Is Freedom Just An Empty Word? (www.newswithviews.com on September 22, 2002)
Devvy Kidd
"Dan Scott. Barely a week ago I heard you rail for two hours about independence. Mr. Hardwick, how many times have I heard you speak of freedom at my father's table? Half the men in this church, including you father, and you, Reverend, are as ardent patriots as I.
"Will you now, when you are needed most, stop at only words? Is that the sort of men you are? I ask only that you act upon the beliefs of which you have so strongly spoken and in which you so strongly believe."
----17-year old Ann, from the movie, The PatriotEvery day for the past 12 years, I have heard "patriots" declare how fed up they are with the criminal element out in Washington, DC and their own state legislatures. These patriots call talk radio. They attend various functions where they bluster about what should be done to restore America to a Constitutional Republic. Then they go home.
What do you suppose would have happened if people like Patrick Henry, Nathan Hale or Benjamin Franklin did nothing more than talk the talk instead of walk the talk? Would we have a U.S. Constitution? How about Thom Jefferson, who penned the Declaration of Independence? The fire for freedom burned in the belly of Jefferson and he risked everything to stand up for the new Republic. Patrick Henry was only 31 years old when he gave his 'Liberty or Death' speech.
One man who has walked the talk for several years now is Bob Schulz, Chmn of the We the People Foundation out in New York. For those unfamiliar with this man's work, I would encourage you to visit WTP's web site at: www.givemeliberty.org. Bob Schulz feels so strongly about the unlawful activities being conducted by the U.S. government, in July 2001 he began a fast that lasted 21 days. No food for 21 days.
I have the honor of knowing this man and there's no question in my mind that had Congressman Roscoe Bartlett not stepped in and brokered a deal between Bob, the Department of Justice and the IRS, Bob Schulz would not be alive today.
On November 14, 2002, Bob will be joined by Americans in a cross country caravan from 48 states converging in Washington, DC to send a very profound message to Congress and the White House. These Americans will demand that this government stop their unlawful activities. This, as with all WTP's events is non-violent, but we are determined to get the message across loud and clear: We are Fed Up. No more.
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It is the instruction booklet written by our Founding Fathers that tells the government what they can and cannot do on behalf of the States. The Bill of Rights is part of the Constitution, but it in no way implies that any government has any authority to infringe or deny us our God-given right to personally own and bear arms, license that right or deny US free speech.
The Bill of Rights simply reinforces to any government that our homes and persons are not to be violated by any statute, regulation or politicians trying to score points in the latest poll. No where in the U.S. Constitution does it give any government the authority to plunder the wages of Americans through direct taxation. There is no legal authority under Art. 1 Sec. 8 of the instruction booklet (Constitution) to restrict our right to travel, force US pay into the voluntary social security taxing program or be forced to accept any national identification cards or papers.
In a debate 9/27/00 debate at Franklin & Marshall, Professor of Law, Alan Dershowitz made the following
statements:We have NO unalienable rights
The Constitution is merely a piece of paper
Government should not be restrained because it can do good things for peopleCan we let such revolting and outrageous positions such as Professor Dershowitz' go unchallenged? Do we or we don't have a Constitution? Are our rights unalienable, or will The People allow them to be bargained away for political agendas or to international gangsters?
Do we the American people live for freedom, or for bondage and slavery at the hands of the global masters? Is freedom just an empty word?
Are we less than our Founding Fathers? Have our material possessions or fear become more important than going right to the source of America's misery and tell the power brokers that we've had enough?
If we live for bondage and slavery, not only will we die cowards, we will die without honor.
Are you willing to stand for principle instead of compromise? Freedom Drive 2002 is a very important mission and I hope every American reading this piece will become involved (www.givemliberty.org).