CTGOP Fundraiser: Who supported it and who didn't!

CTGOP State Central
Members are a sad,
shameful bunch.

As promised, I'm going to list the names of the Connecticut Republican State Central Members who showed up and supported the critical fundraiser for CTGOP which was held Friday night in Avon, Connecticut.  I'm also going to list the names of the State Central Members who were no-shows for this all-important event.

But before I list the names, I feel a need to provide some context around this post because its apt to be called just another controversial rant by The King which will probably result the usual cry-babies (who hold these elected posts) whining in the attempt to deflect their accountability by crying "foul".  Let's provide a little transparency to problems that are preventing us from being a single, consolidated organization ready to battle the Democrats.

Chairman Jerry Labriola, Jr. won and all-important election this past June, earning the majority vote to become the next CTGOP Chairman.  The vote was fair, and the results were decisive enough to lack controversy - and it was expected that for the good of the Party, the CTGOP members would rally around Jerry and help to forge a new beginning for Connecticut's faltering Republican Party.

Being as it may, this thinking never crossed the minds of several State Central members who had already decided to put vendettas and selfish motives ahead of the concerns and needs of Connecticut Residents.  It's the agenda of certain members to not only skip out on helping the Party be successful, but to willfully sabotage Jerry's efforts to unify the Party.  It takes a sick mind to sit in the back of the room, and conspire with one another to block and hinder the new Chairman's efforts.  Without a doubt, Jerry should take this group of malcontents on directly, and ask them to either change their behavior, or resign.  If you didn't join State Central to physically get off your arse and help get Republicans elected, than you have no business being on the Committee.

Evidence of collusion against the Chairman is abundant.  Let's begin with the obvious.

With barely $40K in the bank, and struggling to keep the lights on at CTGOP headquarters, Jerry sought ideas and support from State Central members to find ways to help raise funds to pay operating expenses.  The result of his request for ideas brought little to no response.  Of the 78 members, who sit (and fill themselves with food, and network prior to meetings), no one could come up with a single idea on how to tackle the issue of expenses, and/or fundraising.  Some have the audacity to believe that generating new fundraising ideas is the sole responsibility of the "fundraising staff member" and no one else's.

After seeing Jerry's frustration with the collective brain-power of State Central members, two members of the Republican Party (unelected to any formal post) came up with the idea to throw the fundraiser "Good Luck Back" - food, beer, wine and music all for $50 bucks.  A simple idea that could yield a big pay day for CTGOP - while having a lot of fun.  At minimum, if everyone on State Central had done their part, and either donated a few dollars, or sold tickets to their friends, fellow RTC members, or Republican Clubs then the event would have been a far-greater success (rain not withstanding) than it was.

Jerry asked, if not pleaded with members to help out.  Instead of rallying to the Party's cause, most State Central Members simply dug their heels in and did nothing. And several downright worked to sabotage the event. 

First, few members actually purchased tickets. And some members refused to take up the gauntlet, and sell tickets, or talk about the event. Certain members were hand-delivered packages of tickets and asked to help, and (*snip* names omitted in final draft *snip*) these folks shamefully took the tickets and tossed them away.  Others were asked to make a few phone calls to help promote the event, and those people refused to make calls (or simply blew off the request and came up with a dozen excuses why they couldn't help).  So here we have 78 State Central Members bitching about unimportant gossip, and doing NOTHING to help save the CTGOP from financially dissolving into bankruptcy.  It's beyond pathetic, and its hurtful to not only the CTGOP but to Connecticut residents who wish to see some level of opposition to an under-challenged Democrat Party.  Everyone on State Central knows the financial problem, you would think people would ask: How can I help?  Instead, people run from the work!

And I have to say - it didn't help matters that Linda McMahon completely disregarded the fact that the CTGOP and our State Chairman had calendared this all important event two months in advance, and she decided she would run a competing event ON THE SAME NIGHT that the CTGOP held its all important fundraiser. 

Linda McMahon and her staff were well aware of the fundraiser because Linda was invited to attend.  There is no excuse whatsoever for her actions.  It was not merely a mistake, or an error in judgement, it is that she is NOT a team player, and in fact - she likely scheduled the opening of her campaign office with the intention of competing with the CTGOP; a form of a power-play for its members.  Again, Linda could have opened her campaign office on ANY day on the calendar but instead chose the same day that the CTGOP fundraiser was scheduled.  And Jerry Labriola should take note of McMahon's attempted sabotage of his event.  It's a disgrace. 

On so many levels, the lack of support, and the attendance of some State Central Members at Linda's event is an absolute embarrassment to the Party. These people have clearly made a mockery out of the public who have trusted, and elected State Central Representatives to their posts.

It's understood that Avon isn't located dead center in Connecticut.  And we also understand that you wouldn't expect State Central members who reside in the far-corners of the State to travel two-hours to make the event.  But, we would expect those members who are within only 45, 30, or even 20 minutes to have made the effort to show up and support the CTGOP. 

And don't get cranky with me for exposing a core problem with this Party - which is the unprecedented level of laziness, and an overall lack of collaboration and team work.  Registered Republicans in Connecticut are sick to death of State Central, to the point where the organization has no real value.  They are tired of seeing so many long-time, bottom feeders who win their privileged seat at the decision table through cronyism and popularity contests.  Never has the State Republican Party been as ineffectual and useless as it is today.  Even our Connecticut media just about feels sorry for us because we can barely muster enough unity to put up a good fight.

So who did bother to show up and support this critical event?  Are you ready?  Only FIVE elected State Central Committee Members bothered to show up.  These good folks are:

Corey Brinson, District 1: Hartford
Christian Hoheb, District 5, Farmington
Richard Tutuijian, District 8: Barkhamstead
Lisa Wilson-Foley , District 8: Simsbury (Candidate, CT-5)
Adam Grippo, District 13: Cheshire

Also special recognition of the following individuals who came to support/or speak at this event:

Hon. Christopher Shays, Bridgeport (likely US Senate Candidate)
Martha Dean, Avon (former Atty Gen Candidate)
Mike Clark, Farmington (Candidate, CT-5)
Justin Clark, West Hartford (CTGOP Party Legal Counsel)
Mark Greenberg, Avon (Candidate, CT-5)
Brian K. Hill, Windsor (US Senate Candidate)
Hon. Jason McCoy, Vernon (US Senate Candidate)
Daria Novak, Madison (Candidate, CT-2)
Herb Shephardson, West Hartford (former CTGOP Party Chairman)
Ron Wilcox, Fairfield (State Coordinator Tea Party Patriots)
Art Mocabee, Bristol (Congressional Coordinator)

And now for the list of those who didn't attend:

Barbara Ruhe, District 1, Wethersfield
Sonya Dean, District 2, Windsor
Michael McGarry, District 2, Hartford
Christopher Davis, District 3, Ellington
Kevin McCann, District 3, South Windsor
Gerald Dierman, District 4, Manchester
Jen Harvey, District 4, Bolton
Allen Hoffman, District 5, West Hartford
Erin Stewart, District 6, New Britain
Scott Veley, District 6, Kensington
Eric Remington, District 7, Suffield
William Ballard, District 7, Enfield
Mark Pappa, District 8, Newington
Enzo Faienza, District 8, Cromwell
Albert Calandro, Jr. District 9, West Haven
Melissa Papntones, District 9, New Haven
Matthew Corcoran, District 10, Hamden
Marlene Napolitano, District 11, New Haven
Tom Banish, District 12, Madison
Cindy Cartier, District 12, Guilford
Jim Belote, District 13, Meriden
Richard Dowin, District 14, Milford
Doris Knight, District 14, Orange
Katherine Ernsky, District 15, Naugatuck
Jeffery Santopietro, District 15, Waterbury
Doug Hageman, District 16, Marion
Dennis Cleary, District 16, Wolcott
Chuck Pyne, District 17, Woodbridge
Patricia Fers, District 17, Ansonia
Jane Dauphinais, District 18, Groton
Paul Madonna, District 18, Griswold
Jonathan Gilman, District 19, Gilman
Diane Generous, District 19, Baltic
Michael Doyle, District 20, New London
Margaret Jane DeRisio, District 20, Old Lyme
Christopher Silhavey, District 21, Stratford
Gary DeFilippo, District 21, Shelton
Carl Massaro, Jr., District 22, Trumbull
Linda Grace, District 22, Bridgeport
Michael Garrett, District 23, Bridgeport
Joseph Borges, Jr., District 23, Bridgeport
Arthur Mannion, District 24, Danbury
Mayor Mark Boughton, District 24, Danbury
Art Scialabba, District 25, Norwalk (and CTGOP Party Secretary!!)
Laurie Williamson, District 25, Darien
Timothy Wetmore, District 26, Westport
Alex Karsanidi, Sr. District 25, Ridgefield
Eva Maldonado, District 27, Stamford
Michael Jachimczyk, District 27, Stamford
Stanley Morten, District 28, Fairfield
Robert Hall, District 28, Newtown
Michael Struzik, District 29, Danielson
Luther Thurlow, District 29, Canterbury
Virginia Landgrebe, District 30, New Milford
John Morris, District 30, Norfolk
Tim Bobroske, Disrict 31, Harwington
Gary Schaffrick, District 31, Bristol (and CTGOP Party Treasurer!!)
Ronald Pizzarelli, District 32, Roxbury
Kie Westby, District 32, Southbury
Neil Nichols, District 33, Essex
Cindy Varricchio, District 33, Portland
Michael Vitali, District 34, Wallingford
Arthur DeSorbo, District 34, East Haven
Wild Bill Jenkins, District 35, Chaplin
William Faletti, Jr., District 35, Ashford
Edwin Greenberg, District 36, Stamford
Edward Dadakis, District 36, Greenwich
Rep. John Frey (Delegate)
Pat Longo (Delegate)
Rep. Themis Klarides (CTGOP Vice Chairman)

Pretty disappointing group if you look at the list of those who traveled afar to attend, and those who couldn't be bothered to travel 15 minutes to make an appearance.  That's assuming they actually ever considered attending.

You have to really wonder just what's in store at the next State Republican Convention.  Will Chris Healy continue to steal Labriola's thunder by holding his own media press conferences like he did at Linda McMahon's Senate run announcement?  Or will he run a shadow convention out of a back room somewhere in basement of the Convention Center?  And will these same so-called representatives of their districts have their delegate votes for sale just like they did during our last convention? 

Will backroom deals prevail?  Will candidates be allowed to speak?  Or maybe we'll be lucky and not raise enough funds to open a convention - at this rate, the later seems most likely.  With this same group of 78 wandering around, you have to really wonder what kind of controls Jerry will need to put in place to keep the convention ethical.

There will be other fundraising opportunities that will emerge in different parts of the State.  State Central members get an embarrassing "F Grade" on this one.  Do you think maybe there might be a few of you that could take the Chairman's message to heart, and ask how you can help?  Or should we just save our energy and the few bucks we have and close up shop and say forget it?  Will a few real activists, please stand up?! 

Lastly, will at least those elected Officers of the CTGOP please support your Chairman and Party?  It's pretty pitiful when the Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer are no-shows at a CTGOP event. But, you guys already know that, don't you?

I AM

THE KING

The original blog entry can be found at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com

CTGOP Fundraiser Tonight - JOIN US!!

JOIN US for one of the best events
of the year!

Tonight the Connecticut Republican Party is holding a critical fundraiser called "Good Luck Back" for purposes of raising funds for it's operational budget.  As many of you know this fundraiser will have a critical effect on how the CTGOP is able to impact upcoming elections, and advance our Republican political agenda.

Connecticut Republican State Central has 72 elected members who are accountable for representing Republican constituents across various districts within the State of Connecticut.  It's the expectation that given the important nature of this event that all 72 members of State Central will, at least, purchase a ticket - if not attend in person to show support for our new State Chairman Jerry Labriola, Jr. and our Connecticut Republican Party.

After this event is held, we will be listing the names of those CTGOP members, officers, and political representatives who purchased a ticket and/or showed up to support this event.  We will also be listing the names of those individuals who did not do the minimum by at least writing a check to help keep the CTGOPs door open to keep us moving in the right direction.

Why this approach?  Over the last 60 days, Chairman Labriola and his staff have worked tooth and nail, traveling from district to district to help local candidates with their campaigns, worked with those seeking Federal office, and met with many Republican Town Committees and officials to understand how he can help advance Republican policy at the state level.  Labriola and his team are not doing this to advance their own station and career, but help to restore respectability to the once great Connecticut Republican Party, and forge a plan for electing Republicans statewide to return Connecticut to the pro-business/pro-jobs environment that it once was.

Unfortunately, there are individuals out there who have decided it's more important to play political games and undermine Chairman Labriola and the CTGOP for their own selfish interests instead of doing the right thing by helping to build a foundation for a new tomorrow.  Given the hard times that Connecticut is facing, it is hard to imagine that there are still some who would rather see Labriola fail, and Democrats remain under-challenged to the detriment of us all.

I cannot understate the importance of tonight's fundraiser on our CTGOP budget.  We are asking that people put aside their petty differences, show unity, and come out to support tonight's event.

If you have not yet bought a ticket, and would like to be part of this historic event, then please contact:

Connecticut Republican Headquarters at (860) 826-7378 or (860) 919-9692.

Or just show up:  Blue Fox Run Golf Course, 65 Nod Road, Avon, Connecticut.

The Party kicks off at 7 pm and goes through 11 pm.  Tickets are only $50 and the price of donation includes food, wine, and beer, and live musical entertainment (plus a few surprises).

Here are a few of our Republican candidates who are slated to speak:

Christopher Shays (candidate for U.S. Senate)
Jason McCoy (candidate for U.S. Senate)
Daria Novak (candidate for U.S. Congress, CT-2)
Justin Bernier (candidate for U.S. Congress, CT-5)
Mark Greenberg (candidate for U.S. Congress, CT-5)
Mike Clark (candidate for U.S. Congress, CT-5)
Lisa Wilson-Foley (candidate for U.S. Congress, CT-5)
List will be updated as additional candidates commit

And YES - we do have a MASSIVE EVENT TENT to keep you DRY!

PLEASE do not let a few bad apples ruin the future. Instead JOIN US and help us build a NEW CTGOP!

I AM

THE KING

The original blog entry can be found at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com/

Komisarjevsky Must Die

If The King had his way, Lady Justice
would unleash her sword across the
neck of Komisarjevksy, who deserves
no less

In Connecticut, the world of politics became irrelevant this week.  Sure, Linda McMahon was out prancing around with her announcement of a second (doomed) entry into the Senate race, and other politicos took to the airwaves and public halls making their cases about how they had the perfect plan to save the world from Obama, Democrats, Hurricanes, and anything else deemed an enemy to mankind.

But all of this pretentious hoopla was eclipsed by the only thing that seems to really matter to residents of the Nutmeg State - the only thing on everyone's mind - the trial of murderer-rapist, Joshua Komisarjevsky.

I admit, I've been watching the trial from afar - via Twitter. I don't have the luxury of time to slink down to Courtroom 6A and watch the proceedings first hand. And I'm not sure that I could handle the stress of sitting there only a few feet from one of the most vile, and disgusting pieces of **** that Connecticut has ever produced.  I think I'd be at risk for getting arrested for cussing him out - or worse.  If not for what he is, but for how he acts in open court.

I've been reading the 140 character sound-bytes of reporters, wanna-be reporters, Petit supporters, and activists for and against the death penalty using the infamous #Komis hashtag.  Most days start off with reporters making small talk to pass the time, tweeting about bagels, participant's apparel choices (the tweeters are mostly women), long lines, and the unfair seating process.  Blah, blah, blah! By ten o'clock, most of the nonsense ceases and we get on with the business at hand.

Komisarjevsky's attorney, Jeremiah Donovan, is the chief antagonist of the proceedings.  He is here for two reasons - for the grand publicity of defending one of the most notorious villains in Connecticut's history, and to pursue his life-long ambition to end the death penalty.  Some also feel he's taken this case for the sport of trying to defend an admitted murderer-rapist from facing the death sentence that the rest of the world feels he so justly deserves. For Jeramiah - seeing Komisarjevsky get life in prison without parole would be a win and a half, and valued achievement.

It's to that end that he (and his cronies, Bussert and others) are hated and loathed by the majority in attendance in Room 6A, and by the majority in the Twitterverse-at-large.  People who know Donovan say he is exactly what you see, on and off the clock - a cocky, mean-spirited, hateful, derelict who is cheap, shrewd, and spiteful to the last.  His own colleagues within the legal community say he makes old Ebenezer Scrooge look charming and kind.  Donovan has no conscience and no heart.  He's a cold, empty vassal devout of feeling, and incapable of love, or humanity. By these references by those closest to him, it's no wonder that he leaped at the opportunity to take this case.  He's unmoved by the facts (and omissions), but motivated by the contest.  A rather shallow position given that he knowingly sits in the courtroom only 20 feet away from a father, a  sister, and a grandfather who lost all that they knew and loved - at the hands of his client.

Once you understand the man, it's easy to understand his strategy, and how natural it is for him to pursue his agenda.  It's his job to deflect, block, hinder, obstruct, confuse, disorientate, distract,  delay, object, and derail the process.  This means using every and any tool at his disposal to "win" the case.  It's not about justice or fairness (as he claims), those are just pawn words to throw out to give the illusion that he's passionate for his client's rights.  Phooey!  He'll say and do anything to make a spectacle, and as witnessed by all - sadly, even mock the Petit's and those in pursuit of real justice for the Petit-Hawke family during this trial.

The past three days we've seen evidence of his scheme.  First, he worked to deny Dr. Petit the right to attend court because the Jury might see him and feel unwarranted sympathy toward him as a victim in the case (after all, he's only a witness and the sole survivor who lost his wife, children, home, possessions, practice, passion, etc). Second, he complained that many in the audience are wearing these hypnotizing one inch Petit Foundation pins which allegedly garner support against his client (who by the way - murdered, raped, arsoned, burglarized, and did countless other things that can't be written here).  And third, he wanted to have all of the newspaper boxes removed up and down the streets of New Haven - believing they could influence the Jury's opinion.  Of course, and to his credit, Judge John Blue would take none of Donovan's antics seriously.

On Tuesday, Donovan hit a new low.  During his cross-examination of Dr. Petit, he verbally assaulted him with rapid fire questions, trying to cast doubt on his memory of events as they happened.  The audience gasped as Donovan bullied Petit on the stand.  Even if Dr. Petit had brain trauma affecting his memory because Komisarjevsky bashed his head repeatedly with a baseball bat - what evidence or contridiction was material to the assault, rape and murder in question? None.  It was nothing more than an opportunity for Donovan to get his licks in on poor Dr. Petit. Why Prosecutor Dearington didn't not object, I do not understand why.  But God Bless Dr. Petit for keeping his cool and recognizing the devil for what he is.  Dr. Petit didn't take the bait or allow Donovan to draw him into an emotional state.  Dr. Petit is by far, a much better man than I.

This week we've also seen Donovan's weak attempts to make the Chesire police and fire departments look like a bunch of bumbling half-witts who he would have us believe could have fought back 200 degree flames and rescued the family from their fate had they acted more quickly, or competently or what have you - Donovan is trying the whole shift-share blame tactic. And if that wasn't enough, Donovan has tried to manufacture this image of a ghostly third suspect being chased down by police, delaying the rescue. What rubbish!

Well enough about the beady-eyed, disheveled, rent-a-wreck attorney who took the case, let's move on to the real villain of these proceedings.

As long-time followers of the Hayes and Komisarjevsky cases, most of us have the  advantage of knowing much of the detail that has been presented out by the Prosecution in open court.  We know perhaps more than the members of the current Jury know, and have lived though the tears and sadness of what the the previous Jury members have seen and heard.  Bluntly put - we all know, Komisarjevsky is guilty as sin.  This perhaps is why so many people get bent out of shape about the notion of a guilt or innocence phase when Komisarjevsky's guilt is not in question, whatsoever.

Thus far we have heard a somewhat concocted story about how Komisarjevsky, in his mind, disagreed with Hayes about murdering the Petit woman and lighting the home on fire. Calling the 11 year old by her family nickname, getting her a glass of water - all part of a calculated charade to gain her trust, and place doubt in the mind of the Jury as to his extent of guilt. All of this would be an interesting, perhaps sympathetic story had we not learned (linking together pieces of testimony from the Hayes case) that it wasn't just Hayes' DNA (Hayes rape of Jennifer Petit) that they wanted removed from the home, but Komisarjevsky's as well - a detail I expect we will hear about today or Monday. 

The so-called taped confession that we've been hearing in court is nothing more than an age-old technique used by criminals to place blame on other criminals.  Komisarjevsky would have us believe that he was an innocent bystander just standing around with his hands in his pockets, incapable of decision, and at war with himself over the evil schemes of his co-conspirator Steven Hayes.  He claims he eventually spoke up when Hayes mentioned killing the family, "that's not going to happen." How quaint.  How ridiculous.  He knew full well that the recording he made would be played in court one day.  Everything, everything fatal he tells us is strictly the fault of Steven Hayes.  Yeah, we know you want to avoid the death penalty, Joshua - but its too late for that.

I'm still waiting for the part where he heroically fought Steven Hayes on the stairwell, trying to free the children from the burning flames. Yeah, well that's not going to happen, because it never did.  And we may never know the real truth about what happened minute by minute and by whom in that house that night.  But what we do know that three people were murdered in heinous fashion, and the two people responsible for the entire horrific scenario were Hayes and Komisarjevsky.  Period.  The details of the day have no relevance on the outcome; the details are for those merely trying to quench their thirst to solve a good mystery, which is far removed from those of us who seek justice for the Petit-Hawke family.

Komisarjevsky is nothing short of evil.  His diabolical scheming and perverted actions are perhaps the tip of the iceberg when you consider he likely helped orchestrate pouring gasoline on at least two living human beings who he intentionally tied to their beds, and then lighting them on fire as he tried to make his escape.  What story is there to really tell?  What legitimate defense can be made?  What? Splicing and dicing who did what when? Or hearing false testimony about how, in his pathetic little mind, he disagreed with doing this? Or listening to psychologists parse the inner workings of his mind because of a childhood gone wrong?  How thick does the **** have to become before we all realize that every inch of this tragedy was carefully planned and executed as intended.

Stay tuned folks, the worst is yet to come.  Donovan had the entire Hayes case to review and analyze so he could find holes to poke in immaterial inconsistencies, and a large group of anti-Death Penalty lawyers to help him plan out his next steps.  I expect he'll have a few tricks up his sleeve as he conjures a fictitious smoking gun, or pushes for mistrial and mistrial.

Joshua Komisarjevsky is a sexual predator and cold-blooded murderer.  We know it, his defense team knows it, and he knows it.

Putting him to death will be one of the greatest things the State of Connecticut will ever do.

We pray that Dr. William Petit, Hannah Chapman, and the whole Petit family stay strong.  You are in our thoughts and prayers, and we are with you every step of the way.

I AM

THE KING

The original blog entry can be read at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com

Note: This article will be edited for content at a later date.