Just So You Know - Here’s What We Did in 2015!

Last year the Santa Barbara Republican Women, Federated embraced the call from our California Federation to educate our members and citizens about Islam and Sharia.  It became very clear that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights cannot coexist with the fundamentalist goals of Islam. 

We all watched the awakening of Americans to our duty to protect her. Please join us by renewing your membership and help us secure her future in 2016.

Throughout 2015 we brought exceptional speakers to our Club and forged further ties with other Republican Clubs.  In addition we now have several members on the County Republican Central Committee, a large step in working together to make Santa Barbara County red again!


*   Our first speaker of the 2015 year was Don Katich, Editor of the Santa Barbara News Press, who spoke about the importance of our Freedom of Speech, its history, and the dangers currently surrounding us by those who wish to squash our 1st Amendment.  Our members participated in a rally at the News Press supporting Freedom of the Press.



*   Next Larry Greenfield, from the Claremont Institute, spoke to us with great humor and clarity about Obama’s policies against Israel and how Republicans can win the Jewish vote. All this in spite of a newly broken arm!
       

*  In May our members worked tirelessly to bring Ayaan Hirsi Ali, author of “Infidel” to the Granada Theater where almost 1,000 people of all political persuasions heard her message about the dangers of Islam and the reasons to support Israel.  Her message of “Culture is no excuse for Abuse” included an unforgettable video. Many attendees stated, “I had no idea.”


*  And in June Katco Achadjian spoke about his knowledge of the California Legislature from years of experience as a State Assemblyman.  Katcho is a Christian immigrant of Armenian descent from Lebanon, a self-made American success story, who knows personally the dangers of Islamic regimes.  He is also currently a candidate for Congress.   

*  Then, in July, we were honored to have Dr. Marek Jan Chodakiewicz, Professor of History, Kosciuszko Chair at the Institute of World Politics speak with us about America’s role in the world and our important role locally in fostering America’s leadership in spite of the current Administration policies.

*  During August our members put in long hours working with Tom Trento of The United West to bring an all-star panel of speakers for the Stop Iran Now events at Montecito Country Club and the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Featured speakers from left to right below are Ryan Mauro, National Security Analyst for Clarion Project, Captain Dan Gordon of the Israeli Defense Forces, Amir Fakhravar, former Iranian jailed dissident and author, radio host Andy Caldwell of COLAB and Clare Lopez, retired CIA analysist on the Middle East. They presented an engaging and informative discussion of sobering facts about the proposed “treaty” with Iran and its dire consequences for the Western World. 
*  After joining with the All Republican Clubs Picnic on Labor Day, we co-funded and assisted the UCSB College Republicans in placing the 2977 Flags at West Beach to honor those lost in the attack on the World Trade Towers on September 11, 2001.                         

*  In October our members stuffed envelopes and made thousands of phone calls for the three Santa Barbara City Council Races.  Other members braved the heat, sore feet and knocked and talked their way through blocks of district households while handing out flyers and stretching their knowledge of Spanish.  Two of the three candidates we worked with did win their races! 

*  On November 21st Jennifer Christensen, candidate for 1st District County Supervisor, impressed us with her fiscal knowledge, training and financially responsible plans for Santa Barbara County.

*  And in December, the dangers of fundamental Islam were brought home as the terrorist attack in San Bernadino caused our planned speaker, Michelle Moons of Breitbart to cancel her appearance. 

As I closed out my 4th year as President of the Santa Barbara Republican Women, I want to thank you all for the opportunity, the honor of serving so many incredible women and men!

God Bless America and thank you!                             Julie Bischoff     President 2012-2015     

Washington (CNN)Scott Walker announced Monday he is dropping out of the GOP presidential race.
The Wisconsin governor entered the primary in July as a front-runner in Iowa and a darling of both the conservative base and powerful donors after winning battles against public unions in his left-leaning home state. But that promising start was quickly dashed after poor debate performances dried up support from donors.

"Today, I believe that I am being called to lead by helping to clear the field in this race so that a positive, conservative message can rise to the top of the field. With this in mind, I will suspend my campaign immediately," Walker said at a news conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

He encouraged other trailing Republican candidates to follow his path.

Washington (CNN)Rick Perry, the former Texas governor who insisted he learned lessons from his disastrous 2012 presidential campaign, dropped his second bid for the White House on Friday after just 100 days.


"Today, I am suspending my campaign for the presidency of the United States," Perry said in an address in St. Louis that virtually mirrored his standard stump speech until the very end. "Life is good. I am a blessed man."