It looks like several of them standing inside, aiming at one another, not outside.
Joe Repya left, criticizing others? Someone reacted hotly? Criticism for that escalated? It was noticed, even in the "other" party?
A guy named Hansen, reputedly close to Sutton and Brodkorb, suing others? There's confusion over who got sued?
I sent this email, and await a reply:
from eric zaetsch
to nathan hansen
date Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 6:57 PM
subject Could you send a courtesy pdf or Word copy of the litigation complaint re Repya, etc.
mailed-by gmail.com
hide details 6:57 PM (29 minutes ago)
Mr. Hansen,
I blog
zaetsch.blogspot.com
I have read on Residual Forces and elsewhere that you are suing other GOP people, and it somehow touches upon Joe Repya dissatisfaction within, or now outside of the GOP.
I would like to gain some understanding of what is going on.
As one entirely outside of the Minnesota GOP it is confusing to me.
Also, if you know whether my MN 6 Rep. Michele Bachmann is still supporting US military activities in Muslim areas, or whether her joinder recently with Ron Paul means she's changed courses midstream, could you let me know? I have not seen her name mentioned as any direct part of disagreements.
Thank you.
Eric Zaetsch
That spiffy and respectful request ought to get the forwarded copies. With luck this Hansen fellow might have information related to that Michele Bachmann question.
As soon as I get a reply and have a bit of time to review the papers, I shall post about it. In the meantime, anyone in that tent, being aimed at or not but with info, is invited to post a comment or send an email. Thank you, if you do.
_________UPDATE INFO______
The original post was revised and extended; with images and links added 9 am, Saturday, Oct 3. Note the demonstration-rally set for today. Others have posted about it.
I call it all, "A tempest in a teabag."
_______UPDATE ON UPDATE INFO______
A Monday morning online photo. I do not know if it was inside or outside of the tent; but I believe it was outside of the meeting hall - unless these folks were unnaturally nice and out of character with past practice, allowing contrary voices onto the meeting floor. [photo from here]That linked story stated:
An unfortunate situation with MNGOP Constitution Chair Nathan Hansen was still unresolved, though many were working behind the scenes to settle it. [...] Hansen did apologize to the delegation before the constitution rules were to be discussed. But Glasgow stood in the aisle holding a "Veterans are not communists" sign during that entire portion.
Okay, a protest sign was allowed on the floor and not confiscated by "security." That's a positive step. However, words of apology are cheap, and easy to come by, while dropping the lawsuit is precious - or will be when it happens, if it happens, before defendants move to gain dismissal.
________UPDATE_______
Sadly, I ramain poised to receive a reply to my email to Mr. Hansen. I wonder if the papers were served but "pocket filed" in that searching the District Court dockets page, here, I find no recent "Nathan Hansen" or "Nathan Myrun Hansen" listed as plaintiff in anything looking like the litigation that's been reported. I think that's the proper middle name. Among several, I found one case, Anoka County, Case No. 02-VB-07-2861, speeding. Guilty, $191 fine paid. But that's not helpful in understanding the inner GOP events, and I hope the email is answered soon, and document copies provided. It would be discourteous to just ignore it. Perhaps it got caught in a spam filter queue?
________FURTHER UPDATE________
Campaign for Liberty, this link. This excerpt:
Most within the MN GOP are aware that Nathan Hansen, a Ron Paul Delegate to the 2008 GOP National Convention from MN CD4, made some outrageous and unfortunate comments about Joe Repya, a US Army veteran of multiple conflicts back to Vietnam. While Joe is not a Ron Paul supporter, he was quick to attack MN GOP leadership for it's mistreatment of Dr Paul and his supporters at the 2008 MN GOP State Convention. The Party's June 13th State Central election, choosing the current leadership vs the Liberty candidate for State GOP Chairman was the last straw for Lt Col Retired, Joe Repya.
[...] Joe came to our August 5th MN CD2 Campaign for Liberty meeting so we could hear directly from him without filters. He feels that the MN GOP is badly disfuctional and that little has changed in Party leadership. He gladly accepted Dr Paul's book, Revolution with our thanks.
Nathan has now felt the wrath of veterans and their families for his remarks. The next salvo was the formation of a web site: http://nathanhansenmustgo.info, after the new State GOP Chair Tony Sutton named Hansen to Chair the Constitution and By Laws Committee for the State Party. Hansen had given the endorsement speech for Sutton at State Central. This weekend Veterans groups picketed the GOP State Convention demanding censorship and or removal of Hansen'. Part of their renewed anger was due to Mr Hansen, an attorney, suing the individuals, a veteran Joe Salmon and his wife Kris, who host the above mentioned website.
Nathan Hansen apologized to the Veterans at the convention. Not all were moved, and much of the last hour of the convention devolved as angry veterans and their families put forth a motion to censor Hansen. CD2 Delegate, and husband of CD2 Chair Janet Beihoffer, put forth and amendment which praised all veterans and their families for their service but did not mention Nathan Hansen. The Beihoffer's had just this week, been to their son's first deployment to Iraq ceremony at Fort Bragg. The Beihoffer amendment past. The censor did not, still leaving many Veterans and their families with a bad taste for the GOP.
[...]
Two Putt Tommy, this link, hat tip for this photo, there.
A less hospitable and gracious group might have had a "Screw Yourself" sign instead of "Sue Yourself." But these are quality people, criticizing a GOP insider, but being Minnesota nice in the process. I guess that's best, since the misdirection of the Hansen gotcha-litigation is the point the signs intend to emphasize. I think.