Comments on: Oh if you’re a bird, be an early bird http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/ If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen. — Samuel Adams Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:18:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Matt http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38691 Matt Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:45:36 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38691 -Michael: Thanks for you comment. My point is simple: Google her name or moniker. Her daily output is the equivalent of a small PR firm. My in box is regularly flooded with forwards from her postings (I’ve got a load of conservative friends who want to "convert" me). That got me to thinking--what motivated this mother and housewife to become so politally active? People feel strongly about many things but remain silent until their wallet is affected. --thus my comments about the business connection. My intention is not personal destruction--she seems to be a fine person. I occasionally agree with some of her points. She might actually win me over to some of her views if she'd present a reasoned argument on her blog--instead of attempting to play on my emotions or making veiled attacks on other's race, sexual preference, ethics or religion. I wish her and the family businesses the best (they provide a valid products/services). I want her to stick around since her postings sometimes cause me to ponder my own views. ...and there's always the entertainment the tea party movement provides. -Michael: Thanks for you comment.

My point is simple: Google her name or moniker. Her daily output is the equivalent of a small PR firm. My in box is regularly flooded with forwards from her postings (I’ve got a load of conservative friends who want to “convert” me). That got me to thinking–what motivated this mother and housewife to become so politally active? People feel strongly about many things but remain silent until their wallet is affected. –thus my comments about the business connection.

My intention is not personal destruction–she seems to be a fine person. I occasionally agree with some of her points. She might actually win me over to some of her views if she’d present a reasoned argument on her blog–instead of attempting to play on my emotions or making veiled attacks on other’s race, sexual preference, ethics or religion. I wish her and the family businesses the best (they provide a valid products/services).

I want her to stick around since her postings sometimes cause me to ponder my own views.

…and there’s always the entertainment the tea party movement provides.

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]]> By: Michael Muller http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38687 Michael Muller Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:31:42 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38687 Matt & John, With all due respect, I know that Erika Franzi's views are more informed by her experience as a wife and mother than by any business her father is involved in. Trust me, she's very much her own person. Disagree with her on the issues or on policy --- but I'd leave the politics of personal destruction to the Carolina Stompers and their ilk. Just my opinion. MM Matt & John,

With all due respect, I know that Erika Franzi’s views are more informed by her experience as a wife and mother than by any business her father is involved in. Trust me, she’s very much her own person.

Disagree with her on the issues or on policy — but I’d leave the politics of personal destruction to the Carolina Stompers and their ilk.

Just my opinion.

MM

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]]> By: Matt http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38686 Matt Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:12:45 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38686 Jim- Thanks for the link. So Erika's claim to be tough on illegal immigration is empty-- the family is for cheap Mexican labor either way: here or at the factory in Mexico... Jim- Thanks for the link. So Erika’s claim to be tough on illegal immigration is empty– the family is for cheap Mexican labor either way: here or at the factory in Mexico…

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]]> By: John http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38681 John Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:31:53 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38681 Jim- The point is that Erika's family profits from war regardless of who serves as president. The more dead U.S. soldiers - the more CONRAD patches needed. Same with any military product... Matt- "…a protest at the Conrad businesses… that would be fun. I might even be up for that!" Looks like ThunderPig already made the offer over immigration: http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/area-manufacturers-withdraw-mumpower.html Jim- The point is that Erika’s family profits from war regardless of who serves as president. The more dead U.S. soldiers – the more CONRAD patches needed. Same with any military product…

Matt-
“…a protest at the Conrad businesses… that would be fun. I might even be up for that!”

Looks like ThunderPig already made the offer over immigration:

http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/area-manufacturers-withdraw-mumpower.html

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]]> By: Matt http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38653 Matt Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:01:23 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38653 I'll stick by my assessment that Conrad Industries would feel "imperiled by the current administration". If the current administration is able enact campaign promises it will: 1) Likely restore the Conrad income tax rates back to the pre-2001 levels. 2) Reinstate some limitations on deductions or personal exemption they may take. 3) Healthcare reform would incur additional expense, since they are an employer. 4) Stop tax breaks for sending jobs overseas. Conrad Industries has factories in Mexico and China. No one suggested that "a single Iraqi,Afghani,pakistani etc. HAS DIED due to a Conrad Industries patch". It's a bit unsavory to even suggest it. I have my disagreements with Erika, but I wouldn't go that far. I’ll stick by my assessment that Conrad Industries would feel “imperiled by the current administration”.

If the current administration is able enact campaign promises it will:
1) Likely restore the Conrad income tax rates back to the pre-2001 levels.
2) Reinstate some limitations on deductions or personal exemption they may take.
3) Healthcare reform would incur additional expense, since they are an employer.
4) Stop tax breaks for sending jobs overseas. Conrad Industries has factories in Mexico and China.

No one suggested that “a single Iraqi,Afghani,pakistani etc. HAS DIED due to a Conrad Industries patch”. It’s a bit unsavory to even suggest it. I have my disagreements with Erika, but I wouldn’t go that far.

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]]> By: Jim Reeves http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38597 Jim Reeves Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:17:09 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38597 It seems my prediction at #1 seems to be <a href="http://www.mountainx.com/news/2010/012710buzz1" rel="nofollow">accurate</a> "Gantt said he talked to officials about airport-security measures, including body scanners" It seems my prediction at #1 seems to be accurate “Gantt said he talked to officials about airport-security measures, including body scanners”

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]]> By: Jim Reeves http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38589 Jim Reeves Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:46:49 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38589 That's Obama HAS ( I really need to proof read before posting) That’s Obama HAS ( I really need to proof read before posting)

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]]> By: Jim Reeves http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38588 Jim Reeves Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:43:14 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38588 As a Ron Paul supporter I don't believe a single Iraqi,Afghani,pakistani etc. HAS DIED due to a Conrad Industries patch on a uniform, quite a stretch to assume the "family business" is "emperiled"(?) by the current administration when Obama have only expanded the "war" on a country that only followed previous U.S. foreign policy. As a Ron Paul supporter I don’t believe a single Iraqi,Afghani,pakistani etc. HAS DIED due to a Conrad Industries patch on a uniform, quite a stretch to assume the “family business” is “emperiled”(?) by the current administration when Obama have only expanded the “war” on a country that only followed previous U.S. foreign policy.

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]]> By: Matt http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38585 Matt Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:09:04 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38585 "Erika Franzi has accomplished more single handedly in the last year". Yes, when daddy says that the family business is imperiled by the current administration, you get moving to save your piece of the pie. "she assures me that she is happy where she is, doing what she’s doing. For now". I know for a fact that Erika has been drooling over this very post... For obvious reasons, I read her blog and noted that she's hinted ... The business connection is a sensitive issue... in the past the only posting on her blog with the "comments off" was a post connecting her to daddy. Later, when she couldn't take the heat from "trolls" did she convert the entire blog to a "no comments" format. ...a protest at the Conrad businesses... that would be fun. I might even be up for that! “Erika Franzi has accomplished more single handedly in the last year”. Yes, when daddy says that the family business is imperiled by the current administration, you get moving to save your piece of the pie.

“she assures me that she is happy where she is, doing what she’s doing. For now”. I know for a fact that Erika has been drooling over this very post… For obvious reasons, I read her blog and noted that she’s hinted …

The business connection is a sensitive issue… in the past the only posting on her blog with the “comments off” was a post connecting her to daddy. Later, when she couldn’t take the heat from “trolls” did she convert the entire blog to a “no comments” format.

…a protest at the Conrad businesses… that would be fun. I might even be up for that!

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]]> By: John http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38542 John Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:57:46 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38542 Matt- Oh yeah, man. It took a second but a few folks noticed. I know a couple of hard core Ron Paul liberty types who want nothing more to do with Erika because of it. Same folks I got the Jeff Miller rumor from in fact. Funny that Tim Peck has nothing more to say on the subject. Anyone else ever seen him go away that easy? If anyone wants to give Conrad Inc a taste of their own tonic and protest the factory let me know? Matt-
Oh yeah, man. It took a second but a few folks noticed. I know a couple of hard core Ron Paul liberty types who want nothing more to do with Erika because of it. Same folks I got the Jeff Miller rumor from in fact.

Funny that Tim Peck has nothing more to say on the subject. Anyone else ever seen him go away that easy?

If anyone wants to give Conrad Inc a taste of their own tonic and protest the factory let me know?

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]]> By: Matt http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38521 Matt Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:00:58 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38521 Wow. I was wondering if anyone else had noticed the CONRAD connection. I suspect this is the real reason Erika CONRAD Franzi suddenly appeared on the local political landscape as "Jane Q. Republican". Where was Janeq when the previous administration was in office? This is my new favorite blog...Thanks Gordon. Wow. I was wondering if anyone else had noticed the CONRAD connection. I suspect this is the real reason Erika CONRAD Franzi suddenly appeared on the local political landscape as “Jane Q. Republican”. Where was Janeq when the previous administration was in office?

This is my new favorite blog…Thanks Gordon.

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]]> By: shadmarsh http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38416 shadmarsh Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:14:27 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38416 I can't imagine why they wouldn't want Yelton on board... I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t want Yelton on board…

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]]> By: Michael Muller http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38412 Michael Muller Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:56:31 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38412 Rhonda, Thank you for the correction. I apologize to you and Dr. Eichenbaum if my associating the campaign with Don Yelton has in any way hindered the success of your fundraising efforts ;) Thanks for reading and we hope both you and the good doctor will make an appearance from time to time! And despite rumors to the contrary, we're a pretty fun bunch around here. MM Rhonda,

Thank you for the correction. I apologize to you and Dr. Eichenbaum if my associating the campaign with Don Yelton has in any way hindered the success of your fundraising efforts ;)

Thanks for reading and we hope both you and the good doctor will make an appearance from time to time! And despite rumors to the contrary, we’re a pretty fun bunch around here.

MM

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]]> By: Rhonda Crowder http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38398 Rhonda Crowder Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:46:20 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38398 Just to put rumors here to rest, Don Yelton is not associated in any way shape or form with my husband's (Dr. Dan Eichenbaum) campaign. Just to put rumors here to rest, Don Yelton is not associated in any way shape or form with my husband’s (Dr. Dan Eichenbaum) campaign.

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]]> By: John http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38333 John Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:38:16 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38333 "Erika Franzi’s father Bernhard Conrad is not good buddies with Jeff Miller." So it's OK to be DEFENSE CONTRACTOR - you Ron Paul types claiming to be against the Military Industrial Complex and all - as long as he isn’t friends with Jeff Miller? Well, I guess I’ll just have to take your word for it, Tim. Oh, and if anybody hasn’t seen this yet: http://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/conrad_industries_003165719.asp?yr=08 “Erika Franzi’s father Bernhard Conrad is not good buddies with Jeff Miller.”

So it’s OK to be DEFENSE CONTRACTOR – you Ron Paul types claiming to be against the Military Industrial Complex and all – as long as he isn’t friends with Jeff Miller? Well, I guess I’ll just have to take your word for it, Tim.

Oh, and if anybody hasn’t seen this yet:

http://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/conrad_industries_003165719.asp?yr=08

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]]> By: Michael Muller http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38326 Michael Muller Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:01:46 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38326 Interesting article in U.S. News & World Report today: <a href="http://www.usnews.com/blogs/doug-heye/2010/01/21/fallout-from-scott-browns-win-reaches-nc-democrats.html" rel="nofollow">Fallout From Scott Brown's Win Reaches N.C. Democrats</a>. Money shot: <blockquote><i>"In North Carolina, that means three North Carolina congressional Democrats--Reps. Bob Etheridge, Mike McIntyre, and Heath Shuler--look more beatable than in the past. Meanwhile, the approval rating North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue, also a Democrat, is at 30 percent, and Republicans lead the generic ballot for legislative races by three points. It might be easy to dismiss this as right-wing drivel, except for one thing: These points actually come from North Carolina Democrats. Public Policy Polling is a Raleigh-based firm whose clients have included Democratic Reps. Brad Miller and David Price, the aforementioned Representative Etheridge, and the North Carolina Democratic Party itself."</blockquote></i> Although I haven't seen the raw numbers from PPP, a reliable source in the position to know tells me it ain't bullshit. Shuler's more and more vulnerable each day, especially now with Miller back in. And Governor-in-waiting Pat McCrory might be well-advised to invest in a good tape measure. Drapes and all that. Interesting article in U.S. News & World Report today: Fallout From Scott Brown’s Win Reaches N.C. Democrats. Money shot:

“In North Carolina, that means three North Carolina congressional Democrats–Reps. Bob Etheridge, Mike McIntyre, and Heath Shuler–look more beatable than in the past. Meanwhile, the approval rating North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue, also a Democrat, is at 30 percent, and Republicans lead the generic ballot for legislative races by three points.

It might be easy to dismiss this as right-wing drivel, except for one thing: These points actually come from North Carolina Democrats. Public Policy Polling is a Raleigh-based firm whose clients have included Democratic Reps. Brad Miller and David Price, the aforementioned Representative Etheridge, and the North Carolina Democratic Party itself.”

Although I haven’t seen the raw numbers from PPP, a reliable source in the position to know tells me it ain’t bullshit. Shuler’s more and more vulnerable each day, especially now with Miller back in. And Governor-in-waiting Pat McCrory might be well-advised to invest in a good tape measure. Drapes and all that.

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]]> By: Gordon Smith http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38322 Gordon Smith Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:31:38 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38322 Welcome back, Tim! Be sure to read the comments policy! 8-) Welcome back, Tim! Be sure to read the comments policy! 8-)

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]]> By: Tim Peck http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38316 Tim Peck Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:04:58 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38316 It was so nice spending this time together. It was so nice spending this time together.

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]]> By: Tim Peck http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38315 Tim Peck Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:01:45 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38315 I expect I'll be supporting Eichenbaum. The Asheville Tea Party PAC will be identifying, assessing and endorsing local candidates soon based on a set of questions and a committee determination. Erika Franzi's father Bernhard Conrad is not good buddies with Jeff Miller. I expect I’ll be supporting Eichenbaum.

The Asheville Tea Party PAC will be identifying, assessing and endorsing local candidates soon based on a set of questions and a committee determination.

Erika Franzi’s father Bernhard Conrad is not good buddies with Jeff Miller.

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]]> By: Michael Muller http://scrutinyhooligans.us/2010/01/13/oh-if-you%e2%80%99re-a-bird-be-an-early-bird/comment-page-1/#comment-38210 Michael Muller Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:35:06 +0000 http://scrutinyhooligans.us/?p=10817#comment-38210 John, I know Erika well enough to know that she'll be making up her own mind thankyouverymuch ;) And I have nothing but respect and affection for Erika, whatever we might disagree on. But frankly, I can't see the Tea Party group itself not endorsing Eichenbaum -- he's one of their own. On the other hand, I could just be talking out of my ass: I've never met Dr. Eichenbaum and I've also been out of the loop for a while. He seems like a rather pleasant fellow, actually, unlike many of his rabid supporters. So who knows. The special election tomorrow in Massachusetts is potentially another factor in all of this. A win by Scott Brown (which I predict will happen, by at least 5 points) will certainly embolden the Tea Party folks here in Western North Carolina, which may have an effect on the patterns in our GOP primary. John,

I know Erika well enough to know that she’ll be making up her own mind thankyouverymuch ;) And I have nothing but respect and affection for Erika, whatever we might disagree on. But frankly, I can’t see the Tea Party group itself not endorsing Eichenbaum — he’s one of their own.

On the other hand, I could just be talking out of my ass: I’ve never met Dr. Eichenbaum and I’ve also been out of the loop for a while. He seems like a rather pleasant fellow, actually, unlike many of his rabid supporters. So who knows.

The special election tomorrow in Massachusetts is potentially another factor in all of this. A win by Scott Brown (which I predict will happen, by at least 5 points) will certainly embolden the Tea Party folks here in Western North Carolina, which may have an effect on the patterns in our GOP primary.

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