We are now at the end of 2007 and the results are in--on record, that is, and the record is dismal for the “New Democrat Congress”. Most of the year was frittered away at impotent and useless attempts at legislation that would deny funding to our military efforts in Iraq, and as a result make a difficult situation worse. Make the situation so bad, in fact, that President Bush would have to pull the troops out and abandon Iraq; a complete and utter failure-- the ultimate embarrassment to President Bush and the Republicans.
The Congressional Democrats failed--it didn’t work. Thanks to President Bush, and his commitment to the people of Iraq and the American ideal of freedom, a new plan and renewed effort called the “surge” is now bringing significant success and hope to millions of people. Even as late as September congress called hearings to further question our leaders in Iraq and try to convince the American people that Iraq was a lost cause. It was at this time that the Democrats and the Left Wing of their party slimed General Petraeus by calling him “General Betrayus” in a paid advertisement in the New York Times newspaper.
Even as the Democrats in congress were brow-beating General Petraeus, the news coming from Iraq was showing positive results that the surge was working. The Iraqi people, both Sunni and Shia, were fed up with the terrorists and were turning to the American military and aiding them in the fight against al Qaeda. The tide had already started to turn in August: violence and killing dropped in September and October; November and December brought continuing improvements and much of the civil life of Iraq is returning to pre-war activities.
The Congress of 2007 revealed the true colors of the Democrat Party that wants to run the country. In less than a year we have seen their weak-kneed support of Freedom. We have seen their disdain for our Armed Forces. We have heard their apologies for America. In the election year 2008 the voters of America will have the chance to tell the Democrats and their radical Left-Wing that we have had enough of them. Our country needs leaders who believe in America and will stand up for Freedom. A Free World depends upon American leadership.
- Hal Neff, Bismarck
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Holiday Greetings from State Headquarters
Sitting down to enjoy a rare moment of quiet, my thoughts turned to recent happenings in my short tenure as your party chairman. Let me begin by saying, these last few months have been challenging, educational, and very rewarding. I have concluded that North Dakota’s most valuable resource is her people—people like you who help to make this a great place to live, work, worship and play!
A few highlights as the year 2007 passes into deep winter:
1) Governor Hoeven has announced his candidacy for Governor in the fall. With his enormous popularity and track record of substantial achievement across the board—in business opportunity, energy development and agricultural innovation—we have a tried and true leader at the top of a great ticket for the fall election.
2) The slate of candidates for state office and the legislative seats continues to surprise and delight. From Adam Hamm as Insurance Commissioner to those vying for the open seat on the PSC, and numerous individuals across the state with outstanding potential to enhance the legislature, I can hardly wait for the outcome.
3) With the visit of Presidential hopeful Rudy Guiliani last month followed by the Republican National Chairman, Mike Duncan, it looks as though the Presidential race will continue to be interesting. This gives many of you a rare opportunity to be involved at a national level, if you so choose.
4) The meetings held for the District Chairs in Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Bismarck were very well attended. As Executive Director Mike Schatz and I presented material to enable the leaders to carefully plan and effectively finance the upcoming campaigns at the District level, we were very impressed with the level of interest and commitment from these outstanding Republicans.
5) I have been very encouraged by the response to the campaign to raise funds for the “300 in 300” initiative. We have launched a program to send personal notes from District Chairs to potential donors each month. Because of the cooperation of local leaders and the great staff here at headquarters, we have seen a very positive early response.
I would like to close by saying that these last few months have given me hope—hope that excites and motivates me to move into the New Year with energy and enthusiasm for the 2008 election cycle. America is the world’s best hope, because America is made up of people like you. Thank you for the privilege of leading the way into a successful year! Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a New Year full of Hope! Gary Emineth Chairman
A few highlights as the year 2007 passes into deep winter:
1) Governor Hoeven has announced his candidacy for Governor in the fall. With his enormous popularity and track record of substantial achievement across the board—in business opportunity, energy development and agricultural innovation—we have a tried and true leader at the top of a great ticket for the fall election.
2) The slate of candidates for state office and the legislative seats continues to surprise and delight. From Adam Hamm as Insurance Commissioner to those vying for the open seat on the PSC, and numerous individuals across the state with outstanding potential to enhance the legislature, I can hardly wait for the outcome.
3) With the visit of Presidential hopeful Rudy Guiliani last month followed by the Republican National Chairman, Mike Duncan, it looks as though the Presidential race will continue to be interesting. This gives many of you a rare opportunity to be involved at a national level, if you so choose.
4) The meetings held for the District Chairs in Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Bismarck were very well attended. As Executive Director Mike Schatz and I presented material to enable the leaders to carefully plan and effectively finance the upcoming campaigns at the District level, we were very impressed with the level of interest and commitment from these outstanding Republicans.
5) I have been very encouraged by the response to the campaign to raise funds for the “300 in 300” initiative. We have launched a program to send personal notes from District Chairs to potential donors each month. Because of the cooperation of local leaders and the great staff here at headquarters, we have seen a very positive early response.
I would like to close by saying that these last few months have given me hope—hope that excites and motivates me to move into the New Year with energy and enthusiasm for the 2008 election cycle. America is the world’s best hope, because America is made up of people like you. Thank you for the privilege of leading the way into a successful year! Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a New Year full of Hope! Gary Emineth Chairman
Monday, December 17, 2007
Speaker Pelosi Refuses to Protect the Salvation Army - - Even at Christmas
For me and, I suspect, many of you, Christmas time is synonymous with the Salvation Army -- those volunteers in Santa hats ringing bells for donations in red kettles. The many Americans who give and the many Americans who are helped every year during the holiday season are, for me, what the Salvation Army is all about.
Which is why it is so unbelievable to me that, as I write this, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) continues to refuse to protect the Salvation Army from being sued by the United States government for requiring its employees to speak English on the job.
In an attempt to appease anti-English radicals in the House, Speaker Pelosi is holding up a bill that would protect employers such as the Salvation Army for being harassed by the government for simply requiring that they employees speak our common language. You can read my past commentaries on this issue here and here.
So, on behalf of the majority of Americans who want to see the English language encouraged and protected as our common language, my message to Speaker Pelosi is this: "'Tis the season, Madame Speaker. Give the gift that keeps on giving. Protect American charities from being sued for requiring that their employees speak English on the job."
Your friend,
Newt Gingrich
Which is why it is so unbelievable to me that, as I write this, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) continues to refuse to protect the Salvation Army from being sued by the United States government for requiring its employees to speak English on the job.
In an attempt to appease anti-English radicals in the House, Speaker Pelosi is holding up a bill that would protect employers such as the Salvation Army for being harassed by the government for simply requiring that they employees speak our common language. You can read my past commentaries on this issue here and here.
So, on behalf of the majority of Americans who want to see the English language encouraged and protected as our common language, my message to Speaker Pelosi is this: "'Tis the season, Madame Speaker. Give the gift that keeps on giving. Protect American charities from being sued for requiring that their employees speak English on the job."
Your friend,
Newt Gingrich
C'mon, give the money to someone who really needs it!
State Republican Party Chairman Gary Emineth would like the North Dakota Democratic Party to donate a $10,000 contribution linked to Richard ‘Dickie’ Scruggs, who has been indicted in a judge bribery plot.
“We continue to see the Democrats accepting money from questionable sources to fund their statewide operations.” said Emineth. “What exactly did Scruggs get from our Congressional Delegation for that $10,000? Someone had to ask for that donation, so something must have been promised for it.”
Scruggs is a Mississippi trial lawyer who has reportedly made almost $850 million from tobacco and asbestos litigation. He now stands accused of judicial bribery stemming from litigation involving Hurricane Katrina insurance payouts. On Monday of this week, the FBI raided the law office of attorneys hired to defend Scruggs.
Even Hillary Clinton does not want to be associated with Scruggs. Her campaign has cancelled a fundraiser scheduled in Scruggs home December 15th. “If Scruggs’ money is too dirty for even the Clintons, it should be too dirty for our state,” stated Emineth.
Records on file with the ND Secretary of State’s office document that Scruggs donated $10,000 to the ND Democratic-NPL Party on October 26th, 2006.
Emineth would like to see the ND Democrats donate the $10,000 to charity. “In the spirit of Christmas I think that $10,000 would do a lot of good for several non-profit organizations in North Dakota.”
“We continue to see the Democrats accepting money from questionable sources to fund their statewide operations.” said Emineth. “What exactly did Scruggs get from our Congressional Delegation for that $10,000? Someone had to ask for that donation, so something must have been promised for it.”
Scruggs is a Mississippi trial lawyer who has reportedly made almost $850 million from tobacco and asbestos litigation. He now stands accused of judicial bribery stemming from litigation involving Hurricane Katrina insurance payouts. On Monday of this week, the FBI raided the law office of attorneys hired to defend Scruggs.
Even Hillary Clinton does not want to be associated with Scruggs. Her campaign has cancelled a fundraiser scheduled in Scruggs home December 15th. “If Scruggs’ money is too dirty for even the Clintons, it should be too dirty for our state,” stated Emineth.
Records on file with the ND Secretary of State’s office document that Scruggs donated $10,000 to the ND Democratic-NPL Party on October 26th, 2006.
Emineth would like to see the ND Democrats donate the $10,000 to charity. “In the spirit of Christmas I think that $10,000 would do a lot of good for several non-profit organizations in North Dakota.”
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Dems don't want success in Iraq
By Brent McCarthy
The biased liberal media will not report the success of the troop surge. Our troops have the terrorists on the run. This is not good news for Democrats who were banking on the defeat of our troops to put their candidate in the White House. The push is on to bring about the defeat of our troops before the election, the gloves are off, and they want to cut off funding.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND, (after condemning Limbaugh for defending our troops) is now leading the charge for defeat. He wants “redeployment.” Just like “comprehensive immigration reform” is a code for “amnesty,” “redeployment” is a code for “surrender.” Our troops don’t need to go anywhere else to fight terrorists, there are plenty in Iraq and more arrive daily.
Our troops were sent reinforcements, it turned the tide. There is safety in numbers so troop casualties are down. The sad truth is that Democrats want troop numbers reduced so that the media will be reporting increased troop casualties by election season. This is what they desperately want when they say they want to “reduce troop levels in Iraq.” It’s not about money. Compared to what we spend on entitlements, the cost of the war is pennies.
We know that many in the most self absorbed generation will never understand. This is after all the generation that was so scared of its own shadow that it caused the defeated of our brave troops in Vietnam from home and then spit on them when they returned. When the men and women in Iraq today signed up for the military, they knew what was going on. They watch the news. They knew they would end up over there. They were not drafted. They believe in the cause. Unlike its predecessor, this is a brave and noble generation. Let’s tip our hats to them, give credit where credit is due and give them the funding and support they deserve.
Contact Byron Dorgan today and tell him that we support our troops, and expect him to set aside the needs of his party and start supporting them also.
The biased liberal media will not report the success of the troop surge. Our troops have the terrorists on the run. This is not good news for Democrats who were banking on the defeat of our troops to put their candidate in the White House. The push is on to bring about the defeat of our troops before the election, the gloves are off, and they want to cut off funding.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND, (after condemning Limbaugh for defending our troops) is now leading the charge for defeat. He wants “redeployment.” Just like “comprehensive immigration reform” is a code for “amnesty,” “redeployment” is a code for “surrender.” Our troops don’t need to go anywhere else to fight terrorists, there are plenty in Iraq and more arrive daily.
Our troops were sent reinforcements, it turned the tide. There is safety in numbers so troop casualties are down. The sad truth is that Democrats want troop numbers reduced so that the media will be reporting increased troop casualties by election season. This is what they desperately want when they say they want to “reduce troop levels in Iraq.” It’s not about money. Compared to what we spend on entitlements, the cost of the war is pennies.
We know that many in the most self absorbed generation will never understand. This is after all the generation that was so scared of its own shadow that it caused the defeated of our brave troops in Vietnam from home and then spit on them when they returned. When the men and women in Iraq today signed up for the military, they knew what was going on. They watch the news. They knew they would end up over there. They were not drafted. They believe in the cause. Unlike its predecessor, this is a brave and noble generation. Let’s tip our hats to them, give credit where credit is due and give them the funding and support they deserve.
Contact Byron Dorgan today and tell him that we support our troops, and expect him to set aside the needs of his party and start supporting them also.
Friday, December 07, 2007
State Representative Vig should be more informed
By Susan Shearer, Harvey, ND / Letter to the Jamestown Sun
As a state representative, Benjamin Vig should be more informed of the actions the North Dakota state government is taking to help address rising fuel prices within our state. While the biggest factor in fuel prices is the national and world oil markets, Gov. John Hoeven and his administration have done everything in their power to bring relief to North Dakota consumers.
For example, it was not long ago that Hoeven pushed for and received a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency to allow importation of Canadian winter blended fuel earlier than normal to address the fuel shortage, and he waived the hours of service for truck drivers hauling fuel into the state to help keep prices down. Above all, he has remained in continuous contact with regional refineries and pipeline authorities to insist that more fuel is shipped to our state and that fuel prices are kept at a more reasonable level.
His work in the energy sector, however, does not stop there. He recently chaired an Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission meeting, which was held in September to address these and other issues throughout the Rocky Mountain and Upper Great Plains regions.
Vig also ignores all the work the governor has done to promote alternative fuels, which help to bring down prices and promote less reliance on foreign oil. A few years ago, North Dakota produced less than 40 million gallons of ethanol a year. Under the Governor’s leadership, new facilities already operating and other plants that are now being planned and constructed will produce a half a billion gallons.
All of this was ignored in Vig’s recent letter, however, making it seem as though he is more interested in erroneously pointing fingers when his time as a state legislator could be better spent working with North Dakota’s leaders to help tackle such issues and expand North Dakota’s energy capabilities.
(Shearer is president of Harvey Sand & Gravel Inc.)
As a state representative, Benjamin Vig should be more informed of the actions the North Dakota state government is taking to help address rising fuel prices within our state. While the biggest factor in fuel prices is the national and world oil markets, Gov. John Hoeven and his administration have done everything in their power to bring relief to North Dakota consumers.
For example, it was not long ago that Hoeven pushed for and received a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency to allow importation of Canadian winter blended fuel earlier than normal to address the fuel shortage, and he waived the hours of service for truck drivers hauling fuel into the state to help keep prices down. Above all, he has remained in continuous contact with regional refineries and pipeline authorities to insist that more fuel is shipped to our state and that fuel prices are kept at a more reasonable level.
His work in the energy sector, however, does not stop there. He recently chaired an Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission meeting, which was held in September to address these and other issues throughout the Rocky Mountain and Upper Great Plains regions.
Vig also ignores all the work the governor has done to promote alternative fuels, which help to bring down prices and promote less reliance on foreign oil. A few years ago, North Dakota produced less than 40 million gallons of ethanol a year. Under the Governor’s leadership, new facilities already operating and other plants that are now being planned and constructed will produce a half a billion gallons.
All of this was ignored in Vig’s recent letter, however, making it seem as though he is more interested in erroneously pointing fingers when his time as a state legislator could be better spent working with North Dakota’s leaders to help tackle such issues and expand North Dakota’s energy capabilities.
(Shearer is president of Harvey Sand & Gravel Inc.)
Thursday, December 06, 2007
In case you missed it... ND Bucks Economic Head Wind
Forum Editorial:
North Dakota’s economy is thriving in the face of an economic downturn across the Midwest. That’s the good news from Creighton University’s Mid-America Economic Survey, one of the more reliable and credible economic assessments of the nine-state region.
Professor Ernie Goss of Creighton said the region’s overall economic signs are not unlike those that preceded a recession in 2001. His Business Conditions Index for November dropped below neutral 50 to no-growth 49.1, the first sub-50 reading since 2002.
But North Dakota bucked the trend with a remarkable 71, a jump from October’s 69.3. North Dakota’s index was the strongest in the surveyed region, and Goss attributed the state’s strong economy to the Canadian dollar (shoppers coming south), a great year on the farm and continued expansion of the energy sector.
The news from the Creighton survey comes just days after an excellent post-Thanksgiving shopping weekend in North Dakota’s major cities. The pace of shopping has not slipped, despite a few days of bad weather and record-high gasoline prices. When holiday shoppers come out and spend, it means they have disposable income and are anticipating the good economy will last. Consumer confidence confirms the Creighton findings.
Other factors contributing to the economic strength in North Dakota include job growth and export sales. The state has added some 3,300 good-paying manufacturing jobs in the past few years. The state’s ranking for exports and export businesses jumped last year, as entrepreneurs took advantage of state support to find and exploit new overseas markets.
Among the “head winds” that are slowing the national and regional economies is the subprime mortgage lending debacle. Again, North Dakota bucked the trend by not jumping on to the subprime bandwagon. Banks with state roots and home-grown bankers exercised traditional caution and did not get sucked into the storm that is buffeting the national economy. Free of that negative factor, the state’s increasingly diversified economy continues to thrive.
Today’s issue:
Regional survey finds North Dakota economy is in excellent shape.
Our position:
Diversification will help state weather a looming national downturn.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper’s Editorial Board.
North Dakota’s economy is thriving in the face of an economic downturn across the Midwest. That’s the good news from Creighton University’s Mid-America Economic Survey, one of the more reliable and credible economic assessments of the nine-state region.
Professor Ernie Goss of Creighton said the region’s overall economic signs are not unlike those that preceded a recession in 2001. His Business Conditions Index for November dropped below neutral 50 to no-growth 49.1, the first sub-50 reading since 2002.
But North Dakota bucked the trend with a remarkable 71, a jump from October’s 69.3. North Dakota’s index was the strongest in the surveyed region, and Goss attributed the state’s strong economy to the Canadian dollar (shoppers coming south), a great year on the farm and continued expansion of the energy sector.
The news from the Creighton survey comes just days after an excellent post-Thanksgiving shopping weekend in North Dakota’s major cities. The pace of shopping has not slipped, despite a few days of bad weather and record-high gasoline prices. When holiday shoppers come out and spend, it means they have disposable income and are anticipating the good economy will last. Consumer confidence confirms the Creighton findings.
Other factors contributing to the economic strength in North Dakota include job growth and export sales. The state has added some 3,300 good-paying manufacturing jobs in the past few years. The state’s ranking for exports and export businesses jumped last year, as entrepreneurs took advantage of state support to find and exploit new overseas markets.
Among the “head winds” that are slowing the national and regional economies is the subprime mortgage lending debacle. Again, North Dakota bucked the trend by not jumping on to the subprime bandwagon. Banks with state roots and home-grown bankers exercised traditional caution and did not get sucked into the storm that is buffeting the national economy. Free of that negative factor, the state’s increasingly diversified economy continues to thrive.
Today’s issue:
Regional survey finds North Dakota economy is in excellent shape.
Our position:
Diversification will help state weather a looming national downturn.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper’s Editorial Board.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Mathern Spending Plans
North Dakota state senator Tim Mathern has announced his bid for the Democrat Party nomination for governor. Mathern is an incumbent senator from Fargo who many of you will recall, in the legislative session of 2007, co-sponsored the ND Senate Concurrent Resolution 4022: the purpose of this resolution was to have the North Dakota legislature direct President George W. Bush to immediately pull the U.S. troops out of Iraq. Mathern sponsored that resolution at the very time that the U.S. military was planning remedial action in Iraq. The surge, as it was called, has proven to be so effective that less than 8 months later Iraq and Baghdad are returning to peaceful commerce.
In a Nov. 30 interview with Mr. John Irby, editor at the Bismarck Tribune, Mathern proposes, as a centerpiece of his campaign, state paid health care for all North Dakota children--no matter the income, no qualifications or restrictions. There were no questions asked about who or how this would be paid for, and Mathern offered no details.
The 2008 election is nearly a year away, and the next legislative session is to begin in 2009. There is great anticipation of a “nice” budget surplus awaiting the next legislative session--Mathern has already begun to spend it.
Hal Neff
In a Nov. 30 interview with Mr. John Irby, editor at the Bismarck Tribune, Mathern proposes, as a centerpiece of his campaign, state paid health care for all North Dakota children--no matter the income, no qualifications or restrictions. There were no questions asked about who or how this would be paid for, and Mathern offered no details.
The 2008 election is nearly a year away, and the next legislative session is to begin in 2009. There is great anticipation of a “nice” budget surplus awaiting the next legislative session--Mathern has already begun to spend it.
Hal Neff
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