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Tag Archives: Jay Ashcroft

The People Have Spoken But Ashcroft Doesn’t Care

04 Saturday Feb 2023

Posted by penroseonpolitics in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

2024 Missouri Governor's Race, 2024 Missouri Republican Governor's Race, Jay Ashcroft, Missouri Book Ban, Missouri Republican Party, Missouri Secretary of State, public libraries

The pandering right wingnut bigot doesn’t fall far from the tree *

30 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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bigot, gaslighting, Jay Ashcroft, marriage, marriage equality, missouri, Respect for Marriage Act, RFMA, right wingnut

That’s always the problem with legacy hires.

He thinks he’s running for something. Probably.

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2021 file photo]

As if gutting Roe v Wade wasn’t the first step on a long agenda.

Yesterday:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2022
[….]

Ashcroft Urges Blunt to Stop the Respect for Marriage Act

Jefferson City, Mo. — Today Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft urged United States Senator Roy Blunt to use whatever means possible to stop the passage of HB 8404, S. 4556: the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA).

Ashcroft, in a letter to Senator Blunt, wrote that the RFMA, “Specifically runs afoul traditional principles of federalism,” and that it will “embolden an already weaponized U.S. Department of Justice.

“RFMA significantly alters the balance between state and federal power,” wrote Ashcroft, “Missouri’s constitution already defines marriage; federal law need not.”

Ashcroft stated, “Missourians have overwhelmingly approved marriage as a bond between one man and one woman. Over seventy percent of Missourians amended the Missouri Constitution stipulating that “to be valid and recognized in this state, a marriage shall exist only between a man and a woman.”

He concluded the letter with a handwritten note urging Blunt to wholeheartedly represent his constituents in one of his last votes as a United States Senator. Ashcroft penned, “Please, I urge you to stand strong for Missourians.”

—30—

Outdated, antiquated, bigoted, pretentiously self righteous. So, what else is new?

Uh, U.S. Supreme Court, anyone? Anyone?

Sure, go ahead, run another ballot initiative on the subject – for the 2024 general election. I double dog dare you.

“Finally, it is highly inappropriate to pass such a controversial piece of legislation in a lame duck session after the people of this country have so recently rejected the congressional leadership at the ballot box.”

Amy Coney Barrett.

You get Andy Biggs (r).

Lame attempt at spin there. Let’s ask “Leader” Mitch McConnell (r) all about that, shall we?

* Original working headline: “The turd doesn’t drop far from the asshole”

Ashcroft’s Book Ban

18 Friday Nov 2022

Posted by penroseonpolitics in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

2024 Missouri Governor's Race, 2024 Missouri Republican Governor's Race, book banning, Jay Ashcroft, libraries, Missouri Book Ban, Missouri GOP, Missouri Secretary of State, Republican Book Bans

What comes next

21 Friday Oct 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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Tags

book banning, Jay Ashcroft, missouri, pandering, public libraries, right wingnut

First they came for the books and librarians…

From the Missouri Library Association:

Statement on Secretary of State Ashcroft’s Proposed Rule
October 19, 2022 [….]

The Missouri Library Association considers Secretary of State Ashcroft’s proposed rule for libraries an infringement on the professional judgment of librarians, and an effort to further stoke division in the communities that libraries serve. Libraries support access to information and ideas. The placement of books and materials in libraries is something that should be left up to people with training and experience in the profession of librarianship.

Ashcroft’s proposed changes also place undue burden on small and urban libraries by undermining not only their sense of agency but their ability to access information. The libraries who are most in need of state funding and assistance are also the most at risk under the proposed change.

And:

MLA Statement on Intellectual Freedom
February 7, 2022 [….]

On behalf of our members, member institutions and professional ethical standards, we at the Missouri Library Association (MLA) stand with librarians, library workers, and other educators in the state of Missouri as they select and provide access to their collections for readers. We further support the processes and procedures our libraries have in place to deal with challenges with concerned parents and community members and are deeply troubled by efforts to circumvent these processes for political gain or as a result of moral panic.

Libraries as public institutions have existed in the United States for over 250 years. Each year, we promote our foundational ideals, provide access for our patrons, and find better and more equitable avenues to improve our institutions. Perhaps our most important guiding principle comes from Ranganathan: “Every reader, their book and every book, its reader.”

The “freedom to read” is more than just a shorthand for encouraging curiosity and inquiry. It is a pillar of our democracy. Intellectual freedom means that all of us have the right to explore and engage with the ideas we choose, and to be informed about the world around us. Adults have intellectual freedom, but so do youth. We support MASL’s statement that says, “Students should have choices in what books they read.”

We librarians are skilled, credentialed and thoughtful professionals who make it our work to champion inquiry, curiosity, democracy and access to information. Librarians support the rights of parents to choose books for their own children, but not the rights of one person to choose what books are right for an entire classroom, school, or public. Through our deep immersion in books and materials, librarians and library workers understand the greater context of knowledge and understanding facilitated through our collections. We reject the claim that removing, labeling, or relocating a title will somehow shield children from the ideas contained within, especially in the context of our connected digital world. We further reject the notion that anyone can perform the work we do without significant engagement with the professional ethics and expertise of librarianship. Public and school libraries are safe places for children to encounter ideas in an environment that nurtures curiosity. Occasionally these encounters will include ideas that might be challenging. We support the right of readers to be challenged, to learn, and to grow. Librarians and educators are the critical connection between readers and their books. It is our responsibility to champion these rights.

We support the expertise, thoughtfulness, and care exercised by thousands of librarians, library workers, and educators in the state of Missouri to foster the curiosity and inquiry that lives in young people. [….]

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2017 file photo].

15_CSR_30_200_015

Tell us that you don’t know how public librariries work without telling us that you don’t know how public libraries work.

[….]
Ashcroft Submits Rule Protecting Minors From Inappropriate Materials at State Funded Libraries

Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office has submitted a proposed rule that would establish a certification requirement for libraries receiving state funds and institute measures to protect minors from non-age-appropriate materials.

As stated in the proposal, libraries would adopt written policies determining what material is age-appropriate. As well, state funds could not be used to purchase or acquire inappropriate materials in any form that appeal to the prurient interest of a minor.

Libraries also would be required to honor a parent’s decision as to what material their child has access to in the library. Parents would have the right to challenge a library’s age-appropriate designation for any material.

“When state dollars are involved, we want to bring back local control and parental involvement in determining what children are exposed to,” said Ashcroft. “Foremost, we want to protect our children.”

This proposed administrative rule will be published in the Missouri Register on November 15, 2022, and then have a 30-day comment period. Secretary Ashcroft welcomes and encourages comment submission by mailing the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State, PO Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or by email to comments@sos.mo.gov.

The Missouri State Library, within the Secretary of State’s office, promotes the development and improvement of library services throughout the state. Since taking office in 2017, Ashcroft has worked closely with Missouri’s libraries and the state legislature to improve state funding and improve public libraries.

“Supporting the efforts of libraries across our state has been a priority of mine since day one – we have been able to provide millions of dollars to libraries through grants and other funding,” Ashcroft said. “Yes, we want to make sure libraries have the resources and materials they need for their constituents, but we also want our children to be “children” a little longer than a pervasive culture many often dictate.”

—30—

“…that appeal to the prurient interest of a minor…” Welcome to America, in the 17th Century.

Does this mean fart jokes are out?

Pull my finger.

Previously:

“Die Fahne hoch! Die Reihen fest geschlossen!” (October 17, 2022)

“Die Fahne hoch! Die Reihen fest geschlossen!”

17 Monday Oct 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

book banning, Jay Ashcroft, missouri, social media, Twitter

Today:

Alex Johnson @thatguyjohnson7
SOS announces that books are scary and he wants to limit the public access to ideas he doesn’t approve of.
[….]
7:12 PM · Oct 17, 2022

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2021 file photo]

Who?:

Ed Martin@EagleEdMartin
Replying to @thatguyjohnson7 and @MBersin
Go ahead and defend providing pornography for school children.
9:44 PM · Oct 17, 2022

Don’t you have something better to do?

08 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Disney, Jay Ashcroft, LGBTQ, missouri, pandering, right wingnut, Secretary of State, social media, Twitter

There are always problems with legacy admissions.

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2017 file photo].

Today:

Jay Ashcroft @JayAshcroftMO
It’s time to stand up to Disney, which promised to make over half of its characters part of the LGBTQ community. They should stick to cartoons and leave these discussions on life to the parents.
10:14 AM · Apr 8, 2022

Some of the responses:

It certainly is curious with all the 100% heterosexual characters Disney has had for years how children grew up to love people of their same gender.

I wonder why that happened.

Your thoughts on this would be important to know.

Fair point. Then they should leave hetero characters out of the cartoons also. You know, so that we can leave these discussion on life to the parents. Even the homosexual parents.

You dad is scared of statue titties bro

The value of institutional memory.

You should feel shame for promoting homophobia. It’s not going to gain you votes, it’s gonna cost you the respect of a lot of people though.

Get back to supporting individual liberties and just let people be.

I watched Winnie the Pooh and now I am a pantsless honey addict! Save our children from the same fate Jay!
[….]

Sweet mercy you’re a pale shade of your father Jay.

Where is that documented Jay? And what do you have against Gay people? Why are you so against anyone who does not identify as heterosexual? Explain why your are Homophobic?

Why can’t gay folks be represented at Disney? There are gay people in the GOP. You worked with one. Don’t want to talk about it, eh?

The cartoons where a protagonists parents are routinely killed. Gotcha. Much better than whatever is hurting your feelings. Another great take from the family who covered a statues breast.

Dad?

Every accusation by Republicans is an admission

Aren’t parents the ones that decide if their kid watches Disney?? They already have control of the matter.

It ain’t free.

I had no idea your father fed you lead paint.

Hope you enjoy your trip to Dollywood! Spend all you can there, okay?

Jay – We know you’re not the sharpest pencil in the box, but do try to both keep up and get it right.

amen it’s a total LGBTQ+ conspiracy that’s why they call it disney PLUS

Why are you so threatened by this?

Are you going to be okay or should we call your mommy?

Wtf does this have to do with your official responsibilities as SoS?

It’s a small mind after all.

We see what you did there.

Campaign Finance: A very happy camper

01 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, Committee for Liberty, Jay Ashcroft, missouri, PAC, right wingnut, Secretary of State

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2019 file photo].

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C190931 04/01/2022 Committee for Liberty Perryville Investments PO Box 555 Perryville MO 63775 3/31/2022 $10,000.00

C190931 04/01/2022 Committee for Liberty Mark Lanier 13706 Falba Houston TX 77070 Lanier Law Firm Attorney 3/31/2022 $100,000.00

C190931 04/01/2022 Committee for Liberty Ketchmark & McCreight, P.C. 11161 Overbrook Road Suite 210 Leawood KS 66211 3/30/2022 $250,000.00

C190931 04/01/2022 Committee for Liberty James Hagale 9503 Pasatiempo Drive Nixa MO 65714 Retired Retired 3/31/2022 $15,000.00

C190931 04/01/2022 Committee for Liberty Phil Wieneke PO Box 2903 Springfield MO 65801 Aaron Properties, Inc. Property Manager 3/31/2022 $10,000.00

C190931 04/01/2022 Committee for Liberty Thomas Fowler 4031 e. Eaglescliff Drive Springfield MO 65809 State Bank of Southwest Missouri President 3/31/2022 $20,000.00

C190931 04/01/2022 Committee for Liberty Beverly Randles 5823 N Cypress Avenue Kansas City MO 64119 Randles & Splittgerber Attorney 3/31/2022 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

Unlimited money. Go figure.

Previously:

Bev Randles (r) – Lieutenant Governor – July 2016 campaign finance report (July 20, 2016)

Campaign Finance: It ain’t free (March 30, 2022)

Campaign Finance: It ain’t free

30 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

campaign finance, Committee for Liberty, Jay Ashcroft, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, PAC, right wingnut, Secretary of State

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C190931 03/29/2022 Committee for Liberty Holland Law Firm LLC 211 N. Broadway Suite 2625 Saint Louis MO 63102 3/29/2022 $250,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a chunk of change.

In January:

C190931 01/26/2022 Committee for Liberty Janet Ashcroft 5491 W Farm Road 54 Willard MO 65781 Retired Retired 1/25/2022 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

Aw, Ma, you shouldn’t have.

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2021 file photo]

Math is hard, proportional representation is evil, Missouri voters are stupid

04 Friday Feb 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Bill Eigel, Bob Onder, congressional reapportionment, gerrymandering, Jay Ashcroft, Mike Moon, missouri, social media, Twitter, U.S. House of Representatives

Republican Dogma.

A right wingnut rally, in celebration:

[graphic edited for space]

Missouri Senate Conservative Caucus @SenateCaucus
Join the 7R-1D congressional map rally at the Missouri Capitol on Monday, February 7 starting at 10 a.m.! Let’s make sure Pelosi isn’t Speaker of the House in 2023! #moleg
[….]
9:19 PM · Feb 3, 2022

10:00 a.m. on a Monday? Anyone think they’ll book an extra bus or two for actual working people?

2020 election math:

Election Results
Unofficial Election Returns
State of Missouri – 11/03/2020 2020 General Election, Tuesday, November 03, 2020

President & Vice President (3692 of 3692 Precincts Reported)
Donald J. Trump, Michael R. Pence Republican 1,718,736 56.8%
Joseph R. Biden, Kamala D. Harris Democratic 1,253,014 41.4%

Governor (3692 of 3692 Precincts Reported)
Mike Parson Republican 1,720,202 57.1%
Nicole Galloway Democratic 1,225,771 40.7%

The 2020 Congressional vote:

Election Results
Unofficial Election Returns
State of Missouri – 11/03/2020 2020 General Election, Tuesday, November 03, 2020

U.S. Representative – District 1 (729 of 729 Precincts Reported)
Anthony Rogers Republican 59,940 19.0%
Cori Bush Democratic 249,087 78.8%

U.S. Representative – District 2 (798 of 798 Precincts Reported)
Ann Wagner Republican 233,157 51.9%
Jill Schupp Democratic 204,540 45.5%

U.S. Representative – District 3 (327 of 327 Precincts Reported)
Blaine Luetkemeyer Republican 282,866 69.4%
Megan Rezabek Democratic 116,095 28.5%

U.S. Representative – District 4 (384 of 384 Precincts Reported)
Vicky Hartzler Republican 245,247 67.6%
Lindsey Simmons Democratic 107,635 29.7%

U.S. Representative – District 5 (257 of 257 Precincts Reported)
Ryan Derks Republican 135,934 38.6%
Emanuel Cleaver II Democratic 207,180 58.8%

U.S. Representative – District 6 (475 of 475 Precincts Reported)
Sam Graves Republican 258,709 67.1%
Gena L. Ross Democratic 118,926 30.8%

U.S. Representative – District 7 (303 of 303 Precincts Reported)
Billy Long Republican 254,318 68.9%
Teresa Montseny Democratic 98,111 26.6%

U.S. Representative – District 8 (449 of 449 Precincts Reported)
Jason Smith Republican 253,811 76.9%
Kathy Ellis Democratic 70,561 21.4%

The total Congressional vote for either Democrats or Republicans in Missouri in 2020 was 2,896,117. The total Congressional vote for Republican candidates in 2020 was 1,723,982 (59.53%). The total Congressional vote for Democratic candidates was 1,172,135 (40.47%).

7 (87.5%) “Republican” districts – 1 (12.5%) “Democratic” districts in Congress from Missouri? Seriously? More like 5 (62.5%) – 3 (37.5%).

Math is hard.

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2019 file photo].

Mike Moon (2019 file photo).

Demonstrating to everyone, once again, that he really is that stupid

29 Saturday Jan 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Corona virus, COVID-19, dumbass, Dunning-Kruger Effect, Jay Ashcroft, missouri, pandemic, public schools, right wingnut, Secretary of State, social media, Twitter

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2021 file photo]

This morning:

Jay Ashcroft @JayAshcroftMO
62 school districts in Missouri are closed, leaving thousands of parents without the choice for what is best for their child. That is unacceptable. Keep schools open and the right to decide what is best for the family for the parents.
10:31 AM · Jan 29, 2022

The stupid, it burns.

“…That is unacceptable…”

If you buy his crap you’re as stupid as he is.

Some of the responses:

And keep local control so school boards and local leaders can decide what’s best for THEIR communities without fear of being sued by the state and wasting taxpayers’ money! Deal?

Not gonna happen.

Perhaps protocols that would prevent sickness that forces teachers and students to stay home from school would be sensible. Can you think of any?

Uh, like wearing masks, promoting vaccines, contact tracing, quarantine?

There is not enough staff to keep them open. Kids are sick. This has nothing to do with parents rights. So tired of the gaslighting. The virus did not go away just because Parsons said he was done with it.

Why are the schools closed, Jay?

Why are 62 school districts closed?

Take a wild guess.

My goodness, you might mention they’re closed because teachers and staff are ill. This has nothing to do with ‘parents not having the choice’, it has to do with a pandemic. This is the most idiotic tweet I’ve seen in months and you’ve had a lot of competition.

Jay Ashcroft really is that stupid.

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