You've probably heard by now -- Rick Perry, the Republican governor of Texas, was indicted by a grand jury on allegations that his veto of funding for Texas' Public Integrity Unit was politically motivated.  Perry followed through on a veto threat after the head of the unit was arrested for drunk driving and refused to resign despite serving 45 days in jail.

The head of a state's Public Integrity Unit serving 45 days in jail for drunk driving?  That's just a little bit outrageous, don't you think?  If I were in Governor Perry's place, I would have done the same thing. 

As Senator Ted Cruz pointed out:

Here's part of Governor Perry's statement on the indictment:

Sign the Stand with Rick Perry petition at rickperry.org/stand-with-rick-perry.

My first Republican county convention experience, summed up in one word: eye-opening.  And yes, I know it’s two words joined with a hyphen, but that does count.  I wasn’t a delegate (that will have to wait until I turn 18), but went along to watch and learn about the process.  And boy did I get a first-hand lesson in good-ol-boy GOP politics.

I’ve known for a while now that the Republican Establishment will do anything to get their way.  But at the convention, I saw it first-hand for the first time.

If the county GOP leadership wanted to pass a motion that sparked any kind of controversy, who needs discussion?  It’s must easier, I suppose, to just ignore the man right in front of you requesting to speak (never mind you just let the lady directly next to him speak), take the vote, and then say you didn’t see him requesting to speak after it’s all done and over with and your motion has passed.  Oh, and it goes without saying, as soon as you figure out which side the conservatives and tea party Republicans are sitting on, you make sure never to look in the at direction during any time for discussion for the rest of the night.  And if all else fails, just yell into the microphone that you’re going ahead and voting on the silly motion.  Robert’s Rules were never actually meant to be followed, were they?

I’ve heard about these things before, but seeing them happen in front of my own eyes, with people I know and am acquainted with — people who been enthusiastically welcoming me just minutes earlier — silencing and ignoring conservatives, was rather shocking.

This is exactly the reason Freedom's Defenders is starting Principled.GOP — to give conservatives the knowledge, connections, and resources we need to fight back.

Yesterday’s experience was eye-opening and a stark reminder that there’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be laid to ensure that the Republican party is a conservative party.  Please join the cause — click here to learn more about how you can help build a principled, conservative Republican Party.

Pray for Pastor Saeed Abedini -- that his faith will remain strong and be strengthened, that God will continue to protect him through this terrible time, and that international leaders will demand and secure his release.

From now through September 7, U.S. Senators will be back in their home states for the August recess.  What does this mean?

It means that right now, you have the perfect opportunity to tell your Senators to vote NO on the United Nations "Disabilities Treaty" when they go back to DC in September!

Email your Senators, call them (the Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121), and even visit their offices to remind them that the "Disabilities Treaty" (CRPD) doesn't actually help Americans with disabilities, but instead it threatens our parental rights and national sovereignty.  We don't need the United Nations making our laws, and we don't need UN and government bureaucrats telling parents what the government thinks is best for their kids.  You can find talking points by clicking on the graphic above, and FAQs at the HSLDA website.