Archive → Author
Protecting the property rights of all Alabamians
Remember last April when several RLC members were working to protect the property rights of economically disadvantaged property owners in Montgomery? It looks like the national media, Fox 6 and some blogs are starting to pick up on the story. Here are some highlights:
- From ABC News: “We’re calling it eminent domain through the back door,” said Christina Walsh, director of activism and coalitions for the Institute for Justice. In the last week has taken on the case in Montgomery through its grassroots anti-eminent domain organization, the Castle Coalition. “There’s stories of property owners who have court orders demanding their properties be left alone and they come in and demolish them.”
- Reason magazine: The focus there is on what Beito calls “eminent domain through the back door,” which has fallen especially heavily on low-income blacks. “Under this system,” [David] Beito writes, “Montgomery has demolished homes without the normal due process of conventional eminent domain–and often gives little notice. The city alleges that these homes are ‘blighted’ but…at least some are in excellent repair.” Rather than providing the just compensation required under the Fifth Amendment, the city “bills the owner for the cost of demolition and he or she is left with an essentially worthless property.”
- The Daily Caller: Consider Jimmy McCall. Jimmy was in the process of building from the ground-up a home for his family when he was notified it was slated for demolition. After one failed attempt to bulldoze the half-completed home, the city came back under this state law and got what they were fighting for: Jimmy’s would-be dream home was demolished, and he was stuck with the bill.
- Fox News (national): Mayor Todd Strange says he took office after McCall’s home was condemned and demolished. Without commenting on this specific case, Strange argues that the city is aggressively targeting properties that have been neglected.
- Fox News (local): Montgomery has condemned dozens of homes under its blight ordinance, often billing the owners for the cost of demolition. The city then markets the properties to private developers.
- Alphecca.com: Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange is a genuine piece of crap.
David Beito has more at the Independent Institute here and our own Stephen Gordon covers the issue here.
For those of you interested in the issue, the Castle Coalition will be conducting a training workshop on Saturday, August 28. Additional details are located here.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-10
- Bradley Byrne won a straw poll run by someone on his payroll. Makes sense to me. #alpolitics #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Birmingham metro Tea Party to be held April 15 in Hoover
BIRMINGHAM – The Rainy Day Patriots are sponsoring their annual Tax Day Tea Party – Restore the Republic – on April 15, 2010 at Veteran’s Park in Hoover, AL.
“This year’s tea party will reflect the growing dissatisfaction that the average American feels toward our out of control government,” said Zan Green, Founder of the Rainy Day Patriots. “This is a venue for everyone, regardless of party or affiliation to engage in a true American Heritage, A Tea Party.”
This year’s tea party welcomes Chuck Heath, father of former Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, and Chuck Heath, Jr., Palin’s brother. The Heath’s are being sponsored by: Lee Davis of 101.1 WYDE, the Stan Cooke for US Congress campaign and the Tim James for Governor campaign.
A list of featured speakers includes: FairTax spokesman Mike Frederick, Big Government…Poor Grandchildren author Durham Ellis, military strategist Lt. Col. Courtney Rodgers, Frederick Douglas Republians founder Keith Carl Smith, gubernatorial candidate Tim James, U.S. House candidate Stan Cooke, Commissioner of Agriculture Candidate Dale Peterson, US House candidate Michele Waller, State House candidate James Lee.
Local radio personalities Matt Murphy and Leland Whaley of 100.5 WAPI, Steve Shannon and Leah Brandon of 105.5 WERC, Michael Hart and Lee Davis of 101.1 WYDE (Davis will be airing his show live from the event)
The Rainy Day Patriots have grown to include four affiliate delegations in other counties in Alabama, with others forming. For interested persons who cannot attend the event, go to the organization’s website at www.rainydaypatriots.org for a list of affiliated tea parties around the state.
EVENT: Tax Day Tea Party April 15th, 2010 Veteran’s Park on Valleydale Road
SCHEDULE:
3:00 p.m. Open mic time for anyone to express his or her views
6:00 p.m. Featured speakers begin
9:00 p.m. Event concludes (Bring your lawn chairs, signs, picnic and enthusiasm)
Vendors will be on hand with a variety of display booths, including Full Moon BBQ.
Members of the Alabama Republican Liberty Caucus are helping to organize this Tea Party and will be participating in a variety of roles throughout the event.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-29
- Press conference to stop ObamaCare at state line Tues 11:30 AM Capitol steps in Montgomery #alpolitics #tlot #tcot #sgp #teaparty #
- Sign the coalition letter to stop ObamaCare in Alabama http://goo.gl/92u5 #alpolitics #tlot #tcot #sgp #teaparty #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
New Conference Tuesday in Montgomery Regarding Alabama Legislative Response to National Health Care Plan
Alabama Senator Scott Beason has proposed a constitutional amendment (SB-233) which, if enacted, will prohibit any person, employer, or health care provider from being compelled to participate in any health care system. Three similar bills have been proposed in the Alabama House. Democrats in both chambers have blocked the progress of these bills.
Over fifty organizations and thousands of individuals have signed on to a coalition letter urging legislators to move one of these bills “through both houses and to the people for a vote.”
On Tuesday, March 30, Senator Beason, Eagle Forum of Alabama Executive Director Brooklyn Burgess and Alabama Republican Liberty Caucus Media Director Stephen Gordon will be conducting a news conference on the State House stairs in Montgomery at 11:30 a.m. Candidates for public office, representatives of state organizations, local and regional Tea Party leaders and members of the state legislature will also be on hand to field questions from the media immediately following the news conference.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-07
- RT @austinwilkes http://twitpic.com/10y0v4 – #alpolitics Gubernatorial fundraising chart: All of the apples and all of the oranges. #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Stephen Gordon discusses the Tea Party movement on MSNBC
Here’s ALRLC media spokesperson Stephen Gordon on Rachel Maddow:
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-20
- RT @JoeNBC: @jmiklos56 Ron Paul is a #trueconservative. Restraint in spending money at home. Restraint in fighting wars abroad. #
- RT @JoeNBC: #libertarian Ron Paul on Morning Joe tomorrow. #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-06
- RT @ShanaJean: RT @JoeNBC @StephenGordon @JohnHKillian @JohnTFisher Rammer Jammer Tebow Hammer! #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-29
- Republicans hoping to purge RLC from the GOP here: http://bit.ly/52fLcM Poll here: http://bit.ly/65l6mE #tlot #tcot #gopliberty #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-11-08
- RT @RedState: Joe Scarborough: How History Repeats Itself http://bit.ly/2g8Ilm #
- RT @RedState: Joe Scarborough: How History Repeats Itself http://bit.ly/1xxsod #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-08-23
- RT @StephenGordon I’m in a strategy meeting w/Obama on health reform. Join us: http://bit.ly/FmKCU #alpolitics #gopliberty #tlot please RT #
- Send your #healthcare questions to @BarackObama online #townhall using #hc09 hashtag. #tlot #tcot #iamthemob #c4l #alpolitics #gopliberty #
- RT @StephenGordon @AlabamaEagle Get your “NO Government Health Care” yard signs here http://www.alabamaeagle.org/ #tcot @alpolitics #c4l #
- Rt @vadum: ObamaCare Pep Rally: Comrade POTUS says we’re past “An era of selfishness and greed…” #tcot #tlot #publicoption #
- RT @StephenGordon Obama lies and granny dies #tlot #tcot #iamthemob #c4l #gopliberty #rnc #liberty #libertarian #handsoff #alpolitics #
- GREAT SIGNS RT @AlabamaEagle Get your “NO Government Health Care” yard signs here http://www.alabamaeagle.org #tlot #tcot #alpolitics #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-19
- Congratulations to @VoteForPhil for his sizeable win in AL HD6. As @StephenGordon said, 10 for 2010. #tlot #tcot #alpolitics #
- Tweet-of-the-Day @StephenGordon Earth to Joe Biden: Spending to avoid bankruptcy is like f***ing for virginity. #tlot #tcot #c4l #gopliberty #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-12
- RT @TommyToe: just had thought. Ron Paul made alot of sense in this past election.Why did I not listen to him then along with everybody else #
- RT @RasmussenPoll 62% Oppose Federal Bailout for State Budget Problems… …http://tinyurl.com/RR0348 I Suspect same for JeffCo #alpolitics #
- Yo @McCainBlogette, I think @stephengordon directed this story at you: http://bit.ly/TIw95 #tlot #c4l #gopliberty #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-05
- Birmingham/Shelby County “Tea Party – A Celebration of Freedom” http://bit.ly/GtLCa #alpolitics #tlot #teaparty #gopliberty #tcot #
- RT @shanajean Sen. Boxer reminded us that common courtesy is not so common- http://is.gd/19zA6 #tcot #twittermoms #Fam30 #
- RT @shanajean Check out the new Facebook group for @KimSRafferty http://bit.ly/vsljc #alpolitics #
- RT @StephenGordon In case you missed it, I’d check out John Stossel’s latest on #healthcare http://bit.ly/Ko7CX #tlot #tcot #gopliberty #
- RT @StephenGordon Trying to understand the 4th of July from an African-American perspective http://bit.ly/5n05u #tlot #gopliberty #
- RT @shellyroche Talking about getting Congress to READ THE BILLS before they vote them into law: http://bit.ly/DmepU #tcot #tlot #fw #
- petition @whitehouse to never infringe on right to keep & bear arms #tcot #tlot #2a #nra #alpolitics http://act.ly/6n #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-28
- RT @shanajean Birmingham Liberty on the Rocks Tues. 7pm @ the J. Clyde #alpolitics #fth #gopliberty #c4l please RT #
- National Republican Liberty Caucus in the news regarding @MarkSanford’s day off http://bit.ly/OhOOQ #gopliberty #tcot #tlot #
- RT @pintpundit Birmingham/J. Clyde Tonight at 7 for Liberty on the Rocks feat. Guest: Jarrod Morgan of Free the Hops! #LOTRocks #tlot #fth #
- RT @pintpundit Birmingham/J. Clyde Tonight at 7 for Liberty on the Rocks feat. Guest: Jarrod Morgan of Free the Hops! #alpolitics #
Powered by Twitter Tools.
Alabama’s Republican Congressmen Support the Audit the Fed Bill
(Birmingham, AL) The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009 (HR 1207) was introduced by Texas Congressman and former Republican Liberty Caucus Honorary Chairman Dr. Ron Paul on February 26, 2009. The bill currently enjoys 200 cosponsors. It “directs the Comptroller General to complete, before the end of 2010, an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the federal reserve banks, followed by a detailed report to Congress.”
This morning, the Alabama Republican Liberty Caucus, working in concert with other online activists, used Twitter to promote a campaign to call Representative Jo Bonner to urge his support of HR 1207. A couple of hours after the campaign was launched, we received word that Bonnor was now cosponsoring the bill.
“We’d like to thank Jo Bonnor for adding his name to the list,” said ALRLC Secretary and Alabama Republican Assembly President Shana Kluck. “Currently, all of Alabama’s Republican representatives have put their names on the bill. Unfortunately, it seems that Alabama’s Democratic delegation to Congress isn’t as interested in transparency and open government.”
Activists have been trying to contact Alabama Democrats to urge their support of the legislation. By our count, fifty Democrats currently cosponsor the bill, but none from Alabama. One activist received a written response from Representative Bobby Bright.
“Currently, H.R. 1207 is before the House Committee on Financial Services.” responded Bright. “Please be assured I will monitor this legislation and keep your views in mind if it comes to the House floor for a vote.”
Noting that Bright had failed to directly answer the request, “Will you, or will you not, cosponsor HR1207?” was the response on the ALRLC’s blog.
The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009 (S 604) is the Senate companion legislation and it has been referred to the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, where Alabama Senator Richard Shelby serves as the ranking member. Shelby has already supported an amendment which provides limited oversight of the Federal Reserve regarding Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) spending.
“Federal Reserve policy impacts every citizen of the United States on a daily basis,” said ALRLC Media Director Stephen Gordon. “Unfortunately, the Fed doesn’t receive the level of scrutiny we expect and deserve. It’s imperative that we learn more about how the Federal Reserve operates. Hopefully, the rest of Alabama’s congressional delegation will side with us regarding openness and transparency.”
The Alabama Republican Liberty Caucus is committed to advancing the cause of liberty by advancing pro-freedom legislation and electing pro-freedom candidates to public office. Additional information about the ALRLC may be found at www.ALRLC.org.
###
