Real Soldiers Know When to Disobey Orders

"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic..."



Oath-Keepers' Declaration of Orders We Will NOT Obey:

1. We will NOT obey orders to disarm the American people.
   
   
2. We will NOT obey orders to conduct warrantless searches of the American people
   
   
3. We will NOT obey orders to detain American citizens as unlawful enemy combatants or to subject them to military tribunal.
   
   
4. We will NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a state of emergency on a state.
   
5. We will NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty.
   
   
6. We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.
   
   
7. We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.
   
   
8. We will NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on U.S. soil against the American people to keep the peace or to maintain control.
   
   
9. We will NOT obey any orders to confiscate the property of the American people, including food and other essential supplies.
   
   
10. We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.

Read the full Declaration here.

World Government a Possibility?

Given the "success" of the European Union, columnist Gideon Rachman thinks some type of world government is plausible:

First, it is increasingly clear that the most difficult issues facing national governments are international in nature: there is global warming, a global financial crisis and a "global war on terror".

Second, it could be done. The transport and communications revolutions have shrunk the world so that, as Geoffrey Blainey, an eminent Australian historian, has written: "For the first time in human history, world government of some sort is now possible." Mr Blainey foresees an attempt to form a world government at some point in the next two centuries, which is an unusually long time horizon for the average newspaper column.

But - the third point -- a change in the political atmosphere suggests that "global governance" could come much sooner than that. The financial crisis and climate change are pushing national governments towards global solutions, even in countries such as China and the U.S. that are traditionally fierce guardians of national sovereignty.

Ever since Woodrow Wilson, who believed that "the world must be made safe for democracy," every American president has furthered the cause of globalism. And since we're already in the habit of using the biggest, most powerful military in the world to enforce U.N. resolutions, the groundwork for some kind of world government has indeed already been laid. Rest assured that our 44th president will take the next step toward making it a reality.

Transparency in Government

If your tax dollars are confiscated under penalty of law and redistributed in the form of paychecks to government employees, don't you think you're at least entitled to know where that money is going? The Houston Chronicle has set wonderful precedent by making the salaries of city and county employees available through an online database. Check it out here.

Transparency in government is vital to the survival of a free society. We can't count on politicians and bureaucrats to be forthcoming, so it's up to private citizens to take the initiative. This is exactly the kind of thing the watchdog press should be doing.

Our New Declaration of Independence

(Originally drafted on July 3, 2002)

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another; a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which compel them to make that separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations reduces them to despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patience of these fifty states; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their system of government. The history of the present federal government is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all working toward the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world:

It has refused to abide by the strict guidelines of the United States Constitution, and has instead decided that it alone will decide what is necessary for the public good.

It has forbidden state legislatures to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, and has allowed the federal judiciary to strike down countless state laws as unconstitutional, in clear violation of the Ninth and Tenth Amendments to the Constitution.

It has refused all states the proper control of land within their respective borders and has instead used its power to confiscate even more property.

It has enacted legislation, on issues ranging from alcohol consumption to the ownership of firearms, for the sole purpose of forcing states and individual citizens into compliance with its wishes.

It has unlawfully persecuted, under various administrations, citizens and organizations for opposing its invasions on the rights of the people.

It has continued to pass laws affecting campaign financing and election procedures that have only served to exclude ordinary citizens from the political process.

It has endeavored to prevent states from taking steps to curb illegal immigration and has refused to protect the sovereign borders of this nation.

It has obstructed the administration of justice by refusing to equally apply the laws it passes to members of the federal government.

It has allowed judges to become dependent upon their own political ideology without any regard for the Constitution.

It has established a multitude of new bureaucracies, and has sent out swarms of officers to harass the people.

It has maintained, in times of peace, standing armies both here on our shores and overseas.

It has effectively rendered the military independent of and superior to the civil authority.

It has subjected us to things foreign to our Constitution, giving its assent to burdensome acts of legislation:

For forcing states to quarter illegal immigrants.

For protecting them and refusing to deport even those convicted of serious crimes.

For implementing protectionist measures that have limited our ability to engage in free trade with all parts of the world.

For imposing taxes, hidden or otherwise, without our consent.

For threatening to deprive us, in times of perceived crisis, of the benefits of trial by jury.

For federalizing offenses that should remain under the jurisdiction of the states.

For implementing a foreign policy that has this nation engaged in costly and unnecessary entanglements overseas.

For taking away state sovereignty, abolishing federalism, and altering fundamentally our entire system of government.

For superseding state legislatures, and investing in Congress the power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever; including areas such as employment, health care, education, and housing, among others.

It has waged war against citizens of the United States by using armed troops to enforce unconstitutional laws.

It has denied states the control over valuable natural resources within their own borders.

It is, at this time, engaged in armed conflict overseas without a formal and constitutional declaration of war.

It has turned businesses into government agencies, forcing workers to report the "suspicious" activities of their fellow citizens to authorities.

It has succeeded, through its interventionist policies, in funding and arming enemies of the United States of America.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A government, whose character is marked by every act which may define a tyranny, is unfit to be the government of a free people.

We have warned them from time to time of attempts by Congress, the president, and the judiciary to extend an unwarranted jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of the founding of our nation. We have appealed to their sense of justice and fair play, and we have appealed to the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They have been deaf to the voice of justice and of reason. We must, therefore, hold them as we hold the rest of mankind - enemies in war, friends in peace.

We, therefore, the people of the United States of America, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions, do solemnly publish and declare, that these states are, and of right ought to be, free and independent; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the existing federal government, and that as free and independent states, they have full authority to reassume those powers guaranteed to the states and the people by the Constitution. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

Wake Up!

Paul Craig Roberts and Lawrence M. Stratton on the legislation of tyranny:

The assaults of the Bush regime on civil liberty, the Constitution, and the separation of powers are more determined and more successful than its military assaults on the Middle East, which provide the "war time" justification for the attack on civil liberty in the United States. The regime and its supporters are determined to raise the president to dictatorial powers, at least in times of war, the initiation of which is being turned into a presidential prerogative.

Charley Reese on the Second Amendment:

The Founding Fathers were not urban neurotics like so many of today's politicians. They were almost all outdoor people. Guns were to them just tools, like their axes or plows. You couldn't survive in the wilderness without firearms, and at the time of our Revolution, there were only about 3 million people from Maine to Georgia.

Nor were there any police forces. There was no Secret Service, FBI or any of the other alphabet law-enforcement agencies. If you decided to travel, you traveled at your own risk, and you can bet people traveled armed.

Why refer to these articles in the same post? Because they both remind us of what this country used to stand for: individual liberty.

The government used to exist to protect the rights of the individual. Now, with so much power concentrated in the hands of a few "urban neurotics," Americans no longer understand what it means to be free. As long as the trains run on time, they aren't worried about civil liberties. As long as they can still hunt, they don't concern themselves with the unconstitutional infringements on the right to keep and bear arms.

Our "representatives" in Washington have for decades been dismantling the Constitution and every other check on political power. I'm not talking about some secret Illuminati conspiracy to take over the world. I'm talking about human nature. As Lord Acton stated, "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely." Our freedoms are disappearing with every administration that assumes office. Republican, Democrat, it doesn't matter.

The only hope is for Americans to reclaim their country. Wake up and start paying attention before it's too late.

Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes?

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Loosely translated, it means "Who watches the watchers?" or "Who guards the guards?"

Well...

Cops in England are worried about a plan to have all officers tagged:

Every single Metropolitan police officer will be 'microchipped' so top brass can monitor their movements on a Big Brother style tracking scheme, it can be revealed today.

According to respected industry magazine Police Review, the plan -- which affects all 31,000 serving officers in the Met, including [Chief] Sir Ian Blair -- is set to replace the unreliable Airwave radio system currently used to help monitor officer's movements.

The new electronic tracking device -- called the Automated Personal Location System (APLS) -- means that officers will never be out of range of supervising officers.

But many serving officers fear being turned into "Robocops" -- controlled by bosses who have not been out on the beat in years.

According to service providers Telent, the new technology "will enable operators in the Service's operations centres to identify the location of each police officer" at any time they are on duty -- whether overground or underground.

Although police chiefs say the new technology is about "improving officer safety" and reacting to incidents more quickly, many rank and file believe it is just a Big Brother style system to keep tabs on them and make sure they don't "doze off on duty".

It is rather ironic, isn't it? London has been blanketed with surveillance cameras under the guise of improving public safety, and I don't recall cops squawking about that. But now that they are the ones being watched...

The watchers need to be watched. Tag 'em all.

Bring Back the Old National Motto

From Wikipedia:

On 21 April 1787, the Continental Congress of the United States authorized a design for an official penny, later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the sun shining down on a sundial with the caption, "Fugio" (Latin: I flee). The image and the word combine to mean "Time Flees". This coin was reportedly designed by Benjamin Franklin, and as a reminder to its holders, he put at its bottom the message, "Mind Your Business". This design had also been used on the "Continental dollar" (issued as coins of unknown real denomination, and in paper notes of different fractional denominations) in February of 1776.

Some historians believe that the word "business" was intended literally here, as Franklin was an influential and successful businessman. However, considering the full saying of "mind your own business," which would not have fit on the coin, it can just as easily be interpreted as a statement of privacy.

The reverse side of both the 1776 coins and paper notes, and the 1787 coins, bore the third motto "We Are One" (in English).

Following the reform of the central government with the 1789 ratification of the 1787 Constitution, gold and silver coins bore the motto "E pluribus unum" from the Great Seal of the United States.

In 1864, during the Civil War, the Union (North) introduced a two-cent coin with the motto "In God We Trust". In 1956, Congress declared "In God We Trust" the official national motto and mandated its appearance on all U.S. currency, but more recently there have been calls to restore the original mottoes.

I'm reminded of another motto: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

And Now for This Important Message...

I received this via e-mail this afternoon:

Hello,

My name is Gary Franchi, the National Director of Aaron Russo's RestoreTheRepublic.com. Formerly known as the AFTF Network, Restore the Republic is the organization dedicated to educating and activating the people of this great republic with the message of Aaron's film, America: Freedom to Fascism. I am mailing you today to let you know of some developments in this great grassroots organization.

Aaron's film has had rampant success in raising awareness and activating the people to the vital issues affecting America today. Ron Paul even credits much of the success of his presidential campaign to the film. In case you didn't know, the movie is now available for $1. That's right, $1! Available in bulks of 100. Jump directly to the DVD sales page and get your copies to continue helping spread the word (www.AFTFMovie.com).

On another note, I and other key people in the organization have launched a publication called Republic Magazine. It's dedicated to the ongoing campaign to wake the people with the message of America: Freedom to Fascism. Like the movie, it is available for $1 per copy in bulks of 25. This issue is featuring presidential hopeful Ron Paul. Republic Magazine is another excellent tool to spread the truth, You can order your copies at www.RepublicMagazines.com

We have also recently teamed up with www.VoteRonPaul.com, a new website run by filmmakers, artists and activists who are dedicated to promoting Ron Paul and his run for the White House, please check out their site for exclusive content and gear to promote Ron Paul.

There are many exciting developments to come and many battles to win in the historic effort to "Restore The Republic". We may have had some victories fighting the REAL ID, but it is not over yet by any stretch. Please remain vigilant for our Constitution and continue spreading the word about America: Freedom To Fascism, one of the greatest tools since Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense. Your continued dedication to the Truth makes more victories possible.

Yours In Freedom and Truth,

Gary Franchi
RTR National Director
www.RestoreTheRepublic.com

If you haven't seen Russo's film, you definitely need to check it out and share it with your friends and family.

Libertarian Filmmaker Aaron Russo Passes Away

Aaron Russo, who produced such Hollywood hits as Trading Places and The Rose, passed away on Friday, August 24, after a long battle with cancer. He was 64.

Over the last decade, Russo gained popularity as a political activist, candidate, and Ron Paul supporter. But those of us in conservative/libertarian circles will remember him for his most recent film, America: From Freedom to Fascism.

He will be missed.

You can view America: From Freedom to Fascism in its entirety on Google Video.

Introducing Liberty Theater

There is always construction on the Information Superhighway. Fortunately, since we don't have to rely on publicly funded work crews managed by bloated bureaucracies, travel is usually enhanced rather than impeded. And thanks to innovations like Google Video and YouTube, vital information is more readily available than ever before.

So, in the spirit of freedom that is inherent to the World-Wide Web, I would like to announce the opening of Liberty Theater. This will be a collection of films and videos that seek to expose government corruption and promote critical thinking among concerned citizens.

We are starting things off with three very important films. First, we have America: Freedom to Fascism, from producer Aaron Russo (The Rose, Trading Places). This film exposes the dangers of the Federal Reserve and the IRS, and how such organizations have eroded our civil liberties and continue to pave the way for a police state. What's interesting is that this project started out as a simple quest to find the law that requires Americans to pay an income tax. (SPOILER ALERT: There isn't one.)

Next, there is the Mises Institute's Money, Banking, and the Federal Reserve, which delves deeper into the history of the Federal Reserve. With no Gold Standard, the cash you carry around in your wallet is virtually worthless. Men like Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson recognized the dangers of allowing a centralized banking system to control our nation's economy, but most Americans today are clueless. This film is an eye-opener.

Finally, we present The Future of Food. Do you take for granted that the food you consume is safe? This film "offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade." The problem is that current government policies ensure that you are kept in the dark.

I wish I could say, "Grab the popcorn, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show," but you'll most likely end up on the edge of your seat, fists clenched, yelling at the screen and spilling your popcorn all over the floor. Watch at your own risk.

Of course, the alternative - meandering through life in blissful ignorance until it all comes crashing down around you - is probably riskier. Your best bet is to stay informed.

Why Does the Constitution Hate America?

The Constitution of the United States must hate America. After all, it was only put in place to limit the power of government, and according to the Bush administration - and pretty much every other administration - government must be free to protect the American people.

Now, I'm no fan of the mainstream media. The smarmy, know-it-all anchors who try to pass themselves off as journalists are every bit as corrupt as the politicians they pretend to hate. But, as the saying goes, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.

Case in point: Keith Olbermann of MSNBC and his commentaries on the passage of the Military Commissions Act:

Now THIS is what the press is supposed to be doing: serving as a mouthpiece for "We the people" as a check on government power.