Counter WI Sympathy Rally in Des Moines, Iowa, 2011

The whole nation has its eye on Wisconsin Labor battles as the state tries to save itself from going bankrupt.  On February 18, I read an article proclaiming a labor sympathy rally (We are One) was to be held in Iowa at our capitol on February 22, calling for those who want to support the labor unions in WI in hopes that it would scare our legislators to not follow suit here in Iowa. 

First of all I thought to myself about the fact that Iowa is not yet in as bad of a situation as Wisconsin. However, if we were, I know I would surely agree with a similar motion to do what WI Governor Walker is proposing. 

The first level of most unions is great, which is to champion the rights of the worker to large company and government leaders so as to not allow unfair doctrine to become tyranny over their liberties and fairness. It is the upper levels of most unions that bother me.  The leaders are raking in fortunes to cheat their own workers out of hard earned monies in the form of dues, and in the same motion blame the employers as being the greedy ones.  They also force themselves upon those who do not join their ranks.  These are not made up concerns but facts from countless testimonies from former union workers all over our nation. 

As Tea Party, 9/12, Minute Men and SOAR groups from all over Iowa began to try and come to a counter rally to the “We are One” Sympathy rally, about 100 or so were able to make it under the “We surround Them” rally of grassroots groups from all over Iowa.  In fact, there were 30 communities represented from one side of Iowa to the other that I was able to have sign attendance; Lamoni, Burlington, Des Moines, Ankeny, West Des Moines, Laurens, Winterset, Council Bluffs, Marshalltown, Quad Cities, Griswold, Waukee, Urbandale, Oskaloosa, Windsor Heights, Ames, Altoona, Van Meter, Anita, Guthrie Center, Indianola, McClelland, Pleasant Hill, Peru, Jefferson, Newton, Kelly, Carlisle, Rockwell, Spirit Lake, and even Omaha Nebraska; what a wonderful example of coming together for a common goal and showing great teamwork and equal representation across the board of grassroots groups here in Iowa. There were more, but I was not able to get them all.

As we were gathering across the street of the capitol, the union protestors began showing up on rented and paid for buses. Some walked through our smaller crowd on their way to their larger gathering on top of the hill.  You would all be so proud of your fellow patriots and how they conducted themselves by not being the angry mob that the lame stream media reports, which is something I cannot say about the opposition. They were cussing at us, telling us to go home, you name it. One union member was cussing at us trying to show his toughness, as he was walking and tripped and fell on the steps, hurting only his pride. When he got up he bowed at us, flipped us off, and went to join his group. 

I was also impressed by the union guy, who was on our side, as he held up his sign that read “State employee for 35 years and in support of the Tea Party and Gov. Walker” as well as Rob Vannoy’s sign that read “The days of government bailouts are nearing an end.  Government is Broke, Get it!”  and so many other nice signs. Though we were a small group in comparison, we had a great time supporting our liberties, and speaking for fiscal responsibility. 

Overall the counter rally was a success, we were noticed and heard as radio, Internet, newspaper, and news television reporters made their way through the whole group getting input from everyone; outstanding! 

“Charlie Mike” (Continue the Mission)

Gregg C. Cummings      

Trying Times, but we must Charlie Mike (Continue the Mission) Part 2

Now after putting over 2000 miles a month driving all over the state telling people of the Iowa Grassroots Coalition and its purpose growth really has begun.  Everywhere I went there was passion, and positive attitudes on getting involved to fight against the progressives and the socialist agendas.  Simultaneously working with national groups and organizations to keep the overall goals in focus and that is attack from many angles to destroy the progressive movement.

Truly everything is just growing in power.  States from all over the country were developing their coalitions and national teamwork seemed to grow in strength that would give our founding fathers pride if they could see it unfolding.

But just as always when good begins to grow there is always something or someone to begin to attack it. We are prepared to fight against our enemies the progressives and socialism but when the attacks begin to be from our own only weakens and becomes a cancer from within.  So yes egos and power struggles and jockeying for position within the coalition the gossip, and backbiting began to show its ugly heads once again.  Plenty of false accusations were pointed specifically at me but all of these were not from anyone who has been anywhere I have been speaking or spreading the knowledge of the Iowa Grassroots Coalition.  Claims of "mining information" and working for greed goals were slung but all very much made up lies.  Basically what is being asked of me is to just stop and go home, and get back on my couch and leave it up to everyone else.  For all I have been doing is growing the coalition and promoting it with all sincerity I could muster.  Gone on weekends on my own time and weekdays on my work time.  Then a chain of email wars began, and all I could think of was where are they getting all of this and why must they focus on tearing down one that is on their side.  I am glad it was four individuals only as I gotten tons of support from so many others.  Finally the point of moving forward for me was answering to one of my accusers in an email.   The following are excerpts from that email:

"Ill answer your questions but with me having to say before hand, all my answers are from my perspectives and my honest feelings from the beginning.  And all the support I have gotten from so many after the three phone calls and these emails all have advised me to ignore the attacks (as it is hard for me not to open my big mouth) I will still answer your email here because I have always thought highly of you. 

The "Agendas" of the three monster organizations (not sarcasm, how I feel they are being portrayed) as emails and conversations in all of this painted their positions:   

Strong America Now:  

• Simply to eliminate our nations deficit by identifying and eliminating our countries deficit.
• Educating the citizens and elected officials how Lean Six Sigma does this. 
• Showing the presidential candidates this education in hopes they too will sit down and learn about this method so that IF they continue their political careers that they now have the understanding of a proven solution to eliminate our debt.  

This "Agenda" is only a tool that people can use IF they so choose, but to say it is something evil that doesn't match the Tea Party parties goals is simply silly.  

Dallas Tea Party:

• EVERYTHING you and others are preaching about do not allow take over from shady groups/monies/political parties by co opping us has first been MENTORED to me by Katrina Pierson and Ken Emanuelson from the beginning.  This is their strongest foundational principle. 
• They simply want to reach out to other states and groups (who ask) for assistance in any area they can help.  
• They want to help where needs are expressed by patriots around the country for only one purpose to win back our country.

This "Agenda" is to only help those who are asking for the help and will only do so if it is done in that manner.  Just as if someone called you from a small town across your border, I doubt you would turn your back on them.  Again they are not shady with some secret take over or publicity hound agenda.  

Tea Party Patriots:

• They are the only national group I became a member of that has NEVER tried to tell me what to do or how to do it.  
• Created a respectful ground up communication system to direct their movement on a national level.
• They are presented with objectives but go directly to the local group coordinators on a weekly call to present to them and we vote to direct how the proceed with those goals.  This keeps their national goals in tune with the local needs and input.

This "Agenda" shows they are only interested in pushing "our" agendas not theirs, again do not see the threat.  ..........

.............About the emails:     

.................The simpleness of the coalition:

I have NEVER once said or tried to paint a picture of the coalition as anything but EXACTLY what you keep pointing out.  A simple communication, support of one another, networking loose coalition that didn't need any leader nor money group to umbrella over it.  I think I sent you the power point that shows that.  You, nor _____, nor _______ has ever seen me give these talks to groups to even have any facts to attack me to be doing otherwise.  In fact you were at the coalition meeting in Marshalltown and heard me do the target visual.  that is exactly what I put on the power point as I go and help the groups around the state who ask for me to come. In fact I have kept bringing up the fact that the nose under the tent website should only be the link under the tools for the governor advisory committee, that having two pages is getting away from being simple anymore.  I have only suggested to ______, and _______ many times that we should only have the single webpage with a live chat box for communicating and like ________ has said if someone wants to talk privately then call that person there is not need for that on the IAGRC website. So I have just let the development happen as _______ and ________ were "taking charge" and began to make decisions on structure.  Please tell me one "decision" I have ever made.  Please, just one.  I have only help groups get started and promoted the "simpleness and the asset of the website" as my powerpoint shows.  My perspective and feelings here are that gossip and half truths evolved into conspiracy theories that sparked the distrust in me.  But for those who experienced my dealings with them know better.

As To any funding from the outside: The three groups above gave monies on ONE occasion and one occasion only.  That was for the Summit.  And that was ONLY after a great many emails went out asking for groups to donate so as we did not have to seek sponsorship from anyone.  Only Des Moines 9/12 group, my group, and Marcia and Curt gave monies toward this effort.  It was literally the final couple of weeks that I went to the three keynoters and ask for that sponsorship.  But asking with both barrels loaded with the advise from the Dallas Tea Party to be clear up front that it is only a gift of sponsorship and not at all for anything else or payback of any kind to include favors.  So we did receive monies from SAN and Tea Party Patriots and still sent out one last email to groups before the Dallas Tea Party finished with the lowest amount given compared to the other two.  Since the Summit not one of these three groups have asked for anything in return, because when you read the above "agendas" of theirs they were covered by them helping us not the other way around. 

Finally, I will miss you and your friendship, as far as ______ goes I don't think she ever like me after the help she gave in speaking in Lamoni but the ill will you both say you hope does not come to me will as you say only be shown how your actions are as we all move forward.  I don't hold any position with the coalition to step down from, I only promote it and its importance, that is all I have ever done and do not see the accusations you all say I am.  I am honest, and the list that _______ says is bigger, if there is a bigger list then I have never seen it.  And this list _________ has had for a long time, in fact I think his is bigger than ours.  Sorry if I am ignorant on my mission, but I am not going to go home and get back on my couch.  If the steering committee comes back and says "Gregg, stop promoting the coalition when you do what you do" then I will stop it.  Outside of that I am doing what I would be doing if there was never a coalition.  I do hope we all can work to a positive future and stop the competition between us all so we don't give the progressives power we don't want them to have.  God love you, and really, peace. " 

So as these individuals continue to separate the good the movement by gossip and competing website, I am just going to continue to move forward and assist anyone who asks and continue my mission of winning back this country away from socialism and the progressives.  If those others want to help so be it but they are picking a fight with someone they have no clue about, not spiritually, not personally, and most definitely not patriotically.  Till my next blog, "Charlie Mike"  

Trying Times, but we must Charlie Mike (Continue the Mission) Part 1

Today we have lost a great warrior in our fight to win back our Country.  No she didn't die.  But she is so emotionally, and mentally wounded she is out of the fight for now.  It is a shame we have fellow patriots in the fight that truly make a difference that are constantly trying to support the goal and mission of the fight to so many that just don't get it.
More on that in a minute.  But first let me apologize to those who follow my blog.  I have not written in it or updated it in months.  And for that I apologize. Let me try and catch you up on the happenings since the last entry.

We did have a total of four meetings and a total of 13 groups through out the state participated in at least one meeting.  When I first started this venture I was told by a new friend that she has had so much stresses involved in the backbiting, gossiping, between groups and within groups that it was very taxing.  She has always prayed for a new direction that would end up to where everyone finally gets it and begins working together in harmony and moving forward for the SINGLE NATIONAL reason to WIN BACK OUR COUNTRY, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AGAINST SOCIALISM.  Then it seem as if the Lord was blessing us and making things come together right at the last minute.  She sent out invitations and requests to numerous groups throughout the state to give toward this event so that the coalition doesn't have to reach out to any out of state groups for sponsorship help.  So that we can truly keep the Summit our own.  But all we got in return is the sound of crickets.  Sure everyone wanted to say they were helping or part of planning but only a couple actually gave to the cause.  So we were forced to reach out to groups outside of the state with like minded goals with in the movement to help sponsor in areas of need.  We made sure (with the advise and mentorship of Katrina Pierson of the Dallas Tea Party) that when we reached out that we made it clear NOT to allow take over or any decision power to those said possible sponsors.  So we then reached out to Tea Party Patriots for any help they might give but we made sure we let them know that this is not a Tea Party Patriots event nor will it be labeled as such.  They totally got it and never once acted or tried to take over but did sponsor $2000.00 to our cause.  We again sent out emails to group to give and again crickets mostly, only a couple of groups gave any monies.  So we were still very short. I then was approached by one of the speakers in the Summit and he said he would give $5,000.00 toward the event and again asked nothing in return that was Mike George of Strong America Now.  Fantastic patriots and both understood completely of our request and conditions of accepting any funds.

So the summit happened on Nov 6th 2010, and it was a huge success.  We The People Tea Party of Southern Iowa, staffed the front tables along with Marcia Hora and so many more others helped behind the scenes to make this go off in a great fashion.  We had Katrina Pierson of Dallas Tea Party, Mike George of Strong America Now, and Mark Meckler of Tea Party Patriots all our three main keynoters.  We had three great workshops and great music and entertainment.   It was a nightmare getting it all together but we had over 125 people show up.   and all had something positive to take back with them.   And for being just three days after the election when a lot of people were burned out it was a success.

But as quick as we got our good feeling of a good coalition beginning to take shape egos, and gossip between individuals starting to spout up. and behind the scenes Jr. High mentalities began to threaten any hope of a coalition actually coming together to fight the progressives on a national level and the looming fate of socialism on a national level still lays in the balance of how and if the grassroots movement will rise up actually defeat this enemy.  But between conspiracy theories, half baked truths and gossip still abound with in the groups themselves.

Marcia and I began to pray about this situation and it seemed that the Lord worked us through them and the coalition still began to grow despite the obstacles that kept sprouting up.  Marcia still manned the phones as her phone rang off the hook and I began to drive all over the state of Iowa meeting with people and groups telling them about the coalition and what the concept was.  At the same time Spencer Tea Party was putting together a list of groups to begin to participate in the newly created Governors Advisory Committee that they worked on since they got Governor Brandstad's commitment to meet with a coalition of grassroots groups on a monthly basis if he got elected.   He did and now Spencer was organizing this as a great coalition tool.  We met with the Spencer group to invite them in the coalition and merge our efforts and they accepted.  This was the second step toward the coalition being official.

Then later that month just before the holidays we held our first official coalition meeting and it seemed that all was good and moving forward.  As I continued to go all over the state meeting with people, and groups, and Marcia now coordinated with the Spencer group things began to come together.

Second Local meeting and continued planning for State Summit

I will start with the trials and tribulations this political and national existence has brought upon my family.  The amount of stress and discontent that arises against me and my feelings towards this fight are very trying.  I am trying to isolate the my endeavors as if I dont need any support.  But yet I need the support.  Badly.  May God help me help my family, and help me help myself in continueing to prepare my strength to "Charlie Mike".

We held our second local meeting, of which about 14 showed up.  We discussed several topics and decided to open every meeting with a prayer then the reading of our mission statement.  "The mission of the “We The People” Tea Party of Southern Iowa is to support the national Tea Party movement in fighting against excessive government size, spending and taxation. Promote education about our founding fathers’ beliefs, values and goals. To always honor our 7 values. To promote unity among groups who support the values and goals of our founding fathers. Our mission is for we the people to regain control of our government."  We talked about reaching out to others such as the homeschool groups, which was a great idea.  We also talked about giving a 15 minute "Constitution Review" where we bring up a excerpt of it then talk about its meaning.  We have also asked for someone to be our Fair Tax person to get on board and understand its movement and needs in our movement.  Finally we talked about the state government and what is going on there and needing someone to monitor that area and see if there is things we can focus on to help the movement there.  All in all it was a very productive meeting. 

Finally, we are continuing to move forward on the "We The People" Summit.  Collecting all Groups we know that exist in the state and compiling a list of contacts.  We are also holding our Summit Planning Meeting this Saturday in Altoona Iowa.  Call 641-455-1917 if you have any questions.  Tomorrow (Friday) I am meeting with Katrina Pierson and Ken Emanuelson who are flying into Des Moines to discuss the meeting as a whole.  This I am looking forward to.  We have also found our intertainment for the Summit Jeremy Dodge you can find out more about him and his hit song here http://www.jeremydodge.com/.  Also agreeing to come to the Summit for intertainment bringing with them thier hit is a great Nashville band called Kurtis and they are bringing their big hit "I have a dream" you can hear it here http://www.the-912-project.com/2010/08/06/i-have-a-dream-by-kurtis-reminds-us-what-america-is-all-about/ So things are coming together very well. 

Till next time "Charlie Mike" everyone.

Just Wow, when realizing the tanasity needed for the Tea Party movement.

I learned a lot while in the military, especially during Ranger training. Most have heard or have seen that poster that says: "I learned everything I need to know from Kindergarten." I love that poster. However there are a few basics in this world that I did not learn from kindergarten but Ranger school, and a couple of those are "synergy within teamwork increases strength of accomplishment", and "Never leave a fallen comrade behind no matter what the situation". These two simple to understand and simple to implement ideas has helped me in all stages in my life and it has already proved its worth in this Tea Party endeavor.

But the number one thing that has proven its weight in gold is the scripture in Proverbs Chapter 3 verse 5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Believe me I am only a struggling Christian and all in the Tea Party movement are not believers but, (It is my perspective) that the United States of America is a true Divine plan put on this earth and inspired through men. So when we do lean on Him to direct us His plan continues to unfold as it should.

These past three weeks have been jumping into a vicious tangled web of distrust, egotistical, and even hurtful situations within this wonderful movement taking place in our country. On a national level we have the Tea Party Express and Tea Party Federation at odds and fighting within the movement. On a state level we have some individual groups at odds and backbiting, and finger pointing and even jealousy dividing and weakening the movement as a whole. I have to admit I was saddened by this, and even when our group was trying to develop a state leadership summit to assist groups in growth and unity I was even speculated on being on one side or another within this feud. All I could do was say I am not and then to focus on the message of what the purpose of this summit was all about. Now, (from my perspective) God intervened and made the message clear to so many others outside this internal feud and the response was outstanding!! We have had two meetings thus far and each one is getting larger. Then on a national level the first ever "Tea Party Caucus" was launched and Katrina Pierson who has been working closely with me was there and doing wonderful things.

So back to the beginning of my post. The synergy within our teamwork is so important to our strength. Like the founding of this nation it was so important that the colonies come together with their separate unique settlements and ways of life and work on common values to unite to be strong enough to accomplish their mission, secure their liberties. It is the same that MUST happen with our individual unique groups. We HAVE to unite on our commonalities and stay focused on the mission of the movement to be strong enough to RESTORE our liberties. Divided we are, and cannot be. Synergy is important, networking is necessary, and without this unity the mission will fail.

Never leave a fallen soldier behind means we cannot turn our backs on those of our own that are struggling, make a mistake, or are in need of picking up and carrying home. We need to swallow our egos, pride, and even personal gains to help fellow patriots to understand, to grow, and to show their usefulness in this movement. It is key to success of continuing our mission.

Finally, when discouraged or threatened, Pray. For guidance and honesty to ourselves and focus on the mission's outcome always. Talk with those one on one, not by spreading hatred and gossip. divided we fall remember. God's speed, God's blessing, and may God Bless America Again.

Growing is exciting and scary at the same time.

Well there is a lot that has been happening and I love the fact that the more that get involved the more assets just keep popping up in the form of talents, advice, ideas,and very well needed support. Confidence builds and you soon feel you have the strength you need to "continue the mission" and defend the freedoms we all enjoy today. But if that is truth (which it is) where does the scary part come in? Well the scary part begins by knowing the bigger you get, and the more publicity you get, means the more you are watched, listened to, and held to a callaber of responsibility that can make or break your whole movement. So then it begins to get scary. You begin to think did I bite off more than I can chew? Well my faith in God tells me I did not. My love of country tells me I can not "not", stand up for what I believe is right. Finally, I want to share with you a summary letter I wrote to be sent out to all groups here in the state of Iowa to continue to move forward in forming a coalition event called "We The People Leadership Summit". The following is that letter:

To all Iowa Tea Party and like minded groups.
I would like to take this time to not only invite you to our growing collaboration of groups that belong to the greatest movement in America since the 60s, but to also give you an update summary of what has happened thus far.
On Memorial Day 2010 in Lamoni, a newly formed Tea Party group called “We The People Tea Party of Southern Iowa” held their first Tea Party rally in what is a very liberal community. So what happened? We The People Tea Party of Southern Iowa was invaded by the 912ProjectDesMoines, Jones County 912 Project from Anamosa, Des Moines Save Our American Republic (SOAR), Dubuque Tea Party, and Southern Iowa SOAR out of Osceola. This was an outstanding show of support and collaboration of strength.
Since then, there have been two meetings (inspired by this collaboration) where a Tea Party Leadership Summit has been presented, and brainstormed about its’ development. The first meeting included The We the People Tea Party of Southern Iowa, 912ProjectDesMoines, and Jones County 9/12 Project in attendance. November 6th was decided on as the date for this event. Also we set another meeting to bring in other Iowa groups for additional input. Gregg Cummings brought confirmation of Dallas Tea Party, and Fox news regular, Katrina Pierson’s involvement with a national website project.
The second meeting was held on July 10th in Ankeny at the home of Curt and Marcia Hora. Present at this meeting was The We the People Tea Party of Southern Iowa, 912ProjectDesMoines, Des Moines SOAR, Des Moines Tea Party, Fight Back Iowa, and North Iowa Tea Party from the Mason City area. The following are the minutes from that meeting:
Summit Meeting #2
7/10/10

Gregg Cummings called the meeting to order and then requested Len Edwards
to open the meeting with a prayer.

Gregg gave a review of the last meeting and then asked each one present to
introduce themselves with a response to why they were involved with the
Tea Party. The following were present.

Gregg Cummings
Len & Doris Edwards
Charlie Gruschow
Tony Chiovaro
Jim & Kathy Carley
Scott Livezey
Bob Johnson
Lynn Rodgers
Marcia & Curt

Gregg asked each to give an example of the Toxic 3 Ds (degraded, discredited, defaced) that can disrupt each group or interaction with other groups, and that we need to be aware of and stay away from. As these will only weaken the movement as a whole. The following list is what was presented.
Backbiting/gossip
Misreporting
Miss interpreting
Arguing perspectives
Labeling/tagged
Not respecting other groups
Starting or buying into propaganda
Being negative
Obstacle of self
Intimidation
Not trusting
Violence

Gregg shared the web site being constructed by Katrina Pierson and the Dallas Tea Party that would give voting information on all candidates and information on all bills
being considered by Congress.

The Leadership Summit’s outline was presented, several questions were asked by the group about the summit. What was the main purpose of the summit, when it would occur, and who would present. The date of November 6th has been selected for the date. Gregg would find
a site. Several presenters were suggested such as Mike Yost with American Majority, and the Americans For Prosperity and will be discussed at the next meeting.

The next Summit meeting will be held on Aug. 14th at 11am in the Carley home in Altoona.
Some additions since then include that Gregg Cummings was contacted by Michael Johns, a former speech writer and one of the national voices of the Tea Party movement and has agreed to participate in the Leadership Summit, as well as trying to make it to the August 14th meeting. Another person coming to both is Katrina Pierson, a Tea Party Leader in the Dallas Tea Party, and is most famous for her invitation to Jeneane Garofalo to attend a Tea Party in Texas to see that they are not racists (of course she didn’t show). Katrina is also a regular on Fox news discussing the Tea Party movement. Coming with her is Ken Emanuelson who is also an organizer of the Dallas Tea Party, one of the Founders of FredHeads USA, and served as Southwestern Regional Coordinator for Young Professionals for Fred Thompson. Before that, Ken served as the Executive Director of the Dallas Lawyers' Chapter of the Federalist Society and led GOTV teams in Florida as part of the Mighty Texas Strike Force efforts of 2000 and 2004. He is a practicing attorney specializing in intellectual property law. Finally, if you haven’t heard the new Tea Party song “Stand UP” by Jeremy Dodge, you can go to http://www.jeremydodge.com and hear it. Jeremy has agreed in general to make it to our summit as our musical guest. He should surely be attractive to some youth leaders in our movement.
All in all, a lot is happening for our movement nationwide as well as statewide. With this writing, we are establishing a network of communications with one another across the state. This is an important step for the grassroots movement here in Iowa. Your reply to this letter is crucial to this effort. In addition, we would like you to consider sending two (2) representatives to the upcoming Summit planning meeting on August 14th in Altoona. Your input will make us stronger. We truly do ask you to contact Marcia Hora at marci726@yahoo.com or myself at wethepeopletposi@yahoo.com to establish this communication network and if you want to be a part of planning. Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Submitted by:
Gregg Cummings
Doris Edwards (minutes)
Marcia Hora (edit)

We are on a Mission

Ok thanks to my daughter I took a month to stay away from any news and focus more on scripture. This was a good time for me and now I will catch you all up on what is happening and where our mission goes from here.

I want to thank Len and Doris Edwards who planned and made a 4th of July float possible for the parade. I want to thank Mike Edwards for his work in planning and developing our great brouchures to explain who "We The People" Tea Party of Southern Iowa are and his wife who made business cards. I also want to thank Steve Edwards for developing and creating our website that is now up and running www.wethepeopletposi.com . We were just 2 people and a desire to serve our nation a couple of months ago, to now over 30 members and a website, email, blog, t-shirts, and buttons. I have been contacted by Katrina Pierson from the Texas Tea Party and have arranged for her to meet with me to discuss collaboration of efforts on a national level. I have met some good leaders of Iowa groups like Tea Party, 912 Projects, Oath Keepers, SOAR, and others. When I heard mention of a possible state wide convention being planned, and then begin to hear the first rumblings among different groups in our state I began to worry about turf wars and bad PR for a movement that just has to happen for our Nations sake.

The Tea Party movement (and like groups) has become the peaceful mission to restore and protect our Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Or better put, the next phase in the American experiment. If this movement is poisoned by being degraded, discredited, or defaced (I just created a term "The Toxic 3 D's") then any future attempt of fighting the VERY STRONG socialistic movement in our government right now, will be laughed at and never be given any strength again, thus leaving our Constitution and Declaration of Independence unprotected and defenseless. It is absolutely imperitive that we prevent any backbiting, turfwars, and poor public relations from happening among our individual groups, especially when operating in state or national level collaborations.

that is when I heard the word "Summit" being talked about. So I ask those leaders if they mind I begin to arrange this Summit, and I was given the green light. So the framework for this summit was created and we held our first meeting with some of the other state leaders of several groups. We assigned tasks and our next meeting is in Ankeny on the 10th of July. We must continue the mission (Charlie Mike) and that mission is to work hard on maintaining the teamwork and comraderie in our groups so our strength and national credibility continues to grow and continues to win these small battles against the progressive and socialistic movements.