Americans for Prosperity: Absentee Ballots - The Facts

The Democrats and their Leftist media mouthpieces have been foaming at the mouth about the sinister "mistake" on absentee ballots sent out by Americans for Prosperity.

They claim it was an intentional, sleazy means to suppress the vote.

Here are some FACTS on what happened:

(Do you remember "facts"? They used to matter.)

1. Fixing the Typo

The Absentee Ballot Mailing was mailed only to AFP Wisconsin members in the eight Senate Districts that have recall elections. The date included on the absentee ballot application (August 11th) was intended solely for the two senate districts with elections on August 16th. However, the printer/mail house sent that version out to all districts, including those that have elections on August 9th.

While the Left is hoping to make this into a voter suppression issue, this is anything but. It is in AFP’s best interest to have all of our members vote and that was the intention of this mailing. Here is a statement from AFP Wisconsin State Director Matt Seaholm explaining the printing mistake.

AFP sent the ballots to its own members.

In effect, the typo hurt themselves.

It makes absolutely no sense that AFP would try to suppress the vote of its members.

It's ridiculous to scream about voter suppression. The media are doing a dismal job of covering this story. The headline should read: "Americans for Prosperity mistake could hurt conservatives in recall elections."

Furthermore, "AFP-Wisconsin is directly addressing this mistake by sending out a call to each and every individual on the mailing list to clarify the date of the elections."

Voter suppression? Corruption?

NO WAY.

2. DNC Makes Similar Error

The media is largely ignoring the fact that the DNC made a similar mistake -the DNC placed robo calls last week to voters in Republican Sen. Dan Kapanke's western Wisconsin district urging them to vote in the election, but wrongly gave the date as Aug. 16. Click here to read more about the DNC’s robo call errors.

This DNC error isn't getting much media attention at all.

Why? Why isn't this error being cited as voter suppression?

Where's the outrage?

Cue the crickets.

3. Wisconsin Jobs Now and Citizen Action Wisconsin

Perhaps the most egregious offender of all in this story is Wisconsin Jobs Now and Citizen Action Wisconsin, which is also being largely ignored. Wisconsin Jobs Now has been hosting “block parties” with free food and then busing people over to early voting.

Wisconsin Jobs Now is connected to Citizen Action, a union group that has spent big money supporting Sandy Pasch in the District 8 recall election. It just so happens Sandy Pasch sits on Citizen Action's board as well.

Here's the corruption.

"Block parties" in celebration of voting?

Give me a break!

It appears that Sandy Pasch and her campaign are engaged in dirty politics.

There's a world of difference between the tactics of Wisconsin Jobs Now and AFP sending a ballot with a typo to its own members.

I'm not surprised that Pasch and the Democrats and the union hacks would spin the AFP mistake the way they are.

Pasch's remarks on the mistake are idiotic.

Unfortunately, I'm also not surprised that the media are happily spreading misinformation as well.

The Democrat-Union-Media Complex chugs along.

Come on, TMJ4! Give your viewers the truth, not what you want them to believe.

Charles Benson, Obama lapdog, should be ashamed of his handling of the story.

Contessa Brewer and Mo Brooks

Contessa Brewer, MSNBC, has yet another clip to add to her highlight reel.

Brewer, former TMJ4 reporter and anchor, is the gift that keeps on giving.

Video, from Breitbart:



Transcript

CONTESSA BREWER: You're simplifying the issues that were on the plate of the nation at that point. We were looking at going, reverting into a depression at that point. Everyone-- the Fed Chairman, the...

REP. MO BROOKS: Well, I disagree that we were going into a depression; but go ahead.

BREWER: Do you have a degree in economics?

BROOKS: Yes, ma'am, I do. Highest honors.

BREWER: OK, so... so, you disagree with the Fed Chairman, Ben Bernanke.

Oh, Contessa, you stepped in it - AGAIN!

What a fool!

Mo Brooks is no schlub.

Mo graduated from Duke University in three years with a double major in political science and economics, with highest honors in economics. In 1978, he graduated from the University of Alabama Law School.

Other "highlights" in Contessa Brewer's career:

Contessa Brewer and John Ziegler

Contessa Brewer and Zach Lahn

Contessa Brewer, MSNBC, White People, and Guns

MSNBC Bashes Republicans on Olympics

Contessa Brewer: Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton

Contessa Brewer and Judd Gregg

Contessa Brewer: Global Warming Snow Job

Contessa Brewer: Islamic Ties, Faisal Shahzad

Contessa Brewer, MSNBC, and Living Green

Contessa Brewer and Tony Katz

Summerfest Stabbing - White Guy Did It

UPDATE, July 11, 2011: Greenfield man arrested in Summerfest stabbing

A Waukesha man is recovering after he was stabbed twice in the stomach during Summerfest Friday night.

Ricardo Moran was near the Harley-Davidson stage at 11 p.m. when he got into an argument with a 24-year-old man from Greenfield. Moran told Today's TMJ4 that the Greenfield man bumped into him. The Greenfield man stabbed him twice with a knife, Milwaukee police Sgt. Mark Stanmeyer said.

The suspect was arrested.

When was the suspect arrested?

Why did it take so long for police to release information on the stabbing?
_________________

MSNBC's online report on the Summerfest stabbing at the Dropkick Murphys concert, using WTMJ-TV and JSOnline.com as sources, mentions the race of the attacker.

He is described as a "a white man with a goatee."

Summerfest stabbing victim speaks out

In an exclusive interview, Ricardo Moran tells TODAY'S TMJ4 a white man with a goatee bumped into him, then quickly stabbed him twice in the middle of a crowd. "What I saw in his eyes was something different. He had kind of a smirk on his face. Like he intended to bump me to see what would happen, to see if I would defend myself," Moran said.

Here's the text of TMJ4's online report:

A Waukesha man is recovering after a violent encounter on the Summerfest grounds Friday night.

In an exclusive interview, Ricardo Moran tells TODAY'S TMJ4 a white man with a goatee bumped into him, then quickly stabbed him twice in the middle of a crowd.

"What I saw in his eyes was something different. He had kind of a smirk on his face. Like he intended to bump me to see what would happen, to see if I would defend myself," Moran said.

Police will talk more about the incident on Monday. Summerfest organizers tell TODAY'S TMJ4 they have not added any security, maintaining the festival already has solid security measures in place.

Again, the attacker's race is mentioned, the MSNBC article being a copy of the TMJ4 piece.

A white guy allegedly committed the violent act.

WHITE. The bad guy is WHITE.

However, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, citing TMJ4 as its source, chose to omit the race of the attacker in its online report on the incident.

A man was stabbed at Summerfest Friday night, according to WTMJ-TV (Channel 4).

Ricardo Moran told WTMJ a man came out of the crowd Friday night and cut him twice in the stomach and chest. Moran was hospitalized overnight and released on Saturday, the station reported.

Moran said he was at Summerfest with his wife. At one point, he felt a strong push and turned to see a man who quickly stabbed him. He said he did not know the man or what prompted the attack.

Summerfest officials could not be reached for comment.

The Milwaukee Police Department said it would not release any information on the incident until a Monday morning news conference.

It's weird that TMJ4, and accordingly, MSNBC, chose to report on the attacker's race, while the Journal Sentinel did not.

Has the Journal Sentinel decided it's going to be colorblind?

It's also weird that the police department is staying quiet until a Monday news conference.

Why a news conference at all?

Does this incident merit a news conference, scheduled more than two days after the attack?

Given the PR disaster of the mob attacks last weekend, I suppose I can understand the lengthy silence by the department. All parties probably want to get their stories straight this time to avoid further embarrassment.

Better to wait until Summerfest is over, too.

I wonder if Ed Flynn and the Leftist media will go out of their way to stress that race is NOT a factor in this crime.

Maybe race can be discussed in this crime since the attacker was white. No need to fear a racial emphasis dividing the community in this case.

I don't know.

Contessa Brewer and Tony Katz

MSNBC'a Contessa Brewer, former TMJ4 reporter and anchor, had a spirited discussion with Tony Katz, talk radio host.

Of course, Brewer was as Leftist and loony as ever. Katz schooled Brewer. No surprise there.

What's best about this segment is Katz's use of the term "racer" to describe those many Leftist individuals who insist that criticism of Obama must be rooted in race.

Video.



Transcript

TONY KATZ: But this whole idea of race, you know what? If there are birthers, and they're all crazy and silly for actually wanting to see a birth certificate, well let's talk about the "racers" - the people who believe that everything's a conspiracy about race. It's Obama's race that people want to see the birth certificate. It's Obama's race that people don't like the out of control spending. It's not his race. It's that he's awful. The policies are terrible.

Exactly. It's not about Obama's skin. It's about his policies and his miserable performance as president.

I love that term - RACERS.

Leftists, including Obama, have to realize that playing the race card is not effective.

Critics of Obama will not be silenced by being called racist. It's not going to work.

The racers are just as offensive as the birthers.

Racism exists. Falsely crying "racism" only serves to minimize the significance of actual instances of racism. That's a major step backward for everyone.

Madison Brat Fest

UPDATE, May 29, 2011: Brat Fest 2011
________________

This is sad.

Some Wisconsinites refuse to put aside their political differences for charity and partake in Madison's Brat Fest.

What self-centered thugs!

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!

We’re not scientists, but we’re fairly confident that the World’s Largest Brat Fest can be expressed by the following equation:

Brats + Music + Charity + Wisconsin = AWESOME!
Brat Fest is 4 days filled with music, food and fun in the heart of downtown Madison, Wisconsin. If you need more convincing, we’ll break it down a little more precisely…

Come Memorial Day weekend in Madison, Wisconsin, things get a little fiery– on the grill, that is. The World’s Largest Brat Fest sizzles as we cele“brat”e the start of summer with juicy Johnsonville brats, Oscar Mayer Hotdogs and Veggie Brats smothered in Heinz ketchup, mustard and sweet relish, Frank’s Kraut and onions. Wash em’ down with an ice-cold Pepsi, Capital Island Wheat, Budlight or milk and finish it all off with a side of ice cream, funnel cakes and fun.

So what is Brat Fest all about? Obviously, Brat Fest is about eating brats, but, more importantly, it’s about giving back to the community. The World’s Largest Brat Fest is held every Memorial Day weekend – rain or shine – with proceeds benefitting the local charities that help to staff the event. Brat Fest is also about enjoying good food at great prices while celebrating Wisconsin’s heritage and the people who make Madison a great place to live.

That’s why we have a license to grill! Stop by and let us cook for you!

This is a charitable event. It's a benefit.

Volunteers and their supporting organizations are the most integral part of the World’s Largest Brat Fest! They grill… they cashier… they count attendees… they drive shuttles… they stock condiments… they make sure the event grounds are clean – you get it – they pretty much do it all!

Each year, Brat Fest depends on nearly 4,000 volunteers of all ages* with over 10,300 volunteer hours to play a special part in our continued success and our quest for the WORLD RECORD all in the spirit of community giving! Without them, Brat Fest would not be the same.

Here is the list of charities participating in the 2011 event:

2011 Returning Charities

Abundant Life Christian High School
Badger Aquatics
Badger Bots
Baldwin Christian School
Beta Zeta
Bethel Horizons
Boy Scout Troop 102
Boy Scout Troop 140
Boy Scout Troop 122
Boy Scout Troop 201
Boy Scout Troop 420
Boy Scout Troop 940
Boy Scout Troop/Pack 90
Boys & Girls Club of Dane County
Bristol Blazer 4h
Calvary Gospel Campus
Calvary Gospel Church
Capital City Lodge #7 Fraternal Order
Cheer Wisconsin
Chrysalis, Inc.
Cornucopia, Inc.
Cross Roads Church
Dane County Parent Council
Faith Lutheran Church – Youth Group
Family Resource Network
Family Support
FLAME
Friends of Kettle Ponds
Give the Kids the World
Hope World Wide
Hospice Care, Inc.
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Information Technology Academy
Lake Edge Lutheran Church
League of Women Voters
Luther Memorial
Madison Area Retired Educators Association
Madison Diocesan Choir
Madison East Wrestling
Madison Master’s
Madison West HS Forensics Team
Madison West Softball Booster Club
Madison Youth Choir
Memorial Baptist Church
Middleton Gator Swim
Nepali American Friendship Association
North/Eastside Senior Coalition
North/Eastside Sherman Basketball
Occupaws Guide Dog Association
Oregon Band Boosters
Our Savior Death Lutheran Church
Parkside Presbyterian
Playtime Productions
RSVP of Dane County
Salem United Church of Christ Youth Group
Scouts with Special Needs
Sons of Norway
South Madison Coalition of the Elderly
Spina Bifida Family Network
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Team Survivor – Madison
The Loyal Order of the Caribbean SOul
Triangle Community Ministry, Inc.
Verona Area High School Swim
Virginia School of Dance
Walbridge School
Madison West HS Cross Country
West Madison Senior Center
West Madison Special Olympics
West Madison Youth Special Olympics
Wisconsin Children’s Choir
Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation
Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra
Yahara River Chorus
Yonim Israeli Dance Troupe

2011 New Organizations

Autism Society of Greater Madison
Boy Scout Troop 301
Capital City Sanctuary COGIC
Capitol Lakes
City Church Youth Ministry
Crossroads UMC
Dane County Humane Society
Divine Savior Youth Group
Gilda’s Club
Good Life, Inc.
Huntington Disease Society of America
Knight of Columbus #1478
LIVESTRONG Madison
Logan’s Heart & Smile
Madison East High School Dance Team
Madison West Lions Club
Oregon High School Class of 2012
Oregon Youth Hockey
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – Team Grape Ape
Recovery Foundation
Wikoda Camp
Zion City

Unfortunately, some people in Madison are so crazed and so selfish that they're disrupting this very successful annual event.

If the organizations suffer, too bad.

The problem: Johnsonville is a sponsor.

Union thugs and their minions are boycotting Johnsonville.

These people are willing to disrupt Brat Fest by politicizing it.

Rather than take part in the spirit of community giving, they're being angry and divisive and putting themselves and their political agenda ahead of the charities.

What a disgrace!

Yes, the unions and their supporters are planning to hold an alternative Brat Fest.

Organizers are aiming to create an alternative to Madison's longtime Brat Fest.

Organizers acknowledged that the Alternative Brat Fest comes at a politically heated time where many people are at odds with the sponsors of the World's Largest Brat Fest.

The Madison Park Commission unanimously approved the Alternative Brat Fest during a Wednesday night meeting.

Orton Park on Madison's East Side could soon be the location of the Alternative Brat Fest.

...Joey Dunscombe, of Weary Traveler, and other local businesses are hoping to serve up the Alternative Brat Fest.

"We're shooting for the world's smallest brat fest," Dunscombe said. "It's just a showcase of local foods. Anything we bring in will be donated to charities."

The event would take place on May 29, the same weekend as the World's Largest Brat Fest, which is produced by Metcalfe's Market. The charity fundraiser is being criticized, even boycotted, due to sponsor Johnsonville Brats' campaign contributions to Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

JOHNSONVILLE DIDN'T MAKE ANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER.

ZERO. NOTHING. This article makes it sound as if the business made sizable donations.

PRIVATE citizens, employees of Johnsonville, made contributions - not JOHNSONVILLE.

..."We understand some people may have some concerns and we respect that," said Tim Metcalfe, of Metcalfe's grocery store, which sponsors Brat Fest. "We have an agreement with Johnsonville. They've been a great supporter of the event. They've donated 150,000 brats. We're hoping to again raise a lot of money for a lot of good people. I wish their event well."

With final approval still pending, organizers stress Alternative Brat Fest is not about politics.

"No, it's definitely not a protest," Dunscombe said. "There's not going to be chanting and signage and stuff like that. If people want to make it political, that's up to them. It's just about eating good food."

OF COURSE IT'S A PROTEST. IT'S A BOYCOTT OF THE EVENT.

To identify Walker contributors, [Sam] Hokin's [Facebook] page links to a campaign finance database maintained by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. It also helps followers send letters of protest to companies, provides a place for updates and shares ideas for more activities — such as organized pickets outside companies associated with Walker and a planned boycott of this year's Brat Fest because it uses some Johnsonville products.

Not political?

That's absurd.

...Johnsonville Brats announced Wednesday evening that not only are they donating the 150,000 brats agreed upon for the event, the Sheboygan Falls company is donating all of the brats for Brat Fest. That's at least 200,000 brats.

Johnsonville Sausage LLC released a statement Wednesday night: "Johnsonville Sausage has had a positive and successful partnership with Brat Fest for several years. Each year, our focus is on benefitting the charitable organizations that this community event supports. We feel that donating all the brats for this year's festival is a meaningful way we can continue to partner with this great event and benefit deserving organizations in the Madison area."

I hope the alternative Brat Fest is small enough that it doesn't have a significant effect on attendance at the "World's Largest Brat Fest" and have a negative impact on the charities involved.

It's sad that the charities may suffer because of this idiotic boycott.

Give it a rest for Memorial Day weekend. If some people want to boycott, why not purchase soda or some other products available at the fest?

Just give it a rest and do the right thing for a few days.

Apparently, that's too much to ask.
___________________

A related matter--

TMJ4 covered this story on its Thursday 10:00 PM newscast.

Anchor Mike Jacobs made a correction from its 6:00 PM newscast. He said they had incorrectly reported that Johnsonville had made campaign contributions to Scott Walker. Jacobs said that Johnsonville employees made donations, but not the Johnsonville company.

I couldn't believe that after so many weeks of stories about union boycotts of M&I and Sendik's and other businesses, even though the businesses did NOT make contributions to Walker, that TMJ4 would make such a major mistake.

How could they be so stupid?

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!

Jacobs said, "We regret that error."

I'm glad they were called on their terribly cheap shot and were forced to make the embarrassing correction.