Broward Tea Party February, 2012 Newsletter

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. “…   Margaret Mead

Co-founder’s Corner

Please read Blog ” The Coming Storm“  by Charles Robertson; posted under “Recent Posts” February 10, 2012

Lee Levin

Lee wants to remind all members, that starting with the March 7^th Monthly Meeting we will no longer meet at Total Wine and More. **The Wednesday, March 7^th Meeting, and all meetings after, will be at: Walter C Young ” Now Playing” Community School Theater, 901 N.W. 129th Ave., Pembroke Pines, Fl., 33028.**

February 1st  Meeting Recap

February’s Guest Speaker:  Gary Gershman, J.D., Ph.D, Associate Professor of Humanities, Nova Southeastern University, spoke from the “progressive” side about our Bill of Rights, Constitution, and the Federalist Papers. The “progressive” premise, he spoke of, believes that “Originalism” is a false ideal and the Constitution is shrouded in “myth”. Examples Professor Gershman contrasted: >Plymouth Rock -Myth – “All came for religious freedom”/Progressive – “Most came for economic reasons”  >United States is a “Melting Pot”  -Myth – “We are an “individual mosaic”/Progressive – “We are a “Salad Bowl” >Statue of Liberty -Myth – “We welcomed all”/ Progressive – “Early immigrants were poor, but not wretched masses” >Bill of Rights -Myth - “Government of limited powers”/Progressive – “Hamiltonian Ideals- Banks and Treasury used to wield power” >Lincoln- Myth – “Freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation” /Progressive – ” The 13th Amendment freed the slaves; Lincoln’s Proclamation only freed the slaves where he was able to” >Healthcare -An “economic activity” with national effect, that has taxing authority under the Commerce Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause) with direct and indirect effects on Commerce.

A very vocal group/speaker discussion then ensued. Professor Gershman handled group dissent to his progressive premises with great tact and patience. Members showed great knowledge of “all things”  constitutional in their responses.  Professor Gershman received rousing applause for willing to debate the “progressive” view against the Tea Party conservative/libertarian beliefs.

Kris Anne Hall Bill of Rights Seminar February 4, 2012: The 5 hour seminar included the history behind each of the 10 amendments. The suffering of early English subjects from 11ooAD to the American Revolution,brought about the specific declarations of the 10 Bill of Rights amendments. The 1100AD ”Charter of Liberties”, the 1215AD ”Magna Carta”, the 1628AD ”Petition of Rights”, the 1688AD “Glorious Revolution”( “Bill of Rights of 1689“), and the 1792AD oppression by the British Crown on American colonists; Our constitutional Bill of Rights were inherited and took over 700 years to write!

The basic premise of the Bill of Rights is: Freedom alone is anarchy; Morality is good, right and proper; Liberty-”protected at all hazards, comes from God”…John Adams. “Freedom plus Morality=Liberty!” The Bill of Rights is a “contract” between the people, as business partners, to create a government.”"The Revolutionary War was undertaken by 9% of the population to overthrow the largest government in the world!”

KrisAnne Hall Presents the Bill of Rights (trailer) :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpFWHMSLZk&feature=youtu.be

KrisAnne suggests > you should always use original source documents for information. > Watch “Agenda 21 for Dummies”- youtube video. > Watch “Magnificent Heritage”, an old movie about the securing of religious liberty so “all could be free” and the Declaration of Independence.

You can follow KrisAnne Hall on her website: www.krisannehall.com

Committee Reports

Speaker Committee, Lee Levin:

Karen Harrington, 2012 U.S. House of Representatives candidate Fl. CD 20, will join us for Broward Tea Party’s 1st Anniversary Meeting, March 7th, 2012. A “new band” will perform, featuring “politically” themed songs.

Speakers-soon-to-come: Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti and Bob Levy of the libertarian “think tank”, the Cato Institute.

Glenn Beck/MercuryOne Restoring Love Event: http://mercuryone.org/restoring-love   July 26, 27, & 28, 2012 in Dallas, Texas. Tickets for the main event, July 28th, are $10; BTP has reserved 50 tickets for interested members; please contact: lee@thebrowardteaparty.com    **more info on the event planning will be forthcoming; stay tuned!

Planning Committee, Kristin Matheny:

“Bring a Friend” Campaign:

-We will advertise this at our next meeting in March…anyone who brings a new member friend to the meeting will receive a BTP t-shirt.

-We will discuss the idea of a prize for “whoever brings the most friends/new members”

 

Email/Wordpress:

-We currently, send a monthly email/newsletter out to the members on our email list, but we discussed the possibility of increasing emails and updates to twice a month or once weekly.

-We will bring this issue to a vote at our March meeting, but we suspect that people won’t object too much since they can easily delete an unwanted email (and our members seem to support the idea of ample communication!)

 

Rally:

-We set a date for the rally: April 14 (Saturday), which is “Tax Day Weekend” and coincides naturally with the Tax Day Rally in downtown Ft. Lauderdale and all of the annoyances of April 15th

-10:00am-2:00pm in front of DWS’s office (the same location as the July rally, SW corner of Palm Ave./Pines Blvd. )

-Themes: “Taxed to Death” and “Anyone But Debbie” (we can tie these together nicely since DWS has had so many “insightful”- *cough, cough*- things to say about taxes and has an “interesting” voting record on tax-related issues)

-We do need to meet to discuss logistics, invitations to other groups, and speakers for the rally (I will send inquiries to senatorial candidates, congressional candidates, Joyce Kaufmann, Jimmy Cefalo, Rich Minaya, current politicians, etc.)

-Sign-Making Party is a possibility, and the idea of having supplies at the rally site early for those that want to arrive at 9:00am to make a sign/help set up.

-Other groups to reach out to include: Republican Groups, The Libertarian Party, 912 and TP groups throughout Broward and Dade, I Stand with Israel, various campaigns (Allen West, Karen Harrington, Joe Kaufman, Ozzie DeFaria, Adam Hasner, the Senatorial race candidates, etc.)…any other ideas, will be forthcoming.

Fundraising Committee, Berta Medina:

Fundraising dollars will be used to purchase “targeted marketing” materials for the group.

Communications, Judith Welker:

BTP is very active on Facebook-118 members, FreedomConnector-85 members, and Twitter-875 followers, & WordPress-800. To sign-up to receive BTP’s new Word Press Newsletter/Blog via email: www.thebrowardteaparty.wordpress.com

Join and connect with the Broward Tea Party on Twitter.com @TeaPartyBroward ; Facebook.com BrowardTeaParty.

Members should reach out and spread the BTP message by sharing links to our Newsletter, Blogs, and event postings.

**We encourage members to volunteer to work for their candidate(s) of choice; mailings, making phone calls, and walks distributing candidate and voter information. We are a grassroots organization and “boots on the ground” are needed to win back our nation!

Vince Falletta:

Attended the Florida Tea Party Convention in Daytona Beach (November 4, 5, & 6, 2011), where 1700 Tea Party representatives participated from across the state. Vince’s conclusion, “The Tea Party is not dead, but thriving!”

Doug Harrison:

The January 31st Florida GOP Presidential Primary was disappointing; Republicans did not come out to vote! We need to increase our grassroots effort to “GET OUT THE VOTE!” BTP members need to connect with candidates to volunteer in their campaigns; also, share candidate, election, and voting information with friends, neighbors, and associates.

**Dates to Remember:  Tuesday, August 14th, 2012: FLORIDA PRIMARY ELECTION;  Tuesday, November 6th, 2012: GENERAL ELECTION.

Supervisor of Elections, Broward County, Fl.: www.browardsoe.org

Palm Beach County, Fl. Election Info: www.pbcelections.org

Miami Dade County, Fl. Election Info: www.miamidade.gov/elections

Upcoming Meetings and Events:

BREC - Broward Republican Executive Committee: Monday, February 27, 2012

Place: Sheraton Suites Cypress Creek   555 West Cypress Creek Rd., Fort Lauderdale, Fl.,  33309  (West of I-95 between Cypress Creek Rd. West and Powerline Rd.) 

Time:   6:00pm – 7:00pm  Sign-in for Members – *Guests may attend and sign-in.   7:00pm Meeting starts promptly, doors are shut!

**as a member of BREC, you become your own Precinct Captain/or Alternate.

*Info Website: http://browardGOP.org  

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SWBRO - South-West Broward Republican Organization: Monday, March 5, 2012

One of many local Broward County Chartered Republican Clubs. We serve, primarily, the communities of Miramar, Pembroke Pines, SW Ranches and parts of several contiguous communities. Guests are welcome; Registered Republicans to join.

Place:  Walter C Young “Now Playing” Community School Theater   901 N.W. 129th Ave., Pembroke Pines, Fl.,  33028  (from I-75 exit East on Pines Blvd. then turn left onto 129th Ave. At first right on 129th Ave., turn in and follow SWBRO signs to parking lot and meeting.

Time:  7:00pm to 9:00pm    Sign-in, Social: 7:00pm-7:30pm   Meeting Begins: 7:30pm

Info Website:  http://swbroGOP.org

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NBC- GOP Presidential Candidate Debate: Monday, March 5, 2012   From the Reagan Library  Simi Valley, Ca.  Time TBA.

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Broward Tea Party 1st Anniversary Monthly Meeting: Wednesday,  March 7, 2012

Special Guest Speaker: Karen Harrington, 2012 U.S. House of Representatives Candidate, Fl. CD 20. Karen is a GOP opposition candidate to incumbent DNC Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. Karen was our first guest speaker March, 2011.   Website: http://karenforcongress.com

Place:   **Walter C Young “Now Playing” Community School Theater   901 N.W. 129th Ave., Pembroke Pines, Fl.,  33028 (From I-75 exit East on Pines Blvd. and turn left onto NW 129th Ave. At the first right, turn into school parking lot. BTP will have signs posted to lead the way).

Time:   7:00pm to 9:00pm    Sign-in and Meet & Greet:  7:00pm to 7:15pm    Meeting begins:  7:30pm

*Coffee, water, and sodas provided. Please bring a snack or treat to share…Greatly Appreciated!

                                      BRING A FRIEND, GUESTS MOST WELCOME!

  Links of Interest

Supervisor of Elections, Broward County, Fl.: www.browardsoe.org

Palm Beach County, Fl. Election Info: www.pbcelections.org

Miami Dade County, Fl. Election Info: www.miamidade.gov/elections

2012-Primary-Debate-Schedule: http://resourcelibrary.patriotactionnetwork.com/2012-primary-debate-schedule/

US House & Senate Scorecard: http://americansforprosperity.com/scorecard?tr=y&auid=10169817

Documentary Promo of “Runaway Slave, the Movie: http://www.runawayslavemovie.com/site/

Progressive’s Foundation of Lies: http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/43955

 

The Boston Tea Party:  http://www.libertarianism.org/publications/essays/excursions/boston-tea-party?utm_source=Libertarianism.org&utm_campaign=dbcfbd7742-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email

 

 Do We Need the Department of Education?   http://paracom.paramountcommunication.com/hostedemail/email.htm?CID=10918563149&ch=4D290FFF6E10874DAB3BBF8989F5C056&h=d8adfe0160a50c4a247c99ded09ea1c8&ei=W3whI88Nx

 

 What is the Proper Role of the Courts?  http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/01/what-is-the-proper-role-of-the-courts?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email;utm_campaign=StrategicMarketing

 

  The Coercive Acts and Their Theoretical Significance:  http://www.libertarianism.org/publications/essays/excursions/coercive-acts-their-theoretical-significance?utm_source=Libertarianism.org&utm_campaign=dba40726ad-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email

 

Divergent Paths—The Vision of Our Founders vs. the Plan of Marx
Mixture of philosophy, social history, economics, and “social justice” propaganda: Dialectical Materialism, Historical Materialism, and Marxist Economics: http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/44196

 

 

Kevin Dowd is a visiting professor at the Pensions Institute at Cass Business School in London. He is an expert on free banking, central banking, financial regulation, banking history, financial risk management and pensions. He spoke at the Cato Institute’s 29th Annual Monetary Conference in November, 2011.
Dowd is the author of “The Alchemists of Loss.” Watch an event for the book here: http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=7309

http://www.cato.org/multimedia/daily-podcast/road-back-gold
http://www.cato.org/multimedia/daily-podcast/capital-standards-financial-crisis

Broward Tea Party Contact Info:

Go to: www.TheBrowardTeaParty.com for links to our Facebook, Twitter, FreedomConnector, and LibertyLinked group sites and to see our local advertisers. If you would like to advertise your business on our website, mailto:lee@thebrowardteaparty.com. “We support those who support us!”

To sign-up to receive news, blog, and event updates via Word Press Email: www.thebrowardteaparty.wordpress.com. Scroll down the right-hand column to the Follow Blog via Email sign-up.

To unsubscribe, please let us know by sending a note to: mailto:info@thebrowardteaparty.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                            

 

 

 

The Coming Storm: By Charles Robertson

Imagine if a major category 5 hurricane, like Katrina, was headed straight for South Florida.  Now picture this…no one is paying attention!  The hurricane is 24 hours away and every forecast track has it going directly over Miami, yet everyone seems oblivious.  In the entire region there are only a handful of people desperately trying to alert the others.  Despite all indications to the contrary, the vast majority believe the hurricane will miss the area.  Strange as this scenario seems, it’s my analogy to what is happening in our country now.  The hurricane is our looming financial crisis and the Tea Party faithful are the only ones who understand the danger, the vast majority is either in denial or totally unaware.  

Last week at our Broward Tea Party Seminar on the Constitution & Bill of Rights, we were reminded by Historian KrisAnne Hall, that we are the “Front Line”, in the struggle to restore and defend liberty.  It’s not easy being on the front line.  Front liners are the first to get shot at.  In our battle, the shots have been “fast & furious”. They have come from the media, politicians, unions, liberal groups, and even “so called” friends.  We’ve heard the insults from those passing our street rallies.  Activists with years of fighting for the cause all have stories of attacks in various forms.  We’re not just on the front line, we are wearing targets.

Wearing a target would understandably make one uncomfortable, yet I’ve come to view this as a sign of honor.  Glenn Beck is a great example of someone who wears the target with pride.  Millions took their shots at Beck’s bold predictions.  They laughed at and ridiculed the following predictions: gold prices reaching towards $2,000 an ounce, double-digit unemployment, revolution and regime change in Egypt, the Arab Spring, class warfare, violent civil unrest in our city streets;  these are just to name a few.   Leaders press on in the midst of attacks and against unfavorable odds, bolstered by the certainty of their convictions.  In Beck’s case, being right has only made him a bigger target.  We Tea Partiers have also earned “front line” distinction, the honor of being leaders for a cause many don’t understand or appreciate.  I only wish I had certainty of our outcome.

Following the Tea Party inspired gains in the 2010 election, many within our cause felt the heavy lifting was over.  The drop-off in attendance at the annual Tax Day Rally was obvious, at least half from the previous year.  Local election turnout was a similar disappointment.  It seemed many among our ranks signed up for a limited tour of duty.  Unfortunately, with our liberties being eroded on a weekly basis, the effort to counter this assault requires a long-term commitment.  Will the Tea Party once again rise to the occasion; will we continue what we started in 2010?  I had to confront that question and deliver an honest answer.

Marie LePennec, a graduate student from France, visited our Tea Party last week to learn about our cause.  In writing her thesis on the Tea Party, Marie handed out questionnaires with most questions being fairly easy; then came one that made me stop and think hard.  The question was, “Do you think the Tea Party will continue to grow?  Why?”  I was tempted to answer this with heartfelt wishes, with optimism, but I owed her my true honest opinion, I answered as follows:  “No, this movement was a reaction to a liberal agenda. Once that agenda diminishes, the interest will fade. I believe the Tea Party will remain a force that will shrink or grow depending on the current political situation.” My own words saddened me, yet all that I’ve seen has led me to that conclusion.  Despite my ambivalent assessment, I remain committed to affecting the outcome and leading others to our front line.  The ending, whenever that is, remains unwritten. 

Being referred to as a “front line leader” felt good.  It was a nice counterpoint to the typical adjectives tossed our way.  Often we Tea Partiers act as martyrs then wonder why it’s so hard to recruit others to our cause.  As we gear up for a critical election, my growth strategy will be to frame ourselves as the leaders we are and invite others to our élite group of warriors.  To hold a position of honor on the front line is not for everyone, only leaders willing to wear a target earn the right to join us.  I’m dropping my complaints about apathy, leaders persevere through difficult setbacks.  It is in the worst of circumstances when true leaders emerge, as I was reminded by KrisAnne Hall, who brought us back to our revolution, reminding us that most colonists opposed a war with England.   Indeed our revolution was an unpopular, uncertain movement, led by patriots with conviction.  Their heroic words and actions inspired others to their cause.  Let’s hold our heads high with conviction as we also inspire others to our unpopular, uncertain movement.  The stakes remain the same…LIBERTY!