Tag: Mark Belling

Here is an email I received from Kirsten Lombard of the Wisconsin 9/12 Project In Madison.  We thank them for their support and applaud them for their courage and understanding of this issue.  We may have differences on some issues, but this is a principle everyone in our movement should understand! FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS: The Wisconsin 9/12 Project Stands with the Rock River Patriots Dan, I find Mr. Belling’s refusal simply to issue a correction more than regrettable. I’m also bothered by his assumption that local grassroots groups do not have a right to inform the voters about what they find in relationship to candidate vetting. You’re precisely right in pointing out to Mr. Belling that he is advocating–or at least indicating his preference for–a curtailment of your 1st Amendment rights. I wonder how he’d like it if someone told him that as a radio host, he should only speak about certain things in sanctioned ways. That day may be closer than he thinks, so perhaps we’ll find out. In any event, when followed to its natural conclusion, Mr. Belling’s argument shakes out thus: As a radio host with a bully pulpit, he has the right to say whatever he…

from BELLING, MARK C. <MarkBelling@clearchannel.com> to Rock River Patriots <rockriverpatriots@gmail.com> date Thu, Jul 15, 2010 at 1:54 PM subject RE: Rock River Patriots Response To Mark Belling’s LIE about us mailed-by clearchannel.com Did your group comment on Ron Johnson or not? My point is that nobody should speak for the “Tea Party” and organized groups with leaders is anathema to the movement. It is my contention your group should offer no comments on anything but should merely be a forum for citizens to express their own grievances. It is remarkably arrogant for one group to attempt to co-op a movement, particularly when that group appears to be very liberal on a number of issues, including the war on terrorism. Most tea party attendees support the anti-terror effort, the Patriot Act and strongly defend Israel. from Rock River Patriots <rockriverpatriots@gmail.com> date Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 7:37 AM subject Re: Rock River Patriots Response To Mark Belling’s LIE about us mailed-by gmail.com Mark, You are not addressing the reason for the email in the first place. You LIED about our group saying we “are trying to speak for the whole movement” and “running around trying to endorse candidates and pass judgement.”…

In response to Mark Belling’s comments on his show yesterday about the Rock River Patriots, Nathan Friedl from our group, also responded.  Mark’s response is very intriguing:  “Why is your group vetting anyone?”  Nathan Friedl responded.  Below is the email exchange. From: Nate Friedl Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 7:51 PM To: BELLING, MARK C. Subject: Rock River Patriots Mark, my name is Nathan friedl with the Rock River Patriots in Jefferson County WI. I personally have not heard you mention us on your program but a number of people have told us you have made reference to us including on your show this afternoon (Wednesday July 14). Forgive me if my information is not correct but we were told you stated our group was one of those Tea Party groups who are endorsing candidates. That is absolutely false. We have never and have no intention of ever endorsing anyone. We have a vetting process for candidates and ask the same or very similar questions to each one. Obviously, you can make any statements you like on your program, it’s your program. Having said that, please make certain your facts are accurate if you chose to talk about our group….

Below is the letter I sent out to Milwaukee talk radio show host Mark Belling regarding his comments on his show about our group.  I will attempt to post the audio soon. Mark stated the we ” trying to speak for the whole movement”  and “are running around trying to endorse candidates and pass judgement”.  I am not certain where this is coming from.  I can only speculate we have angered some in the Republican Party establishment with our Ron Johnson vetting session.  Shortly after the video was posted, I started hearing the same type of rhetoric.  Again, this is only speculation. I will say the same thing again.  We will not “carry water” for anyone.  It is the job of the people to ask tough questions of candidates no matter who they are or what endorsements they have. Here is the letter: Mark, In Hour 2 Part 1 of your show today (07/14/10), you completely LIED about about our position regarding the endorsement of candidates. We have repeatedly stated that we DO NOT endorse candidates because the Tea Party is about an ideology, not a particular person. Long before your rant today, we were quoted in the Wisconsin State Journal where…