24thState

The Missouri Plan

Good lawyers know the law; great lawyers know the judge. ~Author Unknown

 Last week representatives once again voted on an issue that at first seems complex, but ultimately breaks down to a question of the fundamental principles of governance.  SJR 51 puts changes on the ballot in the way our state selects judges.

In 1940 Missouri was the first state to adopt a new way of selecting judges with a “non-partisan” 7 member commission.  As a result, this idea has been named the “Missouri Plan.” In MO, this commission is comprised of three non-lawyers appointed by the Governor, 3 lawyers selected by the MO Bar and 1 Supreme Court Justice selected by the Supreme Court (i.e. another lawyer).  The Commission gives 3 options to the Governor for whom to select as Judge for any open seat on the court.  The Commission can continue to resubmit passed over selections to the Governor giving him very little choice in who he selects to the judiciary.  The commission members are selected for 6 year terms, as opposed to the 4 yr terms of Missouri’s Governor and Senators.

SJR 51 makes several significant changes.  First, SJR 51 requires the commission to give the Governor 4 options instead of 3 to fill a vacancy.  Second, and more significantly, it takes the seventh position currently chosen by the Supreme Court and gives the selection to the Governor, thus giving him the option to select 4 of the 7 commissioners. Third, it shortens the commission’s term from 6 to 4 years.

What do these changes have to do with the fundamental principles of governance? SJR 51 swings the balance of power in the commission from unelected lawyers to an elected, accountable Governor. The Declaration of Independence states that “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”  Furthermore, Article 1 section 1 of the Missouri Constitution states “That all political power is vested in and derived from the people; that all government of right originates from the people.”  Thus, all officers of the government should be selected in such a way that they are accountable, first to the Rule of Law or the Constitution, and secondly to the will of the people. As the third branch of our state’s government, it is absolutely imperative that members of the judiciary be accountable to those from whom they derive their just powers.  In the current plan, a majority of the commission selecting MOs judges is chosen not by the people or their representative(s), but by the Missouri Bar Association, an unelected and unaccountable society of lawyers.  This plan, combined with the fact that the judiciary in MO is self-policed (judicial discipline is handled by another unelected commission and any impeachment is tried by the Supreme Court) gives ample opportunity for legal cronyism.  SJR51’s small changes take the swing vote away from unaccountable lawyers and give it to the Governor who can be held accountable by the electorate for bad judicial appointments.

 SJR 51 is a constitutional change and will be on the November ballot this year.   There will be a lot of money spent attempting to convince voters that allowing lawyers to choose the judges in front of whom they present cases is less corrupt than allowing the people’s elected Governor the swing vote.  This year our state has the chance to regain some accountability in our third branch of government.

 

Heritage Bus Tour Events



The 'Your Money, Your Values, Your Vote' Bus Tour form the Heritage Foundation will have two stops in St. Louis.

Tonight, Heritage Tavern will host an event at Two Hearts Banquet Center in Sunset Hills from 6-8.  $10/person with pub fare & cash bar.

MO Heritage Tavern Event - May 10

Tomorrow night, a panel of speakers will present at Westminster Christian Academy's Theater in Town & Country from 7-9.  This event is free to the public.

The Values Bus website has more information on the events.

 

Blockbuster Conservative Woodstock Event in Missouri

Springtime in Missouri is beautiful. If you have never driven in or near the heart of the Show Me State, you need to take the time, and there is no time better than the weekend of May 19th.

More than just the usual political speeches, the Rally for Common Sense is bringing conservative activists from around the state and nation to Central Missouri out to a farm affectionately called the "Patriot Field of Dreams" for either a full day or full weekend of patriot speeches, fellowship and activities.

 

The stunning array of speakers includes such notable national figures as Ambassador, Alan Keyes, Herman Cain, Alphonso Rachael, PJTV, Joseph Farrah, World Net Daily, and former Missourian, Dr. Gina Loudon, Politichiks.

You will also hear from Missouri's new favorite civil liberties attorney, Dave Roland, Tea Party original, Michelle Moore, and many others. 

Some of our favorite photojournalists including Moore and Rob Brenner will be joined by Alex Rife who will be producing a documentary film of the event.

In addition to being within ten minutes of the Missouri Capitol, perched high above the banks of the Missouri River, other notable attractions include Fulton, Missouri, home of both the historic William Woods University and Westminster College, the site of Winston Churchill's Sinews of Peace, better known as the "Iron Curtain Speech".

The outdoor display of the section of the Berlin Wall carved by Churchill's granddaughter sits right next to the churchill statue, both at the foot of the famous 17th Century Sir Christopher Wren designed, Church of St. Mary Aldermanberry imported stone by stone from London.

Finally, for the best kept secret in Missouri, the event is within minutes of Tonanzio's restaurant in Guthrie Missouri. Owned by the Dawson family, long time board members and even past Chairman of Safari Club International, the restaurant is one of the most unique dining experience you could ever have. The trophies collected from countless hunting expeditions around the world are expertly mounted and preserved in amazingly elaborate dioramas. If camping is not your style, they feature a theme room bed and breakfast.

Tickets are just $10 if purchased by this Saturday the 5th. Make a weekend of it, call it a staycation, or just make it a "one tank" day trip. Whatever you do, do not do anything less for your family on the 19th.

 

Obama Target List Includes Missourians Sam and Jeff Fox

The Wall Street Journal article speaks for itself. Kimberly Strassell reminds us that "Richard Nixon's "enemies list" appalled the country". There are few Presidents the left loves to loathe more than Nixon.

From the article: 

President Barack Obama, the most powerful man on the planet, singles you out by name. His campaign brands you a Romney donor, shames you for "betting against America," and accuses you of having a "less-than-reputable" record. The message from the man who controls the Justice Department (which can indict you), the SEC (which can fine you), and the IRS (which can audit you), is clear: You made a mistake donating that money.

Are you worried?

There are few things on which the hard left and hard right agree, but U.S. Presidents abusing the office, specifically using it to intimidate citizens is unacceptable. The very act of threatening the donors of one's opponent is very hard ball and happens way too much, even in Missouri. However, while threatening donors to one's opponents crosses a line in civil society, doing so with the ability to make good on your threats deserves swift and severe rebuke. Who can deliver the rebuke?

In times of tyranny, free societies rely on a bold an independent press to lead the charge for liberty. When a Missourian is threatened, as is the case with Sam and Jeff Fox, it is the unique duty of all of the major Missouri media to speak up. They all link to this blog. Hopefully they read this and show some integrity and do their job.

Strassell explains, "...Mr. Obama, who acknowledges no rules. This past week, one of his campaign websites posted an item entitled "Behind the curtain: A brief history of Romney's donors." In the post, the Obama campaign named and shamed eight private citizens who had donated to his opponent. Describing the givers as all having "less-than-reputable records," the post went on to make the extraordinary accusations that "quite a few" have also been "on the wrong side of the law" and profiting at "the expense of so many Americans."

These are people like Paul Schorr and Sam and Jeffrey Fox, investors who the site outed for the crime of having "outsourced" jobs."

So they now equate a common business practice like "outsourcing" that is most certainly invoked by 90+% of every business interest that ever gave a dollar to an Obama camapaign to criminal activity warranting the placement of such people and businesses on a watch list.

Mr. President, yesterday I engaged in the crime of cavorting with an "outsource" technical support firm. In about an hour I will do it again. Stop me before I sin again!

 

 

Remembering Jerry Wamser and his Secret

On a hot St. Louis Summer day, a small crowd was gathered in the Gym at Parkway West High School. I was just 24 years old, barely out of College and perhaps a little cocky that day. After all, the venue was not only a candidate's forum, and my alma mater, but as the Young Republican National Committeman, I was in the vaunted position of guest speaker for our State Treasurer candidate. However, I was humbled by the man next to me, an attorney, filling in for the Attorney General in his campaign for Governor. Further, I knew this man's name. "Hi. I'm Jerry Wamser." 

Jerry had a commanding presence that began with his self introduction and the way he abruptly paused, snapping the last "r" deep in his chest. Crisp, precise, by the book, honest, ethical and with honor in all you do. And always a certain flair. That was Jerry. As he handed me his business card and said "call me", hundreds and perhaps thousands of St. Louisans will know exactly what he said next. There are variations, but there was an important right of passage into Jerry's World.

"We will meet on the court of honor"

  "How about a little sweating?"

   "There is someone I want you to meet."

Just like that, I had become Jerry's latest mentoring prospect and that meant I would have to bone up on my racquetball skills. Jerry stressed the importance of good sportsmanship, of charity, grace, giving back and respecting your fellow man. He revered the Salvation Army and could always be found engaged with local civic groups in and around Affton where he partnered with the venerable Dill, Wamser, Bamvakais and Newsham lawfirm.

Jerry had a deep admiration for the people of Affton who he saw as representing all that is good and solid in America. The fastidious "stock" were the people whose estates he often handled. They weren't the fanciest, but it was important to Jerry that I, a West County boy, could see the virtue of these "scrubby Dutch" (in the St. Louis lexicon) who worked hard, saved, provided for their families and found utter contentment in the bungalows that predominate the region.

I was joking to friends about Jerry, this very week. The ever cautious "conservative" Jerry talked me out of more business ideas. He was as cautious as the people he represented in probate court. Jerry taught me half of what I know about politics even as he half tried to talk me out of running for office. That was Jerry. "You need a lot of Yankee dollars,'" I can hear him saying. As he knew I was committed he taught me everything I needed to win. 

Jerry loved helping candidates, and if he missed being the candidate himself, he never let on. Jerry was at once a guy who loved to be the center of attention but was as unselfcentered as there ever was a man. See, Jerry was the politician who never really was, but it was not like him to dwell on it.

Ever the dedicated civil activist, Jerry once gave in to the political bug and ran for Mayor of St. Louis. He was the last Republican to make a serious bid for city-wide office. He carried the South Side but ultimately lost as his opponent, Vince Shoemoehl made a hard and successful play for the “Northside” black vote and won. Jerry gave him a heck of run.

Governor Ashcroft tapped Jerry for an appointment to the important spot of Director of Elections in the City. Jerry was in his element. While I did not know him during those years, one of his favorite topics was to talk about the ways the various City political machines would steal elections. He found the stuffed ballot boxes and the vacant lots with 40 "voters" claiming the address, but that was kids stuff. He could give you chapter and verse on how it really is done. I took those lessons to Jefferson City and always thought of Jerry and sometimes chuckled when partisans would argue that requiring photo identification is akin to Nazism. Yep, they know the joke that Jerry told me years ago.

Over the years, I was privileged to enjoy countless raquetball matches with Jerry and a steady stream of guests in three way matches. Jerry would graciously host dinner out with couples including my Gina and his beautiful, life-long love Jeanette. How he loved her. They were soulmates even to his becoming a trustee of her alma mater, Fontbonne University, where she is known as a distinguished alumnus. It was always just Jerry and Jeanette, no kids, and yet lots of kids. It always puzzled me how such a giant of a man with so much to share would not hand this to a houseful of children.

I was out at a rather sophisticated event one night, visiting with several young professional men. At some point Jerry's name came up. I do not recall for certain, maybe he was there. What I experienced next is a blank hundreds of young men in St. Louis can fill. One of the men pointed at me excitedly, seeking confirmation "You're a Jerry's Kid, too?!

"Yes", I thought. "I guess I am a Jerry's Kid." 

As special as I felt, I had no idea then, and still do not know how many Jerry's Kids are running around St. Louis, or California, or the limitless points on the globe. With Jerry as a mentor, who knows what you might do. Perhaps someone will take the task of creating a Jerry's kids reunion, or Face book Page and we can get an idea how many lives he touched and tell the world why his secret is at once so powerful and such an example.

Jerry never told me why he adopted me the way he did, but one day John Newsham did. He was the law partner adept at filling in blanks left by Jerry. Jerry was an amazing, rambunctious but smart young man. He was an excellent student and patriot, called by his country to fight in Vietnam. Jerry, the born leader rose to the rank of captain, naturally. He was profoundly impacted by the words that inspired or perhaps haunted him from those tragic years. At every funeral, he would hear the words "He had so much potential".

So it was, perhaps that none of those men would have died in vain, that Jerry would do his part to be sure the world would regain part of the gift of their potential. Jerry mentored, almost obsessively, any young man he encountered in whom he saw "potential".

I do not know if he saw in me the face of any particular fallen soldier, he never talked about it, but if I ever think about letting up, or leaving a battle to be lost, I feel that extra duty and I know I am not alone. Somewhere there is a fallen soldier who paved a path for me to have had the privilege to know Jerry Wamser. Today there are countless Jerry's kids carrying that torch but I doubt anyone could ever hold a candle the mentor's mentor, Jerry Wamser.

 

Fighting the Police Union

I, Gary Wiegert, was president of the SLPOA for 6 years and an Executive Board Member from 1997-2009. Over that time I won 7 elections. I've always supported state control of the St. Louis Police Department.

Jeff Roorda was fired from the Arnold Police department and was then elected as a state representative from Jefferson County from 2006-2010. Governor Nixon appointed him to a homeland security job with the state of Missouri. He resigned that job after serving for 1 month and was hired by the SLPOA as a business manager.

In 2008 Governor Nixon addressed in person the SLPOA Executive Board and sought the endorsement, which was based on the mutual support of continued state control of the St. Louis Police Department. Based on Governor Nixon's continued support of state control he was endorsed by the SLPOA and won his election.

In July, Jeff Roorda, SLPOA president Tom Walsh, and SLPOA vice president Joe Steiger met with Governor Nixon and they all flip flopped on their support of state control of the St. Louis P.D. During the special session Governor Nixon placed local control on the agenda at the request of Jeff Roorda even though Governor Nixon announced the special session was called in regards to jobs for Missourians.

I was the only lobbyist to testify against local control and helped defeat it in the special session against the SLPOA, Mayor Slay, Governor Nixon, Jeff Roorda and Rex Sinquefield money. Tea Party senators came to the rescue and defeated the bill in the special session. 

During the regular legislative session the SLPOA was against local control. The SLPOA membership never supported local control or was not made aware when 19 Executive Board members switched their position on local control. In July, Nixon appointed Tom Irwin to to the Police Board and the SLPOA and the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners signed a collective bargaining agreement in exchange for local control. The local control bill then died in the special session.

The membership of the SLPOA has never been involved in these deals and they do not support local control. Because I've been an outspoken critic of local control, the SLPOA's Executive Board wants to kick me out of the union. Here's my email exchange with David Bonenberger, President of the SLPOA:

From: Wiegert, Gary R
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 2:12 AM
To: Bonenberger, David J
Subject: FW: Decision of Trial Board

Sgt. Bonenberger,

The SLPOA by-laws were violated when I was improperly expelled from the SLPOA. I was not notified of the date or time of the hearing or allowed to defend myself against the accusations made by SLPOA employee Jeff Roorda.

The secretive decisions made by the Executive Board are consistent with the improper actions of the E-Board when they invalidated an SLPOA election in an attempt to deny the will of the membership and disallow your election victory for President of the SLPOA. The E-Board then continued the fraud when they along with Jeff Roorda blamed a 34 year employee, Patricia Heisner with fixing the election. She was then improperly terminated with no due process and the E-Board awarded Jeff Roorda a five year $300,000.00 contract with a clause that he cannot be fired. I suggest you stop allowing alcoholic beverages to be served at the Executive Board meetings.

The most egregious act of the Executive Board was their flip flop and support of local control. The E-board did not seek out the membership’s input on this issue. I fought and helped defeat local control in the legislature, even though Jeff Roorda and Rex Sinquefield money supported local control. The fact Jeff Roorda signed the initiative petition is outrageous and he should be terminated from the SLPOA.

I distrust any actions or charge brought forward by Jeff Roorda, as he is a proven liar and was fired, when he was a police officer, by the Arnold Police Department for lying twice on two different occasions on police reports. This can be verified on Case.net.

In conclusion Sgt. Bonenberger, I request a vote be sent to the membership and conducted by an accredited accounting firm in regards to my inappropriate termination. I have included assorted units with this e-mail so that the E-Board would begin making decisions openly and informing the membership. This missive also serves as my notification and my appeal with the SLPOA Recording Secretary, who is privy to this E-Mail. This appeal is done in accordance with the by-laws of the SLPOA. I also wish the charges against me be made public, along with who on the E-Board voted in favor of local control and when it was decided that the SLPOA supports local control.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Bonenberger, David J
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 11:37 AM
To: Wiegert, Gary R
Subject: Decision of Trial Board

Sir,

In compliance with the SLPOA By-Laws, Article One, Section 7C. The Executive Board, serving as a Trial Board, convened on April 11, 2012, at 16:15 hours. This Trial Board was convened at the SLPOA hall, 3710 Hampton, St. Louis, Missouri.

David Rudolph, Chairman of the Investigating Committee, presented the case in support of the charges against you. Upon completion of the case the Executive Board determined, during closed session, that you have been found guilty of the acts alleged and that you are hereby expelled from the SLPOA membership immediately.

Article One, Section 7J, reads “If the charged member disagrees with the Executive Board’s determination, he/she may appeal said determination to the general membership by filing a written notice of appeal with the Recording Secretary within seven (7) days after the Executive Board’s determination is received by the charged member. The appeal shall be announced and considered at the next general membership meeting, a quorum not required. A majority vote of those present and voting at said general membership meeting shall be necessary to defer the decision of the Trial Board and cause the decision to be submitted to the general membership for ratification by a majority of those voting in a membership referendum on the issue. Otherwise, the Executive Board’s decision shall be final.”

This electronic correspondence shall serve as additional notification to the determination that has been sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to your address of record.

Fraternally,

David Bonenberger

President--SLPOA

 

 

An Objective Assessment of the Trayvon Martin Shooting

Legal Insurrection provides the charge & jury instruction against George Zimmerman, regarding the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

I figured I would delve into this in an objective manner, and provide parallels in Missouri law.

The Jury Instruction: 

There are three elements to prove 2nd Degree Murder in Florida: (1) the victim is dead; (2) the death was caused by the criminal act of the defendant; and (3) an unlawful killing occured in an immenently dangerous manner, demonstating a depraved mind without regard to human life.

(1) Trayvon Martin is dead.

(2) Trayvon Martin is dead because George Zimmerman shot him.

(3) The central factor in this trial comes down to the 3rd element of 2nd Degree Murder. There are three elements to demonstrate this: (a) an ordinary person would be reasonably certain to know the act would cause death or serious bodily injury; (b) the act was done with ill will, hatred, spite, or evil intent; and (c) the act itself indicates an indifference to human life.

(a) An ordinary person should be reasonably certain that firing a gun in the direction of another, at close range, could cause death or serious bodily injury.

(b) & (c) The trial will revolve around these two factors.  

I do not have the facts of the case, and cannot make an objective assessment of whether (b) applies.  Presumably, and in light of the prosecution's failure to include the lesser offenses in the Casey Anthony case, the prosecution would include the lesser offenses in this case.  'Culpable negligence,' as opposed to ill will et al., must be proved for a charge of manslaughter, but Florida's 'stand your ground' defense would probably negate this factor of the unlawful killing element.

As to (c), I am reasonably sure that a successful 'stand your ground' defense would also abrogate this factor and the element of unlawful killing, as the indifference to human life would be countered by the preservation of one's own life.

The 'stand your ground defense' requires that one "reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm."  Again, I do not have the relevant facts (and we can be assured the press does not have them either), but this defense would certainly be available to George Zimmerman.  From what I understand, a judge could throw out the case immediately should that judge believe the defense is justified, but this will most likely be avoided as judges are elected in Florida (this is not an argument against abolishing the Missouri Plan) and a jury will likely determine whether the defense is justified.

In my personal opinion, if reasonable doubt exists as to whether George Zimmerman initiated contact with Trayvon Martin, I do not believe the prosecution will be able to prove 2nd Degree Murder.  If the jury believes George Zimmerman caused a confrontation with Trayvon Martin, regardless of initiation, I believe a jury could find him guilty of manslaughter.  That being said, the 'stand your ground defense' could nullify either charge.

Of course, none of this may preclude civil proceedings (think OJ Simpson), so one should not assume that a 'stand your ground' defense is an absolute bar to any punishment for George Zimmerman's action.  Do not take my word for it, as I have not located the relevant statutes, but I believe George Zimmerman's 'stand your ground' defense would only be a partial bar to damages.

If this had occured in Missouri, 2nd Degree Murder requires that the defendant "knowingly causes the death of another person, or with the purpose of causing serious physical injury to another person, causes the death of another person." Missouri's standard appears a little easier to prove.  And the 'stand your ground' defense only applies if the person asserting the defense was on property he owned or leased.  

In Missouri, George Zimmerman would probably be found guilty under the known circumstances of the event.  Now assume the facts show George Zimmerman acted lawfully in Florida, and ask yourself whether it would be just for a similar individual to be convicted of 2nd Degree Murder in Missouri, as a thought experiment.

Ex-McCaskill Staffer Bob Burns Goes Down in Flames

The St. Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that Joan McGivney has defeated Bob Burns in their race for St. Louis Community College Trustee Subdistrict 3. With all precincts reporting, McGivney has a 105 vote lead with 6985 votes to Burns's 6880. Congratulations to McGivney!

Bob Burns rose to infamy when, as Senator Claire McCaskill's field representative, he called Tea Partiers protesting President Obama's healthcare takeover "brownshirts". Here's Burns from a couple years ago:

Stay strong. Someone said brownshirts, and some people got offended by that, but if you look at history, when Hitler took over Germany, they did just that. They disrupted meetings, screaming, and then it got violent, but they were always in the minority.

Burns is pictured above marching with the Occupy St. Louis radicals. The occupy movement has lived the violence that Bob Burns only imagined Tea Partiers committed: rapes, murders, assaults. In fact, this evening Tea Partiers held a candle light vigil for victims of Bob Burns and his occupy thugs.

If you forgot about today's election you'll have another opportunity to vote against Bob Burns so long as you live in Missouri's 93rd State House District. You might even consider taking a Democrat ballot in the August primary and voting for Joe Montecillo.

HSUS Flees Missouri with Tail Between Legs

The following press release was forwarded to me this morning. It comes from Mindy Paterson's Alliance for Truth:

HSUS FLEES MISSOURI WITH TAIL BETWEEN LEGS
Radical Animal Rights Group Shifts Focus to National PUPS Bill 

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) funded front group, "Your Vote Counts" announced that they are suspending their campaign to push an amendment to the Missouri Constitution that would promote direct democracy and mob rule through ballot proposition. Mindy Patterson, Campaign Director for The Alliance for Truth which lead the fight to oppose "Your Votes Counts" in addition to the HSUS sponsored 2010 Proposition B, released the following statement today:

"While this is great news for Missouri, it is believed that HSUS is more than likely leaving Missouri to focus its efforts and their $130 million of annual donation revenue on a dangerous piece of federal legislation called the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act (P.U.P.S.) which is intended to destroy the dog breeding industry and pure bred dog sales nationwide. Having been thwarted in their efforts to fool Missourians, HSUS will now use their deceptive lobbying tactics to destroy law-abiding animal enterprises nationwide. American families who enjoy the ability to afford and purchase pure-bred dogs should stand up and say "NO" to the HSUS agenda of making dog breeding a prohibitively expensive enterprise."

For more information, contact: 
Phil Christofanelli, 217-971-3754, pchristofanelli@gmail.com

Our nominee: Voight the New Breitbart

With the tagic passing of Andrew Breitbart, America lost a courageous figure that the left reviled and feared and the right loved. For the fence sitter, who found his bodlness and unvarnished rhetoric uncomfortable even while they appreciated the effects of his work, the decription of AB as loving to be hated so that he could take the attacks that others would not have to, should be reassurance that the man was properly, selflessly motivated for the cause of the country he loved. We wonder who can replace the irreplaceable. I think we have a nominee.

 

In a stunningly courageous move, Hollywood legend, Jon Voight in on the record. The letter he read on the Huckabee show accuses President Obama "and his entire Administration of orchestrating a lie", and that he is feeding poison to millions of Americans and using Alisnky tactics. He goes on to propose a remedy to the cure for the "obamination" that is this presidency and expressly challenges all America-loving patriots to join a local Tea Party.

Voight understands that this is not just about America. He asks rhetorically, "The world who looked up to us as a symbol of hope and properity now wonders what will happen to the entire world if America loses its power." is reminiscent of the rallying cry of New Zealander, Trevor Loudon who works tirelesly to expose the hard left and their goal of dismantling American greatness or, as Obama says, "spread the wealth around".

Many have posited metaphores to descibe Andrew Breitbart. He took up a cause, built a media empire, took on lesser causes and the Left with great zeal, and so publicly and unabashed. There is no way to encapsulate him and no way to find one person to be him. One thing we need right away, is the next voice, the next strong person to step up and be a leading voice. Our nominee is Jon Voight.