My Speech At the Norwich, CT Tea Party Posted by wgreen

Posted 07/08/09

I set up a table for C4L at the Norwich, CT July 4th Tea Party.  The Norwich Bulletin reported 500 attendees to the rally.  We gained 31 new contacts.  Here is the text of my speech: 

I don't know about you, but I feel oppressed.  I feel oppressed by my government.  I feel oppressed by a government that every day takes away a little more of my freedom. 

Louis Carabini says there are two kinds of people in the world:  "There are those inclined to liberty-freedom of the individual to live his or her life in any peaceful way.  And there are those who are inclined to mastery-permitting others to live their lives only as another sees fit." 

Our current government, and those who support it, appear to be the second type.  They are inclined to mastery.  They believe that they can and should be ruled over and rule over others.  These are the Statists, who believe in the power of the state to provide for them and take care of them and run their lives.  And, as Etienne de la Boetie wrote, "they tend to enslave themselves." 

Why do they do this?  Perhaps it is because, as Frederic Bastiat said, "there is a tendency that is common among people.  When they can, they wish to live at the expense of others... Man can live and satisfy his wants only by ceaseless labor; by the ceaseless application of his faculties to natural resources.  This process is the origin of property.  But it is also true that man may live and satisfy his wants by seizing and consuming the products of the labor of others.  This process is the origin of plunder. "

What we are seeing today is what Bastiat called "legal plunder", when the people plunder each other through legislation.  The law should be a tool for the protection of life, liberty, and property, but it has been perverted into a tool for theft.  Maybe this is why some people favor mastery-because they think it will get them what they want. 

Or maybe it is because they know that freedom brings responsibility.  George Bernard Shaw said, "Liberty means responsibility.  That is why most men dread it."  You see, as Robert Welch wrote, "The real freedom of any individual can always be measured by the amount of responsibility which he must assume for his own welfare and security."  And as the author of Dreams Come Due explained, "Any time we seek to avoid the painful parts of responsibility by shifting them to someone else, we automatically surrender, by default, our freedom and thus any chance for rewards."

Folks, this is where we are today.  America is full of people who are running from responsibility and looking to make their living off of other peoples labor.

But there is another type of person.  This is the kind of person who is here today-a remnant among the stupefied and subdued masses.  This person knows he is free.  He knows he is responsible.  And he loves it.  He knows that true fulfillment can only be found in free action and self-determination.  He knows there is no value in forced charity or stolen labor.   As Boetie wrote, "Even if liberty had entirely perished from the earth, such men would invent it.  For them, slavery has no satisfactions, no matter how well disguised."

These are true men and women.  This is what makes man different from beast:  reasoned self-determination.  He is the thinking, acting, individual.  The willing slave has sacrificed his own will and existence and become part of the swarm, a cog in a machine, an unthinking beast.

These are dark times, when the masses seem to be plunging headlong into this abyss of slavery.  And what can be done?  We can educate ourselves and those we know in the principles of liberty-advance the cause of liberty one mind at a time.  This is the goal of the Campaign for Liberty.  You can sign up at our table to get on our mailing list.  We will be holding regular meetings to watch and discuss films, learn and strengthen ourselves and each other.  As Brian Summers wrote:

"When the ideal goal is far from the everyday reality-as in the case of the freedom ideal-the student of liberty doesn't despair. His ultimate goal isn't tomorrow's Congressional vote or next year's election. He is striving to work on the highest possible plane-his own understanding and exposition of the freedom philosophy. Self-improvement along these lines is a full-time job. There is no time to be disheartened when the political winds seem to blow against us. Self- improvement is enormously satisfying. And it is fun!"

And the "Truth will out!"  Truth has a way of revealing itself.  It will not be suppressed forever.

Who knows, maybe we can succeed in cleaning out Washington, voting out every Statist and voting in freedom-loving folks who value the rights of the individual over their own political careers.  And if not, we can still fight.  Mohandas Gandhi led India to independence with peaceful noncooperation and civil disobedience.  He called it satyagraha.  I am afraid it may come to this, this slide toward socialism has gained such momentum.  It may require that the John Galts, the Atlases on whose labor and ingenuity our society rests, withdraw their support, so that the sham of socialism, which cannot support itself, comes crumbling down.   

Whichever path lies before us, a scene from the final movie of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is appropriate.  The men of Gondor and Rohan are assembled before the Black Gate of Mordor, and the dark hordes are pouring out the gate.  They are ridiculously outnumbered.  Aragorn, their leader, stands before them and encourages them with a short speech which I have adapted to our circumstances:

Men and women of Norwich, my brothers and sisters, I can see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.  A day may come when the courage of men fails, when all men lay down and resign to servitude under the yoke of socialism-but it is not this day.  A day may come when all surrender their arms and submit, like the beasts they have become, to their government masters.  A day may come when man as man is dead, when man is fully and finally reduced to beast, when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day.  And we are not those men!  This day we fight!  By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand Sons of Liberty!

(Thanks to Jen Ezzell for coordinating the Tea Party and allowing me to come and speak.)

Is Freedom Worth Fighting For? Can You Sell Freedom To a Starving Man? Posted by wgreen

Posted 06/03/09

What is more important, freedom, or food?  Is "live free or die" a reasonable attitude?   If given the choice between death and slavery, which would be the most reasonable?

Such questions can be used to justify acquiescence to tyranny.   Tyrants always make such offers, implicitly or explicitly.   They can also be used to justify socialism, if it is imagined that socialism can lead to greater physical well being for the greatest number, ending starvation, etc.  It can be argued that it is right for some freedom to be sacrificed in order to ensure survival or even a minimum level of comfort and security. 

So what is the reasonable response to these questions?  Let's begin at the beginning. The only reasonable motivation for doing anything is to increase one's own sense of fulfillment.  Such fulfillment comes notonly (or even primarily) through physical pleasure (the highest levels of fulfillment are found in virtue).  The question then becomes, which would bring more fulfillment, death with freedom, or food with slavery?  Maybe it depends on the individual, but I think we can analyze this a bit from an "objective" standpoint. 

It is clear that food and life are not always more valuable than the alternative.  For example, if you had to choose between starvation and murder, you should most certainly choose starvation, since life as a murderer must be worse than death with honor.  In fact, we can probably say that our physical lives have no value to us in and of themselves.  Rather, fulfillment gives value to life.

So the question is whether one can find sufficient fulfillment as  a slave to make life worth living.  The answer would seem to be yes.  Even in the concentration camp, some found meaning and fulfillment (Corrie Ten Boom, Victor Frankl).  Therefore, one might choose slavery over death. 

It may seem that this means we should never choose freedom over life, since there may always be the possibility of fulfillment in life.  But I do not think this is the case.  It comes down to a comparison.  As Hazlitt says, we should seek to exchange a less satisfactory state of affairs for a more satisfactory state of affairs.  If there is a good chance of successfully resisting enslavement, and if the slavery is particularly severe, then I may decide that the disparity in potential fulfillment is worth the risk.  On the other hand, if the slavery is mild, and there is little chance of escape, I may decide to acquiesce.   In addition, I may consider the effect of the effect of my actions upon others and the fulfillment or loss thereof that action or inaction may cause.  If I could save others from slavery, then this may produce greater fulfillment and shift the equation in favor of resistance.

Some may say that acceptance of any degree of slavery is not acceptable, and that freedom must be pursued absolutely.  But I don't think this is reasonable.  Freedom is only of value inasmuch as it enhances fulfillment.

Therefore, freedom should only be sacrificed when and if it becomes evident that there is a greater chance for greater fulfillment through acquiescence. 

Does this mean that socialism is desirable because it sacrifices freedom for physical comfort and security?  No, even if socialism did produce greater comfort and security than freedom.   Even if socialism would end starvation (which it would not), it is not reasonable to infringe on the liberty of some in order to provide food (or some minimum level of comfort) for others.  While I, as an individual, may elect slavery over starvation, that does not mean that I have a right to enslave another in order to secure my own or another's food.  Just as I should not, if I wish to lead a full life, murder another to feed myself, so I should not enslave another to feed myself (or them).  Thus, though freedom may not be the highest value, it does not follow that it can be sacrificed by a third party.  Even if it were clear that freedom should be less highly valued than some minimum level of comfort, it would not be clear that I would find greater fulfillment in making that choice for another.  In other words, even if I truly know what is best for the person, it is not clear that I would find fulfillment in overriding that person's will in order to force it upon them.

And in fact, I may not know what is best for them.

And in fact, socialism is not what is best for them, since it is free markets, not socialism, that enhances general well being.  Socialism leads to degradation, as has been replicated in history.

Video: Peter Schiff gives the Libertarian Party some tough medicine - "We Need to Influence the GOP!" Posted by MRoCkEd

Posted 06/01/09 Last updated 05/31/09

Peter Schiff, keynote speaker at the LP of CT Convention, tells the audience that it is a waste of resources running as a minor party. "We haven't won anything in 40 years" and "we don't have another 40 years to try." Instead, he recommends joining the Republican party while it is in shambles in order to expand the influence of the libertarian wing.

I hope Peter Schiff leads by example and runs for senate.

Seattle Freedom Celebration (5/22/09) Posted by MRoCkEd

Posted 05/28/09 Last updated 05/31/09

2009 Campaign for Liberty Seattle Conference 

Evening program "Freedom Celebration" with Ron Paul and Thomas Woods

Podcast:

http://podcasts.tvw.org/200905/2009050124.mp3

Ask Peter Schiff questions live at the 2009 Libertarian Party of CT convention Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 05/27/09 Last updated 05/28/09

I've received the following release from the Libertarian Party of Connecticut. This Saturday 5/30 from 3pm to 10pm is the Libertarian Party of CT 2009 convention. Peter Schiff, Karen Kwiatkowski and Katherine Albercht will be speaking at the event.

For those unable to attend, you will have the opportunity to still participate and ask questions via the magic of the internet ;). This is a great way for us to ask Peter about his potential Senate run, about liberty, the Constitution, and more! Karen and Katherine are both very well known and experts on issues important to the Campaign for Liberty.

Here is the event schedule for those wishing to view on the internet:

Convention AGENDA:

3:00 Doors Open

3:15 Business Meeting Called to Order

3:45 Close of Business Meeting. Chairman's address to the convention.

4:15 Dr. Karen Kwiatkowski

5:15 Dr. Katherine Albrecht

6:15-7:45 Dinner and Conversation

7:45-9:00 Peter Schiff

Please see the below press release for more details.

Bridgeport, CT - On Saturday, May 30th, the Libertarian Party of Connecticut (LPCT) will hold their annual convention at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Although 2009 is not an election year, the convention is generating a great deal of interest due to the impressive lineup of speakers - including potential Senate candidate Peter Schiff. Schiff, a Darien resident, is the founder of Euro Pacific Capital and the well known author of "Crash Proof" and "The Little Book for Bull Moves in Bear Markets".

Other featured speakers include:
· Karen Kwiatkowski, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who became a noted critic of military intelligence leading to the Iraq war . Karen writes for a variety of web sites and journals, including regular articles on LewRockwell.com.

· Katherine Albrecht, a sought after campaigner and expert on privacy issues, who hosts a daily syndicated radio show.

The event will kick off at 3pm with the speakers appearing at varying times throughout the night (a schedule is available at LPCT.org). Tickets for the event are still available for $45, which includes a buffet style dinner reception.

For the first time ever, those unable to attend in person will still have the option of participating in the LPCT convention via the internet. The convention will be broadcast live on ustream using the LPCTTV show. This video feed will also be available directly from the official website of the Libertarian Party of Connecticut, LPCT.org.

The LPCT will also be taking questions for the scheduled speakers via Twitter. Those wishing to submit questions and receive updates live from the event should "follow" (twitter speak for monitoring a user) LPCT2009. Please use hashtag #LPCT2009 for questions.

5/16 - The CT Campaign for Liberty visits a "Down with Dodd" rally to talk about electing politicians with principles. Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 05/20/09 Last updated 05/20/09

Hartford, Saturday 5/16 - "Down with Dodd" Rally outside Senator Chris Dodd's Hartford Residence

With the Republican party in Connecticut largely in a state of disrepair (like many other places), conservatives angry with the party's direction have started to look for other outlets to "take back Connecticut". One product of this is a group named the "Connecticut Resistance".

The Connecticut Resistance bills itself as follows: "We are a NON-PARTISAN group of proud Americans who are fed up with the current situation in this country. We support religious freedom, the right to bear arms, earning success, and taking responsibility for your actions."

The first event held by this group was the 5/16 "Down with Dodd" rally.The event took place outside of Chris Dodd's Hartford office(seen below) - a stage and sound system were setup for speakers and performances.

The focus of this event was to take a nonpartisan stand against the damage Chris Dodd has done in the Senate - thus, no candidates for 2010 were discussed.

Members of the Campaign for Liberty in Connecticut have been speaking quite a bit with the CTResistance.com organizer. As such, we knew this event would be a great opportunity to talk about our principles and philosophy with a diverse crowd of activists - we were also able to have one of our local coordinators, Jim Azzola, as a scheduled speaker.

So, when we arrived, we grabbed some space on a table (setup for info from the various groups in attendace) and put out some Campaign for Liberty slim jims and business cards.

Once started, the event quickly kicked into high gear - what better place to protest than outside the office of the Senate banking committee chair? With a large and very vocal crowd, speaker after speaker spoke about the damage Chris Dodd has done to the nation, all while remaining rather non-partisan - never once bringing up an alternative candidate for the Senate seat. This was done to avoid poisoning others against the cause, or having the event viewed as a "GOP Protest" - in fact, the CT "mainstream" Republican party played no part in this... But I digress. 

As a Campaign for Liberty supporter, there were two main highlights of the day for me : the first was when long time Ron Paul supporter and C4L local coordinator Jim Azzola spoke about the Federal Reserve system - and how a politician like Chris Dodd uses it to enrich himself:

In the form of questions to Chris Dodd, Jim brilliantly illustrated to the crowd just the sort of damage a politician could do with the Federal reserve system:

"While our public bailouts exceed $1 Trillion, this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Senator, why do you not call attention to the fact that the Federal Reserve has leveraged over $10 Trillion of unaccountable expenditures, effectively doubling our base money supply? Do you believe this won't have inflationary consequences?
Why have you stood by and allowed the FED to debauch our currency, the very life blood of our economy?
Are you not our public servant, entrusted with access to information of vital importance to us, the American People?
Why have you not blown the whistle on this completely unregulated institute?
Why, when our nation needs an alarm do you have nothing to offer but breezy justifications for the status quo?"

This is just an excerpt from what was a well prepared and brilliant speech, which certainly called great attention to our movement amongst a diverse group of people - and it was clear that for some of the crowd, this was the first time they've heard someone question the actions of the Fed. By the way: there were a good number of CFL members in attendance - this was easily noticed, as they came well prepared with Ron Paul, Campaign for Liberty and HR1207 shirts and material and were also the ones yelling "END THE FED" during Jim's speech!

The second highlight for me was when another speaker spoke about fiat money, the U.S. banking system, and the FED... This was a highlight because this gentleman knew nothing of the Campaign for Liberty or End the Fed - he was a main stream conservative who had begun to question the system! He spoke well and with passion - and one of our members made sure he left with CFL materials.

A few more pictures will tell the rest of the story of this event:

First, some creative signage:

HR1207 signs:

CTResistance.com organizer Sean Murphy as "Thomas Jefferson" demonstrates how to properly cling to your gun:

Then he shows Dodd how to pack his bags correctly - hey, the guy has been in office for around 30 years!

Another random crowd shot:

Me with a guy in colonial era garb (ladies, I'm taken! ):

More funny signs:

finally, the M.C. of the event, Joe Markey (in the midst of talking about Dodd's 2008 presidential campaign - during which he moved to Iowa!

Did I mention there was a nice media presence? Thanks to the connections of some of the CTResistance.com folks, the local fox affiliated showed up, along with photographers from the Hartford Courant. Here is the Courant  article (really just a photogallery: http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-dodd-0516-pictures,0,5744277.photogallery ). No Campaign for Liberty mention, but nice to see a leftist rag like the Courant covering these events.

For those wondering, Senator Dodd arranged a "last second" public meeting in a nearby town to gather support for his credit card legislation. Fear not though, several Campaign for Liberty members were in attendance to ensure he didn't have a day free of protest!

I leave you with some highlights from the CTResistance.com web site:

* Thomas Jefferson read the Declaration of Independence from King Dodd II.
* Papa Possum read the "Come the Next Morning." Read this and other great stuff at http://www.papapossum.com
* Joe Markley did a great segment on how Dodd did in Iowa. Dodd finished with 0.02% of the vote (2 of 10,000) and was beaten by Uncommitted.
* We showed Senator Dodd how to properly pack a suitcase.
* We did a seminar on how to properly cling to your Bible and gun.
* We went through the Waterbury area phone book and found better qualified candidates than Dodd.
* WKGB News was there.

Sex-selective Abortion Posted by sevens

Posted 05/17/09

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Earlier this week, in Sweden, health authorities ruled that gender based abortions are a legal and legitimate practice. A woman, who already had two daughters, requested to know the gender of her pending pregnancy. Six days after it was revealed that she was carrying a girl inside her womb, she had her extracted and terminated, aborted. I wonder how many childless parents out there might have loved to raise that baby.

Doctors at the Malaren Hospital, where the procedure was performed, were concerned with the womans request, but the board responded that up until the 18^th week, abortions cannot be denied. What exactly it is that transpires at the 19^th week, that makes that child anymore valuable, is a mystery to me.

Throughout history, sex-selective abortions have been evident, mostly in societies which the males role is pivotal to that cultures tradition or survival. Usually the female would be forced to deliver the child, to recognize its gender, before destroying it. Thanks to modern day sonography and amniocentesis, the babies sex can be revealed long before then, making its disposal a minimal procedure.

For people like myself, who are repulsed and saddened to learn of an aborted baby for any reason, sex-selective abortion seems more concerning. The simple reason is, the mother, undoubtedly wants a child, she believes that what she is carrying is viable, its just the wrong gender. This seems far more callus than the woman who has no intention of giving birth. But then, isn't that the viable gestation argument, what's the difference between the 18^th and 19^th week?

I do not believe, for one moment, that gender will be the only cause for termination, as the wonders of science advance, so does our moral responsibility. Soon infants will be destroyed in the search for genetic perfection, and all its potential. Height, beauty, color, IQ, immunity, strength, what's to quell the thirst to design a super human? Sex-selective abortion is infanticide.

Let us pretend that this isn't a looming prospect for the Obama administration, let us suspend belief and argue that America would never agree to let that happen. Of course they will, just not under such a blatantly obvious name. Within the near future, and in spite of the bias main stream media, we will begin to realize that women are not going to carry unwanted genders to term. Thus, the search for the perfect offspring has begun, if it hasn't already.

Thinking about Gandhi and our strategy Posted by wgreen

Posted 05/14/09

I have been watching the movie Gandhi , and it has been challenging my thinking regarding the state of our country.  First, if the movie is accurate, Gandhi pointed out that though fighting against injustice was justified, it was not the best way to end the injustice.  Violence would only strengthen the other side--give them reasons and energize them.  Peaceful resistance and "noncooperation", he believed, was much more effective in changing minds. 

And this is what we need in the US--changed minds.  The people's minds need to change about what is right and wrong.  I had already been thinking about the importance and power of persuasion in our fight for freedom.  I recently read an article in Reason magazine that documented the gradual shift in public sentiment regarding abortion accompanied by declining abortion rates.  Polls have shown a growing aversion to the practice over the years, despite more legal leniency.  This is attrributed to persuasion.  What we have not been able to do through the law may yet be accomplished one mind at a time.

But this raises the second issue  addressed by Gandhi.  When violent riots erupt, Gandhi concludes that the nation is not ready for independence.  This is a logical conclusion given the reliance on peaceful persuasion, and is pertinet to us here in the US.  Are we ready for freedom?  I am not sure we are.  We are, by and large, a nation of people who have become dependent on our government and accustomed to legal plunder.  We have no moral qualms about  taking from others to feed our consumption and sustain our comfort and entertainment.  We have become beasts, with tunnel vision focused on filling our bellies, tickling our ears, delighting our eyes, and emptying our seminal vesicles.  Such creatures are not ready for freedom.

Nor do they know they are not free.

But that can change.

Schiff says Senate decision coming within weeks! Seriously considering it! Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 05/08/09 Last updated 05/08/09

This could be your next Senator from CT!

Connecticut Campaign for Liberty Updates - 4/23 (New Coordinators!) Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 04/23/09

Hello,

I hope everyone is doing well!

I thought it was a good time to update everyone as to some of the events going on in Connecticut, as well as some new developments. (Block off May 16th! More info on that later in this note...).

First, I'd like to start by introducing two new coordinators:

William Green (wgreen) is our new regional coordinator for the 2nd District of Connecticut. Bill has a great understanding of our principles and has already been active in planning events in Northeast Connecticut. Bill asked me to pass along this message:

I'm looking forward to working with you all for greater liberty in northeastern Connecticut and the United States.I have been learning alot and am excited about learning more and getting to know more sons and daughters of liberty in our district.

Charlie Krause (chazy567 - user name soon to be changed to Charile Krause)  is our new Fairfield county coordinator. Charlie has a great deal of energy, is (like Bill) a strong defender of liberty, and also has a great understanding of the CFL mission. I've been speaking with Charlie, and he is definitely excited to work with everyone!

I believe both Charlie and Bill will be contacting CFL members in their respective areas to introduce themselves further and assist in building this bottom-up grassroots effort.

If anyone is interested in becoming more active in the CFL in a coordinator capacity, the best first step is to learn about the local coordinator program (formerly precinct leader), and become one.  Local coordinators who wish to help out by becoming a coordinator should contact andrew.sica@campaignforliberty.com.

We're all in this together. We've got to start making some serious gains against our enemy, and that requires all of us to take initiative - so, you (yes you!) ARE needed! We need people to start waking up their neighbors and friends! If you are unsure how to get started, please contact one of the Connecticut local coordinators (including myself, Bill and Charlie). That list can be found here(LC's are the top group with pictures): http://www.campaignforliberty.com/memberlist.php?st=CT

Everyone can help in their own way - be it running for office, educating folks, recruiting members - even just talking to your family and neighbors. The Campaign for Liberty is the place for people to learn what the main stream media will not tell you about economics, liberty, and the financial crisis we face! This movement only succeeds if

Also, if anyone is familiar with event planning and/or fundraising, we could use your experience.

On a related note, please continue to support HR1207! (Audit the Fed). Sign the petition. Contact your congressmen and demand their support! (slimjims available here: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=16643 )

___

Events:

Thank you to all who came to the April 11th Middletown Library event. We are working on more statewide events - if you would like to help plan these, please let me know. They will likely not be until June, as May is becoming very booked with events already, and we do not want to conflict with other friendly organizations.  As I mentioned earlier, please consider holding local events in your respective areas as well. If you need help, ask!

Here are some of the other upcoming events you might want to consider attending:

April 25th
End the Fed Rally at the NYC Federal Reserve building (http://www.endthefed.us)

April 27th
Support HR1207 "Melt the Switchboard" see: http://endthefedusa.ning.com/events/audit-the-fed-melt-the

May 16th

Down with Dodd Rally!

It is critical that we have a good showing for this event! MSM will be there.

We are done with Dodd and it is time to let him know it.

When: Saturday May 16th, 2009 12:05pm SHARP

Where: Outside Senator Dodd's office at 30 Lewis Street, Hartford, CT

For more info, see CTResistance.com - or contact me or Jim Azzola

May 30th

Libertarian Party convention - Peter Schiff will be speaking!

Rally at Lexington, other news.... (SAVE MAY 16th!!!) Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 04/20/09

The Rally on Lexington Green was a great time, thanks to all who were able to attend and support the cause of liberty!

On May 16th there will be a protest against the economic holocaust coming our way thanks to spendthrifts in Congress, the president, the fed, etc...  - the location: outside of Chris Dodd's Hartford office! More information will be coming soon...

Jim Himes response to my letter to him about HR1207 Posted by chazy567

Posted 04/20/09 Last updated 04/14/09

My letter to him: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=13317

April 14, 2009

Dear Mr. Krause,

Thank you for contacting me about the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009. I appreciate your comments and am grateful that you took the time to contact me.

The goal of the Federal Reserve is to maintain the stability of the financial system through conducting the nation's monetary policy while ensuring the soundness and safeness of the banking and financial system. Founded in 1913, the Federal Reserve has functioned as the nation's central bank by influencing monetary policy to pursue maximum unemployment, stable prices and moderate long-term interest rates. Recently, gaps in regulatory oversight were revealed during this financial crisis that must be addressed to prevent future regulatory failures.

I share a great deal of frustration with you over the failure of our financial regulatory system to provide proper oversight of the financial services sector necessary to prevent the current economic crisis. As a member of the Financial Services Committee, I will continue to explore and address the areas in our financial regulatory structure that need reform to provide proper oversight of our constantly evolving financial sector. Reform must be implemented properly and thoughtfully to allow for financial markets to operate and innovate. We must also maintain diligent oversight to protect market participants and prevent systemic risk.

Working with Congress, the Federal Reserve provides vital tools and powers necessary to stabilize the economy. I will continue to work and discuss with my colleagues in Congress solutions to improve the regulatory oversight of our financial system and stabilize our economy

If you have any additional questions regarding this or other issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office. You can sign up for my newsletter and find more information on my views and my work in Congress by visiting my official website at www.house.gov/himes.

Sincerely,

Jim Himes
Member of Congress

5,000 attend Hartford Tea Party Posted by JSearles

Posted 04/20/09

By brainflation

A week ago organizers estimated the Hartford Tea Party would host about 1,000 protesters. Today their expectations were shattered when 5,000 angry patriots flooded the north lawn of the State Capitol to vent their frustration over bailouts, taxation and a distinct socialistic direction the country has taken.

Pictures and video are streaming in from attendees and can be found at the bottom of this post.

The Huffington Post took the citizen reporter route in an attempt to cover all the tea parties across the country and asked volunteers to submit twitter, written and visual reports of their local events. Here is my report:

Hartford, CT - Jon Searles

Normally a decidedly blue city, Hartford Connecticut took on a red hue Wednesday as 5000 self described conservatives converged on the north lawn of the State Capitol to express outrage over runaway spending, bailouts and excessive taxation from Federal, State and Local Governments. Self titled a "Tea Party" this gathering was among thousands of similar events staged across the country in an effort characterized by participants who say they are fed up with both major political parties.

Capitol Police who observed the event provided an attendance estimate of 5000 but generated some controversy of their own when they were observed videotaping the crowd for about an hour. Following the recent revelation of a Department of Homeland Security report which has been reported on talk radio to characterize conservatives as threats some attendees questioned the purpose of this taping.

Signs carried by the crowd were as diverse as the people carrying them. However, with messages such as "T.E.A. Taxed Enough Already" and "Forget the Tea Pass the Tar and Feathers" the message from the crowd was anything but diverse. Loud cheers came from the crowd every time one of the radio hosts, political activists or fellow citizens who took the mic denounced government bailouts, intervention in the markets and taxation leaving little room to misinterpret the reason so many turned out at lunch time on a work day.

One of the organizers identified as Rick reluctantly volunteered as a grassroots organizer when other leadership failed to surface. He jokingly wondered when he'd be receiving his check in response to claims by some media outlets that the Tea Parties were a product of the RNC or other national Republican organizations. There was a variety of material being passed around from multiple organizations including the Campaign for Liberty and Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations but the lack State or National Republican representation at the event gave credibility to the grassroots claim. Organizers were deliberate in their exclusion of politicians and candidates from the microphone citing a desire to prevent a genuine citizen movement from being hijacked by the agendas of the same politicos who brought on the need for protests.

Pictures and video:

RadioViceOnline:
target="_blank">http://radioviceonline.com/photos-and-video-from-the-hartford-tax-day
-tea-party/

Jim Banks:
http://community.webshots.com/album/571109957HEFTWj

Hartford Courant:
http://www.courant.com/video/?slug=hc-tea-party-wn

Running Totals for Yes RSVP's Posted by gogofrizzy

Posted 04/13/09

Born from an inquiring mind, mine, I pass this along to you.

I would like to see running totals of positive rsvp's to main events posted on the C4L CT home page.  The reason is two-fold.

1.  If the number of  positive rsvp's seems light we'll work to increase it, or find out why it's light.

2.  Car pooling.  For events that are further away it would be nice to share rides and expenses with the added bonus of building inter-local C4L connections which might not otherwise happen

The solution:

In the future a poll will be incorporated to the event with two questions.

1. Will you attend?, yes or no.

     1b. If no, reason (i.e. other commitment, too late/to early,  no interest)

2.  Would you like to carpool? yes or no.

     2b. If yes, Where you are coming from and how to contact you

Box?? showing running total of number of positive rsvp's

(need one per member tracking if you're busy like me you might forget if you took the poll and go take it again

Format not totally worked out on the polling.

Comments/suggestions

Raw Milk Bill - DEAD Posted by jrstark3

Posted 04/07/09

Please click the link to see a story about the death of the raw milk legislation from CTNEWSJUNKIE.COM.

http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/environment/victory_for_raw_milk_enthusias.php#more

Will you take advantage of government programs? Posted by kapteinAmerica

Posted 04/07/09

This one has always weighted me down, and as I become more principled, I felt more like a slug for having taken advantage. (Subsidized school loans)

Then I heard Robert Higgs today on campaignforliberty main page. When asked by a caller if he plans to use SS....

Bascially he responded that he will do what he must to survive, to keep his head above water. Actually, I think he gave an analogy of trying to stay afloat in a cesspool.

However, our words mean less than our actions. Accepting my subsidized federal school loans burdens all tax payers as does his acceptance of SS (when he gets there) thus perpetuating the problem.

So what say you?

Rally on the Lexington Green - Lexington MA - On April 19. Great speakers on the anniversary of the "Shot Heard Round The World" Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 04/04/09

Be at the Lexington Green in Lexington Mass on 4/19/2009 (Sunday) from Noon to 3pm for a Rally on the Anniversary of the Shot Heard Round the World!

Speakers include:

- Dr. Edwin Vieira (Attorney, Author, Constitutional Scholar)

- Walter Reddy (CFL Precinct Leader, Committees of Safety Founder)

- Garret Lear (Patriot Pastor)

- Stewart Rhodes (founder, The Oathkeepers)

From the website:

"The Shot Heard Around the World" occurred over two centuries ago on the Green in Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775.

There were 60-70 of Lexington's Militia that had assembled on the Green and faced 800 British troops.  Capt. Parker had ordered his men to disperse, when one of the British officers fired his pistol at the men as they were dispersing and the rest is history - our history.

Now, in the year 2009, We the People face many daunting challenges in our hard-won Country. The event will be on the same Lexington Green on Sunday, April 19, 2009 from Noon until 3pm EST.

Tax day Tea Party in Hartford, CT ! Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 03/30/09

Join all those who love Liberty on April 15th @12pm at the State capitol for a Tax Day Tea party protest!

Here is a downloadable flyer created by Jon Searles (C4L member jsearles):

http://brainflation.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/teapartyflyer85x111.pdf

See taxdayteaparty.com for more information.

Geithner and choice of words Posted by Uncle Gargamel

Posted 03/30/09

I have watched many many Geithner speeches now and am concerned that he may have interests that our not American in nature.  His background and choice of words show concern that he has a conflict of interest.

Geithner worked for the IMF.  What is the IMF?  from their website:

******

What does the International Monetary Fund do?

The IMF is the world's central organization for international monetary cooperation. It is an organization in which almost all countries in the world work together to promote the common good.

The IMF's primary purpose is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system—the system of exchange rates and international payments that enables countries (and their citizens) to buy goods and services from each other. This is essential for sustainable economic growth and rising living standards.

To maintain stability and prevent crises in the international monetary system, the IMF reviews national, regional, and global economic and financial developments. It provides advice to its 184 member countries, encouraging them to adopt policies that foster economic stability, reduce their vulnerability to economic and financial crises, and raise living standards, and serves as a forum where they can discuss the national, regional, and global consequences of their policies.

The IMF also makes financing temporarily available to member countries to help them address balance of payments problems—that is, when they find themselves short of foreign exchange because their payments to other countries exceed their foreign exchange earnings.

And it provides technical assistance and training to help countries build the expertise and institutions they need for economic stability and growth.

Why was it created?

The IMF was conceived in July 1944, when representatives of 45 governments meeting in the town of Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, in the northeastern United States, agreed on a framework for international economic cooperation. They believed that such a framework was necessary to avoid a repetition of the disastrous economic policies that had contributed to the Great Depression of the 1930s.

*********

So it seems that they were not able to do what they intended to do.  Geithner was a member of this organization.  

The fact that this organization is global in nature makes me feel that coming from a global view to an American view might not be an easy step.    Could it be that there are alterior motives than that are stated?

In addition to the fact that Geithner worked at the IMF, He consistently talks about "Your Government" and "This Government"  but I personally have never heard him say "Our Government"

This is just a word but if you give it some thought it has a lot of meaning.   I am not the secretary treasury and neither are any of my family and friends but when we speak of the American Government we say "OUR GOVERNMENT"

Is the fox guarding the henhouse?   Geithner has an obvious conflict of interest.    I believe he worked at the FED as well.

Here is a recent quote from him regarding China's push to give the IMF more control...

Geithner was initially asked at a Council on Foreign Relations event in New York about proposals from People’s Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan for a new international reserve currency. He said “as I understand his proposal, it’s a proposal designed to increase the use of the IMF’s special drawing rights. And we’re actually quite open to that.”

Geithners Work History: (From wikopedia)

After completing his studies, Geithner worked for Kissinger and Associates in Washington, D.C., for three years and then joined the International Affairs division of the U.S. Treasury Department in 1988. He went on to serve as an attaché at the US Embassy in Tokyo. He was deputy assistant secretary for international monetary and financial policy (1995–1996), senior deputy assistant secretary for international affairs (1996-1997), assistant secretary for international affairs (1997–1998).^[5]

He was Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs (1998–2001) under Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers.^[5] Summers was his mentor,^[10][11] but other sources call him a Rubin protégé.^[11][12][13]

Treasury Secretary designee Geithner meets Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus on November 25, 2008

In 2002 he left the Treasury to join the Council on Foreign Relations as a Senior Fellow in the International Economics department.^[14] He was director of the Policy Development and Review Department (2001-2003) at the International Monetary Fund.^[5]

In October 2003, he was named president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.^[15] His salary in 2007 was $398,200.^[16] Once at the New York Fed, he became Vice Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee component. In 2006, he also became a member of the Washington-based financial advisory body, the Group of Thirty.^[17]

*********

Worked for the FED?  Worked at the IMF?  Now he is the secretary treasury?

Wood smoke illegal in CT? Posted by Paul Mauro

Posted 03/30/09

Has anyone seen this proposed bill?

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/TOB/H/2009HB-06616-R00-HB.htm

I use wood as a secondary heat source (and campfires of course!) and I contacted my Rep.

Still waiting too hear back though.

Sketch #10: "Economy for $100 Billion." Posted by cbsure

Posted 03/24/09

...next...

There Is No Crisis Posted by Phil Maymin

Posted 03/19/09 Last updated 03/18/09

Big government has robbed us all of a cris-atunity!

When Homer Simpson got banned from Moe's bar, Lisa tried to console him. "Look on the bright side, Dad," she said. "Did you know that the Chinese use the same word for 'crisis' as they do for 'opportunity?'"

"Yes!" Homer exclaimed. "Cris-atunity!" Inspired, he sprinted off in search of a new bar.

Lisa, usually so smart, was wrong. The Chinese word for crisis does not mean opportunity. That is an urban myth — repeated by John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Condoleeza Rice and Al Gore. The Chinese word weiji is a combination of wei, meaning danger, and ji, meaning crucial point (when something begins or changes).

Actually, the etymology of the word crisis goes back to the Greek krisis, meaning "decision." Homer Simpson faced a turning point that required a decision.

But we are not in Homer's shoes. Despite rising unemployment, massive layoffs and a stock market that has lost half of its value from its peak, we are not in a crisis. There is no banking crisis, no financial crisis, no economic crisis.

Why not? Because we have no decision to make.

A bad situation is only a crisis if making the wrong decision can be fatal, and there is a chance of making the right one. Surely, a recession is a bad situation, but where is the debate about possible decisions? There can be no crisis without even a possibility of massively shrinking government.

Who is proposing less government involvement? Who is pointing out that the problems were caused by too much government, too many regulations, too burdensome taxes, too powerful federal agencies?

We are seeing more of the same. A hundred years ago, a bank run came about as a consequence of the CEO of the United Copper Company and his brother trying to corner the market on their own stock. The short squeeze didn't work, and the banks who had lent money to the scheme saw their depositors rush to withdraw.

That Panic of 1907 provided much of the impetus for the eventual formation of the Federal Reserve in 1913. That was quite possibly the last time our country faced a crisis. We could have decided to continue as free people, but we went the other way. That same year, the Sixteenth Amendment violated our Constitution, establishing a permanent federal income tax, and the Seventeenth Amendment made senators popularly elected, like House representatives, rather than appointed by state governments. Senators went from being the last protectors of states' rights to some of the loudest proponents for more centralized government.

The cancer of big government grew slowly. At first the Fed did little and income taxes were miniscule. But then the stock market fell in 1929, perhaps as a result of Fed policies that encouraged — as they always do — debt upon debt upon debt.The Great Depression, the New Deal, the Great Society, and Compassionate Conservatism are all different labels for the same phenomenon: the growth of the cancer.

Now we are at the point where we confuse our cancerous tumor for a vital limb. Many of us can't imagine living without the government hunch on our back. Who would build bridges and roads?

And in a time when the big government policies have clearly been shown to fail, when the borrow, borrow, borrow and tax, tax, tax policies of Democrats and Republicans over the past century have left us twisted and deformed, when the only medical alternative left is aggressively attacking the malignant growth, we instead feed and caress it. We honor it with words like "sacrifice" and "the common good."

For the cancer of big government, nothing is going to change in this "crisis." It will only continue to grow. Just as there are plenty of ways to treat even advanced cancer (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy), there are plenty of possible ways to reduce the government (abolish the Fed, repeal income taxes with an amendment, get out of Iraq, cancel all bailouts, close federal agencies), but our elected doctors refuse to even consider any of these treatments, let alone act on them.

They kiss the tumor and call us greedy for wanting to walk tall.

Originally published in the Fairfield County Weekly on March 19, 2009.

Ridgefield, CT Tea Party on Saturday Morning! Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 03/19/09

Reminder: Ridgefield Tea Party this Saturday!!!

In 1773, a small group in Boston met to discuss taxes, monopoly and tea...

Are You Opposed to the So-Called "Stimulus" Bill?

Do You Believe the "Mortgage Bail Out" Rewards Bad Behavior?

Are You Willing to Make Your Voice Heard?

You are invited to attend a "tea party" being held in downtown Ridgefield, CT to make your voice heard. We want to encourage other like-minded citizens to oppose giant government programs that will reach deep into our pockets, creating huge economic burdens for ourselves and our children.

Just as a few patriots did in 1773, we are protesting an irresponsible and unresponsive government. We plan on a cheerful, constructive demonstration. Please join us!

WHERE: Ridgefield, CT. The corner of Main Street and Bailey, near Town Hall. (Public Parking is available off Bailey and also off Prospect St. one block away)

WHEN: Saturday, March 21st at 10:00 a.m.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: Your voice, a good attitude and a desire to have your views heard.

This peaceful protest is being organized by local residents and is permitted in the town. Let your fellow citizens know your views and meet other like-minded people who want responsible government.

Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country.

John Stossel Interviewing Ron Paul Posted by cbsure

Posted 03/18/09

Hearing John on Freedom Watch last week got me looking for this video.  Enjoy!

John Stossel Interviews Ron Paul 2007.12.07 as Republican Presidential Candidate...

part 1: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJz81lAwY0M&feature=channel]

part 2: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky3CTT7Hw4s&feature=channel]

part 3: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S7p0dICNdM&feature=related]

part 4: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVo9PapqYF0&feature=related]

part 5: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEyeb7iMArM&feature=related]

part 6: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qra1bUiLsP4&feature=channel_page]

Microstamping is an effort to reduce gun ownership in CT Posted by Uncle Tarnation

Posted 03/14/09

There is an assault on gun ownership in Connecticut. I think that
citizens need to be made aware of what is transpiring as I haven't
seen it show up in the news with the attention it deserves.

Recently a bill (SB353) has been introduced in Connecticut
that seeks to require micro-stamping of serial/make/model for
semi-automatic handguns after 2011. I strongly oppose any kind of
legislation that puts a burden on taxpaying citizens of Connecticut or
the nation for any reason but particularly when the reason is to
assist law enforcement by pre-attachment of potential evidence to
*all* citizens. While it is admirable to seek to reduce crime it is
reprehensible to "fingerprint" citizens firearms by default just for
owning them. There are any number of scenarios where this might result
in a miscarriage of justice due to the forensics tying a person to a
crime who did not commit it. How about a criminal going to a gun range
and grabbing a handful of bullet casings to purposely mislead the
investigators?

Further, I believe that the real intent of the law is to make owning a
handgun prohibitively expensive in a misguided effort to reduce the
number of handguns owned by private persons in Connecticut. The crooks
will find other means to remain armed and largely do not concern
themselves with the various laws that a Connecticut citizen will fret
over. Reducing law abiding gun ownership has shown many times to
actually increase crime. I refer you to the unfortunate exercise of
gun confiscation and its statistical results on crime in Australia.
Armed citizens are free citizens and can provide for their own defense
admirably.

Connecticut already has enough gun laws as it is and this onerous
legislation is a slap in the face to good citizens who are already
bent over a barrel to pay for constant insurrections against our
liberty. Let's not forget what our framers envisioned as a country of
free citizens and allow the restraint of freedom in the name of the
common good. The common good of America can only be achieved by
adherence to the principles of individual liberty. Prosecute criminals
to the full extent of the law but leave law abiding citizens be to do
as they see fit without interference from their peers.

John Day

Connecticut Event focused on Sound money and States rights - April 11th, 2009 at Russell Library in Middletown,CT Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 03/12/09 Last updated 03/16/09

Dear Connecticut Campaign for Liberty Members,

State sovereignty is one of the most important issues in front of us today - it is nearly impossible to get anything done at the federal level, but our state legislators still listen. We want to empower them to make the right decision, by ensuring they understand the proper, Constitutional role of the federal government.

Please join your fellow CT C4L members on Saturday April 11th, at 2pm, as we show a video presentation by Dr. Edwin Vieira titled "The Purse and the Sword". Dr. Vieira has a well thought out plan to inject sound money and constitutional "homeland security" at the state level - it is 10th amendment legislation, but with teeth! Joining us will be Committees of Safety founder, Walter Reddy. (P.S. Walter is a Campaign for Liberty precinct leader here in Connecticut!).

I believe this will be a major focus for our group in Connecticut - this event is intended to introduce everyone to the plan and discuss what we can do to get this legislation passed! I hope that we will be able to work with the Committees of Safety to ensure that Connecticut is the first state to pass REAL legislation that will peacefully establish state sovereignty here - putting chains on the feds!

The meeting will be at Russell Library in Middletown, CT:

Russell Library
123 Broad Street
Middletown, CT

NOTE: The purpose of this event is not to get you to "join the Committees of Safety" or anything of the sort - it is to start to take back our state rights from the feds by working in a coalition with another organization that is dedicated to the same principles that we are!

There is a flyer available for download: http://www.libertyinconnecticut.com/pubuploads/C4LCOS411flyer.pdf

Please, invite your friends!

R.S.V.P to Andrew.Sica@CampaignForLiberty.com

Sketch #8: Hollywood($) Posted by cbsure

Posted 03/10/09 Last updated 03/09/09

 (Top: Jim Amann, Democratic candidate for Governor of CT; Bottom: Robert De Nero & Al Pacino) 

 "In spite of all his imperfections...I"m a FAN OF MAN!!! I'm a humanist. Maybe the last humanist." 

--The Devil

...as played by Al Pacino in the movie: Devil's Advocate (1997)

***

My latest letter to the Hartford Courant: Equality and Fairness? Posted by wgreen

Posted 03/10/09

Woo hoo!  The Courant printed another one of my letters.  I wrote it in response to a piece by E. J. Dionne in which he advocated "re-cutting the pie".

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/letters/hc-digbrflets0306.art1mar06,0,1538648.sto
ry

Chris Dodd's last letter Posted by kapteinAmerica

Posted 03/08/09

March 6, 2009

Dear Mr. Kaptein:

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.

Families and communities across the country are feeling the devastating effects of our current economic crisis. In Connecticut, the unemployment rate has risen above 7 percent and 1,700 families found themselves entering foreclosure in January alone. Across the state, local budgets have also been severely impacted, with cities and towns forced to cut education and public safety budgets to try and cope. This economic recovery legislation offers a critically important step toward halting our nation's fiscal crisis, as well as addressing the pressing needs of the American people.

With passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the state of Connecticut is expected to receive $2.97 billion in direct assistance to help local families and communities weather this economic storm. This funding will help save and create close to 41,000 jobs in the state, and provide much needed relief to people struggling in these tough economic times, while also making a critical down payment on our future economic security.

The $787 billion in funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes critical investments in job training, unemployment compensation, infrastructure, education, and energy programs to address some of our nation's most pressing needs. Public safety initiatives, food stamps, and meals for the elderly will also receive additional federal funds. In addition, under the legislation, housing, health care, and other technology upgrades and improvements to lower long-term energy and operating costs are included in the bill. Also in the legislation, 95 percent of families will receive needed relief from included tax provisions such as the Making Work Pay tax credit, as well as the expanded Child and Earned Income Tax Credits.

President Obama signed this landmark legislation into law on February 17, 2009, and 74 percent of the funds contained in the measure are projected to be dispersed to individuals, businesses and states within 18 months. This will support the creation and retention of 3.5 million jobs nationwide over the next two years. For your review, I have enclosed a preliminary list of some of the ways that the funds will be dispersed throughout Connecticut. If you would like more information about programs included in the stimulus bill that may assist you, your business, or your community, please visit my website at http://dodd.senate.gov to view my Economic Recovery Package Resource guide, email me at recovery@dodd.senate.gov, or call my offices at (860) 258-6940 (Hartford) or (202) 224-2823 (Washington, D.C.).

Thank you again for contacting me. If you would like to stay in touch with me on this or other issues of importance to you, please visit my website at http://dodd.senate.gov and sign up to receive my free e-mail issue alerts. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I may be of any assistance to you in any way.

Sincerely,

CHRISTOPHER J. DODD

United States Senator

LOOK ITS ME Posted by chazy567

Posted 03/04/09

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1529573241/bctid14384869001

30 secs left its me

Video: Jim Rogers Interview in Australia Posted by cbsure

Posted 03/03/09

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNh5wHE1e0M

Wall Street Investor, Jim Rogers, commenting on what works.

Let the people go bankrupt when they fail & let the competent take over the assets from the incompetent people.  Recovery time will vary from 1 to 3 years, historically.   To pass out money to keep the failing people floating will keep the recession going indefinitely.  Just look at Japan.

Bailouts by politicians is not only bad economics but immensely immoral.

So where do we invest our money?  Real assets it looks like...

CT: Jim Amann & his Hollywood East! Posted by cbsure

Posted 03/02/09

Article from New Haven Advocate by Andy Bromage.  Showcasing the loss of state tax revenue to Hollywood thanks to Jim Amann's motion picture tax credit...reimbursing 30% of the production costs: http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=11899

This tax credit will be revised to only reimburse those items purchased within the state...fixing one of the contentions that CT is helping to pay for stuff purchased out of state borders.  But for me, the real problem still remains...why are we (legally) bribing industries to stay in our state anyway.

To live within our means is to accept the natural flow of revenue from an unhampered market of businesses.  If Hollywood decided on their own to film in CT...that's wonderful.  But if the only reason why they're here is because of access to our Treasury...then please...take a hike! 

What if... so called conservatives were consistent? Or, Be Afraid Ye Wobbly Men Posted by JSearles

Posted 03/01/09 Last updated 03/01/09

One of my biggest gripes about establishment Republicans, of which I am one, especially at the national level is the way they knowingly or not go about the business of defending liberty and free markets in the most inconsistent ways.

They’ll berate pork while spending it and denounce censorship while censoring. They’ll resort to underhanded political tactics while they are employing them.

Liberty can not be defended by inconsistent men who chain their brothers. Free markets can not be championed by those who themselves are taking double handed scoops of the capital lifeblood directly from the markets when they see fit.

The Republican party needs consistency and must have champions of principle, not politics. No battle or war is worth winning if sacrificing your kingdom is the cost. For Republicans our principles are our kingdom. I will not sacrifice my kingdom and I will not stand for so called Republican leaders who are willing to do so.

I am a Republican but the established party is not mine. I am a Republican of principle, not politics. My party members are my neighbors both local and not so. We stand together fighting against the tyranny which has gripped this nation in the name of Republicans and Democrats.

I warn you wobbly men who feign greatness. Greater men than you have been punished for less.

9 years our forefathers endured in the face of gross abuse by their government. For 9 years they resisted, they protested and organized but the government with all it’s wobbly men did not take heed. After 9 years our forefathers shed wobbly blood on free soil and ended their torment.

How many years will we toil and suffer under the heel of our government and it’s great wobbly men? Be afraid ye wobbly men. It is time for each of us, the many and the least to stand up and follow in the footsteps of our forefathers. Today we protest, we complain. Tomorrow we organize. And then…

"Next generation" Real ID/EDL with RFID gains support of Janet Napolitano Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 03/01/09

No suprise here - a new Real ID is planned with RFID and has the support ofJanet Napolitano... Again, no shock as she's the idiot who installed cameras all over Arizona roads!

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=90008

LIFE WITH BIG BROTHER
Radio chip coming soon to your driver's license?
Homeland Security seeks next-generation REAL ID

---

Posted: February 28, 2009
12:25 am Eastern

By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

 

Washington state's enhanced driver's license

Privacy advocates are issuing warnings about a new radio chip plan that ultimately could provide electronic identification for every adult in the U.S. and allow agents to compile attendance lists at anti-government rallies simply by walking through the assembly.

The proposal, which has earned the support of Janet Napolitano, the newly chosen chief of the Department of Homeland Security, would embed radio chips in driver's licenses, or "enhanced driver's licenses."

"Enhanced driver's licenses give confidence that the person holding the card is the person who is supposed to be holding the card, and it's less elaborate than REAL ID," Napolitano said in a Washington Times report.

REAL ID is a plan for a federal identification system standardized across the nation that so alarmed governors many states have adopted formal plans to oppose it. However, a privacy advocate today told WND that the EDLs are many times worse.

Radio talk show host and identity chip expert Katherine Albrecht said REAL ID earned the opposition of Christians because of its resemblance to the biblical "mark of the beast," civil libertarians opposed it for its "big brother" connotations and others worried about identity theft issues with the proposed databases.

"We got rid of the REAL ID program, but [this one] is way more insidious," she said.

Enhanced driver's licenses have built-in radio chips providing an identifying number or information that can be accessed by a remote reading unit while the license is inside a wallet or purse.

The technology already had been implemented in Washington state, where it is promoted as an alternative to a passport for traveling to Canada. So far, the program is optional.

But there are other agreements already approved with Michigan, Vermont, New York and Arizona, and plans are under way in other states, including Texas, she said.

(Story continues below)

 

Napolitano, as Arizona's governor, was against the REAL ID, Albrecht said. Now, as chief of Homeland Security, she is suggesting the more aggressive electronic ID of Americans.

"She's coming out and saying, 'OK, OK, OK, you win. We won't do REAL ID. But what we probably ought to do is nationwide enhanced driver's licenses,'" Albrecht told WND.

"They're actually talking about issuing every person a spychip driver's license," she said. "That is the potential problem."

Imagine, she said, going to a First Amendment-protected event, a church or a mosque, or even a gun show or a peace rally.

Katherine Albrecht

"What happens to all those people when a government operator carrying a reading device makes a circuit of the event?" she asked. "They could download all those unique ID numbers and link them."

Participants could find themselves on "watch" lists or their attendance at protests or rallies added to their government "dossier."

She said even if such license programs are run by states, there's virtually no way that the databases would not be linked and accessible to the federal government.

Albrecht said a hint of what is on the agenda was provided recently by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The state's legislature approved a plan banning the government from using any radio chips in any ID documentation.

Schwarzenegger's veto noted he did not want to interfere with any coming or future federal programs for identifying people.

Albrecht's recent guest on her radio program was Michigan State Rep. Paul Opsommer, who said the government appears to be using a national anti-terrorism plan requiring people to document their identities as they enter the United States to promote the technology.

"The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was ... just about proving you were a citizen, not that you had to do it by any specific kind of technology," Opsommer said.

But he said, "We are close to the point now that if you don't want RFID in any of your documents that you can't leave the country or get back into it."

Opsommer said his own state sought an exception to the growing federal move toward driver's licenses with an electronic ID chip, and he was told that was "unlikely."

He was told, "They were trying to harmonize these standards with Canada and Mexico [so] it had to apply to everybody. I was absolutely dumbfounded."

WND previously has reported on such chips when hospitals used them to identify newborns, a company desired to embed immigrants with the electronic devices, a government health event showcased them and when Wal-Mart used microchips to track customers.

Albrecht, who has worked on issues involving radio chip implants, REAL-ID, "Spychips" and other devices, provided a platform for Opsommer to talk about drivers licenses that include radio transmitters that provide identity information about the carrier. She is active with the AntiChips.com and SpyChips.com websites.

Opsommer said he's been trying for several years to gain permission for his state to develop its own secure license without a radio chip.

"They have flat out refused, and their reasoning is all about the need for what they call 'facilitative technology,' which they then determined was RFID," he said during the recent interview.

According to the U.S. State Department, which regulates international travel requirements, U.S. citizens now "must show proof of identity and proof of U.S. citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the countries of the Caribbean by land or seas."

Documentation could be a U.S. passport or other paperwork such as birth certificates or drivers' licenses. But as of this summer, one of the options for returning residents will be an "Enhanced Driver's License."

The rules are being promulgated under the outline of the WHTI, a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires travelers to present a passport or other identity documents on entry into the U.S.

While the government has expressed confidence that no personal or critical information will be revealed through the system, it also says drivers will need special information on how to use, carry and protect the radio-embedded licenses as well as "a shielded container that will prevent anyone from reading your license."

But Albrecht, the author or co-author of six books and videos, including the award-winning "Spychips: How major corporations and government plan to track your every move with RFID," warns it goes much further.

"This must be nipped in the bud. Enhanced DL's make REAL ID look like a walk in the park," Albrecht said.

"Look, I am all in favor of only giving drivers licenses to U.S. citizens or people that are otherwise here in this country legally," Opsommer said, "But we are already doing that in Michigan. We accomplished that without an EDL, as has virtually every other state via their own state laws.

"But just because we choose to only issue our license to U.S. citizens does not mean that our licenses should somehow then fall under federal control. It's still a state document, we are just controlling who we issue them to. But under the EDL program, the Department of Homeland Security is saying that making sure illegals don't get these is not enough. Now you need the chip to prove your citizenship," he continued.

Opsommer further warned the electronic chips embedded in licenses to confirm identity are just the first step.

"Canadians are also more connected to what is going on in Britain with the expansion of the national ID program there, and have seen the mission creep that occurs with things like gun control first hand ... Whatever the reason, as an example, just last week the Canadian government repatriated a database from the U.S. that contained the driver's license data of their citizens," he said.

"Someone finally woke up and realized it would not be a good idea for that to be on American soil ... I think it is only logical that we as state legislators really understand how the governments of Mexico and Canada will have access to our own citizen's data. Right now it is very ambiguous and even difficult for me to get answers on as a state representative."

But Opsommer said Big Brother concerns certainly have some foundation.

"So if EDLs are the new direction for secure licenses in all states, it just reinforces what many have been telling me that DHS wants to expand this program and turn it into a wireless national ID with a different name," he said. "We'll wake up one day and without a vote in Congress DHS will just pass a rule and say something like 'starting next month you will need an EDL to fly on a plane, or to buy a gun, or whatever.'"

Yale University In The Dark About Crisis Posted by ted.sonnier

Posted 03/01/09

February 24, 2009

To: The Faculty and Staff of Yale University

From: Richard C. Levin

Since I wrote to you on December 16 about Yale's response to the economic downturn, the prospects for an early recovery have diminished. Unemployment has grown faster than expected. Mortgage and consumer credit delinquencies and defaults are increasing. And the recession has spread to Europe and Asia. We are all hopeful that the stimulus plans developed in Washington will inspire confidence and an eventual recovery, but this will take time.

The mounting evidence suggesting a prolonged recession has caused us to recognize that we need to take a more aggressive approach to budget reductions for the coming fiscal year. Although our endowment has declined only slightly since mid-December, and we are still projecting a 25% loss for this fiscal year, it will likely be some time before the endowment resumes its normal growth.

After much deliberation, the officers recommended to the Corporation this past weekend further adjustments in the plan we outlined in December. Details will be conveyed to unit heads later this week, but I wanted you to hear of these developments directly from me.

Before deciding to take further action to reduce the operating budget, we scrutinized our capital investment plans. As we announced in December all new buildings and renovation projects currently under construction will continue until completion. Essential utilities projects will remain on schedule, as will the renovation of Morse and Ezra Stiles Colleges, completing our decade-long plan to refurbish all undergraduate residences. But we will postpone construction on all other approved projects until conditions in credit markets improve or until gift funding is received. Unless gift funding is available, we will also delay design work on these projects. In total, we will be deferring capital expenditures of up to $2 billion over the next five years.

Unfortunately, capital delays alone will not be sufficient to address the deficits created by the decline in the value of the endowment; we need to make additional reductions in the operating budget, as outlined below. I deeply regret needing to take actions that impose a burden on the loyal and dedicated members of our staff, whose work contributes so much to the life of the University.

1. We will reduce 2009-2010 budgets by an amount equal to 7.5% of the salaries and benefits of all non-faculty staff, rather than the 5% announced in December. We expect to achieve this reduction largely through attrition in managerial, professional, clerical, technical, service, and maintenance staff, as well as through reduction of casual and temporary employees. To the extent that layoffs are necessary, we will make sure that affected individuals are provided support and guidance.

2. We will also seek larger reductions in non-salary expenditures. Instead of a 5% reduction for each of the next two years, we will ask units to budget a 7.5% reduction for 2009-2010, and continue to plan for an additional 5% reduction the following year.

3. Faculty, managerial, and professional employees with salaries below $75,000 will continue to be eligible for merit increases of up to 2%. But there will be no increases for those with salaries above $75,000, including all deans, directors, and University officers. Foregoing the increases announced previously will allow us to preserve more staff positions.

The measures I am announcing today will result in $37 million of additional relief for the 2009-2010 operating budget and position us well for the next several years. Of course, if external conditions deteriorate significantly, we may be required to take further action next year. It is my hope that the steps we are announcing today will make the need for subsequent reductions less likely.

I wish we could avoid these additional actions, and I understand that meeting the revised budgetary targets will be challenging. But it is important to keep in perspective that after reaching these targets, we will still have more employees and a larger annual operating budget next year than we had two years ago. And we will continue to pursue our most important priorities. We will maintain our commitment to financial aid for our students, and we will aggressively seek our share of the increased Federal support for research made available by the stimulus package. We will continue to renew and refresh our extraordinary faculty, albeit at a slower pace.

I believe that with your help we can and will manage our way through this downturn, preserve the University's great strengths, and seize the most important opportunities for the future. I thank you for your loyalty and commitment, and I know that I can count on you to help ensure that Yale continues, at the highest level of excellence, to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to educate the most talented and promising students for leadership and service.

Yeah, I sure hope that stimulus package works soon.. hahahahahahahahahahaha..

Of jabberwidgets and stimuli: A parable for our times. Posted by wgreen

Posted 02/28/09

The story is told of a far off land that hit economic hard times.  Their benevolent rulers had a plan.  The plan called for the production of "jabberwidgets" with money borrowed from other countries.   These enormous newfangled articles, covered in bells, whistles and spinning decorations were completely useless, but consumed gargantuan amounts of labor hours and raw materials.  Some argued this was a harmful waste, since the jabberwidgets would consume labor and raw materials that could otherwise be used to increase productivity and thus grow the economy.   But the authors of the plan retorted that the production of the widgets would provide millions of new jobs, not only at the jabberwidget factories, but also in the raw materials industry.  These employees would spend their money in the economy at large, and the effect would obviously ripple out.   The rulers won in the court of public opinion, and soon the factories were churning out jabberwidgets by the millions.

Of course, there was no market for the jabberwidgets, so they began to pile up on in the fields outside the factories, twinkling in the sun and ringing in the breeze like wind chimes.  The people were happy as larks, their large paychecks were used to buy homes, and even start new businesses making productive things like tractors and machinery.  But these homebuyers and new entrepreneurs had some difficulties.  Labor was scarce, since most people worked at the jabberwidget factories, and raw materials were very expensive, since Megatons of iron and copper were sitting in piles of widgets which had taken Megaliters of oil to produce.

The rulers decided to phase out the jabberwidgets in order to free up labor and resources for other industries, so they began closing some of the factories.  The laid off workers were soon picked up by the new businesses and began producing useful items.  Resources were still expensive, so the rulers wisely decided to mine the piles of jabberwidgets and cannibalize the old factories for resources.  Soon, resource and labor prices were back to their pre-recession levels and many thanked their wise leaders for saving them from economic ruin.

Some dissented, saying that they would have been better off if they had spent all of that labor and resource on productive endeavors instead of the jabberwidgets.  They should have built tractor factories in the first place.  But they were drowned out by the voices praising the rulers for realizing that it didn't matter what was produced, as long as money was injected into the economy.

Then the loan came do.  The jabberwidget production had been financed through borrowing from a neighboring country.  Now that country demanded payment.  The poor people wished that they had not wasted so many resources and labor on the jabberwidgets.  They realized that they owed money for which they had nothing to show.  They learned that it does matter how money is spent, and not just if it is spent.

Some realized that even if the rulers had order the production of tractors, then piles of tractors, rather than piles of jabberwidgets, would have littered the land.  These wise men did not fool themselves into believing that the rulers could engineer the economy.   They knew that if the government had done nothing.  People would soon have discovered ways of increasing their own productivity and wealth by producing goods and services that were actually in demand.   The economic slowness was just a period of adjustment to changing conditions.

Do you know about the Committees of Safety? Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 02/23/09 Last updated 02/23/09

Here is a teaser for you...

Do you know about the Committees of Safety? (Many of you in Connecticut probably do!).

Have you read Tim D.'s post on it?

In addition to Tim's comments about Walter Reddy, did you know that he is a Connecticut resident - and a C4L Precinct Leader?

Do you know who Dr. Edwin Vieira is?

Have you read about all these state sovereignty bills popping up - and noticed they are lacking teeth? Want to see an achievable plan with real teeth?

Check out http://www.committeesofsafety.org/

Also, watch for my next note on this topic - we're planning an event to help spread the word on the COS plan amongst C4L members. It's a chance for us to make a real difference. We'll be showing the COS video "The Power of the Purse and the Sword", Walter will join us to answer questions as well. This will be soon.

In the meantime, the COS has a weekly conference call (Wednesday nights - see their web page). They also have monthly meetings at the Westport library (also see their web site). I'll post their events on the C4L (as with the past meetings)

That's all for now - just a teaser, like I said. More coming VERY soon.

Reminder Post Joseph Weisberg in Westport Posted by gogofrizzy

Posted 02/22/09 Last updated 02/22/09

Joseph Weisberg is an ex CIA directorate. He has written a book An Ordinary Spy. While it is a novel, the book had to pass CIA scrutiny before it could be published.

Thought this may be of interest to you.

Date: Tuesday February 24th, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Place: Westport Library McManus Room (lower level)

20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880

This is where Committes of Saftey meets

Pull the pin on the Schiff Moneybomb! Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 02/21/09

Well, today is the big day! On the heels of a Hartford Courant article in which Peter sounds like he is still unsure about whether or not he will run (http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=11594 ) we've got the Peter Schiff Moneybomb at Schiff2010.com

The folks at PEAC - in San Diego - as well as Connecticut activists (many of whom are also C4L members) are working double time to recruit Peter Schiff to run against our state embarrassment - Chris Dodd.

Dodd is directly responsible for many of our financial troubles today, as a long time backer of socialist programs such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the CRA, etc. - only days ago, he riled markets by suggesting that nationalization of some banks may be necessary!

Ron Paul needs some friends in Congress - who better than Peter Schiff?

My blog post here gives the schiff2010.com answer to "where will the money go"?

 

It's February 21, 2009. Peter Schiff and political pundits everywhere are watching schiff2010.com with curiosity.
Are Americans complacent enough to submit to failure? Can support coalesce around an idea that promises nothing but the benefit of freedom? Are the ramifications of centralized power threatened by American pride?

With a dedication to the cause of freedom, and a promise to use your hard earned money more efficiently than a government can waste it, schiff2010.com asks for your most generous donation of $10, $25, $250 of more.

With your support, constitutional leadership, honest government, and a protector of our individual rights can represent America once again.It's February 21, 2009. Peter Schiff and political pundits everywhere are watching schiff2010.com with curiosity.
Are Americans complacent enough to submit to failure? Can support coalesce around an idea that promises nothing but the benefit of freedom? Are the ramifications of centralized power threatened by American pride?

With a dedication to the cause of freedom, and a promise to use your hard earned money more efficiently than a government can waste it, schiff2010.com asks for your most generous donation of $10, $25, $250 of more.

With your support, constitutional leadership, honest government, and a protector of our individual rights can represent America once again.

 

Connecticut's "Shovel Ready" projects for stimulus funds Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 02/21/09

http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_state/CT

The total of cost of all the projects submitted by Connecticut is $2,650,247,958

Check it out - it is quite disgusting. Thanks to Connecticut for helping ensure our children are slaves to socialism.

Thanks to Mike Salvi for the link (I saw his post on PA)

Committees of Safety to the Rescue Posted by

Posted 02/16/09 Last updated 02/15/09

Hi, Folks,

This is the most important blog I will have written to this date. The impact quotient is huge and beyond calculation.

Imagine Campaign for Liberty with teeth!

That's what Committees of Safety has to offer. It has the concept, the spirit, and the intellectual gravitas to bring muscle and sinew to not only Campaign for Liberty, but the John Birch Society, GOOOH, Restore the Republic, and the entire field of the Liberty Movement.

Imagine the Campaign for Liberty with State-ratified authority!

What is Committees of Safety? First, do you know who Walter Reddy is? He is the man who organized the Boston Tea Party. And do you know who Dr. Edwin Vieira is? He's the Constitutional Scholar who appears on Fiat Empire, Freedom to Fascism, and a host of other important documentories. He's also the author of numerous liberty-related books, among which is Pieces of Eight, perhaps one of the most important and thoroughly researched books about our money from a Constitutional view.

And, he's authored a book entitled, "Constitutional Homeland Security: A Call to Arms." Which is the centerpiece of the Committees of Safety Statement of Principles.

Dr. Vieira and Walter Reddy are the men behind the Committees of Safety.

How does Committes of Safety help the Campaign for Liberty and all those other liberty organizations?

For one, the most important one, it gives all liberty-minded organizations cohesion without the necessity of defending our individual party or religious preferences. It is simply Constitutional unity which the Committees of Safety provides, with a clear vision of legislating liberty at the State level for the purpose of bringing our Nation back under the authority of We the People.

Dr. Vieira wrote the recent Sound Money legislation which is now being petitioned and submitted in several States. And he is currently writing legislation for the State of Virginia which will bring back Constitutional Militia, the only concept for which the Constitution applies the word necessary for preserving our Republic. In fact, militia is the whole reason for the Second Amendment!

They're not talking about guys running around in the woods wearing camo, here. Dr. Vieira writes eloquently in "Constitutional Homeland Security" about the fact that legislated, State-statuted militia has authority - the authority over police-state policies and over crooked legislators. The State-sanctioned militia has the authority to prepare your State and/or town for economic and meteorological disasters. Also, coupled with the smart-money legislation, the priciples involved will provide a legislated approach to eliminating the Federal Reserve System.

And most importantly, Committees of Safety would stop Obama's mandatory civilian personal-army aspirations dead in its tracks.

Now for the most exciting part: The propositions are achievable within the short term, and would couple with the smart-money legislations and the State sovereignty legislations to stop the cycle of madness in orderly fashion!

Folks, this is real. I've read the book, "Constiutional Homeland Security." I've watched the video, "The Power of the Purse and the Power of the Sword." I've spoken with experts across the Country, and with Campaign for Liberty leaders across the land as well. There are already hundreds of Campaign for Liberty folks on board across the country.

This is Do-able! Very do-able.

Go to http://www.committeesofsafety.org and order the book, Constiutional Homeland Security. All will be made clear. Order the DVD, "The Power of the Purse and the Power of the Sword." All will be made more clear. Use the donate buttons and do a Money Bomb! Constitutional research isn't cheap. And your money would be going for something real.

Please inform your friends of this article! Print it, email it, and act on it!

And if you do so, everything I wrote above can become the clarity of reality.

Got hope? This is the real thing, folks.

Please write to Tim at timd@thekingdomway.net, or call him at 812-229-9440 with any questions.

Sketch #5: Ode to Capitalism Posted by cbsure

Posted 02/16/09 Last updated 02/15/09

Oh give me a home...where Liberty roams...

Where the moral citizens play...

Where seldom is heard...a Socialist word...

& The markets are left Free all day.

...

Update: Tonight: LIVE 9pmEST: Ron Paul, McKinney, Norquist and more! Posted by gogofrizzy

Posted 02/12/09

Transpartisan Citizens' Summit Interim Cabinet
TOGETHER LIVE TONIGHT - 9pm-10pm EST
www.republicmedia.tv

with...
Ron Paul, Steve Bhaerman, Cynthia McKinney, Barbar Marx Hubbard, Jackie Salit, Grover Norquist and Michael Ostrolenk

All brought together with live video from the Summit in Denver, CO!

Please share this historic conference with your friends!

Sam Ettaro
www.republicmedia.tv

Please connect with us via:
TWITTER:  http://twitter.com/republicmedia
MYSPACE:  http://www.myspace.com/republic_media
SKYPE:  "ettarocom"

Red Sea Media Web Services, PO Box 1087 , Clearfield, PA 16830, USA

Committee of Safety Event this Sunday, 2/15 Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 02/12/09

A copy of the flyer below can be found in the files section of our google group - please print and distribute!

Here is a link to the file named cos feb 15th: http://groups.google.com/group/c4l-connecticut-discussion/files

Supporting State legislators in performing their most important Constitutional duties

PLEASE JOIN US

ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15^TH, 2009

FROM 2 PM - 4 PM

AT THE WESTPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY

MC MANUS ROOM - LOWER LEVEL

20 Jessup Road - Westport, CT

For the

Connecticut State Committee of Safety Meeting

on

IMPLEMENTING

 SOUND MONEY

IN OUR STATE

We will be viewing and discussing the lecture given last month at the Westport Public Library

by Harvard constitutional scholar, attorney and author

Dr. Edwin Vieira

on why the two ancient powers,

"the Power of the Purse and the Power of the Sword",

must be reclaimed by the We the People if we are to remain a free People.

It is the goal of the Committees of Safety, working with our State legislators,

to implement the correct statutes to achieve this, thus empowering the People once again.

Call 203-557-3418 for more information or go to CommitteesofSafety.org

Joseph Weisberg Westport Library Posted by gogofrizzy

Posted 02/12/09

Joseph Weisber is an ex CIA directorate.  He has written a book An Ordinary Spy.  While it is a novel, the book had to pass CIA scrutiny before it could be published.

Thought this may be of interest to you.

Date: Tuesday February 24th, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Place: Westport Library McManus Room (lower level)

           20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880

           This is where Committes of Saftey meets

Updates on Connecticut C4L action items, Schiff notes, upcoming events for week ending 2/13/2009 Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 02/12/09

I have a few updates on some of the items discussed last week, as well as some information I'd like to pass along - so, let's get right to it!

• First, on the Real ID and Raw Milk bills. My understanding is that the hearings for both went well (I couldn't attend personally due to work commitments, but submitted testimony prior). We are awaiting updates on both items with regards to the committees decision.
• On the Schiff Campaign - the first meeting was up in Hartford last Saturday. If anyone is looking to get involved, there is an opportunity to help immediately. Please contact Jim Azzola, at jazzola@yahoo.com
• Reminder: Thursday, 2/19, there is an event at the Ridgefield Library. For more info, please see http://www.campaignforliberty.com/calendar.php?rsvp=1579
• I'm working on scheduling an event for March - will update you all on this soon.
• Please call me at 203-241-4749 if you have any questions

Thanks for all of your help contacting state reps on the Raw Milk and Real ID legislation!

I'll send out another update next week ... There is quite a bit in progress, if you'd like to help (and it is needed!), call me.

Take care,

Andrew

Found Ron Paul Art Posted by cbsure

Posted 02/10/09

I found political art commentaries by David Dees.   Apparently, he's only been doing this since 2006.  But in the midst of it, he helped promote the Ron Paul Campaign of '08.  The following is only a sample of his work...Enjoy:

Here are the sources:

http://www.rense.com/1.mpicons/dees1.htm
http://www.deesillustration.com/ps1.html

Tax Day Alert- Operation Walk the Talk Posted by gogofrizzy

Posted 02/05/09

This is a national effort that comes down to the local grass roots level.

It's tax season again! Let's open the eyes of John Q. Public to the Federal Income Tax scam. Starting immediately, Restore the Republic and our coalition partners will take to the streets in a four-phase nationally coordinated effort to spread the truth about the income tax. We need you to join our campaign so we can eliminate the IRS!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it starts with:

------ Step one: Join http://RestoreTheRepublic.net, Already a member? Skip step one.

------ Step two: Join the April 15th National Action Group at http://restoretherepublic.net/april15

------ Step three: Begin Operation Walk the Talk

Mission #1: Operation Walk the Talk

Drop a copy of Republic Magazine Issue 5 in every local waiting room-- doctor's offices, auto repair/lube shops, fitness centers, office building lobbies, and so on. Be nonchalant, have fun and if possible, grab a friend and make a YouTube video capturing the magazine drops and the ensuing conversations!

The timeline is now through February 18th. On the 18th, we'll be launching Operation Earhorn! Stayed tune for the details on your next mission.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKMuZ9KTfMY

Forever in Freedom,

Gary Franchi

RTR National Director

P.S. Issue 5 was reprinted exclusively to aid you in this and upcoming missions, grab them while they are in supply at http://RepublicMagazines.com

Communications: CT & National grassroots events/actions table Posted by gogofrizzy

Posted 02/05/09 Last updated 02/05/09

Right here in our C4L state section is a wiki table with past and current entries.

Have a look. Add to this table please if you have an event or action item you want to share.

Please update it once the event has completed.

http://www.libertyinconnecticut.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Grassrootweb

Barbara

Connecticut Action Item - Raw milk legislation hearing on Monday!!! Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 02/03/09

Connecticut needs YOUR help!

The Raw Milk Legislation is coming to a hearing on 2/9/2009 - that is THIS UPCOMING MONDAY!!! Agenda

We need folks to submit testimony - either in writing (as I will), or if you will be in the Hartford area and available at  in person at 10am.

The related bills are raised H.B. No. 6312 and 6313. Both are of concern, but 6313 deals specifically with raw milk, and seeks to severly restrict its sale - and will likely greatly impact small farms across our state.

H.B. 6312 can be found here ("an act concerning the sale of adulterated milk and milk products"): http://cga.ct.gov/2009/TOB/H/2009HB-06312-R00-HB.htm

H.B. 6313 ("An act concerning raw milk"): http://cga.ct.gov/2009/TOB/H/2009HB-06313-R00-HB.htm

Here is a list of the members of the committee (including email addresses): http://cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/MemberList.asp?comm_code=ENV&doc_type=

Here is an email passed to me with some text that you may be able to use for any note sent to the committee:
http://www.libertyinconnecticut.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Information_provided_by
_a_C4L_Member_on_the_Raw_Milk_Ban

Please contact committee members to submit testimony against these bills. We may be able to kill it in committee!

An independent review of LeBeau's submitted bills. Posted by JSearles

Posted 01/31/09 Last updated 01/31/09

I went through the 28 bills introduced so far by 3rd District State Senator Gary LeBeau on my blog. Have a look.

http://brainflation.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/an-independent-review-of-lebeaus-submitt
ed-bills/

How to track any state congressman or bill introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 01/30/09

1) Go to http://cga.ct.gov/

2) In the top right hand corner of the screen, you will see a black "bill tracker" tab. Click it.

3) This will bring you to a log-in screen. Click Register (unless you have an existing account).

4) After registering (which might require a re-login), you will be brought to a screen labeled:

Connecticut General Assembly
Public Bill Tracking

5) To track congressmen, hit the dropdown labeled "Add All Bills Introduced By:"

6) Select the congressman you wish to track. This step can be done for as many congressmen as your wish.

6b) I recommend adding these same folks under "Add All Bills Co-Sponsored By:"

7) To track bills, type them in under "Add Bill Number:"

You must know the bill number.  Search for it under http://cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/Search.asp

You will get email notifications related to updates - however, a report can be generated at any time from the bill tracking page by clicking on: "Bill Listing Report"

The Campaign for Liberty in Connecticut - Your help IS needed! Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 01/28/09 Last updated 02/24/09

Hello Friends,

First, thanks for taking the time to read my communications - it is critical that we remain in contact.

I greatly want everyone to be involved in supporting the C4L in Connecticut - this is a movement that we are building together as we have all made an active decision to volunteer. Perhaps Mr. Obama will learn a lesson from groups such as ours some day soon: "change" requires that strong people stand up for what they believe in - it cannot be forced or dictated.

In any case, I am not writing to point out the many flaws of the tyrant we now have in office. Rather, this note is to discuss some plans in the immediate future and steps we can all take. The Campaign for Liberty in Connecticut needs your help to make a difference, and we'll all need to do what we can to help.

I greatly look forward to the opportunity to work with all of you, and I want to emphasize that I need your suggestions and ideas (along with your help).

On to the issues at hand:

____________________________

First, I'd like to announce a new tool I have made available for us to use to track our efforts and organize information:

The Liberty Media Wiki at http://www.libertyinconnecticut.com/mediawiki/

This wiki is editable by all - new pages and sections can easily be created, and existing ones easily edited. It uses the same software Wikipedia uses - those of you familiar with wikipedia should be very comfortable with this project. If you are new to wiki's do not worry: they are powerful and easy to update - there is a link to a manual on the front page, and errors can be easily backed off. Do not worry about making mistakes. Further, if you need help, you can always email or phone me.

I will still post summaries, etc. to the Campaign for Liberty web site - however, as you know, the C4L web site does not have any comparable functionality just yet for us to track our efforts.

Throughout the rest of this note, I'll reference the appropriate wiki page to record information.

Please also see the updated Campaign for Liberty Connecticut state page: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/usa/CT/

The state page has it's own newswire, and member blogs will be featured on the page.

We need to communicate effectively as well - to ensure that we share events, issues, local stories,  etc. with each other. This is especially true for any "Action Item" type of communication.

To that end, I've created a google group:

Group address Current web address: http://groups.google.com/group/c4l-connecticut-discussion

Current email address: c4l-connecticut-discussion@googlegroups.com

Signup is free, and we can use it for announcements and discussion.

__________________

Precinct Leaders

Precinct leaders are critical - they are the grassroots leaders of the Campaign for Liberty. They have access to tools and resources that normal members do not - and they have signed the Non-Disclosure Agreement, which allows them access to critical member information.

We have ten precinct leaders in Connecticut, but we need many, many more. The role requires you be a dues paying member ($35 / year) and make a minor time commitment: 5 to 10 hours per month to be an effective PL. This is not a huge sacrifice - Dr. Paul has sacrificed so much more personally and professionally to serve us.

Deb Wells, the C4L Director of Membership has written an excellent piece on the duties of a Precinct Leader - she said it so much better than I ever could, so I'll simply ask you to read her blog entry here: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=3592

If you have questions about the Precinct Leader program, please contact me. There will be a Connecticut precinct leader meeting in late February (details still being worked out) - I'll send more details out in the near future.

__________________

Recruiting Members

We need to recruit members so we can grow our activist base. The first important part of this is contacting those in the C4L data base who signed up for C4L emails (but didn't create an account) and those who were involved in the Ron Paul presidential campaign, or were on the old C4L web site.

This will increase our influence, increase our turnout at events, and take pressure off a relatively small group.

I need folks to help with this list - Would you be willing to contact 10 people via email and invite them to join us? Let me know.

There are other avenues of recruiting: we need to bring the Ron Paul meetup folks in (those who don't already have C4L accounts). Further, it would help if we always try to bring friend(s) to an event. We need to reach out via the media, town events, etc. and recruit at these events. If you know of an opportunity, let's take advantage of it - update the wiki here and communicate/organize your fellow Connecticut activists.

__________________

Key issues

There are issues of immediate importance in the state for the 2009 legislative cycle:

- State Senator Mary Ann Handley will be introducing anti-Real ID legislation (http://www.senatedems.state.ct.us/Handley.html)

- Also on the agenda is dangerous legislation introducing ammunition microcoding, new agriculture regulations regarding the sale of raw milk, more weapon restrictions and DNA gathering efforts (this is just a sampling of the dangerous legislation we face).

Our efforts will be organized and tracked here: http://www.libertyinconnecticut.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Issues

(NOTE: please feel free to add pages for other Connecticut General Assembly legislation we should track.)

We need to build a coalition with the other freedom groups in Connecticut to fight these bills. I believe we can raise awareness on all the issues we are concerned with - however, We should pick a few key issues to focus our activist efforts on.

One of these issues must be the Dangerous "Real" ID act. I've compiled some information about the related Connecticut bill - this information is available at:
http://www.libertyinconnecticut.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=The_Dangerous_(aka_%27R
eal%27)_ID

On this issue and others, I'll ask that a PL volunteer to take the lead - that is, be the "point person" for a particular piece of legislation.

As I am also a precinct leader, I'll start by organizing the efforts to support Senator Handley's anti-Real ID bill. Expect to hear more from me about this within the next few weeks (for now, you can read more on the wiki page previously referenced).

________________

Local activism - Helping the C4L in CT help you and your town.

More than a few of you have asked what you can do locally. I've thought about this, and have some ideas.

These steps are critical for when we have a better infrastructure built in state - and for future congressional district coordinators, county coordinators and precinct leaders who will help to lead in your areas.

This info is needed, and many of these steps will allow you to influence your town government. Here they are:

• Attending local party meetings (i.e. your town GOP).
• Become a precinct leader and perform PL activities in town.
• Recruit C4L members.
• Find free or cheap public locations to meet in the area and post them on the Wiki here.
• Find speakers/videos for meetings on key C4L related topics; host an event and invite some pro-liberty friends.
• Contact GOP/3rd party state level congressmen (Connecticut House/Senate) (i.e call them, email them or even invite your state Rep over for dinner to discuss the Real ID and other issues don't laugh! This has been very effective for folks in other states).
• Contact town/city level GOP/3rd party folks, build relationships with them, talk to them about legislation which concerns you.
• Attend town meetings, report on them. This can help promote the C4L and make a difference locally (i.e. local issues where the government is overstepping its bounds).
• Write letters to the editor, editorials - post them on your C4L blog too!
• Support local candidates and/or run for office!; get "Ron Paul Republicans" into town/state level GOP positions.
• Blog about local or statewide issues and news stories to raise awareness.

There are many other ways to assist as well. Please do not consider this an exhaustive list. Make sure you record information so others can use your terrific ideas!

________________

Kickoff Meeting

A great way to kickoff activity and to meet each other would be to have a state wide meetup - for this, I think our best bet would be to have a roughly 3 hour summit. Of this 3:00 timeframe, we need some of the time to go to speakers, and some to be left for discussion, meeting each other, etc.. We'd likely follow a similar format to other states who have already held kickoff meetings.

I hope to aim for the April timeframe - however, this is very much "up in the air" right now.

Of course, we need help getting this setup:

* We need to find a location that could hold a relatively large group (and is free or very cheap).
* We need to find folks willing to speak on specific issues (definitely REAL ID in CT; other ideas: thoughts on taking back the GOP locally, Schiff 2010 efforts, raw milk legislation in the state, etc. - pick your hot issue in the state).
* Get other groups to attend (Birch, Libertarian Party, etc.); perhaps also some state officials.

Ideas and suggestions are (of course) welcome. More details on this statewide meeting will be coming down the road - this is just a call for early help getting it setup.

If you are willing to assist with planning, please let me know.

________________

Leadership Institute

I am in discussion with the Leadership Institute to offer grassroots training here in Connecticut. There will be a small fee for those wishing to attend - when I have some real information, you folks will be the first to know! visit their website here: http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/

________________

In Closing...

Even if you have already told me that you wish to volunteer or help, please drop me a note to remind me. It has been a busy few weeks, and I would appreciate this effort on your part!

Stay tuned for news on events!

If you have any ideas or comments on the above note or the plans I've discussed, please comment on the blog here.

For Liberty,

Andrew M. Sica

(203) 241 4749

Interim State Coordinator, Connecticut

Andrew.Sica@CampaignforLiberty.com

CT Action item - OPPOSE Proposed State Bill No. 6181 - "Cyber Harrassment" Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 01/27/09

Connecticut State Representative David Scribner has a bit too much time on his hands, and he's decided to use it to start hammering away out 1st Amendment rights.

This takes the form of proposed state bill no.6181:

General Assembly

Proposed Bill No. 6181

January Session, 2009

LCO No. 845

Referred to Committee on Judiciary

Introduced by:

REP. SCRIBNER, 107th Dist.

AN ACT CONCERNING CYBER HARASSMENT.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

That chapter 952 of the general statutes be amended to establish the crime of cyber harassment that occurs when a person, for the purpose of frightening or disturbing another person, transmits or causes the transmission of an electronic communication, or knowingly permits an electronic communication to be transmitted to another person from an electronic communications device under his or her control, (1) using coarse language offensive to a person of average sensibility, (2) anonymously or repeatedly whether or not a conversation occurs, or (3) threatens to commit any felony; and that any person who commits cyber harassment shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor unless such person is twenty-one years of age or older and the crime is committed against a person under seventeen years of age, in which case such person shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Statement of Purpose:

To establish the crime of cyber harassment.

I hope you can all see the potential for abuse here - while this isn't as "hot" an issue as the Real ID, for example, it still represents a threat to Constitutionally protected rights.

Please contact your state rep/senator and express your concerns about this piece of legislation - particularly if they sit on the Judiciary committee.

State representative list can be found here

State senator list can be found here

Judiciary Committee page

Help convince Peter Schiff to run! MONEYBOMB!!! - Set for February 21,2009 Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 01/26/09 Last updated 01/26/09

Imagine a Senate without Christoper Dodd. Sound good?

Now - think about Christopher Dodd's replacement - certainly anything would be better than him; but what if we could get the great Austrian economist Peter Schiff in that seat?

Well, the good people at Schiff2010.com have started an exploratory campaign for him (he is not yet associated with the effort). To quote Peter on the subject, they hope that "if we build it, he will come".

We need to raise funds to convince Peter that he has our support and should run - sounds like it is time for a moneybomb!

The moneybomb is set for 2/21/2009 - the moneybomb website is located at schiffbomb.com - go there now to pledge to donate on 2/21/2009 !

On 2/21/2009 we will be donating at Schiff2010.com (you'll get a reminder from the schiffbomb site if you pledge).

Folks, Peter has not committed to running - in fact, here are some recents public comments he made (from his week of 1/7 radio show):

I'm not running for anything, but apparently there's an effort to convince me to run or to draft me. They are trying to put together an organization and raise funds -- and they're hoping, in the field of dreams "if you build it they will come" -- and if they can create an organization and fund it that they might be able to convince me to run for Senate.

I have no idea whether or not I would make myself a candidate for Senate, even if they did put together an organization to raise some money, I don't know. But it's not a hundred percent that I wouldn't do it.I don't even know if they could even be successful, I have no idea how much they could raise, or how much is needed to try to have a legitimate campaign for Senate. But the problem for me in deciding whether or not I wanted to run for Senate would be "what could I accomplish if I won?"…

Worst case scenario if I don't run, maybe they can find a productive use for the money in other candidates who do run, but that's what's going on.

So what would a Peter Schiff campaign do and what could he accomplish in the Senate if he won? Here are some thoughts from the Schiff2010 web site.

1) Without yet launching a marketing campaign, as discussed on Western Standard, one of Canada’s top political news source and magazine, the excitement for a Peter Schiff run is already building:

The website has been bouncing around the blogosphere and social networking sites like Digg, while adding new content and building up a mailing list. The "Peter Schiff for Senate 2010" Facebook page now has about 500 supporters.

Thus, Schiff’s first accomplishment would be to reinvigorate the Revolution sparked by Ron Paul. We are two years away from election, and passion is already present. Conventional politicians haven’t even contacted their big money donors.

2) The support behind a Peter Schiff run would come from individuals all over the country. Just look at the supporters on Facebook. When many inside the political system are still convinced that the Ron Paul inspired Revolution was a splash in the pan, Schiff can prove that the Revolution will not fade, whether or not a particular political party wants to embrace it.

3) Schiff is funny and charismatic. He could inspire savvier, young voters that have an appreciation for economic understanding, with his sharp, uncensored wit. Late shows and news stations would eat up Peter Schiff debates and speeches in the Senate chambers. This would accomplish spreading the message of freedom to a much wider audience, giving other liberty candidates at all levels of government a better chance in future elections.

4) Schiff could sit on the Senate Appropriations, Banking, Budget, and/or Finance Committees and steer our financial policy away from the dangerous and short-sided philosophy of the Keynesians.

5) Peter Schiff would be replacing one of the architects of the bailout. A man who not only advocated the socialization of America’s financial system, but believed that he could take YOUR money to do it! What a monumental change in the course of American politics and philosophical direction, especially after electing a big government politician like Obama to the White House.

6) The Senate is responsible for acting as a check on the power of the President and Congress. Whether or not other senators support the freedom message and/or Schiff’s philosophy in full, the influx of rational and persuasive arguments that Schiff would bring to the Senate chambers would make him a natural opposition leader at a time when big government policy is going to be pounding on the door. Schiff could lead filibuster tactics. He could rally voters across the nation to demand constitutional government. Ron Paul gathered some wood. It’s time for Schiff to start the fire.

"It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate and tireless minority keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." -Samuel Adams

C4L members wishing to follow these efforts and/or get involved should also join the Schiff 2010 Meetup (click here).

The local media has also picked up on this story (although this article was written by a Dodd lackey). (Article on Dodd "facing a serious challenge" in a local paper.)

LTE: My Obama Pledge Posted by JSearles

Posted 01/22/09

In honor of the historic inauguration of Barack Obama I have made an Obama Pledge of my own.

I pledge to fight against government waste wherever and whenever I find it, even when it’s “just pennies”. I will stand against government interference, regulation and encroachment in my life and the lives of my neighbors whether it is local, state or federal. Never again will I idly bear abusive taxation which threatens to impoverish my family and community. No political party will ever come before my principles, for without principles even the strongest party is nothing. Group think will never enter my mind; all people are individuals of distinct character and achievement and deserve to be treated as such.

I pledge to champion the natural right of the individual to life, liberty and property. I will strive unapologetically to keep every cent created by my labor and dispose of it as I see fit and defend the right of my neighbor to do the same. I recognize that government cannot give anything to me unless it takes it from somebody else and so I will never ask the government to act for my benefit because I know that to do so is to harm my neighbors.

If you would like to join me in this pledge I’d like to hear about it. Every voice and every opinion matters. (860) 216-2310

Jon Searles
East Hartford

Obama's Promises vs. Oath Posted by uconntraxtar

Posted 01/19/09

Barrack Obama has promised many things.  He will promise many more at his inauguration speech.

He promises many things, but he swears to only one.  On Tuesday, January 20, there will be speeches, parades, dances, and other hoopla that the media will cover like no other.  But the actual inauguration itself lasts only a few minutes.  And that part of the speech was already written for him, a few hundred years ago:

• Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

To clinch it, most Presidents add "So help me God" to the end.  So regardless of what he has promised to do, regardless of how you may or may not agree with him, regardless of whether you think our founding document is is fully able to account for the problems we face today, Barrack Obama will swear an oath to us and to God, that he will follow and obey the Constitution.  Not many of his promises fall in line with the deliberate limit of power put on the presidency that he swears to uphold.

On this historic moment for our country, it is worth re-reading the document that that makes it all possible:
Text of the U.S. Constitution: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html

Still on the fence about becoming a Precinct Leader? Posted by Edward Hipps

Posted 01/17/09 Last updated 04/19/09

Well hopefully after you read this article you'll understand why now is no time to be on that fence.

We will be up against a huge force here, and we need everyone that believes in the Campaign For Liberty's mission statement to be on board. This is not the time to hem and haw about fees and website designs, this is a real threat. You can either sit there on your hands and do nothing or you can fight. After reading this, I'm digging in and fighting harder than ever before.

Thanks to Omegis13 for finding this article

Obama sets up national network to help policy agenda
The network, Organizing for America, will be a tool to press for policy. It reportedly will have an annual budget of $75 million, making it an unprecedented standing political army for a president.
By Peter Wallsten
January 18, 2009
Reporting from Washington -- Telling millions of campaign supporters that "what you built can't stop now," President-elect Barack Obama today took his first public steps toward transforming his massive grass-roots political machinery into an unprecedented national network to help pass his policy agenda.

Obama is calling the new network Organizing for America, and while he described it as a tool to press for policies such as fixing the healthcare system, ending the Iraq war and finding new energy sources, he also said the effort would be housed in a distinctly partisan place: the Democratic National Committee.

That means the organization, as it grows, will be well positioned to form the structure of his reelection campaign in four years while also bolstering campaigns of Obama-friendly Democrats in the 2010 midterm elections and putting pressure on those in his party who do not agree with him.

"The movement you've built is too important to stop growing now," Obama said in a videotaped announcement posted on the Internet video site, YouTube, and linked from an e-mail sent to more than 13 million supporters.

The future of Obama's network has been a lingering question since he won the election by using the Internet and his massive e-mail list to mobilize tens of thousands of neighborhood coordinators and other volunteers and capturing once-Republican states such as Florida, Ohio, Colorado and Virginia. Some former Obama campaign officials had hoped that the network would be kept separate from the DNC to avoid alienating supporters who were inspired by Obama but did not consider themselves Democrats.

Obama provided few details in his message today, and an aide said that many nuts-and-bolts questions remained unresolved.

But sources familiar with the planning say the new group will employ a full-time staff of hundreds of professional organizers, possibly numbering an average of between one and two workers per congressional district in certain politically important states. One source said that Obama aides have discussed an annual budget of $75 million -- an unprecedented standing political army that will await orders from a president.

The network also has the potential to cause tension within the Democratic Party because Obama is expected to mobilize the organization to target Democratic lawmakers in Republican-leaning districts who might hesitate to vote for his agenda when it comes to imposing limits on carbon gas emissions, for example, or universal healthcare.

Some state-level party strategists have expressed worry about donors being asked to contribute to a new network that would be focused on Obama's needs, while neglecting the traditional job of the party to elect local officials and even Democrats who may not always agree with the president but can appeal to a more conservative district.

In a written statement released today, the man designated by Obama to lead the DNC, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, signaled that the new organization's job will work at two levels to bolster the new president -- supporting candidates sympathetic to his agenda and pressing to get that agenda passed.

"President-elect Obama has laid the foundation to meet the great challenges facing our nation, but we can succeed only if we build grass-roots support for the administration's agenda," Kaine said. "As the DNC works to elect candidates who will support the change agenda, we will also invest in bottom-up efforts that ensure that the priorities of everyday Americans are heard in Washington."

Campaign officials said that more than 500,000 surveys were returned from volunteers who were asked to suggest the best use for the network. The vast majority said enacting Obama's agenda should be the top priority.

peter.wallsten@latimes.com

So are we still going to sit on our hands? If so we have already lost. We must all join in together, no matter what party we represent. Mark my words this is a tidal wave coming to shore. Do not let your neighbors get swept away in it.

Sketch #3: If God would judge us now... Posted by cbsure

Posted 01/17/09

Dear God,

I've been trying to come up with a sketch about the recent battle of Gaza. For some reason, the more I think about it...the more I believe the whole situation is complete nonsense. Therefore, I must repudiate your tolerance for pitting religions against each other. This madness will only bring more wars & bloodshed & death & pain & torture &...

What's that? Even through the gravest scenarios, We possess the Freedom to find Harmony with our Differences?

There you go again, God. Always trying to show me the Light!

We'll have to talk about this later.

Good night, God.

Yours truly,

cbsure

Bailout is a Joke Posted by uconntraxtar

Posted 01/17/09 Last updated 01/16/09

This LTE was published in both the Hartford Courant and the Journal Inquirer.

The whole idea of a US Auto industry bailout is nothing more than a sick, expensive joke. Over the last several decades, the American consumers have made a choice: they would rather purchase better quality and less expensive foreign cars (many of which are actually manufactured in America) than the gas guzzling, low quality cars made by the Big 3.

This seems like a logical and reasonable shift in consumer spending, but our government does not agree. Instead, they are now trying to force the US consumers to support GM, Chrysler, and Ford through taxes and inflation. If there were even a remote chance that an influx of cash would resurrect these dinosaurs, than there would be private lenders waiting at the door ready to provide it. Instead, the only way to keep these companies afloat is through force and fraud.

I am pleasantly surprised that the Senate has refused to bail out the industry, but if the President now has the authority to appropriate money in this way on his own, why do we even need a Congress?

Libertas, Pax, Prosperitas

Action Item: Update on the Peter Schiff 2010 effort Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 01/15/09 Last updated 01/15/09

As we look forward to working closer with you, I wanted to give you a staus on www.schiff2010.com and information regarding a few activites we are doing during these intitial stages of campaign development.

 

From a blog we posted today:

Since launching www.schiff2010.com a few weeks ago, we could not have imagined the support, interest, and enthusiasm for this campaign; testimony to the level of passion and patriotism brewing across the country.

As we build the infrastructure of this campaign, we thought it imperative to respond to some preliminary concerns we have received via our Contact Form and Facebook Page regarding the design of the logo. 

So, to all, here's what you can do to give us your input:

1. Submit your own design to 99 Designs and receive $150 if your design is selected!
2. Leave a comment on this thread telling us what you think about the logo.
3. If you don't what to use 99 Designs, you can submit your logo to schiff2010@gmail.com.

When considering the logo, keep in mind:

1. It should be Patriotic and design specifically for a grassroots campaign to draft and elect Peter Schiff.
2. Peter Schiff is an advocate of Austrian (free market) Economics and commodities; red, white, blue, gold, and silver should be considered in any combination.
3. It should have a theme of liberty, freedom, and constitutionalism.

Thank everyone for their tremendous interest, support, and love of freedom.  We all look forward to your input and designs.  If you ever have any questions about our organization, the campaign, or anything else, please contact us at schiff2010@gmail.com. 

_____

We are also sending out a press release to liberty advocates regarding Peter Schiff's upcoming appearance on the premeire of Glen Beck on Fox News.  Here's the release:

Grassroots Campaign Mounting for a "Dr. Doom" 2010 Senate run in Connecticut

Glenn Beck will host Peter Schiff on Monday, January 19 at 5:00 EST for the premiere of his new show on Fox News.  Schiff will once again provide expert insight on the financial collapse, current strategies aimed at mediating its effects, and the economic future of our nation.  And perhaps, just perhaps, Beck will raise the issue of a potential 2010 senate run for Schiff, which a rapidly growing grassroots campaign is attempting to make a reality.

Don't miss this exciting interview.  We strongly encourage you to call and/or write the Glenn Beck show to ask about a potential 2010 Senate bid, as well as other matters facing politicians such as foreign policy and social issues.  This could provide Schiff the opportunity to broaden his discussion and perspectives outside economics.  The Glenn Beck Show can be found at http://www.glennbeck.com/.

Spread the word and don't forget to visit us at http://schiff2010.com/.  Our website is currently a placeholder for a much more expansive, large-scale campaign website to be unveiled in coming months.  We need your support as we build more and more enthusiasm for the prospect of Peter Schiff taking on Chris Dodd for the US Senate seate in Connecticut.

Sincerely,

PEAC (Political Exploration and Awareness Committee)

Member Cartoon Spotlight Posted by Adam de Angeli

Posted 01/13/09

Keep this up, and we'll need to add a cartoon section to the Campaign For Liberty Blog...

Thanks to cbsure for posting this!

"Listen my children & you will hear

The Wall Street ride of Peter's Bear!"

State Rep. and State Senator Censured Posted by JSearles

Posted 01/13/09 Last updated 11/13/08

I introduced a motion at last night's meeting, which was on the event calendar, to condemn (changed to censured by amendment) 10th District State Representative Henry Genga and 3rd District State Senator Gary LeBeau for taking taxpayer funds for use in their unnopposed re-election campaigns.

The motion passed unanimously.

Motion:

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Whereas, Elected officials are expected to place the interests of
their constituents above their own where a conflict of interest exists; and

Whereas, The Connecticut Citizens Election Program is intended to foster citizen candidate participation and limit political and private money influence on Connecticut Politics; and

Whereas, All money entrusted to elected officials belongs to the citizens they represent; and

Whereas, Elected officials may only properly expend funds belonging to the citizens when absolutely necessary and for the needs of the citizens alone; Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the East Hartford Republican Town Committee, That the East Hartford Republicans –

<!--[if !supportLists]-->(1)    censure State Representative Henry Genga for utilizing State Funds belonging to the citizens of the State of Connecticut through the Citizens Election Program for self promotion and furtherance of personal political goals with no benefit to the citizens of Connecticut and East Hartford in an unopposed race for the 10th Assembly District;<!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->(2)    call upon Henry Genga to return all State Funds to the Citizens Election Program immediately and apologize to the citizens for failing to represent their interests when confronted with a conflict of interest;<!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->(3)    censure State Senator Gary LeBeau for utilizing State Funds belonging to the citizens of the State of Connecticut through the Citizens Election Program for self promotion and furtherance of personal political goals with no benefit to the citizens of Connecticut and East Hartford in an unopposed race for the 3rd Senatorial District;<!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportLists]-->(4)    call upon Gary LeBeau to return all State Funds to the Citizens Election Program immediately and apologize to the citizens for failing to represent their interests when confronted with a conflict of interest.<!--[endif]-->

Press Release:

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:23.75pt; margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:23.75pt; margin-bottom:.0001pt; line-height:24.0pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <!--[endif]-->East Hartford Republicans have censured State Rep. Henry Genga and State Senator Gary LeBeau for exploiting the Citizens Election Program, which was intended to foster political competition, and betraying taxpayer trust by exploiting taxpayer dollars in their unopposed reelection bids and have called on Genga and LeBeau to return all Citizen Election Program funds received. Jon Searles, Chairman of the EHRTC 6^TH District, said “This is the opposite of what the CEP was intended to accomplish. These two believe that when faced with a choice of self promotion or responsible stewardship of our tax dollars the former is always the better choice. It put a sour taste in my mouth to see them wasting taxpayer dollars before the election was even over. I’d like to see them give that money back.”

Peter Schiff 2010 - Can he be convinced to run? Posted by Andrew Sica

Posted 01/13/09

A grassroots effort has been started to get Peter Schiff to run against Chris Dodd in 2010. Thus far, Peter has claimed that he is "not running for anything".

The story has started to receive some local news coverage.

Perhaps he can be convinced if enough support pops up. Here are some links related to the Schiff 2010 movement:

(I received these in an email sent by Jim Azzola to a meetup group):

Check out and join our new Meetup supporting Peter Schiff for US Senate!

http://www.meetup.com/Hartford-Supports-Peter-Schiff-for-U-S-Senate-CT/

Here are other resources:

http://www.schiff2010.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Schiff-for-Sen
ate-2010/40876392546

We are in discussions with Peter about a possible run against Chris Dodd in 2010. Dodd is very vulnerable, and Peter's star is rising.

Together we'll make this happen!

Thanks, Jim Azzola