2nd monthly Bill of Rights Rally in Austin, TX 4/21/02

If I'm not mistaken, that's how THE TALE OF TWO CITIES begins. Such was the Bill of Rights rally we had today at the Capitol building in Austin, Texas. My speakers were excellent, but the size of the crowd... was "underwhelming".

I began the rally by introducing Laura Good, who is the 16 year old girl that has memorized the Bill of Rights. I presented her with a life-sized copy of the Bill of Rights that she won last month because she has memorized the first ten amendments. She gave a three minute speech that was very moving, and I hope that the adults in the audience will be motivated to follow her example.

My next speaker was Daniel Schinzing, author of THE STATE OF TEXAS IS A LIAR!! He drove down from the Fort Worth area to give us examples of Texas laws that are being misapplied to us every day. He told us that the only place in Texas where a sales tax is authorized is on federal territory, such as military bases. We are not required by law to pay those taxes at the local grocery store - contrary to how business is done on a regular basis. The motor fuels tax is another one that is being misapplied on a regular basis, stealing billions of dollars from unsuspecting Texans. You can find out more about Mr. Schinzing's books at http://www.texasisaliar.com

Dessie Andrews stirred everyone's passions by relating how Patrick Henry's famous "Give me Liberty" speech was received by his contemporaries. Apparently, Henry displayed more than a little theatrics as he made his presentation, pantomiming a stabbing motion at his chest as he said, "or Give me Death". She then read Henry's speech in it's entirety - something that should be done more often at patriot gatherings.

My keynote speaker was Bernard Von NotHaus, the man who developed American Liberty Currency during his twenty-five years as the Mint Master of Hawaii. He gave a brief history of how he developed the one ounce silver Liberties, and the paper warehouse receipts that can be used to redeem the silver. Then he told us how the Federal Reserve is violating our right to consistent weights and measures by printing worthless, fiat money. He told us that a silver-based currency is not only more stable, it is also Constitutional. The audience enjoyed the personal anecdotes that he told to convey his message that NORFED is growing at a phenomenal rate. Anyone who still hasn't heard of this alternative currency is urged to visit http://www.norfed.org .

Then it was time for the "big contest". I ended up with two contestants from the audience who took turns attempting to recite amendments from memory. I regret that I didn't record his name, but I think it was Bill Jureck who won this months life-sized copy of the Bill of Rights. (If anyone knows for sure who this was, please let me know.) His photo will be posted on my website later this week when I've had time to create the gallery.

All in all, this was a wonderful rally. The speakers had excellent topics, and they delivered their information very well. The only disappointing thing about this rally was the absence of a crowd. I doubt that we had more than forty people in attendance, most of whom were the "hard core patriots" who would have been there even if it had rained. Frankly, I wish that it HAD rained because then I could have used that as my excuse for the poor showing.

I wrapped up the rally by explaining the difference between rights and privileges, and reminding everyone that "We the People" gave the Bill of Rights to Congress - NOT the other way around. I pointed out that the American Revolution was carried out by a very small percentage of the existing population, drawing the conclusion that we don't need excessively large numbers to achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves. We can be successful as long as our small, vocal minority never, ever, gives up. I gave a quick list of the upcoming events that I would like them to participate in, and then thanked the crowd for attending. Naturally, there is another rally scheduled next month on Saturday, May 25th. As Bernard Von NotHaus might say, "Be there! Aloha!"

To say that the crowd was "underwelming" was an understatement. Thank God for the freepers who showed.

DrewsDad, Drew with American flag, Basil, Christine but Bill couldn't come, Rick and Sue mostly lurker/posters, Laura Good and her mother (she should be really proud of her), RoxyLady with her son Josh and me the Bat Lady.

Didn't meet up with tomkat and we asked around.

The crowd was about 50, I know that many of us had spent the month saying it would be on Saturday and since the Capitol had conflicts of rallies, we changed to Sunday. That had a big effect.

Also since the rallies have often fallen on the 3rd weekend of the month, that conflicts with the gun show. I would have said that kept the crowds away except that my hubby worked the gun show and it was deserted.

If this crowd is all that will stand up for America, I'm worried.

I'm worried, right along with you. There were some excellent speakers, and the rally was fast paced, and moved right along. It does seem to me that more people could give up a couple of hours once a month to stand up for our Bill of Rights.

Here is the link to my photos of the rally.

The load time has been a little slow. Let me know if it works.

I'll try to post this again here, but FR's filter seems to cut out the name= section.

Basil and Christine display their banner.

The 2nd Amendment Sisters display their banner

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