Fwd: Houston We Have a Problem

Houston, we have a problem:

In less than 24 hours, our grassroots will begin organizing for our upcoming state convention. At the same time, we are dealing with a very small group that has viciously attacked the Party and is trying to overthrow the Rules that our grassroots passed and have been using for years – all because they want to create enough chaos to take over the Party.

 

In less than 24 hours, one temporary committee will begin to discuss and debate the thousands of resolutions that have risen up through our Party process and that will eventually become our Party's Platform. And, it is our winning conservative Platform that has made Texas a conservative standard bearer for the nation. It is our winning conservative Platform that has allowed our Party to be THE party that represents the values of the vast majority of Texans.

 

In less than 24 hours, another temporary committee will begin to review the Rules that will govern our Party for the next couple of years. It is our Rules that have empowered the grassroots of this great State and made it the most grassroots-oriented state in the nation. It is our Rules that have allowed those who work within our Party and who make it successful to be effectively involved at every level in our State Party. It is our Rules that have leveled the playing field so that anyone who wants to be productive can participate in our process.

 

Unfortunately, with blatant disregard for the Party or its principles, a very small group of misguided people who have continually failed in convincing others to join them or follow their lead are trying to disenfranchise the very grassroots that they claim to represent by running to the courts. In a deliberate act of judicial activism, this group and their lawyer went court shopping until they found an unelected visiting judge who would sign an order telling the grassroots of our Party how to conduct our convention. By the way, Republicans have been following applicable law and our Rules for decades without incident, thank you very much.

 

We believe that the judge not only exceeded the court's authority, but he never gave us an opportunity to address him or set the record straight before he signed the order. In fact, we have not even received a copy of the signed order, but had to find it on the plaintiff's website. Oh, and we did get to read about it after this group had a press conference so that their lawyer could boast and get his picture in the paper.

 

If you think this is harsh and wonder why they are attacking our Rules in court and in the liberal press rather than addressing them at the convention or asking the Legislature to make changes in the law, you should hear what those who support this militant group say to each other. One said, "if you have chance of making a difference. You are going to have to use 'stealth.' The same way Militias won the first Revolution. If you fight by their rules, you'll lose the battles, and the war."

 

If you wonder about the intentions of these folks, their own words tell the story. An individual closed one of their meetings with the following, "Democrats, anarchists, libertarians, everyone who is willing to help us wreak havoc is invited to join." Another said, "Either way you choose to represent yourself at the Convention, it would probably be a good idea that everyone agree on the ground rules of conduct. Be ethical or Lie, Lie, Lie!!"

 

And they wonder why we question their actions and motives. As for me, I believe in our conservative principles, in our real grassroots Republicans, and in the process that we have faithfully and legally followed for decades. The dedication of our people – those who sacrifice their time, talent and treasure to work for a better Texas and America – is what makes our Party successful, not those who show up occasionally, or for the first time, to throw stones and spew venom.

 

Our grassroots have a word for those folks: you cannot intimidate or deceive us. You will not take us off our winning strategy to promote true conservative principles. We will have a convention where we can debate, discuss, agree or disagree, and still love each other and this country enough to come together in unity. We're even going to love you along the way. Texas Republicans are strong, and your attempted mutiny will fail.