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Having Fun
With Mojo
What's Sen. Byrd so touchy about anyway?
Hey kids! Mojo here! Did you all hear about Senator Byrd's little speech last week? The one where he said he was tired of all the talk about how old he is, and he plans to serve until he drops? Geesh! What's he so touchy about? Some people think his remarks were directed more at me than at the media! They think he's mad because Mrs. Manchin admitted that she and I have discussed what would happen if Sen. Byrd passes away! So we're not even allowed to talk about it? Fine! I love Sen. Byrd! I don't want anything to happen to him! I hope he lives to be 90!
Allison Plants new WVGOP
finance director
Allison Plants has joined the West Virginia Republican Party as its new finance director, GOP Chairman Doug McKinney announced today.
Allison is a South Charleston resident and a 2003 graduate of West Virginia University with a Master’s Degree in Journalism. She previously received her Bachelors Degree in Communications from West Virginia State College. She is a 1995 graduate of South Charleston High School.
Allison is the wife of Mark Plants, the Republican candidate for the State Senate in the 8th District last year and currently a Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor. They are the parents of two sons, Peyton, 5, and Grant, 3. Allison served as Mark’s campaign manager last year, coordinating his schedule, handing out thousands of pieces of literature and helping raise more than $60,000 for the campaign.
In her new role, Allison will oversee fundraising, event planning, donor list development, and other aspects of the party’s finance efforts. She recently completed an intensive finance seminar in Sacramento, Calif., sponsored by the Republican National Committee.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Allison to the state Republican Party,” said McKinney. “The work ethic she displayed during Mark’s campaign last year impressed everyone, and I know she’s going to help make sure the party is strong and vibrant so we can support all our candidates in the crucial 2008 campaign.”
Said Allison, “I’m a strong believer in Republican principles and the goals Dr. McKinney has established for the party. I’m excited about the opportunity to help grow the party so we can provide the training, communications and voter turnout programs our candidates deserve.”
A talented singer, Allison is involved in many community activities, including roles with the Charleston Light Opera Guild, ballet, softball, and organizing blood drives in Kanawha County. She and Mark are active members of the Bible Center Church.
South Charleston native a WVU grad, talented singer; managed husband Mark's
Senate campaign last year
ALLISON PLANTS
In Martinsburg, President will tout freedom
President Bush offered a likely preview of his Independence Day remarks in Martinsburg with his weekly radio address Saturday, saying the Fourth of July reminds us of the principles of our country's forefathers, and "a new generation of Americans has stepped forward and volunteered to defend the ideals of our nation's founding."
At the beginning of his radio remarks, the President said, "I look forward to spending this Independence Day in Martinsburg, West Virginia, with the men and women of the West Virginia Air National Guard."
More details are expected Monday and Tuesday about the President's visit, but it is likely to be an event primarily attended by members of the Air National Guard and their families.
A story in Sunday's Charleston Gazette said state Sen. John Unger, who is running for Congress, will miss the President's visit to attend the Ripley July 4th celebration. Unger, along with other local legislators of both parties, was invited to attend the Bush event.
That same Gazette article contained interesting phrasing, noting that Unger "previously worked with the late Mother Teresa’s charities..." an apparent step-back from oft-told tales of his comraderie with Mother Teresa herself As one observer noted Sunday night, "It used to be that he worked with Morther Teresa, and was her confidant. Now, under more scrutiny, he is saying he worked for Mother Teresa charities."
Either way, his belief that he has a prayer of beating Shelley Moore Capito next year is the ultimate leap of faith. One political wag said Friday that Unger probably thinks the President is coming to Martinsburg because of Unger's candidacy.
In fact, if the President spends a couple of hours on the ground in Martinsburg, it will probably qualify him for residency under the standard of the Charleston-based Unger.
Unger skipping event in his home district to attend Ripley July 4th celebration
AFL-CIO targets WVGOP meeting in Huntington
The West Virginia AFL-CIO is targeting the July 14 meeting of the West Virginia Republican Party in Huntington with a rally designed "to make our voices heard," according to an item posted on its website.
What has their feathers so ruffled? Apparently they are under the impression that the WVGOP event is featuring a speaker from the National Right to Work Committee.
In fact, the GOP considered such a speaker, and a note about it appeared on one section of the party's website.
But as it stands now, no such speaker is scheduled, so all the union bosses who planned the Huntington event might have to settle for a picnic at Harris Riverfront Park for no other reason than good fellowship.
The whole event raises questions. Given the meeting is on a Saturday, do they get paid double-time for being there? And does the time scheduled
for their one-block march allow for a 15-minute break?
OK, I'm partly kidding. Personally, I'm not anti-union. But I am opposed to mandatory unionization, or having to pay union wages for non-union work. People should be free to join a union or not join a union, and they should also be free to negotiate their own wages. Sadly, those beliefs would lead the AFL-CIO to quantify me as anti-union.
The AFL-CIO, which recently tried unsuccessfully to take the right of a secret ballot away from workers, apparently cannot stand the idea that free Americans should make their own decisions in regard to where they work and how much they are willing to work for.
It's almost enough for the GOP to revisit the issue and make sure a Right to Work speaker does show up, just so the union bosses don't end up being ticked off for no good reason.
