Robyn Sachs addresses the Maryland Voter Integrity Group at the Talbot County Community Center Wednesday night.
A progressive political operative tried to shut down free speech in Talbot County Wednesday night. He was unsuccessful. The event organizers prevailed after finding a new venue and persevering.
A bi-partisan event regarding election integrity with main speaker Robyn Sachs had been planned for weeks at Sts. Peter and Paul High School by the Maryland Voter Integrity Group. It was cancelled by the school a little over twenty-four hours prior to the event due to phone calls initiated by a local Facebook post. When canceling the event, the school didn't give a reason other than the fact that they don't host political events at their school. It took them almost a month to come up with that excuse.
This was news to the organizers since there had previously been no pushback from the school regarding the topic of the event. In fact, the school acknowledged via email that the tone of the event was bi-partisan and non-confrontational and confirmed that belief in an email to the event planners.
But, when someone stirs people up on social media by using lies and misrepresentations, low IQ followers will take action with threats and coercion to the venue. Here is the post in a group run by Len Foxwell. Len wrote the post:
Here are the rules of the group where the post was found. Mr. Foxwell is an administrator of the group but obviously ignores his own rules:
In his inflammatory post, Foxwell referenced the main speaker, Robyn Sachs, who investigates voter fraud of all kinds for Independents, Republicans and Democrats. Here is Robyn's bio:
Robyn Sachs is the Chair of the Maryland Voter Integrity Group, dedicated to ensuring Free &
Fair Elections in Maryland. Additionally, Robyn has served as president and CEO of RMR &
Associates, Inc. since purchasing the company in 1987. She is well known and respected in the
business community for her insight and keen knowledge of marketing techniques. She shares this
enthusiasm at live speaking engagements and podcasts throughout the Washington, DC Metro
Area.
Robyn’s “Marketing Bootcamp” Seminars provide an interesting and educational high-level
view on the proper procedures to conducting a successful marking campaign. She is also the
author of Market to the Max. Complete with case histories, this easy to read, comprehensive
book takes the reader step-by-step through proven marketing techniques. This book is a valuable
reference tool in any successful marketing endeavor.
Over the years, RMR & Associates (RMR) has earned a reputation for aggressive campaigns that
produce measurable results for a diverse client base. In 2000, RMR was named the 10th fastest
growing PR agency in the United States and the fastest growing PR agency in Maryland by
PRWEEK. RMR has also been awarded the “MC Icon Award” for best branding campaign in the
country for their work with PSINet and an “ADDY Award” for the best commercial website by
the Ad Club of Washington, DC.
In 1998, Robyn was awarded the Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year Award.”
Additionally, the Washington Business Journal has recognized RMR as one of the Top 25
Advertising Agencies and Top 25 Public Relations Firms annually since 1991 and included
RMR in its listing of Washington’s Largest Women-Owned Businesses since 1990.
As further recognition as an industry leader, Robyn is on the Executive Board of the Washington
Business Journal’s Leadership Trust. As a member of this vetted community of the region’s
business influencers, Robyn contributes articles and participates in Expert Panels to build RMR’s
business and connect and collaborate with other top decision makers.
She doesn't sound like a "far-right extremist," does she.
When you dissect the Facebook post about the event, Foxwell uses phrases right off the Progressive, Marxist list of inflammatory terms; "far right, extremist election denier," "disenfranchisement" and "suppress the vote." He wanted to make the event into something it was not. Apparently, Mr. Foxwell believes that bipartisan efforts to keep elections honest and transparent are a bad thing. No surprise based on this story about his political history:
The demise of an Annapolis power broker - Maryland Daily Record (thedailyrecord.com)
Earlier this year, Foxwell attempted to get other Talbot County venues to cancel events he didn't like. His efforts were impotent. This could have bruised his fragile ego, particularly since these events were run by women.
Of course, there are people who are more than willing to follow Len's marching orders. There are organizations like Sts. Peter and Paul School and Easton Club East (the second secured venue that was canceled last minute) who are afraid of their own shadows and will cancel events because of complaints of a minority of callers. As someone said to me, these groups are so afraid of bad publicity they will just give in, even if it is the wrong thing to do.
Based on the success of the event at the third venue, organizer Shari Wilcoxon said, " We had over 100+ people. Democrats, independents, and Republicans. It was a great event...lasted till after 8:30 p.m. because people were very engaged. I think SSPP missed a great opportunity to be part of leadership for healing and bipartisanship for Talbot County."
Foxwell's tactics, which are right out of Alinsky's Rules for Radicals, seemed to work until they didn't. While it took extra work and time to find a good venue, the group accomplished their goal.
In the above self-congratulatory post, Foxwell can't keep from lying and misrepresenting the Voter Integrity event and Robyn Sachs. By the way, is being a Republican illegal? Apparently, Mr. Foxwell thinks it is.
I think he spiked the football a tad early on this "victory." He didn't achieve his goal. In fact, he did exactly the opposite!
Why do I say that? Because the organizers of this event quickly pivoted to find other venues and found one that was twice as good! Not only that, but so many people who read Mr. Foxwell's vitriol decided to attend the event that they had to bring in extra chairs. Over 100 people showed up. Political figures such as State Senator Johnny Mautz, State Delegate Tom Hutchinson, Sheriff Joe Gamble, Easton Town Council President Frank Gunsallus and Congressional candidate Chris Bruneau attended. (Councilman Dave Stepp was at a family obligation in Baltimore.) All local officials were invited.
Someone posted this graphic:
It's very sad and somewhat terrifying that Foxwell thought canceling free speech was the thing to do. Freedom of speech is one of the main principles our Country's founders. It is so important they put it as the first amendment to the Constitution.
One wonders what he is afraid of? If the ideas of the people presenting this event are so wrong, then wouldn't he want them to be heard so he could prove them wrong?
The problem is that Mr. Foxwell and those who side with him don't believe in freedom of speech. Many American disagree and cherish this sacred freedom. In his July 4th decision to defend social media platforms from being hijacked and controlled by the Biden Administration, U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty wrote:
"The principal function of free speech under the United States system of government is to invite dispute; it may indeed serve its high purpose when it induces a condition of unrest, creates dissatisfaction with conditions as they are, or even stirs people to anger." He added later in his defense of free speech; "American citizens have the right to engage in free debate about the significant issues affecting the country."
While Judge Doughty's opinion centers around government control of free speech, it is an important message to all of us that free speech, while sometimes controversial, is critical. As we debate important issues such as election integrity, protecting young children from indoctrination and pornographic material in classrooms, parental rights, medical freedom, etc. we will sometimes hear things we don't like or agree with. It's then up to us to argue our points with facts and reason.
Mr. Foxwell apparently wants to practice his right of free speech; he just doesn't want others to do the same.
Maybe he finds listening to opposing ideas too intellectually taxing and difficult. He and those like him would much rather throw a temper tantrum and cancel events they don't like. This time it almost worked.
But free speech won in the end.
Excellent article Jan!
Thank YOU
It was a great non-partisan event. I enjoyed discussing the information presented with everyone independent of party. Confidence in our election process and shutting down free speech are American problems, not party problems.
Organizations that give into fear and hatred using Alinsky Rules because they are “afraid of bad publicity” should feel it ten fold through peaceful and civil ways. Let the organizations know how we feel.
Well known to Easton community, history of oppressive tactics and extremism social media activity, disruptive to sensible community standards. Everyone must be defensive of their own rights encroached on by these oppressive actions.
I’m quite sure this will be the dumbest, funniest “article” I read all day. Thanks for the laughs. And I thought watching these guys scramble to find a venue was funny. This is even better.
As an SSPP alumnae I’m proud of their decision. Along with our friends at Easton Club East.
From the cloisters of suppression and intolerance comes a FOLLF aka friends of Little Lenny Foxwell. Your response was typical of the usual suspects, who don’t want any form of options from anyone, except those from your camp. Your enjoyment of trying to stop free speech and gloat about, is right out of Soul Alinsky’s rules of radicals. But all you and your ilk did was made it hugely popular. If I was Your parents, I’d ask for a refund on your education, if you ever went to SPP….
For those naysayers, who are adamant that election fraud does not exist anywhere, or even admit that election fraud may, but that it does not change an outcome, CDM offers this JTN article. It does a disservice to democracy to automatically assume that election fraud does not exist.