Are County Commissioner Election Rules Important Part 3: The Wonderful World of Politics :-)

 Are County Commissioner Election Rules Important Part 3: The Wonderful World of Politics :-)

Here we go again, huh? I know, I don't have to write about this. But it's therapeutic for me ;-) and hopefully informative for you.

When I say "politics" I'm not referring to our responsibility to vote and communicate with elected officials about current or needful bills and laws. I'm referring to the games people play, speaking out of both sides of their mouth, spinning things (remember Bill O'Reilly's No Spin Zone?) and sometimes just outright lying. Hey, I'm farrrrr from perfect and consider myself "the least of Christians." If the interpretation in the Bible about rewards and loss of rewards for the "saved" (not to get saved) in Heaven is correct, I'll probably be in the bottom group in Glory. 

In all that I have written so far about our county officials, it's all about the issues, and we could all be brothers and sisters in Christ. But this post is not just about our county. I'm thinking about all levels of government and political parties. As Senator Rand Paul once said, government is a necessary evil. And I have not always been a two-party guy. I believe it contributes to the degrading of our society and country. Thinking that we should only vote for one of the two major parties and has put us into "lesser of two evils" voting. My word, one day it could be Joseph Stalin vs. Adolph Hitler types and people will say we have to vote for the lesser of those 2 evils that has the best chance to win. Not good! And I don't know about you, but I don't find that to be a biblical concept. But I digress- again :-). 

It's really sad that we have to go through this situation with the allegations against the District 2 Commissioner. But it's also sad that no agency or department in the county or state of Alabama will rule on it. Did we think it would never happen with us and all the other border counties being that are close to Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida? 

I mean, come on. Some folks are making this harder than it needs to be. If the intent of the law is the primary residence even if they keep an address in their district, then it should be a no-brainer. If the intent of the law is it doesn't matter where the primary residence is as long as they retain an address in their district, then somebody in Alabama needs to rule on it, probably the Chief Elections Officer- the Secretary of State. I, and probably most of us, would not agree with it if the primary residence does not matter as long as they keep an address in their district, and we would have to push to change it. But it should be based on where their primary residence is with their family and where they sleep, and I have already written about that in Parts 1 & 2. 

Another thing that is sad is that the Lamar County Republican Party could have decided the matter and declared the District 2 Commissioner ineligible but wouldn't because the allegations were denied. I get the liability concerns, but do we really want to go down that road? If we worry about that with everything that it applies to in life, we would be a skittish, wimpy society. My understanding is that it was also because they would not be able to afford an investigator to verify the allegations. By the way, I'm just going to leave this here: our commissioners' salaries are supposedly over $41k a year (not great these days but not my point) x (times) 4 = over 164k for 4 years. Just sayin' :-).

But another sad thing while I'm writing about our county GOP, is that the committee could have at least asked the Probate Judge and her opponent this year about the situation going backward and forward. The candidate forum was Feb. 6th and my understanding is that it was one of the citizen's questions and therefore would have kept the spotlight off the local party, but it wasn't asked.

So, the county GOP decided to defer the challenge against the District 2 Commissioner allegations to the state GOP. Someone at the state GOP said they can't remember at first, then called the county GOP, then said they thought the county took care of it, then said that it's too late for an appeal. All people, parties, agencies and departments, are pushing this stuff into a potential lawsuit, which sadly, is what was told to some folks in the past was the only way to get this issue resolved. Well if it isn't resolved at the March 5th election, I'm not saying I would be the one to do it, but I would recommend dealing with all involved, including court costs and attorney fees in addition to about $164k. I do hope March 5th will resolve this so we can move on with the serious issues facing our country, which brings me to the state... 

Part of my Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America outreach is to stay in communication with our elected officials. Depending on the official, this can be by text, email, website, phone call, in person, and if you want to keep our way of life and constitutional republic, "a whole lotta mo" (Clubber Lang in Rocky III) better be communicating. Case in point: Recently I contacted a state official about a report saying that the ATF is planning to regulate private gun sales and require background checks and that our current gun restriction nullification law doesn't cover it (only presidential executive orders). We ended up having a bit of a discussion that included this person telling me he would be shocked if they could get anything like that this session because of 4-7 other issues. I get it, they can be busy. They really do need some help. This administration especially, but even other administrations in the federal government will be relentless on unconstitutional and bad economical policies, etc. So if they are too busy to deal with this one for example and it passes and stays, all of a sudden law abiding citizens will be subject to background checks (a 2nd Amendment infringement) and anyone buying or selling with private parties becomes a criminal. 

Look, I'm not suggesting that local issues are not important. Bridges, quality of water, roads, and more, are important and the main focus for our local elected officials. I have lost count how many times I've said it, but our local elected officials MUST also pay attention to what the federal government is doing and protect us from unconstitutional actions and spending our tax dollars into oblivion. Our state, our county, our cities and towns, our communities, our churches, and our families, MUST all work towards self-sufficiency at each level. Unless we end up a socialist country, things are going to get verrryyy bad! And when it comes to unconstitutional federal actions, do you know who it falls to next if our state government doesn't protect our constitutionally protected rights? Our county commissioners and sheriff! And if they wouldn't do it, it falls on city and town councils and the chief of police? 

See where I'm going with this? See the concern? Let's stop "playing" politics and games. Let's get the county commissioner allegations issue resolved and behind us. Because if we don't or can't do anything about the current direction of our country, we may not be able to even handle our roads, water, bridges, etc. problems. 

I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Please share it if you agree. Also, if you re not already my "Facebook friend" on my "Bret Pester Brat Lovitz" and "Pester Brat" pages, please send me a "friend request." My "Pester Brat" page is public so you can just "follow" that one. I post a lot of information and discuss a lot of things on those 2 pages. 

Weekly Newspaper Article 2/7/24

 Texas vs. the Federal Government vs. the Constitution

Have you ever lived in or been to Texas? I have never lived there, but I have visited 4 times in my life. My Dad lived there for 3 years before he passed away in 1980. Also, my Uncle has lived in the Mission/McAllen Texas area for almost 20 years now. His wife and her family are Hispanic and most if not all of them are against illegal immigration and what is happening at the southern border. God willing we will be visiting my Uncle later this year. 

Of course Texas is our second biggest state and has a conservative majority. They, like Alabama, still have their issues. After all, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio have over a million people each with Austin close to it. They've been able to have constitutionally minded governors including the current Governor Greg Abbott. While in my opinion he waited too long, he and the state legislature finally decided enough is enough regarding the invasion at the southern border, especially in Texas, and are doing what the Biden Administration won't do. In addition, 25 states have gone on record in support of them with some of them sending national guard troops to help with the border crisis. I had already decided to write about this, but then came across this social media meme quote today that says: "Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think we would have to fight with our own country for the security of our own country" ~ unknown. Yet, our founders did put some checks and balances in the Constitution to help when the Federal Government goes beyond their constitutional restrictions or doesn't do what it says. Remember, the U.S. Constitution was put together by the several states to restrict the Federal Government, not the people. From a biblical perspective, it seems the Constitution is the final governing authority since our country is a Constitutional Republic. 

So, not only do the rights belong to the people and states according to the 9th & 10th Amendments when the U.S. Constitution is silent, we have 2 other places that address the problem with the Federal Government and Texas regarding the southern border there. As I've written before, Based on Article 4 Section 4, the Federal Government is supposed to protect what's happening at the southern border. But they not only haven't been doing that, they have been doing the opposite. Article 1 Section 10 Clause 3 allows the states to protect their citizens as, and that's what Texas is doing. Trump-appointed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Barrett sided with 4 others in a 5-4 vote saying the Federal Government has the right to cut down the razor wire Texas has been using to help stop the illegals from crossing, but Texas has been continuing to put it up. Folks, this could easily escalate into another civil war if the Federal Government doesn't back down. 

So, we have this situation, Ukraine & Russia, Yemen & Iran, China & Taiwan, North Korea, Drugs & Criminals and Terrorists that have been crossing the Southern Border, a corrupt President with a cognitive disorder, an incompetent Vice President, and an over 34 trillion dollar national debt along with rapid inflation. Have I forgotten anything? What more could a country ask for :-( ?

Remember Christians, as the hymn says "this world is not our home..." But Scripture says we are to occupy 'till Jesus comes [again] and that God has ordained our boundaries. Remember the Tower of Babel and confounding of languages? I hope you are paid up (in Christ and His sacrificial death and resurrection for payment of your sins), prayed up, and stocked up. If the Lord's return isn't for a while, it could get pretty rough. But what if millions would pray and rise up to put a stop to these various shananagans? It could happen, if it's God's will. It starts with you. And remember, it'll take more than voting every 2-4 years. Email me and I'll tell you how. Hopefully I'll see ya next week.

Pester Brat is the Founder & Director of the local La-Fayette Constitutional Patriots & national Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America. Email:  pesterbratdotcom@aol.com. Blog: pesterbratdotcom.blogspot.com. Facebook: Pester Brat & Bret Pester-Brat Lovitz. Twitter, Rumble, Truth Social, Gettr, MeWe, Gab: Pester Brat. 

Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America Weekly Video Short 2/5/24

https://rumble.com/v4bj19o-concerned-constitutional-patriots-of-america-weekly-video-short-2524.html?mref=17pxtz&mc=8rg11 

Weekly Newspaper Article 1/31/24 ***Are County Commissioner Election Rules Important? Part 2

***This is essentially the same as the Blog Post with the same title. Just condensed for the newspaper (still long though) and modified some.  

Are County Commissioner Election Rules Important? Part 2

Do you have a few minutes? This will be a longer article. Sadly, I guess this issue will not go away if and until the District 2 County Commissioner is not re-elected this year. Part 1 was in the 11/15/23 edition of this paper. I appreciate them publishing my articles. Please buy their paper to show your support and appreciation. 

As I've mentioned before, I haven't been in Lamar County long. Just reached the 3 year mark on January 1st. My wife having some family in the area and the lower cost of living (at the time at least), brought us here. 

Since we're a small rural county, it's a little easier reaching out with my Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America outreach. I'm certainly nobody special. Just a regular guy with various and certain life experiences, and a desire to be used of the Lord regarding our temporary home and keeping our constitutional republic if it's His will. But this and more has also gotten me involved with the issue of the District 2 Commissioner allegedly having his primary residence with his wife outside of the District in Amory Mississippi. I don't pursue this issue callously and without prayer. State law says the County Commissioner must reside in his district, and the normal interpretation of that is where they actually live and sleep. As citizens, does that mean we're supposed to just ignore it itself or when said commissioner denies the allegations? Is it a sin or "un-Christian" to try to find out if the allegations are true and what can be done about it (as someone in the county implied through a Facebook post last year)? Shouldn't all measures to find out if the allegations are true, and if so, this person be declared ineligible, be exhausted? The answer to those 3 rhetorical questions are no, no, and yes, and I hope y'all agree. It's not "wrong" to try to get this situation straightened out. If anything, it's "wrong" to think there's nothing "wrong" if an Alabama County Commissioner is residing outside of his district or at least trying to find out more when you hear about it. And that includes any other elected officials, whether county or any of the cities in the county. Should the other Commissioners and Probate Judge have tried to do more to find out about the situation, and if it's true, try to get him to step down? Again, I hope you'll agree that they should. By the way, the Lamar County GOP is hosting a candidate forum on Feb. 6, 2024 at 6:00PM. It would be a good time to talk to the candidates about this situation as well. Please plan to attend and spread the word :-).

I've had the privilege of having my articles in 2 of our local newspapers. One of them (not this one), started printing my articles in July of 2023. In November 2023, when I submitted my article "Are County Commissioner Election Rules Important?" I was told they would run it as a Letter to the Editor but not as my weekly article. On Dec. 27, 2023, after not seeing my article in that day's edition, when I asked why first, I was told that they would no longer be printing my article. After several attempts asking, I was not told why. It just left me assuming that it was censorship of some sort similar to what happened to President Trump and supporters before and after the 2020 general election ;-). Where is that newspaper located? Looks like Sulligent! Where is District 2? Where does the Probate Judge live? What about the other newspaper in Vernon? Do they care about the truth?

But here's a basic order of my knowledge of events: ;-)

1. Found out in early to mid 2022 that it was believed that the District 2 Commissioner lived outside of his District. 2. I shared information about it on my national outreach Facebook page in July 2022 and there was a reply saying that the only recourse is a civil lawsuit. 3. In August 2022, the District 2 Commissioner came into the Lamar County Tag Office and renewed his tags. I asked him where he lives and he said Lamar County and that's why he was renewing his tags in there. No mention of a second or primary residence outside of District 2 (If he does have a primary residence outside of his District, doesn't his response contribute to the deception? I wish I would have thought to be more specific with my question). 4. Wrote about it on my Blog on 9/25/22 that was also shared to my national outreach Facebook page. 5. Contacted the Ethics Commission sometime in 2023 and was told this kind of situation was not in their area of responsibility. 6. Contacted the Secretary of State's office on 8/28/23 and received a reply the next day from their Deputy General Counsel basically saying to contact the Ethics Commission (see above), Attorney General's office, contact law enforcement to pursue an investigation of suspected criminal violations, report suspected criminal activity to ALEA, or hire a private lawyer. 7. In 11/2023 the current District 2 Commissioner applied to qualify to run again for the same position. 8. In 11/2023 the Lamar County AL Republican Party received a challenge to District 2 Commissioners eligibility to run again for the position. 9. In 11/2023 this newspaper published my weekly article dealing with the issue. 10. On 1/3/2024 my article in this newspaper mentioned the issue in 2 of the 14 things I would like to see happen in 2024 :-). 11. On 1/8 & 1/9/2024 communicated with the Alabama Republican Party only to find out that nothing more will be done by them because of a communication breakdown including not knowing that an appeal had to be filed that wasn't. 12. Attended the Lamar County AL Republican Meeting on 1/9/2024. The District 2 Commissioner was not there and I've been told on more than one occasion that he has been to no more than one if any meetings since his re-election in 2020. 13. Carefully :-) working on this article since about 1/5/2024. 

There's an old hard rock song with a chorus that says: "Is anybody out there, anybody there, does anybody wonder, does anybody care" (of course it's talking about something else, but I have been applying it to my outreach and now this). I think so. I hope so. A silent majority perhaps? I came in the middle or maybe the tail end of this saga. It's not about trying to hurt somebody. It's not about winning. I don't relish doing this! It's about the rule of law- state law. It's about trying to do the right thing with this. If this issue about the District 2 Commissioner is true, even now I just wish he would withdraw his re-election bid. Also, if it's true, he could just move his primary residence, wife and family to Lamar County. But should he continue in his position after this allegation if it's indeed true?

Here's more based on information I obtained or was given to me: 1. The District 2 Commissioner and his now wife were engaged around Nov. 2020. 2. A picture of the District 2 Commissioner and his wife that says they are officially homeowners from March 2021. 3. Screenshots of anniversary or birthday wishes showing his wife with his same last name. 4. Screenshot of his wife's page showing a different last name that seems to have been changed in the last month or two. 5. Screenshot from August 2022 of his wife's social media page showing both of them in a profile picture and that she lives in Amory MS. 6. A paper that says "Property Link Monroe County, MS" that shows the District 2 Commissioner as the owner of an address and property in Amory, MS and that taxes were paid on, as of 11/15/23. This is public information. 7. Profile and Cover Photos for the District 2 Commissioner changed to pictures of just him recently. Why?

Look, I can only imagine that being a County Commissioner is a thankless job. I would also imagine it's even harder in a small rural county like ours. I wouldn't be qualified to be a Commissioner in our county due to having to be more "hands on" with the dirt roads, etc. For all I know, the District 2 Commissioner may be doing a great job. But rules are rules. I would rather none of this happened. I would rather that the District 2 Commissioner didn't run for reelection in 2020 or stepped down when he allegedly decided to move his primary residence outside of his District. As I have said repeatedly, it's nothing personal. I get that it's easy for me to say that and that he and some others may be taking it personal, but again, rules are rules, or maybe better, laws are laws. I am not any better than him or anyone else. Since I have only been here for 3 years, I don't even know for sure if his opponent will do a better job ;-) (I don't know him but I hear he would be a good Commissioner and was once before). I wish the hopefully outgoing current District 2 Commissioner and his family the best. If you live in District 2, should you vote for him in light of this alleged situation itself? By the way, in case you don't already know, the District 4 Commissioner doesn't have opposition, but the Probate Judge does. 

Sure is a lot of drama, huh? Maybe you're thinking "well, you're not helping any." Perhaps. But again, are we supposed to just let this issue go? It looks like that either the District 2 County Commissioner has been living outside of his district with his wife in Amory, MS for almost 3 years while still owning a place in his district (likely?), or he has been living separate from his wife for almost 3 years while living in his district (unlikely?). All I and others (I'm not in this alone, but I'm a writer that can help get the info out) want is the truth and the right thing done based on the truth. "District 2 Commissioner? How about coming out to the Feb. 6th Lamar County Republican Party Candidate Forum, and explain it all to us please? Or maybe at the public Commission Meeting? After all, citizens' county taxes have paid your salary for almost 4 years while there's good reason for us to believe you may have lived with your wife in MS. And you also vote on matters pertaining to the whole county." Can we get this resolved and behind us so we can concentrate on much more serious matters in our country that will likely affect our state, county and cities drastically? Can we get our other 3 Commissioners and Probate Judge to help? Mayors? City Councils? Others?

I hope that you will prayerfully consider what I have shared and what you should do. And when it's all said and done, not my/our will, but God's will be done. Feel free to email me with any questions. Thanks everyone!  

Pester Brat is the Founder & Director of the local La-Fayette Constitutional Patriots & national Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America, and a tax paying Lamar County citizen. Email:  pesterbratdotcom@aol.com. Blog: pesterbratdotcom.blogspot.com. Facebook: Pester Brat & Bret Pester-Brat Lovitz. Twitter, Rumble: Pester Brat. 

Pester Brat's Basic Economic Recovery Plan- Modified

Came across this in my computer files from 9 years ago. Even more necessary now due to the national debt that has almost doubled. Slightly modified to get with the times ;-). 

Pester Brat's Basic Economic Recovery Plan

Many experts believe that the economy is past saving. Many Christians believe that our suffering economy will lead to a one world currency and government and is therefore something we should just let unfold as part of God's plan without trying to do something about it. 

I believe that God is sovereign, and that man is responsible, and that until we know what His revealed will is for our country at this time, that we should do what we can by God's grace to repair our failing economy. I claim no expertise in this area. I am just trying to use my experience in manufacturing, supervision, labor relations, banking, local government employment, and a church pastor, along with a little common sense, to try to do what we can to avoid a major economic collapse before the Lord's return. This may seem simplistic, and this would involve a "waking up" of many citizens to hold our elected officials accountable. 

1. Repentance of nationally condoned and accepted sins of abortion, homosexuality, and more.

2. Such repentance including professing Christian Churches (judgment begins with the house of God) repenting of having leaders and members with homosexual lifestyles, and more.

3. Greatly reduce government spending by eliminating the annual deficit that would include such things as eliminating Departments (Energy and Education for example), eliminating or greatly reducing all social programs, closing most if not all of the over 700 military bases worldwide, and generally just greatly reducing the size of the U.S. Government.

4. Major overhaul of the IRS and income taxes. This may involve going to a "fair tax" or "flat tax" and eliminating the IRS altogether, and both the federal government and state governments eliminating all double/multiple taxation. Just reduce if not eliminate federal income tax (you do not that didn't start until the early 20th century, right?)

5. Term Limits for Senators and Representatives in Congress. 

6. Reduce or eliminate the tax burden of small businesses. 

7. Encourage big businesses and perhaps offer tax incentives to them to return manufacturing to the United States and provide more jobs to Americans.

8. Fully utilizing the 10th Amendment principle of State Nullification of all unconstitutional acts.

9. Stop the Biden Administration's open border/catch and release policies and return to a common- sense constitutional immigration policy. In the meantime, states support Texas for doing what the federal government is not. 

10. Return to a constitutional form of money and end the unconstitutional Federal Reserve.

Have any more suggestions? Don't think this is enough or will work? What about details of the suggestions mentioned above? Let's discuss this. We're losing our country- our constitutional republic. Wake up folks!

Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America Weekly Video Short 1/29/24

https://rumble.com/v4a2jvk-concerned-constitutional-patriots-of-america-weekly-video-short-12924.html?mref=17pxtz&mc=8rg11 

Pester Brat Endorses David Boyett for Lamar County Alabama Probate Judge

Hi everyone. Pester Brat here, aka Bret Lovitz or Brother Bret. I hope y'all had a good weekend. Did you watch any NFL football? Congratulations to the Chiefs and 49ers for winning their respective conference championships. 

Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America, believe it or not, has been around for about 15 years in one form and name or another :-). The name changes were just about trying to get more people's attention, so they'll hopefully read, watch and share my schtuff ;-). It started as part of Biblically Correct Ministries in 2008, then Pester Brat Dot Com (that's still the website's name and address), then Fellowship of Concerned Christian Constitutional Patriots, then I dropped "Christian" just in the name (still has a Christian foundation to it) because I try to reach out to all concerned American and local citizens, then the current name. I hope it stays that way until I leave this life in God's providence. And if you don't already know, locally it's called La-Fayette Constitutional Patriots (formerly The "La-Fayette Meeting Place :-)).

I don't usually officially endorse political candidates at any level, but due to the District 2 Commissioner situation I have written about and it being local, after some consideration, I reckon I will this time. If you haven't noticed, I already have informally and indirectly endorsed Mitchell Puckett for District 2 County Commissioner. I'm nobody special for sure, and I haven't known the candidates as long as most of you. But perhaps me only being here for 3 years and working in and around the county courthouse for 2 years and 8 months gives me a unique perspective :-) (but remember, I haven't been there since 12/5/23). 

I generally stay with the incumbent unless something happens compelling me to consider any of the other candidates. The best that I can tell, Ms. Sharon Nethery has done a great job in her role as Probate Judge of our county. But as most of us know, in our county the Probate Judge is also Chairperson of the Commission Meeting (to be fair, they only vote in the case of a tie) and Manager over the offices of their responsibility (the Probate Office and Tag Office for sure, I can't remember for sure right now about the other offices). It's nothing personal (I know, I say that a lot), but because of the District 2 Commissioner allegations, and the connection and relationship between the Probate Judge and Commissioners, I can no longer support Sharon Nethery for Probate Judge.

So, I endorse David Boyett for Probate Judge for Lamar County Alabama. The best that I can tell he has done a great job as our Revenue Commissioner. I believe he would be a great Probate Judge, and hope and expect that he would do more in a situation like we currently have with the District 2 County Commissioner allegations. 

Feel free to email me at pesterbratdotcom@aol.com if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Pester Brat, aka Bret Lovitz

Founder & Director of the 

La-Fayette Constitutional Patriots and

Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America

Weekly Newspaper Article 1/24/24 (CPCO Outline for 1/24)

 Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America Presents: Constitutional Patriots Church Online- December 2023

Okay, that's long, huh? I'm trying something different this week that with the help, indulgence and patience of the publisher, I hope will work out. If so, this will be a monthly feature. But you'll have to work with me as well if you're so inclined. Read this through first and see if you will want to get a bible, hymn book, song book, an American Flag, and if you want to do your own praying in the areas I have listed and more. 

You see, this is the outline to my monthly online patriot church service. The church that's not really a church. I'm not the pastor and there's no preaching sermon. It's for Christian Constitutional Patriots and anyone else that may be interested. As I've mentioned in previous articles, it's my hope and prayer that we can return to in-person meetings locally. Also, if you're on the Internet and Facebook, or are willing to get on it, you can watch and listen online live at the time, or the recording of it afterwards, It's unique and I think the first and only of it's kind. Check this out and let me know what you think. 

1. Welcome & Introduction: * Experimenting this month by not adding any commentary, opinions, etc. to see how it works with unconstitutional censorship here and there ;-).

2. Opening Prayer: Praise & Thanksgiving; Country's Protection (Petition of Abraham); Leaders, Restrain Evil, Salvation; Church (including as it relates to submitting to the Constitution under God), Stand on God's truth, Be Salt & Light. 

3. Opening Scripture: "Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it." ~ Isaiah 46:9-11 NKJV

4. Pledge of Allegience: "I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America. And to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

5. The [One and Only] National Anthem: O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming. And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

6. 2nd Amendmentations: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

7. Notable Quotables: Thomas Jefferson once said: "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."

In July 2021 Dr. Sohrab Lutchmedial, a cardiologist, said: "For those that won't get the shot for selfish reasons- whatever- I won't cry a tear at their funeral." Sadly he later died in his sleep after receiving his 3rd COVID shot. “Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist.” ~ Edmund Burke

"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." ~ George Bernard Shaw

"Have we reached the ultimate stage of absurdity, where some people are held responsible for things that happened before they were born, while other people are not held responsible for what they themselves are doing today." ~ Thomas Sowell

"Societies are far gone in depravity when toleration is considered a good in itself, without regard to the thing tolerated." ~ A.K. Chesterton  

8. N.T. Scripture Reading: Rom. 8:28-30: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."

9. Constitution 101: The 9th & 10th Amendments: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people...The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. 

10. Reading of Part of the Declaration of Independence

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes DESTRUCTIVE of these ends, it is the RIGHT of the People to ALTER or to ABOLISH it, and to institute NEW Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

11. Patriotic Singing: America the Beautiful: O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain; for purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain!...America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea...O beautiful for patriot dream, that sees beyond the years; thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears!...America! America! God mend thine every flaw; confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.

12. It's Economical Watson: National Debt Update

On 12/5/23 - Over $33 T 891 B; On 1/16/24- $34T 40B (+$149B)

Per Citizen On 12/5/23- $100,847; On 1/16/24  $101,313 (+ $466) 

Per Taxpayer On 12/5/23- $259,949; On 1/16/24 $264,090 (+ $ 4,141)

US Unfunded Liabilities Per Citizen: $630,319 (+$572)

National Debt Rewind: The Natl Debt went from $21.2T in July '22 to over $34T in Jan. '24. Let that sink in.

13. Hymn of Faith: "Oh Worship the King"

O worship the King all-glorious above, O gratefully sing his power and his love:

our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.

Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end, our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

14. In Case You Missed It News You Can Use

A) 2023 Assault Weapons Ban S.25. Still in Judiciary Committee. It was introduced on 1/23/23.

B) ABC News reported during one of the Wild Card Playoff Games this past weekend that an Iowa Caucus Exit Poll said that 65% believe that Joe Biden did NOT win the 2020 election. 

C) In the recent Iowa Caucus, Donald Trump received 51% of the votes, Ron DeSantis 22%, Nikki Haley 20% and Vivek Ramaswamy .8%.

D) Fox News reported on 1/14 that a federal judge in Florida ruled that a U.S. law prohibiting people from possessing firearms inside post offices is unconstitutional...U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, an appointee of former President Trump, cited a 2022 landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that expanded gun rights when she handed down her ruling Friday that dismissed part of an indictment charging a postal worker with illegally possessing a gun in a federal facility.

E) H.R. 5561 Protecting the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023. As of 1/10/24 there has not been any movement and has bounced to several subcomittess where it remains.

F) In response to the 2021 [so-called] attack on the U.S. Capitol, Democratic congressmen have introduced the “Preventing Private Paramilitary Activity Act.” This legislation aims to establish federal criminal penalties for private paramilitary activities. This will apparently address a legislative gap identified by Georgetown Law. The act seeks to stop people from intimidating officials, disrupting government proceedings, and impersonating law enforcement.

15. Forget Me Nots: 

*Communicate regularly with your State and US Reps. 

*10th Amendment Principle of Nullification [& Secession]. 

*Working towards self sufficiency at local and state levels. 

*The Constitution doesn't give you rights, it protects your God-given rights. 

*You don't need a permit in AL to conceal carry anymore.

*Pray, Plan, Prepare. Stocking up etc.

16. Closing Comments

A) Please follow me on my 2 Facebook pages, Rumble, Twitter, and "work in progress" Substack. And if you're local, look for my regular columns in the West Alabama Gazette, but I also put them on my Blog after they come out. 

B) Please watch/listen live or to the recording of my CCPA Video Shorts most Monday mornings thru Rumble and/or FB. 

C) Next Constitutional Patriots Online Fellowship will be Thursday Feb. 15th. 

D)'Till Next Time, Remember- God is in control, and ordains the means as well as the end.

Pester Brat is the Founder & Director of the local La-Fayette Constitutional Patriots & national Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America, Email:  pesterbratdotcom@aol.com. Blog: pesterbratdotcom.blogspot.com. Facebook: Pester Brat & Bret Pester-Brat Lovitz. Twitter, Rumble, YouTube: Pester Brat. 

Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America Weekly Video Short 1/22/24

 https://rumble.com/v48jv20-concerned-constitutional-patriots-of-america-weekly-video-short-12224.html?mref=17pxtz&mc=8rg11

Are County Commissioner Election Rules Important? Part 2

 Are County Commissioner Election Rules Important? Part 2

Do you have a few minutes? This will be a longer article/post. Sadly, I guess this issue will not go away if and until the District 2 County Commissioner is not re-elected this year. Part 1 was in the 11/15/23 edition of the West Alabama Gazette and is on this Blog. I don't know yet if I'm going to put this only on my Blog this time or submit it to the West Alabama Gazette as well. I appreciate the growing number of Blog readers, as well as the West Alabama Gazette's publisher. If you're not already, please buy their paper to show your support and appreciation. 

As I've mentioned before, I haven't been in Lamar County long. Just reached the 3-year mark on January 1st. Some of you I've met by working in the Tag Office for 2 years. My wife having some family in the area and the lower cost of living (at the time at least), brought us here. 

Since we're a small rural county, it's easier reaching out with my Concerned Constitutional Patriots of America outreach. I'm nobody special. Just a regular Christian by the grace of God through the Person & work of Christ that was blessed with various and certain life experiences, and a desire to be used of the Lord regarding our temporary home and keeping our constitutional republic if it's His will. But this and more has also gotten me involved with the issue of the District 2 Commissioner allegedly having his primary residence with his wife outside of the District in Amory Mississippi. I don't pursue this issue lightly and without prayer. State law says the County Commissioner must reside in his district and the normal interpretation of that is where they actually live and sleep. As Christian citizens, does that mean we are supposed to just ignore it in of itself or when said commissioner denies the allegations? Is it a sin or "un-Christian" to try to find out if the allegations are true and what can be done about it (as someone in the county implied through a Facebook post)? Shouldn't all measures to find out if the allegations are true, and if so, this person be declared ineligible, be exhausted? The answer to those 3 rhetorical questions are no, no, and yes, and I hope y'all agree. It's not "wrong" to try to get this situation straightened out. If anything, it's "wrong" to think there's nothing "wrong" if an Alabama County Commissioner is residing outside of his district or at least trying to find out more when you hear about it. And that includes any other elected officials, whether county or any of the cities in the county. Shouldn't the other Commissioners and Probate Judge have tried to do more to find out about the situation, and if it's true, try to get him to step down? Again, I hope you'll agree that they should. By the way, the Lamar County GOP is hosting a candidate forum on Feb. 6, 2024 at 6:00PM. It would be a good time to talk to the candidates about this situation as well. Please plan to attend and spread the word :-).

I've had the privilege of having my articles in 2 of our local newspapers. One of them, the Lamar Leader, started printing my articles in July of 2023. In November 2023, when I submitted my article "Are County Commissioner Election Rules Important?" I was told they would run it as a Letter to the Editor but not as my weekly article. On Dec. 27, 2023, after not seeing my article in that day's edition, when I asked why first, I was told that they would no longer be printing my article. After several attempts asking, I was not told why. It just left me assuming that it was censorship of some sort similar to what happened to President Trump and supporters before and after the 2020 general election ;-). Where is the Lamar Leader located? Where is District 2? Where does the Probate Judge live? Do they care about the truth?

I also just found out while initially working on this article, that due to a misunderstanding or worse between the County and State GOP, the District 2 Commissioner was not declared ineligible and will remain on the ballot in March. That doesn't mean the allegations aren't true, just that no action was taken by the Alabama Republican Party about the issue because someone "dropped the ball." Not that it matters to anyone, but this writer is definitely disappointed. Yet, should it even be up to the political party anyway? What if the candidate is an Independent? Because I lean toward something called the "collectivist theory" (you'll have to research it) and due to the increase of RINOs (Republicans In Name Only), I'm an Independent- a Constitutional Conservative Independent. But I digress :-). Someone with the State of Alabama should decide it and stop "passing the buck."

Here is just a basic order of my knowledge of events: ;-)

1. It was told to me through various sources in early to mid 2022 that the District 2 Commissioner lived outside of his District.

2. I shared information about it on my national outreach Facebook page in July 2022 and there was a reply saying that the only recourse is a civil lawsuit.

3. In August 2022, the District 2 Commissioner came into the Lamar County Tag Office and did indeed renew his tags (I didn't wait on him). I asked him where he lives and he said Lamar County and that's why he was renewing his tags there. No mention of a second or primary residence outside of District 2 (If he does have a primary residence outside of his District, doesn't his response contribute to the deception? I wish I would have thought to be more specific with my question).

4. Wrote about it in my Blog on 9/25/22 that was also shared to my national outreach Facebook page. 

5. Contacted the Ethics Commission sometime in 2023 and was told this kind of situation was not in their area of responsibility. 

6. Contacted the Secretary of State's office on 8/28/23 and received a reply the next day from their Deputy General Counsel basically saying to contact the Ethics Commission (see above), Attorney General's office, contact law enforcement to pursue an investigation of suspected criminal violations, report suspected criminal activity to ALEA, or hire a private lawyer.

7. In 11/2023 the current District 2 Commissioner applied to qualify to run again for the same position. 

8. In 11/2023 the Lamar County AL Republican Party received a challenge to District 2 Commissioners eligibility to run again for the position.

9. In 11/2023 the West Alabama Gazette published my weekly article dealing with the issue.

10. On 1/3/2024 my article in the West Alabama Gazette mentions the issue in 2 of the 14 things I would like to see happen in 2024 :-).

11. On 1/8 & 1/9/2024 communicated with the Alabama Republican Party only to find out that nothing more will be done by them because of a communication breakdown including not knowing that an appeal had to be filed that wasn't.

12. Attended the Lamar County AL Republican Meeting on 1/9/2024. The District 2 Commissioner was not there and I've been told on more than one occasion that he hasn't been to no more than one if any meetings since his re-election in 2020. 

13. Carefully :-) working on this Blog post since about 1/5/2024. 

There's an old hard rock song with a chorus that says: "Is anybody out there, anybody there, does anybody wonder, does anybody care" (of course it's talking about something else, but I have been applying to my outreach and now this). I think so. I hope so. A silent majority perhaps? I came in the middle or maybe the tail end of this saga. It's not about trying to hurt somebody. I don't relish this! It's about the rule of law- state law. It's about trying to do the right thing with this. If this issue about the District 2 Commissioner is true, even now I just wish he would withdraw his re-election bid. And I would also say- if it's true- just move your primary residence, wife and family to Lamar County, but should he continue in his position after this allegation if they are indeed true?

But wait, there's more ;-). This is what I have found out according to information I obtained or was given to me:

1. The District 2 Commissioner and his now wife were engaged in Nov. 2020.

2. The District 2 Commissioner's wife is from and lives in Amory, MS.

3. A picture of the District 2 Commissioner and his wife that says they are officially homeowners from March 2021. 

4. Screenshots of anniversary or birthday wishes showing his wife with his same last name.

5. Screenshot of his wife's page showing a different last name that seems to have been changed in the last month or two. 

6. Screenshot from August 2022 of his wife's social media page showing both of them in a profile picture and that she lives in Amory MS. 

7. A paper that says "Property Link Monroe County, MS" that shows the District 2 Commissioner as the owner of an address and property in Amory, MS and that taxes were paid on, as of 11/15/23. This is public information. 

8. Profile and Cover Photos for the District 2 Commissioner changed to pictures of just him recently. 

Look, I can only imagine that being a County Commissioner is a thankless job. I would also imagine it's even harder in a small rural county like ours. I wouldn't even be qualified to be a Commissioner in our county due to the practicality of having to be more "hands on" with the dirt roads, etc. For all I know, the District 2 Commissioner may be doing a great job. But rules are rules.

Isn't politics fun???--- NOT! I would rather none of this happened. I would rather that the District 2 Commissioner didn't run for reelection in 2020 or stepped down when he allegedly decided to move his primary residence outside of his District. I do wonder if he knew ahead of time he was going to move after he won the 2020 election? Regardless, as I have said repeatedly, it is nothing personal. I get that it's easy for me to say that and that he and some others may be taking it personal, but again, rules are rules, or maybe better, laws are laws. I am not any better than him or anyone else is. Even more concerning I guess, is that we're both professing Christians and "roll tide" fans. Since I have only been here for 3 years, I don't even know for sure if his opponent will do a better job ;-) (I don't know his opponent but I hear he would be a good Commissioner and was once before). I wish the hopefully outgoing current District 2 Commissioner and his family the best. If you live in District 2, should you vote for him in light of this alleged situation itself? By the way, while the District 4 Commissioner doesn't have opposition, but the Probate Judge does ;-). 

Sure is a lot of drama, huh? Maybe you're thinking "well, you're not helping any." Perhaps. But again, are we supposed to just let this issue go? It looks like that either the District 2 County Commissioner has been living outside of his district with his wife in Amory, MS for almost 3 years while still owning a place in his district, or he has been living separate from his wife for almost 3 years while living in his district. All I and others want is the truth and the right thing done based on the truth. District 2 Commissioner? How about coming out to the Feb. 6th Lamar County Republican Party Candidate Forum, and explain it all to us please. After all, our county taxes do pay your salary, and you do vote on matters pertaining to the whole county. 

Let's get this resolved and behind us so we can concentrate on much more serious matters in our country that will likely affect our state, county and cities drastically. 

I know this was long. I hope that you will prayerfully consider what I have shared and what you should do. And when it's all said and done, not my/our will, but God's will be done. Feel free to ask questions or comment on this Blog (please keep it civil) or email me at pesterbratdotcom@aol.com.

Thanks everyone!