous speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater in 1964, the Gipper was still a Democrat. Endorsing the conservative Republican Goldwater over his own party's sitting President was the ultimate act of betrayal.
But Reagan never saw it that way. "I didn't leave that other party," Reagan would say. "They left me."
As a Republican, Reagan was just as willing to call out and undermine errant members of his own party. The 11th Commandment Brigades conveniently forget that Reagan ran against fellow Republican President Gerald Ford in 1976. Reagan's remarkable challenge nearly toppled the sitting President at the convention in Kansas City. Reagan's challenge further damaged Ford's grip on the White House and undoubtedly contributed to Ford's loss to Jimmy Carter in November. (Here's a link to CSPAN's great retrospective on the 1976 GOP Convention, beginning with Senator Paul Laxalt of Nevada naming California, Texas, Georgia, and MISSOURI as the four states supporting Nevada's nomination of Reagan in compliance with convention rules.)
For Reagan, principle came before party. While I don't know this for a fact, I have a strong suspicion that, were Reagan a member of that Missouri House freshmen class, his answer to the question "what do you hope to accomplish" would have been more visionary than "self-aggrandizement."
Where Do Principled Conservatives Go Now?
Now that our nearly veto-proof Republican majority in Jefferson City has made Jay Nixon look like a statesman by comparison, where do principled conservatives go? Where do libertarians (with a lower-case "L") go?
Every time Republicans in JC sell out to Prostitutes in Business Suits, free market conservatives rip another GOP bumper sticker off their cars. Every time a Republican Senator schemes into law a benefit for his own family, another libertarian-ish Millennial turns away. Every time the GOP tells us what a great thing China Hub (under whatever name) will be for Missouri, a small business owner loses faith in the American Dream.
Here it is 2014, an election year. Normally, I'd be gearing up to Beat. The. Democrats. But my heart's not in it this year, if you want to know the truth. Why beat Democrats if Republicans will only borrow and tax to help their donors? Why knock doors and design Twitter GOTV campaigns if Missouri's Republicans renew the Export-Import Bank of Boeing? Why work for a party that doesn't even want our help? Or a party that takes us for granted the way the Democrats do African-Americans? Why support cronyism?
Look, I'm not ready to launch a new political party in Missouri. But I'm reading about the process. I didn't jump back into the political game 2009 to re-instate the failed establishment practices of the 109th Congress--the one that kicked off a Democrat wave in 2006.
After the rush of that first Tea Party, I thought we were building a coalition to focus on the proper role of government--free markets, fiscal responsibility, constitutional limits, rule of law. Instead, the Republicans we've elected to represent us in Jefferson City and Washington have, by and large, reverted to big government establishment practices that reward their friends at the expense of the people.
America needs an Anti-Establishment Party. The Republican Party moved in that direction from Goldwater through Reagan. But, as Jack Kemp warned, with George H. W. Bush's election, the Reagan Revolution ended.
The Republican Establishment Rejected the Tea Party
When the GOP lay on its deathbed after the 2006 and 2008 elections, the Tea Party gave the Republican Party a heart transplant. The beast roared back to life, sweeping the 2010 election. Then, as is so common with transplants, the host rejected the new organ.
I am still on a mission to build and support an anti-establishment party. It could still be the GOP, but it's no longer my job to reform the Republicans. They're old enough and rich enough to reform themselves.
My job is, as a cell in this viable heart, to find a qualified recipient--a party that will accept the principles on which our republic was founded.
If you'd like to share in that mission, please come to Scarecrow on June 19 at 6:30 p.m.
anti-establishment, crony capitalism, GOP, Jay Nixon, libertarian, missouri budget, Missouri House, republican, Tea Party News
Crony Capitalism, Missouri
Shane Schoeller Is The New MOGOP Executive Director And That's Great News For Missouri Republicans
February 27, 2013 by Bill Hennessy in Missouri
Shane Schoeller narrowly missed winning the job he and I wish he had: Missouri Secretary of State. Shane lost—along with every other non-incumbent Republican for a statewide office.
The good news is that Missouri Republican Chairman, Ed Martin, has tapped Shane Schoeller as the party's Executive Director.
There were some fabulous candidates under consideration, which made the selection process difficult.
"Shane's a good solid conservative and he has connections across the state," Ed Martin told me by phone this morning. I agree.
Those connection will be important after the disastrous 2012 election. Despite success in growing their numbers in the Missouri legislature, Republicans lost every statewide race except Lieutenant Governor.
Ed Martin and Shane have a huge job in front of them, and it won't be easy. The GOP Establishment has shown little interest in seeing them succeed. Meanwhile, the grassroots movement of 2009 and 2010 feels exhausted after keeping an unappreciative GOP alive for four years—with little help from the party itself.
I wish Shane all the best. It won't be easy, but I'm ready to help him succeed.
Now read Shane Schoiller's op-ed in today's Missouri Times
February 27, 2013 /Bill Hennessy
ed martin, Executive Director, Missouri Republicans, MOGOP, Shane Schoeller
Ed Martin's Grit Overwhelms Establishment's Power
January 05, 2013 by William Hennessy in Missouri
In a blow to the old guard establishment, the Missouri Republican State Committee elected Ed Martin Jr. as its new party chairman.
Roy Blunt and all six Republican members of Congress from Missouri lobbied the new state committee over the past few weeks to block Ed and retain the establishment's choice, David Cole. Jo Mannies of the St. Louis Beacon wrote:
Cole's loss appears to be a setback for Missouri's GOP establishment. U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and all six Missouri Republicans in the U.S. House had signed a letter backing Cole's re-election.
Martin's win was seen as a victory for the Missouri GOP's more conservative factions, including some tea party groups – notably the St. Louis Tea Party, whose founder Bill Hennessy had endorsed Martin.
The victory demonstrates the power of grit—one of Ed Martin's most valuable qualities. Ed narrowly lost his bid to unseat former Congressman Russ Carnahan in 2010. In that race, Ed came closer than any Republican in recent memory to taking Missouri's old 3rd District away from Democrats. Ed's gritty campaign solidified his standing with grassroots tea partiers.
Grit is the most important factor in success according to human behavioral scientists. As Jonah Lehrer explains:
After analyzing the data, Duckworth discovered the importance of a psychological trait known as grit. In previous papers, Duckworth has demonstrated that grit can be reliably measured with a short survey that measures consistency of passions (e.g., ''I have been obsessed with a certain idea or project for a short time but later lost interest'') and consistency of effort (e.g., ''Setbacks don't discourage me'') over time using a 5-point scale. Not surprisingly, those with grit are more single-minded about their goals – they tend to get obsessed with certain activities – and also more likely to persist in the face of struggle and failure. Woody Allen famously declared that "Eighty percent of success is showing up". Grit is what allows you show up again and again.
Ed put in the 10,000 hours of practice. His dogged campaigns in 2010 and 2012 gave him the courage and earned him the privilege to show up.
After losing his bid to unseat Attorney General Chris Koster last November, a lot people wanted Ed to give up politics. But Ed's no quitter. Instead, he rallied his considerable charm and tenacity to take on a role that is well suited to Ed Martin's skill and experience.
Missouri's Democrats and even some conservatives mockingly said "Ed finally won an election." The Democrats should be very worried that a talent as gritty and popular as Ed Martin now chairs the Missouri GOP. Conservative might want to review Abraham Lincoln's electoral history before mocking the resilience of a man who never gives up.
Congratulations, also, to Trish Vincent, Auditor Tom Schweich's chief of staff, elected Chairwoman, or co-chair in today's PC-speak. And a special congratulations and thanks to Frieda Keogh of Missouri Precinct Project and a new member of the Republican State Committee. Frieda's efforts to advance grassroots causes and candidates is a gift to Missouri and America.
January 05, 2013 /William Hennessy
Chairman, Chairman Ed, Ed Martin Jr, establishment, grassroots, Missouri Republican State Committee, Republican Establishment, St- Louis Tea Party Coalition
Did Lloyd Smith and Jo Ann Emerson Plan This All Along?
December 04, 2012 by William Hennessy in Missouri
In an open Republican primary in Missouri's 8th Congressional District, a solid conservative would beat an establishment "my turn" Republican, hands down. And the Missouri GOP would hate it.
That's why I smell a rat.
Would you be surprised to learn that Jo Ann Emerson and Lloyd Smith had this switcheroo planned months ago? You have to admit that the timing is suspicious:
Emerson wins a certain re-election
Smith announces he's stepping down as Missouri GOP Executive Director
Emerson announces she's resigning to become Queen of Lobbyists
Missouri's GOP Establishment breaks hips to tell reporters "Lloyd Smith's our man!"
This is exactly how the Republican establishment does things. They think the people of MO-8 are too stupid to pick the right candidate in a primary, so they make backroom deals to appoint a deal-maker for them.
Shenanigans.
If that's what's going on here, It's disgraceful. Missouri's 8th deserves better, but I've heard from sources that Emerson waited to announce her resignation until Smith was confident he had the votes among 8th District Republican committeemen and committeewomen to cost into the job.
You think Lloyd Smith tats will be the rage at SEMO next semester?
I'm sure Mr. Smith is a good guy. I have nothing against him as a person, and I'm sure he's done some good for conservatives in his career.
I'm also pretty sure it's his turn. Just like it was Mitt Romney's turn. And John McCain's. And Bob Dole's. And Gerald Ford's.
America doesn't need the next guy in line, and the GOP can't afford another me-too, milquetoast faceless name in Congress.
At a time when the GOP desperately needs to energize some young people and excite its conservative base, I find it unfathomable that anyone would even mention Lloyd Smith.
Energy? Leadership? Charisma? Action? Accomplishment?
As Missouri GOP's executive director, Smith failed to flip a single statewide office in 2012 even with Romney winning 54% of the vote.
Moreover, Smith was frozen by the Akin fiasco, doing nothing to contain the damage. He couldn't keep Republicans from bashing Akin, and he couldn't get Akin to gracefully exit.
You Can't Squeeze A Union Card Between Lloyd Smith and Jo Ann Emerson
Smith was Jo Ann Emerson's chief of staff. That's about the most damning thing one can say about a Republican operative.
Jo Ann Emerson's specialty has been handing out your tax dollars to businesses and unions who hand them back to her. How fitting that she resigns from Congress weeks after being re-elected to become a lobbyist for one of the beneficiaries of Emerson's crony capitalism gravy train.
John Fund at National Review writes:
In her congressional career, she often shied away from stringent budget-cutting measures and privately deplored bans on earmarks. In 2011, the National Journal found that she was only the 200th most conservative member of the House.
And remember, Lloyd Smith was her chief of staff. Here's a few more highlights of Emerson's miserable Washington career:
Emerson refused the sign a letter asking John Boehner to defund Obamacare.
Emerson donated to the hard left Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz as recently as 2010.
Emerson's Heritage Action Score is a miserable 47%. She's the lowest-rated Republican in Missouri on that scale.
So why has the liberal Emerson kept her job in a very conservative Congressional District?
Incumbency.
And, if there was backroom deal to replace Emerson with Smith or some other party boy, it's because there's no way Smith would win an open primary.
But once he's in, he's in for life.
I hope grassroots conservatives in MO-8 put a lot of pressure on the 80 Republican Committeemen and Committeewomen. The GOP will throw a lot of favors, offers, and promises their way to get the appointment they want.
This will be a test of whether or not the Tea Party has any clout at all in Missouri.
December 04, 2012 /William Hennessy
Emerson, Jo Ann Emerson, John McCain, Lloyd Smith, missouri, Mitt Romney, republican, Smith
Missouri's Crap Sandwich Servers
August 30, 2011 by Bill Hennessy in Jefferson City, Limited Government, Missouri
I have a question for State Senator Eric Schmitt: Who says that St. Louis's 18 million square feet of vacant warehouse space isn't good enough for Chinese goods?
I heard Senator Schmidt on KMOX a couple of weeks ago. He scoffed at the Show-Me Institute's analysis of available warehouse space for China Hub saying that to use existing space would be like building F-16s in the Wright Brothers' hangar.
He was not asked—and he did not offer—any evidence for his flippant comment. Nor did he take phone calls from the public.
According to this report, the Midwest China Hub Commission flatly contradicts Senator Schmitt's assertion, saying existing warehouse space is adequate.
Senator, the comment box is open and awaiting your reply. If you don't have time to write a response here, I hope you'll have time to talk to people about it on September 6 when the Special Session opens.
aerotropolis, china hub, Eric Schmitt
Jefferson City, Limited Government, Missouri
Judy Ancel: Teacher of the Year
April 29, 2011 by Bill Hennessy in Missouri, Union News, Union News
Judy Ancel is the University of Kansas City instructor responsible for teaching students to use violence, sabotage and intimidation as political tools. She's telling the Kansas City Star that she's receiving threats from people upset that she teaches students to threaten others. I oppose violence, sabotage, and intimidation as political tools. But Judy Ancel's message of violence seems to have gotten through to some people.
Too bad Ancel doesn't use her skills for good instead of evil.
Judy Ancel, UMKC, union violence
Missouri, Union News, Union News
4 Updates on University of Missouri Story
April 28, 2011 by Bill Hennessy in Jefferson City, Missouri, Union News, Union News
Big news day in the advance of liberty in our battle against collectivists. First, KMOX is reporting that an UMSL professor has resigned over the controversy. For the life of me, I cannot find who the professor is. I thought that everyone involved was either an instructor or a guest lecturer. If you know the answer to the riddle, please use the comment form.
Second, University of Kansas City refuses to accept responsibility for what goes on in its classroom. Instead of admitting that it was wrong to allow a communist union leader teach that political violence is okay, they've blamed the messenger. What's new.
Third, responding to my request for their statement, Ameren UE has released the following:
"We are appalled by the comments of the former business manager of a union representing our workers and employees of other companies and by the actions he describes in his lecture. If we ever had any evidence of sabotage at any of our facilities, we would have immediately notified law enforcement officials.
" We do not know of any such sabotage but would immediately turn over to law enforcement anyone who threatens our operations in any way. We have a policy of protecting anyone reporting information about sabotage or other illegal actions and encourage anyone to come forward with information about this.
"We have full confidence in our employees and have in place extensive security training programs and procedures aimed at protecting our facilities, our employees and the public. [Emphasis mine.]
I hope the University of Missouri System, Governor Nixon, and the Missouri Legislature will follow Ameren's lead by denouncing the content of this course and disassociating themselves from courses, lecturers, and employees that promote political violence and sabotage.
Finally, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder has strongly condemned the content of the University of Missouri System class. As a guest on Dana Loesch's program on News Talk 97.1 FM today, Kinder promised that he will stay on this case until it's resolved.
Please keep on top of your legislators. Remember, we fought a 40-year Cold War to stop the evil of communism throughout the world. We will not yield it a beachhead in America.
communism, Don Giljum, Jay Nixon, Peter Kinder, UMKC, UMSL, unions
Jefferson City, Missouri, Union News, Union News
Tea Party Leader condones political violence: "It certainly has its place. It's a tactic that should be used at the appropriate time. I believe in a violent overthrow . . . , and that freedom is found at the barrel of a gun"
April 27, 2011 by Bill Hennessy in Jefferson City, Missouri, Other News, Union News, Union News
Did I say "Tea Party Leader?" I meant labor union leader Don Giljum condones violence, intimidation, and sabotage. Giljum's the business manager for Operating Engineers Local 148 and a lecturer at University of Missouri-St. Louis. It's in the UMSL classroom that he pontificates and brags about the . . . the uglier side of negotiations. Here's what he actually said about violence for political purposes:
It certainly has its place. It's a tactic that should be used at the appropriate time. I believe in a violent overthrow of Bourgeois, and that freedom is found at the barrel of a gun
The Don Giljum Story
That's not all Giljum said. When union guys warn about a problem but their managers don't react the way the want them to, Giljum helps the union guys "make" the bad thing happen. Like that guy in 1993 floods who "made" the dike break after the Army Corps of Engineers dismissed his prediction that it would break. That kind of thing.
The technical term is "sabotage."
Only Giljum's guys work for Ameren. You know, they people who run the nuclear plant in Callaway County, Missouri. Actually, Giljum's people run it; Ameren just owns it.
Maybe guys who like to use sabotage to get their way shouldn't have anything to do with nuclear power plants. You think?
Oh, and Giljum likes to use intimidation and threats. He had some big guys stalk an executive, he tells students in a class funded by Missouri and US taxpayers. These goons did such a good job of stalking this guy that the guy started wearing body armor.
Is that a riot or what? Probably took a few years off the guy's life, too, and made his family miserable. But, so what? All in a day's work at the Local 148, right?
You Did Great Today
I heard from witnesses that Gov. Nixon's phone rang incessantly today. Good. Tomorrow too, we hope. Nixon had to change his schedule today to avoid questions about Giljum, Ancel, and U of M's $416 million in taxpayer funding.
If you agree with Giljum's tactics and Jay Nixon's tolerance of threats, violence, and sabotage, do nothing. The world will collapse around you.
But if you believe that sabotage and intimidation training has no place in a tax-funded university, please call your governor on Thursday, April 28.
Here's the details:
1. Call the Chancellors of all three schools at the numbers listed below. Tell them you demand that they fire everyone responsible for these classes, and that they take positive steps to prevent criminal instruction in the system.
Thomas F. George, Chancellor, University of Missouri-St. Louis 314-516-5252
Leo Morton, Chancellor, University of Missouri-Kansas City 816-235-1101
Brady J. Deaton , Chancellor, University of Missouri 573-882-3387
And the U of M Interim President, Steve Owens, (573) 882-2011
2. Call your Missouri State Senator and ask him or to demand a vote on SB1, a bill that would give Missouri workers the right to opt out of union membership. You can look up your Senator here.
3. Call Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley at 573-751-1488. Tell Speaker Tilley you want SB1 voted on and passed, and you don't care how many of his donors it irritates.
4. Call Governor Jay Nixon at Phone: (573) 751-3222
Tell them you want the Labor Studies program suspended until the investigation is over. And you want sabotage and intimidation lessons banned from U of M classrooms.
P.S. We heard that the Patriot/Tea Party legislators in Jefferson City were aware of the University of Missouri story . . . and furious. But the establishment Republicans had no idea what anyone was talking about. We'll be compiling names of Republicans who don't need to return to Jefferson City in 2013, and another list of those who do.
COMMENTS: I think my commenting system can't handle the long title. Please leave comments on the previous post: ACTION . . .
Don Giljum, indimidation, Jay Nixon, sabotage, Tea Party News, union violence
Jefferson City, Missouri, Other News, Union News, Union News
ACTION: Melt the Phones
April 26, 2011 by Bill Hennessy in Jefferson City, Missouri, Union News
I'm going to ask you to melt phones in Jefferson City, UMSL, UMKC, and Mizzou. I'm asking you to do this today and tomorrow. I'm following up with an email to you. It's sad that our state's premier University System has fallen so far.
***Follow the #mounion hash tag on twitter***
Jay Nixon just asked the legislature to transfer $400 million from the taxpayers to the University of Missouri System. Unless the Governor or the Legislature acts at your request, some of that money will go to put you out of work.
That's right: proud communists want to destroy the system that creates the wealth that funds the University of Missouri system.
But they don't stop at wishing; they teach the students how to do it.
And Don Giljum, a communist union guy, encourages students to use violence to bring about his Marxist fantasy.
Read these stories:
1. Missouri Education Watchdog
2. P/O'd Patriot
3. An Open Letter to Jay Nixon
Giljum was brought in by Judy Ancel, vocal opponent of Right to Work in Missouri. Ancel was caught on tape telling students how to crash the electrical grid by electrocuting cats. Yes, cats, for all you Prop B fanatics out there.
Then ACT. Make some calls. Let's save this country from the communists who brag about their intentions of destroying it.
April 27 & 28
From 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
On Wednesday and Thursday, April 27 and 28 CALL, Write
Tell each person you speak to you want:
Shut down Labor Studies until the department's been purged of anti-American radicals
Fire Missouri state employees who invited David Giljum and that communist into classroom
Apologize to Missouri taxpayers who pay $400 million a year for that university system
Apologize to the students and their parents who sat through that filth
Follow the #mounion hash tag on twitter. Retweet the good stuff.
action, david giljam, Jay Nixon, Tea Party News, University of Missouri System
Jefferson City, Missouri, Union News
Shut Down Labor Studies Now, Governor Nixon
Governor Nixon: What does it take to get your attention? What does it take to get you to act?
Your University of Missouri System humiliates this state, and you refuse to act.
Under your nose, the UofM teaches or encourages:
Politically motivated violence
Politically motivated industrial sabotage
Politically motivated threats of violence and sabotage
Supporting and aiding the enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan
You have permit these travesties. You, Jay Nixon.
Where is your statement condemning sabotage and violence?
Here's what you can do, now, to protect this country and Missouri taxpayers:
Fire Missouri state employees who invited Don Giljum and that communist into classroom
Governor Nixon, I spent 9 years of my life holding a nuclear knife to the throat of communism. I have a son serving in the U.S. Navy right now. I'll be damned if I'll sit still while you fund communist studies and industrial sabotage lessons with my tax money.
Do You Agree With These Statements, Governor?
Here's what communist activist Don Giljum told students about the use of violence:
"It certainly has it's place. It's a tactic that should be used at the appropriate time. I believe in a violent overthrow of Bourgeois, and that freedom is found at the barrel of a gun...like Marx said."
And the U of M faculty member, Judy Ancel, describes the radical and inhumane use of cats by a union:
"They couldn't get access to" strike, "but they had a lot of cats and they succeeded in putting cats in powerhouses. And the cats — now, don't think about the cats, OK? The cats would run around inside and short out the system and cause power blackouts. And that created enough chaos in the system" to get to "a negotiating position. They got rid of a lot of feral cats."
If yuo
These Teachings Are Killing Jobs
You want more Chinese money for long-term unemployment? Maybe if your schools didn't encourage industrial sabotage the unemployed would have jobs.
You want Missouri kids get good jobs after college? Who would hire a kid who was tainted by Judy Ancel, David Giljum, and Tony Pecinovsky?
Taxpayers are on their way to see you, Governor Nixon. We expect action.
communism, industrial sabotage, Jay Nixon, Mizzou, UMKC, UMSL, University of Missouri System
3 Reasons to Run for Lt. Governor
April 13, 2011 by Bill Hennessy in Jefferson City, Missouri
Patrick Tuohey made some good points about the office of Lieutenant Governor. Based on that, I thought up all the possible reasons someone would run for LooeyG. 1. Stepping Stone: Establish state-wide name recognition and give yourself plenty of time to run for that next office, like U.S. Senate or Governor.
2. Party Reptile: If the governor is or is likely to be of the opposite party, you get to be the de facto head of your party in the state.
3. Caretaker: After a long and successful political career, you're ready for a slower pace. But you want to continue to serve, to be ready in case you're needed.
Without casting aspersions on the current or past Lieutenant Governors of Missouri, it's worth asking LooeyG candidates why they want that office. And it would be nice to get an honest response.
If a candidate's reason is reason 1, you can bet that paving the way for the next office is already more important to him than the job he's got.
P.S. There might be one more, fun reason to run . . . but that's a whole different column.
jefferson city, Lieutenant Governor, LooeyG, missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri
A Party, Not a Club
April 07, 2011 by Bill Hennessy in Campaigns and Elections, Missouri
Let's face it: the Missouri GOP has become a club to advance the careers of a select few favorites. It is not a party to advance conservative principles. And that needs to change here and now.
And that means some old names need to retire.
Here's just one example of the ideological impotence of the Missouri Republican Party: The St. Louis County Assessor.
The GOP created the St. Louis County Assessor's office because of corruption and incompetence in the political patronage version of the office under Democrats Buzz Westfall and Charlie Dooley. When it came to to actually fill the spot, though, the GOP – and its wealthy stars – kept their money and their time to themselves.
They handed an elective office to a far left Democrat because Chip Wood, the Republican candidate, was not one of them. The Republican vanguard wanted Gene McNary—nice guy, but he lost the race in the Central Committee to Chip Wood. So the Republicans took their ball and went home.
How selfish were these Republicans?
One State Senator from St. Louis County attended a $150 per person fundraiser for the candidate but paid only $100. And if you think it had something to do with Chip's property tax issue, think again. This Senator from an affluent area never asked for the money back after the story broke.
A rising start in the GOP House (who hopes to be Speaker one day) is busy amassing over $1 million for his re-election to the House. A million bucks for a race in which he's likely to run uncontested. He'll spread that wealth around next year—to buy votes for the Speakership. With tons of cash in the bank, this bright young man did little or nothing for the assessor race—yet his constituents will be disproportionately damaged when the elected Democrat assessor uses his power to redistribute wealth in St. Louis County.
In his race for the Senate, Jim Lembke worked tirelessly to win in a very tough district. But the Missouri GOP did almost nothing to help. In 2010, the Missouri GOP did as little as possible in St. Louis County. The result: two state-wide Republican candidates who won their elections handily lost landslides in St. Louis County.
When the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition launched its Block Captain program in May 2010, the GOP was there—to discourage volunteers. Realizing the power of boots on the ground in neighborhoods around the area, the GOP launched its own campaign to draw Tea Partiers into Township meetings and assure them that everything's under control. "Nothing to see here, so go on home."
Some did. Other Tea Partiers were wise enough to see through it.
What we need on the right is a party, not a club for the pretty people.
We have a year and a half to prepare for 2012. As it stands, the GOP in Missouri is headed for a train wreck. Its overwhelming majorities in the both state houses has produced little more than fluff. Fluff and big bank accounts for the select few who want higher office.
The Tea Party's mission is not to advance political careers, but to inspire people. We assert our God-given right to liberty and our Constitutionally guaranteed right to a republican form of government. Those guarantees existed before there was a Republican Party, and we expect those guarantees to stick around after the GOP folds its mildewed tent.
Assessor, Chip Wood, conservative, MOGOP, republican
Campaigns and Elections, Missouri


The government has always taken a stand in various affidavits submitted before the NGT that all fuels are equal and have a separate emission footprint, said the minister.
NEW DELHI: Three-fourths of fuel cars sold in India in 2016-17 were petrol whereas sales of diesel cars plummeted to 27 per cent, from 47 per cent in 2012-13, indicating that diesel cars may be on the way out, the government said today.
According to data on fuel-wise sales percentage in domestic sales placed in Parliament today, the percentage of diesel cars sold in India has been consistently declining since 2012-13.
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has intimated that the recent ban by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on diesel cars of more than 10 years old is one of the reasons for the sales drop versus gasoline (petrol) cars, Minister of State for Heavy Industries Babul Supriyo said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
While the percentage of diesel cars sold in 2012-13 was 47 per cent, it came down to 42 per cent in 2013-14, 37 per cent in 2014-15, 34 per cent in 2015-16 and subsequently to 27 per cent in 2016-17.
On the other hand, the sales percentage of petrol cars has been rising continuously to 73 per cent in 2016-17, from 53 per cent in 2012-13, 58 per cent in 2013-14, 63 per cent in 2014-15 and 66 per cent in 2015-16.


These look awesome. I promised myself no new armies for a while but I think I might breakdown and get some of these.
Very demonic looking. I think they could be used for stand ins for a lot of things. Are these 32mm?
I would imagine they are in scale with the previous plastic witch elves, they were 32mm.
ETA: they are! Oh, I've got some Xenos 'counts as'/Drukhari conversions coming!
They will be good for that too. I hadn't thought about that and I have a Drukhari army so I wouldn't actually be starting a new force.
They might also work as the basis for some Laer.
I like the new previews, but I have a really difficult time with the dark elves becoming grand alliance: order. It makes no sense.
I said the SAME thing… no new armies!!!!!!!! I am resisting… mostly. I have a huge DE army… these seem very nice. Must resist.
My first thought too. Don't strike me as particularly Elvish.
They look pretty good. I think I might want to get one of those Gorgon kits. Definitely more of a 'monster' faction than Dark Elf now. No new harpies is a shame, esp considering the greek theme. Furies aren't really the same thing.
Morathi looks good, but I would have preferred an updated version of one of her previous models.
I'm liking them. they have a very strong 'sword & Sorcery' vibe, a refreshing change from the 'elves in skirts' look in times past.
Yeah, I have to admit I promised myself I wouldn't delve too much into the new AOS ranges. But man these look awesome! I'm trying to decide between these and the new Nurgle range which I love also.
I already have some Ironjawz forces, I am also still tempted by the Kharadron Overlords.
Can't afford to get them all, have to choose!