Thank you, voters of Missouri's 7th Congressional District, for placing your trust in me. To those of you who voted for me, I won't let you down. To those of you who didn't, I will work hard to earn your trust, and I will always have an open mind for your thoughts.
On Jan. 5, 2011, I swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution on the floor of "The People's House" in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. One week later, almost to the exact hour, my wife Barbara and I attended a bipartisan congressional prayer service in that same Capitol for the victims of the Tucson tragedy.
The devastating attack in Arizona that targeted Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, her staff, supporters, and the community of Tucson, Arizona is a horrific tragedy. The incredible bravery and patriotism that those involved displayed during and after this senseless act reminds us that when confronted with evil, the American people and the values we believe in will always be stronger than the will of one individual bent on the destruction of innocent lives.
We cannot let the lone act of one mentally deranged person change who we are as a free society. Our government and our elected officials must be open and accessible to the people. As a member of the House of Representatives, my most important job is to always listen to the people of Missouri's 7th District. This incident will not keep me or my staff from holding events around the district, or make me less accessible to you -- my neighbors. I swore to uphold the Constitution, and that is exactly what I plan to do.
I will always be available to discuss my legislative priorities with you in the future. Today, I just want to introduce myself, let you know I'm on the job, and ask you to join me in remembering the victims of this senseless act in Tucson.
Thank you for this opportunity, and I hope that you will continue to share your views with me as I serve you in Washington.
Republican Billy Long is the representative to the U.S. 7th District.
Ah Jeez! Where do you start?
1. Why does Billy Long claim he will uphold the Constitution and not let one deranged individual change the way he conducts business as he uses the FBI to intimidate blogger(s) who are critical of him knowing they have a right to free political speech?
2. How many news stories did you hear this week, as Billy Long tweeted he was doing interviews with CNN, about Billy Long's office not returning the calls to the local media regarding the FBI visiting the blogger's home?
3. On Friday of this week, on Rabbi Eukel's Internet radio show that promotes conservative values in Southwest Missouri, he had Donna Osborn from the Christian County Headliner newspaper explaining how out of reach Congressman Long's office is when it comes to the local media.
4. Why does Billy Long continue to block constituents from following him from Twitter?
5. For those of us who didn't vote for Billy Long and who speak up against him, how is using the FBI to suppress political free speech earning our trust? Wouldn't earning trust require opening up a dialog and reaching out to us? Billy Long could hold a beer summit.
6. How could Billy Long be any less accessible? Take a look. He won't even answer questions of the voters. he just walks away, and I am not the only one trying to ask a question. I am the only one who got a visit from the FBI and a Sheriff who was out of his jurisdiction involved in some cronyism along with the new Congressman.
Remember, these were public appearances that Long announced he would attend that this and other videos were recorded.
