Posted: February 27, 2012 at 7:43 am

Today’s Must Read Political Blog Post

Today’s must read political blog post is up at The Flathead Memo. James Conner reports that the man running to replace Derek Skees for Whitefish’s only Legislative seat “may prove to be equally colorful.” You’ll want to read it now.

There are a couple of additional items you’ll want to know about Dr. Rollan Roberts II. Much of the credit for uncovering this information goes to Ed McGrew of Informed Whitefish, who is a first-rate opposition researcher.

First, Roberts is big into multi-level marketing. A few of his multi-level marketing companies have already been uncovered, including one that involves algae. Yet another appears to be going for a Pampered Chef-like approach to arms trading. Still another sells the “opportunity” to market an immune potion for the rock bottom price of only $129.00 per pint ($1,031.00 per gallon.)

Roberts claims:

No other natural product comes anywhere close to supporting optimal health than AID. Given the premium, science-backed and clinically-proven ingredients used, AID is priced as low as possible to make it affordable for everyone.

Anyway, it must surely work like magic. However, on another page of the same sight, Roberts says:

Because of the power and nature of AID, neither we, nor any of our Partners, are able to make or imply any claims that it cures, treats, or prevents any illness or disease.

Roberts career as a motivational speaker appears to consist mainly of babblative exhortations to those in the levels under him in his marketing pyramids. Roberts claims to be such an expert in this field that he served on the board of the Multi-Level Marketing International Association. A list of past and present members of the association board does not include his name, however.

Roberts’ speeches make him sound like Derek Skees on steroids. Here’s an excerpt from a speech Dr. Rollan Roberts II gave on “freedom.” The entire original Youtube video can be seen here.

Mr. Conner’s post reveals how Roberts profits from the medical debt of others. But since the posting, the website for his medical debt collection company has been taken down.

This isn’t surprising. Recall that after it was revealed by a letter to the editor in the Billings Gazette that State Senator Jason Priest was in the business of auctioning off medical debt to the highest bidder, Priest took his site down too. Though of course it’s hard to scrub everything from the internet. Evidence of Roberts’ and Priest’s companies is still out there. Like Priest, Roberts is also fighting against health care reforms which would help people reduce medical debt.

Perhaps oddest of all is Roberts association with a company that he doesn’t list on his campaign website. Capitol Defense International, LLC does appear in his Office of Political Practices filing, however. The company seems to be in the business of giving those with big money access to private paramilitary and special forces squads, and survivalist training:

This is not a security detail, these teams are fully capable of carrying out clandestine operations worldwide.

An asterisk warns customers that none of the services are yet licensed.

Finally, as Mr. Conner points out, the “Dr.” Rollan Roberts II doesn’t actually identify the institution that granted him the “doctorate degree is in International Business and Entrepreneurship.” His spelling certainly isn’t indicative of a PhD scholar. [screenshot]

His doctorate degree is in International Business and Entrepreneurship.During this time,he began investing in real esate[sic] achieving great success in a short period of time. He soon began building businessesand[sic] before long, became the CEO of a biotech company and leading public and private companies $100 milion[sic] and $2 billion to strong and profitable growth.Dr. Roberts is currently the founder and CEO of Whitefish, Montana-based 24ravens (www.24ravens.com). He serves or has served on the Board of Directors of the Multi Level Marketing International Assocition[sic]. He is the author of “international best-selling books” on entrepreneurshp[sic] and ledership[sic] titled Born to be Rich, Born to Dream and, Riot: An Assault on Modern Leadership which have sold over 500,000 copies. He is an FAA-cerified[sic] pilot with “a love and passion” for swimming…

Stay tuned to the Montana Cowgirl Blog for more information about Dr. Rollan Roberts II and other GOP candidates. This stuff is only the beginning.

Posted: August 27, 2011 at 6:05 pm

Better Informed

A Whitefish man is making news in the Flathead this week for standing up to tell it like it is, using social media to expose the underside of local and legislative politics. Whitefish businessman Ed McGrew, founder of Informed Whitefish, is featured in on KPAX this week for his work to provide a forum for sharing information and community discussion–and for taking on TEA Party state legislator Derek Skees. The page, as KPAX reports, is designed:

“to give people factual information and let them make up their own minds. When there are political issues, people take notice,” said McGrew.

UPDATE: Watch the video here.

The Flathead area has other such leaders, such as Steve Braun, who started a political action committee to expose right-wing activity in the Flathead; James Conner, the political analyst who writes The Flathead Memo; and Mike Jopek, a former state legislator turned columnist.

This is exactly the kind of action and leadership Montana needs more of in other communities, and the Democratic Party should be cultivating people like this. We need more people who understand that there are better ways to get information out than sending out a press release–people taking it upon themselves to better their communities by informing citizens about important policy and electoral decisions, and encouraging participation in those decisions.