The following content is a member contribution to the CTP website. The Columbus Tea Party is not responsible, nor do we necessarily endorse, agree with, or are familiar with the contributor.
VOTE for JOHN ADAMS!
Attention All Columbus TEA Party Members
in Ohio’s 15th District!
Please vote for John Adams in the May 4th Primary!
DO NOT VOTE FOR STEVE STIVERS!
He is already visually telling a lie that has cost you money.
Mr. Stivers recently photo-shopped his campaign sign into this picture:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=343051&id=1809495513#!/photo.php?pid=343051&id=1809495513&fbid=1169492216689
From your Columbus TEA Party Tax Day Rally held on April 15, 2009.
Mr. Stivers co-opted your TEA Party rally by super-imposing his political ad onto your last year’s rally. This deceives the voters with the illusion that Mr. Stivers is a conservative and that somehow the TEA Party supports Mr. Stivers.
The Columbus Tea Party paid for the stage, the sound system, the publicity and probably the permit to hold that rally.
Mr. Stivers commandeered your public image without asking permission or, it seems, even bothering to show up to meet you. Do you think he will respect you if he gets elected?
Do you really want more of that same entitlement mentality in Washington DC? Do you really want more supposed “leaders” taking things that you pay for and using them for their own gain.
If Mr. Stivers will deceive you now, while running, he would deceive you later, if he is elected.
His ad also uses the TEA Party mantra, “We have had enough”. On this,
he is right! Conservatives have had enough of Special Interest politicians who are
Liberal, R.I.N.O.s, at heart, yet claim to be conservative. Our Nation deserves better than another Dede Scozzafava!
“Trust is paramount this time around!”
So who can you trust?
John Adams came to your rally in 2009 and met you there. John Adams was at the Tea Party Rally in Washington, and he was with you again at the Columbus Tea Party Rally this past April 15th 2010.
John Adams is a True Conservative who respects you as individuals and would represent the will of “We The People” in Ohio’s 15th District. John is challenging the “Banker’s Friend”, the liberal, RINO, Steve Stivers. John Adams shares your views and opinions.
John Adams takes time, attends your rallies to get to know you and understand your concerns. He will bring honor and trust back to the office if he is elected. Visit www.JohnAdams2010.com and see for yourself if you don’t agree with his Conservative positions!
“Trust is paramount”
Vote for John Adams in Ohio’s 15th District!
Michael A. Barone
Media Advisor – Pro tem
Since when does the Tea Party endorse candidates?!? Michael Barone has gone out on a limb, without the blessing of the movement he claims to represent, and is seriously in danger of destroying everything we have worked for.
My family has been involved with the Central Ohio Tea Party and its affiliates since its inception I find the claims made by this article to be grossly improper. We stand for lower taxation, limited government, and individual freedoms. We deal in facts. We are fed up with the rhetoric and spin that has become the common currency of our opponents. This article and its untruths are a huge step backwards for us.
Steve Stivers has faced his fair share of criticism, but not because of his fiscal conservative credentials. There has been little doubt that he has been a staunch fiscal conservative throughout his career. He has consistently voted for lower taxes, less government, and more individual freedoms. These are facts.
I have talked with Mr. Stivers at several Tea Party and 912 events over the last several months (yes he has made an effort to meet us), and while I may not agree with every view he has I know he has ideas for rolling back government and shares the principles we have fought for. He has served our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he did a commendable job as my State Senator, and he has been forthright and accessible as a candidate. Whether or not we as individuals choose to support him or not, he does not deserve this slander.
Should we not believe he is also fed up with our current representation? Should we honestly crucify a man for identifying with our principles? Just how is he stealing our money, as you claim?
You should be ashamed of yourself Mr. Barone. Our movement holds itself to a higher standard. Integrity and truthfulness are foundational.
By the way, I would encourage everyone to email Mr. Barone at mbarone@columbus.rr.com or mbarone@stgabrielradio.com to tell him how you feel about his deceptive and unauthorized letter.
Michael Barone does not represent us.
Jenny,
The Columbus Tea Party does not endorse and is not endorsing Mr. Adams nor Mr. Stivers. We have for some time been trying to get YOU (the Tea Party Movement) to contribute content to our site. As long as it’s newsworthy and liberty oriented, without hatred, bigotry, or profanity, it’s acceptable. This is offered to candidates as well and was offered to Adam Kuhn of Mr. Stivers camp. Mr. Barone, jumped on board to promote his candidate.
HOWEVER — there is one point you made that we fully agree with and we are at serious odds with Mr. Stivers about: co-opting the Tea Party Movement without the Blessing of the Tea Party. Should Mr. Adams file a complaint with the elections board regarding the flier that was photoshopped — fraudulent, false advertising that implies the Tea Party supports Mr. Stivers — should this happen we will support him fully and publicly.
The Tea Party Brand is not the legitimate right of the ORP to use on all their mailers. We are a network of volunteers who spend countless hours away from things we would rather be doing, volunteers who donated thousands of dollars to help build this movement. We are building a BRAND IDENTITY that means something. That stands for something. That should have some integrity to its use – whether you agree with it or not. And we will not allow anyone to willy-nilly use it for their own benefit without our approval. We will fight to own the brand – especially when it’s been manipulated through photoshop to CO-OPT the energy, time, money, and spirit of those who are tired of the 2 parties thinking we belong to them. Do you think Disney might object to us photoshopping a Gadsden Flag atop Cinderella’s castle and using it for our own promotion?
I have asked Mr. Barone to make it more clear in his post that this article did NOT come from the Columbus Tea Party. And I have also indicated the same to Mr. Stivers camp. However, Mr. Barone’s post was authorized in the manner I mentioned in my opening paragraph. He is not part of Columbus Tea Party leadership nor our communications department. Consider it a letter to the editor.
Contact communications@columbusteaparty.com for more information on contributing content.
I agree with Mike Barrone,
I attended the original “we surround them” event hosted by Glenn Beck and every tea party event.
I have attended many 912 events, and I when Stivers has shown up, I have been extremely disappointed with his refusal to take a stand on most issues.
I have never seen a sign endorsing Stivers at any event and his photo-shopping his sign into the tea party event, is in my opinion dishonest and shows a lack of integrity.
If he truly wanted to support the conservatives should have attended the “Vote No on Health Care Rally” in front of Kilroy’s office or the Sherrod Brown “town halls” with us true conservatives.
Sadly, Stivers and the Local Republican party treat us with as much contempt as the Democrats do. Glenn Beck has been warning us of this. He has been focusing on moral values lately and he has warned the tea party movement to wake up and stop being co-opted by progressive Republicans.
Unfortunately by endorsing Stivers, again, the Republicans are handing Kilroy another easy win!
Stivers is nothing more than another Meghan McCain progressive!
Dear Jennifer,
I would like to reach out to you in all civility. I want to offer an olive branch of sorts.
Please allow me to present my case and you can then feel free to write back.
Although it may seem like we are opponents over candidates in the 15th District, you and I are much closer than you think. We can at least agree to get M.J. Kilroy OUT! Right?
Next, to your post on http://www.ColumbusTEAParty.com,
You wrote: “Since when does the Tea Party endorse candidates?!? Michael Barone has gone out on a limb, without the blessing of the movement he claims to represent,…”
My Answer: The Columbus TEA Party has not endorsed John Adams (or Steve Stivers).
I am only a Media Advisor – Pro Tem for John Adams. I am not even “Officially” John’s Media advisor. Pro tem means temporary.
I am not an official from the TEA Party. I love the TEA Party, but I am not claiming to be part of the leadership. I wrote and signed my piece as a “Media Advisor – Pro Tem http://www.JohnAdams2010.com “ not as a TEA Party officer or official. I do not claim to represent the TEA Party anywhere in my article. I am a concerned citizen who has been invited to voice my opinion and try to help John Adams get his message out. This is an example of “Freedom of Speech” which I’m sure you and I would agree is one of our rights as citizens.
Next you wrote: “I find the claims made by this article to be grossly improper. We stand for lower taxation, limited government, and individual freedoms.”
My Answer: Which claims are you labeling grossly improper? What exactly are we disputing? I really would like to know I’m not trying to offend you; I want to understand your position. I’m claiming the following:
1. Mr. Stivers has allowed a picture to be sent in the mail which bears a false image of a sign which is not in the original picture.
2. I’m claiming that the photo-shopped “Vote for Stivers” sign implies that there are specific TEA Party Members who must have created the sign and placed it in open view while attending the 2009 Columbus TEA Party Rally. This was done to appear as if Mr. Stivers has the support of those (and other) TEA Party Members.
3. I’m claiming that this is a form of deception or manipulation since the picture is not “real” or “true” and the image has been digitally altered. I call that a “visual lie” because it conveys an untruth visually.
4. I’m claiming that this is a form of stealing since Mr. Stivers did not pay for the sound system, the stage, the publicity, the probable permits, or the good will/permission of the TEA Party leadership & members to use their images and likenesses in his Political Advertisement.
5. I’m claiming the GOP paid to send the doctored image in the US Mail.
I believe I am correct in these things that I’m claiming. Feel free to write me back if you disagree. That is the beauty of our system you can agree to disagree and still be friends. Keep in mind we need each other to vote out Kilroy in November.
Next you wrote: “Steve Stivers has faced his fair share of criticism, but not because of his fiscal conservative credentials.”
My Answer: I do not attack his “fiscal conservative credentials.”
Next you wrote: “I have talked with Mr. Stivers at several Tea Party and 912 events over the last several months (yes he has made an effort to meet us),…”
My answer: No one that I know saw Mr. Stivers at the three TEA Party events I mentioned in my article. Perhaps you did meet him at others; I do not dispute that possibility. No one that I know saw him at the 2009 April 15th Columbus TEA Party Rally which is where the image in question was created.
Next you wrote, “He has served our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he did a commendable job as my State Senator, and he has been forthright and accessible as a candidate. Whether or not we as individuals choose to support him or not, he does not deserve this slander.”
My answer: Which of the claims I have listed above is slander? A statement must be false to be slanderous. To my knowledge nothing I am claiming is false. I too would commend Mr. Stivers for his Military Service to our great country. But that has nothing to do with the claims my posting makes.
Next you wrote: “Just how is he stealing our money, as you claim?”
My answer: (see claim #4 above)
Next you wrote: “You should be ashamed of yourself Mr. Barone. Our movement holds itself to a higher standard. Integrity and truthfulness are foundational.”
My answer: Agreed! Yes, that is why we should not steal others likeness, images, and property. (See claim #4 above)
Next you wrote: “By the way, I would encourage everyone to email Mr. Barone at mbarone@columbus.rr.com or mbarone@stgabrielradio.com to tell him how you feel about his deceptive and unauthorized letter.”
My answer: First, I do not write deceptive letters. (See claims #1-#5 above). Second, I am completely “authorized” to write my opinion. I asked for and was given an opportunity to post to the http://www.ColumbusTEAParty.com web site. My letter was submitted and held for approval before it was posted, by the Columbus TEA Party leadership.
I am most grateful to them for allowing us both to freely express our opinions and make our noted claims.
Please remember that you and I are on the same side come November. My opinion is that John Adams http://www.johnadams2010.com is the better candidate and the better fit for the Columbus TEA Party voter consideration.
God bless you, and God bless the USA!
Sincerely,
Michael A. Barone
http://www.JohnAdams2010.com
Mbarone@columbus.rr.com
John Adams has asked me to clarify that he also was not at the 2009 April Rally. His first TEA Party Rally was the one in Washington DC last summer. This was my misunderstanding, not his mistake.
Michael A. Barone
Media Advisor – Pro Tem
http://www.JohnAdams2010.com
PS: After reading my post, my friend reminded me that we did see an anti-Stivers sign at the 2010 Tax Day – Tea Party!