LETTER FROM TIM RAVNDAL- ORIGINAL POST FURTHER DOWN

Press release from Tim Ravndal

 Big Sky Tea Party Association & Face Book

It has been reported by a variety of media sources about the face book exchange and the consequent removal of Tim Ravndal from the office of President of the Big Sky Tea Party Association. 

It is important to recognize that the story that started on face book continued with a breaking story in the Great Falls Tribune.  The Great Falls Tribune reporter John went forward with his story without all the details.  Furthermore, John appeared only interested in the third party comments.   Upon the inability to get the desired results, John went with part of the truth, breaking the news to the people of Montana.  Hence, we have a story based on a foundation built with only part of the truth.

Tim respectfully declined to speak to the media until after having an opportunity to hear from the Board and members of Big Sky Tea Party Association who he proudly served.  Since the story broke, many blogs, and news media sources posted stories based on the same partial information in the tribune article.   The frenzy was also sparked by the social media threads from face book.  Up until the meeting with Big Sky Tea Party Association last night, no media source had made contact with Tim in getting his side of this story. 

Up to and including the story that was on the Television last night and the reporting in the Independent Record today we continue to see only half the story.   All the conclusions on this matter have been based on partial truths and political correctness.    The consequent headlines and associated stories speak for themselves.

Tim would like to first and foremost send his apologies for the misconception of facts to the family and friends of Mathew Shepherd.  The implications that Tim condoned Mathew’s terrible ordeal years ago is utterly false and frankly embarrassing to see the media purporting this without having the facts.

The stereotyping of any and all representatives of the tea party movement has become standard operating procedure by the liberal media across America and most if not all liberal blogs.  Tim states that he is aware that he has been in this spotlight for many years, as he has stood in front of the world demanding the rights of the people be protected. 

In an attempt to provide an apology to those that were harmed by this ordeal, Tim has received over 600 and counting threats from the very same people that are condemning the dialogue found on face book.  It is again important to know that the information that everyone is basing their conclusions on is only partially there.  

Beginning with the face book thread, there is a time lapse between postings.  There is a period of time when Tim left face book after he made the request for a manual in writing to understand what was being talked about.  Asking for a display manual based at this point in the thread is hardly implicative of condoning torture or murder. 

Upon return to the thread some time later, that is when the discriminating post made by a third individual made the connection to the Wyoming tragedy.  It is also important to note, the media nor most people have ever seen this derogatory comment. 

I have been given ownership of all comments, and rightfully so, as they are on my personal face book account.  Unfortunately, the ownership of these comments has portrayed me as a murderous bigot.  Most everyone has discarded the pesky little facts and have bypassed the jury and gone straight to the executioner. 

The media has continued to short run the story without facts.  The public is continuing to pass judgment based on half the story.  Tim was notified today by another party that they have been getting messages on their private number from Montana media sources requesting an interview.  With as notorious as this trashing has made Tim and his friends, it is amazing the same Great Falls Tribune that broke the story cannot seem to find his number.  

As Tim continues to seek a fair shake in this kangaroo court being held, he hopes that those that are responsible will do what is right.  Everyone that has passed judgment without giving the courtesy of seeking out the facts shows how political correctness and social justice continues to prevail over honesty and integrity. 

This too shall pass, and in the end, I will walk down the street with my head held high facing tyranny wherever it is exposed.  Our liberty and freedom in this country and the sacrifices that have been made in the name of our republic must be defended. 

Our Montana Constitution protects marriage between a man and a woman.  Until the political machine changes that basic right, I will continue to stand in defending our Constitution and this provision. 

Tim Ravndal

UPDATE INCLUDED BELOW

"Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., through a spokesman Tuesday, expressed support for the Big Sky Tea Party dismissing its president.  In July, Rehberg joined the House Tea Party Caucus, although he is not a member of any Montana Tea Party groups," as Lee Newspapers' Chuck Johnson reports.

"The Big Sky Tea Party Association's board of directors has removed Tim Ravndal as the organization's president for an exchange on his Facebook page that appeared to condone violence against homosexuals," The Associated Press reports.

The Great Falls Tribune reported the Facebook exchange, which Ravndal later apologized for:

Tim Ravndal: "Marriage is between a man and a woman period! By giving rights to those otherwise would be a violation of the constitution and my own rights"

Keith Baker: "How dare you exercise your First Amendment Rights?"

Dennis Scranton: "I think fruits are decorative. Hang up where they can be seen and appreciated. Call Wyoming for display instructions."

Tim Ravndal: "@Kieth, OOPS I forgot this aint(sic) America no more! @ Dennis, Where can I get that Wyoming printed instruction manual?"

Dennis Scranton: "Should be able to get info Gazette archives. Maybe even an illustration. Go back a bit over ten years."

Ravndal says he didn't make the connection between the Facebook post and the Matthew Shepard incident:

Ravndal apologized for the post, saying he "never made the connection" to Shepard's murder until after national bloggers picked up on it and his phone started ringing earlier this week.

"I wasn't even thinking about the tragedy that happened in Wyoming," Ravndal said. "I made a mistake and I apologize to anyone I offended. I do not condone violence to any human being."

UPDATE

Reported by Jay Scott, KBLL Radio, Helena

Not all members of the Tea Party agree with the move.

Some members of the Big Sky Tea Party Association strongly defended former president Tim Ravndal at the group’s meeting Tuesday night following what many called his unfair and hasty ejection over a casual conversation on Facebook.

Many members in attendence blasted acting board chairman Roger Nummerdor and chairman Jim Walkerfor stripping Ravndal of his position and membership without giving him a chance to defend himself, and for announcing the move to the press over the Labor Day weekend. Many said Ravndal's comments were manipulated by liberal and gay-rights groups and the media, and most said the image problem was exacerbated by the quick board action.

Among the critics of the board decision was Kristi Allen-Gailushas, Republican nominee for a Helena-area House seat, who said she would resign her membership and her position of association secretary. She is under fire for a statement she made on her own Facebook page a few days ago: "The Gay community wants a war….They've got one!!"

A statement released by Walker said a 4-0 vote of the board, with one abstention, approved Ravndal’s dismissal. But board member Tom Baird said he never participated in the vote, hearing only after the fact that a quorum and decision had been reached.

Board member Bobette Madonna says that Ravndal could have been perhaps just reprimanded and removed from leadership.