CONNECTICUT RESPONDS: CCDL AWB CASE UPDATE

 

CONNECTICUT CITIZENS DEFENSE LEAGUE, INC. Yesterday, Attorney General William Tong filed a brief in opposition to our petition for a writ of certiorari, asking the Supreme Court to hear our case challenging the CT assault weapons ban. Four out of the nine justices need to agree in order to hear our case. The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General does not want the Supreme court to hear this case, and they are doing everything in their power to try to make sure that does not happen. Today, we are asking for your help to join us as we prepare for the Supreme Court's decision. The state's brief makes a mockery of the text, history, and tradition test established in NYSRPA v. Bruen. It calls bans such as Connecticut's part of a "longstanding tradition" (39) that was part of a "'regular course of practice of regulating such weapons throughout our history"". (39). This could not be further from the truth. Read their full response brief here. Whether the Supreme Court grants us cert or not, we have a long road ahead of us. In order to get our rights back, we need your support.

A Patriot's Christmas

 A Christmas Message for 2025:

 

The Maryland 400 at the Battle of Brooklyn

 

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my new name. 

-Revelations 3:7,12

 

Restoring and Defending the Foundations of the New Jerusalem

By Joseph Healy, 2025

The people of God in Old Testament times came out of captivity and slavery in Babylon, came into the land of Israel, and rebuilt the Temple, the city of Jerusalem, and the nation of Israel.  As is recorded in the book of Ezra and the book of Nehamiah:

Thus says Cyrus, King of Persia…Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him!  Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel.  (Ezra 1:2)

[Nehemiah] said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned with fire.  Come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem that we may no longer be a reproach.”  (Nehemiah 2:17)

Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon.  (Nehemiah 4:17)

In the New Testament times, the people of God too have sought and do seek a country of their own, and a city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.  And I do not mean The City of God considered in only a spiritual sense, as in that mystical future prophetic age of the Kingdom, but a very real country and nation, in the here and now, built on the precepts of God and His Commandments—a New Jerusalem, a New Israel, as it were, in this present Gospel Age.  And who is to say that this is not to be?  Did not Christ Jesus Himself instruct His disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”?  And did he not command them to “Go…and teach all nations…to obey all that I have commanded you”?

This is precisely what our American Forebearers sought to do:

PreBorn: Offering an Alternative to Abortion

  

My granddaughter

Recently, PreBorn! contacted me. They asked,

“Every month, you show up quietly and faithfully to stand for life. And I just can’t help but wonder… what's the story behind that?
What keeps you committed when the world feels dark?
What stirs your heart to keep saying yes to life, again and again?
If you’d be willing to share, I’d love to hear what inspires you.

With all my heart, Rene Ervin Associate Development Officer, PreBorn!”

My response:

“I first became aware of PreBorn through a radio commercial, probably on The Clay and Buck Program, and immediately recognized the importance of their mission; that being to show expectant young mothers that the child they are carrying is indeed a person and not just a blob of cells.”

“By choosing life, these young mothers bring into the world that which God has created. They learn through PreBorn that they can resist the pressure of the abortionists. They avoid the lifelong torment so many aborting mothers endure, not to mention the eternal consequences of killing another human being. (It is better to have a millstone tied around one's neck and be tossed into the ocean, than to harm a child.)

Earlier this week I read an article titled, "REPORT: One Third of Gen Z Was Never Born".

The second paragraph reads, "As the National Catholic Register reported earlier this month, data from the Guttmacher Institute, the CDC, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization show that some 850–900 million babies were aborted globally between 1997 and 2012, the years generally accepted as the range for Gen-Z."

This is shocking.

While PreBorn's work is of immeasurable importance, more need be done to educate the general public against the abortionist's evil lies. The "my body, my choice" argument holds no water. It isn't just "your" body, it is the body of a unique individual growing inside the mother's body. That individual exists at the moment of conception; its DNA is unique, and its body is separate from that of the mother.

"But it's not a complete person, it's just a fetus." Wrong. It is a complete person. The DNA doesn't lie; it contains the blueprint for that person's entire life. So, I ask, at what point does a fetus become complete? At six months gestation? Eight months? At birth?

No. No one is complete at birth. Nor are they "complete" at one year of age. Or ten. Or twenty.

Our bodies and minds continue to develop until death. Don't think so? Show me one person who looks the same today as they did at birth. Or ten years ago. Or even one year ago. You can't.

Abortion is evil. Those who advocate for it, perform it, are evil and serve a false god.”

Please go to preborn.com and pledge your support!

Who will be the heroes and patriots of the current American crisis?

 Editor's note: This is being republished from 4 years ago.  I figure Sen. Sampson is the same staunch supporter of liberty and individual rights and responsibility he has always been, what was true four years ago is true, today.

Well said, Rob.  Good luck!

April 17, 2020

By CT State Senator Rob Sampson (R-16)

These last couple weeks of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak have impacted us all in a big way and will no doubt leave indelible marks on the future of our great country. My sense is that the word “crisis” has been used more often in recent days than in my whole life before now.
As an American patriot and a lover of history, what comes to mind immediately when I hear “crisis” or even more specifically – “an American crisis,” is the work of one of America’s less appreciated founding fathers, Thomas Paine. Paine was an imperfect character (as we all are) and many would argue he miscalculated many of his life decisions. Nonetheless, he should still be regarded as one of the key heroes – and instigators of the American revolution. John Adams said of him “Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain”.

I read something recently that suggested that every 80 years, America faces a crisis that requires a new hero generation.

This immediately made me wonder who the heroes and patriots of this American crisis might be. It is a different type of crisis but with some striking similarities. The American revolution was not about a virus but rather an awakening of the human spirit as a result of oppressive rule. The British colonists were a special breed, pioneers and their descendants – people with a passion for freedom, individual strength of resolve, and a potentially enhanced predisposition for rebellion.
King George provoked their independent nature with his repeated disregard for the individual British colonists, failing to respond to their desire to pass laws to govern the colonies, cutting off trade, imposing punitive taxes, and ultimately committing acts “which may define a tyrant.”  In response to that tyranny, the spirit of freedom, as a fire, swelled from mere sparks to a blaze! The rest of course, is our history.

And Justice For All - ABUSE OF PUBLIC TRUST AND RETIREMENT PLAN

And Justice For All

A NEWSLETTER

ABUSE OF PUBLIC TRUST AND RETIREMENT PLAN Issue #57                                                                                                                   Opinions Of A Citizen  June 26, 2024                                                                                                                            John Milardo

And Justice for All is a newsletter involving my opinions, views, and commentary as a lifelong Middletown resident.  As my capacity as a former employee and staunch Labor Leader of City of Middletown Unions (retired with 42 years of service), I have a different perspective of how and why public figures do what they do.

Well, it’s been a few years since I wrote a Newsletter.  I’m trying to convey to City of Middletown retirees something which is happening with their pension plan.  As their only elected Pension Board member (10 yrs.), I feel compelled to explain an issue which came to my attention in October 2023.  I believe what is transpiring is an illegal act by the present Middletown Mayoral Administration, to favor one person who is in our retirement system.

Retiree rules of the Retirement Plan:  A City of Middletown pensioner can work for the city on a part-time basis (under 20 hours a week), and continue to collect their monthly pension payments.  If a pensioner comes back to the city on a full-time basis, (8.04 Suspension of Benefits) the “member’s retirement benefits shall be suspended for the duration of his or her employment”….Payments shall resume”…. (A) “on the date the member is no longer employed by the city or is only employed as a temporary employee.”

On August 20, 2021, retired Fire Chief Robert Kronenberger’s attorney filed a Limited Liability Company (LLC) with the State of Connecticut for him.  Nothing illegal about that. 

Here is the issue.  John Moore, who was the superintendent/manager for the Keating Building (the old Remington Rand) passed away in February 2021. That left a void for managing the building.  Then employee Fire Chief Robert Kronenberger became the building manager receiving a monetary stipend until he retired in July 2021.  Once he retired and according to an article in the CT Examiner online newspaper (and through FOIA, City of Middletown purchase order #42451), earned him an additional $34,200 in addition to his pension payments. 

For some unknown reason, when the Chief retired in July 2021, with his new LLC, the city awarded him a Professional Service Contract for $72,000.  That along with his pension payments of $118,000 per month gives him a yearly total of $190,000.  If it was legal, pursuant to the City Purchasing policies, I would not have a problem with it. (The current contract is in effect until June 30, 2024, and up for renewal.)

I say more power to someone who can earn an amount like that while working or in retirement.  The problem is the contract awarded was in violation in accordance with the city’s own Purchasing Policies Rules and Ordinances. 

Action Alert : Ammo Tax needs to be stopped!

 

Ammo Tax in Committee - Again! For the fourth time, Representative Jillian Gilchrest (D-18th) has proposed yet another egregious tax on ammunition sales in Connecticut. For now, this bill sits in Committee. It is our goal to see that it does not make it out! This is the easiest and most concise way to stop anti-gun bills.   We are calling on our membership to submit an e-mail to their representative and those sitting on the finance committee to ask they DO NOT SUPPORT this proposed legislation. Our organization has so far been successful in keeping an ammunition tax at bay, please help us continue that success by voicing your opinion today! Proposed H.B. 5114 is dangerous for multiple reasons: Responsible gun owners are being penalized for the actions of criminals! Makes it hard for people already struggling in our economy train properly Is on par with a sin tax Guns and ammo are ALREADY subject to an additional 11% tax on top of the CT sales tax Writing an e-mail to your legislator is easier than you would think. The anti-gun side is motivated and are emboldened by the new 2023 Assault Weapons Ban. CLICK HERE to submit an e-mail to your representative. This newly created “click through” will allow you to easily draft a message to without the hassle of looking up their contact information individually. You will also note an option to sign up to track this proposal.   You don’t need to be an expert to advocate for your rights. Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee Members need to hear from us. A short, simple email is fine. You can help stop this tax with just 5 minutes of your time!   TAKE ACTION NOW!   The efforts of this organization are entirely fueled by donations and the work of both the volunteer executive committee and our volunteer members. Please consider a donation to help keep CCDL fighting for your rights! DONATE HERE

Copyright © 2024 Connecticut Citizens Defense League, Inc., All rights reserved.   f you have questions please contact someone through our contact page: http://www.ccdl.us/aboutmenu/contacts Our mailing address is: Connecticut Citizens Defense League, Inc. P.O. Box 120 Southbury, CT 06488

Why is the Second Amendment Important?

Absolutely, you have a right to your opinions, (and other things), under the First Amendment. Millions of patriots will defend those rights, to the death. It is the Second Amendment that makes that possible for us ordinary Americans.

Remember how our country was formed? Colonist rose up against tyranny and against all odds, defeated Great Brittain. They did this because they were armed at least equally against British troops.

The Colonial army was largely using rifles at the time. England and their Hessian guns-for-hire were still using muskets. (Rifles have greater range, more power and superior accuracy.) Today, the militia, (see 10 US Code, Sec. 246) has semi-automatic rifles, while the armed forces, (I'm a USAF Combat Arms vet), have fully automatic weapons.

Today, the advantage of the citizenry is in numbers and the likelihood that many armed service members would not follow unlawful orders and side with The People. (After all, we took an oath to "uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic".)

Therein lies the purpose behind the 2A; in addition to providing for one's personal protection, it is to discourage tyrants from trying to take power. (A government that fears an armed populace is a government to be feared.)

America has some 20K miles of border, it is crucial that the population be able to step up to defend it. No standing army could do so of its own accord. (The words of Japanese Adm. Yamamoto, "It would be impossible to invade the American mainland; we would find a rifleman behind every tree", speak to this truth.)

It is crucial to the preservation of our Constitutional Republic and the liberty that it provides, that the citizenry be prepared at all times for all contingencies.

An update from Joe Markley

 

In light of next month's election, I feel compelled to share my concern about the indifference of Southington Republican leadership to the dishonest and abusive behavior of council member Bill Dziedzic, who the party has endorsed for reelection.

In the video linked below, I discuss the events which have led me to criticize a party I have long and faithfully supported.  I invite Southington residents to consider what I have observed when they cast their vote.

Regards, Joe

Click Here to View Joe's Video

Connecticut Loses a Patriot - Obituary of Juan Espinosa

A private funeral ceremony will be held next mid-week.  Afterward,
Juan will be interned at the Connecticut Veteran's Cemetary, in Middletown, CT. He was my brother-in-;aw.  Rest in peace, Juan and look over Ma.

Juan Carlos Espinosa (60), a devoted husband and father, accomplished electrician, former United States Army Ranger, and resident of East Haddam, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2023, at Backus Hospital in Norwich, Connecticut, after an 11-year battle with brain cancer.

Juan is survived by his childhood sweetheart and loving, eternally patient wife of 20 years, Melissa Espinosa; his mother, Lucy Espinosa; his mother-in-law Angie Schultz, his twin sons, Hunter Espinosa and Logan Espinosa; his son Lucas Espinosa and his wife Hannah Cole; his daughter Ashley Espinosa and her two children, James and Gabriella; his son David Schwartz and his two children, Eli and Gracelyn; his daughter Savannah Espinosa and her two children, Penelope and Benjamin; his sister Maria Wiegel and her husband Chris; his brother Jorge; his brother Roberto; his best friend Tim Kesten and his wife Katie; his friend, mentor and father figure, Cos Giuffrida; his longtime, close friend Barbara Fouquette; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father Juan Espinosa; his father-in-law Nolan Thayne Schultz; and his son Joshua Schwartz.

Juan was a first-generation Cuban-American, born in Miami, Florida on February 2, 1963. He spent most of his childhood in Middletown, Connecticut and enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17. When asked what role he wanted to serve, he responded “I want to jump out of planes and shoot at people”. So began his path to becoming an Army Ranger, ultimately being assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Battalion, Alpha Company, Weapons Platoon, in Savannah, Georgia.

On October 25, 1983, while assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment as an anti-armor recoilless gunner, Juan participated in the airborne assault of Grenada as part of Operation Urgent Fury. Under the fire of anti-aircraft guns, Juan executed a combat jump from a mere 500 feet of altitude, and seized the Point Salinas airfield. After returning from combat, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.

His dedication and unparalleled success as an Army Ranger did not go unnoticed; he was eventually appointed as a Ranger School Instructor and later earned his Master Rated Jumpmaster wings. He would also go on to earn his Expert Infantry Badge and Air Assault Badge.

After the Army, Juan became a certified electrician, graduating at the top of his class at the Lincoln Technical Institute. Over the years, he worked hard to perfect his electrical skills and advance his knowledge of the electrical trade. “Good enough” was never acceptable and if the job required additional hours to complete to his standard of quality, he was there to get the work done. He developed a reputation among fellow contractors as a leader and problem solver; his no-nonsense approach to work was well known. Additionally, equipped with a dry but affable sense of humor, he struck a chord with everyone he worked alongside. He was never short of jokes or sarcasm.

Juan took pride and great care in everything he did, whether it be his regular work, side jobs he took to ensure there was extra income to support his family or projects around the house. Lawn maintenance was an ongoing battle for perfection; “Don’t drive on the grass!”.

In 2000, Juan was reunited with his childhood girlfriend Melissa. In 2003, they were married in their front yard, surrounded by family and friends, and shortly thereafter had their two boys, Hunter and Logan. Juan was a dedicated father. He took an active life in his children’s lives, including assisting with Boy Scouts and coaching the East Haddam Little League. Furthermore, he took pride in pushing his children to always be better. He never pulled his punches, often coming off as a bit harsh. Regardless, his intentions were always from a place of love and care. Juan also loved spending time with his grandchildren. He always went out of his way to entertain them and make them laugh. His wife has frequently compared him to a turtle; a tough outer shell but squishy and lovable beneath the surface.

Through the years, Juan acquired a handful of hobbies, often echoing his career in their demand for attention to detail and hard work. He enjoyed building and detailing model cars. He was extremely passionate about baseball and for a time, participated in a company softball league. Most recently he renewed his passion for marksmanship, spending many hours at the gun range honing his skills and an equivalent amount of time at home, cleaning and servicing his firearms. He was also an avid dog lover, raising and training multiple dogs over the years, including Patton, Beethoven, Shadow, and Cobra.

Juan was a tough, but loving husband, father, and friend. He worked hard in every endeavor of his life. His mark on this world will not soon be forgotten.

Calling hours for the public were held Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver Street, Middletown, Connecticut. Casual attire is acceptable; Carhartt shirts are encouraged. A private military funeral will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Juan’s name are suggested to the East Haddam Moodus Little League or the East Haddam Parks and Recreation, to be directed towards the East Haddam Dog Park.  To share memories or express condolences online, please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.

Rangers lead the way.

Once Upon a Time. . .

Bestmoneymoves.com

Commentary by Matthew M Corey, Republican US Senate Candidate 2018

Once upon a time. That is where stories had a meaning to them. Growing up, what I remember is that if a story began with this phrase, it was certain there would be a moral to the story. The morals or lessons that followed would sometimes influence one's behavior or outlook on life. The words once upon a time remind me of the film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. A 1939 movie based loosely on a real Senator from Montana who wanted to see much-needed changes in his State. He tried to make a profound statement that there were still good people who went to Washington to represent the people and what they needed. He didn’t go to Washington for self-serving reasons, he went based on his belief that he would do all he could to benefit his community and constituents.

Today, unfortunately, we see politicians go to Washington to represent one view, one party, and oneself. They seem to leave their morals and common sense at the doorsteps of the Halls of Congress. We once had a Senator here in Connecticut who didn't go to Washington believing in one-party philosophy. He didn’t believe in protecting individuals based on party affiliation. He believed in holding the values of a US Senator and the constituents he represented to the highest standard.

That man was Lowell Weicker, the last Republican Senator Connecticut sent to Washington. One could say he left his integrity at the Steps of The Governor's mansion when it came to Connecticut State income tax. A case of saying anything to get elected. When it came to bringing charges against a sitting President for spying and lying to the American people about the Watergate Scandal, Senator Weicker had no problem forcing a leader of the Republican Party, President Richard Nixon, to resign. It wasn’t the Democrats who investigated and pursued the President, it was the Republicans who told him that they no longer could support him. An aggressive media uncovered the scandal and the Republican party saw it through in spite of Nixon being one of their own.

This brings us to Senator Murphy, a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Blumenthal a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. With allegations of bribery and kickbacks from foreign Nations to a sitting President through his son, Hunter Biden, and shell companies one would think our Senators representing its constituents from Connecticut would be willing to investigate President Biden. If the allegations are true, we have a sitting President who is compromised with decisions he is making on one of our biggest adversaries, China. There lies the issue. We don’t have a Senator Weiker in Washington. We have two partisan Senators who left their morals and integrity at the steps of Congress. How has Connecticut fallen so far? Connecticut doesn’t send any Mr.
or Mrs. Smiths to Washington anymore; they send divisive one-party rule Senators to Washington. You don’t have to take my word for it, just go on Senator Murphy’s Twitter feed and read the divisive rhetoric he tweets out about his colleagues. Being silent in this ongoing investigation of a sitting President is being complicit.