Endorsement shocker: Ray Scott goes for Huckabee

Well, this may just push Mike Huckabee over the top for the Republican presidential nomination.

Today, he acquired the endorsement of Ray Scott.

THE Ray Scott. Not some phony pretender, but the real deal. And coming the day before the Michigan Republican primary and just days before the GOP primary vote in South Carolina, it could make a real difference for the former Arkansas governor's White House hopes.

"I am really pumped about Huckabee's candidacy," Scott said, adding, "I'm inspired by his message of hope and prosperity and strength.  Like a friend of mine said, he's the 'real deal' and I think more and more people are seeing that. I look forward to doing my part to see to it that Mike Huckabee becomes the next President of the United States."

Getting the backing of such a well-known icon is a real...

coup for the Huckabee campaign, whose other endorsements have included noted gym equipment salesman and former pretend Texas Ranger Chuck Norris.

But Ray Scott is in another galaxy. No doubt the news of Huckabee reeling him into his camp has stunned the other campaigns and may explain both Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney withholding their campaign resources from South Carolina. What's the point of even trying to compete there if Ray Scott is backing your opponent? Especially if Ray intends to campaign there for the Huck.

(UPDATE: It has come to the attention of Top of the Ticket that approximately 298 million Americans have no idea who Ray Scott is. Hard to believe. But he is the Bass Boss. You know, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, the world's largest anglers organization that was bought out by ESPN so people could sit on their couches and watch apparent best friends sitting in a boat sipping warming beer and holding a string in the water while pretending to ignore the bugs for the camera. Anyway, Ray likes the idea of Mike as president, and Mike does too. So who can argue with that?)

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[oh dear...]

And you had that "reeling in" joke all primed and ready to go. Alas, do not blame we ignorants.....

As far as LA is concerned, fish comes in little rectangle pieces plopped on some rice. We beg forgiveness.

[Nancy Edwards]

Dear Mr. Scott,

Happy to hear you are interested in the political process.

My nephew has invented a new fishing rod. Maybe you will read about it.

I don't endorse Mr. Huckabee although some assume I do .

But I do consider my independent thinker and changed to the republican party recently.

I am working on a program to have billions returned to the Federal Courts.

a few abstracts I have written below

Alms of the poor

Notice # 1

Dear anonymous writer from the FBA,

In regard to filing complaints; I have a particular one in regard to an advertisement. I note you serve as one the regulatory bodies of such matters.

Please let me know if there is a download form available for this procedure. I will return it to the Bar via the United States Postal Service certified mail program.

Also in regard to the ADA title 111 disputes:

I realize there are various types of disabilities. I read of one case where a blind gentleman and the organization he was associated with filed three suits against airlines and lost. I don’t know about any of you, but I don’t like to lose.

If I were the one helping him, I would have pressured the Federal Aviation Authority strongly encourage the airlines to make the reservation process more
user friendly for the blind community. The Federal government can be a fine ally with forces powerful.

I’ve written them many times and most always received a favor of response.

Also, in regard to accessibility standards and their application in the state of Florida:

The state of Florida has its own accessibility codes and civil rights laws. Last year I studied those documents.

There is a Florida accessibility codes mark up and final draft. Two parts of the mark up appear to be DOJs standards and the third part is a photo copy of a Federal Register.

I conversed with members of the governors ADA working group. I read minutes of meetings.

I spoke with code personnel at the state of Florida Department of Community Affairs.

They informed me, they were doing a ‘side by side’ comparison of the DOJ standards and the Florida accessibility codes.

I wrote Mr. Cohen. I did not receive the favor of his response.

I read now; they have determined, after all their meetings, they wait to find out what the Federal Government will do with the law.

I was told I would be required to pay 15.00 for ‘three part package’ of accessibility codes as it would need to pass thru the Florida clearing house. I was told, I was allowed to ‘read’ them online.

The State of Florida was under contract with a ‘for profit’ Alabama company for the use of these codes. These codes are also state statute.

Does the Federal Government have an agreement with this company? I don’t know.

Please refer to Federal Office of Management and Budget Circular A-130.

Please see current version of Appendix IV to the OMB Circular No. A-130 - Analysis of Key Sections.

Quote :

“Records are essential to protecting the rights and interests of the public and for monitoring the work of public servants. The government needs records to ensure accountability to the public and includes making the information public. "

"User costs higher than the cost of dissemination may be a barrier to public access."

End Quote:

If anyone is not ‘happy’ in regard to my corporate business ventures; they should not take it personally: it’s only business. Business can be fun and sometimes amusing in dealings with those who’ misplace’ records, electronic or otherwise.

What benefit is it to any of our residents to set a standard for parts of Florida civil rights act and not make any attempt to enforce those standards to existing properties. Not to mention the fact; they did not have full access to documents already cleared.

Who are the attorneys for the Department of Community Affairs? Have they given Mr. Cohen good advice? The taxpayers pay them very well.

If anyone is not ‘happy’ in regard to my corporate business ventures; they should not take it personally: it’s only business. Business can be fun and sometimes amusing in dealings with those who’ misplace’ records, electronic or otherwise.

Should Mr. Cohen have doubts in regard to Ms. Edwards entertaining ideas of filing complaints; he might ask one of his predecessors, John Degrove. Or even old Bob Graham. He might reference NJ Edwards VS the Department of Community Affairs.

Then, I was only 27. At Fifty, I am wiser and have more patience.

Anonymous writer; perhaps, I don’t know much about you. For your information or other interested parties, facts about me:

I was born in Tallahassee. My mother died when I was six.

My oldest sister was like a mother to me. She was my mother, my sister and my friend. She worked a clerk in the Leon County Court house.

She passed away in 2003. Court was closed. 500 people came to her funeral. A judge and many others spoke.

She died 40 years to the day of the death our mother. Mama was a social worker in Tallahassee. When she died 500 people came to her funeral.

This is proof; there are still civilized people in this state.

Residing in central Florida for 20 years it’s my opinion; greed and corruption
flow rampant and wrath has been brought upon these cities.

I and others bear witness to the facts.

For those of us, who advocate for the rights of victims or work as missionaries: church is anywhere and anytime we may offer protection or assistance to those in peril.

Today is Sunday and as previously stated, I do not believe in mixing religion and government. For those of you who do:

Exodus22: 5

If a man shall cause a field to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

Yours very truly I am,

Nan J. Edwards Inc.

Nan J. Edwards
6491 62nd Street
Pinellas Park, FL (Native Floridian)
33781 USA (pre 1776)
727 548 7288

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notice #2

Another notice: To all of you from one of me

I have stated, I would not mind donating my ADA consulting services to an accountable charity. One charity (501K IRS status) I located on Internet solicits, ‘Would you like to be a plaintiff?’
It is unconscionable to prey upon our most vulnerable citizens for whom society and government have an obligation to protect and make accommodation. The ADA was solely mandated for the benefit of the disabled.

The government should be notified of this apparent trickery. Although, there are millions of disabled individuals in our Country, the website stated only 1000 had succumbed to this apparent scam. I hope the IRS may consider freezing their assets and those of their attorney and bring about restitution for the 1000 victims.

It appears; some of you assumed cases for defendants would roll through the courts not unlike divorce cases. When a divorce is final, it is done. This may be a long way from being done.

From my experiences and readings, there are no LEGAL similarities between dissolution of marriage and Federal Mandate compliance.

However, there are similarities. In divorce, many times there are associates (realtors or developers) of the lawyers waiting in the wings who have designs on the real assets of the divorcing parties. There is also emotional hardship, exhaustion, and frustration of the parties.

I suspect, these associates await opportunities of distressed parcel in ADA Title 111 lawsuits involving small and medium business. There are relationships between people, land values and business trends. I catalog them in my data base.

A few comments from clients read as follows:
"Our business is now closed"
"Our lawyer, Mr. xxxxxxx told us we did not have many options."
"Mr. xxxxx "(plaintiff’s attorney) was contacting our sorry excuse for an attorney every day and the fees were growing".
“To this date we still don't have our corporate information entered properly no matter how many times we discussed this matter with our useless attorney"
“we would try and hold off the attorneys (ours too -he was NO help)
“everyone is afraid to help us"
‘Nan, I appreciate your expertise, but I'm trying to fight off a lawsuit.' This suit was never filed although the family business was threatened via demand letter, lawyer letters and phones calls for months.
‘my English is not so good, this guy keep calling me, I have a paper from the state that say I’m all legal ‘

These are things that may have occurred but apparently did not:

Attempt to have this thrown out of court for false statements in a demand letter

Cease and desist orders filed against the non profit corporations.

Counter petitions or suits

Effectively steer suits into mediation or petition the court for other relief

The state of Florida has a civil rights act. Did anyone (besides me) contact the state?

Did any of your clients have certificates of occupancy?

Did you know that egress is just as important if not more as access in ADA compliance?

Do you know anything about life safety?

What is an appropriate schedule of fees for an 'ADA' consultant? Did any one of you request disclosure of such schedule from these non profit corporations?

I have copies of demand letters intimidating individuals to respond to such letters via certified mail. These letters include apparently false statements about the Federal Certified mail program of the United States Postal Service. Can anyone besides me read?

Aside from the United States Postal Service, the Interstate Commerce Commission may be interested in certain demand letters mailed across state lines.

Attorney client privilege? It appears in many cases there is only attorney / attorney privilege. It's my opinion; many of your clients had no one on their side.

The business owners (some now folded) had the privilege of serving their community by providing products and services. They established business and many stayed in business for 20 to 30 years. They fought to stay alive. It's called competition and I've been told that is the cornerstone of democracy.

One day a non profit corporation that should not, under Federal Trade Commission regulations, have trade secrets or engage in deceptive or unfair practices came looking for lawsuits. The attorney representing the non profit corporations assumed they had a legal standing. Hostile actions are not normal behavior for non profits. Maybe the lawyers of the non profits assumed no one would cross reference their obviously 'systematic and strategic marketing and business plans' with the public records data bases and maps.

I suspect there may be for profit corporations evaluating possible takeovers of these type non profits. They should be very cautious as these non profits may come with many liabilities. Are you one of the liabilities and if so, to what extent? (In addition to legal fees a partial list of liabilities may include back wages, unemployment compensation, lost revenues, and moving expenses).

On the other hand, in evaluating these non profits, there is a substantial margin for future profit. These lawsuits look more like solicitations to bid than lawsuits. Over the past 20 years I have developed an excellent network of Architects, Engineers, Designers, Contractors and subcontractors. I have contacts from Pensacola NAS , to Key West NAS , to Mayport NS.

They can plan, renovate buildings and bring them into full compliance with ADA guidelines. There are advantages of doing business with a for profit corporation. They are generally not in the habit of suing their clients.

Is there a loophole in the law? My opinion is no. I think it’s just a hole; the same hole in which you may have buried yourselves. My perception of your greed and /or incompetence mandated my project. The exhumation is dirty and tedious work. But someone must do it.

Please post your assignment of deposit with the appropriate clerks’ office. Should you have
Questions about procedures relating to depositing or returns, please discuss the matter with counsel or appropriate docket clerks.

I believe the Federal clerks with do everything they can to make sure the orders are processed through the system, however the ultimate responsibility for effecting the return of monies lies is vested with you or your counsel.

After the orders have been signed and docketed by the court, they will be forwarded to Jacksonville, or another financial center and action will be promptly taken to mail a check to the appropriate individual within 3-5 working days. Make certain you have correct addresses as your apparent ineptitude in the defense of your clients, their business may have closed.

I have not yet crossed referenced victims records with the bankruptcy courts.

I have read in cases of extreme hardship, the court may accept oral confirmation of Defendant's compliance from the reporting instructions from the US Marshall. Their contact information is as
follows:

Northern District
U.S. Marshal: Dennis A. Williamson
U.S. Courthouse
111 N. Adams Street, Room 277
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 942-8400

Southern District
U.S. Marshal: Christina Pharo
Federal Courthouse Square
301 N. Miami Avenue, Room 205
Miami, FL 33128
(305) 536-5346
Criminal Process 305 536 7228
Civil Process 305 536 7228

And for those of you who represented non profit corporations and did not file suit but merely threatened business owners; I imagine the US Marshall as well as the attorney general of the state of Florida would like to hear from you. I have more forms and copies of documents (including some of your letters) than I can fill out and mail immediately.

I have heard, there are people who make their living following a dishonest attorney. I am not one of those people.

Does the Florida Bar association have internal and or external peer review committees?

Today is Sunday. I realize many of you may be in church. I personally do not believe it mixing religion and government. But who those of you who do: Proverbs: 29:18

Where this is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy he is.

Thank you ever so kindly.

Yours very truly I am,

Nan J. Edwards Inc.

Nan J. Edwards, President

Notice # 3
Notice to members of the FBA,

We continue gathering information on non profit corporations. Performance evaluation is our current objective.

Irregularities are noted occurring and incurred between the development phase and completion of projects. It appears the businesses and/or property owners were charged the equivalents of full fee services (or better) but not returned the like in kind.

More than one non profit corporation made demands for a better building at the same locations.

We are unable to locate permits at any government agency.

When a renovation is mandated under any title of the American with Disabilities Act, a responsible party is awarded a contract to bring the building into compliance. This party then acquires bonding to assure the project is completed. I am unable to locate these promissory agreements.

Please forward your permits applicable to confidential settlements in American Disability Act Title III projects to Mr. Thaddeus Cohen at the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

There is no guarantee of building access, egress or any other life safety plan for the public (or others) without these documents.

The permit process is absolutely necessary for the completion and final inspections of
the Americans with Disabilities Act Title III projects.

Complete or incomplete projects cannot be verified without the public record.

The public record will clarify the ownership, location and full nature of ‘mandated’ projects.

Undocumented ‘public’ work may proceed without your cooperation.

Public servants trained in all ADA titles and other Department of Justice procedures would assist you. Their parking is reserved for efficiency in assisting in the posting of deposits. It is my understanding they may also visit at your home or business.

Justice is knocking on the door.

Today is Sunday and many of you may be in church. As aforementioned, I do not believe
in mixing government and religion but for those of you who do:

FIRST CHRONICLES 9:26 For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and the treasury of the house of God.

ACTS 24: 4 Notwithstanding, I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou
wouldest hear us of thy clemency of few words.

EXODUS 23:6-7 Thou shall not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and the righteous slay thou not; for I will not justify the wicked.

EXODUS 23: 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased and inherit the land.

Yours very truly I am,

Nancy J. Edwards

PS I SUPPORT RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT and I SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION ; SEE ARTICLE 6

[David in Los Angeles]

could we keep further comments to one (or two) paragraphs? thanks -

[Tannim]

So if this Scott guy was the "Bass Boss", then don't you think there's something "fishy" about him endorsing Hucakbee? I'm just saying...

Besides, I don't think this is the type of rod that gives Rev. Huckabee's staff courage...

[polecat]

Funny California perspective on this. Yuk, yuk.

And totally ignorant.

Ray Scott is a prominant, well-connected Arkansas political operative who has held numerous major state positions under many Arkansas governors, including Pryor, Clinton, and Huckabee (maybe more, but for the purposes of a post, I am too lazy to look them all up -- but that was your job before your all-knowing post, right?).

This has everything to do with the Arkansas primary, and nothing else.

But as to your ignorance of politics graced with wit about the absurdity of Scott's lack of national recognition, ha, ha, ha! I laugh both at you and with you.

(Thanks for reading. It was pretty hilarious to put out a national news release on such a regional fellow. So he'll help get both Arkansas votes.)

[Andy Poe]

Saw this blog article about Andrew Malcolm's column, and thought it was dead-on about the liberal tendency to look down their noses at the pastimes of average people. I'm no conservative, but I am sensitive to the fact progressives and liberals do this sort of thing regularly, and then wonder why there's so much hostility towards us from working class people.

http://soundingthecall.townhall.com/