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Tom DeWeese Threatened by Con Con Proponents
On Sunday, January 11, 2009, Tom DeWeese, President of the American Policy Center (APC) received a letter from a Bill Walker, purporting to be co-founder of an organization called "Friends of the Article V Convention," a group supporting a called for a Constitutional Convention. DeWeese and his APC activist group have recently stopped a "Con Con" call in Ohio.
Walker's letter contends that information DeWeese used for his arguments against a Con Con were fraudulent. Specifically, Walker sited a letter from former Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger written in 1988 to Eagle Forum President Phyllis Schlafly, which states in part, "I have also repeatedly given my opinion that there is no effective way to limit or muzzle the actions of a Constitutional Convention. The Convention could make its own rules and set its own agenda." DeWeese has cited the letter as expert opinion on the dangers of calling a Con Con for a specific purpose, such as the Ohio Resolution which simply wanted to discuss a balanced budget amendment for the Constitution.
Without offering any evidence to the contrary, Walker said the letter was a fraud and that, if DeWeese didn't refute the letter publically, "I intend to state you knew the letter was a fake all along."
The entire exchange, including Tom DeWeese's response is below.
Mr. Walker's E-Mail:
In a message dated 1/11/2009 2:45 PM EST, writes: Dear Mr. DeWeese,
As we both know you oppose the calling of an Article V Convention. I am not here to persuade you to change your mind.
However, I must inform you, in all fairness, that I have irrefutable, documented evidence to refute your main reference you use in your presentations--the so-called Burger letter. I can prove it's a fake.
I'm giving this opportunity to publicly refute the letter and declare it to be a fake on all blogs which you have used it as supposedly a valid reference. Take it my word for it Mr. DeWeese, I am not bluffing on this.
I will be releasing a video this week on You Tube detailing all facts, documents and so forth to prove the letter is indeed a fake. Unless I have heard from you that you are publicly refuting the letter and thus the assertions in it, I intend to state you knew the letter was a fake all along. And sir, given the documentation I will present, you will not be able to convince anyone otherwise.
The choice is yours. I don't like destroying someone's public creditability without giving them the chance to correct the error themselves.
Thank you for your time.
Bill Walker
FOAVC co-founder
www.foavc.org
Tom DeWeese's Email Response:
In a message dated 1/12/2009 2:52 PM EST, writes: Mr. Walker:
I received your e-mail yesterday, Sunday, January 11, 2009.
You have made some serious accusations along with specific threats to me. Let me address them.
First, concerning the "Burger Letter" and its authenticity: Just moments ago I spoke directly with Phyllis Schlafly to confirm the authenticity of the letter and its existence. I have a copy in my hand. She has also posted it on her website at www.eagleforum.org/topics/concon/pdf/WarrenBurger-letter.pdf
I have no reason to doubt her word. You, of course, have not presented your "evidence" to me that the letter is a fraud - you chose instead to use unfounded scare tactics. If you wanted to be honest in this matter, you would offer your proof, not only to me but to Phyllis Schlafly, giving her a chance to respond as well - particularly since she is the one you are calling a liar. But in talking with her today, I learned she has never heard of you either.
Second, in fact, I have only used reference to that letter once, in the first alert APC issued concerning the Ohio Con Con resolution. And I have rarely mentioned it during the numerous radio interviews I have given on this subject over the last month. The existence of that letter is not vital to our argument against calling a Constitutional Convention. I have instead looked to the history of the 1787 Con Con and its precedents, along with documents, notes and writings of those who actually attended the original Con Con. The proof is in the original authorizing documents and the debates calling for the convention, and the notes of leaders like Madison, Yancey and others. The evidence that states cannot control the delegates, once a Con Con is called, is irrefutable. Have you read them?
Third, in your mail to me you said, "Unless I have heard from you that you are publicly refuting the letter and thus the assertions in it, I intend to state you knew the letter was a fake all along." Sir, until I received your e-mail on Sunday, I had never heard a single word about a dispute regarding the authenticity of the Burger letter. So, your threat stating that I "knew the letter was a fake all along," is a lie and a slander. Say it, and I assure you I will sue you to the fullest extent of the law. That, I guarantee. And I assure YOU, I'm not bluffing.
Your charges are groundless, your position is unsupportable and your threats are toothless.
Do as you will and we'll see who is "discredited."
Very Sincerely,
Tom DeWeese
President
American Policy Center
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