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Paul Laura 6:02 p.m. ET May 25, 2017

Paul Laura(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY PAUL LAURA)

I've been struck by a recurring pattern in some local Republicans' thinking on the environment.

One example is afailureto offer unified public support for Senate Bill 10, the recently passed bill that authorizes construction of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce the discharges that bring toxic blue-green algae blooms to our estuary.

Another is the recent debate over whether Martin County landowners should be allowed to alter wetlands.

In both cases,therationale illustrated when a speaker from the James Madison Institute addressed a gathering ofMartin County Republicans earlier this yearwas based on an extreme interpretation of property rights.

The tea party wing of the Republican party in Martin County, echoing the radical libertarian stance of the ultra-conservative James Madison Institute, adheres to a very narrow interpretation of the Constitution. It claims that as a landowner you have the absolute right to alter a wetland and, regarding SB 10, the state government does not have the right to take private land for public use.

The reservoir bill recently passedwith strong bipartisan support in both the Florida Senate and House.Why did the Martin County Republican Party not unify to publicly support its party'slocal senator, Joe Negron, who is president of that chamber? (NOTE: The Martin County Democratic Party supported this plan).

The tea party element does not believe in taking private land for public use, even if it is paid for. The original version of SB 10 called for purchasing land at market price based on a signed contract. We are not talking about eminent domain, which is prohibitedin SB 10. The final bill reduced the need for private land, but still there was no official public approval from Martin County Republicans. Does the tea party faction represent the will of county residents or cater to the desires of powerful outside interests? I believe a majority of Martin County residents and Martin County Republicans back SB 10. It is not a perfect bill, but compromise is what democracy entails.

Groups that support this extreme viewpoint (for example, the James Madison Institute) take a position on private land that severely restricts the role of government in regulating it. They claim to be following the "original intent" of the Founding Fathers. Ironically, James Madison generally is recognized as the "Father of the Constitution" and later introduced the amendments that would become the Bill of Rights. Among these original amendments is the Fifth Amendment, which includes the takings clause which simply states "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

This section not only grants governments the right to physically take possession of land but also implies the right of governments whether federal, state or local to regulate the use of land if it is in the interest of the community. Regulatory "burdens" frequently have been attacked as "takings" but ultimately permitted because they are needed to ensure the public good. This is just common sense.

This also is where the recent discussion of wetlands comes into play. Local government has the right to regulate how wetlands can be used or conserved. At a recent Martin County Local Planning Agency meeting, Scott Watson who was the lone approval vote on the application to allow for paving over wetlands of less than a half-acre claimed a landowner has the right to do with a wetland as he pleases just because he owns it. He is wrong.

Is the tea party element of the Republican Party representing the interests of Martin County when its representatives are advocating destroying wetlands which take centuries to evolve? Where are mainstream Republican Party members who are concerned about the environment? They are allowing this renegade group to hold our environment hostage by exaggerating private property rights, devoid of any element of social responsibility.

Paul Laura is chair of the Treasure Coast Democratic Environmental Caucus.

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Guest column: Tea party leaders in Martin County miss mark on environment - TCPalm

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) A special teacher at St. Vincent DePaul School in Mission Hills allows students to jump into the books they are reading with elaborate parties meant to bring books to life.

For 13 years, Kathleen Fink has ended the literature unit of her third-grade teachings by throwing her students an extravagant "Alice in Wonderland"-themed Tea Party.

The tea parties are considered legendary by her colleagues and parents. Staff dress up as the characters from the book and students are presented with special treats that look like they are straight out of a Disney movie.

But recreating the movie is not the point of the tea parties.

"My purpose was to get children to appreciate the classics not just see the movies to bring a book to life," Fink said. "We read, write, and study the art that goes along with Lewis Carroll's classic 'Alice in Wonderland.'"

This year, Fink's Tea Party is extra special, because it will be her last. Fink is retiring after this school year. The Mad Hatter, Alice and dozens of third graders dressed in their best hats were all their to make the event the best one yet.

Go here to read the rest:
Retiring teacher throws elaborate 'Mad Tea Party' for students - KUSI

Claim their lives are in danger if they testify.

It has been almost five years since news broke that officials at the IRS used the power of government to harass members of the Tea Party and other conservative groups.

The media has largely ignored the scandal and so far, no one has gone to jail. Earlier this month, IRS officials claimed they couldnt testify because their lives were at risk.

USA Today reported:

IRS officials say lives at risk in tea party bias case

Details about tea party bias claims against the IRS could remain secret because current and former agency officials say their lives are in danger if they publicly testify about the case.

Lois Lerner and Holly Paz both have argued in recent court filings that the threat to their lives outweighs the publics right to hear their testimony about how IRS employees in Cincinnati and Washington, D.C., handled applications for tax-exempt status from tea party groups.

They recently filed evidence to support their claim under seal in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. Though that evidence has not been made public, court records indicate it relates to death threats and other harassment the women say they endured after their names were connected to the bias claims against the IRS several years ago.

This documentation, as the court will see, makes very personal references and contains graphic, profane and disturbing language that would lead to unnecessary intrusion and embarrassment if made public, their attorneys argued in a recent court brief. Public dissemination of their deposition testimony would put their lives in serious jeopardy.

Are we to believe that members of the Tea Party have threatened the lives of IRS workers? Is it more likely that IRS workers mean their freedom is at risk if they tell the truth?

The leader of one conservative group is speaking out about this.

Rachel del Guidice writes at the Daily Signal:

What a Tea Party Leader Thinks of Lois Lerners Latest Move in Court

One tea party leader is still looking for answers from the IRS.

Lawyers for Lois Lerner, who resigned under fire as a division chief at the Internal Revenue Service, argue that more details of her reported targeting of tea party groups should not be revealed because her safety is in danger.

But Catherine Engelbrecht, founder of True the Vote, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to election integrity, said she wants to see such documentation released.

True the Vote was one of hundreds of conservative, nonprofit organizations whose applications for tax-exempt status were unfairly slowed or spiked by the IRS, and Engelbrecht said she intends to see the details come out.

My position on this is just Tell the truth, Engelbrecht said in an email to The Daily Signal. Tell it publicly, theres been enough covering up, theres been enough rumor and innuendo, theres been enough passing the buck.

Lerner and Holly Paz, another former IRS official involved in the scandal, recently filed papers in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, seeking to keep secret certain IRS practices they discussed in depositions taken in a lawsuit filed by tea party groups against the government.

Trump has been in office less than four months and there are already countless official investigations.

Almost five years on and theres been no justice of any kind in the IRS scandal.

Its infuriating.

Originally posted here:
IRS Officials Continue to Obstruct in Tea Party Targeting Case - legal Insurrection (blog)

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. A member of the Skylands Tea Party hopes to defeat Sen. Steven Oroho, R-Morris, in the June 6 primary for the 24th District.

The challenger, William Hayden, 49, of Frankford, will be on the ballot with Oroho for the GOP nomination to represent the district in the November general election.

Assemblywoman Gail Phoebus, R-Morris, had planned to challenge Oroho for the Senate seat but later cancelled her campaign.

Hayden is vice president of the Skylands Tea Party and an 18-year employee of the state Department of Transportation. He has campaigned in opposition to Orohos vote and co-sponsorship of legislation that boosted the gas tax by 23 cents per gallon.

Oroho, a former Sussex County Freeholder, is serving his third term in the Senate. He is a certified financial planner with Stonebridge Capital Management.

Before entry into public office, Oroho worked in finance departments of York City firms, including Price Waterhouse, W.R. Grace and Company, and Young and Rubicam where he held the position of Senior Vice President of Finance.

GOP candidates for the two, 24th District Assembly seats include Nathan Orr of Branchville, David Atwood of Sparta, Assemblyman Parker Space, R-Morris and former state Labor Commissioner and Sussex County Freeholder Harold J. Wirths. Phoebus is not running for reelection.

Oroho is running on a ticket with Space and Wirths.

Democrats are fielding one candidate for Senate, Jennifer Hamilton of Sparta; and three Assembly candidates including Michael Pirog of Mount Olive, Kate Matteson of Sparta and Gina Trish of Blairstown. Matteson and Trish are running on a joint ticket.

Two Green Party candidates, Kenneth Collins, of Andover Township and Aaron Hyndman, of White Township, also are running for state Assembly.

The 24th District includes Mount Olive, all of Sussex County and 11 municipalities in Warren County.

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Tea Party member hopes to unseat Oroho in 24th District primary - New Jersey Hills

Submitted Photo Pictured are attendees at a recent Chadwick Bay Girl Scouts tea party held at the Dunkirk Moose Lodge.

The Chadwick Bay Girl Scout Service Unit held a tea party recently that was attended by 70 Girl Scouts, their guests and community members. The event was held at the Dunkirk Moose Lodge, which generously donated the hall and coffee and tea for the afternoon. A flag ceremony kicked things off, along with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and Girl Scout Promise.

Event co-organizers Lori Felt and Linnea Carlson welcomed the Scouts, along with their special guests, which included mothers, grandmothers, sisters and fathers. Each troop was also asked to invite community members who have either worked with them or have a special connection to that troop. Guests included Jan Dekoff, director of the Dunkirk Public Library; Amy Piper, Fredonia Elementary principal; Melissa Taft, owner of Feather Your Nest; Marion Bray, friend of Troop 20031; and Sue McNamara, SUNY Fredonia professor.

Troops also made table favors that they could take with them after the event. Carlson led the girls in an ice breaker game, which allowed them to meet scouts from other troops. After snacks of fruit, vegetables, cheese, crackers, coffee, tea and Girl Scout green punch, everyone participated in games of bingo. The event concluded with Felt thanking everyone for attending and reminding them to renew their registration for the next scouting year and encouraging the adults to become volunteers.

The Chadwick Bay Girl Scouts are looking forward to gathering on Friday, June 16, for an end-of-the-year ceremony.

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More than 70 attend Chadwick Bay Girl Scouts tea party at Dunkirk Moose Club - Evening Observer