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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, October 25, 2010

Gracedale Rally Excuse to Campaign For Callahan, Sestak & Dertinger on County Grounds


Gracedale's supposed advocates tried their best to keep me away from an "informational" meeting yesterday afternoon on the County-owned property, refusing to give me any information. Since they were meeting outside on the lawns, they were pretty hard to miss. After watching them in action, I now know why they tried to keep me in the dark. You see, Gracedale was really just a pretext for yesterday's rally. The real purpose was to enable local Dems to engage in blatant partisan political activity on a County campus, especially for John Callahan, Joe Sestak and Charles Dertinger. Let me fill you in.

Northampton County Dem Chair Walt Garvin. Lehigh County Dem Chair Rich Daugherty. Democratic state house candidate Charles Dertinger. Democratic Council members Charles Dertinger and Ann McHale. Campaign workers wearing Onorato, Dertinger & Callahan buttons. An alphabet soup of union people, including people from the "International." This was most of a pitifully small crowd of about fifty or so people yesterday. Despite the beautiful Sunday weather, I only saw one or two honest-to-goodness families. Take away the unions and political hacks, and all you have are about ten people.

Of course, the hacks were all asked to speak. But first, there was a prayer to Jesus by phony preacher Mario Martinez, recited without any regard for an Orthodox Jewish photographer standing right in front of him. Among other things, Fake Rev. Martinez wants Buddy Christ to give him a hand with all the lies being told about him on the Internet.

Maybe Christ will send a thunderbolt up my ass or something.

When it was Dertinger's turn to bray, he gave this nonpartisan rant to the assembled union thugs, who took some time out from knocking over Dent signs (You can see the video here):

"Last year, we faced a horrible, horrible, election cycle. A horrible election cycle because we were taken over by the idea that we could cut our way to fiscal responsibility. As we started cutting services and started cutting away from the budget, things were going to be much better in this County. This is a clear example of just how wrong we were.

"Northampton County Council had gone from a very responsible group of folks worried about the care of those at the early stages of their lives and at the twilights of their lives. And yet now today we're faced with a circumstance where they're just worrying about the bottom line and not telling the truth about the bottom line."

His obvious message? Republicans bad, Democrats good.

Democratic Council members Lamont McClure and Ann McHale shared pearls of wisdom, too, as did union agents Jerry Green and Justus James. Although Ron Angle joined me in crashing the party, he was neither recognized nor was he asked to speak. Wrong party. Wrong views. He's only the Council President.

On my way out, some of the same union thugs from this rally were standing in the middle of County-owned roads on the Gracedale campus. That's the subject of the movie I posted above. They were handing out flyers to people as they left. A woman in a red shirt, who must have recognized me, told me to keep on going. But I wanted to see what they were passing out, figuring it would be a "Save Gracedale" flyer, and another, nicer, woman handed me two flyers.

"This is just to remember to vote on Novemebr 2," she lied.

Of course, the flyers had nothing at all to do with Gracedale, nor were they some gentle reminder of my civic obligation to vote. Instead, they were "John Callahan for Congress" and "Joe Sestak for Senate" endorsements, prepared by Labor2010. (I've since learned this is the AFL-CIO).

As I bounced along the road back into Nazareth, I saw three more union thugs standing inside a County road right by the 911 Center. Being the friendly person that I am, I decided to stop and say Hi.

Once again, people who only moments ago were at a Gracedale rally, were now handing out flyers for John Callahan, Joe Sestak and Charles Dertinger. They were clearly on County grounds, away from the public right of way.

"You're breaking the law," I protested.

"Show me the reason to care," responds union thug.

"Why are you promoting Charles Dertinger's campaign on public property?" I asked.

"You want to explain that to me, sir?" I asked after several moments of silence.

Then another union thug intervened. "I'll explain it to you. You're an ass."

As I left these three union stooges, all they could come up with was that I was driving a "Japanese-made" car, which is apparently evidence that I don't care about the County.

Northampton County Executive John Stoffa told me yesterday afternoon that there is a clear prohibition against political activity on County-owned property. Yeah, I believe it's called the Hatch Act, which does apply on a state and local level.

If these folks want to see Gracedale's federal and state funding well go dry, this is a great start.

81 comments:

Steve Barron said...

Nothing wrong with this.

Michael D'Amore said...

Yeah, this looks good to me.

Anonymous said...

Hilarious. This video should be required viewing for all voters.

Anonymous said...

Why watch what the old homo hack O'Hare is again pedaling. Note how he showed up with his butt buddy Angle. Since O'Hare is funded by Angle and has an even closer relationship according to the word on the street, it is no surprise they came together to get video so as to intimidate citizens. Northampton County has become the Soviet Union under Kommissars Angle, Stoffa and O'Hare. All those who question the "Party" line will be dealt with. None of this is surprising.

Sadly, it is the poor residents of Gracedale that will suffer most, now that the County is run by creatures like Angle, Stoffa and O'Hare.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Not the attempt to divert attention away from the use of Gracedale as an excuse to engage in partisan political activity. Note also the allegations of homosexuality by someone who claims Angle is a bigot. Note also the attempt to marginalize the use of a camera because it corroborates my observations.

I thought you were going to boycott this blog. Please do.

Anonymous said...

Has Angle sent you your script for this week?

Wayne said...

I thought this was going to be at the courthouse... If I knew it was so local I would have peddled my bicycle over!

Is this group composed of families of current Gracedale residents? If so, have they been informed by someone on how they are going to be negatively impacted by a sale? I mean by someone from the county or someone really in the know...

Anonymous said...

Bernie
Are you saying Gracedale union members picketed on county land? Is this legal?

Anonymous said...

Bernie
Ignore post 12:51. Enough said.

Anonymous said...

Listen people...(and this will be deleted) why are those of us who disagree and complain about what O'Hare says here keep commenting on this one sided blog?

Here is what we do...don't comment at all!!!! You know why? Because without US!! He has no forum!! He only post subjects which he thinks will get him great "hits" such as Angle and Gracedale.

Most of the post on those topics have responses from people who disagree with O'Hare. In fact I would say 80% of the responses are against his one sided hypocritical views. So why should WE play into that?

WITHOUT US HE HAS NOTHING!!!!!!!! I SAY LET'S TAKE AWAY THE ONLY THING HE HAS LEFT IN HIS AWFUL ALCOHOLIC DISBARRED LIFE!!(HIS BLOG)

Do not respond to any of his topics if you disagree, and he will go away..he has only a few followers and a ton of people who disagree. I will lead the boycott...you follow me!!


All of you "goons,trolls, and kooks" DON'T POST AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

PHN said...

I would be curious to know if these were Northampton County workers. I know as a state worker that every year we must read and sign a "what political activties you can do" policy sheet. And that policy states that you can not do any type of campaigning on state grounds or facility. Do the county workers have to agree to the same? Wonder what administration will think of your video if these are workers?

Bernie O'Hare said...

"I would be curious to know if these were Northampton County workers."

Most of these thugs were NOT even County workers and couldn't care less about Gracedale. They were there to do what union thugs always do at election time - break the law.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"All of you "goons,trolls, and kooks" DON'T POST AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!"

That would make me very happy.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the community Bernie

Anonymous said...

If they are tax paying citizens of Northampton County, it's their property, no harm - no foul.

And, it's my opinion that the facility will stay in the hands of the citizens of Northampton County.

Anonymous said...

Wow CoAF is a PAC now? Who is CoAF? Who is funding them? Political rallies by CoAF and Union Bosses on county property? Why does stoffa allow this? Why is CoAF working with Stoffa to turn gracedale into an administration complex?

COAF means "Crooks Opening Administration Facilities"?

Anonymous said...

Unions are a big part of the reason we lost Bethlehem Steel and many other manufacturing plants. Good call, they are thugs!

Anonymous said...

Bernie,
Maybe you can answer this question.
How does a candidate get to be allowed to use public school property for a rally? For example, former President Clinton apparently will campaign for Callahan at NCC on
Thursday and the 2008 Mrs. Clinton at Liberty famed rally. How is this type of activity legal?

Anonymous said...

Love to hear from the Steve and Mike Act.

Anonymous said...

I am the farthest thing from being a fan of Ron Angle but what these people are doing is wrong they are politicking on the backs of the elderly they don't care about the elderly residents at gracedale all they care about is their union's self preservation enough is enough the money tree is dead.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Unions are a big part of the reason we lost Bethlehem Steel and many other manufacturing plants. Good call, they are thugs!

9:45 AM

Sad but true. Isn't Victaulic leaving for somewhere like Mexico?

Anonymous said...

Bernie
Whatever you do today, please include taking your grandson somewhere special as the temperatures may be record breaking! Have Fun.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"How does a candidate get to be allowed to use public school property for a rally? For example, former President Clinton apparently will campaign for Callahan at NCC on
Thursday and the 2008 Mrs. Clinton at Liberty famed rally. How is this type of activity legal?"


I can't answer that question, but am going to try and get an answer.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"If they are tax paying citizens of Northampton County, it's their property, no harm - no foul."

Partisan political activity is prohibited on any County-owned property. There is plenty of harm when candidates ignore rules to get an upper hand.

Anonymous said...

Wow Bernie you did it again!! make a fool of yourself... as far as being on "public" property!! HAHAHA the county home is still public, and anyone can leaflet there! And the ones that question if the employees are aloud to hand out political items the answer is YES they are NOT hatched and are permitted by law to hand out any political things they want. They can even wear political buttons!! So get your facts straight and ask the people in the community what they want, guess you and your buddy Ron are scared that we will get enough signatures to put on the ballot!!!!! And I am a proud member of the union at Gracedale. Without a doubt, Ron and his "buddies" would have sold us down the river if we didn't get out there and fight!

Anonymous said...

Hey 11:05- when you learn how to spell, come back and maybe we will take your arguments seriously.

Bernie O'Hare said...

For as long as I can remember, partisan political activity on county property is prohibited. Candidates are allowed to use the lobbies for news conferences, but that's it. No signs. No flyers. No buttons. Do you see any signs on any municipal properties? No. it's not permitted. Nor is the leafletting. So let's stop playing games.

Bernie O'Hare said...

A few years ago, a Unity in Diversity meting was held at LC, but some of the folks used it to enlist support for Obama and pass out signs and stickers. Lehigh County went nuts when it discovered what had happened. Municipalities do not allow partisan political activity on their property.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Whatever you do today, please include taking your grandson somewhere special as the temperatures may be record breaking! Have Fun"

Thanks for the kind wishes. Dat will be w/ his mom today. I usually only get to see him once or twice a week.

Anonymous said...

Wait, they only invited like minded elected people? Where was the evangelizing Reverend?

Steve Barron said...

Look, I already said this is fine, and I'm the Controller, damn it. It is in the County's best interests to allow unions to do whatever the hell they want.

Michael D'Amore said...

You tell 'em, Steve.

Anonymous said...

It's public property and I can do what I want and say what I want on public property......read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Anonymous said...

The "Coalition Opening Administration Facilities" should be reaching out to the elected officials making decisions. Not union fat-cats and unemployed politicians.

Anonymous said...

"It's public property and I can do what I want and say what I want on public property......read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights."

Unfortunately neither the Constitution nor Bill of Rights say "anyone can do anything on public property". Maybe you should try taking a crack at reading them first. In fact, a number of Supreme Court cases have affirmed as Constitutional many types of restrictions on speech on public property.

Anonymous said...

Nuff already. I'm sure they had permission to hold a political rally. The "Coalition Opening Administration Facilities" appears to giving Stoffa the county administration building he always wanted, right?

Ever wondered why they never filled the 100+ addition beds they opened this year? They never expected to keep the people, right? Do the MATH!

Anonymous said...

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!

Anonymous said...

So much for this being about the patients. The 1-800 number on the gracedale blog is an AFSCME office number.

COAF is looking more like a bunch of union hacks!

Bernie O'Hare said...

" I'm sure they had permission to hold a political rally."

There was no permission to hold a political rally. Initiative and referenda are not partisan political matters. Stoffa was willing to allow advocates to make their case on this nonpartisan matter, but he never authorized the partisan politics that ensued.

Anonymous said...

"... worried about the care of those at the early stages of their lives ..."

Yes, if you survive Democrats' sacred right (Ted Kennedy's words) to an abortion. If unborn babies could vote pro-union, abortion would be illegal tomorrow. For now, dementia patients will do for votes.

Anonymous said...

""Japanese-made" car"

Tell those good old boys in Georgetown Kentucky they're making Japanese cars. Their Toyotas have a higher percentage of US manufactured components than a Ford Crown Vic (which is actually considered an import). Their lack of economic education explains why they think continuing to foist their burden on Gracedale's budget will improve patient care.

Anonymous said...

This was the saddest most pathetic "rally" ever. More people showed up for our kids' birthday parties! Just goes to show how shallow support is for the unions, Dems,and the Gracedale Goons. The explanation of the organizers was that perhaps people stayed away because of NFL football on TV. Give me a break! They picked the day and time for this snooze-fest so either they're stupid or suffering from the same dementia as some of the patients there.

Anonymous said...

The O'Hare crowd finds the abuse of dementia patients by Angle/Stoffa amusing. That figures. Truly, pathetic creatures.

Anonymous said...

What was really quite telling was the attitude and language used by the union people. Calling Bernie an "ass". Based on what? The smug arrogance is their birthright, and they are unapologetic about it. If conservatives acted like that, the outrage would be unbearable. Why do the union thugs get away with it? Why are liberals always held to the lowest standard?

Maybe we should start calling them out.

Anonymous said...

AFSCME'S number was listed because that's what coalitions do, they share resources. Bernie should be ashamed of his boorish behavior, he almost caused an accident pulling out of Gracedale's driveway with his cell phone camera stuck in his face taking pictures of citizens exercising their constitutional rights!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Actually, I nearly was in an accident outside the Main Entrance. At that time, I was on no phone or flip cam, but was being screamed at to move by union thugs who were upset that I had just discovered their partisan political activity. Instead of getting out, as I did at the 911 Center, I made the mistake of pulling into oncoming traffic, thanks to union thugs. Thank God the driver of that car was better than me.

Steve Barron said...

"What was really quite telling was the attitude and language used by the union people."

They were fine. Honest.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"The O'Hare crowd finds the abuse of dementia patients by Angle/Stoffa amusing" The onky abuse I've seen is at the hands og the union and the CoaF, who have scared these people half to death and have actually charged the County to cart residents to meetings.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Just goes to show how shallow support is for the unions, Dems,and the Gracedale Goons."

Yeah, I don't think unions are anything like what they used to be. They have driven most manufacturers away.

Anonymous said...

MR. O'Hare...you have got to be kidding me..Doesn't Public Property mean owned by the Public?
When I go to the Polls their are always Citizens outside...on Public Properties handing out phamplets on canidates...whether it be the Township Building or infront of the Church. What is the problem? You drove on Public Property and really had no reason to be their....and were using it to promote your Blog and the controversy surrounding the PUBLIC/COUNTY PROPERTY GRACEDALE.
I also think shoving a camera on a cell phone at someone with the sound on and taping them without their full knowledge and consent and then to upload and post on a website...may be Illegal...not a 100% sure on that but you may want to check on it.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Anon 9:39, Name one municipality, just one, hat allows unions to descend upon it and approach people with flyers. It just does not happen ... anywhere. It is Hatched.

Now as far as my flipcam is concerned, some people are justifiably embarrassed that they made asses out of themselves. I have a right, under the Pa. Sunshine Act, to record ANY public meeting, and that includes those attending. I do not abuse this right any film only when someone starts getting crazy (Thursday night) or breaks the law (Saturday).

If you don;t like it, file a complaint with the DA. He knows where I am.

Anonymous said...

COAF are 'union mouth pieces'. They 'share' an AFSCME 1-800 number. Now on their website is advertising 'secret/volunteer only' meetings with the steelworkers union.

This seems more about keeping over paid union workers than treatment of patients.

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:05 - This is what is wrong with you and your union thugs. Your arguments dont have any merit so you resort to personal attacks. The effect is that you and all of your union thugs look even more pathetic.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

The only people who scream about "union thugs" are the inbred teabaggers who are dumb enough to think that Corporate America loves them. Without the unions for your parent and grandparents you would be living in a four story walk up apartment with no hot water. You would work 16 hours a day for $10 a day.

You are really a sad uneducated group of idiots.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, without Unions, COAF wouldn't even exist!!!!

Anonymous said...

10:47 You are confusing corporate America with India, China, Vietnam and other state controlled economies where workers are paid next to nothing, and live 2-3 in a room in a bunker style tenament building. 90% of our workforce is non-union and living very well thanks to our free enterprise system. But you don't want workers to be free to decide whether or not they want to shell out 1% to a greedy union that protects lazy workers at the expense of good ones. Stop calling those who believe strongly in free will and self-reliance uneducated idiots. Those are the same beliefs of those who founded this great nation.

Anonymous said...

OK, so all you shouting about public property being used by the public - I'm sure you are all in favor of a nativity scene being put up by private citizens there as well. After all, the public has a right to do what it wants to on public land - right?

Anonymous said...

Listen people...(and this will be deleted) why are those of us who disagree and complain about what O'Hare says here keep commenting on this one sided blog?

Here is what we do...don't comment at all!!!! You know why? Because without US!! He has no forum!! He only post subjects which he thinks will get him great "hits" such as Angle and Gracedale.

Most of the post on those topics have responses from people who disagree with O'Hare. In fact I would say 80% of the responses are against his one sided hypocritical views. So why should WE play into that?

WITHOUT US HE HAS NOTHING!!!!!!!! I SAY LET'S TAKE AWAY THE ONLY THING HE HAS LEFT IN HIS AWFUL ALCOHOLIC DISBARRED LIFE!!(HIS BLOG)

Do not respond to any of his topics if you disagree, and he will go away..he has only a few followers and a ton of people who disagree. I will lead the boycott...you follow me!!


All of you "goons,trolls, and kooks" DON'T POST AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

Without us O'Hare has nothing....stop posting here!!

Anonymous said...

"Without the unions for your parent and grandparents you would be living in a four story walk up apartment with no hot water."

Unions of today are NOT the same as unions of our parents and grandparents. The bullying and thugs of today's unions would embarass our parents and grandparents.

Anonymous said...

@11:15 - Your posts seem to be working. Only 61 responses on this thread. Keep up the goood work.

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:34, the Corporate overlords thank you. I think it is time we repeal those damn child labor laws. What the hell. If child labor was good enough for the 20th century, it is good enough for the 21st.

You dumb bastards are an embarrassment to your labor ancestors. The only worker laws and rights you have were fought for. if it were up to companies and bosses you would be eating shit and working for nothing.

Read a book about American labor history.

No wonder you idiots idolize nutcases like Angle and O'Hare.

Anonymous said...

Bernie - LEARN TO HOLD YOUR CAMERA STILL!! Great videos, but slow down on your pans and try to be steadier. I feel sea sick after watching them.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Yeah, I do have a problem bc my hands shake and wen I see idiots doing somthing wrong, thy shake even more.

Anonymous said...

Wonder if Coalition Opening Administration Facilities (COAF) will be honest with the public and wear their 'shared' AFSCME shirts at future meetings.

Union Hacks!

Anonymous said...

2:06 troll. I am impressed with your breadth of knowledge. Your enlightened viewpoint imcludes a plethora of schoolyard insults. Being called "Dumb bastards" and "idiots" really helps the opposition appreciate how much organized labor has done for them and their ancestors. I have read many books about the Amrican labor movement. Most of them are filled with examples of intimidation techniques, corruption, and of course infantile name-calling.

Anonymous said...

Just by 'goons' contributions to this blog, it seems this is truly a UNION agenda, nothing to do with patient care.

Anonymous said...

so Bernie....why were you disbarred? and why didn't you re-instate your license. See it written all the time

Bernie O'Hare said...

Since you see it written all the time, look it up. This is what union thugs do, as several people here have already noted.

Anonymous said...

Got it wrong Bernie, not a "union thug" I do not belong to any union. It's just that when I view your blog...I see people mentioning it all the time and wondering.

WS W said...

Maybe you should have a drink before filming Bernie. I'll buy.

Anonymous said...

Hey Bernie
who said this?

"The true measure of any civilization is how they treat the elderly and children."

Bernie O'Hare said...

Many people have said that, including JFK ad HHH. The best way to treat the elderly at Gracedale is by selling it. Quality of care will improve. The worst thing to do is let it remain in County hands, where it will continue to deteriorate.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Got it wrong Bernie, not a "union thug" I do not belong to any union. It's just that when I view your blog...I see people mentioning it all the time and wondering."

Bullshit.

Anonymous said...

I shook Humphreys' hand when he visited Bethlehem in 1968. Down a little from Hotel Bethlehem. In front of the wall they built into a blacksmiths shop. He waded out into the crowd, held his hands up in front of himself and I grabbed one and shook it. No reponse back from him and they were clamy. The SS were on the roofs with rifles, as it was 1968 and things were scary. I was 14. He lost. We got Dick.

Anonymous said...

"quality of care will improve", BULLSHIT. The private home shave low ratings. They dope up the dementia patients. It's all about the money.

This is a bullshit statement that has not one bit of evidence to back it up.

This is what Angle and Stoffa have wanted to do for years. Now they have the know-nothing Council to get it through.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Actually, there is plenty of evidence to back it up, to those with open minds. Of the top ten nursing homes in the area, only one (Cedarbrook) is public. The same is true throughout the state.

Anonymous said...

O'Hare you need to open your mind and read the official reports. You are stating a propaganda point that is factually incorrect. Of course you don't care as your job is to just keep pounding the $18K dollar study in which the consultants were "paid" for their opinion.

Of course all past studies do not agree because the latest report was engineered for one result.

As you have said in the past O;Hare the "people" can smell a rat.

When you get past your Angle/Stoffa mancrush and the zany teabaggers, you find a broad coalition of bi-partisan support of the county home. Go into the bars, markets and stores and ask people. They are shocked and angry the County would throw away their County Home. They are even more shocked to learn that the County prefers illegal aliens and criminals over the poor, sick and elderly. There will be a County housecleaning next year. Hallelujah.

The people smell a rat and it is this "rush" to judgement to short sell Gracedale before the real facts surface.

Democracy in action, the zealots fear a referendum, they fear the voice of the people. The people know this is a preordained backroom decision that paid for information to support their decision.

Yes, the people can smell a slimy backroom decision and this Angle/Stoffa Gracedale holocaust has been found out.

God Bless America and God Bless Gracedale!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"you find a broad coalition of bi-partisan support of the county home. Go into the bars, markets and stores and ask people. They are shocked and angry the County would throw away their County Home"

I guess that's why so many people attended Sunday's meeting.

Frank Merchant Bushkill Twsp. said...

BO says

I guess that's why so many people attended Sunday's meeting.


Me again
People are lazy however quite lucid when approached with the choice and offered the chance to participate. Hence the low turnout, heck even I stayed home to watch the Steelers but I was out everday this week getting over 200 signatures so far . BTW I think I noticed a flinch from your little buddy in the paper today. Suprise , suprise
the petition will be successful. I guess he only likes democracy if he is on the receiving side. He has you to thank for this BO. I wouldn't have done it without your encouragment. Thanks

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