From RonPaulOhio.com:

Two great defenders of liberty and the Constitution are coming to the Newport Theater in Columbus Ohio on March 8 for an historic event.

Judge Andrew Napolitano will tape an episode of Freedom Watch featuring local Ohio grassroots activists. His special guest will be Ron Paul who will also give a speech that you won’t want to miss.

There will also be an exclusive VIP reception and opportunities for groups to sponsor the event. There is a special focus on coalition building and Ohio Sovereignty. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime event for Ohio!

Date: Monday, March 8th
Time: Tentative schedule is 6-7 pm taping of Freedom Watch followed by speech by Ron Paul.
Location: Newport Music Hall, 1722 N High St. Columbus, OH 43201.

See www.RonPaulOhio.com for the latest information on the event, to RSVP, become a sponsor, or obtain VIP access.

There were about 20 of us bundled up for the unforgiving January weather. Much to our dismay, Kentucky is not a fan of sidewalks or salt trucks, so our 3.5 hours of canvassing included a lot of high-speed slush-slinging from passing traffic coupled with unshoveled driveways. Fortunately our hand warmers, lots of coffee, and support for Rand got us through.

According to this writer from The Bluegrass Bulletin, even having 20 of us out that morning was a notable feat:

“I arrived just as Rand and about 20 volunteers had finished going door to door in the snowstorm asking for votes in Louisville in January.  Now for anyone ever involved in a political campaign this is notable for several reasons.  January door to door work is rare.  Doing it in a snowstorm is dedication and getting 20 volunteers to do almost anything this early in a campaign is remarkable.”

Yes, the hope of liberty will make people do crazy things.

Whitney, Rand Paul, and Me

On our way back to drop off the canvassing data, I said to my friend “I hope they give us a bumper sticker or something.” Much to my surprise, we were invited to attend the private reception with Rand and Ron before the rally (tickets were $500 for everyone else.) Let the freaking out begin!

Still in shock, we grabbed a quick dinner and made our way to the reception…

The hour-long reception was mostly taken up by a local media interview (included at the end of this post.) We stood about five feet away throughout the taping, I happened to be at perfect eye level with Ron Paul who made eye contact with me randomly throughout the interview. My heart was racing the whole time, it was so surreal!

WHAS 11 interview

If you’ve never been in the same room as your hero, someone who has single-handedly changed your life/views/future ambitions, it’s impossible to explain, so I won’t even try.

I’m not even sure what exact words we exchanged, I know I said “thank you for everything you do” and mumbled something about being from Columbus but I’m not sure what he said in response. I suck at meeting heroes, I guess.

Me and RON PAUL!

After the reception we managed to snag a photo with Aimee Allen, I love her!

Me, Aimee Allen, and Whitney

The rally started at 4 with Aimee Allen performing the Star-Spangled Banner.

Apparently she had no idea she’d be asked to sing that, and had never once performed it live. Given the circumstances and short amount of time to prepare, I think she did great. She also did a few of her own songs, including an acoustic version of the “Ron Paul Anthem” — substituting “Ron Paul for President” with “Rand Paul for Senator.” Talk about syllabic luck.

Finally, it was time for Ron Paul. He gave an amazing, inspiring speech, as he always does.

I think he had more standing ovations than the State of the Union Address, and his were actually deserved. There was at least one crowd-chanting of “End The Fed!” and afterwards I was left overflowing with a renewed energy to continue the fight for liberty.

Photo by Gage Skidmore

This quote sums up the speech well:

“If you have a true understanding of liberty, everything else falls into place.”
– Ron Paul

Rand Paul came on next, this was my first time hearing him speak live.

My first observation was that he spoke intelligently and eloquently– without a teleprompter. Just like his dad. And he was full of common sense. Just like his dad. I can’t imagine having two of them in Congress.

My remarks on the speeches are limited because it’s best if you listen/watch for yourself.

Ron Paul and Rand Paul’s Rally Speeches:

(Can’t see the video? Click here.)

Full WHAS 11 Interview with Rand and Ron Paul (unedited)

24 minutes long, includes some predictable/pathetic mainstream media questions like “was 9/11 our fault?” but ultimately yields great responses (as always) from both Rand and Ron.

(Can’t see the video? Click here.)

January 20th, 2009 is not a day I want to commemorate with a collector’s plate, it was a very depressing day for me.

I watched on the TV at work as millions of people went hysterical over the new President. Hanging on his every teleprompted word, it was obvious that this man would be able to do whatever he wanted and most Americans would eat it up and not question a thing. After all our efforts to get the word out about Ron Paul and the complete falsity of the Left/Right paradigm, it was nothing but salt in my wounds. How could people fall for such obvious empty rhetoric and lies?

I could question the thought processes of these people forever, but it doesn’t matter, it’s too late. Here it is more than 100 days later and nothing has changed (for the better.) The millions who passionately voted for a new leader (who would be soooo different than Bush) are silent about the fact that we STILL have both wars (plus a new one on the horizon), way more debt/spending, way more taxes, way more unemployment, the same people in charge, and the exact same foreign policy. They will never, ever admit he’s the same as Bush. And McCain. The complete and utter denial means no demand to change direction. They insist we HAVE changed direction. Man, is that Kool Aid strong. The hypocrisy infuriates me to no end. Some of my friends are still arguing “he’s better than McCain” and “that’s Bush’s fault, give him more time” and I’ll admit, I have a hard time not resenting them. I really thought they were smarter than that. I don’t give a s–t if his skin is dark, that’s not an excuse to throw accountability and the Constitution out the window. Everything that was bad when Bush did it is magically okay and excusable because it’s a Democrat doing it now?! The power of political parties is astonishing.

Reality check. Give him all the time you want, but Obama’s not going to fix ANYTHING, and we as a country CAN’T go on this way forever. We can’t spend ourselves out of these problems and empty rhetoric doesn’t feed anyone or stop the bombing.

People, especially my generation, are so dependent on Government, they expect it to solve all their problems (I used to expect it too.) They want the Government to educate their children, pay their mortgage, control their food, control their medicine, regulate their sports, cover their mouths when they sneeze, read the fine print of their credit card contracts, save the environment, provide health care, take care of them in their old age, etc… the list goes on for miles. Too few recognize that “a government big enough to give you everything is big enough to take everything you have” (Thomas Jefferson.)

As I conveyed in my Fifth Stage post, I’m still mad as hell, but I’ve resigned myself to the fact that people will remain ignorant no matter what. Government is going to get bigger and more evil. The s–t will hit the fan. I’ve tried, but I can’t change those things. But I’ve learned that I CAN do things to take myself and my family out of the equation. All hell may still break loose at any time, the market could nosedive tomorrow, but I won’t be a part of the freaked out mob that’s storming Wal-Mart for food and relying on FEMA after a couple days.

I credit that achievement to a show called The Survival Podcast, by Jack Spirko, which was introduced to me by a good friend shortly after the inauguration.

It’s a daily podcast about modern day survivalism. The phrase sounds a bit dramatic perhaps, but it’s really just learning how to cultivate independence — and doesn’t that fit well with libertarianism? Independence on every scale possible: financial, energy, food, every system you can think of. When you remove your dependence on these systems, you automatically improve your life and experience true liberty. You create a life that the Government can’t touch. It’s no surprise the idea is catching on in the libertarian community, even Lew Rockwell is posting articles about it.

Because of this show, in a few months I’ve been able to make plans and take actions that will insure me and my loved one’s survival for at least a few months if something goes wrong, hopefully even longer. It is SO reassuring to know I do NOT have to rely on local, state, or federal gov’t. for food, water, or safety in the event of martial law, flu outbreak, etc. It’s a satisfying middle finger to The System. Finally! I can feel productive in the midst of this depressing and helpless time.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

- Lao Tzu

I’d like to point out: when I first jumped into this, it was VERY intimidating. Maybe it’s just my personality, but I was overwhelmed by all the things some survivalists have done, my little steps felt stupid in comparison. The key is to know yourself, your needs, and your abilities, then adapt your plans accordingly. Anything is better than nothing. Just start small. Plant an organic garden. Start storing food and water. Save up some cash, ditch the credit cards. There are a ton of online resources and plenty of books on this subject, start reading.

Listen to episode 165 on threat probability and threat impacts and you’ll learn the importance of thinking logically when you make plans and take action. For example, it’s more likely that something is going to impact your life on a personal/local scale (job loss, etc.) rather than global nuclear annihilation, so make plans for that before you invest in an underground bomb shelter. Remembering that helps me maintain perspective and not feel overwhelmed.

It’s all about simplification, adaptation, and gradually opting out of the various systems on which you’re dependent. Once you start the learning process, it’s amazing how much you find you’re reliant on others. Do you know how to grow your own food? Get yourself clean water to drink? Start a fire without a lighter? We’ve become so used to consuming services and products (thank you China!), we’ve lost many of these important skills. It’s time to reclaim them, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

If my post isn’t motivating enough, here are a couple good articles highlighting the importance and benefits of becoming a modern day survivalist:

• Getting Off the Grid – Lila Rajiva
• Modern Survivalists are Ready for Layoffs, or War – Dallas Star Telegram
• Economic crisis spurs spike in ’suburban survivalists’ – Associated Press

If you decide to start taking steps to cultivate your independence, congratulations! You should feel proud.  Or— if you’d prefer to ignore all of this and come knocking on my door when the s–t hits the fan, that’s fine — I’ll be glad to direct you to the nearest FEMA facility.

I’ve decided I’ll check out the Columbus Tea Party after work to see the turnout for myself. This will be my first time attending a rally that’s NOT comprised mostly of Democrats. In fact, I’ll probably be surrounded by some of the same people who glared angrily at my signs during previous protests I’ve attended the past 6 years.

I’m keeping my expectations pretty low because it looks as though the Tea Party trend has been hijacked by right-wing Neo-Cons who are bitter that it’s a Democrat doing all the spending and bombing and not another Republican. Where were they when Bush had the credit card? In the same cave the anti-war activists are now hiding in, on the Island of Hypocrisy I presume.

For the record, 9/11 Truthers brought back the Tea Party protest idea in 2006, and the Ron Paul Revolution did it a year later. I’m honored to have been a part of both. So I’ll admit, I was excited about the Tax Day Tea Parties at first, but now the media is paying attention (so you know something’s up), the Neo-Cons are on board, Democrats are waging counter-attacks — the point is GONE, the focus is already lost.

It was never supposed to be about Left vs Right, Liberal vs Conservative, Democrat vs Republican, or any divisive label vs another divisive label. It was supposed to be about LIBERTY and FREEDOM. The right to live your life on whichever side of the aisle feels right to you, free from government intervention and mob rule.

It’s not about Sin Tax or Fair Tax or Carbon Tax , it’s about NO tax. It’s not about money for food stamps and abortions instead of bankers and war, it’s about NONE of them getting federal funding. It’s not about Obama’s budget or Obama’s deficit, it’s about ALL budgets and ALL deficits. Yes, I can’t f#@$ng stand Obama’s doublespeak rhetoric or his mindless sheep that excuse every hypocritical move he makes. But I couldn’t stand Bush’s doublespeak either. Taxes, debt, socialism, fascism, communism, Big Government, war, tyranny — those things are NEVER OKAY, whether it’s Bush or Obama sitting in the White House.

In this game of protesting and partisan outrage we keep rotating teams every 4-8 years instead of crying foul and storming the field TOGETHER. Well I’m done playing! Time to demolish the stadium and cure the disease altogether. We must declare ourselves FREE agents, not owned by any team.

WE — Americans — must step outside of this pathetic paradigm of controlled opposition and see what is happening off the field while we’re busy chasing each other around the bases. That, dear Comrades, would be a true Revolution.

All the talk in the news today has been about AIG’s $165 million taxpayer-funded bonuses and how it has outraged Mr. Obama. It’s been a very effective distraction, indeed.

What the media ISN’T telling you is that Obama’s Stimulus Plan actually PROTECTS the AIG bonuses. Or that our National Debt has now gone past the $11 TRILLION mark ($50+ Trillion if you count unfunded obligations.) They’re also not mentioning that Mr. Obama is now traveling the country trying to convince the American public (pretending it’s their decision, after all) to accept his $3.6 TRILLION annual budget.

That’s a lot of numbers to process, I know, so let me put them into perspective: AIG’s $165 million is 0.0046% of Obama’s proposed $3.6 TRILLION annual budget and 0.0015% of the national debt. So yes, GET ANGRY. But not just at AIG. Throw your shoes at King Obama, his Majesty’s Court, and every member of Congress that rolls over for him.

To celebrate today’s Kool Aid Moment, I give my readers The Obama Deception, the latest documentary by Alex Jones that sums up the Obama Scam better than I ever could.

What I wouldn’t give to have my brainwashed friends watch this. Alas, I’ll settle for preaching to the choir.

*Caution, don’t mention this film on Facebook or your account could get deleted.

A recent work trip reminded me that if you want a glimpse into the future of America, all you have to do is fly somewhere.

• If you make it so far as getting your boarding pass, congratulations for not being on the No Fly list, which contains an estimated one million names.
• Upon arriving at the security checkpoint, you get to strip down to your socks and if you’re lucky they let you keep your shirt and pants on. Cross your fingers as you step through the TSA scanners, hope a filling or metal grommet on your clothes doesn’t trigger a S.W.A.T. raid.
• While your body is being checked for dangerous objects, another TSA agent will rifle through your belongings making sure you haven’t brought along anything dangerous, like 4 oz. or greater of face wash or lotion, which can spontaneously combust at high altitudes.
• If you’re lucky enough to make it through security, you run a high risk of being checked by TSA agents again, usually a half hour before boarding. They’ll interrupt you while you’re reading or checking your email and will wear rubber gloves (in case you’ve suddenly contracted cooties) as they check your boarding pass.
• Getting thirsty? Too bad you had to dump your drink at the security gate. Water collected outside the airport can spontaneously combust.
• Fortunately, if you get thirsty or hungry while waiting to board you can visit one of many food chains located near the gate. But be prepared for hyper-inflation, as you are a captive audience. $5 for a bagel and $4 for coffee sounds about fair. But eat it FAST because it is not allowed on the plane, more spontaneous combustion risks. The peanuts and soda they pass out are specially treated and do not run this risk.
• While waiting to board, you may find it hard to concentrate on a phone call or book because every five minutes you will be interrupted with a loud but friendly message from the Department of Homeland Security reminding you of the day’s current threat level. Five bucks says it’s orange. But DON’T BE ALARMED.
• As you’re called to board the plane, you run the risk of being singled out AGAIN by a TSA agent for a random pat-down and boarding pass check. In case anything’s changed since the first three checks. They will also look at you menacingly, guilty until proven innocent, the American way.
• Once on board the plane you will be offered a drink and food menu, but most items can only be acquired through electronic payment, no cash allowed.
• All of these items will be outrageously priced, but you have no choice, you’re on this plane for hours and your drink from home was confiscated at the security checkpoint long ago.
• If you survive all the previous steps, you should eventually arrive at your destination, feeling like a criminal that’s evaded capture yet again.
• What a lovely experience that was! Hard to figure out why air travel is declining…

What have we learned from this little adventure? Hyperinflation, electronic currency, Fourth Amendment violations, and police-state surveillance tactics are all being tested at the great human laboratory we call the Airport.

You’ve probably already experienced these things throughout your day-to-day life, but that was nothing. Just wait til Airport mode comes out of beta — Homeland 2.0!

Oh yeah, and make sure your seat is in the upright position prior to landing. That 5 degree decline really distracts the pilot.

Good news: we were all able to testify against the bill today, and we gave them a response they weren’t expecting. There were 10 of us who spoke out against it, ZERO who spoke in support.

Members from Campaign for Liberty, Ohio Freedom Alliance, We Are Change Ohio, John Birch Society, Institute for Principled Policy, Constitution Party of Ohio, and the Libertarian Party of Ohio showed up in support, most of them testified.

After seeing how many of us came, Committee Chairman Blessing changed his mind and decided not to vote on it today. In fact, he acted like it was a mistake that the paper said “possible vote.” Teri (OFA, JBS, CPO) thinks it’ll probably be voted on at the next committee meeting (which will also probably not include further testimony) so we’ll need to keep watching. The Senate version (SJR 9) was introduced yesterday as well, but last I heard it hasn’t yet been assigned to a committee. Still another thing to keep an eye on.

The committee had some questions and a couple repeatedly voiced concerns, enough so that I definitely think we have a good shot at getting this defeated.

Anthony from We Are Change Ohio recorded all of our testimonies and hopes to have a video put together by Friday, I’ll post it here as soon as I get it.

Everybody’s testimonies were GREAT, here are four of them:

THANKS to everybody who came out today to testify, esp. those who drove quite a while to make it. I think we made a huge difference, much to their dismay — this isn’t turning out to be a walk in the park as they had hoped.

Please use the “ShareThis” button below to email this alert to your friends and family, as well as vote it up on Digg and Reddit!

On December 3rd, the Ohio House of Representatives introduced HJR 8, a resolution calling for a Constitutional Convention, provided for by Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

This is one of only two legal methods for amending the Supreme Law of the Land. This nation is only a few states away from having application of the requisite 34 states needed to convene a Constitutional Convention.

It is worth noting that many states which have called for a Constitutional Convention in the past have since withdrawn their requests (Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, New Hampshire, and others) after realizing the danger of such an event.

If a Constitutional Convention is called, our Constitution and Bill of Rights would be up for grabs and open to any and all changes.

It is clear that this con-con call is being quickly pushed through the lame-duck legislature before most Ohio citizens learn about it. The legislation was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and they are voting this Wednesday to determine whether to send it to the house for a full vote — only a week after its introduction!

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED ASAP!

1. Get educated on the facts of a Constitutional Convention by watching Beware Article V (4 parts) which was created by state legislators to educate other legislators. Stay updated and join the discussion at The Ohio Freedom Alliance Forum.
2. Contact the Legislature. Send an email to your Rep as well as all of the members of the Judiciary Committee all at once using the Ohio Freedom Alliance SLAM tool. Or telephone your Representative and 11 Committee Members.
3. Join us at the Committee Meeting on Wednesday morning at 9:30am at the statehouse in Columbus to give testimony or just to show your support for the legislation’s withdraw. A large attendance will bring this issue into the spotlight and prevent a hasty, uninformed vote. Details here.

SUMMARY OF THE DANGER:
A Constitutional Convention has no limitations!

Once Congress calls for a Constitutional Convention Article V grants that assembled convention the exclusive power to propose amendments regardless of the original reason for its call. By its very definition a Constitutional Convention is a sovereign body and therefore cannot be limited.

Recall that the first Constitutional Convention was held simply for the purpose of amending the Articles of Confederation under Article XIII, which indicated that the consent of all State legislatures is required for amendment. Instead, delegates – having met in total secrecy for several months – emerged with a new fundamental government design, which stipulated that only nine of the thirteen states would have to ratify for the new government to go into effect.

Everything in the current Constitution could be tossed, and replaced with whatever the delegates decide. A new convention could even decide not to bother having the states ratify what it produces. A constitutional convention has no limitations. With today’s hostile and divided political climate, can we trust that our rights would be secure?

For questions, please contact:
Teri M. Owens
libertyinlaw@gmail.com
740-816-0933

Beware Article V

Part I, 10 min.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za8_pdJ1dPo

Part II, 10 min.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flHJrcdfbBg

Part III, 11 min.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly1Lh3bqtYM

Part IV, 8 min.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5jKAlgvCgg

Please use the “ShareThis” button below to email this alert to your friends and family, as well as vote it up on Digg and Reddit!

Despite what your TV may say, there is no choice to make tomorrow.

It’s been systematically engineered so you will choose between two nearly identical candidates, and either way— Americans lose. Don’t believe me? See where they fall on the Nolan Chart political compass.

Would you like Big Government a la Socialism? Or Big Government a la Fascism?

McCain = Fascism:

A philosophy or system of government that is marked by stringent social and economic control, a strong, centralized government usually headed by a dictator, and often a policy of belligerent nationalism.

Obama = Socialism:

An economic, social and political doctrine which expresses the struggle for the equal distribution of wealth by eliminating private property and the exploitative ruling class.

I am not voting for Obama, nor am I voting for McCain.

They’re both part of the corporate-owned, two-party monopoly and both have globalist agendas that include less U.S. sovereignty (look up the NAU and CFR), they both want MORE war (McCain wants Iran, Obama and McCain want more Afghanistan), both have been silent on the imminent economic collapse headed our way, both are drooling for MORE spending and bigger government (we’re already $10 trillion in debt), and neither knows what the U.S. Constitution is about. McCain has voted in line with the U.S. Constitution only 36% of the time during this past Congressional session, Obama has upheld the Constitution a mere 11% of the time [see the JBS Freedom Index, Oct. 2008.]

It’s not a donkey vs. an elephant, blue states vs. red states, liberal vs. conservative, or rich vs. poor. It’s SOCIALISM vs. FASCISM.

Personally, I like living in a Constitutional Republic and I don’t want my nephews to be burdened with trillions of dollars of debt or drafted into an endless war.

As if my family wasn’t reason enough, tomorrow a friend of mine heads back to Iraq for the third time and I know neither McCain or Obama will bring her back home any time soon.

I will end with some good news — there are FOUR other candidates on the ballot in Ohio:

• Chuck Baldwin, Constitution Party
• Bob Barr, Libertarian Party
• Cynthia McKinney, Green Party
• Ralph Nader, independent

For those who would argue that any of these four would be a wasted vote, I invite you to read this article. Indeed, those that vote for more of the two-party status quo are the ones wasting their vote. Those that refuse to settle are the TRUE patriots.

Please think before you make your decision tomorrow. Walk outside the confines of the D vs. R walls, turn off your TVs, and ask yourself who will really uphold our country’s values of freedom and liberty?

Our founding fathers and mothers didn’t fight the American Revolution in order that we may vote for a lesser of two evils. It’s time to take a stand and restore our republic so our children may have a better future ahead of them.

Chuck Baldwin, the Constitution Party candidate for President (endorsed by Ron Paul!) is coming to speak for free tonight at Capital University.

If you want a break from the two-party rhetoric and want to hear some REAL solutions — this event is for you. If you want to see a candidate that’s too dangerous to the status quo to ever be allowed on CNN or Fox News — this is it.

…Wait, who in the heck is Chuck Baldwin??

Good question. I don’t blame you for not knowing anyone besides McBama.

Chuck Baldwin is a citizen of the United States of America just like you and me. The difference is that he is not an elected politician offering the same old political answers. Chuck Baldwin has talked the talk and walked the walk. He doesn’t have a history of flip-flops and he does not test the wind every time he takes a position. Refreshing isn’t it?

After Chuck and his wife Connie were married, he enrolled in Liberty Bible Institute at Liberty University. Since then he’s earned his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Theology and has received two honorary Doctorate Degrees.

Chuck is a founder and minister at the Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL. Under his leadership the Church was recognized by President Ronald Reagan.

Chuck Baldwin is also a radio talk show host and an accomplished author. He moderates a daily, a one hour long call-in show where he addresses current event topics from a conservative point of view. He’s also a newspaper and internet columnist whose articles and political commentaries are carried by a host of internet sites, newspapers, and news magazines. Here’s his latest article, A Wasted Vote.

As President, Chuck Baldwin would:

• REFORM THE MONETARY SYSTEM by providing no amnesty to Wall Street, ending all unconstitutional spending, cutting taxes, and curbing regulation
• REPEAL THE FEDERAL RESERVE ACT and restore constitutional money that is interest-free and backed by gold
• ABOLISH THE IRS, ELIMINATE THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX, and restore a tariff-based revenue system
• BRING AMERICAN TROOPS HOME and end all undeclared wars
• DEFEND THE RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY
• PROTECT AMERICAN JOBS by ending international trade agreements such as NAFTA, WTO, and FTAA
• RESTORE AMERICAN SOVEREIGNTY by withdrawing from the United Nations and ending all foreign aid
• STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND REJECT AMNESTY
• PROTECT THE LIFE OF THE UNBORN
• ELIMINATE FEDERAL CONTROL OF EDUCATION
• RESTORE SECOND AMENDMENT GUN RIGHTS

If any of these issues are important to you, I hope you’ll join us tonight.

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”

- John Quincy Adams