Though the sentiment was missed, I do not hold that Tom is fundamentally a bad guy, I just believe that the actions last monday were politics as usual.

In your response, you dodged the crux of my point, Mark. Tom hasn’t been subject to question and answer yet. He will be, but he hasn’t yet. I say it again, I’ll reserve my criticism of Tom for when his actions/remarks warrant it.

Also,your characterization of Patriot Pastor’s radio as a place where good Christians go to “intimate that their religious values would effect their politics” is just false. I listen to that show and it’s not church in any way; it just happens to be hosted by a pastor who, mind you, is extremely libertarian in his social beliefs and keeps his personal religious beliefs out of his politics.

You and I agree that who we support politically should be about who is correct on the issues and we should stand by that even if it costs us. I just see no warrant for criticism of Tom at this point. This isn’t my ringing endorsement of the man. This is me saying that we’re still two days away from his first question and answer and people are already characterizing him.

The verdict is still really out on him and for all we know at this point, Tom Cox may be the best dog, socially and fiscally, in this race.

As to the morality issue, setting aside for the moment that all laws are legislated morality- that is a primary function of law, you misunderstand my beef. While Tom Cox told CNN that he is “center of the road” on social issues he was on with a pastor telling him he was a “Reagan Republican” and definitely intimating that his religious values would effect his politics. So which is it? That was my beef.

And have any of his critics talked to him? Yes, Bob Porto (one of the panelists on our Arkansas Tea Party Radio blogtalkradio show) was the co-founder of Tom’s organization. He resigned once he saw where Tom was taking it. But you forgot to ask me if Tom ever talked to the rest of us before proclaiming himself the “Leader” of “the official site of the Arkansas Tea Party”.

I am sure he has been very pleasant to you. Every politician and lobbyist will be nice to you if that will get you to ignore issues. Look at Ron Paul. That is the way to do it. He is pleasant to some, but does not let their pleasantness to him affect his judgment. It is not about “who has been nice to me”. It is about who has integrity and conducts themselves with honor. It is about who is correct on the issues, and will stand by that even if it costs them. OTOH, Ron Paul names names and kicks butt when needed too. I think we should all learn from the way he handles it.

Morality is not a problem. It is legislated morality which is a problem. To date, I haven’t heard Tom Cox say anything about legislated morality. Unlike Mark Moore and others in the Tea Party movement, I have actually kept in touch with Tom Cox since the April 15 rally. I’ve been kind to Tom and Tom has been nothing but kind in return.

Have any critics of the man, Tom Cox, actually confronted him and asked him any questions or would we rather just hoot and holler over uncertainties? It hasn’t even been 72 hours since Tom announced for crying out loud.

Tom will be speaking at the Conservative Forum Luncheon in Conway on Friday. How about asking him his stance on legislated morality or whatever the issue before accusing him of an uncertainty? I’ll be there to ask questions and I shall withhold any criticisms of the man until his actions/remarks warrant them.

In Liberty,
Rob Richard

Thanks for the update and links. I had to leave before Mr. Cox spoke because my daughters, DumbArkette and DumbArkina, found out I’d been lying to them about it being Riverfest.

I hear you asking yourself, “What gave it away?” It was the damn face painting booth. Turns out it was just rub-on tattoos. Boy were they pissed!

On a related note, I think I saw you across the amphitheater, but my shins hurt too much to walk over there and say hi.