Just left Texas Nullification Rally... intense(ish)

[haaaylee]

Missed the first hour but when i got there the whole rally was littered with Debra Medina banners. Every time a speaker left the stage Medina's name was chanted. The organizer didn't let her speak because he didn't want the make it political (even though other speakers included members of Congress and i think Rick Perry may have even spoken, but not sure.)

Versus any of the other Tea Parties i've stopped by for some reason this one had far more police there. Probably two at every corner and within the crowd. I could hear them talking about who to keep an eye on.

But what made it pretty awesome was at the end when they still hadn't let Medina speak (who at this point had already decided to leave) and people with megaphones were speaking out about her not being allowed to speak, etc. The police had started to go up to these people with the megaphones and try to ask them to move. The were surrounded by people screaming about the Constitution and Free Speech and the girls just kept yelling into their megaphones and wouldn't back down or move. Eventually the cops gave up! I'm sure there will be video, as people flocked to this when it started going down.

Before this there had even been a verbal fight within the crowd when one man kept saying "There is a candidate for Governor and they won't let her speak!" and another man yelled at him about how this wasn't about elections, etc.


There was also a guy up next to the speakers with an erase board who kept re-writing on it as the speakers were talking with things like: "Part of the Problem!" "Works for the Man." "Where's Medina?"

Plus a man who was actually for Debra Medina yelling in a joking manner how "these people" had infiltrated the event and were trying to co-opt it, ha.

 

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

Yeah, we had a Tea Party up here in WI also (In Racine). It was ok. I went with a few other libertarians, and there were some other libertarians there. We handed out anti-war, non-interventionist, pro-liberty literature. Ken Van Doren was there which was awesome. One guy I saw and talked to had an infowars hat on

As for the whos who, who spoke. Both GOP candidates were big Neo's. I asked Dave Westlake what he thought of Ron Paul and he dodged. As for the handouts (anti-war) it went ok. About 70/30 of take to non-takers. Many were receptive. I added the Ron Paul Christian Just War video on there so hopefully they'll check that out. There must have been about 2000-3000 there. I can't implore people enough to go to every Tea Party. People are at least somewhat receptive, and if we don't get involved the Neo's will definitely co-opt them for sure. The other GOP candidate was a buffoon (He called himself an economist), and all he talked about was how we need confidence, and everything will be all better.

I must say though, I was impressed with Rob Taylor. The Constitution Party candidate. He only briefly mentioned God, but he was damn fiery and his message was awesome (90% agreement). I laughed though when he said we need to repeal the 16th Amendment and abolish the IRS and the crowd went dead silent. I was the only one who shouted. He also brought up non-interventionism, ending the Federal Reserve, the NWO, etc. He got a very good reception, much better than the other two Neo's combined. I also found it awesome when he talked about booting the UN off US soil and us getting out that the crowd uproared. Good stuff. Not sure if they'll vote CP, but the LP candidate wasn't there (not sure if there is one running), but I would be happy with him winning thats for sure. GL with that though....

All of us libertarians need to go to these things and inform these people. Many are willing to listen. The one thing I didn't like was the crazy Nationalism. For the whole hour prior to the speakers it was non-stop pledge of allegiance, national anthem, god stuff. Brought my An-Cap flag. Got a few convo's that went well. One guy was an Alan Keyes supporter and he was very receptive. Not sure if he is one now though. Talked about ending standing armies and he was so-so.

All in all, not too bad. Also handed out lit at the Mall. That didn't go well at all. Though I did talk to an older lady who had voted for Obama and she was pissed. She didn't like the troop increase, or the healthcare (no public option). She was receptive to Ron Paul though, and me and my fellow liberty compadre both chimed in when she brought up education that we were both for full free-market privatization. I cracked up when she said "I went to public schools and I'm not dumb". Kind of put us back since we didn't mention anything about that except that since the Government got involved education has gotten much poorer. Anyways, can't fault people who grew up around the Roosevelt time. It's hard to change older peoples minds especially growing up in that era.

Take that as you will. I give it a thumbs up. Even if I reach one or two people, its better than none.

 

[QueenB4Liberty]

Yeah, we just got back. I have to say, besides my new Debra Medina shirt, I was pretty disappointed. I was really hoping this would be a genuine liberty-minded folk rally, but it was hijacked by the neo-cons. This just reinforces my belief that peaceful protests don't work. Voting doesn't work. It hasn't yet, and I doubt it's going to start any time soon. There are just too many irrational people.

 

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

Yeah, we just got back. I have to say, besides my new Debra Medina shirt, I was pretty disappointed. I was really hoping this would be a genuine liberty-minded folk rally, but it was hijacked by the neo-cons. This just reinforces my belief that peaceful protests don't work. Voting doesn't work. It hasn't yet, and I doubt it's going to start any time soon. There are just too many irrational people.

I am in agreement. I also don't think these people will suddenly turned principled and remember the con that got pulled on them for the last 30 years. I guess we'll find out how much we have accomplished in education in the primaries, and in 2010 and 2012. I'm giving up on the whole political process if we don't get some gains within two years.

I'll probably become a martyr or something....

 

[haaaylee]

Yeah, we just got back. I have to say, besides my new Debra Medina shirt, I was pretty disappointed. I was really hoping this would be a genuine liberty-minded folk rally, but it was hijacked by the neo-cons. This just reinforces my belief that peaceful protests don't work. Voting doesn't work. It hasn't yet, and I doubt it's going to start any time soon. There are just too many irrational people.

Yeah, listening to the Medina supporters was more educational than the speakers. In face i found myself accidentally ignoring the speakers and easedropping.

 

[AmericaFyeah92]

I am in agreement. I also don't think these people will suddenly turned principled and remember the con that got pulled on them for the last 30 years. I guess we'll find out how much we have accomplished in education in the primaries, and in 2010 and 2012. I'm giving up on the whole political process if we don't get some gains within two years.

I'll probably become a martyr or something....

I recommend moving to a Caribbean island instead.

EDIT: But not Haiti

 

[monkeymanstan]

I have to admit, this thread disappoints me. I, too, had been a strong Medina fan, but now I am having my doubts. First of all, Rick Perry was nowhere to be found at the rally. He certainly did not speak. Secondly, Medina attended the rally as a CITIZEN who supports the calling of a special session to enact nullification. I assumed that is what EVERYONE was there to do. After all, that’s what the rally was about. Sadly, I was terribly wrong. Medina herself knew she, nor any other candidate campaigning for governor, would not be speaking. This was NOT an issue for her, obviously, or else she would not have come. She had two other events on her calendar today, it would have been easy to find an excuse not to show. So why was it an issue for her supporters?

As far as the rally, “not being political”, there were two members of Congress who were invited to speak, not to campaign, but to show Perry that if he were to call the special session that nullification would be supported by the congresspeople who would have to vote on it! It is one thing to know that citizens support nullification, but it is a vote of confidence for a governor to know that if he spends the money on a special session that the people in congress will actually support it. There was also a third congressman that tried to speak that was not invited and was basically shooed off the stage after only a minute or two. I don’t know what the deal was with that guy. :o)

Finally, it really disheartens me to hear the bad talk about the Not in Texas group that helped put the rally on. They have been VERY focused on nullification and have gone above and beyond to educate the people about nullification. As far as I know, they have not publicly endorsed any candidate for governor, but I have seen the picture with Rick Perry. I, personally, didn’t think anything of it. The way I see it, they get the old saying “dance with the one you brought” because they realize that Rick Perry is currently the only one who can all a special session of Congress. Rick Perry is currently the only one who can make nullification a reality in 2010. I believe Medina would do an excellent job with nullification if she were to be elected! She made that very clear during the debates and I trust that she would follow through.

But, if we wait for Medina to take office before nullifying, who knows what will happen in that 12 month period?!? The time is NOW folks!! Not a year from now! I completely understand supporting a candidate based on their stance concerning the issues (i.e. nullification), but to support the candidate FIRST and addressing the issues SECOND is something I cannot comprehend, and that is what many of the other Medina folks did at the rally. There was more time spent chanting Medina than actually trying to get nullification accomplished ASAP. I have been a strong supporter of Medina, but having seen that so many others supporting her campaign are putting her campaign for governor as a higher priority than addressing the issues we have right now (as was so clearly demonstrated at the rally), I’m beginning to wonder if Medina is doing the same thing. I still support Medina’s stance on the issues, but I can make assessments based on those people who came out today to represent her. Today, all I have seen are people more interested in screaming her name and throwing temper fits over why she isn’t speaking as opposed to people genuinely interested in what they can do to help move nullification along.

I truly hope Medina can keep things focused on the issues and not fall into a complete campaign frenzy like other supporters seem to be encouraging her to do. Medina, and all of us grassroots supporters of her, seemed like such a breath of fresh air, but I guess now it’s just politics as usual.

Mod note from MsD: Be aware, the poster has the "old saying" EXACTLY BACKWARDS. The ACTUAL old saying is "dance with the one who brung you." Which, if applied in the case made by the poster, could indicate the group Not In Texas might have some hidden affiliation with Perry. Just something to be aware of, folks.

 

[LibertyEagle]

I truly hope Medina can keep things focused on the issues and not fall into a complete campaign frenzy like other supporters seem to be encouraging her to do. Medina, and all of us grassroots supporters of her, seemed like such a breath of fresh air, but I guess now it’s just politics as usual.

The Republican primary is MARCH 3. She damn well better be focused on THAT and to expect her not to be is idiotic.

 

[PPJSmith]

I have to admit, this thread disappoints me. I, too, had been a strong Medina fan, but now I am having my doubts.

You're having doubts? I have my doubts that you were ever a Medina supporter. You're disappointed now that you've seen Medina supporters who understand that Perry will never support nullification? These people came to the rally to support Nullification, but they also seen Perry refuse to agree to nullify the healthcare bill during the debates just two days earlier.

We have all been calling Perry's office and the offices of our representatives for the last few weeks trying to get them to support nullification and we have all been ignored. Now we have a candidate who is willing to be our voice, and you want us to keep quiet about her with only two months to the primaries.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4281073200_36d3a576c4_o.jpg

Go Debra! As goes Texas, so goes the nation!

 

[Ron_Paul_Knows]

Media coverage:http://www.statesman.com/news/texas...sters-rally-for-change-at-capitol-182846.html
http://www.statesman.com/news/texas...sters-rally-for-change-at-capitol-182846.html

 

[haaaylee]

We wanted Medina to speak because she talks about nullification a hell of a lot more seriously and sincerely. As long as she didn't get up there and just campaign and talk about getting elected, but instead talked about the topic of nullification there was no reason to exclude her. I don't think any one expected or wanted her to talk about anything but that. This wasn't a stop on her campaign trail to get elected, it was a rally for nullification and i have no doubt she realizes the differences. Unfortunately the organizers didn't.

I also think it was very insulting that when Medina supporters started to speak the music was turned up to drown them out.

 

[MsDoodahs]

You're having doubts? I have my doubts that you were ever a Medina supporter.

Exactly.

 

[torchbearer]

medina is what texas needs.

 

[LibertyEagle]

Media coverage:http://www.statesman.com/news/texas...sters-rally-for-change-at-capitol-182846.html
http://www.statesman.com/news/texas...sters-rally-for-change-at-capitol-182846.html

heh. And for you guys who think this movement is only made up of young people.

 

[constituent]

Irony always strikes in the strangest of places.

 

[haaaylee]

YouTube - Rude Texas State Cops At Obamacare Nullification Rally At State Capitol In Austin Texas

YouTube - wentworth-booed.mpg

YouTube - Health care nullification rally

 

[MurrayMe]

I still think it's ridiculous they didn't allow her to speak.

 

[LibertyEagle]

I still think it's ridiculous they didn't allow her to speak.

Absolutely it was. In fact, I think it was more than ridiculous; it is quite suspicious. I mean, why on earth would they not let someone speak who is a strong supporter of nullification?

 

[Ron_Paul_Knows]

YouTube - Nulification Rally in Austin, Texas January 16, 2010

 

[kahless]

I laughed though when he said we need to repeal the 16th Amendment and abolish the IRS and the crowd went dead silent. I was the only one who shouted.

Thats odd . Why do you think the crowd was silent? Could people not hear him or were people just not paying as much attention at that point in the speech. You would think people would be cheering that.