I wouldn’t get in the IRC

Before I start, I’m compelled to point out that in spite of my journalism degree, I am not a journalist. I am not a columnist(which if they are good, uses elements of reporting when forming opinions). I am a blogger. Bloggers express points of view and comment on issues of the day. I leave the five Ws and H to those working for legitimate news organizations, though I reserve the right to comment on the degree of fairness in their stories. I’m not looking for positive news articles about Dems, but rather balance and fairness in reporting.

In regards to the Irvine Republican Council, I’ve been invited ot their Sept 21 meeting (can’t make it as it conflicts with my kid’s high school football game that day and no way I’m missing that!). I did toy with the notion of joining this organization for kicks. I started my political life as a Republican and made the switch in 1988. It’s cheap.

But in looking over the membership application, there’s no way I would make it in.

There’s two questions to answer: Are you currently registered to vote as a Republican? Yes or No. If you answered “NO” are you willing to change your registration to Republican or become a Republican when you become eligible to vote? Yes or No.

Since I’d answer No to both questions, I’m sure the Star Chamber, er executive committee would put the kabosh on my application. But it reminds me of the loyaty oaths voters had to take to sit in on a presidential speech during the 2004 race. Here’s an excerpt from the Washington Post.

Republicans Sign Along the Dotted Line
By Dana Milbank, Sunday, August 1, 2004; Page A05

I pledge allegiance to the . . . candidate?

Political campaigns are always eager to keep hecklers out of their pep rallies, but the Republican National Committee took that desire to a new level last week, requiring supporters to sign an oath of loyalty before receiving tickets to Saturday’s New Mexico rally featuring Vice President Cheney.

The Albuquerque Journal reported on Friday that people seeking tickets to the Cheney event who could not be identified as GOP partisans — contributors or volunteers — were told they could not receive tickets unless they signed an endorsement form saying “I, (full name) . . . do herby (sic) endorse George W. Bush for reelection of the United States.” The form warns that signers “are consenting to use and release of your name by Bush-Cheney as an endorser of President Bush.”

Back to the IRC for a moment. From their mission statement, these gems; my snarky comments in (parens).

“The IRC will improve local, state and federal government by:

Increasing Republican voter registration (how does this improve government? It improves the party, but not government.)

Conducting effective “Get out the Vote” campaigns for Republican candidates (see above.)

Creating a public forum for Republican leaders to connect with their constituents (Liberals, Progressives and Democrats be damned; and how does this improve government unless its improve communication with those already in power?)

The mission statement concludes with a committment for “…a Republican Irvine City Council, a Republican State Legislature, and a Republican Congress and President.” (Apparently, a Republican judiciary either misses the cut or was inadvertently left out; and they forgot a Republican-controlled media modeled after Pravda).

But the web site HTML issues have been resolved but a typo or two remains.