Tag Archives: Jay Ashcroft

Rip Van Ashcroft

18 Sunday Jun 2023

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Asleep for over twenty years.

Jay Ashcroft (r) [2021 file photo]

Yesterday:

[image cropped]

Jay Ashcroft @JayAshcroftMO
This is a very troubling development. The Communist Chinese government has infiltrated MO and using our land to assault our way of life. I wrote legislation to forbid China from buying ANY land in Missouri, but the Jeff City insiders refused to stand up to China. The China threat is real and as Governor, I will put a stop to their activities in our state.
[….]
1:26 PM · Jun 17, 2023

It’s your party, Jay.

Some of the responses:

Writing legislation isn’t your job as secretary of state. What an embarrassment you are. Unelectable even.

Jeff city insiders? All those republicans. Since this state has been run by republicans for decades. Insiders likes @Eric_Schmitt Who people like you backed and voted for. Will Missouri voters fall for it again?

Yes. This has been another edition of Short Answers to Simple Questions.

This is your party, Jay?!
[….]

We said that.

Thanks to Republicans, eh?

The GOP had held the MO legislature for 20 years. This is all on you.

How long has the @MissouriGOP held a super majority to completely controlled Missouri politics?

Who voted to sell Missouri farmland to foreign buyers, Jay? Tell the folks the truth.

Hint: It was the Missouri GOP supermajority in 2013.

You mean the Republucam leaders that allowed the purchase.

“Jeff City insiders?” Correction: Republicans in Jeff City. Democratic Governor Jay Nixon VETOED the bill allowing the sale of farmland to China, and the GOP-dominated legislature overrode his veto.

Like we believe you-it was the GOP that did this on the first place.

Oh jeez @Eric_Schmitt this is gonna be awkward. Who’s gonna tell Jay why?

You had a 20 year supermajority. You are the one you criticize.

Your hypocrisy is astounding.

Gaslighting, really.

“Jeff City insiders” = Republicans, Jay. You’re one of them.

Have a look in the mirror.

@JayAshcroftMO the Jeff city insiders have been republicans for the last 20 years. You as Governor is NOT the answer to Missouri problems.

Wait…aren’t the “insiders” your own party dumbass? Do you think we don’t know you have a super majority of the legislature and administration? Are you too much of a coward to say it’s your own party?

That’s the problem with legacies…

It was the GOP in MO that refused the block foreign buyers in MO farmland. The calls are coming from inside your own house Jay.

These “insiders” you speak of, is it the same GOP members who have controlled the Missouri legislature for decades??

Yes. This has been another edition of Short Answers to Simple Questions.

GOP did this in 2013. You are in the wrong party if this is your issue.

It’s hard to take you seriously.

Your hypocrisy is mind boggling

Gaslighting.

Missouri’s retrograde politics coming home to roost.

Our way of life? What is that supposed to mean?

Dude… it’s on you. “Jeff city insiders”????

Republicans have had total political control of Missouri for 20 years. Anything that you think is a problem is the fault of the MO GOP.

Man, and I thought your dad was a buffoon. You far surpass him.

When people get confused about the term “gaslighting” I’m going to refer them to this tweet. Your party is the exact reason MO farmland was sold off to China. In fact the MO GOP overrode a veto to make it happen. It’s amazing lying is expected from GOP politicians nowadays.

You must really believe people are idiots, Jay. Maybe supporters of your own party.

The Republican Party is Missouri literally okayed this. What a bunch of stinking hypocrites you all are.

There’s all that.

Never set foot in a library, eh, Jay (r)?

23 Sunday Apr 2023

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Jay Ashcroft (r) [2021 file photo]

This past week:

[image cropped]

Jay Ashcroft @JayAshcroftMO
Wouldn’t it be nice if the @MOlibraries said, “we agree, let’s work together to protect our kids from obscene materials,” instead of, “how dare you ask that we stop giving kids obscene materials!”?
[….]
8:08 AM · Apr 18, 2023

Pearl clutching Fascist pig.

Some of the responses:

Really? Have you been to a library?

This is not happening. Anywhere.

This is a pathetic attempt to pander to the far right base for your weak run at governor.

Also, how do you think kids get to the library?

Wouldn’t it be nice if Republicans hadn’t invented a new wedge issue in the first place?

There was already a process for book complaints. This is a solution in search of a problem, in service of your quest for unending political power.

Curious who gets to define obscene?

Have you ever been to a library?

Evidently not.

It would be even nicer if Republican politicians either showed us proof of “obscene” materials in libraries or stopped trying to defund libraries and intimidate librarians.

A library transaction is a voluntary one, even for children. The patron selects a book, the librarian uses the library catalog system to denote that the patron is now in possession of the book for a period of time. The patron leaves. That’s how libraries work, Jay.

The problem is your definition of “obscene” and how you view others. In other words…your bigotry.

Wouldn’t it be nice if government officials actually did their jobs instead of making things up to fight a “culture war”.

Jay Ashcroft (r) is running for Governor.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Republicans stopped emulating Nazi Germany by banning books, closing libraries and attempting to alter history, including censoring the fact that Rosa Parks was black???

So sad that the people of Missouri are currently stuck with a SOS of state that doesn’t even understand a library.

It would be even nicer if fascists stopped lying about everything they can’t understand or control.

That’s not what happened, you’re just a bigot

Have you ever been in a library before?

When my kids were younger, I always went to the library with them & they always brought the books to me they wanted to check out first. I had the choice to decide if appropriate or not.

It’s not rocket science!

Another Christian theocrat wiping his bum with the first amendment. Fundamentally unamerican, champ.

Omg, was your dad John Ashcroft, who embarrassed Missouri and the country by requiring drapes to cover the statue of Justice when he was AG? Figures.

Yes.

Odd way of showing how you’re not a responsible parent, Jay….

Meme submitted in response to Jay Ashcroft (r)

Tell me you’ve never been to a library without telling me you’ve never been to a library.

Lying to advance your political career. I guess that’s the Ashcroft family legacy. Pathetic.

The Ashcroft family’s definition of obscenity differs wildly from people significantly less prude than they are. Remember dad’s statue problem? Had to cover that boobie lest the world fall apart. Parents don’t need the government looking over their shoulders.

Heh. One of the funniest comments at the time about the photo of then Attorney General John Ashcroft (r) standing with the draped statue of Justice in the background was “The big boob is still visible in the photo, John.”

Wouldn’t it be great if elected officials worked for all of their constituents and stopped trying to legislate morality based upon their personal beliefs.

Wouldn’t it be nice if politicians did some research? I visit our public library in Columbia MO with my grandkids every week. We spend hours perusing their excellent collection of children’s literature. We have never encountered a single example of obscenity.

Ashcroft: Vote for me. I’ll find a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist and maybe shut down some libraries in the process!

Wouldn’t it be nice if republicans would worry about real issues instead of making up fake ones daily

Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew how libraries worked?

Wouldn’t it be nice if the christo-fascist nazi movement stopped trying to impose theo-political censorship on free Americans?

There it is.

When was the last time you spent any significant time in a library? Maybe quit tweeting pandering nonsense and go visit one for a day.

Shut it, fascist

Stop talking about doing things for the children. If you actually cared about kids, pre school through secondary ed would be fully funded, including libraries, art and music. Daycare would be fully tax deductible. Kids wouldn’t be paying the price for white guys to own ARs.

Wouldn’t it be nice if people parented their own kids and stopped trying to parent mine!

Kids should definitely be protected from obscene books like the Bible.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you were bright enough to understand the mission of public libraries and know that they aren’t pushing obscenity on anyone?

Libraries don’t buy pornography. You’re defining “obscene materials” as anything that you personally don’t like – like a penguin with two dads or books with gay characters. But public libraries serve the PUBLIC. Not just fundamentalist Christians.

Got proof? I’m guessing you don’t as you have clearly never been in a library. Instead you’ve just made up an issue that doesn’t exist to try to convince people you know what you’re doing. I’m not buying it. You have no clue. Just admit your lie.

Wouldn’t it be nice if RW fundamentalists let parents decide what they want their children to read? Pure gaslighting.

We don’t want you to tell our kids what they can and can’t read.

Obscene like Ann Frank? Obscene like Harry Potter? Obscene like the Bible? Which obscene are you talking about, Jay?

Wouldn’t it be nice if you would leave our libraries alone? They are a place for everyone, not just for Christian fascists.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you actually went to a library and saw that there isn’t porn just laying around. And understood that if you don’t want your kid to read something you don’t need too…but you also don’t get to decide for my kid.

Wouldn’t it be nice if MO politicians worked on issues that would actually improve the lives of Missourians instead of fake culture war issues?

Wouldn’t it be nice if our MO Secretary of State wasn’t gaslighting and sabotaging the very libraries he pretends to support in order to operate a scam fundraising campaign out of his public office? We see your scam. Fake rule changes so Jay can $ out to run. Sad.

For generations libraries have been a tower of virtues. A place of knowledge and research. You could learn about Karl Marx, Thomas Jefferson, or what a parliamentary government is. The holder of all knowledge. They don’t force it on you. You seek it.

Someone who has actually been in a public library.

Protip… the ones banning books are never on the right side of history

Wouldn’t it be nice if you bothered to learn a thing or two about how libraries are run?

Have you considered becoming a better person?

Evidently not.

No one mistakes your bigotry for anything other than what it is.

I’ve never had a librarian force my children to read any books.

Classic straw-man argument, and not even a clever one. How did you even get through law school?

Legacy?

Wouldn’t it be great if MO GOP admitted they made up yet another problem that doesn’t exist and decided to try to solve a real issue that would actually help Missourians?

So, you’ve never actually been to library, have you?

You are being ridiculous, Mr. Ashcroft. No one is giving kids obscene materials at public schools or libraries.

MO Library Association @MOlibraries
Wouldn’t it be nice if your Sec of State consulted ANY librarians before making accusations and rules that impact their daily operations?
#FreedomToRead
[….]
11:15 AM · Apr 21, 2023

MO Library Association @MOlibraries
Wouldn’t it be nice if your Sec of State realized that libraries don’t “give” kids anything? We provide books that kids (with their parents’ involvement) can choose or not.
#FreedomToRead #WhatLibrariesDo
[….]
11:16 AM · Apr 21, 2023

That’s quite ratio there, Jay (r).

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

30 Wednesday Nov 2022

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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”

What comes next

21 Friday Oct 2022

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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]