Posted by MichaelM on 05/18/09

www.libertyrider.com

May 17th, 2009

Well, 7 days out. Will be six before many people read this.

Time to start the journal.

I'd like to get one thing out of the way right off the bat, and it may surprise a few of you, but I am not a cyclist.

In fact, I am not even much of a fitness buff, at all. I've never been to a gym, haven't formerly exercised since High School, and before the Ride for Ron Paul, had never owned a road bike, nor pedaled more than a few miles in any one direction. So, though I've quite a bit of experience pedaling, now, I am still not a cyclist.

This surprises plenty of people I meet. Many think I just took something I enjoy and worked it into a political event. The truth of the matter is that I was watching too many people debating tactics/philosophy online and not enough posting evidence of taking those tactics to the street. So I decided to do something outrageous, so far outside of my "box" that even the most timid supporter might look and say, well if that Hawaiian guy can pedal a bike across the country for freedom, I can go knock on my neighbors door.

And it worked.

That remains the greatest satisfaction from the last ride. Not the thrill of finishing, not the celebrity it brought me, not even meeting and riding with Ron Paul. The greatest satisfaction I get from that ride is the testimony of people I meet, who tell me that the effort encouraged them to step out of their own box, and opened up a whole new world of effective activism to them. That is how I judge success. To me, there is little difference between approaching that first mountain range, and approaching their first door. Both are equally intimidating in the eyes of the beholder. Getting to the top of that first range, or walking away from that first door, is a watershed moment for most. When we realize that we CAN do this. With a little bit of courage, and a LOT of determination we can do things we never dreamed. And that is how we will take back control of our government. Persistence, determination, and a little bit of courage. It may not be sexy, and may not even be much fun, but it certainly is satisfying at the end of the day. Knowing you did everything in your power to advance the cause of liberty and leave a better world than we were born into. Indeed, it truly is not, whether we win or lose, but how we play the game.

So, well wishers tell me how much fun I'll be having. And yes, I will enjoy meeting all of you on the route, I will enjoy seeing the light turn on behind peoples eyes as I pitch the ideas of the r3VOLution to them, I will, also, enjoy some of the beautiful scenery this great country has to offer. I'm sure I will laugh and sing with new met friends, and that will be fun, but pedaling? No, sorry, that is not much fun at all. It is hot, dirty, and dangerous on the roads I'll be traveling. It takes enormous concentration to watch ahead for pitfalls and tube shredders. The bike seat becomes harder with each passing mile, my knees start talking to me, and on long days they start yelling. No, I do not expect to have a ton of fun on this trip, but the satisfaction of hearing one person explain that the effort encouraged them to find such determination in themselves, that to me is priceless.

Now, back to the title of this post. What I do enjoy, while pedaling, is the chance to think, to meditate on all I've learned and experienced, and focus my mind on ways to further our cause. Pedaling is kind of mindless, it just takes a sharp eye, a good ear, and a steady pace. When my mind is free to ponder, not clouded by the online noise and incessant calls for help from all corners, I am better able to discern the culture of the area I am in and tailor my message to suit. And by being out there, talking to people outside our circles, I know the circles grow.

And that is why I do it.

GO GRASSROOTS!!!

Posted by MichaelM on 05/11/09

On may 24th, at 10am, on Liberty Island, a new journey for liberty begins. Be a part of it.

The man who pedaled a bicycle across the country in 2007 for Ron Paul is getting back in the saddle to, once again, help awaken the slumbering giant. From The Statue of Liberty to Alcatraz, a route symbolizing, "America; Freedom to Fascism", he will be reaching out to County Sheriffs and other officials through a hundred counties in an attempt to build rapport, (in light of the recent DHS documents). Hoping to promote understanding of the concerns/solutions of the r3VOLution, the ride will be delivering educational materials to each official including:

1. A book by Ron Paul - The Revolution, A Manifesto (generously supplied by CfL)
2. A DVD speech by Dr. Vieira - The Powers of the Purse and Sword
3. A booklet by Sheriff Richard Mack - County Sheriff, America's Last Hope

In addition, he will be distributing heaps of r3VOLtion literature, including National/State level handouts, and as many CFL pocket constitutions/RtR Freedom To Fascism DVDs as we can afford.

If you can be there for the send off, it will make for great video. Michael will be on the island from Approx 9:30a - 10a, to say a few words, interview a few folk, have some coffee, and get ready to roll from Liberty State Park (NJ) at 11:00am. He will then pedal 57 miles to Trenton, maybe you can meet him in there, or points in between. Come down and get on the video blog.

If you cannot be there, you can still be a part of it by helping with the outreach efforts. Please email our volunteer cordinator (Roxie Collinson) at locals@libertyrider.com.

Now, the part where we ask you for some of your hard earned money. The trip, and materials, will cost around $7,000. Extra funds will give us more pocket constitutions/etc, and increase our opportunities. We will be posting all expenses (minus $50/wk "pettycash") and working transparently. Anything left in the till will be used for further efforts towards liberty. With hat in hand, we ask for your support.

http://libertyrider.com/support

Thank you.

Questions? info@libertyrider.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday May 6, 2009

THE EVOLUTION OF THE R3VOLUTION

Riding from The Statue of Liberty to Alcatraz, Activist Michael Maresco Symbolically Pedals his Bicycle from Freedom to Fascism

On Sunday May 24, 2009 at 11am in Liberty State Park, NJ, Bicyclist Michael Maresco will begin a 63 day - 4000 mile journey across the continental United States of America. While traversing the country on a modified WalMart Schwinn, Mr. Maresco plans to meet with Governors and County Sheriffs to discuss their vital roles in preserving citizens' liberty and a constitutionally correct Rule of Law.

"The sheriff absolutely has the power and responsibility to defend his citizens against all enemies, including those from our own Federal Government," says Michael Maresco, better known as the Ron Paul Rider and Walk for Freedom organizer. "My hope is that fellow Americans will take notice of this bike ride, with the topics being discussed, and take an honest look at the problems fast overwhelming this country."

Mr. Maresco continues, "The marriage of special interests and government has put America on a slippery slope, from Freedom into Fascism: hence, the theme of my ride."

The book The County Sheriff America's Last Hope by Sheriff Richard Mack and DVDs from the Committees Of Safety will be distributed to each County Sheriff during Mr. Maresco's scheduled meetings. Pocket constitutions and Ron Paul's The Revolution, a Manifesto have also been generously donated by the Campaign for Liberty for distribution during the 63 day - 4000 mile "Ride for Honesty".

"Designed as an outreach campaign, ‘The Ride for Honesty' is not a protest or demonstration," says Nick Ramaglia, Local Logistics Coordinator for the Ride. "In each town Michael passes through he will directly address, in an understated yet memorable way, the condition of our country and the solution to its troubles: namely, the principles of Liberty and The Constitution."

The Ride for Honesty is being funded by the grassroots. Michael will do some grueling legwork - literally! Please donate to this effort to support the Evolution of the R3VOLution.

Please Donate Today

http://libertyrider.com/support/

You can track Michael's progress and find more information regarding THE RIDE FOR HONESTY at http://libertyrider.com/

Media please contact Rachael McIntosh at media@libertyrider.com for PHOTO OP info and additional support.

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Posted 05/11/09 RobPepe Pennsburg, PA

Michael, We will see you in Pennsylvania God Bless you brother. Travel safely. In liberty, Rob

Posted 05/11/09 Caleb Kinley Hot Springs, AR

Michael, email me a pic of you (with clothes on this time). Just kidding... Seriously though, email me a pic to post on my blog with your press release.

Posted 05/11/09 Caleb Kinley Hot Springs, AR

Oh yea, thanks for all you do for Freedom. You da man!

Posted 05/13/09 MichaelM Wappingers Falls, NY

Caleb, I heard rumor of Arkansas picking up the ball and running with it. That is the kind of report that gives me strength and courage. GO ARKANSAS - GO GRASSROOTS!!! Thanks all :)

Posted by MichaelM on 01/16/09

Following is from a member in response to W's Farewell Address

From LibertyForest

Dear Dubya:

Don’t let the door…no wait, please let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, Dubya…you dismal failure. You pseudo-conservative.

Thanks for the war. Glad cooler heads like yours were in charge after 9-11.

Thanks for the bankrupting of our country. Good job spending billions of dollars abroad while our bridges and levies are collapsing here!

Thanks for alienating out nation throughout the world. Nothing better than walking right into the middle of an anti-American rally in Enna, Sicily, Italy! Yep, it happened to me. I never thought I’d ever have to deny my nationality….I told people I was German lest I get my ass kicked.

Thanks for limiting freedom and making pharmaceutical companies rich by outlawing the purchase of cheaper medicine from Canada and other nations. How much did you make on that deal?

Thanks for the bailout. You can take Barney Frank with you to Texas and have him decorate your house.

Thanks for over 4000 of our people dead in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting an illegal, imperialistic war. A war fought not for the protection of Americans but for the protection oil companies’ and defense contractors’ bottom lines. All the while gas prices here skyrocketed and oil companies reaped record profits. Under your administration, the Military-Industrial Complex is complete. Great job, Mr. President!

Thanks for killing habeas corpus with the Military Commissions Act of 2006. We didn’t need that archaic right getting in the way of the war on terror, now did we?

Thanks for finding bin Laden…oh wait, did’t get that done, did ya??

Thanks for the Patriot Act, and the Department of Homeland Security - Hitler had the Reichstag fire, and you had 9-11. Your Nazi-sympathizer Grand-daddy, Prescott Bush, would be proud, you moron.

Thanks for usurping the Constitution with numerous executive orders aimed at limiting the freedom of Americans. Take THIS ONE for example.

Thanks so much for the FISA Amendment Act of 2008, and for tapping the phones of Americans without warrants, and then giving immunity to companies who violated the 4th amendment by releasing customers’ information to your fascist regime.

Thanks for signing into law a PAY RAISE FOR CONGRESS during a serious financial slow down, and after taxpayer money was used to bail out wallstreet while average citizens wonder if they’ll have a job tomorrow. You scumbag. You could have said no to that pay raise…you could have told congress to suck it up…

Mr. Bush, you claim to protect freedom when under your administration our freedoms have never been in more peril. Peril not from foreign enemies, or terrorists, but from our government itself!

Thank you so much Mr. Bush. Go back to Crawford and take some English classes you loser. You fake. Be sure to hire on some illegal aliens too. Don’t want to forget them….just make your property an amnesty zone and start your own little nonresident worker program.

Its too early to judge Obama, but you, sir, are the worst president in history. Its because of you that a man like Obama got elected. You helped and progressed the death of America as a free republic.

Thanks alot. Bu-by now….

Written by nodope0695

Posted 01/16/09 elishock Colorado Springs, CO

Yep. That about sums it up.

Posted 01/17/09 vintovkamossina Smithville, OH

LMAO!!!!!!! I can just see Barney Franks in Texas. His new name would be "Bobby" Barney will probably think all the people honking at him as he drives down the highway are being friendly and not in protest of his Yankee license plates. hahahaha!!!!!