Dole and Hayes need to Show Up - Phillip Gilfus Nails it in the FayO
Submitted by Betsy Muse on Sun, 08/03/2008 - 5:40am
I woke up this morning to read one of the best editorials I've read in a long time. It is well-reasoned and well-written with the author taking a friendly tone and style. The author is our friend and co-hort, Phillip Gilfus.
I'll give you some morsels, but go give the piece a read at the FayO and think of all those conservatives in Cumberland County waking up on a Sunday morning reading the truth about the Republicans they have helped send to Washington.
Since he’s running for re-election against school teacher Larry Kissell this year, I hope Rep. Hayes will take time to visit Fayetteville and the surrounding area. I know we’re a long way from Concord, but I think he would learn a lot from visiting with his constituents here in the Eighth Congressional District.
Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a Republican from our state, also is running for re-election this year, facing off against state Sen. Kay Hagan. I also hope Sen. Dole will visit our area and meet with ordinary North Carolinians. Again, I realize we’re a long way from her home in Washington, but since she represents us in the U.S. Senate, I think it would benefit her to attend some of our great community events.
The ediorial piece is much longer and is centered around a real event. Make sure you read it at the FayO and then head back on over here and show Phillip some love.
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Congratulations on getting a great piece printed
It's an especially nice accomplishment since the FayO has been known to show Hayes a lot of love in the past.
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Robin Hayes lied, Robin Hayes cried and thousands of folks lost th
Thanks
It was a great way to start my morning before heading off to church!
They did cut the part off where I wrote that, more or less, "Dole, who lives in the Watergate Hotel in DC" and changed it just to "DC". :)
But, I'm just being honest and, in my heart, this is what I truly believe public servants should do. I know some may complain about the demands on their time, but they volunteered for this role, for better or for ill. As someone who may want to hold elected office myself one day, I'm fully aware of the SERVICE aspect of holding the public trust.
Y'know, honestly, if Rep. Hayes or Sen. Dole were active in this district/state, then I would pipe down. But, especially Robin Hayes, who serves in the People's House, the legislative house which, theoretically, should be the most responsive to the people, due to being elected every two years and having a district instead of the state, as our Founders intended. He should be firmly rooted in all our communities.
And, of course, Elizabeth "93rd Most Effective Senator" Dole has only shown up in this state on the issue of immigration. While this is an issue our political representatives should speak about (I know our county sheriffs honestly do want more cooperation from ICE), there are certainly more important ones, and we don't need a one-issue senator.
Hope everyone has a great Sunday!
Phillip Hunter Gilfus,
DNC Member-Elect (NC),
Democratic National Committee
Wonderful!
And to see it in the Fayetteville Observer is terrific, that's not an easy nut to crack.
This is the line that sticks with me, Philip:
Well said all around
If success in life is mostly a function of just showing up, it's safe to draw the conclusion that Hayes and Dole have failed even that minimal level of accomplishment.
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Jesus Swept, this December
Showing Up!!
Guess who didn't show up at Freedom Park for the Memorial Day services. Guess who was there. The answer to the first one is Robin Hayes. The answer to the second one is Larry Kissell. This is not heresay. I was there. I talked to Larry and introduced him to the people I was with.
Let's see....Memorial Day, Freedom Park, Military, 82nd Airborne. Hello!! You are supposed to be the congressman for this district.
Freedom Park
Okay, I goofed. Freedom Park is in Charlotte...Festival Park is in Fayetteville. I was only born here. Duh!
That's a minor goof!
Think about it - you goofed on the name of the park. Hayes, Dole, et. al. failed to show up for their constituents. I think we can forgive you!
Charlotte is in Hayes' district too
and he wasn't at Freedom Park either....so...technically, you were right.
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Robin Hayes lied, Robin Hayes cried and thousands of folks lost th
Thought I was wrong
You mean that I was wrong once when I thought I was wrong and then found out I was right? Or however that thing goes.
When you thought you were wrong, you were wrong.
You were actually wrong about being wrong - you were right about Hayes not being at Freedom Park.
Does your head hurt yet?
Festival in the Park
To make it even more complicated, the annual Festival in the Park is held in Freedom Park. Hayes won't be found there either.
So let me get this straight.
Robin Hayes hates Freedom.
Got it.
Apparently he's not fond of parks or festivals either. :D
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Robin Hayes lied, Robin Hayes cried and thousands of folks lost th
They'll show--but will they answer questions?
Good dig in the FayO, Phillip. Unless their campaign staff are all asleep, Hayes and Dole will make a point to appear in Fayetteville sometime over the next three months.
My advice now: Be watching for that, and have several people ready to show up and try to ask questions. When they aren't allowed in, or when they aren't allowed to raise their questions, you have your next point ready to make.
If they "show up" but won't deal with real constituents while they're there--and the media know this in real time--then their appearance is revealed as a cheap stunt.
Dan Besse
Baby steps...
I agree, Dan. This was certainly a friendly shot in their direction. I await their response.
I have to admit, I've been getting mail (both campaign and "official") from Rep. Hayes almost every 4 days now. All I can say is I'm very glad Fayetteville now has curbside recycling...
Phillip Hunter Gilfus,
DNC Member-Elect (NC),
Democratic National Committee
I learned something new
I learned something new today. I didnt know you could recycle toxic waste. I'm glad Cumberland County has figured it out.
"Keep the Faith"
BRAC
Maybe someone will enlighten me as to what BRAC stands for? I am not from Fayetteville or the 8th district. I agree local politicians should show up for local events, but also local journalists should use a full title for an agency when writing about it, in case people not from their town don't know what they are talking about.
brother doc
Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC)
Sorry, but there's no need to spell out this acronym for anyone in Fayetteville/Cumberland Co./Fort Bragg.
What this refers to is the fact that FORSCOM (U.S. Army Forces Command) and USARC (U.S. Army Reserve Command) are moving to Fort Bragg in 2011/2012. General officers, field-grade officers, senior non-commissioned officers, and high-grade civilians, along with their families and other support staff, will be moving to the region. This will have an obvious growth challenge to Cumberland County, as well as surrounding counties, e.g. Harnett, Moore, Hoke, etc. Fort Bragg will be only second to the Pentagon in the number of generals walking around.
Phillip Hunter Gilfus,
DNC Member-Elect (NC),
Democratic National Committee
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
Google helps a lot. I have to ask about other things all the time. They don't speak English.
The DoD is Tricky!
"BRAC" is an acronym that stands for Base Realignment and Closure. It is the congressionally authorized process DoD has previously used to reorganize its base structure to more efficiently and effectively support our forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate new ways of doing business. (The original legislation actually states that the title of the process is Base Closure and Realignment.)
I guess they didn't want to say "BCAR"
http://www.defenselink.mil/brac/faqs001.html