Wednesday packed with classes

This conference has so far been three full days of intense learning from some impressive, knowledgeable people.

Three of us skipped breakfast this morning and headed "off campus." My roommate woke me at 6 am, we hurried out the door to Capitol Hill where Congressman Duncan Hunter welcomed my roommate and the two of us that he brought along. Uncomfortable, stuffy situation where he invited donors to the Capital Hill Club to meet his son who is running for his seat. From there, I hurried back to get to class by 9 am via Metro.

Something that has been intimidating is how much money is required to run for office. I would say that I am presently feeling more comfortable with fundraising techniques. The school has done a good job sharing information on this. The first class of the day was a good class on fundraising. Then a class on hosting events. A class about Silent Auction. Lots of books given to us after the class. Lots of books have been given to us every day. It looks like I will literally have no fewer than 30 new books when I leave here. The head of the school stresses reading. Something good to have stressed. He downs 3 books/week. A lecture on that was the first that we had upon coming here. A man spoke about sending out direct mail. A lawyer spoke about the legalities of forming different organizations for political purposes. Finally a man came to talk about how to communicate to an audience better.

Short 20, or so, minute breaks for lunch and dinner. Intense.

Following the conclusion of the class, a group of the Ron Paul folks here went out for a beer to talk about our planned Paul-platformed runs.

After that we, came back to our room to write out about 80 thank you notes that we'd asked for this afternoon. As a way to show our appreciation for the classes that we've been taking, at very low cost, four of us wrote handwritten thank you notes to about 80 donors to the school that we are attending.

This has essentially been a typical day. It's late now and I want to process another chapter of one of those books and to get to bed so that I can be fresh for class tomorrow. A good day to you all.

Allan
in Arlington, VA

Time to make my way east

Sorry that I have been so absent the last few days. I have been running around alot. I will head out to DC this morning from Chicago's O'Hare airport. A good day to all of you.

Also, someone stuck this in my inbox this morning. I think it's pretty funny.

Allan

A 1:42 video on planned April 15 Strike

Sent in from a member of the tax honesty movement in Alabama. - Allan

From Lew Rockwell on Chris Peden & Co., RP's Challeneger in the District

OUCH ! ! Please read this if you feel like knowing some of the dirty nitty gritty of the Congressional race that Ron Paul's in and please follow the links in the article. Interesting stuff, but dirty.
- Allan

Tonight's Video Announcement starring Lew Moore & Debbie Hopper

This video announcement took place at 8 pm Central time today. Ron Paul's Campaign Manager Lew Moore and National Field Director Debbie Hopper were the two speakers in the announcement. I was off listening to Phyllis Schlafly speak today, so I didn't catch it live. However I did watch the recorded version and recommend it to anyone who would like to get in step with the process happening in the campaign in the US right now. Again, this is a very good video for anyone who wants to be in step with the campaign.

Lew Moore said that we need to continue to focus on
1. Getting the message out
2. To do everything that we can do to get as many pro-Ron Paul delegates on the floor of the Republican National Convention as possible.
All parts of the US will continue to have Regional field coordinators.
Ron Paul's new book will be coming out and it will speak further about us being at the start of a revolution.
Keep working and keep meeting.
RP is a republican, he is not running as part of a third party, we are now essentially a part of the republican party and are able to hold some sway in that party.
They are continuing to work out details of a rally to be held in DC, as Dr. Paul requested.

There was then Q & A time - Should I be canvassing if we already had primaries? Yes, and tell your neighbors that we need to take our country back, and that there's a candidate who can help us do that, and there's a movement behind him. Get involved in the delegate process in your state as well, as it conintues.

Will there be a write in campaign? No, not officially, but we will not be offended if you do.

What happened to Romney's delegates? They are largely free to do what they please.

What is Ron Paul's delegate count? It has not yet been determined, and no one can tell you what the delegate count is from any caucus state. And others.

There was then a break for technical problems and Debbie Hopper did a great job with her 10 minutes, or so, of time speaking.

Informative meeting. If you understand this video, you can proudly say that you understand details of the US electoral process that relatively few Americans even understand. Again, a recommended video if you want to be in the know.

- Allan in 60406

An election experience from Madison, Wisconsin

From Stephanie near Madison, Wisconsin - Allan

I was handed a ballot with little instruction like everyone else: two yellow sheets of paper folded and stapled together, and a smaller blue sheet. The blue sheet was about garbage pick-up. The yellow sheets were the democratic and republican party candidates with boxes to check beside them. I opened mine and stared at it, befuddled. The democratic party was on top. On the back of both sheets a few people had intialed, and there were a few other lines for the initials of the person who counts the votes and his assistant. Both sheets had a backside (and remember, these contained real, not copied, intials), but the front of the supposed republican party sheet was BLANK!! Can you believe? I think the old ladies noticed me standing there staring at it. Finally I turned back around and said where's the republican party? And before I could finish my statement one lady was hot on it: "Oh!" she said, "Y ou got a messed up one." Quickly she took my sheets and gave me a new ballot packet from the pile. Nothing else was said. No big deal? Hardly! I wonder just how many ballots were like mine in the line up? Because the blank sheet that should have listed the republican candidates HAD LIVE INITIALS ON THE BACK! Whyever would the initialer staple it up? There are a lot of older people in this community (Adams-Friendship), and if one was confused he or she probably wouldn't even ask and just vote democratic. I am no doubt probably making a mountain out of a molehill, but so what.

A WaPo Lie

Sent in from DC - Allan




Today on page A7 is a gross lie which is bad for the Republican Party.

It says; "McCain's lone remaining opponent, Mike Huckabee, ..."

Ron Paul has not dropped out. McCain has two remaining opponents.

Do you know who at RNC is responsible to respond to media inaccuracies which harm the Party?

This is from our local paper, and I think the DCRC should do something about it too.

-- Adrian

McCain's Fear - Notice the "others" that Novak mentions

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Novak_McCain_huckabee/2008/02/17/73421.html?s=al&promo_code=4568-1, and I felt that it was the kind of political intrigue that would keep Ben guessing at what could come out of such an occasion. Of course, I bet Ben has mentioned such events dozens of times, over the weekly glasses of beer, but it's always good to have a widely syndicated columnist and DC insider agreeing with you. - Allan

Fox News Shows A Hackable Voting Machine

A video from Fox showing a voting machine that's been hacked. One author on this topic, Greg Palast, calls this the McGuffin. He says that we spend our time worrying about the hacked machines, when, in reality, the hacked machines are not the great danger. Even if Palast is right about this, and more sinister things than hacked machines are actually at work, this video is still a good one.
- Allan in Blue Island

on the US Constitution

I don't know when I will be in New Hampshire again, but this note is convincing. Perhaps you will enjoy these videos if you are in the mood for talk of the US Constitution. - Allan

Dear Ron Paul supporters,

I decided that I need to heed the call of our fearless leader and truly get involved in the cause for liberty beyond this presidential campaign. My first step was to attend a NH Constitution Class given by Rep. Dan Itse of the NH Liberty Alliance.

I have to say—I recommend this seminar to EVERYONE on this list. The whole afternoon was outstanding. Not only was I surrounded by like-minded liberty lovers, but I also learned so much about the history of our system of government and the NH state constitution.

I don't know when the next one will be scheduled, but if you are unable to attend, you can view videos of past classes at: http://www.nhliberty.org/nh_constitution_class.

Onward for liberty!

Carolyn

results for Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Wisconsin had their primaries today. This was sent in by Corey, north of here. For statewide results, go to the state GOP's website.
- Allan in BI

it was pretty sweet to hang out at the city clerk's office tonight and check things out. rest assured, i do not believe any shinanigans took place. if any did, it wasn't with the poll workers, but with the counting machine (which was an E S & S machine). ron paul pulled in an average of 13% city-wide. while watching them shuffle through ballots, it was obvious that these numbers bore out. this precinct, district 1, pulled in nearly 20% (so our canvasssing certainly paid off), and the lowest count came from district 7 with only 7%. i was shocked when i got home, however to find that ron paul only pulled in 5% of the vote statewide. what happened? the full results county wide should be posted on the portage county website sometime tomorrow. in all, we did well. producing three times the votes from the rest of the state in a heavily democratic area isn't bad at all. - Corey

The Daily Herald - Concealed Carry

Forgive the 2nd Amendment concentration, but it is the hot thing in the news these days in Chicago - mainly "How do we make gun control regulations even tighter."

On a radio broadcast Sunday, a gentleman from DownsizeDC.org said something like "Well, in my county, there are at least 800 of those concealed carry guys walking around and I feel pretty safe with it that way, knowing that there are extra good guys out there ready to help out if a problem arises." I've heard some good discussions too about how Concealed Carry laws are similar to being able to learn CPR - they make the trained citizen the first responder and to not force you to WAIT on the government for assistance. As has been seen twice in the last week in the Chicagoland area, it's impossible to have immediate response from the government.

Here's a letter to the editor that ran this morning in a Northside newspaper.

- Allan in Blue Island

Beware of this Syndrome - O.C.S.

Obama Comedown Syndrome. For those who think the start is just brutal it's worth reading to the end. here
- Allan in Illinois

Will someone please explan this to me? - February 17, 2009

All over the TV, and even in one of the newscasts tonight (Chicago Tonight), appears "Midnight February 17, 2009." It is the time and day that all TV signals in the US will go digital. If you have cable or satellite, no problem. I guess even if you have a digital tuner connected to your TV, it's not big deal. Old TVs though, will stop working without the tuner. A year from now, every old TV will no longer work in the US unless a special appliance is added to it. You can get the special appliance by using a the two $40 coupons that the US government will offer every household in the US to go out and buy the tuner. The whole broadcast sounded like a bunch of double-talk. It was so unclear and seemed really pretty deceptive. At different times, something along to the lines of each of these things were said: 1. No one has to get a new TV, 2. Really no one is going to be affected by this, 3. The people with tin foil and rabbit ears out there are going to be the only ones really affected. 4. Most people will have no trouble, the only trouble will come if you live in an outlying area where there is poor cable or satellite service. Do you also get the feeling that they had no idea what they were talking about? The reasons given for this change - 1. The government will be able to sell off all the analogue frequencies. 2. First responders will now be able to use these frequencies. Wow, all the old TV stations in the US are going to now become obsolete for national security purposes. Would anyone have imagined that argument 7 years ago? Now, this whole story, coming from a news broadcast that I usually trust, sounds pretty fishy to me. Does anyone have a better explanation for me? Please. Thank you.
Allan in Blue Island, IL

The latest from RP

The latest from RP, which doubled his numbers in a few hours. - Allan


The DC neocons think their old dream is about to come true. They think they can defeat me in the Republican congressional primary in Texas on March 4th. And you know what? They may be right.

My opponent, who describes himself as a traditional conservative, is a dedicated servitor of all the special interests who have given us the disaster of recent years, from unconstitutional wars to a looming recession, from huge deficits to massive new welfare programs.

A Republican operative allied with the worst forces in DC recently said: "Give what you can [to Ron Paul's opponent]. Ron Paul is running scared -- using his Presidential campaign's donors' money to subsidize a desperate last-minute attempt to save his Congressional seat."

That is a lie, of course. It is illegal to use presidential campaign donations in my congressional race. The congressional campaign has to stand on its own. But so far, we have raised only about a third of what a well-funded effort would need.

In my 10 terms in Congress, I have not only been able to serve my constituents, and help them, for example, negotiate federal red-tape. I have also been able to defend our principles of less spending, lower taxes, no inflation, and strict adherence to the Constitution. Some people in DC laugh at the idea that I should obey my oath of office, and ask first of any proposed legislation, is it constitutional? But I know that you share my support for the vision of the framers.

My friend Congressmen Wayne Gilchrest (R-Maryland) was just defeated in his primary election by a neocon fraud similar to the one I face. My friend Walter Jones (R-North Carolina) is under heavy pressure as well. People like our hand-picked opponents will do anything to gain and keep power. They represent everything that is wrong with DC.

If I am defeated in the upcoming congressional primary, our ideas will be held to have been defeated as well. It will be proclaimed from the rooftops in DC that such "ridiculous and outmoded notions" as the free market, sound money, personal liberty, limited government, and a pro-American foreign policy are through.

I am determined not to let this happen. All that you and I believe in is far too important to the future of our country, and to everyone and everything we love, to let the neocons dance on its grave.

Please, help me stop the lies, the distortions, the pressure groups, the special interests that benefit from DC rip-offs. There is still time to run radio and tv ads, to set up phone banks, to get out the vote. But unless you help, my reelection to Congress may be in jeopardy. Please help me return to Congress to fight for the people of my district, and for the ideas that can save our country from the path to trouble we are now on.

I hesitated to ask you, since you have already done so much. But my wife Carol said, "When you need help, you ask your best friends." So I do ask you, to hold out your hand in support.

Please give today http://www.ronpaulforcongress.com, as generously and as quickly as you can.

NH Recount is finished

Go to the link below to see the report on the New
Hampshire recount:

http://ronpaul.meetup.com/boards/thread/4224789


It seems that even with all of the efforts to fix the
ballots to be in alignment with the manipulations,
there still are many errors. (How do people manage to
keep their high-paying jobs which such errors? I
believe that most of my 6th graders could do the job
better.)

Bonita

A note from a soldier

This was sent in from a soldier in the US Army:

I'm a soldier serving in Iraq right now, but I'm stationed in Vilseck, Germany, not far from the Czech border. I just wanted to let you know that the support for Ron Paul that the soldiers have goes beyond the numbers. It kills me that I can't be back home right now fighting to get him elected. I'm proud that others in my area are also supporting Ron Paul. We're serving our country to preserve the same rights he is trying to maintain back home. Keep up the support.

When asked if he wouldn't mind me posting it:

that would be fine, i'm pleased to do anything i can to help your group, after the support you've shown all of us. thank you again.

I ask the readers of this blog to continue the hard work and to continue sharing that with others. The work is being seen and appreciated by people all over the world.

- Allan in Blue Island, IL

Executive Order 11110

A lawyer by the name of Becraft was in Chicago several years ago defending a gentleman in a case that I attended. Mr. Becraft wrote this about JFK's Executive Order 11110, something I stumbled upon after following a link from him. This Executive Order was mentioned to me while I was in Nevada. It takes a few minutes to follow the links to this article, but they all come together and make sense if you do follow those links. Wishing you well. - Allan in Blue Island

Because it deserves to be posted everywhere over and over again

I was surfing and stumbled upon this gem. - Allan

Brief Overview of Congressman Paul's Record
He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.

He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

Congressman Paul introduces numerous pieces of substantive legislation each year, probably more than any single member of Congress.

10 Ways a Ron Paul Presidency would Affect Health Care

Sent in by the author, with the complete text appearing here. - Allan



Op. Editorial by Sarah Andrews

If Republican candidate Ron Paul wins the 2008 presidency, Americans could see a health care system that puts more dollars back into taxpayer wallets and allows for more individual choice in selecting a health care provider.

Paul, a constitutionalist and staunch supporter of a free-market system, opposes HMOs and the managed-care system now in place, saying it is too controlled by the government and is set up to benefit corporations and not individuals. Also an opponent of the universal health care plans touted by some of his Democrat opponents, Paul is calling for several measures that will give individual citizens the power to manage their own health care, limit the federal government’s role in the US health care system, and increase competition among providers in the private market. Continued

To Andrew Jackson

As the results rolled into a ballroom in New Hampshire, to a bunch of disappointed Ron Paul supporters, many of whom had come a long way (from Bratislava for example), Ron Paul spoke. After a long month of volunteering, a tired Frank whispered to me "This better be good" as the Ron Paul introduction came. In the speech that followed (snippets of it here), one thing Ron Paul said to us was something like "You know, the Federal Reserve is our third central bank. It's been gotten rid of before. Thomas Jefferson got rid of the first central bank; after a hard fight Andrew Jackson got rid of the second. Now I just want to be the president who gets to get rid of the third!" The room erupted. Here's to Andrew Jackson, a man, like any other, who had his good and bad sides. Here's to Andrew Jackson, the tough s.o.b. who got rid of the predecessor to the Fed! - Allan in Blue Island, IL

From the Chicago Tribune
(with no mention of the 2nd Central Bank) :



7 | Andrew Jackson

March 15, 1767 - June 8, 1845

State: Tennessee

Religion: Presbyterian

Marriage: Rachel Donelson Robards

Military service: At age 13, Jackson served in the Revolutionary War as a messenger with his older brother. He received saber wounds to his arm and face from a British officer while a prisoner of war at Yorktown in 1781 and is the only president to have been a prisoner of war. During the War of 1812, he was appointed a major general from Tennessee, invaded Florida, captured Pensacola and marched to New Orleans. On Jan. 8, 1815, Jackson led his forces in a stunning victory there, becoming a national hero.

Party: Democrat

Terms: March 4, 1829 - March 3, 1837

Vice president: John C. Calhoun, 1829-1832 (first vice president to resign); vacant 1832; Martin Van Buren, 1833-1837

Highlights of presidency: Jackson was the first president to consult with advisers known as a "Kitchen Cabinet." He had strong disagreements with his first vice president, Calhoun, over federal tariff laws that were voted null and void by South Carolina in 1832. Jackson obtained from Congress the power to use armed force to collect federal import duties. An unsuccessful assassination attempt occurred on Jan. 30, 1835, as he was leaving the Capitol. A mentally disturbed house painter fired two shots within 13 feet of Jackson, but the pistol misfired both times.

Did you know? Jackson was the first president to be nominated by his party at a national convention, the first to ride in a train and the first president to survive an assassination attempt. He was the only president who ever paid off the national debt. His nickname was "Old Hickory," in honor of his toughness. The hot-tempered Jackson killed Charles Dickinson in a duel after Dickinson made insulting remarks about his marriage. Jackson served as U.S. senator from Tennessee, 1797-1798 and 1823-1825; U.S. House member, 1796-1797; and as Justice of the Tennessee Superior Court, 1798-1804. (February 13, 2008)

Rapping Ron Paul Fans

On the radio just now, along with Obama girl, performing fans of all other presidential candidates were mentioned. Hillary's was played. It was pretty lame. While my state's junior senator is a constant disappointment to me in the Senate, I am a fan of Obama girl and the catchy song. Since they are the only candidates now mentioned in the national media, one might think that the mention of some McCain fan and even Huck playing his guitar would have wrapped up the newsbrief. No, not at all. "Rapping Ron Paul fans" were mentioned as well. Ron Paul for the long haul ! Of course, one might wonder what kind of news broadcast would even waste it's time mentioning such nonsense. My thoughts exactly. It was just one of those recorded hourly broadcasts sent all over the country at one time. While nothing of substance is likely to be said about the man at any time in the national media today, at least he'll get his name said for the next few hours. Plus, the song contains Dan's favorite rhythmic lyric in all of rap: "Ron Paul 2008 dot com!" - allan 60406

Latest Shootings - Letter to the Editor

I just sent this letter to the editor to the Chicago Tribune. - Allan

When in 2 weeks there are 4 high profile killings due to people going on rampages, it seems fairly certain that:

1. Something is wrong (What that is, I am unsure of.).

2. Government is doing a poor job of protecting us from this
(and maybe never will be able to protect us from the determined and the able).

3. Gun control keeps guns out of the hands of law-abiding people who'd use those guns to protect themselves (The other folks can obviously still get guns.).

A painting

This painting was created by Caleb the painter (his last name, something I will hopefully add one day) : ) and was unveiled at the Chicago Ron Paul office about two weeks ago. Here is the state coordinator, Joe Cesarone, introducing Caleb.




Followed by Caleb describing the painting a bit.




Here is proof that I was actually at this event : ) This is a picture of two writers talking shop. I met two people who had the same scholarship that I did through college. Lots of interesting Ron Paul supporters came out for the even as well. It was a well needed evening of socializing pre-Super Tuesday. Before the night was over, four of us put in a good 15 minutes of shoveling snow.




A good shot of the painting is here. Caleb combined many actual photos of Ron Paul supporters into one for the painting. He has a careful attention to detail as well. Students from the Art Institute appeared and were impressed by what they saw.
My thanks to Alex for the photos. - Allan in 708

The New Year March in Chicago

A pair of photo's from the New Year's Ron Paul march here in Chicago, organized by Mark, a friend of mine from college, and attended by me and another friend. An exuberant group appeared. The first is us, under "the bean," the second is us three hours into the march, along Michigan Ave. My thanks to Ian for the photos. - Allan in Blue Island

RP March in Ireland

Ron Paul March - March 1 in Dublin.
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/515/calendar/7253198/
- Allan

Excellent - Rothbard on Conspiracy Theories

Rothbard, sought to combine history, politics, and economics into a study of how they play against each other. This brief article is recommended reading for anyone who even dabbles with a conspiracy theory here or there and it makes me want to run out and buy his Conceived in Liberty. I'm reading a book of essays in which Rothbard's writing is prominent - very good stuff. It was recommended to me by two folks from the West Coast fighting the good fight in New Hampshire. - Allan in 708

The fight for those delegates is on

Last week, about 8 people and I got together and had a meeting about how we can win over selected delegates to vote Ron Paul in the second balloting and beyond in St. Paul in September (If any of you, by the way, would like to volunteer there, click here). Many of the delegates are committed only through the first round of balloting. This article, lets us know that there are likely some undecided Romney delegates out there looking for someone to vote for in early September. - Allan in Blue Island

Mike Huckabee

This is a well done post about some of the troubles of Mike Hucakbee by John Keller at Lew Rockwell. It's always good to have stats like this in the back of ones head as a follow up for the question of "Well, how does that candidate address the issues that are important to you." Lot's of folks do not know how to answer those questions, and it's good to be ready with some facts for them, especially when you are well read and no with certainty that your candidate's record is way cleaner than the others. - Allan

The News

A good video that starts and ends with a little John Lennon and Yoko Ono. In the middle is a complaint about the media, in case you were under the impression that US news is just lousy when it is beemed outside of the US. Wishing you well : ) - Allan

Refinancing: Only for the privileged few

An article that I spotted on my favorite monetary policy/macro-econ/geo-political/financial website - www.jsmineset.com. Without mentioning the problem, it speaks to the fact that many Americans are looking ahead to troubled times with their variable interest rate mortgages, people who will essentially have not escape from those mortgages because of this problem mentioned below. -Allan

Refinancing: Only for the privileged few

Sure, now is a great time to refinance - that is, if you can still qualify. Here is what lenders are looking for.

By Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer
February 8 2008: 3:00 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The good news: mortgage rates are down. The bad news: it's much harder to qualify for a refinanced loan these days.

What's more, the borrowers who need to refinance the most - because their adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) are resetting to higher interest rates - are among those having the most trouble winning approvals.

"I'm turning away about 60% to 75% of the clients who come to me for a refi," said Bob Moulton, president of Americana Mortgage Group on Long Island, N.Y. "Some don't have enough equity and others have bad credit scores." Continued

De Beers and the Dollar

An article that I spotted on my favorite monetary policy/macro-econ/geo-political/financial website - www.jsmineset.com. -Allan


Is the greenback's grip slipping?

ROMA LUCIW
February 13, 2008 at 4:08 PM EST

The chief executive of jewellery giant De Beers SA made waves this week when he suggested the global diamond industry consider pricing the shiny gems in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.

That comment, from the head of the world's largest diamond company, is the latest in a string of signs that the greenback's glory days could be fading.

A UBS Investment Research report says that while it would be wrong to write off the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency, its roughly 90-year iron grip on that position is loosening. “The use of the U.S. dollar as an international reserve currency is in decline,” said UBS economist Paul Donovan. continued

68 Senators Violated Their Oaths of Office Yesterday

I got this great email today about a bill passed through the Senate. When such emails come to me, I follow up on how my elected representatives voted. It being in the Senate, I took a look at how Sen. Durbin and Sen. Obama voted. That too was attached at the bottom of the email, and at the bottom of this post. Seeing that one or my senators from Illinois is on the campaign trail as a great freedom fighter, I was infuriated. Page down to see the very interesting results. But, please, guess first how our freedom fighter voted on this important bill to 1. allow the President to spy on Americans without a warrant and 2. retro-actively free accomplice telecom companies from wrongdoing.

I called my Senator at his Washington DC office. (202) 224-2854. I didn't see the transparent government that I'm used to from a Senator's office. At one point the guy I was talking to

1. Essentially hung up on me - when my questions got tough, he started saying "Sir, Sir, are you there, I can't here you, sir, sir, please call me back if you can hear me." (we were both on land-lines) He knew full well that I had to go through others in order to just get connected to his line.

2. He gave me a real run around Him: "The legislative aides who worked on that bill are not here." Me: "Well, what are their names?" Him: "Actually, I don't know."

3. Lied to me. Me: "I would like one of those legislative aides to call me at home before their go home for the night, will that happen?" Him: "Yes, if I can find one here." Of course you kind find "A" legislative aide at some point in the afternoon.

4. Evaded my question: "Listen are you guys preparing for a presidential election or are you working as a representatives of the people of Illinois?" Him: "No, this is the Senate office you have called, this isn't the campaign headquarters." (I guess my question could have been more clear to have helped prevent him from avoiding the question).

I've resolved that my next time in DC, I would like to go visit that office to see what exactly it is that they are doing there and to speak to the legislative aid face to face. Time for a little reading and then off to bed. - Allan in la isla azul


Quote of the Day:

"...The Bill of Rights is a literal and absolute document. The First Amendment doesn't say you have a right to speak out unless the government has a 'compelling interest' in censoring the Internet. The Second Amendment doesn't say you have the right to keep and bear arms until some madman plants a bomb. The Fourth Amendment doesn't say you have the right to be secure from search and seizure unless some FBI agent thinks you fit the profile of a terrorist. The government has no right to interfere with any of these freedoms under any circumstances."
-- Harry Browne (1933-2006) best-selling author, two-time presidential candidate, and co-founder of Downsize DC

Subject: 68 Senators violated their oaths of office yesterday

Do you know the date of the first law ever passed by the United States' Senate? It was May 5, 1789.

Do you know the subject of that law? It was the "Oath Act." It's purpose was to provide specific wording for the oath the Constitution requires Senators to swear upon taking office.

Strangely, the Constitution actually provides the specific wording of the oath the President is supposed to take, but it does not do so for Congress. Instead, the Constitution simply stipulates the following in Article VI, clause 3:

"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

The lack of specific wording meant that Congress had to create the wording. The oath they created as their first order of business, was very simple . . .

"I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States."

Of course, later politicians have been increasingly fond of complexity, causing the oath to mutate into this . . .

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."

The result remains the same. And please notice that members of Congress do not swear an oath to support or defend the nation, the country, or the government. They swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution, specifically. This is very important . . .

The Founders viewed government as a servant of the people. They did not make the mistake that so many supposed "patriots" make, of thinking the government is the same thing as the nation, the country, or the people. Our country is made up of many institutions -- families, churches, businesses, associations -- of which the government is only one. All of these institutions taken together, and all the individuals within the country, independent of any institution, are what make up the country.

The government is meant to serve the nation, not BE the country.

In keeping with the ideas expressed in our Declaration of Independence, our government was instituted with highly limited powers. The instrument that imposed these limitations was the Constitution, and it is this document that members of Congress swear an oath to defend.

One of the consequences of Constitutional limits on government power is that bad people are often permitted to get away with doing bad things. The government is categorically denied many of the powers that might aid it in the apprehension of criminals. For example . . .

There are hundreds of murderers running lose in America, and thousands of murders committed each year, that the government might be able to stop. The Constitution specifically prohibits government from doing all that it could do to save lives by catching murderers.

Were the Founders crazy? Were they stupid? No, they were not. The Founders knew that any government that has all the power it might need to optimize its apprehension of murderers, would also have all the power it needed to become a mass murderer.

The Founders knew, even in their time, that governments were, historically, the greatest killers of all. The history of the last century has only added to the evidence. Tens of millions of people were murdered in the 20th Century by governments that had too much power. Our Constitution protects us from this; so far.

Think about that.

But now, because criminals murdered thousands of people on September 11, 2001, many are eager to abandon their Constitutional protections.

Have we become a nation of sniveling cowards? If not, please explain how it is that Congress has either bowed to or exploited this fear to become a gang of lawbreakers?

Yesterday, 68 Senators violated their oaths of office. They voted to pass S. 2248, a new law designed to replace the so-called "Protect America Act." This bill violates the Bill of Rights . . .

* It permits the President to spy on Americans without a warrant.
* It grants retroactive immunity to tele-communications companies that collaborated with the Bush administration in previous warrantless spying, thereby creating an incentive for other companies to engage in similar crimes in the future (only Qwest Communications insisted on warrants).

Will this new, un-constitutional power, prevent future terrorist attacks? Of course not, nothing can do that, just as there is no law or power that could completely stop murders by domestic criminals.

Does this new law create a tyranny? That would be an exaggeration. But what will happen when the next terrorist attack comes?

The sniveling cowards among us, and the lawbreakers in Congress, will then seek still more powers.

At one point will our children call this tyranny? Will there be any turning back?

Yesterday, 19 Democrats, 48 Republicans, and 1 independent voted to violate the Constitution and their oaths of office. Only 28 Democrats, 1 independent, and ZERO Republicans remained true to their oaths. The Republicans were universally bad.

But please notice that the law could not have passed without the vote of the Democrats!

Let this be clear -- neither political party is going to protect our Constitution, unless WE compel them to do it.

All hope is NOT lost. S. 2248 cannot become law unless the House agrees to its provisions. Fortunately, the House version of this bill, while not perfect, is signficantly better. Our best hope, and we must take it, is to tell the House to stick by their version of the bill.

A list of how the Senate voted is pasted below my signature. Use the personal comments section of your message to Congress to thank your Senator if he or she voted against S. 2248, or to criticize your Senator if he or she voted for it. Ask your House member to reject the provisions of S. 2248.

You can send your message from the DownsizeDC.org website.

Also, please make a contribution to further our work. Your contribution is our budget. You can contribute here.

Jim Babka
President
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.

How the Senate voted . . .

Sen. Daniel Akaka [D, HI] Nay
Sen. Lamar Alexander [R, TN] Aye
Sen. Wayne Allard [R, CO] Aye
Sen. John Barrasso [R, WY] Aye
Sen. Max Baucus [D, MT] Aye
Sen. B. Evan Bayh [D, IN] Aye
Sen. Robert Bennett [R, UT] Aye
Sen. Joseph Biden [D, DE] Nay
Sen. Jeff Bingaman [D, NM] Nay
Sen. Christopher Bond [R, MO] Aye
Sen. Barbara Boxer [D, CA] Nay
Sen. Sherrod Brown [D, OH] Nay
Sen. Samuel Brownback [R, KS] Aye
Sen. Jim Bunning [R, KY] Aye
Sen. Richard Burr [R, NC] Aye
Sen. Robert Byrd [D, WV] Nay
Sen. Maria Cantwell [D, WA] Nay
Sen. Benjamin Cardin [D, MD] Nay
Sen. Thomas Carper [D, DE] Aye
Sen. Robert Casey [D, PA] Aye
Sen. C. Saxby Chambliss [R, GA] Aye
Sen. Hillary Clinton [D, NY] Abstain
Sen. Thomas Coburn [R, OK] Aye
Sen. Thad Cochran [R, MS] Aye
Sen. Norm Coleman [R, MN] Aye
Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME] Aye
Sen. Kent Conrad [D, ND] Aye
Sen. Bob Corker [R, TN] Aye
Sen. John Cornyn [R, TX] Aye
Sen. Larry Craig [R, ID] Aye
Sen. Michael Crapo [R, ID] Aye
Sen. Jim DeMint [R, SC] Aye
Sen. Christopher Dodd [D, CT] Nay
Sen. Elizabeth Dole [R, NC] Aye
Sen. Pete Domenici [R, NM] Aye
Sen. Byron Dorgan [D, ND] Nay
Sen. Richard Durbin [D, IL] Nay
Sen. John Ensign [R, NV] Aye
Sen. Michael Enzi [R, WY] Aye
Sen. Russell Feingold [D, WI] Nay
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D, CA] Nay
Sen. Lindsey Graham [R, SC] Abstain
Sen. Charles Grassley [R, IA] Aye
Sen. Judd Gregg [R, NH] Aye
Sen. Charles Hagel [R, NE] Aye
Sen. Thomas Harkin [D, IA] Nay
Sen. Orrin Hatch [R, UT] Aye
Sen. Kay Hutchison [R, TX] Aye
Sen. James Inhofe [R, OK] Aye
Sen. Daniel Inouye [D, HI] Aye
Sen. John Isakson [R, GA] Aye
Sen. Tim Johnson [D, SD] Aye
Sen. Edward Kennedy [D, MA] Nay
Sen. John Kerry [D, MA] Nay
Sen. Amy Klobuchar [D, MN] Nay
Sen. Herbert Kohl [D, WI] Aye
Sen. Jon Kyl [R, AZ] Aye
Sen. Mary Landrieu [D, LA] Aye
Sen. Frank Lautenberg [D, NJ] Nay
Sen. Patrick Leahy [D, VT] Nay
Sen. Carl Levin [D, MI] Nay
Sen. Joseph Lieberman [I, CT] Aye
Sen. Blanche Lincoln [D, AR] Aye
Sen. Richard Lugar [R, IN] Aye
Sen. Mel Martinez [R, FL] Aye
Sen. John McCain [R, AZ] Aye
Sen. Claire McCaskill [D, MO] Aye
Sen. Mitch McConnell [R, KY] Aye
Sen. Robert Menendez [D, NJ] Nay
Sen. Barbara Mikulski [D, MD] Aye
Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R, AK] Aye
Sen. Patty Murray [D, WA] Nay
Sen. Ben Nelson [D, NE] Aye
Sen. Bill Nelson [D, FL] Aye
Sen. Barack Obama [D, IL] Abstain
Sen. Mark Pryor [D, AR] Aye
Sen. John Reed [D, RI] Nay
Sen. Harry Reid [D, NV] Nay
Sen. Pat Roberts [R, KS] Aye
Sen. John Rockefeller [D, WV] Aye
Sen. Ken Salazar [D, CO] Aye
Sen. Bernard Sanders [I, VT] Nay
Sen. Charles Schumer [D, NY] Nay
Sen. Jefferson Sessions [R, AL] Aye
Sen. Richard Shelby [R, AL] Aye
Sen. Gordon Smith [R, OR] Aye
Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME] Aye
Sen. Arlen Specter [R, PA] Aye
Sen. Debbie Ann Stabenow [D, MI] Nay
Sen. Ted Stevens [R, AK] Aye
Sen. John Sununu [R, NH] Aye
Sen. Jon Tester [D, MT] Nay
Sen. John Thune [R, SD] Aye
Sen. David Vitter [R, LA] Aye
Sen. George Voinovich [R, OH] Aye
Sen. John Warner [R, VA] Aye
Sen. Jim Webb [D, VA] Aye
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D, RI] Aye
Rep. Roger Wicker [R, MS-1] Aye
Sen. Ron Wyden [D, OR] Nay

Some Public Servants can be Plain Ignorant

This type of ignorant behavior from our public servants seems to be quite a hot topic in the US these days. I do not know if it is happening more, but it is not difficult at all to find instances of such happenings simply by asking around. In the video below, a paralyzed man get dumped from his wheelchair by a cop because she didn't believe he was paralyzed. Now surely there will be a lawsuit and if the past performance is any indication of future returns, the taxpayers of that town will be forced to pay the bill for this ignorant officer's behavior. Would anyone like to share laws that you've heard about elsewhere that hold public officials and civil servants (instead of taxpayers) responsible for a civil servant's wrongdoing? I appreciate hearing from you on this. Blue Island, IL needs such a policy to help deal with the more than a dozen federal cases pending against the city of 23,000 for the local cops being real jerks to the residents here. - Allan in Blue Island, IL

the 200th post

I want to put this here, just because it's a great video (nearly 60,000 hits) and I want the US readers of this blog to feel a bit of the passion that the European readers of this blog have expressed in their support of Ron Paul, his ideas, and his campaign over this last year. MY best to you all. - Allan in Blue Island, IL

Listening to other folks talk

It's neat seeing all of the folks that showed up to the RP rally in Lake Jackson, TX. Click here for the album. On the train two nights ago, I struck up a conversation with the girl across from me, curious to find out what she was doing downtown so late. She's a dancer, training at Columbia College. She had a neat story. I did the same last night with the guy sitting across from me. He designs a line of clothing, all made in America, all designed by him and his friends. His MySpace is here. Without talking to the people around you, it's so easy to imagine that everyone goes to school and ends up somewhere in the business world, with a few becoming doctors and lawyers, and a smattering of teachers, then some civil servants and a bunch of union folks thrown into the mix. It's so easy to assume that the world around you is simply a reflection of yourself. The Ron Paul pictures make me wonder "What brought these people here? How long have they known about him? What issues are important to them?" and when I have a few Ron Paul folks together, I ask those questions and cherish the HUGE variety of answers. I like to be communicative with strangers, but I really like that Ron Paul has sent that interest of mine into overdrive. I think back on the caucus system that I saw in Nevada and think of how much more community oriented it can be than a simple walk in, walk out primary vote. Such an event almost forces face to face communication and forces the votes to be counted before you even leave the room. All problems with vote counting are ironed out then and there.

I picked up Greg Palast's Armed Madhouse last night. It was the book that Kerry was asked about in the "Don't Taze Me Bro" video. His description of the process of using "provisional ballots" to disenfranchise voters is convincing that widespread malfeasance occurs in our voting system quite successfully. I bought the book only to read Chapter 4 of that book, the section dealing with the elections, but the chapter was so well done, that I will surely read the entire book. For the first time, I feel like part of a discussion about the future of our country, had among regular Americans. I don't know if this discussion happens every year or if the is just the first time I have gotten so involved in it. If I ever get down to Lake Jackson I'll get to meet some of those folks in Ron's congressional district and to find out who exactly those people are who did our nation the favor of sending the champion of the Constitution to Congress for us.

Wishing you all well.

Allan in BI, IL

RP rally in Lake Jackson

This was sent from Lisa in Texas. - Allan

Yesterday, a group of us went to the Ron Paul rally at the Lake Jackson Civic Center. Down the hall (in a much smaller room) Dr. Paul's congressional opponent was holding a rally at the same time. As we drove up to the Civic Center, we were greeted by a small plane carrying a Ron Paul banner. Ron Paul sign wavers greeted us as we entered the parking lot filled with Ron Paul decorated cars and the famous Granny Warriors RV which has travelled around the country in support of our growing movement. We'd brought the Austin mini blimp and as we carried it down the hall, I peeked into the room Dr. Paul's opponent had reserved and felt a tinge of empathy for his small group of supporters. It's hard to compete with the energy and enthusiasm of the Ron Paul R3VOLUTION! A couple of students holding a Peden sign stared at us in amazement as the blimp went by and I got the impression that one of them was ready to toss his sign right then and there and join us as it was clear that we were having a lot more fun in the room down the hall. As we entered the room, our mini blimp was greeted with cheeers from the crowd. Nancy left the room for a minute and the security tried to tell her that she couldn't come in because the room was packed to capacity, which I think was 1,200 people. (You'll be happy to know that Nancy, being both clever and determined, later found her way in through a service entrance off to the side.) The crowd outside continued to grow and estimates are that we had about 2,000 people there vs. about 100 supporters for Dr. Paul's opponent.

Like some others in our meet-up group, I was concerned about the most recent Message from Ron. I'd read an analysis of this message by the MSM (though you'd think by now I would have learned to ignore them) and had a secret concern that Dr. Paul might be gathering supporters and his local constituents to tell them that he was dropping out of the Presidential race and that we'd suddenly start hearing a new stump speech directed more towards his local constituents. Boy was I wrong! While Dr. Paul does want to keep his congressional seat, he continues to encourage us to fight for the Presidency. And as he told us: "I don't have to adjust my speech. My speech is always the same - it's about freedom." Ron did also briefly directly address his constituents and he told them "All I can do is report to you that in this last year of travelling, the ideas of liberty - the ideas of the Constitution - are alive and well and GROWING!"

He spoke to us about our obligations as his supporters, and I felt it was important to share his words with you:

"What we do as individuals - and as groups - we have an obligation and that is to understand the issues and promote the issues and promote the candidates that understand thses issues and truly believe in what's great in America. If we do that, there's enough of us. You don't convert 51% of the people. You use this to convert a hard-core group of people who are willing to promote a cause and promote these views. The unfortunate thing for us today - in spite of the fact, whether's it's national television or national coverage, or in the debates - our views have been short-changed. But we have made up for it because there is a wonderful new invention that has made us politically competitive - and that is the internet - and it works!"

After breathing my sighs of relief and cursing myself for having let the MSM pundits put any doubt in my mind in the first place, I had another eye-opening experience as some of our County Coordinators met with other County Coordinators and meet-up organizers from around Texas and Oaklahoma. What was clear at that moment was this: This movement is far bigger than any of us realize. As we continue to identify ourselves and organize into precinct teams here in Austin, other organizers are doing the same across Texas and America. Each of us is comitted to keeping this movement alive and growing, beyond the Texas primary or the republican nomination. As so many of us are new to this process, and this level of activism in politics is unprecedented, it's taken some time for us to get organized, but we now have a structure and are continuing to build that structure across the Country. We're just getting started and the GOP is in for a big surprise as the "hard-core" Ron Paul supporters enter into positions of leadership within the party.

But it all starts with you.

I'd like to welcome the newest activist in our movement. His name is Ramiro. Sunday was his first meet-up, but as we talked during the long drive to Lake Jackson, he now understands the need for active involvement, he's assured me that his first meet-up will not be his last. For those of you in the meet-up group who haven't yet come to an event in person, I hope you'll give serious thought to Dr. Paul's words above. "WE have an obligation." I invite you to actively participate with us. We can and are building a movement, but it all starts with you.

I'll close this message with a few words from another supporter, Rick Fisk:

What happens from here on out is completely up to you. I believe that you'll rise to the occasion. While a large majority of the Republican apparatus has treated Ron Paul as if he had a contagious disease, he has bravely defended the constitution and his oath. Now the hardest part of our battle comes and it is up to us to prove we can match Dr. Paul's courage and work ethic.

But let's go ahead and imagine that the goal of getting Ron Paul the nomination fails. Staying in this fight to the "end" is crucial. The upcoming county and state conventions do far more than just select delegates. It is at these smaller conventions where the platforms are drafted and party leaders are chosen. A select few will become the future leaders of the Republican party and will guide it for the next decade and beyond. What better ranks to chose from than the Ron Paul Revolution? Where will the GOP's money be spent? Will that money be directed towards the same country club republicans who have been driving the party since the Nixon era, or will it be directed to support those candidates who would work to restore our liberties?

The answer is obvious and thus our responsibility is clear. We must do everything in our power to eke out a Ron Paul nomination. By doing so, we will be securing our future and the future of our children even if we fail at that one task. What fun it will be to utterly stun the Old Media which thinks that it can black us out. Hold fast my friends. We are in for the drive of our lives. We must talk to everyone, in person, about Dr. Paul and the message of freedom he has championed. How we reach people is up to us. I have faith in you and your ability to devise even more astounding ways to promote the message of freedom.

Anti-McCain Resolution

The anti-McCain resolution circulating was passed unanimously by the Milwaukee GOP according to M. Jenkins up north in Wisconsin. A copy of that 15 point resolution can be found here. - Allan

Updates from Washington State

The votes aren't counted yet in Washington and someone even set up a fake Washington GOP website. Cheers to that person : ) More here.
Allan

Doug Weed on Ron Paul - "The Mouse that Roared"

Doug Weed, the man who is credited with the phrase "compassionate conservative" wrote this blog entry about Ron Paul. It can be seen below and here and is cited in RP's latest YouTube video (complete with horrific cheesy intro music) here. I wish I would have told Ron's cameraman how truly bad the music for almost all of his videos is while I had him face to face in NH. The man must be told. Any volunteers? Before the end of the video, after speaking on common themes that he cites, after encouraging us to continue the building of energy, Ron Paul calls for a march on Washington. A march to show the strength of our numbers. He calls for the march before the GOP convention.

- Allan

The Mouse that roared: Why Ron Paul won the election

Well now, Republicans say, we have a nominee. That may very well be but there was only one clear winner in the confusing GOP nominating contest and it was not John McCain. The winner was Ron Paul. And the effects of his win will be felt for years to come.

Ron Paul made a classic political mistake. He told the truth. In debate after debate he pointed at his party, his president, his fellow contenders for the GOP nomination, shouting aloud like the little boy in the proverbial story, “they have no clothes” and lo and behold, we looked and they didn’t. They were all naked.

He showed that the conservative movement has lost its way, its moral authority and its logic. He showed us that we have become a red team versus blue team. That since we have decided that this is a political war and all normal rules are suspended, conservatives can do liberal things to win it. Conservatives can run up big deficits if it helps their side win. They can dole out needless pork if it elects another “conservative” to congress. They can go to war if it makes their president look like a leader and wins him another term.

But in the process, Ron Paul showed us, that we have lost our way. We are no longer conservatives. We are fighting for power not for principles. We have become corrupted by the process and the only way back is to retrace our steps and find all the things we discarded along he way.

Barry Goldwater lighted a similar fire with his Conscience of a Conservative. Its truth and arguments were so obvious and so honest that one laughed aloud while reading it. But Goldwater, himself, was doomed to political defeat. And Ron Paul had no chance to win this election either. One could see that when he first opened his mouth.

And yet, the words and arguments of Ron Paul are still resonating. They still hang over this election. They are haunting and troubling. They are producing blogs and papers and books and like Goldwater’s revolution they will one day very likely produce their own Ronald Reagan. And when those heady days happen a small but hearty band of pioneers, who first had the nerve to join him and start shouting from the street, “They aren’t wearing any clothes,” will be able to say that they could see what the country missed. They were there when history was made.

John McCain and his poorly chosen words, of staying in Iraq a hundred years, have almost guaranteed that he will be the answer to the trivia question, who was the Republican candidate who lost to the ticket that claimed the first woman and black for the presidency? Another question may very well be, “What other candidate ran that year and launched the movement that has dominated national politics for the last generation?”

And the answer will be Ron Paul.

The 2nd Phase

I just received this, coincidentally, a few minutes after I returned home from a meeting about that same topic. Big plans are already underway for elections in 2010. Some plans are even underway for 2008. Those plans are happening in the states that have already voted. In those that have not yet voted, well, as I had hoped, Texas is becoming a battle ground state - Ron Paul supporters have already started flooding in from all over the country. Ron Paul has put focus on his Congressional race, and has trimmed down the national staff, but a whole lot of people out there refuse to believe that Ron Paul can no longer be the nominee from the Republican party. In truth, I am one of those people, because like I've pointed out here, a lot of folks are shocked that Romney is no longer in it and are pretty darn upset with the prospect of McCain or Huckabee. Here is one man's version of how stage two of the r3VOLution should look.
- Allan in Blue Island

Dear fellows,
Will you not consider joining us for the second stage of battles? I am calling all freedom loving patriots. Listen to these ideas! What if someont told you they were running a full slate of candidates for every elected position in your Congressional District and across your state? Sound good. Join us and see how this is done. We are having a membership drive with agoal of 10,000 in two weeks. Woln't you help us implement these plans in every nook and crannie in this country. Truth is we need you. Please, popularize this in your respective meetups. We know you'll be glad you did. So join us.

Here are some informal minutes from our first meeting tonight.
I just sent the following two emails to our membership (now about 140):

Hello there Ron Paul supporter! Thank you for joining the effort to take the Ron Paul Revolution to the next level. We are in the process of getting this organization off the ground, but we would like to get you involved right away.

We just had our first RonPaulGrassroots National Council meeting. At this time, we are pursuing the development of the following 5 Point Program:

1. Organize Congressional and local office runs by supporters of the Ron Paul platform.

2. Organize for the Ron Paul agenda within the Republican Party

3. Organize physical Ron Paul Grassroots Centers across the country.

4. A new Ron Paul Grassroots national organization with an organizing web site (www.RonPaulGrassroots.org)

5. A Grassroots Money Bomb to raise funds to support this agenda and other Ron Paul grassroots support projects.

We want to develop committees to forward objectives #1 and #2 as soon as possible. Please reply and let us know if you would like to be part of these local action committees:

1. Ron Paul Slate Committee. Identify candidates for office, specific offices to run those candidates for and the parameters involved. US Congress, State Assembly, Local Council, Sheriff...these are some of the offices we can compete for now. When are the filing deadlines? How many signatures are required? What are the filing fees? Should the candidate run as a Republican, Independent or other party? In Los Angeles, we are running one of our Meetup Organizers for Superior Court jugde! He filed today and paid the $1200 filing fee a few days before the deadline. “Say YES to Judge NO!”. We are looking forward to having many cases thrown out on the basis of their Constitutionality!

2. Take Back the GOP Committee. Identify offices within the local GOP that Ron Paul supporters can take over. Learn about the way your local GOP works and how to gain positions within it. Many local GOP units are floundering because of the destruction done to the party by the Neocons. Can you marshal the local Ron Paul meetup army to move into vulnerable areas? Here in L.A., we have specific plans for making rapid progress in this area.

Please reply and let me know what you would like to do and any ideas you may have. We will either put you in touch with an Organizer or help you to be the Organizer of that Committee.

If you have ideas for developing these areas or the other three points as well, we’d like to hear them.

Please also do join the RonPaulGrassroots.org meetup at http://www.RonPaul.Meetup.com/496. There you can engage in discussion with other members about these projects and develop your ideas and seek support. The email list is currently moderated and the message board is open.

Yours in support of Ron Paul for President,

Steven Vincent

Take the Revolution to the Next Level! Join RonPaulGrassroots.org
http://www.RonPaulGrassroots.org

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”: Gandhi

Maybe We'll All Become Rich : )

This was sent a few minutes ago by Trevor Lyman. All can participate. Maybe we'll get rich supporting this company's worth goals : ) I believe it was Mises who talked about how a market would spontaneously appear to satisfy any demand that existed.
Allan in BI



http://www.BreakTheMatrix.com

To All Ron Paul Supporters And Our Friends In The Grassroots

This is the beginning, ladies and gentlemen. The beginning of the end for the stranglehold of the mainstream media. The beginning of the end for the masters in high places. The beginning of the end for the media blackout of the values and philosophies expressed by Ron Paul and other political candidates that share his views. The beginning of the time when we take our country back.

It starts right here, at BreakTheMatrix.com. We are forming a grassroots organization and movement that will carry the words and values of freedom off the Internet and out to those millions of Americans who only receive their news and entertainment from mainstream radio and television. As Dr. Paul himself said so well on February 9, 2008: “The neocons, the warmongers, the socialists, the advocates of inflation will be hearing much from you and me.” Indeed. The tired, empty mantras of “right and left,” of “conservative and liberal,” of “Democrat and Republican,” will no longer stand unchallenged in our mainstream media outlets. Freedom, prosperity, peace, hope—the great ideas are coming to America.

Here’s How

We’re starting our own grassroots media company. Basic Media, Inc. (in formation) will create, build and connect Internet based radio and television outlets for freedom voices and faces around the United States and worldwide. The newly forming company will develop a wide ranging array of interesting and entertaining content on the web, and transmit our shows to mainstream “off the Internet” people through a variety of communications technologies and strategies. We’re talking right now to syndicators, producers, advertising specialists, and our many grassroots friends about how this goal can best be achieved. These are friends with ideas; with skills; and with vision. Friends who understand how to develop and utilize top of the line content and the technologies needed for creation and transmittal of entertaining and informative radio and television shows to a “non Internet” mainstream audience. Very simply, we’re creating a new media network. And we’re inviting you to be part of it.

The Internet prototypes are already in existence. We in the grassroots have watched them take root over the course of the Ron Paul presidential campaign—and what tremendous work the early media pioneers have been doing! Two online radio stations have been up and running for months at ronpaulradio.com and rprradio.com. These volunteer radio outlets have provided a platform for dozens of outstanding radio hosts who spread the news of our Ron Paul movement 24/7 across the worldwide web. And the growth of online video capability has been even more impressive. The spontaneous creation of Youtube content about Ron Paul and his message is a grand story in its own right. Myspace.com has provided some powerful tools. And Justintv.com has broken new ground every day with video streams broadcasting in real time from events in the Ron Paul campaign. The core technologies are already in place for high quality content creation and delivery on the web, and Basic Media, Inc. will take this process to the next higher level with syndication and delivery platform strategies that carry our message to the radios and television sets of every household in America. Break the monopoly of the establishment media! Break the wall of silence that stifles voices of truth in our nation! Break the matrix. With Basic Media, Inc.

While “off Internet” content delivery is our first and most readily achievable goal, there is a second core aspect to what we’ll be doing in the new company. This whole process is all about organization, and communication, and the implementation of social networking tools that will bring people together as a positive force for change in America. There are many of us now. We are all across the country. So we need to find each other; to do business together; to share stories and strategies; and to build this grand freedom movement on a going forward basis that will flourish and thrive long after the 2008 presidential campaign is over. The inspiring work of grassroots organizers at ronpaulforums.com; at dailypaul.com; at meetup groups; and at other locations all across the Internet has shown us the great power of networking tools that are already in existence. The early organizers have started a process, and there is much to build upon. But the movement for change is barely beginning, and there’s so much more that we can do to bring people together. Building a nationwide/worldwide community—the second key goal of Basic Media, Inc.

Rick Williams and Trevor Lyman are the initial organizers and executive officers of the new entity in formation. For over 34 years, Mr. Williams has been a practicing lawyer in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of UCLA School of Law (JD 1973), where he served on the Board of Editors of the UCLA Law Review. Mr. Williams was a business administration major at Washington State University (BA 1969), and he worked in the finance and accounting group at Shell Oil Company before entering law school. Mr. Williams is an avid student of the Austrian school of economics, and he hosted radio shows throughout the Ron Paul presidential campaign talking about the Federal Reserve system and the practices of our bankers. Trevor Lyman became widely known as a grassroots fundraiser for the November 5 moneybomb, the Teaparty moneybomb, and RonPaul Blimp.com. Mr. Lyman has been the subject of numerous media profiles and interviews as a result of his efforts, and he is perhaps the most recognizable name and face in the grassroots movement. You’ve seen what Trevor Lyman has done, and you know the results that he achieved for the Ron Paul campaign. Rick Williams and Trevor Lyman have been two of the activists, but we’re not here to speak of the past. The future is what matters. So this is what we’re planning to do.

Here Are the Specifics

Basic Media, Inc., the new corporation in formation, will be structured to create and transmit top quality radio and television shows using Internet technology platforms. We hope to draw from the enormous pool of talent that already exists in the freedom movement, and capture the very best content for packaging and distribution to mainstream radio and television outlets off the web and across the United States. Our “off Internet” distribution opportunities are wide ranging and diverse—everything from nationwide/worldwide satellite delivery to locally owned radio and television stations. We’ll pick and choose. We’ll select and utilize the most valuable and efficient delivery strategies that are available for our content.

How about cash flow? Like any other media outlet, our revenues will derive primarily from the sale of advertising time. Basic Media, Inc. will be operating as a “for profit” business, and isn’t that what it’s all about? Our goal and objective is to create and deliver high quality content, spread the values and philosophies that we believe in, and make a profit in the process. There are no guarantees of profitability, of course, and we all must recognize that media advertising is a highly competitive market. The effort to achieve profitability will be challenging, and we should not fool ourselves into thinking that high paying advertisers will magically appear on our doorstep. But advertisers are constantly looking for emerging markets and new ways to get their messages out to the community. And for the most part, existing media entities don’t own their advertisers. If we capture a mainstream audience, we believe the advertisers will follow. This is how the matrix can be broken.

Basic Media, Inc. is not a political entity, and we will not affiliate with existing or future campaigns of Ron Paul or any other candidate for elective office. We will fully and cheerfully comply with all “equal time” requirements of the Federal Election Commission and other election authorities. Indeed, we welcome the opportunity to compare (and contrast) our values and philosophies of freedom, prosperity, peace and hope with those of candidates seeking election under the banner of any political party. We can sponsor debates; host candidate forums; and provide analysis of candidate positions. Our content delivery platform can be used to shed the light of truth on any serious candidate for office, and we will work to replace the existing closed media system with a free marketplace of political ideas. Picture, for example, a debate session organized by Basic Media, Inc. where Ron Paul, John McCain and Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama all receive “equal time.” An intriguing thought, isn’t it? Nothing more need be said on the subject of political activism.

This document is an initial “solicitation of interest” issued pursuant to section 254 of Part 230–General Rules and Regulations, Securities Act of 1933. We are preparing a Regulation A initial public offering of stock over the Internet through the medium of electronic delivery of securities information. Basic Media, Inc. (the newly forming company) will offer a total of 500,000 shares of common stock to the public at a price of $10 per share, with a minimum purchase requirement of 10 shares per individual purchaser. If the offering is fully subscribed and sold, the public shareholders of Basic Media, Inc. will own a total of 41.67% of the outstanding common stock of the company as of the closing date. You may indicate your interest in participation in the stock offering by visiting the website, entering your email address and pressing pledge at the top of the page. Thereafter, you might wish to visit this website at BreakTheMatrix.com for information as to when the Offering Circular will be ready for review, and when binding stock subscription documents will be available for delivery. To the extent needed, we will also provide email updates regarding our progress.

Basic Media, Inc. is organizing as a grassroots response to the deficiencies that are so glaringly obvious in our existing mainstream media structure. The company founders are confident and hopeful about our prospects for success, but none of us should underestimate the scope of the challenge that lies ahead. It’s a big task, and our success depends on your help, your talents, your energy, and your commitment to the goal of bringing real change to America. So tell us your ideas for the new venture. Write to either of us at the email addresses on this page. Share with us your talents, and let us know your views about how the new entity might best fulfill its mission. This document is the first step in a lengthy securities offering process, and please take careful note of the following rules and requirements issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission:


(1) No money or other consideration is being solicited at this time, and if sent in response, will not be accepted;

(2) No sale of the securities will be made or commitment to purchase accepted until delivery of an offering circular that includes complete information about the issuer and the offering;

(3) Any indication of interest made by a prospective investor involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you, and we close this letter with a few simple words that Ron Paul has spoken often on the presidential campaign trail. Dr. Paul says: “Let’s have fun!”

Very truly yours,

Basic Media, Inc. (in formation)

Rick Williams
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
rdw2008@gmail.com

Trevor Lyman
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
lyman.trevor@gmail.com

CQ - After the dust clears

After the dust clears, I will know that CQ was a publication that showed fair reporting in this race. It's always been interesting to see newspapers misrepresent every single newsworthy thing that I have been involved in (except when publications just ran my press releases as articles). Those things were always forgivable. This is the election for the President of the United States that we are talking about here. Erroneous reporting in this sphere is unforgivable. Cheers to CQ for this article. I also really appreciate the first two comments in the comments section. Ms. Girshman was responsive and responsible.

Allan in Blue Island

Judicial Watch - Clinton Records

Judicial Watch is suing for access to Hillary Clinton's records in the Clinton Library from her time as first lady - filing here. The records should be available under FOIA. The US Government responds here with a request to dismiss this suit or to put it off until at least 2009. These records were first requested by the organization 2 years ago and that the library has not even begun its search for the records. Judicial watch says it wants to know more about here work in favor of nationalized healthcare. - Allan

Biometrics in Sweden

Use your fingerprint and you may not even have to show an ID when boarding a plane in Sweden, according to this article. - Allan

Old News from Louisiana

This got caught in my bulk box. Sorry for the delay. Here is an email that I sent down to Louisiana and Corey's response. - Allan

Corey,
I'm assistant organizer of the greater Chicago meetup group, we
are working hard up here. Now that it's too late to make phone
calls to supporters, I am on the internet trying to figure out
what is going on down there. I have caught snippets of the
story. NO ONE that I encounter during the day, including Ron
Paul supporters have any clue of what is going in LA, and very
few people even heard that LA had a caucus. Steve, would you
mind telling me what happened, or at least pointing me to a
good source to take a look at? I would actually, like to give
you a call and ask about it, if that would be okay with you.
Thank you.
Allan

--

Heres two links. 2nd one is the real story.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/paul-alleges-bo.html

http://media.www.lsureveille.com/media/storage/paper868/news/2008/01/28/News/Caucus.Results.Upset.State.Paul.Supporters-3171057.shtml?reffeature=recentlycommentedstoriestab

Send me any questions you have now. Spread the story far and wide.

This Revolution is permanent.

“This Revolution is permanent. It will not end at the Republican convention. It will not end in November. It will not end until we have won the great battle on which we have embarked.”

Wise words from Ron Paul quoted in a good article about the campaign's latest decisions:
http://www.truthnews.us/?p=1927

The article was sent over from this interesting supporter from Arkansas.

A great meeting today that I dragged family to. Lots of planning happening here for the road ahead. Ron Paul's presidential run is not out of site or out of mind to the folks in Chicago, nor is his Congressional run. The extreme unethical behavior that the media has shown over these last few months, and the disreputable voting systems in Illinois were also brought up. That was all just from the pre-meeting discussions among me and some of the people who I consider to have been major forces in the Ron Paul campaign in Illinois. A lot more happened in the meeting itself. I will likely post more about that when I get a few free minutes in the morning. My three day vacation has now come to an end and it is time to decided when my return to BA will happen : )

A good day to you all.

Allan 60406

More Primary News

More primary news from a well respected blogger in the Washington area. Click here. Something he points out is that if McCain had it all wrapped up for the nomination, as reported in the media, he would not have been campaigning in Washington state.

The Sam Adam's Alliance ran a great article on that blogger here. The man's name is Stefan Sharkansky. Today about 60 Ron Paul supporters and I will meet in an area restaurant and will listen to a Sam Adams Alliance rep speak.

The movement needs some serious leadership right now. I hope today is not the day that we all realize that the only reason we were all in bed with each other was because of Ron Paul. I seriously doubt it will be, but I will enter the meeting knowing that is a real possibility and will be ready to combat that sentiment from developing. Also, I must be ready to fend off the inevitable "neutralizer."

Giuliani and Thompson were just mentioned on the radio on a show called "Face the Nation" along with McCain, Romney, and Huckabee too, but no Ron Paul.

Allan in Blue Island

Washington primaries - unofficial results

WHAT?!? (before you read this I just want you to know that it is a total lie posted on the internet)

Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, got nearly 60 percent of the vote a few hours after telling conservatives in Washington, "I majored in miracles, and I still believe in them." He won all 36 delegates at stake.

Huckabee also edged ahead of McCain in caucuses in Washington, and in Louisiana's primary, where he was close to gaining 50 percent of the vote, the requirement for pocketing 20 delegates.

For all his brave talk, Huckabee was hopelessly behind in the delegate race. McCain had 719, compared with 234 for Huckabee and 14 for Texas Rep. Ron Paul. It takes 1,191 to win the nomination at the national convention.

You can link to this story here.

For the results direct from Washington GOP please click here. Only 87% reporting so far. I gave a call to Wash GOP and was told by communications director that official results will be available Monday. That leaves another one thousand precincts that have not yet reported.

If you click here and page down to Washington you can see there's more meat left on the bone in Washington.

For Ron Paul favourable news on the results of the election, click here. A friend from Texas sent that article over with "take that neo-cons" in the subject. : )

A good night to you all.

Allan in Blue Island, Illinois.

Feb 9 - returns

Results from Kansas GOP:
http://ksgopcaucus.org/results.htm
Huckabee's name is all over the media right now. McCain too.

Washington GOP tells me that they will post to the web at 6 pm local time.
http://www.wsrp.org/

Allan in Blue Island, IL

Upset about the e-mail from Ron Paul? Keep reading.

I had this email in my inbox earlier today from one of the organizers of another meetup group. I agree with its sentiments and am reposting here. - Allan



Dear Ron Paul supporters,

I'm very upset at RP's e-mail...and would like to ask all of you for your help.

You all know of Trevor Lyman, and I'm hoping that RP's email was meant to pull every emotion out of people, as it has me. I've cried a lot...and now have come to a decision, for NOW I'm mad as hell!

Trevor is EXCELLENT at motivating people, and I hope you would suggest my idea of a "RUN RON RUN!!!" emergency donation money bomb!

I would like to see a money bomb for 400k (which is nothing for us, and maybe tie it in with the President's Day money bomb) to get Dr. Paul his funding for his Congressional campaign and finally put that to bed so Dr. Paul (and his piss ant campaign managers) can buck up and get moving on his Presidential campaign.

These funds would be CONTINGENT upon an attitude adjustment of stopping the defeatist attitude and running as a strong contender for the office of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!! It is time for Ron Paul to have a promotion from one office to the highest office. He deserves it.

Many people have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for RP to run as a 3rd party candidate. Well now they have their answer...it's NO. So maybe they will FINALLY crack open their wallets and GIVE FOR THEIR FREEDOM!!!

We have an excellent chance at winning the election, and what we have to remember is Romney only SUSPENDED his campaign! He could come back at any time and make this a brokered convention.

My personal feelings are that Romney suspended to see if RP would drop out. If he does...Romney is right back in it. If RP does NOT drop out...Romney would STILL come back, but with less delegates, and maybe too late to get the delegates he needs, dividing the Party further, and FORCING a brokered convention. RP must be shown our support and that we WON'T quit on him...so he better not quit on us!!!

Get mad, upset, cry, scream...but mainly get off your butt!!!! If we send 1000's of e-mails to RP's office showing him our support, along WITH a huge money bomb...you know he's in it to the end.

The campaign is out of money.

RP will not run 3rd party.

Are we going to allow him to quit because many of us kept waiting for him to say, one way or the other, that he would run 3rd party? Well now we have our answer. He won't. So let's give till it hurts, and make sure he knows how much we love him and that our hopes and dreams are all with him.

THIS IS WAR! And I'm stepping up to volunteer as one of his leading General's to take him into the White House. Who's with me?

I didn't quit on Dr. Paul...he promised me he wouldn't quit on me...I'm holding him to his promise.

Here's to my HERO...President Paul!
Bonnie

DefendTheDistrict.Com

Just got word of this money bomb today. As the post above points out, this is an important one. http://defendthedistrict.com/ As the post below points out, this is an important one.

Allan

Campaign Mailer

This is from Chris Peden, a neo-con running against Ron Paul in the 14th congressional district primary March 4. Thank you to Ron's boys down in Texas for sending this in.
- Allan writing from Blue Island



Be sure to show your support for RP here too.

Citizens Rule Book

This citizens Rule Book was something that was freely talked about among Paul supporters in NH: http://www.patriotnetwork.info/Citizens_rule_book.htm#above%20the%20law
An important part of it deals with the concept of the jury and why it is so important to protect the original intents of that concept. I look forward to hearing the thoughts on this topic from my favorite lawyer upon my return to Bratislava : )

Allan in Blue Island

Loyalty Oath

Check out this loyalty oath that anyone running for Congress from the state of Illinois has to sign:
http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/pdf/P-1C.pdf

Allan in BI

NYC - RP not on the ballot !

Please take a look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5Qb3ZfyztE.
It alleges there were some troubles for Ron Paul supporters in the elections in NY, and please expand the "about this video" section to the left of the video and take a look at the text there.

Please take a look at this as well: article \. It deals further with some troubles that people experienced.

I got both of them from BlackBoxVoting.org.

Allan 60406