*Announcing the launch of Alan Keyes' RenewAmerica project*

RenewAmerica e-mail message ^ | 5/29/02

[RenewAmerica.tv]

****FOR WIDE DISTRIBUTION**** Dear Fellow American, We're excited to announce the launching of a new grassroots activist effort called RenewAmerica. This national effort is a project of Alan Keyes' political base, the Declaration Alliance. The purpose of RenewAmerica is to build a broadly inclusive grassroots movement that will restore America to its founding ideals--through the efforts of dedicated citizens like yourself and the leadership of Alan Keyes. To learn more about this exciting project, visit http://www.RenewAmerica.tv The site offers: Useful resources, guidance, alerts, links, and other helps for America's grassroots. Daily updates and inside information about Alan's new MSNBC TV show. A strategic plan for renewing America upon the vision of our Founders. A practical handbook for effective activism. The most extensive Alan Keyes archives on the web. The website invites the interest of ALL people who consider themselves loyal Americans. The site has no philosophy, image, or agenda beyond this one unifying premise: America must return to its founding principles if it is to survive. Please join us in this endeavor and sign up for our regular activist updates. We need your strength. Visit the site often--for self-helps, suggestions, and guidance for organizing. And feel free to take our banners and disseminate them. Go to: http://www.renewamerica.tv/banners.pl?website=RenewAmerica.tv Included below is a message from Dr. Keyes. We look forward to hearing from you. Stefani Stone Grassroots Director, Alan Keyes' RenewAmerica project stefani@renewamerica.tv http://www.renewamerica.tv A Message from Alan Keyes Welcome to www.RenewAmerica.tv, and to the community we are building here of Americans determined to make our nation worthy again of the gifts we have received from Providence, and from our Founders. Everything I have done in my public life has rested on the truth that, in America, it is the people who make good things happen, because it is the people who have the Founding principles of America most deeply in their hearts. RenewAmerica.tv is dedicated to the vision of a nation renewed by the labor of its common citizens, working together with intelligence and determination. Working together, we can restore our people's confidence in their ability to govern themselves wisely and well. We can remind the American people that our Founders made no mistake when they wrote that God created us all equal in dignity. Working together, we can begin to remember what it is like for a free people to live together as fellow citizens, as friends, as a free people, under God. The resources available on this carefully and wisely constructed website are intended as a catalyst for the real engine of reform in America: the principled energy you bring to the job, and are willing to share with others. Please join me by making RenewAmerica.tv the center of your participation in the renewal of American liberty. Keep Faith, Alan Keyes

[brat]

"The sad part is, most Americans do not seem to care." BTTT

[Nan48]

Just saw the re-run. It wasn't Alan at all that was speaking. It was Sandy Rios. Sandy nailed her when she asked Ms. Elders how she could possibly write a forward to a book that says it's okay for adults to have sex with children, when Elders had just said how horrible it was for this kind of thing to be going on. Elders just sat there with mouth open and no response. Hopefully, she saw the hypocrisy of what she did.

[oceanperch]

WOW Thanks For the Ping.
I see some old familiar posters. Glad to see all of you in one Ping. (content smile)

[1tin_soldier]

An atheistic yet enthusiastic AMEN to that, brother!

[oceanperch]

Grassroots worked at Klamath Fall and the Govt. was proven wrong to withhold that water for a fish species. Our local paper the Newport Newstimes even carried the truth about Klamath Falls. You all were right!

[Satadru]

I actually would prefer if they are carping. Just like everywhere else, we have the fifth pillar among us as well. If they would like to derail us, the best we can do is ignore them.

[oceanperch]

In my insomnia I may have read about Isralies and Pallies having turf wars down in Florida.
Screw them both if they are bringing their crap onto our shores/neighborhoods. My family is more or less happy with our civil rights at this point. Not willing to give up anymore due to some invasion of Jihad vs. Holy Land in America. Not in my back yard.

[Gelato]

My recallection was that she tried to respond several times but Keyes kept parrying her attempts with "Let me finish". When he finally let her speak she made an intentional pause. You may interpreted it as she saw the light in Keyes arguement and it made her speechless but the truth is she could care less what he or anyone was saying - she had her own agenda and she was not about to be persuaded. The pause was intended as a payback for keeping her silent. After the pause she did accuse Keyes of sermonizing.

I just watched the replay. It wasn't at all like you remembered. Jocelyn Elders' pause came when Sandy Rios questioned her about the contradiction in supporting a book she appeared to not agree with. Her speechlessness was not intentional. She just had no answer to the question.

Keyes only said “let me finish” once or twice later in the program when there was some crosstalk--I believe it was about the importance of family life, but I could check my video of it, if you want. It didn't strike me as disrupting what Elders was trying to say in the least.

Jocelyn Elders obviously came on the show to merely spout slogans. And she made her point over and over again, and never really answered the questions put to her. If it didn’t go smoothly for her, that’s her fault.

I rather appreciated Keyes' "sermonizing." It better served the public than Elders' irrational babblings.

[clodkicker]

He's got my vote also.

[Symix]

I saw the re-run as well and have to admit my original recallection was very faulty. Mind plays tricks on you - I guess I was getting fed up with Alan's habit of repeating a lengthy question to each guest instead of just asking "And what do you think about it?" - Surely all of them, and all of us but this time already knew the question and Alan's take on it!

[Amelia]

A host should ask questions of his guests - his questions short, the experts answers long. With Alan it is all upside down - his question includes a foundation and a history and his opinion, and bits of this and that - he does let them make a statement but from then on his questions are rhetorical and he does not really let them speak.

I admire Alan's monologs and wish there were more of them - but a host should be gracious to his guests and serve them, let them express their thoughts and ideas.

Be careful, Symix, you're starting to sound like some "petty Keyes-basher". ;-)

I think a grassroots plan to take back America is a great idea. I've read through parts of the Renew America plan, and there are some very good ideas and suggestions for grassroots organizing there.

I suppose my biggest worry would be that according to The Plan, it just can't be done without Alan Keyes:

Central to the plan is disseminating the message of Ambassador Alan Keyes, our country's premier spokesman for the ideals of Declarationism, those precepts from the Declaration of Independence that define the spirit of our nation's founding and prescribe what is needed to preserve our nation's future.

I will concede that Alan Keyes is a great spokesman on the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, but if the grassroots coalition depends on the leadership of one person, that strikes me as a problem. From reading the page, I can't decide if the true purpose is educating people about the founding principles of our country, or glorifying Alan Keyes.

Shouldn't the Declaration of Independence be able to speak for itself?

JMHO.

[Symix]

Be careful, Symix, you're starting to sound like some "petty Keyes-basher". ;-)

My criticism was constructive - I want the show to be better and I want Keyes to succeed in this business.

I am also uncomfortable with your warning "Be careful" - sounds like a thought police, a correctness of one type or another. After seeing a rerun of the show I acknowledged my mischaracterization - a basher does not do that.
I also do not do personal attacks and to your credit I rarely see you do it either :)

[Amelia]

The ";-)" or "wink" was to try to convey that I was teasing you.

[EternalVigilance]

Your post # 91 is excellent.

Your concern that anyone would think that the needed renewal of our free republic depends on any one man is well taken.

I am quite comfortable that Alan Keyes has no illusions about that. Perhaps that is why he talks unceasingly about the need for SELF-government, and refers to the civic duties of all Americans as a 'vocation'.

If the country isn't 'renewed', we cannot point the finger at any particular individual's failure.

Conversely, if we do accomplish our goals of restoring an adherance to the core principles of life and liberty spelled out in the Declaration and the Constitution, it will only be through the heroic efforts of many.

Indeed, we will all hang together, or we will all most certainly hang separately.

Some things never change; not even in 200 years.

Regards,
EV

[RenewAmerica.tv]

The role of Alan Keyes in the RenewAmerica movement is made clear in the "Summary of the Strategic Plan to Renew America." After stating that one of the Plan's main goals is to "effectively disseminate the words and insights of Alan Keyes and other spokespersons for America's founding ideals" (see the "Goals"), the Plan asks "What is the role of Alan Keyes?" In response, the Plan answers:

As the premier spokesman for America's founding vision, Alan Keyes is vital to the plan, but he is not the center of it. You are. The plan's focus is the American grassroots movement already under way among thousands of loyal citizens, a movement that grows daily in response to the constant erosion of our nation's moral character, accelerated by the incessant weakening of the rule of law caused by judicial contempt for our nation's founding documents.

Because of his brilliance at communicating our Founders' ideals, Dr. Keyes has emerged as the de facto leader of this grassroots movement. Of course, another national spokesperson could conceivably emerge at any point, but for now we absolutely need Dr. Keyes' clear voice and inspiring example to lead our country to moral and political renewal. As long as he provides the leadership, we have the unifying message and inspiration to build a powerful grassroots movement grounded in the principles of our Declaration.

In other words, RenewAmerica's focus is the CAUSE of American renewal above any particular PERSONALITY. That emphasis is consistent throughout the site.

On the other hand, there can be no question to informed conservatives that Alan Keyes is the most effective spokesman in America today for the principles of our nation's founding. He stands out among other admirable figures by virtue of his unrivalled speaking skills, profound understanding of our founding documents, and clear vision for bringing public policy into line with the intent of the Founders. Until a better spokesperson comes along, RenewAmerica intends to fully utilize the rhetorical brilliance and unifying leadership of Alan Keyes--FOR AS LONG AS HE OFFERS THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP NEEDED. Should another spokesperson come along with greater ability and knowledge, we will rally behind that person--not blindly or naively, but with intelligence and fierce independence of mind.

Every great movement in history has been tied to the inspiring rhetoric of a strong leader. Take away that element, and you have no movement at all--just infighting and disarray (much as now characterizes American conservatives).

As far as the belief that the Declaration "speaks for itself"--yes, the Declaration does speak for itself as self-evidently true, and it needs no other support beyond its own incomparable words to establish itself as our nation's most vital and definitive document, not from Alan Keyes or anyone. But that is not to say that the Declaration does not need to be TALKED ABOUT, DISSEMINATED, EMPHASIZED, HELD UP, RELIED UPON, ANALYZED, AND SO FORTH. The Declaration itself cannot educate America--not without human (as well as divine) help--and we ignore its effective dissemination at our peril. We desperately need powerful voices who can help our nation understand and implement the eternal principles found in that unprecedented document. In our estimation, Alan Keyes has proven himself to be the best person now available for doing that. (See "Declaration Principles" for a summary of the ideals he believes.)

BTW, Alan is a "conscription" leader--a real rarity. He is genuinely motivated by a love of America and of its founding vision, and is not driven by calculating ambition. He deserves the collaborative support of sincere Americans who share his principled idealism. Let's work together for the good of our nation. That's the goal of RenewAmerica.

[Amelia]

I'm sorry, my reading of the site shows it to be much more about promoting Dr. Keyes than about promoting the Declaration, the Constitution, or the ideals of our Founding Fathers. Alan Keyes might in fact plan to do those things, but the goal of Renew America seems to be "disseminating the message of Ambassador Alan Keyes", as the site says.

Here's another sample of what bothers me - you'll notice it's all about promoting Dr. Ambassador Keyes - not about promoting the government of our Founding Fathers.

Avoiding self-defeat All involved in the plan to Renew America need to believe that the effort can actually turn America around, provided all of us do our job. Those who seriously doubt that the movement can succeed will prove a detriment to the plan, for they will fail to do the kind of work needed to make a difference. There is no question that Ambassador Keyes can lead America to moral and political renewal if given the opportunity to get his message before the public. The role of his supporters is to ensure that he gets that opportunity.

Diverse approaches To help Dr. Keyes get his message out, the Keyes staff and volunteers must be willing to concede the need to exploit all useful media, technologies, approaches, skills, and knowledge--in appropriate ways--so that every opportunity is made available for Dr. Keyes to succeed. When competing approaches present themselves, they should all be utilized, where possible (in sensible priority). Let every supporter find effective ways to contribute his or her unique talents. NO SINGLE STRATEGY OR APPROACH WILL OF ITSELF GIVE DR. KEYES SUFFICIENT ACCESS TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

Moral victory not acceptable Important as all the foregoing may be, no Keyes supporter should be content merely to help Ambassador Keyes "get his message out." Instead, all supporters should be committed to ensuring that Alan's message becomes so deeply etched in the American psyche that our nation has a fighting chance of survival. Anything less, given the serious challenges that will continue to threaten our nation for years, will yield only token improvement.

[Amelia]

I am quite comfortable that Alan Keyes has no illusions about that. Perhaps that is why he talks unceasingly about the need for SELF-government, and refers to the civic duties of all Americans as a 'vocation'.

See #96.

I'd love to be involved with a grassroots effort to return America to its Constitutional basis.

I'm a little leery about being involved in a grassroots effort to promote Alan Keyes.

[Keyes For President]

Big Bump!

[EternalVigilance]

As a Christian, self-promotion is distasteful, at the very least. But in the the modern American political environment and system, it is a necessary thing.

Certainly you wouldn't criticize the President for having a PR operation, right? He has one of the best ones in the world.

It's simple really. If you don't like Alan as the carrier of the message of renewal, throw your support behind someone else who can do the job. Chances are, if they share the same political agenda, folks like Keyes and others (me included) will cheer you on.

As I said earlier in the thread; there is more than enough labor to go around in this culture war.

[BeAChooser]

I'd love to be involved with a grassroots effort to return America to its Constitutional basis.

Really? Then why don't you demand that Bush kindly do what the Constitution says a President is supposed to do ... FAITHFULLY EXECUTE the laws of the land. Ask him to apply those laws to the democRATS who infested the Whitehouse during the last administration ... even if democRATS and the media won't like that. Right now I see the Bush administration as THE obstacle to returning America to its Constitutional basis ... where even leaders and political parties are accountable to the law. By ignoring the crimes of the last administration, Bush and the GOP are setting a precedent where future leaders and political parties will be above the law ... and that is more a threat to this country and what it stands for than any terrorist.