Action Alert: Tell LeMieux to vote against DREAM Act

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will begin debate this week on the DREAM Act as a standalone bill. Congressional Democrats knows the lame-duck session will be crucial to get an amnesty of any kind through Congress, because more pro-immigration enforcement Representatives take control in both Chambers for the 112th Congress.

For Floridians, our weakness link in this battle is Republican Sen. George LeMieux He has voted against the bill but has shown signs of recent support. We must politely tell him to continue to vote against it.

The decision by Reid and Pelosi to continue to push this unpopular bill shows a lack of leadership and complete disregard for unemployed Americans struggling to find jobs. Please don't delay. Send this critical message to LeMieux, urging him to stand against Pelosi and Reid's pro-amnesty agenda. Other Tea Party members have already paid for this fax, so there is no cost to you.

What: Send a fax to Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., urging him not to support the DREAM Act.

When: Now.

Where: Click here.

For more information: Click here.

Incoming congressman Allen West taps outspoken Fla. radio host as chief of staff

Hmmm ... not sure how I feel about this one.

From Philip Rucker of The Washington Post on Nov. 9:

In the wake of last week's GOP victories in the midterm elections, some conservative firebrands who have leveled harsh criticism at Washington officialdom will soon themselves become Capitol insiders.

Congressman-elect Allen West (R-Fla.), who rode the tea party wave to unseat Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.), has hired Joyce Kaufman, a local conservative talk radio commentator known for her provocative and sometimes incendiary statements, as his chief of staff.

In discussing the move on her show Tuesday afternoon, the husky-voiced radio commentator said she is excited to come to Washington and get a "bird's-eye view" of Congress. Kaufman dismissed the outgoing Democratic leadership as "garbage."

"Over these months I have been blessed to form very wonderful relationships with the West family," Kaufman said, adding that she had been a supporter of his campaign. "I looked at this family and [told] myself, how do you not fight and put them up on the pedestal when we've got this garbage up on the pedestal now, people like Nancy Pelosi?"

Read more.

Action Alert: Central Palm Beach County SFTP meeting

What: Central Palm Beach County Chapter of the South Florida Tea Party meeting.

When: Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.

Where: The Banshee Room at Brogues Irish Pub on the Avenue, 621 Lake Ave., Lake Worth.

Action alert: Get Out The Vote Rally

Before you head to the RNC Victory Rally in Orlando on Oct. 23, come to the final big Tea Party before the November elections.

The Orlando Tea Party and the South Florida Tea Party will be sponsoring a Florida Statewide Get Out The Vote Rally on Oct. 23 at Orlando City Hall from noon until 2 p.m.

This rally will be different from most tea parties that you have attended. We will be creating phone call lists and voter guides that will explain the amendments that will be on the November ballot. The voter guide will also include information about the two Florida Supreme Court justices that voted against the Florida Healthcare Freedom Act that will be on the ballot. We'll make sure you leave with the information you need to inform you friends, neighbors and social network before going to the polls.

The rally will also feature a Freedom Forum, during which you'll have an opportunity to tell your elected officials what you want to see out of Tallahassee. We've invited all the Central Florida State House representatives to come and listen to anyone who wants to speak at the microphone.

Speakers at the event include:

• Grover Norquist, of Americans for Tax Reform, to talk about why it is so important to elect conservatives this year.
• Todd Long, author of "The Conservative Comeback," to talk about what state governments can do to protect citizens from the ever-expanding power of the federal government.
• Matt Falconer, of LowerTaxesNow.org, to talk about spending on the state level.
• Sean Caranna, of Florida Open Carry, to talk about passing an open carry law in Florida similar to an Arizona law that would allow Floridians to openly carry a weapon without a permit.
• Tea Party leaders from all over Florida! Every Tea Party or 9/12 group is invited to speak and represent their groups at the rally. If you'd like to speak, e-mail Phil Russo.

Check out FloridaTeaParty.com and OrlandoTeaParty.com.

What: Florida Statewide Get Out The Vote Rally.

When: Oct. 23, from noon until 2 p.m.

Where: Orlando City Hall, 400 S. Orange Ave., Orlando.

For more information: See FloridaTeaParty.com and OrlandoTeaParty.com.

Action alert: SFTP meeting dates

The South Florida Tea Party has two meetings coming up, including the first meeting of a new chapter.

On Oct. 17, the first meeting of the Central Palm Beach Country group will be held at the Spring Lakes Club in Lake Worth. Meeting topics include candidates for judicial seats in the county, the amendments on the Nov. 2 ballot and the Get Out the Vote campaign in Palm Beach County.

On Nov. 1, the North Palm Beach County group (previously the Jupiter group) will hold a meeting to discuss county candidates for judge positions and state amendments in the November elections. The meeting will be held at the Abacoa Golf Club.

What: First meeting of the Central Palm Beach County group.

When: Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

Where: Spring Lakes Club, 3150 Via Poinciana, Lake Worth.

For more information: Contact R.C. McDonald at (561) 856-5212.

What: North Palm Beach County Group meeting.

When: Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. for appetizers and drinks and at 7 p.m. for the meeting.

Where: Abacoa Golf Club, 105 Barbados Drive, Jupiter.

For more information: E-mail Centralpbc@southfloridateaparty.org.

Action Alert: Help out SFTP this month

The South Florida Tea Party needs help in October walking neighborhoods and calling voters in Palm Beach County.

E-mail Pam Fincham if you are willing to walk neighborhoods and hand out information or make calls from home or a central location. Please include your name, telephone number, town and zip code.

Don't just stop there. Take it a step farther and start your own mini-Tea Party group. We'll set you up with:

• Support to get your group started.
• A website and access to technology to promote your group.
• Access to our departments, such as research and operations.
• Special action alert items.
• One-on-one training and support for as long as you have your group.

We've also got positions open for a media buyer, database SQL programmers, graphic designers and a Dade County executive director and special project leader. The last position requires a signifiant amount of time and dedicated leadership.

Finally, we're looking for office space and items as well as volunteers who speak Yiddish and Spanish and volunteers to perform office work and database entry.

We can use your help, even if it's only five minutes. For more information, call (561) 247-5264, or e-mail volunteer@southfloridateaparty.org.

Come to the 2010 Candidate Forum!

Palm Beach County voters are invited to meet their prospective representatives at an Oct. 4 candidate forum in Palm Beach Gardens sponsored by the South Florida Tea Party.

Republican and Democrat candidates from all Palm Beach County districts have been invited to participate in the 2010 Candidate Forum, held at the Borland Center at 7 p.m. Radio host Joyce Kaufman will serve as the moderator for the event, during which panelists will answered prepared and live questions.

Attendees can partake in a meet and greet with the panelists at 6 p.m. in the center's lobby. Singer Lou Galterio will also sing the National Anthem.

To RSVP for reserved seating, click here. Submit the form online, and also print a copy to bring to the event.

Confirmed participating candidates are:

U.S. House of Representatives:

Democrat Jim Horn of District 16

Republican Joe Budd of District 19

Republican Lieutenant Colonel Allen West of District 22

Republican Bernard Sansaricq of District 23

Florida Senate:

Republican Lizbeth Benacquisto of District 27

Florida State House of Representatives:

Republican Pat Rooney of District 83

Democrat Marc Marciano of District 83

Republican Albert Key of District 84

Republican Tami Donnally of District 85

Democrat Joe Ambruzzo of District 85

Republican Bill Hager of District 87

Republican Steven Rosenblum of District 89

What: 2010 Candidate Forum hosted by the South Florida Tea Party.

When: Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., with a meet and greet at 6 p.m.

Where: Borland Center, 4885 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens.

Tea party favorite Allen West gunning for Ron Klein's seat

From Alex Leary of the St. Petersburg Times on Sept. 27:

DEERFIELD BEACH — Allen West ended a military career and launched a political one in the most unusual of ways. He threatened to kill a man.

It happened on Aug. 20, 2003, a hot, dusty night in Iraq. Demanding information about a possible ambush on U.S. troops, Army Lt. Col. West backed up the threat by firing his 9mm Beretta near a detainee's head.

Months later, West stood at a military hearing, wiping away tears. "If it's about the lives of my men and their safety," he said, "I'd go through hell with a gasoline can."

At his campaign headquarters in a strip mall in Deerfield Beach, West said the ordeal was the foundation for his decision to run for Congress. Thousands of people across the United States rallied behind him at the time, setting off a debate about war conduct that continues today.

"He should have gotten a medal," said Tim O'Neill, who showed up to hear West speak at a candidate forum in Pompano Beach last week. "I admire what he did in the military, but I like his politics even more."

West, 49, is challenging two-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, and has turned his national notoriety — and an endorsement from Sarah Palin — into a fundraising juggernaut, collecting more than $4 million.

Polls show a neck-and-neck race, but by even getting this far, West underscores the headwinds working against Democrats in the midterm elections. Knocking off Klein would be major as Klein himself was a giant killer in 2006 by defeating 26-year Republican House veteran Clay Shaw.

Convention holds that a moderate Republican would run strongest against Klein, 53, whose Democrats have the smallest of advantages in voter registration. "What are the principles of a moderate?" West scoffed.

He tears into the health care law, the stimulus and says voters were "tricked" into electing Barack Obama. He mocks "co-exist" bumper stickers. Klein, he says, is a "pathetic liberal."

In one of the many videos of him on YouTube, est shouts into a megaphone at a July 4th rally wearing sunglasses, an American-flag bandana and a tight yellow shirt bearing a coiled snake — the adopted symbol of the tea party.

"If we sit complacent and if we don't pay attention to what's going on right now, we will find ourselves once again becoming slaves to a tyrannical government. You cannot stand down. You cannot stop being vigilant. And just as this T-shirt says ... we must tell this government, 'Don't tread on me.' "

Read more.

Judge blocks provisions of Arizona's immigration law

From Jonathan J. Cooper and Michelle Price of the Associated Press on July 28:

PHOENIX -- A federal judge stepped into the fight over Arizona's immigration law at the last minute Wednesday, blocking the heart of the measure and defusing a confrontation between police and thousands of activists that had been building for months.

Coming just hours before the law was to take effect, the ruling isn't the end.

It sets up a lengthy legal battle that could end up before the Supreme Court -- ensuring that a law that reignited the immigration debate, inspired similar measures nationwide, created fodder for political campaigns and raised tensions with Mexico will stay in the spotlight.

Protesters who gathered at the state Capitol and outside the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City cheered when they heard the news. The governor, the law's authors and anti-illegal immigration groups vowed to fight on.

"It's a temporary bump in the road," Gov. Jan Brewer said.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton will now have to decide a question as old as the nation itself: Does federal law trump state law? She indicated in her ruling that the federal government's case has a good chance at succeeding.

The Clinton appointee said the controversial sections should be put on hold until the courts resolve the issues, including sections that required officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws.

Bolton delayed provisions that required immigrants to carry their papers and banned illegal immigrants from soliciting employment in public places -- a moved aimed at day laborers. In addition, she blocked officers from making warrantless arrests of suspected illegal immigrants for crimes that can lead to deportation.

"Requiring Arizona law enforcement officials and agencies to determine the immigration status of every person who is arrested burdens lawfully present aliens because their liberty will be restricted while their status is checked," Bolton wrote.

Read more.

I was so disappointed to read this news alert on my phone this afternoon.

WHY ARE WE PROTECTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS? Is it such a burden for legal immigrants to carry paperwork? And why would arresting illegal immigrants for anything that could lead to deportation be wrong? Do we want them to stay?

Bolton sends one big message with her ruling: It is OK to be a legal immigrant in the U.S. I don't get it, and I'm angry.

The South Florida Tea Party asks that you show your support for Arizona's efforts. Display a sign with a pat-on-the-back message for the state -- a simple "I support Arizona" will do. E-mail us a picture of your sign to info@southfloridateaparty.org, and you may win a T-shirt.

South Florida Tea Party to hostAG Bill McCollum on June 30

The Boca Raton chapter of the South Florida Tea Party is proud to present its first gathering, featuring Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, candidate for governor.

Come hear McCollum's stance on Florida's future regarding immigration, health care, education, taxes, energy, fiscal responsibility and more.

What: South Florida Tea Party hosts Bill McCollum.

When: June 30, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach.

Calling all experts!

Are you an expert on a topic of national interest, such as health care, immigration, taxes, education, national security or TARP? If so, I want to hear from YOU!

The South Florida Tea Party plans to hold educational forums to inform citizens on the history of these and other topics and how they affect Americans' lives today.

To do so, we're looking for credible, knowledgeable experts to give a presentation on an issue, including an overview of the topic -- its history, what laws govern it and how Tea Party values align or don't align with it -- with visual supports, such as a multimedia presentation or poster boards of information.

Maybe you've studied conservatism or have written about Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals." Or perhaps you're a constitutional expert or an economist. Share your knowledge with Tea Party Patriots!

If you're interested in giving a presentation, tell us in a few hundred words what topic you would like to speak about and what makes you an expert. Send your brief bio and any questions to Jenn@SouthFloridaTeaParty.org, using the subject line "Educational Forum Expert."

Your knowledge will arm others with information to share and will affect the way people vote. Don't let your expertise go to waste -- help us make America a better, more informed country.

West Palm Beach Tax Day Tea Party

The Tax Day Tea Party on April 15 in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla., was a hit. We had about 1,000 people show up, and the event went longer than expected, but everyone seemed to have a good time.

The speeches were especially good. Among the speakers were South Florida Tea Party leaders, local high school students, immigrants and doctors. Billy Bones also gave a few performances. But our big guest was Hannah Giles, the 20-year-old who took down ACORN by pretending to be a prostitute.

I also finally got to meet George Bennett, one of the political beat writers for The Palm Beach Post. In South Florida, we're blessed to have decent Tea Party coverage in the media; we're in The Post probably once a week, usually in articles by Bennett.

Here's Bennett's coverage from April 15:

Tea partyers rally at West Palm Beach tax day protest;

urged to be better activists

WEST PALM BEACH — After failing to derail health care overhaul in Washington last month and failing to sway a special congressional election in South Florida this week, tea party activists were challenged Thursday to do more than just protest.

"This week I saw a disaster unfold before my very eyes," conservative talk radio host Joyce Kaufman told a tax day crowd that approached 1,000. She was referring to Democrat Ted Deutch's 62.1 percent victory in a congressional race where tea partyers once vowed to make a national statement.

"I'm here today to warn you that if you don't activate and if each one of you doesn't bring somebody else to the tea party, bring somebody else to the table in August (for the primaries) and in November, then we have failed and we will go down in flames," Kaufman said.

"We've got to take it to the next step," South Florida Tea Party Chairman Everett Wilkinson said. "We've got to become activists, and that doesn't mean just coming out to protests."

Click here to read more.

I'm working on a video of the event (click here for a 30-second video I made of last year's Tea Party), but in the meantime, here are pictures I took (click to enlarge):

Meg, of SFTP, gives one of many media interviews.

No more pork barrel spending!

Those are tea bags crossed on his chest.

The pirate ship from last year's Tax Day Tea Party is back!

The event started at 5:30 p.m., but people started showing up two hours earlier.

The pig balloons were a hit! Everyone wanted one.

A colonial protester visits our SFTP volunteer table.

Awesome family!

Security stands guard to control the "angry mob" ... or anyone there to riot us.

This group had some of my favorite signs.

The lawn starts to fill up!

These guys had more of my favorite signs.

Patriots crowd by the stage as the rally begins.

Everett leads the Pledge of Allegiance with Palm Beach County students

and a sign language interpreter.

Hannah Giles addresses the crowd.

Dr. Richard Raborn, a vaccine physician,

speaks about the effects of the health care bill.

John Clark, a high school student, addresses the crowd.

Billy Bones performs.

Hannah Giles and The Real Polichick!

I'm very proud of the success of the event -- especially because I was nervous as the calendar approached April 15. Last year, I attended the Tax Day rally. This year, I helped organize it. And as President Barack Obama knows, being a community organizer is not easy! I wonder if he's proud ;)