Corey thought he was only insulting Annabel, Eric, and I am sure, he was thinking of me also in his kind words (major sarcasm)when he called Coffee Party participants “fruit cakes” and “nuts”. What he did not realize was that many of the attendees were military vets. One of whom holds the rank of Colonel. Colonel Morris Davis served in the Air Force for 25 years. He resigned after being appointed Chief Prosecutor at Gitmo due to his insistence the trials be fair and spoke out strongly against torture as he felt it compromised the integrity of the prosecutors.Corey Stewart’s Nuts Are OutLast Saturday, I attended a Coffee Party Day event at the town hall in Haymarket, Virginia. The Coffee Party is a new group that encourages civil discourse on public policy issue. About 30 people attended the event and, based on a show of hands, at least a third of the attendees were military Veterans. I’d estimate the median age of those in attendance was over 50 years of age. The common theme was there are a lot of problems facing the nation and screaming at each other is not going to solve them.The Honorable Corey A. Stewart … my representative.
Corey Stewart is the Chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. On the official county website, he is listed as “The Honorable Corey A. Stewart” and supposedly he represents me and all of the other citizens of the county, including those of us that met at the Haymarket town hall last Saturday. Here is what he said in an interview with a reporter from the Gainesville Times:
“The Coffee Partiers are a bunch of fruitcakes; yeah, they’re a bunch of nuts. If they’re going to be a coffee party, they’ll be a hazelnut party.” Stewart elaborated, saying the Coffee Party is “just a phase; it’ll disappear.” He derided one of the co-founders saying, “does (he) have a job?” Stewart described the Tea Partiers as patriots “concerned about the direction of the country and about the vast amount of spending that happening.” He called the Tea Party a “legitimate movement” while saying the Coffee Party is “just a load of crap.”
So, my representative, The Honorable Corey A. Stewart, considers me and the other Vets who were there on Saturday fruitcakes, nuts, and a load of crap while he believes the Tea Party group are “patriots.” It seems that a lot of people like The Honorable Corey A. Stewart, Newt Gringich, Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh, and Glenn Beck, among others, like to use the word patriot to describe themselves and those who agree with their ideology, while none of them ever felt the urge to put on the uniform and defend the constitutional right to belittle others by calling them fruitcakes, nuts, and crap. Apparently he, like former VP Cheney, had more important things to do than serve in the military. To him and the others; you’re welcome.
UPDATE: Title changed to appear less leading.
Corey Stewart, the gift that just just keeps giving.
I checked this guy out and found his bio… WOW! THIS is the leadership we need in Prince William County…
Born and raised in North Carolina. Ate a lot of livermush and barbecue. Spent 25 years in the Air Force. Learned livermush hadn’t gone global, a real disappointment. Served as Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay for 2+ years. Supported fair trials and objected to torture … lost both arguments and resigned. Did a lot of writing, gave a lot of talks, granted a lot of interviews, and testified before Congress. Worked for Congress for a year and liked the job. Wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal critical of the Obama plan to prosecutor some detainees in federal courts and others in military commissions. The article outraged my boss and he fired me. So much for the 1st Amendment applying in the Library of Congress. They should walk down to the Archives where it resides and read about the First Amendment right on free speech (this is America, not Iran, or China, or some banana republic where free speech falters. Now unemployed … another disabled Veteran hoping to find a job … I’d like one in a place that obeys the law and believes in our Constitution.
I think corey has taken the bull by the horns with these vets. He really stepped in it this time.
Actually, there were about 8 or 10 vets at Saturday’s event (including me). It turned out that the vets included a couple of retired Colonels and a retired Navy Captain in the crowd. The vets I talked to (which included the three folks I mentioned and myself) really don’t appreciate the Chairman’s remarks.
The only “fruit” these guys are familiar with is the fruit salad in their uniforms… lots of it. I salute Colonel Morris and the other Veterans who attended the Coffee Party Kick-off for their service to our Country. I don’t think any of us are done yet… we still have one more battle to fight.
I have to ask. What is livermush?
It would seem to me the smart thing to do would be to find out who all was involved before Corey shot off his mouth.
From the Wikipedia: Livermush is a Southern United States foodstuff composed of pig liver, head parts, and cornmeal. It is commonly spiced with pepper and sage. Yum! If that’s what the Colonel is eating… I’ll have some!
I have lived in the south all but 1.5 years of my life and I have never heard of anything so revolving in my life. ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!! A thousand ewwwwwwwwws!!! This must be a guy thing.
Ugh.. Sounds like scrapple. To each their own I suppose. 🙂
Sounds as disgusting as mountain oysters. Nasty!!
Marin, I agree about scrapple.
I checked out the vet coffee party website and there are fairly good size group of veteran members. It would have behooved the chairman to find out which of his constituents were involved with coffee party rather than just dismissing them as nuts, fruitcakes and crap.
I am afraid this movement is a little bigger than he anticipated. Perhaps one of those vets might rattle his cage a bit.
That’s gonna leave a mark.
we wore the uniform of our country and served.
corey just likes to sport that tinfoil thing on his bean.
“we support the troops” when it suits us.
thanks corey, when we need motivation you’re there for us.
bruce roemmelt, USN ’66-’70 Vietnam Vet ’68
proud coffee party vet member
and what’s so wrong with fruitcake?
Hi there, Bruce R. Looks like we might be contemporaries. USN 1965-1969, USNR to 1975. Vietnam Vet 1967 with medevac to CONUS. Uh, oh. I’m a Tea Party type — in spirit anyway, just getting to be too much of a graybeard to go for the marching bit. Now, I, in the generic, have been called a few choice names as well by the politicos, beginning with a gal named Pelosi. Seems to be de rigeur in politics these days. I do think that, if the good colonel looks a little closer, he will find that there are also a lot of people on the Tea Party side who “put on the uniform” when the call came. Not that I’m excusing what Corey Stewart said. I just want the politicians all sides to shut up and listen to the rest of us, Tea Party or Coffee Party.
And I hate fruitcake. Can’t stand the stuff!
What a disgusting and despicable thing for Corey Stuart to say! Corey Stuart hates our country and those who defend it. He’s un-American. He’s not fit to serve the wonderful people of our community which includes many, many veterans. He should resign immediately.
@Wolverine
Wolverine, no one here (at least on this thread) is maligning the Tea Party. I spent an hour with Mark Meckler and Jenny Beth Martin, the Founders of the Tea Party Patriots , on Wednesday. They assured me that the Tea Party Patriots are an inclusive group that absolutely disavows bad behavior and uncivil conduct. You’ll notice that, in contrast to our Chairman, I acknowledged on national TV that the Tea Party folks are a bunch of Patriotic Americans with whom I disagree on some things (and agree on others). We are all Patriots. Mark and Jenny Beth are nice people… and I take them at their word. The link to our TV interview, a very civil affair, is floating around here somewhere so you can hear it for yourself.
I’m guessing some people in our community haven’t gotten the message.
Wolverine,
You make excellent points, however, I have yet to see the vets in the coffee party speak out against calling their fellow Americans socialists, traitors, and non patriots. I wish I could hear their voices on the 1st amendment.
In fact, I have yet to see leadership, prior to their debate with Al, even TALK about civil discourse.
Hey, BTW does PWC get a gold star for turning over less people to ICE than our northern brothers? Now who’s the mean old county?
I meant to say “TEA party” not coffee party in comment #16.
My father used to order one of those fruitcakes every year around the holidays. I can’t imagine how anyone can eat that. It just seems to me to be horrible! And, who knows what kind of preservatives it has in it so they can ship the thing and it can last and last without going stale! Yuch!
I think we all see what we want to see. I have however seen several statements in the past by Tea Party members disavowing extreme kinds of conduct, and saying that the press is intentionally showing only the most extremist members of the Tea Party. It would not surprise me in a bit. Anything I know about – I find the press tends to find the dark edges of exaggerates it out of proportion – and the gullible public buys right into it. I find that especially on technical issues, as I don’t pretend to know much about politics. But, I don’t doubt that about political things too. And, I’ve talked to many many soldiers who’ve served in Iraq, who say the picture on the ground is far far different than what is portrayed and has been portrayed the past 8-10 years or so since we got involved.
If I have to pick and choose who to believe in that case – the press or the soldiers – well it’s a no brainer which side I come down on.
Similarly, I don’t doubt the press has been portraying a highly distorted view of the Tea Party. It is real easy to take lots of video, and then show just the video you want of some extremist members.
But, I know, people who want to believe the Tea Party is a bunch of raving lunatics, who are extremely uncivil in behavior, will continue to do so.
I’ve never been to a Tea Party meeting and have no desire to, but everything I know about the press and how they like to distort things to fit their agenda – leads me to believe they’ve distorted the Tea Party greatly. And, in general – I hardly ever believe anything I read in the press. It goes back to the following fundamental thing: anytime I read an article in which I have expertise in – I can usually find that article to be 100% wrong, and some things are backwards, purposely distorted, or maybe just plain wrong showing the incompetence of the person who wrote the article.
@Gainesville Resident
You know, I agree with you… and made that point on the CBS Interview. Mark and Mary Beth (as you can see for yourself) disavowed the conduct on the clip and pointed out that they met with many legislatures one-on-one in a very civil manner. The Tea Party, like the Coffee Party, is the sum of its parts.
I do believe that both parties (recognizing that we are not Political parties) may provide “cover” for folks with a variety of other agendas. That’s a real risk to the goals of both organizations… AND OUR goals are strikingly similar when one looks closely at them.
Both Coffee Partiers and Tea Partiers are patriotic Americans trying to improve the business of Government. Wouldn’t it be a “game changer” if we could find something on which we could work together? Mark and I discussed that… and will continue to chat.
OK, that’s good – actually all of your posts about your feelings about the Tea Party have been very good actually.
Your point about both the Tea Party and Coffee Party possibly being in danger of “providing cover for folks with a variety of other agendas” is a very good one. Well, there’s no easy way of course of preventing those with ideas different from the majority of getting in and diluting the message, or projecting an image that is contrary to what the “party” – meaning either Tea Party or Coffee Party, wants to project. And, you can count on the press to seek those kinds of people out – as the press likes to find what I call “the dark corners” of any issue, organzation, etc. and then portray that entire issue, or organization, as being representative of that “dark corner”.
Anyway, I’m glad you are on here and posting, as I find your posts worth reading and at least you don’t view the Tea Party the way the press views it, which I think is highly distorted.
Indeed, it definitely would be. If you and Mark actually make that happen on any issue, no matter how large or small – I would indeed say that would be something really great! And yes, it would fit the definition of a “game changer”.
The Tea Party movement has many sincere people who do not believe in politics by shouting and insulting others. It also has people associating themselves with it who think attacking and belittling others is the way to go. Very likely, as the Coffee Party movement grows it will also face the problem of people joining who don’t share the commitment of its founders to civil discourse. This is a problem that no group can completely avoid.
I want to hear facts and analysis of positions on issues (good and bad), not name-calling and derogatory remarks. Al made some very good points in his CBS interview about Tea Party and Coffee Party people having a lot in common. Spirited debate is part of our heritage, but I agree absolutely that we can be civil, discuss our disagreements and arrive at mutually acceptable compromises. That’s how the Founding Fathers created our Constitution!
We need leaders locally who are consistent to a known, stated set of values. We do not need people in office who change with the direction of the political winds as they perceive them, and with the direction of money flowing from big pocket special interests.
As I posted yesterday, independents have little chance of winning in PWC. In fact, an independent in the election is more likely to help elect someone we don’t want. Is there someone who is now an outsider to local politics who cares about our community, who has the kind of values we need, and who doesn’t see PWC as just a stepping stone to higher office, and who can emerge and run for the Republican nomination for Chair? Al? One of the other vets perhaps?
Wolverine and GR,
What would you say if Colonel Davis were in front of you? Is this the dialogue you would have, blaming the media for the narrative of the tea party? He isn’t talking about the media, he is talking about Corey Stewart.
Maybe this is just me but I believe it’s inappropriate for the use of military titles in the context of a political discussion. Just something about it gives off such a /british/ vibe.. Can’t explain it.
By the way, my mother has a recipe for home-made fruitcake that she makes every Christmas. It’s much better than the store-bought kind loaded with preservatives. We always enjoy it. Maybe sometime Moonhowlings will do a holiday food thread and we can share family recipes from Jewish, Christian and other traditions.
I agree with your post. My concern is that the TEA party has not disavowed, in a public forum, the obvious unacceptable behavior. Until their interview with Al, I don’t think I can recall such a forcefull disacciation of the behavior from that video of members visiting congress. Al did a great job demonstrating that we are ALL Americans, having different ideas is integral to the American journey! @Need to Know
What an awesome idea, I love it! I am big into cooking and trying new recipes. @Need to Know
I don’t know why I’m being asked about Colonel Davis since I made no comment on him. Since I’ve often asked many questions of individuals on this blog and not gotten answers, I’m just not going to bother answering this one. Last time, because I didn’t answer a question posed to me in 14 minutes time, I got labeled as being “stumped”. When people start answering questions I pose, maybe I’ll start answering questions posed to me again.
You just haven’t looked or happened upon the right channels at the right time I guess. I’ve seen them disavow that behavior several times on TV (and not on FOX news, in case that’s what you are thinking). I’ve caught at least 3 times in the past few months Tea Party members disavowing the extreme behavior, and also saying that a lot of that extreme behavior is in the miniority – of course the media doesn’t portray it that way.
@Need to Know
I’m honored you’d think about me; however, I know an beat up old libertarian would never stand a chance. On the other hand, Elena asks an interesting question about Colonel Davis.
You know, it would be interesting to have someone as a choice who has already proven their integrity and patriotism…beyond a doubt… at great personal expense… for a change vice having to count on promises and “sound bites”. I’m tired of picking my politicians like I pick my toothpaste based on “which is prettiest”.
Actually, you know what? I will answer the question. I think the media is definitely to blame in their portrayal of the Tea Party – they find the dark edges of any issue and distort it way out of proportion. And, I’m not sure how Corey Stewart fits into this – I don’t know if he’s a Tea Party member or not, and really I don’t care. He’s just one person. Maybe I’m missing something here – but you know what? I agree with Colonel Davis – the media IS to blame for the way the Tea Party is portrayed. They are to blame for a lot of things wrong with this country. Actually, there’s no greater evil than some members of the press and news media, if you ask me.
Also, I’m really confused by who this Colonel Davis is. As best as I can figure it, the first time he was mentioned was in Elena’s question! So, I’m not even sure who it is I’m supposed to be answering the question about. Maybe it’s something in another thread I missed.
Or is Colonel Davis the Colonel Morris that Al mentions in the above post? I’m just confused, since I was directly asked a question that I had not really seen that person mentioned before in this thread.
@Gainesville Resident
One issue we both agreed upon is Government transparency. Mark was concerned about the process involved in creating the 2700 pages of the current health care bill. How can anyone not care about that?
While the health care bill is a symptom of a broken process, the “problem” is a broken process. As a consultant, I always advised my customers to focus on the problem, not the symptom. I believe that’s what we (the Coffee Party and the Tea Party) should focus on.
“Diagnose before you prescribe” was my favorite advice to customers. It applies to our approach to “fixing” our “broken” Government.
I just got my email with BoS Agenda for next week. March 30 to be proclaimed as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
http://www.pwcgov.org/documents/bocs/agendas/2010/0323/4-A.pdf
Al & Bruce,
Will either of you be attending?
@Gainesville Resident
My fault. Freudian slip. Colonel Davis and I have engaged in several “friendly conversations” about the Constitution lately. He attended the Coffee Party. We are both Conservatives (although he is more Conservative than I) and both fans of the enumerated rights concept (if it isn’t in there, we shouldn’t be doing it.) Our latest conversation was about the 10th Amendment vs the Interstate Commerce clause as it applies to health care (and I think we came to a compromise).
I apologize for the confusion and hope you sign up on the Coffee Party vets site. Captain Harris (“George”), USN (Retired) is publishing a lot of information useful to vets. His 39 years in the Medical Service Corps give him an encyclopedic knowledge of useful tips for vets with disabilities. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anywhere-USA/Join-the-Coffee-Party-Movement-Veterans-Group/401765141872?ref=mf
Al – there are many of us in the community with a lot of experience and knowledge who might not make the best candidates ourselves but would be willing to devote time and effort to help the right people. Elena knows who a lot of us are. Maybe a get-acquainted meeting (informal and not Coffee or Tea Party so those who want to remain anonymous publicly for the time-being can do so) among those who might be the best candidates and those of us willing to help would be in order. I would be delighted if we could rally around an outstanding person whose priority is the best interests of our community for both the Republican and Democratic nominations for BOCS Chair. I’d like to look at the election in 2011 and feel that either person who wins will act for our benefit.
The entire post was about Corey insulting vets, I believe that I was pretty clear in the title. Colonel Davis was clearly upste by what Corey said about people who attended the Coffee Party meeting. Pretend you are having a converstation with him, he would want to address his points…i.e. corey called his constituents nuts and fruitcakes, THAT is what Colonel Davis is offended by (his first name is Morris so that is what Al was referring to)
“Corey Insults Military Vets”
You said:
“Actually, you know what? I will answer the question. I think the media is definitely to blame in their portrayal of the Tea Party – they find the dark edges of any issue and distort it way out of proportion. And, I’m not sure how Corey Stewart fits into this – I don’t know if he’s a Tea Party member or not, and really I don’t care. He’s just one person. Maybe I’m missing something here – but you know what? I agree with Colonel Davis – the media IS to blame for the way the Tea Party is portrayed. They are to blame for a lot of things wrong with this country. Actually, there’s no greater evil than some members of the press and news media, if you ask me.”
Another great idea!
@Need to Know
That is a great idea… Moon-howler or Elena know where to find me.
Elena – you are the person who knows who we are and has our contact information so just let us know (directly rather than through the blog) how you want to proceed.
@Lafayette
Thanks! I put that on the Coffee Party vets site. I’ll be in Florida; however, I am grateful that our BOCS is recognizing the service of our Viet Nam vets!
You know, a world where coffee or tea could be shared in the same conversation might just be a worthy goal…
Feel free to say it is Moon-howler who has been rough on the Tea Party. Indeed I have. When I have not been able to hear a town hall meeting because people saying they are THE TEA PARTY with tea bags and other paraphenalia hanging off of them have shouted over elected officials and have been rude, boistrous and disruptive I have been very very vocal about my disapproval.
When politicians have tried to associate themselves with THE TEA PARTY and have stood outside the Capitol and have called elected officials traitors, communists and God knows what else, yes, I have been quite vocal on this blog.
When I see time after time after time the same behavior out of different crowds of people, I am very vocal. Why shouldn’t I think that is the norm for THE TEA PARTY. When I saw the video of the local TEA PARTY and saw who some of the characters were in the video, I was very vocal because I know of their past politics and rantings.
When I see Glenn Beck being one of the chief ‘sponsors’ of THE TEA PARTY I am vocal about my fear of such a movement.
When I hear Wolverine speak in modulated tones about his beliefs, I listen. I don’t always agree, but I always listen to him because of how he presents himself. Perhaps the TEA Party movement should have appointed Wolverine to be their spokesperson and then I would not have such a negative impression. But yes, it is I who has been the basher and I have backed up my bashings with reasons.
So don’t say some people….It is I…not some mythical person. I will not stop calling out inappropriate behavior, as I see it, because of political correctness.
Actually, my mistake too – somehow when I searched for “Colonel Davis” I didn’t turn up anything until Elena’s post. But the search failed at the top where I finally figured out it was “Colonel Morris Davis”. I don’t know how I missed reading that at the top – so I’m as much to blame in saying I didn’t see him mentioned at the top of the thread.
By the way, didn’t meant to imply I’m a vet as I’m not. I work on projects for the military – so I’m a DOD contractor. I do interact with a lot of military folks on a daily basis though and have huge respect for them. But, I’ve never served in the armed forces.
@Gainesville Resident
Vets are just one more flavor of patriotic Americans… just like the rest of the folks on this Board. Gainesville Resident, thank you for your service to our Country.
I will admit that we might be just a tad more sensitive to folks who question or Constitutional rights (particularly free speech and assembly); however, that’s just a personal opinion.