- The response to my post a few days ago giving my reasons
why I could not support the Ron Paul Freedom March in Washington, DC, this
summer, has been overwhelming.
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- Link: http://www.rense.com/general81/prr.htm
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- With the exception of three people, the other 424 Americans
who have emailed as I write this, agree with my opinion that the target
should be the GOP Convention in St. Paul-Minneapolis. One of the three
who sent nasty mail is so typical of Americans today: If you disagree with
someone, attack them, call them names, question their patriotism, their
courage and make accusations that have no basis in fact. This emailer can't
even get his facts straight: I have never been arrested for anything. This
is childish and counter-productive, but I see this type of attack on the
increase. However, after being in the trenches 24/7 for 18 years, I have
become used to getting emails just like his because you have expressed
your opinion on an issue. Mr. Lillie's email to me can be viewed here:
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- http://devvy.net/pdf/mar08/email_022908.pdf
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- Every American who emailed are staunch supporters of
Congressman Paul, as I am. They know about this proposed march in Washington,
DC, but don't support it. Some said they were thinking about going, but
have changed their mind. So many have questions and concerns about the
GOP Convention because they've never been to one before. I hope I can answer
some of them here, point by point.
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- Weather: One emailer said there 'might' be snow in the
St. Paul-Minneapolis region in September. When my project began picketing
the Federal Reserve in Denver on February 2, 1993, it was so cold. I'm
betting it was the same at Valley Forge. In July, it was so hot, you could
barely breathe. My volunteers came out in the snow and the heat and we
were out there right up until September 15th when it was time to get it
together and head for Washington, DC. As for harassment, within half an
hour after we set up with our 80' long banner to dump the FED, Denver's
finest in blue came out on their horses. After a few minutes, they agreed
we had every right to be on the public side walk, even in front of the
"FED." I gave these officers a copy of my Why A Bankrupt America
booklet. Some left, some hung around and we had good dialogue on why a
fiat currency is so bad and how it affects their lives.
-
- Next out the door was a couple of goons from the FED.
These turkeys had video cameras and boldly walked up to each of us and
filmed. I told the one flunky that I used to be a model, so be sure to
get my good side! Typical attempt at intimidation. It didn't work and we
didn't go away. The street where the FED is located has no vehicle traffic,
just trolley and pedestrian. During all those months, people ask for my
booklet, others jumped off the trolley during a red light, ran over for
literature and jumped back on. It was quite rewarding; made all the better
because I knew the honchos inside the FED were stewing the whole time.
-
- Permits: Many groups and organizations have been cranking
up for this convention, i.e., get us out of the unconstitutional, immoral
war in Iraq. This web site reminds those who wish to exercise their First
Amendment rights that the drop dead date for applying for a permit is March
3, 2008:
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- http://protestrnc2008.org/node/143
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- However, checking a link they provided for the city's
rules here:
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- http://www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/code/lc366a.html
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- I find there are half a dozen time frames for a permit
depending on the number of participants. Check it out before applying.
I know the fabulous Granny Warriors have applied for a permit to accommodate
300 people. There is concern that permits for large numbers will be pushed
out to the south forty. According to the web site above: "Some people
want a protest area within sight and sound of the Xcel, and that space
hasn't been determined yet, Dady said. "By no means will free speech
be limited to one area," she said."
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- That is good and all groups and organizations will have
to work with the city to get as close to the EXCEL Center as possible.
No one said this would be easy. There's no question that this convention
is going to draw thousands of media, tens of thousands of delegates and
most likely a hundred thousand or more Americans there to demonstrate.
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- More:
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- http://www.twincities.com/ci_8386087?source=most_emailed&nclick_check=1
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- City will hold GOP marchers to 1 route
- Four are being considered; none too close to Xcel
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- "The city police department offered a sketch Wednesday
of how it anticipates handling the tens of thousands of people expected
to protest the event, which will be Sept. 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center.
Marchers will be restricted to one route, with masses of protesters generally
confined to a set area. "There will be a distance," Assistant
Police Chief Matt Bostrom said. "You won't be able to be right up
on (the Xcel Center), standing there, interacting with people as they go
in the front doors. But you will be close enough that people, if they were
at those doors, can hear you." Neither the route nor the location
of the stationary area has been set, Bostrom said. The city is studying
four possible march routes for the convention's first day and expects to
choose one by May 31."
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- Apply for the permit before close of business on Monday
if you have tentative plans. You can always cancel it. According to Chapter
366A. Parades, Races and Public Assemblies for the city:
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- Sec. 366A.02. Definitions.
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- (f) Public assembly means any meeting, demonstration,
picket line, rally or gathering of more than twenty five (25) persons for
a common purpose as a result of prior planning in or upon any street, sidewalk
or other public grounds in a place open to the general public.
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- From reading this language, a permit would be required
for more than 25 people. If a couple of motor homes with friends and activists
decides to come to the city and then walk around with your signs, wearing
Ron Paul tee-shirts and handing out a concise crisp piece of literature,
then a permit would not be required.
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- One emailer said unless you are inside the convention,
its a waste of time. He is entitled to his opinion, but let me give you
one more experience. I attended the 1996 GOP Convention in San Diego, California.
It was very hot (August). The convention was closed tighter than Scrooge's
cash box and only guests of delegates, VIP & media were invited inside.
I have never seen so many law enforcement present at any gathering.
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- Not to be discouraged at being denied a pass to attend
the convention, I circulated outside the convention center wearing my favorite
patriot attire: My T-shirt had a circle on the front which declared in
bold letters, Federal Reserve, with a slash through it. The back has a
statement which reads: It's the banking system stupid. This attracted a
lot of attention and I was able to get my booklet, Why A Bankrupt America,
to many of the folks going inside, as well as those barred from the gala.
-
- For the sake of brevity, I'll recap the feelings and
statements of many of the delegates I was able to speak with in various
locations around the city: Hotels, the San Diego Zoo, restaurants, etc.
Many delegates were fully aware of the problem of the Federal Reserve and
the whole nightmare of this proposed Communist New World Order. The preceding
week during the platform debates, anyone who brought up abolishing the
Federal Reserve and getting monetary and banking reform, were told to shut
their mouths by Haley Barbour. That political animal and bastion of truth
said those issues will never become part of the Republican Platform.
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- Were these issues brought up? See this pdf file:
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- http://devvy.net/pdf/mar08/gop_texas.pdf
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- I took some time off one morning and went to the fabulous
San Diego Zoo where I had a brief encounter with new world order advocate,
Newt Gingrich, and his SS protection boys. The Newtster didn't like my
"Real Americans don't wear the UN Blue" tee-shirt. Funny thing,
a dozen people at the zoo wanted to buy it right off my back!
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- I also had about a 30-minute conversation with a delegate
outside one of the hotels near the convention center. You see, each morning,
several smaller groups would stand in front of the hotels on the public
side walk and hand out flyers to abolish the "FED," IRS, get
US out of the UN. I wore my tee-shirt which had in big letters on the front
FED, a circle and slash; the back read, "It's the banking system,
stupid," A well dressed gentleman came up behind me and began a conversation
based on my tee-shirt. It turns out he had been a delegate for about 15
years, but this would be his last convention because he said he would no
longer belong to a party that completely ignores their own platform. He
also said gave me his business card; he was a Sr. VP at one of the biggest
S & L's in the Western States. One thing he told me: The banks were
being forced to loan to people who really couldn't qualify and would end
up in trouble. He said this had required their bank to hire more personnel
on the foreclosure side of the house. Insanity is how he described it and
said down the road there will be a banking crisis. I never forgot his words.
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- So, you see, just because you can't get inside the convention,
doesn't mean we the people can't have a huge impact. Those delegates are
all over town, not just at the convention and they wear their delegate
badges and ribbons. If you're polite and non-invasive, you will treated
with the same courtesy. I was there for the entire duration of the convention
and to my knowledge, there was no violence from any groups. I am working
on getting a pass to attend, but I also know a couple dozen delegates for
Ron Paul who will be on the inside who will keep me updated.
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- The Police State
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- There's no sugar coating it: The Chief of Police is gearing
up for riots:
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- http://www.minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3217
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-
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- St. Paul To Purchase Tasers Just In Time For
RNC
- By Andy Birkey
- Feb 16, 2008
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- "The St. Paul Police Department is requesting 230
Tasers to outfit the all of the department's officers with the electroshock
weapon, Fox 9 News reports. The SPPD will purchase the Tasers with $210,000
collected from drug raids. The St. Paul City Council will have to approve
the purchase.
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- "The purchase is expected to arrive in St. Paul
just in time for the Republican National Convention prompting media speculation
that the weapons are being purchased specifically for the convention. When
asked by Fox 9 News whether the police will use the weapon at the convention
particularly against protesters, police spokester Tom Walsh said, "Our
hope is that no one will have to use any degree of force. If it becomes
necessary, will that be one of the tools available to them? I suppose that's
safe to say."
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- Those of us following world and domestic events have
seen paid anrchists deliberately cause violence as well as some groups
who made their intentions clear from the onset:
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- Seattle - WTO
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- http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0012058
-
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- Miami's show of force:
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- http://www.mindfully.org/WTO/2004/Miami-Vice-FTAA1mar04.htm
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- The increase in police brutality and the "us"
v "them" mentality is growing. Please watch this 2:35 second
video showing cops laugh after shooting a woman in the back:
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- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G63FEamhpA0&feature=related
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- Make no mistake about it: There will be paid government
agent provacatuers at this convention. They will be there to cause trouble.
There will also be fools who think their stupid, irresponsible actions
are going to make a difference. I'm not conveying this to scare anyone
from coming to the convention, but everyone should know there are risks.
I will be there wearing a vest with MEDIA on it and while I've never been
arrested in my life, I will also have legal counsel on stand-by just in
case. I know full well that things can get ugly fast.
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- Are there alternatives?
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- Dozens of emails had the same basic question, i.e., "I
can't afford to go", or "I'm 75 years young, but just can't make
the trip, is there anything I can do to support this effort for Ron Paul
at the convention"? "I want to help, but I can't be there."
Might I offer up these suggestions that work?
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- Flyers as inserts in the major newspaper. Every major
hotel in this country provides a free newspaper to their guests. Some USA
TODAY, but most I have found provide the state or city newspaper, in this
case, The Star Tribune
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- Advertising Department: http://www.startribunecompany.com/104
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- What good organizations do is put together a professional,
one-page flyer, like you see in your newspaper from big grocery stores.
These inserts are put into the newspaper and those newspapers go to every
hotel in the city - to every room and that means delegates. Your insert
will also reach every household that subscribes to that paper and newspaper
stands.
-
- The cost is actually minescule when done in lots of 10,000
or more. The Star Tribune tells prospective advertisers: "Our newspaper
and online products have a combined reach of seven out of ten adult metro
adults." I have seen it done for many conventions I have attended.
My choice to write the text would be Larry Lepard, the very generous American
who funded the full page USA Today ad last November. This insert must contain
text that tells the delegates there is a truck load of factual documentation
to prove vote fraud in the primaries which will null and void committed
delegates to McCain - IF he's still a candidate by September.
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- Bill boards: There are lots of Ron Paul supporters who
live in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area. They can scout the billboards closest
to the EXCEL Center and major hotels. Not only would these key billboards
be seen by the delegates, voters who live and work in the area would see
the message for 30 days.
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- Two full page ads in the Star Tribune for two of the
four days of the convention. Again, if he would consent, I would like to
see Larry Lepard's full page USA TODAY ad run one day and if he would write
another one, it could run the second day.
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- Ron Paul supporters are organized and active. Those Americans
who can't get to the convention can help with a donation. Funding for this
could be set up through a central web site for this convention, like the
Granny Warriors did with the funds drive for the recount. I believe enough
money can be raised to do the newspaper inserts, two full page ads and
a half dozen bill boards. Get the rates first, make the announcement and
when you hit the amount needed, stop the fund raising and secure those
ads, inserts and bill boards. Can you see the potential here? These efforts
should be undertaken now, not later. Secure the funding, the contracts
with the newspaper/billboard companies and write the text close to the
convention.
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- Perhaps some folks might think about the Ron Paul blimp
or even sky writing, but the delegates get to the convention center fairly
early and leave late in the afternoon, so that should be taken into consideration.
Get the most bang for your buck!
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- Remember: A lot will happen as far as who makes it to
the convention in September. We the people can fight for that nomination
on the ground and through the vehicles I've listed above. While I'm very
flattered, a large number of people asked I could head up efforts for the
Convention? I can't, because if people believe the above efforts are worthy,
they must get done over the next couple of months. Unfortunately, I have
to have another operation on my spine; the third surgery in 18 months.
I'm trying to get caught up before I go under the knife. This one is a
3 1/2 hour spinal fusion and I won't be able to handle much for four to
six weeks afterwards. Unlike the first two, I can't just come home, spend
a couple of days in bed and back to work. I can and will use my columns,
however, to support all efforts for the convention.
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- As I said in my first post, I hope to see you at the
convention. I would like to close with a quote from one of my all time
favorite movies, Open Range.
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- Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall are talking to some men
who live in this town. The discussion is about how things are going to
Hell. Costner says, "Why don't you do something about it?" One
man says, "We're freighters, Ralph, here is a shopkeeper." Costner
replies, "You're men ain't you?" The man says, "I didn't
raise my boys just to see 'em killed." Kevin Costner replies, "You
may not know this but, there's things that gnaw at a man worse than dying."
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