Jim Pence October 14th, 2008

Yesterday after hearing about the stunt Ed. Whitfield pulled (read the back story here ) I decided to go to Lexington and ask KET if I could videotape the Heather Ryan and the no show Ed. Whitfield debate. I arrived at the Lexington KET facility early but the very nice lady at the desk was busy receiving complaints from Heather Ryan supporters. When the nice lady behind the desk caught up with her calls I asked her if I could video tape the so called debate and she directed me to a very nice young man by the name of Todd. Todd told me I couldn’t video tape the debate but I could shoot some ‘b’ roll before the debate. This was very disappointing news because I was looking forward to shooting video of the debate and uploading it to youtube good audio and all, if you know what I mean. Well there I was Lexington about 90 miles from home frustrated and pissed all at the same time when I received a call telling me that Heather Ryan was going to hold a press conference at 6:30pm right there at KET. So I got my video equipment ready, Heather shows up, but no press just me a lowly blogger with a video camcorder. I video taped the press conference( the video is below and the audio ain’t bad for a dumb ass hillbilly). Right after the press conference, with no press, Heather Ryan started getting prepared for the debate and I was allowed into the debate area to shoot some ‘b’ roll but was ushered out just before the debate started to a conference like room with a big overhead projector and I watched the so called debate there. After the so called debate I started receiving calls that the audio of the so called debate had dropped off just before the so called debate started. I believed the callers but the audio at KET was perfect. I know because I had just watched the debate there. Two callers from Kentucky’s 1st District told me the audio dropped off exactly when the so called debate started. Now this was really getting hard to believe but my wife recorded the so called debate and I knew I would be able to check it out when I got home. When I got home I played the tape and sure enough the audio seemed to drop off exactly when the so called debate started. Still I found that hard to believe so I captured the video to my editing system and looked at it very close and was amazed. Sure enough the audio dropped of exactly when the so called debate started. It was then that I knew I would have to prove this beyond doubt and I believe I have. I put together a short video of footage of just before the debate and just after the debate started and did not enhance the sound and then screen captured the audio levels of the short video. The photo of the audio levels is below and the video is just below that. Proof positive. Do I believe this was an accident? Hell no I don’t!

Heather’s press conference video is below.

• 2008 First CD Race , Debates , Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan , Mitch McConnell , Video , Youtube
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Jim Pence October 8th, 2008

Heather Ryan held a press conference today called out Ed Whitfield supporters and announced she is expecting. Congrats Heather!
Click here to view photos of the press conference. Photos were shot by Mike Watt and Ivan Potter, thanks guys.
Video of her Press Conference is below.
See her response to the Whitfield campaign below.
Heather also informed the press that Ed Whitfield declined the KET televised debate scheduled for Monday, October 13, 2008. It seems to me we have a pattern here. Senator Mitch McConnell has dodged 3 debates and now Ed Whitfield is following suit This pattern goes back several years and I have the videos to prove it. During the 2006 2nd District Congressional race Congressman Ron Lewis refused to debate Mike Weaver and I was fortunate enough to get video of Mike Weaver debating a chair. The video of Mike debating a chair is below.
I suggest that it’s unpatriotic to ask our troops to fight and die in Iraq and Afghanistan and then deny these troops the opportunity to see the candidates debate the issues that effect their very lives.

Wednesday October 08, 2008
Heather Ryan Responds to being called "Fat" by Whitfield Supporters
How often do you hear someone complain about how annoying a man’s voice is, or how they refuse to vote for a him because he is hideously ugly? Do you hear a lot of male politicians being criticized because they are fat? These are sexist comments that the Heather Ryan for Congress Campaign deals with every day. However, in an astounding act of defiance, Heather responded today to those critical of her weight at a press conference.

This morning at 10:00 AM Heather confirmed that she is five months pregnant and is not amused by Whitfield’s supporters and staff who have made physical features a key topic during this campaign.

"When our economy is reeling from the worst economic crisis in modern history and when our men and women are dying in an unending war in Iraq, I believe our discourse should be about more than weight." Heather said in a statement.

In an interesting timing twist, KET Public Television called just before the press conference to inform the Ryan campaign that her opponent, Ed Whitfield, declined the televised debate scheduled for Monday, October 13, 2008. The reason for why Mr. Whitfield will not attend is unclear, but what is certain is that he owes the people of Kentucky’s First Congressional District answers to their questions about the current economic mess but has thus ignored.

Please be sure to tune in to KET on Monday, October 13, 2008 at 8:00 CST to watch the "debate". Heather will be there, even if Ed Whitfield is too cowardice to attend.
Sincerely,
Crystal Riley

• 2008 First CD Race , Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan , Mitch McConnell
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Jim Pence September 10th, 2008

According to WSPD Local 6 , Julie Harris, the Executive Director of Paducah’s River Heritage Museum , has admitted to receiving and forwarding a racially charged email on her work account "Black Hurricanes". According to Snopes.Com the email below is an example of the "Black Hurricanes" email that has been circulating since September 2005, and this may not be the exact email Julie Harris forwarded:

Snopes.com
Example: [Collected via e-mail, 2006]
Well, it appears our African American friends have found something else to be pissed about. A black congresswoman (this would be Sheila Jackson Lee, of Houston) reportedly complained that the names of hurricanes are all Caucasian-sounding names.
She would prefer some names that reflect African-American culture such as Chamiqua, Woeisha, and Jamal. I can hear it now: A black weatherman in Houston saying …
"Wordup, Muthas! Herr-i-cane Chamiqua be headin’ fo’ Galveston like Leroy on a crotch rocket! Bitch be a category fo’! So, turn off dem chitlins, grab yo’ chirren, leave yo crib, and head fo’ de nearest FEMA office fo yo FREE shit!"

According to WPSD Local 6 Julie Harris released the following statement Tuesday September 9, 2008:
"I would like to apologize to anyone whom I may have offended." I recently sent an e-mail to a close group of friends that was, in hindsight, in poor judgment. I realize it is too easy to receive an e-mail that makes you smile for whatever reason and then hit the forward button not realizing the spirit in which it may be received by others. Being Jewish myself and having experienced life-long insults and prejudices, I have learned to accept prejudicial comments made against those of my faith with humor instead of being offended. I realize that others may not react in the same fashion when such emails are shared. I sincerely apologize."

Snopes.com
The racist nature of the message quoted above has cost the job of at least one person who passed it along via e-mail. In 2005, a contract employee for Cobb County, Georgia was fired for sending it through the county’s computer system. Cobb spokesman Robert Quigley said of the incident, "Cobb County has been embarrassed by the actions of [name of employee] and apologizes for any offense."
In August 2007, the Mayor of Oak Ridge North, Texas, was moved to ask for the resignation of one of its councilpersons who had forwarded the e-mail to three city employees in June of that year. The e-mailer, Councilman Tony Butler, has admitted he "made a stupid mistake" but says he does not plan to step down.

I can’t help but remember Heather Ryan , Democratic Candidate for Congress in Kentucky’s First Congressional District, and she wasn’t given the chance to apologize before she was fired from her job as the executive director of the Maiden Alley Cinema, in Paducah, KY. One could easily conclude some of these folks have one standard for Senator Mitch McConnell and another standard when the entire black population is insulted.

It’s nice that Julie Harris apologized, but I suggest Paducah’s River Heritage Museum Board Members need to  take a look at all the emails she has sent from her work place to insure that this is just an isolated incident and not a pattern. To do any thing less could be considered negligent and possibly endanger Paducah’s River Heritage Museum’s non profit status because you never know what’s out there and the people that have it may not be friends!!!

• 2008 First CD Race , 2008 KY U.S. Senate Race , Black Hurricane , Heather Ryan , Julie Harris , Mitch McConnell , Paducah River Heritage Museum
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Terri Whitehouse August 30th, 2008

Sen. Mitch McConnell had this to day to the Messenger-Inquirer about Sen. John McCain’s VP choice of Gov. Sarah Palin yesterday:

Clearly, picking a little-known governor from Alaska was an effort to appeal to women voters.

McCain was looking for someone who was not of Washington, who has a reputation as a reformer like him and on the foreign policy stuff, he’s going to say, “I’ve got the experience. I don’t need it in a vice president.”

The test will be when it’s all over, it will either look like a genius move or a Hail Mary that went imcomplete.

So, what do you think? Mitch McConnell: true believer, or just kidding himself because he’s power-hungry? Personally, I thought Sen. McCain came across as less-than-enthused about his own choice.

Appealing to women? I don’t know about all ya’ll, but I don’t vote with my vagina.

Of course, what do you expect from a party of dumb shits that think people are only voting for Obama because he’s black. Talk about just not getting it.

And while we’re on the topic of vaginas, why is Rep. Ed Whitfield so scared of them? Vagina dentata, perhaps?

• 2008 First CD Race , 2008 Presidential Campaign , Barack Obama , Bigotry , Commentary , Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan , Hillary Clinton , John McCain , Lipstick On a Pig , Mitch McConnell , Republican Party Decline , Sarah Palin , Women
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Jim Pence August 25th, 2008

Heather Ryan Democratic candidate for Kentucky’s 1st Congressional district Wins the national ‘Pick a Progressive Patriot’ contest and the prize is $5000.
You go girl!!

• 2008 First CD Race , Heather Ryan , Video , Youtube
• Comments(3)

Jim Pence August 22nd, 2008

Heather Ryan opened her campaign headquarters yesterday in Paducah, Kentucky. Click here to view photos, shot by Mike Watt, of the event.
Don’t forget to vote:
Heather Ryan is one of nine Congressional Candidates selected by Senator Russ Feingold’s Progressive Patriots Fund, eligible to receive a $5000 campaign contribution from the Progressive Patriots Fund for the 2008 election if she receives the most votes in their web based poll. Click here to vote for Heather.
Voting ends at midnight Friday, August 22 , so vote early and vote often for 1st District Candidate Heather Ryan.

• Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan
• Comments(4)

Jim Pence July 12th, 2008

• 2008 First CD Race , Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan
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Jim Pence July 5th, 2008

Today, July 5, 2008, I was in Murray, Kentucky attending the Freedom Fest Parade and I showed Heather Ryan a video clip of Ed. Whitfield. I asked her what she thought of the clip and Heather said "Thanks Ed".
The 32 sec. video clip is below.

• 2008 First CD Race , Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan , Video , Youtube
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Jim Pence June 18th, 2008

• 2008 First CD Race , Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan , Horsemeat (Yum!) , James Pence , Kentucky , Mitch McConnell , Video , Youtube
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Jim Pence May 17th, 2008

Remember Heather Ryan, well she gave one helluva speech at the Ned Breathitt Day Dinner, In Hopkinsville, Kentucky yesterday.
Heather Ryan, in the opinion of this writer, has been shit on by the Right Wing Neocons in Paducah, Kentucky and it’s time for “Yellow Dog” Democrats” all across Kentucky to stand up for this young lady and help her in her quest to out Congressman Ed. Whitfield.
I believe the right wing neocons in Paducah tried to label Heather and her daughter Heaven as two crazy females, but I’m here to tell you that Heather is anything but crazy and her daughter Heaven is one well behaved child.
My question for Western Kentucky Democrats is this: “Which Side Are You On“?

• 2008 First CD Race , Heather Ryan , James Pence , Video , Youtube
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Jim Pence May 11th, 2008

• Heather Ryan , James Pence , Video , Youtube
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Jim Pence April 9th, 2008

According to Heather Ryan, former director of Paducah’s Maiden Alley Cinema and Democratic candidate for Kentucky’s 1st Congressional seat Senator Mitch McConnell’s latest political ad contains footage from the Non Profit Maiden Alley Cinema and was shot without her permission as director of Paducah’s Maiden Alley.
The clip containing Mitch McConnell in the Non Profit Maiden Alley Cinema, shot without permission from the former director of Paducah’s Maiden Alley Cinema is below.

• 2008 KY U.S. Senate Race , Heather Ryan , Maiden Alley Cinema , Mitch McConnell , The Paducah Film Society , Video , Youtube
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Jim Pence March 13th, 2008

The Louisville Metro Democratic Democratic Club sponsored the first Democratic primary senatorial debate and invited all the candidates from the Louisville area to participate. Mike Cassaro and Gregg Fischer participated. Bruce Lunsford couldn’t make it to the event. Mark Hebert moderated the debate. The video, in its entirety, is below and is about 1 hr long. You can watch the video below or go here and watch segments of the video.
Kenneth Stepp another Democratic candidate for Senator was also at the event, but did not participate in the debate, because he is not from the Louisville area, but I did get a short statement from him and the video is below. All of the candidates have one thing in common, defeat Senator Mitch McConnell.
Heather Ryan Democratic Congressional candidate for Kentucky’s 1st Cogressional District was also at the event and was kind enough to give me a short interview, the video is below. To find out why Heather Ryan decided to run for Congress click here.
Once again the Louisville Metro Dems out did themselves. Many thanks to them and all their efforts.

• 2008 KY U.S. Senate Race , Greg Fischer , Heather Ryan , Kenneth Stepp , Louisville Metro Democratic Club , Michael Cassaro , Video , Youtube
• Comments(7)

Jim Pence March 2nd, 2008

(Cross posted at Hillbilly Report)
Clammyc (Adam Lambert) and thereisnospoon (David Atkins) welcome Democratic Congressional candidate Heather Ryan, who is running in Kentucky’s first district.
This is the link to the show. Feel free to call in and ask Heather a question or make a comment.

• 2008 First CD Race , Heather Ryan
• Comments(43)

Jim Pence February 7th, 2008

Heather Ryan candidate for congress, in Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District has her web site up. Click here to view it. She built the site herself. The site is bare bones and a work in progress, but it does have all her contact information and her positions on the issues.
I don’t remember thanking Senator Mitch McConnell for anything, but I would like to thank him for inspiring Heather to run for congress. I’m a realist and realize that Heather’s chances of winning in November are slim, but I’ll take slim over no chance at all every day of the week.
Go girl go.

• 2008 First CD Race , Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan , Mitch McConnell
• Comments(47)

Jim Pence January 31st, 2008

I just talked to Heather Ryan ( The Young Lady that Senator Mitch McConnell got fired from her job) on the phone and she is currently building her campaign web-site, in her home, that’s in Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District, on her computer that sits next to her kitchen table. The web-site will be up soon with all of her contact information.
This is in contrast to to her opponent, Ed Whitfield that doesn’t live in Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District, who will have professionals building his campaign web site.
According to some sources Ed Whitfield owns a Newport Beach, California condo but in Kentucky only owns “a lot in Madisonville” worth between $1,000 and $15,000 and nothing more.
It’s odd that no show Ed Whitfield is so enamored with California. Is it possible that we have another Larry Craig right here in Kentucky????
Stay tuned, we’re gonna find out!!!!
Just for the record, for the Whitfield folks that have the ability to read, check out the photo below. Do you see bitch anywhere on the sign? If you don’t then shut the f$%# up!!!!!!
By the way Ed., can you count to 12????

• Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan , Homophobia , Larry Craig , Mitch McConnell
• Comments(44)

Jim Pence January 29th, 2008

I don’t know Chris Thieneman from Adam, but I feel for the guy because he’s encountering the wrath of Anne Northup and Senator Mitch McConnell. I realize, Chris Thienaman is a Republican, but he is standing up to power and I respect that.
It’s just more proof that Senator Mitch McConnell is the boss here in Kentucky and if you get in his way, you’re gonna pay. If you’re Heather Ryan, a Democrat, asking Senator Mitch McConnell a question he’s uncomfortable with, or a dedicated Republican not doing what Senator Mitch McConnell wants, the results are the same, you’re gonna pay.
Heather Ryan is a Democrat and Chris Thieneman is a Republican, and I have this to say to both of them, you’re gonna find out who your real friends are.
When it comes to politics Chris Thieneman and I may not agree on anything, but I believe we can agree on this, we don’t always go along to get along and we know what goes around comes around.
This is a free country and those that want to kiss Senator Mitch McConnell’s ass are free to do so and those that want to kick his ass are just as free.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not in a ass kissing mood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The video below is audio from the Tony Cruise Show Yesterday, January 28, 2008 and don’t be surprised if Senator Mitch McConnell pressures WHAS 840 to have the video removed from Youtube. If you click on the video and it says this video is no longer available, then you’ll know that Senator Mitch McConnell doesn’t want you to see it, but don’t get discouraged, if that occurs, just send me an email requesting the video and I’ll send it to you.
The Hillbilly

• Ann Northup , Chris Thieneman , Heather Ryan , Mitch McConnell , Opinion , Video , Youtube
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Jim Pence January 27th, 2008

Remember Heather Ryan, the young lady fired from her job as executive director of the Maiden Alley Cinema, in Paducah, KY.? Read more about that incident here and here. She is running for Congress and hoping to unseat right wingnut, no show Ed Whitfield. Her Announcement video is the first video below.
The video below her announcement is audio of the meeting she had with her Board of Directors, and it is very revealing. The audio in the video is in segments and labeled audio break when a different segment is played. The audio has not been edited, but it has been enhanced for better quality. I put up 9+ minutes of the audio just to give you a feel of what went on at the meeting. The meeting audio is over an hour long and really tells a story. If any legitimate news outlet wants the entire audio contact me or Heather and we will get it to you.
Now I want to talk a little bit about Heather’s daughter Heaven. I have been around Heaven long enough to say with confidence that Heaven is a good child and it sickens me that she has been made to look like a little monster, by some of our right wing friends. I suggest that negative comments about children, made by those that have never met the child or have not taken the time to learn the child, are disturbing at least and could be construed as child abuse. It’s unbelievable that any adult with any sense of value would participate in such activities and those of us that know better shouldn’t tolerate it. It’s a shame when a little girl tries to ask a US Senator about her father, and it results in her mother, a military veteran, losing her job. Now the child has two things to worry about, her mother and her father. Shame on you Senator Mitch McConnell!!!
Special thanks to Mike Watt for the photo used in the second video below.

• Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan , Mitch McConnell , Video , Youtube
• Comments(73)

Jim Pence January 24th, 2008

Yesterday I went to Paducah, Kentucky to find out what the hell is going on with Heather Ryan. I called Mike Watt, a Western Kentucky progressive activist, better known as kilowat, to help me find Heather Ryan and shoot some video if necessary.
I really didn’t know what to expect and neither did Mike, but we both thought this was something that needed to be looked into. Well let me tell you it was worth the 6 hr. round trip drive and $59.00 of over priced gasoline.
I found Heather Ryan to be a very articulate and well educated young lady and Heather’s daughters Ireland and Heaven adorable.
I listened to them tried to be as objectivly as possible remembering back when I was twelve years old and how I worried about my parents and I was convinced that Heather and Heaven had been shit on by one of the most powerful men in the United states of America, Senator Mitch McConnell. Heaven is just a little girl worried about her biological dad and she is willing to ask the questions that become so clear to an old fart like me, when I take the time to think about it, and her mother Heather Ryan should be commended, not condemned, for allowing her daughter to express her real feelings.
When I rolled out of Paducah, Kentucky I felt just a little bit guilty, because I had just met two females a mom and a little girl that have bigger balls than I do!!!!!!
For more on this story click here, here, and here.
The video is below

• Heather Ryan , Mitch McConnell , Video , Youtube
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Joe Sonka January 23rd, 2008

Here’s the video of the report from the Paducah NBC affiliate WPSD on Heather Ryan’s situation.

Note the flat denial that Mitch or any of his staff were involved at the end of the clip. Gee… where have I heard that before????

Still waiting for the “comment” from the Paducah Film Society on this matter. (Hint, reporters, there’s your smoking gun)

• Heather Ryan , Mitch McConnell , Ryangate
• Comments(81)

Joe Sonka January 23rd, 2008

(crossposted at BlueGrassRoots)

Mark Hebert on his blog today writes a post trying to characterize Heather Ryan as a crazy person for daring to ask her Senator a question (yes, the thought of an elected public official actually having to listen or speak to a constitutent is an insane notion).

So, I have some questions for Mark Hebert…

Is it “strange” when you “chase” down people with your camera and ask them questions? Didn’t you do the same thing to McConnell after the Don Stewart email surfaced smearing the Frost family? Or is it only “strange” when the commoners do that, as they are not “serious” people like Mark Hebert? And do you “use your position” with WHAS in order to get access to these people?

Who are “McConnell’s folks” that you refer to in the piece? Did you talk to them personally? What are their names? Did they refuse to go on the record? Did you call Mitch McConnell’s office? Did you ask them how asking a person a question in a public alley is “using her position?

Did you even bother to talk to Heather Ryan herself, as I know who had her phone number? Or do important people like Mark Hebert not associate with “strange” commoners like Heather Ryan, who think they are special enough to ask someone like Mitch McConnell a question?

If fact, why don’t you all ask him these questions yourself?

Mark Hebert, WHAS- 502.582.7220, mark.hebert@whas11.com

• Heather Ryan , Mitch McConnell , Ryangate
• Comments(4)