July 25, 2011
Dear Patriots,
In a time when all we hear is bad news from the failing economy to the rising unemployment lines and 44 million people on food stamps, you might think the end is near for America. You would be wrong to think so, America is strong and alive. Even though the seams of this great nation seem to be falling apart, the fabric is strong. That fabric is made up of you folks who work hard everyday to make your bread, those of you who continue to help your fellow man and those of you who work hard to clear a successful path for your children’s future. The goings on in Washington makes great noise to distract you, to put you on a footing of fear and direct you to turn on your neighbor who has more than you. Our nation is polarized by the media demarcation of good and bad when in fact there is mostly good. Most Americans are good people; it’s our government that’s gone bad.
How is it that all our economic and social woes are some rich guy’s fault, some evil corporation or those who throw cigarette butts out their window? We have become a society that pigeon holes everyone into a convenient category so that they can be either vilified or glorified. All political power is drawn from those who gather around a special interest group. We have become a Democracy of powerful entities who have successfully caged the unwitting into believing their particular cause by polarizing each of us to make a stand on every political and social issue. You’re either with us or against us. It doesn’t matter anymore if you’re with NOW, the Sierra Club, NRA, or GOP. You are a pawn in a bigger man’s game and by playing; you abrogate your individual rights to an entity that only cares to grow more powerful and influential. Lost is your identity and your responsibility to take action to protect your individual rights guaranteed by the only non-special interest idea put to paper, the American Constitution. The Constitution boldly declares you to be the special interest and guarantees it with a Bill of Rights penned to protect you from a misguided tyrannical government. Usually a government based on Democracy where the collective rights are more important than yours.
Now is the time to come to the aid of your Country, not by being a headcount in some glorious organization that is committed to looking out for the collective special interest, but by your own hand, by your own determination, by your true understanding of what America was founded to be. So how do you take the reins back? How can you change to world?
It all starts at home. It is all about working your way up the political ladder from inside your house to your community to your county and state. Come see how to be effective, find your spine and attend the Idaho Liberty Summit in Challis this August 19-21. There is a solution waiting for you, you just need to get off the couch and get to work. Give me a call or send an e-mail for further details. Don’t just send $25 to your special interest group and think you’re covered. Prepare to be enlightened.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
(208) 838-3714
www.ccteapartypatriots.com
July 22, 2011
Dear Patriots,
Citizens of Idaho are sponsoring a
free workshop at Liberty Hall in Challis, Saturday August 6th. I have attached their flyer for the event for you to review. This is another great opportunity for you to get a broader understanding of the many groups in Idaho that are pushing back the boundaries of government encroachment. Check out their website:
www.citizensofidaho.com for more details.
In Liberty,
Darr
July 17, 2011
Dear Patriots,
I'm forwarding some recent news about the UN Arms Trade Treaty from the NRA and an article link to a Wall Street Journal story about Gary Marbut of Missoula, Montana sent to me from Robert Fanning, our wolf speaker at the Idaho Liberty Summit. Please read the articles and see how our Constitution is being chiseled away from not only those among us but by international treaty at the UN.
I have also attached the agendas from the Redistricting Commission in Boise meeting dates for July 18th & 19th. You may want to make a trip to the big city to see how they are going to operate on our District boundaries.
New York, July 11-15, 2011; The National Rifle Association delivered the following words to the United Nations
Editor’s Note* The United States of America is a sovereign nation and therefore should NEVER enter into ANY treaty with the United Nations whose intent is to fulfill the intent to destroy America and bring her into the fold of insignificant and helpless nations.
The National Rifle Association delivered the following words to the United Nations:
United Nations Arms Trade Treaty
Preparatory Committee – 3d Session
New York, July 11-15, 2011
Statement of the National Rifle Association of America
Mr. Chairman, thank you for this brief opportunity to address the committee. I am Wayne LaPierre and for 20 years now, I have served as Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association of America.
The NRA was founded in 1871, and ever since has staunchly defended the rights of its 4 million members, America’s 80 million law-abiding gun owners, and freedom-loving Americans throughout our country. In 1996, the NRA was recognized as an NGO of the United Nations and, ever since then, has defended the constitutional freedom of Americans in this arena. The NRA is the largest and most active firearms rights organization in the world and, although some members of this committee may not like what I have to say, I am proud to defend the tens of millions of lawful people NRA represents.
This present effort for an Arms Trade Treaty, or ATT, is now in its fifth year. We have closely monitored this process with increasing concern. We’ve reviewed the statements of the countries participating in these meetings. We’ve listened to other NGOs and read their numerous proposals and reports, as well as carefully examined the papers you have produced. We’ve watched, and read … listened and monitored. Now, we must speak out.
The Right to Keep and Bear Arms in defense of self, family and country is ultimately self-evident and is part of the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. Reduced to its core, it is about fundamental individual freedom, human worth, and self-destiny.
We reject the notion that American gun owners must accept any lesser amount of freedom in order to be accepted among the international community. Our Founding Fathers long ago rejected that notion and forged our great nation on the principle of freedom for the individual citizen – not for the government.
Mr. Chairman, those working on this treaty have asked us to trust them … but they’ve proven to be unworthy of that trust.
We are told “Trust us; an ATT will not ban possession of any civilian firearms.” Yet, the proposals and statements presented to date have argued exactly the opposite, and – perhaps most importantly – proposals to ban civilian firearms ownership have not been rejected.
We are told “Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with state domestic regulation of firearms.” Yet, there are constant calls for exactly such measures.
We are told “Trust us; an ATT will only affect the illegal trade in firearms.” But then we’re told that in order to control the illegal trade, all states must control the legal firearms trade.
We are told, “Trust us; an ATT will not require registration of civilian firearms.” Yet, there are numerous calls for record-keeping, and firearms tracking from production to eventual destruction. That’s nothing more than gun registration by a different name.
We are told, “Trust us; an ATT will not create a new international bureaucracy.” Well, that’s exactly what is now being proposed — with a tongue-in-cheek assurance that it will just be a SMALL bureaucracy.
We are told, “Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with the lawful international commerce in civilian firearms.” But a manufacturer of civilian shotguns would have to comply with the same regulatory process as a manufacturer of military attack helicopters.
We are told, “Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with a hunter or sport shooter travelling internationally with firearms.” However, he would have to get a so-called “transit permit” merely to change airports for a connecting flight.
Mr. Chairman, our list of objections extends far beyond the proposals I just mentioned.
Unfortunately, my limited time today prevents me from providing greater detail on each of our objections. I can assure you, however, that each is based on American law, as well as the fundamental rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
It is regrettable that proposals affecting civilian firearms ownership are woven throughout the proposed ATT. That being the case, however, there is only one solution to this problem: the complete removal of civilian firearms from the scope of any ATT. I will repeat that point as it is critical and not subject to negotiation – civilian firearms must not be part of any ATT. On this there can be no compromise, as American gun owners will never surrender their Second Amendment freedom.
It is also regrettable to find such intense focus on record-keeping, oversight, inspections, supervision, tracking, tracing, surveillance, marking, documentation, verification, paper trails and data banks, new global agencies and data centers. Nowhere do we find a thought about respecting anyone’s right of self-defense, privacy, property, due process, or observing personal freedoms of any kind.
Mr. Chairman, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also discuss the politics of an ATT. For the United States to be a party to an ATT, it must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the U.S. Senate. Some do not realize that under the U.S. Constitution, the ultimate treaty power is not the President’s power to negotiate and sign treaties; it is the Senate’s power to approve them.
To that end, it’s important for the Preparatory Committee to understand that the proposed ATT is already strongly opposed in the Senate – the very body that must approve it by a two-thirds majority. There is a letter addressed to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton that is currently being circulated for the signatures of Senators who oppose the ATT. Once complete, this letter will demonstrate that the proposed ATT will not pass the U.S. Senate.
So there is extremely strong resistance to the ATT in the United States, even before the treaty is tabled. We are not aware of any precedent for this – rejecting a proposed treaty before it’s even submitted for consideration – but it speaks to the level of opposition. The proposed ATT has become more than just controversial, as the Internet is awash with articles and messages calling for its rejection. And those messages are all based on the same objection – infringement on the constitutional freedom of American gun owners.
The cornerstone of our freedom is the Second Amendment. Neither the United Nations, nor any other foreign influence, has the authority to meddle with the freedoms guaranteed by our Bill of Rights, endowed by our Creator, and due to all humankind.
Therefore, the NRA will fight with all of its strength to oppose any ATT that includes civilian firearms within its scope.
Thank you.
Gary has been a dear friend & supporter / colleague of mine for 12 years .
I'll see you there in Challis , Idaho August 20th.
Montana 2012 Gubernatorial Candidate,
Bob Fanning .....registered Republican since 1976
In Liberty,
Darr
July 13, 2011
Dear Patriots,
This just in from our Representative Barrett about redistricting. As we discussed at our last meeting, the process is done by a committee of very politically active citizens who weald a huge amount of power. They hold public hearings in Boise that are difficult to get to and most folk don't realize how the changing of political boundary lines can greatly alter the political advantage for one party verses another or one communities ideology to another.
Custer County is in jeopardy of being sliced and diced so that the political elites of Blaine County can influence the multiple use needs of Custer County. This could mean a huge loss of conservative clout at the State level. Please read below Representative Barrett's concerns and check out some of the redistricting plans at
www.redistricting.idaho.gov/ .
7/13/11
Commission for Reapportionment
To: The Honorable Commissioners
It has been brought to my attention that the three options under consideration for reapportionment will remove Custer and Lemhi Counties from their current places in Legislative District 35 and include them with Blaine County, where there is no common history and no shared interest.
Custer and Lemhi are natural resource-based economies and would be swallowed up by the larger Blaine, effectively down-playing natural resource issues important to the culture, custom, and rural lifestyle cherished by the citizens of Custer and Lemhi.
It may be difficult to maintain the status quo in District 35, and we know you have the impossible task of keeping everybody happy; but, we are hopeful you will reconsider the placement of Custer and Lemhi Counties and leave them where they are in a compatible district. Thank you.
Lenore Hardy Barrett
Cc: Darr Moon, Custer County T-party
Cc: Custer County Board of Commissioners
In Liberty,
Darr
July 13, 2011
Dear Patriots,
I am sad to inform you of the passing of Rocky Chilson. Rocky will be greatly missed as he was the writer of "The Bugler" newsletter we published last December, January and February. Rocky also was our webmaster at
www.ccteapartypatriots.com for which he made great inroads as to the look and character of our site. He spent many hours working on the site and his great efforts will be sorely missed.
He befriended my brother-in-law, Frank Barnas, morning voice of WVGA in Valdosta, Georgia. Rocky would often call his morning radio program which put Rocky up at 4:00 am to chat about the nation's and Idaho's politics as well as an up to date report about the local weather and price of gas. I heard of his passing from Frank who received and facebook note a few days ago.
Rocky served his country in Viet Nam and he served his country once again here in Challis as a staunch patriot supporting the cause of liberty through his work at the Custer County Tea Party.
We'll miss you Rocky, watch over us from above,
Your friend in Liberty,
Darr
July 13, 2011
Dear Patriots,
I have more good news to share with you all about the upcoming Idaho Liberty Summit to be held in Challis, Idaho August 19-21. We have confirmed that Robert Fanning, Chairman and Founder of the Friends of the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd will be speaking at this event. He is litigating the wolf issue in Montana on behalf of his foundation and has been the go to man in the know uncovering the misadventures our government has led us to with regard the wolf introduction. Robert is also 2012 candidate for Governor of Montana. You won't want to miss what he has to say about the frauds perpetrated upon the American people in regard to the many unpublicized negative impacts the wolf introduction has brought to humans and ungulates alike. The Yellowstone Elk herd has diminished from a robust population of 20,0000 head in 1994 to less than 4,000 today and then there is the hydatid tapeworm cyst introduced to the human population. It's all a very disturbing uncovering of the facts that you must know.
So whether it is the illegal wolf introduction or the beachhead landing of the Chinese Communists into South Boise within their "Special Economic Zones" planned all over the States, or the internet philandering of New York Representative Weiner's wiener, you'll get to know the inside baseball facts from the very national experts who have recently written, litigated or exposed the vermin and vile. You may know William Jasper, Editor in Chief of the New American Magazine who has recently written of the Chinese invasion all at the beckoning of several Governors and I'm sure you now know Andrew Breitbart who threw back the curtain of deceit that Rep. Weiner perpetrated upon his constituents and the good people of America. Come see them in person here in Challis this coming August 19-21 at the Idaho Liberty Summit.
Now, I write you as involved patriots, many who lead Tea Party groups or Patriot groups in the Intermountain West to join us and work together to find our way out of the terrible politic we suffer. This is not just a get together to bitch and sniffle, we have a plan and a plan that is working here in Custer County and in many other counties in the Western States. Meet Fred Kelly Grant and learn of County Coordination and how to bring responsible government back to your community. He will tell you of his track record pushing back the tidal wave of irresponsible government regulation and he will help you organize to fight back under the laws of this land. Take a page out of the leftist establishment mantra and make it read "Think Nationally, Act Locally" and make the law work for you.
Not only will we talk Coordination Strategy, but we will show you that Nullification and State Sovereignty are Constitutional safeguards upheld by our very own Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson. Who you may ask has such wisdom, I tell you, Robert Brown, Regional Field Director of the John Birch Society, our esteemed speaker from Helena, Montana. Don't miss a minute.
And specially for you, Patriot leader, we will reserve a table for your group to hand out materials and link up with our network of inspired patriots at the Friday Meet and Greet and also at the conference at Living Waters Ranch. So get here how ever you can even if you must ford rivers, climb mountains and traverse long valleys, get here, your community and your country need you.
Please take a moment to read the attached Idaho Liberty Summit invitation and Agenda and make your reservation now by sending your confirmation for the amounts shown for each event. You will never be able to see the likes of Andrew Breitbart, William Jasper, Fred Kelly Grant, Robert Brown with guest speakers Wayne Hoffman, Idaho Freedom Foundation, Rod Evans, DVM, President Custer County Farm Bureau Federation and Custer County Commissioner Lin Hintze for less than $40 ever again.
In Liberty,
Darr Moon, PE/PLS
Custer County Tea Party Patriots
July 4, 2011
Dear Patriots,
It was a great 4th of July here in Challis complete with all the trimmings one would expect a well attended parade, lots of candy thrown to the tots and teens and young at heart and a wonderful lunch at the City Park donated and staffed by your Challis Chamber of Commerce and manned by Idaho Farm Bureau and Lamb's Market. Please thank them all and patronize their businesses. They didn't have to go through all the effort and by damn they were not required by some law or regulation to sponsor such an event. That's the real America, the one where the pride of your community comes shining through done out of the goodness of their hearts. Thank you so much. Fireworks later tonight to top off a wonderful day in Challis.
Now for tomorrow's special event here at Liberty Hall, a regular meltdown of free market capitalism by way of China. Maybe next year we'll goose step our way down Main Street in a parade of scud missiles all under the direction of Chairman Hu Jintau. No, I don't think so, but the under cover of darkness deals with the Chinese government happening right here in Idaho could make you wonder. We'll shed some insight and perspective about the Special Economic Zone planned for Boise. Read about it here on the link below and please note the author, our very own Idahoan, William Jasper, editor of the New American Magazine, who will be speaking at the Idaho Liberty Summit here in August.
In Liberty,
Darr
Dear Patriots,
It's such a lovely weekend so I hope your all out having fun in the sun. Don't forget what the 4th is all about as you pass the potato salad. The summer good times may fade as the realization of the world financial crisis expands. But for now, it's happy days on Wall Street and the whole economy looks to boom with all those shovel ready jobs that are finally shovel ready. The Polly Anna financial reporters are blowing more smoke than a 4th of July fireworks show. Apparently, the government has managed to control spending, reduce the federal debt and swell the ranks of the employed. I don't think so. Take an extra helping of corn on the cob and pass the gravy to the poor unemployed fellow on your left, the apple pie to the lady on food stamps to your right cuz when the party is over, the long road to recovery begins and it won't be pretty. Take a look a Greece, the party is over there and now to clean up the mess. Government believes they have the solution but as Thomas Jefferson once said, "A government big enough to give you all you want, is big enough to take it all away". So smoke 'em if you got 'em and light off a few sparklers.
Remember the parade in Challis on the 4th at noon. Please get there early to help with the float and get your Custer County Tea Party gear. See you all there. We will be having our regular meeting on Tuesday the 5th so come by for a talk about China in Idaho. Hey, I like the Chinese food, the communist agenda, not so much.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
June 29, 2011
Dear Patriots,
Yes, we will be in the Challis 4th of July Parade scheduled for Monday at noon. I believe the floats and parade entries line up at 10:30 am. Come on by Liberty Hall to visit before the parade and get those Flags, Custer Tea Party T-Shirts and Tea Party hats before the event and please get signed up for the Idaho Liberty Summit. Get all those patriotic chores caught up in one stop so don't forget your checkbook. Another big thank you to John and Vicky Gibbs for their effort to get the float up and ready to go. Please come to the line up to help with any pick-up items and help get everything in order.
We will be throwing candy from the float to the crowd. Dorothy is bringing $30 worth so if you want to get more, it's always a treat. I hope she throws it all along the route, don't need anymore sweets around the house.
I have just been contacted by Robert Fanning with Friends of the Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd who has agreed to speak at our Liberty Summit in August. He has come to me well recommended and should be another fine addition to our speakers group. Check out this link with some information about Robert:
See you on the 4th.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
June 24, 2011
Dear Patriots,
I've been out of the political loop lately, no TV and little radio other than a few KBOI news blurbs on the hour. It's like being in remission from a terrible disease, the sky is bluer, the stars brighter and I'm up the mountain without a care. Too bad that couldn't last a bit longer but there's much to do and much to keep up with, no rest for the Tea Party. I've been meaning to give a big thank you to all those folks who helped make our second rummage sale a very big success. We made almost $500 from sales and about $150 from raffle ticket sales (thanks Dolores, your a great saleswoman). The rummage sale was another great opportunity for many Challis residents to see what we are up to with the coming Idaho Liberty Summit and so much more.
No TV, well, not exactly; I watched Glenn Beck yesterday, he's got 5 more shows and then he's done. I can't blame him, how could anyone fight the mob in NYC and then fight the entire government establishment. He's been a great resource and inspiration for millions of Americans, me included. I know he will keep his radio show going, I listen over the internet but will miss much of the action this summer as my work will take me beyond the media madness. I hope he stays well and gets some peace from the 24 hour hubbub of the Big Apple.
Beck says he's going country. I don't see the doughy personality throwing a half hitch around a snubbing post and holding a bawling calf while the branding iron sears a mark of his masters ownership, but behind that school boy face lies an uncommon strength of character. The boy who would become a man from Mt. Vernon, Washington has seen his share of grief, depression and rehabilitation. It's because of his past failings that he is so successful, the character building exercises he lived through gave him an inner strength and conviction that life was to live, not under the influence of drugs or alcohol or as a slave to a tyrannical government. Becks epiphany has been ours too as he has shown us the ugly truth that our ignorance of the American experiment has picked the bones of prosperity leaving little to offer for our children's future. As with any step program to rid yourself of an affliction, you must first take responsibility for your sorry situation. Glenn has lead us through the many ill fated social experiments our government has given us. All these programs looked good on paper and were spawned by a human need to benefit mankind, but just as the road to hell is paved with good intentions, so to have the intentions to identify the needy. This mindset has perpetuated a government created by the special interest group and for the special interest group. Our government has morphed the ideals of personal liberty and responsibility to a social engineered quagmire of those who have and those who have not.
The wheels are off the train now as be barrel out of control to a social and financial crisis not seen in America since the Great Depression. If nothing else, we the Tea Party people are prepared because we now know the price of apathy for which we will all pay. Let's hope that a rebirth of the true American ideal will arise from the ashes, not more help for special people.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
June 12, 2011
Dear Patriots,
You can learn a lot from a Frenchman I now understand. My good friend and former supervisor, when I was a young lad working in Egypt for Schlumberger, paid me a visit last week. His daughter was a foreign exchange student in Bozeman, Montana so he and his wife flew out from Paris to pick her up. It is always so good to meet friends from afar and reminisce about the past and talk of the future as he has two daughters and I have two sons for which we are both concerned.
As you might guess, he and his wife were a bit astonished that we would be Tea Party people, even go so far as to hold meetings. Yes, it was a bit of an awkward moment as we toured Liberty Hall with a photograph of Dorothy waving the Gadsden Flag at the Washington D.C. rally on 9\12 in the background and the picture of our sign along Interstate 84 boldly professing to "Vote Corruption Out" in the foreground.
So you must be that faction from the extreme right wing of the Republican Party Marcel exclaimed and isn't Sarah Palin your leader? Go on Marcel, what else is it that you don't know I asked. Well, aren't you that mob that causes riots and are named for the unruly violence at the Boston Tea Party in 1773? Well, no, in fact, we have no leader, not Sarah Palin, not anybody and we are not party affiliated either I said puffing my chest out. Did you not know that TEA stands for Taxed Enough Already? Our mission is to reduce the size of government and make them more fiscally responsible with our money. It's all about personal liberty and responsibility Marcel, don't you get the news? (Maybe that is the problem)
So, the more we talked the more we learned of each other. He, a small businessman in Paris with several employees complained of the illegal workers from Algeria and how when he found one of his employees with forged papers, he fired him, only to be sued by the illegal alien for wrongful termination. Sounded a bit familiar. He went on to say how high the taxes were and how much bureaucracy was involved in every aspect of his work. Damn, sounds real familiar. Then he declared that he was so disappointed that the French head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was embroiled in a rape investigation in New York City. He would certainly have become the Prime Minister he said. Whoa there cowboy, you mean your politicians can't keep their hand off the girls too? I threw in the story of our aspiring left wing partisan Representative Weiner from New York just to make him feel not so disappointed with the failings of French flesh.
After the many hours of discussion weighing the pros and cons of our respective political systems, we came to the conclusion that we're just about the same. The French have socialized medicine and we don't was about the only significant difference. They have a 35 hour work week and get 6 weeks of vacation but pay higher taxes. We both have a minimum wage, social security, medical benefits, illegal immigrant problems, too much tax, too many bureaucrats, slums, gangs, drugs, corrupt politicians, failing government programs and a polarized society of left verses right .......... the list went on.
Well, Brigitte (Marcel's wife) how about some of these nice clothes hanging here on the rack we are going to sell at the Tea Party Rummage Sale this Saturday June 18th, Dorothy interrupts to help lower the political rhetoric. Oooh La La she says, how nice! So there you go, we've got some of the finest clothing this side of Paris, France on display and for your very own wardrobe. Bring your other fine merchandise to Liberty Hall Friday morning so we can get it ready to go for the Lilac Festival Rummage and Bake Sale. How's that for a segue into what I was suppose to be writing about all this time!
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
June 6, 2011
Dear Patriots,
Really folks, I don't know how to say it all without losing credibility. There's just too much irony here and too many torrid insinuations to make any sort of headway with the sorted affairs of Anthony Weiner. He's done a better job of toppling himself than any army of undercover reporting staff. I think you may have seen how Andrew Breitbart is picking the poor sod apart. Our stock in Andrew is rising and I believe he'll be able to reveal the juicy underbelly of the scandal with his usual inside baseball analysis at our coming
Idaho Liberty Summit. For those of you who have been living under a rock, like me, I have attached a web link to
Andrew Breitbart's latest news conference for your convenience;
http://www.breitbart.tv/breitbart-commandeers-weiner-press-conference/ .
The real tragedy isn't that Mr. Weiner is catching hell for his poor judgment and inability to stifle himself, it's that President Obama and Congress will enjoy another free week of tawdry headlines while they sidestep the bigger scoop, the plundering of America. Maybe the press and media can keep the Weiner story in play long enough for us to shift focus to the much touted golf game President Obama and House Speaker Boehner have set for the 18th. So much news, so little information, go ahead, stay under that rock.
Tea Party meeting tomorrow, same time, same place, be there.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
June 5, 2011
Dear Patriots,
We are embarking on a summer of discontent where the power elites are preparing their finger pointing attacks at anything that walks and talks to hide the real monsters under the bed, themselves. For all the can kicking both parties have expertly relied to push off the day of reckoning, you think we'd have a half decent soccer team in Washington. Too bad the magic mirror is broken, Congress, the President and the Supreme Court are not the fairest in the land and Humpty Dumpty will not be put together again, we are broke. The cries to raise the debt ceiling and the backroom deals that will be made to satisfy the need for speed for our, out of control, slow motion train wreck, will buy precious little time this time. Too many entitled to feed, subsidize and cajole. Too many grants and stipends and foundations to fund. Who should go short? Not the teachers, the police, the military, the transportation worker or the social security recipient. There's no way to cut this baby in pieces, so on we go down the path of ruin, wave good bye to the Chinese as we zoom past them onward, steadily onward to the brick wall not far up ahead that lies across the tracks.
It's not just about the money either, I spent last night watching TV with the boys and now know only too well that after only one more episode of True TV or Repo Games, my mind would explode. Civilization is gone. Mankind has stretched the limit of pathetic to limits previously unknown. Can extinction be the only cure? Can there be a more subverted, imbecilic pageantry of human debris than to catch a night of cable TV? Where is the drama, the passion, the expression of goodwill and kindness? Is there no longer a Maybury or a Little House on the Prairie where a glimmer of mankind's hope still appears?
Guess not, only mostly bleeped out comments from the obese trash talking mother of five whining snots trying to keep the Repo-man from taking her 1997 Chrysler back to the dealer because she can't pay for all her habits. She deserves a break today and maybe if she could answer 3 out of 5 stupid questions she'd win her car back and a small modicum of her pride (scratch that, no way she'll win back any pride with a muffin top t-shirt and split-out jeans combo). This is where we are with entertainment TV America, God help us all.
Thought I'd brighten your day by letting you know that Tuesday, you can set your worries aside and join us for some wholesome relief at our regularly scheduled Tea Party meeting in Challis at 7:00 pm. No, it's not a night out at the opera, but it sure as hell is a lot better than TV. We're going to be discussing the upcoming Rummage Sale over the Lilac Festival on Saturday the 18th. Please dig around your closets and garages to sort out those no longer needed treasures that can be acquired by some other hoarder of booty. Dig out that no longer used fitness machine or bread making machine or gumball machine or any of the other 10,000,0000 of no use machines that we all get for Christmas because who knows, you might just need another machine to make your life easier! That fitness machine other than being great for hanging your clothes on in the corner of the bedroom is a real space waster, so bring it on down and we'll solve two problems; your over run home of stuff and our need to finance this Idaho Liberty Summit thingy coming in August. Bring a box or two to the Tea Party meeting, you'll feel great for cleaning up your house and think about the time you won't waste watching TV. No TV's please, I don't want people to think the Tea Party is some kind of subversive group.
Speaking of finances, bring your check book too so that you can get your reservations made for all the goings on at that fine Idaho Liberty Summit coming up. Don't wait till the last minute to pony up. I can't take the stress of financial obligation very well, that's why I bought my car with cash. I couldn't bear to wind up face to face with a Repo-man and Dorothy hitting me over the head with a broom.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
May 29, 2011
Dear Patriots,
It's Memorial Day weekend and amongst all the fuss getting ready for family and the traditional outdoor bar-b-que I see it's snowing and has laid down about 3" on the front deck where I was going to sit back in my lounge chair, let the sun shine on my face and enjoy a great big dripping hamburger with all the trimmings. So much for big outdoor plans. I hope Memorial Day weekend comes to you with more sunshine but I also hope that you take a moment and think deeply about those family, friends and honorable soldiers who have gone before us.
I think of one soldier who died in combat so long ago every Memorial Day since I was 11 years old. I have been haunted by his loss even though I never met the young man. I know that he gave all his tomorrows for my today's and I've wondered if I myself have been worthy of his loss and if America has been worthy of his selfless sacrifice. I heard the news in the winter of 1970, a young man was killed in action in Vietnam. The news broke over KBAR radio in Burley as I got ready for school one cold and snowy morning. He was from Challis and I knew my folks would know of him. He wasn't like the others who fell in action, he was close to home, I knew he would have seen the same things I had, breathed the same air I did and enjoyed his wonderful small town home as I remembered it. Thoughts of his demise lingered within me even though I did not know him personally. I wondered how the end came, I wondered how he could be so brave and I wondered what his great sacrifice would mean.
I've thought of Corporal James Piva on many occasions through out my life. I've stood on mountains and wondered if he'd been there and seen the beautiful sight. I've been in foreign lands and wondered what he thought of the Southeast Asian jungles. I've wondered how it would be to be so young and die for a cause that was not understood back home in America. Cpl. Piva's death has lead me down a path for many years trying to understand the sacrifice. I am still torn, I want to believe that Corporal Piva's life and his ultimate sacrifice made America a safe and better place. I want to believe that the grief suffered was worth the price.
Today, I have lived a long time and seen many things and I have come to appreciate those who don a uniform and swear an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. I can only hope that we Americans can swear such and oath too and swear never to send our young men and women into battle for actions less than noble, that we Americans value the sacrifice and never let the loss and suffering of war happen without serious contemplation of purpose and the founding principles of our country.
Now that I am a father with two sons, I am further haunted by Cpl. Piva's sacrifice. His picture has greeted me every time I've enter Challis High. I've read his story on the wall a hundred times and still he looks back at me without a word. I took my son's to see his name in black marble at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. (P-13W / L-64) and quietly wept inside knowing now how precious his life lost was. I, as all Americans, can not honor him enough.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
May 24, 2011
Dear Patriots,
How proud the Irish must be to know they've got a kinsman in the Whitehouse. I'll bet business at the local pubs is brisk with gossip as to which among them can claim kinship to the American Monarch. Don't it make your brown eyes blue. My eyes, unfortunately are not smiling but rather shooting blood as Boss Hog once again tours the burnt out ruins of Socialized civilizations such as Ireland. Ireland an unfortunate casualty of spending more than you have hoping to rob the haves to pay the have not's languishes in economic limbo. Too bad the haves were sucked dry by the ever eager social zealots and no longer occupy the emerald island, they've been banished away much like the pied piper who rid the country of snakes. Speaking of snakes, I understand the master of global warming disaster, Al Gore, received $500 million in start up capital to build a new breed of electric cars at tax payer expense in the land where pots of gold have turned to brass. Poor old Al must really be on hard times. You'd think the inventor of the internet would be more aware of the septic economic environment where his rainbow has ended.
Enough of the things we can't do anything about and more to what we can. I'm attaching of photo of the knife that Ray and Judie Black have so generously donated to the Idaho Liberty Summit cause. The hand made knife and steel is the handiwork of Ray himself and is really quite an amazing piece of artwork and metallurgy combined. We are selling raffle tickets for a dollar a piece so bring your bills to our next Tea Party meeting for a shot at a one of a kind treasure.
I thought you might enjoy the latest newsletter from Tea Party Boise, so please open the attached for a good read. It's comforting to know that there are many out there who are making the effort to inform and gather to shore up our failing institutions all over this land.
Remember too, that this Saturday and Sunday Living Waters Ranch is sponsoring the Preparations 2 Conference which an itinerary is posted below. Much to due this summer on behalf of liberty, please stay vigilant.
What is Going On?
Tornadoes, Floods, Fires, etc.
Are You Prepared for the Possibilities?
Living Waters Ranch Presents Preparations 2 Conference May 27-30.
LWR has opened the workshops to the public at no charge on Sat & Sun
Preparations 2 Workshop Schedule:
Sat, 1:00 to 1:45 PM, Eileen Hardy, Food Storage Made Easy – Basic Emergency Preparations
Sat, 2:00 to 2:45 PM, Andrea Jaracz, Prepare to be Healthy – Don’t Just Survive – Thrive
Sat, 3:00 to 3:45 PM, Fulton J Sheen, Practical Ways to Prepare for an Economic Disaster
Sat, 4:00 to 4:45 PM, Jim Brashear, Men’s Preparedness – Personal and Family
Sun, 1:00 to 1:45 PM, Robyn Brashear, Women’s Preparedness – Personal and Family
Sun, 2:00 to 2:45 PM, Ray Nelson, The Call for Networking – Agricultural Preparedness
Sun, 3:00 to 3:45 PM, Mike Irvan, Emergency Coordination, Security, Communications, More
Sun, 4:00 to 4:45 PM, Dave Regnier, Lloyd Phillips, Christopher, Visions of the Days Ahead
For Brochure and/or RSVP: Debbie James, 879-2888, jameslwr@custertel.net
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
May 15, 2011
Dear Patriots,
The uncomfortable twisting in the seats gave me great pleasure as the gals from the SNRA got a strong dose of how it shall be from Commissioner Butts and the Custer County Coordination Committee last Thursday at their government to government meeting. Oh yes we can I thought as their knickers seemed to get twisted in the realization that they might have to bow and curtsy to a group they had little regard for just a few short months ago. The odd twist of fate must have given them frustration that they can't pass along their merry way without due process just as we, the citizens of Custer County have felt from them on many occasion. The juxtaposition of fortunes suits me just fine and great kudos to our good fellows on the Coordination Board as they are beginning to get the point across to the masters of bureaucracy, don't tread on me!
The meeting highlighted many issues that would never before have been something to consult the county about and brought up a few issues that set me to guessing just what good has come from the SNRA and how little they have protected any of the environment for which they were organized to do. Cases in point, a discussion was brought up about noxious plant life such as the aquatic invasive Dittimoore (I really don't know how to spell it correctly, I'm pretty sure it's not the beef stew in the can with the thumb print on top) which is spreading through our high mountain rivers and streams. River snot as it is known locally was brought here on the heels of fishermen who unwittingly deposit the slimy vegetative matter. Damn, who would have thought recreationalist could do the fragile ecosystem such a whack! Oh, there's more, how about the tiger mussel and quaga mussel introduced by boaters on our lakes and rivers too. No, it couldn't be true that all this recreation is actually killing our lakes and streams? Maybe so, maybe we'd have less garbage on the side of the roads and fewer beer cans too it we had just stuck with those dirty, stinking mining and logging operations that have been shelved because Joe America needed a place to come for two weeks out of the year to get a wilderness experience. How nice too, that the SNRA boasts the most devastated forest in our history due to a wood beetle that couldn't be logged out for fear of endangering the salmon. I can't take anymore of this environmental stewardship and now we find that the introduction of the wolf has spread a potentially deadly tapeworm to our environs. Please folks bring back hydraulic mining, if my memory serves me, we had more salmon, better timber and an overall healthier environment when our grandfathers were in charge. But I digress, please, let me get back to more of this confounding meeting.
Oh dear, there isn't enough housing at the Stanley SNRA Administration area for the uppity ups with all they at the SNRA have to do these days, they need a place to bring their staff. You know, there just aren't any available houses in the area for rent and the rent is so high cried one of the snags (Sawtooth National Agitated Gals) . Well, fry my bacon gals, maybe there isn't any housing available because the SNRA has run everyone out of the housing business and made restrictions on property development so heinous that housing even for the lesser staff is impossible to find. Damn, how could that be that they need affordable housing and yet no one else's needs for affordable housing in the Stanley basin rise to the necessity of that of the SNRA. Well, how could we bring in people and managers to get our work done if we can't provide housing? Duh! Walk a mile in my moccasins and then tell me your more entitled than me to afford a home.
Oh these girls just wanna have fun. You should see their long list of projects that must be done. They rolled it out saying I'm not sure you'll be able to check out all of these projects through the Coordination Committee. I believe Jim Hawkins said bring it on. So when the talk turned to what the SNRA could do for County at the Cow Camp bridge, well, that was another story. You see, they are so busy doing all of their projects, like building a nicer administration facility, taking care of the County's messily old bridges that don't really do much for anybody is such a burden. They've really got to prioritize with all the limited funding they have so county projects will just have to wait or be studied for another year. And they weren't very hip on going to these darn regularly scheduled Coordination meetings either. You see, they're at 7:00 pm when they're off work, maybe it's their bowling night, but going to meetings on your free time is such a pain. I feel it too, this meeting was at 9:30 am, and I had to miss the last hour of Glenn Beck's radio show!
Folks, government in action doesn't get much sillier than this. It would make for a good laugh if not for the seriousness of their ineffectiveness to do anything of consequence for the good of the taxpayer and the local environment. The meeting was a turning point in the direction of who's got the biggest stick and it was also the first time I've seen the good that our local people can do to thwart the incessant gobbledygook government spawns. I hope someone takes a serious look at the horrendous damage the SNRA has done to the human, animal and plant life environment they are charged to steward. The irony of such a failed government bureaucracy is evident in the decay of the SNRA forest, the invasion of noxious plant life in our rivers and streams, the promotion of activities that have led to infestations of non-native species of mussels and the introduction of a deadly carnivore that is spreading disease to man and animal alike. Please, don't you think it's time to mine the mountains, prosperities fountains, log our natural and replenishable forests and graze the lands that have provided families a good honest living for many a generation?
Be sure to go to the next government to government meeting, it's a laugh riot. I'll keep you posted.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
May 11, 2011
Dear Patriots,
I am once again inspired and very please to report that the Custer County Commissioners and the Local Coordination Committee sponsored Fred Kelly Grant with Trademark America to speak about the 10th Amendment and Coordinating Strategies for local governments. Please thank Doyle Lamb, Custer County Commissioner, and the Custer Coordination Committee for sponsoring this event next time you see any of them. I am sure they'll tell you it was a very worthwhile meeting and the beginning for real solutions for our community to hold back federal overstepping of our enumerated rights to manage our local environment and land issues. We will be speaking of Coordination and the Tenth Amendment more as their importance becomes more relevant than ever. I'll keep you posted.
Fred Kelly Grant with Trademark America, our distinguished guest and speaker, is not only my new hero patriot, but a wonderfully warm and kind man whose knowledge of the relationships between local land use and environmental issues has paved a new path for our future for which we can all be grateful. His many successes beating back the unintended consequences of growing and unresponsive regulations are the measure for which we shall prevail in the many issues that face us in today's political environment. If you missed his lecture, you missed the opportunity to realize how we can control our future and hold government responsible. But do not despair if so, Fred will be our guest at the Idaho Liberty Summit this coming August and you will have opportunity to hear the word for yourself.
I was very pleased to meet at this recent strategy session many of our northern county's county commissioners, tea party leaders and movers and shakers. Thank you all for coming to Challis and for your commitment to see our home and listen to some of our issues that are indeed many of your own. I am linking you up on our email news letter so you can follow our progress through the many government issues of today and hoping that we may all work together to stomp out some of our common grievances. Please let your fellow Patriot and Tea Party groups know that we are here to help and share informational resources and if need, stand with you on issues that affect your neighbors. You can see much of what we have been up to and are doing at our Custer County Tea Party Patriots website
www.ccteapartypatriots.com.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
May 5, 2011
Dear Patriots,
Could the love affair be over with Pakistan? Who knows, Hillary Clinton says they are necessary and helpful agents in this war on terrorism and yet the Pakistani's had Osama camped out just outside a high profile military facility something similar to our West Point. Oh the love, or maybe it was the $18 billion dollars the US tax payer has ponied up since 2002 to buy their virtue. With such a cozy relationship you'd think they'd be overjoyed that the wicked witch of the East is dead, but no, you just can't send enough roses to dry up their tears. I'll bet you a dollar to a wolf turd that some of those exported dollars helped finance Osama's digs. Not palatial but a far cry from Tora Bora and complete with vegetable garden and home grown smoke. Osama certainly had all the makings of a card packing Lib. Dude, multiple wives, a trust fund, a revolutionary, sandals and a dirty night shirt, carry out humus on demand ....... it's a Berkley professor's dream!
He's gone and the celebration continues as President Obama spikes the ball in NYC and draws as much blood out of Osama's corpse as possible. (Side note, don't you think it is fascinating that Obama and Osama share the same letters except for BS, kinda funny huh?) I will have to speculate upon this whole situation later as it is getting busy around here with spring popping up through the winter's chill and I've got too much on my plate to pontificate at this moment, but I will.
Speaking of wolf turds, this is for those of you who have threatened the Tea Party and Liberty Hall with a suitcase bomb. We know who you are, so does Sherriff Lumpkin and now the FBI. Just thought you should know.
Now, for all you who have interest in salvaging the last few vestiges of liberty that remain, I must suggest you come tomorrow to Liberty Hall and listen for yourself to an inspiring oration of how the West was Won. Please attend Fred Kelly Grant's workshop on an almost forgotten Constitutional Amendment, the 10th. You need to know all about the 10th Amendment. It is key to the solution of our troubled political times.
Doors open at Liberty Hall at 8:30 am for a 9:00 am to 4:00 pm barn burner of a session. $40 at the door, it's cheap when you think about how much you contributed to Osama Bin Laden's penthouse and what did you get for that?!?
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
About the Author
Fred Kelly Grant has a J.D. degree from the University of Chicago, School of Law. He served as law clerk to Frederick W. Brune, as assistant United States Attorney, and he now helps ranchers, farmers and landowners protect themselves from arbitrary government regulations. He writes regularly at www.justicemyass.com.
Fred Kelly Grant, Past President and Former Board Member
Nampa, Idaho.
Fred Grant attained his B.A. from the College of Idaho in 1958, majoring in History; with specialization in Constitutional History and Law. He then attended the University of Chicago School of Law. He served as Law Clerk to Chief Judge Brune, in the Maryland Court of Appeals. He first worked as an associate at Lord, Bissell, and Brook; a Chicago law firm representing Lloyd's of London. He continued to practice law in the District of Maryland, where he was an Assistant United States Attorney. He later became Assistant State Attorney of Baltimore, and then Chief of the Organized Crime Unit, State's Attorney of Baltimore. He spent his remaining time in Baltimore involved in criminal defense.
Grant later moved with his family back to Nampa Idaho where he and his wife were both raised. He accepted an appointment by Idaho’s Governor as a liaison with the federal agencies, and eventually served two of Idaho’s Governors in various roles. He has been a hearing officer in zoning issues for over 30 years and has helped cities and counties write land use plans protecting property rights. He works closely with Owyhee County, Idaho where he developed the “Coordination Strategy” now being taught across the nation as a way for local governments to have meaningful input into the federal and state decision making process.
Grant has worked with Stewards of the Range since the early 1990’s as a consultant and the Litigation Chairman. In 2006 he was elected by the Board of Directors to serve as President. July 1, 2009 Stewards of the Range merged with the American Land Foundation creating American Stewards of Liberty. Grant served as President until 2011.
May 1, 2011
Dear Patriots,
It is a Hollywood favorite, Zombies that is, and yesterday we got a glimpse of a real Zombie roaming the vast Idaho wilderness and surroundings. Your happy go lucky, friends of the earth's favorite, the wolf. How are wolves like zombies? I asked myself that too, but my youngest son had a great answer and I think it makes a whole heap of sense. I drug the whole family along for the talk given by Clay Dethlefson, President and Executive Director of the Western Predator Control Association to hear the latest on the Tape Worm, ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS and the Hydatid Cysts that can and have infected a person here in Clayton. Oh, it was another peeve me off affair that left few not twitching in their seats about the whole sorted wolf affair. Not only are wolves killing our livestock, depleting our deer and elk populations, causing economic damage to those who earn a living from big game hunts and threatening your very life with attack, they now are dropping scat bombs loaded with tapeworms that can infect humans. What a lovely day though, spring is beginning to poke its sunshine over the mountains. HELLO PEOPLE !!!!! WOLVES ARE DROPPING SCAT BOMBS LOADED WITH TAPEWORMS THAT CAN INFECT HUMANS AND SOMEONE HERE IN CLAYTON HAS BEEN INFECTED!!!!!!
You'll be relieved to know that only 62% of Idaho wolves carry the deadly tapeworm, whew, only 62%. So lets study the problem, spend thousands on that, then spend years making a determination as to whether there is a clear and present health threat and then spend millions trying to eradicate the beast, then spend billions on the legal fight that will ensue taking many more years of valuable time while the insidious infection becomes epidemic and then spend trillions of dollars figuring out how to kill the now 4,000 animals in 600 active packs and growing wolves. But what's a trillion dollars these days.
How about we shoot them on a grassroots level. Anybody sees a wolf, shoot it, a buck ten for bullets and the problem solved.
Could this introduced epidemic be just a laboratory test on we, the local human population? Kind of like the government idea that studying syphilis needed to be accomplished by injecting black men in an Alabama prison to see what happened to them?
So why did my son equate the who wolf affair to an attack of killer zombies? You see, if you were a Sci-Fi nut you'd know, zombies will eat you if they can and if they bite you or by other means infect you, you become a zombie like them. The wolf will try to eat you if it can and if it infects you with ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS you'll be like them and could pass it along to all your friends and family. How sweet! Welcome to Challis, home of the Tape Worm epidemic and home of the Zombies.
Folks, we will be talking about this issue along with much, much more this coming Tuesday at our regularly scheduled Tea Party meeting. I'm going to show you just what you can expect with the continued devaluation of the dollar and increased national debt. Lovely, just lovely (got that type of talk from watching the Royal Wedding) and then, our Representative Lenore Barratt will give us a quick synopsis of this years Legislative session (hope she's not wearing one of those lovely hats).
Please also remember this Friday and Saturday a great opportunity to hear Fred Kelly Grant with Trademark America discuss the Tenth Amendment and Strategies for Improving Local Economies through Coordination.
Trademark America, Fred Kelly Grant's new foundation, and the Custer County Commissioners are sponsoring a two-day conference featuring Fred Kelly Grant as the presenter. The topics are the Tenth Amendment and Coordination. Dates are Friday and Saturday, May 6th and 7th, 2011.
Day 1 will be: 9Am-4PM on the 10th amendment, the most underused and misunderstood amendment that is the foundation for state and local authority.
At Liberty Hall.
Day 2 will be:9AM-3PM on Strategies for Improving Local Economy using Coordination. Covers Coordination and its impact on local economies. Its mandate, Federal and State statutes, Regulations, Executive orders and Judicial affirmation. Implementation and strategies. At the Challis Middle School.
Cost: $70 per person for both days if registered by May 1, 2011. $40 per person for one day if registered by May 1st .An extra $10 will be added if registered at the door.
Please contact (208) 466-1545 to register.
We'll see you there.
What me worry,
Darr
April 27, 2011
Dear Patriots,
I'm so relieved, President Obama was born in Hawaii. Wow, that was a close call. Just think of the implications of a foreigner as Presidents; almost as bad as having a narcissistic messiah. Just about as much pomp and circumstance as the Royal Wedding this whole affair, only that the Royal Wedding will be over in two days and we've spent 2 years of obfuscation over this issue which could have been easily rectified with a simple phone call to Honolulu, but hey, Americans love drama. Thought I was watching an old episode of the West Wing.
Well, not everything has a silver lining. This wolf thing for instance; it's bad and getting worse. A friend of the truth has penned an article I've attached below. He's got a point you should all consider. I'll let him do the talking. You can find the article posted on our website at
www.ccteapartypatriots.com . See "Words of Wisdom" tab.
April 26, 2011
Dear Patriots,
You must make every effort to attend this coming Saturday's meeting at the Challis Middle School at 3:00 pm regarding a greater looming danger the introduction of wolves has wrought upon our communities. You know they are an efficient and effective predator having drastically reduced the number of elk, endangered your safety and have killed many of your pets but now and even more menacing twist to pending environmental disaster brought to you by your foolish, inept and dangerous eco-friendly useful idiots. 62% of Idaho wolves carry a deadly tapeworm that is spreading throughout our region. The tapeworm is spread by wolf feces and is being ingested by all herbivores who graze upon the land. This includes deer, elk and cattle, the mainstay of our hunting and ranching economy. The infected dead spread the tapeworm to carnivores like your dog who may eat upon the carcass. The infection can end up in your gut and it can be fatal!
This alarming consequence of the wolf introduction has been kept from the public at large until now. Please come to the meeting and find out for yourself what the tapeworm introduction means for you and your livelihood, find out what is being done to protect your health and hear from experts what you can do to protect yourself and your livestock. Clay Dethlefson, President and Executive Director of the Western Predator Control Association will address the issues and your concerns.
Please read the article below for more information. Contact your neighbors, friends and county health and regulating officials who need to know and understand the situation. We are at a point where this tape worm introduction could rapidly become a widespread health emergency.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS. EVERYONE IS INVITED. TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW.
Please come find out if the government has covered this up. Find out what we can do about it!
April 24, 2011
Dear Patriots,
Nothing but blues skies here up the Yankee Fork and about 6 feet of snow. It is a beautiful scene as the winter snow shines brightly against the beaming rays of the sun. A glorious day for Easter and a reminder that winter's grip over the land is quietly melting away. The days are longer and spring is in the air. Soon the mighty Salmon will rise to the occasion of a hearty run-off as winter's legacy melts away. It is all a reminder of the seasons, the change from cold to warm and the rebirth of all that lives below this blanket of snow.
So too the time for change comes for those who deceive the American people with hope filled rhetoric and gifts of unearned rewards. The cold winds blowing from the East are changing. Our faith can be renewed as beams of light are shed upon the nooks and crannies of an errant government where deceit has hatched a swarm of lies. Our mission is bold and the seeds we plant in the spring shall bear fruit. We have met with great success here in Idaho for the cause of liberty. Nullification of Obama's health care plan is on the books. The wolves are losing their cover of immunity and we still live within a budget that doesn't pour of red ink. There is yet so much to do, but by your will and perseverance, we shall overcome.
The battle lines are being drawn and billions of dollars are being readied for the coming clash. President Obama has kicked off his campaign in earnest and seeks a billion dollar war chest to defend his title. While a billion dollar campaign may sound overwhelming it will only attract those who seek cover of darkness and the boons of a collective society. This will be self evident as the campaign rolls forward further dividing the country with clashes of class warfare. Shed light upon these skirmishes and demand truth.
You are not alone in this coming change. There are millions of us who have not forgotten from whence liberty comes, spread the news. And as winter loses it grip to a rebirth of life so too will the dark side of collectivism succumb to the light beaming from the torch of liberty.
I have attached the Boise Tea Party newsletter for your enjoyment and a link to our successes over Obama Care this legislative session below.
Governor Otter's executive order to halt implementation of Obama Care in Idaho. Much of the credit belongs to the legislators who worked with us on this issue, namely Sens. Pearce, Vick, Nuxoll and Reps. Boyle and Barbieri.
http://gov.idaho.gov/pdf/Executive%20Order%202011-03.pdf
Please mark your calendar for a great opportunity to hear Fred Kelly Grant with Trademark America discuss the Tenth Amendment and Strategies for Improving Local Economies through Coordination.
Trademark America, Fred Kelly Grant's new foundation, and the Custer County Commissioners are sponsoring a two-day conference featuring Fred Kelly Grant as the presenter. The topics are the Tenth Amendment and Coordination. Dates are Friday and Saturday, May 6th and 7th, 2011.
Day 1 will be: 9Am-4PM on the 10th amendment, the most underused and misunderstood amendment that is the foundation for state and local authority.
At Liberty Hall.
Day 2 will be:9AM-3PM on Strategies for Improving Local Economy using Coordination. Covers Coordination and its impact on local economies. Its mandate, Federal and State statutes, Regulations, Executive orders and Judicial affirmation. Implementation and strategies. At the Challis Middle School.
Cost: $70 per person for both days if registered by May 1, 2011. $40 per person for one day if registered by May 1st .An extra $10 will be added if registered at the door.
Please contact (208) 466-1545 to register.
We'll see you there.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
April 18, 2011
Dear Patriots,
More bad news. The City of Meridian is trying to implement an ordinance to regulate the sale of precious metals to private individuals. Why the City is playing this game is not fully clear to me other than an attempt at a local level to make criminals out of all of us who have precious metals as a hedge against a falling dollar. I understand that there have been unscrupulous people selling gold or silver from stolen property but surely making everyone guilty until proven innocent isn't the answer. These kinds of ordinances begin to have a life of their own and soon grow into State regulation and then Federal regulation. This seed if planted will grow to other areas where Big Brother wants your personal information. This ordinance is outrageous and unconstitutional. Don't make criminals out of all of us who trade precious metals. This will do nothing but make an underground economy and will certainly affect negatively honest dealers in Meridian.
Please make all effort to attend the public hearing.
“ URGENT – Your Financial Privacy
is in Jeopardy ”
What: 2nd reading of an Ordinance to license and regulate precious metals dealers in Meridian, ID.
Where: Meridian City Hall, Meridian, ID,
When: Tuesday, April 19th, 2011.
Why Should You Be There???
If this ordinance is passed, all precious metals dealers in Meridian, ID will be required to be licensed, and to do the following:
- to take thumb prints of all persons who sell gold, silver, or platinum coins, bullion, jewelry, etc to any dealer;
- to take personal records (name, address, SSN) etc;
- and then to report said records and purchases to the POLICE DEPARTMENT immediately upon buying them from any person.
Why is this happening? Under the pretense on stopping “crime” caused by rising precious metals prices, the Meridian Police Department has “sponsored” this ordinance and is lobbying the City Counsel to enact it into law.
Nowhere else in Idaho have cities regulated Precious Metals dealers AT ALL, EVER, except for the City of Nampa, where such an ordinance was snuck through a few weeks ago. Meridian is trying to duplicate this law.
This intrusion into your financial privacy is an absolute outrage. Not even the City of Boise regulates precious metals dealers – YET! But you can bet they will be NEXT.
This ordinance can and MUST be stopped. No matter where you live, you will be affected NEGATIVELY! These types of ordinances spread like a virus.
PLEASE come to Meridian City Hall next Tuesday, April 19th, at 7:00 PM and fill the chambers. They will know why you are there.
And bring a friend!!! Thank you all for standing up for your right to privacy.
Call Joe Rohner in Boise for additional information at 343-8787.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
April 18, 2011
Dear Patriots,
I am pleased to announce a conference to be held here in Challis at Liberty Hall May 6th regarding the 10th Amendment to the Constitution and May 7th at the Challis Middle School "Strategies for Improving Local Economies using Coordination" all presented by Fred Kelly Grant with Trademark America. Please make all effort to attend as you will want to meet Fred Kelly Grant one of our speakers planned for at the Idaho Liberty Summit this August. You can find more details in last weeks Challis Messenger on page 4.
You will find the conference enlightening and useful as we plow ahead through troubled times in the economy and with over-reaching government. Please call the phone number below for ticket information.
Trademark America, Fred Kelly Grant's new foundation, and the Custer County Commissioners are sponsoring a two-day conference featuring Fred Kelly Grant as the presenter. The topics are the Tenth Amendment and Coordination. Dates are Friday and Saturday, May 6th and 7th, 2011.
Day 1 will be: 9Am-4PM on the 10th amendment, the most underused and misunderstood amendment that is the foundation for state and local authority.
Day 2 will be:9AM-3PM on Strategies for Improving Local Economy using Coordination. Covers Coordination and its impact on local economies. Its mandate, Federal and State statutes, Regulations, Executive orders and Judicial affirmation. Implementation and strategies.
Cost: $70 per person for both days if registered by May 1, 2011. $40 per person for one day if registered by May 1st .An extra $10 will be added if registered at the door.
Please contact (208) 466-1545 to register.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr Moon
(208) 879-3714
April 17, 2011
The End of Capitalism
Dear Patriots,
The grand idea of Socialism is that we all share the rewards and fruits of our labor with those less fortunate. The plan looks good on paper, a benevolent society where equality and justice for all is your right. The lure of this Great Society is captivating, especially if you are one of the poor and downtrodden. How nice that your neighbor gives so freely to your economic plight and how nice that they help you, feed and educate your children, subsidize your housing, give you unemployment benefits and of course health care. It’s really so nice. What society can exist without such charity and love for one another?
Like I said it all looks so good on paper, but the reality is that someone needs to pay for it and someone or some grand body must regulate the process and see that fairness is doled out equitably. This is only one of the nasty bits about Socialism that is swept from sight under a magic carpet that always redistributes wealth equitable and makes everyone equal.
I am witness to one of the manifestations of this Great Society here in tiny old Challis. You’d think we’d know better by now than to let our guard down for all the government we put up with in our now mostly government run and occupied county. The outrage I witnessed was not from the Feds but from our own Planning and Zoning Commission. Not that the commission is evil or that any of the members are bad folks, they are not. In fact they are all property owners and good citizens of our county. You’d wave and say hi to any of them passing on the street. But they have been duped into a position of power that far exceeds your individual property rights and they are willing participants in a larger more menacing big government all encompassing plan to seek fairness in matters that are totally and constitutionally only yours.
The issue at hand is what can you do with your property if you’re in a zoning district that doesn’t suit your future development plans? You must go before the tribunal as plead your case and you must convince them and any neighbor, environmental group, federal and state agency that you have such a right. This will not come inexpensive or without much expanse of time. Even with expert witness and professional help, your request may fall on deaf ears. You may have personalities to deal with that have it in for you, or neighbors who have been sharpening their axe for just such a time to strike you for that damn barking dog of yours who once crapped in their yard. It’s no longer just about the by-laws, regulations and federal and state mandates. It’s all about you no longer being the king of your own castle, rather now an indentured servant to the cause of equality and social justice.
Now you might say, well, what about my property rights as a neighbor to this monstrosity of an idea my unsophisticated adjacent land owner has in mind for his patch of weeds. Who looks after my property value and who is going to insure that his mal-aligned plans don’t injure my property value? The responsibility falls upon you my friend, You! You are the party responsible to protect your valuable property interests. Sue the bastard! Take it upon yourself to show and prove your damage rather than hide behind the coat tails of a willing P&Z board most egger to extract any subtle nuance of any possible contemplated damage present, past and future you may have been victim of. Certainly, you the affected have rights too. Stand up and prove them in a court of law.
The stage set now gives little relief to those who wish to pursue their dream. Heaven forbid they make something of their property, their business and their pursuit of happiness, let alone pay taxes and possibly hire a poor unemployed person in need of assistance. Anyone who wishes to throw rocks at your future development plan can without impunity regardless of the cost to you. Pony up rock throwers, hire a lawyer, get some skin in the game and know that you could be sued too! Put right and might back in its proper place, with you the Sovereign person of this county, state and federal government.
Planning and zoning commissions are seeds of Socialism. The seed is planted with the understanding that the collective has more right to your property than you the individual. This is a truly dangerous state of affairs and completely without regard to your Constitutional right to own, develop and enjoy your property. If the collective wish to benefit from your property in anyway, they should have to purchase that right. Please pull out your Constitution and read the Fifth Amendment once again. Let me help you with the last part “….nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
Note from the writer:
I usually send this out on Saturdays when I have a chance to collect my thoughts over the week. This missive was prepared to go out as planned but do to a ladder fall, subsequent life flight to Hailey and a newly fitted neck brace, I missed my deadline. I’m okay, but not for a lot of sore bones and stiffness.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
April 9, 2011
Dear Patriots,
To add insult to further injury, the much ballyhooed passing of the federal budget bill just in time to save the federal government from shutting down is another example of bovine scatology (BS) equally appropriated from both sides of the political spectrum. To believe that a budget cut of $35.5 billion will send our economy back to the black and usher in a new era of prosperity is analogous to sending your retirement checks to a Nigerian general who will cut you in for a significant percentage of cash from war bonds held in trust for him at an un-named New York bank. It is a fools game and you my friends are being played as lead role in the sinking of our Titanic economy. Let me give you some perspective, the $35.5 billion dollar cut is 1.0% of the federal budget of $3.5 trillion dollars of which $1.3 trillion is borrowed money (new debt). The $35.5 billion much applauded budget cut is 0.25% of our current federal deficit of $14.3 trillion dollars. So, to illustrate the absurd, lets say your earn $100,000 per year, but are spending $161,467 a year to maintain lavish lifestyle you've become accustom too while also paying off a mounting debt, say a mortgage to the bank for your opulent home of $655,000. Now your accountant comes to you and says that you can get your debt under control by cutting the amount you spend by 1%. Here's what he could do for you, instead of spending $161,467 to keep your groove on you now can only spend $159,838, a whopping $1,628 less! Unfortunately, you still have a growing debt which interest must be paid. Interest alone on the $655,000 mortgage debt calculated at a paltry 3% per annum will cost you $19,650 per year. The money you just saved by not spending more?, the $1,628 is equivalent to one months interest payment. So the 30 days Congress spent wrangling about how much to cut the spending budget just cost you more than what was saved in the spending cut. Please, tell me where I can find an accountant like that!
You, my friends, are being duped by an equal opportunity host of liars (Congress). In order to calm the masses the news reports are sanguine with an honor role of experts so pleased with the outcome. Happy days are here again! Oh the joy! This is only one of too many insults to count these days all aimed at the systematic destruction of our Constitutional Republic. The outrages that abound are similar to trying to put out a house fire by stomping it out with your foot. Too many fires, not enough feet and while your trying to stomp out your special interest pet peeve, your house burns down.
Something I can tell you from personal observation having just returned from Great Britain is that the things which has stood the test of time are the many castles and cathedrals that continue to stand after almost a thousand years of history and scores of generations living and dying among them. You come to appreciate that people and kingdoms and empires come and go. Only a few things continue stand over the onslaught of time. Only those things and institutions built on solid foundations survive. Much like the York cathedral first constructed in Roman times and subsequently built to a magnificent edifice during the 12th century. The secret to it's long standing is in it's foundation. Early on during the distinguished architecture of the day, the secret to a long standing structure remained hidden below the surface. It takes an incredibly strong foundation to support the hundreds of thousands of tons of materials that decorate and adorn Europe's most precious monuments to human creativity. So true are the foundation of the institutions of man. Our Constitution, being the corner stone of such a grand society, was built upon the idea that man can live together as free and independent people. It brings me such great sorrow to see the sticks and stones and pieces of scaffolding hanging every which way that have grown out of a sacred foundation of truth that now twist in the winds of change. As any good mason will tell you, even in the 12th century, the secret is in the foundation. Many of our founding fathers being masons knew this fact. The foundation of our country that we still enjoy today has been obfuscated and eviscerated by ambitious men doing the perceived good. The current structure which lies upon our Constitutional foundation is on fire, bending at each corner, slumping in the middle, built upon false premises and lies. This structure is going to fall, sure as Newton realized the effects of gravity upon the universe from a simple falling apple. No amount of support will hold the failing institution sad though it be, it's fate is all but written.
Beware of the pundit with solution in hand. Maybe a balanced budget amendment or a term limit amendment could put Humpty Dumpty together again. Maybe we should have a Constitutional Convention and set it all right so say some. Beware! You are being herded from one crisis to another, now more like stampeded. And to what end? If you missed our last meeting, you missed the warning about a Constitutional Convention (Con Con) from our friends at the John Birch Society. Please take some time to understand the deeper meaning of such a Con Con by going to www.jbs.org/component/content/article/1009-commentary/6611-beware-of-con-cons-a-warning-against-a-constitutional-convention . The true solution has already been written, about 224 years ago, and is mostly in place. A bit of dusting off and a true intent to give men liberty is all that is needed. Read it again, it's called the Constitution of the United States and is the foundation we need to restore in order to rebuild a vital and productive society of free men. That truth is also as self evident as was Newton's apple and his understanding of gravity.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
April 4, 2011
Dear Patriots,
There's no place like home Dorothy said as we pulled up Main Street in Challis, a somewhat familiar line from another Dorothy we have all heard about who clicked her ruby slippers. And not unlike Dorothy of the "Wizard of Oz" we find ourselves back from a wondrous journey covering thousands of miles and thousands of years of human history. If you think we've got it tough here, try making a living in the hustle and bustle of London, a city that bears little resemblance to my former recollection of 30 years past. Narre a word of English spoken there these days and the once iconic stiff upper lipped Englishman with sense of imperial power from and empire which the sun never rests upon is gone. Replaced by a mélange of foreign faces and tongues where a fill up at the fuel pump in your vastly smaller vehicle will set up back an easy $125. The Empire is crushing upon itself from a government that has promised more than it can deliver and from an immigration policy that has given it's former colonies carte blanc access to the many socialized benefits the poor tax payer subsidizes. The poor and getting poorer tax payer I might add.
The visit was an opportunity to see the ghost of Christmas future as Dickens so artfully penned in his classic story of the 19th century. We are on the same path here in America only not so far down the trail, but the same trail none the less. As we left London for our journey to Scotland, riots broke out when #10 Downing Street declared that budget cuts must be made in order for the nation to remain solvent. Thought we'd gone to Madison, Wisconsin for a moment but no, the principle that Thomas Jefferson made clear by his not so often quoted fact of governments is that "A government powerful enough to give you everything you desire is also powerful enough to take it all away". His theory so stated is acting it's way through the fabric of governments all over the world.
Too bad, I like the Brits. I have many good friends there and it is sad to see their glory remaining solely in the accolades of their past. Pour yourself another hot cup of coffee America, you'll want to be wide awake when the realization of lost glory reaches our shores. I pray not and am more convinced than ever that the solutions to the age old problems of failing governments are solely in the hands of "We the People". This is why we do what we do here in Challis every first Tuesday of the month. There are few greater responsibilities in life than making society a fit place to raise your family. So instead of aimlessly wading through the mire of failed ideologies of the past or fall into the illusion of new wave social justice lets take a lesson from Dickens again and have a look back with help from the ghost of Christmas past to listen to the wise words found in the mostly forgotten Constitution of ours founding fathers.
I have found some people who can help us with that wholesome journey. They are coming tomorrow to speak to us at our regular Tea Party meeting only after great effort and distance to travel here. Please help me introduce you to Bliss Tew and Dale Pearce of the John Birch Society. Mr. Tew has agreed to change his speaking schedule to make this meeting which required a few changes in flights and many miles of cross country travel to be here. He is the Regional Field Director for the JBS based in Orem, Utah but he's mostly on the road. He is joined by Dale who is the Boise Field Coordinator for JBS and they both have very interesting words for you to hear. These guys were conservatives before being conservative was cool.
Now, you might say, the John Birch Society? Yes, I've heard the patter of disparaging remarks but never could figure out what it was all about. Other conservatives who bashed the group, why? I think you'll find an organization founded in the most honorable of principles and come to realize great truths for which they stand. I was very impressed with them at a spontaneous meeting I had with the two in Stanley before our British Isles journey. I asked hard questions and after the meeting studied much of the written info about the JBS online. I'm very pleased to introduce you to them and give them the opportunity to share their focus and foundation with you. Please make all effort to be here tomorrow, you'll be greatly impressed. Again, for any of you not from the Challis area, we meet at 7:00 pm at Liberty Hall on Main Street across from the Wells Fargo Bank. If your here early, you may just be lucky enough to sample the shortbread we smuggled from the former home country.
We have much more to talk about too and are going to raffle the Liberty Hall bank to some lucky ticket holder. All this in effort to make the Idaho Liberty Summit a very successful, enlightening and educational event here in Challis this coming August.
Please bring a friend and let those on your email list know what's on the agenda for tomorrow. See you soon.
Yours in Liberty, it's good to be home.
Darr
March 17, 2011
Dear Patriots,
So much news out there with so little reporting it makes you wonder what the folks in DC have up their sleeves. I know it must be a very stressful time for our President with all the Middle East boiling over, Madison Wisconsin and the labor wars raging and oh did you hear, there's a nuclear meltdown in Japan after a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami leaving thousands dead. I'm sure he's got it all under control because I saw him finally getting the brackets filled out for the coming March Madness basketball tournament after a quick 18 holes on the course. He really knows how to compartmentalize, kinda like Clinton, wow, what a guy. After a hard day at the office everybody deserves a break, that's why he had Stevie Wonder give a personal concert for him and buddies at the White House. Damn, I don't know how he does it. Commander and Chief, leader of the free world and all. Guess what? Yeh, he's going to Rio! Rio's great this time of year and what could be more important than letting those Brazilians know that we're here to help them out in anyway we can. Maybe they need money, I don't know, but it must be awful important cuz the President really wants to go. I hope Michelle finally gets to enjoy that Brazilian Bar-B-Que, yummy stuff and with only half the calories and cholesterol of American beef. Enough of caviar dreams and Champagne smiles, lets talk about us for a change.
I met with some very interesting fellows yesterday in Stanley, of all places. The Regional Field Director of the Western States and local Field Coordinator for Idaho the John Birch Society. We talked about many things, many very important things that you should know. I was impressed by their knowledge of our Constitution and principles thereof. I haven't heard much about the John Birch Society other than the secret handshake stuff, neo-Nazi and racist thing you get from the main stream media. I knew we'd get along as we in the Tea Party have had the same multi-media experience (tin hats, white gowns, the thing about anybody that isn't white). I asked them to come to Challis to speak at our next Tea Party meeting April 5th. They graciously agreed, believe me that is quite a commitment as they had to change travel plans to make the meeting work and will have to travel all the way out here where only the deer and antelope roam. Seldom was heard a discouraging word as we spoke about the greatness of America, but the conversation soon turned dark as they informed me about the "Constitutional Convention" that is being called for by many groups including the Goldwater Institute. This "Con Con" issue needs to be fully understood; so to give perspective I've asked them to speak to you for further clarification. I'm going to attach some reading for your enlightened benefit. There is no more troubled time in America than today. Can you trust your politicians to do the right thing if the Constitution is opened for convention? I say no, rather Hell No!
Dorothy, the boys and I are leaving for Scotland tomorrow for two weeks. I'll be out of touch, but not out of mind. Although we might be out of our minds traveling to the old home country where gasoline is about $12 per gallon, but then they've got free medical care, I'm sure we'll have a great time (feel kinda like the President and all traveling the world, tasting the treats). Next time you see a Brit, have them smile and check out those gums, gingivitis rampant and those unshapely teeth are a small price to pay for free dental too! Got to love Socialism, too bad everyone long since ran out of money to support the ponzi scheme. But alas, they still pour a mighty fine ale.
See you all soon. Make sure to mark you calendar for our next meeting, you won't want to miss it............. and please don't forget the secret handshake!
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
March 14, 2011
Dear Patriots,
If a 9.0 magnitude earthquake wasn't enough, how about a tidal wave and then an exploding volcano and just to keep you on the edge of your seat and to top it off a nuclear disaster complete with core meltdown for glowing reviews. No, this isn't the next version of a Godzilla movie to hit the silver screen, it's real life and a horrific example of how the dominos can tip over and spark unimaginable far reaching devastation. While America sleeps more disaster, the kind that will creep upon our shores, financial meltdown. While the nuclear scientists are busy trying to keep a molten core from boiling it's way to the center of the earth, a meltdown of financial assets is occurring. The global economy is vaporizing and the once mighty American economy is going to swirl it's way down the black hole of waste and misappropriation so common these days of plenty. Such a "Perfect Storm" as Glenn Beck has spoke many times of is upon the world.
The cascade of tragic events will set politicians on the march to protect the people from all known sources of maladies. Forget about nuclear power in your future, can't have coal fired power plants either because of mercury in the environment. Get used to the warmth of a bonfire, that's the future of heat in America. And those of you with lots of cash in your 401K, get ready for a new concept, the 201K with only half the calories of a full pension plan! Hey, how about that price of gas. Nice to know we've had a Department of Energy for over 40 years to solve problems like energy needs of a growing American standard of living. NOT!!! This green power thing is really going to come in handy. I can't wait for the solar car with back-up ethanol engine made from your food and a magic pixy fairy in your trunk just in case the sun isn't shining on the day you need to get your pregnant wife to the ER. So many disaster movie themes here you'd think I'd have made millions as a script writer.
The real story of the Japanese crisis will not reach your ears for many moons as the spin machines need to sanitize and homogenize their news stories so as not to stampede you in the wrong direction. Remember, the big story is the bad nuke plants. The rotting corpses under the muck of the many destroyed coastal towns are old news, not sexy enough for prime time. Besides, we saw plenty of that with the Indonesian Tsunami and Haitian earthquake. The shock waves of further inflows of magic cash infusions to float the sinking Japanese economy will not surface in this age of instant "News Alerts". Shhhh, you didn't hear this from me, but your dollar isn't worth anything anymore. Don't tell anybody else or everyone will know and then there will be real panic in the streets, even more than a real live Godzilla. You will notice the subtleties of the political machinations of our sinking Titanic when your paying $4.00 per box of Cheerios. Oh, you mean Cheerios are $4.00 a box. Wow, your going to get screwed.
Roll up your sleeves folks, there is much to be done. Prepare!
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
March 5, 2011
Dear Patriots,
It's a confusing world we live in, made that way so as to keep the masses running in circles chasing their tails about any issue that temps to bolster a negative consensus upon the gate keepers. Its so confusing that our legislators can't even read the bills before them let alone understand them. And now that no body really knows what's going on or how to stop it, the global elite smile. They've got us where they want us, all in a muddle too exhausted or too busy with life to see that we've been had.
Now somebody poked their head in an old history book and began to consider the world of old and the world of new and realized that somewhere along the way America as we'd like to believe is only a fond memory of the oldest among us. Consider our America today, how are we different than the rest of the world? Are we really a free people, more free than say the British? Just because we have a Constitution and Bill of Rights can we really say we're better off than our neighbors to the north in Canada?
I used to believe America was the beacon of hope for those who wished to make a better life. I remember our dollar was sought after, as good as gold. I remember a time when my father was the sole bread winner for the family. I remember hearing stories of how we liberated France and saved millions of people from certain fate in a concentration camp. I remember an America that could build a dam and bring power thousands of homes or dig a canal across the desert and make it bloom.
Not today. No, not today in a world of those who deserve. We deserve a home, so interest rates were lowered so even the poorest among us could live a decent life. We deserve clean air and water so we sent our industrial might to China. We deserve a full pension and health care and a 40 hour work week. We deserve so much, because we are Americans, remember. Somehow we're more deserving than anybody else. Yes, we are going to get what we deserve.
If you think the President or Congress or the Supreme Court of this land will fix it all, go back to sleep. I'm afraid you'll be sorely disappointed. It makes me think of Thomas Jefferson and some of his words of wisdom, "A government powerful enough to give you everything you want is powerful enough to take it all away". I think we are nearer to the back end of the saying than the beginning. You can see it happening in Wisconsin and Indiana. Soon California, the place you don't want to be. And the Middle East is ablaze with a new revolution, one that won't work out too well for countries such as our own who are dependent on their docile cooperation and black gold by product. Good luck with that electric car, your fossil fuel vehicle or mass transit. Take up walking, it's good for the soul.
So take a moment and consider how it all started in America, a concept that "We the People" could govern ourselves, that our States would protect our sovereign rights and that the federal agency who did the States bidding was engaged only to do that which was specifically enumerated. Think about how every citizen knew their rights and was proud to let anyone, any agency or any government know just how the cow went through the cabbage patch. It wasn't that difficult. The Constitution was written on 4 sheets of paper, written so people of all persuasions' could read and understand it.
The simple concept of a Republican form of government, the interests of the everyday man first, the opportunity to grow and prosper by one's own hand carried a multitude of ordinary to extraordinary lengths. I think of these simple principles and can only hope to get back to them. How in a chaotic world of instant communication, online encyclopedias and Google search can it be done? I say go back and read Thomas Jefferson, understand the principles of free men and simplify our lives. Oh yes, and Nullify.
Now I'm not going to tell you that I know it all or that you should even listen to me, but I am going to ask you to look into the principles of Nullification for yourself. To help you along your way let me suggest Thomas Woods, Ph.D., author of "Nullification - How to Resist Federal Tyranny in the 21st Century" as a good read. Google his name and check out the many videos available online. See what Judge Andrew Napolitano has to say about Nullification
Join up with Sovereign Idaho and get up to speed with the debate on Nullification and Idaho's HB-117 to nullify the Obama Health Care Bill http://sovereignidaho.blogspot.com sign up with your email address and wise up. Here's some of what you might learn:
This from J.B. Williams of the Patriots Union and frequent contributor to the Sovereign Idaho blog.
People unfortunately have several key misperceptions concerning state nullification. This
1) The US Supreme Court is the final arbiter of constitutionality - NOT TRUE.
We have fifty sovereign states and the federal government was created by the states, to serve at the pleasure of the states and the people. The federal government is not a dictatorship, oligarchy or democracy. It is a Constitutional Representative Republic. As such, the people and the states have rights and according to the Tenth Amendment in the Bill of Rights, all rights not specifically delegated to the federal government in the US Constitution, are reserved to the states and/or the people. If the Supreme Court was the "final arbiter," the Constitution could have been one paragraph long, establishing a Supreme Court and giving that unelected oligarchy ALL powers to set and enforce policy. We know this is not the case and why it is not the case.
So, in any Constitutional Representative Republic, the people are the "final arbiter." However, the US Constitution does identify the US Supreme Court as having "original jurisdiction" in all disputes between the federal government and a state, or the states. No other court in the country has "proper jurisdiction" according to Article III of the Constitution. For this reason, our model bill properly identifies the Supreme Court as having "original jurisdiction" concerning nullified acts. This cannot and should not be confused with "final say." It is only "original jurisdiction."
2) The Supremacy Clause is without limit - NOT TRUE.
The federal government has "supremacy" in federal laws over state laws, but only when those federal laws are within the confines of the Constitutional powers delegated to the federal government. Federal laws which are not within the confines of the powers delegated to the government, are by definition "unconstitutional" and unconstitutional federal acts DO NOT enjoy "supremacy" over the states or the people according to the Constitution. The states and the people have rights and the federal powers are specific and limited. The Supreme Court, or the federal government is NOT the final arbiter in this case, the people are, via their states.
3) Andrew Jackson killed state nullification rights - NOT TRUE.
Andrew Jackson found his administration under attack from "nullifiers" in South Carolina over his 1828-1832 federal tariffs opposed by South Carolina. Jackson (a Democrat) proclaimed that state nullification had no power against the "supremacy" of the federal government. In our opinion, Jackson was right in this individual case because the power to lay and collect taxes was a power delegated to the federal government in the US Constitution. South Carolina stood alone, as the only state willing to attempt to nullify Jackson's tariff. Yet in the end, in 1833, South Carolina's nullification effort had indeed forced Jackson and his administration to back down and eventually eliminate those tariff's. Nullification had its intended effect, even though nullification itself became moot when Jackson backed down on the tariff.
Some quote the Force Act that followed as support for the notion that states have no rights, or at least no means to enforce their rights. However, the Force Act applies only to the federal governments right to enforce "constitutional" acts by the federal government. The Force Act does NOT give the federal government to right to "use force" to support "unconstitutional" acts by the federal government, nor does it make any branch of the federal government the "final arbiter" over what is or is not constitutional.
4) Nullification is Unconstitutional - NOT TRUE.
Nobody knows more about what the Constitution says or means than the people who wrote that document. The people who wrote the Constitution also drafted and introduced state nullification as the proper "constitutional" process by which the states could challenge the constitutionality of federal acts peacefully and legally. In short, Thomas Jefferson was the author of our Declaration of Independence, a framer of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the originator of state nullification powers. The states and the people have NO rights that they have no mechanism to enforce upon the federal government. Nullification is that mechanism.
5) Precedence is set - NOT TRUE.
Few of today's lawyers (or legislators) know anything at all about American history or Constitutional Law. They did not study the Constitution or history in law school. They studied The Rules of Precedent and Procedure in law school. The Constitution gives law-making authority to congress alone, the legislative or law-making branch of government. Yet, under 1946 Rules of Precedent and Procedure, the courts have asserted that every time a court issues a ruling on an individual case, precedent has been set and in effect, a law has been created by way of precedent setting. The entire notion is insane and false, yet silence from the people and the states has been accepted as consent on the matter.
Law is NOT made every time some court in the country issues a ruling on an individual case. Law is NOT made when ten courts issue similar rulings on similar cases. Law is NOT made when the Supreme Court issues an opinion. Law is made only when congress creates a law, within the confines of delegated powers and within the legitimate legislative process.
The US Constitution has been subverted and rewritten over the last two hundred years by way of "legal precedent" which carries no such authority.
The Rules of Precedent and Procedure were put in place by the Supreme Court and congress for the purpose of streamlining the process of justice. But they have since been used to block access to justice for the states and the people by claiming that these Rules of Precedent and Procedure (which are NOT laws), trump both law and Constitutional rights. NOT TRUE! But once again, ignorance and apathy over decades has allowed the federal government and the courts to assume powers that they simply do not have in the US Constitution.
For all of these reasons, State Nullification is VITAL to the future of state sovereignty and rights, and the individual freedom and liberty of American citizens. Without broad-based state nullification, the states and the people have NO viable mechanism by which to force the federal government to live within Constitutional boundaries.
The federal government is NOT a dictatorship, a democracy, an oligarchy of unelected judges, or an all being, all knowing and all supreme power. The federal government exists and performs at the pleasure of the states and the people. The people and states DO NOT exist and perform at the pleasure of the FED.
JB Williams
Co-Founder
www.PatriotsUnion.org
www.ThePatriotsNews.com
Please check out the Patriots Union and The Patriots News, they have a very good grasp of the whole enchilada.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
March 2, 2011
Dear Patriots,
The previous email was sent to many patriot and tea party group leaders across the State for follow up with the Idaho Liberty Summit project. I wanted to also update those of you who didn't make the meeting last night as to the details of the outcome of the USA Constitutional Challenge. An assembly was held yesterday at the Challis High School gym where awards were presented. The winners are as follows:
First Place - James Wilson Spencer & Evelyn Strand $500
Second Place - Carlee Haines Eileen & Jack Hardy $250
Third Place - Hayley Williams Christopher & Debbie James $150
Fourth Place - Katherine Hunter Dick & Nancy Nogues $100
Fifth Place - Joseph Carmack Coralee Bricker $50
Fifth Place - Dillon Savage Rod & Gun Club $50
Masons - $5 to each participant
Kitt Babb
Amber Kemmerer
Daulton Martin
Adam Dmochowski
Parker Moon
Dane Moon
Sam Maydole 9th grader
Tristan Maydole 9th grader
Luis Vasquez 8th grader
We hope to inspire those in the bleachers who sat with nothing to show for their selves to come to the challenge next year. Nothing like cold hard cash to stimulate the conscience. We gave away $1150 in hopes that the seeds will grow. Many congratulations to the winners and participants.
Please help us in our effort to raffle off the Liberty Hall model. One dollar a ticket is all it takes to help with our Liberty Summit project. Please contact me if you'd like to sell a bundle of 10 tickets. They are like Doritos, we'll make more.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
February 16, 2011
Dear Patriots,
We are placing advertisements in support of Idaho's Nullification Bill HB-117 in the Idaho Statesman, Idaho Falls Post Register and Twin Falls Times News for this Sunday's editions (February 20th). Look for the ad and call your Representative and Senator, have your friends and neighbors call, place the ad on your email list and forward. We must join together to stand for our liberties and hold our Representatives to account.
I know they massaged the Bill's wording to remove Nullification but it does the same thing, removes Idaho from Obama's unconstitutional health care mandate. This Bill's passage is extremely important as it opens the path to State Sovereignty and helps right the balance and separation of powers the Founding Fathers sought to preserve during ratification of our Constitution.
We will face an uphill battle in the Senate as many Senators lack the understanding that States have rights reserved to them under the 9th and 10th Amendments. Some believe that regardless of Constitutionality, the Supreme Court is the ultimate arbiter. Some believe Nullification was thought up by the Southern States in their effort to secede from the Union or some misplaced concept of Popular Sovereignty. Not so. I hope you and the Idaho legislature read Thomas Woods book "Nullification". He presents the historical facts and precedents that clearly must be understood by our legislators should we ever rein in the power monopoly the feds hold over everything and everyone. Let freedom begin in Idaho, many States will follow and maybe we can rebuild the Republic according to the Constitution once again.
I want you all to know that many people have contributed to this effort in cash, time and donation of items at our recent rummage sale. We collected $778 from the sale, thank you all. Now we are going to spend that money in hopes that it will bare fruit and position Idaho on a trajectory of liberty. This effort cannot come to fruition without your further help. Please call the Capitol switchboard or email your Representative and Senator to support the Bill. Let your Senator and Representative know that you will be watching their vote carefully and will consider a vote against this Bill a vote against Idaho and put them on a course for their eventual retirement from public service.
There were many things I would have liked to say in the ad but text was limited. We will spend $726 on this one Sunday shot so please help us pass on the word. We hope to reach over 150,000 Idahoans by newspaper, more with your continued forward emails. The text below as in the Times News and Post Register. The Statesman required further text reduction to make our budget.
End Federal Tyranny in Idaho
Call your Idaho Senator and Representative to Support
House Bill 117
The purpose of this legislation is to declare federal laws: Public Law 111-148, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act better known as Obamacare and Public Law 111-152, Payments and Penalties for the uninsured, void and of no effect in the state of Idaho.
Give your legislators the courage to act to save our Nation of States
from forever being taken over by a Federal Monopoly of Power
The state’s primary responsibility is to interpose and protect its citizens from unconstitutional acts of the federal government which necessitates ordering all state agencies to cease in implementation of these two federal acts. Thereby and in accordance with the Constitution of the United States under authority of the 9th & 10th Amendments.
Take Heed Legislators and Nullify Now!
Your Favorable Vote for HB-117 is expected.
Obamacare will initially cost you and the State of Idaho $228,000,000
Please call or email your Senator or Representative
(800) 626-0471 or go to: http://legislature.idaho.gov
Paid for by the Custer County Tea Party Patriots. For more information or to donate to the cause of liberty, please contact teaparty@custertel.net or www.ccteatparty.com
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
February 14, 2011
Dear Patriots,
Thank you so much for all your donations and efforts to raise funds to support HB-117, Idaho's legislation to nullify ObamaCare and the penalties for not carrying health insurance. We collected clothing and other yard sale goods from people who cleaned out their closets from all corners of the State so we can help clean out the legislature if necessary. We had donations from Boise, Nampa, Idaho Falls, Sun Valley and of course many of you here in Custer County. Dorothy just totaled the proceeds for the rummage and bake sale at $778, wow! This does not include the many generous cash donations collected since we started our drive to support Nullification. The total to date for cash donations is $550. Thank you all, you are great patriots.
Darr
End Federal Tyranny in Idaho
Call your Idaho Senator and Representative to Support
House Bill 117
The purpose of this legislation is to declare federal laws: Public Law 111-148, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act better known as Obamacare and Public Law 111-152, Payments and Penalties for the uninsured, void and of no effect in the state of Idaho.
Give your legislators the courage to act to save our Nation of States from forever being taken over by a Federal Monopoly of Power
The state’s primary responsibility is to interpose and protect its citizens from unconstitutional acts of the federal government which necessitates ordering all state agencies to cease in implementation of these two federal acts. Thereby and in accordance with the Constitution of the United States under authority of:
9th Amendment to the United States Constitution
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people
10th Amendment to the United States Constitution
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
Take Heed Legislators and Nullify Now!
Your Favorable Vote for HB-117 is expected.
Obamacare will cost you and the State of Idaho $228,000,000
Please call or email your Senator or Representative
go to: http://legislature.idaho.gov
February 10, 2011
Dear Patriots,
I have great news, our rummage sale is moving ahead with great success thus far. We have received many kind donations of all sorts of treasures to be sold Saturday. We need your continued help to make a huge success of this enterprise. I brought a full load of donated clothing and various items from our friends in Boise back with me after the Nullification testimony. Thank you Martha de Simon with the Idaho Freedom Foundation for all your support and help.
We are planning to have a bake sale in conjunction with this event, that is if any of you are bakers. Bring a pie, cake or loaf of bread. Try you hand at cookies. The madness behind this scheme is alarmingly obvious. If we sell the cookies, great, but if not ..... we'll eat every one of them! We can say you had a hand in baking our way back to freedom.
Things we need your continued help with. With so many donations of stuff, we have run out of tables and hangers to properly display. Bring anything that you might find handy to help with our expedition into capitalism. Remember, the money we earn is going to help support the Nullification effort. The garage sale advertisement should be in the Messenger today.
You can bring your items tomorrow to Liberty Hall. Please help tag and display so we have a well organized sale. I'm sending the announcement of the sale on KSRA Community Events Calendar. Signs and posters will be going up soon.
Don't be left out in the cold, come Saturday, bring your treasure chest of goodies, be prepared to make a new home for the great finds you may discover and be prepared to enjoy a hot drink, slice of banana bread or homemade chocolate chip cookie.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
February 10, 2011
Dear Patriots,
There is so much to report that time cannot permit at this moment. The furtherance of HB117 formerly HB59, the Nullification Bill of ObamaCare in Idaho is currently moving through the process. I penned a letter to Senator Monty Pearce who is one of many pursuing the passage of this Bill. The letter below expresses our support for him and the rest of the delegation. These legislators are doing great work on our behalf but unfortunately, many members of the hearing committee don't have the vaguest concept of what our Constitution is or about. Please help us help them in anyway possible. Nullification of unconstitutional law, regulation or mandate is the only solution to the despotic condition we find ourselves in today.
I will keep you informed as to the progress of this Bill throughout the process. As I am just one, I am relying upon you all to contact your Senator or Representative to support this effort.
I am sending this letter to all our Representatives and Senators as well as leaders of the many established Idaho patriot groups. The letter is attached for your further forwarding.
Thanks you,
Darr
Honorable Senator Pearce,
I thank you and the legislative delegation that drafted and support HB117 for your courage to empower the people of Idaho as sovereign citizens, your conviction to hold true to the Constitution and to lead by example Idaho’s bold statement to this great nation of States.
I sat with five other patriots who came to Boise from Challis to hear you and other distinguished speakers address the House Committee. I am heartened to hear so many Idahoans who intimately understand the Constitution, obviously more thoroughly than many Representatives who sit on the hearing committee. Even the self aggrandizing “Constitutional Lawyer” who spoke with some authority in the area of Nullification was sorely misinformed as all too common with the educated elite. Lawyers dwell upon precedent rather than the foundation of law, the Constitution.
Please continue your good work. Our group of patriots organized in Challis and now with affiliate groups in Salmon and the Burley/Rupert area are solidly behind you and your colleges. I know you understand the gravity of the situation at hand, we do too. Nullification of federal law, as you spoke in your testimony, is the only peaceful solution to encroachments upon the liberties of the people of Idaho. I can think of no other issue Idaho has faced with more consequence than Nullification. I am proud of you and your delegation. I am proud to be an Idahoan and a participant in the cause to lead this nation of States back to Constitutional principles that have made us a great republic, a nation of free people.
We pledge to help you in any way possible to secure the liberties once so commonly enjoyed and understood. I am re-energized to hear so many Idahoans, from small town to large, from north to south, engage in this historical event.
Our patriot group in Challis is collecting money to support the Nullification effort. Many donors have been generous. We are having a rummage sale at our building referred to as Liberty Hall here in Challis this Saturday to earn money to buy advertisements in regional newspapers in support of the effort. We do so knowing that our very economic livelihood depends upon the reduction of federal mandates that have run many of us off the range, out of the forests and away from many mines that have historically sustained our western lifestyle.
Please let us know how we can be of most assistance. I know our Representative Lenore Barrett is solidly with you and with us on this issue. We pray your success.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr Moon
Custer County Tea Party Patriots
February 7, 2011
Dear Patriots,
Saturday is Community Garage Sale day. Things are coming along just great. Dorothy has spent the weekend getting all ready to go. Those of you who wish to participate in sales of your items, please give us a call to schedule a time for you to set up sometime this week. Remember, only $10 to get set up. If you have items you'd like to donate to the Tea Party, please drop them by on Friday. We have many donors, some as far away as Boise! Thank you all for cleaning out your closets. You feel better now don't you.
We have the Liberty Hall model in the window for you to come by and see. We are raffling this gem off at the next Tea Party meeting. Thank you Billie and Marlen Mitchell for the kind and thoughtful donation. Raffle ticket are on sale for only $1. Shake your piggy banks, its to a good cause. We will be advertising the raffle later in the month, first, the Community Garage Sale. I will be placing an advertisement today in the classifieds and with a border ad. Flyers for the sale go up today, contact me if you have a good spot to hang them.
Wednesday is the Public Hearing on Nullification HB59 at the Capitol in Boise 7:00 am. I will be attending and hopefully testifying on behalf of our Tea Party in support of the Bill. We will be donating to the cause for publication of stickers in support of the Bill. I will be driving up Tuesday, if you wish to go with me, give me a call or return email. Those of you in Salmon and Burley/Rupert area should go too. Nullification is are only hope to bring the Feds back to their original purpose to do only what they were enumerated to do. See you there.
Big week ahead, lets have some fun making ours a more perfect union.
Yours in Liberty, Darr
February 4, 2011
Dear Patriots,
This email and attached Open Letter to our Legislators is going to each Idaho Senator and Representative today. I am signing the letter on behalf of the Custer County Tea Party. If you so wish to amend, or have serious conflict or comment about it, you should contact me before noon.
Idaho's day of infamy is fast approaching. Our Legislators hold the hope of a Constitutional government in their hands. We must support this effort to nullify the ObamaCare mandate or forever be subjects of rather than free men of this land.
I intend to send this letter to every newspaper I can find in Idaho as an editorial. You can help me accumulate a list if you have contact information.
If you are a Tea Party or Patriot Group leader, please pass it on to your membership.
Remember, the Public Hearing on Nullification has been rescheduled to February 9th, in the Senate Auditorium at 8:00 am. I am going to go the night before and stay in Boise for the meeting. You are welcome to come with me from Challis if you can spend the night. Please let me know of your plans.
Below, my letter. It is attached for your further transmittal.
Open Letter to Idaho’s Legislature in regard to Nullification
Dear Legislator,
I am writing you in response to Assistant Chief Deputy Brian Kane’s letter to Representative William Killen offering his opinion regarding the Constitutionality of Nullification. As you will soon be pressed to determine the fate of Idahoan’s with regard to the Obama Administration’s mandate to federalize healthcare; I offer the following rebuttal.
You are the Representatives for us the sovereign people of Idaho whom are a part of this great nation of States. It is your duty to uphold the Constitution and defend it from usurpation by parties foreign and domestic. The Constitution is a compact with the several States to institute the affairs of the collective by a Federal Government. This government instituted by the several States is beholden to them and by Constitution only enumerated to execute specific powers.
Deputy Kane summarizes his opposition to Nullification based upon the Supremacy Clause. Take for a moment to consider such. Could the States enter upon a contract with a Federal government of their making with less power? If so, the States created a Frankenstein, more powerful than its master.
The Supremacy Clause says the Constitution and laws in pursuance thereof shall be the supreme law of the land. This is precisely what you must determine. Is the ObamaCare legislation Constitutional? Nullification holds the law in question, as considered by the State, unconstitutional. Without such reign upon the Federal Government, a monopoly of power exists and States become subservient to the sole proprietor and arbitrator thereof. Unbridled power leads to despotism, this, our Founding Fathers knew so well having relieved themselves, at great peril, to abolish the bonds of monarchy that suffocated freedom. Will you be so powerless to protect your sovereign obligation to the people?
Read the Tenth Amendment once again, the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. I did not find after careful study of the Constitution where the States gave power to the United States in regard to my health care. My opinion, however humble, is further bolstered by Federal District Judge Roger Vinson of Florida who declared the law unconstitutional.
Representatives take heed. With half the world on fire because despotic dictators know better for their people than the people do, affect the necessary action to bridal this monopoly of power from Washington, pull back on the reigns and Nullify this unconstitutional power grab from those who seem to know best.
Sincerely, Darr Moon,
for the Custer County Tea Party Patriots
February 3, 2011
Dear Patriots,
This from Sandy Aujero, an affiliate member and member of Sovereign Idaho, including my response to her below. Please read and help us send a barrage of emails to our Legislators, their email address's are also below. Copy and paste to your email address book and send our Representatives the courage they must have to pass HB59. I will be drafting a letter soon, but must leave this afternoon and won't be able to get to it until tomorrow. Please note also, the Public Hearing on HB59 has been moved to February 9th at 8:00 am. This will make it difficult for me to take you if you can't spend the night in Boise. I will have to go the night before. More info to follow, must go now.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
From: Sandy Aujero
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 12:23 PM
Subject: State Legislators need to hear from you now!
Some of the support for the nullification bill has been crumbling, all due in part to the statement out of the AG's office. I am attaching it for you in case you haven't seen it in its entirety.
I put together a list of emails for the Republican House members, and Republican and Democrat Senate members to make it easy for you to get an email out to all. Please send them an email asking for their support - they need to know NOW that we want them to stand strong on nullification! Please let everyone you know that the time is NOW for emailing and calling!
I am also going to send you a copy the letter I sent to all of the legislators. I have already got one note back from a Democrat who says that I am confused on the issue. Heh. But I have got several reponses back from Republican who agree completely.
Here is the list - just copy and paste into your email address box. There will be a handful of these that will be returned.
eanderson@house.idaho.gov
kandrus@house.idaho.gov
vbarbieri@house.idaho.gov
lbarrett@house.idaho.gov
lbateman@house.idaho.gov
cbayer@house.idaho.gov
sbedke@house.idaho.gov
mbell@house.idaho.gov
cbilbao@house.idaho.gov
mblack@house.idaho.gov
sblock@house.idaho.gov
dbolz@house.idaho.gov
jboyle@house.idaho.gov
gburgoyne@house.idaho.gov
mchadderson@house.idaho.gov
gcollins@house.idaho.gov
bcrane@house.idaho.gov
bcronin@house.idaho.gov
rdemordaunt@house.idaho.gov
ldenney@house.idaho.gov
jellsworth@house.idaho.gov
geskridge@house.idaho.gov
mgibbs@house.idaho.gov
jguthrie@house.idaho.gov
mhagedorn@house.idaho.gov
phart@house.idaho.gov
shartgen@house.idaho.gov
rharwood@house.idaho.gov
fhenderson@house.idaho.gov
dlake@house.idaho.gov
tloertscher@house.idaho.gov
lluker@house.idaho.gov
jmarriott@house.idaho.gov
jmcgeachin@house.idaho.gov
smcmillan@house.idaho.gov
mmoyle@house.idaho.gov
jnesset@house.idaho.gov
pnielsen@house.idaho.gov
bnonini@house.idaho.gov
jpalmer@house.idaho.gov
jpatrick@house.idaho.gov
cperry@house.idaho.gov
draybould@house.idaho.gov
kroberts@house.idaho.gov
rschaefer@house.idaho.gov
pshepherd@house.idaho.gov
mshirley@house.idaho.gov
esimpson@house.idaho.gov
ksims@house.idaho.gov
lsmith@house.idaho.gov
jstevenson@house.idaho.gov
ptakasugi@house.idaho.gov
gbatt@house.idaho.gov
sthayn@house.idaho.gov
jthompson@house.idaho.gov
jvanderwoude@house.idaho.gov
rwills@house.idaho.gov
fwood@house.idaho.gov
jwood@house.idaho.gov
jandreason@senate.idaho.gov
sbair@senate.idaho.gov
dbilyeu@senate.idaho.gov
lbock@senate.idaho.gov
bbrackett@senate.idaho.gov
jbroadsword@senate.idaho.gov
dcameron@senate.idaho.gov
tcorder@senate.idaho.gov
ddarrington@senate.idaho.gov
bdavis@senate.idaho.gov
rfulcher@senate.idaho.gov
jgoedde@senate.idaho.gov
jhammond@senate.idaho.gov
lheider@senate.idaho.gov
bhill@senate.idaho.gov
skeough@senate.idaho.gov
nlefavour@senate.idaho.gov
plodge@senate.idaho.gov
emalepeai@senate.idaho.gov
jmcgee@senate.idaho.gov
smckague@senate.idaho.gov
cmckenzie@senate.idaho.gov
dmortimer@senate.idaho.gov
snuxoll@senate.idaho.gov
mpearce@senate.idaho.gov
dschmidt@senate.idaho.gov
jsiddoway@senate.idaho.gov
msmyser@senate.idaho.gov
jstegner@senate.idaho.gov
mstennett@senate.idaho.gov
mtoryanski@senate.idaho.gov
svick@senate.idaho.gov
ewerk@senate.idaho.gov
cwinder@senate.idaho.gov
And here is what I had sent:
Dear esteemed State Legislator,
I am writing to you, and many others of your colleagues in the House and the Senate to tell you that I support H0059. I am urging all of you to support this bill. I have heard that there has been some consternation among some of you because of the statement that Brian Kane of the Attorney General's office wrote to Rep. Killen.
Have your read this statement in its entirety? I am including a PDF for you just in case you haven't seen it. But if you have, and you are educated and know our United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, then you are probably not be too concerned about Mr. Kane's opinion.
Here are some interesting points for you:
* Mr Kane picks and chooses his points and carefully footnotes them for the reader's convenience. However it is very obvious that he omits the most important - that of the 10th amendment for the reason that it would shoot down his argument rather quickly.
* He relies upon previous court rulings, none of which involve the same criteria and therefore one could not logically use these in establishing an strong argument.
* He also seems to think that the date that the state of Idaho was admitted to the union somehow negates our rights as a sovereign state as described in the 10th amendment.
* Mr Kane quotes our State Constitution, and again he seems confused. He refers to the statement "The State of Idaho is an inseparable part of the American Union, and the Constitution is the Supreme law of the land". The concept of nullification is completely different from secession, as the word inseparable alludes to. * Mr Kane quotes our State Constitution, and again he seems confused. He refers to the statement "The State of Idaho is an inseparable part of the American Union, and the Constitution is the Supreme law of the land". The concept of nullification is completely different from secession, as the word inseparable alludes to.
* Mr Kane's conclusion states the following: "There is no right to pick and choose which federal laws a state will follow". One of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson disagrees. Mr Jefferson states: Whenever the General (federal) government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unathoritative, void and of no force." He also states that a “nullification of the act is the rightful remedy.”
And in case you don't know - there have been four court cases so far challenging the federal healthcare legislation - and so far two of these have ruled that obamacare is unconstitutional - the other two have towed the federal line, with one of those judges saying that he wants to let it be decided by a higher court.
I am asking you to please stand strong here. The state of Idaho has a duty to protect its citizens from harmful, unconstitutional legislation. You are not alone in this battle. There are some states that have already passed a similiar bill, with many more states waiting to pass their own versions.
I am just a mom, but a mom that is unafraid of speaking out when it is necessary to help safeguard our freedoms. Our children, and our children's children deserve nothing less. Please remember, for every mom like me that takes the time to contact you, there are many thousands more. And we are all connected, thanks to Al Gore for inventing the internet. Heh.
Sincerely,
Sandy Aujero
New Plymouth JBS
P.S. I would suggest some excellent reading that can be found at: http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com
February 3, 2011
Dear Patriots,
This update regarding the hearing for House Bill 59. I will keep you posted so that we can make the journey if possible. With such a moving target it may become difficult. Those of you who are planning to ride with me will need to stay close to the email for further updates.
Thank you for your patience,
Darr
----- Original Message ----- From: "Idaho Freedom Foundation" >
Friends, I'm sending you a quick note to let you know that the hearing for House Bill 59, otherwise known as the Obamacare nullification bill, has been delayed due to a scheduling issue. The hearing *may* take place Tuesday instead in the House State Affairs Committee. Additionally, the hearing *may* start as early as 8 a.m. if the meeting is held in the Senate auditorium. Please pass this information on.
My advice is to stay close to your email and phone and watch for any late-breaking information. Thanks again for your support of the Idaho Freedom Foundation.
Yours for Freedom,
Wayne Hoffman
Executive Director
Idaho Freedom Foundation
February 2, 2011
Dear Patriots,
Another great meeting last night, you have re-energized my commitment to the cause of Liberty. We discussed Nullification and how our State and others can remove Unconstitutional Regulations from Federal Government mandates by the stroke of a pen. Read more about Nullification below.
Last night, we collected a few hundred dollars in donations to put toward a mass public appeal to our Legislators and Governor to support Nullification and pass HB 59, Idaho's Nullification Bill of ObamaCare Legislation shoved through Congress before Christmas last year. We are accumulating a financial war-chest to post our support of HB 59 and other Unconstitutional Federal Regulations and Mandates by editorial and advertisement in Idaho's newspapers. We are going to reach out to capture those folks who believe as we do that the Federal Government is out of control with their totalitarian approach to a government by the people. We must continue to add membership as numbers speak. Please reach out to your friends and email groups to spread the word.
We have received financial support from many of you, Thank You, your help in these matters is of utmost importance to our very existence. We will be launching an attack against "Wild Lands" mandates, continuing our fight against CIEDRA and bolster further support to end our persecution by the Wolf. We were also gifted a specially hand crafted model of Liberty Hall by Marlen Mitchell.
It is truly a work of art which we will raffle in support of our media blitz at our next meeting. See Dorothy or Billie Mitchell to get your raffle tickets, for just a $1 you too can help us fight back.
The most important thing we can do now is support our fellow Patriot groups, Sovereign Idaho and the Tenth Amendment Center in mass by appearing at the Public Hearing on Nullification of ObamaCare at the Capitol in Boise, Monday February 7th at 9:30 am. I am going to leave Challis early Monday morning and have room to take 5 more with me. If you can go, please let me know by return email. I encourage all of you to be there, we must fill the rotunda and Capitol steps with patriots.
The Idaho State Legislature is considering Bill H0059, that would nullify the unconstitutional federal healthcare plan known as ObamaCare.
Passing this bill would mean no Obamacare in Idaho!
A public hearing is scheduled for
Monday, Feb 7th.
When: Monday, February 7th, 9:30 AM,
Where: State Capitol in Boise - House State Affairs Committee room - east wing in basement
Read more from Thomas Woods about Nullification below, I hope that you will take the time to read his book. I believe Nullification may be our only hope to turn back the tyranny of the last century and preserve our Constitution.
Yours in Liberty,
Darr
Please read below, Thomas Woods on Nullification.
In January 2011 my book Nullification became notorious when it was linked to a bill that declared Barack Obama’s health care law unconstitutional and therefore void and of no effect in the state of Idaho. (Other states have been introducing similar bills, but Idaho grabbed the media’s attention.) Legislators had read it, the news media reported, and while Governor Butch Otter turned down a state senator’s offer of a copy, that was only because he already had one. He had read it, too.
Naturally, the smear patrol went into overdrive. Why, this is crazy talk from a bunch of “neo-Confederates” who hate America! Anyone who has observed American political life for the past 20 years could have predicted the hysterical replies down to the last syllable.
“Nullification” dates back to 1798, when James Madison and Thomas Jefferson drafted the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, respectively. There we read that the states, which created the federal government in the first place, by the very logic of what they had done must possess some kind of defense mechanism should their creation break free of the restraints they had imposed on it. Jefferson himself introduced the word “nullification” into the American political lexicon, by which he meant the indispensable power of a state to refuse to allow an unconstitutional federal law to be enforced within its borders.
Today, political decentralization is gathering steam in all parts of the country, for all sorts of reasons. I fail to see the usefulness of the term “neo-Confederate” – whatever this Orwellian neologism is supposed to mean – in describing a movement that includes California’s proposal to decriminalize marijuana, two dozen states’ refusal to abide by the REAL ID Act, and a growing laundry list of resistance movements to federal government intrusion. As states north and south, east and west, blue and red, large and small discuss the prospects for political decentralization, the Enforcers of Approved Opinion have leaped into action. Not to explain where we’re wrong, of course – we deviants are entitled at most to a few throwaway arguments that wouldn’t satisfy a third grader – but to smear and denounce anyone who strays from Allowable Opinion, which lies along that glorious continuum from Joe Biden to Mitt Romney.
Anyone who actually reads the book will discover, among many other things, that the Principles of ’98 – as these decentralist ideas came to be known – were in fact resorted to more often by northern states than by southern, and from 1798 through the second half of the nineteenth century were used in support of free speech and free trade, and against the fugitive-slave laws, unconstitutional searches and seizures, and the prospect of military conscription, among other examples. And nullification was employed not in support of slavery but against it.
When Nullification was released, here’s what I predicted would happen: “If the book’s arguments are addressed at all, they will be treated at a strictly second-grade level. (Official Left and Right agree on more than they care to admit, an unswerving commitment to nationalism being one of those things.) The rest of the so-called reply will run like this: Nullification is a secret plot to restore the southern Confederacy, and Woods himself is a sinister person with wicked intentions, before which all his fancy moral and constitutional arguments are nothing but a devious smokescreen.” (I went on to make my Interview With a Zombie video to suggest how a typical media interview on the subject might run, and made my first video blog in response to the hysteria over Idaho.)
Since that is indeed what has happened, I’m following up with this point-by-point reply to the standard arguments I knew would be trotted out against the idea. (My replies to these claims are discussed in much greater detail in the book.)
“Nullification violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.”
This may be the most foolish, ill-informed argument against nullification of all. It is the reply we often hear from law school graduates and professors, who are taught only the nationalist version of American history and constitutionalism. It is yet another reason, as a colleague of mine says, never to confuse legal training with an education.
Thus we read in a recent AP article, “The efforts are completely unconstitutional in the eyes of most legal scholars because the U.S. Constitution deems federal laws ‘the supreme law of the land.’” (Note, by the way, the reporter’s use of the unnecessary word “completely,” betraying his bias.)
What the Supremacy Clause actually says is: “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof…shall be the supreme law of the land.”
In other words, the standard law-school response deletes the most significant words of the whole clause. Thomas Jefferson was not unaware of, and did not deny, the Supremacy Clause. His point was that only the Constitution and laws which shall be made in pursuance thereof shall be the supreme law of the land.
Citing the Supremacy Clause merely begs the question. A nullifying state maintains that a given law is not “in pursuance thereof” and therefore that the Supremacy Clause does not apply in the first place.
Such critics are expecting us to believe that the states would have ratified a Constitution with a Supremacy Clause that said, in effect, “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, plus any old laws we may choose to pass, whether constitutional or not, shall be the supreme law of the land.”
“Nullification is unconstitutional; it nowhere appears in the Constitution.”
This is an odd complaint, coming as it usually does from those who in any other circumstance do not seem especially concerned to find express constitutional sanction for particular government policies.
The mere fact that a state’s reserved right to obstruct the enforcement of an unconstitutional law is not expressly stated in the Constitution does not mean the right does not exist. The Constitution is supposed to establish a federal government of enumerated powers, with the remainder reserved to the states or the people. Essentially nothing the states do is authorized in the federal Constitution, since enumerating the states’ powers is not the purpose and is alien to the structure of that document.
James Madison urged that the true meaning of the Constitution was to be found in the state ratifying conventions, for it was there that the people, assembled in convention, were instructed with regard to what the new document meant. Jefferson spoke likewise: should you wish to know the meaning of the Constitution, consult the words of its friends.
Federalist supporters of the Constitution at the Virginia ratifying convention of 1788 assured Virginians that they would be “exonerated” should the federal government attempt to impose “any supplementary condition” upon them – in other words, if it tried to exercise a power over and above the ones the states had delegated to it. Virginians were given this interpretation of the Constitution by members of the five-man commission that was to draft Virginia’s ratification instrument. Patrick Henry, John Taylor, and later Jefferson himself elaborated on these safeguards that Virginians had been assured of at their ratifying convention.
Nullification derives from the (surely correct) “compact theory” of the Union, to which no full-fledged alternative appears to have been offered until as late as the 1830s. That compact theory, in turn, derives from and implies the following:
1) The states preceded the Union. The Declaration of Independence speaks of “free and independent states” that “have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.” The British acknowledged the independence not of a single blob, but of 13 states, which they proceeded to list one by one. Article II of the Articles of Confederation says the states “retain their sovereignty, freedom, and independence”; they must have enjoyed that sovereignty in the past in order for them to “retain” it in 1781 when the Articles were officially adopted. The ratification of the Constitution was accomplished not by a single, national vote, but by the individual ratifications of the various states, each assembled in convention.
2) In the American system no government is sovereign, not the federal government and not the states. The peoples of the states are the sovereigns. It is they who apportion powers between themselves, their state governments, and the federal government. In doing so they are not impairing their sovereignty in any way. To the contrary, they are exercising it.
3) Since the peoples of the states are the sovereigns, then when the federal government exercises a power of dubious constitutionality on a matter of great importance, it is they themselves who are the proper disputants, as they review whether their agent was intended to hold such a power. No other arrangement makes sense. No one asks his agent whether the agent has or should have such-and-such power. In other words, the very nature of sovereignty, and of the American system itself, is such that the sovereigns must retain the power to restrain the agent they themselves created. James Madison explains this clearly in the famous Virginia Report of 1800:
The resolution [of 1798] of the General Assembly [of Virginia] relates to those great and extraordinary cases, in which all the forms of the Constitution may prove ineffectual against infractions dangerous to the essential right of the parties to it. The resolution supposes that dangerous powers not delegated, may not only be usurped and executed by the other departments, but that the Judicial Department also may exercise or sanction dangerous powers beyond the grant of the Constitution; and consequently that the ultimate right of the parties to the Constitution, to judge whether the compact has been dangerously violated, must extend to violations by one delegated authority, as well as by another, by the judiciary, as well as by the executive, or the legislature.
“The Supreme Court declared itself infallible in 1958.”
The obscure obiter dicta of Cooper v. Aaron (1958) is sometimes raised against nullification. Here the Supreme Court expressly declared its statements to have exactly the same status as the text of the Constitution itself. But no matter what absurd claims the Court makes for itself, Madison’s point above holds – the very structure of the system, and the very nature of the federal Union, logically require that the principals to the compact possess a power to examine the constitutionality of federal laws. Given that the whole argument involves who must decide such questions in the last resort, citing the Supreme Court against it begs the whole question – indeed, it should make us wonder if those who answer this way even understand the question.
“Nullification was the legal doctrine by which the Southern states defended slavery.”
This statement is as wrong as wrong can be. Nullification was never used on behalf of slavery. Why would it have been? What anti-slavery laws were there that the South would have needed to nullify`?
To the contrary, nullification was used against slavery, as when northern states did everything in their power to obstruct the enforcement of the fugitive-slave laws, with the Supreme Court of Wisconsin going so far as to declare the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 unconstitutional and void. In Ableman v. Booth (1859), the U.S. Supreme Court scolded it for doing so. In other words, modern anti-nullification jurisprudence has its roots in the Supreme Court’s declarations in support of the Fugitive Slave Act. Who’s defending slavery here?
“Andrew Jackson denounced nullification.”
True, though Jackson was presumably not infallible. (Had nullification really been all about slavery, then Jackson, a slaveholder himself, should have supported it.) His proclamation concerning nullification was in fact written by his secretary of state, Edward Livingston, and that proclamation was, in turn, dismantled mercilessly – mercilessly – by Littleton Waller Tazewell.
“You must be a ‘neo-Confederate.’”
I confess I have never understood what this Orwellian agitprop term is supposed to mean, but it is surely out of place here. Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, actually denounced nullification in his farewell address to the U.S. Senate. South Carolina, in the document proclaiming its secession from the Union in December 1860, cited the North’s nullification of the fugitive-slave laws as one of the grievances justifying its decision.
Don’t expect critics of nullification to know any of this, and you won’t be disappointed.
One of the points of my book Nullification, in fact, is to demonstrate that the Principles of ’98 were not some obscure southern doctrine, but at one time or another were embraced by all sections of the country. In 1820, the Ohio legislature even passed a resolution proclaiming that the Principles of ’98 had been accepted by a majority of the American people. I do not believe there were any slaves in Ohio in 1820, or that Ohio was ever part of the Confederacy.
“James Madison spoke against the idea of nullification.”
More sophisticated opponents think they have a trump card in James Madison’s statements in 1830 to the effect that he never intended, in the Virginia Resolutions or at any other time, to suggest that a state could resist the enforcement of an unconstitutional law. Anyone who holds that he did indeed call for such a thing has merely understood him. He was saying only that the states had the right to get together to protest unconstitutional laws.
This claim falls flat. In 1830 Madison did indeed say such a thing, and pretended he had never meant what everyone at the time had taken him to mean. Madison’s claim was greeted with skepticism at the time. People rightly demanded to know: if that was all you meant, why even bother drafting such an inane and feckless resolution in the first place? Why go to the trouble of passing solemn resolutions urging that the states had a right that absolutely no one denied? And for heaven’s sake, when numerous states disputed your position, why in the Report of 1800 did you not only not clarify yourself, but you actually persisted in the very view you now deny and which everyone attributed to you at the time? Madison biographer Kevin Gutzman (see James Madison and the Making of America, St. Martin’s, forthcoming 2011) dismantled this toothless interpretation of Madison’s Virginia Resolutions in “A Troublesome Legacy: James Madison and ‘The Principles of ’98,’” Journal of the Early Republic 15 (1995): 569-89. Judge Abel Upshur likewise made quick work of this view in An Exposition of the VirginiaResolutions of 1798, excerpted in my book.
The elder Madison, in his zeal to separate nullification from Jefferson’s legacy, tried denying that Jefferson had included the dreaded word in his draft of the Kentucky Resolutions. Madison had seen the draft himself, so he either knew this statement was false or was suffering from the effects of advanced age. When a copy of the original Kentucky Resolutions in Jefferson’s own handwriting turned up, complete with the word “nullification,” Madison was forced to retreat.
In summary, then, (1) the other state legislatures understood Madison in 1798 as saying precisely what Madison later tried to deny he had said; (2) Madison did not correct this alleged misunderstanding when he had the chance to in the Report of 1800 or at any other time during those years; and (3) the text of the Virginia Resolutions clearly indicates that each state was “duty bound” to maintain its constitutional liberties within its “respective” territory, and hence Madison did indeed contemplate action by a single state (rather than by all the states jointly), as supporters and opponents alike took him to be saying at the time.
“Nullification has a ‘shameful history.’”
we are instructed by the scholars who populate the Democratic Party of Idaho. Was it “shameful” for Jefferson and Madison to have employed the threat of nullification against the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798? Was it “shameful” of the northern states to have employed the Principles of ’98 against the unconstitutional searches and seizures by which the federal embargo of 1807-1809 was enforced? Was it “shameful” for Daniel Webster, as well as the legislature of Connecticut, to have urged the states to protect their citizens from overreaching federal authority should Washington attempt military conscription during the War of 1812? Was it “shameful” for the northern states to do everything in their power to obstruct the enforcement of the fugitive-slave laws (whose odious provisions they did not believe were automatically justified merely on account of the fugitive-slave clause)? Was it “shameful” when the Supreme Court of Wisconsin declared the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 unconstitutional and void, citing the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 and 1799 in the process?
May I take a wild guess that no Democrat in the Idaho legislature knows any of this history?
The “shameful history” remark is surely a reference to southern resistance to the civil rights movement, in which the language of nullification was indeed employed. The implication is that Jeffersonian decentralism is forever discredited because states have behaved in ways most Americans find grotesque. They are states, after all, so we should not be shocked when their behavior offends us. But this is apples and oranges. This outcome was possible only at a time when blacks had difficulty exercising voting rights, a situation that no longer obtains. Things have changed since Birmingham 1963 in other ways as well. The demographic trends of the past three decades make that clear enough, as blacks have moved in substantial numbers tothe South, the only section of the country where a majority of blacks polled say they are treated fairly. It is an injustice to the people of the South, as well as an exercise in emotional hypochondria, to believe the states are on the verge of restoring segregation if only given the chance. I mean, really.
By exactly the same reasoning, incidentally, any crime by any national government anywhere would immediately justify a world government. Anyone living under that world government who then favored decentralization would be solemnly lectured about all the awful things that had happened under decentralism in the past.
Supporters of nullification do not hold that the federal government is bad but the state governments are infallible. The state governments are rotten, too (which is why we may as well put them to some good use by employing them on behalf of resistance to the federal government). We are asking under what conditions liberty is more likely to flourish: with a multiplicity of competing jurisdictions, or one giant jurisdiction? There is a strong argument to be made that it was precisely the decentralization of power in Europe that made possible the development of liberty there.
This objection – why, an institutional structure was once put to objectionable purposes, so it may never be appealed to again – never seems to be directed against centralized government itself, particularly the megastates of the nationalistic twentieth century. I rather doubt nullification critics would turn this argument against themselves – by saying, for instance, “Centralized governments gave us hundreds of millions of deaths, thanks to total war, genocide, and totalitarian revolutions. In the U.S. we can point to the incarceration of hundreds of thousands of Japanese and a horrendously murderous military-industrial-congressional complex, among other enormities. Our federal government is so remote from the people that it has managed to rack up debts (including unfunded liabilities) well in excess of $100 trillion. In light of this record, what intellectual and moral pygmy would urge nationalism or the centralized modern state as the solution to our problems?”
“Nullification would be chaotic.”
It is far more likely that states will be too timid to employ nullification. But the more significant point is this: if the various states should have different policies, so what? That is precisely what the United States was supposed to look like. As usual, alleged supporters of “diversity” are the ones who most insist on national uniformity. It says quite a bit about what people are learning in school that they are terrified at the prospect that their country might actually be organized the way Americans were originally assured it would be. Local self-government was what the American Revolution was fought over, yet we’re told this very principle, and the defense mechanisms necessary to preserve it, are unthinkable.
Part of the reason the idea of nullification elicits such a visceral response from establishment opinion is that most people have unthinkingly absorbed the logic of the modern state, whereby a single, irresistible authority issuing infallible commands is the only way society can be organized. Most people do not subject their unstated assumptions to close scrutiny, particularly since the more deeply embedded the assumption, the less people are aware it exists. And it is this modern assumption, dating back to Thomas Hobbes, that – whether people realize it or not – lies at the root of nearly everyone’s political thought. Not only is this assumption false, but (as I discuss in the book) the modern state to which it gave rise has been the most irresponsible and even lethal institution in history, racking up debts and carrying out atrocities that the decentralized polities that preceded them could scarcely have imagined. Why it should be given the moral benefit of the doubt, to the point that all skeptics are to be viciously denounced, is unclear.
“The compact theory may apply to the first 13 states, but since all the other states were created by the federal government, we cannot describe these later states as building blocks of the Union in the same sense.”
The Idaho attorney general’s office tried making this argument against the Idaho health-care nullification bill. Superficially plausible, the argument amounts to a gross misunderstanding of the American system. Were the Idaho attorney general correct, American states would not be states at all but provinces.
The argument of the Idaho attorney general’s office, in fact, amounts to precisely the Old World view of the nature of the state and the people that Americans fled Europe to escape. The American position has always been that an American state is created by the people, not the federal government. Jefferson himself amplified this point in the controversy over the admission of Missouri. The people of Missouri had drafted a constitution and were applying for admission to the Union. Were they not admitted, Jefferson told them, they would be an independent state. In other words, their statehood derived from their sovereign people and its drafting of a constitution, not the approval of the federal government.
“The Civil War settled this.”
The Civil War was not fought over nullification, and as I’ve said above, at the time of the war it was the northern states that had much more recently been engaged in nullification. The legitimacy of nullification involves a philosophical argument, and philosophical arguments are not – at least to reasonable people – decided one way or the other by violence. No one would say, when confronted with the plight of the Plains Indians, “Didn’t the U.S. Army settle that?” If the arguments for nullification make sense, and they do, that is what matters. Reality is what it is. The compact theory, from which nullification is derived, does describe U.S. history. There is no way to evade that brute fact.
My primary intention in writing Nullification was to rescuscitate portions of American history which, having proven inconvenient to the regime in Washington, had slipped down the Orwellian memory hole. I wanted Americans to realize that illustrious figures from their country’s past posed questions about the most desirable form of political organization – questions that today one is written out of polite society for asking. I wanted to make a case, backed by overwhelming historical evidence, that the inhumane system whereby a single city hands down infallible dictates to 309 million people is not a fated existence. Jefferson and others proposed an alternative, one we might wish to revisit in light of how obviously dysfunctional the present system has become. Before this information can be put to much immediate use there is a good deal of educational groundwork to be laid. I intended the book to be a first step along the road back to sanity.
Old-style, “small-is-beautiful” progressives would have sympathized with this view, as New Left historian William Appleman Williams did. The commissars of approved opinion who pass as “progressives” today cannot even take the trouble to understand it.
Thomas E. Woods, Jr.holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard and his master’s, M.Phil., and Ph.D. from Columbia University. He is the author of eleven books, including the recently-released Nullification: How to Resist Federal Tyranny in the 21st Century, and the New York Times bestsellers Meltdown: A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy Tanked, and Government Bailouts Will Make Things Worse, and The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History. Visit his website and blog, follow him on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to his YouTube Channel. Michael Boldin [send him email] is the founder of the Tenth Amendment Center. He was raised in Milwaukee, WI, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.
