Conservative blog targeted for "removal" by liberal AARP activists

Rogue AARP members are targeting a web site with the address JeffBlogworthy.com for "removal".

The attack is an allegory of what has been happening to the Bush administration in recent months. The AARP liberals pulled out the standard playbook:

1)Ignore the facts 2)Demagogue opponents 3)Silence dissent 4)Distort the truth 5)Make threats 6)Wallow in willful ignorance

Lie: The Blogworthy site is using "Bush Mafia Tactics, lies, and deception."

Fact: The vagueness of the accusation leaves the reader to his imagination. In truth, the charges amount to nothing more than the projections of the liberal accusers.

Apparently, they are referring to the satirical nature of the site. The JeffBlogworthy website spoofs Jeff Foxworthy and uses the phrase, "You might be a leftneck if..." to replace the more familiar phrase used by Jeff Foxworthy.

The "lies and deception" distortion falls flat, as any visitor to the site with half a wit can immediately recognize that the only relationship the Jeff Blogworthy site has to Jeff Foxworthy is a loosely based satirical one.

Fact: The Republican National Committee does not sponsor or fund JeffBlogworthy.com. As most other blogs, the site is run by a lone person as a hobby. The views expressed are the opinion of the author, along with links to news stories detailing current events or perspectives. The site makes no money and the owner funds it entirely.

Fact: The site uses the character of Jeff Blogworthy as a parody, independent of Jeff Foxworthy.

"Oh, my! I’m so pretentiously confused. That’s not really you is it, Jeff?" is just another form of "Those ballots are so confusing; I thought I was voting for Al Gore but I’m pretty sure I voted for George Bush instead. I think I’m going to faint!"

From the squealer tone of the communication, it is obvious that the whiner knows full well that Jeff Foxworthy is not affiliated with the Blogworthy site. It is simply a ruse to cause trouble.

Jeff Foxworthy himself is threatened - You better make them stop Jeff, or you are going to "lose a group of fans."

JeffBlogworthy.com has been threatened with a lawsuit. We are in receipt of an anonymous communication through our website, which simply smirked, "Jeff's lawyers will be contacting you real soon. Thanks."

These sheep possess the same leftist mentality as their leadership. The DNC has similarly attempted to intimidate stations into refusing to air ads by the Swift Boat Veterans and The Club for Growth in the past few days.

The accusers thus far think they hide behind a mask of anonymity; they apparently do not realize that we have a referrer log and already know who they are.

While leftists often wax eloquent when talking of "free speech" and accuse others of being "fascist," in practice they only want to hear the "right kind" of speech. The accusers want to see JeffBlogworthy.com intimidated into silence by force. There is no discussion of issues or fact - only a command to "shut up."

The geriatric totalitarians may find it shocking to learn that JeffBlogworthy.com investigated the legality of the web site before putting it up. For the record, Jeff Blogworthy does not intend any copyright infringement; we believe the site is a legally acceptable parody under the fair use doctrine and First Amendment rights. The site merely "conjures up" in the mind of a visitor an image of the original through very limited use. We believe we are on solid legal ground.

The web site does not use Jeff Foxworthy's name, image, the term "redneck," material from Foxworthy’s own web site, or his act (save for the words, "you might be... if). The term "blogworthy" already appears in the internet lexicon: "a concept or idea that is worth posting." We simply combined it to rhyme with the Foxworthy name.

The caricature seen on JeffBlogworthy.com is commissioned artwork prepared by Goofy Faces Caricatures (www.goofyfaces.com). We are very pleased with the work. JeffBlogworthy.com is the licensed owner of the artwork.

Numerous lawsuits have upheld the right to parody. Legal precedent is on our side.

As noted in the dictate, the liberal activists see it as a "great day" when free speech is silenced.

Note the childish nature and conduct of the accusers: "We’re telling!" "Make him stop!" One would think that "people of age" would possess more maturity.

If we were more like liberal Democrats, we might subpoena the records of the AARP forum, find out who this person is, and sue them for libel.

These past few months, radical leftists have continually leveled lies and distortions at the Bush administration. Now a lone blogger gets a taste of the same treatment.

Ned Ferguson created the JeffBlogworthy.com site. He lives peaceably with his family in Tennessee.

In case we require legal representation, we are looking for a close encounter of the pro bono kind with a lawyer who believes in the First Amendment and the precious ideals of freedom.

I just sent this to AARP. I don't expect it to do anything good but I felt better!

This is why I & my husband have NEVER joined AARP and never will. You are a political tool for the liberal left. Freedom of speech but only if it's your view, right? http://community.aarp.org/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=rp-legislative&msg=11759.1&ctx=1

This is their response:

Thank you for contacting your AARP headquarters about our positions on various legislative programs and proposals. It is always a pleasure to respond to a concern.

BACKGROUND: AARP represents the needs of millions of members, with lifestyles and political views as diverse as any group in the United States. As a membership organization, we focus our policies and programs on serving the needs of our 35 million members, their families, and the older population in general. It is often the case that people in the later stages of life, through no fault of their own, need services, income security, and healthcare in quantities unanticipated when they were younger. Or, providing information (educational projects) can often increase the quality of life for our members. Some may interpret advocating for access to social programs or supporting educational projects as liberal. AARP rejects that kind of labeling. Our activities and policies are derived from our members' needs.

STRICTLY NON PARTISAN: The Association is strictly nonpartisan, neither liberal nor conservative, supporting neither Democrats nor Republicans. In fact, our membership is about evenly split between the two parties. No officer, volunteer, or member speaking on behalf of the association may endorse, oppose, or contribute financially to a candidate for public office or any political party. AARP's editors strive carefully to present balanced views on issues covered in "AARP The Magazine" and "The Bulletin," our newspaper.

HOW LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS ARE CHOSEN: The legislative program for AARP incorporates ideas it gathers from members and others through letters, legislative forums, surveys, polls, and communications such as yours. With this input, and after analyzing policy options, the 25-member, all-volunteer National Legislative Council recommends specific policies to the association's Board of Directors. Once approved by the Board, the recommendations become AARP public policy and guide the activities of our volunteers and staff, as well as our legislative agenda, during the year. With over 35 million members, it is difficult to craft a single policy statement that reflects the views of each member.

However, we work very hard in a year-long cycle to ensure that the utmost care is taken to represent the views and the needs of the broadest majority of our members through a deliberative and thorough process.

WORK IMPORTANT TO QUALITY OF LIFE: Our compendium of public policies is a master "wish list" that covers a range of issues affecting older Americans. We recognize that not all of our policy proposals would be passed into law in any given year. Yet together, the policies set legislative goals and regulatory standards important to the quality of older people's lives. It is AARP's vision that our policies reflect intelligent consideration of our society's broad best interests balanced with kindly sensitivity to those most in need.

I hope this information is helpful. Again, thank you especially for getting in touch with us. If there is any issue, product, or service headquarters staff can assist you with in the future, please don't hesitate to ask.

June
Member Service
Member@aarp.org

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