Lucas Kunce, a Democratic Party candidate for the U.S. Senate, spoke this afternoon at a gathering of 4th Congressional District Democrats.
Lucas Kunce (D).
Remarks [edited for length]:
.
…And, so, for, for an eight year old kid. I mean, that was hard for me….because, like, I spent my birthday, you know, it wasn’t just that my parents weren’t there, but I spent it praying that my little sister wouldn’t die because, even as a kid I knew, if my sister dies on my birthday, like doe I ever get a birthday again?
[….]
I don’t know if anybody here knows what happens to a paycheck to paycheck family when any sort of disaster strikes. Now, remember, I’m not talking about the shareholder class or the financiers. We know when they screw around in the economy they get bailed out by the government, right? [“Right.”] But for all of us when that furnace that’s been limping along for two winters goes out, our car breaks down, or in my family’s case, a health disaster that’s no fault of your own, right? Unlike these financiers no fault of your own when a health condition comes, like that’s devastation for your family…
[….]
….But you would have to have the courage to learn. Courage with Josh Hawley’s (r) a stretch, right? You would have to have the courage to learn how every day people live. You’s have to have the courage to meet us, to ask questions, and to figure out what we need and do that, right? You could represent us if you wanted to do those things. Well the thing is, like, Josh Hawley (r) doesn’t want to represent in this state, does he? What does Josh Hawley want to do with us? Does he want to represent us? {“No.”] No. Josh Hawley wants to rule us. That’s what he wants to do. He wants to rule us for his own personal ambitions.
And if you doubt me, just look at his policies. He wants to control us in the bedroom, he wants to control us in the doctor’s office, he wants to control us in the workplace. I don’t know, has anybody seen the new book he’s got out? [“No.”] Manhood, by Josh Hawley. [laughter] He literally wants to control every aspect of our lives. I’m telling you what, that’s crazy, right? Like, like for twenty-nine ninety-nine you’re gonna get the secrets of masculinity from the coward of January 6th? That’s wild….
[….]
…Here’s what the guy does. He goes through every biblical figure, male biblical figure, starting with Adam, compares himself to their positive qualities, and says that if everyone were just more like Josh Hawley the masculinity crisis in America would be resolved [laughter]….
[….]
…It’s a really, really sad thing. And that’s what we’re standing up for in this, in this campaign. And so, you know, I think that one of the ways to turn that around is to invest in our state and invest in our communities again.
Anybody think Josh Hawley (r) cares about investing in our state? He voted against the infrastructure bill. He voted against legislation that would have built out the next generation of energy jobs right here in middle America. He doesn’t care about investing in the state. He cares about his big oil donors. And you know what? Say what you will about Roy Blunt (r), but Roy Blunt brought three-hundred and fifty million dollars back to this state every single year. Like that’s part of the job. Part of the job. You know how much Josh Hawley (r) brings back every years? Literally zero…
[….] Perhaps you could discuss the Republicans do nothing year in congress.
I had such high hopes in you but as time goes on I see it is business as usual. By this time, 20 months into the session, Pelosi would have already had 25 bills passed, and knee deep in an impeachment hearing. Some of us tried to warn you, but you refused to see the truth. Your brown nose allegiance to McCarthy is proving to be your downfall.
Mark Alford
[….] secure border act
Parents bill of right
Energy bill to make us energy independent again
Ndaa that gives military 5.2% raise and gets rid of woke programs
The list goes on.
If you choose to just say we haven’t done anything, I think that really comes from a place of ignorance of the facts
“…If you choose to just say we haven’t done anything, I think that really comes from a place of ignorance of the facts…”
Big mistake. Big. Huge.
The response:
[….] Mark Alford Please advise on how passing bills that have zero chance of getting through the Senate, is an accomplishment.
Mark Alford
[September 14, 2023]
The Radical Left & #MSM are foaming at the mouth trying to convince Americans that THERE’S NO EVIDENCE to impeach. The evidence is as massive as all the $ Biden amassed! Do you agree that it’s piled so high he should’ve already been impeached? Let me know!
[….]
Writing in all caps is the Internets equivalent of deranged shouting, Mark. Just thought you should know that.
Responses from true believers:
I have been telling people that a year after he/Democrats cheated on the election. I was a Democrat until Obama started to change people’s minds
What is this person trying to tell us?
Absolutely! He should’ve been removed and tried for treason a long time ago. Remember when Trump called him out at the debates?! I do ! Our country has been hijacked & I’m honestly scared we’re headed towards communism.
There is Tons of evidence! The Extortion is on video for the entire world to see. The Bribery is exposed in the foreign currency transfers though 24 Shell companies to 9 Bidung family members.
Truth
The border is enough to impeach!
As an American I am tired of billions of taxpayer money going to Ukraine, just more $$ to launder
He’s as Crooked as a SNAKE!!!!
He has ALWAYS lied and cheated his way through life. He is a total disgraceful embarrassment to America. Impeachment IS long overdue (given the fact he should not even be there)!!!
Mark …. I wanna stay positive and pray for Americans during this difficult time in our history with record high inflation and destroying jobs day after day … people living paycheck to paycheck , I won’t be convinced with the Everyday rhetoric it’s time for Action ..
I truly believe that’s why Trump is leading in all the polls after the
Absurd Abuse from the Far left Grips of Power !
Okay…
Yes… absolutely, so much has been revealed.
Impeach Garland and Wray FIRST!
If 5% of what I’ve heard is true, he should be impeached, in jail & waiting to be sentenced for treason.
So, how did the remaining 95% get out there? Just asking.
I’ve been following the whistleblowers testimony and various other testimonies. Very telling.
Yeah the Demorats make me sick. It didn’t bother them to tie up President Trump during his 4 years but now they say we have more important things than to investigate Joey and his family. We need President Trump back in. Americans are hurting.
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check. Arraignment. Check.
Ninety-one.
Yes However McCarthy obviously didn’t until he has now been pushed into a corner and I don’t think he wants to pursue this even now He is already waffling!!!
…In addition to Kushner’s financial ties to the Saudi government, Trump’s LIV golf tournament is being funded for an undisclosed amount by the Saudi Arabian government…
Mark Alford (r) [2023 file photo].
Yesterday:
Congressman Mark Alford
[September 12, 2023]
Today, Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. House Republicans have uncovered serious and credible allegations into President Biden’s conduct—a culture of corruption.
With the Speaker’s announcement, the House of Representatives now has the full weight of the Constitution behind it’s investigation.
Joe Biden’s pattern of behavior is deeply disturbing and concerning for our national security.
Biden has repeatedly been caught lying about critically important information from millions in foreign payments and 10% cut for the “Big Guy” to his business interactions with Hunter and his associations with 20 shell companies.
We need the bank records. We will soon get the answers that the American people are owed.
“its”
“…now has the full weight of the Constitution behind it’s investigation…”
WTF does that mean? Isn’t the Constitution in effect at all times?
“…Joe Biden’sDonald Trump’spattern of behavior is deeply disturbing and concerning for our national security…”
Fixed it for you.
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check. Arraignment. Check.
Some of the responses:
Talk about political moves. The evidence on trump is overwhelming. Not these lies about Biden. Biden is managing our relationships around the world so well and moving our economy from the bottom up.
Biden is winning the proxy war with Russia while holding the NATO Allies together. He is also effectively managing the asymmetrical war with the global fascists, while holding off the corporatists and anti-Democracy MAGA fascists here at home (like Alford).
the evidence on Trump has been overwhelming since 2016, yet nothing
Well, from Mark Alford (r), that is.
The only goal of a Biden impeachment inquiry is to distract from the twice impeached Florida man who is charged with 91 federal crimes.
No the republicans have Not uncovered anything. Except a Dad that Loves his son. You are just spitting in the wind.
How about asking HOW AND WHY Jared, son in law of trump, got TWO BILLION DOLLARS FRIM SAUDI? What did the trumps give them?
Well don’t you think you should first come up with some evidence? [….]
The only goal of a Biden impeachment inquiry is to distract from the twice impeached Florida man who is charged with 91 federal crimes.
Baseless. And still supporting previous for his subversive actions. Shame on you all for wasting Taxpayer time and $$.
You have coffee shops and radio shows to do. That’s your specialty.
Heh.
Mark, don’t you think you need evidence? #Fascism #TrumpCrimeFamily #useless
Trump:
I need you (GA) to find me 11,780 votes.
I need you (Ukraine) to produce dirt on Joe Biden.
I need you (Congress) to open an inquiry out of thin air.
The way he does one thing is the way he does everything. He’s a mobster, through and through.
This traitor can’t go to prison fast enough.
Covering fire from the Hairspray Brigade to try to lay down cover for the Orange Traitor in Chief.
But won’t SHE take his place..the other puppet
Kamala Harris (D) [2019 file photo].
Vice-President Kamala Harris lives rent free inside their heads.
Mark Alford
[September 11, 2023]
In the 1930’s the press mostly hid the physical disability of President FDR brought on by polio, to make him look stronger on the national and world stage.
In the same way… today the legacy media is not showing the physically and mental decline of President Biden.
On conservative media …You will see clips of the mental gaffs, stumbles, confusions, long pauses, strategic blunders. But, if you’re a liberal you’re not seeing that.
The media needs to do its job and stop propping up this President.
[….]
The comparison with Franklin Delano Roosevelt is not what you think it is, Mark. Ahistorical boob.
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check. Arraignment. Check.
Mark Alford (r) held an open public town hall on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg on Thursday night. He spoke for about 30 minutes and then took questions for about an hour and a half.
There were exchanges in the close to hour and a half question and answer part of the town hall which illustrate the endemic right wingnut paranoid feedback loop. In one instance, immigration, the border, trafficking, the vast Biden family criminal enterprise, and impeaching Joe Biden:
.
The transcript:
Question:“…and I’m gonna try real hard not to get too emotional. [“Okay, let me get my pen and paper here.”] So, you were talking about our securing our borders. [“Right.”] And, um, I have the most diverse family that you could ever look at. So it has nothing to do with diversity. But, I am so aware of how many children are being trafficked into this country. And how they are being sold into slavery, or sexual slavery. And it’s really appalling that our government is not doing anything about it. They talk about it and they don’t do anything about it.
There was a case of one little girl, she was eight years old. And by the time she got to where she was safe she had fifty-seven different DNAs inside of her, her uterus. And she had been molested so many times it wasn’t even count, they couldn’t even count. And that’s just one case. We have tens of thousands of children that are coming into the, this country, illegally, because they’re being trafficked. They’re being sold. The, the, the drug cartels don’t even worry about drugs anymore because they’re trafficking children. They can make more money off of trafficking children then they can off of drugs. [voice: “Why aren’t our borders closed?”] So, I’m asking you [“Just one second, please.”], I’m just asking you, what can you do and why isn’t the government doing something about it?”
Mark Alford (r):“Did you have another question, or do you want me to answer this first, sorry?”
Question:“I’d like you to answer this first.”
Mark Alford (r):“I fully recognize that our border is not secure. Secretary [Alejandro] Majorkas is the biggest liar since the [inaudible]. [“I know.”] And, uh, this constant denial. You know, this started before Trump was building the wall. We had a asylum system that semi-worked, it wasn’t perfect. But people were having their asylum claims heard before they came to the United States. Um, even Obama sent people back. And so, this President, um, sad to say, he was intent on, even before he took the oath of office on the Capitol steps, with a wink and a nod, he started welcoming people illegally into the United States. And with that we got Fentanyl that’s manufactured in China. I just left a, a program on the steps of the Pettis County Courthouse. Today is national overdose awareness day. Um, a hundred and seven thousand people are, our fellow citizens died last year from Fentanyl poison that was brought in over this Mexican border, manufactured by China, and promulgated I think, through the United States. That’s wrong. [“It is wrong.”] But human sex trafficking you’re talking about, and unfortunately the Kansas City area being, being the intersection of I-70 and I-49, the heart of America [“I know.”] is a part of human sex trafficking. And it is, um, I, I, I don’t know if our government doesn’t want to admit it because it is such a shameful thing. [inaudible] I don’t know if it’s complicit in some, I hope to God they’re not. Um, but you’re right, we do need to do something. Did you know that right now of the people who have been let in illegally, uh, our government say let in legally, but those who’ve come in, uh, there are 85,000 children unaccounted for? [“Yeah. Actually, it’s, to be honest with you, the high, the number is somewhere around 220,000.”] 220. [“220,000. That’s children that have come across that they know of.”] Yeah. [“But the ones that they don’t know of they, they can’t keep those counted.]
You know, I, I don’t know what to tell you, um, [“I mean, can…”] I, I, appreciate…”
Question:“Is it possible to just bring it up? Just so that we can see what they have to say. I mean, I would like to see that being debated. And to what, not, at least acknowledge it, this happened. That you, you know, I don’t know what your intention was for opening the borders, but this is what has happened. And now what are you going to do about it?”
Mark Alford (r):“I agree with you. Um, I will make you this promise. I don’t know what I can do, but I know the first floor speeches I’m gonna do when I get back there, I get a minute every day that I go, I will do a speech on your behalf talking about this issue.” [applause]
Question: “Thank you.
My second one is the elephant in the room [“Okay.”] And the elephant in the room is, we all know, I mean even if you don’t listen to the mainstream media, which never ever talks about it, but if you listen to Newsmax, if you listen to real news and all of that they tell you how many times and how much proof they have of Joe Biden and Hunter Biden taking bribes [voices: “Yeah.” “Yep.”] They are continuing to get away with it time after time. It doesn’t, it seems like they’re gonna end up and get it, but then they don’t. And we have the DOJ who is not in this getting, now they’re doing the special counsel which means now you can’t ask those certain questions because you have a special counsel. They did that on purpose. And so, I’m wanting to find out how much further this is gonna go without them actually having hearings, the committee? Um, these bribes that they have taken when he was the Vice-President. Now he, and, and we, now they’ve discovered 5400 emails, uh, different names, and, and he was, he had different email names so that he could hide all that. [“Yeah.”] So, what is being done? I mean, most of us wouldn’t get away with one time, let alone all the times that he’s done. What’s being done?”
Mark Alford (r):“Uh, I refer to it as the Biden crime family. [“They are.”] [applause] I think this is the most compromised President in U.S. history [“They really are.”] Uh, how do you get to be worth eight million dollars and have four homes when you’re a public servant? [voices: “Yeah.” “I know.”]
Question:“How did he get away with all the documents in his home? That were unsecured and they were classified documents. How did he get away with that?”
Mark Alford (r):“Well, let me tell you what’s going on and, and a little about how this works. Um, so as soon as we took power in Congress, uh, in early January, and even before that, early, the formation of these committees started. So, Judiciary, which is run by Jim Jordan, you know him, and then our Oversight committee run by James Comer, uh, both men of integrity, both Christians, and both trying to find the truth in all this. They have been digging, and digging, and digging. This is why you see these bank records that have come out now that have linked directly twenty million dollars at a minimum in illegal payments that have come from, uh, oligarchs in Russia, Ukraine, and some from China, an adversarial nation, that have gone to the Biden crime family. And so, as this is coming up, as they are interviewing more people it does take time. I know the American people, on you and I, are frustrated. And that’s why I pushed [House Speaker] Kevin McCarthy last week when I talked to him. I said, we’ve got to have an impeachment inquiry when we get back.”
Question:“And please make it where we can watch it.” [voice: “Um, hm.”]
Mark Alford (r):“It will be where you can watch it. I guarantee you that. Um, here, here’s the difference though, all right, I, let’s go back a couple years when the Democrats were, had their knives out for Trump and impeached him twice, right, on, on, stupid things that he should never have been impeached on. And yet the Democrats because they were in power and they controlled the House and the Senate, uh, they were able to do that. Um, they didn’t get a conviction in the Senate, so it was really control in the House. But my point is, is that, um, they made a mockery [“They did.”] out of the jud…, out of the impeachment process. We cannot, you know, I know that Republicans are always like the nice guys. But we’ve got to protect our republic. [voice: “Yes.”] And part of that protecting our republic is defending the Constitution. [voice: “Yes.”] And part of defending the Constitution is doing it the right way. [“it is.”] Congress has two big powers, to declare war, and to impeach. And if we don’t do it in the right way we’re not gonna get Democrats on board with us to see the truth and admit the truth. And to convict in the Senate. And we’re going to do, do a disservice to our future generations by continuing to make a mockery out of impeachment [inaudible]. Now we’re, we’re gonna have an impeachment inquiry. I’m ninety-nine percent sure of that. um, it, but it may take a while to get it done. There’s still new evidence that’s coming out. Uh, every day they’re interviewing someone new. They subpoenaed the IRS agents, the investigators who’ve looked into this. And they’re going to make them talk on Capitol hill.”
Question:“Well, they had whistle blowers from the IRS. They’ve already come forward. [“Yep.”] And they were threatened. They were threatened.”
Mark Alford (r):It goes very deep and, uh, so, you know, the scary part is somebody asked them, what, what happens when you, uh, get rid of Joe Biden. Well, it’s like, you know, you get rid of Tweedle-dee, I mean you’ve got Tweedle-dum as President. [laughter] So, I don’t think it’s gonna be any better, but, that’s not my issue. That’s not the issue in the House. That, the issue in the House is to secure America. And right now our nation is insecure, unsecure, because of a President who is compromised to the Russians and the Chinese. [“I agree.”] [applause]…”
==========
WTF does this mean?:
“…and promulgated I think, through the United States….”
Making an accusation, attempting to present the illusion that you really didn’t:
“…And it is, um, I, I, I don’t know if our government doesn’t want to admit it because it is such a shameful thing. [inaudible] I don’t know if it’s complicit in some, I hope to God they’re not…”
OMG:
“…Did you know that right now of the people who have been let in illegally, uh, our government say let in legally, but those who’ve come in, uh, there are 85,000 children unaccounted for? [“Yeah. Actually, it’s, to be honest with you, the high, the number is somewhere around 220,000.”]…”
Okay, a member of Congress states a number, then a constituent who apparently watches cable television states another. Which is correct? Just asking.
“…They talk about it and they don’t do anything about it…”
And later:
“…Is it possible to just bring it up? Just so that we can see what they have to say. I mean, I would like to see that being debated. And to what, not, at least acknowledge it, this happened….”
It’s either been talked about or it hasn’t. It can’t be both or neither.
Venn Diagram of Right Wingnut Orthodoxy – not complete
“…we all know, I mean even if you don’t listen to the mainstream media, which never ever talks about it, but if you listen to Newsmax, if you listen to real news and all of that…”
Newsmax? WTF?
The elephant in the room:
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check. Arraignment. Check.
It’s always about emails with right wingnuts, isn’t it?
“…uh, both men of integrity, both Christians, and both trying to find the truth in all this…”
Maybe one out of three ain’t too bad.
“…um, they made a mockery [“They did.”] out of the j…, out of the impeachment process…”
Every right wingnut accusation is actually a confession.
“…I know that Republicans are always like the nice guys…”
Self-awareness is not a strong suit.
“…so, you know, the scary part is somebody asked them, what, what happens when you, uh, get rid of Joe Biden. Well, it’s like, you know, you get rid of Tweedle-dee, I mean you’ve got Tweedle-dum as President. [laughter]…”
Kamala Harris is the Vice-President of the United States. There is, to our knowledge, no investigation directed at her. It is the height of hypocrisy for a member of the opposition party to state in one breath that Americans need to realize our common ground and act with comity, then, in another breath, to label the Vice-President of the United States “Tweedle-dum”.
Mark Alford (r) August 31, 2023].
Listen to the audio. You must. To get the full effect.
Mark Alford (r) held an open public town hall on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg on Thursday night. He spoke for about 30 minutes and then took questions for about an hour and a half.
Mark Alford (r) [August 31, 2023].
The question and answer portion:
.
Question:“…Recently you voted on HR, um, 4366 and that’s the Military Construction and Veteran’s Affairs and Related Agency Appropriation Act. I think you had mentioned it [“Yeah.”] the only one that’s passed so far. There’s a section in there I wanted to ask you about and why it wasn’t amended or even taken out. And the section reads, and I’m gonna cut, keep it short ’cause of the legalese of the part of it. But it says, um, ‘This shall be used in whole or part that, that previous appropriations upon shall be used, shall not be used in whole or part to take any discriminatory action against a person wholly or partially on the basis that that person speaks or acts in accordance with a, uh, sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction that marriage is, is or should be recognized as being between one man and one woman.’ As I read that I was hoping you could add, offer more clarity. Um, that from my understanding allows VA employees to discriminate against people who don’t have a man and woman marriage. And I don’t [“Hmm.”] think that that’s right considering our service members, regardless of, uh, color, creed, or sexual preference, should get service regardless. I wanted to see what your take on that was, why that wasn’t removed, and, uh, why so many of your colleagues and yourself included voted on that and didn’t take that out. [“Right.”] Or even added it to an appropriations bill.”
[….]
Mark Alford (r):“…Tell me that bill again. The number.”
Question:“HR 4366. It passed the House [“uh, huh.”] and waiting to go to the Senate.”
Mark Alford (r):“Would you get that to [….] right there and, uh, I will take a look at that and give you an answer, um, answer on that…Next up.”
Mark Alford (r):“…So, it’s not about getting rid of diversity it, it’s about not concentrating on diversity. Instead, concentrate [applause] on what we’ve got in common. Um, I think for a long time, uh, we have as a nation, we have pointed out our differences and that has led to, uh, almost a victimization mentality by some people, not yourself, that, um, that someone is lesser than, or someone is oppressive, or an aggressor, or. We’ve gotten overly sensitized in America and I think if we concentrated on the goodness of America and what we have in common as a nation…”
Mark Alford (r):“…Let me tell you right now, COVID is over. The President said the pandemic is over. [applause] [inaudible] Uh, I have said from the very beginning that government should not be telling people what they inject in their bodies. [“Thank you.”][applause]…”
RSMo § 167.181. Immunization of pupils against certain diseases compulsory — exceptions — records — to be at public expense, when — fluoride treatments administered, when — rulemaking authority, procedure.
[….]
2. It is unlawful for any student to attend school unless he has been immunized as required under the rules and regulations of the department of health and senior services, and can provide satisfactory evidence of such immunization; except that if he produces satisfactory evidence of having begun the process of immunization, he may continue to attend school as long as the immunization process is being accomplished in the prescribed manner. It is unlawful for any parent or guardian to refuse or neglect to have his child immunized as required by this section, unless the child is properly exempted.
[….]
RSMo § 210.003. Immunizations of children required, when, exceptions — duties of administrator, report — notification of parents, when. —
1. No child shall be permitted to enroll in or attend any public, private or parochial day care center, preschool or nursery school caring for ten or more children unless such child has been adequately immunized against vaccine-preventable childhood illnesses specified by the department of health and senior services in accordance with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The parent or guardian of such child shall provide satisfactory evidence of the required immunizations.
Mark Alford (r):“…This, this whole COVID thing has been disturbing for several years now. And, look, I know COVID’s real. I truly believe that it came out of that lab in Wuhan and was manufactured. [“Yep.”] And I believe that Tony Fauci, unfortunately, had something to do with funding that. [applause] I think he needs to be brought into account on that. I think the National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization were complicit in, in taking this vaccine that was unproven and shoving it in the bodies of Americans. And that was wrong. [applause]…”
Mark Alford (r): “… There is a war on our family in America. I, I think it’s, uh, it’s a battle of good and evil. I think, uh, there’s certain forces in this world and in this country that want to take down the nuclear family. And since the, uh, uh, LBJ [Lyndon Baines Johnson] Administration and the New Society, uh, that, that came about, uh, in making, uh, single mothers, uh, prominent and, and, and get, really incentivizing single motherhood families. I think it’s been a detriment to our society. I think you’re seeing the repercussions of that. [applause]…”
Great Society legislation (starting in 1964-1965, 59 years ago) included civil rights, voting rights, support for K-12 and higher education, Medicare, Medicaid, the Child Nutrition Act, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, public broadcasting, consumer protections, environmental protections, housing, urban and rural development, just to name a few.
Mark Alford (r):“…When Kevin McCarthy (r) finally got into the White House negotiate and, the President, I don’t know if you know that, but he’s not all there. [laughter]…”
Mark Alford (r):“…When I was on Fox Four, thinking I, what am I gonna do, I’m getting old, I’m not gonna be on TV much longer, I’m, I’m, they won’t let me tell the truth. So what am I gonna do? Uh, this seat opened up. Vicky Hartzler (r) was, decided to run for the U.S. Senate. And, uh, I really prayed about it a lot…”
Mark Alford (r) held an open public town hall on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg on Thursday night. He spoke for about 30 minutes and then took questions for about an hour and a half.
Mark Alford (r) [August 31, 2023}.
Remarks:
.
“…A couple other people in the audience, uh, our Democrat chair for this, uh, district, uh, Michael Berlin. Michael, where are you? No? I thought he was gonna be here. All right, so he’s not here…”
Uh, no?
“…We have a five-seat majority in the House. Uh, it has not been easy, uh, ruling with a five-seat majority. You just can’t get much done. The Republicans control basically one half of one third of the government right now. And so to get anything meaningfully done is very difficult to do…”
Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson would like a word.
“…But I’m just telling you this. You know, there’s some generals out there who say that we could be in a conflict, at war, with China by the year 2027, 28…”
If so, no one wins.
“…and I was really surprised at how many strong Christians there are in Washington. I’m involved in two Bible studies…”
Is that just in loud words, or in actual deeds? Just asking.
Mark Alford (r) held an open public town hall on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg last night. He spoke for about 30 minutes and then took questions for about an hour and a half (maybe more).
Mark Alford (r) [August 31, 2023}.
In 2022:
Election Results
Official Election Returns
State of Missouri – General Election, November 08, 2022, Tuesday, November 8, 2022
As announced by the Board of State Canvassers on Friday, December 9, 2022
U.S. Representative – District 4 (362 of 362 Precincts Reported)
Mark Alford Republican 181,890 71.3%
Jack Truman Democratic 67,069 26.3%
Randy Langkraehr Libertarian 6,117 2.4%
Darrell McClanahan Write-in 1 0.0%
David A. Haave Write-in 1 0.0%
Wyatt Parsons Write-in 1 0.0%
Total Votes 255,079
Mark Alford (r) was elected to Congress in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District against token opposition which didn’t bother to campaign (effectively).
In that environment here’s no incentive for the elected official to temper the fringe orthodoxy of the base that elected them
The audience, about fifteen minutes before the beginning of the open public town hall:
I showed up to the venue with my gear (cameras, audio recorders, tripod, wearing a vest with my media ID clearly visible, wearing an N95 mask) over a half hour before the scheduled start of the town hall. I introduced myself by my name to a staffer and asked if it was okay to locate myself with my camera on a tripod and the rest of my gear on the floor in front and to the left of the stage. It was.
Mark Alford started the town hall by thanking everyone who facilitated and attended the town hall and then introduced the local republican party chair and the local Democratic Party chair, “Mike Besin”, who apparently wasn’t there.
Great staff work, there.
Half the battle really is about showing up. I only recognized one other Democrat in a room with maybe 150 people. By their applause, questions, and called out comments the vast majority of the audience in attendance were individuals who only watch “legitimate news” like Newsmax.
I spent over two hours in a room full of unrepentant anti-vaccine nuts and COVID conspiracy true believers. I was the only individual wearing a mask – an N95.
They believe that Joe Biden is mentally incompetent, and yet, still, somehow the evil mastermind of a vast family crime syndicate. They believe that Donald Trump is a victim and their savior. They believe that the pandemic was a hoax, Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are miracle drugs for a disease that is no worse than a cold. And Anthony Fauci is somehow culpable for a deadly pandemic which is not a deadly pandemic. They believe the Federal Reserve, the Department of Education, and the FBI should be abolished. They believe that no one in the military should be required to be vaccinated (you know, follow a legal order in support of readiness) – notwithstanding the vast vaccine record on the folded yellow card that I had to have as a child dependent decades ago. Socialism is evil. Communism is evil. Socialism and Communism are always mentioned in the same breath. Social Security and Medicare need to do a better job of taking care of us. The border is totally open. All those “illegals” get paid $2,200.00 a month and seven million of them are going to vote in the election – that’s why Joe Biden is letting them in. Our military has gone to shit after just two years because of Joe Biden and DEI. It went on and on. They’re all fucking crazy.
My god, they all really believe this shit.
“When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” – attributed to Sinclair Lewis. I have news for you, it’s already here.
Mark Alford (r) is comfortable with a mic and quite slick in his delivery. Over thirty years as a television newsreader will do that. But those skills can’t hide the underlying fringe orthodoxy at the core. Despite the (very) occasional soothing sounds about bipartisanship and “getting along” he can’t help himself. They guy worked for the Kansas City Fox affiliate for years and he apparently believes they were some sort of bastion of progressive thought.
There is no such thing as a “moderate” republican. None of them come close. If you somehow still believe there are still some who are “moderate” you’re deluding yourself. And I don’t want to know you.
They’re all voting for Trump, and since no one was there to offer even a token challenge to their insanity, they believe everyone else will do the same.
I was stuck inside an insane right wingnut paranoid feedback loop for over two hours. I barely got out.
