Ted Cruz - Western Conservative Summit 27 Jul 2013

What's Happening at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver

PPPS (Denver) - Conservatives from around the western U.S. have gathered in Denver this weekend for great food, great speeches and networking gone wild! The Pundit Pete Press Service is there to gather intel on the conservative movement.


You can watch a live feed from the conference here.

We'll be interviewing some of the speakers and some of the participants throughout the conference, so keep checking back for updates.

Saturday, July 27th

The morning session began with KT McFarland who is hopefull about America's future, provided we can turn back the disastrous policies of the current administration.

Guy Benson, John Andrews and Michael Barone participated on a panel discussing the question "Who owns the future?" Mary Katherine Ham also participated on a live feed from her home because she is soon to give birth to her first child. All were very impressive. However, given the disastrous deficit spending of our federal government, I think that the question should have been rephrased to: "Who owes the future?"

Victor Davis Hanson discussed "The Moral Bankruptcy of Liberalism". Unfortunately, we had assigned Progressive Pete to cover that speech. We found him later, in the bar, wracked with guilt and unable to file a story.

Great people and organizations we've met today.

K. Carl Smith of the Frederick Douglas Republicans gave a great talk about how to thwart the race card and win over liberals of all persuasions and ethnic backgrounds by explaining the conservative principles of that great American and former slave.

Our "man on the street" reporter, Pedestrian Pete interviewed Tom Intorcio of Patirot Voices about that organization's grassroots efforts to promote conservative values and economic freedom and opportunity. 

Friday, July 26th

Friday's sessions got off to a slow start because a previous conference group at the Hyatt Regency Hotel went over on their time. But all was forgotten when keynote speaker Governor Scott Walker took the podium. He was followed by Mayor Mia Love from Utah, and up and coming young conservative star to watch. Our own PPPS reporter, Political-Beat Pete was able to ask her a question after her speech.

Western Conservative Summit to Include Many Top Conservative Speakers Next Week

PPPS (Denver)—Rising conservative stars Senator Ted Cruz and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker are among the speakers at the fourth annual Western Conservative Summit to be held in Denver, July 26 - 28, 2013.

Sponsored by the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University and Tea Party Patriots, the annual conference is becoming the "super bowl" of conservative events for the Rocky Mountain Region and draws participants from many states.

The conference includes speeches and panel discussions from many leading national and local conservatives, as well as more intimate Citizen Action Workshops on a number of topics.

Scheduled Speakers will include several conservative and Tea Party favorites, such as:

Mia Love, Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah

• Senator Ted Cruz, Texas
• Governor Scott Walker, Wisconsin
• Rep. Allen West, Florida
• Mayor Mia Love, Utah
• Jenny Beth Martin, Tea Party Patriots

We are encouraging all conservatives and Tea Party activists within the sound of this blog to consider attending the Summit. Tickets may be purchased here (the price goes up at the end of Friday, July 19).

Look for live blog posts and twitter updates from the PPPS staff during the Summit.

Pedestrian Pete w/ Jesse Waters

If you come, you may get a chance to meet: Political Beat Pete, who recently caused a stir in the White House Press Room; Citizen Caryn, co-founder of the Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party; Pedestrian Pete, who will be conducting interviews of some of the attendees; or even Pundit Pete himself, who is rumored to be attending.

Pundit Pete Solves Global Warming Controversy

PPPS (Littleton)—Now that President Obama has solved the problems in our economy, is creating numerous new part time jobs, is carefully managing the volatile situation in Egypt, and has resolved all of the scandals affecting his administration, he has appropriately turned his focus to solving the one remaining issue that threatens mankind - Global Warming.

At the Pundit Pete Press Service, we are happy to announce that, based upon a new study recently published by Professor Lu at Waterloo University in Canada, and certain lifestyle changes made by our own leader, Pundit Pete, Global Warming is no longer a threat to the planet. Thankfully, the President can set that issue aside and focus on planning his next vacation.

Here is the article which will allay the President's fears and those of our readers:

Global Warming Caused by CFCs, Not Carbon Dioxide

And, we are proud to document Pundit Pete's contribution to solving the problem and saving mankind (women too).

A Call to All Patriots, Inspired by the People of Egypt

PPPS (Littleton)—On rare occasions, our CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Pundit Pete, offers up his opinion. This is one of those times, on the day that our nation celebrates our independence.

A Call to All Patriots - Inspired by the People of Egypt

On this July Fourth, when our nation celebrates its great beginning, I cannot help but look to current world events with recognition of some irony.

On this day, our own Republic is in peril as our freedoms are slowly eroded; liberty is taken from us bit by bit in ways hardly noticed by a complacent populace. Yet, today we celebrate our independence from a tyrannical government and the nation that was built from the declaration of that independence.

Across the ocean is a land where freedom has been a foreign concept since the time of the ancient rulers called pharoahs. In Egypt, the people have risen up and thrown off their old yoke of tyranny. Today they celebrate, having declared their independence from a tyrannical government. The road ahead of them is uncertain but they are probably more filled with hope than dread, hope that they can build from this new independence.

Which nation will be a beacon and which will be a nation in decay? Today, on our Independence Day, it is sad to think that our nation is on the road to being the the latter while Egypt is the former. Still, we must celebrate our brothers and sisters in Egypt today and pray for the viability of their new found liberty, for which they will have to fight.

Americans have had to fight for liberty. It required sacrifice, and still does every day, both on battlefields far away and at ballot boxes and in court rooms at home—and now in the media.

Let us be inspired by the people of Egypt as we turn our focus once again to the fate of our own fragile republic. We must gather all patriots and throw off this slowly encircling noose of government, of a dependence society, and of fraud and corruption in our public sphere, and of political correctness.

Are we to be indendent or dependent? Let each citizen decide and act, just as each Egyptian citizens decided what he or she was for when they signed petitions and gathered in Tahrir Square to make their voices heard and their presence known.

Happy Fourth of July 2013!

Local Tea Party Issues Statement on Egyptian Protests - Obama Still AWOL

PPPS (Littleton)—Local Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party spokesman, upon seeing the protests against occurring in cities across Egypt, sent in this supporting statement to our editor.

  *************************

The Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party stands with the majority of Egyptians and the coalition of secularists, moderate Muslims and Christians, who are demanding the resignation of President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood controlled government of Egypt.

We believe in the right of the citizens of any country to protest tyranny in all forms. 

President Morsi, although duly elected in a (mostly) free election, proceeded to thwart the intent of the people expressed through that election and transform the government into a radical Islamic state, removing from office and power, and progressively silencing all elements in opposition within the government, the civil society and the press. 

President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood have proceeded with their radical agenda of  Islamic fascism, instead of focusing on critical elements of the struggling Egyptian economy. They have ignored the will of the people in this regard and have failed to promote (and even prevented) appropriate solutions, including the promotion of free enterprise and guarantees of economic and individual freedom for the citizens of Egypt.

President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood have also proceeded to undermine longstanding relationships with other countries and treaties, harming trade and threatening the stability of the region.

President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood have failed in a primary role of government, the protection of their own citizens, and have stood by and allowed (and at times encouraged) violence against the Christian minority and other groups within the country.

Against the wishes of a majority of citizens, President Morsi and members of the Muslim Brotherhood have put forth and passed legislation, including a new constitution, using questionable legislative techniques and without allowing sufficient time for opposition partes and the People, to read, evaluate and debate the measures. These actions thwart the will of the people and are an affront to democratic institutions everywhere.

Therefore, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the freedom movement in Egypt, We, the members of the Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party, lend our good name and commit Our voices in support of the People of Egypt in their efforts to peaceably assemble and to petition their government for redress of their grievances.

And absent any good-faith response from that government, we support the Right of the People, to dissolve the political bands which connect them to their government and to form a new government which will secure their rights and which derives just powers from the consent of the governed.

We also declare that we are in disagreement with the position of neutrality put forth by our own President and Department of State  in this matter. We believe that our president is out of touch with, and disrespectful of the will of the American People, who have stood and fought for freedom around the world.

—Done this day, July 3rd, 2013 in Littleton, Colorado

Citizen Pete & Citizen Caryn, Co-Founders

Another Apology To Our Readers for Interruption in Service

PPPS (Littleton)—Once again, we must apologize to our loyal readers for the month-long interruption in news and opinions posted on this blog.

We've been distracted.

Paperwork 

First of all, much Pundit Pete Press Service staff time has been devoted lately to the filling out of IRS forms connected with the 501(c)(4) application filed on behalf of our affiliated nonprofit educational organization, Pundits for Progress and for a 501(c)(3) application for Pundit Pete's favorite charitable group, Petes With a Purpose.

Also, a friend and loyal reader, Citizen Pete, asked our staff attorney, Pleader Pete, for some assistance in responding to certain IRS inquiries. Citizen Pete's group, the Bridge to Nowhere Tea Party, had filed for a 501(c)(4) designation over two years ago and were experiencing delays in processing, and an inordinate amount of paperwork.

More Paperwork and Some Unusual Requests

The most recent IRS information requests were quite extensive and included some puzzling questions, such as "Have you or any members ever watched Fox News?', or "Does your mother own a bible"? 

Because some of the questions also involved documentation of any ties to the Pundit Pete Press Service, we thought it best if Pleader Pete and other staff get involved. There may be a story there, if we can get someone to write it.

Financial Difficulties

In a totally unrelated problem, our chief investor and benefactor to the above-mentioned nonprofits, Philanthropist Pete, recently received audit notices from the IRS for both his personal tax returns and for profitable businesses. Because of the interrelationship between Pete's various business interests and charitable contributions, Philanthropist Pete has advised us that he is temporarily cutting all financial ties to PPPS and taking up residence on his yacht moored off Cayman Islands.

In a surprising coincidence, several key PPPS staff members, and our CEO, Pundit Pete, also received personal IRS audit notices within the last two months, and some of Pete's accounts have been frozen. This has caused a temporary interruption in staff paychecks and some staff furloughs.  As a result, our staff writers and support staff have been less than enthusiastic about coming to work and posting new content.

Unexpected Visits

In what appears to be another unrelated set of circumstances, our offices were recently visited by the ATF, the EPA, the DEA, ICE, the CIA, OSHA, AARP, NAACP, the State Department, and the FBI, in what each claimed were routine annual inspections. They removed two of our computers and a number of signs which we had stored in a back room.

Airport Delays

Our staff have experienced unusual "airport delays" recently. Our chief Moscow correspondent, Pytor "the Great", has been camped at the Moscow airport for days, waiting for a story to break, and racking up fast food expenses on his credit card.

Two of our other reporters, Palestinian Pete and Protestor Pete, were sent to London to cover the G-8 meeting, but were denied entry at Heathrow Airport. They ended up missing the entire proceedings and never posted a story.

If that were not enough, our Chief White House Correspondent, Pollitical-Beat Pete, who was set to accompany the President and the First Family on Air Force One  for their vacation in Africa, was stripped of his press credentials and left on the tarmac. No reason was given, except for a short quip from a White House aid, "The President is cutting back on your lavish travel plans. You've been furloughed!"

PPPS Phones and Computers Hacked

Finally, one of our researchers, Conspiracy Theory Fact Checker, Paranoid Pete, uncovered evidence that our phones have been bugged and our computers hacked. Pete's concerns convinced several staff members not to post stories, or even to come into work, resulting in a great drop in production.

Finally, Some Good Luck

The apparent hacking of our phones and computers nearly shut down the office. But, in a stroke of good luck, a repairman, who had been parked for a few days at the end of our block in a van marked "NSA Mobile Unit ", knocked on our door and offered his help.  He immediately set about to find and fix the source of the intermittent clicking which had been plaguing our phone lines for the weeks. He then went on to install a new wi-fi router, which he said would prevent further computer hacking. He did all of this free of charge. He even offered us a free app for all of our staff cell phones which he said would "improve reception and signal location".

And then, just as this nice repairman was finishing up, we heard another knock at the office door.  Outside were two delivery men. One had a large box with our two computers. He apologized and said that in compensation for the inconvenience, that the FBI had installed some free upgrades.

And the other man, wearing a hat with the IRS logo, produced a series of letters from the IRS approving the various 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) applications, cancelling Pundit Pete's audits and restoring all funds to his bank accounts.

But the most rewarding item, and the one that restores our faith in government, was a personal, hand-written note on IRS stationary, which came with a beautiful house plant and included this message:

As a dedicated employee of the IRS, I want to personally apologize for any inadvertent mistakes made by other, low-level IRS employees, and for poor customer service. Please accept this gift in appreciation of your patience. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have in this matter.  —Lois Lerner

P.S. The plant would look great in the center of your conference room table. Just face the blue flowers in the direction of your new wi-fi router and don't over water.

Our Heartfelt Thanks and Honor To Those Who Died In Service to Our Country

PPPS (Littlteton)—Today we honor the memory of all those who gave their lives in service to our country, that we might live free.

(photo from Memorial Day Services in 2012)

Reporter Recants White House Story, Pulls New Book

PPPS (Washington)—In a shocking revelation this morning, our own Political-Beat Pete admitted that he wrongfully claimed credit for asking  a question in a recent White House press briefing. The March 18 story made national news, but the mystery "reporter from Colorado" was not Pete!

The Mark of a True Leader: Barack Obama

PPPS (Washington)—We thought we would pass on this commentary about true leadership, submitted by a loyal reader, Citizen Pete.

Press Secretary Jay Carney Explains Benghazi Talking Points Memo

PPPS (Washington)—Amid heated questions from the press yesterday (did that really happen?), White House Press Secretary Jay Carney carefully explained the process by which a CIA talking points memo about the attacks on the Consulate Diplomatic Facility in Benghazi, Libya came to be altered before its formal release.

 

War on Babies: Do Democrats and the Press Condone It?

(From ProLife = ProGod Facebook page)

PPPS (Philadelphia)—Qui tacet consentit - If silence implies consent then are the mainstream media and Democrats, in their response to the Kermit Gosnell trial, condoning a war on babies?

You can read the following and decide.

New Voices on the Issues - Racism

PPPS (Littleton)—In this, the second in our New Voices on the Issues series, we tackle the sensitive subject of Racism in America.

A Tribute to the Iron Lady and Her Friend the Gipper

PPPS (London)—With the passing of former Prime Minister of Great Britain, the most honorable Margaret Thatcher, we thought we would honor her with this picture with her friend and fellow conservative, Ronald Reagan.

 "..... and then I told Gorby, just wait 'till my friend Ron gets here, 'cause boy, when we're standing together, you're gonna wish you were ...... Back in the U.S.S.R."

We miss them both.

Will Colorado Citizen's Lawsuit Have Chilling Ramifications for Freedom Of The Press?

PPPS (Denver)—A Colorado Citizen today filed a shocking lawsuit in the Federal District Court in Denver today, challenging the very foundation of the 1st Amendment right guaranteeing freedom of the press.

PPPS - Could individual on right be Citizen Pete?

In his lawsuit, a Colorado resident, named only as Citizen Pete, claimed irreparable harm and mental anguish due to several news organizations, and some individual reporters and news personalities, failure to report information and facts in their possession in a timely manner.

Named in the lawsuit were: ABC News, CBS News, NBC NEWS, MSNBC, CNN, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, NPR, PBS, AP, Politico and the Denver Post.

The White House Press Corpse, 2013 (PPPS photo)

A nearly identical copy of the lawsuit was also simultaneously filed in the Washington, DC District Court naming certain individuals collectively known as the White House Press Corpse, and in the International Court of Justice at the Hague, naming the BBC News, CNN, Reuters News, Al Jazeera, and the Associated Press.

Happy Easter from Colorado

PPPS (Morrison, CO)—Happy East from the Sunrise Service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. (click to enlarge any of the photographs). God bless.

6AM - Some are a bit sleepy but venue is almost full by start of service.

The stage as the service begins.

Ready for the sun (son) rise, 10,000 + worshipers.

After the service - Red Rocks Amphitheatre (stage is at photo center)

Red rocks and the moon.

The setting - red rocks of the Fountain formation and foothills backdrop.

Related Articles:
Denver Post Photo Essay - March 31, 2013

Political-Beat Pete Asks Tough Question of Jay Carney at WH Press Briefing

PPPS (The White House)--At today's White House Press Briefing, our own Political-Beat Pete, after waiting patiently in back with hand raised, finally walked up near the front of the room when it was time for the last question, and asked Press Secretary Jay Carney whether he would take a question from Colorado. He agreed to accept one more question.

White House Press Briefing - March 18, 2013 (PPPS photo)

 

Pete's question was a follow-up to one asked earlier by April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks about a lack of appointments to the President's Cabinet of minorities. It was the following (paraphrased for now):

As a followup to the question asked by the woman earlier, with very high unemployment in the black community, and when there are government workers who may be furloughed, and there are millions of other Americans unemployed, and families whose budgets have been cut, how does the President justify lavish vacations and a golf trip to Florida at taxpayer expense? Does he plan to cut back on his travel?

After asking the initial question, and as Carney tried to spin out of answering it, Pete interrupted him in good journalist fashion a couple of times. Mr. Carney was doing press secretary gymnastics and was describing how GOP efforts to reduce spending would reduce funds to the sick and elderly when Pete brought the question back to the high rate of unemployment for young people who are black (again, this is a paraphrase for now). Of course, Pete's efforts were in vain, and Secretary Carney never really answered the question of whether or not the President would cut down on his travel going forward.

Pete got into the White House Press Briefing room after calling for a press pass. He had been told the wrong time for the press briefing and, therefore, only arrived near the end. Then, a seasoned journalist advised Pete to move up and stand along the wall closer to the front. After the man standing next to Pete was granted the last question, Pete was pretty disappointed.

Pete just inside the White House gate w/ his new press pass.

But then just as the Secretary answered the "last question", Pete interjected boldly, "Would you take a question from Colorado?"....and the rest is history.

We will post a copy of our YouTube video of Pete's question and response, as well as a link to the CSPAN recording, which should be available this evening. Pete's question comes near the end of the White House Press Briefing.

Update: Here is the Pundit Pete Press Service Video:

Transcription from the White House Briefing Room (note that Press Secretary Carney fails to even remotely answer Pete's questions):

Q    One question from Colorado.

MR. CARNEY:  From Colorado, sure.

Q    All right.  I wanted to follow up on this young woman’s question about the high unemployment out in places like Colorado, all around the country, especially in the minority communities -- exceptionally high unemployment.  And when there is government workers who may be furloughed, millions of Americans unemployed, and family budgets that have been cut, how does the President justify lavish vacations and a golf trip to Florida at taxpayer expense?  And does he plan to cut back on his travel?

MR. CARNEY:  I can tell you that this President is focused every day on policies that create economic growth and help advance job creation.  We have presided over the past three years over an economy that’s produced over 6.3 million private sector jobs, and we have more work to do.  And this President’s number-one priority is growth and job creation.  When you come to --

Q    But it’s not working in the minority communities.

MR. CARNEY:  Well, the fact is unemployment has come down.  It has not come down nearly enough.  And what we need to do is embrace policies that advance job creation, make secure the middle class, and create ladders of opportunity for those who aspire to the middle class.  We certainly do not need to embrace economic policies that shift the entire burden of deficit reduction onto senior citizens, middle-class families, Medicaid recipients.  The proposal coming out of the House would slash Medicaid by a third.

Q    But it doesn’t affect inner-city jobs.

MR. CARNEY:  It doesn’t?  You don’t think it does?

Q    No.

MR. CARNEY:  People who depend on Medicaid to help take care of their kids who are disabled.  People who depend on Medicaid to take care of their parents who are in nursing homes.  People who are not in the middle class but aspire to it, who depend directly on Medicaid.  I think you need to examine what the Medicaid program actually does.

 Why Was Pete At the White House Anyway?

As Chief White House Correspondent for the Pundit Pete Press Service, Pete of course is no stranger to the White House Press Briefing Room. But, having lost his press credentials a while back because of a change in attitude and a book project he was working on, Pete could only return on a one-day pass. And what is that book project you might ask? Well it's Pete's first, soon-to-be-released book: Is Journalism Finally Dead? - An Insider's Revealing Look at the White House Press Corpse.

Check it out.

On another note:

As Political-Beat Pete was leaving the Northwest Gate to the White House, he encountered another gentleman who was leaving, one who was perhaps a bit more familiar with the White House than Pete. It was Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO labor union.

When Pete asked Mr. Trumka, if like Pete, it was his first visit to the White House, Mr. Trumka lied and said yes.

Or perhaps he misunderstood Pete to ask if it was his first visit to the White House this week. It was Monday, after all.

Related News Articles:

No Plans for Obama to Cut Back on Lavish Vacations and Travel - Katie Pavlich - Townhall 
 
Dodge of the Day: Reporter asks Jay Carney if Obama plans to cut back on lavish vacations and golf trips - Doug Powers at Michelle Malkin

Reporter Asks Carney: Will Obama Cut Back on Lavish Vacations, Golf Trips? - The Weekly Standard

Will Obama Cut Back on ‘Lavish Vacations’ Due to Sequester Cuts, Furloughs? Hear Jay Carney’s Evasive Answer - The Blaze

Pete can be seen asking his question on the left side of this video interview with Dr. Ben Carson shown on Hannity on FoxNews. Pete's question and comments start at  minute 04:55 on the video: Interview with Ben Carson

Here is the press briefing on CSPAN - Pete's question start at minute 39:12 (Pete is off to the left).

Fellow Colorado Blogger Michelle Morin  carried the story. 

Shameless Advertising Section
I used my Samsung Infuse cell phone (1.5 yrs old) to make the video in this story. Pretty good sound and video quality, huh? I'm pretty sure the newer Samsung Galaxy S III  phones are as good or better.

Filibuster Fever in the DC Swamp

Drone Wars (ABC News)

PPPS (Washington)—For nearly 13 hours yesterday, Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) held the Senate floor, and the nation's rapt attention, as he filibustered the nomination of John Brennen for Director of the CIA.

C-Span had it's longest, and most-watched program in years, and the Twitterverse was dominated last night, and still is this morning, by #StandWithRand.

The issue, of course, was not John Brennen, but Attorney General Eric Holder's response to a letter sent to him in January by Senator Paul regarding the question of whether the Administration could use drones to kill American citizens on American soil.

Rather than the obvious responses of "No!" or "Hell No, that would be unconstitutional!", the Attorney General instead finally responded on Monday in a letter with a vague and evasive answer. Here is the a part of that letter.

The question you have posed is therefore entirely hypothetical, unlikely to occur, and one we hope no President will ever have to confront. It is possible, I suppose, to imagine an extraordinary circumstance in which it would be necessary and appropriate for the President to authorize the military to use lethal force within the territory of the United States.

Rand Paul responded by going to the floor of the Senate and speaking up, beginning at 11:47 AM yesterday.

People across the nation were soon watching on C-Span2, gaining an education about Senate filibuster procedures and the constitution, reminiscent of the famous movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.  The real version was easily as entertaining as the movie, with thousands, perhaps millions, unable to leave their TV sets or the live-stream on their computers and mobile devices. It was history in the making, live and unfiltered by the liberal press.

Next door, in a Senate hearing room, Senator Ted Cruz grilled Attorney General Holder about his letter and the drone issue, finally eliciting a reluctant and tepid no on the issue.

Senators Cruz, Lee and Rubio took turns relieving Senator Rand for brief periods on the Senate floor, entertaining viewers with their own statesmanlike and educational lectures on the constitutional issues at hand. They were joined by Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon. Other Republican Senators showed up as well, spurred by #StandWithRand fever, and perhaps some gentle prodding from constituents.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made a brief appearance in hopes that he could derail the filibuster before more American viewers could join in the fun. Democratic Senator Dick Durban, to his credit, stayed on and posed a few questions. And, although Durbin's questions were intended to deflect the issue away from the President, he actually made a few cogent points, which Senator Paul acknowledged, then quickly demolished in his responses.

Senator Ron Johnson, delayed by dinner with the President, showed up near the end at midnight to provide a scathing but educational history of the  intransigence on budget issues displayed in Senator Reid's leadership over the past four years.

The most fun though, could be found on Twitter, where millions worldwide were cheering Senator Paul to keep going. Here are tweet samples from yesterday, last night and this morning found under hashtag #StandWithRand.

Freedom First ‏@MrsFreedomFirst

Thank you! @SenRandPaul Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! #StandWithRand Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Campaign for Liberty ‏@C4Liberty

RT if you #StandwithRand in demanding answers from the White House on unconstitutional drone strikes in US.

You will learn more about Constitution form #StandWithRand filibuster than any knowledge dispensed by our law professor President

Without a teleprompter, for 9 1/2 hours and #RandPaul has yet to drone on like the President does in every speech. #StandWithRand

Don't care if they've adjourned. Still standing and clapping for @SenRandPaul a great Patriot! #StandWithRand

On Nov 6 and each day since the flame of liberty has grown dimmer. Last night, someone brought a torch to the party. #StandWithRand

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Dies - U.S. Selects Special Envoy to Attend Funeral

PPPS (Washington and Caracas)—With the shocking and unexpected death of Hugo Chavez, President (for life) of Venezuela, the world of Latin American diplomacy has been been thrust to the forefront of the many issues facing President Obama this week.

The diplomatic relationship between our two great countries has been turbulent, and it is important to carefully select an envoy to represent the U.S. at the Venezuelan state funeral in Caracas.

Our sources in the White House and U.S. State Department tell us that a lively debate ensued overnight in the White House situation room, overseen by the President himself.

Normally, with the death of a foreign leader, the vice president is sent. But for the following two safety reasons, that option was not available:  

1. The Venezuelan Government's accusation that the U.S. injected Chavez with terminal cancer creates a concern for Vice President Biden's safety.
2. If Vice President Biden were allowed to speak or give advice in the murder capitol of the Western Hemisphere (Caracas), it might further endanger the Venezuelan People.

With the vice president unable to attend, the diplomatic duties normally fall to the secretary of state. However, in the aftermath of Secretary of State Kerry's recent remarks in Germany, and the sensitive issue of freedom of speech in a country reeling from the fall of a dictator, the decision was made by President Obama to forego this option as well.

At times like these, President Obama often turns to his friends in Hollywood to help convey important messages by sending them to meet with foreign dignitaries.

Sean Penn & Hugo Chavez

Our sources indicate that the President personally telephoned Actor Sean Penn late last night to offer his condolences on the passing of Penn's buddy and to offer him the job of Special Envoy to represent the American People at the funeral of President Hugo Chavez. Although he said that he was honored, reportedly, and was already planning to attend, Mr. Penn said that he was too overcome with grief to handle any official duties.

Dennis Rodman on ABC's This Week

Next, President Obama considered appointing U.S. Representative Jose Serrano. However, Special Adviser to the President Valerie Jarrett is rumored to have stepped in and offered up the name of a recent envoy to another troubled country, Dennis Rodman. After a lively discussion in the Situation Room overnight, all parties eventually took Jarrett's suggestion, and President Obama put his seal of approval on the pick, then phoned Rodman.

Early this morning, the White House and State Department simultaneously released this official announcement:

In recognition of the special relationship between our two countries and in acknowledgement of the enormous grief of the People of Venezuela, President Barack Obama appoints Mr. Dennis Rodman as Special Envoy of the United States of America to attend the state funeral of Great Leader President Hugo Chavez.

Dennis demonstrating hug technique.

PPPS correspondent Protester Pete caught up with Dennis Rodman early this mornig as he was rushing to attend an interview at a major network studio. Special Envoy Rodman offered these hasty remarks on his new appointment.

"I never met the dude, but I've always considered Hugo as a personal friend. We're both big baseball fans.  So, yeah, I'll go represent our country. Plus, I give great hugs."


Related Story:
Representative Barbara Lee of California reportedly turned down an offer to attend the Hugo Chavez funeral as part of the U.S. delegation because she will be attending  as a personal representative of Cuban President Fidel Castro, who may be too ill to travel.

Note: Pedro Pete, PPPS Latin American Correspondent also contributed to this article.