[Carla Virga]

http://eterritorial.com/47-guest-writers/lou-binninger/11476-jefferson-meeting-exposes-false-accusations

Territorial Dispatch article:

Jul312017
Jefferson Meeting Exposes False Accusations

by Lou Binninger

On Saturday, July 29th, more than 150 leaders from the State of Jefferson movement throughout Northern California came to Yuba City for a meeting at Church of Glad Tidings.

They were there at the request of State of Jefferson Chaplain Dave Bryan to address rumors and expose fake news and slander directed toward the Jefferson movement and its founder Mark Baird. Bryan also wanted to see a reconciliation of any factions resulting from misunderstanding or offenses over the last 3 ½ years since the movement began.

A Dave Hodges radio broadcast was played claiming that more than $300,000 collected to fund an ongoing legal action by Jefferson against the State of California for lack of representation was being wasted on the endeavor. Hodges said pursuing the lawsuit was intended to deplete funds and destroy the movement.

Further, Hodges explained ‘his un-named inside sources’ revealed that George Soros and MoveOn.org had infiltrated the organization to undermine it so the Cal Exit effort could succeed. More details were promised by Hodges to come later.

Hodges also predicted that the Cal Exit advocates would somehow sabotage Oroville Dam causing a breach where the catastrophe would lead to the federal government allowing the state to secede from the union.

Local radio host Paul Preston and friend of Hodges was also noted at the meeting as claiming Mark Baird, the unofficial and unpaid leader of the movement, had misused Jefferson funds and would soon be held criminally accountable for his misdeeds.

Mark Kent, who set-up Jefferson’s 501 (c) 4 and oversees the monies given for the lawsuit, was at the meeting and took offense at the Preston lie. Mark Baird said he has nothing to do with the 501 (c) 4, is not on the board and handles no money from the organization. He is a volunteer like all Jefferson advocates.

Dave Bryan explained this is now the second time Preston has been involved in spreading far-fetched tales causing damage to those he targets. Bryan referred to a recent Liberty Tour conducted by Preston that was held at Glad Tidings where engineer Scott Cahill spoke about Oroville Dam.

The next week, Cahill posted a You Tube video slandering the church as allegedly destroying a video of the event and undermining the truth about the dam’s condition and the State of Jefferson movement. Cahill also attacked the character of the church and Bryan, the pastor.

Bryan indicated the church filmed and edited the event at no charge and provided the finished product to Cahill on time. No apology was ever offered to the church or You Tube retraction provided by Cahill or Preston.

Preston, a spokesperson for the Sutter Buttes Tea Party Patriots is now working with Tea Party members to nurture a ‘Jefferson’ splinter group describing itself as the leading effort to start the 51st state.

At the Jefferson meeting participants were encouraged to speak-freely about any concerns. Many did so while others presented questions in writing. General presentations were made by Baird, Bryan and advertising / marketing expert Phil Enright.

Judging from attendees’ comments and next day emails, most everyone left better informed and energized to carry–on the fight for the 51st state. Participant Kayla Brown, who is married to a Shasta County correctional officer, says she is hopeful that her kids and grandkids can grow up in a state where the people are truly free.

California’s corruption, abuse of the citizenry and its tyrannical mission is free advertising for the State of Jefferson where the people would be free and in charge.

[Carla Virga]

The above article, written by a member of the Glad Tidings panel, contains several false or misleading statements:

Contrary to Lou Binninger’s statement “On Saturday, July 29th, more than 150 leaders from the State of Jefferson movement throughout Northern California came to Yuba City for a meeting at Church of Glad Tidings,” everyone in attendance is NOT a State of Jefferson “leader.” Most who attended are supporters seeking information and answers.

Contrary to Binninger’s statement, “They were there at the request of State of Jefferson Chaplain Dave Bryan to address rumors and expose fake news and slander directed toward the Jefferson movement and its founder Mark Baird,” Pastor Bryan invited the State of Jefferson (SOJ) and New State Council of County Representatives (CCR) with the stated purpose “to hear each other out, be able to ask pertinent questions, voice our concerns, and see if we can overcome the quagmire of personal self-promotion and ego-centricity in order to agree to WORK TOGETHER toward an END GAME that is much bigger than any of our individual ideas or strategies. Various players often disagree on the right play in the thick of the contest, but winning teams hold this in common: They realize that TEAM COHESION must always be allowed to trump PERSONAL PREFERENCE, because – at the end of the game, WE ALL WIN TOGETHER, or WE ALL LOSE TOGETHER!”

Binninger stated, “Bryan also wanted to see a reconciliation of any factions resulting from misunderstanding or offenses over the last 3 ½ years since the movement began.” Binninger knows there are two “factions”:

1) The State of Jefferson (SOJ) — great at merchandising and branding, no leadership, no elected board, constantly seeking donations, money donated goes to lawsuit filed not by SOJ but by Citizens for Fair Representation (whoever they are), no path toward statehood.

2) The New State Council of County Representatives (CCR) — comprised of former Jeffersonians seeking leadership and statehood, elected county and CCR boards (each meeting monthly), on path to statehood; and to date, I’ve never been asked for a donation.

The best way for me to respond to Binninger’s comments about the Dave Hodges radio broadcast is to provide the link to the July 31 article, “Sabotage! George Soros Is Taking Over the State of Jefferson Movement – National Implications!” http://beforeitsnews.com/conspiracy-theories/2017/07/sabotage-george-soros-is-taking-over-the-state-of-jefferson-movement-national-implications-2482563.html

Binninger’s statement, “Local radio host Paul Preston and friend of Hodges was also noted at the meeting as claiming Mark Baird, the unofficial and unpaid leader of the movement, had misused Jefferson funds and would soon be held criminally accountable for his misdeeds,” is questionable on three counts:

1) How does Binninger know the relationship between Preston and Hodges? Unlike Binninger, I am a friend of Preston’s; and I do not know if they have a relationship beyond both being radio talk show hosts dedicated to getting the truth to the public.

2) Since Preston was not present at the meeting and Binninger has not spoken to Preston, his statement must be based on unsubstantiated rumors and hearsay from unnamed source(s).

3) It is true there are questions about the Jefferson funds, record keeping, and reporting; and I am one of many informed there is an investigation seeking the answers to those questions. I have never heard Preston or anyone else say Mark Baird misused the funds. Mark is well respected and a fantastic spokesperson for SOJ. He is not, however, a leader. It is because there is NO leadership that former (and current) Jeffersonians created the New State CCR. Even Binninger admits Mark Baird is not a leader: “Mark Baird said he has nothing to do with the 501 (c) 4, is not on the board and handles no money from the organization. He is a volunteer like all Jefferson advocates.” So now, Baird is just “a volunteer like all Jefferson advocates.”

4) Unfortunately, IF there is criminal wrongdoing, which their refusal to accept a $700,000 donation when asked for documentation suggests, it is highly likely Mark Baird, Terry Rapoza, Mark Kent, and possibly county representatives will all be held accountable and liable.

5) As we’ve established, Mark Baird is the “unofficial leader.” I and other CCR members are curious… after 3½ years, who is the OFFICIAL leader? Is it CPA Mark Kent?

Binninger slanderously and libelously wrote, “Mark Kent, who set-up Jefferson’s 501 (c) 4 and oversees the monies given for the lawsuit, was at the meeting and took offense at the Preston lie.” Did Binninger consider that as the SOJ accountant, it is Mark Kent who is responsible for the reporting and accountability for all SOJ’s funds and might have reason to cast suspicion onto others?

Binninger’s statement, “Preston, a spokesperson for the Sutter Buttes Tea Party Patriots is now working with Tea Party members to nurture a ‘Jefferson’ splinter group describing itself as the leading effort to start the 51st state,” contains lies and truths. Preston is NOT a spokesperson for the Sutter Buttes Tea Party Patriots. He is a member and regular speaker at SBTP meetings. He is also on the Board of the New State CCR and the leader of the Sutter County New State Council of County Representatives. There are many Tea Party members working toward a new state either with the SOJ or the CCR – or both! SOJ members admit their lawsuit (which is the Citizens for Fair Representation’s lawsuit, not SOJ’s lawsuit) will not bring forth a new state. With the assembly of SOJ “leaders,” why didn’t Binninger report what their path to a new state is or even if they have a plan rather than criticizing the one group that does have a plan and is on the path to a new state?

“Unofficial SOJ leaders” Mark Baird and Terry Rapoza approached a potential donor to the State of Jefferson who expressed a desire to donate $700,000 to their cause. The donor was willing to make the donation; and being an astute businessman, asked to see the standard documentation of the legal existence of the Jefferson movement (such as articles of incorporation, corporate bylaws, a business plan, and tax identification) and was told to take his money and shove it. The donor refuses further contact with the “unofficial SOJ leaders.”

Unlike the “unofficial SOJ leaders” who state they will never work with the CCR, who refused the $700,000 donation, and who block Jefferson supporters who support the CCR from commenting on their Basecamp, the New State CCR is open to all current and former Jeffersonians who actually want to help form a new state.

[Mouse]

1. “The State of Jefferson (SOJ) — great at merchandising and branding, no leadership, no elected board, constantly seeking donations, money donated goes to lawsuit filed not by SOJ but by Citizens for Fair Representation (whoever they are), no path toward statehood.”

Two points: (1) The SOJ folks heard the concerns with this and are holding a Constitutional Convention to vote on leadership and solidify the structure of the state of Jefferson going forward. You were not ignored at this meeting in the least. (2) Citizens for Fair Representation is listed as such because the name “Jefferson” very likely won’t ne the name of the new state, and the SOJ folks have recognized that the name can be divisive. Instead, they chose Citizens for Fair Representation because it encompasses everyone.

2. How does Binninger know the relationship between Preston and Hodges? Unlike Binninger, I am a friend of Preston’s; and I do not know if they have a relationship beyond both being radio talk show hosts dedicated to getting the truth to the public.

Unless Binninger spoke directly to Preston about this then it is conjecture based upon the fact that they have worked together in the past.

3. “[Binniger’s] statement must be based on unsubstantiated rumors and hearsay from unnamed source(s).”

The BEST course of action at this point is to stop surmising on both sides and talk to Paul Preston and Lou Binninger directly. The more that we drudge up what we think something is or isn’t the more that we ourselves are part of the problem when it comes to spreading (possible) false information. If you are friends with Paul Preston then simply ask him and tell us what he says. Does he know Hodges? How would he characterize their relationship? Where does he stand on what Hodges said about certain folks? It’s as easy as a phone call 

4. “Unfortunately, IF there is criminal wrongdoing, which their refusal to accept a $700,000 donation when asked for documentation suggests, it is highly likely Mark Baird, Terry Rapoza, Mark Kent, and possibly county representatives will all be held accountable and liable.”

A 501c4 organization does not have a financial accounting in the same way that a 501c3 organization does. I am the Treasurer of a 501c3 organization, so I can speak definitively on this subject. Even when I called (and I wouldn’t call myself a leader in Jefferson either, I’m just a supporter who steps up when I need to) Win Carpenter who is the President of the 501c4 he refused to “open” the books to me and I have a 20+ year relationship with the Rapozas and a 10+ year relationship with Mark Baird. They have said that they are going to post on soj51.org a weekly update regarding income and expenditure though, so I hope that clears up some of the information regarding finances. I myself am waiting for answers, so we’re all in the same boat.

As to the $700,000 that wasn’t a refusal to accept the money. It was a little stickier than that. The gentleman wanted to see the books and was not allowed to. Because of that he refused to give the SOJ the money.

5. “As we’ve established, Mark Baird is the “unofficial leader.” I and other CCR members are curious… after 3½ years, who is the OFFICIAL leader? Is it CPA Mark Kent?”

This question will be answered at the Constitutional Convention (date to be announced as the venue hasn’t been decided yet). Technically, Mark Baird is the official leader as he is heading the court case and started this ball rolling but each county is autonomous in the fact that they don’t need permission to do anything and they don’t even have to run anything by any head committee. Mark Kent is just a tax guy and between his business and family certainly does not have time to be in any leadership position. Further, he set up the account, he is not on it. He is not the treasurer. He is not on the 501c4 board. The Treasurer of the 501c4 is Lyndia Kent.

6. “Did Binninger consider that as the SOJ accountant, it is Mark Kent who is responsible for the reporting and accountability for all SOJ’s funds and might have reason to cast suspicion onto others?”

Again, Mark isn’t responsible for reporting and accountability. Lyndia Kent is and the rules of a 501c4 actually are written in such a way that they are not obligated to tell anyone anything unless they want to.

7. “SOJ members admit their lawsuit (which is the Citizens for Fair Representation’s lawsuit, not SOJ’s lawsuit) will not bring forth a new state.”

The Citizens for Fair Representation are the leaders of the SOJ. If you look at the paperwork and the court filings which are all on soj51.org you’ll see that it’s the same message, same people, same goal. The hope is that the lawsuit will create a political situation so that when we win at the Supreme Court level the Supreme Court will tell California to restructure their government in such a way that it will collapse the current system and California will simply “get rid” of us so as not to stall. It’s a flanking maneuver.

8. “Why didn’t Binninger report what their path to a new state is or even if they have a plan rather than criticizing the one group that does have a plan and is on the path to a new state?”

You are absolutely right in this. There should have been a much more positive message, and this is a missed opportunity for showcasing what the SOJ is about.

9. “Unlike the “unofficial SOJ leaders” who state they will never work with the CCR”

I would be considered a leader, and I want to work with you. It’s why I’m here. It’s why I comment. We all have the same goal and that is liberty. It’s a state where everyone has the same voice. I have criticized many times that we have to be careful that Jefferson is not just a reaction to California politics and that we don’t subvert those we don’t agree with simply because we don’t agree with them because that is what California does to us.

[Author]

Posts