UPDATE: emails from Bouldin and Riddleberger now posted after the jump.

Rich Brenner's funeral will be held at 1PM tomorrow.

The Guilford County GOP convention was scheduled for the same time.

Local GOP leadership called the state party for approval of a two-hour delay of their convention, so that people could attend both the funeral of the popular local sportscaster, who was active in GOP politics, and the convention.

Brenner, in fact, was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the convention; the text of his speech will be read there by David Long, a local pastor. GC GOP chair Al Bouldin tells me, "None of us could have gotten through reading it aloud ourselves."

But a complaint about the delay was filed with the NC GOP by Jodi Riddleberger, the prominent C4GC figure.

The state GOP ruled in favor of  the local party's request for a delay, and will send a legal representative tomorrow to answer any questions or challenges. All of the above was confirmed to me by Bouldin.

Brenner was dragged into an ugly controversy last year after Jodi Riddleberger started accusing people of digging up dirt on her husband, Barrett "Bret" Riddleberger (details of Brenner's seemingly blameless role here).

I have sent a message to Jodi Riddleberger, requesting her side of the story, but have not yet heard back from her.

Bouldin's email to local party members:

Fellow Republicans,

Rich Brenner, a beloved member of the Guilford County GOP family, passed away earlier this week. Friends will be received at the Sedgefield Hanes Lineberry chapel beginning at 5 pm on Friday, March 2. The funeral service will be held at Aycock Auditorium on the campus of UNC-G at 1 pm on Saturday, March 3.

To allow individuals to attend the funeral service, the following revised schedule will be in effect this Saturday at Vandalia Christian School (3919 Pleasant Garden Rd., Greensboro, NC):

9:00 am - Registration for 2012 Guilford Co. GOP Precinct Organization Meeting

10:00 am - Precinct Organization Meeting begins

3:00 pm - Registration for 2012 Guilford Co. GOP Convention

4:00 pm - County Convention begins

Jodi Riddleberger's email to state and local party officials (highlighting and color scheme hers):

Sent: 3/1/2012 12:03:47 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Re: Time Change for County Convention

ARTICLE II
PRECINCT ORGANIZATION

A. ANNUAL PRECINCT MEETINGS

Call for Meeting

In every year, the County Chair shall call Precinct Meetings for the 3rd Tuesday of the month of February or no later than 10th day of March, after giving 10 days written notice to each Precinct Chair and by notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the County as provided for in Article V.A.4 and that the Precinct Chairs also be informed as to the number of registered Republicans entitled to cast votes at the precinct meeting, and in accordance with Article V.A.6.b.

:),Jodi Riddleberger

Founding Mother of Conservatives for Guilford County

Conservative Community Organizer - www.myc4gc.com

If you Love Liberty please ask me about what you can do to help...

It was for freedom that Christ has set us free... Galations 5:1

I'm told the state party's response in overturning the technical point was, "After all, a man died."

Comments

[Blah blah blah]

Wow George.

[Brenda T Formo]

Axelskater--wrong again, I did not give the money you said. Why don't you check out your facts better next time.

[Ronnie Lake]

This discussion is disturbing on so many levels. Rich Brenner was a local celebrity who selflessly gave his time and talents to many, many worthwhile causes. He was a proud member of the GOP and he was an early supporter of c4gc. He was a proud captain in the Marine Corp reserves. He was a mentor. He was a friend, but most important, he was a family man.

Rich is dead and it's entirely possible that his family is reading this blog. The idea that a County Convention would take precedence over his funeral must be devastating. A convention where he was to be the key note speaker. It was a sign of respect to delay the opening of the convention in order for many of his friends to pay their last respects. It is amazing to me that someone could use his death to gain political leverage. There is no decent, moral explanation NOT to postpone. Like him or not, his was a life well lived.

Those who elevate a GOP Plan of Organization over the life and death of a fellow human being are lacking soul. It is an obvious power struggle and it is disgusting that it is being waged over the dead body of a person beloved in this community.

It is disingenuous to claim that Mrs. Riddleberger's letter was simply an attempt to remind the NC GOP of their own rules. It is naked ambition. Yes, she has a right to write any letter she chooses but just because she has that right doesn't mean that she IS right. This is not the example that I would set for my child. The end does not justify the means.

Ronald Reagan said "There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right." As the NC GOP is reported to have said "After all, a man died."

[Fec]

George is a great tipper.

[axelskater]

I apologize if I was incorrect but - at the C4GC "Kiss Obama Goodbye Extravaganza" the "Ronald Reagan" sponsor level was $1000 & included 2 tickets to the event.

"Bob & Brenda Formo" are listed as Ronald Reagam $1000 sponsors as are "Brett & Jodi Riddleberger". Apologies if you were listed as a $1000 sponsor but did not donate.

[Hartzman]

"The idea that a County Convention would take precedence over his funeral must be devastating. A convention where he was to be the key note speaker. It was a sign of respect to delay the opening of the convention in order for many of his friends to pay their last respects."

Agreed.

"There is no decent, moral explanation NOT to postpone."

Agreed.

"It is disingenuous to claim that Mrs. Riddleberger's letter was simply an attempt to remind the NC GOP of their own rules."

What was it actually an attempt to do?

"she has a right to write any letter she chooses but just because she has that right doesn't mean that she IS right."

Point made.

So why is what right or wrong?

Jodi?

[Ian McDowell]

Tony Wilkins being called a Liberal is amusing. It reminds me of the Rhine Times reader who called Orson Scott Card a "progressive" for disagreeing with him on some point of doctrine.

Tony Williams being called a coward by some anonydouche without the stones to post under his own name is even funnier.

[Ian McDowell]

And yeah, Aspadeisaspade is being equally douchey, especially with the "trailer trash" epithet and the redacted stuff about somebody's kid.

[Hartzman]

Anyone notice John Hammer's third week
of not a mention of the Noise Ordinance?

The silent scream of ommission
betrays the unrevealed truth.

[Janet Wright]

Friend Ronnie Lake speaks my mind.

[Brad Krantz]

I suggest the proceedings be moved to 7pm Saturday night, up against the UNC-DUKE game. Then we'll see the commitment level and the importance of adherence to rules. Seriously, how is this even a discussion? Rich Brenner was such a wholly decent fellow and the outpouring of love for him so large, that the only right thing to do was move the time of the partisan event. Unless decency and love are not part of your vocabulary.

[Ed Cone]

From this morning's N&R:

“Rich Brenner was a sportscaster for many years,” [Jeff] Hyde said. “There are going to be a lot of games being played across the state tomorrow, too. Should they stop all of them, too? Should they postpone?”

[John Amberg]

Does Jeff Hyde realize how that quote makes him sound? Does he have any self-awareness at all?

Has Mr. Hyde or Mrs. Riddleberger stopped to consider Rich's surviving family, who are mourning the loss of a husband, a father, and a grandfather?

How can people who so proudly proclaim their Christian values, who sprinkle their missives with biblical verses, be so bereft of compassion and decency?

[Ronnie Lake]

Friend John Amberg speaks my mind!

[Dan]

I love the smell of false equivalence in the morning. Smells like....Republican.

[Dan]

Not all Repub. Oh nevermind.

[Dr. Mary Johnson]

Does anyone here not understand how you've made Billy Yow's point (for him) with regards to the relevance/behavior of bloggers?

Way to go!!!

I did not know Rich Brenner - or much about his politics, but when I was a more locally-based girl, I watched him on TV - mostly because he was watchable. His was indeed a life well-lived.

My sympathy to his family.

[Ed Cone]

Yow's point about relevance does not seem well-served by the fact that his story, like this one, went straight from local blogs to the front page of the newspaper.

A life well-lived: a nice description and one that really seems to suit Rich Brenner.

[Triadwatch]

Icing on the cake is that the riddlebergers were a no show at convention

[sittinginthemiddle]

"I apologize if I was incorrect but - at the C4GC "Kiss Obama Goodbye Extravaganza" the "Ronald Reagan" sponsor level was $1000 & included 2 tickets to the event.

"Bob & Brenda Formo" are listed as Ronald Reagam $1000 sponsors as are "Brett & Jodi Riddleberger". Apologies if you were listed as a $1000 sponsor but did not donate."

As usual, the Guilford County GOP crowd are so envious of the work and success of C4CG that they create falsehoods and half truths to try and make themselves relevant in an arena that they are increasingly irrelevant. RINOS are going to be pushed into extinction.

[Sue]

OK, late to the party again. But how come the conventioneers didn't just meet and propose a motion to take a 2-hour day, vote on it, and move forward, given all this mishegas over the time?

I'd also like to make a parallel. Hypothetical: a Jewish high school has a basketball team that finally makes it into the playoffs, which are scheduled in conflict with the Sabbath. The team & coach implore the league (of private schools) to move the time TWO hours earlier to negate the conflict. The league says no (twice, because rules iz rules, they said). The team votes unanimously to forfeit the game and observe the Sabbath (the next ranking school gets the playoff berth, a Christian school). The league refuses to play on Sunday (the Christian Sabbath).

I understand this isn't totally parallel to the current situation, but there are similar pieces. We're faced with painful choices every day and those we make speak to our character.

Although I think the time of the convention should be moved to honor someone close to many attendees, if a group sticks to rules without giving a nod to humanity, I cringe. Just like I did about the basketball team (it's a true, recent story and wouldn't ya know, the league changed its mind after the publicity!). Those who would interfere with a group acting morally in a unique situation are just pathetic, IMO.

[Sue]

Typo in the above that changes the meaning: "to take a 2-hour day" should be "to take a 2-hour delay"

[rob kinlaw]

"this one, went straight from local blogs to the front page of the newspaper!"

Are you proud, Ed? A nice little shit stew you've created to swell your smarmy little big man head on the day of and as a nauseating distraction from the remembrance of a great man. May you choke on your own bragging about being more than the nothing you actually are.

[Spag]

I thought the record for people making asses out of themselves was already set. Guess I was wrong.

[sean coon]

the in-fighting within the republican party is fascinating to watch. i'd wager that the vast majority of RINO's today aren't too liberal, they're actually batshit crazy conservatives, the far extreme right of the party -- the C4CG's and the tea partiers. the previously labeled liberal RINO's are now "unaffiliated."

[Ed Cone]

Thread is locked for the duration of Rich Brenner's funeral, thanks.

[Ed Cone]

Comments are reopened.

Try to stay on topic and off each other.

[prell]

"Icing on the cake is that the riddlebergers were a no show at convention"

4 realz? When political gamesmanship goes awry. Poor Jodi.

[Not Tony Wilkins]

I totally agree with Mr. Hartzman and I am sorry that I said all these mean things to Jodi.... I am sorry.... I was not thinking right

[sittinginthemiddle]

"4 realz? When political gamesmanship goes awry. Poor Jodi."-Prell

I wouldn't be too concerned, she is a very bright and articulate lady with a great family and christian values, not to mention she is quite attractive. Your concern should be for the Cave Dwellers here who sip their moonshine and pop their prescription meds and blog. The sad little beings look through alcohol induced hazes and beleive people really care what they think. Sad.......

[Jim Langer]

How does someone's being attractive make any difference in this particular case? No one ever accused Rich Brenner of being matinee-idol handsome. Yet he earned a lifetime of respect for his intelligent commentary on matter of sports and local and national politics.

[Jim Langer]

By that measure, Lincoln would never have been the GOP's first president.

[prell]

"I wouldn't be too concerned..."

Trust me, I'm not. She's a pathetic scumbag and now the rest of the world knows it (As if they already didn't.). Now, excuse me while I go dig into that batch of shine my brother delivered late last night.

[Account Deleted]

I finally moved from agnosticism to atheism because of the fine Christian values exhibited by people who claim the mantle but don't understand the first principles of the belief system.

[Tony Wilkins]

Ed, please be advised that is not my post above. Please check the IP address to confirm.

[Ed Cone]

Noted, and fixed.

I hear Dr. Long's reading of Rich Brenner's speech at the convention was moving, and drew a near-universal standing O.

[polifrog]

Jeff:

I finally moved from agnosticism to atheism because of the fine Christian values exhibited by people who claim the mantle but don't understand the first principles of the belief system.

It is unfair to hold an individual's chosen perfection accountable for their falling shy of that perfection. The point is not to be perfect, but to strive toward perfection and when one falls short, it is not a failure of the perfection they pursue but, rather, a failure of the individual. And we all fail when in pursuit of perfection.

That is no reason to give up on morality.

In your case, did Christian values drive those "people" toward what I assume is your definition of immorality or did those individuals fall severely short of their chosen perfection?

My guess is the latter.

[Elliot]

Poli - for someone who seems to chose his words rather carefully, your response to Jeffrey was worded rather sloppily. Either that, or you were deliberately misrepresenting what he said. Nothing in his post indicated that he had given up on morality. I don't know the man, but I suspect Jeffrey is perfectly capable of leading a moral life without religion and/or God.

[sal leone]

Hi
I say lets not dwell on Mrs R's comments and remember Rich. I always liked Rich and want to remember him in good terms and not like this. I am not big on want happened but the Rep better come together. I say let Jodi speak at a later time on why she made the statement, she could of gotten caught up in the heat of the moment. So lets honor Rich and not use harsh words towards eachother, I am sure Rich would want that.

[prell]

Anyone ever seen Trumbo's, Johnny Got His Gun? Remember Donald Sutherland as Jesus? That's poli, 24/7. Not the man or the message, but the cinematic image. If you've never seen it or read the book, poli (or anyone else) - do so. There's more to the world than the Bible, the US Constitution, and Bastiat.

@sal: I disagree, but I know why you said that. Anyone who chooses to seek political gain from an untimely death deserves to have their comments and actions dwelled upon.

[John Amberg]

Sittinginthemiddle, how exactly is Mrs. Riddleberger displaying her Christian values with her recent behavior? Has she reached out to the members of Rich Brenner's family to offer her condolences? Has she even acknowledged his death on her Facebook page? For that matter, has Mr. Guarino? Or anyone in the C4GC group?

If not, why? Since when are spite, grudge-holding, pettiness and lack of compassion Christian values?

[polifrog]

Elliot:

Nothing in his post indicated that he had given up on morality.

Actually, his embrace of atheism is that indication. I give him the benefit of the doubt (despite the tone of his comment above due to many others of his that I have read) that his atheism is a true atheism, one that is represented by simply not caring about religion one way or another.

Morality's equivalent to this sort of atheism would be amorality.

However, if his atheism is of the "activist atheist" sort which defines itself against the existence of God (perfection) and actively seeks to remove God's influence (perfection as a goal) in society, then he will have embraced atheism's equivalent, immorality.

As I mentioned, I do not believe that activist atheism is Jeff's gig. It is Fec's gig, though.

[rob kinlaw]

Are our values now judged by whether or not we post something on facebook? How do you even know who among your hit list is even on FB? And how would anybody know what they posted unless they were their friends? What a completely inane barometer on which to make suppositions about someone's character. Do some of you never venture out beyond your computers?

Rich would definitely be depressed by the banality of this whole sorry hyped up drama. He lived in the world. I hope his family manages to stay shielded from this sorry display of political opportunism which so many of you find such a fitting way to commemorate his being laid to rest.

[polifrog]

John Amberg:

Since when are spite, grudge-holding, pettiness and lack of compassion Christian values?

They aren't; they are human failings.

[Elliot]

Frog, if I'm reading your post correctly, it sounds like the logical end is that an evil, god-fearing man is more moral than a non-believer who treats others well. Atheism = immorality, period, full stop and there can be no moral foundation besides a god or gods. Good luck, buddy.

[Tony Wilkins]

Ed, I am told that after Dr. Long's reading of Rich's speech that Jeff Hyde remained seated while the convention gave an emotional standing ovation. From where I was standing I could not see him but a reliable witness conveyed that to me.

What I did see was this. Toward the end of the convention Don Wendelken suggested and was given the okay for a prayer for the Brenner family. Hyde got up and walked at that point.

Several expressed anger at Riddleberger and Hyde and c4gi today at the convention. Their little sandbox got smaller and will continue to do so unless real leaders are appointed.

I hope Killian continues to interview Gilligan. The more he talks the more he reveals. His three hour tour is over.

[Tony Wilkins]

shittinginthemiddle says: "As usual, the Guilford County GOP crowd are so envious of the work and success of C4CG that they create falsehoods and half truths to try and make themselves relevant in an arena that they are increasingly irrelevant.

Please share info on the success you speak of. Thanks shittinginthemiddle.

[polifrog]

No, not full stop. It depends on the type of atheism.

Is it atheism that doesn't give a rat's ass or is it atheism that defines itself against any God (perfection)?

These two types of atheism are not one in the same.

The former is inclusionary, hence, compatible with regard to religion while the latter is exclusionary with regard to religion and incompatible.

The difference between the two is extraordinary. The first type of atheism is compatible with representative democracy in that it is fully inclusive, a necessary ingredient in a representative democracy, simply because it doesn't give a rat's ass, while the latter is not compatible with a representative democracy as it leads to the marginalization of groups of the citizenry based on a religious litmus test.

That marginalization of religion must by definition lead to the establishment of an atheocratic state, the opposite of a theocratic state. We are witnessing that evolution today.

What does this have to do with morality?

Each type of governance claims its own form of piety as a pretense for non pious rule.

That piety may come in the form of, religious piety (theocracy) or duty bound piety (atheocracy). Whereas the former’s power is circumscribed by the religion that empowers those who rule via a religious citizenry, the latter enjoys no such restraint, as duty bound piety is piety toward self.

And it is that piety toward self that results in the immorality of activist atheism. Perfection becomes a self defined amorphous thing to be used to justify ones shifting mood and needs however immoral those needs may be.

And it is that immorality that results in the atheocratic states like Nazi Germany, Soviet rule, Chinese rule, North Korea, the list continues.

Activist Atheism is a true horror and an long term danger to our nation.

[Ishmael]

I find the whole "whose religion is best" pissing contest a bit tiresome. Not only is it off-topic, but it is creepy.

[polifrog]

I agree, Ishmael, religions are equal. And as you suggest, that should include Activist Atheism.

None should be greater or better than the other.

I don't see the discussion of the menace of Activist Atheism as creepy, though.

As for being off topic, I am obligated to reply, least I become a Lex Alexander troll.