6:30-7:30pm

January 26, 2010
Eastmonte Civic Center
Altamonte Springs, Fl

6:30pm Social
7:00pm Meeting

Our guest speaker will be Marc Manieri with FAIR TAX

Come out and enjoy a great evening and let’s learn the issues so we can be prepared for the fall election cycle.

It was a Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, that signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves on January 1, 1863.

It was the Republican Party that ensured passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution which abolished the practice of slavery, ensured equal rights protection, and ensured anti-discrimination laws.

It was the Republican Party that passed the first Civil Rights legislation in 1875.

It was Republicans in the 87th Congress that met between 1961 -1963 that drafted an extensive Civil Rights Bill.

It was Republican Congressional support of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that helped ensure its passage.

It was a Republican President, Richard Nixon, that desegregated southern schools, and first created affirmative action to help break the power of racist labor unions.

It was a Republican President, Ronald Reagan that signed the bill declaring Martin Luther King Day an official Federal Holiday.

It was a Republican President, George W. Bush that appointed Blacks to more high level cabinet positions than any other President in history during his term between 2001 – 2009.

It was the Republican Party that named Michael Steele, the first Black Chairman of a major party in 2009.

I have to admit, I was expecting a little excitement and drama concerning the new Chairman. Alas, I have to wait until next month for the special session.

Instead of a slugfest the session turned into a campaign rally for the Governor, who happens to be running for President. Oops, I mean Senate.

During Crist’s remarks, which turned into a stump speech of how he is going to be the next Senator from Florida he made some rather curious remarks, which went like this…

“I advocated for the stimulus, I thought it was important and I don’t apologize for taking it.”

A pretty bold statement for someone who is losing ground in the polls daily.

He also didn’t apologize for meeting Obama on the campaign trail in South Florida. Instead, he argued about why it was the right thing to do.

On both points, his argument was that he and he alone knows what is best for Florida, despite all the public uproar, and despite the wishes of our elected representatives in the Florida House and Senate.

In so many ways, he sounded like Obama, or a teacher scolding a child.

His speech inspired me. Not because it was particularly inspiring, because it wasn’t. No, it inspired me to go knock on a few doors for his contender and next Senator from Florida, my man, Marco Rubio!

7:30pm-9:00pm: Liam FitzPatrick’s in Heathrow

free appetizers and first drink is on us.

Come and join us for the holidays!

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I’D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN’T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
‘SANTA DON’T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON’T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.’

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN’T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT’S CHILL.

I DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, ‘CARRY ON SANTA,
IT’S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.’

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
‘MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.’

Lets Say Thanks and let them know how much they are respected and appreciated.

And remember…

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN,
who salutes the Flag,

It is the VETERAN,
who serves under the Flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the Flag,

Let us honor them all on this day.

Along with our guest speakers and action items, we will also be going over the 1st Quarter of 2010 for SCYPR . MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

John Boehner (Bay-ner) represents Ohio’s Eighth Congressional District and is Republican Leader of the United States House of Representatives. Throughout his career as a small businessman and Member of Congress, John has been a passionate advocate for the Republican values of freedom and security. A staunch opponent of pork-barrel politics, John is fighting to eliminate wasteful spending and balance the federal budget without raising taxes.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, John knows a thing or two about compromise and conflict — he has 11 brothers and sisters. He and Debbie, his wife of 35 years, have two daughters.

John also knows something about leadership and vision. First elected in 1990, he made a mark early by taking on the Democratic establishment and making Congress more accountable to the American people. In his first term, John was part of the “Gang of Seven” that forced Congress to live by the same laws as everyone else. John was instrumental in crafting the Contract with America, the bold 100-day agenda so pivotal in bringing Republicans to the majority in 1994.

Rising through the ranks in the House, from House Republican Conference Chairman, to Chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee, to House Majority Leader, John has distinguished himself at every level. He’s written legislation expanding school choice, strengthening America’s pension system, and making federal spending more transparent and accountable. Whether working to lower our dependence on foreign energy or increase access to high quality affordable health care, John has always pushed the envelope of reform and has a reputation for winning debates that matter in real people’s lives.

On November 19, 2008, Boehner was elected by his colleagues to serve a second term as House Republican Leader. He is leading an effort to earn back by the majority in Congress by crafting bold new solutions rooted in our enduring principles and by fighting for a federal government that is smaller, less costly, and more accountable.

Along with our guest speakers and action items, we will also be going over the SCYPR fundraiser being held November 13. MARK YOUR CALENDAR!