From: Luke R Simons <lukersimons@me.

com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2020 1:25 AM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Re: House Republican Caucus Reorganization - Updated Information

Respective members of the legislature.

I find it interesting that we are talking about rules/Mandates, Aren’t we the party that questions authority and breaks rules?
Cities and counties don’t make laws they make mandates and ordinances. We make law.
Please forgive me for questioning the appeal to “the authority”.
If you plan on shaming/not allowing legislators to attend session because my district largely does not believe in masks,, you
will have to explain that to a very angry District 36. We all represent the same amount of constituents here making us all
equals. There is no law anywhere that requires me or anyone to wear a mask. If you are scared for your health of a virus that
if you catch it you have less than 1% chance of fatality And will probably have to be tested to even know you had it. I would
suggest you stay at home and use zoom, after all the CDC said that people are catching Covid with the masks as readily than
not wearing the masks. Is this not the People’s house and as such they are welcome freely to come and go as they see fit.
My last In term meeting one legislator had a mask until she sat down which I respected. I don’t believe she left wearing one
though. Some attended on zoom, but as a whole everybody showed up with no masks and no social distancing, The western
legislators all met in Watford city three or four weeks ago, there must’ve been 20 maybe 30 of us total not one person wore a
mask everyone shaking hands no social distancing and eating together. It is hypocritical to wear a mask one place and not
another.
I mean no disrespect to anybody but this coccus has no right to ask anybody to wear a mask. Nor will I.
Respectfully
Rep. Luke R Simons ND🇺🇸
Remember to smile be kind & happy trails.

A few quotes by the Founding Fathers on the threat of tyranny

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
— Benjamin Franklin
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."
—Thomas Jefferson
"Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day."
—Thomas Jefferson
"When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
—Thomas Jefferson
"Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow
operations, perverted it into tyranny."
—Thomas Jefferson
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a
moment should it be left to irresponsible action."
—George Washington
"Overgrown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as
particularly hostile to liberty."
—George Washington
"Guard against impostures of pretended patriotism."
—George Washington
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
—George Washington
"The means of defense against a foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home."
—James Madison
"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be under the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."
—James Madison
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by
those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. ... The means of defense against foreign danger historically have
become the instruments of tyranny at home..If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be under the guise of fighting a
foreign enemy." President James Madison
"When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the
corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil."
— Thomas Jefferson
"It is the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins."
—Benjamin Franklin
"Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God"
—Benjamin Franklin
"It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority."
—Benjamin Franklin
"It is the duty of the patriot to protect its country from its government."
—Thomas Paine
"No man's LIFE, LIBERTY, or PROPERTY are safe while the legislature is in session"
Mark Twain~
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
~Thomas Jefferson~
“Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” 1-20-1981
~ Ronald Reagan~
-Food for thought: the first guy to hear a parrot talk was probably not ok for a few days?
Unknowing

On Nov 10, 2020, at 10:46 AM, Todd Porter <tporter@maas-nd.com> wrote:

Matt,

I completely agree with you. We are the party that supports all discussions and differing opinions prior to the
vote, however once the vote takes place and the rules are adopted, we are also the party that lives by the rules
that are adopted by the vote, win or lose.

The rules of the CDC, State Health Dept and City of Bismarck are very clear and concise. Wear a mask if
unable to maintain 6 feet.

We are the party of rules, we live with Roberts Rules, House Rules, Joint Rules, not because we like them all or
support them all, but because they are the rules of the Assembly, and have passed a vote.

You can have your opinion on masks, on herd immunity, on the virus in general, however the rules are the rules
and require a simple majority to put in place with the expectation that everyone follow them. If you don’t like
them, make a motion to change them and then live by the rules.

No shaming, no bullying, no threats of not wearing, no confrontations, no bickering. The rules are the rules until
the majority changes them.

Thanks,

Todd

On Nov 10, 2020, at 11:31 AM, Matthew Ruby <m.ruby.43@gmail.com> wrote:

Just a reminder, we’re supposed to be from the party that supports differing opinions and
encourages discussion. We can have valuable conversations without lobbing personal attacks. At
the end of the day we are on the same team. I’m looking forward to seeing you all this week
whether it’s behind a mask or through zoom!

-Matt

On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 10:59 AM Jeff Hoverson <jeffhoverson@yahoo.com> wrote:

If attended this meeting means we will encounter baseless guilt from our leadership, then I
simply ask that you, as a leader, attend remotely.

I happen to believe that i love my neighbor by NOT wearing a mask.

I have a file full of reasons if you would be interested in listening. My guess, based on your
response, is that you, as caucus leader, are really not that interested in hearing why I think the
way I do.

Furthermore, history is replete with Patriots and Republicans who resist baseless laws and
soft tyranny. Again. I would be more than happy to share my reasons for that as well.

Call anytime 701 340 8237

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 10:30 AM, dancircle@srt.com

<dancircle@srt.com> wrote:

And the no mask shaming begins. That’s right, we’re uncaring, selfish, and inconsiderate.
Thank you Ms. Caucus Chair. I never said anything derogatory about people who want to
wear masks and I never demanded that they be in close proximity to me. I was called
yesterday and asked if I would mind showing up early to avoid contact with the crowd. I
willingly accepted that suggestion and plan to do so but to read these comments, it appears
someone is upset that we don’t all have the same view on this issue.

As for the comments about not following laws and implying we are hypocrites, the truth is
the “law” is a strong recommendation at best with no penalty and that was done on
purpose. I listened to the whole discussion of the Bismarck City Council and the ordinance
would not have gotten the votes needed with a penalty in place or without some exceptions
added.

I sent my email yesterday to avoid any confrontation at the meeting. I wanted to have the
discussion before Wednesday night. I am content with the option provided and will
accommodate the suggested option but now I am being criticized and shamed by
leadership.

Thanks!

From: Shannon Roers Jones <shannonroersjones@gmail.com>

Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2020 9:08 AM
To: Representative Shannon M.Roers Jones <shannon@shannonroersjones.com>
Subject: House Republican Caucus Reorganization - Updated Information

Good Morning!

I just wanted to send a follow up to my email from Sunday. Obviously we've heard from
some of our caucus members and I just want to clarify what will be acceptable at our
meeting tomorrow evening.

There have been some comments about the fact that the vote that we took as a Caucus on
October 21st was to allow those who weren't comfortable in a mask-free environment to
stay at home. While we did make accommodations for those who didn't feel comfortable,
we never discussed having a mask-free environment. What's more, since that vote the law
in Bismarck has changed. It is very troubling that some legislators who are willing to make
laws that they expect others to live under, find it so easy to disregard the laws made by
other duly-elected lawmakers in our state. You can disagree on whether masks work or
not, but the current law states they are required.

That being said, the Caucus will be following the CDC guidelines which allow for masks to
be removed when a person is 6 feet or more from others. For those who are troubled by
wearing a mask, we ask that you arrive early and find a seat separate from others at which
point you can remove your mask. We will expect you to wear a mask when you are moving
about the room.

I ask those opposed to the masks to consider their legislative colleagues. The majority of
our members fall in the high risk category due to age and underlying conditions. What you
are saying with your "if they're concerned, they can zoom in" comments is that your
preference to not wear a mask and attend in person is more important than the desire of
your friends in the legislature to be able to participate fully and gather with friends they
haven't seen in many months. We have already lost a potential colleague to COVID, and
our caucus members have lost family members. Wearing a mask to move amongst your
friends is an act of respect and caring for their well being regardless of whether you think it
helps stop the spread of COVID.

I hope all those who feel well and safe enough to join us, do. I look forward to seeing each
of you. We will ask you to wear a mask as you move about the room. If you're bothered by
wearing a mask, we ask that you arrive early and find a seat that is at least 6 feet from
others. If you feel like you will be unable to wear a mask at any point, the option to attend
via Zoom is your best option.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow, whether it's virtually or in person.

Take care,

Shannon