This is the Oakland Press version of my guest opinion about Joe Knollenberg's opposition to the SCHIP bill. It's been edited since I wrote it, but you get the point.
Joe Knollenberg has picked up a really bad habit from George W. Bush, LYING! He is incapable of telling the truth. Joe recently wrote about the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. What he said was outrageous in the number of lies. How can voters even consider re-electing a Congressman that has such a proclivity for lying and continuing to try to bully his constituents who don’t agree with him on the issues through his mouthpiece, Trent Wisecup.
Children who don’t have health care coverage die, plain and simple. Joe’s position on this issue is against everything that a pro-life Republican is supposed to stand for and I can’t for the life of me figure out why anyone in the 9th District of Michigan would vote for Joe Knollenberg in 2008.
Lie 1: The bill opens the door for illegal immigrants to receive benefits.
Reality: The latest version of the SCHIP bill specifically excludes illegal aliens from receiving benefits under the provisions of the bill.
Lie 2: The bill is paid for by 22 million new smokers.
Reality: The bill is paid for by raising the tobacco tax by 61 cents a pack. The higher the cost of cigarettes, the less likely kids will take up smoking. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a 61-cent increase in the tobacco tax means that 1,873,000 fewer children will take up smoking.
Lie 3: The bill would expand coverage to 700,000 adults.
Reality: The SCHIP program focuses virtually all of its resources on children in the poorest of working families – fewer than 1 in 10 children covered under SCHIP lives in a family of four earning more than $41,000 a year. This is how the program will remain under the bill.
This bipartisan bill places the priority on children’s coverage – and therefore PHASES OUT the coverage of parents and childless adults entirely over a two-year period (there are currently about 600,000 of these adults covered under SCHIP). Only optional coverage for pregnant women remains under the bill.
SCHIP has broad bi-partisan support and Joe Knollenberg doesn’t deserve your vote next year. Please remember how Joe refused to provide health care to the least among us, our children when you vote next year.
Keith Olbermann covers Trent's rant on Countdown on MSNBC
Bruce on The Young Turks Discussing his encounter with Trent Wisecup
Bruce finally gets to confront Joe and Trent Wisecup (Joe's chief of staff)
Well, I finally got to confront Joe Knollenberg about his votes on the war in Iraq and against SCHIP. Trent Wisecup, Joe's chief of staff got pretty heated. Watch for yourself.
Joe Knollenberg is no environmentalist
Joe Knollenberg Delcares his Love for George W. Bush
Joe loves war, Hates Healthy Children About 60 people gathered at Joe Knollenberg's campaign office on Telegraph to urge Joe to change his vote and help override the President's veto on the SCHIP bill.
Reverend Rich Peacock urges Joe Knollenberg to change his vote on SCHIP.
Elizabeth Chenard urges Joe to do the right thing.
Joe Went Campaigning at Arts, Beats and Eats Labor Day Weekend
It's Labor Day weekend and Joe NOllenberg is campaigning at Arts, Beats and Eats in Downtown. Pontiac, telling people about some of Joe Knollenberg's bad votes in Congress, taking pictures with visitors to the festival and having some fun. Joe found a booth where he could have his picture taken with Elmo.
Joe NOllenberg loved the Woodward Dream Cruise. Lots of folks wanted to get information about the Town Hall meeting on August 28 at 7 p.m. at Pontiac Central High School. Here's a video of Joe riding in the JOEMobile.
Here's Joe with a check from constituents for the cost of the war in Iraq so far in 2007, over $1 billion. Here's a picture of Joe showing voters his record on the issues he's most proud of. What do you think of Joe's votes? Here's one showing Joe signing up to volunteer for Gary Peters' campaign. I guess Joe already knows this election isn't going his way. Bye, bye, Joe. On August 16th in Auburn hills 40 constituents of the 9th Congressional District held a press conference and presented Joe NOllenberg with a check for over $1 billion, representing the cost to constituents of the war in Iraq so far.
Welcome for Returning Warrior at Troy Hooters Marine Mom Urges Congressman Knollenberg Take Stand Against Endless War in Iraq
Americans Against Escalation in Iraq http://NoIraqEscalation.org For Immediate Release Contact: Debbie Jackson 08/12/2007 248 842 2503
Welcome for Returning Warrior at Troy Hooters Marine Mom Urges Congressman Knollenberg Take Stand Against Endless War in Iraq Troy, MI –Debbie Jackson does not know why, over four years after President Bush declared “mission accomplished” in Iraq, General Petraeus wants to keep our troops there for another decade. “So, the question our military moms, dads, wives, sons, daughters have of the government is: what is the mission there now? There is a difference between supporting our troops and supporting this war as it is now!”
Last week, Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute recommended a draft to facilitate such a prolonged occupation and elected representatives, including Joe Knollenberg, the U.S. Congressman from Debbie’s area, have yet to lift a finger to thwart it. For now, Debbie is happy that her son is coming home and would like to make sure that he does not return to fight in someone else’s civil war. “On 8/26/07 @ 4:00pm we will welcome home our son, Brandon Jackson and other military service members from the 3/6 Lima Company returning from Iraq. We invite anyone interested to join us and celebrate their safe return. Welcome home, and let’s keep them home! “ Debbie will be hosting a welcome at the Troy Hooters at the intersection of Rochester Road and Big Beaver. Veterans and military families are invited. “We considered inviting Congressman Knollenberg to the event, but decided not to after we saw his grade of C from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. If he comes, he should be prepared to justify his dismal voting record on veterans’ issues.” CLICK HERE TO RSVP Representatives from the 9th District Chapter of Americans Against Escalation in Iraq will be present together with Joe NOllenberg, a giant puppet-head symbolizing the Congressman’s refusal to stand up for American troops, instead giving in to pressure from the administration. On August 28th, the group has invited Congressman Knollenberg for a Townhall meeting at Central High School in Pontiac to take a stand against the Iraq war. The Congressman’s office has yet to respond to the invitation.
On Sunday, August 12, Joe NOllenberg was campaigning in Rochester at Rock 'n Rods. There was a little encounter with a small round Republican who wanted to confiscate my memory card. Gee, I guess he thinks free speech is only for people that agree with him.
Bruce Fealk's interview on Fox 2 Detroit regarding visits to Congressman Joe Knollenberg's home.
Trent Wisecup and Joe Knollenberg Ultimate Hypocrites - Believe in Privacy for Congress None for You and I
In the article below Trent Wisecup, Joe Knollenberg's spokesperson (Joe never seems to talk to the press himself) Trent says, "Certain things are private and that includes his (Knollenberg's) home." Isn't that ironic since Joe Knollenberg voted in favor of the recently passed Protect America Act, which gives President Bush even more power to spy on Americans. It seems Joe Knollenberg is the worst kind of hypocrite. He believes in one level of privacy for Congressmen and no privacy for the average citizen. Way to go, Joe. Why does Joe Knollenberg think that he's entitled to privacy, but you and I are not? Does this man really deserve to be our Congressman? I think not.
On Wedndesday, Joe NOllenberg was walking the streets in Pontiac to invite people to attend the August 28 Iraq Town Hall meeting at Pontiac Central High School. Joe Knollenberg has not responded yet to the invitation he received.
Gary Peters takes on Joe Knollenberg
On Saturday, August 4, about 50 protesters joined with the Iraq Summer campaign to protest the continued war in Iraq. Apparently our protest was more entertaining than the party the GOP host was throwing. Several party goers came out to meet with us, although a few were pretty upset we were there.
On Saturday, August 4, 2007, Joe NOllenberg officially launched his campaign against Joe Knollenberg in White Lake. Here's some video and a couple pictures from the official launch.
On Saturday, August 4, 2007, this guest opinion column appeared in The Oakland Press
LISTEN TO BRUCE FEALK'S INTERVIEW ON THE TONY TRUPIANO SHOW REGARDING THE JOE KNOLLENBERG CONTROVERSY. CLICK HERE. THE INTERVIEW STARTS AFTER THE NEWS AT THE 2:46 MARK.
We went to Joe Knollenberg's neighborhood to hand out free ice cream and deliver a personal invitation to Joe's house. Joe wasn't home and his wife, Sandie, wouldn't even open the door to talk to us.
This web site is dedicated to helping to retire Congressman Joe Knollenberg. Congressman Knollenberg has consistently supported President Bush's ruinous policies on everything from the war in Iraq to education policy and the environment. We need better representation in Michigan's 9th Congressional district. Please visit all the pages of this web site to inform yourself about Joe Knollenberg. I hope after you are informed about how Joe Knollenberg is not representing your interests in Congress you will consider donating to our 9th Congressional District fund. It's simple. Just use your credit or debit card and click on the ActBlue logo. It just takes a minute and it can make all the difference in making sure we have a better representative in Congresss starting in January of 2009.
Bruce Fealk is interviewed by Tony Trupiano of The Tony Trupiano show on 7/19/2007 about Joe Knollenberg
Click here to listen to the show. The interview starts after the news at the 2:46 mark.
The Raging Grannies were caroling for peace on Sunday, July 22, in Joe Knollenberg's neighborhood. This video is at Joe's door.
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Joe doesn't like being asked to atone for his war votes
Isn't it funny how Republicans don't see a problem invoking religion when they debate embryonic stem cell research or a woman's right to choose, but invoke religion into the discussion of the war in Iraq and they get all bent out of shape. The Oakland Press and the Detroit Free Press have stories in today's papers, July 19, 2007.
Knollenberg staff seeks reprimand of activist for religion comments
July 18, 2007
BY TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg is taking exception to a comment made by an Oakland County activist about his religion – and his staff is calling on Gov. Jennifer Granholm to do something about it.
In an article in the Oakland Press this week, Rochester Hills resident Bruce Fealk made a reference to a planned protest outside Knollenberg’s office, saying it was aimed at getting the Republican congressman to come out in favor of legislation to end the war in Iraq.
In his comments, Fealk, 53, said Knollenberg should atone for his sins – meaning his refusal to back Democratic-sponsored legislation to set timetables for removing the troops – like a good Catholic.
Both Knollenberg’s staff and the National Republican Congressional Committee slammed Fealk and MoveOn.org, a nationwide advocacy group to which Fealk belongs. In a statement today, the NRCC said, “MoveOn.org has once again made a name for themselves by attacking Joe Knollenberg’s personal beliefs and turning the Iraq war into a political, partisan game. … Religious smears have no place in political discourse.”
Meanwhile, Knollenberg’s chief of staff, Trent Wisecup, sent a letter to Granholm’s Washington office, noting that the governor had once appeared on Fealk’s cable access show in Oakland County and asking that she not do so again. It also said the governor should “inform him that injecting an elected official from Michigan’s religion into a debate on a public policy issue crosses the line.”
“His private beliefs are his private beliefs,” Wisecup said today.
Fealk, who said he was raised Jewish and now attends a non-denominational church, said today that if he had it to do over, he probably wouldn’t include the “Catholic boy part.” But he said he does believe that if Knollenberg has strong religious beliefs, he should vote to bring the troops home now.
Knollenberg has said he has doubts about President Bush’s surge policy but is willing to wait until September to see if progress is made.
“I think it’s time for the carnage to end,” said Fealk, who also noted that he is in no way an official spokesman for Moveon.org. Fealk said he is a member who sometimes acts as a local organizer.
Jennifer Lindenauer, communication director for MoveOn.org – a group that now claims some 3.4 million members and is primarily known for its anti-war stance – said she believes the Republicans are “doing what they normally do, which is make a mountain out of a molehill” by bringing attention to Fealk’s comments.
“They’re trying to distract us from the real conversation" about the war, she said.
She added, however, that bringing up someone’ s religious beliefs is “not a MoveOn tactic.”
“I agree with Fealk when he said he probably shouldn’t have brought religion into it, because the issue is ending the war in Iraq,” she said.
As for the governor, her spokeswoman Liz Boyd said that she won’t be making any promises not to appear on Fealk’s show again, though there are no immediate plans to do so.
The governor’s office also declined to comment on whether Fealk’s mention of religion was appropriate or not.
Joe Whines to Oakland Press and Democratic party
It's so interesting that Republicans look to their religion on issues like abortion, but when religion comes up in the context of war and justice, they get steamed.
Joe's office slams the door on Sister Barbara Cardinal
Joe Knollenberg says he supports our troops, but watch this video of Sister Barbara Cardinal, whose nephew is serving in Iraq, and how Joe Knollenberg's office treats her when she tries to talk to Shawn Ciavattone about her nephew,.
Protesters keep up the Pressure on Joe
Just to set Tom Wisecup straight, Americans Against the Escalation in Iraq are certainly not needed in our efforts to retire Joe Knollenberg. Joe is vulnerable not just because he barely won against Nancy Skinner. Joe is vulnerable because he continues to support an unpopular, unjust war that is taking resources from domestic priorities and putting our nation at risk. It's time for Joe to atone for his sins and pressure Mitch McConnell to get Republicans in the Senate to bring our troops home. Joe is attached at the hip with George W. Bush's failed policies in Iraq.
Knollenberg Staffer Cuts and Runs
Shawn Ciavattone, Knollenberg’s District Field Direct
Joe's Press Secretary is Working Overtime
Joe Knollenberg against Universal Health Care and Higher Gas Mileage
Posted by at 05:49 AM on 04/08/07 Permalink
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Joe Votes to Send More Soldiers to Their Deaths
Joe continues to ignore the wishes of his constituents. Yesterday, 3/23/07, Joe voted against a bill designed to set a deadline on the U.S involvement in Iraq of September 2008. Even though Joe says mistakes have been made in Iraq, he wants to continue the insane policy of President Bush.
I don't know about you, but it sounds like Joe is insane too. Even though all the Joint Chiefs of Staff say that sending more troops to Iraq is a mistake, and Joe's constituents are not in favor of the escalation of the war, Joe ignores everyone.
The Detroit Free Press has a survey in today's their 3/20/2007 edition that shows that 67% of those surveyed would pay at least $500 and up to $2000 for a vehicle that gets better mileage. Looks like Joe wasted his money on that $10,000 billboard attacking Arnold Schwarzenegger, of all people, for calling for higher mileage standards. You can read the article here.
Posted by at 05:53 AM on 03/20/07 Permalink
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Joe is picking the wrong fight on CAFE Standards
Joe Knollenberg just can't shoot straight. Now he's aiming at the governor of California, instead of where the criticism belongs, with the Big 3, for not building cars that get better mileage in the first place. The Union for Concerned Scientists estimates that requiring better mileage cars would create over 200.000 jobs and might actually help the Big 3 regain some market share they've lost to the Japanese and other foreign manufacturers. It's interesting to note that Joe was a pretty quiet and hard to find Congressman until he was threatened in the last election and only won re-election by 5%.
Oakland Press Protestors Call out Joe for Iraq Support 3/20/07 -
On the 4th Anniversaryof the war, protestors called on Joe to listen to his constituents. A recent poll conducted by MoveOn.org members in downtown Birmingham showed 79% of the 531 people surveyed do not support the escalation of the war.
Posted by bfealk@wideopenwest.com
at 12:00 AM on Mar-11-2007
Joe ignores science on CAFE standards -
Once again, Joe Knollenberg ignores facts. He's so scared about his re-election chances in 2008 he's attacking Arnold Schwarzenegger's effort to raise corporate CAFE standards.
Joe Knollenberg thinks we have enough voting going on in the United States of America, even though we have the lowest voting percentages among modern democracies. Republicans don't want no more stink'in voters. Don't worry, Joe, we won't be voting for you anyway.
Joe's Friends Are Abandoning Him on CAFE Standards
Detroit Faces Bipartisan Fire Over Fuel Economy Even Auto Industry Allies Seek Change
By Sholnn Freeman and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, April 24, 2007; D01 For more than 20 years, the American automotive industry has deflected attempts to force improvements in vehicle mileage. Now Detroit is getting battered on the issue from almost every side, and even industry-friendly lawmakers say change is looming. Read More.
Michigan Democratic Party Action Alert on Joe Knollenberg Click here.
Hawaii Joe Knollenberg's press secretary is certainly working overtime these days. I hope Joe is compensating him or her by the number of articles appearing in the local papers these days. But quantity does not equal quality. Knollenberg is still the same backward thinking Congressman he was when he was lazily spending time in Congress saying nothing and only appearing in print when it was election time. Read More
Joe Knollenberg just can't shoot straight. Now he's aiming at the governor of California, instead of where the criticism belongs, with the Big 3, for not building cars that get better mileage in the first place. The Union for Concerned Scientists estimates that requiring better mileage cars would create over 200.000 jobs and might actually help the Big 3 regain some market share they've lost to the Japanese and other foreign manufacturers. It's interesting to note that Joe was a pretty quiet and hard to find Congressman until he was threatened in the last election and only won re-election by 5%. 
