ronpaulhawaii
10-15-2009, 12:23 PM
http://nickr3volution.blogspot.com/2009/10/valley-forge.html
Valley Forge
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."- Thomas Paine, The American Crisis
On September, 17th I was in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, at the Campaign for Liberty Regional Conference. The event was held minutes away from where Washington's Revolutionary Army spent that fateful winter. When the army first set up camp at Valley Forge there were over 11,000 men and after 6 days there were only 2,873 men left due to lack of proper food, shelter, and clothing. The troops either died or gave up and deserted.
I think it is fitting that I was in Valley Forge and at that event. This past summer I was in my own Valley Forge. I came to a point where I was completely burned out and disillusioned. Progress was not fast enough, and I ran out of the resources to continue. I even thought about giving up.
I ended up going to Valley Forge primarily to see the premiere of "For Liberty". I had the chance to see old friends, even a few from The Great American Walk for Freedom. I saw people like my friend Michael Maresco who's resolve for freedom led him to riding a bicycle from coast to coast, not once, but twice. He didn't give up while peddling alone through the desert when it was much easier to jump on a plane and go home. In fact, he gave up his home and his life in paradise to come back to the mainland and fight for freedom.
I looked into the eyes of all my fellow patriots, first in Valley Forge, then in New York City, in Pittsburgh during the G20, in Lancaster, and then at Midwest Liberty Fest, all of the places I have been this past month. The list of people I have seen this past month has been impressive: Ron Paul, Judge Napalitano, Adam Kokesh, Tom Woods, G Edward Griffin, Luke Rudkowski, Jason Bermas, Michael Badnarik, Sheriff Mack, Gary Franchi and many more. So many leaders in this movement. I felt the resolve to keep going until freedom is achieved at last.
It was the people in this movement that brought me back. Not only those big names, but every single patriot that I encountered this past month. It is truly an honor and a priviledge go to battle with each and every one of you. We do not go to battle with guns and bullets (those are only for self defense), we go to battle with our minds and our hearts.
As I looked around the room at Midwest Liberty Fest I realized that I wasn't the only one expiriencing a Valley Forge situation. Our movement is in Valley Forge right now. Lack of resources, lack of people. I mean Midwest Liberty Fest was such an awesome event, with a great lineup of speakers and bands. The organizers couldn't have done anything else to promote it more effectively. It was the same with Freedom Conference 2009 in Pittsburgh. We had a rockstar lineup with Tom Woods and G Edward Griffin, we had a lot of attention with G20 coming to town and with those issues on everyones mind, but a poor turnout.
So how do we as a movement get out of Valley Forge? It's not like we can just wait and see what happens. Every day more and more events are happening in this world that is speeding up the loss of our freedoms. It's really accelerating now. We have to take this oportunity to reach out to the community like never before. We must win those hearts and minds before it's too late.
One thing that Washington did while he was in Valley Forge was took the opportunity to get all the troops that he did have on the same page and got them better trained. He brought in Baron Von Steuben who worked with the men.
Now we have enough training sessions and seminars in this movement, and one thing that I think is really unique is that I believe we are all leaders capable of pulling together and doing the most amazing things. Just look at what we did during the Ron Paul campaign, or watch "For Liberty" to learn about it. Not that I don't appriciate a good speech, but I think the time has come to listen to each other speak, to have a real grassroots discussion.
I propose a Liberty Movers & Shakers conference to be held in the Spring of 2010. No speakers, just all discussion between the most active people in the grassroots. Let's discuss what we have done already, what we plan to do, and how to move forward. My suggestion for a city is Chicago, simply because the r3volution hasn't invaded that city yet and it is a big city that is pretty centrally located. It can be anywhere though, that is just a suggestion. Let's just do it!!
We can move forward from here. Things are about to change, I can feel it. We have an awesome movement, with so many great people, and most importantly the right message! Who's in?
POSTED BY NICK RAMAGLIA AT 1:10 PM
Valley Forge
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."- Thomas Paine, The American Crisis
On September, 17th I was in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, at the Campaign for Liberty Regional Conference. The event was held minutes away from where Washington's Revolutionary Army spent that fateful winter. When the army first set up camp at Valley Forge there were over 11,000 men and after 6 days there were only 2,873 men left due to lack of proper food, shelter, and clothing. The troops either died or gave up and deserted.
I think it is fitting that I was in Valley Forge and at that event. This past summer I was in my own Valley Forge. I came to a point where I was completely burned out and disillusioned. Progress was not fast enough, and I ran out of the resources to continue. I even thought about giving up.
I ended up going to Valley Forge primarily to see the premiere of "For Liberty". I had the chance to see old friends, even a few from The Great American Walk for Freedom. I saw people like my friend Michael Maresco who's resolve for freedom led him to riding a bicycle from coast to coast, not once, but twice. He didn't give up while peddling alone through the desert when it was much easier to jump on a plane and go home. In fact, he gave up his home and his life in paradise to come back to the mainland and fight for freedom.
I looked into the eyes of all my fellow patriots, first in Valley Forge, then in New York City, in Pittsburgh during the G20, in Lancaster, and then at Midwest Liberty Fest, all of the places I have been this past month. The list of people I have seen this past month has been impressive: Ron Paul, Judge Napalitano, Adam Kokesh, Tom Woods, G Edward Griffin, Luke Rudkowski, Jason Bermas, Michael Badnarik, Sheriff Mack, Gary Franchi and many more. So many leaders in this movement. I felt the resolve to keep going until freedom is achieved at last.
It was the people in this movement that brought me back. Not only those big names, but every single patriot that I encountered this past month. It is truly an honor and a priviledge go to battle with each and every one of you. We do not go to battle with guns and bullets (those are only for self defense), we go to battle with our minds and our hearts.
As I looked around the room at Midwest Liberty Fest I realized that I wasn't the only one expiriencing a Valley Forge situation. Our movement is in Valley Forge right now. Lack of resources, lack of people. I mean Midwest Liberty Fest was such an awesome event, with a great lineup of speakers and bands. The organizers couldn't have done anything else to promote it more effectively. It was the same with Freedom Conference 2009 in Pittsburgh. We had a rockstar lineup with Tom Woods and G Edward Griffin, we had a lot of attention with G20 coming to town and with those issues on everyones mind, but a poor turnout.
So how do we as a movement get out of Valley Forge? It's not like we can just wait and see what happens. Every day more and more events are happening in this world that is speeding up the loss of our freedoms. It's really accelerating now. We have to take this oportunity to reach out to the community like never before. We must win those hearts and minds before it's too late.
One thing that Washington did while he was in Valley Forge was took the opportunity to get all the troops that he did have on the same page and got them better trained. He brought in Baron Von Steuben who worked with the men.
Now we have enough training sessions and seminars in this movement, and one thing that I think is really unique is that I believe we are all leaders capable of pulling together and doing the most amazing things. Just look at what we did during the Ron Paul campaign, or watch "For Liberty" to learn about it. Not that I don't appriciate a good speech, but I think the time has come to listen to each other speak, to have a real grassroots discussion.
I propose a Liberty Movers & Shakers conference to be held in the Spring of 2010. No speakers, just all discussion between the most active people in the grassroots. Let's discuss what we have done already, what we plan to do, and how to move forward. My suggestion for a city is Chicago, simply because the r3volution hasn't invaded that city yet and it is a big city that is pretty centrally located. It can be anywhere though, that is just a suggestion. Let's just do it!!
We can move forward from here. Things are about to change, I can feel it. We have an awesome movement, with so many great people, and most importantly the right message! Who's in?
POSTED BY NICK RAMAGLIA AT 1:10 PM