My Encounter with Bob Filner

Sometime in 2003 when Bob Filner was a Congressman the barbaric procedure of Partial Birth Abortion* was being debated. Filner was a supporter of the procedure working against the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act S3. 

I went with a handful of pro life ladies along with a couple of men to gather outside the downtown San Diego building where the "pro choice " leaders were meeting.  Our peaceful picket was intended to educate the public on this horrible practice as well as draw attention to those who supported it.

After awhile, to our surprise the door opened and out stepped Bob Filner himself. He was alone. One of the group attempted to approach him to discuss the issue. Wide eyed, Filner took one look at us and turned. He took off down the other side of the building as fast as he could. No, he would not  speak with us, much less explain his support for partial birth abortion.

San Diego is learning that a man that cannot be trusted to defend the most innocent and defenseless little lives, cannot be trusted - period. 

Filner is the new face of the Democrat party along with Anthony Weiner and Eliot Spitzer. Although this is not really new considering the past behaviors of Ted Kennedy and Bill Clinton. Despite their rhetoric as champions for women, Democrats truly are the party waging war on women both born and unborn!

* " Partial-Birth Abortion is a procedure in which  the abortionist pulls a living baby feet-first out of the womb and into the birth canal (vagina), except for the head, which the abortionist purposely keeps lodged just inside the cervix (the opening to the womb).  The abortionist punctures the base of the baby’s skull with a surgical instrument, such as a long surgical scissors or a pointed hollow metal tube called a trochar.  He then inserts a catheter (tube) into the wound, and removes the baby's brain with a powerful suction machine.  This causes the skull to collapse, after which the abortionist completes the delivery of the now-dead baby." 
National Right to Life

He Said What?

As a concerned citizen, I believe in encouraging our elected officials to stand for our Constitution and do their duty to uphold it. Below is a baffling account of what I encountered when I made a request of the Santee City Council at their meeting this past Wednesday.
The debate in the Senate on the proposed immigration reform bill revealed that it does not secure the borders nor enforce existing immigration laws. Then the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to support a resolution in favor of the bill. So I thought it would be good for those opposing this bill to be heard as well.
With a draft resolution written up I signed in to speak during the public comment period of the meeting.
Before the meeting I was approached by councilman Jack Dale who offered to move up the comments period before some city business that would take some time. I appreciated the consideration of my time, since it would take only me about 3 minutes.

When my name was called I went forward explained briefly the reason for the resolution and read what I was proposing they support. As I had been told the council would not address the issue since it was not on the agenda, I sat back down.

Then the Mayor Randy Voepel expressed strong support for the points made in the resolution. However, he said they have a policy not to take stands on issues not directly involving the city of Santee like potholes, etc.

He would realize his mistaken viewpoint if he gave it some thought. Why does he think the state had to cut back on the funds they usually returned to local cities? What about the local unemployment rate affected by cheap illegal labor? Or most worrisome national security concerns because of our unsecured borders as we recall that a couple of the 9-11 terrorists were living in La Mesa. In any case, if that had been the end of it then it would not be so troubling.

However, then the Mayor went on to say to me "Now you can go home and watch TV".

As Assemblyman Brian Jones likes to say  "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

Such a dismissive and disrespectful comment from Mayor Voepel is not only unbecoming of his position but does nothing to promote civil discourse in Santee.

In case you are curious, below is the proposed resolution that brought on his response:

A Resolution of the Santee City Council in opposition to the Immigration Reform Bill of 2013

WHEREAS, the United States of America is a nation founded on the rule of law and the beneficiary of the contributions of legal immigrants; and

WHEREAS, the Obama Administration refuses to enforce current immigration laws resulting in porous borders and millions of illegals residing in the country; and

WHEREAS, the current proposed immigration reform does not resolve the problem of unsecure borders and is blatantly unfair to legal immigrants who endured the process or those waiting in the line abiding by the rules; and

WHEREAS, the struggling economy has about 22 million unemployed and underemployed citizens that would be harmed by the sudden entrance of millions of newly legal workers to compete in a tight job market; and

WHEREAS, the spoils of illegals breaking into the country must be  terminated by making it very costly to employers hiring illegals and the free healthcare, education and welfare given by this bankrupt state must end; and

WHEREAS, the unsecure borders allows for all types of unsavory characters from all over the world to enter, including- criminals, perverts, and/or terrorists; and

WHEREAS, it is proper, fitting and well within the right of every nation to control its own borders and determine who should be allowed to enter; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Santee City Council urges Congress to drop any legislation that does not first get control of our borders, enforces current immigration laws regarding employment, benefits, and citizenship rights such as voting.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States and the Honorable members of the 113^th Congress of the United States who represent San Diego County, urging immediate implementation of the above before bestowing amnesty and causing further damage to our sovereignty, economy and national security.

Happenings at the CRP Convention 3/13

This past weekend I attended the CRP Convention in Sacramento as a delegate appointed by Senator Joel Anderson. Despite Republican election losses in California, the mood was upbeat. There is much hope that the newly elected Chairman Jim Brulte will not only bring the party together but raise money and build the party organization.
The officer election campaigns were run respectfully by capable candidates. Thankfully, the party platform battles were gone for now.

There was lots of time for networking and socializing  with party leaders and elected officials. One speaker was Congressman Darrell Issa. As we chatted, he assured us that he would not let up on the investigation of "Fast and Furious". Also, he said the Republicans have not forgotten about the Benghazi scandal. They will deal with it when the timing is right in the near future.

Congressman Issa with Sylvia & Claire Plotner

A recurring theme for the party was to reach Hispanic voters. The CRP leadership is committed to making sure it is understood that all  upholding Republican values are welcome. Newly elected Latino Republican Assemblyman Rocky Chavez received several accolades and positive shout outs from the speakers.
Although he had just been quoted in the UT the Thursday before the convention saying, speaking about Republicans, "Every time they start saying secure our borders that sends the message that we don't want Mexicans here, or dark skins" Interesting view since Republicans believe strongly  in the rule of law. This view is not considered to be racist, simply common sense. Chavez also reversed his position from the pledge he signed during the campaign. He had promised that he would support traditional marriage. Obviously, the voters, and the party have issues to work on with Chavez.

Below is the link to the article:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/feb/28/gop-lawmaker-immigration-marriage/?page=1#article-copy

The convention had many food functions and parties. It allowed time to mingle and get to know fellow delegates and guests. Below is a picture at the Saturday a luncheon that featured Karl Rove as the main speaker. He encouraged us, even with the challenges of California, to get off the couch, get busy. and never give up.
Knowing party leaders would be looking for ways to attract new people to the Republican Party, I went prepared with a written message for them. My message encouraged them to stand strong and make the case for conservative principles. The nation hungers for such leadership. These circumstances create the opportunity for a leader to emerge. This just happened with Senator Rand Paul's filibuster. He was not at the convention but stands as a great example in leadership.
The outgoing chairman, Tom Del Beccaro, asked that delegates describe why they are Republican and what drew them to become Republican. At the end, I've included my account "Why I Am a Republican Woman",  I shared with some of our Republican leaders.

Some  San Diego delegates with County Chairman Tony Krvaric

New CRP Chairman Jim Brulte

Met Karl Rove & gave him a message on how Republicans win!

Why I Am a Republican Woman

Since my family came from Cuba, I’ve always been very pro-America, pro-freedom and anti- leftist, and anti-communist. However, like most young people I was pretty politically apathetic in college.

In the mid eighty’s now a wife and mom, I attended a presentation at my son’s Christian school about the sanctity of human life.  There I woke up to the shocking reality of abortion. Dead babies, damaged moms and the decline of respect for life in our society propelled me to get involved.

Part of the involvement besides becoming a pro family activist was to participate politically. In about 1984 I walked precincts, made phone calls and wrote letters to newspapers in Plano, TX. Our efforts paid off in first electing Congressman Dick Armey and then state representative (later congressman) Sam Johnson.

We moved to San Diego in 1988. To my great dismay my Congressman now was Democrat Jim Bates! In one of the times he told the truth, he told me “I’m no Dick Armey”. Grassroots work thru coalition building of conservative groups eventually helped rid us of Jim Bates.

Hard work – door to door, literature distribution and targeted mailings yielded tremendous victories. This included Congressmen Duncan Hunter, Sr. and Jr., Assemblymen Steve Baldwin, Jay La Suer and State Senators Dennis Hollingsworth and Joel Anderson to name a few.

Today the commitment continues as I serve as the East County CRA (California Republican Assembly) unit president. We work to elect conservative Republicans and hold them accountable to those principles once elected. President Ronald Reagan referred to CRA as “the conscience of the Republican Party”

Keeping this in mind we were honored and very pleased to have elected 18 of 25 CRA endorsed candidates in our local races.

Our country needs us now more than ever, to never forget, never compromise principles and never ever give up!

Sylvia Sullivan