Docum3ntary Interview Observations

[ronpaulhawaii]

On I-70 headed east

Just left Granville, OH., home of former FEC Chairman, The Honorable Bradley Smith, and I gotta tell you, he seemed quite deserving of his honorific. He took time to speak to us as his family readied the house for the onslaught of a wedding this weekend.

Many of us tend to think of faceless bureaucracy in such a horrible light that we sometimes forget that it is formed of, for the most part, decent individuals. The Smith family is a case in point. A small L Republican, he is the type of guy we sometimes doubt exists. A very sharp, powerful operator, who understands the value of liberty deep in his soul. While these personal glimpses are hard to detect in soundbites edited by the MSM, they were apparent on Mr. Smith's porch and it heartens me to know that we have such men helping where they can.

I expect we have more friends than many suspect...



onward and forward

[LibertyEagle]

[ronpaulhawaii]

I-79 - on the way to Buffalo



Spent last night at McKarnin's in Pittsburg. The Blimpette is quite the character A great family; fun little nippers.

The blimp is quite the story. I was pedaling my bike at the time and only watched from the edges. Hearing the story from Katherine put a lot in perspective. At the end of the day, whether you liked the Blimp Project, or not, Katherine deserves a LOT of respect for the effort she put in pulling off that project. I know quite a bit about below the surface logistical challanges and the Blimp Project had more than it's share. While I did donate some and encouraged others to, I was not sold on the efficiacy of the project and went along because it had too much momentum to stop, (and doing something half-assed is never good.) In hindsight, I feel the half a mil or so was money well spent in terms of press coverage and legacy building. I mean really, we flew a friggin blimp And like an ukulele, blimps make most people smile, whether they want to, or not...

Next Up, Marc Scibilia...

[ronpaulhawaii]

I-90 east of Buffalo



Marc Scibilia is an animated young man. We first met during OLFD at the wrap-party, which was essentially his first "gig" for the r3VOLution. We've bounced into each other a couple times over the last year, but it was always too busy for much more than small talk. Today turned out to be a real treat.

Relaxed and surrounded by his instruments, Marc is in his element. An easy smile with a touch of goofy, his warmth fills the small room. We all putter around getting the lighting right/etc., and then settle into an hour of easy talk about music, art, and r3VOLution. He is humble, and grateful, in the part he has played, and I am reminded of everyone in our grassroots. We all share a similar trait... We're the Good Guys

onward and forward

[AdamT]

Dan from RP Graphs is tomorrow.

[ronpaulhawaii]

We are delivering a momento from the Blimp to Dr P



And jamming where we can

[Danke]

Nice updates. Can't wait for the documentary!

[ronpaulhawaii]

I-95 leaving ME. Veggie tanks just filled with Chinese Waste-Oil and we are leaving a hint of won-tons along the rocky coast of Maine.

Here is the man behind Ron Paul Graphs...



We visited with Dan Bachelder at his home in Maine. Another down to earth personality that contributed to our successes and remains thrilled to "be a part of it". RPGs was a place I always visited on the road to get an overall feel of the momentum of the movement. All of that data organized on the site was able to give me a snapshot of r3VOLution. He, also, was very kind to many of us in promoting chip-ins where his professionalism lent credibility to the various efforts he promoted on his site. Turns out the "chip-in" page he hosted was the biggest PITA of any of the features on the site and I hope I thanked him properly for all of us who benefited from his efforts.

He really enjoyed the project; being involved in such a bottom up effort. Tracking the phenomena was fascinating and his eyes lit up as he talked about learning new things, (like how to deal with crashing servers). Not sure how many know this, but his site got around a 1/4 million hits on the moneybomb days and averaged around 25 to 30 thousand hits on a normal day.

It was great meeting one of the quieter personalities of the r3VOLution. Another humble man who took his talents and helped build our movement into the talk of the election season. Heroes, one, and all...

[ronpaulhawaii]

Motel 6 - Danvers, MA

This is Fergus Cullen



He is the Chairman of the NHGOP. We met up with him at a Dunkin Donuts, (where he does his best work???). The significance to the r3VOLution goes back to the infamous Faux News presidential forum where RP was excluded and the NHGOP decision to pull their sponsorship.

A decent enough man, he is a polished politician and was very careful in his answers to us. The interview, at times, sounded like a "move to NH commercial". Some of his answers were particularly disturbing. The "rally behind the party", regardless of principle, attitude is one of the things wrong with this country and his use of the phrase "post 911 world" semed very kool-aid'ish.

onward and forward

[AdamT]

Today is Michael Nystrom (DailyPaul founder) and Larry Lepard. Perhaps some other grassroots people in Boston as well.

[ronpaulhawaii]

Bob Dwyers House - Dartmouth, MA

Two great interviews today, first was the man behind The Daily Paul, Michael Nystrom



I felt at home immediately when he greeted us with a smile and asked us to remove our shoes (Hawaiian Style ) He gave us a tour of his spacious <chuckle> office where he started and ran DP for the last year and a half. Cory was distracted by Michael's eclectic book collection, but, after putting a few easter eggs in the set, we finally sat down and got to business. It was interesting hearing the stories from the DP viewpoint. It was a different animal than RPFs, more of a news blog than an idea farm. He ran it alone. It was great to hear that he understands the value in maximizing free speech and we shared the agony of decisions regarding the banstick. Soft spoken, well read, sharp and passionate, Michael Nystrom typifies the rest of us. Each of us doing what we do, independently joining together to form something greater than each of us could be alone.

We had such a good time together that Michael wanted to go with us to llepards house (and beyond), so we packed in the car and all headed over, here we are deep in conversation about... (guess who)



It was a... cozy ride, but we finally arrived at Larry's



Larry has a busy schedule, but found some time for us and made good use of it. He has been in this since the very beginning and had a lot to say. I was really impressed with the joy he got out of the fact that he could claim 2000 editors on the USA Today ad. Where he could easily claim credit for the ads, such egoism never comes into the picture and he lights up talking about the successes of the forum and the linearity of our internet grassroots. He is a team player, as we all need to be...

Join, or Die...

m

[Danke]

Man, I wish I was there with you guys. Thanks for sharing so I (and others) can live
vicariously.

[ronpaulhawaii]

Man, I wish I was there with you guys. Thanks for sharing so I (and others) can live
vicariously.

I kinda wish you were with us, too. We'd have to flip a coin over who rides on the roof though...

Glad you are enjoying the read...

[ronpaulhawaii]

I-95 - Joisey

Heading to DC, had a hectic couple of days. 4 interviews in 1 day, plus driving, eating, etc... Nice to end at my ma's last night, an oasis on a long journey...

Anyway, got a lot of catching up to do...

Yesterday, we started out with three pure grassroots interviews and ended with a blimp owner.

This is Bob Dwyer,


he lives in SE Mass and is best known as the organizer of the Faneuil Hall Rally in Boston, on 12/16, (which became the epi-center of the national Tea-Party moneybomb efforts. While there were some grand outlying events, I think most everyone would have liked to have been in Boston.)

We hooked up with Bob via Sematary, he graciously offered us his rec-room and we all sat around till all hours, talking like ohana...

Listening to him tell his story, I am again hearing a common theme; how we are all just ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things; how we had never "gotton involved" nor imagined ourselves organizing rallies at Historic Landmarks. How intimidating it was to hand out that first slim-jim at an OzFest, yet how much fun we had doing it.

Bob went all the way to the big-game and was an alternate at the RNC. They had a tough time and gained a ton of experiance. Made some friends, earned some lashes, the main thing is he is moving forward. He is confident that we can turn the Republican Party back to it's roots, and leave the neo-cons behind.

onward and forward.

[constituent]

the glue stick was a very fitting bit of background.


wish llepard was around more often.


great work.

[ronpaulhawaii]

I-95 - Maryland

We left eastern Mass and headed through Rhode Island, where we met up with Rachel McIntosh



A former communications specialist in the arms industry, she became a strong supporter of the message after having twins and realizing how much her industry contributed to the instability and dangerousness in the world. Now, she is a full-time mother and full-time activist.

She had a hand in many projects including the Boston Tea Party, The Freedom Tour, The Ronvoys for r3vmarch, and the Walk4Freedom. Her latest project is a book-club, following RP's suggestion she is soldiering on. A tireless fighter, she is intent on leaving a better world for her children. And that is another common theme among us, few are doing this for ourselves, most are doing this for "the children'; only we are doing it for real, and not just pandering.

onward and forward

[AdamT]

We're shooting our most important interview tomorrow. Ron Paul himself in D.C. I have never met him and am excited for tomorrow, but am a bit nervous since time will be limited. We're carefully preparing our questions. Michael will update tomorrow.

[ronpaulhawaii]

I-66 leaving DC, still trying to catch up...

Hanging with Bob Larkin (AKA Sematary) is always a treat


Bob has been in it since the beginning, as well. An early member of RPFs, his is a voice that has helped nurture a r3VOLution. One of the earliest stand-out things I remember was him organizing an OzFest canvass excursion. The YouTube of that was posted at an oportune moment in time and definetly encouraged others to get off the computers and into the streets.

Learning to have fun with it (which we excel at )

Bob was, also, the force behind the Philly Rally, which was the first mega-rally and though
they faced a LOT of challenges, pulled it off with style and set the stage for the further rallies (which keep growing, and growing, and...).

Perhaps the most special thing about Bob is his relationship with his daughter. He brought her along on the r3VOLution and the wry smiles they exchange are precious. Bob is a solid patriot and I am honored to work at his side. First he looks after his child, then he looks after everyone elses, continueing the fight for a better world.

Grassroots Rock!!!

[ronpaulhawaii]

Haymarket VA- on the way to NC

George Spyrou owns blimps



After driving up the craziest Greenwich, CT. road, we arrived at a modest hilltop home. Our hosts graciously recieved us with the twinkle in the eye common amongst us RP folk. Cool family, the son, Nicholas, wants to become a Blimp Pilot...

What is it about blimps? There is just something outlandish about them that seems to force a smile from folk and draw them in. George never imagined himself running a blimp, he was a British maritime lawyer who got involved in a blimp promotion deal, and ended up owning a fleet. Seems to have done him well, hence the twinkle...

A friggin blimp! Whodathunkit?

<chuckle>

[ronpaulhawaii]

I-95 - Still in Virginny,

Paul Levinson is an academic who writes books, and visa versa.



He is the head of the Media and Communications school at Fordham University. He had emailed Chris expressing keen interest in the interview request I did not know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. Genuine and jovial, it was quite an interesting couple hours. He showed us around, looking for best space, in the end we settled on his office.

He was quite insightful and definitely gave the MSM a hard time. I liked the way he used the 2nd amendment to qualify the language of the 1st. (I imagine there may be more than one film in the can...) One thing he said off camera is a developing phenomena. I asked, "in light of his outspoken support of RP, how were discussions with his peers and had we earned any respect..." He gave a strong affirmative. This is why being on the side of truth, justice, and The American Way <ducks> is priceless.

And that is why we will win...

onward and forward

[ronpaulhawaii]

NC - I-64

Ain't this a great pic?



Hmmm... Interviewing Dr. Ron Paul ...

Actually, was something I would never have imagined doing in a million years. Quite a treat. I had been to the office before, but never as a scheduled meeting. And in an interview format, where we all had each others complete attention. Wow.

The good doctor was running late, and actually bearing the responsibilty of the entire world, as he stood up for the good guys against war-monging powers, and their belligerant attitude towards Russia, over the Georgia situation. He came in and after brief introductions, we got down to business.

RP warmed up quick, you can tell he enjoys interacting with us roots. We tried to ask questions that would get at his experiances watching the grassroots. One thing I will share is that we asked him if he ever browses here and at DP, the answer is "yes" (so watch whatcha say <chuckle>)

He gave us more time than he had, and then went right back to work; fighting fascism for us all - GO RON PAUL!!!

[ronpaulhawaii]

[Paulitical Correctness]

Most smile-inducing thread ever.

+

[ronpaulhawaii]

I-40 - west of Durham, NC

Our last DC interview was Adam Kokesh,


Adam is fully alive. Passionate and articulate, he is a powerful voice on the stage. His fun loving and humble nature fill out the man, and I'm glad we've become friends. What formed in the Twin Cities, gelled in DC. Things are moving forward. I had to run an errand so missed most of the interview. I know he wanted to talk about a "living liberty" concept he has been pondering...

The whole day was mentioned in the other thread. I do want to thank Adam for bringing us to the CP-HQ. It was classic.

DC at its finest...

[Mckarnin]

Thanks for the posts! This thread is a lot of fun. :-)

[liberteebell]

Most smile-inducing thread ever.

+

I agree!

This is just way cool, the connections, the friendships that have developed through all this! I haven't been able to attend the major events so it's really nice to see all these faces. Thanks!

[Danke]

One thing I will share is that we asked him if he browses here and at DP, the answer is "yes" (so watch whatcha say <chuckle>)

There should be a warning on the front page of RPFs!!

[ronpaulhawaii]

US 25 - Appalachia - Still catching up...

Doug Wead came out strongly in this interview,



Again, a recurring acknowledgment of the respect we have earned. In fact he said it quite clearly with a statement about how those "inside the movement" don't yet see how much respect we have earned amongst those "outside the movement."

Mr Wead saw the unfolding events from a unique perspective. A lifelong associate of Presidents, an advisor on Bush family's campaigns. An insider... He was hardly aware of the grassroots side of the campaign and had some interesting things to say about the running of campaigns in general. He seemed as interested in us as we were in him...

He was hooked on RP from the debates and is not shy about his pleasure in seeing a "politician" addressing real issues. He really holds no punches and you will see his distaste for what the political arena has become. He is just cynical enough to deal with it well.

As I said in the first post, I expect we have more friends than many suspect.

onward and forward!

[ronpaulhawaii]

US 25 - South Carolina

Here is Earl, the Crew Chief for The Ron Paul Blimp, in front of his naked charge.



This pic was taken before he took our little camera crew up for a ride...



Earl and the crew were great, loved working with us crazy roots. Echoed the comments of being pulled this way and that, and the... boldness of planning winter flights in the northeast...

The biggest thing (other than being at the blimp controls for a few minutes), was the hanger. That friggin thing is massive. There were 3 large blimps, a few smaller ones, and room for quite a few more. I mean, MASSIVE... They were old World War II hangers (one burned and was the largest wooden structure in the world).

Blimps...

<chuckle>

[ronpaulhawaii]

I-85 - SC

We caught up with BJ Lawson out doing what winning candidates do best, pressing flesh at a local shindig.



This was at a fish fry fundraiser where we found BJ busy handing out Constitutions with a SlimJim insert. Alert and enthused, he would hardly let a voter slip past without a short pitch and a chat, "Say, would you like a copy of Washington's Rule Book? The US Constitution. I'm running for Congress and my job description is right there..."

The interview went well. He really is fit for political office, a natural. He has some good advice for those on the fence; just do it. Rome wasn't built by one man in one day. And in a greater sense, when I asked if he could send a message to the world in a sound bite, he answered, "The cure for Globalism is Localism"

GO BJ LAWSON!!!

GO GRASSROOTS!!!