Helping Madison Families, Discussing India, and Literacy

Madison County Republican Women Treasurer Ginny Pegelow and President Anne Farmer started off their February 17th meeting by presenting a check to Norris Johns, President of the Madison Emergency Services Association (MESA) on behalf of the club. MCRW service projects aid local charitable organizations and provides an annual $1,000 Marion Simpson Scholarship which is available to senior female Madison County students, public and home school.

Jay and Sunithi Gnanadoss, teachers at Woodberry Forrest and Germanna Community College respectively, where on hand to talk about India, their native country.

"I haven’t met a bad American," said Sunithi Gnanadoss. "I now realize why America takes so many people to its shores. Very often, when people come here, they’re leaving behind an oppressive set of rules. The early settlers wanted to leave oppression behind and enjoy individual freedom."

Sunithi shared the fascinating story of how, as a small child, her great-grandmother was disowned by her high class Hindu family and she became a Christian. She noted that only two percent of Indians are Christian while the majority are Hindu.

"Things happen in our life to make a difference," Sunithi said. "All of us are individuals with a special purpose in our lives. I like to model my life after Jesus Christ. I see Him as an individual. He was saving one individual at a time."

The Hindu religion produces its own form of apathy in India.

"They are fatalists," observed Sunithi. "Due to their belief in rebirth and reincarnation, when they find themselves in a situation, all they can think of is - I’m paying for my past or reaping my reward."

Still, things are changing in India.

"India has a different mindset today," said Sunithi. "They traced it to 1991. There has been a lot of growth."

America might do well to look at the socialist-style health care which has been tried in India.

"Health care is government controlled," Sunithi said. "Hospitals are very corrupt. The poor get free treatment but have to bribe their way or die... Government has been privatizing."

MCRW Officers Anne Farmer, Ginny Pegelow, Mary Anne Walthall, and Erline Arthur displayed a certificate from the National Federation of Republican Women which recognized the club's participation in NFRW Literacy Month as part of the Barbara Bush Literacy Project. The theme of the project was, 'Readers Become Leaders.'

MCRW donates new books to Madison schools and lightly used books to local organizations and area Children's and Veterans Hospitals. MCRW's 2009 Literacy Committee Chairman is Judy Butler.

MCRW's membership reached a new high point on February 17th with the addition of two new members, Dottie Stevenson and Evelyn Kerr, both of whom joined the club that evening. MCRW now has 50 regular members and 49 Associate members. The club has members from Madison, Orange, Greene, Culpeper and Rappahannock Counties, and associates state-wide.

The next MCRW meeting will be held on March 17th with a St. Patrick's Day Dinner of Corned Beef and Cabbage. The special meeting will have a town hall format. Judy Butler, Literacy Committee Chairman, Lt. Col. Lisa Davis (Air Force, Ret.), Madison County Republican Committee Chair John Tucker and Vice Chair Frank Stidman will be among the Guest Speakers. The meeting will take place, 6:30-8:30 PM, at the Madison Presbyterian Church, Rt. 722 at the north traffic light. Everyone is invited to attend. Dinner: $7. For additional information please call (540) 923-4300 or (540) 547-2156.

October 2008 Newsletter

Senator Ken Cuccinelli, A Voice for Working Families

“The way the family goes, so goes our nation,” said Anne Farmer, 1st Vice President for the Madison Country Republican Women, as she introduced Senator Ken Cuccinelli at their September 16th meeting. Senator Cuccinelli represents the 37th District which consists of a portion of Fairfax, Virginia.

Senator Ken Cuccinelli has been consistently targeted by Democrats who spent about $1 million in the last election trying to defeat him. Cuccinelli is a strong proponent for working families and he opposes the Socialist policies which Democrats embrace.

“We’ve seen from around the world what that will do to us,” said Cuccinelli. “Our values and our positions win Democrats and Independents.”

“When the Washington Post is breathing down your neck, you know you’re doing something right,“ said Cuccinelli who has faced scathing attacks from the liberal paper. Undeterred, Senator Cuccinelli said he works, “to advance the cause of liberty… families… and to protect our constitutional rights.”

“There have been years at a time when I was the only one in the Senate to put in a pro-life bill,” said Cuccinelli.

Most family bills die in the Education and Health Committee which is chaired by Senator Edd Houck (D-17th District). The 17th District includes Culpeper Louisa Madison and Orange Counties, part of Fredericksburg City, and part of Spotsylvania County.

“He is a very powerful individual. Edd Houck leads the charge to get rid of every good bill,” said Cuccinelli. In addition, “He hasn’t done well on illegal immigration.” Cuccinelli noted.

Senator Cuccinelli patroned Senate Bill 722, which removed the requirement that girls receive the human papillomavirus vaccine, and co-patroned Senate Bill 762, which provided penalties for any person forcing or coercing a pregnant female of any age to have an abortion against her will. Both of these were among the family bills that died in Houck’s committee this year.

A measure to protect human life made national headlines when the House and Senate versions of the biennial state budget both included defunding Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest private provider and promoter of abortions. The amendment, which Cuccinelli supported, was removed in conference committee negotiations. Senator Edd Houck, “vehemently opposed defunding Planned Parenthood,” Cuccinelli observed.

However, Senator Cuccinelli is used to fighting seemingly uphill battles.

“When you are in Fredericksburg and running on a conservative platform, you face certain challenges that you might not in other parts of Virginia,” Cuccinelli said. Challenging their positions is the way to change hearts and minds, he added.

“Every liberal position is based on a fallacy,” said Cuccinelli. “When you get down to the fallacy, they will swear and they will yell but they won’t answer the question.”

One of those position is abortion. Cuccinelli, who is Pro-life, believes that life begins at conception and is a strong advocate for women and children. He urged his listeners to ‘Love them both.’

“You’ve seen the bumper sticker. You need to believe it,” said Cuccinelli. “Make that industry respect the women they are dealing with.”

Although attention is focused on the presidential election, Senator Cuccinelli has begun to garner support for his campaign for Attorney General of Virginia in 2009. The Republican candidate for Attorney General will join Bob McDonnell, the current Attorney General of Virginia who is running for Governor, and Bill Bolling is running for re-election as Lieutenant Governor in 2009.

“The Attorney General deals with an awful lot of the issues that the Senate deals with,” said Cuccinelli. “I’ve been a leader in the Senate fighting taxes. I’ve been a leader in the Senate fighting for property rights. I am a Second Amendment leader in the Senate.”

“I’m a General Assembly expert on mental health and mental health in the judicial system,” Cuccinelli said. “I serve as a court appointed attorney in mental health hearings. I’ve done that for over 10 years.”

“I will not back off what I believe is the right thing to do,” said Cuccinelli who believes that there is no room to compromise on constitutional issues. “There has never been any doubt in Richmond or my district where I stand on the issues.”

“Every bit of power you give government, including taxes which are just another form of power, is just a little less freedom you have,” remarked Cuccinelli.

If he emerges as the Republican Candidate for Attorney General of Virginia, Senator Cuccinelli is prepared.

“We have the benefit, many of us, of being motivated by our faith,” said Cuccinelli. “And unlike the Democrats, we recognize the importance of that. You run these races and when it’s all said and done, you find out what God’s plan is for you. We need your prayers.”

Cuccinelli asked the Madison Republicans for their support in the 2009 Election.

“We have the strongest slate running for these positions that we have ever had in Virginia,” said Senator Ken Cuccinelli.

September 2008 Newsletter: Merriment in Madison

Political Humorist and Author Robert L. Haught

Robert L. “Bob” Haught believes in the power of laughter and, once again, he proved to be a maestro of humor at the August 19th Madison County Republican Women’s club meeting. Haught was introduced by his wife, Mary, who told the gathering of about 40 people a little known fact about Haught - he’s an accomplished kazoo player.

Haught has also had a distinguished career in journalism, government and politics. From UPI correspondent, to working on the staff of governors and U.S. Senators, to editorial writer and political humorist, Haught has found plenty of material along the way for his witty observations.

Haught latest book, “The POTUS Chronicles: Bubba Between the Bushes,” is an offshoot of the Washington news column which he wrote for 18 years, spanning the terms of three presidents. He is also the author of, “Now, I’m No Expert on Cats and Other Mysteries of Life.

In addition to excerpts from his election-year book, Haught regaled his audience with lively commentary on the current crop of presidential candidates. His humor veers to gentle satire but “my writings are based on fact,” said Haught.

“My Washington experience convinced me that we truly live in a great country. The nation’s Capitol really is a symbol about what is good about America.”

Photos: Matt Kandranch, RPV NoVA Representative, State Grassroots Director, Robert and Mary Haught

September 2008 Newsletter: Former Attorney General John Ashcroft on the Defense of Freedom

Monday, September 8, 2008

Luigi’s Restaurant, Culpeper, VA

“I believe the world is a very, very dangerous place,” said Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to a standing-room only crowd at Luigi’s Restaurant on September 8th in Culpeper. “In my judgment the American people deserve a strategy which means we would rather fight them there than have them fight us here,” he added.

“There are people out there who simply do not believe in our values,” Ashcroft said. “The number one value in America is freedom. They want to impose their ideas. Because that flies in the face of freedom, we reject it totally.”

“If you care about the defenders of freedom then you ought to understand that there is one person who is head and shoulders above everyone else and that is John McCain, said Ashcroft.”

He declared Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin to be an excellent choice for Vice President.

“This is a woman who knows how to make tough decisions, who knows how to administer something,” said Ashcroft, observing that Senator Joe Biden’s lauded committee positions were acquired totally by seniority, due to his 30 years in Washington.

As for most Americans, 9/11 was a defining point for the former Attorney General.

“I knew the world would never be the same,” said Ashcroft. “It’s going to take more and more skill to protect America. We can’t take less and less.”

“How do you balance freedom and security?” asked Ashcroft. “I don’t really like all the security at our airports but am I freer without it?”

“‘Give me liberty or give me death’ -- that ought to be our core policy,” said Ashcroft quoting patriot Patrick Henry’s famous speech before the Virginia Convention in March 1775.

“America is the only country that can’t say we’re better than other people,” Ashcroft said. “Look around, we are other people.”

Madison County Republican Committee Vice Chair Frank Stidman, Alice Stidman, Martha Dudley, John and Bridgette Underwood, Carolyn and Boyce Wray, and Ed and Shirley Essertier were among the members of the Madison County Republican Women’s club who attended. The event which was sponsored by the Culpeper County Republican Committee.

The Republican Committee’s McCain Headquarters is located at 203 S. Main Street, Culpeper, VA 22701, phone: (540) 825-2008. (Next to the Post Office).

Photo: Barbara Taylor of Culpeper, our local representative for Congressman Eric Cantor, greets John Ashcroft at Luigi's Restaurant, Southgate Shopping Center, Culpeper

PATRICK HENRY 1736-1799 Speech before the Virginia Convention March 1775

"... Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God! I know now what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

August 19th: Politics and Laughter

Guest Speaker Robert L. Haught

Political Humorist and author Robert L. Haught will be the Guest Speaker at MCRW's Augut 19th meeting, 6:30-8:30 PM, at the Madison Presbyterian Church. Haught will be sigining copies of his new book, The POTUS Chronicles: Bubba Between the Bushes.

Robert L. “Bob” Haught has a background of more than 50 years in journalism, government and politics. A former UPI correspondent in Oklahoma City, he was a top aide to two Oklahoma governors – Republicans Henry Bellmon and Dewey Bartlett. He went to Washington, D.C. in 1969 after Bellmon was elected to the U.S. Senate. He served as Bellmon’s press secretary and later administrative assistant for his two terms, then headed the staff of Sen. Charles “Mac” Mathias of Maryland for eight months before returning to writing.

As founder of Haught Associates, he published two newsletters and provided editorial services to a wide variety of clients. In 1987 he became the first Washington-based editorial writer for The Oklahoman, his home state newspaper. He created “Potomac Junction,” an op-ed page political humor column, in 1989 and continued writing it until December, 2007. His observations of three presidential administrations during that 18-year period provided the material for a timely election year book, “The POTUS Chronicles: Bubba Between the Bushes.”

Haught describes the 320-page book as “a merry romp through some of the most eventful times in the nation’s political history – ‘prudently recreating’ with George H. W. Bush, wondering what’s next for ‘Bubba’ Bill Clinton and his co-president wife, and ‘misunderestimating’ George “Dubya” Bush.” Haught also is the author of “Now, I’m No Expert on Cats and Other Mysteries of Life.”

The retired but still active writer was recognized for his achievements by induction into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in 2001. He is an officer and member of the board of directors of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Haught is a Korean War veteran, a Presbyterian Church elder and a Madison County home owner since 1986. He and his wife Mary live on a 40-acre farm in Madison County.

Madison Presbyterian Church is at the intersection of Rt. 29 and Rt. 722 (Fishback Road) at the north traffic light in Madison. Everyone who likes to have their ears tickled is invited to attend this meeting. Dinner $7. Menu: Bratwurst sausage, rolls, chili, slaw, watermelon, ice cream sundaes, lemonade, iced tea. Members please bring a side dish.

August 2008 Newsletter: Jim Gilmore for U.S. Senate

Madison Working Families Greet Jim Gilmore

Former Governor Jim Gilmore began his Working Families Tour in Hampton. By July 30th he had arrived at Shenandoah Springs Retreat and B&B in Haywood as he swung through the state in his campaign for the U.S. Senate.

“The race is about two things,” said Gilmore. “Number one is the energy issue. Number two is trust.”

Gilmore spoke in favor of increasing domestic oil and gas production to the enthusiastic crowd assembled at the Haywood campgrounds. His opponent, Democrat Mark Warner was against drilling for oil offshore but now has moved to a Catch-22 position which would allow oil companies to explore for oil even though he still opposes allowing them to drill for it.

A strong supporter of Second Amendment issues, Gilmore is on the board of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Warner has changed his position on gun rights Gilmore said. He reminded Madison voters of the vitriolic denouncement of Christians, the NRA and home schoolers which Warner made on May 25, 1994:

“One of the things you are going to see is a coalition that is just about completely taken over the Republican Party in this state and if they have their way it's going to take over state government. It is made up of the Christian Coalition, but not just them. It is made up of the right-to-lifers, but not just them. It's made up of the NRA, but not just them. It is made up of the home schoolers, but not just them. It's made up of a whole coalition of people that have all sorts of differing views that I think most of us in this room would find threatening to what it means to be an American.”

“I made sure home schoolers had an opportunity to be successful,” said Gilmore, who has a long record of fighting for traditional family values.

Gilmore also has family ties to Madison County. His grandparents had a farm at Wolftown which he remembers fondly and his father graduated from Madison County High School.

“Madison is the place where I really want the vote,” said Gilmore. “This is a really important place to me.”

Like this tour, Gilmore’s campaign is geared to appeal to all Virginians.

“Our program is for working people,” Gilmore said emphasizing the values that unite all Virginians.

“I assure you, there are Democrats out there that buy food, have children, and we’re going to get their vote.”

Jim Gilmore with some Madison County supporters

August 2008 Newsletter: 9th Annual Madison GOP BBQ

Offline, The Blue Ridge Messenger is a monthly publication with a mailing list of about 190 recipients. Current articles from the newsletter will be posted under the"Newsletter" category, naturally.

Congressman Eric Cantor brings solutions to Madison GOP BBQ

Congressman Eric Cantor (R-7th District) didn’t mince words about the Democrat’s refusal to allow a vote to increase the production of oil and gas in the United States.

“There is no doubt in my mind, this Commonwealth and this nation is at a crossroads,“ Cantor told a crowd of about 70 people at the Madison County Republican Barbecue on July 26th. “To me, it’s all about matching national security with economic security,” he added.

“I work with an awful lot of people in Washington who have the word, ‘No” written across their forehead,” Cantor said. “It’s as if they don’t want to let this country move forward.”

“We need to drill here. Drill now. Pay less,” said Cantor to enthusiastic applause. “We’ve got to become energy independent.”

“Right now it’s about bringing these gas prices down and the Democrats have said, ‘No.’ Nancy Pelosi refuses to bring the bill to a vote,” Cantor said.

Health care is another issue on which the Democrats have refused to budge, according to Cantor.

“We’ve got to bring down health care costs,” said Cantor. “We need some laws in place that have some flexibility that allows you to take your health care with you if you change jobs. Democrats say, ‘No.’"

“We’ve got to get Washington working together for America,” Cantor said noting the different approaches to government taken by Republicans and Democrats.

“We’re not about growing government. We’re about making government work for America, not about pork-barrel politics, not about having Barack Obama in the White House making appointments to the Supreme Court.”

“We’ve got the solutions,” said Congressman Cantor. “The Democrats continue to look for government for the answers and they’ve got the media on their side.”

Delegate Ed Scott (R-30th District) was on hand to speak for Senator John McCain. Scott serves on John McCain’s Virginia Steering Committee

“John McCain has the leadership, character and judgment to be the President of the United States,” said Delegate Scott.

Scott noted that Obama stood in Berlin and said that America would continue to keep forces in Germany.

“What’s good for Berlin is good for Baghdad and John McCain knows it,” said Delegate Scott.

John McCain has optimism for America noted Scott.

“He uses the word change but he tells you what he is going to change in clear terms,” Scott said.

“Barack Obama is a nice guy and he has a nice family but this man is not qualified to be President of the United States," observed Madison Republican Committee Chairman John Tucker. "All he’s got is the gift of gab. He has no experience.”

Obama would mean “bigger government, higher taxes, social programs and give-away programs and we‘d never be able to afford it,” Tucker said. “Get out and vote!” he urged the audience.

The event was the 9th annual barbecue held by the Madison Republicans.

Congressman Eric Cantor and Albert Yowell of Etlan