Revolution March - "Ozarks Express" update

Bureaucracy is an evil thing, a ravenous consumer of productivity and resources, and a destroyer of hope.

For over 6 weeks, the Washington D.C. parks and recreation division permit department has held the "Ron Paul Revolution March" in limbo.

The public response has been predictable: Outrage, but little action. Some are suggesting that permits be dammed, we all show up on June 21st "unorganized" and sans papers. Others are suggesting that such "lawless" behavior would be counter-productive and Ron Paul would likely not participate in such an event.

The bureaucrats think that people in this situation will get their hackles up, turn on each other like wild animals, and the whole idea will eventually fall apart. Are they right? Time will tell.

Still others are suggesting that the "Tax Day" / "Freedom Rally" - which was planned (and issued permits) many. many months ago - long before Ron Paul suggested the whole "Grand March" - is the best thing going right now.

For more details about the current situation:

Ron Paul Forums: March on Washington
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=89

Revolution March
http://www.revolutionmarch.com
http://www.ronpaulmarch.com

Tax Day / Freedom Rally
http://www.freedomrally.info
http://www.grannywarriors.com/rally.htm


I don't know how many thousands of people are planning on attending any of these events, but I do believe that as of now, far too few are likely to attend to gain any real attention. The anti-war protests in D.C. last January drew about a half-million persons, yet the Elitist MainStream Media gave it little more than a passing glance - as that protest apparently didn't suit their agenda at the time.

Due to the successful delay tactics and fracturing of support, it is extremely unlikely we will see anything close to 500,000 people attending any of the currently scheduled events. (I do hope I'm wrong, but I really don't believe that I am.) You can rest assured that the evil MSM will mention nothing good about a "relatively small" (under a million participants) protest march that is connected with Ron Paul. The best thing about the idea for such a single big "million person march" was that it would have helped buoy up support among the Ron Paul Revolutionaries... But now even that possible result has been diminished.

This past month, I ran a Pledgebank.com pledge that if at least 10 other people signed up for the pledge to share a chartered bus to Ron Paul's "Grand March" - I'd arrange the trip and go with them.

The deadline just passed... Sunday at midnight. Only 7 people pledged, falling 3 short of the goal.

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to those of you reading this who did sign up. Taking the pledge was no small gesture and showed courage and commitment. Thank You.

And to the hundred or so others that knew about the pledge, but decided not to take it, I do understand your myriad of different points about why you declined, and that's OK too. No hard feelings, we all have our reasons.

My question is: What are YOU going to do now?

Will you give up all hope - throw up your hands - accept a fiat dollar that has lost 96% of its value in the past century - accept $4.00/gal. fuel while the fat oil cats grow even fatter - accept "REAL ID" and carry your papers with you at all times - maybe even plant some of those RFID's that started out for the NAIS cattle program into your own body (you know, for YOUR protection!) - will you give up any and all essential liberties for the temporary illusion of security?

Or will you do something - anything - to rage against the machine, draw a line in the Ozark gravel and say to the Elitist Balrogs: "This Line You Shall NOT Pass!"

The "Ozark Express" was an idea. But as with all ideas, if it doesn't suit the time and the need, it should be modified, or cast aside in exchange for something better.

There are currently plenty of good and worthy efforts underway to continue the rEVOLution. Some liberty-loving and constitutionally-knowledgeable people from our Meetup groups are running for local office, and that is a good and noble effort that could benefit from your volunteer support. Some are working to reform the Republican party from within, while others are bypassing the political process and devising other more direct actions to effect change. What you choose to do is up to you, but don't let it be said that you did nothing.

And along those lines, I don't wish to discourage anyone from going to any of the various national rallies/marches/protests, if that is what you'd like to do and you see some benefit to it that I have overlooked.

If any of you wish to take up the task of organizing such a trip yourself, contact me and I'll pass along the research and contacts that I spent many hours collecting. Who knows, I may even go with you, but I'm not making any more promises. I intend to focus my efforts on actions that have more immediate and tangible results.

But that's just what I'm doing. How about you?

Washington DC March via the "Ozarks Express"

Ron Paul's "Grand March" on D.C. is still in the planning stages at this time, so we are also just starting to plan our trip. Here's what we have so far...

The plan:

A fun, inexpensive, and quick group bus trip
to the D.C. March & Rally

We have an opportunity to plan some very low-cost travel options, but we need to know how many are interested right now...

We've been given a very affordable option to use standard shuttle buses with W/C lifts, that seat 18-20 adults comfortably.

We plan to offer "fare & rooms" as a package deal and sell advance tickets. A PAIR of tickets (for a couple sharing a room) could be as low as $390 (only $195 per person). This would include all transportation and lodging costs, plus simple refreshments during the trip. Anyone needing a single ticket (not sharing a room) could buy one for approx. $280. We will also likely offer discounts for minors/children sharing rooms with their parents.

Because of the travel time (approx. 20 hours including scheduled rest stops approx. every 2 hours), we will likely be leaving Springdale, Arkansas very early in the morning the day before the rally - and make a quick pickup of passengers in Missouri along the way. Then we travel all day and arrive on the outskirts of D.C. late that evening and check in to a hotel. We bus to the rally the next morning and have plenty of time the remainder of the day for everyone to sightsee and have dinner. The bus can make return trips during this time to the motel for anyone tired and wanting to rest, then come back to the rally parking area for a final pickup later that evening. We all return to the hotel that night and get a good sleep before heading back home very early the next morning.

For cost comparisons: Airfare prices on Expedia show that the prices currently range from $300-$400 per person - not counting the taxi or car rental to get you back and forth from the airport and the rally, overnight parking, or your hotel costs ($100+ per night for rooms in the DC area). Amtrak costs are about the same, and require several extra days travel time. Greyhound bus rates are nearly the same as our "bus travel expense" (actually slightly higher), but the trip is much longer, with numerous stops along the way, and you still have to get to the Rally and hotels from the bus stations.

This is all just a rough estimate, as it is too early to set costs in stone (we will need to know the exact date of the March to be certain). But it gives us all something to work with and talk about among all our local Ron Paul Meetup groups.

It would be helpful if we knew now about how many folks are interested, given the above information and approximate costs. To make this as easy as possible for everyone in all the different Meetup groups in our area, There is a simple signup "pledge" here:
http://www.pledgebank.com/ozarksexpress

If you're serious about making this trip, please take a minute to add your name and email address to the pledge at the link above.

If you're not ready to pledge just yet, but want to get updates, the easiest way to do this is to subscribe to the "Ozarks Voters For Ron Paul" email digest. (Enter your email address in the box provided on the left.)


Because this is a "low-cost whirlwind non-stop trip" We're calling it "The Ozarks Express" - perfect for those of us on a budget that want to take part in this historic rally but can't afford a more luxurious and/or time-consuming option.

If there is enough interest we will also plan a second bus that will take an extra couple of days with a more relaxed schedule and some extra perks - but the cost will of course be a bit higher - primarily because of the additional hotel expenses. Once the date for the D.C. Rally is set in stone, we'll need to see exactly how much interest there is in each option.

But if you pledge for the "Ozark Express" trip but later decide to go on the longer trip, that will be perfectly fine. Right now we are still in the early planning stages so all things are possible. We just need to start finding out what our people want to do at this point.

Your comments and suggestions to this post are encouraged!

Ron Paul calls for a "Grand March" on D.C.

Ron Paul calls for a "Grand March" on D.C.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryMliyeIDp4

If you were discouraged by the letter from Ron Paul last week, this video will brighten your spirits!

One web site http://www.ronpaulmarch.com has "taken the initiative" and declared June 7th as the date. Another site http://www.revolutionmarch.com is promoting Memorial Day weekend. Others are proposing http://taxday08.com - Much discussion is going on right now about when the date should be... I know of one poll that has been set up about this, you can vote for your favorite choice.
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/37236?page=3

I'm sure that some sort of march will be planned, only the date is in question. As I'm sure you know, there is no one date that will please everyone - but when the date is set, please plan to attend and help spread the news.