tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47207884348922105812024-03-13T15:04:45.525-07:00Conservative News from Columbus GaWhile originally associated with the tea party group, this is now just good conservative news that I have found.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720788434892210581.post-39696343108654487332009-06-15T04:55:00.000-07:002009-06-15T05:02:08.788-07:00Get Your Flag for the 2nd American Revolution<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CTHM2xZjbKs/SjY31lMJ6oI/AAAAAAAAAA0/X8AbPb6LJ6w/s1600-h/temp+rev2+flag.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347523001204730498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CTHM2xZjbKs/SjY31lMJ6oI/AAAAAAAAAA0/X8AbPb6LJ6w/s400/temp+rev2+flag.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>(I received this information from the 912 Project in NC. The man, Jeff McQueen, has created a new version of the Betsy Ross flag for the 2nd American Revolution. If interested, go to his website to order one. <a href="https://www.usrevolution2.com/">https://www.usrevolution2.com/</a>)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />My name is Jeff McQueen and I’m writing you from my home in Michigan. I am a direct descendent of John “Peter” McQueen, a miller, who served under Colonel John Williams in the First American Revolution from Salem, New York. I grew up hunting and camping with my brother, father and grandfather. When my father enrolled me in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, I eventually achieved the level of Eagle Scout with a gold palm. I attended Kalamazoo College in Michigan and had a National Merit Scholarship. My wife, Sheila and I went to kindergarten together and finally married in 1998. We have four daughters and a collie named “Scout” (who looks like Lassie).</div><br /><div><br />I have spent most of my career in Strategic International Business Development in the global auto industry and speak German, French and some Japanese and Spanish. I have won many awards for strategies I put together, which resulted in very large contracts. I was laid-off from the auto industry last January, which is the bad news, but I have had a lot of time to help the Tea Parties nationally, which is the good news. Like you I am angry with our government’s leap into Socialism, and I decided to take action and help, if you’ll let me.</div><br /><div><br />We launched <a href="http://www.usrevolution2.com/">http://www.usrevolution2.com/</a> using money from what’s left of a 401K retirement account and have had 3x5 foot flags made, which look like the Betsy Ross flag, but with a new addition . . . a Roman numeral “II” in the center of the circle of stars.</div><br /><div><br />We need a National symbol for Americans, who yearn to breathe free again, a symbol supporting the basic principals of our founding fathers: a Fair Tax, Fair Trade, Limited Government, Free Speech and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. That symbol must be NEW or it will be dismissed by the media. An upside-down American flag only shows anger and some people may not understand the meaning and think it is just hung wrong. A Gadsden flag is great for showing anger, but can be dismissed by the media as historic nostalgia for the 4th of July.</div><br /><div><br />Only a new design will get media attention. People will instantly recognize the Betsy Ross flag, but when the so called “highly educated media elites” and Liberals see the “II” in the center of the stars, there’s no mistaking the meaning . . . we’re ready for ROUND 2!</div><br /><div><br />If the folks in Washington, D.C. and our state capitols think we will sit idle while they dump massive debt on our children and our children’s children, they are wrong! They have ignored us, and they have laughed at us, and if we are to win our fight for LIBERTY, we must fight back! I still believe we can do this peacefully, if we are well organized and win the hearts and minds of our fellow Americans. Remember in the first American Revolution only 30% of the population joined the fight for FREEDOM (30% joined the other side, and 40% stayed out of the fight).<br /></div><br /><div>This July 4th we will start a National campaign of resistance. To do this, I am ready to provide each TEA Party organizer with a 3’x5’ flag. However, I’m not in a position to do this for free, which is why I set-up the website USRevolution2.com. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If everyone orders one flag, and takes it to their Tea Party on July 4th and gets the flag on or near the podium, CNN, MSNBC, CBS and ABC will start to see this flag is showing up everywhere. The speed at which the flag shows up from coast to coast should send a strong message: "we are no longer just a bunch of grass roots organizations. WE ARE GETTING ORGANIZED NATIONALLY!" I’m hoping July 4th Tea Parties are being planned outside the headquarters of CNN (again), MSNBC, ABC and CBS to ensure the media is able to attend. I have also written a short speech to introduce the new flag, which can be edited for your local needs. (Send me an email at <a href="mailto:usrevolution2@aol.com">usrevolution2@aol.com</a> to get a copy of the speech.</div><br /><div><br />Bring your flag to the September 12th “March on Washington.” Let everyone in Washington see a sea of these flags! This may be our first chance to introduce the flag, if the media ignores the July 4th rallys.</div><br /><div><br />After the September 12th “March on Washington” take your flags home, then go door to door and introduce the flag to our neighbors, and ask them to help in the fight for our Liberty, by ordering the flag. Once you introduce the flag to your meighbors, hang it proudly on your front porch. The plan is to get this flag to start spreading from porch to porch and from sea to shinning sea. The bumper stickers will also spread nationwide answering President Obama’s round “sunrise of Socialism” logo.</div><br /><div><br />Everyone also needs to start using TWITTER, so we can communicate quickly. If you don’t have an account (it’s free) and you don’t know how you use it, you’re probably going to have to ask one of your kids (like I did), or a neighbor’s kids.</div><br /><div><br />Email me and I will send you a jpg of the flag and the logo, which you can put on your website (if you have one), or send them to people you know who are sympathetic to our cause. By putting the New Flag of the Second American Revolution on your website you are endorsing it’s two meanings: 1) You support for a “Second” American Revolution, if that’s what it takes to protect your rights guaranteed under our Constitution and 2) you support the “Second” Amendment. Putting the flag on websites will also help spread the word nationally.</div><br /><div><br />I have written some quick scripts for some YouTube commercials which will air shortly. The commercial will refer people to my website.</div><br /><div><br />If you agree with what I’ve proposed so far, let’s get started . . . send me an order for a flag, please. </div><br /><div><br />God bless you, your family, and God Bless America!<br />Sincerely:<br /><br />Jeff McQueen<br /><a href="http://www.usrevolution2.com/">http://www.usrevolution2.com/</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720788434892210581.post-60316563397520630162009-06-12T11:13:00.000-07:002009-06-12T11:17:16.611-07:00This article was written in response to the Pritchard letter in the previous post:<br /><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;">Inspiration<br /></span></strong><br />Inspiration is only necessary when the times are bad and people are afraid. Franklin Roosevelt has given us one of the most often quoted statements concerning fear in his 1933 inaugural speech:<br /><br />So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.<br /><br />The context of “fear” in this example relates to the hard economic times of the Great Depression. It was an attempt to tell people that everything is fine if we believe and are not scared. This concept is similar to the premise in the book, “Animal Spirits” that is well read and practiced by the White House staff.<br /><br />I have received three separate emails in the span of one day to read a story called “An Open Letter to President Obama” by Lou Pritchett. Mr. Pritchett was a vice president at Procter & Gamble whose career at that company spanned 36 years. He is also the author of the book, “Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat”.<br /><br />The beginning of this letter is shown below:<br /><br />Dear President Obama:<br />You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.<br />You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.<br />You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.<br />You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.<br /><br />The entire letter can be viewed at <a href="http://www.afa.net/youscareme.asp">http://www.afa.net/youscareme.asp</a> .<br /><br />The overall point of the letter is that Mr. Pritchett is scared of President Obama. As I read the email, I found that I agreed with his points but not his fear. As usual with today’s opposition, they do not present a solution, let alone any inspiration.<br /><br />I was reminded of another quote as I read his letter:<br /><br /> <br /><em>When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty</em>.<br />Thomas Jefferson<br /><br />Do we agree with Mr. Pritchard’s letter, fear our President and just roll over for tyranny. I would definitely agree that the government has no fear of the people. Our liberty is a fleeting concept that most people would have trouble clearly defining. Webster’s dictionary gives the following definitions:<br /><br />the quality or state of being free<br />the power to do as one pleases<br />freedom from physical restraint<br />freedom from arbitrary or despotic control<br />the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges<br />the power of choice<br /><br />What does liberty mean to you? Our Congressional representatives have been told by the Obama administration that they are being watched to ensure that they vote as told, not by their conscience or constituency. Our guarantee to private property has been usurped in the case of General Motors’ secured bond holders. Is this Liberty?<br /><br />I agree with Thomas Jefferson and Mr. Pritchard: fear the government for we have a tyrant running our nation. Can we regain our liberty or was John Adams right:<br /><br /><em>But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.<br /></em><br />We have a choice to make: do we lie down in fear or do we act? What would our founding fathers have done? Inspiration comes to the individual in a variety of ways. I believe as our founding fathers, that the Constitution of the United States was divinely inspired. What are you going to do to ensure your children’s future? What is the cost of Liberty for them?<br /><br /><br />David DeGerolamo<br />(reprinted here with permission of the author)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720788434892210581.post-71268489847484118642009-06-09T13:00:00.001-07:002009-06-09T13:04:40.127-07:00Open Letter to ObamaThis is too good not to share it everywhere and with everyone you know. Snopes (leftist that they are) confirms that Lou Pritchett, former VP at Procter & Gamble, did write this and sent it to the NYT who refused to print it. It has gone all over the internet though, and I'll do my part to make sure people read this.<br />----<br />AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA<br />By Lou Pritchett<br /><br />Dear President Obama:<br />You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.<br /><br />You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.<br /><br />You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.<br /><br />You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.<br /><br />You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.<br /><br />You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.<br /><br />You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.<br /><br />You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.<br /><br />You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd and deliver this message abroad.<br /><br />You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.<br /><br />You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.<br /><br />You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.<br /><br />You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.<br /><br />You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.<br /><br />You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.<br /><br />You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.<br /><br />You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.<br /><br />You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.<br /><br />You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.<br /><br />You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.<br /><br />Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.<br /><br />Lou Pritchett<br /><br />Note: Lou Pritchett is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble whose career at that company spanned 36 years before his retirement in 1989, and he is the author of the 1995 business book, Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat.<br /><br />Mr. Pritchett <a href="http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/youscareme.asp">confirmed that he was indeed the author</a> of the much-circulated "open letter." “I did write the 'you scare me' letter. I sent it to the NY Times but they never acknowledged or published it. However, it hit the internet and according to the ‘experts’ has had over 500,000 hits.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720788434892210581.post-42588932419767404072009-05-28T12:51:00.000-07:002009-05-28T13:35:15.006-07:00Memorial Day 2009<div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><em>Excerpts from the program presented by the </em></div><div align="center"><em><br /></em><strong>Coweta Falls Chapter of<br />The Sons of the American Revolution</strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>4th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony</strong><br /></div></span><div align="center">May 25, 2009<br />Veteran’s Gardens, Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus GA<br />Chaplain Dan Gates</div><br /><br /><strong><em>Ladies and Gentlemen,<br /></em></strong>On this Memorial Day 2009, it is an honor to greet you. And to welcome you to this 4th Annual Memorial Day Commemoration…We have come here today to remember the fallen; those men and women, whose faces can be seen smiling at us from old black and white, aging photographs in which they stay forever young. Men and women, who must be remembered, for the sake of their sacrifice; and for the sake of our nation. And we come, also, to honor the living; we’re so very glad you’re here…<br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><strong>The Ragged Old Flag</strong><br />by Johnny Cash </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />I walked through a county courthouse square,<br />On a park bench an old man was sitting there.<br />I said, Your old courthouse is kinda run down<br />He said, Naw, it'll do for our little town.<br />I said, Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,<br />And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.<br /><sp><br />He said, Have a seat, and I sat down.<br />Is this the first time you've been to our little town?<br />I said, I think it is.<br />He said, I don't like to brag,<br />But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag.<br /><sp><br />You see, we got a little hole in that flag there<br />When Washington took it across the Delaware.<br />And it got powder burns, the night Francis Scott Key,<br />Sat watching it, writing 'Oh, Say, Can You See.'<br /><sp><br />And it got a bad rip in New Orleans<br />With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams.<br />And it almost fell at the Alamo<br />Beside the Texas flag,<br />but she waved on though<br /><sp><br />She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville<br />And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.<br />There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,<br />And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag.<br /><sp><br />On Flanders Field in World War I<br />She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.<br />She turned blood red in World War II<br />She hung limp and low a time or two.<br /><sp><br />She was in Korea and Vietnam<br />She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.<br />She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,<br />And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.<br /><sp><br />In her own good land she's been abused --<br />She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused.<br />And the government for which she stands<br />Is scandalized throughout the land.<br /><sp><br />And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin,<br />But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.<br />'Cause she's been through the fire before<br />And I believe she can take a whole lot more.<br /><sp><br />So we raise her up every morning,<br />Take her down every night.<br />We don't let her touch the ground<br />And we fold her up right.<br /><sp><br />On second thought I DO like to brag,<br />'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(This video was not part of the ceremony, but it is a moving rendition of this poem:<br /></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whmVGRSgAe8"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ragged Old Flag read by Johnny Cash</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">) </span></span></div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><div align="left"><br /></span><br /><br /><strong>Opening Prayer:</strong> our nation was founded upon and has been nourished by prayer. It is only fitting and proper for us to begin by invocating the God of our Forefathers. …<br /><br /><em>Almighty God! In this special moment – on this special day – we humble ourselves in Your Presence. We thank you for the magnitude of Your great blessing on this nation You have so graciously given us. We honor Your name, knowing it is through your Divine grace we are sustained in the shadow of liberty. </em><br /><br /><em>May this commemoration reflect that grace as we are reminded of those men and women, who answered the call to shoulder arms against tyranny. To those heroes – many of whose names have been lost to antiquity – we pay deep and sincere tribute. To that long line of men and women, who followed the path of patriotism; whose struggles and sacrifice have kept America free – we pay deep and sincere tribute. And to those, who even now, wear the uniforms of this nation, fighting a war against terror, we offer our heartfelt and everlasting gratitude. </em><br /><em><br />May God bless those who – throughout the ages – have wrapped themselves in America’s flag to stand in her defense. And may God continue to bless America.<br />Amen.</em><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><strong>Memorial Day Commemoration</strong></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><strong>Insomuch as:</strong> We gather, as Americans, on this day of special commemoration dedicated to the ideals of freedom and liberty;<br /><br /><strong>Insomuch as:</strong> We gather, as Americans, remembering that our freedom and liberty were purchased by the blood and sacrifice of our forefathers in a War of Independence;<br /><br /><strong>Insomuch as:</strong> We gather, as Americans, reminded of the millions, who, down throughout the decades of our history, selflessly gave their fortunes, their dedication, their very lives to protect that freedom and liberty;<br /><br /><strong>Insomuch as:</strong> We gather, as Americans, aware that even now, young men and women stand in harm’s way to protect us and assure us a continued freedom and liberty,<br /><br /><strong>We hereby:</strong> Remember the hollowed dead, whose blood cries from the earth: “Duty, Honor, and Country”. And we honor the living, who stand now, wrapped in the red, white and blue of this nation’s flag to echo that same determined shout of victory: “Duty, Honor, Country”. And in so remembering…<br /><br /><strong>We Do Honor:</strong> The dead, who will remain in our memories forever young; forever vigilant! And the living, who by their everyday acts of commitment, reflect the highest ideals of America.<br /><br /></div><div align="right"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">So pledged under my hand today,<br />Compatriot Terry Manning<br />President, the Georgia Society<br />Sons of the American Revolution</span><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><strong>Tribute: “I Am A Soldier” </strong></div><strong><div align="left"><br /></strong>In America’s shining history, it has been the soldier who has given us our freedom; assured us of our liberty. And in that history, much as in the audience today, the “soldiers” have not always been military, No, they have been a mixture! Military and civilian! Patriots all! And with one commonality. They all had the heart of a soldier.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><strong>I Am A Soldier!<br /></strong>Read by Marine Corps Veteran and Patriot, Andy Bourke</div><div align="left"><br /><br /><strong>I am a soldier!</strong> A soldier in the Army of my country! I wear a uniform! It’s olive drab, blue, gray and khaki. My nation’s need for defense is my calling; the President of this great nation is my Commanding Officer. I am a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman. Faith in God and love of America are my codes of conduct. Faith and prayer walk with me every day.<br /><br /><strong>I am a soldier!</strong> Since 1775, I have been taught by experience, trained by adversity, tested by fire. I am a volunteer. The decision to wear the uniform of my country was my decision. And thereby I am committed. Committed to her defense, committed to her people. Every man is my brother, when I stand against the enemies of my land. Every woman, my sister; every child, my little boy; my little girl. And I will defend them with my life.<br /><br /><strong>I am a soldier!</strong> I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. If America needs me, I am there. If she needs me to live in her defense, I am there. If she needs me to die in her defense, I am there!<br /><br /><strong>I am a soldier!</strong> I’m not a baby! I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed, pumped up, pepped up, or picked up. I am a soldier! When defending America’s ideals, no one has to remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me! All Americans need do is… call me!<br /><br /><strong>I am a soldier!</strong> I’m not a wimp! I am in my place of duty, saluting my Commander, obeying my orders, protecting my nation, doing my job! I am a soldier! I don’t need you to send me flowers, gifts, candy, or handouts! I don’t need to be coddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to!<br /><br /><strong>I am a soldier!</strong> I am committed to you, America! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to make me quit. Weather can’t stop me! Sickness won’t keep me from my service! Money can’t buy me! People can’t disillusion me! And hell can’t defeat me for I fight for you, America!<br /><br /><strong>I am a soldier!</strong> Generation after generation, I have worn the uniform, wrapped myself in your flag, America, and said to those who would hurt you, “Not today! Not on my watch! Not while I have strength!”<br /><br /><strong>I am a soldier!</strong> And I will win! I will always triumph, America! And I will do it for you!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><strong>Prayer for those who now serve</strong></div><div align="left"><br /><br />It is with guns and bullets those who now serve on active duty defend us in this war on terror. But it is the prayers of a grateful nation on which we build a future wherein our children and children’s children can live in peace and security. Corporal Philip Alexander is a former United States marine, now serving our nation in the United States Army National Guard; a man who knows the meaning of sacrifice and the words duty, honor, and country. It is altogether fitting such a man should lead us in prayer for those who now serve.<br /><br /><em>Almighty God, we call on your name and invoke your Presence as we remember those who now serve; those who wear the uniforms of this nation; those who are dedicated to her flag and her ideals of liberty and freedom. May you this day strengthen their hands to protect us as you strengthen your hand to protect them. Give wisdom to our leaders. And may our cause be just. Around us on this hilltop, there are men and women who gave their all that we might abide in the greatest nation ever allowed to mankind. Today we remember their sacrifices as we live in the freedom they purchased. Oh God, send your blessing upon those who now carry the torch of democracy. Bless them, Almighty God, and their families with the knowledge that theirs is a sacred duty through which we all are kept free. Amen.</em><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><strong>Introduction of the Program</strong></div><div align="left"><br /><br />All across this nation today, Americans can celebrate. In tiny villages hidden by the forests of the Catskills, the Appalachians, and the Rockies; to sprawling cities like Atlanta and New York and Houston; to a small hilltop cemetery in Columbus, Georgia, American’s are remembering on this Memorial Day. To help us remember, we have chosen a unique way of hearing the echoes of sacrifices past. To hallow this day on this hilltop, we have chosen to call the names of five soldiers* from each of America’s major wars. Names that were mourned, most of whom, because of the passing of time, have been joined by those who mourned their passing. But men and women to who we all owe a debt the world’s weight in medals could never repay. For truly we are “remembering their sacrifices and living in the freedom they purchased.”<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of the <strong>American Revolution</strong>: [5 names called*] These five represent more than 8,000 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of the <strong>War of 1812</strong>: [5 names called] These five represent more than 2,260 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of the <strong>War Between the States</strong>, the Union Army: [5 names called] These five represent more than 140,414 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of the <strong>War Between the States</strong>, Confederate States of America: [5 names called] These five represent more than 72,524 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of the <strong>Spanish-American War</strong>: [5 names called] These five represent more than 385 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of <strong>World War I</strong>: [5 names called] These five represent more than 53,402 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of World War II: [5 names called] These five represent more than 291,557 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of the <strong>Korean War</strong>: [5 names called] These five represent more than 33,746 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of the <strong>Vietnam War</strong>: [5 names called] These five represent more than 58,748 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today we remember the heroes of the <strong>War on Terror</strong>: [5 names called] These five represent more than 5,591 who died for duty, honor and country.<br /><br />Today, ladies and gentlemen, we are citizens of the greatest nation on the face of God’s earth, because men and women – more than 655,000 of them – have seen the face of evil and said, “It’s enough!” Even to the forfeit of their own lives! “Freedom is never free! But the price is never too high.”<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*The transcript did not contain the names of the soldiers, which were read by various men from a separate list.<br /></span><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><strong>Remembering a Hero</strong><br /></div><div align="left"><br />On this Memorial Day 2009, America’s heroes – those who have lived and died protecting our nation and the ideas of liberty and freedom – are honored and remembered. Yet the highest accolades of men, nor the world’s esteem can ever speak the gratitude of a grateful nation for one of her sons.<br /><br />Enough medals cannot be struck, enough words of patriotism spoken, nor can this nation mourn loudly enough to speak tribute to a soldier’s life spent protecting his own nation, while helping to give freedom to millions. </div><div align="left"><br />In hallowed ground, just a few yards from where we stand today, lies one of those heroes. He is Gunnery Sergeant John H. O’Tripp Roy, III, a native son of Columbus. Gunnery Sergeant Roy died in the line of duty just ten weeks ago on March 24, 2009. A 1994 graduate of Columbus High School, he served 15 dedicated years in the United States Marine Corps as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician. During those fifteen years of loyal service to his nation, Gunnery Sergeant Roy was twice awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, along with numerous other awards and recognitions of his selfless service to each of us. An ordained deacon and licensed minister of the gospel, he served Jesus Christ and his nation with distinction. Duty, honor, and country were the pillars of his life; The Marine Corps “Semper Fidelis” – Always Faithful – the banner underneath which he lived out those characteristics that made him a great American.<br /><br />Today, Mr. John Roy, Sr. – Tripp’s father – is the honored guest of this ceremony. He represents for us the thousands of families across this nation and throughout America’s history whose loved ones have served America with pride. And for whom that ragged old flag will never be taken for granted.<br /><br />Mr. Roy, it is with great and unfeigned humility, sincere affection and heartfelt love that we gently speak your son’s name in reverent whisper this day on this sacred ground. And to you and your family, we simply offer our deepest appreciation; we stand in awe of your son’s courage and love of this nation; and we prayerfully share with you a part of each of our hearts. May time and the loving hand of God create even more cherished memories of his life and service to us all.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><strong>Laying of the Wreaths</strong><br /></div><div align="left"><br />A tradition was born on that first Memorial Day – called “Decoration Day” in 1866. As a part of remembering, it became the custom to lay a wreath at the grave sites of America’s war dead. From the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington and in cemeteries across this nation, that tradition is being carried on this very day by Americans just like yourselves. Today, in the “laying of the wreathes” we symbolize our grateful hearts and abiding respect for that long, long line of patriots, whose cry of victory echoes through the corridors of time: Duty, Honor, Country.<br /><br />Today we honor our nation’s dead, but with the understanding and heaven-sent assurance that the day will come when, They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><strong>Benediction<br /></strong>By Chaplain Dan Gates</div><div align="left"><br /><br /><em>Almighty God! In all the earth there is no greater nation than America. Your blessing has caused her to be that shining city on a hill, bringing the truth of freedom and liberty to the world. But it has not been without cost. The price has been paid in blood, sweat, and sacrifice for the cause of independence and the freedoms we all take so for granted. Forgive us, Oh God, for our assumptions of your blessing!<br /><br />On this consecrated day, create afresh in our generation an infinite desire to walk in the hallowed, bloody footprints of Valley Forge; to walk in the blood-soaked sands of Normandy’s beaches, on the jungle trails of Tarawa and Okinawa, down the frozen foot paths of Korea and across the ambushed-laced rice paddies of Vietnam. From Afghanistan to Iran and wherever else men and women stand ready to lay down their lives to save ours, Lord, give us the courage to defend, the will to win, and the stamina to stay the course.<br /><br />Lord, to every man and woman with you today, whose life was lived as an investment in America, we give thanks. Send your angel messengers to find each of them to whisper in their ears that their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. And that here today in this sacred lace, we have stood in awe of their greatness that has made America great. May we carry the torch they have laid aside with a sense of their integrity and the memory of their victory cry of Duty, Honor, Country.</em> </div><div align="center"><br /><em><strong>May God bless America. Amen! </strong></em></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">transcript reprinted with the permission of Chaplain Dan Gates</span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720788434892210581.post-57873573402735574572009-05-20T14:49:00.000-07:002009-05-25T10:17:55.626-07:00<div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">5/22 URGENT:</span> Last minute addition from Sandy Toth: </span></strong></span></div><div align="left">Energy committee to vote on cap and trade AKA <span style="color:#ff0000;">cap and</span><span style="color:#ff0000;"> tax</span>. Please call these two who are on the fence:<br /><br />JOHN BARROW D-GA 202-225-2823<br /><br />JIM MATHESON D-UT 202-225-3011<br /><br />Also, look for a late addition under the <strong>News </strong>on Cap&Trade below</div><div align="left">-----------------------</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">5/21/09</span></strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Hello!</span><br /></strong>Mark your calendar for two events this weekend: the planning meeting this Friday, 5/22 (all are welcome) and a Memorial Day commemoration next Monday, which is not a tea party event, but I hope you'll consider attending. See the details in Calendar of Local Events.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />Each week I put some good quotations near the end, but this one stands out, so I put it at the top; every phrase applies to our country today:</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><br />"A people may prefer a free government, but if,<br />from indolence,<br />or carelessness,<br />or cowardice,<br />or want of public spirit,<br />they are unequal to the exertions necessary<br />for preserving it;<br />if they will not fight for it when it is directly attacked;<br />if they can be deluded by the artifices used<br />to cheat them out of it;<br />if by momentary discouragement,<br />or temporary panic,<br />or a fit of enthusiasm for an individual,<br />they can be induced to lay their liberties at the feet<br />even of a great man,<br />or trust him with powers<br />which enable him to subvert their institutions;<br />in all these cases they are more or less unfit for liberty:<br />and though it may be for their good to have had it<br />even for a short time,<br />they are unlikely long to enjoy it."<br />-- John Stuart Mill, British philosopher. Considerations on Representative Government, 1861</div><div align="left"><br />Have you read <a href="http://westmoreland.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=126058"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Mr. Smith Mimics Washington</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">, a story by Congressman Lynn Westmoreland? “The 'Smith Family' has an expensive house, a new car and they’d never purchase their chic clothes off the discount rack. If they want it, they buy it. Problem is, by the middle of April the Smith Family had spent all of the money they were going to earn during the entire year. Huge bills are piling up. What will the Smith Family do?” What would you do in <em>your</em> family?<br /><br /><strong>Cross-country walker:</strong> Check out Glen Cox: he started out on Saturday from Colorado walking to Washington to bring people to a better awareness of what's going on in the federal government. He writes about the purpose of his walk in </span><a href="http://www.tcunation.com/profiles/blogs/footsteps-for-freedom-this-is"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Footsteps for Freedom </span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">and </span><a href="http://freedommarch.ning.com/page/route-plans"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">here's his route</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">. He's not young, but his short online video after the first day says he walked 30 miles so he's moving along (he admitted he was exhausted). Pray for his health and safety. If you know anybody in the areas he's passing through, send this to them so that they might give him a meal or a place to sleep.<br /><br /><strong>Calendar of Local Events</strong><br /><strong>Planning meeting Friday, May 22 at 6:30pm. All are invited.</strong><br />If you want to participate in planning events, offer your help, and find out what needs to be done, please join us for a planning session, lasting about 2 hours. We’ll meet at Graystone Falls clubhouse: go to GA Welcome Center on Williams Rd, (I-185 Exit 12), turn into welcome center and take first left, clubhouse is first on left. RSVP to Sandy Toth at </span><a href="mailto:colsteaparty@gmail.com"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">columbusgateaparty@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">.<br />Agenda:<br />-Finalize program for the May 30th <em>Restore the Republic</em> event<br />-Distribute flyers for volunteers to hand out.<br />-Get volunteers to start soliciting contributions for the Independence Day event.<br />-Review fight on Cap&Trade legislation<br />-Review the corporation form of organization of this group. We have an offer for incorporation <em>pro bono</em>. We only need to come up with $100 for the state filing fees. We now have a PO Box and EIN, and will have a checking account in a few days.<br /><br /><strong>Monday, May 25, <a href="http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/breaking_news/story/710603.html">Columbus 4th Annual Memorial Day Commemoration</a></strong><a href="http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/breaking_news/story/710603.html"> </a><br />Update: The Commemoration Service held this morning by The Sons of the American Revolution at Parkhill Cemetary was a very moving, beautiful tribute to the American soldiers who have been killed in war since the American Revolution. <strong> </strong><em><strong>If it were not for the "brave" there would be no "land of the free!"<br /></strong></em><br /><strong>May 30, Columbus -- Columbus Tea Party Patriots and Americans for Prosperity will sponsor a "Restore the Republic" Constitutional Seminar to Honor Our Veterans</strong> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">VFW Post on 1824 Victory Drive, Columbus, from 10-11:30 am. The session will be repeated from 12:30-2 pm. </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />This is a seminar. We will be meeting indoors to learn about the Constitution, what the founders intended, and how the federal government has ignored it. Guest speakers are coming. Please invite friends and bring them with you. Pocket Constitutions will be available to attendees for reference and study. Decorate your cars with flags and signs to share our message while we listen to guest speakers inside (someone will be patrolling the parking lot).<br /><br /><strong>June 14 Flag Day<br /></strong>Let's march down the streets of Columbus waving American Flags -- the Stars and Stripes, the <a href="http://shop.wnd.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=2816">Gadsden flag</a>, ("don't tread on me")the Georgia flag, all sizes. We need a huge group that will stretch for blocks. Bring colorful patriotic signs too! More information will be coming in the next few weeks. </span></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>July 4 Independence Day</strong> </div><div align="left">Suggestions and Volunteers Needed!We’d like to have a booth distributing information about the Tea Party goals at "Thunder on the Hooch"; a couple of volunteers are looking into this. We will need people to help create materials to hand out, to decorate, and to man the booth or table.<br /><br />Also in the works is a tea party in uptown Columbus earlier in the day. Details are not decided, so send in your ideas. Volunteers are needed to help organize this event. Please contact Sandy Toth at <a href="mailto:colsteaparty@gmail.com"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">columbusgateaparty@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> if you would like to help out in some way. The more helpers, the less work there is for everyone.<br /><br />Nation-wide the theme for tea parties on Independence Day is <strong>stopping socialized medicine</strong>. A new national committee headed by Dr. Allen Unruh of Sioux Falls, SD and a team of medical professionals will be leading this effort, including templates for speeches at rallies and promotions leading up to it. People are finally starting to wake up that we will have socialized medicine by the end of the year if we don't act. The basis for socialized medicine is already the law since February.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Calendar of National Events</span></strong> </span><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>September 12, Washington DC:<br /></strong></span><a href="http://912dc.org/2009/04/sign-up-for-the-protest/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">9.12.09 National Taxpayer Protest</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> is sponsoring a national march on Washington on September 12, with a rally on the Mall. There’s some talk at the state level Tea Party Patriots of chartering a plane or busses to take large groups who want to go up and back in a day. We might have a local event for those who can’t travel to DC.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>October 2, Washington DC:<br /></strong></span><a href="http://defendingthedream.org/beta/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Taxpayer Tea Party</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> and “Defending the American Dream Summit” sponsored annually by Americans for Prosperity (AFP). No details available yet. There will probably be charter busses going up from Georgia.<br /></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>News </strong><br /></span><strong>March to Communism</strong><br /></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB6p5QPVhPI&feature=popularhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB6p5QPVhPI&feature=popular"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">This cartoon, produced 50 years ago</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">, predicted the slick salesmen who are pushing socialism/communism today in our country. <em>After all we went through with the Cold War, defeating communism in other countries, can we actually be falling for this diabolical lie?<br /></em><br /><strong>Tea Party </strong></span><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/DonaldLambro/2009/05/15/tea_parties_just_the_beginning"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Tea Parties Just the Beginning</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> by Donald Lambro 5/18.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.columbusgateaparty.com/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Columbus Tea Party</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> Check out the new website and send ideas of what you'd like to see on it. </span><br /></div><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><div align="left"><br /><strong>Free Speech</strong><br /><a href="http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/11141"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Pro-Obama Group Demands Socialist Media</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> by Cliff Kincaid 5/16 </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98592"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Dems Seek Fairness Doctrine in "back door"?</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> 5/19 </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98608"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">No Fairness Doctrine? Prove It</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">! 5/19 By Chelsea Schilling<br /><br /><strong>Nationalized Health Care<br /></strong><a href="http://www.heritage.org/news/Obama-Health-Care-Plan.cfm">Obama Health Care Rapid Response </a>- Heritage has launched a site with a comprehensive list of health care issues.</span></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://right-wingunderground.blogspot.com/2009/05/obama-begins-push-for-rationed-inferior_12.html"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Obama Begins Push for Rationed, Inferior Government Health Care</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> "Which is better, public schools or private schools? Public housing or private housing? Public transportation or private transportation? Compare anything. Government always turns out an inferior product. It has an astonishingly abysmal track record." After you read the article, write to your representatives in Congress, and consider signing the petition.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span></div><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><div align="left"><br /><strong>Cap & Trade</strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><strong>Urgent</strong> information from Sandy Toth: This is an urgent request for everyone to call or fax the following members of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House. Chairman Waxman is trying to get the votes for committee passage by Memorial Day. Please pass this on to as many people as you know and ask them to call. The members of the committee who may still be on the fence include: Mary Bono Mack, R-CA, Diana DeGette, D-CO, John Barrow, D-GA, Betty Sutton, D-OH, Jom Matheson, D-UT, and Gene Green, D-TX.<br /><br />Why is this so urgent? Cap and trade means that every time you turn on a light, turn on your stove, run heat or AC, turn on the TV you will be paying more and more tax. Every time you cut your grass, drive to the store, drive to work, buy groceries, drive to the movies, drive to school, you will be paying more and more tax. Groceries will cost more because stores will be paying more for their utilities and transportation. Hospitals will pay for power, so guess what? Schools will have more power expense, higher fuel costs to run buses, so guess what? Virtually every single area of our lives will cost more because of cap and trade, which should be named cost and tax.<br /><br />It is estimated that an average family of four will spend $4,300 more per year because of cap and tax effects. This equals over $358 per month, or nearly $12 per day for the average family (this average per year is from the Heritage Foundation). Cap and trade could raise the price of gasoline $4 to $5 per gallon.<br /><br />What is the purpose of cap and trade? Supposedly the purpose is to cut the carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels. I personally think we could cut all cut carbon dioxide by dying, because we emit this gas when we exhale. The green movement and liberals in government have raised this to a crisis level for certain benefits to certain groups. First investors in carbon credit companies, like Al Gore, will have financial benefits. Second, there are certain groups that would be beneficiaries of the tax proceeds, like the UN, which would hand these funds to third world countries. So let's get this straight. We will all be paying an average of $12 per day more in taxes so Mr. Gore gets wealthier and the UN will have more US funds to squander.<br /><br />We must attempt to stop this in committee. It will be much easier to get the votes when it goes to the full House for a vote. </span></div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><div align="left"><br />AFP is asking all citizens to email your congressmen to say NO to Cap&Trade: <a href="http://capwiz.com/americansforprosperity/utr/1/EKLHKMWOUV/MGQTKMWSQG/3345454581" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Click Here to Send Your Congressman an Email</span></a>. <span style="font-family:times new roman;">National Taxpayers Union has a </span><a href="http://ga1.org/campaign/2trillionclimatechangetaxhike"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">letter you can send to Congresss</span></a> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124234844782222081.html">Indiana Says "No Thanks" to Cap and Trade</a> by Indiana Govenor Mitch Daniels 5/16. </div><div align="left">---</div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Here's the Last Minute Addition, from Sandy Toth on Friday 5/22:</span></div><div align="left">Republican Congressmen Deal and Gingrey voted against Cap and Trade but so did Democratic Congressman Barrow.We need to call Barrow's office and think him because he will face considerable blow back from the Democrats for voitng against this horrible bill.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">John Barrow:</div><div align="left">Savannah4</div><div align="left">50 Mall Boulevard, Suite A</div><div align="left">Savannah, GA 31406</div><div align="left">p: (912) 354-7282</div><div align="left">f: (912) 354-7782</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Washington, DC</div><div align="left">213 Cannon HOB</div><div align="left">Washington, DC 20515</div><div align="left">p: (202) 225-2823</div><div align="left">f: (202) 225-3377</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Waxman-Markey update</span>: <span style="color:#ff0000;">Energy and Commerce passes H. R. 2454 by 33-25</span></div><div align="left">The House Energy and Commerce Committee last night passed H. R. 2454 by a vote of 33 to 25. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">One Republican, Mary Bono Mack of California,voted yes, and four Democrats, Mike Ross of Arkansas, Charles Melanconof Louisiana, John Barrow of Georgia, and Jim Matheson of Utah, voted no. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Republican Nathan Deal of Georgia was not there to vote.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey said before making the motion to proceed to a vote, “<span style="color:#ff0000;">The vote we are about cast will in my opinion be remembered decades from now.”</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Not much of note happened on the last day of amendments. The final amendments offered en bloc by the Republicans included a provision that would require re-authorization by Congress after five years. It was defeated as part of the package 20 to 38. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">One thing that did comeout with a Republican amendment is that utilities in some States getmore allowances than they need to cover their current level ofemissions and in some States they get less. That should be fun as Waxman and Markey make deals to win votes on the floor. How many coupons will Rep. Jay Inslee of Washington be willing to transfer fromu tilities in his State to some other State in order to gain a vote? Disillusion is already setting in. For example, Steven Pearlstein’s opinion column in the business section of today’s Washington Post, which I paste below. <span style="color:#ff0000;">It’s ramshackle enough that if the leadership can’t get it to the floor quickly then I think we have a good chance to defeat it.</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href=".http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/21/AR2009052104402.html">Climate-Change Bill Hits Some of the Right Notes but Botches the Refrain </a></div><div align="left">By Steven Pearlstein Washington Post, Friday, May 22, 2009</div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">---------------- end of last minute addition</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>2nd Amendment – The Right to Keep and Bear Arms<br /></strong>HR 45 Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sales Act of 2009. See the information under Bills, below. </span></div><p><a href="http://www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=10190400">Montana Soverignty Bills Have National Scope</a> 4/15 Gov. Brian Schweitzer signs bill into law that aims to exempt Montana-made guns from federal regulation.</p><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>Tenth Amendment - States Rights</strong><br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Thirty-five states are acting or considering proposals to reclaim state rights not specifically given to the federal government. See: </span><a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=97898"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">States to Feds: Stay in DC</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">! </span><a href="http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2009/02/23/state-sovereignty-resolutions/8/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Tenth Amendment Center</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> has a map showing the status of the states rights legislations across the country.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>Taxes<br /></strong></span><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124260067214828295.html"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>Soak the Rich, Lose the Rich</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> by Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore WSJ 5/18 Americans know how to use the moving van to escape high taxes.<br /><br /><strong>Our Tax Money Wasted Again</strong> John Murtha airport receives stimulus money, you will be appalled at this video. </span><a href="http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=13140642"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Empty Airport Gets $150 Million</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> and </span><a href="http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/node/1484"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Murtha's Earmarks Keep Airport Aloft</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> (from "The 20 most corrupt members of Congress), also see </span><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/29/AR2009042902510.html"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Murtha Airport Gets Military Upgrades</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span><a href="http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2009_05_07_Free_cars_for_poor_fuel_road_rage/srvc=home&position=also"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>Free cars for poor fuel road rage</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> by Hillary Chabot 5/7 (Boston Herald) Massachusettes provides cars and pays expenses so poor people can drive to work.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://neophytepundit.blogtownhall.com/2009/05/16/this_graph_should_scare_your_pants_off_obamasprojected_deficits.thtml"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>This Graph Should Scare Your Pants Off</strong></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> (the article is scary too)</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CTHM2xZjbKs/ShSXICjaZNI/AAAAAAAAAAo/fcsRgRkvAtc/s1600-h/temp+budged+def.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338057622721029330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CTHM2xZjbKs/ShSXICjaZNI/AAAAAAAAAAo/fcsRgRkvAtc/s400/temp+budged+def.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>The Federal Reserve</strong><br />Author G. Edward Griffin talks about his book <em>The Creature from Jekyll Island</em>, HR 1207, Alternative Currencies, the Federal Reserve, and much more on this video interview: </span><a title="" href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KXSCV&m=1gYk9nzjXfvrN1&b=wz32fu5uprncEzM7vowrsQ" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">http://realityreport.blip.tv/file/2123004/</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><strong>Georgia News</strong><br /></span><a href="http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/04/27/pearsoned0427.html"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Principle of States' Rights Neither New nor 'Radical'</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> by Chip Pearson 4/27<br /><br /><strong>Other States’ News<br />California’s Proposition 1A</strong> -- Rejected by Voters<br />California voters sent the message loud and clear: stop the budget gimmicks. See </span><a href="http://www.camajorityreport.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&aid=4013&ptid=9"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Voter Frustration ...Doomed Prop 1A</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> and </span><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/19/MN8317LBQS.DTL&tsp=1"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Defeat is a Sharp Rebuke</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Links You Can Use</span><br /></strong></span><a href="http://goooh.com/Home.aspx"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Get Out of Our House</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> (GOOOH) A non-partisan plan to evict the politicians from the U.S. House of Representatives.</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><div align="left"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Grassroots Training</span> - Calling and Visiting Congressmen</strong></div><div align="left">(last week's newsletter has tips on writing congressmen)</div><br /><div align="left">Virginia Galloway, from the Atlanta office of Americans for Prosperity (AFP), gave me permission to summarize the following tips she gave us regarding contact with government representatives. She says, “Believe it or not, your state legislators want to hear from you! … If you want your legislators to represent your views, you must first let them know where you stand. Keep [it] local, keep it personal, and keep it concise.”</div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>Tips for calling legislators</strong><br />While faxing letters is best, calling is next best. Generally, use the tips for writing (see last week's newsletter). Call about one issue at a time, keep it short and to the point. Introduce yourself, state the issue, ask for them to let you know how the congressman votes on it. Do your research ahead of time so you know both sides of the issue. If possible, follow up with a letter. And after the vote, call again to tell your congressman your pleasure or displeasure at his vote.</div><div align="left"><br />Be Respectful! Act like a lobbyist -- professional and poised. </div><div align="left"><br /><strong>Tips for visiting legislators<br /></strong>Of course, it's easier to visit state legislators than the ones in DC, but you can always visit their state offices. Virginia recommends going to Town Hall meetings, meet your state reps. Make a question a <em>question</em> -- not a 5-minute lecture.<br /><br />Go to the state capital at least once a year. (Consider attending the AFP day at the Capitol. It was recently held in the spring, so watch <a href="http://www.americansforprosperity.com/georgia"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">the AFP - Georgia website</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> for the next one. )</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span></div><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><ul><li><div align="left">Call for an appointment, at least one week in advance, indicating the subjects you want to discuss. </div></li><li><div align="left">Arrive on time and leave when your time is up!</div></li><li><div align="left">Be organized, rehearse your "pitch" which should cover 1) your position 2) the opposing arguments and 3) why your position is better both for your business and for the home district as a whole. You need to have a good working knowledge of the issue. Personal anecdotes are extremely effective. </div></li><li><div align="left">If you are with a group, select a spokesman, make sure everyone knows and agrees with what will be covered.</div></li><li><div align="left">Be a good listener to the legislator. He needs you to understand his concerns, but this does not mean you have to change your position.</div></li><li><div align="left">Do not be awed, legislators are people just like you, often from a near-by community. </div></li><li><div align="left">Discuss issues, do not lecture.</div></li><li><div align="left">Leave a one-page fact sheet that contains a summary of the problem and your proposed solution. Bullet points are good. Always relate the legislation to its effect on the legislator's district.</div></li><li><div align="left">Send a thank you note after the meeting. It can reinforce points of agreement and provide additional information. </div></li></ul><p>Watch Virginia illustrate the size of a trillion using split peas on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4ADdk66jU"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4ADdk66jU</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />About Americans for Prosperity (AFP). The mission of AFP is to “educate citizens about economic policy, mobilize citizens to achieve fiscal and regulatory restraint by state governments, and return the federal government to its Constitutional limits”. This mission matches up well with the goals of the Tea Party Movement. Read more about AFP and consider joining them at </span><a href="http://www.americanforprosperity.org/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">http://www.americanforprosperity.org/</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">. </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Bills in Congress</span></strong><br />Jill W and LaTala C have provided this information about bills in Congress.<br /><br /><strong>HR 45 Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sales Act of 2009</strong><br />It's very important for you to be aware of a new bill HR 45 introduced into the House: the Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sale Act of 2009. Basically this would make it illegal to own a firearm - any rifle with a clip or ANY pistol unless:<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">-It is registered<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">-You are fingerprinted.<br />-You supply a current Driver's License<br />-You supply your Social Security #<br />-You supply a passport-style photo<br />-You will submit to a physical & mental evaluation at any time of their choosing<br />-Each update - change or ownership through private or public sale must be reported and costs $25. For failure to do so, you automatically lose the right to own a firearm and are subject up to a year in jail.<br />-There is a child provision clause stating a child-access provision. Gun must be locked and inaccessible to any child under 18.<br />-The Government would have the right to come and inspect that you are storing your gun safely away from accessibility to children and fine is punishable for up to 5 yrs. in prison.\<br /><br />To read the complete bill, visit this link: </span><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-45" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-45</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br />Status of the bill: The bill has been referred to the </span><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.xpd?id=HSJU"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">House committee</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> on the Judiciary. </span><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-45"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-45</span></a> <span style="font-family:times new roman;">If the committee likes the bill, it goes to the House to be voted on, next the Senate, and then the President to sign to law.<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><strong>Take Action:</strong> Please pass this on to all Americans and <strong>write</strong> your senate and house members </span><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/special/hr45mixedink.xpd"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">(click here </span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">for a sample letter). Then <strong>write</strong> Barack H. Obama and tell him <strong>“NO”</strong> to HR 45.<br />(the previous information was supplied by LaTala C.</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>How a Bill is Passed<br /></strong>Jill W. sent this summary of how a bill is passed in Congress. For details, see </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_law.html">How a Bill Becomes Law</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;">1</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">. Bill is Introduced<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">2. Bill is Referred to Committee<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">3. Bill is Reported on by Committee<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">4. Bill is Voted on in the House<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">5. Bill is Voted on in the Senate<br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">6. Bill is Signed by the President </span></p><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Introduced bills and resolutions first go to committees that deliberate, investigate, and revise them before they go to general debate. The majority of bills and resolutions never make it out of committee. </span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Think About It</strong><br /></span><strong>Is the US Not a Christian Nation?</strong> The president doesn't think so. On April 6, 2009, in Turkey, and </span><a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=67735"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">earlier in other speeches</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">, he has said we are not. But what do the Preambles of the 50 State Constitutions say? See </span><a href="http://ncfreedom.us/PDFs/US%20Christian%20Country.pdf"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">this summary of the preambles of all 50 states</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">. (Thanks to Tommy in Augusta for this heads-up and to Dave in NC for this link.)<br /><br /><strong>Here's the Preamble of the <em>Constitution of the State of Georgia</em>:<br /></strong><em>To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, we, the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.</em> (</span><a href="http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/contoc.htm"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Click here for the entire Georgia Constitution</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">.) </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><br />In response, a bipartisan group of 25 members of the House of Representatives earlier this month submitted <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.RES.397:">H.Res. 397</a>, which calls on Congress to affirm "the rich spiritual and religious history our nation's founding and subsequent history" and to designate the first week of May as America's Spiritual Heritage Week for "the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith." Also see: "<a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98369">Whaddya mean, "America Is Not a Christian Nation?"</a> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/11037"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">How the Democratic Party Went From Thomas Jefferson to Karl Marx</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> 5/12<br />"Unlike Lenin’s revolutionary overthrow of capitalism, our transition to a Marxist system was meant to be gradual and seamless. Like a lobster in a pot of boiling water, the temperature was being turned up slowly and gradually. Even now when banks are being nationalized and major automakers turned over to union ownership, it is mainly people over 40 who are even noticing that anything is wrong."</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><a href="http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/10905"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Can America Continue as a Nation, Half-Slave Half-Free?</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> 5/7 "A Socialist economy cannot co-exist for long with a free system... In 2010 and 2012, the battle will be joined and the ultimate question must be this one, “Are we to be a nation of slaves governed by masters, or a nation of free men and women? Are we a nation of slaves or free citizens? Do we need to be taken care of, told what to do all the time, deprived of the rightful benefits of our work and our freedoms-- or are we best suited to care for ourselves and our families, employ our money and our Constitutional rights as we see fit ?” Both columns by Daniel Greenfield from CanadaFreePress.</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> <div align="left"><br /></div><a href="http://www.victorhanson.com/articles/hanson051409.html"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Cracks in the Facade</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> by Victor Davis Hanson 5/15</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><div align="left"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Wisdom </span></strong></div><br /><div align="left">Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Ben Franklin</div><div align="left"><br />"Does the government fear us? Or do we fear the government? When the people fear the government, tyranny has found victory. The federal government is our servant, not our master!” -Thomas Jefferson </div><div align="left"><br />"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." -- Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777</div><div align="left"><br />"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid." -- Dwight D. Eisenhower, First Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1953</div><div align="left"><br />"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." -- Samuel Adams</div><div align="left"><br />"[Early] Americans adhered rather closely to the free market ideal that people should remain free to find their own solutions for economic problems, whether caused by industry or by nature. The force of government would be used, if deemed necessary, only at the local level, under local control, to meet local needs. And as a result, America became a new promised land.<br />"We later Americans have all but forfeited the great charter of liberty that made possible the miracle of America. It still exists for us to examine. If we still like it, we can reestablish it. Doing that will require as much persistence and dedication and plain hard work on our part as was required of the eighteenth-century gentlemen who created it. It will require as much labor to regain it as it did to create it, but thankfully not more." --Lawrence Patton McDonald, <em>We Hold These Truths </em>1976<br /><br />----------</div><br /><div align="left"><strong>Final thoughts:</strong><br /></div><div align="left">I'm tempted to fill this newsletter with quotations from the founding fathers that apply to our desperate situation today. But there are already websites that are filled with their thoughts. If you have time, read more of their wisdom on some of the websites that list quotations. </div>(<a href="http://founderswisdom.wordpress.com/category/patrick-henry/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">From the Wisdom of Our Fathers</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> and </span><a href="http://www.proconstitution.com/freedom/"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">PROConstitution</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> are good places to start). Their words inspire me to stay in this and not quit. We can't wait for “the other guy” to write a letter to Congress, or “the other woman” to seek the permits for a rally, or “someone else” to research legislation. This is a fight of freedom vs. communism –we can’t just sit back and let the other person do it alone. </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><div align="left"><br />Finally, with Memorial Day almost here, I'd like to share this poem:<br /><br /><strong>It's the Soldier</strong><br />by Father D. E. O'Brien USMC<br /></div><div align="left">It's the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. </div><div align="left">It's the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. </div><div align="left">It's the Soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to demonstrate. </div><div align="left">It's the Soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trail. </div><div align="left">And it's the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves the flag, whose coffin is draped in the flag, that allows the protester to burn the flag.<br /><br />If you find something you'd like to share with Tea Party members, please send it to the website <a href="http://www.columbusgateaparty.com/">http://www.columbusgateaparty.com/</a>. This is the last "issue" of the newsletter<span style="font-family:times new roman;">. Thanks for reading. Sandy Cols.<br /></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720788434892210581.post-30792329709592143312009-05-13T07:25:00.000-07:002009-05-16T09:34:37.184-07:00Weekly Newsletter<div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CTHM2xZjbKs/SgxTOVDt_nI/AAAAAAAAAAY/9Mo5ZyGbIe8/s1600-h/temp+ArmedForcesDay2009sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335731164163210866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CTHM2xZjbKs/SgxTOVDt_nI/AAAAAAAAAAY/9Mo5ZyGbIe8/s320/temp+ArmedForcesDay2009sm.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>Hello Friends!</strong><br /><em>(Some event info below has just been updated based on the planning meeting held Friday night 5/15.)</em></div><div align="left"><br /><strong>Armed Forces Day</strong> is Saturday, May 16, 2009. President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.<br /></div><div align="center">***<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><strong>AFP </strong>There are so many groups that have started up around the country to fight the socialism that is being forced on us that it’s difficult to know which groups to support. This week some of us met with a representative from Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a national organization that has been in existence for over five years and has more than 500,000 members. Their goals are basically the same as the goals of the Tea Party movement: follow the Constitution and thereby have smaller, fiscally responsible government. You can read about our “grassroots training” with AFP below.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Events</span></strong> </span><br /><strong><em>Update:</em> Monday, May 25, Columbus 4th Annual Memorial Day Commeration 10am</strong></div><div align="left">Location: Veteran’s Garden of Parkhill Cemetery 4161 Macon Road in Columbus. </div><div align="left">The program will lasts about 45 minutes and will feature the Sons of the American Revolution dressed in Colonial uniforms. While this is not an official tea party event, please attend. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">We know that the lack of love for our country and the lack of knowledge of history has greatly contributed to the mess we are in now. Participating in this memorial program will remind adults and children that we must not forget those who died to give us freedom. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">When my son was about 5, we attended a Memorial Day BBQ. I had told him earlier what the day was for. On the drive home, he said, "But Mom, we didn't do any remembering!" Don't let your Memorial Day go by without remembering the fallen soldiers. <br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sponsored by Coweta Falls Chapter of Sons Of The American Revolution. </span></div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="left"><strong><em>Update</em>: May 30, Columbus -- "Restore the Republic"</strong> <strong>Good News!</strong> </div><div align="left">We're meeting in the VFW Post on 1824 Victory Drive, Columbus, starting at 10am. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">This is not a “protest” event but a seminar: learn about the Constitution, what the founders intended, and how the federal government has ignored it. Guest speakers are coming. Please invite friends and bring them with you. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Decorate your cars with flags and signs to share our message while we listen to guest speakers inside (someone will be patroling the parking lot). </div><div align="left"><br /> </div><div align="left"><strong><em>Update</em>: June 14 Flag Day New Event</strong></div><div align="left">Let's march down the streets of Columbus waving American Flags -- the stars and stripes, the Gadsden flag, the Georgia flag, all sizes. We need a huge group that will stretch for blocks. Bring colorful patriotic signs too! More information will be coming in the next few weeks. <br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Update</em>: July 4 Independence Day Suggestions and Volunteers Needed!</strong><br />We want to have a booth about the Tea Party goals at "Thunder on the Hooch"; a couple of volunteers are looking into this. We will need people to help create materials to hand out, to decorate, and to man the booth or table. </div><div align="left">We also plan to have a "tea party" in uptown Columbus earlier in the day. Details are in discussion: a march with signs down the streets for several blocks, all day (come for as long as you can) or for a couple of hours. Speakers or not? Volunteers are needed to help organize this event. Please contact Sandy Toth at at <a href="mailto:colsteaparty@gmail.com">colsteaparty@gmail.com</a> if you would like to help out in some way. The more helpers, the less work there is for everyone.<br /><br /><strong>September 12, Washington DC:</strong><br /><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/">9.12.09 National Taxpayer Protest</a> is sponsoring a national march on Washington on September 12, with a rally on the Mall. We might have a local event for those who can’t travel to DC.<br /><br /><strong>October 2, Washington DC:<br /></strong><a href="http://defendingthedream.org/beta/">Taxpayer Tea Party</a> and “Defending the American Dream Summit” sponsored annually by Americans for Prosperity (AFP). No details available.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Tea Party News and Columns</span></strong><br />Check out the new website for the <a href="http://www.columbusgateaparty.com/">Columbus Tea Party</a>, It's under construction, but coming along. Send in ideas of what you'd like to see on it.<br /><br /><a href="http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/10/anti-tax-crusade-to-storm-capitol-in-budget-battle/">Anti-tax crusade to storm Capitol</a> Grassroots 'tea parties' build strength by Donald Lambro 5/10/09<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teapartynextstep.com/page9.php">Allies from the Tea Party</a> an interesting list of the organizations that support (directly or indirectly) the goals of the Tea Party movement.<br /><br />How well do you know American history? Read about the <a href="http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2005_winter_spring/boston_tea_party.htm">1773 Boston Tea Party</a> from an eyewitness!<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>In the News (Take Action) </strong></span><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong><br />Oppose Cap & Trade</strong></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124234844782222081.html">Indiana Says "No Thanks" to Cap and Trade</a></strong> by Indiana Govenor Mitch Daniels 5/16<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">The following ad has been produced by <a href="http://cei.org/1984">Competitive Enterprise Institute</a>. National Taxpayers Union has a </span><a href="http://ga1.org/campaign/2trillionclimatechangetaxhike"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">letter you can send to Congresss</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">. <a href="http://capwiz.com/americansforprosperity/issues/alert/?alertid=13343471&type=CO">AFP also has an email </a>you can send. </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t3XcIh_n6k0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t3XcIh_n6k0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;"><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></span></span><a href="http://right-wingunderground.blogspot.com/2009/05/obama-begins-push-for-rationed-inferior_12.html"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Obama Begins Push for Rationed, Inferior Government Health Care</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">"</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Which is better, public schools or private schools? Public housing or private housing? Public transportation or private transportation? Compare anything. Government always turns out an inferior product. It has an astonishingly abysmal track record." After you read the article, write to your representatives in Congress, and consider signing the petition.<br /></span><br /><strong>Did You Receive an Email from the White House? </strong>Here’s an email I received Wednesday 5/13 from “The White House". I never signed up for it, so I wondered how I got on their list. Today someone <span style="font-family:times new roman;">here</span> in Columbus told me that she and her sister received the same email although neither signed up for it. Both attended the tea party on 4/15. Have any more of you been put on the white house email list without your permission? Has our email list gotten into the wrong hands? I have tried to be careful when sending emails, only to use BCC, but I suppose a computer whiz could get to it anyway. <em>Please know that those of us who have access to the Columbus Tea Party email list treat it confidentially, we do not intend for your email to be used by any other groups. </em>Maybe one of the other tea party or 912 project websites we've signed up for have released their database. I'd like to know if you've also received this email:<br />----------<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Good afternoon, </span><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">You are receiving this email because you signed up at </span><a href="http://whitehouse.gov/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">WhiteHouse.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">. My staff and I plan to use these messages as a way to directly communicate about important issues and opportunities, and today I have some encouraging updates about health care reform. </span><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">The Vice President and I just met with leaders from the House of Representatives and received their commitment to pass a comprehensive health care reform bill by July 31. </span><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">We also have an unprecedented commitment from health care industry leaders, many of whom opposed health reform in the past. Monday, I met with some of these health care stakeholders, and they pledged to do their part to reduce the health care spending growth rate, saving more than two trillion dollars over the next ten years -- around $2,500 for each American family. Then on Tuesday, leaders from some of America's top companies came to the White House to showcase innovative ways to reduce health care costs by improving the health of their workers. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Now the House and Senate are beginning a critical debate that will determine the health of our nation's economy and its families. This process should be transparent and inclusive and its product must drive down costs, assure quality and affordable health care for everyone, and guarantee all of us a choice of doctors and plans. </span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Reforming health care should also involve you. Think of other people who may want to stay up to date on health care reform and other national issues and tell them to join us here: </span><a title="Email Updates" href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/EmailUpdates" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">http://www.whitehouse.gov/EmailUpdates</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><br /><br />Health care reform can't come soon enough. We spend more on health care than any country, but families continue to struggle with skyrocketing premiums and nearly 46 million are without insurance entirely. It is a priority for the American people and a pillar of the new foundation we are seeking to build for our economy. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">We'll continue to keep you posted about this and other important issues. </span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Thank you,<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Barack Obama<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">P.S. If you'd like to get more in-depth information about health reform and how you can participate, be sure to visit </span><a title="Health Reform.gov" href="http://www.healthreform.gov/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">http://www.healthreform.gov/</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">.<br />----------<br /><br /></span><strong>Tenth Amendment - States Rights </strong>Thirty-five states are acting or considering proposals to reclaim state rights not specifically given to the federal government. See: <a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=97898">States to Feds: Stay in DC</a>! and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/States%20Rights%20–%20Tenth%20Ammendment">States Rights – Tenth Amendment</a><br />Almost 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson recognized this problem: <em>I see… and with the deepest affliction, the rapid strides with which the federal branch of our government is advancing towards the usurpation of all the rights reserved to the States, and the consolidation in itself of all powers, foreign and domestic; and that, too, by constructions which, if legitimate, leave no limits to their power… It is but too evident that the three ruling branches of [the Federal government] are in combination to strip their colleagues, the State authorities, of the powers reserved by them, and to exercise themselves all functions foreign and domestic.</em> –Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 1825<br /><br /><a href="http://www.patriotpost.us/opinion/dennis-prager/2009/05/06/question-to-left-if-you-love-america-why-transform-it.html"><strong>Question to Left: If you Love America, Why Transform It?</strong></a> By Dennis Prager 5/6/09 “If you met a man who said he would like to "transform" or "remake" his wife, would you conclude that he: a) thought very highly of his wife and loved her? Or b) held his wife in rather low esteem and therefore found living [with] her rather difficult?… Little is as revealing of Barack Obama's and the left's view of America than their use of the words "transform" and "remake" when applied to what they most want to do to America.”<br /><br /><a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/05/05/empathy_versus_law"><strong>Empathy Vs. Law</strong></a> a four-part column by Dr. Thomas Sowell, 5/5. “That we are discussing the next Supreme Court justice in terms of group "representation" is a sign of how far we have already strayed from the purpose of law and the weighty responsibility of appointing someone to sit for life on the highest court in the land.”<br /><br /><strong>A massive tax-hike in California - Will it happen to the rest of us?</strong><br />Proposition 1A is being peddled to the people of California as a measure to control spending. Michael Reagan writes: <a href="http://townhall.com/Columnists/MichaelReagan/2009/05/13/tax_increases_-_coming_soon_to_a_theater_near_you?page=full&comments=true">Tax Increases - Coming Soon to a 'Theater' Near You</a> </p><p align="left"><strong>Tea Parties and CA Prop 1A</strong>: <a href="http://teapartypatriots.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1">California Republican Party Chairman Continues to Show Disdain for Tea Party Patriots. </a>Leftists might claim that the Republican Party is <em>directing and </em><em>controling</em> the tea party movement, but articles like this one show that's false. This same GOP pary chairman was booed at the Sacramento tea party on April 15 (see reports by Michelle Malkin <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/05/04/what-george-will-missed-the-decrepit-state-of-the-california-gop/">here</a> and <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/04/15/california-tea-party-to-california-gop-smackdown/">here</a>).<br /><br /><strong>Georgia News</strong> on Tax Cut Veto:<br /><a href="http://onlineathens.com/stories/051209/new_438743871.shtml">Perdue pulls out veto pen on sweeping tax breaks</a> 5/11 </p><p align="left"><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/blog/bstein80/republican-governor-sonny-perdue-is-a-squish">Republican Sonny Perdue is a Squish</a> 5/12</p><p align="left"><a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2009/05/11/your-morning-jolt-sonny-perdue-says-georgia-cant-afford-supply-side-economics/">Sonny Perdue says Georgia can’t afford supply-side economics </a>by Jim Galloway 5/11<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2009/05/13/perdue_tax_veto.html">Some call for override of Perdue’s tax cut veto</a> 5/13<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Links You Can Use</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.oldschoolindex.com/">Your Guide to the Conservative Movement in America</a> This is a comprehensive list of not only conservative organizations and websites but also issues and current legislation, historical records, etc. It is a huge amount of information.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm">The Complete List of Emails and Fax Numbers for the US Congress</a><br />When writing to a Senator or Representative other than your own, you will probably not get a reply unless you make it clear why they should reply; for example, if you represent an organization or company which has members or does business in their district, that might help. Many members automatically delete e-mail from outside their district, or may reject messages copied to other members. Every American has the right to contact any Congressmen they wish, because their votes affect the entire country. Most Senators and Congressmen are using website contact forms where you must have a zip code and address from the district of the representative you want to write. <strong>Tip:</strong> Go to the <a href="http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html" target="_blank">Congressman's web site</a> and get the zip code of one of their district offices, or <a href="http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/lookups/lookup_ctystzip.html" target="_blank">get a zip code for any city</a>. </p><p align="left">The next section, Grassroots Training, has tips on writing to Congressmen.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Grassroots Training - Writing to Congressmen<br /></span></strong>On Tuesday, May 12, fourteen local Tea Party members received some “Grassroots Training” with Virginia Galloway from the Atlanta office of Americans for Prosperity (AFP).<br /><br />Virginia gave me permission to summarize a the tips she gave us regarding contact with government representatives. She says, “Believe it or not, your state legislators want to hear from you! … If you want your legislators to represent your views, you must first let them know where you stand. Keep your letter local, keep it personal, and keep it concise.”<br /><br /><strong>Tips for writing effective letters to legislators</strong><br /></p><ul><li><div align="left">Be polite and brief; write on only one side of one page. Write on personal or business stationery that includes a return address, as envelopes are discarded.</div></li><li><div align="left">Discuss only one topic per letter. </div></li><li><div align="left">Identify the specific legislation or proposal you are writing about, include the bill number or title. State whether you support or oppose the legislation and why. Use facts to provide specific examples of how a legislative proposal will affect your business or community. Indicate that you are aware of the main arguments against your position. </div></li><li><div align="left">Use your own words; avoid phrases from form letters. Express your opinion strongly, but never threaten or be offensive. </div></li><li><div align="left">Don’t mention Election Day! Legislators are already well aware of the political implications of disagreeing with constituents. </div></li><li><div align="left">Clearly state the action you would like your lawmaker to make on the bill and ask for a reply that states what action the Senator or Representative plans to make. </div></li><li><div align="left">Use the accepted form to address the letter: Dear Senator Doe, or Dear Honorable Doe. See <a href="http://staff.lib.msu.edu/corby/education/eric/snailmail.htm">Sending Mail to Congress </a>for examples of the proper way to address letters. </div></li></ul><p align="left"><strong>Faxing is best</strong>. Paper letters may take several weeks to be scanned and irradiated. Virginia suggests that faxing letters is the best method to send mail. Faxing a handwritten letter is fine if you write legibly, otherwise fax a typed letter. Faxing is more effective than email.<br /><br />Don’t be surprised if you receive a non-committal response; many times, legislators will not take a position on an issue until the last minute. Your best strategy is to try to education him on the implications of the legislation and how it will affect you. Write back, make two or three good points and restate your position and request. Remind the legislator that you are following the issue.<br /><br />If you disagree with the legislator’s position, write a follow-up letter thanking him for his response, express your disagreement, refute his arguments, and make a new point if needed. Do not delay in sending the follow-up letter and don’t slam the door! You will need to contact him later on other issues.<br /><br />I asked Virginia about the effectiveness of <strong>online petitions.</strong> She said it depends on how they are presented, but don’t pay money to sign a petition.<br /><br />You can hear Virginia speak at a Georgia tea party and watch her <strong>illustrate how much a trillion dollars is using split peas!</strong> See <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4ADdk66jU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4ADdk66jU</a> I hope to pass along her recommendations for phoning or visiting your legislator’s office in the next newsletter.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>About Americans for Prosperity (AFP)</strong><br />The mission of AFP is to “educate citizens about economic policy, mobilize citizens to achieve fiscal and regulatory restraint by state governments, and return the federal government to its Constitutional limits”. This mission matches up well with the goals of the Tea Party Movement. You might want to read more about AFP and consider joining them at </span><a href="http://www.americanforprosperity.org/"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.americanforprosperity.org/</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">. AFP is asking all citizens to email your congressmen to say NO to Cap&Trade: <a href="http://capwiz.com/americansforprosperity/utr/1/EKLHKMWOUV/MGQTKMWSQG/3345454581" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Click Here to Send Your Congressman a Email</a><br /><br /></span><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Think About It<br /></span></strong>I receive a note today from LaTala Colfield (a Columbus tea party attendee) saying that the tea parties are a great idea but <em>“knowledge is key and in order to get people to understand the meaning behind the tea parties, you have to educate all people on what is going on. Do you think that somehow we can begin to have classes discussing the laws that are being sent in place to rid us of our 1st and 2nd amendment as well as our sovereignty and liberties? For example, HR 2159, HR 1388, HR 1955, HR 1966, Cyber Security Act of 09, etc. and the list goes on and on. Or maybe we can start a class online where we all meet and discuss information that is of interest to our future and well-being. What do you think?”</em> </p><ul><li><div align="left">Could you do some research on these bills and send in a short description for the newsletter? LaTala has offered to help, will others join her? We could spread the work if several of you could get together online and decide which bills to research, then send the results to me (or to the new website) to be published. If you are interested, contact me and I will send an email just to those people. </div></li><li><div align="left">We should be able to write comments soon on the website. We can discuss bills there. </div></li><li><div align="left">Could meet for a monthly training/discussion session in one of the conference rooms at the public library?</div></li><li><div align="left">Any thoughts or suggestions?<br /></div></li></ul><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Bills in Congress</span></strong><br />Thanks to LaTala Cofield for sending this information on some bills in Congress that we need to know about so we can contact our senators and representatives.<br /><br /><strong>Attack on 1st Amendment Rights<br /></strong><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2159"><strong>HR 1966 Megan Meier Cyber-bullying Prevention Act</strong></a> - Referred to Committee<br />Sec. 881. Cyber-bullying<br />‘(a) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.<br />‘(b) As used in this section--<br />‘(1) the term ‘communication’ means the electronic transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received; and<br />‘(2) the term ‘electronic means’ means any equipment dependent on electrical power to access an information service, including email, instant messaging, blogs, websites, telephones, and text messages.’.<br />(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 41 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:<br />‘881. Cyber-bullying.’.<br /><br /><strong>Cyber-Security Act of 2009<br /></strong>It would establish the Office of the National Cyber-security Advisor—an arm of the executive branch that would have vast power to monitor and control Internet traffic to protect against threats to critical cyber infrastructure. Sounds important right? I mean if cyber security is a big deal, then it would make sense that we would be doing something that would create a department to oversee such an endeavor. But what else does the Cyber-Security Act of 2009 do?<br />It gives the president the ability to “declare a cyber-security emergency” and shut down or limit Internet traffic in any “critical” information network “in the interest of national security.” [Now if <strong>that</strong> isn’t a statement that has been used to take away individual liberty in the past I don’t know what is.] The bill does not define a critical information network or a cyber-security emergency. That definition would be left to the president. The bill does not only add to the power of the president. It also grants the Secretary of Commerce “access to all relevant data concerning [critical] networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule, or policy restricting such access.“ This means he or she can monitor or access any data on private or public networks without regard to privacy laws.<br /><br /><strong>2nd Amendment Infringements.</strong> All of these go hand-in-hand:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/041609_extremism.pdf">DHS: Right-wing Extremism</a>: Current economic fueling resurgence in radicalization and recruitment<br />Please read the Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) <a href="http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2009/04/30/-hsra-domestic-extremism-lexicon_165213935473.pdf">Domestic Extremist Lexicon Reference</a><br /><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2159">Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009</a>: Referred to Committee, click on the title to read the entire bill.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">More to Think About<br /></span></strong>Here's a valuable message from President Reagan:<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yS4yf723kmY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yS4yf723kmY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Quotes<br /></span></strong><em>Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.</em> –William F. Buckley Jr.<br /><br /><em>Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich.</em> –William F. Buckley Jr.<br /><br /><em>Everyone wants to live at the expense of the state. They forget that the state lives at the expense of everyone. –</em>French economist and statesman Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850)<br /><br /><em>When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it.</em> –Frederic Bastiat<br /><br /><em>If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years there’d be a shortage of sand.</em> –Milton Friedman<br /><br /><em>If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the general welfare, the government is no longer a limited one possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one subject to particular exceptions.</em> –James Madison<br /><br />----------<br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Final thoughts:<br /></span></strong>During the week, I save links to news that I hope will be interesting or useful to tea party members. I'm sure you are also reading and sending out good links to friends. If you find something that would be helpful to this group, please send me a note at <a href="mailto:colsteaparty@gmail.com">colsteaparty@gmail.com</a>. </p><br /><p align="left">Thanks for reading. Sandy Cols. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720788434892210581.post-13647444686485133502009-05-08T14:26:00.000-07:002009-05-11T11:09:23.065-07:00May 8, 2009<strong>Hello Again!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Nationally and locally, things are moving along with the Tea Party movement. Here are some updates on where we stand and what’s happening:<br /><br /><strong>Tea Party? 912Project? Are you confused?</strong><br />By way of background, the tea party movement got started across the country sometime in late February after Rick Santelli called for a Chicago tea party to protest the bailouts. People in several cities picked up that idea and independently held tea parties over the next few weeks, and the groups mushroomed across the country.<br /><br />Also in February, Glenn Beck started the “We Surround Them” project after a caller said he felt alone in his concern for the country (this became the 9-12 Project). Glenn said not to give up hope, that there are a lot of us out there, and he had a special TV show on March 13 to talk about the principles of the 9-12 project. Read more at the <a href="http://www.the912project.com/">9-12 Project website</a>. There is a tab for tea party information, but the 9-12 Project is about <em>more</em> than tea parties.<br /><br />The<strong> local Columbus Tea Party</strong> group is headed up by Sandy Toth, (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzwAc-3DtUg">click here</a> to see Sandy speaking at the 4/15 tea party). (Note, this is not me, a few people are getting us mixed up because we have the same first name.)<br /><br />The <strong>local 912Project</strong> was started by Lori Jeffries, the lady who led the National Anthem at the 4/15 tea party.<br /><br />In early April, Lori decided that the 912Project would participate with the Tea Party group on April 15 as Sandy already had the necessary permits. However, the two groups did not merge. Lori recently asked Nic Cols to take the leadership of the 912Project group.<br /><br />As it stands now, the Columbus Tea Party group is separate from the 912Project. The two groups will cooperate to support each other and neither group is associated with any political party. By using various methods, both groups want to see the country get back to following the Constitution. Obviously, you might want to be involved with both groups and that’s good! If you signed up at the 4/15 tea party, both groups have your email.<br /><br />Recently Sandy Toth wrote: <em>I have been on another conference call with tea party organizers nationwide, and it appears that most groups have something planned for May ... the Tea Party movement has become a dynamic one, with no signs of slowing down. In fact, it keeps growing.’<br /></em><br /><strong>Nationally,</strong> <a href="http://teapartypatriots.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=10">Tea Party Patriots</a> seeks to pull together all the tea party groups. Sandy Toth is asking <strong>all of us to join Tea Party Patriots</strong> so we can be aware of local and national events. There are other groups working at a national level (some were listed in the May 1 newsletter) so you might want to join them all or at least check out their websites occasionally.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Events</strong></span><br /><strong>“Next Step” Training for Tea Parties</strong> sponsored by Americans for Prosperity. A free training session is scheduled in Columbus for Tuesday May 12. There is limited seating, please contact Sandy Toth (<a href="mailto:columbusgateaparty@gmail.com">columbusgateaparty@gmail.com</a>) to ask if there’s still room if you’d like to come. AFP writes:<br /><em>“We are pleased and overwhelmed at the response to our “Next Steps” training for Tea Party activists! Those who are willing to train for the long haul really separate the men from the boys in the movement. ... </em><br /><em>The first training was held in Stockbridge last week. Training focused on effective communication with elected leaders and through various media to John Q. Public. The group was enthusiastic and committed to carrying the message well.”<br /></em><br /><strong>May 30, local event</strong><br />Our next local event is "Restore the Republic" tentatively scheduled May 30. Location and time to be announced. This is not a “protest” event but a “learning” event, to learn about the Constitution, what the founders intended, and how the federal government has ignored it. Please invite friends and bring them with you<br />Sandy Toth sent this email message: <em>We are still looking for a venue, basically contacting churches this week. The school system cost for an auditorium would run $300+ and includes a lot of bureaucratic application.<br /></em><br /><strong>July 4 Independence Day Volunteers Needed<br /></strong>Locally we plan to have a tea party or a march in Columbus, no details yet. Some have suggested going to the state capitols to make an impression with the size of the group.<br /><br />Other groups plan to have a Tea Party float in their town’s parade. I’ve been here for just two summers, but I don’t think Columbus has a parade on the fourth. I’ve only heard about “Thunder on the Hooch”. We need to be represented at this event on the river. Volunteers are needed to investigate and work on this idea. (Remember, we are all volunteers, and it’s impossible for the same two or three people to do it all.) What about other towns in this area that might have parades we could join? Our focus isn’t limited to Columbus.<br /><br /><strong>September 12, Washington DC:<br /></strong><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/">9.12.09 National Taxpayer Protest</a> is sponsoring a national march on Washington on September 12, with a rally on the Mall. Let’s try to attend. We might have a local event for those who can’t travel to DC.<br /><br /><strong>October 2, Washington DC:<br /></strong><a href="http://americansforprosperity.org/041509-taxpayer-tea-parties-update">Taxpayer Tea Party Update</a> by Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity (AFP).<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Read the News and Take Action</span></strong><br />Some of these appeared in previous newsletters but they are too important not to mention them again<br /><br /><a href="http://www.grassfire.org/index.htm"><strong>Grassfire</strong></a> has several petitions and action items that are important.<br /><br /><strong>Tell Congress NO to Cap-and-Trade!</strong><br />A family of 4 with average income of $50,000 to $75,000/ year will pay an additional tax cost of $4077 to $6400 per year. Spread the word, write or call your reps, write a letter to the editor, call in to talk radio and raise this issue. We need to educate Americans about the negative effects of cap-and-trade.<br /><br />Read more at <a href="http://americansforprosperity.org/042909-help-stop-energy-tax-today">http://americansforprosperity.org/042909-help-stop-energy-tax-today</a><br /><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/publications/top-10-reasons-to-oppose-cap-and-trade">Top 10 Reasons to Oppose Cap and Trade</a><br /><a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31551">House Begins Cap-and-Trade Hearings</a><br /><a href="http://capwiz.com/americansforprosperity/issues/alert/?alertid=13201806&type=ML" target="_blank">Don't Use Climate Change to Hide Tax Hikes!</a><br /><a href="http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/green_hell_milloy/2009/04/14/202927.html">Green Hell: Obama’s Environmental Plans will Lead to Energy Chaos Author Says</a><br /><a href="http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/04/22/ebell_energy_rationing_scheme/">Could We Be Looking at the Biggest Tax Hike in History?</a><br /><br /><strong>So-Called Fairness Doctrine is Probably Coming Back<br /></strong>Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas offers legal insight on fairness doctrine:<br /><a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96594">Fairness Doctrine Unconstitutional</a> Also see <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96513">Obama’s War on Free Speech</a> and <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96533">Censors expected in 90 days</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-450" target="_blank">ENUMERATED POWERS ACT </a>Contact Representatives to support this act, to require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws, and for other purposes.<br /><br /><strong>Nationalized Health Plan</strong> – this article from Feb 9 describes the national health care provision hidden in the budget. <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_mccaughey&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs">Ruin Your Health With the Obama Stimulus Plan</a>: by Betsy McCaughey, former lieutenant governor of New York and an adjunct senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">National and Local Tea Party News and Columns</span></strong><br />(just a few I’ve seen)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/04/10th_amendment_movement_gainin.html">10th Amendment Movement Gaining Steam</a> by Rick Moran 4/17<br /><br /><a href="http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/24985/">The People and Their Enemies</a> by Andrew Klavan 5/7. The tea parties revealed the mainstream media’s real hostility to the ideals of the founding fathers. “Saying the media are biased is like saying the British were biased against the colonial forces at Bunker Hill…. I think they’re shooting at us because they’re trying to kill us.”<br /><br /><a href="http://teapartypatriots.ning.com/profiles/blogs/powerful-fairy-tale-another">Age of Insanity</a> -- a modern day fairy tale. This is all over the internet, being shared in emails and blogs. I don’t know who first wrote it, but it is unfortunately not a fairy tale.<br /><br /><a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/04/30/tea-time-for-obama/">Bluff Called</a> by Doug Powers 4/30<br /><br /><a href="http://factreal.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/tea-party-directories-all-in-one-facts-update-43009/">Tea Party Directories All-in-one </a>part way down the page is a summary of what tea parties are protesting, with a lot of interesting tea party info.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Think about it</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrwJMMsF110&feature=player_embedded">The Freedom Principles</a> This beautiful 3-minute video is based on <em>The 5000 Year Leap</em>, be sure to watch amd share with everyone!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nccs.net/index.html">The National Center for Constitutional Studies</a> for lots of information about the Constitution. Right now they have a special offer on three books: <em>The Real George Washington, The Real Thomas Jefferson, The Real Benjamin Franklin </em>for $35 +shipping. Or get those 3 books plus <em>The 5000 Year Leap</em>, a Pocket Constitution, and <em>Principles of Liberty</em> DVD for $50+shipping.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp">Imprimis</a> -- the monthly newsletter from Hillsdale College. This month: <em>Live Free or Die</em> by Mark Steyn<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Quotes</span></strong><br />All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. —Thomas Jefferson<br /><br />If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. — Thomas Paine, December 19, 1776<br /><br />My creed is simply: First, that the general government is not invested with more powers than are indispensably necessary.... Secondly, that these powers...are so distributed among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches that it can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy... <em>so long as there shall remain any virtue in the body of the people</em>.... The proposed Constitution...is provided with more checks and barriers against the introduction of tyranny...than any government hitherto instituted among mortals. — George Washington to Lafayette, Feb 7, 1788 (<em>The Real George Washington</em>, p. 503, italics added)<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Books</span></strong><br />Share your recommendations of great books that educate us in history, government, economics, etc…anything pertaining to this movement.<br /><br /><em>Your Money or Your Life -- Why We Must Abolish the Income Tax</em> by Sheldon Richman, foreword by Walter Williams. “The income tax wasn't integral to anything the Founders of this country had in mind and it wasn't integral to anything they designed.” I bought a used copy from Amazon. There are other books with this title, so check the author.<br /><br /><em>The Creature from Jekyll Island A Second Look at the Federal Reserve</em> by G. Edward Griffin “will change the way you view the world, politics, and money. Your world view will definitely change. You'll never trust a politician again — or a banker.” Several people recommended this book.<br /><br /><em>The Road to Serfdom</em> by Fredrick Hayek, recommended by H. Casablanca. “Originally published in 1944, it was seen as heretical for its passionate warning against the dangers of state control over the means of production”<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><strong>Final thoughts:<br /></strong>I read this on the home page of the Athens, Ga Tea Party website:<br /><br /><em>Our government is out of control. Both political parties have acted irresponsibly with our money, our safety, and our freedoms. Sworn to uphold the Constitution and our founding principles, they have acted recklessly and with disrespect to We the People.<br /><br />What began as a gradual erosion of our freedoms some years ago has escalated into an open attack on our liberty. The power that We the People loaned to our government is now being used against us and must be taken back!<br /><br />While We the People were busy in our lives, acting responsibly, caring for our families, and trying to find and live our American Dream we assumed that the blessings of Liberty had been, and would remain, secure. The tyranny our Founding Fathers defined, fought, and defeated has found a new home in our federal government and is growing more comfortable daily.<br /><br />We the People cannot, and will not, allow this tyranny to exist, much less be comfortable. We must Defend Freedom and Defy Tyranny if we wish to live as free men and women. Those who will not stand in defense of freedom and opposition to tyranny will be enslaved by tyrants.<br /><br />Come stand united as We the People, the rightful owners of power in this country. Come tell an out-of-control government – “ENOUGH! You work for US!” We were endowed by our Creator with unalienable rights – our rights do not come from government and we will not allow them to take them. Stand united! Stand to Defend Freedom and Defy Tyranny! --</em><a href="http://www.athensteaparty.com/" target="_blank">http://www.athensteaparty.com/</a><br /><br />That says it pretty well. Thanks for reading, please share this news with like-minded friends.<br />If you have suggestions, please leave a comment or email me at <a href="mailto:colsteaparty@gmail.com">colsteaparty@gmail.com</a>. Sandy Cols.<br /><br /><!-- Site Meter --><br /><a href="http://s17.sitemeter.com/stats.asp?site=s17colsgateaparty" target="_top"><br /><img src="http://s17.sitemeter.com/meter.asp?site=s17colsgateaparty" alt="Site Meter" border="0"/></a><br /><!-- Copyright (c)2009 Site Meter -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720788434892210581.post-34420613168535245432009-05-01T08:42:00.000-07:002009-05-08T16:59:09.705-07:00Newletter for May 1, 2009<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CTHM2xZjbKs/SfsbM5X3JVI/AAAAAAAAAAM/wwUgaHiypdo/s1600-h/picture+of+the+obama+100m+cut.jpg"></a>May 1, 2009<br /><br /><strong>Hello all Columbus Region Tea Partiers!</strong><strong> </strong><strong><br /><br /></strong><strong></strong>Even a cursory look at all the groups and websites popping up shows that the whole country is waking up to the fact that our country is at the top of a precipice, and that we've got to take action now to prevent tumbling over the edge. Please consider how you can get involved.<br /><br />The first book about this movement is already out (that was fast!): <em>The Tea Party Movement: Why It Started, What It's About, and How You Can Get Involved</em> by Bruce Bexley. The author discusses it <a href="http://www.therationalactor.com/">here</a> and it’s for sale on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tea-Party-Movement-Started-Involved/dp/1442156309">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.660worl.com/">Tea Party Patriots Radio </a>You can listen live at www.660worl.com from 4-6 p.m. Eastern time on Saturdays.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Public Events:</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#990000;"><strong>May 7:</strong> <strong>This Thursday is National Day of Prayer.</strong></span> There will be a group gathering on May 7 in front of the government building on 9th Street to pray between 12:20 and 12:40 P.M. All are invited to join. This is not a tea party event.<br /><br /><strong>May 30 – Columbus region:<br /></strong>Our next local event is "Restore the Republic" tentatively scheduled May 30. Location and time to be announced. We hope to meet inside so we can hear speakers on the Constitution and be able to learn and take notes. Small pocket-size Constitutions will be available, thanks to the generosity of several volunteers who have offered to purchase them. <strong>What can you do?</strong> Do you know of a building we could use that will seat 500-100? Do you have an interest in the Constitution and could give a short talk? Do you have or could you borrow some easels to display posters? Just have some ideas about this event? Please email the coordinator, Sandy Toth, at <a href="mailto:columbusgateaparty@gmail.com" target="_blank">columbusgateaparty@gmail.com</a> . Also, invite friends and bring them with you<br /><br /><strong>Flag Day June 14</strong><br />See <a href="http://www.flagdayrallies.com/Home_Page.php">Flag Day Rallies</a> We currently do not have plans or a coordinator for a local event on June 14. Coordinators and Ideas needed.<br /><br /><strong>July 4 Independence Day</strong><br />Many groups are planning another Tea Party on July 4. Some have suggested that everyone go to the state capitols to make an impression with the size of the group. Locally we plan to have a tea party or a march in Columbus, no details yet. I’ve heard of some groups who plan a huge march on Washington, but a few people who have been there on the fourth think that will be a big mistake. They say the crowds are already so huge that a “tea party” march will be lost, and parking and getting around the Mall downtown is a nightmare.<br /><br /><strong>September 12, Washington DC<br /></strong><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/">FreedomWorks</a> is sponsoring a national march on Washington on September 12. See <a href="http://912dc.org/">9.12.09 National Taxpayer Protest</a> Braendan Steinhauser of FreedomWorks suggests <a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/blog/bstein80/how-to-keep-the-tea-party-momentum-going">How to Keep the Tea Party Momentum Going.</a><br /><br /><strong>October 2,Washington DC<br /></strong><a href="http://americansforprosperity.org/041509-taxpayer-tea-parties-update">Taxpayer Tea Party Update</a> by Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity (AFP). Tim was at the Atlanta Tea Party; he describes a few events and answers our question: “What’s Next?” On October 2nd, AFP will be hosting a tea party at the Capitol in in Washington, D.C. Why October 2nd? "That’s when we expect the final debates to be occurring over the massive Obama budget. " Their website doesn't yet have many details about this event.<br /><br />Considering going to the marches in Washington? There’s plenty of time to arrange for carpools or even a bus.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Read the News and Take Action</span></strong><br /><br /><strong>URGENT! Tell Congress NO to Cap-and-Trade!</strong><br />On Wednesday, April 29, Americans for Prosperity had a conference call with Republican Whip Eric Cantor about cap and trade. Mr. Cantor said that Henry Waxman is pushing to get the bill to the floor prior to Memorial Day. "Cap and Tax" will drastically increase power and fuel costs for average Americans. A family of 4 with average income of $50,000 to $75,000/ year will pay an additional tax cost of $4077 to $6400 per year.<br /><br />Tim Philips of Americans for Prosperity says:<br /><em>Right now Congress is debating the largest tax hike in history. It’s up to you and me to stop it. And we only have one shot. The big-government politicians and special interests might call it “Cap and Trade” and frame it as a market-based “global warming solution.” But you and I know better. </em><em>Amazingly, so does liberal activist group </em><em>MoveOn.org</em><em>, and they admit so in an illuminating email to their members: “If Republicans convince voters that clean energy legislation amounts to a new tax, Obama’s plan is toast.”</em><br />Read more from Mr Philips at <a href="http://americansforprosperity.org/042909-help-stop-energy-tax-today">Help Stop the Energy Tax Today </a><br /><br /><strong>Spread the word:</strong> write or call your reps, write a letter to the editor, call in to talk radio and raise this issue. We need to educate Americans about the negative effects.<br /><br /><strong>More links on Cap-and-Trade :<br /></strong><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/publications/top-10-reasons-to-oppose-cap-and-trade">Top 10 Reasons to Oppose Cap and Trade</a><br /><a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31551">House Begins Cap-and-Trade Hearings</a><br /><a href="http://capwiz.com/americansforprosperity/issues/alert/?alertid=13201806&type=ML" target="_blank">Don't Use Climate Change to Hide Tax Hikes!</a><br /><a href="http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/green_hell_milloy/2009/04/14/202927.html">Green Hell: Obama’s Environmental Plans will Lead to Energy Chaos Author Says</a><br /><a href="http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/04/22/ebell_energy_rationing_scheme/">Could We Be Looking at the Biggest Tax Hike in History?</a><br /><br /><strong>URGENT: So-Called Fairness Doctrine is Probably Coming Back</strong><br />Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas offers legal insight on fairness doctrine: <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96594">Fairness Doctrine Unconstitutional”</a> Also see <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96533">Censors for talk radio expected within 90 days</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-450" target="_blank">ENUMERATED POWERS ACT </a>Contact Representatives to Support this act, to require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws, and for other purposes.<br /><br /><strong>Nationalized Health Plan</strong> – this article from Feb 9 describes the national health care provision hidden in the budget. <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_mccaughey&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs">Ruin Your Health With the Obama Stimulus Plan</a>: by Betsy McCaughey , former lieutenant governor of New York and an adjunct senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.<br /><br /><strong>Sign</strong> the <a href="https://teaparty.wufoo.com/forms/official-historical-record-of-the-2009-tea-party/#public">Official Historical Record Of The 2009 Tea Party</a> if you attended a tea party.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Everyday Ideas </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></strong>Ideas from a comment on the 912project.com:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>Use a window marker to advertise on your car windows; keep flyers handy to pass out!</li><li>Buy Pocket Constitution pamphlets; hand out to people who need to be Educated </li><li>Attend Rallies and Events Bring flags, rattlers, signs </li><li>Fly a "Don't Tread On Me Flag" outside your house along side "Old Glory"</li><li>Remember to thank the media and newspapers that report fair and balanced news and issues</li></ul><p>Have you bought your <strong>Tea Party Tee Shirt</strong>? See <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/tea+party+gifts">Zazzle</a> for a huge selection of tee-shirts, caps, buttons, bumper stickers, with lots of tea-party messages.<br /><br /><strong>Don’t Tread on Me Flags</strong>: Debbie Miller at <a href="http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com/">Smart Girl Politics</a> writes: <em>Want to make a statement and show your support of our Country? Many people are flying the Gadsden Flag, a flag that was flown by our Founding Fathers. Many people are flying this flag alone or along with the Stars & Stripes as a form of protest to our current government. I found a GREAT source for the flag.... It's </em><a href="http://www.gadsdenandculpeper.com/"><em>Gadsden & Culpepper</em></a><em>. They carry flags (as low as $7.95 for 3' x 5' w/ shipping next bus day.) They have car magnets, stickers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs... check it out!! Prices are VERY affordable! </em></p><p><strong>More Gasden Flags</strong>: see <a href="http://www.united-states-flag.com/hg46hf.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.united-states-flag.com/hg46hf.html</a> for a small 3x6" flag ($1.60) you could mount on the car antenna. Notice that they are in such high demand that they might take 2-3 weeks. <strong>Last Minute Update</strong>: Get <strong>American-made</strong> flags (including the Gadsden flag) at <a href="http://shop.wnd.com/store/subdept.asp?SUBDEPARTMENT_ID=226">http://shop.wnd.com/store/subdept.asp?SUBDEPARTMENT_ID=226</a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Petitions</span></strong> (see previous newsletter for other petitions)<br /><br />First Amendment rights: two petitions:<br />See <a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96476">Americans to feds: Hands off our news!</a> for information.<br />Petition: <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=87882" target="_blank">http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=87882</a><br /><br />See <a href="http://www.donttouchmydial.com/">American Radio Free Speech</a> for information.<br />Petition: <a href="http://capwiz.com/patriotsinaction/issues/alert/?alertid=13151241" target="_blank">http://capwiz.com/patriotsinaction/issues/alert/?alertid=13151241</a><br /><br />Support Tax Reform at <a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/scrapthecode/why.php">Scrap The Code </a>, petition: <a href="http://www.scrapthecode.org/" target="_blank">http://www.scrapthecode.org/</a><br /><br />Petition to Congress and the President: <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=94298" target="_blank">Re-Declaration of Independence: Petition to Protect U.S. Sovereignty</a> Although the original is still valid, the people and Congress need to be reminded that we are a free, independent nation, not part of a global regime.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">National and Local Tea Party News and Columns<br /></span></strong>(just a few I’ve seen)</p><p><a href="http://www.660worl.com/">Tea Party Patriots Radio </a>Saturdays 4-6 <em>As the Tea Party Patriot movement continues its nationwide growth, two great Patriots, Jason Hoyt and Phil Russo have taken their talents to the air to talk about the movement. Demonstrating that the Tea Party Patriots have become recognized as a national movement with staying power, Hoyt and Russo were approached by an Orlando radio station (660 WORL), to do a show featuring the Tea Party Patriot movement. (You can listen to them streaming live at www.660worl.com from 4-6 p.m. Eastern time on Saturdays.)</em></p><p><strong>April 30 Conference Call</strong> with tea party organizers around the country to discuss how to respond to Obama’s “ridicule of our movement and his request to have "serious conversations" with us as <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDATn7Cdlkg">he said in a speech</a> yesterday.” As I get info about the conference call I'll put it in the next newsletter. <strong>last minute update:</strong> here's a press release about this from TeaPartyPatriots.org, worth reading even if you don't send it to a newspaper: <a href="http://teapartypatriots.org/">http://teapartypatriots.org/</a> The press release begins with: <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><em>Among the political class it has apparently become acceptable, and even fashionable, for American politicians from the President on down to mock the citizens they represent. In a development that can only further denigrate the discourse necessary to any effective democracy, politicians and the "serious" news media are now mocking citizens regularly and with impunity. Supported by mainstream journalists on MSNBC and CNN who themselves use sexual slurs on national television to mock and attack the same citizens, the politicians openly demonstrate their feelings of superiority in regard to those they were elected to represent. They now candidly express their disdain for a significant portion of the American population without threat of reprisal by the mainstream media. </em></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Click on the link to read the rest.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123975867505519363.html"><em>Tax Day Becomes Protest Day</em></a><em> How the Tea Parties Could Change American Politics</em> by Glenn Reynolds 4/15 in the Wall Street Journal. “Will these flash crowds be a flash in the pan? ... General disgust has drawn a lot of people off the sidelines and into the political arena, and they are already planning for political action after today.”<br /><br /><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/news/the-tea-party-movement-whos-in-charge">The Tea Party Movement: Who’s In Charge?</a> by Chris Good 4/13 in The Atlantic, (hardly a conservative site). The author seems to think that 3 national organizations are leading the tea party movement; (I disagree). </p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-oew-kerpen28-2009apr28,0,4272653.story">The Tea Parties had a Serious Message – Were You Listening?</a> by Phil Kerpen 4/28<br />"Those who dismiss the April 15 protests as electoral sour grapes are blind to the fact that millions of voters are outraged by bailouts and huge federal spending increases. "<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95294">Tea for 2… Million?</a> by Patrice Lewis 4/18 The main stream media really tried to ignore the tea parties, but when they couldn’t ignore them, they dismissed them, belittled them, disparaged them. What will we do now? Forget about what brought us together?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/blog/rossputin/denver-post-columnist-littwin-just-doesnt-get-it">Denver Post Columnist Just Doesn’t Get It</a> by Rossputin 4/17<br /><br />Not a column, but some great tea party posters <a href="http://www.tackleboxdesigns.com/" target="_blank">http://www.tackleboxdesigns.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Think about it<br /></span></strong><br /><strong>Fly the Flag:</strong> Some at the 912Project are suggesting flying a little American Flag on the car again like after 9-11. Let's do that. (A few suggested flying a red ribbon, but others said the color red has been used by other groups, as well as red is a symbol of communism.)<br /><br /><strong>Good Suggestion</strong> from a 912project member: don't let the media determine what is broadcasted: bring a video camera and interview people at a tea party, ask them why they are at it, and post it on You Tube. Maybe share it with trustworthy news outlets, stop letting msm smear and misrepresent our efforts.<br /><br /><strong>Update</strong>: the artist of a painting of Obama with a crown of thorns was inundated with complaints: <a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96417">Artist Cancels Obama Messiah Display</a><br /><br /><a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/04/28/survival_optional?page=full&comments=true" target="_blank">Survival Optional </a>Dr. Thomas Sowell has written a great article pointing out that “survival is taking a back seat to the shibboleths of political correctness”. </p><p><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Quotes</span></strong><br />"It is a misfortune incident to republican government, though in a less degree than to other governments, that those who administer it, may forget their obligations to their constituents, and prove unfaithful to their important trust." --James Madison<br /><br />"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny." --James Madison<br /><br />"History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy… An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy." --Benjamin Franklin<br /><br />"I don't like the income tax. Every time we talk about these taxes we get around to the idea of 'from each according to his capacity and to each according to his needs.' That's socialism. It's written into the Communist Manifesto. Maybe we ought to see that every person who gets a tax return receives a copy of the Communist Manifesto with it so he can see what's happening to him." --accountant and Commissioner of Internal Revenue T. Coleman Andrews (1899-1983)<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Links You Might Like<br /></span></strong>I keep finding more tea party websites; several say they are the “official” tea party organization. This is probably a sign of a real grass-roots movement, groups springing up all over trying to get organized nation-wide. As you can see here, there are almost too many to keep track of. As far as I can tell, there is not yet one true official national tea party site. </p><p><strong>Tea Party Patriots,</strong> one of the“official homes of tea party movement”, lots of info, I found two sites:<a href="http://teapartypatriots.org/">http://teapartypatriots.org/</a> and <a href="http://teapartypatriots.ning.com/">http://teapartypatriots.ning.com/</a><br /><br /><a href="http://teapartyrevolution.com/">Tea Party and Revolution</a>. 21st Century Patriots…the movement continues.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/">FreedomWorks</a> National website, and <a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/state/georgia">FreedomWorks Georgia site</a><br /><br /><a href="http://americansforprosperity.org/">Americans for Prosperity</a>, national site and <a href="http://americansforprosperity.org/042709-atlanta-tea-party-report">AFP Georgia site, report on the Atlanta tea</a> party with a few photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.calendar9-12.blogspot.com/">Calendar of 912 Project</a> Events nation-wide<br /><br /><a href="http://www.912project.com/">http://www.912project.com/</a> Seeks to "brings us back where we all were on September 11, 2001. ...when we were united as Americans" Now over 640,000 members.</p><p><a href="http://colgaconstitution.ning.com/" target="_blank">http://colgaconstitution.ning.com/</a> The local 912 Project website. There are currently no plans to sponsor tea parties. You might want to participate in both the local 912 Project and the Columbus Ga Tea Party group.<br /><br /><a href="http://bi-city.ning.com/">http://bi-city.ning.com/</a> I just discovered this site of another local tea partier, it has nice photos from the 4/15 tea party in Columbus. I hope we can coordinate our efforts.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.taxdayteaparty.com/" target="_blank">http://www.taxdayteaparty.com/</a> a national grassroots effort started and supported by many online groups. </p><p><a href="http://www.teapartyday.com/">http://www.teapartyday.com/</a> Another group sponsoring tea parties nationwide under <a href="http://www.afa.net/">American Family Association</a>. Their website shows over 553 cities planning tea parties on July 4. They have a tax survey you can take, the results are on the home page.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0eoE9mi9iw&fmt=18">We Must Take America Back</a> music video by Steve Vaus. We played this song at the tea party.<br /><br /><strong>Links of interest but not just about tea parties:<br /></strong><a href="http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com/">Smart Girl Politics</a> – A conservative women’s movement.<br /><br /><a href="http://oath-keepers.blogspot.com/">Oath-Keepers</a> for military, veterans, and peace officers who will uphold their oath to support and defend the Constitution. The testimonies are moving.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.townhall.com/">Townhall</a> Conservative political news, issues, blogs, and cartoons<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wnd.com/">World Net Daily</a> is an independent news company dedicated to uncompromising journalism, seeking truth and justice and revitalizing the role of the free press as a guardian of liberty<br /><br /><a href="http://www.drudgereport.com/">Drudge Report</a> The most complete list of news websites, columnists, and daily news I've ever seen.<br /><br /><a href="http://patriotpost.us/">Patriot Post</a> An internet journal advocating individual liberty, the restoration of constitutional limits on government and the judiciary, and the promotion of free enterprise, national defense, and traditional American values. Sign up to receive it in your inbox.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/">National Review</a> Conservative columns discussing current news.<br /><br /><a href="http://isakson.senate.gov/">Senator Saxby Chambliss website</a><br /><br /><a href="http://isakson.senate.gov/">Senator Johnny Isakson website</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml#ga">Representatives websites</a> (all of them)<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Books</span></strong><br />Send your recommendations of books that educate us in history, government, economics, etc…anything pertaining to this movement. Let me know if I can use your name.<br /><br /><em>Liberal Fascism</em> by Jonah Goldberg. It's a more in-depth analysis of Socialism/Progressivism and its implications than Mark Levin's <em>Liberty and Tyranny</em>. At 400 pages, it's slow going, but worth it. (recommendation by a tea partier)<br /><br /><em>1776</em> by David McCullough This is an exciting book and I was sorry when it ended. I wish he’d write about the rest of the years. <em>1776</em> is “a gripping narrative” with fresh insight into the events at the beginning of the American Revolution. If you enjoy history at all, you will like this book. You might also like <em>John Adams</em> by Mr. McCullough.<br /><br /><em>The 5000 Year Leap</em> by Cleon Skousen Excellent study on the Constitution and the principles the founding fathers followed. This book is highly recommended by Glenn Beck.<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Final thoughts:<br /><br />I occasionally go to the 912project.com website and click on the Tea Parties tab to read comments. Right now there are over 6,000 comments; here’s one comment from someone in Virginia:<br /><br /><em>At the Charlottesville, VA Tea Party we marched to Tom Perriello's office. We were joking with each other about how much we stink at "rabble raising". Not only were there no cars flipped over, nothing on fire but when marching we all actually stopped at the cross streets, hit the button and waited for the light to change at the cross walk. When it turned red those who had crossed waited for those stuck by the light. WE DIDN'T EVEN DISTURB TRAFFIC!!!!! That is the kind of thing that was called "not for family viewing" by CNN. Let's be honorable and do the same thing we did in C'ville in DC [on July7] but in a big way.<br /></em><br />I’ve had a similar thought…most if not all of us participating in the tea parties are quiet, law-abiding citizens who have families, work and pay taxes, and responsibly manage our own affairs. Many of us go to church and donate to charities. Above all, we love the United States of America. We came to the tea party to show support for this movement, hoping to find out what we can do to reverse this disastrous move to socialism. We don’t know how to protest and revolt! But we’ve got to learn … Is freedom worth a day holding a sign, a march on the capitol in Atlanta, a trip to DC to march there? Is freedom worth some phone calls to the senators, letters to representatives, invitations to friends to join with you at a tea party? Many of us have ancestors who actually fought in the American Revolution, one of my great- great-….great-grandfathers fought in the NC Continental Army. We’ve all read about the awful conditions they suffered under during those war years at the birth of this country. Can it really be too much trouble for us to attend a peaceful protest?<br /><br />Thanks for reading. If you have suggestions, please leave a comment or email me a <a href="mailto:colsteaparty@gmail.com">colsteaparty@gmail.com</a>. Sandy Cols. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720788434892210581.post-25282759385585656472009-04-27T10:48:00.000-07:002009-04-27T10:55:50.146-07:00Weekly Newletter April 26, 2009April 26, 2009<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Hello all Tea Partiers!<br /></span></strong>This is a weekly update of the Columbus Tea Party group, with news and some items for you to take action on. Most of this is on the facebook group page, but less than 1/10th of the group is using that page, thus this email.<br /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Public Events</span></strong><br />Our next event locally: "Restore the Republic" tentatively scheduled May 30. Location and time to be announced. We hope to meet inside so we can hear speakers on the Constitution and be able to learn and take notes. Small pocket-size Constitutions will be available, thanks to the generosity of several volunteers who have offered to purchase them.<br /><strong>What can you do? </strong>Invite friends, and bring them with you. Suggestions are welcome. Coordinator for this event is Sandy Toth <a href="http://us.mc356.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=columbusgateaparty@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">columbusgateaparty@gmail.com</a> Send her your ideas for this event and if you know of a building that can hold 500-1000 that we could use for free, please contact her ASAP. She is arranging a meeting this week with the volunteers who have offered to help. Here's what she said earlier this week:<br /><br /><em>We need like-minded people to volunteer help for our next event. We need people for publicity, artwork, organizing details. We are trying to educate all of us - looking back at the Constitution vs what our government has been doing. We need to create a large voice to be heard by legislators. We need to devote time every week to contact legislators, sign petitions, and keep up with the ways they are destroying our Republic.Please join us by volunteering or attending our Tea Party events.<br /></em> <br /><strong>Flag Day June 14</strong> See <a href="http://www.flagdayrallies.com/Home_Page.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Flag Day Rallies</a>… We currently do not have plans or a coordinator for a local event on June 14. Ideas anyone?<br /> <br /><strong>July 4 Independence Day</strong> Many groups are planning another Tea Party on July 4. Some have suggested going to the state capitols to make an impression with the size of the group. Locally we plan to have a tea party in Columbus, no details yet.<br /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Action Alert<br /></span></strong><a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31551" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">HOUSE BEGINS CAP-AND-TRADE HEARINGS</a> <a href="http://capwiz.com/americansforprosperity/issues/alert/?alertid=13201806&type=ML" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Don't Use Climate Change to Hide Tax Hikes!</a> <br /><a href="http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/green_hell_milloy/2009/04/14/202927.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Green Hell: Obama’s Environmental Plans will Lead to Energy Chaos Author Says</a><br /><a href="http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/04/22/ebell_energy_rationing_scheme/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Could We Be Looking at the Biggest Tax Hike in History?</a><br />Urgent: Contact your representatives -- Tell Congress NO to cap and trade!<br /><br />Support The <a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-450" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ENUMERATED POWERS ACT </a> To require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws, and for other purposes.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Petitions<br /></span></strong>Petition to Nancy Pelosi: <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/reprev13/petition.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Please Stop Lying About the Tea Party Movement</a><br /> <br />Petition to <a href="http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/MAF/petition/FireJanetNapolitano" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fire Janet Napolitano</a><br /> <br />Petiton to Congress and the President: <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=94298" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Re-Declaration of Independence: Petition to Protect U.S. Sovereignty</a> Although the original is still valid, the people and Congress need to be reminded that we are a free, independent nation, not part of a global regime.<br /> <br /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Tea Party News and Columns</span></strong><br />What's next for Tea Parties? Mychal Massie answers that question in <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=95554" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pelosi - the Voice of Contempt</a>.<br />Drew Zahn asks: <a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Will Tea Parties Throw the Bums Out in 2010?</a><br /> <br /><a href="http://townhall.com/Columnists/SalenaZito/2009/04/26/dismissing_tea_parties_is_perilous" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dismissing Tea Parties is Perilous</a> by Salena Zito<br /> <br /><a href="http://townhall.com/Columnists/BurtPrelutsky/2009/04/24/i_attended_a_tea_party" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">I Attended a Tea Party </a>by Burt Prelutsky<br /> <br />Josh McKoon: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVoAb4uXwdM" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Speech at the Columbus Tea Party 4/15</a><br /> <br />Sandy Toth: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzwAc-3DtUg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Speech at the Columbus Tea Party 4/15</a><br /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Think about it<br /></span>Fly the Flag</strong>: Some at the 912Project are suggesting flying a little American Flag on the car again like after 9-11. Let's do that. (A few suggested flying a red ribbon, but others said the color red has been used by other groups, as well as red is a symbol of communism.)<br /> <br /><strong>July 4th:</strong> Somebody had a good comment about tea parties on the Fourth: this year: skip the BBQ and attend a tea party. On July 4, 1775, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780...they weren't lounging around the pool or park and picnicking with friends. They were fighting for independence, and they gave us a great country because of it. It's time we got involved and stand up, fight for what's right. Attend the Tea Party ...then have the picnic!<br /> <br /><strong>It's no joke</strong>: Have you seen the new painting of Obama with a crown of thorns and his hands outstretched? I thought it was a joke, but it is real.<br /><a href="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96138" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=96138</a><br /><a href="http://sev.prnewswire.com/art/20090424/NY0498524042009-1.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://sev.prnewswire.com/art/20090424/NY0498524042009-1.html</a><br /> <br /><strong>Walk Across America</strong> – this idea has been bugging me ever since the Tea Party event on 4/15. It came from a book called Granny D by <a href="http://www.grannyd.com/about-grannyd.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Doris Haddock</a>, who at age 89 walked for 14 months covering over 3,000 miles from California to DC to gain attention for campaign finance reform. (While I think McCain/Feingold was a mistake, her story is amazing.) What if thousands of us “walked across America” – sort of a walking Tea Party – perhaps covering our own states, or in a relay across the country. Could we publicize the Tea Party goals and show DC we are serious? Think about it, I just wanted to plant the idea.<br /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Quotes<br /></span></strong>"I don't like the income tax. Every time we talk about these taxes we get around to the idea of 'from each according to his capacity and to each according to his needs.' That's socialism. It's written into the Communist Manifesto. Maybe we ought to see that every person who gets a tax return receives a copy of the Communist Manifesto with it so he can see what's happening to him." --accountant and Commissioner of Internal Revenue T. Coleman Andrews (1899-1983)<br /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Links You Might Like <br /></span></strong><a href="http://www.912project.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.912Project.com</a> Seeks to "brings us back where we all were on September 11, 2001. ...when we were united as Americans"<br /> <br /><a href="http://colgaconstitution.ning.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://colgaconstitution.ning.com/</a> The local 912 Project website. There are currently no plans to sponsor tea parties. You might want to participate in both the local 912 Project and the Columbus Ga Tea Party group.<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.taxdayteaparty.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.taxdayteaparty.com</a> a national grassroots effort started and supported by many online groups. It all began when Rick Santelli cried out from the floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange for a Chicago Tea Party...people around the country picked it up and ran with the idea.<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.townhall.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.Townhall.com</a> Conservative political news, issues, blogs, and cartoons<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.wnd.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.wnd.com</a> Independent news company dedicated to uncompromising journalism, seeking truth and justice and revitalizing the role of the free press as a guardian of liberty<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.drudgereport.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.drudgereport.com</a> The most complete list of news websites, columnists, and daily news I've ever seen.<br /> <br /><a href="http://patriotpost.us/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://patriotpost.us/</a> An internet journal advocating individual liberty, the restoration of constitutional limits on government and the judiciary, and the promotion of free enterprise, national defense, and traditional American values. Sign up to receive it in your inbox.<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.nationalreview.com/</a> Conservative columns discussing current news.<br /> <br /><a href="http://isakson.senate.gov/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Senator Saxby Chambliss website</a><br /> <br /><a href="http://isakson.senate.gov/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Senator Johnny Isakson website</a><br /> <br /> <br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Books</span></strong><br />If you have time left after working all day and reading the internet for the news, try some of these books. (Although just 4 are listed, there are many more good books and I'd like your recommendations.) <br /> <br /><em>One Second After</em> by William Forstchen -- after the release of a bomb high above the U.S., all electronics are destroyed and people have to cope. Although this is fiction, it is set in a real NC town and might convince you to be prepared for a “what-if” emergency.<br /> <br /><em>Liberty and Tyranny</em> - a conservative manifesto by Mark Levin, #1 best seller.<br /> <br /><em>Crash Proof</em> by Peter Schiff. The author describes our current economic crisis, from housing bubble, to dollar devaluation, corporate debt, bank failures, but the book was written in 2006! He did not predict the bailouts and lurch towards socialism however. Perhaps in Crash Proof II, being released this fall, he will address these issues as well.<br /> <br /><em>Basic Economics</em> by Thomas Sowell If you thought college economics was boring, read this! It’s easy to understand, and quite readable, as is anything by Dr. Sowell.<br /> <br />---------------<br />Final thoughts: Friends, I think we all share a deep fear for our country. Please let’s stand together and fight to keep the freedom and liberty that was provided to us more than 200 years ago. Share this email with friends who might feel the same way, bring them with you to the next Tea Party event, let’s help this group grow so that the politicians can’t help but notice. And if they ignore us, let’s get some new representatives.<br /> <br />I appreciate your suggestions and information you’d like to share with others. This email is mostly just my ideas of things people need to know about. You probably have your favorite conservative web sites; you probably have ideas of what you’d like the tea party movement to do next. Share it with us! Thanks for reading.<br />Sandy Cols<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">As always, if you do not want to receive any more email, please reply and say “remove me”. If you want nothing but one email just before an event, let me know. The tea party group will never give your email address to any other group. </span></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1