Posted on 04/09/2005 9:59:39 AM PDT by kristinn
First, I want to thank all the FReepers who were able to attend and to all who contributed to the March for Justice II. It wouldn't have happened without you. I also want to thank our cosponsor, the Coalition for a Fair Judiciary. Our speakers were excellent and I thank them for standing with us. Most of all, thanks to Jim Robinson for all he does.
The March for Justice II was a success, even though we didn't accomplish our goal for attendance. We thought 100 to 200 people would attend, in fact there were between 40 and 50--almost all of them FReepers.
The purpose of the rally was to urge the Senate to employ the constitutional option with regard to the filibusters of judicial nominees and to call on the judiciary to respect the Constitution.
We had four goals for the day: hold a modest sized rally on Capitol Hill on a work day, get other like-minded conservative leaders and groups involved, lobby senators to support the constitutional option and to get media coverage of our efforts.
We had varying degrees of success for each goal. As I said, we wish more people were able to attend but we don't have the financial resources to bus people in like the left. However, everyone I spoke to afterward who attended was very enthusiastic about the day.
The Coalition for a Fair Judiciary helped with getting other like-minded conservative groups to send speakers. Most of our speakers came through their efforts. Hopefully we can build on relationships founded and renewed to help with our efforts on the judiciary and other areas where we have common ground.
All of our announced speakers appeared at the rally, except for Roy Innis who was unable to attend due to illness.
The speakers all gave great speeches. The prepared text of Congressman Billybob's speech was posted on FR Thursday night. Most of the other speakers, if I recall correctly, spoke extemporaneously.
After the rally, Niger Innis led a delegation to three senators' offices to lobby in support of the constitutional option. The offices were those of Sen. Warner, Sen. McCain and Sen. Allen.
FReepers also visited their home state senators' offices. At least one was able to speak to a senator in person as they walked down a hallway. I stayed behind at the rally site to supervise the loadout of equipment, so I hope those FReepers will tell the stories of their adventures.
The response from the media was modest, but we did as well as could be expected. There were four news cameras and one documentary crew that covered the rally (Fox News, WBAL-TV and a West Virginia station); one domestic print reporter (Roll Call); and one reporter from the Ukraine were present. A reporter for Family News in Focus called to get information on the rally and ran a story mentioning it.
I did two radio interviews that afternoon. One was Blanquita Cullum's show on Radio America where the main subject was the rally. The other was on WWRL-AM 1600 in New York City on a different topic where I got in a mention of the rally.
An unintended bonus for us was that the liberals were so scared about our little gathering they sent a group of counter-protesters over to march and chant on the perimeter of the rally. The counter-protesters outnumbered us by a few dozen, but we weren't bothered. We were standing up for the Constitution while they were supporting rule by judicial fiat.
I'll close by thanking and listing the speakers who gave impassioned and very informative speeches at the rally. In order of scheduled appearance, they were:
Ken Connor, Chairman, Center for a Just Society
The Honorable Tom Parker, Justice, Alabama Supreme Court
Gary Marx, Executive Director, Judicial Confirmation Network
Dr. Gary Cass, Center for Reclaiming America
Manuel Miranda, National Coalition to End Judicial Filibusters
Jeff Ballabon, Center for Jewish Values
William Greene, Founder and President, RightMarch.com
John Armor, Esq.
George Landrith, President, Frontiers of Freedom
Kay Daly, President, Coalition for a Fair Judiciary
Niger Innis, National Spokesman, Congress of Racial Equality
Roy Innis, National Chairman and CEO, Congress of Racial Equality (canceled due to illness)
Rep. Steve King (Iowa)
It was worth doing - and solidifies exactly what we must focus on in the days to come.
Bump for a Great Job!
Volley bump!
Bump!
Thanks for the ping Tonk, however...
I was there. It was wonderful & the speakers were inspiring. It was great meeting Jim & so many other FReepers.
It was a success and I am proud of all of you,fatima
Thanks for the ping! Everyone put forth an outstanding effort. It's a real shame many of us can only participate in heart, not body.
BTTT!!!!!!
When you say "Hillary passed us", are you saying that your party had to stop walking - step to the side - put your backs against the wall - suck in your gut - hold your breath - avert your eyes - etc.?
What a cow!
I'm sure her SS agents Really enjoy their jobs! /s
Thanks for the ping to the pics !
"I have seen/heard Byron York on several shows this week advestising his new book about the LEFT-WING conspiracy, which states just how much money is behind the dems right now---the amount available to Reid, Pelosi and friends is staggering!!! "
Many of you have been involved for a long time and are much more savy than I re web sites, etc. out there. This may be old news to many of you, but I heard about a web site on the radio last night, which shows all the various orgs and how much money various congresscritters have received. Chucky Schumer got $million$, which I found interesting, especially since, as I recall, he really didn't have a serious challenger - why did he need all that money?
The site is www.opensecrets.org
Thanks to all who made this possible.
Yep...MUD
BTT for a job well done.
Politicians always go where the voters go. If a solid majority of the voters don't want what you are selling the policiticans won't have any of it.
When a nationwide appeal to change our judicial system can only draw fifty marchers, don't look for any polictican no matter how conservative he or she is to do anything for you.
This is a nation of the people, by the people and for the people. This is not and never has been a nation of the the elected official, by the elected offical, and for the elected offical.
Any cause that can't garner a large amount of voter support is doomed.
If 70 percent of the voters agree with any position on any issue both parties will fight to enact that position. When 70 percent of the voters wanted welfare reform, the leftist Bill Clinton signed it and claimed it was all his idea.
If less than 40 percent of the population actively supports a position, then few if any politicans will actively advance the cause. They will talk nice to you, but they will DO NOTHING!!!
In the battle ground state of Ohio if just a bit over one voter in one hundred had voted for Kerry rather than Bush, Kerry would be president of the USA.
This is a sharply divided nation. Last fall OHIO RINO Senator Voinovich won with 63 percent of the vote. Bush, a far more conservative candidate, won ohio by a bit over 1 percent of the vote. If Bush was more conservative, we would be marching to influence President Kerry.
Politicians look at Ohio and ask,"Is my job more secure if I am a RINO or a conservative"? Perhaps you can guess the answer by looking at the turn out for George (RINO) Voinovich. Perhaps it will give you a clue as to why Ohio Senator DeWine has become a total RINO.
People with little political knowlege think the way to get things done in the USA is to appeal to elected officals. That is a waste of time and money. The way to change things is to appeal to the voters.
When a solid majority of voters agree with a position, policitans show up by the truck load begging to enact it while accusing their opponents of dragging their feet.
And of course the cherry blossoms were just beautiful!!!
Thanks and kudos to all the people who worked so hard to put this together.
Sorry we missed you! It's been a long time.
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