One of the things I like about writing for the Examiner is that there's no "news room." I don't have to go to an "editor" to get a story approved. If I want to pick up a cause and run with it, I am free to do so, as long as I obey the rules about libel, etc.
That's why I can write letters like this, that I just posted to the Southern Poverty Law Center through their website contact form.
I am a writer for Examiner.com. I would like to bring your attention to a case of militia intimidation, injustice and landgrabbing that is going on right now. Today. Unabated. We're talking about Bill Looman who made the news recently by his "No Hiring Until Obama's Gone" truck signs. When contacted by a member of Americans Against the Tea Party, his response was "I'll start hiring when there's no Muslim in the White House." When he was visited by WXIA-TV in Atlanta, however, that story morphed into "I'm just a po' misunderstood southern boy who wishes he could hire but can't because of that Obammer feller what they got in DC." And the media, of course, is running full time with THAT version of the story.
The real story, sourced, verified, confirmed, can be found in my reporting for the Examiner.
Part 1: Is Bill Looman running a personal militia fiefdom in Georgia?
Part 2: Bill Looman takes charge of Beaver Run Landowner Association
Part 3: Looman gets his militia playground
One thing about this 'no hiring until Obama gone' guy - he has pals!
Part 1: What this 'No Hiring Until Obama Gone' story teaches us â about Media.
Part 2: What 'no hiring until Obama gone' story tells us - about the right wing
'No hiring until Obama gone' guy involved in botched terror plot?
TV Station falls for 'No Hires until Obama is Gone' guy's act. We do not.
'No Hiring Until Obama Gone' guy scrubs Facebook page.
Not hiring until Obama is gone? In this economy? Isn't that... kinda traitorous?
And now, Looman and his North Georgia Militia Members have taken over a northwest Georgia subdivision, using the owner's proxy votes to make Bill Looman the landowner association's president. The Board is packed with North Georgia Militia members, and those who do not toe the militia line are threatened with violence, eviction, liens or having their property burned. The first three stories in the list I've provided deal with this.
Sir or Ma'am, these innocent landowners are prey for the Militia and their lawyer. They are poor, they can't afford representation to defend them against the Militia legal tactics.
They could use the resources of the SPLC.
If you have any questions after reading the stories I've provided you with, please feel free to contact me. Let's you and I make a pact that we will stand for these people in the face of violent intimidation.
Thank you!
Now, gentle reader, I ask you.
What will YOU do to stand with the non-Militia folks who live at Beaver Run? Will you take a minute to call your local TV or newspaper newsroom to tell them about this story?
Will you contact your representative in Congress and tell him or her about the intimidation tactics these North Georgia Militia folks are apparently using to terrify people into either paying unfair liens or losing their properties?
Will you stand with these good and decent people who live in fear that one of their kids might get killed by a stray shot from Bill Looman's gun shooting parties?
Or will you, as the media has so far, do nothing?
I've tweeted Keith Olbermann. I've gone to the various newspapers online that continue to run the poor country boy beaten down by Obama stories and left comments on their comment pages. The result? Nothing. As of this morning, other than my Examiner stories on Google News, it's all "poor country boy" being supported by Obama haters everywhere.
Who will help me tell the REAL story?
I'm not done. I am going to continue writing and spreading the word about the real dangers these people face.
I hope you will join me.
Will you?
NOTE: Any SERIOUS media wishing to contact me can do so through my personal page at the Examiner or by writing to me at balmerliberal (at) comcast (dot) net. I'm happy to talk to whoever can help spread this story.