Is there any peaceful way?

More and more it seems that if a political solution doesn't work then freedom-minded individuals, who just want to be left alone, unfettered from an intrusive overbearing government, will have to find other solutions. Most of us freedom-minded people haven't given up on a peaceful, political solution yet if and when that day comes, when political solutions no longer work and our Natural Rights are ignored and trampled upon by a tyrannical government then, and only then will we be, in John Locke's words "Absolved" from a despotic 'prince' and his minions. Unfortunately, reluctantly, it will then surely be time for "An Appeal to Heaven." Alt-market says it quite well: "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; the government is not our buddy. It is not our ally or friend. It is not a “part of us”. It is now a separate and dangerous entity. A parasite feeding off the masses. It has become a clear threat to the freedoms of average Americans. It is time for the public to grow up, snap out of its childish delusions, and accept that there is no solace or justice to be found anymore in Washington D.C." "Registration must be the line in the sand for every single gun owner in this country, whether they own several semi-automatics, or one pump action shotgun. Once you give in to being registered, fingerprinted, photographed, and tracked wherever you decide to live like a convicted sexual predator, you have shown that you have no will or spirit. You have shown that you will submit to anything." More here. Disarmed Jews and other 'undesirables' in Nazi Koncentrationslager (KZ)Dachau.

Which side are you on?

Well over a half century ago, the infringements, abridgments and usurpations of government against our liberties ordained in the Bill of Rights began. Recently, this has accelerated to an intolerable assault on our Constitution, individual freedoms, and personal prosperity. Reasonable, freedom loving individuals see the dangers posed by the centralization of government power and realize the power-mania and greed of the few that chart this course must be reined in. Unfortunately, the seeming ignorance and apathy of millions of Americans may not make this possible in our immediate future. This authoritarian government, and opportunistic demagogues, are currently taking advantage of the emotions created by the heinous events perpetuated by seeming mentally ill individuals. Claiming 'the interest of [so-called] safety', these demagogues have accelerated their assault on the 2nd Amendment which states "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Why? The 2nd Amendment answers that question as it also states "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state,". Thomas Jefferson once said, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.” The 2nd Amendment was established as a safeguard against tyranny. All citizen's Natural Rights, which pre-date any government, cannot, nor should not be taken away by any human agency. However, these liberties must be constantly defended. Which side are you on? Are you on the side of collectivism and tyranny or on the side of individual freedom and liberty? What about your neighbors-find out where they stand. Most importantly, contact the Sheriff, peace officers and public servants of your county/municipality and ask them “where do you stand?” Will they obey their oaths of office to which they swore to protect and defend the Constitution? Will they refuse to obey unconstitutional and unlawful orders that affect one or more of the first ten amendments to the Constitution? Demand honesty and accountability. Despite any shortcomings, the constitutional republicanism that we have in America has made us the best and brightest secular hope for all the peoples of the earth. Many endure privation, hardship, and even death to come here. Even those who loathe us (and there are many) do so because they are jealous and fearful of our freedom and opportunity. The core of America's greatness is inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty which reads in part

Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Let us always "breathe free" and keep the "golden door" of opportunity open. Our republic will endure so long as the Creator of all things wills it, and the people have the courage and faith to defend it. For as Benjamin Franklin said (in his quotation slightly altered and inscribed on a plaque in the stairwell of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty) "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

Safety, Security are delusion

To the chief executive of the United States, members of congress, justices of the supreme court: Despite the demagoguery recently espoused in reaction to the sad events in Connecticut, another demagogue, some say the "chief demagogue," addressed the grieving parents and took advantage of these events for personal gain; we, the Citizens of these United States remind you that you do not have the authority to alter, infringe, or abridge, the natural rights given to us by the Creator and codified in the Bill of Rights. The solution to these horrific events are not contained in 'assault rifle' (no assault rifles have ever been used in any heinous shootings/crimes by mentally ill individuals) bans, patriot acts, or secret courts. The solution is a re-instilling of the spiritual principles/belief in a Higher Power in the various elements of our society where this training and discipline has long been neglected and re-instilling the constitutional rule of law in our country. To you who unthinkingly support, in the futile hope and delusion of 'safety'/'security,' certain elitist individual's efforts to deny our liberties, you have a choice: continue to act as useful idiots for tyrants—those who will continue to lead you down the road to slavery, or join the camp of Freedom and Liberty and take responsibility for your actions and your communities. Choose wisely.

Waiting for Superman?

If you knew our children were in danger, and you had the power to act, would you? Do you think American education is all that it should be? Join us for a viewing of Davis Guggenheim’s (“An Inconvenient Truth”) film “Waiting for Superman” on Monday, March 28, in the Cashiers Albert-Carlton Library at 5:30 pm. This is a real-life documentary into the lives of five unforgettable kids and the heart-breaking situations they and thousands more face every day because of a failed public educational system. Will Superman arrive in time to save the kids from a system that only serves the teachers’ unions and the politicians who are indebted to them?

As the story ends, it is actually only the beginning, for the real hero is YOU! Remember: to these kids and thousands more across America, you are Superman! You have the power to change things and to make a difference. Will you join us in fighting for the children in America whose futures are being squandered?

Bruce Gardner Beverly Elliott
bruce@teaforeducation.com beverly@teaforeducation.com
828-506-5007 828-400-5556

Making a Line in the Sand

I just got back from the Tea Party counter-protest to the SEIU (Service Employee International Union) rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta this past afternoon (Wednesday February 23, 2011) and wanted to give a short report on the 'festivities.'

We got to Atlanta in plenty of time to see small groups of red and blue-shirted people making their way to the state capitol. As it turned out these people were various union members who had been bussed in from other states to take part in this rally.

The group that I was to meet up with, Restore the Constitution--III percenters, were supposed to assemble in front of Trinity United Methodist Church just down the street from the capitol. As I had thought (and planned for) to bring the usual 'accouterments' to this rally I had come prepared. The state of Georgia's laws are a bit different than NC's and a citizen is legally allowed to carry 'accouterments' (firearms) to political protests.

After waiting at the assembly point for a couple of minutes for the rest of the RTC'ers to show up I was approached by a Georgia State Trooper and we had a friendly and courteous conversation about the carrying of certain 'accouterments' close to the state capitol. I agreed with his (Trooper Ogle’s) rationale and decided for the time being to return the 'accouterments' to my vehicle for safe keeping. Later on I retrieved my 'accouterments' from my vehicle and carried them openly on the streets of Atlanta a couple of blocks away from the capitol at a smaller protest by RTC’ers in defense of our Constitution. This smaller protest was successful, although we were watched closely (observe and report) by Fulton County Deputies and Atlanta Police from across the street. Several passers-by came up to us and thanked us for standing up for the Constitution and our inalienable rights.

The several Tea Parties of Atlanta (South Atlanta Tea Party being one of them) met on a corner across from the state capitol. There were approximately 70 – 100 freedom-minded men and women, many of whom had fashioned innovative and colorful signs with pointed messages supporting the governor of Wisconsin and condemning unions for their greediness.

Sad to say that the anti-freedom forces numbered approximately 250 people, had professionally made signs, were well organized, and had been taught their ‘lines’ by community organizers quite well. It would seem from their behavior that they are determined to bring down the republic by any means necessary.

Despite this, the Tea Parties, the 9-12 groups, and the RTC’ers made up in enthusiasm what we lacked in numbers. I was proud to be a part of this group standing up for our freedoms and the republic in which we live. What I re-learned from the experience was that it is important to draw a ‘line in the sand’ and defend it or else it is all over with us as “these United States of America.”
Cross-posted at: https://www.teapartypatriots.org/

Choose Wisely

[This column is in response to a story which ran recently (Jan.29, 2011) in the Tuckaseegee Reader (www.tuckreader.com), “Asheville political, religious leaders rally for sexual equality”]

Oh what a perfect world it would be if only we were all the same and we were all ‘equal.’ I don't think so. Neither should you.
Totally homogeneous societies tend to become closed. Such closed societies tend to become closed systems. Closed systems tend to self-destruct—usually violently.
The opposite of such closed systems are systems that or so 'open' that they fly apart, also usually violently--such as the way our society seems to be self-destructing from within.
The middle road; a society that encourages some homogenization through a 'melting pot' (such as the way that we used to be before ‘social correctness’), establishes lofty national ideals, and also encourages personal freedom and responsibility, more efficient and smaller, constitutional-based government, and a respect for, and following of the socio-political agreements that our society is founded upon (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Bill of Rights) is much more stable and just, and survives for a much longer period of history.
Yet each generation gets to choose whether it prefers freedom and the rule of law, a moderate amount of homogenization and reasonable social norms; or, safety and 'celebrating our diversity', no social norms, and eventually totalitarianism.
Do you really believe that socially, politically, economically, and historically that there is such a thing as a “free lunch?” Choose wisely, now.

Green Energy Park Produces Private-Sector Jobs

I thoroughly agree that it is past time to “wake up, get Jackson County moving.” For too long we have relied upon the national and state governments to provide leadership and direction for us in Jackson County and Western North Carolina. It is past time that we came together and charted our own economic future. One of the leaders in this economic renaissance is Timm Muth, the Director of Jackson County’s Green Energy Park (JCGEP).
Commissioners, I appreciate your taking a look at various county departments for efficiency, effectiveness, and fiscal responsibility. It is important for our county representatives to promote open, honest, accountable, and fiscally responsible government at all levels. Otherwise, we might as well hold out a tin cup to Washington D.C. and Raleigh and be grateful for the pennies that we do get back from the dollars that we send them.
Muth appeared before you on January 3 of this year asking for a replacement to his departing assistant. You asked him some pointed questions and made the excellent suggestion that he produce a cost-benefit analysis study so as to better show you how the JCGEP benefits all of Jackson County.
I went to the JCGEP a few days before your January 18 meeting and had Muth show me what he has done, what he is doing, and what he wants to do with his operation. Frankly gentlemen, the benefits of the JCGEP for the county are impressive. Capturing methane gas from the old Dillsboro landfill and using it to create viable, tax-paying, private-sector jobs is no small feat.
According to a study just recently released by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (www.p2pays.org/ref/53.52107.pdf) there are currently over 15,000 private sector jobs that have been created to recycle valuable materials here in North Carolina. These private sector jobs, which have been promoted by operations such as the JCGEP, have increased by 4.8% since 2008. The total annual payroll for these recycling jobs in North Carolina is $395 million. There are numerous other benefits created from these public-private partnerships.
What Muth has done at the JCGEP not only is currently paying economic dividends for the investment that our county is contributing, it also has the strong probability of promoting many more private-sector jobs, tourism dollars, and tax monies to return to the citizens of Jackson County.
In the coming weeks and months we’ll be talking more about the JCGEP and the unique, positive benefits that it creates for Jackson County. In the mean time I would urge all of you commissioners to call Timm Muth, invest a little of your time going to the JCGEP, and find out the many positive benefits generated there. Remember gentlemen that these benefits that you will see are not in the future, but they are occurring right here and now in Jackson County.